Agriculture
Computer model bolsters sustainability, production for dairy farms
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By IAN WENDROW
Capital News Service
LANSING — Researchers at Michigan State University are creating a computer model to help make pasture dairy farming more sustainable. The project draws upon several research papers released in the past three months that discuss the environmental impact of livestock farms and how climate change affects them. They also address the challenges of moving cows from barns to pastures. Mecosta, Sanilac and Hillsdale counties have more than 100 dairy farms each, according to the United Dairy Industry of Michigan. Allegan and Huron counties have between 76 and 100, while Gladwin, Missaukee, Newaygo, Montcalm, Ionia, Clinton and Isabella counties have between 51 and 75 each.