Explore the top dairy farm movies every farmer should watch for inspiration and insight. Are you ready to be inspired by the best in the industry?
Dairy farming is a demanding and often underappreciated career. For individuals working in the field and others trying to understand its nuances, there is a library of movies and documentaries that vividly chronicle the lives, hardships, and successes of dairy farmers. The selection of essential dairy farm films below offers insightful analysis and riveting stories.
1. Farmsteaders (2019)
Examining the complex fabric of dairy farming in the United States—including its history, present, and future—the fascinating documentary “Farmsteaders” Under Shaena Mallett’s direction story centers Nick and Celeste Nolan together with their four children as they negotiate the challenging task of manufacturing milk and cheese in rural Ohio. The movie painstakingly depicts the daily difficulties and harsh reality faced by small-scale dairy producers, highlighting the thin line separating success from failure. Moreover, it emphasizes the need to help nearby farmers while examining the ethical aspects of our food intake decisions.
IMDB Rating: 8.3
2. Milk Men: The Life and Times of Dairy Farmers (2015)
This striking video explores dairy farmers and their families’ everyday struggles. From the little, family-run farms to the vast, billion-dollar businesses that often endanger these smaller businesses, it looks closely at the transforming changes inside the dairy sector. Anyone trying to understand the delicate existence of family farms and the broad consequences of modern agriculture must first “Milk Men.”
IMDB Rating: 8.3
3. MILKED (2021)
A sharp feature-length investigation of the urgent ethical and environmental concerns related to the dairy sector, MILKED The movie examines how the industry affects greenhouse gas emissions, pollution, land damage, and water usage. Improved by the contributions of prominent people like Dame Jane Goodall and supported by the prestigious Academy Award-winning filmmaker James Cameron, this documentary explores grassroots movements and government campaigning to reduce the environmental effects of dairy operations.
IMDB Rating: 8.4
4. Bitter Harvest (1981)
Bitter Harvest (1981) offers a compelling look at the challenges dairy farmers face, focusing on the dire impact of pesticides on a rural community. Directed by Roger Young and featuring Ron Howard, this drama captures the tension between agricultural innovation and traditional methods. The film’s portrayal of these real-world issues resonates deeply, emphasizing the vital importance of conscientious farming practices. Essential viewing for those interested in the emotional and historical struggles of farming communities.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
5. Cow (2021)
The cow is a cinematic investigation that deftly records the presence of a dairy cow on a conventional farm. It shows the many everyday events of the animal via a contemplative and personal lens, giving spectators a great awareness of the viewpoint of a dairy cow. This movie is highly recommended for anyone enthralled by the emotional and human aspects of dairy production.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
6. The Real Dirt on Farmer John (2005)
In “The Real Dirt on Farmer John,” we chronicle John Peterson’s journey of transforming his conventional farm into a thriving organic, community-supported agriculture (CSA) business. This movie presents a convincing and inspirational study of sustainable agricultural methods and the resilience and flexibility needed to overcome obstacles and achieve success.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
7. Field of Dreams (1989)
Though “Field of Dreams” isn’t entirely focused on dairy farming, it’s a cinematic treasure that combines ideas of agriculture, family ties, and the search for dreams. Those from the rural community still find great resonance in this ageless movie, reinforcing its ongoing legacy.
IMDB Rating: 7.5
BONUS: 10 Farm Films from Around the World
This collection offers a worldwide view of farming, including varied movies from several nations. Notable mentions include:
- It’s All So Quiet Here (Boven is het still) – Netherlands, 2015
- Black Sheep – New Zealand, 2006
- Harvest (Stadt Land Fluss) – Germany, 2011
- The Auction (Le Démantèlement) – Canada, 2013
- Isolation – Ireland, 2015
- The Levelling – United Kingdom, 2016
- First Cow – United States, 2019
- Of Horses and Men (Hross í oss) – Iceland, 2013
- The Broken Circle Breakdown – Belgium, 2012
- Happy as Lazzaro (Lazzaro felice) – Italy, 2018 .
These chosen movies and documentaries capture the daily hardships and the more important ethical and environmental debates, thereby fully exploring the dairy farming industry. Anyone wishing to learn more about the dairy sector and grasp the life and obligations of people committed to it will find them essential.
About the presenter
About the presenter
Len Kahn, Managing Director of Kahntact Marketing From a solid start on his family’s Ontario dairy farm and cattle export operation, Len took his passion for farming to the business world. Moving quickly from a valued employee for agri-businesses such as Chase Econometrics, Cyanamid Canada and Ginty Jocius and Associates, Len started Kahntact Marketing in 1994 and grew the business to 20 people and $5 million in annual revenue. After a merger with AdFarm Len brought Kahntact back to the agricultural marketplace and has developed strategic marketing plans for Agricorp, Bayer Animal Health, Bayer CropScience, DFO, DuPont and others. Len has been active in the autism community in Guelph, and has served on several Board of Directors.
About the Presenter
Raised on a small mixed farm in Quebec, Devin Brennan, Principal – Ocresco & Associates Inc, studied at MacDonald Campus of McGill University where he received a diploma in agriculture and a BSc in animal science. Worked for ROP federal milk testing, then a large feed company, from there he Switzerland where he pursued post graduate studies in agriculture at the University of Zurich (ETH)while working at the research farm. Return to Canada in 1996, started a dairy nutrition/management consulting company which he managed with his partner until they sold in 2011. He continues to pursue an executive MBA part time, while working as an independent dairy management consultant focusing on financial efficiencies. He continues to work in nutrition with a select group of producers. Dairy consulting work has permitted him to travel internationally as well as working in many of our Canadian provinces.
![zoetis[1]](https://www.thebullvine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/zoetis1.jpg)
Matt Utt is a native of Richmond, Virginia. He graduated with a B.S. in Animal and Poultry Sciences from Virginia Tech in 2000 and stayed to pursue an M.S. degree (2002) focused on estrus synchronization in beef cattle. Afterward completion of his M.S. degree, Matt worked for the University of Wisconsin-Madison conducting researching involving corpus luteum function in horses and evaluation of blood flow to the reproductive tract and pregnancy in horses and cattle. He returned to his alma mater to work as a laboratory and research specialist in 2006. In 2013, Matt was awarded a PhD from The Ohio State University following a joint graduate associateship program between Select Sires, Inc and the university during which he studied an in vitro fertilization as a predictor of bull fertility. As Director of Research at Select Sires, Matt conducts in-house research to develop new methods for semen evaluation and cryopreservation of sperm to ultimately improve fertility and/or provide a better method of bull fertility prediction. His background in female reproductive physiology and love for data analysis gives him the background work with the Select Reproductive Solutions (SRS) team on various projects. Having spent 14 years attending and/or working at universities, Matt enjoys collaborating universities worldwide for joint research endeavors.
Having grown up a rural dairy farm in southern Ontario, Andrew learned early in life the value of community and a hard day’s work. Leveraging that experience and work ethic, Andrew started his own Animal Genetics marketing company that launched some of the most engaging and innovative campaigns. Broadening his horizons brought Andrew to the world of corporate leadership, sales and marketing where he helped many fortune 500 companies increase performance. These successes lead to the founding of the 
As the Vice-President of Genetic Programs for Select Sires Inc, Charles (Chuck) Sattler is responsible for leading, managing and developing the sire department in the areas of administration, genetic research programs and the industry-leading Program for Genetic Advancement™ (PGA™). Prior to working at Select Sires, Sattler spent 12 years working for the National Association of Animal Breeders (NAAB), most recently as its genetics programs and information services administrator. He currently serves as the Chairman of the Board of Directors for the National Association of Animal Breeders and also serves as a Director for the Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding.
Dr. Weigel grew up in Iowa on the family farm (Weigeline Holsteins) and graduated from Iowa State University with a Degree in Dairy Science. He received both his M.S. and PhD from Virginia Tech, with his dissertation focusing on the prediction of genetic merit for lifetime profitability in Holsteins. Before joining the R&D group of Zoetis (formerly Pfizer Animal Health) in 1995, Dr. Weigel served as a post-doctoral fellow at the University of Guelph working on the implementation of Multiple Across Country Evaluations (MACE) for conformation traits of Holstein sires. Dr. Weigel’s current role with Zoetis is in Outcomes Research and he remains active as a breeder of Registered Holsteins.
David Erf is a member of the Zoetis Dairy Technical Services team as a dairy geneticist. In this role, he assists with the CLARIFIDE dairy genomic testing program. He helps customers realize the full potential of genomic testing, and spends a great deal of time educating others in the dairy industry. David has over 20 years experience in the Artificial Insemination industry and has served on numerous boards and committees dealing with genetics in the dairy industry. Dave has a BS from the Ohio State University, and a M.S. in Dairy Cattle Breeding from the University of Minnesota. Dave and his family also manage and show cattle as part of Curvecrest Farm, a registered Brown Swiss herd, and he resides with his family in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota.
Nancy Charlton graduated from the University of Guelph, Ontario Veterinary College in 1993. Animals, science, travel and agriculture make up a large part of what she is passionate about. She has worked in Western Canada, China, Southwestern Ontario, Russia, Kazakhstan and the Middle East, all in an effort to help the dairy cow and calf.
Vish graduated with an MSc from Hyderabad, India and a PhD in Veterinary Physiology from the University of Sydney, Australia. He then worked for many years with Livestock Improvement a leading artificial breeding organization in New Zealand as Senior Scientist, R&D Manager as well as National Operations Manager. Following this, he took on the role of managing large and diverse research teams for AgResearch, a National Agricultural Research Institute in New Zealand. Vish joined Sexing Technologies in 2011 as the global head of Research & Development. He is also an Adjunct faculty member at the Dept of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M. His main area of specialization is sperm physiology and biochemistry.![ST-Logo_B_300dpi-10inWide[1]](https://www.thebullvine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/ST-Logo_B_300dpi-10inWide1-300x118.jpg){kind=logo}
Cheryl Marti is the U.S. Marketing Manager for Dairy Genetics and Reproductive Products for Zoetis. She received her B.S. from the University of Minnesota in Animal Sciences, her M.S. in Dairy Science (Genetics emphasis) at the University of Wisconsin – Madison, and her MBA from UW-Whitewater. Cheryl worked in the AI industry at ABS Global for over 11 years in many different capacities, including management, marketing, training and technical support of the Genetic Management System (a genetic mate assignment program), and also worked in the Sire Acquisition and Research areas. She joined Pfizer Animal Health, now Zoetis, in 2005, first as a Fresh Cow Reproduction Manager in the Great Lakes states and later as a Dairy Production Specialist in WI where she often worked with large dairies on genomics, reproduction, records analysis, and transition cows until mid-2014 when she moved into her current role. Her experiences include working with herds of all sizes across the U.S. and over a dozen countries on 6 continents. Cheryl’s passion for the dairy industry and genetics began at her family’s Registered Holstein farm in Sleepy Eye, MN, where she owns some cattle, and her sister and brother-in-law own and operate their family farm of 700 acres and a 160-cow dairy called “Olmar Farms.
