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Last Chance
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8 201 2019
DAIRY ST R “All dairy, all the time”™
Volume 20, No. 20
New farm bill passes by a landslide Includes muchneeded reforms to help dairy farmers By Stacey Smart Contributing Writer
The recent passing of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, or farm bill, may bring a ray of hope to America’s dairy farmers. The legislation allocates subsidies to farmers and expands programs specically aimed to help dairy producers. The bill gives dairy operations more risk management options, makes it easier for farmers to secure loans and offers increased margin protection to compensate for low milk prices while allowing more dairy farmers to take advantage of the dairy price support. “This bill is a strong start to addressing the issues our producers are facing right now, particularly our dairy farmers,” said House Agriculture Committee ranking member Rep. Collin Peterson (D-MN), in a farm bill conference report released Dec. 10. “The bill’s new provisions will offer more exible coverage for lower cost when dairy farmers need it most, and provide producers more tools to manage their risk.” The $867 billion bill replaces the Agricultural Act of 2014 which expired Sept. 30 and offers greater protection than the previous bill. “The economic downturn in farm country is hitting dairy hardest of all,” Peterson said. “In my home state of Minnesota and in neighboring Wisconsin, an average of two dairies are going out of business every day. The provisions in this bill will provide expanded, Turn to FARM BILL | Page 5
December 22, 2018
Country boy at heart
Easter Seals FARM program keeps Krautkramer farming By Cassie Olson Contributing Writer
MARATHON CITY, Wis. – Jerome Krautkramer was meant to dairy farm. When the effects of an early-age car accident caught up to his body, however, the 65-year-old farmer knew he needed to do something if he was going to make it to retirement. Thanks to the help of Easter Seals Wisconsin, Krautkramer feels blessed to have nearly reached his goal of retirement after milking his herd of 135 cows for the last 33 years near Marathon City, Wis. At the age of 18, Krautkramer was one week away from beginning his rst semester of college when his life was changed forever. While driving into work one foggy August morning, the vehicle he was riding in was struck by a gravel truck. “There were three of us riding together into work that morning,” Krautkramer said. “Visibility was very poor, and we were t-boned by a gravel truck making a turn.” Turn to KRAUTKRAMER | Page 6
PHOTO SUBMITTED
Jerome Krautkramer has been able to dairy farm with a degeneraƟve herniated disk because of modicaƟons throughout the farm thanks to Easter Seals Wisconsin. Krautkramer milks 135 cows with his brother, Paul, on their farm near Marathon City, Wis.
Dear Mr. Trump Olson writes to president on milk prices By Danna Sabolik
danna.s@dairystar.com
DANNA SABOLIK/DAIRY STAR
Hannah Olson, daughter of Carl and Heather Olson, holds the leƩer President Trump wrote her in response to her concern over current milk prices. The Olsons milk 55 cows near Hanover, Minn.
HANOVER, Minn. – Most people can say a letter penned by the president is not what awaits them in their mailbox. But, for one 12-year-old girl, a letter from President Donald Trump was awaiting her in the mailbox on her family’s dairy farm near Hanover, Minn. Hannah Olson came home from school in midSeptember with an idea for her writing class assignment. The assignment was to write a letter to a famous person about a concerning issue. Hannah decided to write a letter to President Trump about milk prices. Hannah and her family – parents, Carl and Heather, and siblings Haylie, 10, and Charlie, 4 – milk 55 cows and
farm 300 acres. With the help and advice of her parents, proofreading from her teacher, Mrs. Bohlmann, and inspiration from her favorite cow, Paris, Hannah had the ingredients she needed for a letter. The letter was sent and Hannah was satised. In late November, her teacher, Mr.Randall, gave Hannah something she never expected: a reply from 1600 Pennsylvania Ave in Washington, D.C. “She was really excited,” Heather said. “She didn’t think the president was going to write back.” In her letter, Hannah addressed issues she feels are threatening her future on the family farm. Turn to TRUMP | Page 7
Page 2 • Dairy Star • Saturday, December 22, 2018
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 (ofďƒžce) 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 - Associate Editor (320) 352-6303 • andrea.b@dairystar.com Krista Kuzma - Assistant Editor (507) 259-8159 • krista.k@dairystar.com Jennifer Coyne - Assistant Editor (320) 352-6303 • jenn@dairystar.com Ruth Klossner (507) 240-0048 cowlady@centurylink.net Danielle Nauman (608) 487-1101 danielle.n@dairystar.com Danna Sabolik - Staff Writer (320) 352-6303 • danna.s@dairystar.com Maria Bichler - Copy Editor 320-352-6303 Advertising Sales Main Ofďƒžce: 320-352-6303 Fax: 320-352-5647 Deadline is 5 p.m. of the Friday the week before publication Sales Manager - Jeff Weyer (Northern MN, East Central MN) 320-260-8505 (cell) jeff.w@dairystar.com Mark Klaphake (Western MN) 320-352-6303 (ofďƒžce) 320-248-3196 (cell) Laura Seljan (National Advertising, SE MN) 507-250-2217 fax: 507-634-4413 laura.s@dairystar.com Jerry Nelson (SW MN, NW Iowa, South Dakota) 605-690-6260 jerry.n@dairystar.com Mike Schafer (Central, South Central MN) 320-894-7825 mike.s@dairystar.com Amanda Hoeďƒ&#x;er (Eastern Iowa) 320-250-2884 • amanda.h@dairystar.com Lori Menke (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 ďƒžnal acceptance of the advertiser's order. Letters Letters and articles of opinion are welcomed. Letters must be signed and include address and phone number. We reserve the right to edit lengthy letters. The views and opinions expressed by Dairy Star columnists and writers are not necessarily those of the Dairy Star LLC.
The Dairy Star is published semi-monthly by Dairy Star, LLC, 522 Sinclair Lewis Ave., Sauk Centre, MN 56378-1246. Periodicals Postage Paid at Sauk Centre, MN and additional mailing ofďƒžces. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Dairy Star, 522 Sinclair Lewis Ave., Sauk Centre, MN 56378-1246.
North America dealers. A glance at what’s inside
Dairy Proďƒžle brought to you by your
Merry Christmas and happy New Year from everyone at Dairy Star. We have been busy here checking our lists twice, making presents and preparing the animals to deliver gifts. Oh, wait! That’s Santa Claus. Well, maybe it applies to dairy farmers, too. The parallels are quite comical, both dairy farmers and Mr. Claus work all year, ensure constant care for the health of their animals and are constantly striving for a better product. I’d say there’s a bit of St. Nick in us all. All joking aside, we wish a warm holiday season to you and yours. Let’s check out what is in the Dairy Star this issue. The 2018 Great Christmas Grand Prize Giveaway winners have been announced. We drew three lucky names to win $1,000 this year for our adult drawing and one name for our youth By Mark Klaphake drawing to win a heifer calf. Read about how Jolene Martin, Editor Aaron Albrecht and Scott Herber plan to spend their extra cash, and how Dillon Van Ess likes his new calf on pages 10 and 11 of the ďƒžrst section. Read about the Koopmann farm and their two Lely robots they installed in 2015. To save on costs, they installed the robots in their existing facility and have been happy with the decision since. Learn about how they manage robots on pages 3 and 4 of the second section. Also in the second section on page 21 you can read about Phil Plourd’s projection of the dairy markets for 2019 and his six positive takes on the current state. Calhoun Creamery in northeast Iowa is merging with Foremost Farms, effective Jan. 1, 2019. Read more about this on page 13 of the ďƒžrst section. In our From Our Side of the Fence feature, we spoke with dairy farmers about what activities they are involved in off the farm during the winter months. Read about a basketball coach, woodworker and snowboarder on pages 15 and 16 of the ďƒžrst section. Kids Corner this issue is with the Josh and Kate Altendahl family who farm near Albany, Minn. Read about their kids’ favorite and least favorite chores, and favorite animals on pages 8 and 9 of the third section. Dr. Gordie Jones presented at the Vita Plus Summit on Dec. 6 about the future of dairy and how it will become larger-scale and more technology-integrated. Read more about this on page 20 of the second section.
Favorite quotes from this issue: “I have tremendous love for the cows. I always have.� -Martin Hall (Page 39, First Section)
“Sometimes we might need a moment of blindness to clear our vision and change our focus.� -Natalie Schmitt (Page 32, First Section)
By the Numbers
number of 4,400: The cows on Victory
Farms near Revillo, S.D. (Pages 24, 25,
First Section)
The number of grilled 500:cheese sandwiches
served in less than three hours at Christmas on the Farm (Pages 34-35, First Section)
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Dairy Star • Saturday, December 22, 2018 • Page 3
It’s all inside... Columnists Ag Insider
Pages 8-9 First Section
Our expansion project Page 22 First Section
Hixton
Dairying Around the World: New Zealand
FSA News & Notes
Second Section: Pages 14 - 15
Page 26 First Section
First Section: Pages 1, 6
Wisconsin Dells
ur
n
Marketing valueadded dairy products
Burnett
Polk
Barron
Sawyer
Price
First Section: Page 37
First Section: Pages 15 - 16
Rusk Taylor
Page 32 First Section
Pierce
Dunn
Pepin Buffalo
Westby
Dairy Prole: Martin Hall First Section: Page 39
Chippewa
Marathon Clark
Eau Claire Trempealeau
St. Croix
Just Thinking Out Loud
The “Mielke” Market Weekly
hb
From Our Side of the Fence
W as
Eau Galle
Page 31 First Section
Page 33 First Section
Iron Ashland
Something to Ruminate On
Dairy Good Life
Bayeld
Douglas
Page 27 First Section
Page 30 First Section
Easter Seals FARM program keeps Krautkramer farming
First Section: Pages 34 - 35
The Transition Pen
Ramblings from the Ridge
Marathon City
Garden Valley Farmstead hosts Christmas on the Farm
Wisconsin Dells
Value-added products making a difference for Daniels
Wood Jackson Adams
La Crosse Monroe
Third Section: Pages 2- 3
Juneau Vernon
Pages 10 - 11 Second Section
ford
Richland
Sauk
Craw
Zone 2
Iowa
Fond Du Lac Columbia
Dane
J
Green
n
so
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Grant Lafayette
Dodge
Rock
Loganville
Roecker reappointed to National Dairy Board
For additional stories from our other zone, log on to www.dairystar.com
First Section: Page 28
Give milk production a push GEA’s FRone works around the clock to keep feed at the bunk, maximizing your cows’ production. Could your bunk management routine use a little extra push? GEA’s FRone automated feed pusher provides consistent, high-quality feed available day and night to boost production results from your whole herd. It’s easy to use, charges fast and contains twin batteries for maximum run time. With the help of GEA’s FRone, you can push the limits on your feeding program.
Page 4 • Dairy Star • Saturday, December 22, 2018
Hay Net ®
At least 94% efficient
WINTER DISCOUNTS ON SEED
IH 1086, sharp - $19,000
25% OFF ALL TOYS
CIH 8930, FWA, low hours ..................Coming In CIH 8920, FWA, nice .............................. $69,000 CIH 7220, 2WD, 2300 hrs, 18.4x42 ....... $71,000 CIH 7240, FWA, 2500 hrs ..................Coming In CIH 7230, FWA, 540-1000 pto ...................... Call CIH 7220, 2WD, 6900 hrs ............................. Call CIH 5240 Maxxum, FWA w/loader ......... $48,000 IH 766, new motor, cab .......................... $12,500 MX 135, FWA, 3062 hrs ......................... $62,000 JD 2940, duals ....................................... $12,500
CORN
SOYBEANS
TILLAGE
CIH Tigermate II, 28’ .............................. $18,000 CIH Tigermate II, 30’ .............................. $21,000 CIH 4800, 28’ & 26’ ................................. $8,500 CIH 4800, 28’ w/IH mulcher..................... $8,500 CIH 3950, 24’, nice ................................ $21,000 CIH 530B ripper w/lead shanks .............. $17,000 CIH 530B w/lead shank .......................... $13,000 CIH 530C ripper ..................................... $23,000 CIH 496, 21’, non cusion ....................... $11,500 White 445, 11 shank ................................ $6,500 DMI 530B w/lead shank ........................ $15,500 JD 714, 13 shank ................................... $11,500
WINTER DISCOUNTS ON CHEMICALS
SPANIER
Gates, Bunk Feeders, Round Bale Feeders, One-Sided Feeders
COW HAY FEEDERS
HAYING & FORAGE EQUIP.
Sitrex QR12 rake .......................................... New Many sizes of rakes available (2) Meyer 4516 silage box, 16’, nice ...... $11,000 Badger 16’................................................ $2,500 H&S XL 16’ .............................................. $4,500
• Supported bale off the ground SAVE gives 90-99% efficiency! YOUR • Withstands harsh environments VALUABLE • Reduces hay sorting HAY! • 8’ diameter, 5’ or 6’ in height
Gilman Co-op Creamery
FEED & FARM SUPPLY STORE
CIH 7230, 3500 hrs., new rubber, nice - $71,000
USED TRACTORS
Through Christmas Eve!
PRODUCTS
CIH 8940,
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CIH 7120, 2WD
Call GRAVITY BOXES
VARIOUS SIZES OF GRAVITY BOXES ON HAND Demco 650 grain cart, ‘12, green & black .$18,500 Demco 550 .............................................. $9,500 Demco 450 .............................................. $9,500 4) Demco 365 ................................$4,500-5,500 Unverferth 430 ......................................... $9,500 All sizes of used Demco gravity boxes avail.
MISCELLANEOUS
Midsota 5510 & F610 rock trailers........ In Stock Various sizes of New Agrotrend snowblowers............................................... Call JD 450 13’ w/grass, press wheels ......... $11,500 Midsota F8216 rock trailer - Call New Midsota Rock Wagons .................On Hand All Sizes of Sitrex Rakes.........................On Hand We have a large selection of snowblowers in stock! WE HAVE A LARGE SUPPLY OF NET WRAP ON HAND
NEW MANDAKO LAND ROLLERS IN STOCK
FARM OYL PRODUCTS AVAILABLE
GREENWALD FARM CENTER
Gilman, MN 320-387-2770
Open M-F 7:30-7, Sat. 7:30-5, Sun. 8:30-1
Greenwald, MN • 320-987-3177
Good service - fair prices - every day
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BEFORE Exfoliation
TEAT END ISSUES?
AFTER
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OUR TEAT DIPS ARE NPE FREE!
WINTER TEAT DIP
• Dual Germicide: Primary: Chlorine Dioxide promotes a quick kill. Secondary: LAS promotes a long-lasting kill. • Effective against ALL Mastitis-Causing Organisms • Contains Lactic Acid to promote Teat Exfoliation • Teat skin conditioning – 12.4% skin conditioning package • Green coloring for easy identification
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Marianne says, “Recover is a very good, economical post winter dip that brings terrific results, especially when releasing cows in the cold winter elements as we do. Cows do very well on it…teats are well conditioned!” Marianne Peterson Pine City, MN • 400 Cows - 3X
We wish all of our dairymen and dairywomen a wonderful holiday season. May you enjoy warm, family, and good health as we celebrate the season of Christ’s birth.
Merry Christmas! From The MEDA Team and Dealers
FOR MORE INFO - CONTACT ONE OF THESE DEALERS... Advanced Dairy Systems
9 State Rd. 29 • Spring Valley, WI 54767 (715) 772-3201
Anderson Dairy Systems, Inc. 1312 13 1/2 Ave. • Barron, WI 54812 (715) 537-3300
Athman Dairy Inc.
D&D Ag Supply
East Central Dairy Supply
238 Main Street North • Pierz, MN 56364 (320) 468-2494
133 Atlantic Ave. NE • Pennock, MN 56279 (320) 599-4466
Champion Milking Systems
Dairyland Equipment Services, Inc.
Eastern Iowa Dairy Systems
Dairyland Services, LLC
Fuller’s Milker Center, Inc.
23218 350th Street • Albany, MN 56307 (320) 845-4156
24260 Cty. Rd. 27 • Plainview, MN 55964 (507) 534-3161 2545 80th Ave • Woodville, WI 54028 (715) 698-4370
2195 Hwy. 23 • Mora, MN 55051 (320) 679-1029
105 3rd Ave. NW • Epworth, IA 52045 (563) 876-3087 423 U.S. 61 • Lancaster, WI 53813 (608) 723-4634
Gorter’s Clay & Dairy Equipment
1400- 7th St. SE • Pipestone, MN 56164 (507) 825-3271
Professional Dairy Systems
1449 Homecrest Ave. • Wadena, MN 56482 (218) 632-5416
Tri-County Dairy Supply, Inc.
Lang’s Dairy Equipment, Inc.
4107 N US HWY 51 • Janesville. WI 53545 608-757-2697
Mlsna Dairy Supply
12687 Hwy 18 & 52 • Postville, IA 52162 (563) 864-7417 210 N. Industrial Pkwy • West Union, IA 52175 (563) 422-5355
2337 Millennium Rd. • Decorah, IA 52101 (563) 382-8722 1126 Front Street • Cashton, WI 54619 (608) 654-5106
United Suckow Dairy
Dairy Star • Saturday, December 22, 2018 • Page 5
ConƟnued from FARM BILL | Page 1 affordable coverage options and more exibility for dairy farmers.” Furthermore, Peterson said the bill invests in outreach to beginning and underserved producers, local and organic food production, bioenergy and access to new markets. It also addresses broadband internet, stress and mental health issues, and the opioid epidemic in rural areas. Both the House and Senate voted overwhelmingly in favor of the bill, which is expected to be signed by President Trump this week. The Senate voted 87-13 Dec. 11. The next day, the House also voted in favor of the bill, 369-47. The bill received bipartisan support. In a press release, Jim Mulhern, president and CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation, said the bill was a vote of condence in U.S. agriculture and a reason for hope among dairy producers. The bill features several policy reforms for dairy, including: Higher coverage levels at more affordable and exible rates through the Dairy Margin Coverage Program (formerly the Margin Protection Program), allowing all dairy producers to insure margins above $8 on their Tier 1 (rst ve million pounds) of production history; Greater exibility to enable producers of all sizes to access Tier 1 premium rates; Reduced cost of $5 margin coverage by roughly 88 percent; Expanded access to additional risk management tools, permitting producers to participate in both the DMC and Livestock Gross Margin insurance program. This revamp to the risk management program makes it more affordable and also allows farmers to enroll in multiple federally-
funded programs simultaneously; Continued support for land and water conservation programs that assist dairy producers, like conservation innovation grants; Nutrition provisions intended to enhance uid milk consumption. The farm bill makes critical reforms to dairy programs, which will help farmers recoup some of their losses and boost income going forward. For example, strengthening the dairy insurance program by adding coverage options at less expensive rates and refunding up to $58 million in premiums paid under the old program will help dairy producers gain traction in the New Year. “The 2018 Farm Bill is our opportunity to make the American food and agriculture systems work more efciently,” said House Agriculture Committee Chairman Sen. Pat Roberts (R-KS) in the Dec. 10 farm bill conference report. “As promised, this farm bill provides much-needed certainty and predictability for all producers – of all crops – across all regions across the country.” New farmers and farms looking to diversify will benet from programs like the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program, value-added producer grants, and the Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program – all of which will receive permanent, mandatory funding under the new bill. In addition, $300 million will be invested into the prevention and response for animal pests and disease. The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 may very well serve as the light at the end of a long, dark tunnel – a factor to turn things around for agriculture and dairy in particular.
As we deck the halls with all the trimmings and traditions of Christmas, we hope the joys of the season bring a smile to your face and contentment to your heart! Thanks for brightening our year with your support and friendship. It means the world to us!
320-836-2145 or 800-450-2145
Check out our newly redesigned website to ½nd a Famo Feeds dealer near you!
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of M
me n t
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MILKING EQUIPMENT • MANURE EQUIPMENT FEEDING EQUIPMENT • HOUSING • ROUTE SUPPLIES
41st Annual Midwest Farm Show Wednesday & Thursday, Jan. 9th & 10th at the La Crosse Center, La Crosse, WII Show Hours: 9 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. daily
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Plus...
• 60,000 square feet of indoor space devoted d to farm products and equipment • Antique tractors/implements by Beaches Corner Classic Tractor Club
New!
As seen on the Tonight Show w it Jay Leno Comed h y Juggler Steve Russell
Coordinated by Bill and Sally Henry of North Country Enterprises. For info call (715) 289-4632 or email: nceinfo.4632@gmail.com
Page 6 • Dairy Star • Saturday, December 22, 2018
ConƟnued from KRAUTKRAMER | Page 1
Willmar, MN • 320.231.1470
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Krautkramer recalled being knocked out from the hit and moments later waking up to realize what had happened. He pulled himself from the vehicle just before the vehicle was rearended by another gravel truck. “While we all survived, all of us were injured from the crash,” Krautkramer said. “My hipbone broke off in the back, I had a bruised kidney, collapsed lung, and they had to remove my spleen.” After two months on bedrest and an additional three months of healing, Krautkramer began school the following January and went on to graduate from the technical college printing program in Wausau, Wis. Upon graduation, Krautkramer began his career as a newspaper journalist in northern Wisconsin before returning to the Wausau, Wis., area to work at a print shop – a job that required a signicant amount of heavy lifting. While in this role, neighbors of the farm where Krautkramer grew up approached him with the opportunity to buy their dairy farm. “I thought to myself, ‘Well, I’ll try it,’” Krautkramer said. “I’m a country boy at heart, anyway.” Krautkramer’s brother, Paul, had also begun farming a few years prior on their home farm down the road. After four years of farming separately, the brothers merged their herds and began a partnership. Today, the brothers milk the 135 cows and farm 700 acres of land that make up Krautkramer Brothers Dairy Farm. In the years that followed his accident, Krautkramer said his hips and back bothered him but had minimal effect on his daily routine. “Young bones heal, but age catches up to you with time,” Krautkramer said. Tasks around the farm such as bedding and feeding began to increase in difculty. In 2014, at the age of 61, Krautkramer knew something needed to change if he was going to make it to retirement. “I wanted to farm until I turned 66 [in order] to get full social security benets,” Krautkramer said. “I have a degenerative herniated disk, which essentially means I have arthritis in my back that keeps getting worse.” In the winter of 2014, an implement dealer delivering a load of parts to Krautkramer made a suggestion that would help him reach his goal. “I mentioned that my back was bothering me as I asked [the dealer] to pick up a particularly heavy box,” Krautkramer said. “He mentioned that the Easter Seals helps keep farmers with disabilities farming.” According to their website, the Easter Seals FARM program began
in 1989 to help farmers return to farming after a disabling accident or illness. Krautkramer reached out to Easter Seals to see what options were available for his farm. A month later, Jeff Kratochwill, a rural rehabilitation specialist with Easter Seals Wisconsin, visited the farm to evaluate areas that could help alleviate Krautkramer’s pain. By the following spring, Easter Seals had provided Krautkramer with an automatic feeder for the barn, sand shoot attachment for the skidsteer, a tray attachment for his ATV for hauling water and milk to calves, and quick hitches for the farm’s chopper boxes. Krautkramer said all of the adjustments have greatly beneted his day-to-day routine. “I used to push six wheelbarrows of feed from the feed room to the barn twice per day, use a shovel to level down sand in the free stalls and carry four, 5-gallon pails of water to the calf hutches twice per day,” Krautkramer said. “These adjustments took the pressure off of my back and hips.” Four years later, Krautkramer is especially grateful for the help of Easter Seals. Turning 66 in January, he is looking forward to reaching his goal of retirement during the 2019 summer. “My nephew is interested in cropping on the farm, so my brother and I intend on helping him get started,” Krautkramer said. “I owe it to Easter Seals that I made it to my goal.” Krautkramer said Easter Seals’ generosity has beneted more individuals than only himself. “Because I was able to stay farming, I was also able to keep four other hired hands employed,” Krautkramer said. “It’s more than just one farmer who is effected by these tools; four other families beneted from these gifts, as well.” Krautkramer admits that while asking for assistance is difcult, other farmers who are in pain or struggling should consider reaching out to Easter Seals to see what resources are available for them. “As farmers, we don’t always like asking for help,” Krautkramer said. “I wasn’t sure I wanted to ask for help, either, but I wouldn’t be here if I had not done it.” Krautkramer looks back on his dairying career with nothing but fondness. With plans is to retire this summer, he admits he will not really be retiring. “Farmers don’t retire; we just slow down a little bit,” Krautkramer said. “I didn’t plan to be a farmer; it just happened that way. If given the chance, I would do it all over again.”
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Dairy Star • Saturday, December 22, 2018 • Page 7
ConƟnued from TRUMP | Page 1 “It is hard work to feed the world when you don’t get paid much,” Hannah said. “I want to take over the family farm someday, but I cannot if my family has to sell the cows, because they are not getting paid a fair price.” In President Trump’s reply, he stated his commitment to helping working American families. “Please know that I understand your concerns and hear your frustration,”
President Trump said in the letter. Getting a reply from the president was a special highlight in the seventh- and eighth-grade classrooms at Salem Lutheran School in Greeneld, Minn. “I thought, ‘Oh my gosh this is a letter from Donald Trump,’” Hannah said. “I was so excited and so were my friends.” Some classmates
DANNA SABOLIK/DAIRY STAR
Carl and Heather Olson with their children, Hannah, 12, Haylie, 10, and Charlie, 4, milk 55 cows near Hanover, Minn.
heard back from their letters including a reply from the technology company, Apple, and the Patriots coach, but for the most part students were starstruck with a reply from the president. Even Hannah’s parents were surprised. “I didn’t think she was going to get a response,” Carl said. “We were not expecting that.” Heather agreed. “I was hopeful, but everyone at school told her she wasn’t going to get a response from the president so she was disappointed,” she said. “All her classmates that got responses got theirs way before her.” Hannah’s idea for the letter stemmed from her dad having to work a second job and a suggestion from Grandpa Klatt, her mother’s father who also dairy farms. “My dad has to work off the farm,” Hannah said. “It would be nice if he didn’t have to, and he could get paid right and stay on the farm.” Carl works for the city of Hanover’s public works department to provide added income while combating low milk prices. Hannah’s parents said she asks questions about the dairy climate and wants to be involved. “The way you can change [policy] is to call your elected ofcials,” Carl said. “I truly believe in that if you’re not involved in government they’re
DANNA SABOLIK/DAIRY STAR
This is a rough draŌ of the leƩer Hannah Olson sent to President Trump for a school assignment.
not going to hear your story so you have to be involved.” Hannah wants people to know she is concerned for all small dairy farmers who are
not being fairly compensated. “Farming is so important to me, and it is all I want to do,” Hannah said. “It is what I feel God is calling me to do.”
Page 8 • Dairy Star • Saturday, December 22, 2018
Dairy farmers get a helping hand in new farm bill The House passed the farm bill with a vote of 369 that more accurately reďƒ&#x;ect the losses in the dairy to 47, the largest margin of victory on record. While industry.â€? there are not signiďƒžcant changes in the new farm bill, incoming House Agriculture Committee Chairman Check schedule for informational meetings The University of WisconsinCollin Peterson said dairy farmers will Ag Insider Extension will host a series of beneďƒžt from the new legislation. “The information meetings to outline the new things that I worked on were dairy and Dairy Revenue Protection program. I would say that the dairy part of the bill Nearly 20 meetings are scheduled in the for farmers is probably the best part of ďƒžrst quarter. The meetings will highlight the bill. They got the best deal out of this the structure of the new program, and they needed it because we’re losing implementation and a decision-making dairy farmers like crazy.â€? For dairy tool. farmers with less than 5 million pounds of production, Peterson said “you will Evers pledges to work across the aisle not be able to lose money, unless you Governor-Elect Tony Evers really try.â€? participated in a meeting with other governors and President Donald Trump. Senators Split on Farm Bill Vote By Don Wick In an editorial, Evers said there are The U.S. Senate passed the farm bill Columnist issues of disagreement between him and with a margin of 87 to 13. Wisconsin Trump, but he has respect for the ofďƒžce Senator Tammy Baldwin voted for the bill, citing the new dairy title provisions and the of the president. Evers said he believes Wisconsin funding for mental health resources for agricultural voters elected him because he “will always put workers. Senator Ron Johnson was one of 13 GOP people before politics.â€? Trump said the state cannot Senators voting against the farm bill. Johnson is afford to have the dairy industry suffering because of opposed to what he calls “runaway spendingâ€? on the the current trade war. food stamp program. Changes made in school lunch requirements The USDA is implementing changes in the NMPF is pleased with new farm bill In the new farm bill, the Margin Protection national school lunch and breakfast programs. For Program for dairy farmers has been renamed and will the dairy industry, the biggest change came with the be known as the Dairy Margin Coverage Program. return of low-fat ďƒ&#x;avored milk in school cafeterias. National Milk Producers Federation senior vice president of communications Alan Bjerga said this Change is the one constant in agriculture It may be volatile markets, weather or family new program is an improvement over MPP. With the dramatic losses within the dairy industry, Bjerga issues, but everyone is dealing with some issue. said the new farm bill is needed. The dairy industry “You’ve got to learn to look after yourself, but is also looking at other options for support. “We’re you also have to get over yourself.â€? Australianstill looking at things like trying to relieve retaliatory based Dennis Hoiberg is participating in a series tariffs on Mexico against U.S. cheese exports and the of meetings in the Upper Midwest discussing trade mitigation program in terms of payment levels farm stress and resilience. Farmers often isolate
themselves during times of stress. Hoiberg said those farmers should reach out to others. “You don’t have to go out and see a counselor, you can go to your best mate, your priest or pastor. There are so many people that you can sit down with over a cup of coffee or a beer, we just need to get over ourselves and reach out.� Hoiberg emphasizes the importance of good sleep and taking care of ourselves physically and mentally. Heritage seed inventory acquired La Crosse Seed has acquired the inventory and brands of Heritage Seed Company, which is based in Madison, Wis. Heritage planned to shut down its business at the end of the year. 2022 Wisconsin Farm Technology Days announced Wisconsin Farm Technology Days will be in Clark County in 2022. The board of directors made the decision and a local committee will be formed to consider potential host sites. Jefferson County will host the show in 2019. Wisconsin Farm Technology Days will be in Eau Claire County in 2020 and Jefferson County in 2021. New leadership for Assembly Ag Committee State Representative Gary Tauchen of Bonduel will chair the Wisconsin Assembly Agriculture Committee in the upcoming legislative session. Former Chairman Lee Nerison of Westby did not seek re-election. Speaker Robin Vos also named Representative Mike Kugilitsch as chair of the Environment Committee. Representative Nancy VanderMeer will lead the Rural Development Committee. Farm Bureau awards presented at annual meeting The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation honored Turn to AG INSIDER | Page 9
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Dairy Star • Saturday, December 22, 2018 • Page 9
ConƟnued from AG INSIDER | Page 8
Don Meyer of Sauk County with its Distinguished Service to Farm Bureau Award. Meyer was instrumental in the development of the Sauk County Farm Bureau Ag in the Classroom program. Roger Cliff received the Distinguished Service to Wisconsin Agriculture Award. Cliff began his career with WFBF in 1973 as a lobbyist. For a short time, Cliff also served as the organization’s chief administrative ofcer. Kati Kindschuh, who is a student at UW-River Falls, won the collegiate discussion meet. Kelly Wilfert of Manitowoc County won the Young Farmers Discussion Meet. Justin and Livia Doyle, who are teachers in Iowa County and active in Wisconsin Farm Bureau, received the Excellence in Agriculture Award. The Young Farmer Achievement Award belongs to Ryan and Lindsey Prahl of Marathon County. Agriculture loses a true statesman Bob Bergland, 90, who was agriculture secretary in the Jimmy Carter Administration, has passed. Bergland farmed at Roseau, Minn., served in Congress from 1971 to
1977 and was a member of Carter’s cabinet. Bergland was at the helm of USDA during a very difcult time in agriculture with the Russian grain embargo and the farm crisis. In addition to his time at USDA, Bergland managed the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and was a regent at the University of Minnesota. Trivia challenge The traditional types of cheese used in fondue are Gruyere, Cheddar and Emmentaler. That answers our last trivia question. When did the modern tradition of leaving milk and cookies out for Santa begin? 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 ve grandchildren, Aiden, Piper, Adrienne, Aurora, and Sterling.
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Page 10 • Dairy Star • Saturday, December 22, 2018
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Van Ess wins calf in Christmas giveaway By Krista Kuzma
krista.k@dairystar.com
SANBORN, Iowa – One of Dillon Van Ess’ presents this year did not come in a box under the Christmas tree. The present came in a cattle trailer and was delivered to the barn. Van Ess was this year’s youth winner of the Great Christmas Grand Prize Giveaway. He won the September-born heifer calf, JE-KO Tyler Guppy, a Tyler daughter from Rohde Dairy Farm, owned by Korinna and Jeff Rohde, who dairy near Grey Eagle, Minn. “I was pretty excited. I couldn’t wait ‘til she got here,” said Van Ess, the 10-year-old son of JerJERRY NELSON/DAIRY STAR emy and Patricia Van Ess, Dillon Van Ess holds his prize calf, Guppy, at his family’s farm near Sanborn, who milk 6,500 cows near Iowa. He is this year’s winner of the heifer calf in the Dairy Star’s Great ChristSanborn, Iowa. “She’s a mas Giveaway. Dillon is the son of Jeremy and Patricia Van Ess of Sanborn, Iowa. nice looking calf.” His dad had entered him into the contest at AMPI in Sanborn, Iowa. Al- py is special. She is the rst calf Van Ess has owned. though Van Ess knew there was a chance he could As a future dairy farmer, Van Ess has big goals for win, he did not think it would happen. It was evident Guppy. when his dad told him he won the grand prize. “I’ll breed her and hopefully start a herd,” said “I said, ‘You’re kidding me, right?’” said Van Ess, Van Ess, whose future ideal dairy farm would be a who is a fourth grader at Sanborn Christian School. couple thousand cows. “I just couldn’t believe it. I thought he was lying to On his family’s dairy, Van Ess likes helping take me at rst … but then he grabbed the Dairy Star and care of the calves along with helping his dad with showed me the calf I had won.” eldwork. Guppy will live in a special pen with one other But right now his favorite chore is taking care of heifer where Van Ess can take care of her. Guppy. “We’ll treat her like a special cow,” Van Ess said. “This might be the best present I have ever gotBeing the grand prize is not the only reason Gup- ten,” Van Ess said.
A grand prize Sending Heartfelt Wishes
...with hopes that the Christmas season brings you together with friends and family from near and far. Thanks for doing business with us.
By Danna Sabolik
Randy, Sandy, Renee, Jerry, Thomas, Jim, Brian and Michael at Pierz Co-op want to wish you and your families a healthy and happy holiday season!
danna.s@dairystar.com
In order to provide you with prompt service during the holiday season please remember to order your feed early. Agron. Petro. Feed Feed: 320-468-6655 Toll Free: 877-468-6655 Agron./Petro: 320-468-2509 Toll Free: 877-438-3378
Three winners chosen at Christmas giveaway
PHOTO SUBMITTED
Jolene MarƟn is one winner of $1,000 for the Great Christmas Grand Prize Giveaway. She plans to spend the cash on a show calf for her daughter or to buy a new barn cleaner for her 120-cow dairy near Mineral Point, Wis.
Three dairy farmers from the Dairy Star coverage area won the grand prize of $1,000 in this year’s Great Christmas Grand Prize Giveaway. Jolene Martin of Mineral Point, Wis., was lucky enough to have her name drawn as one of the winners. Martin farms with her husband, Mike, and oldest son, Robert. They milk 120 Holstein and Brown Swiss, farm 300 acres and feed their bull calves. Turn to PRIZE | Page 11
Dairy Star • Saturday, December 22, 2018 • Page 11
Conďż˝nued from PRIZE | Page 10 “I read about the contest in the paper and saw there was a box at Hennessy Implement, so I decided to go in and pay my bill rather than send it in,â€? Martin said. She plans to spend the extra cash on a new show cow for her youngest daughter, McKenna, or a new barn cleaner. McKenna, 11, has been showing cattle every year since she was 1 year old. “I’m not a big gambler,â€? Martin said. “It’s nice to win something.â€?
Aaron Albrecht is another lucky winner of $1,000. Albrecht milks 140 cows with his wife, Juliette, on their farm, Bi-Pond Dairy in Pierz, Minn. Albrecht is planning to spend his winnings on a new gear for his feed mixer, so he can stop borrowing a neighbor’s. “I was very excited when I got the call,� he said. “I only entered once. I have told my kids that if I were to buy a deck of cards there wouldn’t be an ace. That’s how unlucky I usually am.�
DANNA SABOLIK/DAIRY STAR
Aaron Albrecht, pictured with his wife, Julieďż˝e, is a winner of $1,000 for the Great Christmas Grand Prize Giveaway. They farm near Pierz, Minn. Albrecht plans to spend the money on a new gear to ďƒžx his feed mixer.
PHOTO SUBMITTED
Sco� Herber, pictured with his wife, Michelle, is a winner of $1,000 for the Great Christmas Grand Prize Giveaway. They farm near Altura, Minn. He plans to pay o some bills with his winnings.
At Bi-Pond Dairy, they also raise their youngstock and are in the process of building a shed to house 1,000 calves to begin a custom calf-raising business. The planning is underway and building should break ground at the end of March. They are hoping to be fully operational by July. Scott Herber is the ďƒžnal winner of the $1,000 Christmas giveaway. “I could use that right now,â€? he said. “I have to buy my wife a Christmas present yet, but I’m sure we will use it on the farm to pay some bills.â€? Herber milks 600 cows with his wife, Michelle, on their farm near Al-
tura, Minn. Michelle manages the payroll and bookkeeping on the farm and also works in Rochester, Minn. He registered at his local co-op while attending a customer appreciation event. “I haven’t won anything for a while,� Herber said. “The last time I entered a giveaway it was $50, and I won a 60-inch color TV. My wife was mad I spent the money, but then OK with it after I won.� Signing up for Dairy Star’s Christmas Giveaway is free, so it was a nobrainer to register, Herber said.
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Page 12 • Dairy Star • Saturday, December 22, 2018
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
A proposal to allow for growth in Doing what is best for all MN the industry dairy farms
Below is a draft I wrote using control proposals from other areas of DFA in the United States. California, eastern United States, western and northeast have all taken a serious look at overproduction of milk and have implemented production control methods. This document is a combination of many ideas. The proposal allows for growth when needed and where more milk is needed. Any value that would be generated would be between the farmers who want it and those would be allowed to increase production using the base from retirees or farmers who had to leave the business for nancial reasons. Tom Vilsack believes we can export our way out of excess production. I would contend that if we keep trying to export, we will keep producing more. If we don’t control production, we can only move so much offshore. I agree we need to keep trying to increase exports, even above the 20 percent rate. However, if we do not control growth, we would produce more and be in the same position we are in now. The American way is to produce as much as we can regardless of prot. Maybe we should consider prot before production much like other industries do. This proposal is not designed for pricing, yet we all understand supply and demand affects price. The rst requirement is that the management is with Central Area Council. In order to have a method to manage future milk production, producers would be required to establish a base of production. - A farm/member could select his base from any of the last 12 months of contiguous production of any of the last seven years. This reects MPP signup. - Hardship cases could be allowed to appeal. - DFA does not recognize or warrant that there are property rights or value placed on the base. - Base stays with the farm; however, should no cows be milked on that farm for three years, the base can be passed on by a lottery drawing to any producers applying. The areas short of milk receive rst option. - The CAC would determine with assistance from management when too much milk is coming into the market place. - CAC would determine how much milk over base is in the system and then determine the price paid for milk over producers’ base. The price will reect the costs associated with marketing surplus milk at a discount plus additional transportation cost. - A hardship committee will be established to determine individual cases and make a recommendation to the balance of the CAC. - CAC may create and give extra base to areas of decient milk production. - In the event that supply greatly outperforms demand, a percentage of base milk will be priced as excess milk. Base will be allowed to grow during times of increased demand with the approval of CAC using a three-year rolling average. Base may be reduced if a farm does not produce up to 10 percent of their base allotment for three years. Hardship cases can be considered if the 10 percent level cannot be met. Charles Untz Lake Mills, Wis.
On behalf of the Minnesota Milk Board of Directors, I want to thank the 500+ people who attended our annual conference and expo in November. If you ask the farmer attendees, I hope you hear what I heard. It was an uplifting social, educational and policy-forming experience. Even with farm and business consolidation, we held our own in attendance. But, we would like to ask you why you didn’t come to this or one of our winter workshops, or what would make you come next year? Getting away to talk to other farmers is a positive thing for me. As a board, we decided to continue holding the expo. Our goals are to celebrate our award winners, provide a venue for education, raise scholarship money, complete our yearly business and have some fun. We believe we hit the mark on all points. I also want to thank new board members Ron Miller and Paul Daley. There’s plenty to work on, and if you want to know what we are doing or why we are doing it, or you’d like to get involved, call a member of the board or staff. We continue to have regular policy, education and membership committee meetings to advise the board. Beginning next year, we will be downsizing the board from 14 to 10 directors. We are looking forward to the new farm bill and its benets for dairy, especially those under 5 million pounds of milk. We are also pleased with Dairy-RP, which Minnesota Milk helped provide direction to on the ground oor. Improvements can happen, but we supported it through letters to the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation and consultation with our contract economist, Marin Bozic, as one of the main architects of the program. We believe Dairy-RP will provide another solid option for risk management. At the state level, we have much work to do. We’re meeting our 38 new legislators and new chairs in the DFL House and looking to make a signicant impact on your dairy’s nancial bottom line in the upcoming state budget. We’ve also been in touch with the Walz-Flanagan transition team, as they asked for our opinions on commissioners and policy issues. We thank our members for their continued support through a tumultuous year. In the end, our 14 farmer directors set direction for the organization, not staff or contractors. We’re in the same markets and regulations you are. We make decisions after much thought, and though sometimes they are tough decisions, we aim to always do what is best for all Minnesota dairy farms. Bob Dombeck Sandhill Dairy, Perham, Minn. Minnesota Milk Secretary Turn to LETTERS | Page 13
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Dairy Star • Saturday, December 22, 2018 • Page 13
ConƟnued from LETTERS | Page 12
Calhoun Creamery members Do your homework about the join Foremost Farms USA Iowa-based creamery will close after more than a century of operation By Sherry Newell Contributing Writer
As of Jan. 1, 2019, members of the Calhoun Creamery, of Churchtown in the corner of northeast Iowa, will become members of Foremost Farms, USA. The transition is the beginning of the end for the small co-op, which has operated for more than 120 years. Foremost board members voted in November to allow Calhoun’s 49 dairy farms in Iowa and Minnesota to ship their 14 million pounds of milk each month directly to Foremost. The milk had previously been transferred at Calhoun Creamery and helped supply Foremost plants since the late ‘90s. Until Dec. 1, two independent milk haulers transported the milk for Calhoun members. Caledonia Haulers has now picked up the direct routes, along with Dallas Finseth of Fountain, Minn. In the coming weeks, Calhoun Creamery’s board will determine how the co-op’s assets will be liquidated and how patronage dividends will be distributed. The co-op has four employees and two have found new employment, according to Michelle Donahue, creamery manager. The co-op’s store, which sells cheese and other dairy products, will stay open until at least the end of January, possibly longer. Calhoun Creamery patrons will gain voting rights with Foremost, including the opportunity to pursue board seats.
Dave Bahr, Calhoun’s board president and a dairy farmer from Waukon, Iowa, said his board had been considering options for about six months after experiencing difcult milk markets and a changing industry. “The board’s main goal was to nd a secure, long-term market for our patrons’ milk, with a progressive company and strong leadership. We feel strongly we’ve achieved that,” he said. Dave Scheevel, Foremost Farms USA board president, echoed his sentiment. “I’m a dairyman myself, so I understand the concern of having a steady market at competitive prices. It frees you to run your own operation,“ said Scheevel, who dairies near Preston, Minn. Still, the move has sadness attached, Donahue said. Calhoun Creamery was started in 1896 by 20 farmer members milking 210 cows. In the ‘70s, it reached 286 patrons, she said. “It’s tough. Our members have been very loyal. Some are third and fourth generation,” said Donahue, who has worked for the co-op for 27 years and is unsure of her next employment. “The creamery store has been very popular in its location between Waukon and the [Mississippi] river,” she said. “In a small town where businesses are very customer friendly, any time something closes, it’s sad.” Donahue and Bahr said the timetable for closing the business is still unclear and will likely depend on legal advice, but patrons have so far experienced a smooth transition. Both said they are feeling positive about the developments. “We truly want to give a heartfelt thanks to our patrons and customers,” said Donahue.
Dairy Revenue Protection program
Over the past several weeks we have been receiving calls from dairy producers with questions about the Dairy Revenue Protection program. Many of them referenced information they received from an agent who misrepresented how buying a higher level of DRP component-based coverage increases their milk value revenue being insured. This has a similar look to how many producers were encouraged to buy MPP when it was rst rolled out without full disclosure to what it actually meant to their farm. The new farm bill looks like it may x old MPP disappointments, but dairy producers may once again be headed into some unintentional misguidance as many of the agents, agencies and insurance companies selling DRP don’t seem to fully understand how milk pricing works. For those of you struggling to understand DRP let me make an important point: Component based DRP insurance cannot take $14 Class III/IV futures and miraculously convert the revenue protection to a level that guarantees a signicantly higher revenue margin. DRP revenue insurance is market driven. The level of DRP insurance being offered each day is dependent on what the futures market is trading in the forward months. If you see $14 Class III in a specic contract month, that is what you will be protecting minus your deductible. If you are using a component based DRP product it is using the same protein/fat value used to calculate the $14 Class III price, and letting you specify the component volume coverage you want to buy. If you are selecting more than 3.5 fat and 2.9915 protein in your revenue coverage, you are insuring more component volume than what is used to calculate a Class III price, not a higher milk price unit value. The added coverage is only protecting the excess components included in your milk basis. Please do your homework before committing to an insurance agency. Make them show you how the revenue insurance you are pricing will impact your mailbox price if the market goes up or down 10-20 percent, and the impact cheese and butter price changes will have on component revenue protection. If they can’t answer these questions relatively easily, you likely won’t receive the support you need to make well-informed DRP decisions. Joe Spader Glenwood, Minn.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Dairy Star Newspaper welcomes letters to the editor. Every letter for publication must be 500 words or less, contain the author’s signature, address and telephone number. We reserve the right to edit for clarity and brevity. Letters can be mailed to Dairy Star, Letter to Editor, 522 Sinclair Lewis Ave., Sauk Centre, MN 56378 or e-mail: mark.k@dairystar.com.
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Page 14 • Dairy Star • Saturday, December 22, 2018
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Dairy Star • Saturday, December 22, 2018 • Page 15
From Our Side Of The Fence What is an off-farm activity you like to do in winter?
Kary Flannery Dodgeville, Wis. Iowa County 70 cows
Benjamin Seehafer Marsheld, Wis. Marathon County 200 cows
Patti Bores Auburndale, Wis. Wood County 70 cows
Adam Whiteaker Mantorville, Minn. Dodge County 60 cows
Describe an off-farm activity you like to do during the winter? I haven’t been able to do it recently but at least once a year I like to take a trip to go snowboarding.
Describe an off-farm activity you like to do during the winter. The greatest thing I look forward to all year is snowmobiling. Also it’s great because the trail crosses right by the farm so I don’t have to drive anywhere to enjoy it.
Describe an off-farm activity you like to do during the winter. I enjoy crocheting; I make blankets of all sizes, mittens, children’s animal hats, Christmas ornaments, reman helmet hats. I crochet with yarn as well as thread. I will try almost any pattern.
Describe an off-farm activity you like to do during the winter. I am in a bowling league one night a week. It is a 28-week league that starts after Labor Day and goes until April. It’s a little tough in the fall, but it’s fun. I have been in it for six years.
Describe your greatest experience or accomplishment while doing this activity. My greatest experience was sitting at my grandma’s feet learning to crochet. I sat between her feet with my back against her chair while she leaned over me and we each had a hook and yarn and I copied each move she made.
Describe your greatest experience or accomplishment while doing this activity. Last year, my team won the championship.
Describe your greatest experience or accomplishment while doing this activity. My greatest experience would have to be taking the trips to Colorado to go snowboarding in the mountains. The views can’t be beat. What are some reasons why it is important for you to do this activity. It is a great family activity that gives us a mental break from farming. We enjoy seeing different parts of the country. What is one thing you would like to try this winter that you have never tried before? I don’t know if it will happen this year but Skijoring has always caught my attention. It is where a person on skis is pulled behind a horse through the snow. My friend and I always joke that we will attempt with our own horses. What are holiday activities or rituals you like to do? Every year for the past few years, my sister and I have baked Christmas cookies. It is usually an entire day of baking with a variety of cookies that are then given out to family and the milk haulers. I am also hoping to have a few traditions with my three kiddos as the years go on. Starting this year, we attended the Zoo Lights at our nearby zoo and decorated the Christmas tree together. Tell us about your farm. My husband, Casey, and I began milking in January 2015. We started with a 43-cow milking herd comprised of Brown Swiss and Holsteins. Since then we have nearly doubled and are now milking 70 cows along with our kids, Jase, Jannick, and Gracie Jo. We are renting a 61-stall tiestall barn but are hoping to be able to buy our own farm eventually.
Describe your greatest experience or accomplishment while doing this activity. The greatest experience snowmobiling would be riding from my farm in central Wisconsin to Silver City, Mich., on the shore of Lake Superior in one day. Two of us made the trek together; it took us about 10.5 hours of riding to make the trip up. Also taking a four-day trip with the snowmobile and a backpack and no trailers was one of the most fun trips of my life. What are some reasons why it is important for you to do this activity. Snowmobiling gets me away from the farm. I think it’s good to be able to enjoy something that can give your mind a rest from one of the stresses of dairy farming. It also can build camaraderie between riding friends. And, it is a great family activity. What is one thing you would like to try this winter that you have never tried before? Take my newborn son for a snowmobile ride. What are holiday activities or rituals you like to do? On Christmas day we get up early to nish chores, and the whole family gets together around the Christmas tree for gift opening and a big dinner. Then we head back outside to do chores while completely stuffed. Tell us about your farm. Our farm is a fourth-generation dairy farm. The farm was bought by my great-grandfather and has been in continuous operation for 117 years and doing well. We milk 200 cows and run about 500 acres. We milk 90 percent Holsteins and some Jersey/Holstein crosses. We raise our youngstock.
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What are some reasons why it is important for you to do this activity. I have degenerative arthritis and the activity helps keep my ngers moving less painfully. It also allows me to stay busy while I rest to help deal with the pain from the arthritis in all of my other joints. I do sell some of my items that I make. I use many of my projects as gifts for family and friends. What is one thing you would like to try this winter that you have never tried before? I can make projects by reading a pattern but not by reading a stitch chart. I want to learn how to crochet using a stitch chart. What are holiday activities or rituals you like to do? I make cookies and candy from recipes that have been handed down in my family for generations, when time allows. Tell us about your farm. The original farm is one mile from where we live and milk. We are the fth generation on that farm. We keep our breeding age heifers there. We are the third generation on the farm where we live and milk. We took over the farm Jan. 1 from my husband Todd’s parents. We are in the process of expanding so our children who are all young adults can farm with us. We have registered Holstein, Brown Swiss and Milking Shorthorns. All of the kids own some animals, and the two oldest boys also own some of their own machinery.
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What are some reasons why it is important for you to do this activity. It’s a good reason to get off the farm. I can have a good time and not have to worry about doing chores or the milk price. I rst started on a team with a group of friends, but now I bowl with my brother and his wife along with another one of our friends. Our parents also bowl in the league. There are about eight teams in the league each year. What is one winter activity you have never tried before that you would want to try in the future? I would like to go ice shing. I have gone shing a few times with my dad in Canada during the summer, but otherwise I haven’t really done much shing. It would be fun to give ice shing a try. What are holiday activities or rituals you like to do? I don’t really have any other than gathering with family on Christmas day. Tell us about your farm. I worked for a dairy farmer for awhile before I started renting this farm on July 1, 2017. About a quarter of my 60-cow herd is Jersey. The rest are Holsteins, both black and white, and red and white. About threefourths are registered. I raise all my heifers along with a few steers. I also rent 40 acres. That land is used to raise corn silage. I had gradually bought cows ve years ago. By the time I moved here in 2017, I had 45 cows.
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Page 16 • Dairy Star • Saturday, December 22, 2018
ConƟnued from OUR SIDE | Page 15
Rory and Carmen Peters Chaseburg, Wis. Vernon County 300 cows
Adam Brahmstadt Eau Galle, Wis. Dunn County 550 cows
Jacob Van Santen Luverne, Minn. Rock County 1,100 cows
Tyler Misna Cashton, Wis. Monroe County 140 cows
Describe an off-farm activity you like to do during the winter. Snowmobiling with family and friends.
Describe an off-farm activity you like to do during the winter. I play hockey four to ve nights a week to keep me busy.
Describe an off-farm activity you like to do during the winter. I like to do some ice shing or go snowmobiling with my buddies.
Describe an off-farm activity you like to do during the winter. I’m head coach of Cashton youth wrestling.
Describe your greatest experience or accomplishment while doing this activity. The most fun times I’ve had playing hockey have been the adult tournaments that are competitive and fun.
Describe your greatest experience or accomplishment while doing this activity. I have never landed any huge sh while ice shing on our local ponds and lakes. I usually haul in a few bluegills or some sunsh. Once in a while, I might hook a good-sized Northern pike. That can get pretty exciting, as Northerns can be feisty.
Describe your greatest experience or accomplishment while doing this activity. We, along with club members, traveled together to visit West Yellowstone National Park. We spent many days riding the trails in a wonderland of beauty. Evenings were spent relaxing and recanting all that we had seen that day and planning our next day excursions. The winter beauty of this national treasure is truly indescribable. What are some why it is important for you to do this activity. Outside activities during the winter months are important to our family. During the summer months, we are always busy with chores and extra eldwork. Winter months are a slower time on the farm, so we take the time to enjoy each other. Snowmobiling helps us to relax and reconnect, while enjoying an outside activity. In addition to family time, snowmobiling offers us the privilege to explore our expansive natural winter wonderlands. What is one thing you would like to try this winter that you have never tried before? Snowshoeing. I like the idea of being able to enjoy our elds and woodlands on a more individual level. Hiking throughout our property during a sunny winter afternoon sounds delightful. What are holiday activities or rituals you like to do? One of our holiday traditions is to make lefse. Our extended family gathers together, and we peel, roll, fry, fold and visit all afternoon. Sampling is always a highlight. The fruits of our labor are shared with many friends and neighbors. Tell us about your farm. Our farm was founded by Wayne and Irene Peters who purchased the original 80-acre farm and milked around 30 Holstein
What are some reasons why it is important for you to do this activity. The main reason I play hockey is for the social aspect and the physical activity. Otherwise, I would sit at home and do nothing and gain weight. What is one thing you would like to try this winter that you have never tried before? I haven’t been skiing in a long time, so I would like to do that again. What are holiday activities or rituals you like to do? On Christmas Eve, my family goes to my grandparents’ in Minnesota. That is the biggest family tradition I do during the holiday. Tell us about your farm. I am a herdsman on a family-owned dairy farm. We milk 550 cows, three times a day. We raise our own calves on the farm.
cows. Together, they raised three sons, two of which followed in their fathers’ footsteps. Wayne and the brothers were part of the original founders of the organic movement in Vernon County by establishing CROPP, which is now Organic Valley. Our farm is owned and operated by ve members of the Peters family, spanning three generations. Operations include organic milk, egg and hog production with eldwork spanning over 1,000 acres.
What are some reasons why it is important for you to do this activity. Ice shing is a good way to take a break from the farm. It’s something different to do that’s both fun and rewarding. It’s also a great way to reconnect with my buddies. What is one thing you would like to try this winter that you have never tried before? I have never gone snowmobiling up in the mountains. Maybe someday we will take the sleds out to Wyoming and try out some of that deep, high country powder. What are holiday activities or rituals you like to do? On Christmas day, my family and I will go to church. We will share a big meal, exchange gifts and play games. I like to play with my 4-year-old niece, who is the youngest person in our family. I think she gets a lot of attention during our family’s Christmas gathering. Tell us about your farm. This farm is operated by my parents, Rick and Carrie, and my brothers, Brad, Derek and Austin. I am a junior at South Dakota State University where I’m studying precision agriculture. Each of my brothers and I have our own specialty, such as growing crops, managing the machinery, dairy herdsman and raising calves. We fatten our bull calves but have begun sending our heifer calves to a heifer grower in Kansas. That freed up space in our feedlots, so we now custom feed some beef cattle. This makes use of our feedlots and gives us another source of income.
What are some reasons why it is important for you to do this activity. I’ve been involved in wrestling since I was in kindergarten. It’s been in the family since Cashton started the wrestling program. I like passing on the tradition to any that want to participate. Wrestling takes my mind away from the farm. It gets my adrenaline owing. Wrestling has been one of the most successful sports in Cashton since it started. Cashton has sent at least one high school wrestler to state for over 20 consecutive years, and I’m happy to have been one of those wrestlers as well as training the next generation. What is one thing you would like to try this winter that you have never tried before? I would like to take my oldest two kids ice shing. What are holiday activities or rituals you like to do? I love to watch my kids open Christmas presents. I like eating everyone’s best dishes until I’m forced to nap. We also get into some good games of Dirty Clubs or Euchre with my wife’s family. Tell us about your farm. We milk around 140 cows and raise our replacements and feed our bull calves. We raise almost all of our forages. Our farm also has about 45 beef cows that we calve in the spring and sell the feeders in the fall. We have one part-time hired hand to help with mostly milking, otherwise it’s a team effort between my mom and dad, Mark and Bridget, and my wife, Jessica, and I. We get after work help from my brothers and their wives, Eric and Kari, and Charlie and Jessica. We also have loads of help from my kids Rylan, 8, Zoe, 7, Porter, 2, and my nieces and nephews Parker, 10, Cobi, 9, Brinley, 7, Edison, 6, and Bellamy, 2.
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Dairy Star • Saturday, December 22, 2018 • Page 17
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Page 18 • Dairy Star • Saturday, December 22, 2018
Repro Leaders
Victory Farms uses double ovsync program to keep reproduction on schedule and 320 days of age for heifers.
Kevin Souza Victory Farms Revillo, S.D. 4,400 cows What was your average pregnancy rate last year? Our average pregnancy rate was 39 percent last year. What is your voluntary waiting period for cows? For heifers? Our voluntary waiting period is 63 days for fresh cows
What is your rst service conception rate? Last year, our rst service conception rate was 52 percent. What is your reproduction program? Do you use a synchronization program? All of our rst service cows are bred with sexed semen using a Turn to VICTORY | Page 20
JERRY NELSON/DAIRY STAR
JERRY NELSON/DAIRY STAR
A system of different colors is used to mark the tail heads of all the cows at Victory Farms. This group of cows is about to be dried off and are also marked with the le�er “D.”
The management crew at Victory Farms includes, from le�, partner Kevin Souza, herdsman Ma� Lindberg, opera�ons manager Josh Kellen and Hayley (Souza) Anderson, holding her son, Jace, 2. Victory Farms was recently given a Pla�num Award for reproduc�ve excellence by the Dairy Ca�le Reproduc�on Council.
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Dairy Star • Saturday, December 22, 2018 • Page 19
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220 Schendel St, Box 145 • Blomkest, MN 56216 320.905.3725 (c) • 320.995.6403 (h) (MN, NE, MT, IA, SD, ND)
Tidings of Comfort and Joy Cattle low softly as chores are done, Clean bedding laid and feed put down. Sun breaks horizon’s eastern bend Casting first warmth upon the land. Day is here, where night has gone. God’s Gift of Cheer, our Hope reborn. Though tested and torn, Our faith, love, Peace, joy Have newness Of morn.
Merry Christmas!
SAB
comfort matters
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Page 20 • Dairy Star • Saturday, December 22, 2018
Con�nued from VICTORY | Page 18
double ovsynch protocol. We use a CIDR synch on animals that remain open after the rst service. How do you observe for heat? We tail chalk every animal every day. How do you conrm pregnant or open cows? We ultrasound the animals at 32 days after service. We reconrm at 80 days carried calf and again at 180 days carried calf. We reconrm once again right before they go dry. What is your breeding philosophy? How do you select bulls? What traits do you focus on? Does fertility play a role in
bull selection? Every animal in our herd is genomic tested. We have grouped our herd into four genomic categories: high, high medium, low medium and low. The low group, which is about 30 percent of the herd, is bred with beef semen. The top 35 percent of the herd is bred with sexed semen for the rst three services and is then switched to beef semen. The high medium and low medium groups are implanted with embryos during their rst service and are bred with beef semen after that. We produce 25-30 embryos per week from our top cows. We also get embryos from Select Sires, who does IVF work on some of our top cows. When we look at sires, the rst thing
JERRY NELSON/DAIRY STAR
Ma� Lindberg, herdsman at Victory Farms, marks the tail head of each animal on a daily basis. A system of different paint colors is used to keep track of such things as which animals should be implanted with embryos, which animals are to be bred with sexed semen and which cows should be serviced with beef semen. we consider is the combination of fat and protein. Next on the list is DPR followed by udder conformation. How are cows and heifers bred? Do you have a different philosophy for breeding both? We have the same philosophy of bull selection for the cows and the heifers. The heifers will get sexed semen for the rst three services before being switched to bull semen. JERRY NELSON/DAIRY STAR
A�en�on to detail has resulted in a high level of reproduc�ve efficiency at Victory Farms.
What do you do to settle hard breeders? On their third service, we will give them GnRH at breeding. If a cow is still open at 180 days, she is put on the donot-breed list. If a heifer remains
open after ve services, we will put her into the beef feedlot.
manure solids, which helps keep them comfortable and healthy.
How many times do you try to breed a cow before you sell her? We will service a cow ve times before we put her onto the do-not-breed list. We will then keep her until her milk production falls below a certain level.
Tell us about your farm. Victory Farms has three owner partners, the Nuss family, the Orradre family and the Souza family. The Souza family includes Kevin and his wife, Suzanne, their daughters, Audrey and Hayley, Hayley’s husband, Ryan Anderson, and the Anderson’s children, Kylyn and Jace. We moved from California 20 years ago to begin dairy farming in South Dakota and gradually grew our operation into what it is today. We have found that South Dakota is a great place to raise kids and enjoy hunting and shing.
Is there anything you have done or changed that brought about a signicant improvement in your reproductive program? The double ovsynch program has helped us a lot. Another huge factor was moving into our new cross-ventilated barn in 2015. We bed the cows with
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Dairy Star • Saturday, December 22, 2018 • Page 21
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White 273, #154578 ................................................................................... $9,500 JD 2623, 2012, 23 ft, 3-Section Folding, #135075 .....................................$32,900 JD 2623, 2013, 33 ft, #149511 ...................................................................$39,500 JD 2623, 2014, 25 ft, #126286 ...................................................................$33,900 JD 2623, 2015, 30 ft, 3-Section Folding, #134716 .....................................$53,900 JD 2625, 2012, 5-Section Folding, Spacing: 11”, #144464 .........................$32,900 JD 2625, 2013, 42 ft, Spacing: 11”, #151841 ..............................................$38,500 EZEE-ON 8700, 2010, 42 ft, #145714 ........................................................$32,900 Wishek 862NT, 2012, 30 ft, #144471........................................................$49,500 JD 960, 1993, 33 ft, 3-Section Folding, Standards: C-Shank, #154535 ......... $6,500 JD 960, 28 ft, #146130 ................................................................................. $8,300 JD 960, 1988, 44 ft, Standards: C-Shank, #150157....................................... $7,215 JD 960,1994, 36 ft, 3-Section Folding, Standards: C-Shank, #148486 .......... $7,500 JD 960, 1994, 26 ft, #148845 ....................................................................... $5,500 JD 980, 1995, 45 ft, 5-Section Folding, #145326........................................$14,000 JD 980, 1997, 38 ft, 3-Section Folding, Standards: C-Shank, #154531 .......$11,500 JD 980, 1997, 26 ft, 3-Section Folding, Standards: C-Shank, #153320 ......... $9,900 JD 980, 1997, 44 ft, #145571 .....................................................................$16,500 JD 980, 2001, 45 ft, 3-Section Folding, Standards: C-Shank, #144448 .......$15,900 JD 980, 1996, 41 ft, 5-Section Folding, Standards: C-Shank, #148488 .......$14,500 JD 980, 1994, 33 ft, 3-Section Folding, Standards: C-Shank, #151027 .......$12,000 JD 980, 1997, 26 ft, 3-Section Folding, Standards: C-Shank, #151565 ......... $9,900 JD 980, 2001, 45 ft, Standards: C-Shank, #147979.....................................$18,150 JD 980, 2004, 44 ft, 3-Section Folding, Standards: C-Shank, #154146 .......$13,500 JD 985, 1993, 48 ft, #138938 .....................................................................$12,900 JD 1010, 31 ft, #150876............................................................................... $2,825 JD 1010, 25.5 ft, 3-Section Folding, Standards: C-Shank, #151724 ............. $3,495 JD 2210, 2014, 55.5 ft, 5-Section Folding, Standards: C-Shank, #154394 ..$58,500 JD 2210, 2013, 51 ft, 5-Section Folding, Standards: C-Shank, #146726 .....$57,500 JD 2210, 2009, 50.5 ft, 5-Section Folding, Standards: C-Shank, #154537 ..$43,500 JD 2210, 2008, 60 ft, 3-Section Folding, #146682 .....................................$34,500 JD 2210, 2009, 45.5 ft, 5-Section Folding, Standards: C-Shank, #151598..$32,900 JD 2210, 2009, 53 ft, 5-Section Folding, Standards: C-Shank, #154393 .....$48,000 JD 2210, 2012, 55 ft, 5-Section Folding, Standards: C-Shank, #148753 .....$54,900 JD 2210, 2007, 58 ft, 5-Section Folding, Standards: C-Shank, #151055.....$32,900 JD 2210, 2012, 48 ft, 5-Section Folding, Standards: C-Shank, #144455 .....$54,900 JD 2210, 2010, 50.5 ft, 5-Section Folding, #146707...................................$49,500 JD 2210, 2009, 54 ft, 5-Section Folding, Standards: C-Shank, #153415 .....$42,500 JD 2210, 2014, 50.5 ft, 5-Section Folding, Standards: C-Shank, #152038 .....................................................................................................$55,000 JD 2210 LL, 2014, 45.5 ft, 3-Section Folding, Standards: C-Shank, #151363 .....................................................................................................$47,500 DMI Tigermate, 48 ft, #147786 ................................................................$14,500 Case IH TIGERMATE 200, 2014, 60 ft, 5-Section Folding, Standards: C-Shank, #154507 .....................................................................................................$59,400 Case IH TIGERMATE 200, 2014, 60 ft, 5-Section Folding, Standards: C-Shank, #154509 .....................................................................................................$59,400 Case IH TIGERMATE 200, 2012, 42 ft, Standards: C-Shank, #151915...... $44,500 Case IH TIGERMATE 200, 2014, 60 ft, 5-Section Folding, Standards: C-Shank, #154510 .....................................................................................................$59,400 Case IH TIGERMATE 200, 2014, 60 ft, 5-Section Folding, Standards: C-Shank, #154511 .....................................................................................................$59,400 Case IH TIGRMATE 200, 2014, 60 ft, 5-Section Folding, Standards: C-Shank, #154508 .....................................................................................................$59,400 Case IH 900, 12R30, #150606 ..................................................................... $8,900 JD 1750,1999, 6R30, Frame: Rigid, Metering System: Finger Pickup, #153700 .....................................................................................................$19,800 JD 1760, 1996, Rows: 12, Row Spacing: 30 in, Metering System: Vacuum, Hopper: 1.6 Bushel, #148266......................................................................$22,000 JD 1760, 2012, Rows: 12, Row Spacing: 30 in, Frame: Flex Fold, Metering System: Vacuum, Hopper: 3.0 Bushel, #154220...........................$54,500 JD 1760, 1997, Rows: 12, Row Spacing: 30 in, Frame: Wing Fold, Metering System: Vacuum, Hopper: 3.0 Bushel, #137790...........................$28,050 JD 1760, 2013, 12R30, Frame: Flex Fold, Metering System: Vacuum, Hopper: 3.0 Bushel, Row Command, #152018 ............................................$52,500 JD 1765, 2015, 12R30, Metering System: Vacuum, Hopper: 3.0 Bushel, #138495 .....................................................................................................$69,500 JD 1790, 2005, 16R30, Frame: Flex Fold, Metering System: Vacuum, Hopper: 1.6 Bushel, #151635......................................................................$59,500 JD 1790, 2004, 24R22, Frame: Flex Fold, Metering System: Vacuum,
209,500
JD S660, 2013, $ 1,225 hrs., #151693
129,500
CIH 1265 Early Riser, 2014, $ 36R22, #150646
188,000
JD DB66, 2013, $ 36R22, #150714
Over 1200 items with pictures updated daily • Go to www.mmcjd.com
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Hopper: Central Fill System, #154547 .........................................................$56,000 10 JD 7000, #154579........................................................................................ $7,000 7 JD 7000, 1981, Rows: 12, Row Spacing: 30 in, Metering System: Finger Pickup, Hopper: 1.6 Bushel, #149569........................................................................ $7,215 15 Case IH 1265 Early Riser, 2014, 36R22, #150646 ..................................$129,500 17 JD 1770NT, 2014, 16R30, Frame: Flex Fold, Metering System: Vacuum, Hopper: 3.0 Bushel, Row Command, #151600 ............................................$73,900 15 JD 1770NT, 2010, 24R30, Frame: Flex Fold, Metering System: Vacuum, Hopper: Central Fill System, Row Command, #150160 ...............................$99,500 4 JD 1775NT, 2017, 16R30, Frame: Flex Fold, Metering System: Vacuum, Hopper: Central Fill System, Row Command, #150734 .............................$152,500 11 JD 1775NT, 2018, 16R30, Metering System: Vacuum, Hopper: Central Fill System, Row Command, #140328 .........................................................................$149,500 4 JD 1775NT, 2018, 16R30, Frame: Flex Fold, Metering System: Vacuum, Hopper: Central Fill System, Row Command, #154513 .............................$169,000 4 JD 1775NT, 2017, 16R30, Frame: Flex Fold, Metering System: Vacuum, Hopper: Central Fill System, Row Command, #154514 .............................$152,500 4 JD 1775NT, 2018, 16R30, Frame: Flex Fold, Metering System: Vacuum, Hopper: Central Fill System, Row Command, #150736 .............................$169,000 4 JD 1775NT, 2017, 16R30, Frame: Flex Fold, Metering System: Vacuum, Hopper: Central Fill System, Row Command, #154514 .............................$152,500 8 Wil-Rich 24-22, 2009, 24R22, Metering System: Vacuum, Hopper: 1.6 Bushel, Row Command, #139224 ...........................................................................$49,500 16 JD DB44, 2017, 24R22, Frame: Flex Fold, Metering System: Vacuum, Hopper: Central Fill System, Row Command, #144422 .............................$189,500 16 JD DB44, 2014, 24R22, Frame: Flex Fold, Metering System: Vacuum, Hopper: Central Fill System, Row Command, #151691 .............................$159,000 14 JD DB44, 2010, 24R22, #149981 .............................................................$101,650 8 JD DB60, 2018, 24R30, Hopper: Mini, #150672 .......................................$279,500 1 JD DB66, 2017, 36R22, Hopper: Mini, #150364 .......................................$265,900 14 JD DB66, 2013, 36R22, Frame: Flex Fold, Metering System: Vacuum, Hopper: Central Fill System, Row Command, #150896 .............................$189,900 6 JD DB66, 2013, 36R22, Hopper: Mini, #150714 .......................................$188,000 15 JD DB90, 2012, 36R30, Frame: Flex Fold, Metering System: Vacuum, Hopper: Central Fill System, Row Command, #150893 .............................$125,500 16 Great Plains YP-1625, 32R30, Frame: Flex Fold, Metering System: Vacuum, Hopper: Central Fill System, #150539 .........................................................$39,000 6 Great Plains YP2425, 2007, 24R30, Frame: Flex Fold, Metering System: Vacuum, Hopper: Central Fill System, #152236 .........................................................$65,000 17 JD 7300, 1988, Row Spacing: 22 in, Frame: Wing Fold, Hopper: 1.6 Bushel, #148843 .....................................................................................................$14,600 8 JD DR24, 2018, 24R22, Metering System: Vacuum, Hopper: Central Fill System, Row Command, #150773 .........................................................................$179,500 10 Top Air 60, #140416 .................................................................................... $5,000 14 Summers 500, 1996, #145350 ................................................................... $4,500 10 Redball 580, 2006, #151074.....................................................................$18,900 17 Hardi 4000, 2012, #144434 ......................................................................$18,500 10 Fast 7400, #130185 ..................................................................................$18,900 4 Raven 1000 Gallon, #149597 .................................................................... $6,100 5 Wil-Rich 500 GAL, #150604........................................................................ $6,000 15 Wil-Rich Blumha, #148336 ........................................................................ $5,500 5 Hardi Commander 1200, 2002, #150043................................................$14,900 5 Hardi COMMANDER 1200, 2004, #148536 ..............................................$19,900 4 Hardi NAV 1100, #137542........................................................................$14,000 4 Hardi NAV 1100, #137543 ........................................................................$14,000 5 Top Air TA1600, 2008, #149672................................................................$23,900 8 Massey Ferguson 3545, 1983, Cab, Partial Power Shift, MFWD, Rear PTO: 540/1000, Tire Width: Mid 4279 hrs., #151182 ...........................$19,500 9 JD 5300, 1997, Syncro, 2WD, Rear PTO: 540, Tire Width: Mid 3000 hrs., #154426 ...................................................................................................... $8,500 5 JD 6220, 2002, 1390 hrs., #154584 ...........................................................$53,500 10 JD 6420, 2002, 6900 hrs., #154564 ...........................................................$52,500 10 JD 5065M, 2012, Partial Power Shift, 2WD, Rear PTO: 540 4975 hrs., #151388 .....................................................................................................$21,900 9 JD 5075E, 2012, Syncro, MFWD, Rear PTO: 540, Tire Width: Mid, Loader 465 hrs., #154217 ....................................................................................................$28,900 5 JD 5085M, 2010, 1000 hrs., #154630........................................................$50,000 5 JD 5100E, 2016, Cab, Power Reverser, MFWD 1971 hrs., #145220 .............$46,900 15 JD 5100E, 2016, Cab, Power Reverser, MFWD, 2075 hrs., #149334 ............$46,900 11 JD 5115M, 2016, Cab, Power Reverser, MFWD, Rear PTO: 540/1000, Loader 290 hrs.,
249,500
JD S690, 2014, $ 1728 hrs., #145222
137,900
JD 9530, 2008, $ 4162 hrs., #147940
#149192 .....................................................................................................$79,500 4 JD 5115M, 2018, Configuration: Standard, Cab, Partial Power Shift, MFWD, Rear PTO: 540/1000,Tire Width: Mid, Loader, 175 hrs., #143684.................$81,900 12 JD 5115M, 2017, Cab, Partial Power Shift, MFWD, Rear PTO: 540, 540/1000, Tire Width: Mid 130 hrs., #140105 ..............................................................$71,900 7 JD 6105R, 2013, Cab, Partial Power Shift, MFWD, Rear PTO: 540/1000, 671 hrs., #148765 .....................................................................................................$79,500 15 JD 6110M, 2016, Configuration: Narrow, Cab, Partial Power Shift, MFWD, Rear PTO: 540/1000 282 hrs., #144493 .......................................................$79,500 14 JD 6110R, 2017, Cab, Partial Power Shift, MFWD, Rear PTO: 540/1000, Loader, 100 hrs., #144496...........................................................................$99,500 17 JD 6110R, 2017, Configuration: Standard, Cab, Partial Power Shift, Guidance-ready, MFWD, Rear PTO: 540/1000, Tire Width: Wide, Loader 315 hrs., #144494 ...$99,500 11 JD 6110R, 2017, Cab, IVT, MFWD, Rear PTO: 540/1000 345 hrs., #142813 .$99,500 15 JD 6110R, 2016, Cab, IVT, MFWD 335 hrs., #144500..................................$95,900 14 JD 6110R, 2017, Cab, IVT, MFWD, Rear PTO: 540/1000, Loader 100 hrs., #144499 ...................................................................................................$104,900 17 JD 6110R, 2017, Configuration: Standard, Cab, Guidance-ready, MFWD, Rear PTO: 540/1000, Tire Width: Wide, Loader, 364 hrs., #144495 ..............$99,500 17 JD 6110R, 2017, Configuration: Standard, Cab, IVT, Guidance-ready, MFWD, Rear PTO: 540/1000, Tire Width: Mid 257 hrs., #144497 .............................$97,900 10 JD 6120E, 2016, Partial Power Shift, MFWD, Rear PTO: 540, Tire Width: Wide, Loader 269 hrs., #124886................................................$69,500 10 JD 6120E, 2016, Cab, Partial Power Shift, MFWD, Rear PTO: 540, Tire Width: Wide, Loader 270 hrs., #124936................................................$69,500 10 JD 6120E, 2016, Cab, Partial Power Shift, MFWD, Rear PTO: 540, Tire Width: Wide, Loader 222 hrs., #124867 ...........................................................................$69,500 10 JD 6120E, 2016, Configuration: Standard, Cab, Partial Power Shift, MFWD, Tire Width: Mid 258 hrs., #124310 ..............................................................$69,500 12 JD 6120E, 2016, Cab, Partial Power Shift, MFWD, Rear PTO: 540, Tire Width: Wide, Loader 197 hrs., #124881 ...........................................................................$69,500 12 JD 6120M, 2016, Configuration: Standard, Cab, Partial Power Shift, MFWD, Rear PTO: 540/1000, Tire Width: Narrow 116 hrs., #141879 ........................$83,900 6 JD 6125M, 2013, Cab, Partial Power Shift, MFWD, Rear PTO: 540/1000, Loader, 3166 hrs., #146075.........................................................................$63,900 9 JD 6125R, 2012, Cab, Partial Power Shift, MFWD, Rear PTO: 540/1000, Tire Width: Wide, Loader 779 hrs., #150781................................................$89,500 6 JD 6130M, 2018, Configuration: Standard, Cab, Partial Power Shift, MFWD, Rear PTO: 540/1000, Tire Width: Mid 266 hrs., #143700 .............................$94,900 10 JD 6130M, 2016, Configuration: Narrow, Cab, Partial Power Shift, MFWD, Rear PTO: 540/1000, Loader, 193 hrs., #124993..........................................$99,500 15 JD 6130R, 2016, Configuration: Standard, Cab, IVT, MFWD, Rear PTO: 540/1000, 536 hrs., #144507 ....................................................$109,500 10 JD 6130R, 2016, Configuration: Narrow, Cab, Partial Power Shift, Guidance-ready, MFWD, Tire Width: Mid 285 hrs., #124989 ..................................................$96,900 8 JD 6130R, 2017, Configuration: Standard, Cab, Partial Power Shift, MFWD, Rear PTO: 540/1000, Loader, 156 hrs., #147778........................................$109,500 14 JD 6130R, 2017, Configuration: Standard, Cab, Partial Power Shift, Guidance-ready, MFWD, Rear PTO: 540/1000, Tire Width: Wide 150 hrs., #144503 ...............$99,500 8 JD 6130R, 2015 Configuration: Standard, Cab, Partial Power Shift, Guidance-ready, MFWD, Rear PTO: 540/1000, Tire Width: Wide 261 hrs., #142595 ...............$99,500 15 JD 6130R, 2017, Configuration: Standard, Cab, IVT, MFWD w/ Suspension, Rear PTO: 540/1000, Tire Width: Mid 402 hrs., #144505 ...........................$109,500 10 JD 6130R, 2016, Configuration: Narrow, Cab, Partial Power Shift, Guidance-ready, MFWD, Tire Width: Mid 160 hrs., #124987 .................................................$96,900 6 JD 6130R, 2016, Cab, Partial Power Shift, Guidance-ready, MFWD, Rear PTO: 540/1000, Tire Width: Mid 265 hrs., #142596 ............................ $99,500 14 JD 6130R, 2017, Configuration: Narrow, Cab, IVT, Guidance-ready, MFWD, 209 hrs., #144504 ...................................................................................................$106,900 8 JD 6135E, 2016, Configuration: Standard, Cab, Partial Power Shift, MFWD, Tire Width: Wide 264 hrs., #142594 ............................................................$69,500 6 JD 6135E, 2016, Configuration: Standard, Cab, Partial Power Shift, MFWD, Tire Width: Narrow 258 hrs., #142600.........................................................$74,900 4 JD 6135E, 2016, Configuration: Standard, Cab, Partial Power Shift, MFWD, Rear PTO: 540, Tire Width: Wide 60 hrs., #142602 .......................................$72,900 4 JD 6135E, 2016, Configuration: Standard, Cab, Partial Power Shift, MFWD, Tire Width: Wide 195 hrs., #142599 ............................................................$71,900 10 JD 6135E, 2016 Cab, Partial Power Shift, MFWD, Rear PTO: 540, Tire Width: Mid, Loader 130 hrs., #124870..................................................$76,900 10 Farmall Super C 2WD, Rear PTO: 540, #151487........................................... $3,500
141,900
JD 6155R, 2017, $ 212 hrs., #144514
Page 22 • Dairy Star • Saturday, December 22, 2018
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Happy cows, happy people
Today is the 12th day that our robots have been milking our cows. It was just last month that I was grumbling to one of my high school milkers to get off of his phone because the cows do not milk themselves. Well, now they do. We were at 156 cows. We are now at 175 cows and on our way to 240. They will be milked by four Lely Astronaut 5 robotic milking units. Our new freestall building has a feed alley in the middle with two little barns that hold two Lely robots each. It is called toll booth style, where the cows have free choice to feed and access to the robots all the time. By Tina Hinchley There are three rows of stalls on each side of the barn, two Farmer & Columnist facing each other with one on the outside and a foot bath at the end of both sides. When the cows were rst brought in after milking in the morning, we were still waiting for the nal inspection of the milk house and robot barns. We took the collars off the cows as they left the tiestall barn and walked them to the new freestall facility. It was a funny feeling seeing all the cows leave and the barn empty. We only put down a little feed in the morning, so they would be hungry to put their heads through the head locks in the feed alley. The slatted oors with rubber mats were all new and exciting for the cows. They trotted and kicked up their hooves as they made the circles around their new home. Snifng and trying out the new dual chambered cow mattresses, drinking from the new stock tanks. It was very exciting for all of us. Around 4 p.m., we started up and began pushing cows into the milking area. The cows had been given cherry scented pellets in the tiestall to help prepare them for this moment. The pellets did help to lure them into the chambered area where the lasers map their teats and the milking inations got put on accurately. New sounds, air release valves going off and just the change of procedures made it hard for some of the cows to relax and let their milk down. By the second push through, it was a little better, and it is continuing to get easier on all of us. We had many friends help us get the girls through the robots for the next few days. They stayed up late and rose early to see how many still needed to get through in the next couple hours. Since we were milking 156 cows in a 73-stall tiestall barn, we were switching three times per milking. We knew these girls could hold their milk for over 12 hours easily. In the old barn, we had to be efcient because as you touched them, they needed to have the machines on quick. Let down was fast and furious, wetting their bedding with milk that seemed like gallons squirting out. With being able to get milked when they want to, the cows do not wait that long, and they make their way to the robots to milk themselves. As of right now, we have only had to sell one cow that did not work with the robots. She had thin teats, and the inations could not hold on. Our SCC spiked a little but has dropped down and milk production is growing with being milked 2.6 times per day. There are many cows that hang out by the robot and love to be milked, while the later lactation ladies tend to lay farther away and only come in to be milked once a day. We have a Juno robot feed pusher that pushes feed up to the cows several times a day. We also have little Discovery robots that scrape the manure through the slatted oor. Those two jobs, being done several times a day, along with not having to milk is life changing for us. Our new routines do not include scraping and liming the alley or pushing in feed. But that time has been already sucked up to focus on the details that we did not have time for, whether that is focusing on cows’ production, health or family. Duane and I went to a holiday party on Friday and left the farm at 6:30 p.m. That is something that has never been done before. I am sure this winter I will be working off my list of things to do when I have more time. Tina Hinchley, her husband, Duane, and their daughters, Anna and Catherine, milk 135 registered Holsteins and farm 2,500 acres of crops near Cambridge, Wis. They have been hosting farm tours for over 20 years.
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Dairy Star • Saturday, December 22, 2018 • Page 23
Dairy discussions
ISU-sponsored program explores issues regarding protability, milk prices, labor By Jerry Nelson
jerry.n@dairystar.com
ORANGE CITY, Iowa – The Dairy Discussions: Risk Management and Labor Issues program was held Dec. 4 at the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach facility in Orange City, Iowa. Three topics were on the agenda: the new Dairy Revenue Protection program, employee management and trends in the milk market. Dairy Revenue Protection program Ron Mortensen from Dairy Gross Margin, LLC discussed the new Dairy Revenue Protection program that became available Oct.9 “The Dairy RP program is a crop insurance product and is subsidized by the USDA,” Mortensen said. “It’s a program to protect from falling milk prices but Ron Mortenson Dairy Gross Margin, leaves the topside open should prices LLC move higher. One way to look at Dairy RP is as a subsidized put.” Mortensen listed numerous advantages to the Dairy RP program. “It’s cheaper than options and there are no margin calls,” Mortensen said. “It reduces volatility in cash ows.” Like crop insurance the Dairy RP program offers a smorgasbord of op-
tions from which to choose. “You can from select a variety of coverage levels,” Mortensen said. “The dairyman can also choose revenue protection policies based on such things as the class of milk or milk components. Dairy RP coverage can be purchased on any business day and has no production limits.” Dairy RP is purchased in threemonth increments. Premiums are not due until 45 days after the end of each quarter. “We have seen a lot of interest in Dairy RP in this region,” Mortensen said. “I think this program will stand the test of time.” Congress recently passed the 2018 Farm Bill. The new law contains several provisions that will affect dairy farmers. One of them is the new Dairy Margin Coverage program, formerly known as the Margin Protection Program. DMC will allow dairy farmers to buy inexpensive coverage of up to $9.50 per cwt for their rst 5 million pounds of production. “Dairy farmers can participate in any combination of the LGM, DMC and Dairy RP programs or all three at once,” Mortensen said. “These products, over the long term, should help stabilize income and make dairying more protable. They will be very helpful for managing margin risks.” Employee management Dr. Hugo Ramirez, Iowa State Extension Dairy Specialist, spoke to the gathering about the importance of em-
ployee management and training. “For many dairymen, dairy farming is a passion that has become a business,” Ramirez said. “As dairy operations grow in size, it becomes increasingly important for management to implement a business model. You need to state a mission so that everyone knows what your goals are. You also need a vision statement, so your employees know where we want to go.” Ramirez said employee training should begin before a new employee Dr. Hugo Ramirez starts working. ISU Dairy Extension “Introduce the Specialist new employee to others and explain their responsibilities,” Ramirez said. “When you train new employees, make sure that they understand the reasons for doing things in specic ways. Knowing the why behind things makes employees more engaged and helps them build a sense of ownership in the operation. Let them know how everything on the farm is connected and that everyone is responsible for the farm’s success.” Giving employees feedback is essential, Ramirez said. “Your employees want feedback. Let them know when things are going well and give them a job well done, even if it doesn’t come with anything else. Get to know them as a person, not just as an employee.” Cultural differences and language barriers can lead to miscommunication and undue stress. “If you have employees who are from another country, try to be sensi-
tive to cultural differences,” Ramirez said. “Subtle things can make a huge difference in your relationship with your employees. Many dairy suppliers offer training videos in Spanish. These videos are very well done and can help your Spanish-speaking employees get a better understanding of how things should be done.” Bob Naerebout, who handles government affairs for Idaho Dairyman’s Association, spoke about the issue of immigrant labor and how it affects the dairy inBob Naerebout dustry. Government affairs “Immigrant liaison for Idaho labor is the No. 1 Dairyman’s Association issue for Idaho’s dairy industry,” Naerebout said. In 2016, Idaho’s dairy industry contributed $10.4 billion to the state’s economy. Dairy farming comprises one-third of Idaho’s ag sector. “None of that would be possible without foreign-born labor,” Naerebout said. Idaho’s dairies employ 8,100 people, with 90 percent of them being foreign-born laborers, Naerebout said. “If foreign born labor was taken out of the picture, Idaho’s dairy industry would collapse. The economic viability of rural Idaho has become dependent on foreign-born labor. This is why we need sensible immigration reform,” he said. Naerebout said the federal government should be responsible for vericaTurn to DAIRY DISCUSSIONS | Page 25
Page 24 • Dairy Star • Saturday, December 22, 2018
YEAR END TAX SAVINGS 3 years 3.45% • 4 years 3.75% • 5 years 3.95% • 6 years 4.40% ANNUALLY OR MONTHLY, 20% Down Upon Approval 2019 Exiss 7'x20' GN Stock
2019 Exiss 7’x24’
Retail was: $24,465
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Retail was: $28,540 2018 Exiss 7’X20’ GN Stock Combo
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Black nose skin w/ bridle hooks, brush tray, all rubber mats, 4 place saddle rack, carpet in nose & drop wall, 2 windows, stainless nose sheets.
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PRICES BELOW REFLECT A $600 REDUCTION 102" x 26' TD ........................... $9,950 102" x 28' TD ........................... $10,235 102" x 30' TD ........................... $10,435 102" x 32' TD ...........................$10,650 102" x 34' TD ...........................$10,950 102" x 36' TD ........................... $11,200 102" x 37' TD w/12K axle........ $13,200
8'6" x 33' 10' Dovetail, low pro, pierced beam, w/2 hyd. jack, on board solar charger w/110 volt charger, w/wireless remote, deep chain box in front between jacks, 2 hi-quality side tool boxes, screened in neck, winch plate with receiver hitch. 2 batteries+2 traction strips. Other sizes available.
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Dairy Star • Saturday, December 22, 2018 • Page 25
Turn to DAIRY DISCUSSIONS | Page 23 tion of the legal status of workers. “When a worker’s status is in question, it puts them at the risk of being exploited,” Naerebout said. “Both the Republican party and the Democratic party have failed us on immigration reform,” Naerebout continued. “We need to use social media to communicate and educate. Logic is not the driving force on immigration issues, it’s emotion. We have to use all of the tools available to change the mindset of citizens and politicians.” Naerebout encouraged using the Scriptures as a guide when thinking about immigration reform. “Who should you turn to when you form your opinions on immigration? Fox News or the Scriptures? What does Scripture tell you?” he said. Naerebout encouraged farmers to connect with the National Immigration Forum Bibles, Badges, and Business for Immigration Reform. “Immigration reform can be both strong and compassionate,” Naerebout said. Trends in the milk market Fred Hall, ISU Extension Dairy Specialist, discussed trends in the milk market and talked about benchmarks dairy producers should use to evaluate their operations. “There are ve benchmarks that account for the difference between a profitable dairy and one that isn’t making it,” Hall said. “These include having an SCC under 125,000, a pregnancy rate of 25 percent or more, the pounds of solids shipped, the cost of production and the rate of asset turnover.” Hall said that dairy producers should take a close look at their reproduction program if their pregnancy rate is below 25 percent. A 30 percent pregnancy rate is achievable. “In today’s market, it’s not about
hundredweights of milk shipped, it’s the pounds of solids,” Hall said. “A Holstein herd should average 6 pounds per hundredweight of combined fat and protein. A Jersey herd should ship 5.25 pounds.” Hall said tracking cost of production is critical. “You can’t control what you don’t measure,” Hall said. Regarding the current dairy market outlook, Hall said, “Dairy exports are down a Fred M. Hall little, but they are ISU Dairy Extension still running ahead Specialist of last year. Dairy imports are declining and consumer condence is up. Fluid milk consumption has been going down for a generation, but whole milk consumption has increased over the past few years because fat is now being seen as good.” While cheese consumption has steadily increased since 1975, cheese stocks have continued to climb. “We are creating more cheese than we need,” Hall said. “We are looking to increase our exports to eastern Asia. A success story is South Korea, which currently sources half of its cheese from the U.S.” There are signs that the dairy industry is responding to lower milk prices. “Milk production and cow numbers in the U.S. have declined slightly since September,” Hall said. “But there are a lot of heifers in the pipeline.” Regarding the 2018 – 2019 milk price forecast, Hall said, “I can see some signs of strength, but we remain in a price quagmire.”
Remember
the Reason for the Season
We’d like to take this opportunity to present our sincere thanks for the loyal support our producers and advertisers have shown us in 201 . Your trust in us is truly a gift.
Merry Christmas! DAIRY ST R www.dairystar.com
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Page 26 • Dairy Star • Saturday, December 22, 2018
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Storage, handling trucks eligible for farm storage facility loans Farm Storage Facility Loans provide low-interest ďƒžnancing so producers can build or upgrade facilities to store commodities. Some storage and handling trucks are eligible for the FSFL. These include: - Cold storage trucks: A van or truck designed to carry perishable freight at FSA News & Notes speciďƒžc temperatures. Cold storage trucks can be icecooled or equipped with any variety of mechanical refrigeration systems. - Flatbed trucks: Truck with an open body in the form of a platform with no side walls for easy loading and unloading. These trucks can be categorized By Ryan Brunn into different sizes which range from light, medium Stearns Co. Exec. Dir. or heavy duty, compact or full-size, or short and expandable beds. - Grain trucks: A piece of farm equipment specially made to accommodate grain products and are traditionally truck chassis units with a mounted grain dump body where grain commodities are transported from a ďƒželd to either a grain elevator or a storage bin. - Storage trucks with a chassis unit: commonly referred to as a box truck, box van or straight truck, is a truck with a cargo body mounted on the same chassis with the engine and cab. To be eligible for FSFL, the storage and handling truck must be less than 15 years old and have a maximum of four axles with a gross weight rating of 60,000 pounds or less. Pick-up trucks, semi-trucks, dump trucks and simple insulated and ventilated vans are ineligible for FSFL. FSFL for storage and handling trucks must be $100,000 or less. FSFL-ďƒžnanced storage and handling trucks must be used for the purpose for which they were acquired for the entire FSFL term. Eligible commodities include grains, oilseeds, pulse crops, hay, honey, renewable biomass commodities, fruits and vegetables, ďƒ&#x;oriculture, hops, maple sap, milk, cheese, yogurt, butter, eggs, meat/poultry (unprocessed), rye and aquaculture. For more information or to apply for a FSFL, contact your FSA ofďƒžce. Lastly, we want to wish all of the hardworking farmers we serve a happy holiday season and hope for a great New Year. 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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Dairy Star • Saturday, December 22, 2018 • Page 27
My happy place The Transition Pen
By John Rosenhammer & Laura Scholtz Father/Daughter Farming Duo When the temperature takes its annual plunge and daylight diminishes, giving way to increasing darkness, one must overcome the urge to hibernate and make the best of the challenging season we call winter. Yes, we can complain about the cold and the snow, but given where we live that is a fact of life in Minnesota. Winter provides the opportunity to catch up on repairs that had gotten overlooked in summer. While I never get totally caught up on this never-ending list, I always try to make a dent in my daydreaming list that initiates during milking time. One of my goals since I started farming was to do something positive each day. Besides going through the routine chores and daily motions, doing something good for the farm or another person has been part of my daily agenda. Some days its as simple as repairing a gate, a post or replacing a broken board. Other days it may mean spending a few hours with Joey’s house project. On certain occasions going to the wake or funeral of a relative or classmate provides satisfaction beyond the extra effort it took to get there. Sometimes my plan gets over ruled when Greg has a different project to work on. That in itself, giving up my plan for his, is rewarding. That feeling of pushing yourself above and beyond the daily routine results in a feeling that has always been important to me – the feeling of accomplishment. Evening chores seem to go so much better if I have done something constructive during that day. I may not have completed a project, but the fact that I am farther today than I was yesterday creates satisfaction and propels me to look forward to tomorrow. I recently visited my sister Marcia in Chateld. Marcia has an area in her house that she has named My Happy Place. This room is lled with crafts and scrap booking items to outlast a lifetime. There is always a project being worked on – either just completed, in the process or will be down the road. When in this room, her enthusiasm is contagious and radiates like a beautiful rainbow. This is Marcia’s little heaven where she can escape the demands of this world. Here she dreams, sets goals, accomplishes and is rewarded. For it is in giving that one receives. As I stated earlier, morning milking generally is my daydreaming or problem solving time. During these couple hours I plan my agenda for the day, whether it is approved or not is not always in my control. If chores, cows and weather cooperate, I am fortunate to spend a good part of the day in my happy place – our shop. Our shop was built in 1984. It represents the last 30 feet of our machine shed. The once bright white walls and ceiling have been over shadowed by years of exhaust fumes, dust and many colors of errant spray paint. The once bright lights have dimmed with age and replaced with brighter lights, which seem to have faded down the same path. The constant throughout all these years has been the heater, which makes a comfortable place to work no matter how cold it is outdoors. This is where dreams come to life. During the early years, the shop was a novelty place. It was the home for Mom and Dad’s 25th anniversary celebration, calf meetings, a twilight meeting, birthday parties and where we ate grilled food after a long day of making hay. I could not even put a nail or screw in the wall without Dad’s permission. This was a sacred place, compared to the dirt corner in the old Quonset shed with a diesel- scented Knipco, ready to light you on re if you got too close to the ame. What initially seemed to be a large space quickly became lled more and more as the weather got colder. But no matter how cluttered the shop had become, there was always room for another new project. Looking back, the best projects involved spending time with our children while teaching them how to use
tools, solve problems and create memories. The shop is where Joey learned how to overhaul his rst engine. Over Christmas break, we built and wired his rst workbench. Laura shot baskets endlessly while we all listened to the song “Angels Among Us” by Alabama. Many 4-H projects were nished late into the night. Mary constantly drew horse heads on scraps of plywood that we would cut out and she would screw onto a stick and hop around the farm. Becca would come to me with ideas for a school project and together her ideas came to life. During another Christmas vacation, the song “Streets of Heaven” by Sherrie Austin became our theme song, only to prepare us for the unexpected tragic death of my Godmother Angela in 2004. Welding and wood projects were a natural t for Johnny. He welded benches, stars, tail pipes and anything metal. The satisfying part now is when Patty or the children come to me to share an idea, they trust together with Dad they will get it done. My father, Dennis, instilled in me a positive attitude towards repairing most anything on the
farm. Dad never appeared frustrated when some thing broke. Rather, he looked upon it as a challenge to make something better than before. No matter how much time it took sawing with the old hack saw, he always had a smile on his face followed by that feeling of accomplishment. Today, we have cordless tools that make repairs easy and fun compared to what our parents had to work with. These days there are many reasons to doubt the future, to question our industry and feel bitterness. Most of these are a result of what we cannot control. We must focus on things we can control, like our attitude, our approach and our trust that God will care for us. Try to do something each day, no matter how small, to help your farm or your neighbor in need. Set a goal and accomplish that goal by nding your own personal happy place. John Rosenhammer farms with his daughter, Laura Scholtz, and brother Greg, on Roseview Dairy near Sleepy Eye, Minn. They milk 200 Holsteins and run 580 acres of cropland.
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Page 28 • Dairy Star • Saturday, December 22, 2018
Roecker ready to lead
Loganville dairyman reappointed to National Dairy Board By Danielle Nauman danielle.n@dairystar.com
LOGANVILLE, Wis. – A vested interest in the success of the dairy industry and a desire to make an impact on its future is what makes Randy Roecker want to be a part of the National Dairy Board. Roecker’s Rolling Acres is a 325cow dairy, operated by Roecker, along with his parents, Gerald and Margaret, and his daughter Ryanne and her husband, James Hiner. His son Ross also helps on the farm. The family farms about 750 tillable acres near Loganville, Wis. Roecker’s dairy career began when he graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison Farm and Industry Short Course in 1984 and made the decision to return to the farm. His family had a 50-cow dairy herd. The Roecker’s farm grew in a series of steps. The rst expansion came in 1996 when they added a 54-stall freestall to their existing 50-stall barn, allowing them to double the size of their herd. Three years later, they added another 108 free stalls and were milking 190 head in a 50-cow stanchion barn. “Milking took nine hours out of each day,” Roecker said. “We decided we were going to have to build something to continue milking that number of cows.” Always thinking of ways to be innovative and cost-effective, Roecker came up with a plan to repurpose a nearby abandoned ethanol plant. The Roeckers were able to repurpose much of the steel-frame of the structure. Work on the facility took place in 2005 and 2006. The 10-acre property included two wells, one which was high-capacity. The structure became the holding area for a double-12 parallel parlor. “We built and expanded at a time when we were paying $2,500 for bred heifers,” Roecker said. “Then, shortly after we moved into the new facility, milk prices crashed. We were at the
mercy of prices.” It was during the building project that Roecker rst became introduced to the National Dairy Board, after attending a National Milk Producers Federation Young Farmer event. Wanting to be involved, he applied for and was appointed to the National Dairy Board by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture in 2006 to serve a three-year term. He was reappointed in 2009 for a second threeyear term, leaving the board in 2012. “I really loved serving on the board,” Roecker said. “I’m a people person, and I like connecting and networking with people. In the six years I’ve been off the board, I’ve started to feel out of touch. I gured with my kids being back on the farm, I had more time available, so I applied again in 2018 for another three-year term.” Soon after beginning his rst term, Roecker learned what the National Dairy Board was doing with the dairy check-off money to support and promote the dairy industry, particularly in the areas of the U.S. Dairy Export Council and the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy, companies that dairy farmers have funded through their check-off dollars. During his rst two terms, Roecker served on the Export Committee, which allowed him to participate in a trade a mission to China, where he was amazed by the choices and selections of dairy products available in grocery stores. “We are really behind other countries in terms of innovations and the products that we offer to consumers,” Roecker said. “In places like China, people just got their rst taste of real dairy products in the last 30 years. They’ve been raised on reconstituted milk powder.” In Roecker’s mind, exports are going to be paramount to the U.S. dairy industry in terms of the amount of milk being produced in this country. “There is 30 million pounds of excess milk produced in this country,” Roecker said. “The U.S. Dairy Export Council is looking for the next 5 percent, in terms of export. Fifteen per-
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U.S. Under Secretary of Agriculture Greg Ibach (right) congratulated Randy Roecker on his appointment to the NaƟonal Dairy Board, a posiƟon appointed by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue. Roecker milks 325 cows near Loganville, Wis. cent of our production already goes to export, so now we need to move to 20 percent.” He feels that the U.S. dairy industry needs to work diligently to innovate new ideas, products, packaging and ways of marketing to consumers in order to drive an increase in dairy product consumption, both in this country and globally. “The Fairlife LLC milk company has really been the biggest innovators in the U.S. dairy industry in recent years,” Roecker said. “We need to be looking at different ways of processing, like UHT (ultra-high-temperature) pasteurization to make milk more shelf-stable. We need to be looking at different types of packaging to make our products more appealing.” Despite the difculties in today’s dairy economy, Roecker sees hope and value in the work that the National Dairy Board is doing to improve consumer perceptions and promote and grow consumption of dairy products. During this term on the National Dairy
Board, Roecker will be serving on the health and wellness committee. One of the programs he is most proud of is the Fuel Up To Play 60 program, a health and wellness platform that partners the dairy industry with NFL teams and players to promote healthy eating and exercise. “With Fuel Up To Play 60, we are currently reaching over 38 million school kids in over 73,000 schools,” Roecker said. “It’s exciting to see this administration get 1 percent chocolate milk back into the schools. It’s a step in the right direction.” Roecker feels that a big part of his serving on the National Dairy Board is to bring what he learns home to tell dairy farmers in the area. “Reaching out to producers, especially in economic times like these, to share what the local and national dairy check-offs are doing is important,” Roecker said. “They need to know that their check-off dollars have value and are working to create new markets.”
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Dairy Star • Saturday, December 22, 2018 • Page 29
Advice on stress, well-being, resiliency is focus of meeting By Sherry Newell Dairy Star Writer
SAUK CENTRE, Minn. – The increasing challenges of handling economic, management and family difculties on the farm have not been lost on Emily Wilmes, University of Minnesota Extension Educator. The calls Wilmes has received and the stories she has heard are part of what prompted her to lead a session called “Farming in Tough Times” Dec. 7 in Sauk Centre. Wilmes and keynote speaker Dennis Hoiberg provided insight, advice and resources to about 80 who attended the event. Four panelists who faced farming difculties shared stories and encouraged audience members to recognize ways they can address their mental health when things become difcult. “It’s not about being strong, it’s about being whole,” said Hoiberg, addressing how farmers can be resilient under the weight of changes happening in agriculture. Hoiberg, who hails from Australia, is a consultant brought to the area by the Northern Crops Institute to speak at meetings and conferences across the region. Hoiberg has worked with rural communities, families and businesses for 35 years. Mental well-being, Hoiberg said, is more than thinking happy thoughts. It comes through resilience in times of change. “Farmers might say to be resilient is to suck it up and work harder,” Hoiberg said. “That’s not resilience. That’s just being stubborn.” According to Hoiberg, farmers whose emotions, thoughts, behaviors and physical symptoms begin to reect things like sadness, anxiety, anger, selfcriticism, indecisiveness, neglect, loss of motivation and fatigue have reduced resilience. He offered an acronym to represent the ingredients for building and maintaining resilience: H.O.P.E.,
which stands for positive habits, optimistic thinking, planning and enacting those plans. “That doesn’t mean you won’t go through a bad time or face tough decisions,” Hoiberg said. “But you must look after yourself and each other.” Hoiberg told the audience he believed at least 10 in the room are struggling with depression. “Depression isn’t a sign of weakness, it’s a sign of reality,” he said. Wilmes echoed Hoiberg’s advice. “It’s OK to not be OK,” she said. “The bad thing is to get stuck in a piece of that cycle.” In addition, Wilmes urged people to be willing to reach out to friends and family who are struggling, offering to listen or to connect them with help. Each of the four panelists at the meeting emphasized the importance of using those resources or reaching out to others in order to cope with challenges. Panelist Mark Koehn, a former hog farmer and current Stearns County assessor, described how his farming career came to an end after mounting bills from family health problems and his own difculty handling the stress of a changing industry. “My 4-year-old son said, ‘Why is Dad so grumpy all the time?’ and that was really tough,” Koehn said. “It was a dark period in my life.” With good friends, a strong faith community and plenty of talking, Koehn made the decision to sell half his farmland and pursue a new career, which he has come to love. Brenda Miller, an extension educator, joined the panel to describe coping with her father’s death from pancreatic cancer and how it ended her dream of eventually taking over the farm. “I never thought it was possible to grieve over a farm or a building site,” Miller said. Her father’s death and the sale of the family farm, combined with postpartum depression, put Miller on a course of addressing her issues with
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a variety of tools, including joining a gym to work out stress, and reading for enjoyment and self-improvement. “It’s OK to nd someone in the professional eld to help you,” Miller said. “I wish someone would have pushed me in that direction sooner.” Another panelist, Morrison County dairy farmer Brenda Rudolph, described how current low milk prices and the lingering effects of a difcult farm transition led her to a point where she was mad at everyone. “I was not handling life,” Rudolph said. “I wanted to just leave – leave my husband, my farm, my kids. Finally, I said to myself, ‘Brenda, you need some help.’” Rudolph began seeing a counselor every two weeks and has improved her outlook. She also learned her practice of being honest and asking questions is useful. “I always thought they were faults,” Rudolph said. “But this last year, I realized those are positives. I can’t change milk prices, but I can change where we are in this. We are together. That mat-
ters.” The milk market also created a crisis for panelist Meg Moynihan, an organic dairy farmer and former organic coordinator for the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. She and her husband lost their milk market for several months, resulting in her husband returning to trucking while she left her job and began operating the farm. “I was overworked, poorly nourished and scared,” Moynihan said. “And, I was terried of making the wrong decision.” While things eventually improved, the situation led Moynihan to return to the Department of Agriculture in a role where she can help strengthen support for the rural community. The Department of Agriculture was one of many resources pointed out to the session’s audience, paired with Wilmes’ encouragement to bring mental health to higher awareness among farm families. “The way we are going to release the stigma of these things is to confront them head on,” Wilmes said.
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Page 30 • Dairy Star • Saturday, December 22, 2018
Christmas crooning from the barn
Free stall alleys, busy alleys, wet with winter moisture, in the barn. There’s a feeling of coldness. Children laughing, cows bellowing, kicking balls back and forth, and on every night milking you hear.
The ball lands in the feed, as the boys play wild together. Hear the kids squeal, back the cows peel. This is every mom’s dream, and above all this chaos you’ll hear. The milker pump, milker pump, keeping me working and working. Hum-hum-hum, hear it hum, working, yes this mom milks cows.
Silver headlocks, silver headlocks, it’s winter time in the freestall. Clang-clang-bang, hear them bang it’s getting nasty outside.
Don the milkman, is a jolly, happy soul, with his grande coat and his ear-ďƒ&#x;ap hat, he’s ready for the cold.
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Don the milkman, is a farmer’s dream come true. Snow may blow, and we all know, Ramblings from the Ridge he’s a milkman through and through. We are very lucky, with this milkman that we’ve found. For he mows lawn and hauls things, helpful all around. Oh, Don the milkman, is the best that there can be. By Jacqui Davison And, he swings that tanker through tight spots, Columnist far better than you or me. Don the milkman knew the snow was bad that day. So, he said, “Let’s run and put on those chains, now before I slip away.� Down to the milk plant, with a full load of Grade A, unloading here and there all around the state, saying, “This is how I play.� He heads it down the streets of town, right to the farmer’s co-op. And, he only stops his driving when he hears a tire go, “Pop!� For Don the milkman has to hurry on his way, but he doesn’t cry, saying, “Peter will try, I’ll be back on the road someway.� Pumpety, pump, pump, Pumpety, pump, pump, Look at Don go. Pumpety, pump, pump, Pumpety, pump, pump, Over the roads of snow. Jacqui and her family milk 800 cows and run 1,200 acres of crops in the northeastern corner of Vernon County, Wis. Her children, Ira (11), Dane (9), Henry (4) and Cora (adventurous crawler), help her on the farm while her husband, Keith, works on a grain farm. If she’s not in the barn, she’s probably in the kitchen, trailing after little ones, or sharing her passion of reading with someone. Her life is best described as organized chaos – and if it wasn’t, she’d be bored.
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Maintain calf health, performance in cold weather
Dairy Star • Saturday, December 22, 2018 • Page 31
Although the ofcial start to winter is now upon importance. Caloric demand for maintenance increases us, we have already experienced several weeks of cold as the temperature decreases below 55 degrees Fahrenweather. In sub-freezing temperatures, calves (and all heit. The more energy a calf must use to maintain body mammals) are motivated to maintain internal body temperature, the less that is available for growth. This temperature. Thermal stress can increase calf is more susceptible to mobilizing calf morbidity and mortality and reduce Something to Ruminate On body fat reserves and amino acids. Adrates of growth. Focusing on calves’ inditionally, energy is pulled away from creased needs in the winter months can the immune system, making calves more provide the best opportunity for success. prone to diseases. Maternity and newborn calf housStrategies to increase energy intake ing: Combatting cold stress in calves during cold stress include altering the starts in the calving pen. Calves are amounts and timing of milk feeding. born with a minimal amount of body Milk volume is often increased by about fat reserves. The calf’s small body mass one-third. Shifting from two to three relative to external surface area results times daily feeding will also increase in rapid loss of body heat. Clean, deepmilk intake. Supplemental fat can also bedded straw helps, but wet calves lose be added to milk feeding. Be aware this heat quickly to the environment. addition can impact total solids in the By Barry Visser Towel drying a newborn calf aids in milk. Work with you calf nutritionist Nutritionist ufng its hair coat. This works as an inand advisors to decide which strategies sulator by creating a boundary between t your operation best. the calf’s body and the chilly ambient air. Pay attention Water intake is critical to starter consumption and to drying the ears as this will help reduce the risk of rumen development. Offer warm water to calves after frost damage. Warming boxes work well to nish the the milk feeding. Pails may need to be dumped prior to drying process and keep calves warm during the rst the next feeding in extreme cold conditions. 12 hours after birth. However, calf boxes must be kept Additional management considerations: Excesvery clean to reduce disease pressure. They should be sive calf handling should be avoided during really cold cleaned and sanitized between calves. days. Consider holding off on pen moves or vaccinaCalves receiving supportive warming therapy after tions if possible as these events create addition stress birth will have less stress and, as a result, will likely on the animals and thus demand more energy. Another have greater efciency of immunoglobulin absorption unintended consequence of cold weather is greater from colostrum feeding. uctuation in milk temperature at feeding. The ideal Calves should be moved out of the warming box feeding temperature is 105 degrees Fahrenheit. You into the next calf facility by 24 hours of age. Again, may need to get creative in how to maintain this feeddeep-bedded straw is a great option for insulating ef- ing temperature. Moving milk replacer powder into a fects. Calves placed into hutches and cold barns should warm room can make a signicant difference. be furnished with calf jackets for approximately the Finally, monitor and track calf growth and health. rst three weeks of age. Adjust the jacket so it contin- This will help identify bottlenecks and troubleshoot ues to t as the calf grows. challenges. Excellent management during winter will Nutrition considerations: The rst goal is to sat- allow calves to overcome cold stress and continue to isfy calves’ maintenance requirements. Increasing the grow at target rates. plane of nutrition to combat cold stress is of primary Barry Visser is a nutritionist for Vita Plus.
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Page 32 • Dairy Star • Saturday, December 22, 2018
The gift of sight
The presents are wrapped and snuggled under the end reaction and realization of what occurred. All I tree waiting in anticipation for the holiday stampede, know is that Mark suddenly had his gloved hands craand we have a renewed appreciation of old gifts taken dling the left side of his head. A small wispy branch for granted. No, not recycled white elephant gifts but on a log was snagged under the wood pile tarp. As a sense of seeing things with fresh eyes. A single mo- Mark tugged on the log, the branch whipped him in ment in time felt for a life. the face. He could not close We escaped farm duties S his eyes quick enough. Bits Sometimes i we might i h need da for a few hours last week. of bark and dirt were embedIt was a beautiful afternoon moment of blindness to clear ded in his left eye. I knew it as Mark and I were splitwas serious when he did not ting wood. We worked in our vision and change our focus. object to going to the doctandem lifting logs, peeling tor, but he thought maybe away small pieces to toss we should nish cleaning onto the pile in the rock wagon. After the second load, up and dumping the load of wood by the shed. I reaswe decided we had enough time to pop into town for sured him the weather forecast was clear and dry, and Christmas cookies at the bank before we needed to we could come back later as I started unhooking the start chores. As we were cleaning up scattered pieces hydraulic hoses from the wood splitter. I wanted to of wood and small logs, our day changed in the blink keep moving before he talked himself out of going. of an eye. The tractor was our only form of transportation. Two I do not know if I saw what happened or just the miles never seemed so long to travel, even with the
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throttle wide open. Keeping his eyes shut tight, I guided Mark to the house to change out of our farm clothes. There was not any blood oozing through his ngers, so I assumed we had time to change. I gured the other patients Just Thinking Out Loud would not appreciate our working farm look either. It was a silent ride to urgent care as Christmas carols played softly on the radio. In the corner of the exam room, I sat silently praying for God to put the right people in our path. He did. I did not always like them at rst, By Natalie Schmitt but they were the right Columnist people at the right time. The doctor passed us off to an eye specialist after taking one quick peek in his eye. The eye tech took his sweet time testing Mark’s vision before he would clean out the debris. The specialist stayed after hours on a Friday to tenderly and delicately work on cleaning up the damage to his eye. As gently as a mother cleans a toddler’s skinned knee, Dr. Simmons cleaned out Mark’s eye and put a Band-Aid contact on his cornea. If all goes well, his eye will be completely healed in seven days. There was all a procedure, a plan and a purpose to the events. I did not see it at rst but eventually the picture came into focus as I look back at the events. With the good news of no damage to his vision, we now let our minds wander to what really could have happened. For the next two days, Mark was very sensitive to light. He wore sunglasses at night in the house to watch a Christmas movie. Most of the time he listened and kept both eyes closed behind the darkened lenses. Mark was beginning to understand the world of limited vision his father lives in with macular degeneration. He was starting to see things in a different light. We were able to keep him out of the barn for three milkings. Once he found a pair of wrap-around safety glasses, there was no stopping him. The funny thing about all of this is that Mark’s new prescription reading glasses came in a few days before his accident. He was tired of struggling to read the ne print in phone books, magazines and Christmas cards. In the blink of an eye, he could have lost all of those struggles in a completely different way. Sometimes we might need a moment of blindness to clear our vision and change our focus. This is a time of twinkling lights but it can also can be a time of growing darkness. It can feel as if a veil blocking the light has slipped over our eyes to see a future, to see hope, to see love. When one sense is compromised, the others become more acute. Still your heart and search for a glimmer of light to pierce through the darkness of night. Start to see with your other senses as you search for the light in the darkness. See the warm December sun as it warms your face. See the love of a child through a big grandpa hug. See the sound of joy as Christmas carolers stroll through the neighborhood. Take a moment to appreciate the gift of sight. I will let you in on a little secret. One of the wrapped presents under our tree is a box of safety glasses for everyone to wear. May you have a wonderful Christmas season. Natalie, Mark and his brother, Al, Schmitt farm together near Rice, Minn. They milk 100 registered Holsteins under the RALMA prex. Their four children are great help around the farm and are pushing Natalie out of several jobs. Therefore she is thankful to have something else to do. For questions or comments please e-mail Natalie at mnschmitt@jetup.net.
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Dairy Star • Saturday, December 22, 2018 • Page 33
All is right
There’s a little town in northern Minnesota where the spirit of Christmas is alive. Sandwiched between the railroad and State Highway 210, sits Wright, Minn. Every year the town celebrates Wrong Days in Wright, and during the festival’s softball tournament, the players run around the bases the wrong way – from third to second to rst to home. But, except for those two days, all is right in Wright. The town is home to some 125 people, a post ofDairy Good Life ce, a restaurant, a bar, a lumberyard, several churches, and a grocery store. When I was a girl, my sisters and I would ride our bikes the six miles to town to spend our nickels and pennies on Tootsie Rolls at the grocery store. That was back in the day when every rural town had its own grocery store. Today, the Farmers Co-op Grocery Store is one of few remaining small-town grocery stores – the kind of grocery store with only one check out lane and one cash register. It’s remarkable the nearly 100-year-old cooperative is still in business. The small, red brick structure was built in the By Sadie Frericks 1950s to house the town’s cooperative creamery, Columnist making, as my dad remembers it, dry, white cheese. When the creamery stopped making cheese in the 1970s, the grocery store moved from its old location into the newer brick building. Wright also had a cooperative feed mill, but that closed a couple years ago. With all the other local grocery stores shuttered, the Farmers Co-op is now the only grocery store for 20 miles in most directions. Convenience stores in the region carry staples like milk and bread, but the grocery store in Wright is the only place to nd fresh produce and a fresh meat counter. My sister Sabrina still lives close enough to ride her bike to the Farmers Coop. But I’m pretty sure she usually takes her car. A couple weeks ago, Sabrina was getting her groceries with all three of her kids in tow. At checkout, the man in line behind her set his groceries on the belt next to her groceries. When the clerk accidentally rang up all of the groceries together, Sabrina told her, “I’m not with him.” The man in line behind her said, “Well, today you are. It’s December.” And then he paid for both her groceries and his. Sabrina said she was so shocked that all she could do was thank him with tears of gratitude. She doesn’t know who the man was and the clerk didn’t know either. When she told me the story later, she said the best part was that her kids got to see that there are good people in the world. Fast forward a couple weeks and Sabrina was getting groceries again at the Farmers Co-op in Wright with all three of her kids. At check out, there was an elderly gentleman ahead of her in line. Sabrina didn’t catch his name, but the clerk told her later that he is 90 years old and lives alone. Sabrina said the man reminded her so much of our grandpa, right down to what he was purchasing: a gallon of whole milk and a package of raspberry cream cheese Danishes. But as he checked out, his debit card didn’t work. The clerk tried running the card a second time, and Sabrina could see the man starting to get ustered. “Don’t worry,” Sabrina said. “I’ll get those for you.” The man slowly turned to look at her and said, “You can’t do that.” “Oh, yes, I can,” Sabrina said. “It’s Christmas!” No one has ever successfully told my sister she couldn’t do something. They exchanged a few words and the man nished with a simple, “Thank you.” After the gentleman left with his milk and Danishes, my 8-year-old nephew piped up and said, “This place really is lled with love.” May all be right in your world this Christmas. May you see the good in all people. And, may all of your places be lled with love. Merry Christmas! Sadie and her husband, Glen, milk 100 cows near Melrose, Minn. They have three children – Dan, 11, Monika, 8, and Daphne, 5. Sadie also writes a blog at www.dairygoodlife.com. She can be reached at sadiefrericks@gmail.com
May the Christmas spirit be with you and your family today and throughout the New Year.
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Page 34 • Dairy Star • Saturday, December 22, 2018
Garden Valley Farmstead hosts Christmas on the Farm
Connecting with consumers, raising money for a family in need By Danielle Nauman danielle.n@dairystar.com
HIXTON, Wis. – On a sunny Sunday afternoon, a beautiful day after a long, snowy week, Justin and Darci Daniels invited the public to their Garden Valley Farmstead to celebrate Christmas on the Farm in Hixton, Wis. The event, co-hosted by the Jackson County Farm Bureau, was held Dec. 9. It was the ďƒžrst of what the Daniels
hope to become a new holiday tradition in their community. In addition to visitors being able to tour the Daniels’ farm, the event featured pictures with Santa, horse-drawn and tractor-drawn wagon rides, a Christmas cookie contest and free grilled cheese sandwiches and hot chocolate. The entire family-friendly event was free to the public, with a free-will donation offering to beneďƒžt the family of Matt Turn to DANIELS | Page 35
DANIELLE NAUMAN/DAIRY STAR
Jus�n and Darci Daniels hosted a Christmas on the Farm event Dec. 9 at their dairy, Garden Valley Farmstead near Hixton, Wis. About 600 people a�ended and free-will dona�ons were taken at the event for a local family dealing with cancer.
DANIELLE NAUMAN/DAIRY STAR
DANIELLE NAUMAN/DAIRY STAR A photographer was on hand to oer families the opportunity Darci Daniels shares informa� on about their farm to those on a horse-drawn wagon ride as part to have pictures taken with Santa Claus. of their on-farm event .
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Dairy Star • Saturday, December 22, 2018 • Page 35
Turn to DANIELS | Page 34
Happy Holidays During the holiday season more than ever, our thoughts turn gratefully to those who have made our progress possible. And in this spirit we say, simply but sincerely,
Thank You and Best Wishes for the Holiday Season and Happy New Year! DANIELLE NAUMAN/DAIRY STAR
Visitors to the farm had the opportunity to view the Daniels family’s herd of dairy cows up close. Rosenberg, a local man with stage-four brain cancer. Nearly $6,000 was raised during the event for the Rosenbergs. “This event wouldn’t have been possible without the Jackson County Farm Bureau,” Darci Daniels said. “We also need to thank the Jackson County Dairy Promotion Committee, the Taylor FFA Alumni, the Alma Center FFA Alumni, the Black River Falls FFA Alumni and the Dairy Pricing Association. Because of their support, we were able to give 100 percent of the donations collected right to the Rosenberg family.” The Daniels family operate a 50cow dairy herd and farm 120 acres. In May, looking for ways to increase prot
on their small farm, they opened a small retail outlet on-farm where they market cheese, butter, beef and eggs. “We love our cows, we love our community, and now we love how we can use our store to better serve both,” Daniels said. Daniels estimated that between 500 and 600 people attended. Five hundred grilled cheese sandwiches, made with Garden Valley Farmstead cheese and butter, were served in less than three hours. “We can’t help but smile, thinking about the memories made, the laughter and joy we saw all over our farm,” Daniels said. “It is something we will cherish for a long time.”
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Page 36 • Dairy Star • Saturday, December 22, 2018
Compeer Financial is proud to sponsor
Women In Dairy Ann Leonhardt West Albany, Minn. Wabasha County 250 cows
Family: My husband, Casey, and I have three children: Joey, 25, Aleisha, 23, and Jake, 18. My parents are Chester and Ruth Briggs. I am the middle of three girls. Tell us about your farm. My husband and I are the fourth generation on his family’s dairy farm. We purchased the farm from his dad. Our kids are the fth generation and are active on the farm, too. We milk our cows in a double-8 parallel parlor and raise all our calves. What’s the busiest time of day for you? Mornings are the busiest for me. My day starts around 5 a.m. I check our activity system to see which cows need to be bred and if there are any other health issues that need attention. I then check to see if any new calves have been born before starting to feed bottle calves and youngstock. After that’s done, I help clean up after milking. When you get a spare moment what do you do? I like to spend time with my grandson. I also clean the house, and go to town for errands and take a break from the farm. I also like working with my pet goats.
Wishing you a
SAFE AND HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON. Agriculture isn’t just a market we serve. It’s what we’re founded on. It’s who we are. And we’re so thankful for the abundance provided by the hardworking individuals who work tirelessly to feed, clothe and fuel the world every day of the year. It’s an honor to serve you. Our team members from Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin wish you a joyous holiday season.
Tell us about your most memorable experience working on the farm. About ve years ago, we had a set of triplet calves. They were all alive, and they all lived. That was exciting. It was only the second set of triplets ever born on the farm. What have you enjoyed most about dairy farming or your tie to the dairy industry? I enjoy working with the animals and watching them grow. I’m always the one to give extra care and attention to the animals that need it the most. I love the TLC part. It’s fun to see how those calves grow and do as milking cows. How do you stay connected with others in the industry? I am involved with 4-H. My kids showed dairy cows, steers and goats. I am a 4-H adult volunteer and leader. We have also hosted 4-H travel exchange families. Our youngest nished his last year of 4-H this past year. I do most of the feed store visits for our dairy, so I also stay connected that way along with being a member of the Exchange by Dairy Girl Network Facebook group. Who is someone in the industry who has inspired you? I worked for a neighboring dairy farm as a kid. I fed calves and learned how to milk cows. I also visited my grandparents’ farm regularly. All these dairy people inspired me. If you could give a tour of your farm to a prominent woman in today’s society, who would it be? There are a lot of women and people in the world who don’t have a farm or dairy background who would benet from a farm tour. They can see their food comes from the farm rather than the grocery store. What is the best vacation you’ve ever taken? When our kids were growing up, we would take them to Wisconsin Dells. We didn’t get too far away from the farm for too long, but it was always a fun getaway.
Learn more at compeer.com. (844) 426-6733 | #CHAMPIONRURAL Compeer Financial, ACA is an Equal Credit Opportunity Lender and Equal Opportunity Provider. ©2018 All rights reserved.
What are some words you like to live by? There are only so many hours in a day.
Dairy Star • Saturday, December 22, 2018 • Page 37
Marketing value-added dairy products Milk, ice cream, tourism at Sassy Cow Creamery By Danielle Nauman danielle.n@dairystar.com
WISCONSIN DELLS, Wis. – In today’s dairy economy, producers are needing to look for new and innovative ways to grow their bottom line, making the most out of what they have to offer consumers. This has led to dairy farmers seeking ways to market their own value-added dairy products, in addition to or instead of the traditional methods of marketing milk. Participants in Kara Kasten-Olson the Compeer FinanSassy Cow Creamery cial Resilient Farms Conference Dec. 11 in Wisconsin Dells, Wis., had the opportunity to learn how Sassy Cow Creamery began and has grown over the past 10 years from Kara Kasten-Olson, the creamery’s sales and marketing manager. Sassy Cow Creamery is operated by James and Robert Baerwolf, who are the third-generation of their family to run the farm that was established in 1946 in Columbus, Wis. The 1,700-acre farm features a 200-cow organic dairy herd and a 600-cow conventional dairy herd. Each farm and the creamery are set up as separate LLCs. The farmstead creamery opened in 2008 and uses only milk from the two herds, processing about 1.3 million pounds of milk per month. The creamery bottles both organic and conventional uid milk, and makes over 50 avors of ice cream. According to Kasten-Olson, all of the farm’s organic milk is processed by the creamery, while about 25 percent of the conventional milk is sold Grassland. The idea to develop the farmstead creamery came about because of the farm’s proximity to Madison, Wis., and Sun Prairie, Wis.. Rather than trying to continue to expand the farm, the Baerwolfs decided to look into adding value to the milk they were producing. “It’s really important to do the research and to make sure you align the farm size with your goals,” Kasten-Olson said. “The Baerwolf family spent over two years researching and visiting all sorts of creameries.” Sassy Cow relied heavily on research information and technical assistance gained from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. “There have been quite a few challenges over the past 10 years,” Kasten-Olson said. “Starting any new business there is a challenge. When you start processing your own milk, it is another whole spectrum to learn. That’s where you need to get your inspectors and technical assistance involved because there are a lot of things to learn.” Kasten-Olson said the initial investment in the creamery was about $1.5 million on the initial building, and since then they have added on to increase the amount of dry storage area available. “It’s a large investment to build the creamery, with a really slow return,” Kasten-Olson said. Kasten-Olson said that keeping up with changing market trends is paramount
in producing a value-added product. “You really have to know your consumers,” Kasten-Olson said. “Every year, we talk about milk consumption decreasing. How do we ght that trend? What products are people asking for?” A new product that Sassy Cow has recently begun producing is a cold-brew chocolate milk coffee, which is a onepercent, low-sugar chocolate milk with a cold-brew coffee added. “Ready-to-drink items are very trendy right now,” Kasten-Olson said. “We wanted to try to grab some of that ready-to-drink Starbucks market share, but still using our milk in a dairy product.” Other areas of growth that the creamery is looking at are the growing interest in A2 milk and lactose-free products. “We’re always looking for new products to add to our line to offer to our customers,” Kasten-Olson. “We always are looking to gain market-share or shelfspace.” Besides staying current on markets demands, distribution and marketing is another challenging aspect of producing a value-added product. In the beginning, the creamery did its own distribution but has since moved to using six distributors to place their products. Today, Sassy Cow products can be found in over 150 grocery stores and an additional 150 restaurants and coffee houses, as well as in their on-farm retail store. In addition to selling product from the on-farm retail store, Sassy Cow has always offered farm tours and events as a way to help draw consumers to the store’s rural location. Recently, they began charging for those tours and have worked to create a better experience for visitors. The farm has been working with the Madison Area Visitors Bureau to help bring more tours to the farm. “Last June, the farm added a rotary parlor, and now we’ve added an educational area to bring more tours,” KastenOlson said. “If ve years ago you’d said that one of our big components would have been tourism, we probably would have laughed at you, but it’s turned into a good revenue source for us.” The farm offers three tours every Friday afternoon throughout the summer, and according to Kasten-Olson, half the license plates in their parking lot are typically from out-of-state. Adding a café area onto the retail store is something that Sassy Cow is considering to give people another reason to visit the farm and spend more dollars onsite. “Everything we make at the creamery store, that market-share, that margin is all ours,” Kasten-Olson. “That’s a really important part of our business and it grows every year.” Like all small businesses, managing employees and dealing with regulations can be a challenge, as well. Sassy Cow Creamery employees 15 full-time workers, plus additional staff for the retail store. “It’s not a quick x,” Kasten-Olson said of operating the farmstead creamery. “It took us about ve years to start being able to pay the farm what we wanted to be paying them for milk and rent for the creamery.” Kasten-Olson tries to look at the big picture, focusing on how to keep the creamery evolving to continue to grow. “People really do want to come out the farm, and they really do want to know where their food is coming from,” Kasten-Olson said.
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Page 38 • Dairy Star • Saturday, December 22, 2018
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A Spreader for Every Operation!
WITH THANKS FROM OUR ENTIRE STAFF
AT CHRISTMAS
As we wrap up yet another year, we’d like to acknowledge wrap up yet another year, allAs thewe individuals-customers, neighbors, and all the we’d like toassociates, acknowledge friends, who have made neighbors, indivduals - customers, doing business here such a associates and friends - who have pleasure for us. madeWishing doing business here such a you a
Invest in Quality!
pleasure for us. Wishing you a Merry Christmas!
We have a wide range of models and sizes with multiple options to fit any operation. Our innovative, high-quality spreaders will provide superior performance with years of low-maintenance service.
www.KuhnNorthAmerica.com
Farm Systems Inc.
(800) 385-3911 (507) 451-3131
2250 Austin Road • Owatonna, MN 55060
PH: 800-385-3911 or 507-451-3131 www.northlandfarmsystems.com
northlandfarmsystems.com
‘11 Kuhn Knight VTC 1100 mixer mounted on ‘12 Peterbuilt 367, 40,619 Miles, 1100 cu. ft. - $134,000
GENIE GTH3007, D, 6600 Lift Cap, C & H, 1414 hrs.
$33,900
(5) Gehl R190 ‘14 Gehl RT 175 12” Tracks, Many options to choose from 1750 Lift Cap, C/H/A, Starting at $20,600 111 hrs - $41,900
‘08 Penta 5620HD RH door, rubber ext. $23,500
‘05 Kuhn Knight 3130, 300 CuFt, Scale w/Remote, 2’ LH Discharge - $10,500
Mustang 2100RT $39,500
‘12 Kuhn Knight 8141, 4100 gal, w/hyd. lid - $35,800
‘14 Mustang 2600R, H/F ctrls, C&H, 2 spd., P-Q-tach, counter weight - $35,500
Knight Slingers Models in Stock- 8141, (3) 8132, (2) 8118, 8018
Starting at $10,000
(9) Gehl R220, Many options to choose from Starting at $27,500
8’ Manure Pumps Jamesway & Balzer units in stock
Starting at $4,200
Dairy prole
Dairy Star • Saturday, December 22, 2018 • Page 39
sponsored by
Martin Hall Westby, Wis. Vernon County 47 cows How did you get into farming? I have been here all of my life, and it just seemed natural and logical for me to continue with the farm. After high school, I went to the University of Wisconsin-Madison Farm and Industry Short Couse for a year, and then came back home. What are your thoughts and concerns about the dairy industry for the next year? I’m concerned about the price of milk and cattle. We have a huge surplus of each right now. I guess it will work itself out somehow, someway. But, it will be a little dicey for a while. We’re in the fourth year of low prices, and if history repeats itself, we shouldn’t hopefully have a fth, but it will probably be next spring. We’ve always been encouraged to produce more, like the benchmark of producing 30 million pounds of milk in Wisconsin by the year 2020. We met that goal four years early. What is the latest technology you implemented on your farm and the purpose for it? I’ve used some sexed semen to get heifer calves out of my better cows. Minnesota State Fair in 1993 with Sparkler Loretta. Another good memory has been competing at the Vernon County Fair which always had a strong Jersey show. One year we placed over a cow that had won at the What advice would you give other dairy Minnesota State Fair just a couple of weeks farmers? Set goals and keep checking up on before. them. If you think you can do it, you probably can. Don’t be afraid to look at other ways to What are your plans for your dairy in the next year and ve years? With the way the bring in income. economy is right now, I’m pretty much taking What has been the best purchase you’ve ever things one day at a time. I’m not planning to made on your farm? I purchased a Jersey bull retire any time soon. Like everyone else, I’m named Gil-Bar Unique Sparkler back in the just going to try and stick it out and see what early 1980s. He was a great sire, and we sold happens. a lot of semen from him. How do you or your family like to spend What has been your biggest accomplishment time when you are not doing chores? I enjoy while dairy farming? Winning the premier watching some television, especially Badger breeder banner, and Sparkler winning the football and basketball. I also like visiting with premier sire banner at the World Dairy Expo in friends. 1987 and 1988. It was a great accomplishment. Also, having the grand champion cow at the
What is a management practice you changed in the past year that has beneted you? I’ve What do you enjoy most about dairy farming? kept everything pretty much the same over I have a tremendous love for the cows. I always have. the past year. What cost-saving steps have you implemented during the low milk price? I’ve made my feed ration as basic as possible and only top dress the highest producing cows. How do you retain a good working relationship with your employees? I don’t have any employees. I’m small enough that I can handle everything on my own. My brother helps me out quite a bit when I need extra help. Tell us about a skill you possess that makes dairy farming easier for you. I am diligent about going the extra step, and I always come down and check things in the middle of the night, especially when I have sick cows or cows ready to calve.
Star Blends is a full service feed manufacturing facility. We provide custom complete feeds, supplements and minerals. We utilize modern technology to produce your needed products on demand with the highest quality feeds at the best cost. We also offer a wide selection of commodities, ingredients and additives. We are focused on dairy, efficiently delivering to farms in Western Wisconsin. Give us a call, we’d be happy to discuss our commodities or custom products and services with you and your nutritionist.
1919 Riley Road Sparta, WI 54656 | 800.462.4125
Do you have an upcoming auction? Advertise it in the Dairy Star call 320-352-6303 for more information.
Page 40 • Dairy Star • Saturday, December 22, 2018
From all of us at Steinhart’s Farm Service, Inc.
Congratulations Popper and Abbey!
Steinhart’s Farm Service would like to Congratulate Popper and Abbey Eagan on there marriage December 8, 2018. Salesmen: Shawn Martin (608) 778-4554 or Joe Ryan (608) 778-2900
4116 Hwy. 80 S. Platteville, WI
Office: (608) 348-9401 or Toll Free: 1(888) BUY-Patz www.steinhartsfarmservice.com
4116 Hwy. 80 S. Platteville, WI