Latest news, weather, high school sports for Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

BRUCE CROSSING -- It's all work and no play for Terry Perttula who says he's the only dairy farmer in Ontonagon County.

"It's a lot of work. You gotta be dedicated to do it because, like I said, it's 365 days a year. You can't just take off," said Perttula.

He and his wife start their day at 7 a.m. when they begin milking their 45 cows, a process that takes about two-and-a-half hours. Before Terry attaches the milking unit, he does what's called a pre-squirt, and he does that to make sure everything with the milk is sanitary.

Perttula does this at least twice a day while using a pipeline milking system, all for an unpredictable fortune.

"We pay our bills and we eat. We don't have a lot of money saved up for retirement," he added.

It all depends on the price of milk. Right now it's about $20 per 100 pounds, but he says that amount fluctuates. And the income he makes doesn't last long.

"By the time you do the expenses and everything, the bottom line with feed costs and whatever else, we end up with zero at the bottom line," he said.

He says the cost of grain has become more expensive over the years, along with electricity, hay and fuel. But, he says he doesn't have much of a choice when it comes to work.

"We owe money on mortgage and stuff, you know. You gotta keep paying the mortgage. And there's not much to do around this area, you know, there's no work," he added.

He says he'll keep milking as long as he's healthy and craving the cream.