by Rylee Stoltz
dairy industry has a direct impact on rural economic vibrancy throughout the state. The University of Nebraska at Lincoln found that one dairy cow would have a direct impact of $12,000 on the local economy. Meaning that even a AFAN small-sized dairy would have a significant financial impact to was formed in main street and create a need for 2005 by the leading additional goods and services. The benefits don’t stop at agricultural main street, grain farmers organizations in have an opportunity to reap benefits from a dairy as well. Nebraska to be a Partnering with a local dairy resource for could add an additional $500 per acre to a grain farmer’s Nebraska bottom line! Both parties reap the producers. most benefits when a grain farmer can sell their crops directly to a dairy producer and the grain farmer is able to use the manure on their fields. One grain farmer near Shelby, Nebraska, gave this testament: “Working with a neighboring dairy has added tremendous value to my farm. The dairy uses the silage I produce for feed, which leads to an earlier harvest, an extremely local market, access to manure that reduces my input costs and improves the overall health of my soil. Through this partnership, my operation has become more efficient and more productive.” than ever before from dairy producers who are Moving forward, AFAN is hopeful that the dairy considering Nebraska as their next place of business. industry will continue to grow and thrive, providing With our abundant water resources, grain availability, opportunities for rural communities and local farmers. ag-friendly policies, and hardworking people, Nebraska If you are interested in championing a dairy in your should be top of mind for anyone looking to do community, or want to learn more, please reach out. business in the ag sector. Our group is excited that Let's work together to make Nebraska the next dairy Nebraska’s recent growth in dairy processing is not only frontier! attracting more farmers but is providing an opportunity for existing Nebraska dairy producers to grow. But why is growth in the dairy industry important and why is it so important to Nebraska? Growing the
y frontier
March 2023
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