Poll: Do you agree that dairy farming is the second worst job in America?

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Comments (11) Leave a comment 

North Carolina  |  April, 20, 2012 at 08:34 AM

I can see tough situations on some dairy farms but those do not represent the majority. For my dairy farmer friends who spend a few weeks in Belize each winter, there could be an added concern of winter sunburn.

highland ill  |  April, 20, 2012 at 10:03 AM

a job is what you make of it. Heck half the time I don't know if I'm working or playing!

Madison, NJ, USA  |  April, 20, 2012 at 10:14 AM

Aren't they refering to the "milker" job instead of dairy farmer?

Madison, NJ, USA  |  April, 20, 2012 at 10:14 AM

Aren't they refering to the "milker" job instead of dairy farmer?

MN  |  April, 20, 2012 at 10:27 AM

I've had 3 days off in 8 years, no weekends, no holidays, no time off for injury or illness.
That's what comes from buying a farm rather than inheriting, and being a single family
rather than extended family. Though I love the cows, enjoy the work, it consumes my life.

MN  |  April, 20, 2012 at 11:00 AM

Ken, increasingly what I see is the older generation retiring and passing 7 figure debt
to their children. How sad

MN  |  April, 20, 2012 at 03:44 PM

I wholeheartedly agree with Michael’s comment. As a young (part-time) dairy producer in my mid-20’s, my brother and I expect to take on the 7-figure debt of my parent’s business, and also spend the next 40 years of our lives paying for the assets that my parents and grandparents have built during their careers.

Dairy producers of my generation should (and most do) view dairy farming as a business where the largest responsibility is making good business decisions and managing risk—regardless of the size of the herd. If I do this part right, I will be able to enjoy working with my animals and still be able to have a reasonably satisfying lifestyle… and, might even get to spend a week or two with Steve’s friends in Belize!!

Texas  |  April, 21, 2012 at 04:16 PM

I do believe that dairy farming is a great job, and is fun when you love doing it, but given the realities that we're all having to confront it has become difficult whether you do all the work at the farm or you manage a lager dairy operation, and you barely make a meager existence. It is hard to make a living being a dairy farmer whether you do all the work yourself or manage a larger operation. The income is currently non-existant or meager at best which makes it very hard, and while I love my cows and my work, I can seee that there are other jobs that are more profitable. Even a waiter in a resort in Florida can make more money than a dairy farmer. You can live in a beautiful place and enjoy a stress free live. I can understand why people that only have a dairy background, have families and are tied to the land continue to struggle to make it work, but I also believe young people like me (and especially single) would be better off doing something else. When you go to WDE expo you see many cow lovers just playing with their cows as a hobby, but they all have other work, that is telling. I still love being a dairy farmer, but I am also seriously considering making a move, and buy that special 50, 000 dollar cow and play with it. It seems that is the only way to still enjoy dairying.