Pasture-Based Dairies: Why and How to Switch (3 of 3):

Grass or grains? For some farmers, moving cows from the feedlot to the field yields more money for less work. In this three-part series, follow several Michigan farmers who successfully transitioned their operations from confinement to pasture-based dairies. Their views are part of a larger debate over what cows should eat and where they should eat it.

In this segment, farmers show how success is possible despite early obstacles like old debts and stubborn cows.

View Part 1: Growing cows on grass yields happier farmers, better dairies

View Part 2: Pasture-based dairy farmers trade high milk production for new way of life

Filmed and produced by: Laura Campbell, Kathy Koch, Daimon Meeh, and Brendan Sinclair

Edited by: Amy Putnam

(Featured photo: David F. Bacon.)