Learn the basics about dairy farms

If you want to own a modern dairy farm, you have to learn about farming. You need to learn how to care for the cows, how to milk them and how to get the milk where you need it to go.

I recommend: Take a virtual tour of a modern dairy farm at Dairy Farming Today. You can also go the CIAS (Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems) website for some basic information about owning and running a dairy farm.

Learn about the necessary dairy farm operations and equipment

Equipment for modern dairy farms ranges from cooling systems for the milk, storage systems of the milk, supplies and equipment to help you care for the cows and equipment for milking the cows.

I recommend: Go to Paul Mueller Company for an extensive list of milk coolers, processing systems and refrigeration products. You can also go to BouMatic for other dairy products, including cow traffic systems, milking systems, cooling systems and even ways for you to improve hygiene.

Sell the milk from your milk farms

Once you have your equipment and your dairy farm up and running, you need to sell the milk. Market it out to businesses that will turn the milk into cheese, yogurt and ice cream.

I recommend: The US Dairy Export Council has more information about exporting milk worldwide and getting into the hands of the people who will use it. You can also go to the National Milk Producers Federation for a Dairy Market Report. They have market reports than run from 2006 to current. If you’re looking for manufactures of dairy products, go to the Dairy Farmers of America.