FARM PRACTICES
SUSTAINABLE FARMING SINCE 1973
We are proud to practice sustainable farming at Dakin Dairy Farms. As one of the last remaining family-owned dairy farms in Manatee County, we go above and beyond to provide the best environment possible for our grass-fed cows. We believe in creating our products as organically as possible, using only sustainable farming practices. Each year we become even more sustainable by recycling and reusing our natural resources on our farm.
Composting plays a large role in our sustainable farming practices. We apply our composted manure to over 250 acres of grasses on our farm. The soil amended with compost reduces water usage and the need for fertilizer. Next, we cut our grass twice daily. Cutting the grass twice daily ensures that we stay ahead of any real pest damage. This ensures our cows are only eating healthy grass with the vitamins and nutrients their bodies need. Because of these sustainable practices, we eliminate the need to use pesticides.
Additionally, we water our grass not only by rain but with nutrient-rich water recycled from our barn. We continuously recycle the water captured in our final basins. Then, this water is either sent back to the housing barns to clean the floors or to the high protein grasses. Again, this reduces fertilizer needs through seepage irrigation. We believe these sustainable farming practices make all the difference in our products.
RECYCLING AND REUSING OUR RESOURCES
These practices play a vital role in the grass, which our cows rely on. By ensuring that the grass we feed our cows is free of harmful chemicals or pesticides, we allow our cows’ diet to be the way nature intended. This diet leaves our cows happy and healthy, and our healthy cows can produce the best milk possible. Grass-fed cows produce milk that is healthier and rich in nutrients. By prioritizing these sustainable farming practices, we ensure that our cows are producing milk that is the best quality it can be.
Plus, our sustainable farming methods go beyond the pasture. For example, every barn on our farm has been designed to utilize gravity in order to clean the floors. This captures sand, manure, and water in settling basins. We then prepare the contents of these basins to recycle back into the farm. Next, we sanitize the sand using solar energy. This sand is reused in the barns for cow bedding. By utilizing this method of recycling, we have successfully managed cow bedding without needing to harvest new sand.
We believe our sustainable farming practices make all the difference. We are proud to incorporate sustainable practices into our family dairy farm. This plays a vital role in producing milk in the way nature intended. And it truly is why our milk tastes so good. It all comes back to the fresh grass. With our sustainable practices, we have fresh grass 365 days a year, blended with hay, grains, and minerals. Are you ready to taste the Dakin Difference?
