Labor study on Virginia dairy farms employing full time workers

Data on 376 farms were acquired from a direct mail questionnaire containing 31 questions. These farms were on a production testing program and employed one or more full time workers who spent 50% or more of their time with the herd.

Characteristics on workers, farms, and working conditions were obtained. The average worker was 38.6 years, had 6.8 years of schooling, and 5.9 years of dairy experience prior to their last employment.. About 80% of the workers were married and had 3.6 children. Reasons why workers left dairy farms and where they go for employment were compiled on 262 workers.

The average dairy farm had a herd of 69 cows, and 1.9 hired workers. Seventy-eight percent of the farms had loose housing, 71% pipeline milkers, 55% mechanical manure handling, and 32% mechanical silage feeding.

Average working conditions on these farms were: starting hour, 5:00 am.; hour per day, 9.75; days off per month, 3; wages per month, $230.48, and benefits per month, $81.65. Farms that provided incentives, 37%; annual leave, 63% and advancement opportunities, 94%.