Kentucky Dairy Farm Utilizes Bourbon Byproduct to Enhance Cow Nutrition

Cowherd Dairy, located in Campbellsville, Kentucky, has adopted an innovative approach to dairy farming by incorporating distiller syrup into their cattle feed. This syrup, a byproduct from the local bourbon industry, is used to enhance the nutritional intake of their herd while also reducing feed costs. The distiller syrup contains approximately 20% protein and serves as an affordable feed supplement, with the farm only incurring a hauling cost of about $500 per tanker load.

The use of distiller syrup is part of Cowherd Dairy's broader strategy to utilize byproduct feeds, aligning with the EPA’s Food Recovery Hierarchy. By doing so, the farm supports environmental sustainability and reduces food waste. Other byproducts used include soybean meal and citrus pulp pellets, which contribute to the farm's feed management.

Research from 2019 to 2024 indicates that byproduct feeds now meet up to 60% of the protein requirements for lactating cows in the U.S. Cowherd Dairy's approach exemplifies how dairy farms can effectively manage resources and reduce costs by leveraging locally available byproducts.

Additionally, Cowherd Dairy collaborates with The Dairy Alliance to educate consumers about how dairy cows recycle nutrients from these byproducts. Through multimedia campaigns, they aim to connect consumers with the sustainable practices behind the high-quality milk products they purchase.