23 | Loyd Borntrager, Borntrager Dairy
Loyd Borntrager is a second-generation dairy farmer from south-central Kansas who has transitioned his family farm from conventional dairying to a pasture-based, direct-to-consumer raw dairy model. At Borntrager Dairy, Loyd focuses on grass-fed production, once-a-day milking, and building a resilient farm business centered on quality, family life, and strong customer relationships. His operation includes Dutch Belted cattle, on-farm dairy processing, and diversified livestock enterprises.
Topics Covered in This Episode
- Transitioning from conventional to grass-based dairying
- Why Dutch Belted cattle fit a grazing dairy system
- Once-a-day milking and its impact on cows and family life
- Direct-to-consumer raw milk sales under Kansas law
- Producing cheese, yogurt, butter, and other dairy products on-farm
- Using sprouted barley fodder as winter feed
- Pasture species mixes for dairy cows in a 30-inch rainfall region
- Strip grazing, fencing, and water infrastructure
- Integrating layers, hogs, and pastured rabbits into the farm system
- Shifting mindset from production volume to product quality
Why This Episode Matters
This episode offers a real-world look at what it takes to move away from volume-driven agriculture and toward a quality-focused, customer-centered farm business. Loyd shares practical lessons about breed selection, grazing management, and lifestyle tradeoffs, making this conversation especially valuable for graziers considering dairying, diversification, or direct marketing.
This episode offers a real-world look at what it takes to move away from volume-driven agriculture and toward a quality-focused, customer-centered farm business. Loyd shares practical lessons about breed selection, grazing management, and lifestyle tradeoffs, making this conversation especially valuable for graziers considering dairying, diversification, or direct marketing.
Resources Mentioned
- The Forgiveness of Nature by Charles Walters
- Acres USA
- Stockman Grass Farmer magazine
Find Out More
- Website: https://borntragerdairy.com
- Social media: Facebook and Instagram (Borntrager Dairy)
- Email list: Available through the Borntrager Dairy website
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