By Audrey Halsey

A day in the life of a dairy farmer is filled with animals and the outdoors. Working from sunup to sundown, many farmers are immersed in their passion every day. Unfortunately, dairy farming in Indiana has been on a downward trend, greatly affecting farmers and their day-to-day lives. 

According to the Indiana State Board of Animal Health, there are currently 986 licensed dairy farms in Indiana. This is an 8% drop from one year ago, when there were 1,070 dairy farms in the state.   

The current situation, which is both scary and frustrating, is that many Indiana dairy farmers are barely hanging on. During these difficult times, dairy farmers must find motivation to keep moving forward. Pam Jones, who operates Jones Robotic Dairy Farm in Star City, Ind., says her passion for agriculture keeps her and her husband going.

“It is a love like no other for our land, animals and knowing that you are feeding the world’s population,” Jones says. “Dairy farming is a tradition. I think most people love tradition.” 

Jones’ farm has been in the family since 1919, and it’s a cherished way of life. “My husband tells the story of being a little boy and playing in the sandbox with all of his farm toys, and the only difference now is the size of his toys,” she says. Strong family ties and a familiar lifestyle are just a couple of prominent reasons why dairy farmers continue to hang on.  

Why the downfall?
Many factors have contributed to the decline of Indiana dairy farming, both on a local and national scale. Local factors that affect operating costs, such as feed prices and labor availability, as well as national factors such as milk pricing and government policies, all have contributed to negative returns. Today, the milk supply is high, the selling price is low, and many dairy farmers report being paid below the cost of production for their goods. Adding to that is the popularity of plant-based diets and nut milks, lowering the demand for cow milk in the stores.

Although milk alternative goods are on the rise, there are still many ways that dairy can be implemented into one’s daily diet. Cynthia Adam, co-owner at Knollbrook Farm in Goshen, Ind., has been in the dairy business since 1998. Adam was recently appointed by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue to the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board, and looks forward to taking part in the endorsement of dairy products.

“I’m hoping to participate in the promotion of new and exciting dairy products and uses,” she says.  She currently operates a farm of 125 head of cattle with her husband, John, and four children. Though difficult times are occurring within the industry, she continues to look ahead, and is intent on moving forward. 

“We would not recoup what we have invested if we were to quit,” she explains. “Additionally, I appreciate the variety that each day offers; there is always something new. It’s enjoyable to be able to work with both livestock and people.”

Dairy farming offers a diverse amount of opportunities each day, and the passion that farmers have for this lifestyle is evident. 

Moving forward
Some dairy farmers who have decided to no longer continue operations still keep their heads held high. Joe Kelsay, who operates Kelsay Farms in Whiteland, Ind., recently made the decision to exit the business due to years of negative returns and market uncertainty. This sixth-generation dairy farm, which has been in business since 1837, will no longer be a milking operation. 

Though it was an emotional decision,  Kelsay’s advice to other farmers indicates optimism, hope and that there will be a light at the end of the tunnel. “I am confident that this difficult time will pass, but it is hard to say exactly when,” he says. “My advice would be to use the hard times to really focus on efficiency and constant improvement.” 

Kelsay Farms will still be open to visitors for tours and fall activities, and Kelsay still hopes the best for the future of dairy. Dairy farmers put heart and soul into their work, he explains. It is a passion, commonly passed down through several generations, for the ability to feed the world. It requires time, dedication and perseverance. It builds strong work ethic, respect for animals and often a deep connection to family. 

Though this industry has been facing hardships and troubled times, many dairy farmers’ love for their work outweighs times of crisis. With this perspective, there is still hope for these determined Indiana dairy farmers. As Kelsay says, “Be ready to celebrate when things turn around, and love what you do.”

Halsey is a senior in ag communication at Purdue University. She writes from West Lafayette, Ind.