Development of Dairy Farming in Mississippi

C OMMERCIAL dairy farming and other land use practices instigated during the 1930's are continuing to play important roles in the agricultural economy of the Cotton Belt, despite the fact that wartime economy has once more restored King Cotton to his throne. This is significant, especially since it is doubtful whether or not this old monarch will continue to dominate the national consumer market after the war. To prepare to meet any such post-war decline in the cotton market, therefore, diversified agriculture should be encouraged, and a further development of dairy farming should be stressed. The spread of commercial dairy farming in areas south of the MasonDixon Line is of geographic interest, if only because this region has long been considered unfavorable for animal husbandry. The hot summers are harmful to many well-known breeds of beef and dairy cattle, and the heavy precipitation does not permit timothy hay to be cured satisfactorily. In addition, the region lacks large metropolitan centers which, in the north Atlantic and middle western states, serve as markets for fluid milk, cream, butter, cheese, and meat products. In spite of these handicaps, however, large herds of dairy cattle may now be seen in areas formerly dominated by cotton. This shift from plantation agriculture to commercial dairy farming is particularly widespread in Mississippi. Recent crop and livestock statistics for this state show marked decreases in cotton production. At the same time, they indicate significant increases in (1) the number of acres of hay and other forage crops, (2) the number of dairy cows and gallons of milk produced since 1929, (3) the percentage of dairy cows in the livestock total, (4) the number of farms on which cows are milked, and (5) the number of creameries, condensaries, and cheese plants throughout the state. Obviously, these changes are indicative of both the absolute and relative importance of dairying in the farm economy

Agricultural economics · Agricultural science · Agriculture · Archaeology · Business · Dairy farming · Economics · Environmental planning · Geography · Agricultural Economics and Policy · Agricultural Innovations and Practices · American Environmental and Regional History · Environmental Science

• Clyde F. Kohn 1911–1989

  Michael L Mcnulty•Annals of the Association of…•1991

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