Mississippi’s dairy farms are struggling to manage the increasing costs of milk production, which has caused a great decline in the small dairy farms which once thrived in the state.
Dairy farmer David Nunnery of Nunnery Dairy pauses before he readies his cows for their morning milking in Ruth, Miss., Thursday, July 7, 2022. Mississippi’s dairy farms are struggling to manage the increasing costs of milk production, which has caused a great decline in the small dairy farms which once thrived in the state. HANNAH MATTIX/CLARION LEDGER

Dairy farmer David Nunnery of Nunnery Dairy opens the gate to bring in the cows from pasture for milking in Ruth, Miss., Thursday, July 7, 2022.

Dairy farmer David Nunnery of Nunnery Dairy opens the gate to bring in the cows from pasture for milking in Ruth, Miss., Thursday, July 7, 2022.
HANNAH MATTIX/CLARION LEDGER

Cows at Nunnery Dairy gather to eat feed together before their morning milking in Ruth, Miss., Thursday, July 7, 2022.

Cows at Nunnery Dairy gather to eat feed together before their morning milking in Ruth, Miss., Thursday, July 7, 2022.
HANNAH MATTIX/CLARION LEDGER

Dairy farmer David Nunnery of Nunnery Dairy looks out over his pasture in Ruth, Miss., Thursday, July 7, 2022.

Dairy farmer David Nunnery of Nunnery Dairy looks out over his pasture in Ruth, Miss., Thursday, July 7, 2022.
HANNAH MATTIX/CLARION LEDGER

Cows at Nunnery Dairy wait in an outdoor area outfitted with sprinklers to keep them cool before their morning milking in Ruth, Miss., Thursday, July 7, 2022.

Cows at Nunnery Dairy wait in an outdoor area outfitted with sprinklers to keep them cool before their morning milking in Ruth, Miss., Thursday, July 7, 2022.
HANNAH MATTIX/CLARION LEDGER

Nunnery Dairy's only bull takes a break from his morning feed in Ruth, Miss., Thursday, July 7, 2022.

Nunnery Dairy’s only bull takes a break from his morning feed in Ruth, Miss., Thursday, July 7, 2022.
HANNAH MATTIX/CLARION LEDGER

Cows at Nunnery Dairy trot into the farm’s facility to be milked in Ruth, Miss., Thursday, July 7, 2022.

Cows at Nunnery Dairy trot into the farm’s facility to be milked in Ruth, Miss., Thursday, July 7, 2022.
HANNAH MATTIX/CLARION LEDGER

Dairy farmer David Nunnery of Nunnery Dairy watches over his cows as they are milked in Ruth, Miss., Thursday, July 7, 2022. Although they once thrived in Mississippi, increased production costs are forcing the small family operations out of business.

Dairy farmer David Nunnery of Nunnery Dairy watches over his cows as they are milked in Ruth, Miss., Thursday, July 7, 2022. Although they once thrived in Mississippi, increased production costs are forcing the small family operations out of business.
HANNAH MATTIX/CLARION LEDGER

Dairy farmer David Nunnery of Nunnery Dairy milks a cow with an automatic milking system in Ruth, Miss., Thursday, July 7, 2022.

Dairy farmer David Nunnery of Nunnery Dairy milks a cow with an automatic milking system in Ruth, Miss., Thursday, July 7, 2022.
HANNAH MATTIX/CLARION LEDGER

Cows at Nunnery Dairy stand together before being milked in Ruth, Miss., Thursday, July 7, 2022.

Cows at Nunnery Dairy stand together before being milked in Ruth, Miss., Thursday, July 7, 2022.
HANNAH MATTIX/CLARION LEDGER

Dairy farmer David Nunnery of Nunnery Dairy milks a cow with an automatic milking system in Ruth, Miss., Thursday, July 7, 2022.

Dairy farmer David Nunnery of Nunnery Dairy milks a cow with an automatic milking system in Ruth, Miss., Thursday, July 7, 2022.
HANNAH MATTIX/CLARION LEDGER

Dairy farmer David Nunnery of Nunnery Dairy watches over his cows as they are milked in Ruth, Miss., Thursday, July 7, 2022.

Dairy farmer David Nunnery of Nunnery Dairy watches over his cows as they are milked in Ruth, Miss., Thursday, July 7, 2022.
HANNAH MATTIX/CLARION LEDGER

Dairy farmer David Nunnery of Nunnery Dairy prepares the facility for his cows’ morning milking in Ruth, Miss., Thursday, July 7, 2022.

Dairy farmer David Nunnery of Nunnery Dairy prepares the facility for his cows’ morning milking in Ruth, Miss., Thursday, July 7, 2022.
HANNAH MATTIX/CLARION LEDGER

Local cheese maker Rowan Cooke was devastated when he heard King Island Dairy would be shutting down.

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