Being one of the largest dairy farms in the state also requires Oakridge Dairy, of Ellington, to be very efficient, both in its processes of converting crops to milk, via its 2,700 dairy cows, and in its energy consumption.
Oakridge Dairy fifth-generation owner Seth Bahler explained that the farm has existed since 1890, and has grown in its 120 years. Oakridge grows all of the crops that feed the cows, which produce milk for Guida's Dairy, based in New Britain.
Each cow makes 80 to 90 pounds (approximately 10 to 11 gallons) of milk per day. Because the price of milk is set by the market and other factors out of the farm's control, dairy farms must control their own costs, so Oakridge decided to invest in a new, now-complete, facility that would keep operating costs as low as possible.
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