Duncan Smith is like many of the Houston Chamber of Commerce members he spoke with on Feb. 5 – he works hard, tracks his investments and takes pride in the product he produces. But unlike the typical local business, his most important asset is cows. Smith is a dairy farmer and one of the people behind the wholesome dairy foods consumers enjoy.
Smith is the owner and operator of his family farm, Spring Hill Dairy, near Mountain Grove. Along with his wife and three older children, he milks 145 cows twice a day, every day. Smith’s 580-acre farm has been in his family since 1970.
“We love what we do,” said Smith. “Dairy farmers across Missouri differ in the number of cows they milk and production styles, but we all share a passion for producing high-quality, wholesome milk.”
Smith pointed out that caring for the land is an important priority. Because his family lives and works on the farm, he takes seriously his responsibility to protect land, water and air. In addition, cow comfort and health is carefully monitored, assisted by experts such as nutritionists and veterinarians. Because of this commitment at the dairy farm, people can count on wholesome dairy foods produced while sustaining the environment, he said.
To learn more about the people behind the product – dairy farmers and the milk they produce – visit www.midwestdairy.com or www.dairyfarmingtoday.org.