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DAIRY ST R “All dairy, all the time”™
Volume 18, No. 22
Swiss Valley Farms, Prairie Farms merge BY RON JOHNSON Staff writer
DAVENPORT, Iowa – The proposed merger between Swiss Valley Farms and Prairie Farms Dairy can benet both cooperatives, according to Chris Hoeger, chief executive ofcer (CEO) of Swiss Valley Farms. “It’s going to be a great opportunity for our membership and employees,” Hoeger said. “It’s going to be a good opportunity for both companies to grow and diversify.” Swiss Valley Farms, headquartered in Davenport, Iowa, and Prairie Farms Dairy, headquartered in Carlinville, Ill., began discussing joining forces last July, Hoeger said. “They approached us, and we said, ‘Well, let’s sit down and talk,’” he said. “We’ve worked together on things over the years, and we sold them our Dubuque bottling plant.” If dairy farmer members approve the merger, Hoeger will oversee the operation of the enlarged group’s cheese plants. In a news release, he said, “We are very excited to be joining forces with Prairie Farms. This merger offers numerous benets for our cooperative members and is an ideal opportunity to bring together two industry leaders. We will leverage the strengths of both companies to offer a broader range of products and to enhance and expand relationships with customers.” Ed Mullins, the CEO of Prairie Farms Dairy, said, “The merger with Swiss Valley was driven by our commitment to build value for our cooperative members and is consistent with our growth strategy. Swiss Valley’s contributions will allow us to diversify our product portfolio and expand into new markets.” Before the merger can take place, it needs to be approved by Swiss Valley’s 520 members and Prairie Farms’ approximately 700 members. Voting is taking place now. Hoeger said Swiss Valley members have until Jan. 20 to turn in Turn to MERGER | Page 5
January 14, 2017
“It wasn’t my time to go. I still have way too many chores to do.” - Norman Anderson
Saved from the silo
Fall Creek couple rescued from entrapment BY CASSIE OLSON Staff writer
FALL CREEK, Wis. – The holiday season is a busy time for many people, including farmers. As schedules become increasingly busy, Norman and Jane Anderson remind fellow farmers of the importance to remember both personal and farm safety following a farm accident, which trapped the couple in a silo on their 30-cow dairy near Fall Creek, Wis., on Dec. 18. The couple said the day had been anything but typical. “It was a very cold day,” Norman, 69, said. “The water had frozen and the barn cleaner wasn’t working.” With temperatures well below zero and a long list of tasks to complete, Norman headed to the barn to begin chores and evening milking at 4 in the afternoon. Meanwhile, Jane was inside putting the nishing touches to gift CASSIE OLSON/DAIRY STAR wrapping for their week’s holiday celebra- Jane and Norman Anderson milk 30 cows on their dairy farm near Fall Creek, tions. Wis. The couple was rescued from a silo on Dec. 18 a�er becoming trapped due Turn to ANDERSONS | Page 6 to haylage plugging the chute.
Fire ravages Minnesota dairy Eckhoff sells herd after disaster destroys several buildings BY JENNIFER COYNE Staff writer
HENNING, Minn. – Just two days shy of Christmas Eve, Keith Eckhoff was wishing for a year of good milk prices and continuing his family’s fourthgeneration dairy farm near Henning, Minn. What he received instead was an empty barn and a pile of charred rubble where the milking parlor once stood. On Dec. 22, ames engulfed Eckhoff’s double-3 autoow parlor, further destroying the milkhouse, holding pen and all milking equipment. “We lost everything,” Eckhoff said. “The cows had a place to sleep and they were all there, but everything we needed to milk the cows was gone.” Turn to ECKHOFF | Page 7
MISSY MUSSMAN/DAIRY STAR
Keith Eckhoff stands in front of what is le� of his milking parlor, milkhouse and holding pen. Eckhoff sold his 55 cows a�er losing his milking facility on Dec. 22 near Henning, Minn.
Page 2 • Dairy Star • Saturday, January 14, 2017
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 Amanda Thooft 320-352-6303 amanda.t@dairystar.com Consultant Jerry Jennissen 320-346-2292 Editorial Staff Andrea Borgerding - Managing Editor (320) 352-6303 • andrea.b@dairystar.com Krista Kuzma - Assistant Editor (507) 259-8159 • krista.k@dairystar.com Missy Mussman (320) 429-1084 missy@dairystar.com Ron Johnson (608) 874-4243 ron.j@dairystar.com Ruth Klossner (507) 240-0048 cowlady@centurylink.net Jennifer Coyne (320) 352-6303 jenn@dairystar.com Cassie Olson (715) 245-6848 cassie.o@dairystar.com Brittany Olson (320) 352-6303 brittany.o@dairystar.com Advertising Sales Main Ofce: 320-352-6303 Fax: 320-352-5647 Deadline is 5 p.m. of the Friday the week before publication
North America dealers. A glance at what’s inside
Dairy Prole brought to you by your
With 2017 underway, the Dairy Star staff had a chance to look back on the stories of the past year. We put together a list of the news and human interest stories we thought made 2016 memorable. We also summarized the top 10 viewed stories from our website, dairystar.com, and gave an update on most of them. Check out the recaps and relive stories of the past year on pages 18, 20-21 in second section. As cold weather settles in in the Upper Midwest, industry professionals share tips on how to keep livestock comfortable and healthy during the winter months in our “A By Mark Klaphake closer look” feature. To learn more about proper ventilation, maintaining udder health and adjusting nutrition for these Editor frigid times, read the story on page 10 in rst section. Glen Swedlund has been able to fulll his goal of having his own herd of dairy cows. After his former employer, Ralph Gempler, severely hurt his foot in a silo unloader, Swedlund came back as an employee to help get the chores done. Eventually it turned into more. When Gempler knew he wouldn’t return to normal, the 82-year-old wanted to sell his cows. Swedlund stepped right in line to make the sale. Read about how Swedlund has taken over and has begun his dairy journey on pages 12-13 in rst section. Bob Hecker knows that having a herd that isn’t stressed can mean good things for milk quality. He and his family were recently named a silver winner for the National Dairy Quality Award presented by the National Mastitis Council. During the months of May and June 2016, Hecker’s 50-cow herd near Sheldon, Wis., had a somatic cell count of 90,000. Read about how the Heckers keep SCC low on pages 3 and 5 in second section. Veterinarians were the focus of the “From our side of the fence” feature this issue. They answered questions about how dairy producers are handling animal care during the cold weather and low milk prices along with how their practice has been affected by the veterinary feed directive change. Read their responses on pages 15-16 in rst section. This issue, we featured two students in our “Dairy’s star youth” feature. Twin brothers, Caleb and Collin Vinkemeier are seniors at Central High School in Norwood Young America, Minn. While they have different interests, the Vinkemeier brothers enjoy living on their family farm. Read more about the brothers on page 9 in third section.
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.
“None of the dairy farms around here are able to grow 100 percent of their own feed because it’s so dry.” -Ben Smith (Second Section, Pages 14-15)
“The kids have a vision for the operation. Sometimes, the best thing to do is to step back and let the next generation follow their vision.” - Arlan Schmidt (Third Section, Pages 2-4)
By the Numbers
of daily gain with an 2: Pounds automatic calf feeder at KG4 Farms. (Second Section, 4, 6, 8)
of wet potatoes in Tim 37: Pounds Aho’s ration. (First Section, 18, 20)
CONSISTENT PERFORMANCE WHEN BEDDING OR FEEDING
Sales Manager - Jeff Weyer (Northern MN, East Central MN) 320-260-8505 (cell) jeff.w@dairystar.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 Lori Menke (Eastern Iowa, Southern WI) 563-608-6477 • lori.m@dairystar.com Megan Stuessel (Western Wisconsin) 608-387-1202 • megan.s@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.
Favorite quotes from this issue:
Now No w Pr Proc roc o es esse ses se s 5 x 6 ro roun und d ba b le es
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Cherokee Garage Colby, WI
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Dairy Star • Saturday, January 14, 2017 • Page 3
It’s all inside...
Pages 14 - 15 Dairying Across America Pages 18 - 22 2016: A year in review Page 25 Mid-American Hay Auction Results Pages 26 - 27 Top 10 Most Read Online Articles Pages 30 - 31 Dairy Recipes
Veterinarians: Give advice to help manage animals in cold weather. Pages 15 - 16
New Richmond
Boyceville
Neumanns collect tractors for three generations
Styers dairy farming, working full time
Children Museum of Eau Claire hosts June Dairy Dr. Jay Oldendorf Whitehall, Wis. Month activities
Bayeld
Douglas
Pages 14 - 15 Second Section
Second Section: Pages 3, 5
First Section: Pages 1, 6
Alma Center
Kids Corner: The Bue Family
n hb
Burnett
Polk
Barron
Sawyer
Third Section: Pages 10 - 11
Price
Rusk
Ridgeway
Moellers’ calves pack on pounds with automatic feeders
Taylor St. Croix Pierce
Eau Claire
Pepin
Dr. Don Peterson Barron, Wis.
Buffalo Monticello, WI
Dairy Prole: Don, Marlis and Andy Silver Page 39
Page 9
Second Section: Pages 4, 6, 8
Chippewa
Dunn
Clark Westby
Westby dairy farmer opens on-farm country store First Section: Page 37
Jackson
La Crosse Monroe
Star Youth: Caleb & Collin Vinkemeier
Seneca
Mannings step into new age of robotic milking First Section: Pages 22 - 23, 25
Vernon
Worth
Mitchell
Cerro Hancock Gordo
Floyd
Howard
a
ick
Ch
w sa
Bremer
Zone 2
Black Hawk
Bu
For additional stories from our other zone, log on to www.dairystar.com
rd rawfo
C
Dane
Iowa Grant
Fayette
Clayton
n
are
na
a ch
Richland
Allamakee
Winnebago
Winneshiek
Pages 14 - 15 Dairy Calendar
Fall Creek couple rescued from silo entrapment
Iron
ur Dr. Sally Harper
Lancaster, Wis.
Becker, high school junior has hopes of farming
Classieds
Fall Creek
Ashland
THIRD SECTION Pages 2 - 4 Change, growth are Schmidt Dairy’s hallmarks of the past 10 years Pages 7 - 8
Pages 16 - 17 Some Udder Stuff Pages 18 - 22
Sheldon
Hecker named silver winner of National Mastitis Council award
Third Section: Page 29
First Section: Pages 18, 20
Eau Claire
Trempealeau
SECOND SECTION Pages 10 - 11 The “Mielke” Market Weekly Page 12 Dairy Markets Page 13 Area hay auction results
FROM OUR SIDE OF THE FENCE:
W as
FIRST SECTION Pages 1, 5 Swiss Valley Farms, Prairie Farms merge Pages 1, 7 Eckhoff forced to quit milking Pages 8 - 9 Ag Insider Page 10 Healthy cows in cold weather Page 11 Panel discusses impact of Wisconsin Junior Holstein Association Page 22 On the Road with Princess Kay Page 26 FSA News & Notes Page 27 The Transition Pen Page 28 Olsons named 2016 Winona County Farm Family of the Year Page 30 Ramblings from the Ridge Page 31 A reprieve from reality Page 32 Making Cents of Dairy Page 33 Dairy Good Life Page 34 Veterinary Wisdom Page 35 The sickness in health care
w ela
D
Linn
Lafayette Dubuque
Jones
Jackson
Green Monticello
Swedlund takes over for former employer First Section: Pages 12 - 13
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Page 4 • Dairy Star • Saturday, January 14, 2017
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Dairy Star • Saturday, January 14, 2017 • Page 5
ConƟnued from MERGER | Page 1 their ballots, while Prairie Farms members have until Jan. 31. If the merger is agreed upon, the new cooperative – to be named Prairie Farms Dairy, Inc. – would begin operating the middle of this year. But, Hoeger acknowledged the possibility that members could turn thumbs down to the proposed merger. He said both co-ops have long histories and loyal members. Prairie Farms Dairy dates to 1932. Swiss Valley Farms was formed in 1958 and will mark 59 years in business Chris Hoeger Swiss Valley Farms this spring. “I think we both (the leaders of the two cooperatives) anticipate that the merger will be accepted favorably by the membership,” Hoeger said. But he also recognizes the other possibility. Prairie Farms Dairy is the larger of the two co-ops. According to Hoeger, in 2015 it ranked No. 11 among U.S. dairy foods companies, while Swiss Valley Farms ranked No. 60. Swiss Valley posted $325 million in sales income last year, and Prairie Farms came close to $3 billion when its income from joint ventures is included. Prairie Farms buys milk from more than 700 member farms, while Swiss Valley counts roughly 400 farms among its membership. The co-ops have their strengths and weaknesses. But, according to Hoeger, the rms can complement each other. He described Prairie Farms as a well-diversied company that’s strong in uid milk and cultured dairy products. By contrast, Swiss Valley knows how to make cheese. “We have strong cheese making knowledge and a good business in the specialty cheese area,” Hoeger said. Prairie Farms, according to its website and Hoeger, operates 37 milk processing plants in 23 states. Along with cultured dairy products, it makes butter and ice cream. That cooperative’s area extends from Dubuque, Iowa, and Rockford, Ill., east into Michigan, Indiana and Kentucky. It goes west into Kansas, Nebraska and Oklahoma, and takes in Mississippi and part of Texas to the south. Swiss Valley has cheese facilities at Luana, Iowa; Faribault, Minn.; Spring Valley, Minn.; Shullsburg, Wis.;
and Mindoro, Wis. The co-op makes Alpine-style Swiss cheeses, Mindoro Blue, Gouda and cream cheese. In addition, Swiss Valley operates Wisconsin-based White Hill Cheese Co. in a joint venture with the Swiss dairy company Emmi. And, Swiss Valley makes whey powder and supplies all the milk for the Prairie Farms bottling plant at Dubuque, Iowa. On the export side, Swiss Valley sells some of its production to countries such as South Korea, The Philippines, and Saudi Arabia. Hoeger mentioned that the co-op, just a few months ago, was given the ‘exporter of the year’ award by the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC). It should continue to be business as usual if the merger goes through. “Prairie Farms doesn’t want to make drastic changes,” Hoeger said. “They feel that the Swiss Valley brand has strong recognition out there, and they want to continue it on the cheese side.” Swiss Valley sells much of its cheese in bulk. But Hoeger said the co-op is preparing to launch a brand in Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Illinois that will bear the Swiss Valley label. That line will be found in grocery stores and will consist of random weights of Swiss and blue cheese. Hoeger said he sees a lot of synergies between the two co-ops. “We make products PF (Prairie Farms) buys in the marketplace, like whey powder, for instance. And they make a lot of product we buy on the open marketplace and resell to a lot of our customers. That’s what really drove the merger,” he said. Dairy farmer members might not necessarily see larger numbers on their milk checks if the merger occurs, Hoeger said. But he said they might very well see larger dividend checks at the end of each year, thanks to the higher patronage income. One change the merger would bring for Swiss Valley members is new signs for their yards. Hoeger said the co-op began redesigning its signs last summer, simply to give them a fresh look. It halted that project once merger talks began. “I don’t think there’ll be a lot of changes,” Hoeger said. “The merger will still provide them a strong, secure market for their milk. It’s going to allow Swiss Valley members to be part of a well-diversied company.”
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Page 6 • Dairy Star • Saturday, January 14, 2017
ConƟnued from ANDERSONS | Page 1
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“I knew she had a lot to do, so I even told her not to check on me,” Norman said. To begin his evening feeding, Norman went to one of the farm’s four silos to start unloading haylage. Having recently moved the silo’s unloader to make room for a hopper earlier in the week, he climbed into the silo to handpitch the haylage. The sky had already fallen dark, making it difcult to see, despite the ashlight he had attached to his hat. Without thinking anything of it, Norman began pitching haylage down the chute. The haylage had been put into the silo in November following the nal harvest of the year. The freshness and warmth of the hay had prevented it from compacting and freezing, making it much looser than Norman had expected. By the time he realized, it was too late. “It was very light, uffy hay, so I didn’t realize how much I had already delivered down below,” Norman said. “It stacked up and before I knew it, fteen feet of haylage had clogged the chute.” Without a cell phone in hand, Norman was careful not to panic. Jumping on the haylage to try and loosen up the chute would only add to the problem. After several attempts to yell out the silo for help in hopes that Jane, a neighbor or the Anderson’s dog would notice him, Norman settled in to wait in hopes that Jane would realize he was in trouble. “I had a damp arm and wet leg from having xed the water earlier, so I found the warmest spot of haylage, and covered up my arms,” Norman said. “I listened carefully in case I could hear someone outside and started saying my prayers.” Meanwhile, Jane, 67, continued wrapping gifts. Time passed by and she realized that her husband had not come
“When I got to the barn, the cows were bellering and hadn’t been milked or fed yet.”
JANE ANDERSON, DAIRY PRODUCER
in from chores yet. After looking at her watch, she realized it was already 8 p.m., which told her something was wrong. He had been trapped in the silo for 4.5 hours. “When I got to the barn, the cows were bellering and hadn’t been milked or fed yet. I went back to the feed room and saw haylage had been frozen to the bottom of the chute,” Jane said. Jane began shoveling out the haylage while calling out to Norman. Not hearing a response, she ran to the house. Grabbing her cell phone and a ashlight, she noticed her husband’s phone charging in the kitchen. Not knowing her husband’s state or the severity of the situation, she dialed 911 as she made her way back to the silo. The dispatcher told Jane to stay on the line as she continued to chip away at the haylage in the chute. She was making considerable progress, when suddenly she found herself in a situation of her own. “The haylage above me came loose and fell. Suddenly I found myself trapped, too, with haylage three feet above me and piled below my feet,” Jane said.
CASSIE OLSON/DAIRY STAR
Norman recalls the events of Dec. 18. Due to the silo unloader being moved earlier in the month, Norman had to climb the silo to retrieve the haylage. It was at this point Norman could hear Jane in the chute. “I told her not to panic and that I was all right,” Norman said. Trapped inside the chute, Jane had lost cell reception. Soon thereafter, however, rst responders, police, reghters and an ambulance had arrived to help rescue the Andersons. With four silos and no way to reach the couple, it was difcult for the emergency personnel to nd the couple’s whereabouts. Once they did, however, Jane called to them. “They wanted to dismantle the chute, but I told them to start digging. Soon the haylage was moved and I was able to get out,” Jane said. Norman soon followed. “Once she was out, I rattled the power cable inside the chute and the rest of the haylage came loose,” Norman said. While Norman left the silo unharmed, the situation had caused a considerable amount of stress to the couple. Upon exiting the chute, Jane collapsed due to elevated blood pressure and heart rate, which was later diagnosed as stress-induced cardiomyopathy, more commonly known as heartbreak syndrome. She was taken to the area hospital where she stayed until Tuesday morning. “I’m still recovering, but I am doing much better considering what could have happened,” Jane said. Following their rescue, the Andersons’ son, Chad, arrived to the farm to complete the evening chores, which still had to be done. The couple’s three other children, Wade, Christine and Kayla, all assisted Norman in the following days while Jane recuperated. While it was a severe situation, Norman said it is one from which many can learn. “Farmer’s take risks every day, even more so when they are alone,” Norman said. “There are many activities that we take risks in, that in retrospect, we shouldn’t have. This serves as a warning: it can happen to anyone.” The couple is thankful for the help of the emergency responders, family and friends who helped them during and following the accident. Since the accident, the couple has returned to their daily lives with minimal harm. “It wasn’t my time to go,” Norman said. “I still have way too many chores to do.”
Dairy Star • Saturday, January 14, 2017 • Page 7
Con�nued from ECKHOFF | Page 1 Nearly a week after the re and with the aftermath apparent, Eckhoff sold his milking herd on Dec. 30. Eckhoff milked 55 cows with his wife, Angela, and four children – Austin, 17, Sydney, 14, and Natalie and Gretchen, 11. “At some point I was going to quit milking, but I sure didn’t think that was the way I would stop,” Eckhoff said. “I have to keep reminding myself that this was not in my control. If I step back and look at it, there are too many things that needed to be done before bringing the cows back. They had to go…” The re began in the afternoon, after both Eckhoff and the milk truck driver had left the farm. At 2:30 p.m., Eckhoff received the haunting phone call after a passerby notied the local re department of the blaze; nearly a half-hour away from the farm, Eckhoff rushed home. “I needed to get home as fast as I could,” Eckhoff said. “By the time I got home, I knew the parlor and milkhouse were gone, but the cows were OK. I was glad to hear that.” As the Henning, Deer Creek and Ottertail Fire Departments worked to contain the re, people began showing up to offer help. Under the direction of a reghter who once worked for Eckhoff, the cows were safely moved to a different housing facility on site. “People showed up with stock trailers ready to move the cattle,” Eckhoff said. “When I arrived, the cows were already let out of the freestall and into the heifer barns.” The hours that followed were a blur for Eckhoff as the cattle were loaded onto trailers and hauled to the farm of Mike and Denise Menze, who farm near Ottertail, Minn. “I couldn’t decide what to do when
MISSY MUSSMAN/DAIRY STAR
Snow covers the remainder of the double-3 autoow parlor Keith Eckhoff lost in a re on Dec. 22. I saw what was happening, so [friends] made the decision for me – the cows would get milked,” Eckhoff said. By 9:30 p.m., Eckhoff was back at home – the re was under control, and the cows were safely moved to another farm and milked for the evening. “You wouldn’t think that could all happen in an afternoon, but it did,” Eckhoff said. “Things like this don’t happen without the help of a lot of people, and it’s amazing to think how many helped me.” Unfortunately, the trouble was not over yet. The re rekindled the next morning and then again in the afternoon. “By the time it was over, the re trucks had been out three different times,” Eckhoff said. “A backhoe was used to get inside to reach the hotspots, tearing into the milkhouse, pulling the bulk tank out and crumbling the structure.”
With the parlor, milkhouse and holding pen in shambles, the cause of the re has yet to be determined. However, it was likely sparked through an electrical fault. For a week, Eckhoff’s milking herd was housed and milked at the Menzes’ farm until the fate of the dairy was known. Eckhoff’s freestall was retrotted in 1996 with the parlor being added shortly after. The design allowed a short alleyway that separated the parlor and freestall, which ran parallel to each other. Because of the space between, the freestall barn and a lean-to were spared from the re. For several reasons, Eckhoff put his cows on the auction bill. “I didn’t decide right away on what I was going to do, but I knew it was all about keeping going,” said Eckhoff, who
runs 750 acres. “I didn’t want to reconstruct a parlor in January, and the cows were at a good place but I couldn’t ask for it to be a long-term solution.” One by one, Eckhoff watched his herd sold to area producers at the Perham Stockyards in Perham, Minn., and reminisced of those cattle in his barn and the dairy his ancestors began. In the coming years, Eckhoff’s property is going to become a century farm. “One hundred years would have been pretty cool to milk cows all that time,” said Eckhoff with a quiver in his voice. “We’re still going to make it a century, just not as a dairy farm.” Although selling the cows was emotionally draining for Eckhoff and his family, the dairyman was pleased to see the animals do well at the auction and provide a future for another family. “Looking at my cows while at Mike’s barn, I could tell which ones were nice cows. Then when I saw them come into the sale ring, the only thing I hoped was that they would still be able to do the job for someone else,” Eckhoff said. Youngstock and heifers will remain on the farm until close to calving, and then Eckhoff has plans to sell them, too. He will also continue custom-raising heifers for another dairy. While Eckhoff pieces together the events that unraveled in those last days of December and plan for his family’s future in the industry, he is sure of one thing – the support his family has received from friends, community members and fellow dairy producers is second-to-none. “I spent my life taking care of the cows,” said Eckhoff, as his eyes welled with tears and voice began to crack. “I didn’t know I had more friends than I had cows.”
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Page 8 • Dairy Star • Saturday, January 14, 2017
Break-even or better Class III milk prices expected Even before the recent bump in cheese and Class III milk futures, dairy farmers were looking at break-even or better milk prices in 2017. FCStone dairy economist Nate Donnay said the proďƒžtability prospects have improved. “With the $1 to $2 that we’ve added into Class III milk in the past month, it does push margins up into positive territory. We would expect some mild expansion to the dairy herd.â€? Low feed costs will also be beneďƒžcial. Compared to other major dairy-producing countries, Donnay said the United States has been an outlier with strong cheese and butter prices. In the rest of the world, dairy product prices are very low. Dairy farmers in Europe, New Zealand and Australia suffered low farmgate prices. “The United States was saved from that with the good domestic demand for cheese and butter. Dairy farmers inter-
nationally have not been so lucky, and now we’re seeing the supply response to the negative margins.â€? Milk production in Europe is down nearly 4 percent from a year ago, New Zealand milk output is down 5.3 percent and Australia down more than 11 percent. The United States will likely beneďƒžt from the downturn in the rest of the world, generating more dairy exports. Domestic cheese sales supported by mozzarella INTL FCStone dairy economist Nate Donnay said the demand for milk fat in the U.S. diet is very strong, which has kept the butter price elevated. Pizza has been one of the few bright spots in quickserve restaurants, which has helped increase the demand for cheese. Domestic disappearance of mozzarella increased 3 to 4 percent over the past year.
“That kept milk out of cheddar production and it is cheddar that sets the cheese price. The mozzarella consumption, driven by pizza, kept milk out of cheddar and supported the cheese price.� Positive export forecast U.S. dairy exports are increasing. According to the Dairy Market Report from the National Milk Producers Federation and Dairy Management, Inc., butter exports during August and October were up nearly 50 percent from a year ago. Cheese, skim milk powder and dry whey exports are also up after losses in the past two years. Strong export and domestic demand will be needed with milk production moving higher.
Ag Insider
By Don Wick Columnist
Proďƒžt outlook In his monthly dairy outlook, Penn State University ag economist Jim Dunn is forecasting Class III milk prices will be higher for all of 2017 when compared to last year. Dairy exports have improved with milk production declining in Europe, Australia and New Zealand. Since feed prices remain low, Dunn expects a clear improvement in dairy proďƒžtability this year. Promoting exports Sixteen agriculture groups, including the National Milk Producers Federation, have sent a letter to President-elect Donald Trump emphasizing the importance of trade. NMPF President and CEO Jim Mulhern said “the growth of America’s dairy sector is directly tied to our ability to export.â€?
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Vilsack’s future plans Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has reportedly lined up a job for when he leaves ofďƒžce. Vilsack is expected to become president and CEO of the U.S. Dairy Export Council. The current head of the USDEC, Tom Suber, retired at the end of the year. Vilsack has not conďƒžrmed this news, saying only that he is focused on his USDA job.
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Managing alfalfa Like all crops, high-yielding alfalfa needs proper fertility, disease resistance and insect control. According to WinField United alfalfa agronomist Randy Welch, the crop will beneďƒžt from additional management. “Most of the disease complex that happens in alfalfa is in the ďƒžrst cut. We need to be using fungicides at some point in the growing season to reduce the pathogen load to raise high yielding, high quality alfalfa.â€?
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Alfalfa checkoff launched A new national alfalfa checkoff program has been created to invest more research dollars into the industry. National Alfalfa and Forage Alliance President Beth Nelson said there is a need for more research. “Alfalfa is the nation’s third most valuable ďƒželd crop behind corn and soybeans. A lot of people don’t realize that. Our acres have been declining and we attribute some of that to the lack of public research. There isn’t the same public commitment to research you see in corn and beans or wheat.â€? The checkoff rate is $1 for every bag of alfalfa seed sold. Participation by the seed companies is also voluntary. The checkoff ofďƒžcially launched January 1. The ďƒžrst request for research proposals will be made this spring.
Wisconsin Farm Bureau honored The Wisconsin Farm Bureau received national recognition at the American Farm Bureau Federation convention in Phoenix. The Wisconsin Farm Bureau was recognized for Education and Outreach; Leadership Development; Member Beneďƒžts; Membership Initiatives; Policy Development and Turn to AG INSIDER | Page 9
Dairy Star • Saturday, January 14, 2017 • Page 9
ConĆ&#x;nued from AG INSIDER | Page 8
Implementation and Public Relations and Communications. Kubota expands baler line-up Kubota has introduced two new silage balers to its offerings. The new round baler series are designed to handle hay, straw or silage. One of the models also includes a silage scraper kit for wet haylage. Kubota entered the hay market for the ďƒžrst time three years ago. New name for Digi-Star Digi-Star is now known as Topcon Agriculture Americas. Digi-Star was acquired by Topcon Positioning Systems in 2015 and made the Fort Atkinson, Wis. location as the headquarters for its agriculture division. Dairyland Laboratories expand Dairyland Laboratories has opened its new state-of-the-art facility in Stratford, Wis. The facility offers same-day, on-site feed analysis. Services also include soil testing, agronomy support, plant tissue analysis and more. Dairyland now has four locations in Wisconsin and central Minnesota.
OYF ďƒžnalists named There are ďƒžve nominees for the Wisconsin Outstanding Young Farmer Award. They are Adam Faust, Chilton; Rufus Haucke, Viola; Amy Raboine and Marques Koenig, Reedsburg; Derrick and Amy Zernicke, Bonduel and Sam and Jennifer Zimmerman of Ringle. The awards banquet is Jan. 29 in Baraboo, Wis. Trivia challenge The average U.S. dairy herd has 187 cows. That answers our last trivia question. For this week’s trivia, what state does Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Pat Roberts represent? 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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Shanghai Dairy Inc.’s #253, the 200,000th cow preg tested through DHIA! How long have you been using the DHIA pregnancy test? We have been using the DHIA milk sample pregnancy test since the summer of 2015. Why did you choose to start using the test? We started using the test to save time and to reduce stress on the cow. All cows are ultrasound checked by our vet, then each conÀrmed pregnancy is rechecked via the DHIA milk sample taken on our ell for us and we will continue monthly test day. It’s working very well to utilize it. We are very pleased with the timeliness of the results and the accuracy of the test. How many years have you been testing with DHIA? We have been testing with MN DHIA for over 40 years. se What are some other tests you use ng through DHIA? We use DC305 along hly and with having our herd sampled monthly its been a tremendous beneÀt to have the oint issues information it provides. We can pinpoint within the herd much easier such ass a rise in lso SCC or a drop in milk production, it also Shanghai Dairy Inc. aids in culling decisions. The greatest Mike and Darcy Schlosser beneÀt by far has been using it as a Le Center, Minn. • 300 cows reproduction management tool! Minnesota Dairy Herd Improvement Association 307 Brighton Avenue South Buffalo, MN 55313 1.800.827.3442 www.mndhia.org
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Page 10 • Dairy Star • Saturday, January 14, 2017
A closer look
Healthy cows in cold weather
by Jennifer Coyne
Tips to make it through winter months
The coldest months of the year are upon us. In January and February, temperatures are expected to remain 6 degrees below the average temperature, making the 2016-17 winter season colder than usual, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac. With temperatures dropping below freezing – and in some cases remaining subzero – dairy producers are faced with many challenges concerning herd health.
is your area dealer for Kuhn Krause
DOMINATOR® 12’ model
KUHN Krause offers a line of primary tillage tools that promote the breakdown of crop residue and allow for excellent root development for the next crop. These sub-surface tillage tools break up compaction while preserving the soil surface, promote aeration, limit erosion and runoff, and improve water infiltration which helps the soil retain moisture. 800-642-4104 or 507-228-8224 • www.ufcmn.com Main Office/Ag Service Center 840 Pioneer Ave., Lafayette, MN Used Dryers & Augers
Good Selection of Used Dryers - Call! Feterl 12”x72’, swing drive .........$8,500 WestÄeld WR8026 EMD .............$1,895 Sheyenne 13-70 Swing Dr.......... $12,995 Hutch 8”x62’ swig auger .............. $6,200 Sudenga 10”x71’ swing auger ..... $7,900 WestÄeld MK 130-71 swing drive auger ........................................ $13,900 Batco 2500 drive over hopper ...... $8,290 Sudenga 10”x41’ pto auger w/hopper .................................... $4,595
Skid Loaders
Bobcat S630, 400 hr, heat, 2 spd..$34,800 Bobcat S590 heat 2-spd . (3) from $31,900 Bobcat S852, heat & A/C, 2-speed 2 units .................. starting at $45,900 Bobcat S850, heat & A/C, JS ...$46,500 Bobcat S650, heat, 2-spd. ‘12 ... $23,900 Bobcat S550, heat, 2-spd. 2014 $31,500 Bobcat S550, heat, 2014, 2 spd. $29,900 ‘15 Bobcat S205, heat/AC, 2 spd. $31,900 Bobcat S130, heat, ‘12............. $22,400 Gehl 5240, heat, 2 spd, 400 hrs, radio .......................................$29,975 Gehl 5240E, heat, 2 spd., 525 hrs .$22,900 Gehl V330, heat & A/C, ‘12, 2400 hrs..................................$34,600 ‘07 Gehl 4640, single spd., heat $15,500 Gehl 4400 w/rops .......................$3,999 Gehl 4240E w/heat (3) start @ $14,900 Gehl U330, heat, 2 spd. ...........$36,800 Case 430, ‘10 ...........................$24,900 Gehl R220, heat 2-speed, ‘13 ..$34,800 Gehl R220, heat, 2 spd., joystick $29,800 Gehl R190, heat, AC, ‘15, 2 spd. $36,800 Mustang 1750 2014 open cab .$37,900 Bobcat 2200 UTV .......................$6,950
TMR’s
Knight 5073, tow ......................$17,199 Knight 3250, stationary ..............$3,899 Knight 3050 ..............................$11,499 Knight 3150, tow ......................$22,499 Knight 3042, reel auggie...........$12,499
Tillage
JD 2700, 9-24 ...........................$23,900 JD 985 49.5’, 3 Bar...................$18,900 JD 980, 44.5’ ............................$19,600 JD 980 44.5’, 3 Bar...................$17,500 JD 960 cult 32.5’, 3 Bar ..............$6,900 JD 960 28.5 ft 3 bar ..................$16,900 JD 512, 7 shank, 2013...................$29,900 JD Crumbler model 200, 45’ ........$10,500
CIH Tigermate II, 45.5 ft w/basket $34,900 CIH Tigermate II, 54.5’ .............$29,900 CIH 730B, 7 shank ...................$15,900 CIH 600PTX chisel plow, 38’, 3 bar harrow ...........................$29,800 2) CIH 370, 28’..........................$31,900 JD 2210 4-bar, 2006, 45.5 ft.....$39,900 JD 980, 36’ ...............................$13,700 JD 331 disc, 28’ .........................$6,850 DMI Tigermate II 36.5’, basket .$29,900 DMI 730 ripper..........................$10,900 DMI 730B .................................$15,900 DMI 527B .................................$14,900 Glencoe Soil Saver .....................$7,950 Wil-Rich 957, 9 shank ..............$29,900 Wil-Rich 957, 7 shank ..............$20,600 Wil-Rich 957, 5 shank ..............$16,500 Wil-Rich 513, 9-24....................$39,600 Wil-Rich 29’ chisel plow, ‘07 ........$22,800 2) Wil-Rich 60’ w/basket cults .............Call Wil-Rich QX2, 60’, basket ............$52,900 Great Plains Turbo Chisel, 11 shk $22,800 Krause Dominator, 12 ft. (2) from $29,900 Krause Dominator, 12 ft., 2015.$40,900 Krause 18’ w/reel.............from $33,000
Spreaders
Knight 8032, slinger ..................$14,499 Knight 8114, (A088) ....................$8,949 Knight 8132, (B0077)................$19,899 Knight 8132 ..............................$17,899 Meyer 3954, (1250) ....................$4,949 H&S 430 w/end gate.................$19,300
Miscellaneous
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However, with proactive measures and keen observation, these cold days are manageable. “Dairymen are like craftsmen,” said University of Minnesota Extension Engineer Kevin Janni. “If they have proper and well maintained tools, they can do a better job.” A cool, but not cold barn In Janni’s opinion, a housing facility is an important tool in a producer’s toolbox; and understanding the mechanics of the barn will facilitate in proper winter ventilation. “With a building as a tool, if it’s built properly it makes the job of dairying easier,” Janni said. Whether the housing facility is naturally or mechanically ventilated, there are three key factors to consider – plenty of fresh air distributed evenly throughout the barn, a dry place for all animals to lie down, and fans and side curtains sealed to eliminate drafts. If too much moisture stays in the barn due to lack of air movement surfaces become wet, drippy and frosty, and cows can develop respiratory issues. “It’s important to remove moisture from the building when it gets clammy, wet and cold,” Janni said. “Inside the building, fog or condensation and frost on the roof and sides may indicate lack of airow.” However, maintaining the airow becomes difcult when producers do not add heat to a dairy barn. “It’s nearly impossible to remove enough moisture in very cold weather,” Janni said. However, inspecting a barn’s ventilating equipment prior to winter and maintaining fans and curtains helps producers aim for that balance, by providing at least 50 cubic feet per minute (cfm) per cow in cold weather. “Curtains tend to tear or break, so make sure those are xed before you need them and then make adjustments as needed,” Janni said. “In a mechanically-ventilated barn, you’ll use smaller fans, but make sure they are clean, the belts are tight and large fan louvers are closed up to prevent air from coming in the inlets.” Throughout the winter, Janni suggests monitoring facilities and note what components should be improved upon as the weather changes. “Make the barn survivable to get through the tough periods, and then start thinking how you can modify the facilities,” Janni said. Dry beds, dry teats for udder health Cows must also be carefully monitored. “Udder health is important any day of the year,” Dr. Pamela Ruegg said. “But during the winter, there are different risk factors.” Ruegg is an extension milk quality veterinarian for the University of Wisconsin. The greatest concern in the winter months is the environmental impact on the teat skin and sphincter, such as teat-end hyperkeratosis where the keratin build up from the teat dries out and may crack. Producers should also be aware of a potential spike in somatic cell count. “Key indicators to look at are new infection rate of subclinical mastitis and incidences of clinical mastitis as a percent of rst-time cases,” Ruegg said. To avoid udder health troubles, there are three areas to address – teat dip coverage after milking, frostbite susceptibility and stall moisture. Throughout the winter, as temperatures drop below 20 degrees Fahrenheit, wet teats should not be exposed. “After the teats are post-dipped, make sure cows aren’t leaving the milking area with wet teats,” Ruegg said. “This can cause chapping, or worse.” Ruegg suggests dipping the teats, waiting a few minutes and then dabbing off excess residue before leaving the milking facility. Additionally, if the herd is moved outside for DO YOU HAVE AN UPCOMING AUCTION? Advertise It In The
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heat detection or heifers are housed outdoors, the environment should be well maintained to avoid frostbite on the teats. “When animals are outside in a sunny spot, wet areas develop from ice or snow melting,” Ruegg said. “Cattle may lie down here and that could be a really terrible thing.” The same concern is found inside the barn when stalls are bedded with high-moisture bedding and become wet and frozen. Cattle then resort to lying in other areas, accumulating manure and exposing themselves to environmental pathogens. Routinely reviewing milking protocols with milking technicians and checking moisture levels in the bedding will aid in maintaining udder health. “Dry beds and dry teats – those are the two big things,” Ruegg said. Avoid cold stress with more energy Despite adequate airow and living conditions for udder health, cattle are still susceptible to winter problems if not fed a proper diet, which comes in the form of greater energy content. “Warm-blooded animals need almost 20 percent more energy to maintain their body temperatures when it’s cold out,” Hugo Ramírez-Ramírez said. Ramírez-Ramírez is an assistant professor at Iowa State University, specializing in dairy nutrition. While forages are the cheapest feedstuff to generate more energy in the diet, cattle may lack the capacity or desire to eat the feedstuff in the winter months under severe cold temperatures, said Ramírez-Ramírez. Instead, producers should supplement the diet with corn or rumen inert fat. “Energy must be gradually added to the diet, but it’s never too late to adjust for the cold and begin a step-up program,” Ramírez-Ramírez said. “If you decide to use rumen inert fat, make sure the ration is mixed well because the cattle don’t like the smell of it.” Without additional energy in the diet, some cows may experience cold stress with temperatures as warm as 30 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on windchill, humidity and coat condition. This causes the animals to crowd for body heat, lie down for longer periods of time and spend less time at the feed bunk. “Utilization of body reserves to maintain body temperature under severe cold conditions may resemble ketosis as cows naturally mobilize free fatty acids in the blood,” Ramírez-Ramírez said. “They will begin using more of their stored energy to maintain their body temperature and divert it away from milk production or reproduction.” Producers can ensure their animals are consuming the additional energy found in the diet by delivering fresh feed at least twice daily and regularly pushing up feed. “The area around the feed bunk should be clear of manure and we should avoid overcrowding the pens so that there is no competition to eat,” Ramírez-Ramírez said. Additionally, water troughs should be maintained with fresh, clean water to promote feed consumption. The dry matter content of forages should be tested weekly and after major precipitation events. “We should always be feeding a constant amount of dry matter no matter the season,” RamírezRamírez said. “That may mean feeding 100 pounds or 110 pounds so that dry matter is the same.” Understanding the tools of the farm will help producers maintain and improve herd health during these frigid days of winter. “Simple practices pay off,” Ramírez-Ramírez said. “We have to do what’s practical for the cows, not necessarily what’s practical for us.” Ruegg agreed. “It’s never too late to start doing things correctly,” she said. “These are things producers should do all year around, but are particularly critical during this time of year.”
WJHA helps direct youths’ future Past members discuss association’s impact on life
Dairy Star • Saturday, January 14, 2017 • Page 11
YOUR Annual Dairy Checkoff Meeting is Coming Up!
BY CASSIE OLSON Staff writer
WISCONSIN DELLS, Wis. – Celebrating its 125th anniversary this year, the Wisconsin Junior Holstein Association (WJHA) continues to increase the knowledge and opportunities for youth to be involved in the Registered Holstein project. At the association’s convention Jan. 6-7 at the Glacier Canyon Lodge in Wisconsin Dells, Wis., junior members heard from former WJHA members on the association’s impact during a panel discussion held on Friday afternoon. The panel consisted of Laura Elliott of Indianapolis; Charles Hamilton of Cuba City, Wis.; Laura Herschleb of DeForest, Wis.; and Kyle Natzke of Fond du Lac, Wis. According to Hamilton, the connection amongst WJHA’s members makes
CASSIE OLSON/DAIRY STAR
Laura EllioƩ describes her experience as the 2009 Wisconsin Holstein Princess. “You learn a lot of professional, writing and organizational skills that help you later on. The process helped me build a resume and how to handle interviews,” Hamilton said. The application for the DJM contest is quite extensive, but Natzke said it makes members better professionals and
“Everyone who is a part of the Holstein Association has a shared passion ... there’s a close tight-knit bond amongst the members.” CHARLES HAMILTON, FORMER WJHA MEMBER
for a dynamic organization. “Everyone who is a part of the Holstein Association has a shared passion. It’s a part of what makes the dairy industry so special; there’s a close, tight-knit bond amongst the members,” Hamilton said. As a 2011 alumna of WJHA, Elliott said it helped her build relationships outside of the association. In 2009, Elliott was named the Wisconsin Holstein Princess, an opportunity she said shaped her for the future. “Being the Wisconsin Holstein Princess, I never expected to get as much out of as I did,” Elliott said. “It pushed me more than any other experience and allowed me to grow personally.” Growing up in Germantown, Wis., just outside of Milwaukee, Herschleb said she found a connection to others she had always lacked. “In a school of 1,200 students, I was the only kid from a farm,” Herschleb said. “I come from an area where no one understands why we clip cows or the thrill we get from shows. The county, district and state Junior Holstein events were the highlights of my year and gave me lifelong friendships.” While all four panelists agreed networking was a major asset of WJHA, they all highlighted competing in the Distinguished Junior Member (DJM) contest as one of their biggest learning experiences. The contest is open to all junior members who have successfully completed a project and are in good standing with the organization. The top male and female DJM applicants are recognized annually as the Outstanding Holstein Boy and Girl. The state selects a number of applications to advance to the national DJM competition. Hamilton, who was selected as WJHA Outstanding Holstein Boy in 2015 and was a National DJM in 2013, said although it was challenging, he continues to nd benet from the DJM contest.
future farmers. “The key is to have patience. There are a lot of parts to the application as far as records and details that might not seem important, but there is a reason for them. Having the memories, pictures and records of your cows are a great thing to look back on,” Natzke said. All four of the panelists also served as members of the Junior Activities Committee (JAC). The JAC is composed of eight junior members representing four different districts who organize the events and work of the organization. Each member is selected for a two-year term and represents the association at various events throughout the state. Herschleb said it is a great opportunity for members to develop personally and professionally. “While the princess program focuses on public speaking skills, members on JAC develop key critical thinking and decision making skills,” Herschleb said. “It is also many members’ rst opportunity to be a role model.” The four panelists agree that they encourage all members to consider expanding their involvement. “Start building your connections now,” Elliott said. “The Holstein network is an important one to build upon. You may not see it now, but one day you will enter the workforce and many of those connections will continue to overlap.” Hamilton concluded the conversation saying WJHA is unique. “Our association, in particular, is something special. The size and competitiveness here in Wisconsin is what sets us apart,” Hamilton said. “The direction and drive of our members is unmatched, so it is important that we recognize how good our association [is] and the opportunities we have within it.”
Date
Time
Locations
District Director
1/16/17
Noon
American Legion, Montgomery
Barb Liebenstein
1/18/17 11:30 a.m.
Zumbrota VFW, Zumbrota
Keith Knutson
1/27/17 11:30 a.m.
Browerville Community Center, Browerville
Debi Clasemann
Extended Program Yes 1
1/28/17
Noon
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, New Ulm
Paul Fritsche
2/3/17
11:30 a.m.
Pizza Ranch, Alexandria
Suzanne Vold
2/7/17
10:30 a.m.
The Cactus, Perham
Kristine Spadgenske & Ken Herbranson
Yes 2
2/9/17
10:30 a.m.
Crow River Winery, Hutchinson
Charles Krause & Kevin Buss
Yes 2
2/14/17 11:30 a.m.
The Oaks, Willmar
Tom Walsh
Yes 3
Armed Forces Reserve Community Center, Cambridge, MN
Kathy Skiba
Lewiston Silo School, Lewiston
Rita Young
2/15/17
Noon
2/24/17 11:30 a.m. 3/2/17
10:00 a.m.
Cabela’s, Owatonna
Karen Kasper
3/6/17
Noon
Stewartville Legion, Stewartville
Chris Sukalski
3/7/17
11:30 a.m.
McIntosh Community Center, McIntosh
Dan Grunhovd
3/9/17
11:00 a.m.
Pizza Ranch, Slayton
Dave Schwartz
3/11/17
Noon
Tobies Big Kettle Room, Hinckley
Peter Ripka
3/13/17
7:30 p.m.
American Legion, Millville
Jim Dose
4/1/17
7:30 p.m.
Good Times, Caledonia
Carolyn Freese
Yes 4 Yes 5
ADDITIONAL COUNTY ADA LOCAL MEETINGS 3/16/17
7:00 p.m.
Branding Iron, Preston
Carolyn Freese
EXTENDED PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS 1. Reduced Lignin Alfalfa: A Potential Forage Quality Breakthrough, Dr. Scott Wells, University of Minnesota 2. 2017 Dairy Outlook: Marin Bozic, University of Minnesota Selective Dry Cow Therapy - We Can Do this! Dr. Erin Royster, UMN Vet Med. 3. Guest Speaker: Kindra Carlson, MMPA Director 4. Preparing for the next $12 milk, Gary Sipiorski, Vita Plus Utilitizing puts, calls, futures, and options; Jason Vavra, AMPI 5. Guest Speaker: Dr. Brad Heins, University of Minnesota
Producers may attend the meeting closest to them. At some locations, County ADA business may be conducted so please contact your county leadership to learn more.
MidwestDairy.com
Also, visit MidwestDairy.com or call 1-877-577-0741 for more meeting locations and dates!
Page 12 • Dairy Star • Saturday, January 14, 2017
A herd of his own
Swedlund takes over for former employer
2014. Swedlund was taken on as a hired hand, helping with chores and milkings. He was in the position for approximately 30 days working under the new herdsman. “Things were just not working out with him,” Swedlund said. “Then one day Ralph said, ‘You’re going to take over now.’ All I could think to myself was, ‘What?’” Swedlund took over the management of the cows in May 2014. Gempler, who is now 82, was looking to sell the herd. Having always envisioned owning a herd of his own, Swedlund worked out a deal to purchase the cows. “I would work my way into owning the cows over time. Over the last year and a half, I was buying a cow or two per month, until I eventually owned just as many cows as he did. Once that day came, I was going to buy out the rest.” Swedlund purchased the remaining cows on Dec. 14. He said it was a day he won’t soon forget. “The day I purchased the cows was a big step for me,” Swedlund said. Today, Swedlund and his wife, Wanita, milk their herd of 80 cows in a double-4 herringbone parlor they rent from Gempler. The cows are kept in a 65-stall cross ventilated
BY CASSIE OLSON Staff writer
MONTICELLO, Wis. – After years of working on large dairies and grain elevators, Glen Swedlund dreamed of having a herd to call his own. When he got the call that his former employer, Ralph Gempler, had severely hurt his foot in a silo unloader, Swedlund had no idea how close his opportunity was. Swedlund purchased Gempler’s herd of 80 cows to embark on a dairy farming career of his own on Dec. 14. Swedlund rst came to Gempler’s dairy in 2010. After working at a grain elevator for several years, he was pointed towards the dairy from a forCASSIE OLSON/DAIRY STAR mer coworker. Wanita and Glen Swedlund recently purchased their 80-cow herd of caƩ le near MonƟcello, Wis. “I had been a herdsman on Glen gradually purchased the herd from his former employer, Ralph Gempler, following an acseveral large dairies over the cident. years,” Swedlund said. “Someone told me to look into a job I was going through a very screaming in pain, Gempler’s here, and I’ve been here ever call on Sept. 11, 2013. “Ralph had gotten his tough divorce which made it voice box experienced extensince.” Swedlund took the job as foot stuck in a silo unloader,” a very difcult time,” Swed- sive damage, altering his abilithe farm’s herdsman, where he Swedlund said. “I was asked if lund said. “But Ralph said he ty to speak clearly. After Swedwanted me to get back here no lund had left, Gempler hired remained until July of 2013. I wanted my job back.” Swedlund admits he was matter what the cost.” another herdsman to manage Personal circumstances drove The accident had severed the herd. Swedlund to briey leave his hesitant, despite Gempler’s Gempler’s foot, limiting his Swedlund was able to reposition. His absence was short adamancy. “I was very hesitant at rst; mobility. Additionally, after turn to Gempler’s farm in April Turn to SWEDLUND | Page 13 lived after receiving a phone
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Dairy Star • Saturday, January 14, 2017 • Page 13
FEED BUNKS
ConĆ&#x;nued from SWEDLUND | Page 12
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CASSIE OLSON/DAIRY STAR
Swedlund cleans out the freestalls inside the heifer shed. He conĆ&#x;nues to rent Gempler’s buildings and hopes to one day own faciliĆ&#x;es of his own. freestall barn. Since making their purchase nearly a month ago, the couple has already taken steps to improve the herd for their future. “Our goals are to clean up the herd, lower our somatic cell count and get a higher production,â€? Swedlund said. “We have already replaced 20 cows in the herd and have already seen improvements.â€? The herd is composed of a variety of breeds including Holsteins, Jerseys, Brown Swiss, Milking Shorthorns and several crossbreeds. Swedlund said he appreciates the components his color-breed cows have added to his production. “Since we have been managing the cows, we have seen a 4.3 butterfat and 3.7 protein,â€? Swedlund said. “This is an improvement since we started taking over and is the reason why we keep adding the color breeds to the herd.â€? Swedlund’s brother, Ben, is also employed on the farm and helps with daily chores. Wanita has been a certiďƒžed AI technician for a year and manages the farm’s breeding program. ,OWER COST THAN SORTED SEMEN
Although the herd purchase is fresh in his mind, Swedlund is hopeful to continue growing. “I would like to one day grow into something bigger or own the facilities here,� Swedlund said. “It will depend on what my children one day want to do.� Swedlund added that while Gempler is unable to be on the farm doing chores with him, he has and continues to provide valuable advice and insight. Under their agreement, Gempler continues to provide the feed and facilities for a share of the milk check. “Ralph and his son, Jim, help out a bit; if I need something, they’re always willing to help me out or give me advice,� Swedlund said. As they move into the new year, Swedlund is looking forward to continuing to make advancements with the herd and working in a profession that he and his wife both love. “I’m excited to see what we are able to accomplish in the near future,� Swedlund said. “It truly is never boring.�
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Page 14 • Dairy Star • Saturday, January 14, 2017
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Dairy Star • Saturday, January 14, 2017 • Page 15
Veterinarians give advice to help manage animals in cold weather Dr. Jay Oldendorf Whitehall, Wis. Whitehall Veterinary Service 15 years of experience Tell us about your practice. I am a partner in a mixed animal practice in west-central Wisconsin. We have four veterinarians in our practice. Dr. Larry Bender specializes in small animal care. Dr. Virgil Dick, Dr. Annie Saunders, and I work primarily with dairy cattle. We serve farms ranging in size from 40 cows to 1,000 cows. The cattle we work on are housed in tiestall barns, compost barns, and freestall barns. We offer in-house and portable radiography, ultrasonography, and endoscopy, and have equipment to analyze blood in our practice. We can also house large and small animals for intensive care. What type of dairy related issues have you been experiencing lately? The uctuating temperatures and humidity in the past two weeks have increased the incidence of illness in dairy cattle in our practice. I have numerous clients with increased incidences of respiratory illness in weaned calves as well as recently calved dairy animals. The incidence of displaced abomasums has increased recently as well. Even some of the cows that are diagnosed with displaced abomasums have complications that we don’t normally see during mild weather. Inconsistent weather conditions make ventilating buildings more difcult, increases thermal stress on cows, and increases bacterial loads in the air, which all combine to predispose our animals to more illness. What advice do you provide your clients to help manage animals in cold weather? One of my instructors while I was in veterinary school at the University of Wisconsin told our class, “We should consider the rst day of a cow’s new lactation the day we dry her off, not the day she calves.” When I started in practice in 2001, many dairies had little to no facilities to house dry cows. When milk prices were higher and more clients were renovating existing or building new facilities, I tried to be integral with the design of these facilities so we could minimize the incidence of postpartum diseases and make treatment of ill animals less cumbersome. Cold stress compounds the stress on an animal that is housed in a poor environment. Likewise, an animal in a poor environment during the summer undergoes an extra amount of heat stress if she isn’t cooled. Colostrum management, feed management, and environment management are more critical during temperature extremes. However, there is good evidence that the calf born to animals that suffer more stress will be at a disadvantage early in life, and that animal may be at a productive disadvantage throughout its entire life. Every day of an animal’s life is critical to its success. In times of low milk prices, what are ways your clients are being more efcient in animal care? With low milk prices, clients have denitely cut back in the amount of money they will spend on individual animal treatment. I think more and more clients have realized what research has told us. Cows that undergo illness will be robbed of potential milk production. Many individual animals who have had multiple will be culled. This decision has been compounded by the fact that not many dairies are planning on expansion, and our industry has done a much better job raising calves in the past 10 years. Therefore, many dairies are awash with replacements and will replace older animals that undergo an illness. How has the new VFD change affected your practice? Our practice has been busy writing Veterinary Feed Directives for the past three to four weeks. The VFD was enacted to put the use of medically important antibiotics under closer scrutiny. The term medically important antibiotics refers to antibiotics that have a use in veterinary medicine as well as human medicine. Ionophores like Rumensin, Bovatec, and Deccox do not fall under the term medically important because they have no use in human medicine. However, certain ionophores are only allowed to be fed with certain antibiotics. This part of the feed directive is probably as frustrating as the prescription requirement for the antibiotics itself. Not every producer has been excited to involve us with this process. I understand the frustration that producers have
Dr. Sally Harper Lancaster, Wis. Lancaster Veterinary Clinic 29 years of experience Tell us about your practice. It’s a mixed-animal practice that deals with large animals and pets. What type of dairy related issues have you been experiencing lately? Clients are frustrated with increased paperwork, such as that with the Veterinary Feed Directive, and the use of prescription drugs, along with restrictions on their operations, such as tail docking and calf hut use. What advice do you provide your clients to help manage animals in cold weather? We remind farmers to protect their cattle from the wind, keep them dry, and provide high-quality bedding and feed, and plenty of it. In times of low milk prices, what are ways your clients are being more efcient in animal care? They are really as efcient as humanly possible. They are just getting squeezed. How has the new veterinary feed directive (VFD) change affected your practice? It’s one more layer of paperwork. But it has allowed me to contact and visit some seldom-seen clients. Tell us about your most unique experience while on a farm visit. I was called to a farm to check some sick rabbits and found that they also had scouring calves, dead turkeys, poor-doing sheep, and weak chickens. I ended up going back to the clinic with a collection of live and dead animals and fecal samples in my cab, to determine the cause of the problem. I am glad I did not get stopped by a state trooper! I also found out that the kids in the house had diarrhea. The problem ended up being high coliform counts and Giardia in the well water, which we were able to x with a change in the well. All is ne on that farm now. with this new regulation. Our profession has been frustrated with some of the inconsistent requirements of this directive as well. The overwhelming majority of producers that we work with are already using these antibiotics in a fashion that complies with the new regulations. For these producers this process is just a formality. However, I have personally had a couple of good conversations about animal management which can hopefully signicantly reduce our use of these antibiotics. That is the probable main goal of this program. Tell us about your most unique experience while on a farm visit. I was at a dairy farm ultrasounding replacements Dec. 22, 2014. The rst pen I checked was routine. However, the animals in the second pen were very constipated. Their manure resembled horse manure. I can remember questioning myself whether the weather had been cold enough to make the animals this constipated. The weather had been cold, but not like the weather of the previous year. Replacement dairy heifers can get very stiff manure. I entered the third pen to check more animals and their manure was normal again. Soon after I made this observation, a family member who was cleaning the water fountains while we were working remarked that she received a shock when she attempted to clean the water fountain that supplied water to the pen of constipated heifers. I told her to not touch the fountain again, and when I nished reproductive exams I would grab my multimeter and investigate the situation. I placed one lead in the water fountain and the other lead on the concrete near the fountain. The multimeter read 119.9 volts AC. When we unplugged the heating element the meter reading went to zero. Luckily the woman who put her hand in the fountain had nitrile gloves and rubber boots on. The insulation provided by the gloves and boots probably prevented her electrocution. The other family member who had the reproductive records noted that the animals in this pen served by the faulty fountain were regularly jumping over gates to get out of the pen. I said, “These animals are so thirsty they are jumping the gates to save their lives.” Always remember that water is the most important nutrient for any living being.
Dr. John Rein Harmony, Minn. Harmony and Cresco Veterinary Clinics 16 years experience Tell us about your practice. We have two locations – Harmony, Minn., and Cresco, Iowa. I am one of three owners of the clinics and we have four associates. It’s a mixed practice with about 35 percent small animal and the rest large animal. Most of the large animal is split evenly between dairy and beef, but we do a little bit of equine and small ruminant. I do the majority of the dairy work in the practice. We have a haul-in facility where we can do surgeries, process cattle, C-sections and DA surgeries. That’s been a very good thing for our practice when people don’t have the facility to restrain their animals, especially for the beef cattle. We also have portable chutes so we can go out into the country and do chute work. We work with clients within a 40-mile radius of our clinics. What type of dairy related issues have you been experiencing lately? A big issue that’s come up for a lot of dairy producers is that the use of Posilac is being eliminated by the co-ops. That’s going to change dynamics for a lot of our dairies – their ability to get milk and be efcient with their production. To help the producers through this change, we’ll be focusing more on transition management, ne-tuning nutrition and looking more closely at reproduction in order to minimize the production they will lose. We want to get cows into peak milk after calving without any issues and be able to get them bred back in a timely manner. It’s all inter-related to the total management of the herd. What advice do you provide your clients to help manage animals in cold weather? For the youngstock, be liberal with bedding and shelters – for both dairy and beef. One of the most important things is for youngstock to get enough calories. Often times, people forget when cold weather hits that young calves can’t maintain their body temperature and require a lot more calories – sometimes upwards of 30 to 40 percent more. This can be done with three-time-a-day feeding or adding a little more to their milk replacer for more energy. For the milking herd, many producers switch to dry teat dips so they don’t have teat issues with the cold weather; but otherwise the adult animals don’t have a problem with the cold. In times of low milk prices, what are ways your clients are being more efcient in animal care? The biggest thing is producers should not quit the routine things – vaccinations, monitoring cows, products that work, quality nutrients going into the ration or regular reproduction aspects. Those are core aspects to keep a dairy going, so producers shouldn’t skimp on those. If they start to go by the wayside, it starts to affect production and the bottom line. Producers have to start getting really efcient by paying even closer attention to their cows in order to minimize culling and keep milk production up. How has the new VFD change affected your practice? It’s ultimately going to be a good thing. We’re looking at it from our practice as an opportunity, both to help our clients and to help our communication. It’s made us a lot more aware of what our clients are doing. It has started a lot more conversations with our clients about their disease prevention and vaccine strategies. It’s been a change for our paperwork, but I think, ultimately, it’s going to be a good thing. Even though I don’t agree with the original political premise of what started the VFD change, I think it will be a good thing for the long-term well being of our producers and their animals. It’s forcing us to address what they’ve done in the past and helping them change if need be. Tell us about your most unique experience while on a farm visit. During the early years in my practice I was at a dairy farm. We were going from one farm to another to work some calves with a chute. The farmer hooked the chute up to the back of a four-wheeler to move to the next farm and I followed behind him in my truck. As we went down a steep hill, he sped up too fast and the brakes on the four-wheeler weren’t enough to slow him down. The chute started jack-kning before the four-wheeler and chute ipped into the ditch. Everything rolled over him and down into a gully on the side of the road. I quickly checked to see if he was OK and pulled him out of the ditch. Then I called 911, and sat with him and stabilized him until the ambulance came. He ended up with a broken arm, a broken leg and a few bruised ribs, but he was OK in the end.
Page 16 • Dairy Star • Saturday, January 14, 2017
ConƟnued from VETERINARIANS | Page 15 Dr. Don Peterson Barron Veterinary Clinic Barron, Wis. 45 years of experience Tell us about your practice. I joined this practice in 1972. At that time we were a three-man, 95 percent dairy practice. Our practice changed tremendously over the years, and we are now a six-person mixed practice doing all species. For my part of the practice I tell folks that if the animal does not say moo, I don’t do much with it. What type of dairy related issues have you been experiencing lately? One of the issues taking up a great deal of time right now is getting a handle on the new Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD). I didn’t think the dairy aspect of our practice would be affected a great deal with this change, but I was wrong. The most dramatic change is the use of medications in milk replacers. The medications have been used so long in milk replacer that few can remember not using them. If newborn calves are managed well, and housed in a good environment with adequate bedding and sanitation many farmers will probably not even notice a difference. Many times we have gotten the attitude that medication will out trump management, but I think that these changes will further emphasize the case for good calf care management including feeding, housing, sanitation, ventilation and everybody wins. What advice do you provide your clients to help manage animals in cold weather? Management in cold weather, starting with calves: when located in cold housing they need good bedding, preferably straw and enough of it so the calf can actually nuzzle right in to keep the body and extremities warm. Cold weather takes more energy to keep warm and calves need to be fed more and more often. Recommendations are readily available. Adequate feed and bedding are part of good management for breeding stock of all ages. A heifer whose hair is coated with manure takes a lot of energy to just maintain let alone actually gain weight so we obviously have to work at cleanliness. In times of low milk prices, what are ways your clients are being more efcient in animal care? Regardless of the current milk price, prevention of disease leads to less cost and more efciency. Again, there is an idea that a shot of some sort will cover shortfalls in good management. Good management always wins. We spend a lot of time in our practice working with clients to teach them to manage some of the problems that arise themselves and keeping cost in control. Tell us about your most unique experience while on a farm visit. I have been in practice now nearly 45 years, and during that time one would think that I should have seen most everything that can happen to a dairy cow. However, I am just amazed at how often those critters work to prove me wrong. Each farm seems to have its unique management issues and the cows just t in and always provide another opportunity to learn.
Dr. Linda Giese Osseo, Wis. Osseo Vet Clinic 28 years of experience Tell us about your practice. Osseo Vet Clinic is a four doctor, mixed animal practice that has been operating in the Osseo area since 1973. We service a wide variety of pets and livestock. What type of dairy related issues have you been experiencing lately? There are three: 1. Low milk prices have a signicant impact on the economics of whether and how to treat various health problems that arise. 2. Cold weather can bring out nutritional stress in cattle housed outdoors without good feed and/or shelter. 3. Cattle are more susceptible to pneumonia with highly varying temperatures and dampness. What advice do you provide your clients to help manage animals in cold weather? Cattle (usually youngstock) require good quality forage containing adequate protein levels, and an energy source (grain or corn silage) as well as a wind break/shelter/bedding to ensure they have enough calories and nutrients to keep warm and continue to grow and/or support a fetus. Poor quality forage/energy source will cause cattle, especially calves and yearlings, to use their own muscle tissue as a protein and energy source resulting in severe weight loss and disease-vulnerable cattle. Calves kept in outdoor hutches need more or an extra feeding of high quality milk replacer or milk to give them enough calories to keep warm and still thrive. Calf jackets can help them maintain normal body temperature. Timely and adequate colostrum intake is especially critical for newborns to assist them in maintaining body heat and getting off to a good start. In times of low milk prices, what are ways your clients are being more efcient in animal care? This is and has been a signicant dairy issue that impacts how many resources (money, time, and effort) a dairy producer can justify spending on an individual cow offset by her productivity and economic value. Most dairy producers today have protocols and handle basic common health problems in their cattle themselves. How has the new VFD change affected your practice? The Veterinary Feed Directive is a popular topic, and we have been lling orders regularly these past few weeks. As a clinic, we have had to invest in a specic program to manage these and learn about the rules and requirements involved. I expect there will be adjustments made as the process goes on. Tell us about your most unique experience while on a farm visit. In my 28 years I’ve seen a few things, but it’s the professional relationships built with the farm families I’ve worked for that stand out as a lasting accomplishment. Many of these farms no longer house a dairy herd, but in others I’ve seen a successful transition of management transferred to a son or other family member and that has been gratifying.
Dr. Kevin Nigon Plainview, Minn. Northern Valley Dairy Production Medicine Center 35 years of experience Tell us about your practice. Our veterinary clinic consists of four practitioners. My colleagues include Dr. Jim Bennett (the writer of veterinary articles for Dairy Star), Dr. Lindsey Borst and Dr. Megan Thompson. Dr. Bennett and I have been partners since we graduated in 1981. Both Dr. Borst and Dr. Thompson graduated in 2015. All of us are University of Minnesota graduates. We focus on cows, with our practice being 95 percent dairy and 5 percent beef cows. We concentrate on providing accurate and current information to our clients, with an emphasis on preventative- and production-oriented data. We offer services in reproduction, milk quality, youngstock and record analysis, as well as surgery and treatment. What type of dairy related issues have you been experiencing lately? Milk quality and mastitis issues are always a concern. Striving to produce the best quality milk with the least amount of clinical mastitis is always a work in progress. Increasing reproductive performance, reducing the cost of heifer raising and overall better milk production are constant issues. This time of year, it seems that pneumonia issues in youngstock, and occasionally in adult cows have increased, so the importance of discussing vaccination and treatment protocols as well as pursuing clinical diagnoses takes extra time. Drug residue issues have become even more important. Working with clients on proper diagnoses and treatment protocols has become very important. What advice do you provide your clients to help manage animals in cold weather? Most of our clients are very adept at handling winter weather since they have faced this for years. The best advice includes keeping animals dry and well bedded as well as discussing increased nutritional needs. In times of low milk prices, what are ways your clients are being more efcient in animal care? Most of our clients realize that the same things they do when milk prices are high gives them the best chance for success when prices struggle. They may put off major purchases, but they are always striving to be as efcient as possible. They also realize good animal care is important no matter the price of milk. How has the new VFD change affected your practice? The VFD has been a good thing in opening up a dialogue with clients as to what they have been using and why. It also opens discussions on what is actually allowed as far as dose, time and product. We are still learning many of the rules ourselves as to what is allowed for dairy animals versus beef, etc. Overall we hope this will help to reduce the amount of antibiotics used and increase preventative practices our clients use such as vaccinations. It also opens up discussions on ventilation, barn design, pen moves and nutrition as cornerstones for healthy animals. Tell us about your most unique experience while on a farm visit. My most unique experience(s) involve obstetrics. We are often called for strange dystocias, whether it is breech calvings, uterine torsions or other issues. I have twice delivered conjoined twins (siamese) and once delivered a two-headed calf. Life as a veterinarian is always interesting.
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Page 18 • Dairy Star • Saturday, January 14, 2017
This family bleeds Farmall red
Neumanns collect tractors for three generations BY BRITTANY OLSON Staff writer
NEW RICHMOND, Wis. – In the countryside, the more divisive question doesn’t ask about political afliation, religion or certain brands of cola. Rather, it’s about two colors of farm machinery – green or red. For the Neumann family, that question can easily be answered by pulling down the farm lane and seeing the International Harvester barn quilt on their barn. Roger and Laurie Neumann, with sons and daughters-in-law Bjorn and Jamie, and Brett and Beth, milk 130 cows and run 4,500 acres at Neu-View Farm north of New Richmond, Wis. They are also collectors of anything and everything that International has ever built. “My dad, Clarence, began collecting tractors with a 1937 McCormick-Deering, the predecessor to International Harvester,” Roger said. “It was after horses went out of fashion on the farm, and he began collecting even more during the 1970s and 1980s.” Their eet of red equipment grew, one tractor or implement at a time, over the
years to the point where a shed was completely lled – and then another shed, and another and another. Roger and Bjorn couldn’t put an exact number on how many tractors the family owned. “We’ve got four sheds and an old barn full,” Roger said. “Someone from another paper came and did an article once, and then we had 120.” That was in 2002, and the collection has only grown since then. Dozens of tractors have arrived on the Neumann farm to receive new life, as well. “We’ve probably restored about 50 tractors over the years,” Roger said. Their tractors, spanning the McCormick-Deering era of the Great Depression to the last Case IH tractor to roll off the assembly line in the 1980s, include a few rare nds. One tractor in the Neumanns’ heated shop is undergoing repair. An International 886, which came across the border from Mexico, is speculated to be the only one of its series in the United States to be manufactured south of the border. “All of the decals are in
CASSIE OLSON/DAIRY STAR
Roger and Bjorn Neumann are proud to own one of 16 Interna�onal 7488 tractors to have rolled off the assembly line. The Neumanns milk 135 cows near New Richmond, Wis. Spanish,” Bjorn said. Their second 886 is a twin to the rst in all aspects except its American residence and operating hours. “It has 900 hours on it,” Roger said. The Mexican 886 isn’t the only piece of iron undergoing surgery. A second tractor in the shop is being restored as well
– an 826 which was once used as a demonstrator model for implement dealers. The demonstrators, which were known for being painted gold instead of the traditional candy apple red that adorned International tractors, are incredibly hard to nd, Neumanns said. “We plan on repainting it
gold when we’re done restoring it,” Roger said. Another precious gem in the farm machinery world can also be found at Neu-View Farms. Case IH made just 16 7488 tractors, known as anteaters because of their long bodies with a downturn in the front Turn to NEUMANNS | Page 20
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Dairy Star • Saturday, January 14, 2017 • Page 19
“We are stuck on Udder Comfort.” — Callum McKinven
LOOKOUT HOLSTEINS AND JERSEYS, CANTON, DE HATLEY, QUEBEC 120 head, 34 milk cows, 13 EX, 21 VG Callum McKinven and Katherine Beerwort and daughters Tara (not pictured), Brooke and Alana (left) with Garay Awesome Beauty, her first place spring heifer calf at the 2016 World Dairy Expo
“For 6 years we have been using Udder Comfort™. We are stuck on it, seeing a difference within one hour of use. Over 90% of our fresh animals get it after each milking for the first week,” says Callum McKinven. He grew up with Jerseys, his wife Katherine Beerwort grew up with Holsteins. Dairy is in their blood. Together from scratch, they started their Lookout Holstein and Jersey Farm, Canton, De Hatley, Quebec. Today, with their 3 daughters involved, they continue to make their mark, breeding top animals in both breeds. Callum has judged over 800 shows worldwide, including 10 at World Dairy Expo. He says the key is to “look for the pattern, the kind you like and not worry about anything else.”
Callum uses Udder Comfort at shows and at home. “We put it on right up to the showring. It’s great for circulation. At home, any case of mastitis gets the Udder Comfort put to it. It works quickly to soften, while gentle to the skin.”
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Page 20 • Dairy Star • Saturday, January 14, 2017
ConĆ&#x;nued from NEUMANNS | Page 18 end. The family has the No. 9 7488. Other unique ďƒžnds that may likely only be found in one of the Neumanns’ sheds include the last two-wheel drive 5488 ever made, owned by Brett, and the last hydrostatic 3488 to be made, which was acquired by Bjorn. Both are indicated by serial number. In addition to the golden 826, a couple more hard-toďƒžnd golden tractors call NeuView home, including a big Steiger in the shop and a Case International 7220. “The Steiger and 7220 are both 50th anniversary tractors,â€? Bjorn said. Not only does the Neumann family’s line of machinery span nearly nine decades of time, they also tell the story of
a modernized American farm. Roger, especially, has seen a lot of changes in machinery, both good and bad. “I remember in the 1970s when the FFA magazine came out with something about a futuristic tractor. It had a cab on it,� Roger said. “That was unheard of in those days.� While tractors have become more comfortable to operate in the often-harsh conditions a farmer must work in after the dawn of cabs, radios and in-cab air conditioning, Roger admitted that it wasn’t all rosy. Dealerships have consolidated, resulting in longer wait time for parts and those parts aren’t always as easy to come by anymore. “Every little town around
CASSIE OLSON/DAIRY STAR
A Farmall 826, a rare demonstrator model, is undergoing restoraĆ&#x;on in the Neumanns’ shop.
CASSIE OLSON/DAIRY STAR
This InternaĆ&#x;onal 886 was manufactured in Mexico and believed to be the only Mexican-manufactured 886 in the United States.
here had a machinery dealer,� Roger said. “New Richmond, Baldwin, Deer Park, Amery, you name it. Now we have to go up to St. Croix Falls or down to Menomonie to get parts, and sometimes we have to go down to Hastings, Minn., too.� The Neumann farm has seen lots of changes, too. While the machinery stands as a living testament to that, their dairy operation is no exception. Cows are still milked in the family’s 102-stall barn, but their living quarters changed a
couple of months ago. “We built a 159-cow freestall barn and moved cows into the barn in November,� Bjorn said. The tunnel-ventilated barn is insulated to keep the cows comfortable in even the harshest of winter temperatures, and a robotic feed pusher keeps the TMR fresh for the Neumanns’ Holsteins, Brown Swiss and Holstein-Swiss crosses. In addition, an automatic scraper keeps the alleys free of manure.
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The farm has continuously evolved for future generations, and their collection of tractors is a testament to that fact. “My son, Ben, is 13 and already owns 15 cattle, and my 10-year-old daughter, Gabbie, owns three,� Bjorn said. While many things about farming have changed, some stay the same, such as the Neumann family’s passion for their red tractors. “When something arrives, they always come and never go,� Bjorn said.
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5 11 1 5 8 6 12 11 8 10 11 8 10 6 11 9 10 1 10 7 2 4 10 4 4 9 9 10 2 8 7 5 8 2 10 10 4
ARTICULATED 4WD TRACTORS JD 9400, 1998, 425 hp., 8346 hrs., #134904 ......................................... $59,900 JD 9300, 1997, 360 hp., 4445 hrs., #132726 ......................................... $79,000 JD 9400, 1996, 425 hp., 6200 hrs., #134367 ......................................... $79,000 JD 9520, 2006, 450 hp., 5016 hrs., #110315 .......................................$141,500 JD 9620, 2006, 500 hp., 4700 hrs., #134870 .......................................$148,000 JD 9430, 2011, 425 hp., 2200 hrs., #134950 .......................................$189,500 JD 9630, 2011, 530 hp., 1925 hrs., #134865 .......................................$204,000 JD 9630, 2010, 530 hp., 1746 hrs., #123341 .......................................$209,000 JD 9560R, 2013, 560 hp., 2226 hrs., #127914 .......................................$235,000 JD 9560R, 2012, 560 hp., 1681 hrs., #133796 .......................................$249,000 JD 9460R, 2013, 460 hp., 550 hrs., #134628 .......................................$259,000 JD 9620R, 2015, 620 hp., 455 hrs., #125913 .......................................$399,000 FIELD CULTIVATORS JD 985, 1995, #130971 ............. $18,000 Case TIGER MATE II, #129749 ......................................... $25,000 JD 2210, 2006, #119500 ........... $37,900 JD 2210, 2007, #102810 ........... $37,900 JD 2210, 2005, #120515 ........... $39,500 JD 2210, 2009, #131140 ........... $44,900 JD 2210, 2011, #106313 ........... $52,900 CIH 200, 2011, #129150 ........... $55,000 MOWER CONDITIONERS JD 635, 2008, #126498 ............. $15,900 JD 946, 2005, #130363 ............. $17,500 JD 835, 2008, #131315 ............. $18,500 NH H7150, 2011, 122976 .......... $19,900 JD 635, 2013, #134300 ............. $21,900 JD 946, 2009, #132018 ............. $23,500 JD 835, 2012, #130580 ............. $24,000 NH H7150, 2012, #126620 ....... $24,500 JD 946, 2011, #126500 ............. $25,500 JD 830, 2015, #134944 ............. $25,900 JD 835, 2015, #133943 ............. $26,500 JD 956, 2011, #126054 ............. $27,900 JD 956, 2013, #121134 ............. $28,900 JD 946, 2014, #126629 ............. $30,900 JD 946, 2014, #126997 ............. $32,000 PLANTERS JD 1750, 2004, #127953 ........... $19,500 JD 1750, 2007, #134453 ........... $19,900 JD 1750, 1998, #123390 ........... $20,000 JD 1750, 2001, #127462 ........... $20,500 JD 1780, 1997, #127222 ........... $28,500 JD 1750, 2013, #131524 ........... $36,500 JD 1760, 2005, #134967 ........... $39,700 JD 1780, 2001, #134553 ........... $42,500 JD 1770, 2004, #120099 ........... $42,900 JD DB44, 2008, #131589 .......... $58,500 JD 1790 CCS, 2004, #124998 .. $61,900 JD 1770NT, 2008, #106973...... $65,900 JD 1790 CCS, 2004, #125700 .. $67,900 JD 1790 CCS, 2007, #118810 .. $67,900 JD 1770NT, 2010, #120512...... $71,500 JD 1770, 2011, #132629 ........... $72,500
124,900
2015 JD 6145R $ #120190
4 1 10 5 2 4 7 4 4 6 1 8 4 2 8 8 8 7 10 10 11 2 11 10 1 1 4 7 9 2 6 7 5 4 5 10 7 8 8 8 6 12 10 10 8 7 5 1 1 7
JD 1770NT, 2010, #131019...... $75,000 JD 1770NT, 2010, #123272...... $77,500 JD 1770NT, 2010, #134770...... $78,732 JD 1770NT, 2012, #117386...... $89,500 JD 1770NT, 2014, #120447...... $89,500 JD DB44, 2005, #134620 .......... $89,900 JD DB44, 2007, #127876 .......... $93,900 JD 1770NT CCS, 2013, #125129 .......................................$115,000 JD 1770NT, 2014, #134722....$127,330 JD DB66, 2009, #101972 ........$149,000 JD DB44, 2014, #114004 ........$169,000 JD DB44, 2015, #132329 ........$169,000 JD 7300, 1997, #126928 ........... $16,000 JD 1720, 2006, #120108 ........... $35,000 JD 24R22, #127252..................... $39,000 ROUND BALERS JD 457, 2006, #134509 ............. $15,900 JD 568, 2007, #131030 ............. $17,500 JD 457, 2005, #134613 ............. $17,900 JD 582 SILAGE SPECIAL, 2006, #132056 ......................................... $18,500 JD 458, 2009, #131244 ............. $18,900 JD 568, 2007, #131763 ............. $18,900 JD 458 SILAGE SPECIAL, 2010, #132415 ......................................... $19,500 NH BR7090, 2008, #123046..... $21,900 NH BR7090, 2012, #133944..... $22,900 CIH RB564, 2008, #129522 ...... $23,000 JD 568, 2007, #122377.............. $25,900 JD 468 SILAGE SPECIAL, 2012, #134462 ......................................... $26,000 JD 568, 2011, #132345.............. $29,900 JD 568, 2008, #119918.............. $30,000 JD 468 SILAGE SPECIAL, 2011, #126398 ......................................... $30,900 JD 469, 2013, #131787.............. $30,900 JD 469, 2014, #121911.............. $30,900 JD 468 SILAGE SPECIAL, 2012, #132115 ......................................... $31,900 JD 459 SILAGE SPECIAL, 2013, #134718 ......................................... $32,500 JD 568, 2011, #126221 ............. $32,900 JD 569, 2013, #126055 ............. $38,900 JD 569, 2014, #123810 ............. $38,900 JD 569, 2014, #124210 ............. $38,900 JD 569, 2015, #134021 ............. $40,500 JD 569, 2012, #134619 ............. $42,000 JD 569 SILAGE SPECIAL, 2015, #134962 ......................................... $44,500 SKID STEER LOADERS JD 320, 2005, 2931 hrs., #126912 ......................................... $15,900 JD 332, 2005, 6900 hrs., #131737 ......................................... $16,500 JD 250, 1999, 725 hrs., #129148 ......................................... $16,900 JD 260, 2002, 2279 hrs., #134262 ......................................... $20,500 Bobcat S185, 2008, 5666 hrs., #134431 ......................................... $20,900 Case SR175, 2013, 137 hrs., #134766 ......................................... $27,900 JD 315, 2014, 27 hrs., #113452 ......................................... $28,900 JD 315, 2014, 42 hrs., #113451 ......................................... $28,900 JD 318D, 2010, 317 hrs.,
86,900
2013 JD 6125M, $ 125 hp., 243 hrs., #123591
5 1 2 9 4 6 7 8 4 4 2 8 1 4 4 10 3 11 8 2 8 8 5 8 12 4 11 6 4 6 6 11 10
#126439 ......................................... $28,900 JD 320E, 2014, 1748 hrs., #125994 ......................................... $28,900 JD 318D, 2013, 245 hrs., #134270 ......................................... $29,900 JD 326E, 2014, 1951 hrs., #126744 ......................................... $29,900 JD 318D, 2011, 389 hrs., #134073 ......................................... $30,900 JD 320E, 2015, 142 hrs., #127651 ......................................... $30,900 JD 320E, 2015, 1591 hrs., #134169 ......................................... $30,900 JD 332D, 2011, 2749 hrs., #117927 ......................................... $30,900 JD 318E, 2014, 612 hrs., #125356 ......................................... $31,900 JD 320E, 2014, 601 hrs., #134794 ......................................... $34,900 JD 320E, 2014, 175 hrs., #118329 ......................................... $35,900 Bobcat S590, 2013, 757 hrs., #131472 ......................................... $35,900 JD 318E, 2015, 100 hrs., #134905 ......................................... $36,900 JD 320E, 2014, 429 hrs., #125588 ......................................... $36,900 JD 326E, 2014, 860 hrs., #127652 ......................................... $37,500 JD 318E, 2015, 45 hrs., #118133 ......................................... $37,900 JD 320E, 2015, 30 hrs., #126180 ......................................... $37,900 JD 326E, 2014, 430 hrs., #125552 ......................................... $37,900 JD 320E, 2014, 115 hrs., #121065 ......................................... $38,900 JD 320E, 2015, 115 hrs., #130568 ......................................... $39,900 JD 326E, 2015, 150 hrs., #128590 ......................................... $40,900 JD 326E, 2014, 490 hrs., #128883 ......................................... $41,500 JD 326E, 2015, 375 hrs., #134033 ......................................... $42,000 JD 326E, 2014, 210 hrs., #131457 ......................................... $42,900 JD 332E, 2014, 1345 hrs., #132664 ......................................... $42,900 JD 326E, 2015, 136 hrs., #118578 ......................................... $44,900 JD 332D, 2012, 612 hrs., #127231 ......................................... $46,000 JD 328E, 2014, 531 hrs., #127230 ......................................... $46,900 JD 332E, 2014, 748 hrs., #132327 ......................................... $47,500 JD 328E, 2016, 200 hrs., #131549 ......................................... $51,000 JD 332E, 2015, 274 hrs., #131496 ......................................... $51,900 UTILITY TRACTORS NH TL100A, 2004, 98 hp., 4335 hrs., #134908 ......................................... $17,900 JD 2155, 1989, 55 hp., 4024 hrs., #134898 ......................................... $18,590 JD 5065E, 2009, 65 hp., 738 hrs., #134699 ......................................... $26,900
JD 5085M, 2012, $ 85 hp., 1610 hrs., #125293
47,995
4 10 4 9 11 12 4 6 6 10 7 6 4 8 7 10 4 4 12 1 10 2 10 9 5 4 3 4 4 4 2 4 4
JD 6400, 1997, 85 hp., 12549 hrs., #134717 ......................................... $29,700 JD 6400, 1994, 85 hp., 7825 hrs., #129836 ......................................... $34,900 JD 5075M, 2013, 75 hp., 100 hrs., #125138 ......................................... $38,000 JD 5101E, 2010, 101 hp., 880 hrs., #132064 ......................................... $38,500 JD 6130D, 2011, 130 hp., 4100 hrs., #134834 ......................................... $44,900 JD 5085M, 2012, 85 hp., 1610 hrs., #125293 ......................................... $47,995 Kubota M100GX, 2014, 100 hp., 450 hrs., #131537 ........................ $49,000 JD 5085E, 2016, 85 hp., 241 hrs., #124729 ......................................... $51,900 JD 5100E, 2016, 100 hp., 99 hrs., #124826 ......................................... $54,900 JD 6140D, 2013, 140 hp., 378 hrs., #131138 ......................................... $62,500 JD 5100M, 2015, 100 hp., 295 hrs., #118463 ......................................... $62,900 JD 6105E, 2016, 105 hp., 292 hrs., #124868 ......................................... $63,900 JD 5115M, 2012, 115 hp., 611 hrs., #129621 ......................................... $66,500 JD 6120E, 2016, 120 hp., 267 hrs., #124871 ......................................... $67,900 JD 6140D, 2014, 140 hp., 15 hrs., #133561 ......................................... $68,900 JD 6130D, 2015, 130 hp., 223 hrs., #123740 ......................................... $69,500 JD 6105M, 2014, 105 hp., 320 hrs., #132099 ......................................... $71,000 JD 6135E, 2015, 135 hp., 298 hrs., #124885 ......................................... $71,900 JD 6120E, 2016, 120 hp., 125 hrs., #124883 ......................................... $73,900 JD 6105M, 2013, 105 hp., 285 hrs., #132146 ......................................... $75,900 JD 6135E, 2015, 135 hp., 1 hr., #124880 ......................................... $76,900 JD 6125M, 2013, 125 hp., 243 hrs., #123591 ......................................... $86,900 JD 6125M, 2013, 125 hp., 590 hrs., #120889 ......................................... $87,500 JD 6125M, 2014, 125 hp., 228 hrs., #107433 ......................................... $88,900 JD 6125M, 2013, 125 hp., 631 hrs., #126547 ......................................... $91,000 JD 6105R, 2014, 105 hp., 106 hrs., #127952 ......................................... $99,000 JD 6125R, 2014, 125 hp., 300 hrs., #128687 ......................................... $99,000 MF 6616, 2014, 150 hp., 898 hrs., #127776 ......................................... $99,500 JD 6125R, 2013, 125 hp., 500 hrs., #134131 .......................................$103,000 JD 6110R, 2015, 110 hp., 104 hrs., #119898 .......................................$105,900 JD 6125R, 2014, 125 hp., 225 hrs., #127948 .......................................$106,000 JD 6110R, 2016, 110 hp., 110 hrs., #133619 .......................................$112,000 JD 6120R, 2015, 120 hp., 132 hrs., #124875 .......................................$118,900
JD 6140D, 2013, $ 140 hp., 378 hrs., #131138
62,500
Page 22 • Dairy Star • Saturday, January 14, 2017
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SENECA, Wis. – Alan and Melissa Manning had ve main goals in mind when they decided to invest in robotic milkers and a bigger freestall barn on their dairy near Seneca, Wis. They wanted more-efcient facilities, three daily milkings, no new hired labor, better cow health and a business that would be attractive to their children. The Mannings’ Crest View Acres began using four GEA Monobox robots Nov. 1. It’s believed to be the rst robotic dairy in southwest Wisconsin’s rugged Crawford County. And, the Manning farm is just the second in the United States to use that brand and style of robotic milkers, according to Alan. “The rst one started in August [2016,]” he said. “They’ve been used in Germany, I think, a Alan Manning couple of years.” Dairy producer The Mannings still milk 50 of their registered Holsteins in a double-6, at-barn parlor in the older, two-story barn. “It’s hard to start late-lactation cows with a robot,” Alan said. “So we’re drying them off. When they calve back in, we’ll transfer them [to the robotic barn.]” Alan and Jonathan, his brother and herdsman, are ne-tuning the robotic barn, while employee Jaime Gonzales milks in the old barn. Alan said he and Jonathan are still learning the ropes about robotics, and that it’s commonly stated that making the adjustment can take three months or more. The Mannings milk 170 in the robot barn and plan to buy more cows until they hit 200 or so. The family did not rush the decision to go to automatic milking. Alan said they began looking into robots and toured farms three years. Along the way, they cherry picked ideas they especially liked. Some of those are reected in the 90by-440-foot freestall barn. “This is a free-ow barn,” Alan said. “But we have a sort gate for special needs cows.” Fresh, lame or sick cows are allowed to pass through a one-way gate and into the special-needs pen. A computer identies each cow, and if her number is on the special-needs list, she can pass through. The 280-stall, four-row barn is tunnel ventilated. A bank of 22 fans on the barn’s east end helps control the temperature and humidity inside. Those fans are variable speed. A sensor reads the temperature inside and outside the barn and measures the wind speed, barometric pressure and humidity. Then it adjusts the speeds of the fans accordingly. In addition, more than a dozen pusher fans help keep the cows comfortable. As of late December, Alan said he had not had to deal with frozen manure; however, he is eager to see how the barn performs in the heat and humidity of summer. In other nods to cow comfort, the barn is equipped with sprinklers and has adjustable curtains on the west end wall. The stalls are four feet wide, 8.5 feet long, and bedded with a mix of recycled paper and lime atop cow mattresses. The farm gets a semi load of the paper every 10 days from a mill in eastern Wisconsin. If it wasn’t being reused, the paper would end up in a landll, Alan said. Just a mile from the Mississippi River, as the crow ies, the barn runs east to west, with the robots in the center and on the north side. It has drive-by feeding on one side and cable scrapers in the cow alleys. Channels under the scrapers catch liquids and guide them to a reception pit at the end of the barn. Turn to MANNING | Page 23
Dairy Star • Saturday, January 14, 2017 • Page 23
ConƟnued from MANNING | Page 22 A manure lagoon that only needs to be emptied once a year is outside, along with ve bunker silos. The ve-acre site has a parking lot big enough to let a milk tanker get in and out. The 30- by-130-foot milking center contains the robot rooms, supply storage, utility room, break room, restrooms and ofces. Four stone columns stand at the entrance of the milking center and support a balcony that comes off a second-story conference room. Alan’s brother, Jerry, a partner in the farm, did the concrete and stone work. But, it’s the robots and associated computer system that are the nerve center of the Mannings’ new facilities. Alan said he chose this brand and model of robotic milker because of its fewer moving parts and lower maintenance requirement. “Everything is in line. It has a 3D camera that attaches the unit, instead of lasers. One arm washes the teats, attaches the cups, strips each quarter, milks and then postdips,” Alan said. Another thing Alan said he likes about his robots is the fact that they do not need to be calibrated daily, only cleaned. Cows get a bit of grain at the robots and are in and out of the boxes in 5.5 to six minutes. Alan said each machine is milking seven to eight cows an hour. With the machines in use just more than two months, the Mannings are already well on their way to their desired three daily milkTurn to MANNING | Page 25
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Alan and Melissa Manning (back row, leŌ) with six of their children – (front row) Lucy and Anne; (middle row, leŌ to right) Emma, Cecilia, Dominic and Stephen – and Alan’s brother, Jonathan, milk with four robots near Seneca, Wis.
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Page 24 • Dairy Star • Saturday, January 14, 2017
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ConƟnued from MANNING | Page 23 ings. Alan said the cows are averaging 2.6 visits to the robots every 24 hours. Milk production in the new barn dropped initially. It was at about 82 pounds per cow per day in the at parlor. It’s back up to 75 pounds a day, and Alan said he expects that to rise. The butterfat and protein content of the milk is up signicantly, Alan said. The fat test is now at 4.3 percent, up from 3.9 percent. And, the protein is now at 3.3 percent, up from 3.1 percent. Meanwhile, the somatic cell count (SCC) has spiked a bit. Alan attributed that to the automatic take-offs not being adjusted quite right. He said the SCC is at 250,000, while in the old barn it stood at 130,000. The robotic system’s computer gathers a wealth of data. “The load of information you get out of that is almost astronomical.” Alan said. Especially valuable, he said, is the number of times each cow is milked per day, the amount of feed used each day and the amount of milk produced. Changes in the ration show up quickly in the form of fewer cow visits to the robots and less milk. “We went from 2.7 milkings down to 2.2 in 12 hours. It was due to a change of moisture in the feed,” Alan said. Alan believes he can have a good future in dairying. After high school and technical college, he rented a barn a few years, then began working with his parents, Vince and Mary, and is now buying the place from them. The farm is 260 acres. Alan owns 220 acres nearby and works with his folks with the cropping and other aspects of the operation. Alan said the new barn and dairy center was a signicant investment, of $3,500 to $4,000 per cow. It’s projected
Dairy Star • Saturday, January 14, 2017 • Page 25
RON JOHNSON/DAIRY STAR
This 280-stall freestall barn is home to four roboƟc milkers. The robots have been in use since Nov. 1. The cows are visiting the robots an average of 2.6 Ɵmes a day. to be paid for in 15 years. Although some of the technology is new to the Mannings, one thing is not different. “It still comes down to cow management,” Alan said. “I think if you’re a cow guy, you can make almost anything work.” Alan is from a family of 15 children. Melissa and he have a brood of seven: Lucy, 11; Dominic, 9; Emma, 8; Anne, 6; Stephen, 4; Cecilia, 2; and
Matilda, four months. They are one reason the Mannings chose to invest in new facilities and new milking technology. “I felt that if I ever wanted my kids to come back and farm, I had to do something to make it interesting or intriguing to them,” Alan said. Alan and Jonathan have a ve-year goal: Fill the new barn and become more efcient. Alan gures the robots can eventually milk 70 heifers each, or
60 higher producing, older cows each. And, he would like to get to the point where each machine is harvesting 6,000 to 7,000 pounds of milk a day. For now, Alan wants to reach the three-month milestone of milking with his robots. “We’re patiently waiting for February, to see how things change,” he said. “We haven’t had the chance to just sit back and enjoy it all.”
Page 26 • Dairy Star • Saturday, January 14, 2017
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Farmers to receive documentation of USDA services
Farm Service Agency (FSA) reminds agricultural producers that FSA provides a receipt to customers who request or receive assistance or information on FSA programs. The 2014 Farm Bill requires a customer receipt to FSA News & Notes be issued for any agricultural program assistance requested from FSA, the National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Rural Development (RD). Receipts include the date, summary of the visit and any agricultural information, program and/or loan assistance provided to an individual or entity. A service is any information, program or loan assistance provided whether through a visit, email, fax or letter. So, anytime you come into an FSA ofce you will be asked if you would like a receipt via email or a paper copy. By Ryan Brunn FSA farmers and ranchers can now receive notications from their county ofce through text messages on Stearns Co. Exec. Dir. their cell phone. Whether producers are in the eld, on a tractor or even on horseback, this service enables FSA customers and stakeholders to receive notications while on the go. Producers will receive text messages regarding important program deadlines, reporting requirements, outreach events and updates. Producers can text MNStearns to FSANOW (372-669) to subscribe to text message alerts from Stearns County. If you would like to receive text message alerts from another county, please text MNXXXXX where XXXXX is the full county name in which you are interested to FSANOW (372-669). For example, MNMeeker, MNMorrison, MNBenton, etc. Standard text messaging rates apply. Contact your wireless carrier for details associated with your particular data plan. Participants may unsubscribe at any time. Please contact your FSA ofce if you have questions regarding FSA’s email news service or the new text message option. 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.
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Faith, family, farm
never forget Laura at age 11 as she insisted we go to look at the cows at the state fair. As the years went on, dairy shows and showmanship became highlights of the year. I always thought Laura’s animals did better than expected because of how talented she was at displaying them. In order to show at the Minnesota State Holstein Show, she would register our better cows, so we could compete – what a humbling experience. A trip to Europe was the reward for her 4-H judging team winning the state 4-H judging contest. This Gopher girl eventually attended the University of Minnesota in Saint Paul, where she enjoyed the Dairy Challenge competition. Following college, her next stop was Gar-Lin Dairy; Gar-Lin milks 2,000 cows and offered her the experience of a life-time in managing dairy cattle, practicing business management skills, and working with a diversity of employees and managers.
tel y ™
Entering the dairy industry in today’s world involves business and management skills, where she excels and I have room for improvement. I had my turn and would not change the methods and priorities I had. Now it is time to begin letting go and let Laura put her enthusiasm and goals to the test. We hope to share our story so the dairy way of life can continue on our family farm and on others. This will be a vital learning process for both of us in order to ensure that the farm thrives. With God’s help, we will transition peacefully and effectively, and for the good of all. What father would not want his operation to be continued by his Gopher daughter, and possibly, another Jackrabbit daughter down the road. Laura Rosenhammer farms with her father, John, on Roseview Dairy near Sleepy Eye, Minn. They milk 200 Holsteins and run 580 acres of cropland.
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Faith, family, farm. These are three words instilled in me that have been the driving force of my life since I was young. Early in life, I realized the value of working together. Working as a team offers opportunities to accomplish so much more. I also noticed that the majority of the dairy operations that I admired included the wife being very involved. If not outside, she was at least very supportive of her husband’s career; my story is no different. My father made a very wise choice when he married my mother. Mom did everything possible on the farm, especially at chore time. She did it with a smile and a positive attiBy John tude. Nothing bad ever happened Rosenhammer that tomorrow could not x. The Transition Pen My journey continued via annual trips to the state fair. That is where I met my wife, Patty, a Princess Kay candidate at the time, in front of the cattle building. Patty turned out to be my Princess Kay. Being from a dairy farm, she understood why we sometimes saw each other only monthly. Nonetheless, our goals were the same. I nally took her By Laura hints and asked her to marry me. Rosenhammer As our family was growing, we The Transition Pen did everything possible to involve the children in our way of life. The highs came with the birth of a new calf, a twin or even triplets; the lows included saying goodbye to a 4-H cow. A range of feelings were experienced together. Yes, the feeling of owning the grand champion cow at county fair was good, but seeing your children help with chores and harvest is more touching yet. I believe Patty’s positive inuence on the children while she helped Dad with chores made all the difference. The opportunity to dairy with my family paralleled well with what I loved about my career: smaller herds, knowing every sire and every dam of every cow, cow names not numbers, good bulls that lasted ve years or longer, trying to breed the next ninetypoint cow. These were all qualities of dairying that stimulated the passion I have for my job. Rarely could I ever tell you the exact milk price, because that was an aspect I could not control; money never ruled my life. Optimistic people choose to not let money, or the lack thereof, determine their attitude. My theory was that if you worked hard, smart and put forth your best efforts – in one way or another – money would nd its way. I believe that sacrice is a valuable lesson, as well as putting your trust in God. Financial management, nonetheless, should be a priority of any and every operation in the good times and the bad. Along comes my rst daddy’s girl, Laura. I will
Dairy Star • Saturday, January 14, 2017 • Page 27
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Page 28 • Dairy Star • Saturday, January 14, 2017
Focused on family
Olsons receive 2016 Winona County award BY KRISTA KUZMA Staff writer
LEWISTON, Minn. – For many dairy farmers, switching cows in and out of a tiestall barn for milking is not the most enjoyable chore on the farm; however, for Beth Olson, it quickly became her favorite part of each day. “I always loved when the kids were home after school. The beginning of night milking was always our family time while we were switching cows. We talked about the day or what was happening in their lives. It was our time to come together as a family,” she said. Although the kids are now grown, that chore is still a time for gathering for the Olson family, who received the 2016 Winona County Farm Family of the Year award. Jim and Beth Olson farm together with their daughter, Katie, on their 75-cow dairy near Lewiston, Minn. Although their son, Trent, and his wife, Kristin, live in Wisconsin and work for dairy-related companies, they still own cows, rent land and help farm on the weekends whenever they are able.
Family has always been an integral part of the Olsons’ dairy. Their current farmsite is Jim’s family’s farm, while Beth grew up on a dairy seven miles away. After they were married in 1981, Beth and Jim formed a partnership with Jim’s parents, Jim and Ellen Olson. “We’re really grateful we had this opportunity,” Jim said. “And Beth’s mom and dad, Allen and Donna Aarsvold, have always helped us, too.” In 1992, the Olsons bought the farm and then took over the remaining part of the partnership in 1996. The couple gained inspiration to farm from each of their parents. “I never really thought about doing anything else. I had an opportunity to farm after I graduated from high school [in 1975]. It’s what I have done my whole life … and I still enjoy farming to this day,” Jim said. As a contestant for Princess Kay of the Milky Way, Beth remembers being asked during judging if she would ever marry a dairy farmer. “I said, ‘Yes, that’s what I want to do.’ So I kept my word,” said Beth, who served as the 24th Princess Kay, crowned in 1977. “I always admired my mom working alongside my dad on the farm. That’s what I wanted to do, too.” While Trent and Katie were growing up, each participated in
KRISTA KUZMA/DAIRY STAR
Beth (leŌ), Jim and KaƟe Olson stand with one of the cows on their 75-cow dairy near Lewiston, Minn. The family was named the 2016 Winona County Farm Family of the Year. 4-H and FFA, and occasionally bought their own animal to add to the herd. “That always kept them interested,” Beth said. The Olsons keep their cows in a 45-stall tiestall barn with the rest of the milking herd being housed in 18 freestalls in an adjoining shed. “We’ve always switched cows. In the summer we can usually run more cows because they’re out in the pasture,” Beth said. The animals that ll the Olsons’ barn are registered. Al-
PHOTO SUBMITTED
All members of the Olson family – (from leŌ) KaƟe, Jim, Beth, Trent’s wife, KrisƟn, and Trent – have roles on the farm.
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though the Olsons started with black and white Holsteins, the family has added some color to their herd in recent years because of Katie’s inuence. “I’ve always liked Jerseys and their personalities. It’s something a little different. Black and white can get a bit boring,” Katie said. Katie bought her rst Jersey in 2005, and also has a few Red and White Holsteins sprinkled among their black and white counterparts. Although Beth grew up with registered animals, Jim did not. He was the rst one to introduce them to his family’s farm. “We wanted more information on the families and cows,” Jim said about why they worked to register their herd. “We liked genetics and have enjoyed marketing animals through the years.” They have also enjoyed showing their registered animals, and Katie still tries to take a few to shows when possible. Along with keeping their own children interested in the dairy industry, the Olsons have given opportunities to other youth to make their own dairy path. For the past 24 years, the Olsons have hosted Winona County 4-H dairy judging practices on their farm and have leased their animals to youth
who wouldn’t have otherwise had the chance. “It’s fun to see the kids graduate through the program – see them change, mature and gain condence in themselves because of the dairy project,” Katie said. The Olsons know farming isn’t always easy. Riding the ups and downs of milk prices is considered to be the biggest challenge they’ve overcome. “Hang in there because it will always get better,” Beth said. But they’ve also had quite a few on-farm accomplishments. Changes on the farm include bigger and more comfortable stalls for the cows, making changes in the cow yard to consistently be in compliance with feed lot regulations, building a new milk house waste water system, switching to a total mixed ration and putting in a new heifer shed. But whether the Olsons are battling a challenge or smiling through an accomplishment, family is at the core of it all. “There’s no greater place to raise a family than on the farm working together,” Beth said. “It’s more of the simple things – stopping during the day to chat or tell a story or spend time together.” It makes switching cows that much more enjoyable.
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Dairy Star • Saturday, January 14, 2017 • Page 29
Two brothers with a dream
Styers run dairy, work off farm BY BRITTANY OLSON Staff writer
BOYCEVILLE, Wis. – For Shawn and Steve Styer, dairy farming is all they’ve ever known. The Styer brothers, along with Steve’s ancé, Cassie Muenzenberger, milk 20 cows on a 30-acre dairy farm tucked into a hillside south of Boyceville, Wis., not far from the boys’ hometown of Menomonie, all while each holding full-time jobs. Shawn is a regional type traits appraiser for the American Jersey Cattle Association in the central United States, while Steve works in parts and service for a local John Deere dealer. Muenzenberger is employed at Menards at the corporate level. “[Farming is] in our blood on both sides of the family. Our Grandpa Dix sold his cows in the 1980s but still had a few when we were kids, and on the Styer side of our family we’re sixth generation dairy farmers,” Shawn said. Muenzenberger grew up on a farm with registered Brown Swiss near Coon Valley, Wis., and hopes to add big brown cows to the Holstein and Jersey herd. “I’m working on it,” she said, smiling. She and Steve are marrying in September 2017. When tragedy struck in 2001, the brothers’ lives were changed forever when their dad passed away. However, it cemented a budding love for dairy cattle in their young hearts. “Once it’s in your blood, you can’t get it out,” Shawn said. Shawn and Steve, who both grew up showing cattle, had owned cattle for over 10 years and housed them at the family farm near Downsville, Wis. Two years ago, they bought their own place and started milking one year later. They’d also done some ushing and embryo transfers with their cattle in the meantime. Given their background in showing, both brothers are focusing heavily on genetics and sound cow families with their breeding. Their goal with the Holsteins is to
BRITTANY OLSON/DAIRY STAR
Shawn (le�) and Steven Styer, and Cassie Muenzenberger all have full-�me, offfarm jobs and milk 20 Holsteins and Jerseys near Boyceville, Wis. breed cows that score Excellent during classication and make 30,000 pounds of milk per lactation, and breed Jerseys that score Excellent while producing 20,000 pounds per lactation. With the Jerseys, the Styers also take component numbers into account to maintain the breed’s focus and pad their milk checks with premiums. “The components help with cash ow,” Shawn said. “With a small number of cows, it adds up quick.” Interestingly enough, they were able to buy into some of their Grandpa Dix’s breeding while creating a foundation on which to build their Holstein genetics. “We bought one of our grandpa’s cows, Dix Kite Emily, and she went back to Dix Empress Tete, who was Excellent-94. That was the beginning of our Holstein herd,” Shawn said. “We ushed her to September Storm and one of her daughters scored Very Good86 as a 2-year-old.” The other September Storm daughter died shortly after delivering a heifer calf sired by Atwood, but that Atwood calf classied Very Good as a 2-yearold and, according to the boys, could very well be the rst animal with their Styer-Vue breeding prex to score Excellent. “That surviving Atwood daughter had a heifer calf by Bradnick that was
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junior champion at the district Holstein show in 2015,” Shawn said. An emphasis on buying branches of proven cow families carries into the Styers’ Jersey herd, as well. “We purchased Ahlem Blackstone Cora, Excellent-93, and calved her in on Christmas Eve in 2015,” Shawn said. “A couple of bulls have gone to stud from that cow family.” Cora was classied again after moving to Wisconsin and is currently maxed out at Excellent-94 while waiting to be bred back. The Styers have since purchased a group of 2-year-olds from California and are particularly excited to calve them into their second lactation.
“The Jersey Udder Index (JUI) scores on a couple of the California cows are pushing 40,” Shawn said. A JUI score over 25 is considered to be outstanding. While everyone continues to get the bugs worked out going into their third year on the farm, they are guring out what works and what doesn’t work while farming and holding other fulltime employment simultaneously. “We’re working all the time,” Steve said. “We just get the necessities, like milking and feeding, done in the morning and evenings allow for catching up on things like hauling manure. It’s a lot of late nights, but it’s the only way.” Their current herd size works well with working off the farm. “Ideally, we’d like to be in that 20to 25-cow range,” Shawn said. Both of the brothers admit that this adventure has been good to them for the most part. “We could improve on some things, but we’re the happiest we’ve been yet,” Shawn said. “Those that have helped us along the way have been good to us as well, and they’ve been a huge contribution to our success.” Both Styers agreed that their focus on genetics reminds them why they farm. “The day to day gets long, but it’s rewarding and fun,” Steve said. “We classied our Holsteins last fall, and our cows scored better than we expected them to.” Shawn nodded in agreement. “It seems like every couple of months we get those reminders as to why we do this,” he said. “It’s hard to say, but I think Dad would be proud.”
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Baby, it’s cold outside Page 30 • Dairy Star • Saturday, January 14, 2017
In our area lately it seems we’ve had more days that are below average than normal. Of course, this is no weather report, just how it feels when you have to keep little boys warm. It’s been cold and windy enough that when the sun comes out and the wind calms, it feels like a January heat wave. It’s weather like this that occasionally makes me wish for the days when we milked cows in a nice, cozy, snug as a bug stall barn. I can remember our 70-stall barn lled with those four-legged heaters, so warm you could take off your hat and mittens. If your hands were cold, you just found a nice cow’s armpit to warm them up for you. The armpit usually was the spot between her front leg and shoulder, but the pocket next to her back leg and udder would work just as well. Better yet, climb up the gate in the calving pen and lay on top of Johanna to warm your whole body. My kids don’t have this advantage, so I’ve had to be clever over the past winters to keep them warm and content. Clothing becomes quite the asco when getting kids
ready to go outside. Finley and Henry don’t argue too much yet, but the older boys love to pout about how many layers they are required to wear. “Why do I have to wear my sweatshirt under my coveralls?” “It’s cold. Really cold, I would like you to come back to the barn with all your body parts.” I swear they think I’m off my rocker every time I tell them they need another layer if they think they are going to go sledding. School doesn’t let them go outside for recess if it’s too cold, and they come home all wound up from no fresh air all day. I’m not as nice as school. They need to run in the snow for a bit, so I hound until they are dressed warm enough, and ship them to the hill. Ira and Dane are lucky that one ts in Uncle Tony’s old pair of Carhartt coveralls, and the other in friends’ hand-medowns; these are the best things ever. I used a poor little heifer with four frozen teats as an example for them the other day. I made the boys touch her teats (rock hard and ice cold), and explained to them that that’s what happens to body parts not covered properly in this weather. Perhaps
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that will convince them that I do know what I’m talking about for a few days. The little boys that are out with Stacy and I daily are pretty good about the amount of clothing they have to wear. They start out with a base layer of the winter little girl tights – the warmer the better, pretty is an option. Though Ramblings from the Ridge I will tell you we currently have red with snowakes, white with owers, green with clovers, and candy cane striped pairs in rotation that are nice and cozy warm. The tights keep their legs covered and warm even when their snowpants slide up from their boots and expose their legs. Then, they have By Jacqui Davison their longjohn shirts and Columnist sweatshirts, sweatpants, warm socks, snow pants and coats. The biggest struggle with them is the mittens. They are better this winter than last year, when I had to use a shoelace to tie Finley’s up and run the string through his coat. He would take his mittens off for anything and leave them there and we kept losing mittens. It’s frustrating to be a little boy that needs to use his ngers and have to wear those bulky mittens. I carry thinner mittens in my barn pants pockets so that when they are locked in the feed alley with me, they are allowed to switch so they can drive their trucks better. We haven’t broke out the sock hands yet this year – the old Smartwool socks with the toes cut off, and a hole for the thumb that keep that gap between their hands and their arms covered. Each boy also has an extra pair of barn boots so that one can be drying while the other is worn to the barn. They can’t seem to understand that water should be saved for summer play. Of course, some days need a Masked Avenger scarf – anything that has a cool name should be worn to ward of the bad guys coming to the barn. The name generally makes it cool to wear. This brings me to entertainment for our kids in the barn. ‘Necessity is the mother of invention’ they say. When Ira was little I would bring our green turtle sandbox in the barn to stay in the vet supply room for the winter, and just ll it with sand periodically. As he got older, he graduated to being able to go play in the cow’s stalls while the cows were in the parlor by me. Henry and Finley get to play there if I’m milking, but otherwise they are in the feed alley near me out of the wind. We ll a sled with toys as we head to the new barn to vaccinate heifers. Dump trucks, loaders, skid steer – anything to keep them happy long enough to get the job done. Then it’s back to the warm milkhouse for snacks, coloring, water paints, and if we are really desperate for entertainment, we turn on cartoons on the computer. Some days it’s a matter of divide and conquer with Carmen, Melanie and I. One of us will stay back in the feed alley with the little boys while the other two go and move cows in a different barn. Of course, there’s always Linda, our dear secretary, that will let the boys tape the oor and cut up magazines and stay by her to keep warm. I can remember that when we were little, we didn’t seem to get near as cold as I do as an adult. I can only attribute that to the amount of running around outside we did. On our farm, up high on the ridge, it’s the wind that is the deciding factor in the boy’s outside play. If it’s not horrible, even the littlest ones can handle being outside for a while. In true kid fashion, they get downright mad if they can’t be outside. Good luck bundling your babies up as you head to the barn. Jacqui and her family milk 700 cows and run 1,200 acres of crops in the northeastern corner of Vernon County, Wis. Her boys, Ira (10), Dane (8), and Henry (3) 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 boys, 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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A reprieve from reality
It only took seven months to nd someone to do chores, but Sam and I got to go on our honeymoon at long last the week after Christmas. December had been a tough month for us at Berglane Farm, and I think the spouse and I were both looking forward to a break from the madness. Up until about a week or so before we left the farm, we had planned on driving somewhere warm and south of the frozen tundra that hadn’t seen an outbreak of Zika virus yet. After realizing that we’d spend more time in the car doing that than actually getting a chance to relax and unwind, we chose a destination that is often regarded as the Cape Cod of the Midwest: Door County. Our rst stop was Green Bay, where we visited the Vatican of the Wisconsinite – Lambeau Field. We’ve been known to draw big green Gs on our cows with paint sticks on game day, and Sunday evening By Brittany Olson Staff Writer chores don’t start until a 3 p.m. game ends unless the score is quite lopsided. The mere notion of our boots walking the same ground as our football heroes, Brett Favre, Aaron Rodgers, Jordy Nelson, Reggie White, Bart Starr, and Ray Nitschke, was enough to make the Packer fan in me get goosebumps from head to toe. We spent nearly all day touring Lambeau Field and the Packers Hall of Fame, marveling at how those muscled men we cheer and sometimes scream at every weekend suddenly became more real for us. For example, Ray Nitschke had a Jekyll and Hyde on and off the I think hi k h he missed i d the h cows at personality eld, and Paul Hornung’s scouting report had writhome even though he didn’t ten on it that the running vocalize it ... back’s weakness was not speed nor strength, but rather girls. Reggie White had passed away exactly ten years prior to us leaving for our trip, so anything that had to do with him was understandably crowded with adoring fans, and we got to see a softer side of Vince Lombardi that popular legend and sports media often forget to portray. Next, it was on to Door County, where it was revealed that I am better at being a tourist than Sam. I like to go shopping, visit wineries and sleep because dairy farming doesn’t allow for a lot of that. He likes to visit people and look at cows. After taking a ferry to Washington Island across a strait known as Death’s Door, and having said ferry nearly capsize during a miniature gale on the way back to the mainland, Sam nally got his wish and we went and visited some of our farming friends on that side of the state. I think he missed the cows at home even though he didn’t vocalize it, but I don’t think he would have admitted it for a minute; the only things he’s ever openly admitted to missing are me while I was away at college and football season. Although I wanted to get away from the farm even before we left, I missed it as soon as we pulled out of the driveway that Monday morning. Our friend, Jeff, who had graciously volunteered to milk for us while we were gone, said that everything went great other than the normal irritants that go along with milking an unfamiliar herd of cows. When we drove back down the farm lane on Saturday evening, the rst thing I did upon leaving the car was scoop my barn cats into my arms and hug my cattle. Like they always say, you can take the girl from the farm, but you can’t take the farm from the girl. Even though it was back to reality once again, it was refreshing and rejuvenating to take some time away from our adulthood obligations to just focus on each other for a while.
Dairy Star • Saturday, January 14, 2017 • Page 31
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Who is Tree Man? Page 32 • Dairy Star • Saturday, January 14, 2017
Scrolling through my iPhone the other day, I In the Bs there is Billy Bob and Big Jim, normal came across the entry, Tree Man, and I have no clue redneck names for good friends who don’t need a who that is. Now, Tree Man is a mystery that I will last name because that’s just who they are. There solve before I write the last paragraph to this article. are also six Bradds or Brads, and they all need last At least it’s a better name than two of our employ- names so I know who is who. I don’t want to acees who have named each cidentally call Bradd the other in their phones, as milk hauler when I want The b best part about b cell ll they both call the other one Th Brad the mechanic. I also “dumb – .â€? phones is the daily or weekly have ďƒžve Bruces and all As I start scrolling are close to my age and through my contacts, I can call history they give me. all do or did have associacall or text America. She’s tions with the same dairy Bryan’s wife, a native of El co-op. Salvador, well educated, bilingual, and a wonderful Corn Grinding, hmm, is Corn his ďƒžrst or last person to know when I need help explaining com- name? All I know is he sent us one large bottle of plicated issues like insurance to Hispanic employ- Crown Royal for Christmas. Maybe I should ask ees. Only in America can I call America. him his real name next year when he comes to grind
high moisture shelled corn, or just change his name in my phone to Crown Royal. Another contact in my phone is Dave Alfalfa; could be his last name but I’m not even sure who that is, either. I have a friend named Cal Graber from Making Cents of Dairy South Dakota that I usually call when I’m on a drive somewhere. To be safe I use Siri voice commands to make the call. If I tell Siri to call Cal Graber, she tells me that no contacts in my phone match. However, if I tell Siri to call Grabber Cal, I am soon talking to my friend. By Dave Vander Kooi There is also a JenniColumnist fer with a local number and no last name in my contacts. I think I should delete that one because I have no idea who that is. There are 11 Johns in my contacts, and one of them died in a motorcycle wreck last summer. I have a hard time deleting his name, along with three other deceased friends/contacts because then I tend to forget about them, and I’m not ready to do that. Cell phone contacts can be wonderful to have, like this morning, when at breakfast I glanced at my Facebook site and saw Merri Post was having a procedure done on her foot/ heel that sounds similar to a continuing problem I have. Merri is a fellow dairy farmer in our area, and I haven’t talked to her on the phone in probably eight years, but I had her number saved in my contacts. So I called her to compare foot miseries and I got her voicemail, of course. Maybe she uses her phone to screen calls like all the rest of us do. The best part about cell phones is the daily or weekly call history they give me. We currently are very busy installing freestalls in a new barn addition where the cell reception is spotty at best, and I don’t want to remove my gloves and dig through four layers of clothes only to miss a call. So, when I take a break in a warm truck, I can look at my texts or missed calls and see who I need to respond to. Such a far cry from 20 years ago when I would write notes on my hand of who I should call in the evening when I ďƒžnally got in the house. For two days since I started this article I have scratched my brain trying to remember who Tree Man is, but to no avail. Finally I swallowed my pride and pressed on the contact and called him. A sweet female voice on the other end answered, “Garvin Nursery how may I help you?â€? I told her why I was calling, and she seemed a bit amused and confused and I didn’t blame her. Then she said her husband moved trees, and suddenly I remembered hiring him to move some 6-foot evergreens for our family a few years ago. Now it all makes sense. Vander Kooi operates a 1,200-cow, 3,000 acre farm with his son, Joe, and daughter-in-law, Rita, near Worthington, Minn. Send him feedback at davevkooi@ hotmail.com.
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Grandpa’s music
Our barn radio is possessed. The station selector is apparently shot because the radio station changes willy-nilly. Sometimes it switches stations every two minutes; sometimes we’ll get the same station for half a day, only to come in the next morning and nd the radio tuned to a new station. The malfunction started right around Halloween, so we’ve been joking that there’s a ghost inside the radio and we’re now subject to its listening preferences. But yesterday morning’s station selection was no laughing matter. After a half-hour of the country gospel program that was playing, I was in tears. It was impossible to listen to those songs by The Carter Family, Kitty Wells and Gene Autry and Dairy Good Life not think of Grandpa. Those original folk country artists were his music. They were the artists whose cassette tapes he played in his Jeep Eagle while driving from his house to our farm. They were the artists he listened to while relaxing in his easy chair at night. And they were the artists whose music he danced to – rst with my grandmother during their basement dance parties and later with his friend, Eileen, and his granddaughters during dances at Larson Barn. Eight years ago this week, Grandpa passed away and we laid him to rest. Every reminder of By Sadie Frericks Grandpa still makes me miss him: The smell of Columnist diesel fuel on greasy hands. The way my kids stick their tongue out a little when they’re concentrating, exactly the same way he did. The sound of his music. I didn’t know it was possible to miss someone so much. Grandpa’s inuence on my life can’t be summed up in words. He was the only grandparent I ever really got to know. My other three grandparents had all passed on by the time I was in middle school. Even thought we didn’t live on the home farm, Grandpa came to our farm almost every day to help, mostly with eldwork and machinery maintenance. Grandpa always had a pliers and a spark plug in his pocket, along with enough spare change to make the whole collection jingle a little when he walked. He taught us girls everything from how to turn a wrench to how to release the clutch on the tractor. Later, when Glen and I were farming there, Grandpa still came to the farm most days, but it was more for coffee and visiting. I still consider those 18 months of near-daily visits with Grandpa to be one of the greatest gifts of my life. I was able to come back after high school and after college, when I was nally starting to understand what life is really all about and hear Grandpa’s stories with fresh ears and a new perspective. That was truly a gift. After we moved to Melrose, I tried to make as many trips up north as I could. During one of those trips, while visiting with Grandpa, he mentioned a song. For the life of me, I can’t remember how the song came up in the conversation or why it was important to him. Nor can I remember if he specically asked me to nd it for him. Grandpa didn’t ask for much. Either way, I went home and found the song he mentioned: “I’ll Be All Smiles Tonight” by The Carter Family. Then I found the lyrics and the music and learned the song. That summer at my sister’s wedding dance, I sang that song for Grandpa. Grandpa, in his best suit, and my sister in her white dress, started waltzing across the dance oor. When the words started and Grandpa heard my voice, he stopped dancing for a second, turned, and said, “Why, that’s Sadie singing.” The smile on Grandpa’s face was unforgettable. I’ve never been so proud to give someone a gift so meaningful as I was in that moment. I sang that song twice more for Grandpa. With the help of the choir teacher here in Melrose, I made a recording of me singing the song, so Grandpa could listen to it while he relaxed in his easy chair. Then, two years later, I sang for him again at his funeral. “I’ll Be All Smiles Tonight” isn’t exactly a popular funeral song, but it was perfect for Grandpa’s funeral because it was his music. And, for some reason, that song meant something extra to him. It certainly means a lot to me now. Sadie and her husband, Glen, milk 75 cows near Melrose, Minn. They have three children – Dan, 10, Monika, 7, and Daphne, 4. Sadie also writes a blog at www.dairygoodlife.com. She can be reached at sadiefrericks@gmail.com.
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Entropy
Page 34 • Dairy Star • Saturday, January 14, 2017
Entropy is a scientic term that measures disor- nearly everything. Over time entropy rules, and maxider. The second law of thermodynamics states that mum disorder, or in this case contamination, rules. everything in the universe eventually moves from orIn spite of some nifty technological achieveder to disorder, or maximum entropy. This profound ments, parlors do not really get cleaner over time idea is something we humans take for granted, even without human intervention. This means we have to though it greatly impacts our daily lives. A common be unrelenting in the battle to prevent, control and reexample of increasing entropy in the uniduce entropy. How did the walls of that verse is the breaking of an egg. We have Veterinary Wisdom parlor get so dirty, seemingly overnight? all seen an egg break. No one, however, Why is there a grimy feel to the claws has seen an egg un-break. and hoses that was not there last time you That new combine you purchased milked the cows? Why is the oor such a probably worked like a charm when you mess? brought it home. Over time though, bearFor most well managed farms, the ings wore out, belts and chains broke, and most important concept in mastitis conrust appeared. We consider this normal, trol is simple sanitation, not the latest but without the second law, you might be new teat dip, computerized gadget or able to just buy all the parts of a combine feed additive. Milking equipment needs and let it assemble itself. Or you could to be clean on the inside and outside. The buy a rusty broken down one at an aucmilking area, be it a parlor or barn, needs tion, put it in the shed in the spring and to be clean. Stalls, cows and udders need By Jim Bennett take out a clean, shiny working machine to be clean. Milkers’ hands and arms Columnist in the fall. That would be silly, and noneed to be clean. Dip cups and towels body would think such a notion is posneed to be clean. Not only is basic sanitasible because we all observe the second law in action tion the most important concept for mastitis control; every day. And, we accept it as fact. it is also most difcult to achieve, because the second For some reason, most of us also seem to go law makes sure you can never quit trying. through life expecting the second law of thermodyNeonatal calf health is often compromised on namics to not apply to certain things. We assume some dairy farms due to inadequate sanitation. The two mathings will never break, or we assume some things jor disease categories where this is important in baby will un-break if left alone. Also, we sometimes opti- calves are enteritis, or scours, and respiratory disease, mistically believe things will somehow clean them- which eventually results in pneumonia. For scours, selves, even though we really know they will not. On the breakdown in sanitation is almost always keeping the dairy farm, this assumption becomes a real prob- fecal material out of calves’ mouths. Most calf scours lem in a variety of places, but especially for mastitis are not caused by exotic pathogens, but run of the mill control and calf health. bugs that are on almost every dairy. Mastitis is inammation of the mammary gland, Cleanliness starts in the calving area, goes through and is typically caused by a bacterial infection. On the immediate management of the newborn calf and most well managed dairies, the primary source of the continues through feeding and housing older calves. bacteria is the environment. When one installs a new For respiratory disease, a breakdown in cleanliness milking parlor, the equipment is clean, and the levels most often means a decrease in air quality, speciof mastitis causing organisms on the surfaces of the cally increases in ammonia, moisture, dust and respiequipment are low. Within minutes that changes as ratory pathogens. Poor air quality leads to damage bacteria brought in by the cows nd their way onto to the integrity of the immune system of the calf and
higher levels of pathogenic organisms in respiratory tissues. None of this is magic; in fact, it is a simple concept. Too bad it is so hard to do. A sort of corollary to the second law of thermodynamics says that humans will not necessarily strive to reduce entropy on their own. This is why colleges and universities have schools of management. This explains why your employees may seem unable to see dirt and manure on that milking equipment, and why you have to constantly remind them that everything needs to be clean. They are not necessarily bad employees; it is just that the universe is working against you. If you accept this, then you accept that you need to develop procedures and systems to keep everything and everyone working the way they are supposed to be. This can be as simple as reminding someone, making a checklist, supervising, having clear job descriptions and training, or can be more complex like setting up systems of accountability and review. But, however simple or complex, it is necessary because stuff does not clean itself and expecting employees to take initiative to clean without your input is expecting too much. All of us want to hire superstars who will automatically do all of the things we want them to do. In reality, we almost always hire regular people, not superstars. On the dairy and in life, we need to ght the results of the second law of thermodynamics. Things break. Stuff gets dirty. Cleanliness is never an accident. Entropy happens everywhere. Not only do we need to accept this, we need to embrace it. Once we do so we can begin to develop systems that will prevent the slide to maximum disorder, keep everything clean and achieve success. Jim Bennett is a dairy veterinarian at Northern Valley Dairy Production Medicine Center in Plainview, Minn. He and his wife, Pam, have four children. Jim can be reached at bennettnvac@gmail.com with comments or questions.
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The sickness in health care
Every November, like clockwork, I receive notices from my doctors to make appointments for my annual preventative health screenings. They come in envelopes that announce on the outside that this is not a bill, open immediately. I like to schedule my appointment in December so the insurance company can cover them if I have used my deductible in my health care plan. Prior to the current health care law, we were not eligible for health insurance, due to pre-existing health conditions because of farming. Today with our health care plan we have a $4,500 family deductible. This includes our two 19-year-old daughters, my husband, Duane, who is 55 years old, and me at 50 years old. Farmers are notorious for not getting annual preventative check-ups, and we are not any different. If something happens, and it is not bleeding profusely or extremely painful, we put a band-aid on it or take a pain reliever. My children have never been brought in to see a doctor for runny noses, and I tend to avoid seeing my doctor unless it is something I have been concerned about for a while. For example, I have had a nagging cough since the By Tina Hinchley end of October. Not a productive cough, but enough to make people stare when I start hacking and can’t seem Farmer & Columnist to stop. Crazy as it sounds, I think “If I were a calf on our farm, would I have been treated for this cough? Yes.” So off I went. The doctor is always surprised to see me. We chat for a while, and we discuss my health. She is the doctor who diagnosed my brain tumor in 2006, after being misdiagnosed by another doctor. That year, we didn’t have health insurance and the misdiagnosis was that the headaches were due to depression, and free sample drugs were given to me to help solve the problem. After six months of sample drugs, with increased headaches, oating black spots in my vision and bladder control issues, I switched doctors. This move saved my life, and I am forever grateful to my new doctor. Shortly after my diagnosis of the tumor we went right into surgery, not knowing what to expect. Everyone knows there is no dollar amount too high to keep a loved one alive. This was a very stressful time and our livelihood would be determined if I survived. I lived, and am basically all back to normal. The medical expenses that occurred during the surgery and recovery were over $187,000. This was an eye opening experience. Duane and I went through the medical bills with a ne-tooth comb. Seeing the charges for every glove, wrap, shot and MRI scan made us notice the inconsistencies in billing. So, when I make my annual appointments for the preventative health examinations, I asked a lot of questions and I check out our options. If I went to the private MRI facility down the road, the cost was $2,670, plus another $500 to $1000 for the radiologist to read the scan. If I went to the MRI facility in the hospital, it was $7,357. The difference was over $3,600 – twice the cost. This llast round Thi d off appointments i This last round of apfor my annual MRI really made pointments for my annual really made us quesus question the profitability in MRI tion the protability in health health care. care. Since we haven’t meet our deductible yet this year, this would be out of our pocket, and I was being quoted a retail price for the medical procedures. When I told the staff member in billing at the hospital about the difference, she couldn’t believe that it was so different. I also told my neurologist about the difference, and she thanked me for telling her, because that isn’t an area in which they are informed. While in the ofce chatting about this, I touched on the fact that there are hospitals being built all over Wisconsin. This building, with the granite counter tops, fancy windows, outdoor gardens, and indoor waterfall mediation area, are all capital expenses that are being paid by the patients. She agreed. What else could she say? All health care plans have to go up in price, to pay for these new hospitals and urgent care buildings. Even if the hospitals are owned by a non-prot, it doesn’t mean they don’t prot off the care they are giving. After all, they are saving lives, and deserve to be paid very well. The health care facilities manage to balance their books to end up with zeros at the end of the year. Remember that there has been a lot of news about the CEO salaries of the health care organizations topping out at $17.3 million annually, which is being paid by the sick and dying patients and their families. It doesn’t matter what health care plan you have, if the cost of health care is being marketed to the highest paying patients. Health care is a for-prot business. After all, there is no dollar amount that is too high to save the life of a loved one, and the owners of these hospitals are banking on that. Tina Hinchley, her husband, Duane, and their daughters, Anna and Catherine, milk 120 registered Holsteins and farm 2,500 acres of crops near Cambridge, Wis. They have been hosting farm tours for over 18 years.
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Dairy Star • Saturday, January 14, 2017 • Page 35
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Page 36 • Dairy Star • Saturday, January 14, 2017
Badgerland Financial is proud to sponsor
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Kristi Tveten Rushford, Minn. Winona County 40 cows
Family: My husband, Dave, and I have three children who are all married and have families of their own: Mike and his wife, Becca, and their children, Alyvia, Myia and Ava; our son, Paul and his wife, Raeanna, and their children, Kalli, Lyza and Troy; and our daughter, Jacki, and her husband, Rob Ebner, and their son, Jorli. Tell us about your farm and your role. Dave and I started farming July 4, 1977, and then were married in October. This is Dave’s family’s farm. His dad milked cows here before us, but had to get out because of health issues. The barn sat empty before we started. We only have 40 acres, which we use for corn silage. We buy all our hay and dry corn. Dave and I share most of the duties on the farm. I mostly take care of the calves, although Dave does them every once in awhile. The only responsibility I have that Dave doesn’t do is bookkeeping, and the only chore Dave does that I don’t is hauling manure. What’s the busiest time of day for you? Mornings. It’s when we do the bulk of the chores. When we’re faced with any trouble, it comes at this time of day. We also watch one of our grandchildren a few times a week, which also makes mornings busy, but fun. When you get a spare moment what do you do? Our true love is our grandkids. There’s nothing like spending time with them. They bring us such joy. I also like to bake, garden, process and can what we garden and read. During the summer, I help with vacation bible school at church. Š2016 Badgerland Financial, ACA
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Tell us about your most memorable experience working on the farm. The ďƒžrst night we milked in the barn. We had no idea where it was going to take us, and we were very excited. It was a relatively new concept at the time to have a herd of cows, but not have the acres to support them. We have always bought most of our feed. It was a new adventure. It’s had challenges, but the good far outweighs the bad. What have you enjoyed most about dairy farming or your tie to the dairy industry? I love working with Dave every day and having our family with us. The farm has been a great way to raise a family and has taught our kids valuable lessons. It has given all of us an appreciation for animals and teaches about loving something and then having to let it go. It’s all part of the cycle of life. Even though our children don’t farm with us, they are here often. The grandkids love the farm. How do you stay connected with others in the industry? We attend workshops, go to the county fair and visit World Dairy Expo. There are several people – salespeople, nutritionist or vet – who stop here throughout the week, so we interact with those people as well. In your opinion, what’s the importance of women in today’s dairy industry and how have you seen that change over the years? Forty years ago, most women took care of calves. Many still do today and it’s still a very important job. But, I see more women taking a greater role in the management side of dairies. If you could give a tour of your farm to a prominent woman in today’s society, who would it be? I don’t have anyone speciďƒžc I would like to come, but I love to open our barn doors to anyone interested in learning more about dairy. A lot of people are so removed from where their food comes from. I like to help teach people more about it. What is the best vacation you’ve ever taken? Vacations aren’t easy to come by and usually consist of an afternoon away or sometimes an overnight; however, about 10 years ago I was able to take a trip to Montana and Wyoming with my mom, dad, sister and daughter. We drove through the Black Hills and went to Yellowstone National Park. We were gone for ďƒžve days. Shortly after, my dad passed away, so I’m thankful I was able to spend that time with him. What are some words you like to live by? I have always loved the bible verse, Philippians 4:6. To summarize, it says don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything. I always think we can’t add days to our life by worrying. One thing about farming is you can never truly plan a day, but thank goodness God has them planned for us.
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Dairy Star • Saturday, January 14, 2017 • Page 37
Westby dairy farmer opens on-farm country store
Keeping it local
BY CASSIE OLSON Sta writer
WESTBY, Wis. – From barn to freezer, Danika Wehling has always enjoyed sharing meat products from her farm with family and friends. Wehling, who milks 70 Ayrshire and Jersey cows with her husband, Nate, near Westby, Wis., saw the demand for locally grown products continue to rise in her community and an opportunity to provide just that. Since August, the Wehlings have welcomed customers to their dairy farm to shop Wehling Farms and Country Store. Owning a business has always been a dream of Wehling’s. “It was something I always wanted to do,â€? she said. “I always thought I would own a business, but I always thought it would be in town.â€? The idea of having a business in town was hard to imagine when Wehling was working in the town of Westby in 2005. It was a difďƒžcult time for many small businesses, Wehling said. “People were losing jobs in town,â€? Wehling said. “That was when we decided to rent the farm and began milking cows.â€? Wehling began milking cows in June 2005. The certiďƒžed organic dairy has since expanded to the 70 cows that make up the herd today. While she expanded, Wehling hired local high school students to complete evening and weekend milkings. The decision to hire employees proved to be worthwhile. “It freed up my time to start setting up a store,â€? Wehling said. Having sold whole or half sides of beef and eggs to friends and family for years, Wehling had a considerable demand for her homegrown product. She began receiving requests for smaller cuts of meat, but couldn’t provide them without a state license. On the farm, an under-utilized twocar garage served as a perfect location to begin a retail shop. In the summer of 2016, after applying for state business and farmer’s market licenses, she began her business by selling cuts of meat, including organically-raised beef, lamb, pastureraised pork, chicken and eggs. “The garage was insulated already and had siding on the inside that made it a great location. It has that country feel that people enjoy,â€? Wehling said. During the warmer months, Wehling opens up the garage doors for visitors to freely walk around. In the winter, a pellet stove heats the garage. Having several friends who design
CASSIE OLSON/DAIRY STAR
Danika and Nate Wehling opened Wehling Farms and Country Store in August 2016 on their 70-cow dairy near Westby, Wis. The store was opened aĹŒer demand for the farm’s meat and poultry products conĆ&#x;nued to rise. various craftware, Wehling saw an opportunity to grow her retail shop even further. Wehling now offers a wide variety of products – including candles, stuffed animals, honey, salsa, photography, rustic dĂŠcor and more – all created by local vendors. “My mom and I used to have a booth at area craft shows, so we are no stranger to the crafters out there,â€? Wehling said. “I knew a lot of vendors through my involvement with the Westby Syttende Mai festival, too, so I started contacting them.â€? Wehling has several creations of her own in the shop, including a homemade laundry detergent, greeting cards featuring photos she has taken on the farm, and body soap made from shea butter and goat milk. Wehling said the greatest challenge of starting her business has been advertising. “The cost of advertising can be a big challenge for any beginning business,â€? Wehling said. “You pay an expense for this advertising while the return on it is largely unknown.â€? To alleviate some of these costs, Wehling uses Facebook to share information on her store and her product offerings. “For example, I advertised my products for the opening of gun deer season – or Widow’s Weekend. It was a great success,â€? Wehling said. The retail store’s products and location have made it an attraction for the Westby community and its visitors, alike. “It has become somewhat of a destination shop,â€? Wehling said. “If people are
CASSIE OLSON/DAIRY STAR
Wehling sets up a display in her retail store. Wehling works with a variety of local craĹŒ vendors who help create the products for her to sell.
going to come out here, it usually means they are coming with a purchase in mind.â€? The most enjoyable aspect of her venture, Wehling said, is the ability to share the farm with others. She said she often takes customers to visit the animals on the farm or listens to them share stories of farms of their own. “I love getting to explain why we do what we do out here. I enjoy watching all ages enjoy the animals and seeing their eyes light up when the calves jump around or come up to them,â€? Wehling said. “It’s not a petting zoo, but rather a real, working farm that they get to see ďƒžrsthand, of-
tentimes for the ďƒžrst time.â€? Wehling said she is looking forward to seeing her business grow in the coming years. She hopes to one day grow into a new building and to grow the agricultural experience for her customers. “I would like to one day be able to do tours of the farm,â€? Wehling said. “Longterm, I am hoping to set up a different building with an outdoor sitting area. Once we have enough customers to support it, we would like to label our own organic cheese through Westby Cooperative Creamery.â€?
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Dairy Star • Saturday, January 14, 2017 • Page 39
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Andy (left), Marlis and Don Silver Monticello, Wis. Green County 90 cows How did you get into farming? I was born and raised on our sixth generation dairy. Our son is now farming with us, too. I always knew I wanted to be a farmer. What are your thoughts and concerns about the dairy industry for the next year? Like all the other farmers, we are all hoping for the commodity prices to increase. Life on the farm is much more protable when the product we produce can be sold at a fair market price. What do you enjoy most about dairy farming? We enjoy being our own boss and making our own decisions and choices. We can make our own schedule, multi task and take a break when we need to. What advice would you give to other farmers? Use common sense when making decisions, but don’t be afraid to ask questions or get help from others. It is best to have a good support team you can turn to when you need solid information. A knowledgeable veterinary, agronomist, nutritionist and accountant all play important roles for your dairy. What is the best purchase you’ve ever made on your farm? We purchased our square baler in 2001 which cut our labor. It greatly improved our hay quality by making it very efcient. What has been your biggest accomplishment while dairy farming? We were able to raise our family (Andy, Sarah and Amy) on the farm. To watch them grow and learn responsibilities and all the life lessons that a farm has to offer was priceless. Also to bring our son, Andy, into farming with us. On the material side, our heifer/calf facility and our shop are great accomplishments. What are your plans for your dairy in the next ve years? We want to improve our dairy operation by using more technology, increasing efciency without increasing our herd size.
What is your favorite thing to do on the farm? Getting out in the eld in the spring time to start a new season. Planting the new crops and watching them grow. What is your favorite dairy product? Cheese is on the top of our list. Especially the cheese from Silver and Lewis Cheese Cooperative which is only a mile down the road. What is your favorite tool? The cordless tools are our favorite; they are handy to take wherever we need them. The cordless drill and grinder are probably used the most. If you could add one thing to your farm regardless of price, what would it be? A robotic milker for our dairy would be wonderful. How do you or your family like to spend time when you are not doing chores? In the summertime, we enjoy sitting on our porch, talking and taking in the view. Just being together.
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Page 40 • Dairy Star • Saturday, January 14, 2017
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