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DAIRY ST R “All dairy, all the time”™
Volume 21, No. 22
January 11, 2020
Stuebers enjoy farming again Robots alleviate labor, efciency issues By Danielle Nauman danielle.n@dairystar.com
STRATFORD, Wis. – Stueber Farms Inc. turned to robots as an answer to labor and efciency issues they were facing on their family dairy farm. Jake and Jason Stueber, along with their parents, John and Mary, operate Stueber Farms near Stratford. Before making the transition to robots, the Stuebers were milking close to 420 Holstein cows in their double-5 Surge autoow parlor which was built in 1997. When they transitioned to six Lely A5 robots last January, they reduced their herd size to 360 cows. “We were pushing close to 60 cows an hour through the parlor, but milking three times a day, we were operating the
parlor close to 20 or 21 hours a day,” Jake said. “That required a lot of employees, and we struggled with the labor market. It always felt like we were managing people more than we were managing our cows.” Because of labor, the Stuebers switched to milking twice daily. That was not the answer to their efciency problems, though. The Stuebers began considering the option of installing robots. Jason said he has always been a fan of incorporating robots and had the idea in his head for a while. Jake, on the other hand, was more leery. The labor struggles gave Jake the motivation to begin looking Turn to STUEBERS | Page 6
DANIELLE NAUMAN/DAIRY STAR
Jake, John and Jason Stueber of Stueber Farms installed six Lely A5 robots on their farm last January as an answer to labor and efficiency struggles. With the installa�on of the robots, the Stuebers have been able to reduce their workforce, elimina�ng the need to manage employees.
Show barn delivers individualized care
Bragger sets his sights on big things New WFBF president is enthusiastic about future of ag By Danielle Nauman danielle.n@dairystar.com
DANIELLE NAUMAN/DAIRY STAR
Jenna Langer stands next to one of the box stalls in her show facility in DeForest, Wisconsin.
Langer’s facility takes cows to next level By Stacey Smart
stacey.s@dairystar.com
DEFOREST, Wis. – When the Langer family was looking to grow their dairy, they expanded the operation in a unique way. Rather than
adding cows and buildings at the current location, they opted for a new site with a much different focus than the original dairy. They built a facility that caters to the needs of elite show cattle and cows of superior genetic value.
“We were getting big into registered cattle, and wanted a place to showcase these animals and help cows reach their potential – a place where we could give them the care they need,” Jenna Langer said. “The facility offers that next level of Turn to LANGER | Page 10
INDEPENDENCE, Wis. – A love of agriculture, a desire to learn and a determination to make things better are the things that make Joe Bragger tick. Those are also the things that fueled him into seeking the position of president of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation at the group’s annual meeting Dec. 6-9, 2019. Bragger operates Bragger Family Dairy along with his wife, Noel, and his brother, Dan. The farm, located near Independence in Buffalo County, is home to 350 dairy cows located on three locations. The family also operates pullet facilities, raises brown trout and crops about 1,400 acres. Joe Bragger Bragger has been a part of the WFBF WFBF president board of directors since 2010, serving as the representative for District 4, which includes Buffalo, Eau Claire, Jackson, La Crosse, Monroe and Trempealeau counties. With the myriad of experiences Bragger has collected throughout his involvement in working with a variety of agricultural and conservation groups, Bragger is looking forward to the challenges of helping shape the future into a positive one. Turn to BRAGGER | Page 5
Page 2 • Dairy Star • Saturday, January 11, 2020
DAIRY ST R www.dairystar.com
ISSN 020355 522 Sinclair Lewis Ave. Sauk Centre, MN 56378 Phone: (320) 352-6303 Fax: (320) 352-5647 Published by Dairy Star LLC General Manager/Editor Mark Klaphake - mark.k@dairystar.com 320-352-6303 (ofce) 320-248-3196 (cell) 320-352-0062 (home) Ad Composition Nancy Powell 320-352-6303 nancy.p@dairystar.com Consultant Jerry Jennissen 320-346-2292 Editorial Staff Krista Kuzma - Editor/Wisconsin (507) 259-8159 • krista.k@dairystar.com Andrea Borgerding - Associate Editor (320) 352-6303 • andrea.b@dairystar.com Jennifer Coyne - Assistant Editor (320) 352-6303 • jenn@dairystar.com Danielle Nauman (608) 487-1101 danielle.n@dairystar.com Stacey Smart - Staff Writer (262) 442-6666 • stacey.s@dairystar.com Maria Bichler - Copy Editor 320-352-6303 Advertising Sales Main Ofce: 320-352-6303 Fax: 320-352-5647 Deadline is 5 p.m. of the Friday the week before publication Sales Manager - Joyce Frericks 320-352-6303 • joyce@dairystar.com Bob Leukam (Northern MN, East Central MN) 320-260-1248 (cell) bob.l@star-pub.com Mark Klaphake (Western MN) 320-352-6303 (ofce) 320-248-3196 (cell) Laura Seljan (National Advertising, SE MN) 507-250-2217 fax: 507-634-4413 laura.s@dairystar.com Jerry Nelson (SW MN, NW Iowa, South Dakota) 605-690-6260 jerry.n@dairystar.com Mike Schafer (Central, South Central MN) 320-894-7825 mike.s@dairystar.com Amanda Hoeer (Eastern Iowa) 320-250-2884 • amanda.h@dairystar.com Julie Barnes (SE WI and Northern IL) julie.b@dairystar.com Megan Stuessel (Western Wisconsin) 608-387-1202 • megan.s@dairystar.com Ashley Curry (Northeast WI and Upper MI) 920-539-7268 • ashley.c@dairystar.com Deadlines The deadline for news and advertising in the Dairy Star is 5 p.m. Friday the week before publication. Subscriptions One year subscription $35.00, outside the U.S. $110.00. Send check along with mailing address to Dairy Star, 522 Sinclair Lewis Ave., Sauk Centre, MN 56378. Advertising Our ad takers have no authority to bind this newspaper and only publication of an advertisement shall constitute nal acceptance of the advertiser's order. Letters Letters and articles of opinion are welcomed. Letters must be signed and include address and phone number. We reserve the right to edit lengthy letters. The views and opinions expressed by Dairy Star columnists and writers are not necessarily those of the Dairy Star LLC.
The Dairy Star is published semi-monthly by Dairy Star, LLC, 522 Sinclair Lewis Ave., Sauk Centre, MN 56378-1246. Periodicals Postage Paid at Sauk Centre, MN and additional mailing ofces. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Dairy Star, 522 Sinclair Lewis Ave., Sauk Centre, MN 56378-1246.
A glance at what’s inside The ip of the calendar into a new year and new decade gave Dairy Star staff the opportunity to reect on the biggest news stories throughout the past 10 years. It was fun to take a moment to refresh our memories about the most newsworthy events from 2010 to 2019. Weather is always a big topic for dairy farmers, and is reected in our decade look-back. One of the stories highlighted from 2019 was one in the last issue about dairy farmers working well into December to nish their crop. A wet spring causing a late start to the season and continued precipitation throughout the summer along with unseasonably cooler weather made the year frustrating. With last year still fresh in our minds, it made us chuckle a bit when we read our story from May 2010 about how a farmer getting the rst of his corn in on May 3 was behind schedule. Oh, how things are different in the recent years. We were also reminded of the hardships the weather has caused in the past 10 years – a major loss of the corn crop in South Dakota 2012 after a year of very little rain; a signicant loss of alfalfa in southern Minnesota after winter kill in 2013; and the dozens of barn collapses in the upper Midwest after a blizzard in early 2019. Dairy cooperatives and processors also made headline news over the decade. Agropur expanded its Lake Norden plan. Producers were dropped by Grassland. Swiss Valley Farms and Prairie Farms Dairy merged. Land O’Lakes enacted a base program. South Dakota State University also overhauled its dairy plant in 2010. Of course, dairy support programs remained topics of conversation when trying to pass into law. On farm practices such as tail-docking and the use of rbST were discontinued. Check out the second section where you can nd all the stories we recapped for our decade in review. If you have a favorite memory or story from the past 10 years, let us know by emailing krista.k@ dairystar.com. Happy reading!
Check out our Decade in Review in Second Section!
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Dairy Star • Saturday, January 11, 2020 • Page 3
It’s all inside... Columnists Ag Insider
First Section: Pages 1, 6-7
Tenacity, gratitude, faith
Page 33 First Section
Page 22 Second Section
Jackson
O
d
First Section: Page 29
Dane
Iowa
Grant
Lafayette Green
Carroll
Black Earth
Jefferson Waukesha
Rock
on
ens
h tep
S
Zone 2
Walworth go
eba
n Win
Whiteside
Ogle Lee
New Holstein
Dairy Prole: Deb Reinhart First Section: Page 39
Racine Kenosha
McHenry
DeKalb
Value added products bring dimension to dairy farms
Do or
Green Lake Fond Du Lac
Columbia Dodge
Sauk
aw
Reducing soil, nutrient loss
o ag Calumet
eb
nn Wi
for
Richland
Jo Daviess
Zone 1
Waushara
ett e Juneau
ie am Brown
g uta
Adams
Monroe
Cr
Country Cooking
Wisconsin Dells
Shawano
Wood
Vernon
Pages 10 - 11 Second Section
Oconto
Portage Waupaca
La Crosse
The “Mielke” Market Weekly
Menominee
aun ee
Buffalo
Langlade
Marathon
Clark
Eau Claire
te
Ke w
hb Pepin
et
ton S he bo Milwaukee Ozauk M yg ee an anito wo c
Pierce
Chippewa
in
ing
Page 32 First Section
Dunn
Taylor
ar
Menominee
Wa sh
First Section: Page 36
St. Croix
Lincoln
ce
M
Forest
ne
Women in Jeans: Melissa Hanke
Rusk
Barron
ren
Oneida
Bo o
Marsheld
Vilas
Price
Delta
Dickinson
Flo
Sawyer
Trempealeau
Polk
Iron
qu
ur
n
Ashland
Wa s
Burnett
Veterinary Wisdom
Making Cents of Dairy
Bayeld
Douglas
Page 30 First Section
First Section: Pages 23, 25
First Section: Pages 34-35
Page 27 First Section
Page 31 First Section
Wisconsin Holstein youth celebrated Uecker, Hodorff take home top honors
Stuebers to enjoy farming again
Ramblings from the Ridge
Dairy producer becomes Wisconsin Beef Council’s new president-elect
Stevens Point
Stratford
The last minute get away
Chilton
Ma r
Pages 8-9 First Section
Kane
Deforest
Langer’s facility takes cows to next level First Section: Pages 1, 10-11
First Section: Page 38
Rock Island
ders on
Mercer
Hen
For additional stories from our other zone, log on to www.dairystar.com
n
re War
FROM OUR SIDE OF THE FENCE: What are you looking forward to most this year? First Section: Pages 15 - 16
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Page 4 • Dairy Star • Saturday, January 11, 2020
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Dairy Star • Saturday, January 11, 2020 • Page 5
ConƟnued from BRAGGER | Page 1 “How are our policies reecting our current state of agriculture? Are the things we are doing paying off to help our farmers? We have had ve years of misery,” Bragger said. “The grain and livestock farmers aren’t doing well. We are losing dairy farmers almost every day.” Bragger sees a number of issues that face Wisconsin’s rural communities and the farmers who are the backbones of those communities. One area of concern to Bragger and his fellow WFBF members is the issue of growth management in the dairy industry and how that might look in dairy policy. “There was an interesting shift in policy at Farm Bureau this year in regards to growth management,” Bragger said, speaking about the resolution put forth at the state meeting. “It’s a growing movement.” Voting delegates at the WFBF annual meeting passed a resolution to send forth to the national level which states WFBF members support research and development of a exible growth management system in terms of milk production. “It was wisdom on the part of the delegates, the committee and everyone involved to come up with and move forward with the concept of research and development,” Bragger said. “It doesn’t support a single program but gets us to really look at all the options. We need to look at everything, and we need to make sure that whatever growth management looks like, it is entry-friendly to new dairy farmers.” Bragger said he nds the term and concept of growth management an intriguing way to look at the issue of potential supply management. He said it is important for himself and his fellow board members to realize and remember that across the membership of WFBF there are people on all sides of the issue and to keep the best interest of their members in mind. “It’s looking at it from a different angle,” Bragger said. “It’s not cutting back. There isn’t anyone out there who wants the milk marketing board to quit milk marketing or the exporters to quit exporting. Development of new products all leads to new opportunity.” Another area Bragger sees as vital to the future of Wisconsin farms and rural communities is the area of improved broadband access. Bragger said one Wisconsin county offered a resolution that broadband should be listed as a utility. “When I followed up with them, I learned that what they really mean is that every person should have access to broadband. The topic often gets lumped in with net neutrality and then
it all unravels,” Bragger said. “When they put in rural electrication back in the 1930s, the common mission was for everyone to have electricity. We built highway systems for commerce. But, what is our commerce of the future? The internet is. If you can’t get that you are at a disadvantage economically and educationally. We have to come up with a better system, and I support that whole-heartedly.” Water quality and soil conservation are near and dear to Bragger, issues he sites as being the catalyst that propelled him to work with Wisconsin Discovery Farms. “(Dennis Frame) was the Trempealeau County agent, and his work with area farmers is the basis of the nutrient management planning we do today,” Bragger said. “He spoke about proposed regulations on setbacks from streams which raised some alarms for me as it would have amounted to about 200 acres on our farm.” Bragger’s concern led him to become interested in stream monitoring. The Braggers’ farm became a Discovery Farm and was part of the organization’s research for about eight years. “It’s actually very exciting because all these years later we’ve not only met the original goals but surpassed them,” Bragger said. “With cover crops, interseeded cover crops and changing our rotations, we reached those levels and have been able to achieve one-tenth the tolerable soil loss in many places. But, that came with a lot of work over the years.” Through his involvement with the Wisconsin Discovery Farms, Bragger had the opportunity to be a part of the committee that wrote the Wisconsin NRCS 590 Nutrient Management Standard, helping to shape the role of variances in nutrient management. Bragger considers those variances to be vital to how farmers are able to approach the best management practices for their own farms and land. Bragger also cited labor as a large role in the future of Wisconsin farms. “It doesn’t matter if you’re in vegetables out west or dairy here in Wisconsin, the need for labor is there,” Bragger said. “That is one that has been kicked around for so long that we have to really start to think creatively for a workable solution.” Bragger is looking forward to getting into the meat of his rst term as the president of WFBF and working to promote and move forward policy that is in the best interest of Wisconsin farmers in all aspects of agriculture. “The responsibility I have is to the farmers rst,” Bragger said. “That is not going to change.”
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Page 6 • Dairy Star • Saturday, January 11, 2020
ConĆ&#x;nued from STUEBER | Page 1
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Dairy Star • Saturday, January 11, 2020 • Page 7
ConƟnued from STUEBER | Page 6 “The only negative, literally, was having to drive in and then back out to feed,” Jason said. “It solved all the questions about water, electric, heat and pellets. The robot room would be located about 200 feet from the existing milk house.” Once the Stuebers agreed on the single robot room, located on one end of the freestall barn, they hit the ground running making decisions to bring robotic milkers to their family’s dairy farm.
herd.” With the installation of their six robots, the Stuebers are pleased to have reduced their labor force to themselves and two full-time employees. “The robots have made everything so much more efcient,” Jason said. “How we do everything, how we cull, how we feed. It all just runs more efciently.” The Stuebers enjoy the increased time they spend out of the barn as well as the efcien-
“Making the decision to install the robots has allowed me to really enjoy farming again.” JASON STUEBER, DAIRY FARMER
“I like the robots, and I think it was the right choice. Help was getting so hard to nd,” John said. “I never thought the retrot would work like it did though.” The Stuebers kept their original parlor in-tact for milking fresh cows and hospital cows which are housed in packs in their tiestall barn. “We put the robots in to harvest salable milk,” Jake said. “If they are shutting down to clean after milking fresh or treated cows, we are losing milking time for the rest of the
cy of the time they spend in the barn. “We can be done and in from the barn by 5:30,” Jason said. “We take turns being on call and going out to check things in the evening. To me, you can’t put a value on the peace of mind it brings you. You don’t wake up in the morning and dread looking out the window to see if the morning shift is there or not.” Both brothers admit there was a learning process to the technical ins and outs of the computers and the robots, but
they became familiar with the equipment relatively quickly. “Learning the whole process was almost more overwhelming than training the cows,” Jason said. “But, we had a very good experience with the transition.” The Stuebers were pleased that not only did their retrot project come in on-time and under budget, but they found additional savings through increased energy efciencies they had not originally considered. “It’s all made a difference in the cash-ow for us,” Jason said. The fetch gates were delayed and did not arrive until about two months after the initial start-up. “That actually worked in our favor,” Jake said. “We used temporary gates in a variety of different congurations before we found the way that worked the best for us.” The Stuebers have been happy with how their cows have adjusted to the robots and how their production has responded. They are now averaging over 90 pounds of milk per day per cow. “Making the decision to install the robots has allowed me to really enjoy farming again,” Jason said.
DANIELLE NAUMAN/DAIRY STAR
The Stuebers opened their farm to fellow dairy farmers to share their experiences retroƫng their exisƟng free-stall barn to incorporate six Lely A5 robots.
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China trade deal to be signed in mid-January Page 8 • Dairy Star • Saturday, January 11, 2020
The United States and China are scheduled to sign Borden Dairy seeks bankruptcy protection the phase one trade deal on January 15. President Donald Borden Dairy Company has led for Chapter 11 Trump said the signing ceremony will take place at the bankruptcy. The dairy processor plans to continue White House with high-level representatives from the with its normal operations during the reorganization Chinese government. Trump plans to go to Beijing to process. Borden CEO Tony Sarsam said the company start phase two discussions at a later date. is being impacted by the rising cost of raw Ag Insider milk and the market challenges facing the NCFC: More trade certainty dairy industry. Borden is the second major National Council of Farmer U.S. dairy processor to seek bankruptcy Cooperatives President Chuck Conner protection in recent months, following said farmers could see more trade certainty Dean Foods which led in November. in the year ahead. The U.S.-MexicoCanada Agreement was passed in the November milk production edges higher House and will be considered by the Senate November U.S. milk production totaled early in the New Year. “We look forward 17.4 billion pounds; up a half percent from to that day and it will be great trade news a year ago. USDA’s National Agricultural to U.S. farmers.” Conner said there is Statistics Service also revised the October also optimism in the phase one trade deal milk production number up 1.4 percent between the United States and China, too.” from a year ago to 17.2 billion bounds. The By Don Wick number of milk cows in the nation’s dairy Columnist Questions remain over China trade deal herd totaled 9.33 million head, unchanged There are many unknowns regarding from October, but 27,000 head less than the phase one trade deal with China. International Food one year ago. Average production per cow was up 15 Policy Research Institute Senior Research Fellow Joe pounds from one year ago. Glauber said one concern is if the United States can physically sell $40 to $50 billion in agricultural products CWT helps export 1 billion pound milk equivalent to China. “We’re talking about an increase of $16 billion. According to the National Milk Producers The question becomes where does the increase come Federation, the Cooperatives Working Together program from?” Further complicating the issue, Glauber said the assisted in exporting dairy products equal to nearly one African Swine Fever outbreak will reduce the amount billion pounds of milk this past year. Contracted sales of soybeans that China needs to import. “Some of the through CWT totaled nearly 49 million pounds of increase could come in terms of higher value products.” American-type cheese, 123,000 pounds of anhydrous Glauber is the former chief economist for USDA. milkfat, 5 million pounds of butter, 6.8 million pounds of cream cheese and over 46 million pounds of whole milk Rolling Stone questions farm payments powder. CWT member cooperatives promote exports by Rolling Stone magazine is known for its stories partially offsetting administration and operational costs. on music and pop culture, but an agriculture story was the top trending item on its website at the beginning of Public comments sought for use of UF milk in cheese the year. The story cited the so-called ‘Trump Money,’ manufacturing saying it is buying silence from farmers by delivering The Food and Drug Administration is taking public subsidies to President Trump’s base in Rural America. comment until March 20 on a proposal to allow the use Government farm payments are at a 14-year high, of ultraltered uid milk to manufacture cheese and topping the auto industry bailout in 2008 by billions of cheese products. The FDA issued guidance on the use dollars. Most of those payments are designed to mitigate and labeling of UF products in 2017, but reopened the the losses seen in the trade war with China. comment period to consider current industry practices.
Developing dairy leaders FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative has created a new program to develop new leaders for the dairy industry. The program will involve four one-day classes through the year. This program will concentrate on dairy policy, consumer trends, the impact of cooperatives and face-toface meetings with dairy processors and cheesemakers. AgCountry FCS paying record patronage AgCountry Farm Credit Services is paying out a record $60 million in cash dividends to eligible member-owners this year. Given the current economic volatility in agriculture, AgCountry President and CEO Marc Knisely also announced a target payment rate for patronage in the future. “The board felt it was really important to put more intentionality to its cash patronage program,” Knisely said. “The intent of the board is to return a 1 percent cash patronage dividend each year; it is something customers can have more condence in as we go forward and take one more uncertainty off their platter.” Knisely said efforts have been taken to deal with the current farm nancial situation. This is the seventh consecutive year AgCountry is paying a cash dividend. Former CHS CEO passes CHS’s rst chief executive ofcer has died. Noel Estenson was named president and CEO of CENEX in 1987. The Climax, Minnesota native spearheaded the 1998 merger between CENEX and Harvest States, creating CHS. Estenson was at the helm of CHS from 1998 to until 2000. He was 80 years old. Weekend workshops on stress management The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection of University of Wisconsin Extension are hosting a series of weekend workshops for farm couples to learn about stress management, family communications and decision making. The workshops are planned later this month in Mineral Point; in Wausau and Appleton in February; in Waupun and Eau Claire in March and Rice Lake in April. The workshops are partially funded by a grant from CHS Community Giving. Turn to AG INSIDER | Page 9
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ConĆ&#x;nued from AG INSIDER | Page WI FFA alumni celebrates 40 years The Wisconsin FFA Alumni Association will look back on its 40year history during its annual convention January 31 to February 2 in Milwaukee. Past FFA Alumni presidents and National FFA Alumni Council members from Wisconsin will be recognized. Trivia challenge The concept of leaving milk and cookies for Santa began in the 1870s after it was referenced in a Christmas story for kids. That answers our last trivia
Dairy Star • Saturday, January 11, 2020 • Page 9
question. For this week, how much does a gallon of milk weigh? We’ll have the answer in the next edition of Dairy Star. Don Wick is owner/broadcaster for the Red River Farm Network, based in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Wick has been recognized as the National Farm Broadcaster of the Year and served as president of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting. Don and his wife, Kolleen, have two adult sons, Tony and Sam, and ďƒžve grandchildren, Aiden, Piper, Adrienne, Aurora and Sterling.
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Cows not housed in box stalls are in this 60-stall freestall barn which gives cows plenty of space with its large stalls and wide alleys. care which is individualized to get these cows where they need to be.” Langer, along with her parents, Randy and Sue, and brothers, Darren and Justin, run Langer Dairy Farms where they milk 600 cows on two farms that sit a eld apart in DeForest. “We’re one farm with different goals and ideas between our two locations,” Langer said. Langer manages her family’s show and boarding facility – a role she stepped into when she was 19. “Show cattle are my passion,” Langer said. “I
started showing when I was 9 years old. I fell in love with it and never looked back.” When a neighboring farm went on the market, the Langers saw an opportunity to pull out the herd’s nest-looking cows and those with the best genetics, and house them separately. The Langers gave the existing barn at the new property an overhaul, renovating the interior by gutting the tiestalls and replacing them with 10 box stalls for show cows. The Langers also built an adjoining 60-stall freestall barn. Box stalls make the individual care of Langer’s show cows possible, providing a housing setup that allows her to fulll each show cows’ special dietary needs and see to each cow’s unique requirements. Show cows are fed hay and grain three times a day and supplemented with TMR and corn silage as needed. Cows in the freestall barn receive TMR. Eight of the 10 box stalls measure 10 feet by 20 feet, and two are 11 feet by 20 feet. Each pen contains a headlock and bedded pack, and the gates of the stalls swing both directions, allowing a skid loader to clean the center aisle. Each box stall is bedded with shavings and straw daily. Langer keeps cattle spiffed up at all times, bathing and grooming regularly during temperate months. Langer also turns cows out on pasture in good weather. Bedded with sand, stalls in the freestall barn measure 8 feet long by 54 inches wide, giving cows extra space and plenty of lunge room. The alleys were also made wider than standard. Designed to accommodate even the largest cows, the barn ensures animals are never crowded. “We strive to maxiSTACEY SMART/DAIRY STAR
8
Langer’s show cows are bathed and groomed daily when weather permits and are bedded with straw and shavings.
Turn to LANGER | Page 11
Dairy Star • Saturday, January 11, 2020 • Page 11
ConƟnued from LANGER | Page 1 mize cow comfort,” Langer said. Other than a few minor updates, the original single-6 herringbone parlor remained intact. Cows are milked twice a day at the show facility and three times a day at the home farm. Langer also has the option to milk in the box stalls if necessary. Type and genetics reign at this facility devoted to the show cow where animals receive rst-rate treatment 24/7 and never lack for anything. With capacity for 80 head, cows moved into the new facilities during the spring and summer of 2013. A select group of heif-
“We’ve had a lot of success that we attribute to this farm, including several all-American nominations.” JENNA LANGER
ers are housed here as well. Ownership of animals is split among the Langers. “We’re in this together as a family,” Langer said. While Langer does the majority of the labor at the show facility, she receives help from family members and three part-time employees. The facility’s efcient design enables Langer to do all the work by herself if required. Langer stressed the importance of routine in keeping the cows content. “We do things exactly the way same every day,” she said. “Routine is a big thing for these cows. It throws them
off if you mix up their routine.” To become more competitive on their climb up the rungs of the show ladder, the Langers made purchases from notable cow families. Daughters out of Apple, Elegance, Limited and Red Rose helped push the Langers’ show string to a new level as they continued breeding for high-end type and genetics. “We do a lot of reproductive work, including embryo transfer, to improve the next generation,” Langer said. Langer has shown cattle at her district show, Wisconsin State Show, Wisconsin and Minnesota state fairs, the North American International Livestock Exposition in Louisville, Kentucky, World Dairy Expo, and the Royal Winter Fair in Canada. “We’ve had a lot of success that we attribute to this farm, including several all-American nominations,” Langer said. Langer also boards cows for others and is currently boarding 25 head. Langer has also partnered with GenOvations, of Lodi, Wisconsin, which specializes in ushing and in vitro fertilization. She houses the cows of clients looking for the type of individualized care Langer can provide at her facility. Devoted to developing and caring for cows of showring quality and genetic prowess, Langer has found her niche in the industry. “Running a facility like this requires great attention to detail,” Langer said. “It’s the little things and the netuning that really count. You have to be here, therefore, I spend a lot of time in the barn.” But, there is no place she would rather be.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Help for the big farmers and none for the small
Tom Litkea New Lisbon, Wisconsin I am a struggling dairy farmer in Wisconsin. When I tell my story, some people will try to help. One such person told me to call the Wisconsin Farm Center in Madison at 1-800-942-2474. The center is a free resource that is supposed to help farmers through every type of scenario. According to the DATCP, “Farm Center staff can help sort out farm nancial options and offer a listening ear if you need someone to talk to about your farm situation.” As I proceeded to tell my story to a gentleman, he then asked about my nances. I told him that is why I called – I have none. He became rather rude and irritated and said he only helps the prosperous farmers. Then, he advised me to sell everything and get out now. He also scoffed at me for my milk production. Would a Farm Center staff consultant at this number really not know that cows do dry-up for calving? He told me to go see a doctor to determine whether I needed counseling and that I was only looking for money. I did nd out that the USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue hired the Farm Center to help the big and prosperous manage their money. And, once again, help for the big farmers and none for the small. It would not be a good situation for a suicidal person to call them looking for help. It surely would be the end for them.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Dairy Star Newspaper welcomes letters to the editor. Every letter for publication must be 500 words or less, contain the author’s signature, address and telephone number. We reserve the right to edit for clarity and brevity. Letters can be mailed to Dairy Star, Letter to Editor, 522 Sinclair Lewis Ave., Sauk Centre, MN 56378 or e-mail: mark.k@dairystar.com.
Target Your Customers!
The Dairy Star is sent only to DAIRY FARMERS!
If you would like to advertise in the DAIRY STAR, call 320-352-6303 for more information.
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Page 12 • Dairy Star • Saturday, January 11, 2020
What’s in store for 2020?
Markets suggest a good year ahead for U.S. dairy farmers By Stacey Smart
stacey.s@dairystar.com
Now that the calendar has turned on one of the most trying years for agriculture, including the wettest spring on record since 1895, U.S. dairy farmers wonder if 2020 will bring more of the same or will things nally turn around? A look at the markets suggests the latter to be true. “With higher milk prices, trade Dan Basse deals and other AgResource Co. new opportunities on the table, data suggests a relatively good year lies ahead for the dairy market,” said Dan Basse. Basse is the president of AgResource Company and spoke during a Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin webinar, “What’s in store for 2020?” Dec. 18, 2019. Basse talked about the markets and what U.S. dairy farmers can expect in terms of prices, production and demand. The dairy industry saw some recovery in 2019 as Class III
milk prices rose to around $19 per hundredweight, even hitting above $20 in November and nally breaking through a four-year range after dropping substantially in 2014. Price lows for January and February are estimated to range from $16 to $16.50 cwt. Gaining higher milk prices into mid-2020 will require help from U.S. cheese exports. The demand for cheese exports was good in 2019, and Basse thinks that demand will expand in 2020. “There’s a chance for $21.50 milk in 2020,” Basse said. “But that’s the upside extreme. China is a big driver. The days of sub-$15 milk have passed but rallying values above $20 will be difcult without our friends in China. There is a potential for a sneaky bull market on improving world demand which could take Class III back to $21-$22.50 by quarter three.” Record domestic demand was driving the rise in U.S. milk prices in quarter three of 2019 combined with a decline in herd numbers and demand for exports overseas. World milk production is balanced for the rst time since 2015 which Basse nds encouraging for preventing a decline in price. “Future dairy price and prot gains depend on trade deals between the United States and China, passage of the (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement) and (United States-European Union) trade resolution,” Basse said. Basse anticipates the United
States’ trade deal with China to pass in early January with a 30-45 day ramping up period before China starts purchasing U.S. agricultural goods. At the forefront will be soybeans and pork with dairy and cheese following suit. “We should start to see an increase in China’s demand for dairy after Valentine’s Day,” Basse said. The Chinese dairy herd and milk
“With higher milk prices, trade deals and other new opportunities on the table, data suggests a relatively good year lies ahead for the dairy market.” DAN BASSE, AGRESOURCE CO.
production are in sharp decline, giving the United States an opportunity to move dairy into China. China’s demand for powder and whey is on the rise. China is also in desperate need of protein, particularly pork, after being hit with African Swine Fever. The disease killed nearly 300 million of the country’s hogs, resulting in a 40% decline in pork production and 19% increase in food ination within China. Chinese dairy imports are ex-
pected to increase as a result, helping world dairy product prices. The United States’ share for pork and dairy exports is expected to rise starting in February or March. Poultry and sh consumption in China are increasing along with beef as China’s pork prices are at record levels. Basse said there is lots of money to be made taking U.S. protein into China. “Instead of spending $1 billion on U.S. ag dairy goods, I could see China spending three to four times that amount which would be massive in terms of what it means for our milk markets,” Basse said. There was a sharp decline in farm operations in the United States this year as the trend to fewer but larger farms continue. The average farm is now sized at 440 acres. The number of dairy herds in Wisconsin continues to decrease but is a trend Basse hopes will stabilize in 2020. The United States is experiencing a milk shortage in the East due mainly to herd liquidations and a milk surplus in the West. A strong demand for select beef started in November, and the best time to sell cull animals will be during the rst quarter of 2020, said Basse. “The U.S. beef outlook has turned bullish with cash cattle prices to recover to $126 to $130 per hundredweight for seasonal highs in February,” Basse said. Dairy farmers have faced a revenue drop of 50% since 2012 which Turn to MARKETS | Page 13
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ConƟnued from MARKETS | Page 12
has cut into balance sheets and operating capital. Debt-to-asset and debtto-equity ratios have risen as stress at the farm is at its highest levels since the mid-1980s. Balance sheets are getting stretched further as farm debt is at a record level and will need to be watched closely going into 2020. Market facilitation payments have saved the U.S. farm economy, but Basse warned not to expect these payments beyond January. He does not see them factoring into farm income once the China trade deal passes. “We have to look at our cost structure very carefully in the year ahead and keep trying to nd measures to make some adjustments to the downside,” Basse said. Despite last year’s unfavorable weather, U.S. corn yielded 167 bushels per acre which was down only marginally from years past. A normal growing season in 2020 could yield 180-plus bushels per acre of corn. However, cropped acres for 2019 were the lowest since the mid-1980s as 10 million acres of corn and 10 million acres of soybean were not planted in the United States. Basse predicts a big recovery this year in seeded acreage from April-June, Mother Nature allowing. Last year saw an 878 million bushel decline in soybean production – the largest on record. “We had a big drop in production yet the markets didn’t get away from us,” Basse said. “It was priced at 70 cents a bushel which helped in terms of managing feed costs for the farmer.” Basse is not worried about feed
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costs getting out of line. Yields of corn are up 22% in the United States and global production is up 27% with dramatic gains in Russia of 168% and 141% in Ukraine. U.S. feed prices will likely stay low or fall even farther following a December 2019/January corrective recovery, and forage prices will ease after the second quarter. Total U.S. dairy exports for 2019 were up 6% on value but down 7% on volume. Milk exports are bright, and U.S. cheese exports are in seasonal recovery. Butter trade for this country has been disappointing as a result of United States’ price premium since March 2019. Butter prices are looking to decline to $2.05 for a seasonal low in quarter one of 2020. European milk production will slow and stagnate into 2020 with only a 1% gain which gives the United States better export opportunities, particularly to southeast Asia. EU nonfat dry milk stocks are at their lowest levels since 2014. This means the EU will not be a signicant powder exporter in the near future. Skim powder has been a big driver as prices are up 53%, and United States non-fat milk powder prices are at a four-year high. Politics, economics and weather are three key variables for farmers to watch in 2020. In the meantime, improved dairy margins on the home front and promising possibilities on the export side of things have given dairy farmers reason to look to the future with hope and optimism.
1 Higher Digestibility Alforex™ varieties with Hi-Gest® alfalfa technology average 5-8% more leaves than conventional varieties which can result in the following: • 5-10% increased rate of fiber digestion* • 22% reduction in indigestible fiber at 240 hours (uNDF240)** • 3-5% more crude protein**
2 More Tonnage Alforex varieties with Hi-Gest alfalfa technology provide farms flexibility to adjust to aggressive harvest systems to maximize yield and quality, or to a more relaxed schedule focused on tonnage. Either way, growers put the odds of improved returns per acre and animal performance in their favor.
3 More Milk While management and feeding practices vary widely, it’s common for dairies feeding Alforex varieties with Hi-Gest alfalfa technology to report a positive production response from their cows when alfalfa makes up a higher percentage of the ration. Based on the increased rate of digestion, you could expect 2.5 lbs. more milk per cow, per day.1 And while not every producer experiences this level of improvement, some producers report even better results.
Ready to bring higher digestibility, more tonnage and more milk to your farm? Visit us at www.alforexseeds.com or call us at 1-800-824-8585. *The increased rate of fiber digestion, extent of digestion and crude protein data was developed from replicated research and on-farm testing. During the 2015 growing season at West Salem, WI and Woodland, CA, the following commercial dormant, semi-dormant and non-dormant alfalfa varieties were compared head-to-head with Alforex varieties with Hi-Gest alfalfa technology for rate of digestion, extent of digestion and percent crude protein: America’s Alfalfa Brand AmeriStand 427TQ; Croplan Brands LegenDairy XHD and Artesia Sunrise; Fertizona Brand Fertilac; S&W Seed Brands SW6330, SW7410 and SW10; and W-L Brands WL 319HQ and WL 354HQ. Also, during the 2015 growing season, 32 on-farm Alforex varieties with Hi-Gest alfalfa technology hay and silage samples were submitted to Rock River Laboratory, Inc., for forage analysis. The results for rate of digestion, extent of digestion and percent crude protein were averaged and compared to the 60-day and four-year running averages for alfalfa in the Rock River database which included approximately 1,700 alfalfa hay and 3,800 silage 60-day test results and 23,000 hay and 62,000 silage test results in the four-year average. **Crude protein=60-day running averages and uNDF240=four-year running average 1 Combs, D. 2015. Relationship of NDF digestibility to animal performance. Tri-State Dairy Nutrition Conference, 101-112. Retrieved from https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/5350/f0a2cb916e74edf5f69cdb73f091e1c8280b.pdf.
™ ® Trademarks of Dow AgroSciences, DuPont or Pioneer, and their affiliated companies or their respective owners. © 2019 Corteva.
Page 14 • Dairy Star • Saturday, January 11, 2020
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Dairy Star • Saturday, January 11, 2020 • Page 15
What are you looking forward to most this year?
Tanya and Kevin Van Winkle Canistota, South Dakota McCook County 2,000 cows What are you looking forward to most this year? We are hoping for a more normal crop year with normal moisture levels. We also look forward to remaining healthy and happy. What is one goal you have set for your dairy for 2020, and how do you plan to achieve it? Our goal is to have more free time and spend more time with our family. We have a new management team in place and plan to work with them to make this happen. What are your predictions about this year’s dairy economy? I hope that milk prices will maintain at or above the breakeven level and allow us to continue making a proďƒžt. What are the greatest challenges you see in 2020 for your dairy and for the industry? The price of milk will be the biggest challenge. There are more and more cows in the world and ďƒžnding a market for all that milk might be a problem. Even so, I think there’s room for dairies of all sizes. It’s also getting tougher and tougher to get good hired help and ďƒžll all the positions on our farm. How have the past few years in the industry prepared you for the year ahead? We have always tried to be the best in every category and keep our costs down. We have learned that you have to do things cheaper in order to make money. This means keeping the cows pregnant and paying attention to all of the little details. What are three words to describe your feelings going into 2020? Optimistic, hopeful and prepared. We always try to be ready for next year. We have plenty of animals on hand to keep our barn full. We have a good workforce on our farm to get all the work done and plenty of moisture in the soil to get next spring’s crops off to a good start. Tell us about your farm. Our farm is a place where we can take care of our family and the families of our employees. We contribute to the local economy by purchasing crops from our neighbors. Our animals help add value to our neighbors’ crops by creating another market for the commodities they grow.
Jason French West Concord, Minnesota Dodge County 200 cows What are you looking forward to most this year? Being a grass farmer, I am looking forward to grazing season. Chores become easier when late April comes around. I also like making hay. What is one goal you have set for your dairy for 2020, and how do you plan to achieve it? Our goal is to spend as little as possible and focus on paying down debt. We are trying to reduce machinery, inventory and infrastructure. What are your predictions about this year’s dairy economy? There are too many cows, there is too much milk, and the dairy economy is not strong. Three years of low prices burn a lot of equity. What are the greatest challenges you see in 2020 for your dairy and for the industry? Last year was a very difďƒžcult year because of the worry. I worry that this weather might be a trend and continue into this year or years to come. Even more than the price, the weather got me down last year. It was hard getting planting done and making hay. It was the hardest year I have had. Because of the low prices, we will be catching up on machinery repairs and replacements. How have the past few years in the industry prepared you for the year ahead? The last three years have been tough for dairy farmers. Our ears have been trimmed with the low prices. It has taught me how money is being spent and to focus on paying down debt. We also do not carry inventory anymore. What are three words to describe your feelings going into 2020? Frustration, frugality and caution. Frustration and caution go together. The weather and low prices have made me frustrated, but they have also made me cautious on spending any money. I chose frugality because we are hunkering down to pay the bills and debt when we can and not pay for anything extra. Tell us about your farm. We have a grassbased, grain-free organic dairy farm that milks our herd once a day. It is a management decision we made in April 2019. We run 900 acres that are all seeded down. My wife, Tammy, is a special education teacher. We have ďƒžve kids, with two of them, Luke and Brett, farming with me.
Jake and Allen Schreifels Cold Spring, Minnesota Stearns County 100 cows What are you looking forward to most this year? It not being 2019 anymore. It was a rough one. What is one goal you have set for your dairy for 2020, and how do you plan to achieve it? Digging out from mountains of bills and focusing on production to maximize milk price without adding cows. We purchase all our replacements so buying higher quality animals would be how we plan to achieve that. What are your predictions about this year’s dairy economy? We can predict that about as well as a weatherman. Optimism, staying positive and hopeful. What are the greatest challenges you see in 2020 for your dairy and for the industry? We take the challenges a day at a time. We would like to update some of our barns, but the budget says no, so we will do what everyone is doing: survive. The industry as a whole will be licking their wounds for quite some time after this. Farmers not having positive prices affects way more than farmers themselves. How have the past few years in the industry prepared you for the year ahead? We learned we had to look at our so-called business side of the operation. We started working with a farm business manager which has helped. That will help us into the future. What are three words to describe your feelings going into 2020? Pain, hopeful and happiness. The pains of 2019 will be felt for a while. Wet weather, harvest delays, low prices. Never have we ever been so happy to tear December off the calendar. Hopeful for the future and what nicer prices bring. Happiness is always our main focus so that is what we are working for. Tell us about your farm. We are a diversiďƒžed operation. Along with milking cows, we ďƒžnish steers, raise feeder steers, cash crop and operate a egg laying chicken barn. Turn to OUR SIDE | Page 16
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Page 16 • Dairy Star • Saturday, January 11, 2020
ConƟnued from OUR SIDE | Page 15 Alicia Thurk Hiebert Browerville, Minnesota Todd County 40 cows What are you looking forward to most this year? We don’t have any big plans or events scheduled for this year. We are most looking forward to making the nal payment on a couple pieces of equipment. What is one goal you have set for your dairy for 2020, and how do you plan to achieve it? My goal is to improve the pregnancy rate. I plan to do this by being more aggressive with my shot program. What are your predictions about this year’s dairy economy? 2020 is looking to be better than the last few years for milk price. However, I don’t foresee cattle prices rebounding much. What are the greatest challenges you see in 2020 for your dairy and for the industry? For our dairy, we will have the challenge of being a little short on corn silage. We are planning to put in some early maturing silage corn, hoping it will be able to ferment a bit before we run out of this year’s crop. For the industry, there will be the continued challenge of farms selling out and industry consolidation. Now with a second large milk processor ling bankruptcy, there will also be ripples from that felt throughout the industry. How have the past few years in the industry prepared you for the year ahead? The past few years have made it necessary to tighten our belts a bit and really focus on nances which has made us better business managers. What are three words to describe your feelings going into 2020? Hopeful. After the extremely difcult spring planting and fall harvesting last year, we are hopeful that 2020 will be less challenging. Eager. We are ready for a new year. Determined. We are determined to make this an all-around better and more protable year for our farm. Tell us about your farm. We have a 40-cow dairy with Holsteins, Jerseys and the occasional Milking Shorthorn. We farm approximately 800 acres. We purchased our current farm in 2016. My husband, Jared, is also the agronomy manager at ProAg Cooperative in Clarissa.
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DairySt r Milk Break
Dave Daniels Brighton, Wisconsin Kenosha County 575 cows What are you looking forward to most this year? In Wisconsin, the Legislature has approved the Dairy Innovation Hub. This is a state-supported effort to expand research and teaching at the state’s three agricultural colleges with the goal of developing new technologies and approaches to strengthen the dairy industry and the communities that depend on them. I’m a member of the industry council that will be choosing and monitoring proposals from academia to accomplish this. What is one goal you have set for your dairy for 2020, and how do you plan to achieve it? To become a bit more diversied within agriculture. I am looking at a solar project that would benet the farm on the expense side. Another project would be to look at growing industrial hemp on some acres. What are your predictions about this year’s dairy economy? There will be some pressure on prices for the rst half of 2020. The second half could be like 2019 or a little better. Not sure if we’ll see a $20 Class III price though. What are the greatest challenges you see in 2020 for your dairy and for the industry? Our farm has some non-family employees. That is a challenge to keep and hire people who would work with cows. We have a bonus structure that helps. Living in an urban county, there is a lot of competition for labor. Also, the dairy industry is in a global marketplace. This means things that happen half a world away could affect our industry. How have the past few years in the industry prepared you for the year ahead? Continuing to focus on the expense side of our ledger is making our farm more competitive for the future. We are also looking at pieces of the farm enterprise that need more attention. Do we really need all those heifer calves for replacements? What are three words to describe your feelings going into 2020? Do our part. When your milk leaves your door, it is only the beginning. It will be processed by someone into many products. We still need to explain to our neighbors, cousins and friends what makes what you produce such a healthy and quality product. The story needs to be told because social media doesn’t have it right. Tell us about your farm. Mighty Grand Dairy is a multigenerational dairy farm that was formed when three neighbors combined our assets and grew our dairy business. We have 575 Holstein cows and grow our own replacements. We farm 1,125 acres of alfalfa, corn, wheat and winter forages. We also use cover crops where needed. Our milk is sold to Gran’de Cheese Company to be made into various Italian cheeses.
Email andrea.b@dairystar.com
THANK YOU
to all dairy farmers who have signed and returned the Dairy Check-Off Reform Petition. Over 900 dairy farmers across the nation have signed.
We are in need of 3,000-4,000 signatures.
No deadline to sign. Petitions are available online or contact us.
Thanks farmers for what you do!
For more information, contact: Dairy Pricing Association, Inc. W15311 Franklin Road, Taylor, WI 54659 Phone: (715) 284-2590 • Fax: (715) 284-2591 Email: dpainc@ceas.coop www.dairypricing.org www.facebook.com/dairypricing
Trista Kenealy Cadott, Wisconsin Chippewa County 500 cows What are you looking forward to most this year? Honestly, I’m looking forward to new beginnings. Everyone in the industry has had a tough go-around these last few years. Others would agree that 2019 was especially tough. What is one goal you have set for your dairy for 2020, and how do you plan to achieve it? To strive to be better. It doesn’t matter if its better with organizing my bookwork, calf management or whatever it may be. In order to be successful, we need to make sure we are utilizing our resources to the maximum benet while keeping our environment and animals safe. You need to keep good lines of communication not only with your family and employees but also your nutritionists, veterinarian, banker, agronomists, nancial consultants, accountants and whomever you work with to keep your operation running smooth. Those lines of communication are an integral part of successful operations. What are your predictions about this year’s dairy economy? I am optimistic the prices for the products we produce are going to increase and are going to stay up. After this many years at the lows we’ve had, things need to start turning around and looking up. What are the greatest challenges you see in 2020 for your dairy and for the industry? For our dairy and everyone else, we’re still going to have our challenges climbing out of our debts to get into more comfortable nancial positions. This year will be rough with the feed shortages due to 2019’s weather. Another challenge is going to be putting a more positive light on the dairy industry. With all the negativity and misinformation out there, it is extremely frustrating for us as producers to be heard and get our side of the story out there. How have the past few years in the industry prepared you for the year ahead? Not growing up in the dairy industry, I have had quite an education. Each year has been different, and I’ve learned to expect the unexpected and to not be surprised by anything anymore. I’ve also learned that communication is huge with navigating this volatile industry. What are three words to describe your feelings going into 2020? Optimistic, hopeful and resilient. After the last few difcult years, I am optimistic and hopeful milk and commodity prices are going to increase, and we will start to see more of that light at the end of the tunnel. As for resilient, you have to be in order to want to keep living this lifestyle. Tell us about your farm. We believe the farm was originally started around 1912 by my husband’s great-grandfather, so it’s been around a while. It has changed with new facilities and expansions, the latest one being in 2015. With my father-in-law, husband and now our two young sons, we have the third, fourth and fth generations living and working on the dairy. We milk 500 cows and farm roughly 1,000 acres that all goes for feed. We raise our own heifer calves and a few bull calves.
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Dairy Star • Saturday, January 11, 2020 • Page 17
As a dairyman, are you looking to improve the way your fresh cows transition, take off, peak and breed back? Are you looking to improve rumen health, rumen function, overall health, digestion, feed efficiency, reproduction and YOUR BOTTOM LINE??? If so, then..
RECALIBRATE WITH RECAL
RECAL probioƟcs have been developed over a 20-year period that was originally started by a farmer from Indiana. Through on farm tesƟng and the combined eīorts of one of the top microbiologists and one of the top dairy veterinarians in this Įeld, the RECAL poduct has become what it is today. It is a unique combinaƟon of various strains of beneĮcial bacteria, enzymes, and a speciĮc type of concentrated yeast. It was designed to establish and rapidly expand a superior rumen populaƟon heavily weighted toward FIBER digesƟon and to produce high levels of B-vitamins mainly B-12. Not all probioƟcs are the same. There are hundreds of various strains and combinaƟons.
BAKAKE ACRES NEW LONDON, WI GRADY AUER
“In 2016 I saw an adverƟsement about RECAL Microbials on the Dairy Agenda Today website. I checked out the RECAL Microbials website and saw a tesƟmonial from another dairyman that I knew. I called that dairyman and talked to him about the RECAL. He highly recommended the product and told me to get in touch with Jamie Troxel of RECAL Microbials. I called Jamie and we discussed RECAL and the next week Jamie came to my farm to talk more about the products. Jamie wanted to look at my raƟon, cows, forages, and cow manure. He also wanted to hear of any issues I was having with the cows. Jamie wanted to take a look at these things because he said he sees the RECAL working diīerently on diīerent farms, not all farms are the same. AŌer Jamie asked me quesƟons about reproducƟon, producƟon, and dry maƩer intake he looked at the raƟon, the forages, the cows and the manure. He advised me that he was sure I was dealing with a mycotoxin issue. Grady Auer The cows weren’t milking like they should, I wasn’t seeing heats like I (920) 538-1183 should, reproducƟon wasn’t where it should have been and manure was very inconsistent and not digested very well besides having some bloody gut issues. I was already feeding a well known toxin binder. Jamie gave me a proposal. He would give me enough RECAL Plus for 30 days and if at the end of that 30 days I didn’t like it, I didn’t have to pay for it. He also told me what to watch for and what to expect the cows to do. He was very conĮdent in the product. He menƟoned I could pull yeast and the toxin binder out if I wanted to. I thought what the heck, I didn’t have anything to lose since the binder didn’t seem to be working, so I took him up on this oīer. The day we started the RECAL Plus Jamie pulled a TMR sample to be sent to Rock River Lab to be tested for mycotoxins and to have a complete nutriƟonal analysis done. The nutriƟonal analysis came back very close to what was on paper, but the vomitoxin level was 3.3 ppm and the T-2 toxin was 134 ppm. Both were high levels. He also performed manure screenings the day we started the product and then came back ten days later and performed the manure screenings again from the same exact cows. WOW!!! What a diīerence. Everything Jamie told me to watch for I saw. Within one week I was sold on the RECAL Plus. Milk went up, DMI went up and then dropped back oī a liƩle lower then when we started. I started seeing much stronger heats, much more consistent manure and there was a huge diīerence in manure screenings. You could see a big diīerence in ruminaƟon as well with the use of my ruminaƟon meters. AŌer we started pregnancy checking cows that had been on the RECAL Plus from the Ɵme of inseminaƟon, my concepƟon rate started going up, a huge improvement! My vet even noƟced that we were geƫng bigger CL’s which is a sign of healthier cows and reproducƟon system. The bigger the CL, the beƩer. About January 2017 I switched to diīerent corn silage and I was seeing more corn in the manure. I talked to Jamie about that. He said we could try the RECAL Plus SS. It was diīerent than the RECAL Plus and was a Įber and starch digester. So we tried it and in the Įrst week the cows went up three pounds of milk and intakes stayed the same. I was watching my ruminaƟon meters and the ruminaƟon went up 15% the day aŌer I started the RECAL Plus SS and has held. My %BF has also gone up as well. In 2019 I then switched back to the RECAL Plus because I didn’t need the starch digesƟon. We milk about 500 cows near New London, WI. I highly recommend every dairyman to feed the RECAL Plus or the RECAL Plus SS.
We just added RECAL Pro to our probioƟc line. So, if you are looking to improve your boƩom line, get RECAL!!! For less than $0.08 /cow/day investment, you will see a great return on your investment.
Remember, it’s NOT an expense if you see a return on your investment!!! FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
RECAL Microbials, LLC • Jamie Troxel • 330-601-2142 • www.RECALmicrobials.com
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Page 18 • Dairy Star • Saturday, January 11, 2020
Top Performers
Consistency drives cow performance on Mehrwerth dairy Mitchell Mehrwerth Sauk Rapids, Minnesota Benton County 55 cows
have not tried three times a day milking nor do I foresee trying it in the near future.
What is your current herd average, butterfat and protein? My current herd average is 26,660 pounds with a 4.5% butterfat and a 3.5% protein. How many times a day do you milk? If you do not milk 3X a day, have you tried it in the past? I milk twice a day. I
Do you contract your milk? Has it been successful for you? I do not contract my milk. Describe your housing and milking facility. The milk cows are housed in a 58-stall sand bedded freestall barn. Turn to MEHRWORTH | Page 20
JENNIFER COYNE/DAIRY STAR
JENNIFER COYNE/DAIRY STAR
This 6-year-old cow is one Mitchell Mehrwerth models his herd aŌer. He breeds the top 5% of his herd to sires with high type and producƟon, followed by 45% of his herd to sires for high producƟon, DWP$, net merit and sire concepƟon.
Mitchell Mehrwerth milks 55 cows on a rented farmsite in Benton County near Sauk Rapids, Minnesota. Mehrwerth’s rolling herd average is 26,660 pounds, which he aƩributes to consistent rouƟnes on the farm and in the parlor.
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Dairy Star • Saturday, January 11, 2020 • Page 19
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“...reduced fetching and improved robot attachment times. That’s huge!” — Josh Lingen
LINGEN DAIRY, The Lingen Family BALATON, MINNESOTA 400 cows, 87 lbs/cow/day 5.2F SCC 65 to 70,000 “The Udder Comfort™ pre-fresh groups came in with udders full of milk, but so soft, no edema. We saw an average of 2 pounds more milk from those 2-yr-olds at around 14 DIM. Robot attachments are faster, and robot fetch time on first lactations was cut by 70%. That’s huge! By softening them right into calving, udders went through fewer changes in the first 10 days after calving, and it took out that belly edema, making the robots more efficient,” Josh Lingen reports. At Lingen Dairy, Balaton, Minnesota, 240 cows milk robotically plus 100 through the parlor, making 87 pounds of 5.2 fat milk. They used Udder Comfort routinely after calving for 5 years. Early on, “we saw the results in quality and performance with SCC 100 to 150,000,” Josh explains. But he wanted to see how heifers would respond to pre-fresh applications. “We used the Udder Comfort Backpack Sprayer to do pre-fresh 2-yr-old groups in headlocks 1x/day for a week before calving. Our SCC dropped to 70,000 in both the robot and parlor groups. But the biggest thing is how it reduced fetching and improved robot attachment times. I absolutely love this product and the backpack!”
Quality Udders Make Quality Milk To locate a distributor and learn more about the new Backpack Sprayer, call 1.888.773.7153 uddercomfort.com @uddercomfort For external application to the udder only, after milking, as an essential component of udder management. Always wash and dry teats thoroughly before milking.
Page 20 • Dairy Star • Saturday, January 11, 2020
ConƟnued from MEHRWORTH | Page 18
The stalls are bedded once a week and raked multiple times a week. They are milked in a double-4 step-up parlor in a retrotted barn. Due to restrictions in the barn, a wash-inplace milking system is not an option. The dry cows are housed in a converted freestall to bedded pack building. What is your herd health program? Every animal on the farm gets vaccinated starting at birth with Inforce 3 and calf guard. At weaning, another dose of Inforce 3 is administered. At 6 months old, animals get a dose of Ultrabac 8 and Bovi-Shield Gold 5 then Bovi-Shield Gold 5 again at breeding age. All cows are vaccinated 30 days after calving with Bovi-Shield Gold FP5 L5 and Ultrabac 8. Pregnancy herd checks occur once a month, alternating between ultrasound and milk samples based on number of animals to check and cows’ health. I will diagnose and treat cows to the best of my knowledge and consult with the veterinarian if further action is needed. I estimate cost of treatment and procedure before any action is taken so I can value my return on production. Less than 5% of milk cows will be treated and milk discarded due to possibility of accidental milk contamination. What does your dry cow and transition program consist
of? One weak spot of my dairy is transition cows. We are constantly trying new things to ease calving and perfect the transition process. After three years, the program works but can still use improvement. Dry cows are fed free choice grass hay, silage and a protein mix with free choice mineral. At calving, the calf is separated within the hour, and the cow is milked. The cows will then get rumen boluses, aspirin, and either BoviKalc or Transition calcium bolus. They then join the milk cows in the freestall. On day three, they get a dose of Dexamethasone. They are monitored until the cow looks and acts completely healthy and is eating well. What is the composition of your ration? What has been one of your most recent changes that has been successful for you? My ration includes wheat straw, corn silage, dry hay, rolled ne corn, a protein blend and liquid molasses. One recent change we did was a small but important change. We added mold inhibitors and prohibitor. Knowing how wet this year was for all crops and being informed by local farmers in the past years about watching mold levels, I knew action should be taken. According to studies, 97% of corn silage samples across 18 states tested positive for at least one Mycotoxin. Trying to stay ahead and beat any mold,
JENNIFER COYNE/DAIRY STAR
Mitchell Mehrwerth examines his raƟon Jan. 7 at the farm in Sauk Rapids, Minnesota. Mehrwerth recently added mold inhibitors and prohibitors to his raƟon to control mold levels because of how wet the past year was. we added Anco FIT (ADM product) into my protein mix and Fresh Guard (Westway Feeds product) into my molasses. By doing that, the cows actually increased milk by a couple pounds, proving that I was having a small problem with mold. Breeding also improved. Through the years you have
been farming, what change has created the biggest jump in your herd average? Consistency. Consistency in feed times, milking times, bedding, feed, the ration mix, everything. Cows, like us, are creatures of habit. The more you can keep everything the same, the better the cows will perform for you. Farming by yourself
makes some of this difcult at times, and the milk production, and especially components, will show a decrease. What role does genetics play in your production level and what is your breeding proTurn to MEHRWORTH | Page 22
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Dairy Star • Saturday, January 11, 2020 • Page 21
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Page 22 • Dairy Star • Saturday, January 11, 2020
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gram? When I started three years ago, I bought cows from herds that excel in production and selecting high end sires. It works so well for them that I try to shadow how they breed. I believe genetics plays about a 40% role in production, just under nutrition. I am still working on a good breeding schedule to stretch calvings out throughout the year so my breeding is different. However, what doesn’t change is sire selection. The top 5% of my herd is bred to elite genetics that combines high type and production. The next 45% of the herd is bred to sires with high milk production, DWP$, net merit and sire conception rates. The other 50% of the herd is bred to beef. Depending on the cow, they either go on a synch program at 50 days or after 60 days are bred on natural heat. I try a new synch program almost every time to see which program works the best. What type of improvements would you like to make that would increase your rolling herd average even higher? I believe focusing on the correct matings for cows is key to higher production. I also am always willing to try new feed products and ingredients to maximize production. As mentioned before, nding the perfect transition program would get cows off and running right away to produce more milk and decrease possible treatments and sickness. Something we can’t control but would increase the herd average is better weather. My herd average dropped over 2,000 pounds since last year due to poor feed quality so either nding protable ingredient replacements or better corn variety selection in case another year like this year occurs.
™
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ConƟnued from MEHRWORTH | Page 20
Farm Systems Melrose, MN 320-256-3276 Watertown, SD 605-886-7401 Sioux Falls, SD 800-284-0015 S&S Dairy System LLC St. Charles, MN 507-932-4288 Professional Dairy Systems Wadena, MN 218-632-5416
is a registered trademark of Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. and “DeLaval” is a registered trade/servicemark of DeLaval Holding AB © 2020 DeLaval Inc. DeLaval, 11100 North Congress Avenue, Kansas City, Missouri 64153-1296. All facts and figures are the result of data collected on test farms and from scientific studies. Results may vary and are not guaranteed. www.delaval.com
List three management strategies that has kept you protable. Consistency is by far No. 1. By staying consistent, the cows will nd their routine and schedule which makes them more relaxed and able to maximize production. Another strategy is running numbers and values on everything. Everything is money driven; to maximize prot you need to know the value of everything and what your return on investment is whether it is cattle, a feed ingredient or a piece of equipment. There were a few things I was doing when I started that was brought to my attention by farmers that questioned if I was actually making money. If I wasn’t, I should reconsider how I do it to maximize prot. Finally, listen to the advice given to you by farmers, nutritionists, local co-op or any people in the agriculture industry. It may be simple but it’s extremely important. We’re all in this together, and most people or companies have your best interest in mind. They understand when milk prices are low or times are hard. Although some things may cost money, they are looking for you to maximize prots and production because what makes you look good, makes them look good. What would you say are the three most important factors for you that helped you attain your current herd average? Finding the right ingredients for my ration and cows. What may work for a different farm, might not work on my farm. Listen. My nutritionist, local co-op and farmers are always trying to push my herd and maximize prot and production. I describe it as they lay all the puzzle pieces out for me, and all I have to do is put the puzzle together. Cow comfort and sanitation. Making sure the sand in the stalls is at comfort level for the cows is important. It also helps control mastitis are ups which helps with somatic cell count. I make sure when the cows come into the parlor, they are prepped properly. After milking, I spray the bottom of the teat end, which is the most important part of the teat, and then nish spraying the rest of the teat. I use spray bottles instead of dipping and believe it lowers the spread of possible contamination from cow to cow. Tell us about your farm. I rent the farm site and acres. I farm 35 acres total that all consists of corn acres for silage. All bull calves are sold, and all other crops are purchased. My dad, Rick, helps with Sunday morning milking and whenever he gets time away from his full-time job. My brother, Rob, helps at least one night a week with milking after his full-time job. Most things done on my farm were at the advice of other farmers and people in the industry since they have the experience I lack. I try to use their strengths where my weaknesses are.
Dairy Star • Saturday, January 11, 2020 • Page 23
Chilton farmer takes new leadership role
Lisowe becomes Wisconsin Beef Council president-elect By Stacey Smart
stacey.s@dairystar.com
CHILTON, Wis. – Rosie Lisowe, a dairy farmer from Chilton, was recently nominated president- elect of the Wisconsin Beef Council. Lisowe has spent ďƒžve years on the council’s board of directors and represents the Wisconsin Farm Bureau of which she has been a member for eight years. “I really enjoy being a part of the beef council as it intertwines both the dairy and beef industries,â€? Lisowe said. “Both pay the checkoff dollar when selling an animal for beef, and we’re all working for the same thing – to promote the agriculture industry.â€? The dairy industry plays a prominent role in ďƒžlling U.S. beef demand. According to an article in Drovers magazine, 21% of the U.S. beef supply came from dairy cattle in 2018. Lisowe said Wisconsin contributes a signiďƒžcant amount. “Dairy cattle produce a good meat,â€? Lisowe said. The Wisconsin Beef Council is a producer-directed not-for-proďƒžt organization with a purpose of funding beef promotion, research and consumer education activities that support Wisconsin’s $2.1 billion beef industry.
STACEY SMART/DAIRY STAR
Rosie Lisowe stands in the freestall barn at her family’s 900-cow dairy near Chilton, Wisconsin. Lisowe is the Wisconsin Beef Council’s president-elect. The council operates under the guidance of its board of directors which is comprised of 23 representatives from state cattle organizations. Board members directly pay the checkoff or collect checkoff remittance. “Being on the beef council board has
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opened me up to what this organization does,� Lisowe said. “They promote the industry through a variety of programs, such as Ag in the Classroom, Farm to Fork and providing recipes for television. People are looking for information and want to know how
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Turn to LISOWE | Page 25
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ConƟnued from LISOWE | Page 23 process – beginning at the farm and following it through to the making of the food.” Lisowe comes from a 900cow dairy, Lisowe Acres LLC, which was created in 2006 when brothers, Jerry, Jim, Joe (Lisowe’s husband), Ambrose Jr. and Chuck merged their individual herds into one. Each brother brought 60 cows with him and more were purchased to bring cow numbers up to 500 at the time. Even before they were one entity, the brothers pooled resources – everything from equipment to pay checks – and did all eld work together. The Lisowes built a freestall barn and double-16 parallel parlor when joining
We continuously try to improve our farm operation,” Lisowe said. “Our cattle are our business partners. We take care of them, and they take care of us.” The Lisowes farm 1,700 acres and raise all their own feed. A third generation – John, Jenny and Luke (Rosie’s son) – has entered the operation as partners, and T.J., a member of the fourth generation, also works on the farm. Lisowe’s in-laws, Ambrose and Lorna, started the dairy many years ago. “Ambrose was a forwardthinker who wanted his boys to farm and have a good life,” Lisowe said. “We wouldn’t have what we have today if it wasn’t for him.” When it comes to spending the checkoff dollar, the beef council board decides how the money should be allocated among the programs it supports. Wisconsin keeps half of the checkoff dollar for local beef promotion while the ROSIE LISOWE, DAIRY FARMER other 50 cents goes to the Cattlemen’s herds. They started housing Beef Board for beef demandheifers at the four farms and building programs that over time moved all animals are carried out by national to the main farm. They built contractors. a small heifer barn and then “We use the money as added a larger heifer barn four wisely as we can and stretch years ago as well as a compos- the 50 cents to get the best ter. Two years ago, they built a value possible,” Lisowe said. calf barn equipped with auto- “Educating and informing mated feeders.
“For me, being a member of the Wisconsin Beef Council is a great way to bridge dairy and beef together.”
STACEY SMART/DAIRY STAR
The calf barn at Lisowe Acres LLC is equipped with automated feeders and Ɵmers for venƟlaƟon and lighƟng at Rosie Lisowe’s family’s dairy farm near Chilton, Wisconsin. people about beef is a big part of the beef council’s job. For example, we teach consumers about different cuts of meat because people don’t always know that top sirloin is great for a stir fry or that arm roast in the chuck roast family makes a great roast.” Before the family’s farms combined, Lisowe milked
cows every day along with doing chores. Now, her role is one of advocacy through her work with the Farm Bureau and beef council. In addition, she will soon be doing the books for Lisowe Acres full time. “It was a nice surprise becoming president-elect,” said Lisowe, who will assume her presidential duties in Septem-
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Page 26 • Dairy Star • Saturday, January 11, 2020
Informational meetings to explain ARC/PLC programs
With the 2018 farm bill comes the opportunity to sign-up for the Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage programs. Informational meetings are being held in conjunction with Minnesota Extension Service and explaining the provisions of the 201920 ARC/PLC programs. The FSA News & Notes following Minnesota sites have been selected to host these meetings within the state: - Jan. 13, 2 p.m., Maynard Event Center, Maynard. - Jan. 13, 10 a.m., Max’s Grill, Olivia. - Jan. 14, 2 p.m., American Legion, Wheaton. - Jan. 14, 9 a.m., Grace Lutheran Church, Breckenridge. By Ryan Brunn - Jan. 16, 9 a.m., Nobles County Government Building, Stearns Co. Exec. Dir. Worthington. - Jan. 17, 1 p.m., Lincoln Elementary School auditorium, Ivanhoe. - Jan. 17, 2 p.m., Holiday Inn, Alexandria. - Jan 17, 9 a.m., Clinton Memorial Building, Clinton. - Jan. 21, 9 a.m., Paynesville American Legion, Paynesville. - Jan. 23, 2 p.m., Freeborn County Fairgrounds, Albert Lea. - Jan. 23, 10 a.m., Marshall YMCA, Marshall. - Jan. 23, 10 a.m., Steele County Community Center, Owatonna. - Jan. 24, 9 a.m., Rockford Township Hall, Buffalo. - Jan. 24, 9 a.m., Henry’s Catering and Event Center, Foley. - Jan. 27, 10 a.m., Mabel Community Center, Mabel. - Jan. 27, 2 p.m., RCC Heintz Center Commons, Rochester. - Jan. 30, 2 p.m., Carlton County Transportation Department, Carlton. - Jan. 30, 9 a.m., Chisago Township Laketown Hall, Lindstrom. - Jan. 31, 9 a.m., Land Services Building, Meeting Room 1-2, Brainerd. Signup is currently taking place with a number of producers already having made their program selection. If farm operators understand program options, there is no reason not to enroll soon. Attending a meeting is not required but provides explanation of program rules and options. If you are unable to attend a meeting, there is a website training available at https://www.farmbill.umn.edu. The signup deadline for the 2019 program is March 15. The Livestock Indemnity Program provides assistance to eligible producers for livestock deaths in excess of normal mortality caused by adverse weather, disease and attacks by animals reintroduced into the wild by the federal government or protected by federal law. LIP compensates livestock owners and contract growers for livestock death losses in excess of normal mortality due to adverse weather, including losses due to hurricanes, oods, blizzards, wildres, extreme heat or extreme cold. For disease losses, FSA county committees can accept veterinarian certications that livestock deaths were directly related to adverse weather and unpreventable through good animal husbandry and management. For 2019 and 2020 livestock losses, eligible livestock owners must le a notice within 30 calendar days of when the loss is rst apparent. Participants must provide the following supporting documentation to a FSA ofce no later than 60 calendar days after the end of the calendar year in which the eligible loss condition occurred. Producers are reminded to keep updated livestock inventory records. These records are necessary in the event of a natural disaster: proof of death documentation, copy of grower’s contracts and proof of normal mortality documentation. The United States Department of Agriculture has established normal mortality rates for each type and weight range of eligible livestock. These established percentages reect losses that are considered expected or typical under normal conditions. In addition to ling a notice of loss, producers must also submit an application for payment by March 1 for 2019 losses and March 1, 2021, for losses that occur in 2020. Additional information about LIP is available at a FSA ofce or at http:// www.fsa.usda.gov. Farm Service Agency is an Equal Opportunity Lender. Complaints about discrimination should be sent to: Secretary of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. 20250. Visit the Farm Service Agency Web site at: www.fsa.usda.gov/ for necessary application forms and updates on USDA programs.
The last minute get away Duane and I were awarded a three-day get away. We chose to go back to Sedona, Arizona. Anna, our daughter, was off of college for holiday break and encouraged us to stay a week. She was home to manage the farm, leaving us not to worry about anything. With the extra days added on, we used the three-day condo stay in Sedona, and then went to the Grand Canyon and the Hoover Dam. We left Dec. 18 and returned on the 25th. We planned to go where we wanted to, when we wanted to with no commitments of booking hotels ahead of time. We would nd places to sleep along the way. When we left the farm, it was unseasonably warm in By Tina Hinchley the 40s, and the weather Farmer & Columnist predictions were calling for no snow. The predicted weather in Arizona was the same temperatures of 40s in the evenings but highs of 60s during the day. We got into Phoenix in the late afternoon and drove our rental car just in time to see the sunset on the beautiful red rock cliffs all around Sedona. The colors from the iron in the soil are unimaginable, and the wind and water carved cliffs are massive. We drove in awe to our condo. We relaxed in the outdoor hot tub, looking forward to the adventures in the morning. We began hiking and learning about the ancient farmers and viewed the permanent settlements of the people who once lived in the harsh desert climate. Park rangers and volunteers were able to answer our questions and give us other destinations to visit. There are 98 hiking trails in Sedona, ranging from 1 to 18 miles. We limited our hikes to under 5 miles to insure we could visit other remarkable sites. As the evening approached, we were looking for a bar to have a drink and maybe eat a burger. In all of Sedona, there are only two places that were open after 9 p.m. The town really shuts down as the sun sets. We ended up at Mooney’s Irish Pub before the karaoke started. We had prickly pear cactus margaritas and listened to great local singers. We sang along with the locals, laughed and cheered. It was a perfect ending to a beautiful day. We nished up our next day in Sedona with more hiking and a ride on a Jeep up and down steep cliffs all the while feeling nervous as we were hanging on rocks looking at the sky or staring down at the boulders. I underestimated the extreme ride and was glad when it was over. The driver was from northern Illinois and had driven by our farm many times on his way to visit family. What a small world. We set out early to go to the Grand Canyon. We were looking for wildlife as we drove through the desert. The only things we saw were beef cows and calves on land that was rocky with sand and little vegetation beyond dry grass. They all looked healthy and well fed, so it must work for them with the large areas of pasture for the 20-30 head. We walked to the edge of the Grand Canyon. We stopped to absorb the mind-blowing grandeur of this beautiful place. It cannot even be described in words how big the Grand Canyon is. The magnicent colors of the rock layers and the width and depth are unimaginable. In the bottom of the canyon is the Colorado River, looking like a marker line scribbled back and forth in the sandy rocks below. We saw rocks that were formed as much as 1.84 bil-
lion years ago. We lled our minds with facts and learned the Paleo-Indians were the rst to nd the Grand Canyon. Then came the scientists, geologists, surveyors and so many others to study and solve the mystery of this remarkable canyon. We stayed that evening in Williams where the Grand Canyon railway departs daily. The train depot was lit with Christmas lights, and the railway was hosting evening polar express train rides for families. It was a 20-minute ride to a magical lite up town, and all the kids got a special sleigh bell just like in the movie. There were hundreds of families in their matching pajamas, getting on the train when we pulled into the hotel parking lot. The ride to the Hoover Dam was interesting because we drove by different kinds of rock formations and areas of cactus. We looked out over many solar farms with acres of solar panels to capture the sun’s power. These places were just off the road near transmission towers where the power lines connect to the grid. As we neared the dam, these power towers were everywhere.
Dairy Star • Saturday, January 11, 2020 • Page 27
When we arrived to the dam and while we waited for our tour, we learned about the historic construction companies that were merged to become Six Companies Inc. This project was built during the Great Depression in the ood plain to protect cities and farms, supply electricity to power homes and industry, and create jobs for thousands of people who desperately needed work. It was completed in record time and under budget. The dam is considered one of the architectural wonders of the modern industrial world. As we were leaving, it began to rain. By the time we headed back to Phoenix the next day to return home, the grass was turning bright green, and little white and yellow owers began to bloom. The color rush was a comforting goodbye that concluded an unbelievable journey in Arizona. Tina Hinchley, her husband, Duane, and their daughters, Anna and Catherine, milk 240 registered Holsteins with robots. They also farm 2,300 acres of crops near Cambridge, Wisconsin. They have been hosting farm tours for over 20 years.
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Page 28 • Dairy Star • Saturday, January 11, 2020
Farm accident claims three lives
Boesls remembered as genuinely good people By Jennifer Coyne & Mark Klaphake Staff Writers
MILLERVILLE, Minn. – There is a void in the rural community of Millerville after losing three of its members in a horric farm accident days before Christmas. Brothers Steve and Curt Boesl and Curt’s 11-yearold son, Alex, succumbed to toxic silo gases Dec. 21, 2019, on Curt’s farm site near Millerville. “After 27 years, you think you can prepare yourself for anything, … but you can never understand the feeling of sitting on top of a silo catwalk doing mouthto-mouth resuscitation with someone that close (to you),”
working in the top of the silo when another one of Curt’s sons was outside the silo. The son below realized what was happening and called 911 and his uncle, Steve, according to a report from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Ofce. “We got the call and you hear it’s on Gravel Pit Road, and you know there are only three people on that road,” Roers said. “You’re scared for everyone, but in your gut you know it has to be Curt and Julie’s place. … You pray you’re there on time. You pray you can save them.” Once the re department and emergency crews arrived, Steve was pronounced dead at the scene having tried to rescue his brother and nephew. Roers attempt-
“It’s been a huge loss in the community, but people are united and there’s a solidarity in farming.” RODNEY ROERS, MILLERVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT
Rodney Roers said. Roers is the former Millerville Fire Department Chief and took part in the life-saving efforts following the accident. Roers knew the Boesls, having served on the department with them for more than 20 years. On the morning of the incident, Curt and Alex were
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ed to resuscitate Curt before he was transported to the St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud. Curt died a day later, Dec. 22, 2019. “We had to do what we could,” Roers said. “I was up there and so was my other captain. He started on little Alex. It was so emotional for the whole department.”
Curt Boesl
Alex Boesl
Alex was own to Children’s Minnesota, formerly Children’s Hospital and Clinics of Minnesota, in Minneapolis. After nearly a week of ghting for his life, Alex passed away Dec. 27, 2019. The Boesls leave behind family and a community in mourning. Steve married his high school sweetheart, Kim. Together, they have ve children – Paige, Peyton, Dalton, Dylan and Avery. Curt leaves behind his wife, Julie, and children Logan, Claire, Lance and Lily. Alex was the middle child amongst his four siblings. Steve and Curt dairy farmed with their brothers – Jeff, Scott and Brent – and father, Tim, in Douglas County. “I remember one night we got a call, and when we were done it was about 4 a.m. and Curt was running back to the barn to go milk,” Roers said. “They were a well-run operation, and they operated with love and care.” Curt was also the assistant re chief at the time of his death. He had nearly 25 years in volunteering for the department under his belt.
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Likewise, Steve spent 22 years with the department before retiring a few years ago. “They were all such good guys,” Roers said. “They were so busy they didn’t have time to sleep, but they found time to volunteer.” While the entire community of Millerville was shook by the accident, they are remembering the three cherished lives. Curt, Steve and Alex will be remembered for their genuine characters. “They will be remembered the same way they’ve always been thought of: hard working, down to earth, dependable, good fathers, so many things they’ve done right in their lives,” Roers said. “Their parents, Tim and Phyllis, have so much to be proud of … their entire family.” An excerpt of Alex’s obituary read, “Alex was so genuine. He had a heart of gold. He had a way of knowing when someone was feeling down. He was a giver just like his father. In his nal act of kindness, he gave the gift of life to others.” Knowing the impact this family had on the communi-
ty and will continue to have has helped Roers and others through this time of sorrow. “After the funeral I texted everyone on the department. We have to keep our heads high,” Roers said. “Because of them, the family had hope. Because of them, little Alex spent one more Christmas with his family. Also, because of their actions, Alex was able to donate his organs to other kids in saving their lives.” Since the accident, the community of Millerville has found ways to grieve and support the Boesl families. Prayers have been abundant and many have gone to the dairy to help with chores. “It’s been a huge loss in the community, but people are united and there’s a solidarity in farming,” Roers said. “We’re continuing to pray for the families and we’re here when they’re ready to ask for help.” This has been a stark reminder in the agriculture community to be cautious of the dangers of silos. The Boesls recently lled the structure with high moisture corn, and the family knew the dangers fermentation posed to their health. “We really don’t know what caused this tragic chain of events; we may never know. Curt was a smart farmer,” said Roers, who has found comfort in the priest’s message at the funeral. “He told us God did not put them up on top of that silo, but God was there to receive them when it was their time. That gives a person a lot of hope.”
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Dairy Star • Saturday, January 11, 2020 • Page 29
Reducing soil, nutrient loss
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Using alternative forages in rotation wave of future By Danielle Nauman danielle.n@dairystar.com
WISCONSIN DELLS, Wis. – Protecting the landscape to reduce soil and nutrient loss has gained importance in recent years among farmers who are concerned about conserving and bettering both soil and water quality on their farms. Eric Cooley, the co-director of Discovery Farms, spoke about the data that has been collected through the group’s research regarding how cover crops and crop rotations have affected issues caused by run-off at the Discovery Farms Conference Dec. 11, 2019, in Wisconsin Dells. “If we can stop that water from coming off the landscape, we can really do a lot for both our soil and our water,” Cooley said. “The fact is that runoff is going to occur in all systems. The big question is how we can minimize both soil and nutrient loss.” Of the crops Discovery Farms studies have been working with, alfalfa has had the highest amount of runoff. “If you have tried taking soil samples from alfalfa elds, you know it’s really tough to get that probe in sometimes,” Cooley said. According to Cooley, working to avoid crop ground sitting bare is a priority in protecting it from soil and nutrient loss. “What can we do to protect these landscapes, especially in the spring periods of the year when the soils are bare, until we can get that crop canopy established?” Cooley said. Cooley said Discovery Farms’ data shows corn silage ground has the highest potential for soil loss followed by elds of new alfalfa seeding. “Traditionally as we come in to the seeding year of alfalfa, we make multiple passes to really atten that eld out to make harvest easier,” Cooley said of the potential for soil loss in newly seeded alfalfa elds. “We can really see when we destroy that soil structure. And, when we get the wrong conditions, there is traumatic soil loss when we come in and beat up those soils.” Cooley said farmers can try and reduce the potential for traumatic soil loss in newly seeded alfalfa by drilling the seed in and mixing other forage varieties with the alfalfa to allow for quicker establishment of a cover. The greatest soil loss from these elds typically occurs in the months of May and June during times of spring tillage and planting. That loss can be reduced by reducing tillage or utilizing no-till systems. The type of tillage system used plays a role in preserving the structure of the soil. Cooley said a dramatic difference is noted in the amount of soil lost between elds that have been conventionally tilled and elds that have been no-tilled. “If we are really trying to stop soil loss, no-till may be one of the predominant tools that we have to mitigate soil loss,” Cooley said. Planting alternative forage crops into crop rotations, using cover crops so planting is done into a green cover and retaining crop residues on soil surfaces are all ways to help lessen the potential for soil loss during the spring. “Letting that established cover stay until the time of planting and planting green helps reduce soil loss,” Cooley said. “We can see a dramatic difference in the soil loss on elds with corn stover left on the eld as well.” While soil loss is a major concern of farmers, another important aspect to con-
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Eric Cooley, co-director of Discovery Farms, shares data about how cover crops and using alterna�ve crops in rota�ons have affected soil and water quality at the Discovery Farms Conference Dec. 11 in Wisconsin Dells, Wis. sider is nutrient loss. In contrast to soil loss, Cooley said the greatest phosphorous loss occurs in the wintertime months with frozen soils. “When that soil is frozen, we are seeing predominantly all the phosphorous leaving those landscapes in the dissolved form,” Cooley said. “We are seeing just the opposite once those soils thaw. In that May and June time period, most of the loss occurs in the particulate form.” Incorporation of manure into the soil will help to reduce particulate phosphorous loss in addition to methods used to reduce soil losses. “Really getting that manure under the soil, incorporated into the soil, we’ve seen a reduction of particulate phosphorous loss in our research data,” Cooley said. In contrast to reducing particulate phosphorous loss, Cooley said research data shows that no-till ground may have more dissolved phosphorous losses in the winter months than elds with reduced tillage methods. Slightly higher levels of dissolved phosphorous losses also occur with cover crops that are established in the fall and from crop residues retained on the soil surface. “When we have those situations, we have seen quite a bit of dissolved phosphorous as water is owing over those soils with that residue on the surface,” Cooley said. Timing and incorporation of manure and phosphorous fertilizers are important factors in alleviating loss of dissolved phosphorous along with maintaining proper soil test phosphorous levels, particularly in the upper surfaces of the soil prole. “From a nitrogen perspective, we really aren’t seeing a lot of losses, especially in our forage crops, from nitrogen on the surface,” Cooley said. “Where we are seeing the challenges is in our tile drainage. Where we really see this is when we are making the manure applications right after a previous crop of corn silage.” Cooley said reducing nitrogen loss requires syncing the timing of manure or fertilizer application with the needs of the crop. Utilizing cover crops and alternative crops in rotation are also useful in reducing nitrogen loss. “Nitrogen specically is where cover crops are going to have some of the biggest benets,” Cooley said. “When applying fall manure it is going to be critical to try and get a cover crop established to try and reduce nitrogen losses through the late fall, winter and early spring.” Cooley urges farmers to look for different forage alternatives to use in their crop rotations to make more use of the nitrogen in the late fall especially after corn silage.
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Courage to be old school Page 30 • Dairy Star • Saturday, January 11, 2020
We have hung new calendars. We have taken down two of our three trees. I have put some Christmas music away until November. I have ceased baking cookies by the dozen. This is not to say we don’t have plenty left rattling around in the Currier and Ives tins on the porch, only to note I’m not adding any more to the available sugar rations. We have celebrated Christmas a few times over, and now that it’s all unwrapped, it’s time to reect and resolve. Which cookie tins emptied fastest? Which Christmas traditions will my children remember for years to come? How many books will we try to read this year? How am I doing with the parenting gig I have? How do Keith and I raise children with the values we learned in such a fast-paced world of technology, especially as our kids somehow keep growing older? The answers come easy for some of these ponderings. Linzer cookies always win. I think from the time the tin was lled to the last crumb being snatched up it was
less than two days. They are a delicious favorite of all entrants to the house. Two friends and I took 14 children Christmas caroling this year and quickly decided it would be a new tradition. It was such a wonderful success, on both the parts of the children loving it and the people we caroled greeting us with such surprised, appreciative grins. It was a joyous noise to be sure, but something that none of us adults have done since we were kids and it stoked the res of all of our Christmas spirits. It was a simple, old-school activity that was worth every ounce of time and effort. Dane and I have the loftiest goals for reading this year. I hope to whip through two novels a month, and he wants to complete a series with four books in it (each topping over 400 pages). The others are readers as well, yet Dane and I are the nerdy ones that prefer to put number values on our page-turning progress. I think one of my biggest resolutions, that I make
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and fail at each year, yet keep striving towards, is to get home early each night from the farm. Eight o’clock is my bewitching hour. Which means, after that, all things go south. I have less and less patience, less energy to read aloud, and absolutely no humor left in me; and if you have ever tried to get four tired children ready for bed at night, those things are crucial. Working on my patience is an Ramblings from the Ridge exercise I engage in daily. Somedays I’m sure I do far better than others, and then there are the days when I’m certain that I should not be allowed to parent because my fuse is so short. The last question I ask myself is the toughest one to answer: How do Keith and I raise children By Jacqui Davison like we were raised when Columnist it is a completely different world? If you are a longtime reader of my column you know that I’m a tad bit nostalgic, and often wish I could go back in time. This carries over into my childrearing logic and, thankfully, my husband agrees. We happen to be fans of the low-tech, high-nature type of upbringing we were raised in, but we battle to give that to our four children. As children, my siblings and I were not involved in every extra-curricular activity that was available and we turned out ne. We played outside, we created games, we disappeared for hours on end in the woods, we did chores. Keith told the boys that he went through a bucket of .22 bullets in the span of a few months when he was young, wandering the woods in search of small game to target. We had active imaginations, probably made our mothers crazy with our antics, but we had a childhood worth remembering. I read an article about ‘Simplicity Parenting’ and it mentioned that you should ‘take charge and have courage to be the odd parent out.’ The author wasn’t exaggerating when he said it would ‘take courage’. I tell myself that by being the odd parents out (who don’t involve their children in everything or buy their children everything) I’m only teaching them how to ght peer pressure. How is not buying your children phones just because everyone else is… really any different than not being mean to someone just because everyone else is? Our children are in the minority, not only in their access to gadgets, but in the fact that they are of a handful of kids that are associated with a farm and the work that comes with it, and even then they are spared a fair dose because of how our farm operates. Our society doesn’t do much to support this stance on parenting. It seems most people agree that the addition of a phone in the hand of a young teenager (or younger) isn’t doing much to connect them to the world, rather it is helping them disconnect—but few dare to stop it from happening. I want them to grow up and be able to converse at family parties without a phone attached to their hand. I want them to look back at their childhood as I do – recalling the afternoons spent playing basketball in the shop, going sledding, disappearing to the creek to check for ice, just being kids. I want them to be telling their children all of those magical memories that they are making for themselves, with their family, their friends; memories in which technology plays a supporting role, not the major one. Jacqui and her family milk 800 cows and run 1,200 acres of crops in the northeastern corner of Vernon County, Wis. Her children, Ira (12), Dane (10), Henry (5) and Cora (toddler), help her on the farm while her husband, Keith, works on a grain farm. If she’s not in the barn, she’s probably in the kitchen, trailing after little ones, or sharing her passion of reading with someone. Her life is best described as organized chaos – and if it wasn’t, she’d be bored.
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Dairy Star • Saturday, January 11, 2020 • Page 31
There are cows that just seem to never get upset about the line of honking vehicles behind. You Birdie, our yellow Labrador retriever, is not a good hunting dog. She does not like loud noises, so about anything. Sometimes a person can perform would not even want to think about being behind a gunshot sends her running in the wrong direction. a rectal examination or breed them right in the them in a left turn lane. They would always take She also has a live and let live attitude regarding middle of the alley. Some do not even quit chewing up two parking spaces. Jerseys would be speeding, their cud. I think they see humans as failing to yield, not using blinkers, talking on other animals, including birds. Once I let her out the back door without looking Veterinary Wisdom insignicant and not worth the bother: phones, not wearing seat belts and running stop “Just get it over with and go away.” signs. They would also be found stopped, ogling before I noticed three deer and a dozen Other cows seem to be friendly at every accident site. They might have their heads or so turkeys were within 50 feet. They at rst but then get progressively sticking out of the car windows while rolling their all looked up, momentarily startled and rougher until one is pretty sure they are tongues. What about those three-way Montbéliarde then relaxed, seemingly thinking, “It’s intentionally not being nice. Did they crosses? You would nd them while waiting at just Birdie; she won’t bother us.” Of get angry after being nice for a while? a stoplight. You would hear a deep, rhythmic, course, she just looked quickly in their Or, did they not get enough attention? booming noise from behind. Your car would start to direction and then headed off the other Get scratched in the wrong place? I vibrate and seem to rock with the beat. You would way, minding her own business. sure wish they could talk. Our old chocolate lab, Citori, whom soon realize the noise was a powerful car stereo. Then there are show cows. They You would look in your rearview mirror and see, I had to put down not long ago, would can be really nice sometimes. A farmer at the wheel, a Monte cross, multiple gold chains have made a beeline for the turkeys By Jim Bennett and I were trying to get an old show around her neck, lots of rings, studs, and other and might have managed to catch one Columnist cow into a chute one day. We pushed, hardware in her ears and nose, a swatch of purple or two. Every animal is different and cajoled and tried our best, but no dice. hair on the poll, staring straight ahead, oblivious to everyone has a different personality. Cows have personalities, too. You know this. Finally the farmer said, “You know she hasn’t been the racket. I have heard farmers tell me about certain not-so- shown for several years, but I am going to try a Cows are cool. Every animal is different. We, nice animals; sometimes they will say, “Just like halter.” She stood while he put the halter on then people who work with them day in and day out, are her mother, got tired of being kicked and had to sell followed him like a lamb blessed to know a secret: her, too,” or something similar. Occasionally, one right into the head gate. Of All of God’s creatures course, show cows can be C might use an expletive or two. remarkable in their Cows are cool. lE Every animal i l iis are One client has three of four Jerseys in a large a problem, too. Some act own way from a atworm herd of Holsteins. One of the Jerseys loves to be like spoiled children that different. to a bacterium to a dog pet. If a human walks by her pen, she comes running always get what they want, to a cow. Not everyone down to the end to get her head rubbed. Another and thus are pretty upset knows or appreciates this. farm had this big Holstein that would spy someone when you really expect them to do something they Humans are one version of creation and in many in the pen (like the vet performing reproductive do not like. ways not the most remarkable. Have a great new There are breed differences. Think about how year. exams) and then come running full speed until screeching to a halt with all four legs sliding right different breeds would drive if they could drive Bennett is one of four dairy veterinarians at in front of that person. This was, to say the least, cars. The Holsteins would be found in every upside Northern Valley Dairy Production Medicine Center unnerving. The rst time it happened I bailed and down car in a ditch, every wrecked pickup, every in Plainview, Minn. He also consults on dairy hit the sand in a free stall. The farmer laughed and car at the bottom of a cliff and every vehicle that farms in other states. He and his wife, Pam, have said, “Don’t worry, she won’t hurt you. She does appeared to have driven right off of a straight road four children. Jim can be reached at bennettnvac@ this to everyone.” But, what was she thinking? I on a clear day. The Brown Swiss would be blocking gmail.com with comments or questions. could never gure out if she was happy or mad or every four way stop, refusing to move. They would just playing a game. also be stopped on freeway on-ramps, unconcerned
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Carolyn Bootsma Page 32 • Dairy Star • Saturday, January 11, 2020
In our area of the dairy world, meaning southwest eld rep job a few weeks ago, and I felt she deserved Minnesota or northwest Iowa, everyone knows some extra recognition for an outstanding career serving dairy farmers and their families. She told me Carolyn Bootsma. She was the AMPI eld representative for 26 stories I cannot write about. We reminisced about years. But, even if you did not ship milk to AMPI, past plant managers and milk haulers, and the angst or did not even milk cows milk inspectors brought on but are involved in the dairy all of us. She also told me Over and d over, C Carolyn l emphasized h i d she always tried to answer industry, you still knew O Carolyn. her phone day or night, the job was a joy because of the Carolyn did not only do including weekends and her job on AMPI farms. She dairy families she worked with. holidays. attended industry meetings, But, over and over, county fair dairy shows Carolyn emphasized the for the kids, June breakfast on the farm events and job was a joy because of the dairy families she worked anything else remotely related to dairy. I know for a with. fact she was invited to many weddings, and attended Before becoming a eld rep for AMPI, Carolyn visitations and anniversary parties. was a DHIA tester in northwest Iowa for nine years. I invited Carolyn to my ofce for a little sit- She had taken that job so she could pay Christian school down interview for this article. She retired from her tuition for her three children. At that time, she and
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her husband milked 50 cows. One of her customers, Leroy Eggink, from Sibley, Iowa, urged her to apply for the eld rep job when it opened up. She was immediately interested because she loved working with dairy farmers, plus it was full time with Making Cents of Dairy health insurance for her family. She did not immediately get hired, but with persistence eventually she landed the job. Since then she has worked under ve plant managers. Twenty-six years ago, when Carolyn started, she had 160 farms all within 90 By Dave Vander Kooi minutes of the home Columnist plants in Sanborn and Sibley, Iowa. She estimated she signed up 90 new farms that started milking or came from competing milk buyers. By the time she retired, she had 90 farms left in a three-hour radius of Sanborn. Many dairy farms have been lost in this area in 26 years which mirrors a national trend and gives me pause to think of one of my favorite sayings, “Everyone used to milk cows.” Field rep jobs like Carolyn’s are not easy. She is employed by the company to carry out the company directives on milk quality, milk temperatures, milk pricing and hauling issues. She often needs to be a mediator when disagreements come between the producer and the milk hauler. What really makes the job hard is the longer you work with the producer families that sell milk to the company, the more you become friends with those families. Sometimes it is hard being in the middle of the company that writes your paycheck and the family struggling to pay the bills from the milk check. Carolyn was one of those friends I never wanted to have my caller ID saying it was her calling me. The less I saw and heard from her, the better. It was not that I disliked her, but when she called it usually meant there was a problem with my milk in some way, shape or form. It was always a pleasant surprise if she called and said she was just in the area and was stopping for a visit to catch up on the latest. Last winter, when our previous calf raiser retired, we started up with a new calf raiser and had some problems with high bacteria counts in the colostrum. Carolyn again went above and beyond her duties to collect and send in multiple samples until we had the problem under control. One of the more challenging eld rep jobs in the last couple of years has been implementing a program called FARM (Farmers Assuring Responsible Management). This involves meeting with every producer to document that they are doing their best to take care of their animals. Mainly it involves how producers handle non-ambulatory animals and making sure animals are not abused in any way. Obviously dairy farmers want the healthiest animals possible, but new ideas and protocols can be a good thing. Looking forward to another three-year certication round of FARM made her think more about retiring. I think Carolyn tried her best for AMPI, the milk haulers, the large and small producers she served, and most of all she served the individual people and families involved in the dairy industry. Vander Kooi operates a 1,800-cow, 4,500 acre farm with his son, Joe, and daughter-in-law, Rita, near Worthington, Minn. Send him feedback at davevkooi@ icloud.com. Follow him on Instagram, @davevanderkooi.
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Lessons from Polka
It is the start of a new decade and with it comes lists of items to boost our selfimprovement. My list is called lessons from Polka with compliments from a cow whose backstory follows. - Be likable. - Do your best even when under duress. - Be patient and calm. - Rise up and keep moving if you can. - Give yourself time to rest and recover. - It is OK to let someone else pull the weight. - Let others pamper you. Come Full Dairy Circle - Take care of somebody else if you are able. - Do not give up hope that things will get better. - Show appreciation to those who are kind to you. Part of being a dairy farmer is to enjoy working with cattle. If you do not have some level of affection for bovines, it is probably not the career for you. I have been spending more time than usual milking lately, so I have had time to think about and observe our cows. Cows are habitual, and for the most part they like to do the same things day in and day out. There are exceptions to their routines. I have observed that By Jean Annexstad disruptions to their daily habits often have to do with heats and calving. That is when they can be Columnist most unpredictable and sometimes that can mean trouble. My favorite cows in our herd are any of those our children or other 4-Hers have leased and shown. They are tame from being halter broken and having attended fairs where they were tied, washed, led around and generally pampered. They have names, instead of numbers, and I know them the best. Polka is one of my favorite cows. She was shown for a couple of years by Leif, but her shorter stature took her out of the show string. Polka is black, has straight lines and a great udder. Despite her shorter legs, she is a nice cow and can really milk. She nished her last lactation with 44,260 pounds of milk, 1,735 pounds butterfat and 1,280 pounds protein. She was due with her fth calf in early December on the same day as ve other cows. The weather was sub-zero with a thick layer of ice under the snow in the feed area by the dry cow bedded pack. The other cows had calved, and we were checking Polka several times a day. Every time I looked, she was standing up, looking uncomfortable and not calving. Then she started slipping, so we placed hobbles on her rear legs to prevent more trouble. Days passed, still no calf; we had our veterinarian check her during our morning herd check. All was ne. That night during milking she hastily marched into the parlor with the group of fresh cows before she could be stopped. She anxiously stumbled over her hobbles and fell in our parallel parlor. Eventually, and with a lot of barn lime applied for traction, she was able to get up and leave the area to get back to the deep bedded pack. She calved with a big, healthy beef cross bull calf the next day, one week overdue. Polka’s right rear leg was swollen from her parlor fall, and she was wobbly. To help ease her recovery, we put her on a separate pack. She spent several days mostly lying down and resting. She could not be milked because to go to the parlor would have elevated her risk of falling again. Her calf was moved into the calf barn with the others shortly after birth. Weeks have gone by. Polka is moving better but is still living on the deep bedded pack where feed and water must be delivered since she does not have access to it. Our kids who are home on college break have mostly been waiting on Polka. She has a calm demeanor and seems to relish being waited on due to her fair experience. We had several older cows due to beef bulls in December, so one of the black, fuzzy aggressive beef calves just born ended up nursing Polka and is taking care of our inability to milk her. They seem to both be quite content. Observing Polka and the calf has been fun for everyone on the farm since we have never really left calves with our cows. He races around when he is happy, sleeps well and nurses a lot. Polka seems glad to be milked and mothers the calf. Polka often meets us at the door when we deliver feed and water, and she occasionally pushes open the gate to eat at the bunk a few yards away. She is much better. Despite her trials, Polka has reminded us of a few things that are good for humans to remember (see list at the start). Jean dairy farms with her husband, Rolf, and brother-in-law, Mike, and children Emily, Matthias and Leif. They farm near St. Peter, in Norseland, where she is still trying to t in with the Norwegians and Swedes. They milk 200 cows and farm 650 acres. She can be reached at jeanannexstad@gmail.com.
Dairy Star • Saturday, January 11, 2020 • Page 33
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Page 34 • Dairy Star • Saturday, January 11, 2020
Wisconsin Holstein youth celebrated
Uecker, Hodorff take home top honors By Danielle Nauman danielle.n@dairystar.com
STEVENS POINT, Wis. – The Wisconsin Junior Holstein Association celebrated the achievements of its members at the annual junior convention Jan. 3-5 in Stevens Point. Junior Holstein enthusiasts from across Wisconsin gathered to take part in activities and contests. The association’s top junior awards, the Wisconsin Outstanding Holstein Boy and Girl, were presented to Colin Uecker, of Watertown, and Kalista Hodorff, of Eden. Uecker, 20, is the son of Bill and Michelle Uecker and is a sophomore at the University of Wisconsin-Madison majoring in dairy science with a minor certicate in ag business. He is involved in the Badger Dairy Club, Collegiate Farm Bureau and the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity. He is also a member of the school’s dairy judging team. This summer Uecker will be a marketing intern for ST Genetics which is a career path he is hoping to pursue following graduation. He also plans to continue to grow his Stormy Ridge Holsteins herd and continue to show, develop and market registered Holsteins. “I still can’t believe that I was named Holstein Boy,” Uecker said. “It was something I never expected to achieve.” Uecker helped on his grandparent’s
PHOTO COURTESY OF WISCONSIN HOLSTEIN ASSOCIATION
Kalista Hodorff, of Eden, Wisconsin, and Colin Uecker, of Watertown, Wisconsin, are named the 2019 Wisconsin Holstein Girl and Boy at the Wisconsin Junior Holstein Conven�on Jan. 3-5 in Stevens Point, Wisconsin.
100 cow dairy farm when he was young before beginning to work at Rosy-Lane Holsteins near Watertown. During that time, he became exposed to showing registered dairy cattle and the Wisconsin Junior Holstein Association.
“I have gotten a lot out of being a junior Holstein member, but the most important thing to me would be the new people I have met and the friendships I have made with those people,” Uecker said.
As a junior member, Uecker enjoyed taking part in dairy judging and participating in shows. He said he has learned a great deal about the industry from mentors Nick Sarbacker and Ryan Krohlow. “Nick and Ryan have helped me out a lot in the past 10 years, teaching me about tting, showing and preparing dairy cattle, and a lot of industry knowledge,” Uecker said. “But more than that, they have taught me a lot about the whole idea of sportsmanship.” Uecker encourages youth to never give up on themselves and to persevere through hard work and dedication. “Anything is possible as long as you set achievable goals for yourself,” Uecker said. “I would encourage kids to take advantage of every opportunity that is presented to them.” Hodorff, 20, is the daughter of Corey and Tammy Hodorff. Her family milks 1,000 cows at Second-Look Holsteins. Hodorff is a junior at the University of Wisconsin-Madison where she is majoring in dairy science with future hopes of working in the dairy industry and returning home to her family’s farm. Hodorff serves as the sentinel for the Association of Women in Agriculture and is an active member of the Badger Dairy Club where she held the position of milkhouse chair at last fall’s World Dairy Expo. “When I heard my name announced, I was completely speechless for a while,” Hodorff said. “I really didn’t know what to say. I’m so grateful Turn to WISCONSIN | Page 35
Dairy Star • Saturday, January 11, 2020 • Page 35
ConƟnued from WISCONSIN | Page 34 for this organization and the opportunities it presents for youth to grow and develop outside of their comfort zone.” Involvement in the Wisconsin Junior Holstein Association has been a lifelong pursuit for Hodorff, and this junior convention marked the 11th one she has attended. Hodorff was a 2016 recipient of the National Younger Distinguished Junior Member award and was a 2019 National Distinguished Junior Member Finalist. Hodorff said without the support and backing of her parents and family, she would not have reached the accomplishments she has thus far in life. “My family is always there for me, and I’m so grateful for all they do at home while I’m gone to school or other activities,” Hodorff said. Hodorff also looks up to fellow Fond du Lac County Holstein breeders Kurt and Sarah Loehr as mentors and providing her with inspiration. “Kurt and Sarah are like second parents to me,” Hodorff said. “They have always encouraged me to try new things. They have served in many leadership roles in our county and have helped many young members grow and develop.” One of the most important things Hodorff would offer as advice to younger members is to get involved in the activities offered through membership in the junior Holstein organization and to challenge themselves. “The rst contest I entered when I was 9 was something very new for me,” Hodorff said. “But it was the best piece of advice I ever got, to try something new. It is so important for junior members to come together and take advantage of the learning opportunities available to them.” In addition to Uecker and Hodorff, Wisconsin Distinguished Junior Member awards were presented to Jenna Broege and Nicole Broege of Janesville; McKenna Coffeen, of DePere; Eliza Endres, of Waunakee; Hannah Hockerman, of Westeld; Kaianne Hodorff, of Eden; Mason Jauquet, of Pulaski; Ben Kronberg, of Milton; Rachel McCullough, of Juda; Hannah Nelson, of Ellsworth; Dawson Nickels, of Watertown; Lauren Siemers, of Kiel; and Fritzy Ullom and Hannah Ullom of
Bloomer. Younger Distinguished Junior Member awards were presented to Ashley Brandel and Colton Brandel, of Lake Mills; Ava Endres, of Waunakee; Cathryn Gunst and Christopher Gunst of Pine River; Elizabeth Gunst, of Hartford; Jacob Harbaugh, of Marion; Kaydence Hodorff, of Eden; Emily Stumpf, of Appleton; Kaelyn Weigel and Kenadee Weigel of Platteville; and Grady Wendorf, of Ixonia. Uecker, Jauquet, McCullough and Nelson were selected to submit applications to the national Distinguished Junior Member Competition. Ashley and Colton Brandel, Ava Endres and Jacob Harbaugh were selected to apply for the national Younger Distinguished Junior Member award. Juniors selected to receive the 12 and Under Member Recognition award were Justin Brandel and Katie Brandel of Lake Mills; Christina Buttles, of Lancaster; Logan Harbaugh, of Marion; Vivian Lichty, of Beaver Dam; Abby Meyer, of Chilton; Ella Raatz, of Colby; Cameron Ryan and Dylan Ryan of Fond du Lac; and Payton Sarbacker, of Verona. Ullom was named the 2020 Wisconsin Holstein Princess. Roslind Anderson, of Ellsworth, was named the princess attendant. Wisconsin Holstein Youth Adult Leader awards were presented to Peggy Coffeen, of DePere, and Linda Behling, of Fox Lake, in honor of their work with Holstein youth in their respective counties. The juniors elected four new representatives to their activities committee: Hannah Hockerman, of Westeld, will join Nathan Daniels, of Cobb, in representing the Southwest District. Emma Dorshorst, of Marsheld, was elected to serve the Northwest District with Hannah Nelson, of Ellsworth. Newly elected in the Northeast District is Elise Bleck, of Glenbeulah. She will join McKenna Coffeen, of DePere. In the Southeast District, Nicole Broege, of Janesville, was elected to join Matthew Gunst, of Hartford. Gunst was selected by his fellow committee members to serve as committee chairman for the next year.
Wisconsin Cattlemen’s Association now accepting scholarship applications
The Wisconsin Cattlemen’s Association (WCA) is again accepting applications for two scholarships. The WCA Student Scholarship is available to any high school senior enrolled or planning to enroll in any university, technical college, community college in the United States, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison Farm and Industry Short Course Program. The WCA Young Producer Scholarship provides a $1,500 travel stipend to a young producer between the ages of 18 and 35 years old in order to attend the 2020 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Tradeshow held February 5-7, 2020, in San Antonio, Texas. “It was humbling and an honor to receive the Young Producer Scholarship last year,” said Aaron Rathke, 2019 Young Producers Scholarship recipient. “The Cattle Industry Convention deepened my drive and passion to be a part of the beef industry moving forward, and I will forever be grateful for that opportunity.” Details for each scholarship are as follows: WCA Young Producer Scholarship Program: One candidate will be selected to receive a scholarship in the amount of $1,500 to attend the 2020 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Tradeshow held February 5-7, 2020. The scholarship recipient will be recognized during the Wisconsin Cattlemen’s Association Winter Conference held February 21-22, 2020, at Chula Vista Resort in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. Applications for the Young Producer Scholarship are due January 2, 2020. WCA Student Scholarship Program: This scholarship is available to any high school senior enrolled or planning to enroll in any university, technical college, community college in the United States, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison Farm and Industry Short Course Program. Applications must be postmarked no later than February 18, 2020. “The Wisconsin Cattlemen’s Association is committed to supporting the next generation of Wisconsin’s beef industry, and these scholarships allow us to provide opportunities for young people to expand their knowledge and experiences within the beef industry as a whole,” said Rob Vyvyan, WCA Scholarship Committee Chair. “Our association is condent this investment in young beef producers and enthusiasts will pay dividends in the future.” Applications and information for both the Young Producer and Student Scholarships can be found on the WCA website at: www.wisconsincattlemen.com/resources/scholarships.
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Page 36 • Dairy Star • Saturday, January 11, 2020
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Women In Dairy Melissa Hanke Marshďƒželd, Wisconsin Wood County 75 cows
Family: My family consists of my husband, Michael, and our children Madison, 6, Marvin, 5, Maverick, 4, and Manning, 2. Tell us about your farm. Our farm is owned by my dad. I am the fourth generation. My grandpa bought the land in 1900 and built the barn in 1910. My dad took over in 1988. I have been working full time for 20 years since I ďƒžnished college. I own about 40% of the animals. We raise our own feed and sell leftover commodities. We have both Holsteins and Red and White Holsteins, and raise all our heifers. We also raise steers. I also have a herd of 20 Angus and Red Angus brood cows. What is the busiest time of day for you? The afternoon is the busiest time of day for me whether it is doing crops or feeding and milking. A lot of work gets done then. When you get a spare moment what do you do? I like to garden in the summer and work on landscaping. In the winter, I enjoy baking and hopefully will get some Tell us about your most memorable experience working on the farm. reading done this year. I also love taking my kids to parks. My most memorable experiences have been saving animals’ lives or birthing calves. I also love my kids experiencing everything on the farm.
SUSTAINING IS MORE THAN MAINTAINING.
How do you stay connected with others in the industry? I stay connected to the dairy industry by my involvement in 4-H and by spreading the word of agriculture to many people I meet. I love to educate and have my city friends and their kids come out and enjoy the farm.
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What have you enjoyed most about dairy farming or your tie to the dairy industry? I love the dairy industry because of the vast knowledge we need and the amazing people we meet along the way.
Who is someone in the industry who has inspired you? My father is my inspiration in the ag industry. I was always working alongside him as a youngster. He has an amazing drive and optimistic side. He taught me a lot about farming and his knowledge. If you could give a tour of your farm to a prominent woman in today’s society, who would it be? I would love to have the ďƒžrst lady tour the farm. Our government ofďƒžcials have become too far removed from the reality of agriculture, and they need more exposure to the everyday life of a farmer. It would help in making better policies and sticking up for rural America.
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What is the best vacation you have ever taken? The afternoon we took the kids to the new zoo and to see Thomas the Train in Green Bay three years ago. I loved seeing how excited the kids were. What are some words you like to live by? Love, laugh, be kind, take chances and hold Jesus close by.
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Dairy Star • Saturday, January 11, 2020 • Page 37
Blockchain revolutionizes supply chains with digitization, data sharing By Stacey Smart
stacey.s@dairystar.com
MADISON, Wis. – The ability to trace food from farm to table is of increasing importance to today’s consumer. Not only that, tracing animal and food movement is critical for the farmer producing the food. “Traceability is important for protecting our food system and our farms,â€? said Phil Harris. “That is why we think about the farmer ďƒžrst in everything we do. Currently, many supply chains are short on data and offer limited information surrounding qualPhil Harris ity, traceability and sustainability. Blockchain is a tool that can help.â€? Harris is the president and co-founder of ripe.io. His presentation, “Blockchain – redeďƒžning traceabilityâ€? was part of the Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin Dairy Insights Summit Dec. 5, 2019, in Madison. Blockchain digitizes the supply chain by creating a digital version of a physical object. Devoted to helping supply chains around food and agriculture become more efďƒžcient and improving consumer trust and conďƒždence in food, Harris and his team are active across a broad range of food and agriculture supply chains, including dairy, beef, pork and fresh produce. Dairy Farmers of America is one of their clients. Blockchain helps provide transparent and reliable information on the origin, journey and quality of food. Working with a broad spectrum of customer segments – including farmers and producers, seed companies, industry associations, government bodies, food processors, grocery stores and restaurants – blockchain provides track and trace for recalls and food safety, captures elements of quality and insures tracking the integrity of premium payments connected to data sharing and transparency. Digital transactions increase efďƒžciency and reduce paperwork. Blockchain is helping industries such as healthcare, automotive, aerospace and agriculture by increasing efďƒžciency, cost savings, risk reduction, data validation, data accuracy and data sharing. “Blockchain will revolutionize supply chains globally,â€? said Harris who compared it to the internet in its ability to transform the world. “A recent report from Gartner estimates that the business value from the deployment of blockchain has the capability to save $3.1 trillion across all industries by increasing efďƒžciency.â€? Harris said anything can go on blockchain – milk, cheese, steak, avocadoes, oranges, cars, currency and more. When deďƒžning blockchain, Harris compared it to how Google Docs handles spreadsheets, allowing everyone with permission to see the same spreadsheet at the same time no matter where they are located. Blockchain works similarly, enabling people to see the same information in real time in a ledger. Multiple users can write and view information simultaneously. Not all information is accessible to everyone, and blockchain layers in additional security to ensure people only see the data meant for their eyes – nothing more, nothing less. “I control who I share info with and what info I share,â€? Harris said. “That gives users the utmost security and conďƒždence that what he or she is sharing is only going to the people they want to share it with.
Furthermore, it’s an immutable environment meaning data cannot be manipulated. The sharing of information creates more efďƒžciency within the supply chain and allows each actor in the chain to do a better job than he or she did before.â€? Customers are demanding transparency in their food purchases and looking for brands and products that tell a story. Harris said people are willing to pay more for this information, and if they cannot get the info they want, they will pick another brand. Big brands are going to demand this information, from their suppliers, if they are not already asking for it. “Consumers want to know where their food came from,â€? Harris said. “Who grew it? How did it get here? How did the animals live? Where did they live? What is their medical history? This information will eventually be demanded for every speciďƒžc food item in the supply chain. Consumers want to buy food that tells a story.â€? That is where blockchain comes in. Each food item has a master data ďƒžle known as a food library that contains all of the possible capture attributes. The food bundle is the digital representation of the food item as it passes through the supply chain. “Our work starts at the farm – outlining farming practices, seed variety, animal genotypes and phenotypes, for example,â€? Harris said. “Our goal in dairy is not to isolate one cow in a frappuccino from Starbucks – that’s ridiculous. Instead, we group animals by farm. When a tanker comes to pick up the milk, we have time stamps and can follow it all the way through to the processor and retailer. It gives us a better idea of food safety, certiďƒžcation, quality, sustainability, traceability.â€? Data could also include details about herd management, animal safety, water management and soil management. “You can go as deep as you want with the data,â€? Harris said. “It’s going to help the dairy farmer have a better predictive outcome on the quality of milk they sell and the price milk is sold at.â€? Blockchain digitizes the data consumers are craving about the food they purchase. Questions about size, color, texture, ďƒžrmness, ripeness and more will be answered through blockchain. Consumers will be more informed about what they choose to eat. “If a supplier, cannot document the items a brand ďƒžnds valuable, they may no longer buy from you. But if you give them what they want, they might enter into longterm contracts with you or pay a penny more per pound. â€? Harris said. Blockchain can help improve the traceability of dairy, beef and other products and achieve consensus amongst growers, distributors, packers, processors, brands and retailers. “Blockchain will help the farmer become more efďƒžcient and give him an opportunity to tell his story,â€? Harris said. “I don’t want to turn your world upside down. We try to ďƒžt blockchain into how you currently operate. For a farmer with no digitization, it will be more challenging, but we’re ďƒ&#x;exible in how we capture the data. We can even take the info verbally. And we try not to charge the farmer; the cost is applied upstream.â€? Harris emphasized that blockchain is a team effort, and product improvements should be shared to enhance the whole ecosystem. “We need to do this together,â€? Harris said. “One dairy farmer or one processor can’t solve it on their own. Blockchain is not meant to penalize or pin people against each other in competition. Rather, it’s designed to elevate everyone to do better.â€?
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Page 38 • Dairy Star • Saturday, January 11, 2020
Value added products bring dimension to dairy farms
Developing, marketing require planning, time, commitment By Danielle Nauman danielle.n@dairystar.com
WISCONSIN DELLS, Wis. – With tightening prot margins and decreasing markets continuing to face many Wisconsin dairy farmers, more are working to nd ways to increase their protability through adding value to the milk produced on their farms. Navigating the waters of creating and marketing value added products can be tricky and was a topic of discussion at the Compeer Financial Resilient Farms Conference Dec. 12, 2019, in Wisconsin Dells. Ron Henningfeld, of Hill Valley Dairy in East Troy, spoke about his experiences joining his family’s dairy farm as a cheesemaker. The family’s 68 cow dairy is operated by Henningfeld’s brother, Frank, and his wife, Colleen; Henningfeld and his wife, Josie, have joined the farm by creating a cheesemaking business which uses 20% of the milk produced on the farm. “I always loved the farm. I was drawn back to the farm, and small business and entrepreneurship,” Henningfeld said. “I had this idea in my head that maybe I could do something that adds to the farm like cheesemaking.” Nine years ago, Henningfeld decided to embark on his idea and began learning to make cheese, working for other Wisconsin cheesemakers for several years. In 2016, he began making his own cheese
DANIELLE NAUMAN/DAIRY STAR
Ron Henningfeld, of Hill Valley Dairy, shares his experiences of returning to his family’s dairy farm to create a cheesemaking business at the Resilient Farms Conference Dec. 12 in Wisconsin Dells, Wis. and started marketing at farmers markets. Originally Henningfeld sourced milk from the creamery he worked with instead of utilizing milk from the family farm. “By 2017, I was comfortable with the cheese business, and my brother Frank and I started to look at how we could connect the cheese business and our farm,” Henningfeld said. One load of milk from the farm each week is used to make about 500 pounds of
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Hill Valley Dairy cheeses. About half the cheese is marketed through farmers markets and the other half is sold to retailers and restaurants. “The last three years have been spent laying down a foundation for the cheese business,” Henningfeld said. “I think the next three years we will be able to see a lot of growth, and for our hard work and time to turn into more revenue for our two families and the family farm.” Henningfeld stressed the time commitment a value-added product carries. “As a dairy farmer, my brother wouldn’t be able to do a value-added product on his own so my coming back and joining them made this possible,” Henningfeld said. “I think that is important to know. To add a value-added product or value-added business to your farm is adding a whole additional workload.” Henningfeld plans to double the amount of cheese made from the farm’s milk during 2020, utilizing two loads of milk to bring production to 1,000 pounds of cheese each week. That will account for about 40% of the milk produced on the family’s farm. Lois Federman, the director of the Something Special from Wisconsin branded marketing campaign with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, shared insight into the planning needed to develop and market value-added products. “Marketing is something that doesn’t come naturally to most of us,” Federman said. “We tend to not be willing to put ourselves out there to have other people reject us. Marketing is the act or process of buying and selling in a market.” Federman is involved in direct marketing on her family’s farm because of the need for diversication. “The commodity markets are no longer meeting our bottom line so we needed to diversify how we are doing our marketing,” Federman said. “Farmers need to be price-makers and stop being price-takers. There aren’t many industries where someone else tells you what you are going to receive for your hard work. You can’t go to the store and say you are going to pay $5 for something that they are asking $10 for.” Before getting involved in direct marketing, Federman encourages farm families to consider not only their strengths
but more importantly to know where their weaknesses lie. “Who has what strengths within the family?” Federman said. “What can they bring to the table for the direct marketing business? Take inventory of what your strengths are rst before you try to start doing something, and then realize you are missing many pieces to the puzzle. More importantly, you need to understand, identify and accept your weaknesses. Then you can surround yourself with those who can help you. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.” Federman said when entering the world of direct marketing and creating value-added products, mistakes are not something to be feared but should be looked at as a way to learn and grow. Flexibility and a willingness to change and evolve with the business climate along with innovation are crucial to being successful in direct marketing. Federman encourages creating a legal entity before embarking on direct marketing. “A lot of people think it’s not necessary; they think they are just going to try this. I personally think that is a mistake,” Federman said. “Families need to set the direction of the business, deciding who is in charge and will ultimately make the nal decisions, and who will be involved in what areas of the business.” Jenni Gavin, of Gavin Farms, shared her experiences about the importance of creating and utilizing a brand to make value-added products resonate with consumers. Gavin Farms is a small beef farm near Reedsburg that has been direct marketing beef for three years. “Your brand is your business’ reputation,” Gavin said. “It is your identity, what sets you apart from others in the industry. The brand is the idea, and branding is the visuals that help complete that idea. It includes fonts, colors, patterns, imagery, logos; how you make your customers feel. It helps tell your audience who you are, what you do and why your product will benet them.” When Gavin rst reached out to a designer to help develop a logo for egg cartons, she did not realize the depth of the project she was entering. “When I reached out to our designer, I had no idea what I was getting into,” Gavin said. “I had no idea that I wasn’t just getting a logo, but that I was investing in a branding package. I had no idea how that would impact our business and how we operate today.” The Gavins completed a branding questionnaire. The result was a branding package that had logos, color schemes, direction on taking and sharing photos for social media and marketing, and a guide on how not to use the logo. “There are different things you can do that actually harm the integrity of your branding,” Gavin said. “She wanted to make sure we were doing things properly. She also helped us write a mission and vision statement. All of that really impacted the way we do things today.” Delivering a consistent message and using consistent imagery has become an important part of the Gavins’ marketing strategy and is something they work to continue to perfect in order to connect with their customers. “Branding is a big investment,” Gavin said. “It’s something that everyone really wants, but they might not understand the value or importance of having it look professional. Branding has become a tool that has been really important to our farm.”
Dairy prole Deb Reinhart New Holstein, Wisconsin Calumet County 500 cows How did you get into farming? My husband, David, and I bought the farm from his parents, Victor and Hildegard Geiser, in 1975. Our dairy became a century farm in 2012, and we are very proud of that legacy. What are your thoughts and concerns about the dairy industry for the next year? While milk prices are better, dairy is embarking on a new norm with pay prices in the $20 range. To operate in this new arena, farms have to know their costs and gure out how to dairy within those prices. I’m a numbers person and like to know our costs pertaining to cows, crops and inputs. For example, how much does it cost to raise a calf? Should we raise her on our farm or have her raised somewhere else? What is our return on investment on the land we rent? There’s not enough margin to do things just for the sake of doing them. What is the latest technology you implemented on your farm and the purpose for it? We have honed our business skills, developing our dairy team members, and focusing on quality feed and agronomy. We have discussed investing in feeding software, a scale and transponders for the cows. Those investments will be determined by knowing our costs – where is the biggest bang for our buck? We’re focused on team building and understanding the strengths and weaknesses of our dairy team so we can put them in places where they can be successful on the dairy. What is a management practice you changed in the past year that has beneted you? We have grown our feed and agronomy team and are working closer with our agronomist with an intention to harvest high quality feed. Our goal this past year was to har-
vest excellent haylage and corn silage, and we reached that goal. Communicating more effectively with growers and custom operators has helped us to reach a goal of increasing milk per cow. We’re also transitioning the next generation into management roles. We want to be sure we’re all on the same page with goals and objectives. Despite the last two years, we’ve done some great work on our dairy thanks to great people. We focus on the things we can change and improve instead of letting outside forces control us. What cost-saving steps have you implemented during the low milk price? We’re working at being more efcient, better training our employees and harvesting quality crops and feed. We have become mindful of costs associated with all the facets of our business. We continue to provide excellent care of our cows, land and people. How do you retain a good working relationship with your employees? We work side by side with our employees, helping them grow through training and personal development, including English classes. We encourage them to take the next steps in their role and have four team members that have moved to mid-level management. Our herd manager had too much to do, so we empowered the people working with him to take on more tasks. We believe in workforce development – it’s better to have a skilled longterm workforce instead of always training and recruiting new people. We pay competitive wages, have parties for employees and their families, and work to make them feel like part of the community. We treat everyone like family. Tell us about a skill you possess that makes dairy farming easier for you. Nothing is easy, but we try to focus on our strengths. I did not grow up on a dairy. My background is business. I have experience with account-
Dairy Star • Saturday, January 11, 2020 • Page 39
with Deb Reinhart, of New Holstein, Wisconsin ing, nance and marketing which has helped us be successful. It’s critically important to know your dairy business, and I’m lucky I can provide that expertise to the dairy. What do you enjoy most about dairy farming? Our family being on the land for over 100 years, the dairy farming family, our employees and our growers. I like the animals and being our own boss. I also like the challenge and the opportunity to have a huge inuence on the people we work with. We like helping people be their best self. I’ve had the opportunity to work with a lot of fabulous women in agriculture which is probably the most rewarding thing. The opportunities I’ve had in the ag community have been amazing. What advice would you give other dairy farmers? Focus on how you do things, examine every practice and know your costs. Many times, farmers do things a certain way because that’s how they’ve always done it. Guiding principles have to be to provide excellent care for our animals, manage our land responsibly and care for our people. Be on a path of continuous improvement. Everything you do has to be done properly and efciently or you won’t be able to stay in business. Have condence and believe in yourself. Tell your story about how you are passionate about your land, people and animals. What has been the best purchase you have ever made on your farm? Milk taxi/ pasteurizer for our calves. We have phenomenal calves that grow well, breed on time and come into the milking string beautifully. We feed calves three times a day and have found the consistency and quality of the product from the pasteurizer to be extraordinary. Working with our son, Joshua Geiser, our partner, Manuel Valenzuela, and our dairy team has been very rewarding. What has been your biggest accomplishment while dairy farming? We’ve been in
STACEY SMART/DAIRY STAR
Deb Reinhart stands in the freestall barn with her grandchildren (from leŌ) – Bentley, 7, and Nevaeh, 9 – at Gold Star Dairy Farms near New Holstein, Wisconsin. Reinhart and her family milk 500 cows. business for 45 years, and the farm has been in the family for 108 years. My husband, David Geiser, won the Wisconsin Aldo Leopold award for conservation in 2018, and I was Dairy Woman of the Year at World Dairy Expo in 2007. Our dairy consistently produces high quality milk and was recognized by Land O’Lakes. What are your plans for your dairy in the next year and ve years? Get nancially sound, build on what we have and transition the farm to the next generation. We have kids on both coasts, and we want to have more time off the dairy. How do you or your family like to spend time when you are not doing chores? We like to relax away from the dairy. We love the beach and being next to the water, walking, traveling, seeing and experiencing other cultures, gardening, woodworking and doing activities with the grandchildren while sharing our time and lifestyle with them.
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Page 40 • Dairy Star • Saturday, January 11, 2020
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Centre Dairy Equipment Sauk Centre, MN Advanced Dairy Solutions 320-352-5762 • 800-342-2697 Richland Center, WI 608-647-4488 • 800-772-4770 Central Ag Supply, Inc. Baraboo, 608-356-8384 Central WI Ag•Supply, Inc. Juneau, WI • 920-386-2611 Baraboo, WI • 608-356-8384
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