Community Corner
Dowle Dairy Quits ‘Gruesome’ Business; Cows Auctioned
Owner Steve Dowle said the cost of feed is too high and "Ask anyone with a horse." Planned solar farm did not affect the dairy.
Many Ramonans have noticed a lack of cows on the field off Warnock Drive that once served as Dowle Dairy, and farmer/dairyman Steve Dowle says high feed prices are to blame.
"Business is rough," Dowle said. "The milk business is gruesome."
The Ramona resident said the dairy, which has been around for eight years, has closed down, but he will stay in town tending to a chicken ranch he and his wife own. According to Dowle, there are only three dairies left in all of San Diego County.
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"Back in 1980, there were 35 dairies in the county," he said.
According to Dowle, the remaining dairies are in Ramona (TD Dairy), San Pasqual and Lakeside. The farmer said the planned solar farm had no effect on him closing down the dairy.
Find out what's happening in Ramonawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
"The cost of feed is just too high," Dowle said. "Ask anyone with a horse."
The cows from Dowle's dairy were auctioned off and "found new homes," or used for food.
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