North Dakota’s dairy sector has declined, with just 29 Grade A Dairy farms left in the state. The sector is becoming more difficult to maintain, since there is no location to send milk, making it tough for farmers to prosper.
The milk market is particularly volatile, with lows being lower for longer than highs. Companies can capitalize on highs more effectively than small businesses, and they can remain afloat better during a crisis. Pay Dak Dairy’s owners, Sam and Jonas Heyl, produce 20,000 pounds of milk each day, or 7.3 million pounds annually. Their milk is delivered to Pollock, South Dakota, every three days. As a third-generation farmer, Sam has seen the sector evolve, noting that everyone who dairy farmed had a few cows to support their families.
With a smaller business of 300 milking cows and ten hired personnel, the farm requires 365 days of labor to care for the animals. Their enthusiasm and affection for animals make their work worthwhile every day.
