Milk And Manure In The Dairy State

Regulators in Wisconsin say, for the most part, their big dairy farms are doing a good job with manure management. They say most of their water quality problems come from smaller farms in the state - farms that are not monitored as closely. (Photo courtesy of the USDA)

The dairy industry often uses images of cows grazing in a green pasture. But that's not how most dairy farms look these days. Instead of green pastures, thousands of cows are penned up in huge metal pole barns. The mechanization of dairies makes for cheaper milk at the grocery store. But, in many places around the country, it's also meant a lot of pollution. Mark Brush visited a place where they say big dairies are doing it right:

More about the Crave Brothers Farm in Wisconsin

Another story on dairy farms from TER

A related article from the New York Times

Producer: Mark Brush
Release Date: October 29, 2009
Running Time: 3:35