Feeding the future: What dairy farmers can teach us about progress with purpose

No two dairy farms are alike.

Each one operates within a unique landscape of distinct and differentiated challenges, shaped by local environment, geography and the needs of its community. In rainy Oregon, farming looks different than it does on the sundrenched plains of West Texas or in the bluff country of Wisconsin’s “driftless” region. And yet, across these different regions, one thing remains constant: a shared commitment to progress among U.S. dairy farmers—finding solutions that work for their farms, their herds and the world around them.

In eastern Iowa, where winters can be long and unforgiving, John Maxwell of Cinnamon Ridge Farms saw the local weather not as a barrier, but as an invitation to innovate. After years of experimentation, he discovered that rye—a resilient cover crop—could thrive through harsh winters and provide year-round nourishment for his Jersey cows.

Today, John’s 400-acre rye crop does triple duty: It boosts milk production, cuts feed costs in half and helps protect the soil for future harvests. By reducing tillage, he also prevents erosion and runoff, preserving the health of his fields for future generations. For John, curiosity is a critical part of progress. He’s constantly looking for better ways to operate and eager to share what he learns with others.

His story is one among thousands. Across the country, dairy farmers are advancing what we call sustainable nutrition—bringing together time-honored practices and new ideas to deliver real benefits for people, animals and the planet. This is about more than efficiency; it’s about nourishing communities with responsibly produced, nutrient-rich foods, and doing so in a way that sustains natural resources for future generations.

Building on a family legacy

That mindset is front and center at Milking R Dairy in South Florida, where fourth-generation farmer Garrett Rucks blends family tradition with forward-looking innovation.

Drawing on lessons from his grandfather and father, Garrett has invested in tools that improve both care and efficiency—from a rotary milking system and electronic sorting gates to smart ear tags that provide real-time health data. These advances allow Garrett, his sister Lindsey, and their family to care for their animals with precision while ensuring the long-term resilience of their operation. Today, they can check on herd health, cow flow and milk weights at a glance, enhancing care without losing the hands-on connection that shaped them.

Measuring progress, sharing results

These aren’t isolated examples. Across the U.S., dairy farmers, processors and partners are investing in sustainability—and seeing measurable results.

The Farmgate Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) for U.S. dairy, peer-reviewed and published in Environmental Science & Technology in May 2025, measures emissions from the beginning of feed production through the point milk leaves the farm. According to this, farmers produced 28 percent more milk between 2007 and 2020, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions per gallon by 13 percent. That progress is the result of a variety of on-farm interventions: genetic improvement, resulting in greater milk production per cow with higher components, as well as more efficient feed production and improved manure management practices, resulting in healthier soil and more sustainable nutrition for people.

These assessments aren’t just numbers; they reflect thousands of individual decisions made on farms every day. Together, the Farmgate LCA and the upcoming Processor Level LCA provide the tools to measure that impact, guide continuous improvement and ensure the nutrition dairy provides is produced in ways that are increasingly efficient, transparent and sustainable.

Smart technology, smarter care

Innovation continues to redefine what’s possible. In Coopersville, Michigan, first-generation dairy farmer Paul Windemuller is using cutting-edge tools to care for his 260-cow herd.

Through collar sensors, Paul monitors each cow’s health in real time—enabling early intervention and reducing the need for antibiotics. His cows also benefit from robotic milking stations and AI-driven systems that allow them to choose their own milking schedules. The system automatically initiates customized milking sessions based on historical data, optimizing both grain portions and predicted milk output.

The results speak for themselves: increased productivity, improved herd health and more streamlined operations. Paul has seen cows on his farm produce up to three times the national average—and he believes this is just the beginning of what’s possible with thoughtful, tech-enabled care.

A commitment that reaches beyond the farm

From farm to fridge, dairy foods are produced with intention—guided by science, grounded in tradition, and fueled by dairy farmers’ deep sense of responsibility.

This progress reflects more than innovation—it reflects accountability. Through initiatives like the 2050 Environmental Stewardship Goals, the U.S. Dairy Stewardship Commitment and adherence to internationally recognized measurement frameworks, the industry is tracking real impact, not just good intentions. And programs like Dairy Feed in Focus, The Greener Cattle Initiative and the Dairy Soil & Water Regeneration Project are helping turn ambition into action by accelerating on-farm innovation, improving environmental outcomes and generating scalable solutions for the entire dairy value chain.

And at the center of it all is sustainable nutrition: the recognition that producing high-quality, nutrient-dense foods can go hand in hand with reducing environmental impacts. That’s what sets the U.S. dairy industry apart. By blending new technology with proven practices, dairy farmers are helping to shape a food system that is sustainable, accessible and resilient. It’s not just about making more milk—it’s about doing it in a way that nourishes people, strengthens communities and protects the planet.

Dairy’s sustainability journey is ongoing, but the direction is clear. As stewards of the land and champions for their communities, America’s dairy farmers are proving that it’s possible to feed a growing world while caring for the planet—one decision, one innovation, one gallon at a time.

We are proud to be part of a future where nutritious, responsibly produced dairy foods continue to support well-being—for today and for generations to come.