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Michigan ideal for dairy farming

082515Dairy-calf-at-Sunnvil

A Michigan agricultural leader says the state’s dairy industry expects continued growth.

Jim Byrum President of the Michigan Agri-Business Association tells Brownfield, dairy production is increasing to new regions of the state and returning to others that haven’t seen dairy farms in a while.

“The number of cows in Michigan increases because frankly we have one resource that some areas are pretty lacking in, and that’s water.”

He says cooler weather and available feed sources make Michigan an ideal state for dairy cows.

Byrum says while Michigan is experiencing growth in all livestock sectors, agribusinesses are also growing to meet the needs of farmers. He says soybean processing, ingredient and commodity handling, and trucking are just some of the opportunities on the horizon.  “We’re going to see additional processing, we’re going to see more cows, we’re seeing a very vibrant and growing industry.”

Michigan’s dairy herd has consistently expanded over the last decade, adding an average of 9,000 dairy cows each year. The state herd as August totaled 409,000 head, an increase of almost 30,000 cows in just the last two years.

AUDIO: Interview with Jim Byrum (3:04 mp3):

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