Innovation Is Star at Dairy
Published: Friday, June 27, 2025
A little over two dozen Indiana Department of Environmental Management leaders, along with other farming-adjacent industry workers, toured Homestead Dairy Farm in Plymouth last Thursday with American Dairy Assn. Indiana.
Farmers Brian and Jill Houin led the group through several dairy facilities on the farm, including a cow barn, calf barn and milking parlor.
Meg Magsamen of ADAI said it is vital to create a level of connection and understanding between dairies and regulatory agencies.
"It's great whenever we have a chance for people to come out to the farm and meet the farmer, see modern technology and see where their food comes from and the care farmers give to their animals," she said.
The tour connects people to farmers and shows them the variety of farming practices within the dairy industry.
Megan Espinda, IDEM ag liaison, said she was impressed by the Homestead Dairy operation.
"This dairy's very clean and easy to tour," she said.
One of her highlights was learning about the farm's digester, which produces enough energy to power 1,000 houses in nearby Plymouth. She said it was an impressive way to support the community.
Brian Wolff, also of IDEM, noted the difference between dairies on the tour, which included County Line Dairy in Henry County and Lindauer Dairy in Dubois County.
"Every farm does things a little differently," he said.
While touring the barns, industry representatives learned that Homestead Dairy Farm is home to about 5,000 cows and that each bovine wears its own "fit bit" that tracks its health and milking habits.
Jill Houin shared that the farm averages about 85 pounds of milk production per day per cow and is among the largest robotic dairies in the world.
As they led the tour through the cow barn, Jill and Brian fielded a slew of questions from participants. Some include: why don't cows like eye contact, what is the difference between a cow and heifer, and how long does silage feed last?
Other topics included the robotic dairy process, which prioritizes cleanliness, and the intense care given to calves. Jill explained the importance of colostrum to a calf's development and the deliberate timing of calf feeding in order to maximize the animal's health and development.
"It's a great opportunity for different industries to get together and talk farming," Jill said after the tour.
The No. 1 message she hopes people glean from her tours is to talk to a farmer.
"If you ever have a question about farming, ask a farmer! They can explain the why and have an open conversation about it."
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