23 | Loyd Borntrager, Borntrager Dairy

Loyd Borntrager is a second-generation dairy farmer from south-central Kansas who has transitioned his family farm from conventional dairying to a pasture-based, direct-to-consumer raw dairy model. At Borntrager Dairy, Loyd focuses on grass-fed production, once-a-day milking, and building a resilient farm business centered on quality, family life, and strong customer relationships. His operation includes Dutch Belted cattle, on-farm dairy processing, and diversified livestock enterprises.

Topics Covered in This Episode

• Transitioning from conventional to grass-based dairying
• Why Dutch Belted cattle fit a grazing dairy system
• Once-a-day milking and its impact on cows and family life
• Direct-to-consumer raw milk sales under Kansas law
• Producing cheese, yogurt, butter, and other dairy products on-farm
• Using sprouted barley fodder as winter feed
• Pasture species mixes for dairy cows in a 30-inch rainfall region
• Strip grazing, fencing, and water infrastructure
• Integrating layers, hogs, and pastured rabbits into the farm system
• Shifting mindset from production volume to product quality

Why This Episode Matters
This episode offers a real-world look at what it takes to move away from volume-driven agriculture and toward a quality-focused, customer-centered farm business. Loyd shares practical lessons about breed selection, grazing management, and lifestyle tradeoffs, making this conversation especially valuable for graziers considering dairying, diversification, or direct marketing.

Resources Mentioned

• The Forgiveness of Nature by Charles Walters
• Acres USA
• Stockman Grass Farmer magazine

Find Out More

• Website: https://borntragerdairy.com
• Social media: Facebook and Instagram (Borntrager Dairy)
• Email list: Available through the Borntrager Dairy website

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