Sutton Rucks, Milking R., Inc., Okeechobee County

Cow Care is Instinct-Like

Sutton Rucks likens it to a parental instinct. When he’s in his truck driving around his dairy farm, he can spot immediately if something isn’t quite right with one of his cows.

“It’s almost second nature,” Sutton said. “It’s like parents who can tell if their son or daughter is coming down with a cold just by their actions. In this business, you work on observation.”

And instincts. Sutton has been around dairy farming “since Day One.” His grandfather first began milking cows in the 1930s and the family business was a natural path for Sutton to follow. He even married the daughter of a dairy farmer — Kris — and by 1986 they were running their own farm in Okeechobee.

“I always knew I wanted to milk cows and take care of cows,” Sutton said. “You have to have a passion about it. That’s what makes me wake up every morning. I’m passionate about our industry.”

Through all of the daily challenges that come with farming, Sutton emphasizes that his cows are the dairy’s biggest priority. Even when the industry faces economic hardship — as it did in 2009 — Sutton’s cows never go without.

“These are living, breathing animals that we make our living from,” Sutton said. “It’s our responsibility to make sure we care for them the best way we can.”

A veterinarian makes regular checkups at his dairy and Sutton also works closely with an animal nutritionist who once a week examines cow feed samples to make sure it is nutritionally balanced.

Sutton also puts a great deal of emphasis on the surrounding environment and natural resources. His farm isn’t far from Lake Okeechobee and like other dairy farmers in that area he takes great measures to protect the sensitive basin.

Sutton has a system in place that allows him to capture all rainwater that falls on his land and barn roofs. That water is then used for irrigation and to help keep the barns clean. He also reuses cow manure on crops he grows for cow feed.

“The cow is a wonderful gift,” he said. “She provides wholesome milk for us, plus she is a great recycler of byproducts with the feed she consumes. She then provides a byproduct back to us in the form of fertilizer that we can use on our crops.”