As a college student, I’ve faced some of the most common misconceptions that circulate throughout the dairy industry in simple conversations with many of my peers. The main ones that catch my attention are about antibiotics in milk and poor animal welfare on dairy farms.
I never understood the extent to which others believed these statements because my entire life as a dairy kid, I’ve been trained to believe otherwise. With my knowledge, it’s statements like these that confuse me because to me and many others in the dairy industry, they couldn’t be farther from the truth. When approached with questions in this realm of concern, I’ve found it best to stand by the saying “People only know what you tell them.”
As much as others might have internal bias against the agriculture industry, it’s important to understand the favoritism we might hold as active members within agriculture and how that can prohibit us from advocating against the misconception at hand without seemingly holding an implicit bias.
Addressing these conversations with a common understanding and providing honest information is the best mode of action to promoting the information in a positive light. That being said, I’ve found it best to give the benefit of the doubt to others who might not share the same understanding that I do.
This has become common practice, most particularly when facing misconceptions as widespread and known as the ones mentioned above. Antibiotics in milk is a popular misconception I’ve noted throughout my time as an industry member and is also one I’ve hosted intentional conversations around. Growing up on my family’s California dairy farm, I’ve always seen the milk truck come to the dairy multiple times a day and be tested for any antibiotics. Sharing that same sentiment, I’ve watched truckloads of milk be dumped on several surrounding farms after testing positive for any sort of bacteria or antibiotic. Dairy farms go through stringent protocols and lengths to ensuring their milk is safe once it gets to the milk truck.
In the same way, I’ve worked alongside my grandfather and dad my entire life on our family dairy and have watched them consistently put the dairy cows before themselves. Whether installing more fans or rebedding their stalls, dairy farmers always work to encourage cow comfort.
Facing these misconceptions are a given, especially when working to promote agriculture and the dairy industry. When challenged with them, it’s important to consider the background and circumstances of those whom you’re speaking with and to give them the benefit of the doubt.
Morgan Oliveira was the 2024 Hoard’s Dairyman editorial intern. She grew up working on her family’s dairy farm near Hilmar, Calif. As a student at Cal Poly University, Oliveira is majoring in agriculture communications.
