The Great Christmas “GRAND” PRIZE
GIVEAWAY
See pages 24 and 25 of this section for details!
DAIRY ST R
November 26, 2022
“All dairy, all the time”™
Volume 24, No. 19
Vosberg plans for the next generation By Abby Wiedmeyer abby.w@dairystar.com
CUBA CITY, Wis. – Tim Vosberg was working a white-collar job in the Chicago suburbs when he was in his 20s. Employed by a dairy equipment manufacturer, he was sent around the country to troubleshoot issues on large dairy farms. When his youngest brother died in 1997 and his dad needed help running the farm in Grant County, Vosberg traded his suit and tie for a life of dairy farming. “When tragedy happens to your family, you really evaluate what’s important,” Vosberg said. “Climbing the corporate ladder didn’t seem
Choosing to farm like it was all that important anymore.” When Vosberg entered the world of dairy farming once more, he forged his path on a farm of his own while his brother, Mark, took over their father’s farm. Today, Vosberg milks 120 cows on an organic farm with the help of his wife, Heidi, and their six children, Gwen, Wesley, Tabitha, Calista, Serena and Rachel. Wesley’s girlfriend, Cailyn Lord, is also involved in the operation, and Vosberg’s nephew, Tyler, helps full time on the farm. The family farms 380 acres and has 70 acres in pasture. Vosberg said he plans to transition the responsibilities of the farm to the next generation over the next 10 years and explore a different career path in his 60s. “I want to transfer all
ABBY WIEDMEYER/DAIRY STAR
Tim Vosberg (le�) stands with his daughter, Calista, Cailyn Lord and son, Wesley, Nov. 4 in their parlor near Cuba City, Wisconsin. The Vosbergs milk 120 cows and installed a Germania herringbone parlor last year to increase efficiency.
the responsibility to the next love to be one that transigeneration early,” Vosberg tions to something else and said. “I personally would not be in charge until I’m 85
Mee�ng in the middle
Ferrys combine herds for greater efciency By Stacey Smart
stacey.s@dairystar.com
BRILLION, Wis. – Three years ago, Brandon and Shianne Ferry and Brandon’s dad, Tim, decided to combine their milking herds. The arrangement gave way to needing less labor and providing the younger Ferry with a more consistent source of feed. Both generations were spread thin, and instead of continuing to farm separately, they pooled their resources and created a win-win situation for both father and son. “My dad was looking for a way to cut down on labor, and I was looking for an easier way to nd feed,” Brandon said. “I had a hard time nding quality feed. But here, we have a consistent source, and that’s a big thing. Also, my wife and I
STACEY SMART/DAIRY STAR
The Ferry family – Shianne (from le�), Brandon and Tim – milk 300 cows near Brillion, Wisconsin. The Ferrys combined herds at a rented facility in 2019 to help reduce labor and provide more consistent feed.
had two kids at the time and wanted to make it easier to farm while raising a family.” Now, Brandon and his father share the work on the farm they rent near Brillion where they milk 300
cows. Their milking herds converged at a neutral location between their two farms when Brandon’s herd of 80 cows joined his dad’s herd of 220 in 2019. Tim has been milking at this location for 12 years
after moving his herd from Pickett, where Brandon grew up. Cows are milked twice a day in a double-8 herringbone parlor and housed in a 240-stall freestall barn. Tim and Brandon rent the buildings while another farmer rents the land. “That farmer puts up the feed for us, and we purchase it from him,” Brandon said. Brandon used to feed his cows corn silage, baled hay and top-dressed grain. Now, his cows receive a total mixed ration consisting of corn silage, haylage, and a corn and protein mix. Brandon’s farm is about 5 miles away near Hilbert, and Tim’s farm is about 1 mile from the farm they rent. Youngstock remain at each of their respective farms. Tim also houses all of the dry cows and springing heifers, and all animals calve at his farm. Turn to FERRYS | Page 8
years old. I can still support Turn to VOSBERG | Page 7
Demand for dairy
USDEC sees increased exports By Tiffany Klaphake tiffany.k@dairystar.com
Dairy is in 96% of U.S. households using up 80% of what the United States produces. The rest is exported. That is where the United States Dairy Export Council comes in. Krysta Harden is the U.S. Dairy Exports Council president and CEO. “If you look at exports, there is no way that you can’t be excited about what’s coming,” Harden said. “Somebody is going to meet the demand. I think it should be the U.S.” Consumers are becoming more aware of how dairy can be used, and marketing, Turn to EXPORTS | Page 6