Why Bigger Farms?

August 22, 2013

By John Parker

Sometimes one hears comments that farmers should farm the way Grandpa farmed 60 or 70 or more years ago. Lets take a look at why that is not possible today. And if farmers did, food could be costing double what it is now.

Go back those 60 or 70 years and what size and kind of farms were in the area? There were a large number of 75, 100 or 150-acre farms, many with dairy cattle. This part of Ohio was known for much milk production as well as a number of purebred Holstein and Jersey herds.

Problems were obvious. There just was not enough income from the relatively small dairy herds of 15 to 20 and up to a few 50 and 60 cow herds to support farm families. Many farms were not making enough money to pay their bills and provide that family income. There was too much milk in the country and farm milk prices were very low.

Yet, many of them wanted to be dairy farmers. Their families had been in the business; it was what they knew and they wanted to continue. As is true in any business, some dairy farmers were more efficient than others and were able to make enough income for a decent living.

Back in the 1950s, there were some angry times among dairy farmers in the area. Many wanted to stay in business, but were struggling. They would grasp at any idea that they thought might help increase milk prices.

So, when a union group came out from Cleveland and attempted to organize dairy farmers, some thought it might work. Union tactics can be aggressive and pressure was put on farmers to join. If they werent interested, their union neighbors were unhappy with them. Farmers were pitted against farmers and times were troubling.

Since a majority of dairy farmers did not join, the union movement soon faded away. Milk withholding on farms did not work because farmers could not afford to dump their milk, even if the price was not good.

While a majority of Ohio dairy farmers belonged to farmer owned and operated marketing cooperatives to bargain with processors for a better price, the area had a larger percentage of nonmembers. One reason was a large processor that did not want to deal with the farmer cooperatives was willing to pay just a little bit more for milk to have an independent supply.

Over the years, efforts by farmer cooperatives did improve milk prices. But, they were not enough and the smaller farms gradually went out of business. The 1960s, 70s and 80s saw many dairy farm auctions.

Meanwhile, grain prices were getting stronger. Fields were being tiled in the area and were much more productive with better yields. Grain farms increased.

Those dairy farms that remained in business gradually got bigger to have more income. Larger herds did not happen overnight.

Spectacular increases in efficiencies also were taking place on dairy farms. Nearly twice the milk from each cow meant fewer cows were needed to provide enough milk for everyone. In fact, dairy farmers have had a problem of over-producing for local needs, but the nature of their business makes it hard for them to adjust production.

Getting bigger has not just happened on farms. Look at businesses, industry, schools, cities and other institutions. Getting bigger over the years has been a fact of life across society.

No, one cannot go back. People need to move forward if they expect to maintain their present level of living.

Parker is an independent agricultural writer.