A family history in the milk business has literally given Carrol Campbell a bucket to stand on. He might even say it's a soapbox but what Campbell hopes to accomplish from working in the dairy industry all these years is to dispel misconceptions about production agriculture and convince non-farm folks that milk, meat and conventional crops are produced using safe, wholesome, Earth-friendly methods.
The following photos depict a day in the life of Campbell Farms where Carrol, his son, Nathan Campbell, and son-in-law, Scott Lowe, manage a dairy and diversified farm just north of Winfield. Nathan is in charge of the 250-cow operation while Scott manages 2,000 acres of wheat, alfalfa, soybeans, corn and grain sorghum.
SAVING MOISTURE:
Campbell Farms practice strip and no-till to preserve top soil, retain soil moisture and eliminate fuel-intensive trips. As a youth, Campbell plowed fields to get rid of Johnson grass because his father did not use pesticides or herbicides. Campbell believes they were early organic farmers yet today, as the third generation on the dairy farm, he is glad to use herbicides to kill weeds.
FIFTH GENERATION:
Breckyn Campbell is Carrol's only granddaughter and enjoys watching the Holstein calves housed in grandpa's backyard. Her dad, Nathan, is the dairy manager at Campbell Farms and she will be a big sister this fall. Campbell also has two grandsons.
COOLING THE COWS:
Using a free-stall barn built in 1980, Campbell Farms can house up to 250-cows. Since heat stress can slow milk production, cows are sprayed with automatic misters when temperatures rise above 80-degrees. Large box fans continually move cool air over the animals back. In the winter, screens roll down for protection from the north wind.
BUILDING PRODUCTION:
Campbell's grandfather and father milked 8-12 cows twice a day. In the 1980s, free-stall barns were built for Campbell's 250 Holstein cows. This has increased production per cow by 150% through the adoption of unique management techniques. In addition, Campbell says the dairy's carbon footprint has been reduced by 40%.
KEEPING UP:
As an industry advocate, Campbell says he must stay on top of what is being said and written about agriculture. He serves on several boards and in leadership positions, which give him a podium and sometimes, a plane ride, to speak on behalf of sustainability in production ag.
BOTTLE BABY:
Calves must be born at Campbell Farms to ensure cows are producing milk, which accounts for nearly 80% of the farm's income. The bull calf pictured here will receive a bottle by hand until it learns to drink on its own. Campbell Farms retains heifers for use in milk production and sells bulls to a select buyer.
SPREADING THE WORD:
Dairy cows required their owner to stay close to home and consistently meet the milking schedule. For years Campbell spent every night at home but lately, he's traveled hundreds of miles to tell agriculture's story. Every phone call and personal interaction is important to Campbell who takes the time to explain how production ag is sustainable.