Farmer Focus: Data Drives Stewardship at Paloma Dairy

Dairy

ARLINGTON, VA – Arizona dairy farmer Robert T. Van Hofwegen and his sons are taking dairy farming to the next level, promoting sustainable, cost-efficient farming in a place where it’s necessary.

Paloma Dairy in Gila Bend, AZ, has been producing high-quality milk since its founding in 2006. It’s managed by Robert and his four sons: Allan, Robert Jr., Arie and Kyle.

The farm participates in the National Dairy FARM Environmental Stewardship Program to measure and monitor its data. It uses energy audits and FARM data to shape capital investments and business strategies. “You know, we call ourselves dairymen, but it’s agribusiness – business in capital letters,” said the elder Van Hofwegen.

The Van Hofwegens also own Sunset Farms, where they grow alfalfa, corn silage, wheat, barley and cotton across 7,000 acres for their feed supply. The farm implements conservation practices, using everything from effective water management to Artificial Intelligence innovations.

“I feel privileged and honored to see that there’s interest in broad aspects of the business from my four sons, but our bottom-line product that we produce is liquid milk. Every day,” Robert said.

To view this and other stories in our Farmer Focus series, check out NMPF’s Sharing Our Story page.