217 | Raw Milk, Fall Seasonal Dairying & the Gallagher eShepherd with Dakota Finch
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Dakota Finch of Finch Family Farm in upstate New York shares his journey from Air Force service to becoming a grass-fed, organic dairy farmer. Starting in 2017 with a herd of 23 cows purchased through a generous mentorship opportunity, Dakota built his operation on a foundation of hands-on learning, including an internship on a grass-fed organic dairy. He discusses the challenges of transitioning from conventional to regenerative practices, including managing native pastures, seasonal calving, and the financial and logistical hurdles of producing organic hay. A major highlight is his experience with Gallagher eShepherd virtual collars, which dramatically reduced labor but introduced technical challenges like signal interference and connectivity outages. Dakota also details his expansion into a retail farm store selling raw milk, beef, pork, and eggs—driven by a desire to connect directly with customers and grow a diversified, resilient farm business. Throughout the conversation, he emphasizes the importance of staying positive, celebrating small wins, and remembering the 'younger you' who dreamed of this life. The episode underscores the emotional and practical journey of building a regenerative farm in a competitive, capital-intensive industry.
Start with a clear vision and use education as a backup plan—Dakota earned a Bachelor of Technology in Animal Science, which helped secure loans and build credibility.
Leverage relationships and mentorship—Dakota’s success began with a generous opportunity from a retiring farmer who provided access to land, cows, and equipment.
Embrace technology like virtual fencing (eShepherd collars) for labor savings, but be prepared for technical hiccups and connectivity issues.
Diversify income streams through direct-to-consumer sales—Dakota’s farm store sells raw milk, beef, pork, and eggs, creating a resilient business model.
Stay positive and celebrate progress—remember that your current reality was once a dream, and that mindset fuels resilience through tough times.
The Dream Realized: Dakota’s Journey to Regenerative Dairy
“This was my goal five, seven years ago when I started. So much of what I'm doing was like, man, I don't know if I'm ever going to get there. And now it just seems it's the norm.”
From Air Force to Farm: The Foundation of a New Career
Dakota recounts his path from growing up on a conventional dairy farm, serving in the Air Force, and discovering the value of organic and grass-fed food through fatherhood. His interest in sustainable agriculture led him to pursue a degree and intern on a grass-fed organic dairy, which ultimately led to his opportunity to buy a herd.
The Reality of Starting: Capital, Land, and Systems
Dakota discusses the immense challenges of starting a dairy farm, including the capital intensity, difficulty finding affordable land, and the need to purchase feed when he first rented a farm. He highlights how he leveraged marginal, underused land and built relationships with neighbors to access hay.
Grazing Management and Seasonal Calving Strategy
Dakota explains his fall seasonal calving system, which aligns with market demand and allows for higher winter milk prices. He details the challenges of breeding cows back quickly after calving and the importance of high-quality hay for winter production.
The Virtual Fencing Revolution: Gallagher eShepherd Collars
“It went amazing. I mean, there's learning curve and mostly for me learning the program, the software. But all in all, it was wonderful.”
“This was my goal five, seven years ago when I started. So much of what I'm doing was like, man, I don't know if I'm ever going to get there. And now it just seems it's the norm.”
“It went amazing. I mean, there's learning curve and mostly for me learning the program, the software. But all in all, it was wonderful.”
“I feel like we're definitely losing money now. Like I said, we have to have eight piglets per sow to break even.”
Host
Guest
Dakota Finch
person
Finch Family Farm
organization
Cal Hardidge
person
Gallagher eShepherd
product
Jersey
other
Maple Hill Creamery
organization
Grazing Grass Podcast
media
Black Angus
other
Ayrshire
other
Cornish Cross
other
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