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7 201 2018
DAIRY ST R “All dairy, all the time”™
Volume 19, No. 20
December 9, 2017
“We’ve had this huge nancial anchor dragging behind us.” – Paul Halderson
Stray voltage dominates dairyman’s career Halderson hopes his story can help other farmers By Danielle Nauman danielle.n@dairystar.com
GALESVILLE, Wis. – Paul Halderson said dairy farming has been an enjoyable pursuit for him, but acknowledges that it could have been even better if he had not had to spend over 20 years thinking about and battling stray voltage on his Trempealeau County farm. Halderson milks 1,300 cows at Arctic-View Dairy near Galesville, Wis., farming in partnership with his oldest son, Joel, and younger son,
Ted, who is preparing to buy into the family farm. “We’ve had this huge nancial anchor dragging behind us,” Halderson said of dealing with stray voltage over a prolonged period. “It shouldn’t be there in the rst place. I like to be a private person and just go about my business, but if my story can help one other farmer, it’s worth sharing it.” Halderson’s stray voltage battle dates back to 1996 when he rst contacted Northern States Power Company (NSP) requesting his property be tested for stray voltage. Halderson was milking about 90 cows in a double-6 parlor constructed in 1969 following a barn re and had been seeing DANIELLE NAUMAN/DAIRY STAR noticeable issues for about Paul Halderson has spent over 20 years dealing with stray voltage on his farm, including nearly three years. ve years involved in liƟgaƟon to receive compensaƟon from Xcel Energy/NSP. Halderson milks Turn to HALDERSON | Page 5 1,300 cows in a partnership with his sons, Joel and Ted, near Galesville, Wis.
Dubuque creeping closer to D Gaul Farms Family members remain optimistic about their future By Ron Johnson
ron.j@dairystar.com
PEOSTA, Iowa – A blue water tower 1 mile away reminds members of the Gaul family that their farm’s days may be numbered. The tower, along with numerous upscale houses, is part of the leading edge of the development that’s creeping closer to the farm of Dale and Dee Gaul, and their daughter and son-in-law, Elizabeth and Andrew Elsinger. “This farm will probably be swallowed up by housing,” Elizabeth said. Dubuque, Iowa, population 60,000, and the 10th-largest city in the Hawkeye State, will be responsible. Some of the encroachment into farmland atop the bluff above the Mississippi River began two decades ago. That’s when, Elizabeth said, a neighboring farmer died and his family sold the 320 acres for houses. “We used to rent that land for Turn to GAULS | Page 7
RON JOHNSON/DAIRY STAR
Members of D Gaul Farms – (from leŌ) Andrew and Elizabeth Elsinger, herdswoman Alex Waller, and Dee and Dale Gaul, remain opƟmisƟc about dairying despite an urban sprawl threatening their 350-cow farm near Peosta, Iowa.
Page 2 • Dairy Star • Saturday, December 9, 2017
DAIRY ST R www.dairystar.com
ISSN 020355 522 Sinclair Lewis Ave. Sauk Centre, MN 56378 Phone: (320) 352-6303 Fax: (320) 352-5647 Published by Dairy Star LLC General Manager/Editor Mark Klaphake - mark.k@dairystar.com 320-352-6303 (ofce) 320-248-3196 (cell) 320-352-0062 (home) Ad Composition Nancy Powell 320-352-6303 nancy.p@dairystar.com Amanda Thooft 320-352-6303 amanda.t@dairystar.com Consultant Jerry Jennissen 320-346-2292 Editorial Staff Andrea Borgerding - 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 Ron Johnson (608) 874-4243 ron.j@dairystar.com Ruth Klossner (507) 240-0048 cowlady@centurylink.net Brittany Olson (320) 352-6303 brittany.o@dairystar.com Danielle Nauman (715) 245-6848 danielle.n@dairystar.com Maria Bichler - Copy Editor (320) 352-6303 Advertising Sales Main Ofce: 320-352-6303 Fax: 320-352-5647 Deadline is 5 p.m. of the Friday the week before publication Sales Manager - Jeff Weyer (Northern MN, East Central MN) 320-260-8505 (cell) jeff.w@dairystar.com Mark Klaphake (Western MN) 320-352-6303 (ofce) 320-248-3196 (cell) Laura Seljan (National Advertising, SE MN) 507-250-2217 fax: 507-634-4413 laura.s@dairystar.com Jerry Nelson (SW MN, NW Iowa, South Dakota) 605-690-6260 jerry.n@dairystar.com Mike Schafer (Central, South Central MN) 320-894-7825 mike.s@dairystar.com Lori Menke (Eastern Iowa, Southern WI) 563-608-6477 • lori.m@dairystar.com Megan Stuessel (Western Wisconsin) 608-387-1202 megan.s@dairystar.com Deadlines The deadline for news and advertising in the Dairy Star is 5 p.m. Friday the week before publication. Subscriptions One year subscription $35.00, outside the U.S. $110.00. Send check along with mailing address to Dairy Star, 522 Sinclair Lewis Ave., Sauk Centre, MN 56378. Advertising Our ad takers have no authority to bind this newspaper and only publication of an advertisement shall constitute nal acceptance of the advertiser's order. Letters Letters and articles of opinion are welcomed. Letters must be signed and include address and phone number. We reserve the right to edit lengthy letters. The views and opinions expressed by Dairy Star columnists and writers are not necessarily those of the Dairy Star LLC.
The Dairy Star is published semi-monthly by Dairy Star, LLC, 522 Sinclair Lewis Ave., Sauk Centre, MN 56378-1246. Periodicals Postage Paid at Sauk Centre, MN and additional mailing ofces. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Dairy Star, 522 Sinclair Lewis Ave., Sauk Centre, MN 56378-1246.
North America dealers. A glance at what’s inside
Dairy Prole brought to you by your
Cold weather has arrived across much of Dairy Star’s coverage area, and farmers have diligently prepared their dairies for winter. One piece of the farm that may need added attention is the calves. With cold weather, calves are more susceptible to dangerous, life-threatening illnesses, such as Bovine Respiratory Disease. Turn to pages 10-11 in rst section to read how calf raiser Dale Hillukka maintains a healthy herd of calves throughout the winter months and tips to implement on your farm for improved calf management. As dairy farmers are grappling with low milk prices, we turned to Farm Business Management instructors to ask about By Mark Klaphake the best cost saving tips and other ways dairy producers can best Editor make it through a struggling dairy economy. Read about what the instructors had to say and ways to stay positive in the “From our side of the fence” feature on pages 15-16 in rst section. During this holiday season, the Scott and Alice Hamann family, of Albany, Minn., have a lot to be grateful for. This past June, their youngest daughter, Hanna, underwent a successful heart transplant to correct a congenital heart defect. While Hanna continues her recovery on the family’s 65-cow dairy, the Hamanns are counting their blessings and encouraging others to do the same. Read Hanna’s story on pages 4-5 in second section. Glen and Melinda Groth know dairy farming is more than a lifestyle – it must be a business rst. This mentality has helped them be successful in a bleak dairy economy. It also is one reason they received the 2017 Minnesota Farm Bureau Achievement Award. The Groths, who milk 65 cows on their dairy near Ridgeway, Minn., will have the opportunity to compete for the national award in January in Nashville, Tenn. Read about their farming philosophies on pages 3, 7 in second section. There is something unique about dairy farming alongside family, but dairying with your twin is that much more special, according to brothers Kevin and Jacob Henk. The duo recently began milking 100 cows near Birchwood, Wis. To read about the twins’ accomplishments and their hopes for the future of their dairy, turn to pages 2-3 in third section. Two young women who grew up on dairy farms have teamed up to create their own country music duo, Dairy Daughters. Megan Gertken grew up on a 61-cow dairy near Albany, Minn., while her music partner, Shelby Dressel comes from a 1,000-cow dairy in Avon Park, Fla. The two write music together about their life experiences, which includes doing chores on each of their dairies, and perform their songs in Nashville, Tenn. Read more about their venture to follow their country music dreams on pages 18-20 in second section.
Favorite quotes from this issue:
“People think goats will just eat anything, and they will, but they have to have quality hay and feed to make milk, just like a dairy cow.” – Brian Anderson, Pages 25-27, Second Section
“The sad thing is there are other people that have been shipping Grade B for many years, all because of rules that don’t apply to their facilities.” - Tim Raese, Pages 35, 37, First Section
9:
By the Numbers Pounds of milk increased once the McNallans switched to sand bedding (Pages 18, 20, First Section)
candidates 243: Apprenticeship looking for placement in the
Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship program. (Pages 10-12, Third Section)
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Dairy Star • Saturday, December 9, 2017 • Page 3
It’s all inside... Birchwood
Exeland
First Section: Pages 1, 5
Third Section: Pages 2 - 3
First Section: Page 29
Stray voltage dominates Halderson’s career Eau Claire
Children Museum of Eau Claire hosts June Dairy Dave Becker Month activities
Twin brothers begin dairying career
Robers farms, operates embroidery business
Medford
Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship the rst farming apprenticeship in U.S. history Third Section: Pages 10 - 11
Bayeld
Douglas
Osseo,Pages Wis14 - 15 Second Section
Iron
Willard
Well location causes Raese to lose Grade A permit
Tina LeBrun
New Ulm, Minn.
hb
ur
n
Ashland Burnett
Polk
Barron
Sawyer
St. Croix
Rusk
Cashton
Goat dairy makes great family project for Andersons
Pierce Bill Januszewski
Clark
Eau Claire
Pepin
Alexandria, Minn.
Second Section: Pages 25 - 27
Chippewa
Dunn
Buffalo
Petersburg, Iowa
Dairy Prole: Mara Budde and Frank Behling Page 39
First Section: Pages 35, 37
Price
Taylor
Dairy Recipes
THIRD SECTION Pages 4, 6 - 7 Despite challenges, Rybinski Dairy continues to expand their operation Pages 8 - 9 Women discuss on-farm technology at business conference Page 13 Dairy’s Star Youth: Kate Spadgenske Pages 14 - 15 Kids Corner: The Menze Family Page 21 Some Udder Stuff Pages 22 - 24 Dairy Calendar Pages 25 - 30 Classieds
Galesville
Trempealeau
Haugen wraps up 32-year UWExtension career Page 29 Holiday baking Pages 30 - 31
Pages 15-16
Gays Mills
Women in Jeans: Paulette Riley First Section: Page 36
Jackson
La Crosse Monroe Vernon
Winnebago
Worth
Mitchell
Cerro Hancock Gordo
Floyd
Howard
as
ick
Ch
aw
Bremer
Zone 2
Black Hawk
Bu
For additional stories from our other zone, log on to www.dairystar.com
ford
Craw
Iowa
Dane
Dubuque creeping closer to D Gaul Farms
Grant
Fayette
Clayton
n
are
na
a ch
Peosta
Richland
Allamakee
Pages 21, 23
What is one way farmers can make the best of this market?
W as
SECOND SECTION Pages 3, 7 Groths receive state Farm Bureau Award Pages 4 - 5 Hamann recovers from heart transplant Pages 10 - 11 The “Mielke” Market Weekly Page 12 Hay Markets Pages 14 - 15 Dairying Across America Pages 17 - 18 Duo from Minnesota, Florida farms pursue dream of making country music in Nashville
FROM OUR SIDE OF THE FENCE:
Winneshiek
FIRST SECTION Pages 8-9 Ag Insider Pages 10 - 11 Cold weather prompts issues with youngstock Pages 12 - 13 Becoming a leader in today’s industry Pages 18, 20 Sand bedding integral to high production at McNallan Farms Pages 22, 23 Bedker presents “Exiting the Business Gracefully” at MN Milk Expo Page 26 FSA News & Notes Page 27 The Transition Pen Page 28 Hello, old friend Page 30 Ramblings from the Ridge Page 32 Making Cents of Dairy Page 33 Dairy Good Life Page 34 Veterinary Wisdom
w ela
D
Linn
Lafayette
Green
Dubuque
Jones
Jackson
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.
First Section: Pages 1, 7
Page 4 • Dairy Star • Saturday, December 9, 2017
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© 2017 CNH Industrial America LLC. All rights reserved. New Holland is a trademark registered in the United States and many other countries, owned by or licensed to CNH Industrial N.V., its subsidiaries or afÀliates. Equipped For A New World is a trademark in the United States and many other countries, owned by or licensed to CNH Industrial N.V., its subsidiaries or afÀliates.
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©2016 CNH Industrial America LLC. All rights reserved. New Holland is a trademark registered in the United States and many other countries, owned by or licensed to CNH Industrial N.V., its subsidiaries or afÀliates. New Holland Construction and CNH Industrial Genuine Parts are trademarks in the United States and many other countries, owned by or licensed to CNH Industrial N.V., its subsidiaries or afÀliates. Any trademarks referred to herein, in association with goods and/or services of companies other than CNH Industrial America LLC, are the property of those respective companies. www.newholland.com/na MRC
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Dairy Star • Saturday, December 9, 2017 • Page 5
ConƟnued from HALDERSON | Page 1
LET’S TALK: MYCOTOXIN IDENTIFICATION
DANIELLE NAUMAN/DAIRY STAR
ArcƟc-View Dairy is run by Paul Halderson and his sons, Joel and Ted, near Galesville, Wis. The farm was impacted by stray voltage for over 15 years. NSP tested the farm for stray voltage and informed Halderson that none existed. Testing was done four more times between the years of 1999 and 2009, all with the same ndings from NSP. Halderson said the testing was being done on top of rubber cow mats, grounding out the testing in the parlor, which gave low test results. “We were experiencing poor production and reproduction,” Halderson said. “No matter what we did, we couldn’t achieve the same levels as our neighbors.” Thinking stray voltage had been ruled out, Halderson tried other remedies to increase his herd’s performance. “We remodeled stalls and increased cow comfort, thinking that would solve our troubles,” Halderson said. “We continued upgrading facilities and began using a TMR, but nothing helped. We changed nutritionists, hoof trimmers and veterinarians several times, incorrectly thinking that could be the root of our problems.” While improving facilities, the Haldersons expanded their herd several times. When Joel graduated, it became evident to Halderson that his sons had interest in returning to the farm, and they added on to their freestall barn, increasing the herd to 250 head. Another expansion in 2002 included a 28-cow rotary parlor and the barns grew to hold up to 600 head. At that time a second transformer was added to the farm. In 2007, another expansion took place, bringing cow totals to around
900 head. That expansion placed a third transformer on the property. “We later found out that three transformer services, all of which NSP installed, is a violation of state code,” Halderson said. Production and reproduction rates continued to be stagnant, despite improvements. “We constantly had to borrow money to buy replacements,” Halderson said. “Cows were leaving the herd due to reproduction and production issues. Since we xed the problem in 2011, I haven’t purchased a replacement cow, and our culling rate dropped drastically.” His frequent replacement purchases led Halderson down the path to eventually solving his problems. “Dean Franz, a livestock dealer and retired vet from Minnesota I worked with to buy replacements, suggested that I take some cows up to the University of Minnesota to be looked at,” Halderson said. Halderson took several cows to the vet school where post-mortem examinations were conducted. “Their abomasums were hard, severely impacted,” Halderson said. “The vet said they were terribly dehydrated, that those cows would rather die than drink water, that it was either a water issue or stray voltage.” Halderson took another group of cows and a water sample to the vet Turn to HALDERSON | Page 6
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Page 6 • Dairy Star • Saturday, December 9, 2017
ConƟnued from HALDERSON | Page 5
Willmar, MN • 320.231.1470
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DANIELLE NAUMAN/DAIRY STAR
This cow is one of the oldest cows at ArcƟc-View Dairy today, and started her milking career impacted by stray voltage. school two weeks later. Examinations of the cows yielded the same results and the water tests showed no issues. Halderson was referred by the vet school to Larry Neubauer, a master electrician from Appleton, Wis., who conducts independent stray voltage assessments. Neubauer spent four days in January 2011 assessing the farm for stray voltage and found signicant issues. Halderson learned he could demand isolators be placed on the electrical infrastructure of his farm. “When the isolators were installed we saw an almost immediate improvement,” Halderson said. “NSP never even suggested or offered isolators. I made the mistake of trusting the power company. It’s probably the biggest mistake of my life.” Once the corrections, which included going to a single transformer service on the farm, were completed, things began to take off and improve for the Halderson family. “We used to struggle to reach a 70-pound herd average, now we are averaging near 85 pounds, all while going off of BST,” Halderson said.
“We used to struggle to reach a 70-pound herd average, now we are averaging near 85 pounds, all while going off of BST.” � PAUL HALDERSON, DAIRY FARMER
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“We were running a 10 to 15 percent pregnancy rate, and now we are at 30 percent. We went from one of the worst reproductive herds to one of the best.” Halderson said not only are they no longer purchasing replacement cows, they are on the verge of having replacement animals to market. After the stray voltage issues were xed, Franz encouraged Halderson to hire a forensic economist to help determine what the economic repercussions had been. Once records had been gathered and analyzed, Halderson decided he needed to hire
an attorney to use the legal system to obtain compensation for lost revenue and prot from his farm. Legal papers were led in March 2012 and the matter reached the trial phase in July 2017. Following a 2.5week trial, a Trempealeau County jury deliberated for 15 hours before nding in Halderson’s favor with a $4.5 million award. In addition, the jury determined that NSP, now doing business as Xcel Energy, was “willful, wanton and reckless” in this case and the damage award was tripled to nearly $13.5 million. The jury verdict in his favor does not mean that chapter of his life’s story is closed. Far from it, in fact, as the matter remains in litigation. The trial judge overturned the jury’s determination of NSP’s willful intent, negating nearly $9 million of what the jury awarded. His attorneys are appealing that decision, while Xcel Energy is still within their window to appeal the entire verdict. Xcel Energy’s Senior Media Relations Representative Chris Ouellette said, “We are disappointed in the jury’s decision and continue to evaluate our next steps. We follow and adhere to formal testing procedures mandated by the PSCW that are supported by a consensus of credible scientic research. We obviously do not agree that stray voltage was the cause of the alleged damages and losses by the Haldersons.” Halderson said it could be a year or longer before the case is resolved. While he is disappointed this chapter has yet to close, Halderson continues to look towards the future. “I’m fortunate to have two sons in the business,” Halderson said. “We have plans to transition to their ownership in the near future. They deserve the opportunity to run the business as I have, and I don’t want to stand in their way.” Halderson maintains he will continue involvement in the farm while being semi-retired, leaving the management duties to his sons. “It’s been difcult, but it’s been a good life,” Halderson said of his farming career. “I’ve enjoyed what I’ve done, but it would have been more enjoyable if the stray voltage hadn’t affected so much of our lives.”
Dairy Star • Saturday, December 9, 2017 • Page 7
ConƟnued from GROETSCHES | Page 1 heifers,” Elizabeth said. “Now it’s all houses.” Several years ago, the Gauls and Elsingers, who milk 350 Holsteins and Jerseys, might have been able to slow the city’s attack on their farm. “Dad was offered that farm, but he had just bought this one, so he really didn’t have the ability to purchase 320 acres more,” Elizabeth said. Last year, another neighboring farmer sold out. That land is now home to a concrete plant. An industrial park is also neighbor to the 384 owned and rented acres of D Gaul Farms. As a result of the city’s pressure, the Gauls are considering getting out of the way. They’ve considered taking their hopes, dreams and cattle someplace south or east. “We’re looking right now. We’ve been looking for the last ve years,” Elizabeth said. “We wouldn’t be opposed to going back to Wisconsin. We loved Wisconsin and would be completely open to going back.” Andrew and Elizabeth milked 100 Jerseys for three-and-a-half years on a rented farm near Kieler, Wis. Late in 2013, Dale and Dee invited the couple to the home farm. On the day of the move back to Iowa, Andrew and Elizabeth milked 100 cows in the morning, but 310 that night. The Gaul farm has ve non-family employees, including herdswoman Alex Waller and four part-time milkers. Elizabeth’s sister, Reba, a dairy science student at the University of WisconsinPlatteville, helps feed calves. All the cow work is the responsibility of Elizabeth and Alex. Andrew feeds all animals weaned and older. The crops and morning milking fall to Dale, while Dee handles the payroll and human resources duties, along with babysitting Elizabeth and Andrew’s children – Thomas, 5, Charlee, 4, and Josephine, 11 months. The Gaul-Elsinger herd carries a rolling average of 24,000 pounds of milk. The fat test is 4.22 percent and the protein test is at 3.4 percent. Since November, the cows have been milked twice daily instead of three times a day. One of the farm’s employees unexpectedly quit, and the farm has not found a replacement, so the third milking has been dropped. Dale said adding a third milking for fresh cows and the highest producers was worth the effort. “Our cows peaked higher, and we found fresh-cow problems sooner, since we saw the cows more often,” Dale said. “Close-up dry cows also benetted, because they got checked more frequently.” The farm has been in the Gaul family for 57 years. Dale’s parents, John and Kay, bought the original 134 acres in 1960. They milked 15 cows and also raised chickens and hogs. During the 1980s, John and Kay bought 50 acres more. One of the main improvements Dale and Dee have made to the farm dates to 2015. The 225-cow, four-row freestall barn is sand bedded and uses light-emitting diodes (LEDs) instead of uorescent or incandescent lights. Another feature of the barn is berglass stall dividers instead of steel ones. Elizabeth expressed her appreciation for the unbreakable dividers. “Fiberglass bends, so you can get a 1,500-pound Holstein cow in there,” she said. “I love these dividers.” One feature of the newest barn that Dale especially likes is the headlocks. In fact, he said they are the best purchase the farm has made in recent years. “They have paid for themselves,” Dale said. “We can do a much better
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Jerseys will become a larger part of the herd at the Gaul farm, as the Holsteins are phased out in the interest of higher-component milk. Here, herdswoman Alex Waller, greets Deedee, a favorite cow. job with fresh-cow health, breeding and herd health checks. These jobs have become relatively painless now. We also can do more things on the farm and have to make fewer trips to the vet.” Thanks to older buildings and additions, the farm has room to house all its cattle. Milking takes place in a double-16 swing parlor with automatic take-offs that was retrotted into the barn in 2001. When Andrew and Elizabeth returned to the farm, the Gauls and Elsingers changed their management. The bulls are gone and the farm relies on A.I. for all its cows and heifers. In addition, heifers 6 months old are now raised by a custom grower. The animals come home two months before they are due to calve. And, the Holsteins are slowly heading out the door as the farm converts to all Jerseys. “We like the high components of the Jerseys’ milk,” Elizabeth said. “We’re in a high-components market, so we might as well milk cows that meet the needs of the market.” That market is cheese, with the milk purchased by Wapsie Valley Creamery, Independence, Iowa. A relatively new project at the farm is the use of genomic testing. Testing of all heifers started last spring and will continue. The results will be used to decide which bulls to mate to which females, and to decide which animals to cull. When more animals have been tested, the plan is to ush the top 10 percent and transplant those embryos into the bottom 30 percent. So far, genomic testing has helped the Gauls and Elsingers nd three animals that are prime candidates for embryo ushing. “They look just like any other Jersey heifers,” Elizabeth said. But the testing of their genetic makeup revealed they are in the top 1 percent of the breed when it comes to net merit dollars and cheese merit dollars. Another change is the Gauls’ and Elsingers’ housing arrangements. Andrew and Elizabeth will move out of their mobile home and into the farmhouse. Dale and Dee plan to buy a house in the nearby subdivision, but remain active in the management and operation of the farm. Despite the cloud of uncertainty that hangs over D Gaul Farms, family members remain optimistic. “We’ve got to be optimistic. We wouldn’t be in this business if we weren’t,” Elizabeth said.
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Small increase seen in net farm income Page 8 • Dairy Star • Saturday, December 9, 2017
The latest USDA forecast is for 2017 net farm Roberts upset by Trump trade policy income of $63.2 billion, an increase of nearly 3 The Trump Administration’s threat to withdraw percent from last year. That’s the rst increase in from the North American Free Trade Agreement three years. The bump was seen with has the attention of U.S. agriculture. gains in livestock revenues, but cash Senate Agriculture Committee Ag Insider receipts for crops dropped 2 percent. Chairman Pat Roberts told the Red USDA Deputy Chief Economist River Farm Network he is concerned Warren Preston said farm expenses about this rhetoric. “Bob Lighthizer were up $5 billion or 1.5 percent. is a good man. He’s the U.S. trade “Part of that is tied to the effort of representative who worked for (former increasing production. Some of that is Kansas Senator) Bob Dole for 15 years; due to higher labor costs, interest rates he’s a friend,” said Roberts. “Honest ticking up, and fuels and oils going up a to goodness, if we start to terminate little bit.” Farm equity, a measurement NAFTA, those countries are seeking of assets to debt, is up more than $70 other markets right now, and we’re billion to $2.6 trillion. Farm debt rose 3 losing market share. If we go country percent of $385 billion. by country and put in these policy By Don Wick objectives, we’re not going to end up Columnist U.S. lays out NAFTA priorities anywhere. It worries me we will lose The U.S. Trade Representative’s the reliable supplier status that we’ve ofce has released its negotiating objectives worked so hard to get. I have some problems with for the North American Free Trade Agreement this administration and their trade policy.” negotiations. For agriculture, the trade ofce wants to eliminate non-tariff barriers on products, like Vilsack addresses Fed meeting grain. The U.S. also wants to eliminate remaining Former Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack Canadian tariffs on imports of U.S. dairy products spoke at the Federal Reserve Board of Chicago and abolish programs that unfairly discriminate Conference. Vilsack is now the CEO of the or undercut world prices. The U.S. is also seeking U.S. Dairy Export Council and emphasized specic commitments on products developed with the importance of exports. When asked about agricultural biotechnology. immigration, Vilsack told POLITICO there is the inclination to think of politicians as leaders, Latest NAFTA negotiations yielded few results but that’s not always the case. “Most of them are After ve days of trade talks, U.S. Trade followers. They listen to what they hear back home Representative Robert Lighthizer offered a and follow them. On the immigration issue, they pessimistic view for the North American Free hear about jobs being taken, and, in reality, that’s Trade Agreement. Lighthizer said Canada and not the case.” Mexico have refused to “seriously engage” in the trade talks. In a statement, Lighthizer urged his Tax bill and agriculture counterparts to come to the table “in a serious way” Jay Truitt, who is with Policy Solutions, so meaningful progress can be made before the end expects the tax reform bill to be on the President’s of the year. desk by Christmas. Truitt said this is a decent piece
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of legislation, but a lot depends on your income. “If your income is more than $250,00, it’s neutral. If your income is more than $1 million, you don’t like this tax bill, plain and simple. If your income is less than $250,000, this is just a good package pretty much across the board. I know cooperatives have concerns on their carve out, but I think that may get addressed in a follow-up set of offerings down the road.” Ultimately, this tax bill could inuence the farm bill debate. “We’ll have people as we try to pass a farm bill who say we just added to the debt and we’re not cutting mandatory spending anywhere else.” 90 day waiver for ELD The federal government is issuing a 90-day waiver on the use of electronic logging devices for livestock haulers. The ELD and hours-of-service rules have been seen as an issue for animal wellbeing. After 10 hours of driving, the regulations force truckers to shut down for 14 consecutive hours. Livestock groups sought the waiver, due to the impact on cattle, hogs and other animals. Milk production increase October milk production totaled 16.7 billion pounds in the 23 major dairy producing states. That’s up 1.5 percent from October of 2016. In Minnesota, milk cow numbers declined 4,000 head, but milk production increased nearly 3 percent. South Dakota milk output rose 3.7 percent. Wisconsin was up 2.3 percent and California was down 1.5 percent. School milk options to expand USDA has announced an interim rule, bringing regulatory changes to the National School Lunch and School Breakfast program. With the change, low-fat avored milk will again be available in schools for the 2018-19 school year. National Milk Producers Federation President and CEO Jim Turn to AG INSIDER | Page 9
Dairy Star • Saturday, December 9, 2017 • Page 9
ConƟnued from AG INSIDER | Page 8
Mulhern praised the move saying, “more milk consumption equals better nutrition for America’s kids.” Packers and WMMB recognize The Green Bay Packers, the NFL and the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board awarded a $10,000 grant to the Seymour school system. Seymour was chosen for its work with the NFL’s Fuel Up to Play 60 program. Players Mason Crosby, Corey Linsley, Aaron Ripkowski and Justin Vogel participated in the school assembly. Interim president/CEO named for co-op group Cooperative Network has a new interim president and chief executive ofce. Gary Weber will serve in this role while the organization continues its search for the new CEO. Most recently, Weber worked for Land O’Lakes. Discussion meet winner named The Wisconsin Farm Bureau
Federation Young Farmer and Agriculturalist Discussion Meet was held at the group’s annual meeting in Wisconsin Dells. Jamie Propson, of Manitowoc County, was the winner and will represent Wisconsin at the American Farm Bureau Federation annual meeting in January. Trivia challenge Cheez Whiz is the name of the Kraft processed cheese sauce. That answers our last trivia question. For this week, how many bones are found in the human body? 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 9, 2017
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Monitoring herd health, while detecting cows in heat...
by Jennifer Coyne
Industry news addressed with help from your neighbors
Cold weather prompts issues with youngstock
Prevention, early detection aid in healthy calves WOLF LAKE, Minn. – Calves are the foundation of any dairy herd and their health plays a pivotal role in the farm’s prosperity. Among the day-today challenges of raising calves, cold weather can be an additional hindrance in physical growth, while also affecting overall animal MARK KLAPHAKE/DAIRY STAR health and longevity. During this time – Dale Hillukka raises nearly 400 calves each year for two dairy farms near as the temperatures drop Wolf Lake, Minn. Following strict protocols, Hillukka maintains healthy calves and weather conditions throughout the enĆ&#x;re year. change – calves’ developing immune systems are weakened, causing performance from birth through lactation, farmers the young animals to become more susceptible to should focus on preventative measures of calf dangerous, life-threatening illnesses, such as Bovine management. Respiratory Disease (BRD). Dale Hillukka raises nearly 400 calves each year, “BRD is a disease complex caused by bacterial for two dairy farms, on his property near Wolf Lake, and viral pathogens. But, it’s usually a combination Minn. of many different factors, such as pathogens invading Through strict management protocols, including the bovine respiratory tract, environmental conditions prevention and early treatment, Hillukka maintains a and stressors. It is typically identiďƒžed when calves death loss of less than 2 percent year-round. are transitioning off of their dam’s immune system “They say an ounce of prevention is better than and developing their active immune system,â€? said a pound of cure, but an ounce of cure is 16 times Sarah Mills-Lloyd, DVM, University of Wisconsin- better than a pound of treatment,â€? Hillukka said. “I Extension. really pride myself in raising healthy calves for those Calves at 21 days of age are most susceptible to farmers.â€? the disease, which most commonly infects the lower Hillukka’s management begins on the dairy respiratory tract in the form of pneumonia. farms, with the dry cow protocols and working with Every year, BRD is the cause of death for 12.4 the farms’ nutritionist. percent of pre-weaned calves and the second-leading “I work with the same nutritionist for the calves as cause of death in calves of all age groups, according to the farmers do with for the remainder of their herd,â€? the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Hillukka said. “We are always ďƒžne tuning the dry cow “There are considerable economic impacts,â€? program, adding minerals to the diet and getting the Mills-Lloyd said. “Directly, the cost of treatments, proper vaccinations for the cow so the calf has a good time and labor are great. Indirectly, calves that have immune system to start with.â€? contracted pneumonia tend to have lower daily gain. Once the calf is born, the ďƒžrst 12 hours are critical Some research suggests they are not as strong as their to provide the ďƒžrst serving of colostrum, as well as milking herdmates and are more apt to depart from clean and dry bedding. the herd before second calving.â€? Turn to CALF CARE | Page 11 To combat these detrimental effects and maintain
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Hillukka and his son, Gavin, feed calves on Dec. 3. Each calf receives a boĆŠle twice a day unĆ&#x;l they are weaned.
Dairy Star • Saturday, December 9, 2017 • Page 11
ConƟnued from CALF CARE | Page 10 “All of those factors build up to help support that immune system,” Minnie Ward said. “If you have a strong immune system, you can help ght off those different variables, like BRD.” Ward and her husband, Randy, raise weaned calves for a 600-cow dairy farm near St. Charles, Minn. Both calf raisers spend time carefully monitoring the calves during feeding times, as well as when bedding is changed. “Calves give us signs and it’s up to us to pick up on those clues,” Ward said. Visible symptoms that the calf has contracted BRD may include mucus discharge through the nose and eyes, coughing or difculty breathing. “Depending if the infection is viral or bacterial, symptoms may differ or be evident,” said Mills-Lloyd. Hillukka bottle feeds the calves until the point of weaning. From there, the calves are housed in small groups. He evaluates each calf four times a day – during morning and evening feedings, bedding and also a routine check around midday. “When I’m around the calves, if I notice one that seems lazy, not eager to get up or doesn’t drink the whole bottle, among other considerations, I immediately record their symptoms and treat accordingly,” Hillukka said.
MARK KLAPHAKE/DAIRY STAR
Dale Hillukka lls a wagon of boƩles with milk. Hillukka carefully preps the milk replacer to ensure it maintains nutrients the calves need. Ward agreed. “Calves associate time and people with certain events, which is why bedding and feeding are good times to evaluate your calves. They should be attentive when they see you,” she said. While each farm may have their own method of scoring a calf, record keeping is essential to track progress and notice
patterns of the disease within the young herd. Unfortunately, by the time symptoms are visible, the infection is often already working itself through the immune system. Calves at 3-5 weeks of age are most susceptible to BRD or other infections, however, older calves, up to 10 weeks old, also are at a greater chance
of becoming ill. This is because of critical life changes that are occurring at these moments. “There are several environmental factors that can depress an immune system – weaning, vaccinating, changes in feed, outside temperature and humidity, as well as inadequate ventilation…,” Mills-Lloyd said.
Within Hillukka’s barn, the individual pens are on top of a dirt oor and the side curtains are rarely closed throughout the year to ensure proper airow through the facility. Once the calves are weaned, they are placed into small groups. “I don’t overcrowd calves; I’m asking for trouble when I overload pens,” said Hillukka, who groups calves in sets of ve or six. If the environment is not closely monitored, BRD can transfer from calf to calf and create long-term effects in the herd. To prevent BRD and other diseases, especially during the cold, winter months, dairy farmers should provide adequate, high quality colostrum during the rst 24 hours of life, maintain energy levels through feed intake and calf jackets, provide a clean, comfortable and dry bedding source, as well as maintaining consistency in overall calf management. “Focus your efforts on keeping a healthy environment for calves,” Hillukka said. “It takes time to practice prevention and early intervention, but you’re too busy to take care of really sick calves.” Mills-Lloyd agreed. “Winter time is difcult for us to maintain our motivation, but we have to continue to strive for the best care possible for the future foundation of our herds,” she said.
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Page 12 • Dairy Star • Saturday, December 9, 2017
Becoming a leader in today’s industry Panelists share successes, challenges of role By Jennifer Coyne jenn@dairystar.com
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – In the dairy industry’s everchanging environment, women are serving in larger roles than ever before, presented with leadership opportunities on their farm, within their cooperative boards and in other professional capacities. “Women don’t always have to be there, but sometimes they need to be there,” said Barb Liebenstein of the role females play in the agricultural industry. Liebenstein, who serves as chairwoman of the Minnesota division of the Midwest Dairy Association, Pam Bolin and Kate McAndrews spoke to a room-full of women during their presentation, “Leading in an Industry Dominated by Men,” at the Central Plains Dairy Expo’s Women’s Business Conference Nov. 14 in Sioux Falls, S.D. Together, the three women spoke of their own journey through leadership
JENNIFER COYNE/DAIRY STAR
Kate McAndrews (center) shares her experiences as a leader in the dairy industry to women at the Central Plains Dairy Expo’s Women’s Business Conference Nov. 14 in Sioux Falls, S.D. McAndrews was joined by Barb Liebenstein (leŌ) and Pam Bolin.
and encouraged others to step up and be present in today’s industry. Women’s unique responsibility to lead Leadership comes in many different forms, and Bolin encouraged women to nd the form that best ts them. In doing so, women have the opportunity to excel
in their newfound role. “We’re in such a small industry that we have to nd ways, as females, to be a part of this leadership team,” Bolin said. “There’s not as much difference between genders as what a person is taught, and our attitude towards others begins with respect.” Bolin dairy farms with her husband, Dave, near
Clarksville, Iowa. She is two years out of serving 26 years on the Swiss Valley Farms Cooperative Board. In Bolin’s various roles within her cooperative, most recently retiring as chairperson, she helped develop leaders out of all dairy farmers. “Before any meeting ends, I ask that everyone has shared
their thoughts. There are a lot of good ideas, but certain personalities take over,” Bolin said. “Some people who hardly talk are the smartest people in the room.” Liebenstein agreed. “There’s a lot to it, whether you lead from the front of the room or from the side,” she said. Either through social media or in person, women have the unique ability to be leaders in the industry and make a connection with today’s consumers. “Women think differently and communicate differently than men,” said Liebenstein, who milks 400 cows with her husband, Paul, near Dundas, Minn. Bolin agreed. “If you’re a female, you have a connection to the consumer that our spouses, sons and brothers don’t have,” she said. “The consumer is so disconnected and they’re not listening to scientists, doctors or researchers … they’re listening to other moms.” However, creating a platform that guides others in making decisions is difcult, whether it is directed towards Turn to LEADER | Page 13
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Dairy Star • Saturday, December 9, 2017 • Page 13
ConƟnued from LEADER | Page 12
consumers or male counterparts in the workforce. To combat skepticism in one’s ability to lead, McAndrews emphasized the importance of persistency and credibility when sharing a message. “I don’t think differently when I interact one-on-one or in a group. We all have to give time for each other and share our thoughts, because we’re all working towards the same common goals,” McAndrews said. “If at rst your ideas aren’t given any consideration, be patient and be calm.
“The world is run by those who show up. It’s not always knowing the perfect opportunity, it’s the willingness to step up and make a way.” ȃ PAM BOLIN, DAIRY FARMER
Stick to the facts and encourage more input.” McAndrews is a nutritionist for Vita Plus, while her husband, Mike, and his parents milk 300 cows near Sauk Centre, Minn. In McAndrews’ occupation, as well as her involvement in her college’s local alumni chapter and the Stearns County American Dairy Association, McAndrews experience is vast. Within the dairy industry, there are numerous leadership opportunities for women, both in the limelight and
behind the scenes. Deciding which one best ts a given personality helps mold that individual into their best form of leadership. “It’s just learning to realize that God gave us all a purpose. To me, I take great comfort in knowing He doesn’t care if I’m male or female,” Bolin said. “If you have a passion for the dairy industry, you can lead.” The path towards leadership While leadership can be a learned skill, it is most often developed from the inuences that surround an individual. Liebenstein, Bolin and McAndrews all agreed their skills and mindset that have helped them reach the positions they are in today were rst nurtured in their homes as young children. “I’m a product of what my parents have done, and now my daughter is learning by watching me,” McAndrews said. The three panelists encouraged the audience, if they have not already begun to do so, to get involved in their children’s activities – church, school and 4-H, among other organizations. “Wherever your kids are, there goes your leadership. And hopefully, in those positions, you’re helping those kids become leaders,” Liebenstein said. Likewise, maintain a presence with organizations the farm is directly linked to. “If anyone is a part of a co-op and you get the opportunity to grow, do it,” Bolin said. “I was 30 years old when our director was retiring and asked Dave to run. He couldn’t, but
suggested I do it. … Take the chance because you never know how it will turn out.” McAndrews also reiterated the importance of being involved in organizations outside of agriculture. “I think it’s neat to have something not ag related that can help me learn more. Surround yourself with people who can help you and you can help them,” said McAndrews, who is the president of her college’s local alumni chapter. Most importantly, for women in agriculture and those establishing
leadership, other women must support them. “We’ve protected ourselves for so long, sometimes we protect ourselves from each other and that causes problems,” Liebenstein said. Bolin agreed. “The world is run by those who show up. It’s not always knowing the perfect opportunity, it’s the willingness to step up and make a way,” Bolin said. “Ladies, let’s take care of each other – if someone else gets there, let’s encourage them.”
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From Our Side Of The Fence Dairy Star • Saturday, December 9, 2017 • Page 15
What is one way farmers can make the best of this market?
Dave Becker 28 years Independent dairy business consultant focusing on ďƒžnancial planning and analysis Osseo, Wis. Describe what the past year has been like for the dairy farms you work with. It has been a year with many changes and challenges. With milk prices continuing to be under the 10-year average for the third year in a row, producers have been challenged to reduce operating costs while maximizing income to achieve a proďƒžt margin. Along with this, in western Wisconsin we have a seen a reduction in premiums paid by milk processors. Basis above Class III has decreased by about 3 percent from previous years. What has been the biggest challenge? All commodity prices are down. Farms with multiple enterprises, like cash grains or beef operations, are not getting the boost from these to help offset poor margins in their dairy enterprise. The other big challenge is the reaction time for implementing changes in the operation in response to lower milk income. Part of the nature of many dairy owners is to be optimistic about the future. This can be a great trait to have as a business operator, however, for some it can get in the way of dealing with the here and now. Assuming the current short fall in cash ďƒ&#x;ow will be cured by future higher milk prices may not happen. It takes time to identify and implement changes to improve margins. What are a couple money management tips you’ve suggested? With most clients, one member of the ownership team is responsible for paying the bills. I have suggested that ownership teams sit down together at bill paying time. Along with focusing on lowering costs, don’t forget to look for opportunities to increase revenue. Don’t overlook the cost to raise your replacement herd. How many replacements should you be raising? A benchmark is 85 percent of your total milking herd. Should you consider breeding part of your herd to beef? Review your feeding and treatment/vaccination program especially for wet calves. Evaluate reducing speciďƒžc expenses based on how it will impact your margin between milk income and your operating expense. What is one positive message you want to tell dairy farmers? Proďƒžtable dairy farms come in all shapes and sizes. It not a cookie cutter business that you have to have this many cows and do this or that a certain way. Build upon the strengths of your business, be open to ideas and suggestions from employees, support professionals and other dairymen that may help improve your bottom line. What is one way farmers can make the best of this market, for themselves and their dairy? Keep communication going with your ownership team, discussing the challenges helps reduce tensions and opens up the opportunity to work towards solutions. Communicate with your lender and provide updated information on how your operation is doing. Providing good information will help your lender evaluate what they can do to help your business. Communicate with your vendors. Approaching your vendors with a plan on how you will deal with an outstanding balance will go a long way in maintaining your business relationship. How do you feel the current price will affect the dairy industry in the Midwest in the next year? Producers will have to continue to adapt their operations to achieve a positive margin in this environment. This may include increasing or reducing assets for some operations. There will be some dairies which will have to deal with the hard discussion of whether to exit the industry. Maintaining the “as isâ€? mentality and waiting until prices rebound may not be a viable option.
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Tina LeBrun Farm Business Management instructor 9 years New Ulm, Minn. Describe what the past year has been like for the dairy farms you work with. My profession offers the opportunity to work with all types of farm operations, but years like this I am humbled to work with a dairy producer more than ever. Dairy farmers really shine at farm management when commodity prices are at poor levels. They are used to planning for the decrease in proďƒžt margins that seems to be on the horizon at some point, so when the good years come, they focus on cushioning for the bad which allows them to stay aďƒ&#x;oat year after year. Financial stress and anxiety is out there, but dairy producers are handling it better than other types of farm operations. What has been the biggest challenge? Thin margins. What are a couple money management tips you’ve suggested? Look at your cost of production either on a per cow or per hundredweight basis and evaluate how you can improve that value by lowering direct expense items such as veterinary, purchased feed, breeding services and custom hire. Or, how can you increase your returns to improve your COP with either additional milk income or increased cattle sales. What is one positive message you want to tell dairy farmers? Use the lower feed market to your advantage in the coming months. What is one way farmers can make the best of this market, for themselves and their dairy? Enroll in a farm business management program. Surround yourself as a farm manager with people who are on your side and looking out for the longevity of your farm and your legacy. How do you feel the current price will affect the dairy industry in the Midwest in the next year? Today’s price and forecasted futures are keeping dairy farmers from building equity in their dairy operation. Producers are simply maintaining the ship to stay aďƒ&#x;oat. Value added investments into the operation are limited as these producers hold out for better prices.
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Bill Januszewski High school ag instructor, 25 years Farm Business Management instructor, 10 years Pelican Rapids, Minn., and Alexandria, Minn. Describe what the past year has been like for the dairy farms you work with. The past year has been a struggle for some of the dairy farms I work with. One has gone out of the business, and a couple more are feeling ďƒžnancial stress to the point that they may be going out of the business, also. What has been the biggest challenge? Trying to meet cash ďƒ&#x;ow needs. The milk price is not covering expenses with some of the farms I work with. This puts stress on their marriages, also. What are a couple money management tips you’ve suggested? Keep track of all expenses, including family living, and try to cut out those that if cut, would not hurt milk production. We have to try to become more efďƒžcient. Keep great records and reconcile your bank accounts, so you know your numbers are accurate. Keep on top of the little things, and it will take care of the big things. What is one positive message you want to tell dairy farmers? Big or small, it doesn’t matter as long as you are the best. There is always room for the best producers. Flavored milk will be used again around the country in schools for the 2018-19 school year. This will increase milk consumption and create demand. What is one way farmers can make the best of this market, for themselves and their dairy? Try to stay positive, and look to the future. How do you feel the current price will affect the dairy industry in the Midwest in the next year? Cash ďƒ&#x;ows may be tough in 2018. Today’s CME price in the $14-15 range is below most people’s cost of production. Turn to FENCE | Page 16
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ConƟnued from FENCE | Page 15
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Tom Anderson Farm Business Management, 19 years High school ag, 18 years Riverland Community College, Minn. Describe what the past year has been like for the dairy farms you work with. It has been a difcult year. The weather in Southeast Minnesota has been damp throughout the spring, summer and fall resulting in late planting and a later than normal harvest. Many dairy farms have struggled with low milk prices, the loss of milk basis and rising costs. It has been difcult to stay positive.
What has been the greatest challenge? The greatest challenge has been the inability to cash ow for this long duration of lower milk prices with rising costs. Those herds that have been using BST have had to make the decision on what is the best method to go off using the product. I believe many have chosen to not enroll freshening cows as opposed to quitting cold turkey now. What are a couple money management tips you’ve suggested? New capital investments need to show a quick return on funds invested. Calculate your total debt per hundredweight of milk sold, with a goal of less than $20/cwt. Calculate your debt and lease payments per cwt. of milk sold, with a goal of less than $2.75. With these two calculations, you may consider talking with your lender about renancing. Always keep an open door with your lender. What is your SCC, and how much are you leaving on the table if lowered to less than 200,000? Calculate Energy Corrected Milk and determine the benets of higher components. The most pounds may not provide the most income. Are you losing potential revenue from lower components? Are you being efcient with your labor cost? Are their ways to improve labor cost? What is one positive message you want to tell dairy farmers? Dairy has a life cycle and though we are in a down cycle, trends will change and the market will change as the value of the dollar swings back. It is important work that dairypersons do, in providing a nutritious product for the consumer. We must protect and improve our mental health by rubbing shoulders with positive people, talking to friends and neighbors. We need to support each other by sharing ideas and frustrations and above all give, pay forward and make a commitment to doing random acts of kindness. For when we give, much more is received in return. Giving doesn’t need to be nancial. Giving of our time and thoughtfulness may not be nancially rewarding, but it improves our outlook and perspective on life. What is one way farmers can make the best of this market, for themselves and their dairy? Know your numbers and use them on a regular basis to make positive and sound decisions. Try not to react, but to be proactive. Producing quality milk with solid components will be rewarded with the best price and the healthiest cows. A loss of cattle inventory can be devastating on the balance sheet, so keeping a good inventory of cattle and crops is the one piece of which you have control. The milk price is difcult to control, so focus on those items of which you have the most control. How do you feel the current price will affect the dairy industry in the Midwest in the next year? My greatest concern is the effect this will have on the young producers trying to enter a difcult industry. Those who have the benet of entering with a well-established previous generation are blessed, though they face a unique set of challenges. The rst-generation families are always challenged with the limitations of available capital and cash ow. Our rural communities benet from a thriving dairy industry. Rural schools and main streets always benet from a strong dairy economy.
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Describe what the past year has been like for the dairy farms you work with. It has been very mixed. Purchased feed costs have been at and milk prices are averaging about $1 higher than this same period in 2016. The more established, less leveraged farms are doing better than 2016. Overall prots are still near breakeven on these operations. While this is positive, the margins are not great enough to allow them to repair much of the nancial damage incurred in 2016. The younger dairies with more leverage are continuing to suffer. The debt service requirements are consuming a substantial amount of the cash ow, making it difcult to keep up with operating expenses. Many of these farms have been working with their vendors to develop plans to keep their bills current through these challenging times. What has been the biggest challenge? The longevity of this downward cycle and the grim look at 2018 are starting to wear on operations and attitudes. Cash ow has been tight since 2015 and working capital has been eroding. I am impressed that producers continue to stay positive and work proactively to manage their operations. What are a couple money management tips you’ve suggested? Watch your cash ow budgets. The cash ow budget allows the producer to take a strategic look at the operation. It gives you a chance to predict impending expenses, manage your income and determines when you might need to rely on operating lines of credit. For it to be effective, however, you need to benchmark your actual income and expenses against the budget and make adjustments as needed. Know your cost of production so you are not afraid to hedge milk when prices are favorable. Be honest with your vendors, your banker, and most importantly yourself about your situation. Most vendors are excellent to work with, but you need to do your part by communicating with them and being honest and realistic about your situation and your ability to make payments. Look for non-productive assets and turn them into cash. These are items on your farm that are not generating a return on investment. As a general rule, more iron equals less cash. In these tough times, your operation needs to be lean to help keep more of the prots in the business. Review each expense item to determine its impact on the protability of your dairy. Make sure everyone in your business is fully employed. Labor is expensive even owner/ operator labor. This may look very different for individual farms. In some cases this may mean cutting out the middleman or contract labor and pulling more of that work back to the farm. On other farms there might be more benet to cutting hired labor and utilizing more custom hire. Either way, making sure that policies, procedures, and plans are in place to fully maximize the efciency of your labor force is critical in reducing costs. What is one positive message you want to tell dairy farmers? I feel very fortunate to be able to work with dairy farmers and the dairy industry. They are down to earth hard working people and willing to help their neighbors. It is good for farmers to get out to events where other producers will be and take the time to share tools, strategies, and successes for the benet of all. What is one way farmers can make the best of this market, for themselves and their dairy? The top producers focus on what they can control. Some examples include: Producing and harvesting high quality feed; managing shrink; working with vendors to reduce input costs; carefully evaluating and prioritizing costs; examining debt structure and repayment capacity and reducing living expenses. The re-tooling that you do now will increase the protability and efciency of your operation for the long term and will not only help you in these challenging times but also help when prices improve. How do you feel the current price will affect the dairy industry in the Midwest in the next year? The Class 3 price is under $15 for the rst quarter of 2018. This is well below the break-even for most producers. Some producers are running cash ow projections now to determine priorities and communicate plans with their lenders. I worry that accounts payable will continue to increase on many operations until vendors place them on cash-only basis. Once this happens, it can be difcult to pull the operation out of that spiral. Farms short on cash are often forced to forego critical inputs, this can decrease protability and compound cash ow problems.
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BUNKER SILO RESTORATION/REPAIR WITH JETCRETE • High pressure water blasting of walls for excellent bonding. • Reinforced heavy duty wire mesh installed. • Jetcrete -phnuematically applied concrete.
WINTER WORKSHOP
Register by December 29 for the EarlyBird Rate!
January 8: Mandan,ND January 9: Watertown, SD January 10: Pipestone, MN January 11 :Orange City, IA January 12: Norfolk, NE
Cost: $50 for producers and industry before 12/29 • $65 after 12/29 $25 for students before 12/29 • $30 after 12/29 Register at: iGrow.org/Events/I-29-moo-university-2018/
Questions? Contact Tracey Erickson 605-882-5140 Tracey.Erickson@sdstate.edu or Kim Clark 402-472-6065 KimClark@unl.edu
I29MooUniversity
South Dakota State University, South Dakota counties, and U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating. South Dakota State University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and offers all benefits, services, education, and employment opportunities without regard for race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or Vietnam Era veteran status.
Dairy Star • Saturday, December 9, 2017 • Page 17
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CALL YOUR LOCAL GEHL DEALER TODAY!
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USED SKIDSTEERS ‘15 Gehl RT250, JS ctrls, D, 2500 lift cap., C/H/A, 2 spd., full warranty 2 yrs or 2000 hrs., 75 hrs .......................... $54,500 ‘16 Gehl R220, dual T-bar ctrls, D, 2500 lift cap., C/H, 2 spd., 2560 hrs . $27,500 ‘15 Gehl R220, pilot ctrls, D, 2200 lift cap., C&H, 2 spd., 3190 hrs ...................... $22,500 ‘15 Gehl R220, dual T-bar ctrls, D, 2500 lift cap., C&H, 2 spd, 1475 hrs ............... $29,700 ‘15 Gehl R220, T-bar ctrls, D, 2500 lift cap., C&H, 2 spd., 2515 hrs ...................... $26,800 ‘14 Gehl R220, T-bar, H ctrls, D, 2200 lift, C&H, 2 spd., 1230 hrs. ..................... $30,400 ‘14 Gehl R220, H ctrls, D, 2400 lift cap, C/H/A, 2 spd, 1230 hrs................................. $32,000 ‘14 Gehl R220, H ctrls, D, 2500 lift cap, C/H, 2 spd, 2560 hrs ......................... $34,250 ‘13 Gehl R190, T-bar ctrls, D, 2150 lift cap, SS, 2100 hrs ..................................... $24,950 ‘15 Gehl R190, dual T-bar self leveling ctrls, D, 2100 lift cap., C&H, 2 spd., 2300 hrs ........................................... $24,900 ‘14 Gehl R190, dual T-bar ctrls, D, 1900 lift cap., C&H, 2 spd., 1865 hrs. ............. $26,900 ‘13 Gehl R190, T-bar ctrls, D, C&H, 2 spd., 2110 lift cap, 700 hrs. ........... $30,900 ‘14 Gehl R190, hand ctrls, D, 2100 lift cap, C&H, radio, 2 spd, 2190 hrs ...... $26,250 ‘14 Gehl R190, pilot ctrls, D, C&H, 2 spd, 2103 hrs................................. $28,500 ‘13 Gehl R190, JS, D, 2150 lift cap., 2 spd., C&H, 1300 hrs ...................... $33,900 ‘16 Gehl R150, H ctrls, D, 1500 lift cap., C&H, SS, 1835 hrs............................ $22,950 ‘10 Gehl 7810, JS ctrls, D, 3800 lift cap, C/H, 2 spd, 958 hrs .................... Call for price ‘01 Gehl 7600, t-bar ctrls, D, 3400 lift cap, C/H, 5925 hrs.................................... $15,900 ‘06 Gehl 6640E, t-bar ctrls, D, C&H, 2 spd, 2600 lift cap., 2682 hrs .......... $19,900 ‘11 Gehl 5640E, t-bar H-ctrls, D, 2200 lift cap., SS, 2600 hrs .............. $20,500 ‘04 Gehl 5640, T-bar ctrls, D, 2200 lift cap., SS, 3905 hrs ..................................... $16,500 ‘11 Gehl 5640, T-bar ctrls, D, 2200 lift cap., C&H, 2 spd., 1370 hrs ...................... $27,300 ‘12 Gehl 5240 P2, T-bar ctrls, D, 1900 lift cap, C&H, 2 spd., 850 hrs. ................ $27,500 ‘13 Gehl 5240E P2, T-bar ctrls., D, 2100 lift cap., counter wts., SS, 2050 hrs .. $25,900
USED SKIDSTEERS
‘14 Gehl 4640E, Case ctrls, D, 1650 lift cap, C/H, single speed, 4190 hrs .............. $19,800 ‘89 Gehl 3310, T-bar ctrls, gas, 750 lift cap w/pallet forks & bkt, 1435 hrs............. $5,500 ‘87 Gehl 3310, T-bar ctrls, 750 lift cap., manure & dirt bkt., 2980 hrs............... $5,700 Gehl V270, H ctrls, D, 2700 lift cap, C/H/A, 2 spd, 4700 hrs................................. $19,300 ‘14 Mustang 2600R, H&F ctrls., D, C&H, 2 spd., 2600 lift cap., 850 hrs ........... $35,500 ‘13 Mustang 2100RT, switchable ctrls, D, 17� tracks, C/H, 2 spd, 2380 hrs .. $33,500 ‘12 Mustang 2100RT, pilot ctrls, D, 2100 lift cap., C/H/A, 400 hrs ............ $43,900 ‘08 Mustang 2076, D, 2400 lift cap., C/H/A, SS, 912 hrs., dual JS ctrls ................ $29,900 ‘06 Mustang 2066, dual lever/ft ctrls, D, 2000 lift cap., C/H, 1174 hrs......... $21,900 ‘06 Mustang 2066, ISO pilot ctrls/H ctrls, D, 2000 lift cap., C&H, 2 spd., 1864 hrs ........................................... $18,500 ‘06 Mustang 2066, T-Bar ctrls, D, 2000 lift cap,c/h, 2 spd, 3377 hrs ................... $15,500 ‘11 Mustang 2056, dual L&F ctrls, D, 2100 lift cap, C&H, 2 spd., 988 hrs ............ $24,900 ‘13 Mustang 2054, Case ctrls., D, 1650 lift cap., SS, counter wt., 722 hrs........... $16,900 ‘08 Mustang 2054, D, SS, H, 1750 lift cap, 6200 hrs. ..................... $10,300 ‘99 Mustang 2050, T-bar ctrls, 1650 lift cap., D, 4623 hrs., C&H, SS.............. $11,900 ‘11 Mustang 2044, t-bar ctrls, D, 1550 lift cap., C/H, 1515 hrs ...................... $18,700 ‘13 Mustang 2041, H/F ctrls, 1350 lift cap, D, 4025 hrs ....................................... $13,900 ‘15 Mustang 1900R, H/pilot ctrls, D, 2100 lift cap., C/H, 2 spd., 2150 hrs .......... $26,550 ‘15 Mustang 1900R, H&F ctrls, D, 2100 lift cap, C&H, 2 spd., 54 hrs ................... $34,900 ‘15 Mustang 1900R, H/F ctrls, D, 1900 lift cap, C&H, 2 spd., 1928 hrs ............... $28,300 ‘16 Mustang 1500R, H/F ctrls, D, 1500 lift cap., C&H, 2550 hrs............ $23,250 ‘15 Mustang 1350R, H/F ctrls, D, C&H, 1450 lift cap., C&H, 1070 hrs............ $27,900 ‘78 Mustang 348, T-bar/foot ctrls, G, 1200 lift cap, SS 879 hrs .................... $4,950 ‘13 JD 318E, L/F ctrls, D, 2100 lift cap., C/H/A, 2 spd., 2615 hrs..................... $25,500 ‘07 Case 435, H-ctrls., D, 2300 lift cap., C/H, SS, 2750 hrs ............................. $18,850
USED SKIDSTEERS
‘85 NH L785, H/FT ctrls., D, 2050 lift cap., C, SS, 6935 hrs. .................................. $8,900
TRACTORS
‘45 International H, 26 hp, 540 pto....$1,995 ‘58 International 460, 60 hp gas eng., quick hitch, full hyd. ldr. ....................$4,495 IH 656, gas, 63 HP .............................$5,900
USED TMRS/MIXERS
‘13 Penta 6720HD 725 cuft w/rubber ext., at frt conveyor, stainless steel .........$23,900 ‘11 Penta 4420VS stationary mixer, 420 cu. ft., 500 cu. ft. w/ext., (2) 15 hp Leeson 3 phase motors, power door openers, 2 spd. gear box, Digistar scale head ............$16,000 ‘10 Penta 3020 SD, 540 pto, 320 cu. ft., 4’ RH front/side conveyor, 9â€? rubber ext., scale ....................... $19,900 ‘04 Penta 5600, 600 cu. ft., EZ 2000V scale, corner door .......................... $16,000 ‘05 Penta 4110, 400 cu. ft. .............. $14,500 ‘08 Penta 5620HD, 600 cu. ft., 8â€? rubber ext., right corner door .................... $23,500 Knight 3300, 540 PTO, 900X20 tires, new relined ...................................... $7,950 Knight 3250, 10 hp elc. single phase motor, 250 cu. ft., EZ 210 Digistar scale ..... $8,250 ‘11 Kuhn Knight VTC 1100, LH slide tray, rear commodity door, 2 remote scales, mounted to 2012 Peterbuilt 367 w/40,619 miles, 66,000 GVW, 10 spd., transmission, front mount hyd. drive, 1100 cu. ft.................................... $134,000 ‘99 Supreme 500, LH dog leg conv . $13,000 Automatic ATG1800B, 1800 bu./hr., 54â€? blower, 4 cut rolls, load auger ... $8,500
TELEHANDLERS
‘06 Gehl RS5-34, D, 6000 lift cap, 3560 hrs ........................................... $34,500 ‘05 Gehl RS6-42, JD dsl., 6600 lift cap., 4WD, 2884 hrs................................$35,000 ‘07 Mustang 642, 2 Stick Ctrls, D, 6600 lift cap, 3 spd, 2432 hrs. ........$37,000 ‘06 Mustang 6-34, 6000 lift cap., 2650 hrs .........................................$34,300 ‘00 Genie S-60, 60’ lift height, 6500 hrs .........................................$23,900 ‘12 JCB 541-70AGRI, D, 9000/23’ lift cap., C/H/A, 4 spd., operating wt. 16,670 lbs., 7890 hrs ........................................... $33,800
MANURE HANDLING ‘12 Kuhn Knight 8141, 4100 gal, hyd. lid ............................................ $42,900 ‘12 Kuhn Knight 8141, 4100 gal., hyd. lid ............................................ $35,800 ‘99 Knight Mfg. 8024, 500 bu. ......... $12,900 ‘14 Kuhn Knight 8132, 3200 gal., 435 cu. ft......................................... $27,900 Kuhn-Knight 8132, 3200 gal ............. $18,000 ‘08 Kuhn Knight 8132, frt. & rear splash guards ................................. $22,500 ‘05 Kuhn Knight 8118, 1800 gal., 400 bu., auger ighting good cond. .............. $14,900 Kuhn Knight 8118, 1800 gal. ............ $12,000 Kuhn Knight 8118, 1800 gal., 400 bu............................................. $10,900 Knight 8018, 400 bu, 1800 gal, side ext., New Hammer and Hammer Shafts .. $12,000 ‘89 New Idea 3739, 540 pto, 390 bu., end gate ............................................ $6,500 NH 195, 440 cu. ft., top beater ........... $7,900 ‘17 Hagedorn 5440, lights, used 50 loads.................................. $34,500 H&S 370, 370 bu., Upper beater, Endgate ............................................. $9,800 ‘91 Balzer manure pump, V6, 8’ pump, 2 pt. hitch, rmt. ďŹ ngertip ctrl ............. $3,450 ‘00 Balzer manure pump, V6, 8’ vert. manure pump ................................... $4,500 Jamesway manure pump, 6x8, 8’ pump, 2 pt. hitch, double agitation .............. $5,500
HAY & FORAGE Gehl 980, 16’ w/12 ton tandem gear, H&S 6-12 running gear .................... $6,950 Gehl 980 bu., 16’ box, 12 ton tandem, vari-speed drive ................................ $5,500 NH 144 std. conveyor, no ext., ground driven .................................. $3,900 NH 144, ground driven ...................... $2,900 ‘04 NH BR780, 5’ x 6’ bales, net wrap/knife kit, extra wide pickup ...................... .$9,900 CIH 600, 60� blower .......................... $5,300 Badger BN2054, 54� forage blower ...... $895 ‘84 Badger 950, 16’, tandem, 12T MN running gear ........................ $4,150 ‘93 JD 535, 5x6 bales, twine ............. $7,750
HAY & FORAGE
JD 265, 7’10� cut, outside swath roller, tarp, good cond................................. $7,200 ‘09 JD 468SS, 4’x6’ bales, net wrap and twine, Mega Wide plus P.U., silage special, 14,000 bales ..................... $20,500 ‘12 Kuhn GA300GM, 7’3� raking width, 10’6� with windrow, 3 pt. rotary rake$5,000 ‘15 Kuhn GF222T, 2 rotor, pull-type, 8’6� working width ........................... $3,150 ‘14 Kuhn GF222T, 8’6� working width .$2,900 ‘H&S Super 7+4, 16’ box ................... $6,300 ‘11 H&S M9, 9’ pickup, hyd. drive ... $16,000 ‘98 H&S XL59, 16’ box, 12T tandem gear .............................. $6,400 ‘13 H&S FBTA20 20’ box, twin auger disch., frt. unload, 416 H&D running gear. $17,500 ‘08 H&S X12 12 wheel rake .............. $7,800 ‘03 H&S BF12HC, 12 wheel high cap rake ........................................... $7,950 ‘16 H&S hyd. drive, 16’ box, elec. speed ctrl ............................... $17,500 (2) ‘06 Meyer 4220 Forage Box, 20’, X1906 Meyer 6 whl running gear, Hyd Drive .................................$17,900 ea. ‘90 Meyer 500TSS, 16’ box, 12 ton tandem, bunk ext., pintle chain ...................... $6,250 Gehl 800 chopper w/hay head ........... $2,995 Buhler BM2400, ’13, Transports 12-4’ or 8-6’ wide Bales............................... $21,000 Flat Rack/Hay Rack, 7-2/2’x11-1/2’, 6 bolt rims .......................................... $695 Tonutti RCS8 8 whl. rake ................... $2,400 Bush Hog HM2408, 6 disc, 7’10� cut . $4,100 MN Bale Wagon 9’ x 18’ bed, 8 Ton MN gear ................................. $1,550 ‘11 Teagle 808S, 4’ wide rd bales, full spout, end-gate controller, Sold as is.............$8,500 Frontier DM5060, 6 disc, 7’10� cutting width..............................$5,850 Vicon CM2400, 540 pto, 7’0� cut ........$4,700
MISCELLANEOUS
Berlon BSC, lifts full rd. bales ..............$450 ‘14 Everst 5700 84�, 3 blades, 7 gu. deck, 1-1/2� to 4-1/2� cutting height ........$1,985 Erskine Grapple, 72� Brush Grapple $2,300
Page 18 • Dairy Star • Saturday, December 9, 2017
Top Performers
Sand bedding integral to high production at McNallan Farms
McNallan Farms – Paul, Steve, Matt and Scott McNallan Kellogg, Minn.; Wabasha County 819 cows
What is your current herd average, butterfat and protein? Our current rolling herd average is 29,544 pounds of milk with 1,009 pounds of fat and 897 pounds of protein. How many times a day do
you milk? If you don’t milk 3X a day, have you tried it in the past? We milk three times a day, which we have been doing about 20 years. When we switched, we saw a boost in production.
Do you use BST? If so, what is your protocol? The whole herd has been on BST, starting at 60 days in milk; however, we will discontinue using BST at the end of the year.
KRISTA KUZMA/DAIRY STAR
KRISTA KUZMA/DAIRY STAR
A cow rests on sand bedding in one of the McNallans’ freestall barns.
The McNallans – (from leŌ) Paul, MaƩ, ScoƩ and Steve – milk 819 cows on their dairy near Kellogg, Minn. The herd’s current rolling herd average is 29,544 pounds of milk with 1,009 pounds of fat and 897 pounds of protein. Do you contract your milk? of 2018 locked in for about 50 Describe your housing and Has it been successful for percent of our milk. We have milking facility. We have four you? Yes, we contract milk. been contracting milk on and sand-bedded freestall barns We use a Revenue Over Feed off for the past 15 years. It is and a double-12 parabone (ROF) Lite program through not always a high percentage parlor that is nearly 40 years our milk cooperative, AMPI. of our milk. The success is hit old. We usually lock in a oor and or miss, but that is what it is a ceiling, and usually don’t supposed to do. It evens out our What is the composition of spend more than 10 cents per income and helps us miss the your ration? What has been hundredweight. We have a lows. Premiums can’t always one of your most recent milk price for three quarters make up for the price swings. Turn to MCNALLANS | Page 20
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Dairy Star • Saturday, December 9, 2017 • Page 19
Bongards’ Creameries
Has been a quality market for MN dairy farmers for over 100 years. MN producers provide one of the country’s most distinctive brands of cheese that is still made using the same Old World craftsmanship and has been combined with cutting-edge technology to produce cheese that delivers unforgettable taste with unparalleled quality. MN Dairy farmers and Bongards, quality that stands the test of time. We offer a competitive base price, premiums, and the best Àeld representatives in the industry. 13200 Co. Rd. 51 Bongards, MN 55368 (952) 466-5521 Fax (952) 466-5556 110 3rd Ave. NE Perham, MN 56573 (218) 346-4680 Fax (218) 346-4684
“I didn’t even think we had stray voltage!” Roger Lange milks 100 head on his family dairy at Crofton, Nebraska. Until recently he was often forced to sell his fresh heifers because they wouldn t let down their milk. “We called Stray Voltage Consulting, and Jerry found the problem within half an hour.” Roger said. “I was very impressed with Jerry. He’s a former REA guy, so he understands both the farmer and the electric company. Being able to work with both sides is a key component to his success.” “I haven’t had a single problem with our fresh heifers since Jerry corrected our stray voltage problem. I would highly recommend Stray Voltage Consulting to anyone who thinks they might have stray voltage!”
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“We really like what this product does for our herd.” — Tony Compton
COMPTON DAIRY, Tony, Pam and Ben Compton COLUMBIA, KENTUCKY 200 cows milking robotically, RHA 24,000M SCC 170,000, 2013 Kentucky Dairy Quality Award “We have been using Udder Comfort™ for 6 years and really like what this product does for our herd. It helps with milk quality, and we have less need for antibiotics,” says Tony Compton of Compton Dairy, Columbia, Kentucky. Tony and his wife Pam and son Ben operate the 200-cow dairy that transitioned to robotic milking last year. The dairy received the Kentucky Dairy Quality Award in 2013. “We like producing a good quality product and to provide good cow comfort for our herd. Udder Comfort is part of that. We like how quickly it gets edema out of the udders. Anytime we can do that, it helps our milk quality. “We use Udder Comfort on all fresh cows 2x/day for 3 to 4 days. We also use the information from the robot every day to find high conductivity and apply Udder Comfort 2x/day in the headlocks where needed. This normally brings the conductivity back down to average.”
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Page 20 • Dairy Star • Saturday, December 9, 2017
ConƟnued from MCNALLANS | Page 18
changes that has been successful for you? Our ration consists of haylage, BMR cornsilage, snaplage, brewers grain, dry corn, cottonseed and a mix from our feed mill that includes vitamins, minerals, soybean meal and distillers. We have been using snaplage for about three to four years, but plan to use more in this upcoming year. Snaplage is an efcient way of harvesting corn. Through the years you’ve been farming, what change has created the biggest jump in your herd average? Sand bedding. We have been using it for 20 years; however, for a portion of the time we had a combination. A few of our barns had sand while the others had mattresses. We switched to 100 percent sand in 2006 when we built our newest two barns. Production went up about 9 pounds per cow per day. What is your herd health program? We follow our vet’s recommendations for vaccines. Whenever we implement them, they seem to work and help with the issue they target. At birth, calves are given Inforce 3 and the navel is dipped with a 7 percent iodine tincture. They are also given a First Defense bolus and then given 1 gallon of colostrum within three hours after birth. At weaning, calves are given Inforce 3 and One Shot. At 4 to 6 months of age, calves are given Bovi-Shield Gold FP 5L5 and Ultrabac 7
would you like to make that would increase your rolling herd average? We would like to make cow comfort even better by adding more free stalls and more bunk space per cow.
KRISTA KUZMA/DAIRY STAR
The McNallans use beef bulls on the lowest tested genomic animals in their herd. They genomic test all the heifers in their herd. along with a pour of Dectomax. Two to three weeks later, they are given a booster of Ultrabac 7 and Leptoferm 5. What does your dry cow and transition program consist of? Cows are given a 60-day dry off period. At dry off, cows are given J-Vac and Scourguard 4KC. They are also treated with Spectramast followed by Orbeseal. At 4 to 6 weeks before calving, they are given J-Vac and Scourguard again. At freshening, cows receive Inforce 3 and a rumen magnet
for the rst three lactations. At 21-27 days in milk, cows are given Enviracor J-5, J-Vac and Express FP10. At 50-55 days in milk, they are given SRP, and then at 207 days carrying a calf, they are given Vira Shield G+ L5. What role does genetics play in your production level and what is your breeding program? All heifers are genomic tested when they are born. The lowest genomic heifers are culled in order to keep advancing the best
genetics on the farm. When choosing bulls, we use the top net merit bulls and use beef bulls on the lowest genomic tested animals. All the cows are registered, but not 100 percent. We use a genetics company to breed our animals. They are bred using a presynch, ovsynch program with double prostaglandin. Heifers are bred starting at 12 months of age as long as they are big enough and have enough condition. What type of improvements
What would you say are the three most important factors for you that helped you attain your current herd average? The rst is genetics. We breed for production and health traits such as productive life. We feel that has helped keep our herd going in the right direction. The second is feed. We know we have to have good quality feed in order to have the cows produce. We use home-raised forages in our ration from our 1,500 acres of crops. The last is cow comfort. Switching to sand bedding helped production, and we have remodeled a portion of our free stalls to accommodate larger cows. We know it is important for the cows to lie down and be comfortable in order to produce milk. Tell us about your farm. Our farm has been in the family since 1868. In addition to our herd, we raise corn, alfalfa and grass hay, peas and sweet corn. We use some no till practice and cover crops. We also have about 400 acres of wooded land. Steve and Paul returned to the farm in 1975 while Paul’s son, Matt, return in 1995 and Steve’s son, Scott, joined the dairy in 2000.
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40 Square Cooperative board approves launch of health plans 40 Square Cooperative Solutions (40 Square), a health care cooperative providing farmers the control to manage their health care, is pleased to announce the Board of Directors has approved the release of its health plan consortium for 2018, solidifying a decades-long mission to offer cooperative health plan choices to members of the Minnesota farm community. “We’ve been working to get a health plan cooperative in the state of Minnesota for more than 15 years,” said Jeff Nielsen, President and CEO of United Farmers Cooperative, an agricultural supply cooperative based in Winthrop, Minn. and one of the founders of 40 Square. “Board approval of the health plan consortium means health coverage through 40 Square will be a reality in 2018 and farmers can be condent that the cooperative will be a viable option in the years ahead.” The campaign to bring a health plan cooperative to Minnesota gained momentum in 2016 when multiple insurance carriers departed from the individual market, leaving many farmers across the state without health plan options. In January, the state legislature identied the need for a new
“Board approval of the health plan consortium means health coverage through 40 Square will be a reality in 2018 and farmers can be condent that the cooperative will be a viable option in the years ahead.”
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Contact one of the following dealers to learn more: IOWA Kramer Bros. Monticello, IA 319-465-5931 Prairie Land Ag Supply Inc. Rock Valley, IA 712-476-9290 United-Suckow Dairy Supply West Union, IA 563-422-5355 Postville, IA 563-864-7417
WISCONSIN Advanced Dairy/Bob’s Dairy Supply Spring Valley, WI 715-772-3201 Ederer Dairy Supply Plain, WI 608-546-3713 Joe’s Refrigeration Inc. Withee, WI 715-229-2321 Mlsna Dairy Supply Inc. Cashton, WI 608-654-5106 Professional Dairy Services Waunakee, WI 608-849-5043
Mondovi Dairy Systems Inc. Mondovi, WI 715-926-5777 West Salem, WI 608-769-2113 The Scharine Group Inc. Whitewater, WI 800 472-2880 Mt Horeb, WI 800-872-3470 MINNESOTA & SOUTH DAKOTA D&D Ag Supply Pennock, MN 320-599-4466
East Central Dairy Supply Mora, MN 320-679-1029 Genex Farm Systems Melrose, MN 320-256-3276 Watertown, MN 605-886-7401 Sioux Falls, SD 800-284-0015 S&S Dairy System LLC St. Charles, MN 507-932-4288 Professional Dairy Systems Wadena, MN 218-632-5416
is a registered trademark of Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. and “DeLaval” is a registered trade/servicemark of DeLaval Holding AB © 2017 DeLaval Inc. DeLaval, 11100 North Congress Avenue, Kansas City, Missouri 64153-1296. www.delaval.com
health plan solution and passed legislation making this long-time effort a reality. 40 Square began organizing to be ready for the 2018 open enrollment season, which ends December 15, with effective dates of coverage beginning January 1, 2018. “Minnesota’s farm families have won a big victory,” said Charlene Vrieze, Project Manager of 40 Square. “For the rst time in the state’s history, farmers can own their health plan and make decisions about the type of coverage that is provided. We’ve put control and choice back into the hands of the production agricultural community that works so hard to keep Minnesota strong.” Individuals can enroll directly online, through their insurance representative or through an agentpartner of 40 Square. In-person meetings with agents will be held the weeks of December 4-8 and December 11-15 to expedite enrollment. Dates, times and locations are: Dec. 4-8, 11-15; 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. at United Farmers Cooperative, 705 E 4th St, Winthrop, Minn., 55396; and UFC Farm Supply, 801 Hwy 284 S, Waconia, Minn., 55387 Dec. 4, Dec. 6-8, Dec. 11 and Dec. 13-15; 9 a.m. - 3 p.m at Crystal Valley Co-op, 721 W Humphrey, Lake Crystal, Minn., 56055 Dec. 4-5, Dec. 8, Dec. 11-13 and Dec. 15; 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. at Meadowland Farmers Coop, 26890 110th St., Lamberton, Minn., 56152 For more information about 40 Square, visit 40Square.coop or call 844-205-9579.
Page 22 • Dairy Star • Saturday, December 9, 2017
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Contact one of the following dealers to learn more: IOWA Kramer Bros. Monticello, IA 319-465-5931 Prairie Land Ag Supply Inc. Rock Valley, IA 712-476-9290 United-Suckow Dairy Supply West Union, IA 563-422-5355 Postville, IA 563-864-7417
WISCONSIN Advanced Dairy/Bob’s Dairy Supply Spring Valley, WI 715-772-3201 Ederer Dairy Supply Plain, WI 608-546-3713 Joe’s Refrigeration Inc. Withee, WI 715-229-2321 Mlsna Dairy Supply Inc. Cashton, WI 608-654-5106 Professional Dairy Services Waunakee, WI 608-849-5043
Mondovi Dairy Systems Inc. Mondovi, WI 715-926-5777 West Salem, WI 608-769-2113 The Scharine Group Inc. Whitewater, WI 800 472-2880 Mt Horeb, WI 800-872-3470 MINNESOTA & SOUTH DAKOTA D&D Ag Supply Pennock, MN 320-599-4466
East Central Dairy Supply Mora, MN 320-679-1029 Genex Farm Systems Melrose, MN 320-256-3276 Watertown, MN 605-886-7401 Sioux Falls, SD 800-284-0015 S&S Dairy System LLC St. Charles, MN 507-932-4288 Professional Dairy Systems Wadena, MN 218-632-5416
is a registered trademark of Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. and “DeLaval” is a registered trade/servicemark of DeLaval Holding AB © 2017 DeLaval Inc. DeLaval, 11100 North Congress Avenue, Kansas City, Missouri 64153-1296. www.delaval.com
RED WING, Minn. – Many dairy farmers expect the later years in the their life to look similar to the earlier ones, working to take care of their herd of cows and the land where they live However, Callyn Bedker, an attorney at Pluto Legal, PLLC, in Tyler, Minn., said dairy farmers should learn about “Exiting the Business Gracefully,” the name of the seminar she presented Nov. 29 at the 2017 Minnesota Milk Dairy Conference and Expo in Red Wing, Minn. “There’s an assumption that farmers can never retire. It’s not true. You can. I’ve seen it happen,” Bedker said. But retirement requires planning, Bedker said. “You have to get ahead of it because … the transition takes years, not days. To have the best possibility of the next generation succeeding, you really need to give them a heads up and allow the transition process to work, which is primarily done through estate planning,” she said. Bedker said although many people have estate plans, there is a large possibility the legal document is outdated. “Estate plans need to be updated pretty frequently. They live with you because life changes, so if you have a will from 30 years ago, you need to update it and revisit it,” Bedker said. For people needing to establish an estate plan, Bedker suggested nding one that works best for each person’s individual needs. “One size does not t all when it comes to this. Just because you have a friend that something worked out great for, does not mean it will work out great for you,” she said. The goal of an estate plan is to establish what happens to a person’s assets after he or she has died. People making an estate plan usually want to control their assets as long as possible; protect their assets from lawsuit, bankruptcy or divorce; transfer ownership to someone they chose in the timeline they want and how they want it done; provide for their spouse and children; avoid probate; and prevent unintended beneciaries, Bedker said. While establishing an estate plan, Bedker said it is important to know the two values that comprise a business. One part is the operation – the name, trademarks, patents, machinery, equipment, livestock, inventory, etc. The other is the land and buildings – all commercial buildings and any farm acres, etc. The estate plan will also help navigate through concerns brought forth by people on each side of the transaction when transferring a farm. For the sellers, or in many cases the parents, they will want to know where they will get income during retirement, how will they transition the business to their children, how will they protect the business when they are gone and how they will treat non-farm children fairly. “I work with people who love all their kids, but fair is not always equal and equal is not always fair. If you have a farming heir who has been working with you every day for the last 30 years and you leave [the farm] to your four children evenly, he or she is now going to have to ght with his or her siblings on making decisions. When you’re gone, the gloves will come off. It’s important to understand that before you decide your kids are going to share in the business evenly. The more hands you put in that operation, the more decision makers you have and the more complicated it becomes,” Bedker said. The buyers, or the children in the transition, will also have concerns: When will they get ownership over the business? Will they be able to afford a buyout? How will they fund a buyout? How can they expand? How will non-farming siblings view them? Throughout the transition process, Bedker said it is important to have both parents and the children who are taking over the farm in the room. Turn to RETIRE | Page 23
Dairy Star • Saturday, December 9, 2017 • Page 23
ConƟnued from RETIRE | Page 1 “Having the kids involved will be a key to this. They will need to know a timeline,” Bedker said. “They better understand the consequences of not being able to make payments and what’s realistic to them. Do they even want to do this?” Property can be transferred in various methods. “If you want to transition slowly, you can always gift it,” Bedker said. Gifting has certain stipulations, including a $14,000 limit to one individual in one year and a lifetime cap of $5.49 million that one person can gift. Land can also be sold; however, Bedker warns of capital gains tax with that option. There would be no capital gains tax if land is passed to the next generation after the previous one dies, Bedker said. So transferring at death is also an option. “It’s a better tax savings and less risk [to transfer land at death]. But it’s important to know [about capital gains tax] before you start deeding away land to your kids on a schedule. You have to make sure you’re paying attention to the side effects for your kids as well,” Bedker said. There are also different avenues to carry out the plan – through a will or a trust. A will needs to go through the probate process where a court will make the nal ruling on the assets, a process that can take up to 36 months. Unlike a will, a trust is a private administration that can have specic stipulations on how to handle the assets. “A trust can name someone to make decisions [for the farm] the day after you die. Unfortunately, in a will the person who is in charge of the will doesn’t have any power until the court says they do. Just because you are the
insurance policies outside of your estate so you don’t pay estate taxes on them when you die,” Bedker said. “There are tremendous amounts of rules with ILITS and you have to make sure you do them right. … They’re not for the faint of heart, but they do work.” With all the estate planning, Bedker also said establishing medical assistance planning is needed. “I meet with a lot of farmers who ask, ‘How do I protect my farm from the nursing home?’ Unfortunately, it’s hard to,” Bedker said.
KRISTA KUZMA/DAIRY STAR
Callyn Bedker, an aƩorney at Pluto Legal, PLLC, in Tyler, Minn., presents the seminar “ExiƟng the Business Gracefully” on Nov. 29 during the 2017 Minnesota Milk Dairy Conference and Expo in Red Wing, Minn. executor on a will doesn’t mean you can walk onto a farm and make decisions the day after someone dies. A trustee can,” Bedker said. Usually, starting a trust takes up to 18 months. Trusts are more expensive to set up, Bedker said. “But what you pay on the front end, you save on the back end because probate is an expensive proceeding,” she said. Along with capital gains and gift tax, people need to be aware of the recapture tax and estate tax. Once a person’s assets exceed $2.1 million, everything will be taxed, Bedker said. One way to increase the
You Are Invited! 2018 Triple-Hil Sires/aAa͂ ǡ Ƭ ǡ
value at which a person begins to be taxed is through the Qualied Family Farm Election. If a person owns land at least three years prior to their death, a farming heir who is family member willing to farm it for three years after the death of the previous owner and keeps it classied as homestead, the taxable amount will rise from $2.1 million to $5 million. “But you have to make all the requirements,” Bedker said. “If you don’t, you pay a recapture tax penalty.” An Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust (ILIT) may also help people who have more than $750,000 in life insurance. “It’s a way to kick your life
“Long term care insurance can help protect your entire farming operation if one or both of you go into a nursing home ... it’s going to save you.” ȃ CALLYN BEDKER, PLUTO LEGAL
For basic care, nursing homes charge about $6,000-$8,000 per month, Bedker said. “Long term care insurance can help protect your entire farming operation if one or both of you go into a nursing home or long term care facility,” Bedker said. “It’s going to save you.” Bedker stressed it is important to nd the attorney with whom a farmer feels comfortable. “You shouldn’t be afraid to pick up the phone and talk to your advisor,” Bedker said.
Come and learn about Triple-Hil Sires and our common sense approach to Ƥ Ǥ ǡ ͂ ǡ ͂ ǯ ǯ Ǥ Ǧ Ǥ Ǥ Ǥ Ǥ ǯ ǡ Ǥ Ƥ ǡ Ǧ Ǥ ƥ Ǧ Ǥ Ǥ Ǧ ǡ Ǧ Ǥ ͜͡τ Ǥ Ƥ Ǥ ǯ Ǩ Fri. January 5 Location: Cedar Valley Produce Auction 18072 Addison Ave Elma, IA 50628 RSVP: 855-955-2100
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Page 24 • Dairy Star • Saturday, December 9, 2017
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DAIRY ST R
The Great Christmas
G I V E A W A Y
2017
Grand Prize Drawing Will Be Held Thursday, December 14, 2017
THE WINNERS WILL BE POSTED ON WWW.DAIRYSTAR.COM, MILK BREAK NEWSLETTER AND ON FACEBOOK.
Adults register for a Trip for two to Nashville for 3 nights
ADULT GRAND PRIZE
(air and hotel).
(one prize winner from each circulation area)
A WINNER FROM EACH ZONE!
We’ll also add $400 for each winner for a relief milker
17 & UNDER GRAND PRIZE
Grand Prize Heifer Calf: NEWALTA LIGHT MY FIRE 9945 Born: September 16, 2017
Dam: Newalta Absolute Genaven Sire: 250HO12879 Mapel Wood Light My Fire Granddam: Grand Melarry Epic Generosa-ET Grand Priz e comes Fro Calf Newalta D m the Vande airy, rW family of al Pipestone , MN.
2ND PLACE CHILDREN’S PRIZE ZE
Toy Pedal Tractor A WINNER FROM EACH ZONE!
A Alisha Ekkel and John Vander Wal (holding Alisha’s son, J John Ekkel) and the Light My Fire heifer calf that will be g given away in the Great Christmas Giveaway drawing.
Register free at any of the participating businesses for your chance to win!
Dairy Star • Saturday, December 9, 2017 • Page 25
REGISTER AT THESE PARTICIPATING BUSINESSES: IOWA
ALLAMAKEE COUNTY • Bodensteiner Implement Waukon • 563-568-3463 • Equity Livestock Waukon • 563-568-4501 • Innovative Ag Services Waukon • 563-568-3455 • Waukon Veterinary Services Waukon • 563-568-2487
HOWARD COUNTY
• Bodensteiner Implement Cresco • 563-547-2152
O’BRIEN COUNTY
• Associated Milk Producers Inc. Sanborn • 712-729-3255
SIOUX COUNTY
• Rock Valley Hay Auction Co. Rock Valley • 712-476-5541 • Sioux Dairy Equipment, Inc. Rock Valley • 1-800-962-4346 • Valley Dairy Farm Automation Rock Valley • 712-476-2781
WINNESHIEK COUNTY
• Bodensteiner Implement Decorah • 563-382-2961 • Brynsaas Sales & Service Decorah • 563-382-4484 • Franzen Sales & Service Fort Atkinson • 563-534-2724 • Langs Dairy Equipment Decorah • 563-382-8722 • NICC Dairy Center Calmar • 866-474-4692, ext. 107
MINNESOTA BECKER COUNTY
• Adkins Equipment Inc. Detroit Lakes • 218-847-3131
BENTON COUNTY
• Arnold’s of St. Cloud Sauk Rapids • 320-251-2585 • First National Bank of MilacaGilman OfÀce • 320-387-2233 • Gilman Co-op Creamery Gilman • 320-387-2770
BROWN COUNTY
• Associated Milk Producers Inc. New Ulm • 507-233-4600 • New Ulm Regional Vet Clinic New Ulm • 507-233-2520
CARVER COUNTY
• Lano Equipment of Norwood Norwood/Young America 952-467-2181 • Bongards’ Bongards • 952-466-5521 • Storms Welding Cologne • 952-466-3343
• Ag Partners Farm Store Cannon Falls • 507-263-4651 Pine Island • 507-356-8313 Wanamingo 507-824-2231 • GB Feed and Supply Bellechester • 651-923-4425 • Midwest Livestock Systems Pine Island • 507-356-8349
KANABEC COUNTY
• East Central Dairy Supply Mora • 320-679-1029 • Fluegge’s Ag Mora • 320-679-2981
KANDIYOHI COUNTY
• D&D Ag Supply & Construction Pennock • 320-599-4466 • Farm-Rite Equipment Willmar • 320-235-3672
LYON COUNTY
• Midwest Ag Marshall • 507-532-2279
MCLEOD COUNTY
• Arnold’s of Glencoe Glencoe • 320-864-5531 St. Martin • 320-548-3285 • Mueller Sales & Service Dairy Equipment Glencoe • 888-205-0974
MEEKER COUNTY
• Farm-Rite Equipment Dassel • 1-888-679-4857 • Form-A-Feed Ag Services LitchÀeld • 320-693-7223 • Mies Equipment Watkins • 1-800-324-8269
MILLE LACS COUNTY
• Farmers Co-op Creamery/ ADM Alliance Nutrition Foreston • 320-294-5711 • First National Bank of Milaca Milaca • 320-983-1333 • Timmer Implement Pease • 320-369-4183
MORRISON COUNTY
• Litke’s Veterinary Service Pierz • 320-468-6666 • Modern Farm Equipment Pierz • 320-468-2161 • Pierz Co-op Pierz • 320-468-6655 • Sunrise Ag Cooperative Buckman • 320-468-6433 Lastrup • 320-468-2543 Little Rock • 320-584-5147 Pierz • 320-468-2168
OLMSTED COUNTY
• Associated Milk Producers Inc. Rochester • 507-282-7401
OTTER TAIL COUNTY
• Nelson Creamery Nelson • 320-762-0115 • Osakis Creamery Assn. 1-800-584-9236 • Pro Ag Farmers Co-op GarÀeld • 320-834-2271
• Bongards’ Perham • 218-346-4680 • J&L Nutrition Perham • 218-205-0174 • PCCA-Country Store Perham • 218-346-7075 • Perham Stockyards Perham • 218-346-3415 • Pro Ag Farmers Co-op in Henning 218-583-2947 • Pro Ag Farmers Co-op in Urbank 218-267-2401
GOODHUE COUNTY
PIPESTONE COUNTY
DAKOTA COUNTY
• Werner Implement Vermillion • 651-437-4435
DOUGLAS COUNTY
• Ag Partners Bellchester • 651-923-4453 Goodhue • 800-732-1439 Wanamingo-Agronomy Location 507-824-2215
• Gorter’s Clay & Dairy Equipment Pipestone • 507-825-3271 • Pipestone Livestock Auction Pipestone • 507-825-3306
STEARNS COUNTY
• A&C Farm Service Paynesville • 320-243-3736 • Ag Venture Feed & Seed, Inc. Watkins • 320-764-9910, 800-779-8910 • Albany Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Albany • 320-845-2801 • Arnold’s of Kimball Kimball • 320-398-3800 • Arnold’s of St. Martin St. Martin • 320-548-3285 • Arnzen Construction/St. Rosa Lumber Freeport, In St. Rosa 320-836-2284 or 1-888-276-1751 • Associated Milk Producers Inc. Paynesville • 320-243-3794 • Centre Dairy Equipment & Supply Inc. Sauk Centre • 320-352-5763 or 1-800-342-2697 • Crop Production Services Sauk Centre • 320-352-6564 • Dairy Star Sauk Centre • 320-352-6303 • Dairyland Supply Sauk Centre 320-352-3987 or 1-800-338-6455 • DHIA Sauk Centre 320-352-2028 or 1-800-369-2697 • Ecker Feed Service, LLC New Munich • 320-837-5249 • Elrosa Grain & Feed Elrosa • 320-697-5515 • Farm-Rite Equipment St. Cloud • 320 240 2085 • Feed Co. Paynesville • 320-243-3938 • Freeport State Bank Freeport •1-800-252-9856 320-836-2126 Greenwald • 320-987-2265 New Munich • 320-837-5297 Melrose • 320-256-7208 • Farm Systems Melrose 1-800-636-5581 • 1-800-247-0012 • Lake Henry Implement Lake Henry • 320-243-7411 • Leedstone Melrose • 1-877-608-3877 • Melrose Implement Inc. Melrose • 320-256-4253 • Modern Farm Equipment Sauk Centre • 320-352-6543
STEELE COUNTY
• Ag Partners Owatonna • 507-413-8000 • Northland Farm Systems Owatonna • 800-385-3911
TODD COUNTY
• Olson’s Custom Farm Service Staples • 800-477-7059 • Pro-Ag Farmers Co-op in Clarissa Clarissa • 218-756-2112 • Pro-Ag Farmers Co-op in Eagle Bend Eagle Bend • 218-738-2552
WABASHA COUNTY
• Ag Partners Farm Store Lake City • 651-345-3328 Plainview • 507-534-2531 • Beck Implement Elgin • 507-876-2122 • Dairyland Equipment Service Plainview • 507-534-3161 • Wingert Sales & Service Plainview • 507-534-4386
WADENA COUNTY
• Aldrich Tractor Inc. Aldrich • 218-445-5430 • Olson’s Custom Farm Service Verndale • 218-445-5500 Sebeka • 218-837-5749
• Pro Dairy Systems Wadena • 218-632-5416
WINONA COUNTY
• Benson Farm Service Lewiston • 507-523-2188 • Elba Coop Elba • 507-796-6571 • S&S Dairy Systems St. Charles • 507-932-4288
WRIGHT COUNTY
• Hobert Sales Inc. Cokato • 320-286-6284, 1-800-820-6455 • The Country Store/ Munson Lakes Nutrition Howard Lake 320-543-3517, 800-663-9177
YELLOW MEDICINE COUNTY
• Equity Elevator Wood Lake • 507-485-3153, 800-248-5427
SOUTH DAKOTA BROOKINGS COUNTY • W.W. Tire Brookings • 605-696-7400
CODINGTON COUNTY • Midwest Ag Supply Watertown • 605-882-2497
HUTCHINSON COUNTY
• Associated Milk Producers Inc. Freeman • 605-925-4234
MINNEHAHA COUNTY • Central Valley Dairy Supply Brandon • 605-467-0812 • Midwest Livestock Systems Sioux Falls • 800-705-1447
ROBERTS COUNTY • Valley Dairy Supply Corona • 605-432-5224
WISCONSIN PEPIN COUNTY
• Anibas Silo & Equipment Durand • 715-285-5317
PIERCE COUNTY
• Western Wisconsin Farm Store Ellsworth • 715-273-5066 • Ag Partners Grange Hall • 715-647-5002
ST. CROIX COUNTY
• Dairyland Farm Services Woodville • 866-467-4717
TREMPEALEAU COUNTY • Associated Milk Producers Inc. Blair • 608-989-2535 • Centerville Cooperative Trempealeau • 608-536-3311 • D&D Farm Supply Arcadia 608-323-7001 or 800-657-6955 • Hegg Mill Ettrick • 608-525-4545
LA CROSSE COUNTY • St. Joseph Equipment LaCrosse • 608-788-1775
VERNON COUNTY
• Premier Cooperative Cashton • 608-654-5416 • Koon Kreek Feeds Coon Valley • 608-452-3838
To view a complete list of participating businesses, log on to www.dairystar.com
*Enter as often as you like. One entry per store visit, please. Winners must be 18 years or older and a Grade A or B dairy farmer for heifer, or 17 years or younger and a son or daughter of a Grade A or B dairy farmer for heifer calf. Winners must also live in the Dairy Star circulation area to be eligible and are responsible for transport of animal.
Page 26 • Dairy Star • Saturday, December 9, 2017
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John Deere 893, 8-row double drive corn head, plastic snouts $11,500
John Deere 8650, 4WD Articulating Tractor, bare back - $14,500
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Farmall 300 Good tires, good torque, rear remotes - $3,995
MPP reminder
Friday, Dec. 15 is the nal day to register for 2018 MPP-Dairy coverage if you so choose. All dairy operations have the opportunity to opt-out if they decide that MPP-Dairy coverage is not needed for their operation. Please contact your FSA ofce if you have any questions or would like to register before the deadline. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) will process many pending eligible offers for land enrollment in the Conservation Reserve FSA News & Notes Program (CRP), and will temporarily suspend accepting most new offers until later in the 2018 scal year. All current, eligible CRP continuous enrollment offers made through Sept. 30, 2017, except for those made under the Pollinator Habitat Initiative By Ryan Brunn (CP42), will be approved. Stearns Co. Exec. Dir. Additionally, FSA is temporarily suspending acceptance of most offers going forward to provide time to review CRP allocation levels, and to avoid exceeding the statutory cap of 24 million acres. The CRP acreage cap is a provision of the 2014 Farm Bill. Current enrollment is about 23.5 million acres nationwide. USDA is accepting all pending continuous enrollment offers that were made beginning on May 4, 2017, and extending through Sept. 30, 2017, except Pollinator Habitat Initiative offers. Pollinator acreage offers are being declined because the program has met its acreage enrollment goal. Effective immediately, USDA is suspending acceptance of all new CRP continuous offers received or submitted after Sept. 30, 2017. The suspension will continue until later in the 2018 scal year. However, FSA will continue to accept eligible offers for state-specic Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) and CRP Grasslands enrollment. Offers received on or after Oct. 1, 2017, are subject to scal year 2018 rental rates which have been adjusted to reect current market conditions and were established after careful review of the latest USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) cash rent data. In return for enrolling in CRP, USDA, through FSA, provides participants with rental payments and cost-share assistance. Landowners enter into contracts that last between 10 and 15 years. CRP pays farmers and ranchers who remove sensitive lands from production and plant certain grasses, shrubs and trees that improve water quality, prevent soil erosion and increase wildlife habitat. Payment totals for 2017 were announced earlier this week totaling over $1.6 billion. For more information about CRP, contact your FSA ofce or visit www.fsa.usda.gov/crp. 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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Ford 5600 4-cyl diesel, 2 remotes, 540 PTO, Nice looking tractor! $8,995
“Models * Years and Hours Shown on All Equipment are Estimated”
IHC 3788 2x2, 1981, 3 remotes, diff lock, 1000 PTO - $12,500
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What makes me tick The Transition Pen
By Laura Scholtz & John Rosenhammer Father/Daughter Farming Duo My routine is the same each day. It goes like this: It is 5 in the morning and my alarm says it is time to get up. I cannot believe my good night’s sleep has gone so fast and I am still tired. The perfect scenario would be a quiet, peaceful morning with the brightness and warmth of the sun to energize me. Instead, during this time of the year we cannot avoid cold, darkness and seemingly endless howling wind. A push of the snooze button is an attempt to change the situation, but only delays the inevitable. I used to ask God to help me accomplish what I want to get done for the day. Now I pray for the strength to accept and deal with whatever situation may arise. I have come to believe that He will give us the weather necessary to perform and complete our tasks. It just may take a while. For example, the beautiful 10-day stretch of Indian summer we just experienced. So, the routine continues. Since I live on the farm it is unusual if I am not the rst one to arrive and check the cows. Are there any new mommies today? Did I guess right and have the proper cow in the calving pen, or are there any surprises in the transition or dry cow group ? A new born calf, all clean and shined up by its mother, sitting contently is a beautiful sight. I bow my head in thanks. We have all experienced much less desirable situations. The trip to the parlor can also be challenging. It is dark and cold with only minimal heat. The hoses are stiff and the sound of the metal ination shells echoes even more because of the temperature. Unlike the traditional stanchion barns, cats do not occupy this space; therefore they cannot greet you with their welcome purring. Making my way to the freestall barns, even the cows appear tired. They are resting in stalls and prefer to stay there. They give me the “It’s time to be milked, again?” look as I try to stir them and move them to the holding area. We have all put in long days. Harvest was great but late this year. The fear of the date on the calendar and the cold forecast put a lot of pressure on tillage and those who do it. It seems like we just get done hours before that game ending frost hits. Then we had a week of nger freezing winterizing that just had to be completed. Physically and emotionally spent, we are given 10 days of Indian summer. Instead of being content and resting, we nd yet another project or two that will make next year easier, right? So the cycle continues, all with good intentions of course. Through all this I was exhausted and running out of fuel. Due to various uncontrollable circumstances, I was accumulating a long streak of consecutive milkings, both morning and night. I had reached the point when the load was getting overwhelming and less enjoyable; I needed something motivating. “Dad, why don’t you take the rest of the day off and go Christmas shopping with Mom?” were Laura’s uplifting words one morning. Not that I was getting evening chores off, but the fact that she cared enough to want Mom and I to have a day together made it special. Now that’s what makes me tick. I have a close friend and neighbor who appreciates the two-cylinder John Deere tractor, more out of respect for our previous generations than anything. He saved 10 acres to plow and had the cornstalks baled off just to ensure our plows would not plug. The day we went to have our fun was cold and windy. We were determined the weather would not prevent us from having our fun. We spent the afternoon chasing each other around the eld. I had my dad’s rst big tractor, a 1949 G and a 3-bottom plow. He wanted to have his dad’s 730 on his plow, but settled for an enclosed cab tractor. Every ve rounds or so we would switch out tractors and take a chance to warm up. The satisfaction we experienced, the sound of the popping
Dairy Star • Saturday, December 9, 2017 • Page 27
two-cylinders and an afternoon of reliving what our fathers had gone through gave us another cherished memory. Appreciating and reliving the past for a day with my neighbor, Lorin. Now that’s what makes me tick. And when we nished, Mary and Becca delivered fresh baked chocolate chip cookies right from the oven. Now that’s what makes me tick. Going out of our way to visit or listen to the elderly or sick is never a one-way experience. The elderly are lonely and feel forgotten. Bernice is 93 and has been a widow for nearly 20 years. Her youngest daughter was in high school with me, and I try to stop by her house at least once a year. I am always amazed by the wisdom and encouragement she shares. At a recent school fundraiser, Bernice sent her daughter over telling me that, “Her mom wanted to see me before she left.” Going over to see her face light up and hug me when we met was another one of those teachable moments. Bernice’s face lit up with a huge smile. Now that’s what makes me tick.
It has been one of those weeks where the vet has been here more often than the milk truck. Things happen that we just cannot control, but can always learn from. After a week like this, it’s always comforting to come home at night to a warm house, good food, a supportive wife and a loving family. All issues from the day seem to be forgotten once I pass through the door and into our home. Receiving one of those genuine smiles from Ava, our 7-month-old granddaughter, is another one of those moments that makes me tick. With Advent upon us and Christmas coming soon, it is a good time to reect on how abundantly we have been blessed by God. I wonder if our humble hearts, full of gratitude, present in church on Christmas Day, are what makes Jesus tick? Merry Christmas! John Rosenhammer farms with his daughter, Laura Schotz, on Roseview Dairy near Sleepy Eye, Minn. They milk 200 Holsteins and run 580 acres of cropland.
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Hello, old friend Page 28 • Dairy Star • Saturday, December 9, 2017
A deluge of Biblical rains made for a swampy, steamy, muddy summer at our farm. Between trudging through mud dragging water hoses for calves, having my boots sucked off entering pens for said calves, our cell count going up due to the humidity and mud, and just all-around misery, I grumbled about how nice it would be to have winter here again. When I was younger, I despised winter. Since I didn’t grow up on a farm and I also grew up without the luxury of snowmobiles, there was literally nothing to do outside other than carry rewood in every evening to ll the wood stove. Now that I’m a grownup and a farmer at that, I realize that I led a charmed existence by not having to venture out onto the tundra By Brittany Olson every single day twice a day. We got a nice taste of winter around the rst of Staff Writer November. It was chilly, snowy, cold, and none of us were quite ready for it. Looking back at the number of other farmers ghting their way through harvest when that rst snow hit, I believe we were all caught off guard. Then, the snow melted and the ground softened up just enough so others could get their fall tillage done. It also bought me time to leave behind my obsession with pumpkin spice everything and embrace the changing of the avor guards as mint avored everything began to ll the shelves at the store. This time, when winter decided it was going to stay, we were as ready as we’d ever be. On Monday night, when it was still in the 50s as we headed to the barn for night chores, Sam and I both muttered and groused about how ridiculous this weather was for early December. Fit for neither man, especially me ghting a head cold, or beast, we said. After milking, we went to Dairy Queen in Chetek for a late-
night snack, and from the time we walked out of the barn to the time we came back home the temperature had already dropped 10 degrees. What a change it was from Monday morning to Tuesday morning; I just about needed ice skates going down to the barn. The rain froze on every surface as the temperature plummeted and turned to snow, and the wind howled out of the west. After milking, I gured I would be ne feeding my This time, Thi i when h winter i d decided id d calves without a jacket – it was going to stay, we were as boy, did I nd out otherwise! My calf hutches face south ready as we’d ever be. without a windbreak, and I had to stand with my back turned to the west to keep the milk from ying and splashing every which way as I poured it into each individual pail. I also had to kick the side doors of each hutch in order to bust the ice that adhered them shut before I could feed the littlest members of the herd, all of whom were very happy to see me. As I made my way back to the house to thaw out, drink coffee and eat some bacon, the clouds were beginning to part with small patches of robin’s egg blue peeking through a watercolor sky. Winter, with all its inconveniences, has its denite advantages. It is a time to recharge, pause and rest, not only for farmers, but for the land before the madness and excitement of another growing season repeats itself next year. Life slows down with the absence of eld work, allowing us time to simply exist and be. It is also a cynical reminder for me that not everyone has the mettle to feed infant bovines outdoors when the wind chill is just barely above zero, and that it takes someone special to be a dairy farmer. So, to you, winter … hello, old friend. Do take your time, but don’t make yourself too comfortable.
Harsdorf encourages farmers to complete ag census Tis’ the season when mailboxes and front porches are overowing with holiday cards and wrapped packages. Through all the hustle and bustle, farmers should also look for their 2017 Census of Agriculture form, set to arrive in the mail this December. Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) Secretary Sheila Harsdorf encourages farmers to complete and return their Census this winter. “I know how busy you are with fall harvest and farm chores, but I promise you that lling in your Census is time well-spent,” said Harsdorf. “As a legislator, I saw how valuable census data was when making policy decisions. I know as Secretary, we here at DATCP will use the census information often when working with government ofcials, agribusinesses and industry partners.” The Census of Agriculture is a
complete count, taken every ve years, of America’s farms, ranches and the people who operate them. About 84% of Wisconsin farmers completed the 2012 Census of Agriculture, which was one of the highest response rates in the country. Wisconsin State Statistician Greg Bussler hopes that we can exceed that number this year. “The Census of Agriculture is the only source of uniform, comprehensive and impartial agricultural data for every county in the nation,” explained Bussler. “The more farmers who complete the census, the more accurate the information we’ll have available for decision makers to rely on.” Data on land use and ownership, operator characteristics, production practices, expenditures and more is captured. Information provided in the Census of Agriculture will be kept condential, and results will be available in aggregate form only.
Farms of all sizes, whether in rural or urban areas, should be counted. A farm is any place from which at least $1,000 of agricultural products were
“This is the chance for farmers to share their story and inuence future budgets, services, programs and policies.” ȃ SHEILA HARSDORF, DATCP SECRETARY
produced and sold, or normally would have been sold, during 2017. “The Census is each farmer’s opportunity to report how big of an impact agriculture really has on our
local communities, state and country,” added Harsdorf. “This is the chance for farmers to share their story and inuence future budgets, services, programs and policies. Thank you for taking time to complete the Census.” New this year, farmers can complete the Census online or via the mail. The online form is accessible on any electronic device, calculates totals automatically and skips questions that do not pertain to your operation. Visit www.agcensus.usda.gov for more information. The deadline for farmers to complete the census is Feb. 5, 2018. Census data will be available in February 2019. For more information, call the National Agricultural Statistics Service at (888) 424-7828.
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Dairy Star • Saturday, December 9, 2017 • Page 29
Robers farms, operates embroidery business
got a bigger one. I saw what other companies charged for embroidery, and I thought to myself, ‘I should be making EXELAND, Wis. – It was almost that kind of money.’” by accident that Elaine Robers went That was in 2006, and as they say, from casually sewing to building a full- the rest is history. Robers now operates blown embroidery business out of the Elaine’s Embroidery out of her home, basement of her farmhouse. stitching anything from hats and shirts Robers, who owns and operates to jackets, and anything customized Hidden Acres Dairy, a 250-cow farm with at least one of her two computerwith her husband, Mike, and son, Dan, ized Baby Lock embroidery machines near Exeland, Wis., said the idea came running at full tilt. to her on a trip to the fabric store in La“It has grown a lot, especially in the dysmith, Wis. last year or so,” Robers said. “I do a lot “I’d always done some sewing, but of embroidery for businesses in Rusk I went down to the store and bought a County, such as other farms or agribusisewing machine. My son who lives in nesses. I do a lot with the Rusk County California called and asked if I could First Responders and Rusk County do some hats for his company,” Rob- EMS, too. Sometimes it’ll be quiet, and ers said. “The machine I had wasn’t big then I’ll have a lot of orders come in all enough to do hats, so I just went and at once.” Robers looked into adding screen printing to her business at one time, but refrained and stuck with solely embroidery. “Screen printed logos don’t hold up. They fade, stretch and crack more quickly,” Robers said. Because of the program on her machines, logo stitching is sometimes difcult. “Taking logos into stitch mode is challenging BRITTANY OLSON/DAIRY STAR because the program isn’t the Robers programs a logo design into her embroi- best t,” Robers said. “More dery machine. detailed stitching with a lot of By Brittany Olson
brittany.o@dairystar.com
BRITTANY OLSON/DAIRY STAR
Elaine Robers milks 250 cows with her husband, Mike, and son, Dan, near Exeland, Wis. She also runs her embroidery business, Elaine’s Embroidery, out of the basement of her home. colors is harder, too.” And, in the event that one of the machines should need maintenance or repairs, they must be taken to Eau Claire, Wis., which is approximately an hour and a half away from the farm. “I can’t lift the machine by myself,” Robers said. “I do like to take them down to Eau Claire about once a year for basic maintenance, though.” Any income she earns as a result of her business stays separate from the farm, although it is a nice supplement. “It helps with getting things done around the house, and pays for my vehicle,” Robers said. Robers, who does all the bookwork for the dairy, as well as parts runs and grounds keeping, said juggling all she
does both on the farm and with her business is a tough balance to strike. “It’s tough,” she said. “It’s a tough balance, but I just do it and get it done.” Robers would like to continue to grow, but not to the point where she’d have to seek help. “I don’t want to have to hire employees,” she said. For Robers, the best part of her embroidery is watching other people enjoy her craft, especially when she is out and about. “My favorite part of this is when I’m out in public and I see someone wearing something that I embroidered,” Robers said. “Knowing I did that is cool.”
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A logo for a neighboring dairy farm is in the works at Elaine’s Embroidery. Robers owns two embroidery machines and began embroidering for other businesses in 2006.
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T’ermerwear season Page 30 • Dairy Star • Saturday, December 9, 2017
It’s been cold out there lately. consistency of chocolate pudding. At times like these, when the mere word “cold” The simple act of going outdoors is a major doesn’t seem to do justice to the situation, we undertaking during deeply cold weather. By the time Northerners tend to concoct sayings like, “It’s colder you get all those layers of clothing pulled on, zipped than polar bear snot,” or “It up and buckled down, you was so cold this morning, can empathize with what Dad d was always l on guard d ffor the dog actually tinkled D an astronaut goes through when he tinkled.” when he dons a spacesuit. frigid weather. He was a big These are times that try Dad was always on men’s souls, not to mention believer in thermal underwear guard for frigid weather. He their tractors and pickups. or “t’ ermerwear as he called it. was a big believer in thermal When it’s this cold – when underwear or “t’ermerwear” common decency dictates as he called it. He would that you keep your brass put on his t’ermerwear monkey indoors at night – those who tend to livestock sometime about the rst of September and wouldn’t every day must fret about frozen fountains and the take it off until July. gel point of diesel fuel. Every morning, we wonder if I never became quite that attached to my that engine will start despite the fact that its oil is the t’ermerwear. Even so, during prolonged cold snaps, I
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became so accustomed to my long handles that I felt as if I’d been skinned when I didn’t have them on. This cold phobia is rooted deep in my childhood. As a youngster, I was expected to help with daily chores on our dairy farm. I was duly outtted with t’ermerwear just like Dad’s – with shorter Dear County Agent Guy limbs, of course. I read that in days of yore, kids were often sewn into their wintertime clothing in the fall and left in them until spring. That would have been ne with me, but my parents insisted that I strip down every Saturday night and By Jerry Nelson take a bath – even if I Columnist didn’t need one. It was tough to take a Saturday night bath as midwinter squalls gibbered at the windowpane. Looking at the window, I knew that cold – bone-chilling, life-snufng cold – lurked on the other side of that thin layer of glass. What if the window suddenly shattered? Within moments, I would be turned into a life-sized kidsicle. Just thinking of it made me shiver. My discomture didn’t end there. Come Sunday morning, I was expected to attend church and Sunday school. For this I had to wear my Sundaysuit, which consisted of polyester pants, a complementing polyester shirt and polyester jacket. This torturous ensemble was crowned with a necktie which, to me, felt like a polyester noose. Since it was Sunday, I wasn’t allowed to wear my second skin, AKA, my t’ermerwear. I was told that this was because it was the Sabbath and that long underwear fell into the everyday clothes category. In the few seconds it took to walk from our house to the car, my polyester pant legs would freeze into inexible stovepipes. A gust of wind would create a frosty updraft, robbing my legs of their last vestiges of precious warmth. It was enough to make me wish we were atheists. As a boy, in the middle of one particularly frigid winter night, I arose to use the bathroom. Pausing by a frosty upstairs window, I looked out at our farmstead as it slumbered in the frozen moonlight. Down in the barn, I could hear the sound of a cow jingling her stanchion. A plume of steam rose silently from the barn’s cupola. It seemed as if the entire icebound planet were hibernating. Somewhere out in the grove, there came the sharp “pop” of a tree trunk splitting from the frost. A few moments later I recognized the eerie, whinnying cry of a screech owl. I shivered, but not entirely because of the cold. We kids had been told that owls are privy to secrets concerning death and ghosts. The owl’s cry doubtless meant that someone nearby was about to croak. I crawled back into bed wondering who it might be. The next morning, I stepped into the crisp predawn stillness to begin chores. From directly behind me, a loud “Who! Who!” boomed out, totally scaring the bejeebers out of me. Gathering my shattered wits, I glanced up to see a great horned owl perched on our rooftop TV antenna. I was suddenly seized by the urge to run back inside and put on yet another layer of t’ermerwear. Because if an owl takes one look at you and pegs you for a goner, then baby, it’s cold outside. Jerry is a recovering dairy farmer from Volga, S.D. He and his wife, Julie, have two grown sons and live on the farm where Jerry’s great-grandfather homesteaded over 110 years ago. Jerry currently works full time for the Dairy Star as a staff writer/ad salesman. Feel free to E-mail him at: jerry.n@ dairystar.com.
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Dairy Star online: 10 years later
It was quite by accident that I happen to stumble across the anniversary date. I was on my way to work one day this past October. I called my dad before going into the ofce to wish him a happy birthday. That’s when it hit me – Oct. 25, 2007 – was the day Dairy Star made its ofcial online debut. I knew at the time I would always remember the initial launch – it was the same day as my dad’s birthday. That date not only marked Dairy Star’s introduction to the Internet, it was also the beginning of a long string of events – events that at the time I could not have predicted. The website has led to other online presences and opportunities that have connected our readers and all the dairy industry. In September this year, we launched a brand new website. It still features all the information from the previous version of the website including articles from the print edition, classied ads and E-editions. These sections continue to be the most popular parts of our site. The redesigned site makes it easier to navigate and gives Dairy Star online a refreshed and modern look. We hope you are enjoying the new site and continue to By Andrea Borgerding visit. The site has become a great compliment to our Online Editor print edition. What started out as new undertaking for myself personally, has become a routine for thousands of visitors. But, I will never forget the feeling I had when I saw my initial design of sketches on a piece of paper go live on the world wide web. Several years after the launch of the web site, we made Dairy Star go social with the launch of our Facebook page. We continued the tradition of strengthening the dairy community by creating a platform of which dairy producers can connect. Our Facebook page now has over 5,000 followers. It has spread breaking news, called out for help for dairy farmers, promoted dairy products and reached out to producers who have done tremendous things in the industry. It has guided us to meeting amazing people who we would otherwise not as easily be able to track down. Having an online presence has allowed us to provide a platform for dairy producers who choose to share their dairy journey with a blog. Shortly after launching our website, we invited dairy farmDairy St r Milk Break er Sadie Frericks to share her story of farming and raising a family. Her stories www.dairystar.com sparked tremendous interest and began a wave of transparency with which farmers can share messages of life on a dairy farm. Today, Brenda Rudolph continues to blog for Dairy Star. Brenda shares the joys and challenges of raising a family and continuing her family’s dairy farming tradition. Last spring, Dairy Star launched the Milk Break Newsletter. Once a week, we email out a newsletter with current dairy news items, sneak peeks at the upcoming print edition of Dairy Star, feel good quotes, recipes and photo submissions. It’s another compliment to Dairy Star’s mission to relay dairy news and bring community to the dairy industry. If you have not yet received Milk Break, please email me (andrea.b@dairystar.com) or visit our website and click on Signup for Newsletter in the top navigation bar. What does the future hold for Dairy Star? Looking back 10 years ago, I wouldn’t have predicted where we are today. Whatever the future is for Dairy Star it is sure to bring a new, exciting challenge for us.
Dairy Star • Saturday, December 9, 2017 • Page 31
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As the sun sets on another hard and rewarding day, know that we respect and admire the work you do and the sacrifices you make. It is in the earth where you pour your heart and soul, and for that we are truly blessed.
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Hire it out or do it ourselves? Page 32 • Dairy Star • Saturday, December 9, 2017
I think round baling is fun; it’s part of harvesting We have our baby heifer calves custom raised. a crop. All farmers want to harvest, whether it’s I know all good dairy farmers should be excellent milking a cow, picking fresh sweet corn or running calf raisers, but I never was one of them, so when a combine. Do I get to run a round baler? No, I a neighbor asked me about custom raising baby don’t even own one. calves for us, I jumped Dairy farms of all sizes at the opportunity. The Dairy i ffarms off all ll sizes i fface face decisions about what D next challenge were the to hire out and what to do decisions about what to hire calves from 8 weeks old internally with family and to 12 months old that were hired staff. I don’t think out and what to do internally scattered around the farm there are two dairy farms with family and hired staff. in odd old buildings with anywhere that do it exactly poor ventilation and small the same. There is no right door openings. When a or wrong; it’s usually a case of what has evolved good friend, Seth, asked about building a new over the years, driven by nances and labor bedded pack barn for those calves, I couldn’t sign availability. There are even cases of small dairies the agreement fast enough. hiring the larger dairy next door to deliver a daily We do milk our own cows, feed our own cows TMR to their cows instead of investing in land, feed and raise our own heifers after they reach 1 year of storage, loaders and mixers. age. This works for us because older heifers can be
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fed with our TMR wagon, and we can even blend in some clean up cow feed into their ration. We utilize some older feedlot facilities on rented and owned farms that are 5 miles away from the main dairy. This is cumbersome at times, but the manure Making Cents of Dairy is nice to have close to that land. We have not been tempted, however, to buy our own liquid manure equipment for the lagoons at the dairy. We started out owning our own liquid manure tanker and pump, but soon realized we needed to hire a company with By Dave Vander Kooi a drag hose as it was Columnist just too much. This year our bill for drag hosing, pumping and agitation was $280,000. They came with lots of equipment, worked hard for two weeks and all the while we hardly knew they were there. Besides that, we are busy combining high moisture corn for the cows, chopping earlage for neighbors and combining soybeans. Perhaps our offset to the manure bill is we installed drainage tile on 270 acres this fall. We worked all November into early December on this project. We put in 240,000 feet of pattern tile spaced every 50 feet. If we would have hired it done the bill would have matched the manure bill. Yes, we need a tile plow, two stringers and a mini excavator for that work, but it’s less messy than liquid manure equipment. Some days out stringing tile in that cold bitter wind was not fun though. Personal preference has probably led us to doing our own planting, spraying, chopping and combining. When I was growing up, we had such a small farm that we hired all those things done. So, my goal was to at least have enough acres and cows to justify having those tools to efciently farm in a timely manner. Then sometimes when you have those tools you take on more work, which demands bigger and better tools. I always tell the younger generation that when I retire I’m going to have a retirement farm. Thirty cows on grass, no baby calves and a small tractor with a round baler. Dave operates a 1,200-cow, 3,000 acre farm with his son, Joe, and daughter-in-law, Rita, near Worthington, Minn. Send him feedback at davevkooi@hotmail.com Follow him on Instagram, @davevanderkooi.
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Ten important improvements
Because each dairy farm has its own unique formula for success, we can learn a lot by talking with other dairy farmers and visiting their farms. Minnesota Milk’s Mentorship Program creates these learning opportunities for college students interested in dairy farming. We had the privilege of once again participating in the program this year as mentors. We met our mentee, Austin, last week. As part of Dairy Good Life his visit, we gave Austin a tour of our farm; explained our systems for managing cows, calves and crops; and answered his questions about dairy farming. Austin asked great questions. Judging from our conversation, I believe he has the single most important trait necessary for successful future in dairy farming: a desire to constantly improve. Sometimes we make big improvements to our farms and our management systems. Sometimes we make little improvements. But the key is that we’re always looking for ways to be better. As we visited with Austin, we talked a lot about the improvements we’ve made here on our farm in By Sadie Frericks the past 12 years. Columnist It’s impossible to rank these improvements in order of importance or impact on our farm, but here are 10 improvements we’ve made that are now important components of our management systems. Of course, there are dozens more, but I’ll save those for another column. 1. Three-quart calf bottles. I can still remember how crazy worried I was about feeding calves more than two quarts of milk per feeding – the standard I grew up with. But the decision to feed three quarts of milk twice a day (six quarts per day) was one that improved our calf rearing in two big ways: healthier calves (as measured by fewer calves treated and fewer calves lost during the neonatal period) and bigger calves at weaning. (And now with the calf feeder, we know that calves can safely consume way more than six quarts/liters per day.) 2. ScourGuard 4KC. We lost some of our very rst calves to E. coli the year we started farming. Our veterinarian recommended ScourGuard 4KC (it was 3KC then) and we started using the dry cow vaccine immediately. We haven’t had a case of E. coli since then. Plus, our calves have better immunity against rotavirus, coronavirus and clostridium. 3. Esophagus feeder for colostrum. We rarely use an esophagus feeder for anything else, but we always use it for calves’ rst feeding of colostrum. Using it allows us to ensure that each calf gets a gallon of colostrum as soon as possible after birth. A full gallon of colostrum – especially from cows and heifers vaccinated with ScourGuard – is the rst step toward building calves’ immune systems. Plus, colostrum contains a number of other growth promotion factors that benet calves. 4. Calf warmer. Every minute a newborn calf shivers, she loses energy that could be devoted to health and growth. Before we got our calf warmer, we toweldried calves (as much as a calf can be dried with a towel) and buried them in straw. It still took most of a day for them to dry. Now our calves spend a couple hours in the warmer and come out warm, dry and uffy. Our calf warmer saves calves, our time/energy and laundry. 5. Stomach pump. This tool, possibly more than any other, has maintained and improved the health of our cows. Fresh cows get oral uids with calcium to balance mineral levels after calving. Sick cows get oral uids with Glen’s special rumen health formula to maintain hydration and keep rumen bugs alive. Glen was scared to use a pump at rst, but after proper training and seeing how much oral uids benet cows, it’s now his rst choice for helping cows. 6. bioPRYN: blood pregnancy testing. Improving herd reproduction requires knowing which cows are pregnant and which cows are open as soon as possible after breeding. Before we switched to blood samples for pregnancy testing, we often limited pregnancy checks to once a month or even less frequently. It didn’t make sense to schedule a herd health check for three eligible cows. Now we check cows as often as we need to by simply dropping blood samples off in town. 7. DHIA testing. It’s hard to measure improvement without numbers. DHIA testing gives us production, component and milk quality numbers for every cow. Using DHIA’s scout herd management program also keeps individual cow data at our ngertips, which has also helped us improve reproduction. Lastly, we used DHIA’s milk Johne’s testing service to eradicate Johne’s disease from our herd. 8. Farm Business Management program. I’ll say it again: It’s hard to measure improvement without numbers. Our participation in FBM helps us distill our income and expenses down into numbers that we can use to evaluate the nancial health of our farm. Each year we add performance data that allows us to identify trends and areas for improvement. Ultimately, FBM has helped us become better businesspeople. 9. PCMars. PCMars is the bookkeeping program we use to assemble data for our balance sheet, nancial analysis and cash ow. We used a different bookkeeping program prior to PCMars and have found that PCMars is much better suited to farm businesses. Financial decisions are only as strong as the numbers that go into them; PCMars has improved the accuracy and categorization of our income and expenses. 10. Patriot Software. This service is one of the newest improvements we’ve made. I found it when I was looking for an easier way to do payroll. The service makes pay day as easy as 1-2-3 and tallies the federal and state taxes we need to report and pay. In all, it means I spend less time managing payroll and more time on important tasks. We’re looking forward to visiting Austin’s farm later this winter and learning from his experiences. Sadie and her husband, Glen, milk 75 cows near Melrose, Minn. They have three children – Dan, 10, Monika, 7, and Daphne, 4. Sadie also writes a blog at www.dairygoodlife.com. She can be reached at sadiefrericks@gmail.com.
Dairy Star • Saturday, December 9, 2017 • Page 33
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Why does Double-Ovsynch work so well? Page 34 • Dairy Star • Saturday, December 9, 2017
Hormonal synchronization protocols are used extensively on dairy farms, and the use of 100 percent timed AI on rst breeding is becoming more common. In our practice, most herds using 100 percent timed AI on rst service have seem signicant increases Veterinary Wisdom in pregnancy rates after implementing this practice, especially if the protocol utilizes a second prostaglandin injection prior to breeding. Presynch-Ovsynch 10 or 11 seems to work about as well as Double-Ovsynch (DOS) in a 100 percent rst breeding TAI program. It is not uncommon to see rst By Jim Bennett service conception rates Columnist over 60 percent and 50 percent for rst lactation and older cows, respectively, even in herds averaging over 100 pounds of milk. However, the rst published eld trial of Ovsynch on a commercial dairy farm (Pursely, 1997) reported that conception rates to TAI and Ovsynch were about the same as cows bred on standing heat, and that improvements in pregnancy rates were due entirely to increases in service rates in the TAI program. Interestingly, one of the original developers of Ovsynch, Richard Pursely, states on his website (https://dairycattlereproduction.com), that Ovsynch was developed to increase conception rates by improving timing of insemination. Yet historically, the primary reason most producers used TAI was to increase service rates. A recent study (Santos, 2017) looked at the reasons for increases in pregnancy rates in a 100 percent TAI program on rst breeding. Early studies compared cows receiving TAI to cows in standing heat, but in those studies cows bred in standing heat had different days in milk than the TAI cows and results were mixed. This new study compared cows in a DOS protocol to cows that were synchronized with a protocol using GNRH and three subsequent
prostaglandin shots (EST), and then bred on detected the results suggest that inseminating high producing estrus. Cows were inseminated, on average, at 77 DIM Holstein cows after detected estrus results in lower in both groups. GNRH was used in the EST group fertility than insemination following DOS. The exact to reduce the rate of anovulation. Heat detection in mechanisms by which DOS increases fertility is still the EST group was aided by the use of a pedometry open to debate, and a variety of theories have been system, and a 77.5 percent submission (heat detection) proposed. In our experience, DOS may reduce double rate was achieved. ovulations and twinning rates as well, and the effect DOS cows had 23 percent more pregnancies may be, in part, related to the reasons for increased per breeding than EST cows when evaluated at 33 fertility. days after insemination. DOS cows had a 49 percent Remember that the submission rate was 77.5 conception rate and EST cows had a 38.9 percent percent for the EST cows, which while very good, conception rate. Progesterone sampling was done was less than the 100 percent submission rate of the on both groups. DOS cows had higher progesterone DOS cows. As a result the actual number of total levels at day 24, which is likely due to the presence pregnancies per enrolled cow in the DOS group was of an additional corpus luteum (CL) in the DOS 64 percent higher (33 days) than the EST group, not group. Higher progesterone levels at the time of 23 percent higher, because 22.5 percent of the EST prostaglandin administration have been shown to be cows were not inseminated. Think about this: using associated with higher conception rates in a number 100 percent TAI resulted in 64 percent more pregnant of previous studies. The percentage of cows with high cows on the rst breeding, even in a herd with a progesterone at breeding was not different between relatively high heat detection rate. This is a remarkable groups, suggesting that the percentage of cows in improvement in reproductive performance. the right stage of the cycle Thus the answer to for breeding did not the question of why Doublediffer between groups. D Ovsynch works so well Done right, i h 100 percent TAI Progesterone levels at seven is increased fertility and days post breeding was first service programs can increased submission rate. greater for the EST cows. dramatically increase If you are considering doing The authors speculate this this in your herd remember is because DOS cows had pregnancy rates. that you need a valid VCPR smaller ovulatory follicles. with your veterinarian This happens because and directions from your GNRH is given earlier during the development of a veterinarian. Also consider that compliance is synchronized follicular wave in an Ovsynch protocol extremely important to success with these programs; than the GNRH produced by the hypothalamus of missing or improperly administering a few shots can the cows in the EST group. The follicles in the EST result in horrible results, so be sure to do it right. Done group would be expected to be older and larger than right though, 100 percent TAI rst service programs the follicles in the DOS group at the time of ovulation can dramatically increase pregnancy rates. as a result. Jim Bennett is a dairy veterinarian at Northern When evaluating all of the progesterone levels at Valley Dairy Production Medicine Center in different stages, the authors concluded that overall 85 Plainview, Minn. He and his wife, Pam, have four percent of cows were synchronized, and the rate did children. Jim can be reached at bennettnvac@ not differ between groups, suggesting that the increase gmail.com with comments or questions. in conception rate of the DOS group was not due to a greater percentage of synchronized cows. Instead
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Dairy Star • Saturday, December 9, 2017 • Page 35
Misinterpretation of DNR rule creates milk permitting problems Well location causes issues for Raese By Danielle Nauman danielle.n@dairystar.com
WILLARD, Wis. – Fiftynine years ago, a headache began for Tim Raese, who would not even be born for another 20 years. Raese has a herd of nearly 50 cows he milks on his farm just outside of the small Clark County town of Willard, Wis. In 1958, the well for the farm was drilled, in close proximity to the barn. Raese operates his farm with his wife, Jeni, and four children: Maddi, 15, Morgan, 13, Jack, 9, and Josi, 3. The Raeses also own and operate K&S Logistics & Carriers, a trucking ďƒžrm based out of Greenwood, Wis., which deals in refrigerated dairy freight and employs 48 people. In 2014, a new Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Rule (NR812) was put into place, requiring a 50-foot separation between the location of the
DANIELLE NAUMAN/DAIRY STAR
Tim Raese milks 50 cows with his family, including his son, Jack (pictured), near Willard, Wis. Raese recently regained his Grade A milk permit, aĹŒer it was revoked for a well that was installed near the dairy barn in 1958. well and a barn. Raese felt this rule was put into place to affect new constructions and that the DNR was interpreting the rule to be applied to existing structures. James Dick, DNR
Communications Director, said, “From DNR’s perspective, we have always included existing wells in regards to NR-812. We have been working with DATCP to ensure NR-812 well requirements are applied
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accurately and consistently.� Raese began operating the farm where he milks his cows in 2015 and had been farming the land since 2002. He operates about 340 tillable acres, owning a little over half
of the acreage. In addition to providing for his small herd, he is able to sell hay to a nearby dairy as well as cash-cropping corn and soybeans. His purpose for starting a dairy herd was to provide the opportunity for his children to have a foundation to enter the dairy industry in the future if they so choose. “I grew up on a dairy farm, and it was a good way to grow up,� Raese said. “I want the same for my children. I want them to have the option to choose this life in the future if that is what they decide.� In December 2015 following a state milk inspection, Raese received a letter from a DNR water specialist that informed him he would need to drill a new well in order to maintain a Grade A milk permit. In July of 2016, he applied to the DNR for a variance but received no response. According to Dick, “The well on the property was evaluated by a Grade A milk inspector and it was determined that the well was not in compliance with NR812 because it was located too close to an animal barn. The DNR did not inspect the well
Page 36 • Dairy Star • Saturday, December 9, 2017
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Women In Jeans Paulette Riley Gays Mills, Wis. Crawford County 70 cows
Family: My husband, Jody, and I have two adult children. Our son, Justin, lives in Sauk City, Wis. He has a welding degree and an electro/mechanical degree from Southwest Wisconsin Technical College. Justin works at Foremost Farms, Richland Center, Wis. Our daughter, Kaitlyn, has a strategic communications and broadcast journalism degree from University of Wisconsin-Madison. In 2014, she served as the Wisconsin Fairest of the Fairs. After her year as fairest, she worked as a multimedia journalist at WQOW News 18, Eau Claire, Wis., until this past May. She applied for the position of Alice in Dairyland, and after competing as a top candidate, returned home to the farm. Tell us about your farm. We have a 70-cow registered Jersey herd with 60 youngstock on our 200-acre farm in an area called Mount Zion. In addition to the land we own, we rent 80 acres. We grow alfalfa and corn to feed the cows and heifers, and usually sell around 8,000 bushels of corn each year. What’s the busiest time of day for you? It depends on the day, but mornings and evenings are typically the busiest, as we do daily chores. When you get a spare moment what do you do? There is always something to do outside or in the house to improve our farm. We do like going to cattle shows and county fairs to watch our friends show and see how those who purchased animals from us fare in the show ring. We do still occasionally show our own cattle at the Crawford County Fair.
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In the fall, we typically attend World Dairy Expo to see all the new equipment and technology available in agriculture. Tell us about your most memorable experience working on the farm. In 2008, Justin showed his cow, TM Julian Alexis, at World Dairy Expo. Like every other junior exhibitor, Justin worked hard to get Alexis ready for such a prestigious show. His dedication was rewarded, as his cow was named reserve grand champion of the junior Jersey show. Showing our cattle as a family has provided countless memorable experiences. What have you enjoyed most about dairy farming or your tie to the dairy industry? Being able to work with Jody, and now Kaitlyn, on the farm day after day. While farming is challenging work, it has been a great way to raise our family and meet friends through networks within the dairy industry. How do you stay connected with others in the industry? We stay connected with others by attending meetings and other events offered to keep us up to date in the changing industry. Social media has also been a great tool for staying in touch with those who do not live or work in our area. In your opinion, what’s the importance of women in today’s dairy industry and how have you seen that change over the years? Whether it was raising the next generation of farmers, feeding calves or milking cows, women have always played an important role in the dairy industry. In an industry commonly dominated by men, women can add a new perspective for all aspects of farming. I think the biggest change is that there are more opportunities for women to be a part of agriculture without being directly connected to the farm. Software developers, engineers, geneticists and more professionals are all needed to keep making advancements in agriculture. If you could give a tour of your farm to a prominent woman in today’s society, who would it be and why? I would give a tour to an every-day mother, because she typically has the most inuence on her family’s food purchases. With the average person being three to ve generations removed from the farm, it is more important than ever to educate families about food, fuel and ber production. What is the best vacation you’ve ever taken? The last two vacations my husband and I took were to Las Vegas, Nev., with our most recent trip in 2013. We enjoyed the trip because, being from rural Wisconsin, it was interesting to be in a different atmosphere. While the time away is great, it always makes us thankful for what we have back home. What are some words you like to live by? “It is what it is.” As everyone in the dairy industry knows, farming is unpredictable. Markets, animal health and equipment operation are all factors that can inuence how a day goes. Rather than dwelling on when things go wrong today, we look for ways to improve and make a better tomorrow.
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Dairy Star • Saturday, December 9, 2017 • Page 37
ConĆ&#x;nued from RAESE | Page 35
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DANIELLE NAUMAN/DAIRY STAR
Tim Raese milks 50 cows in a barn that had a well drilled inside in 1958. Raese recently fought to reinstate his Grade A permit because of the well locaĆ&#x;on. in question at the time, but helped Mr. Raese by sending a letter that allowed him to continue to operate with the well until he could purchase the property and drill a new one.â€? “I was prepared to drill the new well at ďƒžrst,â€? Raese said. “I had Haupt Well Drilling out to give me an estimate. They were actually the company who drilled the well in 1958. But the cost to drill a new well, which was over $7,000, seemed to be unfeasible when we are only milking 36 cows at any given time.â€? Raese began to investigate the DNR codes. He learned that because his well and his barn were existing structures, they were not included in the new NR812. “As long as my well met the codes that were in place when it was drilled, with no other complications, I should have been ďƒžne,â€? Raese said. The state milk inspector visited Raese’s farm Aug. 24, 2017, and because no variance had been provided by the DNR, Raese’s Grade A milk permit was revoked, dropping him to Grade B status. “In 2017, a Grade A Dairy inspector was again questioning the well. DNR suggested the well be inspected by a licensed well driller to see if the well was properly located at the time it was constructed and to make sure that the construction features of the well and pump installation were also in compliance with NR-812,â€? Dick said. “We also contacted DATCP to discuss the situation. The DNR worked with Mr. Raese and DATCP to help him make an informed decision before he drilled a new well. Raese felt the revocation of his Grade A permit was unjust and continued his search for answers. He was eventually connected with DNR Water Supply Specialist Stacy Steinke and Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) Food Safety Supervisor Jacqueline Owens. “Stacy and Jacqueline were great in helping me get this ďƒžgured out,â€? Raese said. “They really helped get the situation rectiďƒžed and helped me get my Grade A permitting back. I can’t say enough good about them.â€? Raese’s Grade A permit was reinstated Nov. 7, 2017, thanks in large part to the help he received from Steinke and Owens. He ships his milk to the North Hendren Dairy Cooperative in Willard, Wis., and estimated that during the six-week time period he was shipping Grade B milk, he lost over
$2,000. “I shipped a little over 200,000 pounds of milk during that time frame,â€? Raese said. “Being on Grade B pays a dollar less per hundredweight. The sad thing is there are other people that have been shipping Grade B for many years, all because of rules that don’t apply to their facilities.â€? While his permit has been reinstated to continue selling his milk as Grade A, Raese is now seeking compensation from the DNR for lost revenue due to their misinterpretation of NR-812. “I’ve ďƒžlled out and submitted a form,â€? Raese said, indicating he is working with North Hendren to determine the exact weight of milk that was shipped while he was on Grade B. “Besides the loss in my milk price, I had to pay for the extra inspections. The factory pays for the ďƒžrst one each year, but I’m responsible for the other three.â€? The Wisconsin DATCP declined an interview on the matter, which still may appear before their Claims Board. Raese said in all the years his farm has been in production, it had never previously been written up for wellrelated issues. Water-quality testing is done on a yearly basis and remains consistent with the earliest results from the 1970s. Another inspection was completed and the well location was determined to be compliant with NR-812.42 when it was drilled in 1958, but also identiďƒžed some aspects that were not in compliance. “On my reinstatement inspection, I was given a year to put a new seal and a sample tap in and to raise the casing up seven inches to bring it up to code, but that wasn’t required for the Grade A status to be restored,â€? Raese said. “Those repairs were completed about three days after that inspection. No sense in putting it off.â€? Raese’s drive to be involved in agriculture comes from the value he places in the way he was raised. “I farm for pleasure,â€? he said. It’s a good way to live and to raise a family.â€? Raese adds he knows there are other farmers out there who have been in similar situations, but maybe haven’t made the connections he was able to in order to correct their problem. “It’s frustrating and discouraging, though, when you have to ďƒžght the regulations,â€? he said. “If my story and what I’ve learned can help someone else get a Grade A permit back, then all my work will have been worth it.â€?
8600, 2016, 148 Hrs, RWA, Warranty ......$409,500 8100, 2016, 250 Hrs, RWA, Warranty ......$259,000 7780, 2014, 1301 Hrs, RWA .....................$239,000 7580, 2013, 610 Hrs, RWA, Warranty ......$274,900 7950, 2012, 694 Hrs, RWA .......................$274,900 7850, 2008, 1600 Hrs, RWA .....................$179,500 7550, 2012, 1825 Hrs, RWA .....................$205,000 7550, 2010, 1344 Hrs, RWA .....................$209,500 7550, 2008, 1359 Hrs, RWA .....................$189,500 7450, 2009, 1550 Hrs, RWA .....................$189,500 7450, 2010, 2985 Hrs, RWA .....................$139,000 7350, 2008, 2950 Hrs, RWA .....................$149,000 7800, 2007, 1885 Hrs, RWA .....................$159,500 7700, 2007, 1570 Hrs, RWA .....................$169,500 7500, 2005, 2423 Hrs, RWA .....................$135,000 7400, 2004, 2918 Hrs, RWA .....................$124,900 7400, 2005, 1516 Hrs, 2WD .......................$98,000 7300, 2003,3637 Hrs, RWA ........................$79,000 6850, 1999, 3120 Hrs, RWA .......................$79,500 6850, 1998, 3100 Hrs, 2WD .......................$74,500
6710, 1995, 2908 Hrs, RWA .......................$68,500 5830, 1991, 3700 Hrs, RWA .......................$39,900 5730, 1986, 4980 Hrs, RWA .......................$35,900 Claas 970, 2008, 3000 Hrs, RWA ............$175,000 Claas 900, 2005, 2848 Hrs ...................... $115,000 Claas 890, 2002, 2290 Hrs, RWA ............$129,000 All hours listed are “cutter hours�.
8100
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$259,000
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DAIRY ST R
Page 38 • Dairy Star • Saturday, December 9, 2017
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Dairy prole Mara Budde Behling Fox Lake, Wis. Dodge County 55 cows
and
Dairy Star • Saturday, December 9, 2017 • Page 39
sponsored by
Frank
How did you get into farming? Frank: I grew up showing dairy cattle and raising heifers on my parents’ family farm. I started milking my own herd of cows after I graduated from UWMadison. I’ve always been interested in the breeding end of dairying. Mara: I guess you could say Frank. I actually grew up on a pig farm and worked on a local dairy to support my county fair pig project, and realized dairy is where I wanted to be. I’ve kind of just tagged along on Frank’s farming journey. What are your thoughts and concerns about the dairy industry for the next year? Oversupply and lack of processing capacity. What is the latest technology you implemented on your farm and the purpose for it? We went from rotational grazing and component feeding to feeding a TMR. What is a management practice you changed in the past year that has beneted you? We have implemented an aggressive vaccination protocol to reduce usage of treatments on calves as well as cows. How do you retain a good working relationship with your employee(s)? Communication and exible scheduling. Tell us about a skill you possess that makes dairy farming easier for you. Frank: I’m a pretty patient person. I’d also say understanding genetics. Mara: I am extremely detailed.
This certainly helps with calf worst days, enjoy it because management. anything can happen and you may nd yourself not farming What do you enjoy most about one day. dairy farming? Frank: I enjoy watching the animals grow and What has been the best develop. Mara: The freedom of purchase you’ve ever made on making your own decisions. your farm? High genetic merit cattle. What advice would you give other dairy farmers? This is What has been your biggest tough because every farm is accomplishment while dairy different and what works for farming? Frank: I have bred us won’t work for everyone two animals that have been else. This past spring we almost nominated All-American: a Red found ourselves not farming and White, Wildweed Ladd due to being dropped by our Margarita VG-88, now owned processor. I’d say even on the by the Feltons, and a junior
2-year-old Jersey, Wildweed Irwin Speckles VG-87. What are your plans for your dairy in the next year and ve years? We’d like to get the barn full and sell fresh 2-year-olds. In an ideal world we would like a freestall barn with the option to add robots down the road. How do you or your family like to spend time when you are not doing chores? We enjoy going to rock concerts and trying new craft beers.
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Page 40 • Dairy Star • Saturday, December 9, 2017
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