Kentucky’s Dairy Industry

  • In 2022, Kentucky’s 45,000 milk cows produced 107 million gallons of milk. 

  • Kentucky dairy farmers made $243 million from selling dairy products, including milk. 

  • Kentucky’s dairy cows, on average, produced 2,163 gallons per year.

  • Kentucky milk is also processed locally; Kentucky has 6 commercial milk processing plants, 3 commercial cheese processing plants, a specialty ice-cream plant, 1 on-farm milk bottling plant, and 6 on-farm cheese makers.  

    The top dairy cattle counties in the state:

    1. Logan

    2. Barren

    3. Adair

    4. Christian

    5. Warren

Source: National Agriculture Statistics Service and Economic Research Commission

Dairy farming is a fulfilling way of life, but according to H.H. Barlow, without strong business practices the full potential may not be realized. Barlow is a second-generation dairy farmer from Kentucky. He grew up on a dairy farm and paid his way through college milking cows at the University of Kentucky's research farm.

Douglas Barbour and wife, Maggie, inherited their family farm from his parents in the early 1970s. Today, Douglas and Maggie milk 45 cows on 150 acres of land, with an additional 30 young heifers that will soon move into milk production.

With a degree in agricultural sciences and business management, Terry Rowlett had several career opportunities available to him after he graduated from Eastern Kentucky University and served in the U.S. Army. None, however, equaled the opportunity to follow the path laid out by his father, who had operated a dairy farm most of his life.

Hard work, determination and family are the keys to running a successful dairy farm. Jonathan Gaskins opened his own dairy farm in 2005. It took him a couple years to build up his herd to begin producing milk, but now Gaskins milks around 160 cows on 500 acres of land in central Kentucky.

 
 
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Farmers and processors work hard to make sure your milk is safe
Farmers and processors work hard to make sure your milk is safe

Dairy farmers strive every day to produce wholesome milk and milk products that your family can feel good about eating. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulate U.S. milk production, and its guidelines are some of the strictest in the industrialized world. Farmers, processors and government agencies all work together to ensure the milk you drink is safe and of the highest quality.

Healthy cows are happy cows
Healthy cows are happy cows

Dairy farming focuses on raising cows for the production of milk and other dairy products. The care of dairy cows is an important part of successful dairy farming. Dairy farmers take excellent care of their cows, providing their animals clean and comfortable housing, fresh water, food and medical attention when necessary.

Separating Cows and Calves: The Real Story
Separating Cows and Calves: The Real Story

There are two main reasons why newborn dairy calves don’t stay with their mothers: for their safety and their health. To answer this question, I’d like to remind you of the very real and often forgotten fact that cows and people are very different. Cows do not exist in a family unit like most people do. They are herd animals, meaning that they are most comfortable with other cows their age and their size – their herd-mates.


Take a Virtual Field Trip to Learn about Dairy Farming in Kentucky

Denise Jones gives us a tour of her family's dairy farm - Coleman Crest Dairy - in Loretto, Ky. and tells us how they care for their cattle and collect their milk for us to enjoy. Then we go to Bowling Green to visit Chaney's Dairy Barn, where the Chaney family uses their cow's milk to make ice cream.