End of an Era! Central New York Farm Stops Milking After 62 Years

It's the end of an era. A Central New York farm will stop milking after 62 years.

Bruce and Sally Barnes began their endeavor into the dairy business in May of 1962 when there were only about 500 dairy farms in the the state. They purchased a farm in Madison and began milking on a steady basis.

62 years later, with the help of daughter Christine continues to run the farm well into his 80s, milking about 70 cows.

Decline of Dairy Farms in New York

Over the years, the number of dairy farms has been steadily declining.

In 1995 there were 11,000 in the state of New York. In 2020 that number dropped to just 3600. Three years later it was down to 3000.

READ MORE: Hardworking New York Farmers Lose Barn in Devastating Fire

This year there will be one less. The milking cows from the Barnes family farm will soon be transported elsewhere to continue doing what they do.

Barnes Farm Still Farming

That doesn't mean the Barnes family is done farming. Christine will still be raising heifers and calves. "We will still have animals on the farm and mom and dad aren't going anywhere."

READ MORE: Oldest Farm in New York Began in 1600s & It's Probably Not Where You Think

We had the pleasure of spending a morning at the Barnes Farm where the family welcomed us with open arms and the cows greeted us with kisses several years ago.

Sunday the entire Barnes family will gather on the farm as the cows are loaded to be taken away to a new home. "We even have family coming from as far away as Colorado," said Christine.

We wish the Barnes family all the best in their future endeavors and hope the cows find a home as good as the one they've had.