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DAIRY ST R “All dairy, all the time”™
Volume 21, No. 24
President Trump signs off on USMCA
Trade agreement to create level playing eld for dairy By Jennifer Coyne jenn@dairystar.com
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Dairy organizations across the nation echoed their support of the United States-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement as President Donald Trump signed a bill to implement the trade deal Jan. 29, at the White House in Washington. “On behalf of dairy farmers, we are extremely grateful to get to this point,” Bob Huffman said. “This is a big win for farmers and the dairy industry as a whole.” Huffman is the CEO of First District Association based in Litcheld, Minnesota. The agreement, which was accepted by Mexico’s government last year also, now awaits Canada lawmakers’ approval to take effect. “I’m looking forward to it being signed and done,” said dairy farmer Pat Lunemann. “When (Canada raties it), maybe then we can get back to a new normal.” Lunemann and his wife, Jody, milk 850 cows and run 1,600 acres of land at Twin Eagle Dairy in Todd County near Clarissa, Minnesota. The Lunemanns’ youngest son, Alex, also farms with them. The purpose of the new trade agreement is to modernize and rebalance components of the North American Free Trade Agreement as both Canada and Mexico continue to be critical destinations for United States’ agricultural exports. In 2018, Canada accounted for 34% of U.S. agricultural goods exported to free trade agreement partners and Mexico 30%, according to the Ofce of the United States Trade Representative. Turn to USMCA | Page 5
February 8, 2020
From teen employee to farm owner Grotjan’s dairy farming journey comes full circle By Stacey Smart
stacey.s@dairystar.com
EAGLE, Wis. – Once Jim Grotjan got his rst taste of farming at age 15, he never again considered another occupation. His rst part-time job at a nearby dairy farm would lead him into a lifelong career in the industry. Grotjan grew up on today’s equivalent of a hobby farm – 85 acres that was home to a couple horses and a dozen or so chickens. His father was a high school biology teacher in Milwaukee. Grotjan’s home was 3 miles from where he currently farms with his wife, Michele, near Eagle. His farm is the same place that his parents used to buy milk from once a week and the same farm he began working at years ago as a teenager. “I started working here and fell in love with it,” Grotjan said. “You couldn’t get me out of this place.” Grotjan milked cows, fed calves and did other chores as well as eld work on the 70-cow farm which was owned by two brothers. A true cow man, Grotjan Turn to GROTJAN | Page 6
STACEY SMART/DAIRY STAR
Jim and Michele Grotjan milk 200 cows near Eagle, Wisconsin. The Grotjans farm at the same place Jim began working at when he was 15 years old.
Gov. Evers proposes investment in rural communities
$8.5 million package to expand ag, dairy opportunities By Danielle Nauman danielle.n@dairystar.com
MADISON, Wis. – Wisconsin dairy farmers and their surrounding communities have been feeling the brunt of hard economic times for several years. Elected ofcials serving in the state government in Madison all agree something needs to be done to help Wisconsin’s farmers and rural communities, but the ideas and methods of achieving a solution are as diverse as Wisconsin’s dairy industry itself. In his State of the State address delivered Jan. 22, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers
PHOTO COURTESY OF WISCONSIN FARM BUREAU FEDERATION
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers, shown here speaking at the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federa�on’s Ag Day Feb. 4 at the Capitol, unveiled what he called a three-prong program to help address issues faced by farmers and rural communi�es during his State of the State speech last month.
presented what he calls a threepronged plan, with legislation calling for nearly $8.5 million in funding, to bring relief and solutions to the problems facing rural Wisconsin. “We’re known as America’s Dairyland, but unfortunately, as too many families across our state know rsthand, our state continues to face challenges that we must work quickly to address,” Evers said in his address. “Our state has relied on the resilience and dedication of our farmers for generations, and in this state, nobody carries the burden alone. We need to be better partners for our farmers, agricultural industries and rural communities. So, today I am proud to be unveiling my Turn to AID | Page 6
Page 2 • Dairy Star • Saturday, February 8, 2020
DAIRY ST R www.dairystar.com
ISSN 020355 522 Sinclair Lewis Ave. Sauk Centre, MN 56378 Phone: (320) 352-6303 Fax: (320) 352-5647 Published by Dairy Star LLC General Manager/Editor Mark Klaphake - mark.k@dairystar.com 320-352-6303 (ofce) 320-248-3196 (cell) 320-352-0062 (home) Ad Composition Nancy Powell 320-352-6303 nancy.p@dairystar.com Consultant Jerry Jennissen 320-346-2292 Editorial Staff Krista Kuzma - Editor/Wisconsin (507) 259-8159 • krista.k@dairystar.com Andrea Borgerding - Associate Editor (320) 352-6303 • andrea.b@dairystar.com Jennifer Coyne - Assistant Editor (320) 352-6303 • jenn@dairystar.com Danielle Nauman (608) 487-1101 danielle.n@dairystar.com Stacey Smart - Staff Writer (262) 442-6666 • stacey.s@dairystar.com Maria Bichler - Copy Editor 320-352-6303 Advertising Sales Main Ofce: 320-352-6303 Fax: 320-352-5647 Deadline is 5 p.m. of the Friday the week before publication Sales Manager - Joyce Frericks 320-352-6303 • joyce@dairystar.com Bob Leukam (Northern MN, East Central MN) 320-260-1248 (cell) bob.l@star-pub.com Mark Klaphake (Western MN) 320-352-6303 (ofce) 320-248-3196 (cell) Laura Seljan (National Advertising, SE MN) 507-250-2217 fax: 507-634-4413 laura.s@dairystar.com Jerry Nelson (SW MN, NW Iowa, South Dakota) 605-690-6260 jerry.n@dairystar.com Mike Schafer (Central, South Central MN) 320-894-7825 mike.s@dairystar.com Amanda Hoeer (Eastern Iowa) 320-250-2884 • amanda.h@dairystar.com Julie Barnes (SE WI and Northern IL) julie.b@dairystar.com Megan Stuessel (Western Wisconsin) 608-387-1202 • megan.s@dairystar.com Ashley Curry (Northeast WI and Upper MI) 920-539-7268 • ashley.c@dairystar.com Deadlines The deadline for news and advertising in the Dairy Star is 5 p.m. Friday the week before publication. Subscriptions One year subscription $35.00, outside the U.S. $110.00. Send check along with mailing address to Dairy Star, 522 Sinclair Lewis Ave., Sauk Centre, MN 56378. Advertising Our ad takers have no authority to bind this newspaper and only publication of an advertisement shall constitute nal acceptance of the advertiser's order. Letters Letters and articles of opinion are welcomed. Letters must be signed and include address and phone number. We reserve the right to edit lengthy letters. The views and opinions expressed by Dairy Star columnists and writers are not necessarily those of the Dairy Star LLC.
The Dairy Star is published semi-monthly by Dairy Star, LLC, 522 Sinclair Lewis Ave., Sauk Centre, MN 56378-1246. Periodicals Postage Paid at Sauk Centre, MN and additional mailing ofces. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Dairy Star, 522 Sinclair Lewis Ave., Sauk Centre, MN 56378-1246.
A glance at the other side
Dairy Star likes to provide local stories, which is why we have two versions of the paper. Below are a few highlights from stories you will not nd in this paper, but you can nd online in zone 1. Find full editions on our website, www.dairystar.com, and click on the e-edition tab under the Dairy Star header. Vaughans feel welcomed to South Dakota Although moving states away from family has been tough for Kenn and Rebecca Vaughan, they are thankful for kind neighbors, who have been helpful in their dairying journey so far. The young couple who now have four children, moved from New York to Bancroft, South Dakota, in September 2017. A shortage in feed and a nosedive in milk price put their dairy in a difcult position; however, talking with neighbors led them to people who had extra feed and would allow them to pay as they went. Now that the milk price is higher and the Vaughans have a local network in place, they are looking forward to the future of their dairy, thanks in part to great neighbors. Happily ever after on the farm As Valentine’s Day approaches, Adam and Hanna Hebig feel grateful for the life they have created on the farm, a life that puts their love for each other and the dairy industry on a pedestal. Their story began a few years ago after mutual friends suggested they meet. The young couple now works together milking cows and raising the fth-generation on their family dairy farm in Morrison County near Little Falls, Minnesota. Farmers gather to hear plan to battle dairy crisis Over 100 farmers, community business members, local legislators and the state attorney general attended a meeting to talk about the ongoing struggle of the dairy farm crisis after years of ongoing depressed milk and crop markets. The meeting included talk about proposing a restructure of the current Federal Milk Marketing Order. The plan, called Dairy Farm Structure Management Plan, is created in order to create a fair market for farms of all sizes. Attendees were encouraged to sign a statement for several demands from the governor, legislature, attorney general and federal leaders. Throttle therapy After a week of milking cows, there is nothing Shaina Kirckof enjoys more than the thrill of pushing the throttle and steering a snowmobile down a straightway track. Kirckof and her dad, Mark, revel in the pastime while also dairy and crop farming in Stearns County near Belgrade, Minnesota. The Kirkofs have garnered a lot of success on the racetracks, but it is the community of people in snowmobile racing that the father and daughter value most.
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Dairy Star • Saturday, February 8, 2020 • Page 3
It’s all inside... Columnists Ag Insider
Stevens Point
Pepin
Buffalo
Lancaster
Women in Dairy: Jaime Noble
Vernon
O Waushara
aw Cr
Kirschbaums involved in re department, rst responders, dispatch
Zone 2
Green Lake Fond Du Lac
Dane
Lafayette Green
Jo Daviess
Jefferson Waukesha
Rock
on
ens
ph Ste
Carroll
Eagle
Walworth go
eba
n Win
Whiteside
Ogle Lee
Johnson Creek
Dairy Prole: Bill, Kathy and Monte Olszewski First Section: Page 39
Racine Kenosha
McHenry
DeKalb
Grotjan’s dairy farming journey comes full circle
Do or
go ba Calumet
e nn Wi
Columbia Dodge
Sauk
Iowa
First Section: Page 28
Zone 1
ie am Brown
for
Richland
Grant
Glen Haven
Oconto
e
Page 22 Second Section
d
Pages 10 - 11 Second Section
te
g uta
Adams Juneau
et
Shawano
Wood
Monroe La Crosse
First Section: Pages 34 - 35
Menominee
Portage Waupaca Jackson
in
Langlade
Marathon
Clark
Eau Claire
The “Mielke” Market Weekly
Country Cooking
Taylor
Chippewa
ar
on
Page 33 First Section
Dunn
Lincoln
Bo
Tenacity, gratitude, faith
St. Croix Pierce
Page 32 First Section
Barron
M
Forest
Menominee
aun ee
Making Cents of Dairy
Rusk
ce
Wa sh
First Section: Pages 34 - 35
Oneida
Ke w
Polk
Price
ren
ton S he bo Milwaukee Ozauk M yg ee an anito wo c
Scanlans found happiness just across the road
Flo
Sawyer
Delta
Dickinson
Vilas
ing
ur
Fennimore
First Section: Pages 12 - 13
Iron
ett e
Page 31 First Section
Burnett
Trempealeau
Veterinary Wisdom
Ashland
n
Ramblings from the Ridge
FARM 4.0 puts focus on pre-weaned calves
First Section: Pages 18, 20-22
Bayeld
Douglas
qu
First Section: Pages 10 - 11
De Pere
Excellent care, genetics propels production at Synergy Dairy LLC
Third Section: Pages 2 - 3
Page 27 First Section
Page 30 First Section
Shawno
Keeping farm children safe
Ma r
Dority Valley Dairy prospers with help from three generations
hb
The dreaded dentist appointment
Dallas
Wa s
Pages 8-9 First Section
Kane
Poplar Grove
Kids Corner: The Franseens
Third Section: Pages 8 - 9
First Section: Pages 1, 6-7
What is your favorite winter hobby? First Section: Pages 15 - 16
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For additional stories from our other zone, log on to www.dairystar.com
Rock Island
n
re War
Carroll KHW Regiment AppleRed’s legacy lives on Second Section: Pages 3 - 4
Page 4 • Dairy Star • Saturday, February 8, 2020
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Dairy Star • Saturday, February 8, 2020 • Page 5
ConƟnued from USMCA | Page 1 There are several areas within agriculture that will benet from USMCA. Dairy, in particular, will see signicant improvements. Within six months of USMCA becoming effective, Canada is to eliminate their Class 6 and 7 milk prices. This ensures the price for skim milk solids used to produce nonfat dry milk, milk protein concentrates and infant formula is no lower than the base price of nonfat dry milk from the United States. The northern country will also apply export penalties of those designated dairy products over certain quantity thresholds. “Resolving Class 7 in Canada is huge,” Huffman said. “As a cooperative, and an industry as a whole, this really opens up markets that are absolutely necessary for us.”
“As a cooperative, and an industry as a whole, this really opens up markets that are absolutely necessary for us.” BOB HUFFMAN, FIRST DISTRICT ASSOCIATION
The agreement also provides unprecedented market access for American dairy products to Canada in addition to the current dairy exports, which accounted for $619 million in 2017. Those products include uid milk, cheese, cream, skim milk powder, butter and cream powder, concentrated and condensed milk, yogurt and buttermilk, powdered buttermilk, products of natural milk constituents, ice cream and ice cream mixes, whey, and others. South of the border, the agreement is set to protect commonly named cheeses and ensure a customer base into the future. This means Mexico will not restrict U.S. cheese solely based on the name. “The global demand for exports to
North America is signicant, and the U.S. needs to be a part of that and on fair terms,” Huffman said. “There’s no other country in the world that has the quality and production scale as the U.S. has, and to be able to be on a level playing eld in global market enables us to go after the demand that’s out there.” Yet, the agreement’s implementation does not come without fear from farmers. “I hope that it was worth the pain we as farmers felt from the tariff battle,” Lunemann said. “In order to keep selling our products there, someone had to pay for the tariffs. Fortunately, Mexico did not abandon us, but us farmers took a reduced price to make up for the tariff difference.” USMCA also includes modernized standards for sanitary measures and transportation, addresses biotechnologies to support 21st century agriculture innovations, and eliminates Canada’s discriminatory grading of U.S. wheat, among other key achievements. Once fully implemented, USMCA is expected to increase U.S. agricultural exports to the world by $2.2 billion, according to an analysis by the United States International Trade Commission. The true impact of the agreement will be seen in time as the North American countries delve into uncharted trade territory. “It will take time to gure out the macroeconomic effect USMCA will have on our industry,” Lunemann said. “Since (the North American Free Trade Agreement) was initiated in 1994, U.S. agriculture has beneted greatly. My hope is that our negotiators made some gains as we need signicant dairy exports in order for our milk price to be strong.” Huffman agreed. “If you look at overall milk consumption and our production in the U.S., the absolute future of U.S. dairy relies on global exports,” he said. “When we talk about our ability for market growth, any trade deal – this or China – will create a signicant impact for the future of our farmers and what we can do as processors.”
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ConƟnued from GROTJAN | Page 1 favored the cows over the elds. “I didn’t like being on the tractor,” Grotjan said. “My thoughts were always with the cows. I was always wondering if they needed more feed, and I wanted to get back when I knew it was getting close to milking time. I found eld work to be pretty boring.” Grotjan assumed a full-time position after completing the University of Wisconsin-Madison Farm and Industry Short Course and stayed at the farm until he was 28 years old. “Things weren’t good here by that point,” Grotjan said. “It was the ‘80s, which were tough years on farmers as it was, but the owners made some mistakes and were starting to hurt nan-
cially. I woke up one day and thought, ‘What am I doing here? This farm is going broke; this is a dead-end job.’” It was August 1988. Grotjan would eventually nd his way back to this farm – the farm that rst instilled his love for dairying. But in the meantime, he moved on and began working at another farm of the same size near Platteville. Grotjan knew the owner, Jeff Spitzer, from the short course. “He was a really smart, progressive dairyman,” Grotjan said. “I learned so much from him. And going to work for someone I knew made the transition easier. I lived in Eagle my whole life, Turn to GROTJAN | Page 7
ConƟnued from AID | Page 1 three-pronged plan to start addressing these challenges, starting with a special session of the legislature to get to work on this issue right away.” In a teleconference Jan. 23, Gov. Evers detailed his plan which included calling the legislature into a special session Jan. 28 to look at eight legislative proposals that include increasing dairy exports; expanding grant opportunities available for processing plants, on-farm processing, farm to school, small farm diversity, promoting value-added products and education in organic farming and grazing; providing support and funding for mental health services; providing planning assistance; and creating additional agriculture positions within the University of Wisconsin-Extension. “We believe this is a really great step forward,” Evers said. “It’s not the answer to all the problems. There are plenty of problems in the agriculture industry. But we are making sure we are moving forward in a real proactive way.” Evers said the issues addressed in the eight bills will impact farmers of all size, scale and scope, helping them to not only survive but potentially improve their bottom lines by increasing efciencies. “The second part of the initiative is to make sure we really connect the dots in relation to long-term strategies not only around agriculture but around rural prosperity in the state,” Evers said in the teleconference. “We will be putting together a Blue Ribbon Task Force to deal with that connection.” The third prong of Evers’ plan is the creation of the Ofce of Rural Prosperity, which the governor said will serve to help support rural businesses. “We’re going to be working with the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation to have that organization play a really important role in creating an Ofce of Rural Prosperity,” Evers said. “That will be a one-stop shopping area for people to access resources that WEDC has available to them.” Wisconsin’s interim Secretary of Agriculture Randy Romanski supported the plan proposed by Evers. He said he has condence the package of bills will receive bipartisan support in the legislature. “Agriculture is part of our heritage,” Romanski said. “This will help to make sure we make further steps in rural Wisconsin. An investment in Wisconsin farmers is an investment in our economy.” While all agree on the importance of creating a positive climate for Wisconsin’s dairy industry, some members of the legislature question how effective the governor’s proposal will be in accomplishing the desired outcomes. Sen. Howard Marklein, chair of the senate’s agriculture committee, said
he speaks to a variety of farmers from his district nearly every day, and he has heard concerns from those farmers about the plans laid forth in the governor’s package. “The idea of adding more Madison bureaucrats is not what the farmers I speak to are looking for,” Marklein said. Marklein said there were already over 35 bills dealing with issues in rural Wisconsin making their way through various committees in the legislature before the State of the State address. Those bills reect a variety of issues that affect dairy farmers and rural communities. “Those bills are all ones that have been requested by various agriculture groups about things that are important to them,” Marklein said. “I want to know the opinions and thoughts of farmers. I’m going to keep working to get things done that they want.” Speaker of the Assembly Robin Vos also gave input about the plan. “Farmers are already telling us the governor’s package does more to grow the size of government than actually help our rural areas,” Vos said in a written statement. “We’re open to amending the bills or introducing our own proposals in order to do what’s best for rural Wisconsin.” Wisconsin farm groups are encouraged by attention agriculture is being paid by state leaders and the discussions that will be held to nd solutions to the problems facing the dairy industry in the state. Leaders of both the Dairy Business Association and the Wisconsin Farm Bureau look forward to working with both the administration and the legislature as resources. “The governor and lawmakers of both parties clearly understand the signicance of a vibrant farm economy to our state,” said Tom Crave, president of the Dairy Business Association, in a press release following the State of the State address. “DBA’s members heard this time and again as they visited with legislators during our group’s Dairy Day at the Capitol.” Wisconsin Farm Bureau president Joe Bragger was present at the State of the State address and was excited by the attention paid to agriculture in the speech. “Gov. Evers highlighting our agriculture’s diversity was important because that is what makes us strong,” said Bragger in a press release. “The pride our farmers have in what they do is admirable.” Bragger also said the support promised to the state’s farmers was encouraging, and boosting dairy exports and providing additional resources to farmers can only help. And, by working together, a better future can be built for Wisconsin’s rural communities.
Dairy Star • Saturday, February 8, 2020 • Page 7
ConƟnued from GROTJAN | Page 6 and my rst job was the only job I ever had. It was a big step to leave it all behind.” Two-and-a-half years later, Grotjan learned of an opportunity back home. Brothers Ken and Jerry Kau, who milked about 60 cows, were getting big into crops and looking to bring in a partner for their dairy. In April 1991 at the age of 31, Grotjan became a partner and the farm’s herd manager. He bought one-third of the herd while each Kau brother also owned one-third. The farm became two enterprises consisting of both dairy and grain. Five years later, the Kau brothers decided they wanted out of the dairy. Grotjan bought their shares of the herd and began renting the barn from the Kaus while continuing to buy the brothers’ feed. The following year would give Grotjan another opportunity to expand when the farm he got his start at underwent a forced sale due to bankruptcy. Grotjan bought the herd and the Kaus bought the farm. Grotjan rented the barn and was now milking 130 cows between two sites which required hiring a full-time guy to tend to the 60cow herd back at the Kau farm. In August 1998, Grotjan became a farm owner when he purchased the farm he worked at as a teenager from the Kaus – buying the buildings and 35 acres of the 300-acre farm. It was a real xer-upper, and now that Grotjan owned the facilities, he immediately began making improvements. The farm went through a period of major transformation as Grotjan ripped down old buildings and added new ones. “I tore down seven to eight old, junky, falling-down buildings,” Grotjan said. There was one gem amongst the run-down structures – a brand new shed
STACEY SMART/DAIRY STAR
The Grotjans’ cows are milked in a double-8 herringbone parlor that Grotjan built inside one end of the original Ɵestall barn on the farm near Eagle, Wisconsin. measuring 60 feet by 120 feet which stood next to the tiestall barn. “It was the perfect dimension for a three-row freestall barn, so that’s what I turned it into – a freestall barn with 81 stalls,” Grotjan said. Grotjan gutted one end of the tiestall barn and put in a holding area and double-8 at barn milking parlor. The other side of the barn was converted into free stalls to house additional cows. Grotjan now had room to combine his two herds at one location. “Having all the cows at one farm was way more efcient to manage,” Grotjan said. “It was tough milking at both places.” He built a cover-all calf barn in 2001 which houses 28 calves. In 2002, he gave the house a facelift as well, re-
placing the roof, windows and siding. Grotjan built another 50-stall freestall barn in 2004 to house a 45cow herd he bought from a neighbor. Today, this barn is where the farm’s older cows reside. In 2008, he built a new freestall barn containing 140 stalls and maternity pen, and built a new heifer shed in 2010. He also turned his rst freestall barn into housing for heifers. Six years ago, Grotjan replaced his at-barn parlor with a double-8 Germania herringbone, which he said allowed him to increase milking to three times per day. “It was a good move that really paid off,” Grotjan said. “I gained 20 pounds of milk per cow per day by switching from twice-a-day to three-times-a-day milking.”
In the at-barn parlor, Grotjan was achieving 80 pounds per cow per day. Five months into the new parlor, cows were milking 100 pounds daily. “We hit that magic number and have held it ever since,” Grotjan said. The new parlor also took milking down from a three-person job to a two-person job where 75 cows can be milked per hour. “It’s so much more efcient than the at-barn parlor,” Grotjan said. The original tiestall barn is a mix of old and new. In the new half are the holding pen and milking parlor. The old half contains tie stalls for treating sick cows and pens for housing bull calves. Today, the Grotjans milk 200 cows and raise their replacement heifers with the help of seven part-time and fulltime employees. Sticking to his original viewpoint on eldwork, Grotjan does not farm any acres and buys all his feed. He still buys corn from the Kaus and hay from a handful of local farmers. “It’s the perfect t,” Grotjan said. “My favorite part about farming has always been working with the cows.” Grotjan looks back on his farming journey with pride – a journey that dates back to a 15-year-old with no farming experience taking on a job at a local dairy farm. Through the years, that young man bought cows and rented facilities until reaching his ultimate goal of farm ownership. Lifting his farm from shambles to its present glory is an accomplishment Grotjan nds fullling. “I got to do what I wanted to with my life,” Grotjan said of his career as a dairy farmer. “I’ve always been on the farm. There’s nothing else I ever wanted to do. It’s gratifying to look out my window in the evening and say, ‘I built this.’”
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Trump signs the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement Page 8 • Dairy Star • Saturday, February 8, 2020
Farmers and ranchers surrounded President Donald of their business. Antitrust ofcials are considering the Trump at the White House as he signed the U.S.- impact that deal would have on farmers and retailers. Mexico-Canada Agreement. Other industries, U.S. lawmakers and ofcials from Mexico and Canada were Starbucks sustainability strategy targets dairy To be more sustainable, the Starbucks coffee chain also represented. “They said it was too complicated, plans to offer more plant-based options. too big and it couldn’t be done. We got it Ag Insider That includes a move away from dairy done,” Trump said. “We’re nally ending products. Starbucks claims the dairy the NAFTA nightmare and signing into law industry is a major contributor to its the brand new USMCA.” Trump went on carbon footprint. Dairy Management Inc. to say the agreement is a breakthrough for responded, saying dairy can be part of American agriculture. “Canada will nally the sustainability story. Over the past ten provide greater access for American dairy. years, DMI said the environmental impact It (the USMCA) will grow annual exports from producing a gallon of milk involves to our neighbors by an estimated $315 more than 30 percent less water, 21 percent million.” The Canadian parliament now less land and a 20 percent smaller carbon needs to ratify the agreement. footprint. Dairy industry seeks increased market EPA replaces the Waters of the United access By Don Wick States Rule In recent months, the United States has Columnist The Environmental Protection Agency negotiated trade deals with Japan, China, replaced the Waters of the United States Mexico and Canada. Speaking at the Dairy Forum in Scottsdale, Arizona, International Dairy Rule. The new Navigable Waters Protection Rule Foods Association President and CEO Michael Dykes claries federal and state protected waters. There are said more trade agreements are needed. In particular, four categories of jurisdictional waters under federal Dykes cited the countries that were part of the Trans- protection. Those include territorial and traditional Pacic Partnership. “Our competitors are aggressive in navigable waters, intermittent tributaries, certain lakes getting trade agreements and we need trade agreements and ponds and wetlands adjacent to jurisdictional to give us market access and a level playing eld so we waters. The new rule outlines the waters not subject to federal control. They include water that is in direct can compete.” response to rain, groundwater, many ditches, including most farm and roadside ditches, and prior converted Seeking trade deal with EU While in Davos, Switzerland for the World cropland. The EPA said all states have their own Economic Forum, President Donald Trump said he protections for waters within their borders. would like to nalize a trade deal with the European Union before the 2020 election. With numerous Farm bureau sets 2020 policy priorities Delegates to the 101st American Farm Bureau protectionist policies in Europe, Trump admitted it will Federation convention nalized policy priorities for the not be easy to get a deal with the EU. year ahead. AFBF Vice President Scott VanderWal, who farms at Volga, South Dakota, said the decisions DOJ investigates potential dairy deal The Department of Justice is investigating a made by members address important issues facing possible deal between Dean Foods and Dairy Farmers of the American farmer. “Our members are looking for America. Dean Foods is seeking bankruptcy protection economic opportunity to succeed. Trade continues to and there is speculation DFA is interested in a portion be a major focal point for us to provide a level playing
eld.” Voting delegates updated labor and immigration policies, emphasizing signicant changes to the H-2A program. After a year-long process to review ways to modernize Federal Milk Marketing Orders, AFBF’s delegates also voted to support creation of a exible, farmer- and industry-led milk management system. “The lack of protability has been pretty severe and long standing for the dairy industry,” VanderWal said. Other key policy areas include conservation compliance, hemp, rural broadband and climate change research. Seeking FDA action on labeling A bipartisan group of lawmakers has sent a letter to the Food and Drug Administration, seeking action on the use of dairy terms for non-dairy products. Under former FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, the FDA began a process dening what could be labeled as a dairy product. That included a public comment period, which has wrapped up. The letter asks the FDA to move quickly to address the mislabeling of non-dairy products, like soy or almond milk. House subcommittee considers DAIRY Pride Act A House Energy and Commerce subcommittee took testimony on bills associated with the Food and Drug Administration. The DAIRY Pride Act, which would prevent the labeling of plant-based products with dairy terms. Another bill is called the CURD Act and it creates a formal denition for ‘natural cheese.’ National Milk Producers Federation Executive Vice President Tom Balmer said the FDA is considering regulatory changes for plant-based products, but the process is taking too long. “Unless Congress acts, FDA’s followthrough remains uncertain.” Legal battle continues over sexed semen technology Inguran, which does business under the Sexing Technologies brand, is back in court against ABS Global. Sexing Technologies claims ABS is continuing to infringe on its patents for sexed semen. The two companies have been in a legal ght since 2014. At that time, ABS sued Sexing Technologies for alleged antitrust violations. In 2016, a federal district court Turn to AG INSIDER | Page 9
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ConƟnued from AG INSIDER | Page 8 ruled in favor of Sexing Technologies, saying ABS violated a condentiality agreement and infringed on patents. That ruling was upheld in the appeals court in 2019 and the two companies are back in court for another dispute over patents. Edge Co-op elects ofcer team A Hatley, Wisconsin dairy farmer has been elected to the Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative board. Heidi Fischer will serve a three year term. Brody Stapel of Cedar Grove, Wisconsin will serve another term as president. Todd Doornink of Baldwin, Wisconsin is vice president and Mitch Davis of Belle Plaine, Minnesota is the treasurer. Jim Winn of South Wayne will remain as board secretary and Michael Crinion of Estelline, South Dakota is a director. DBA honors Winn Jim Winn of Cottonwood Dairy in South Wayne, Wisconsin was named the Dairy Business Association’s Advocate of the Year. Winn gives back to the dairy industry in many ways, including an annual Day at the Dairy for elementary school students, and leadership in the
Lafayette Ag Stewardship Alliance and Edge Dairy Cooperative. Outstanding Young Farmers Phillip and Laura Finger of Oconto have received the Wisconsin Outstanding Young Farmer Award. The Fingers operate a 540-cow dairy herd in Marinette County. The competition is for a farmer, or farmers, ages 21 to 40 and took place in Chippewa Falls. Trivia challenge Calcium is the mineral in milk that is critical for healthy bones and teeth. That answers our last trivia question. For this week, what fast food chain has a menu item called the Blizzard? 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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DALLAS, Wis. – From before the sun rises to long after it sets, Dority Valley Dairy is a busy place and the responsibilities are vast. Luckily, the help is aplenty. Three generations make up the workforce on the Barron County dairy. Together, Darryl Young and his wife, Barb, work in a 50-50 partnership with their son and daughterin-law, Brent and Tara, milking 110 registered Jerseys near Dallas. The Youngs’ granddaughter and Brent and Tara’s niece, Riah Young, also works full time on the farm. “I’m kind of spoiled,” Darryl said. “There aren’t too many people who get that privilege anymore.” Brent agreed.
“All three of us get to the farm each morning and we have our routine. Everyone has their position and post, and it works pretty well.” BRENT YOUNG, DAIRY FARMER
“All three of us get to the farm each morning and we have our routine,” he said. “Everyone has their position and post, and it works pretty well.” The Youngs begin their mornings at 4:30. They milk in a three-row 90-stall tiestall barn, each taking a row. Once milking is complete, Darryl washes the milkhouse as Brent and Riah feed the cows and youngstock. As the days go on, the family works together to complete tasks at hand, such as seasonal eldwork and on-farm maintenance, before evening chores bring them back to the barn. “This is all about seeing the family work together,” said Barb, who does the farm’s bookkeeping and drives tractor. The Youngs’ rich dairy career began in 1971. Darryl purchased a small herd of registered Jerseys for his family’s farm, where his dad raised sheep and also worked as a carpenter. Four years later, when Darryl graduated high school, he formed a partnership with his father, and they created Dority Valley Dairy. Over the years, the dairy continued to expand and change partners as Darryl’s father retired and his son returned home from vocational school.
Since 2005, Darryl and Brent have worked in partnership and developed a long-lasting business plan. “As we expanded, Brent and I would brainstorm, have a family discussion and away we would go,” Darryl said. For the past year, Riah has also been a part of the farm’s core as a full-time employee. However, her exposure to the farm began at a young age and was throughout her childhood. “What really cinched the deal was the day before she started kindergarten and she wanted to hang out at the farm,” Darryl said. “That night, she went home and told her mom that Grandpa and Uncle Brent said she didn’t have to go to school. She could just farm full time.” Riah agreed. “I was here so much as a kid; I have a great relationship with Grandma and Grandpa, and Uncle Brent and Aunt Tara,” she said. “I’ve always enjoyed being on the farm.” The 20-year-old started working part time at the dairy in middle school. Then, after high school graduation there was an opportunity for Riah to work alongside her family. And it was a relief for everyone. “There was no shortage of work when Riah came back,” Brent said. “I think we were all thankful. It made the workload a little better.” The consistency, yet diversity, of each day keeps Riah enjoying being part of the family farm. “You have your routine in the barn, but most days you don’t do the same thing over and over. It’s a change of pace,” she said. “Since coming back full time I’ve learned a lot of new stuff.” The Youngs are a progressive group of farmers. Not only do Darryl and Brent teach Riah the mechanics of dairying, they also work together for the betterment of the farm. Darryl’s receptiveness to new ways of dairy farming is a philosophy his father displayed. “I’ve always told my kids that if they nd a better way to do it, then go ahead. If you’re going to see the next generation come in, someone has to let go of the reigns a little bit,” Darryl said. “That was the one thing my dad did. When we built an addition on the barn, he told me to build it how I wanted because I was going to be running it.” Most recently, the Youngs put in a stationary TMR system accompanied with a feed room. It was a collaborative idea between Darryl and Brent, and one all family members could agree matched the design of the old barn. Such changes to the farm have paid off. The Turn to YOUNGS | Page 11
Dairy Star • Saturday, February 8, 2020 • Page 11
ConƟnued from YOUNGS | Page 10
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Riah Young prepares to milk a cow Jan. 27 at her family’s dairy farm near Dallas, Wisconsin. Young works on the farm full-Ɵme with her uncle, Brent, and grandfather, Darryl.
550 acres of corn, soybeans, alfalfa and rye. Since the dairy’s inception nearly 50 years ago, the Youngs have established a thriving family farm. As Darryl thinks about his farm’s progress, he feels grateful for the business that has been built and the three generations invested in its fuDARRYL YOUNG, DAIRY FARMER ture. “To look back to where the farm While the partnership is equally shared between Darryl and Brent, started from and where it’s today; it’s Brent has taken the initiative to invest all because everybody worked together and everybody has always had a little in land and equipment for the farm. Together, the family runs roughly input in this,” he said. closed herd boasts a rolling herd average of 18,500 pounds of milk with 5% butterfat and 3.7% protein. “The components have been a big plus for us,” Darryl said.
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FARM 4.0 puts focus on pre-weaned calves
New standards address disbudding, pain mitigation
He and his wife, Chelsea, milk 1,000 cows with Chelsea’s family – parents Mike and Sandi Zirbel, and brother Jordan – at Zirbel Dairy Farms LLC. The Scheiders’ three children – Owen, 14, Olivia, 11, and Evelyn, 8 – are the sixth generation on the WisBy Jennifer Coyne consin dairy. jenn@dairystar.com Over the course of a year, DE PERE, Wis. – Jan. 1 Scheider and fellow members was the start of a new year and of the advisory council helped new standards for dairy farm- develop new standards and improve already established ones ers across the country. In its fourth version, the for FARM 4.0. The standards are separatNational Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Manage- ed into written protocols and ment Program hones on ani- actions amongst animal groups on the farm. Then, within each mal welfare practices category, standards are and record keeping, supplemented with a particularly within timeline of when they pre-weaned calf promust be implemented. tocols on farms. For most writ“As new areas of ten protocols of preresearch are available weaned calves, stanand better managedards were moved ment practices are from continuous imevolving, we wanted provement plans to to develop protocols Kris Scheider mandatory corrective to help our calves get Dairy farmer action plans, meaning off to a better start,” Kris Scheider said. “These ani- such standards have to be esmals are valuable assets on any tablished within the next nine farm, and it’s best for the in- months. Previously, farmers dustry to use our best practices could implement the written protocols over the course of when raising them.” Scheider is the vice chair three years. The only new standard to of the FARM Farmer Advisory Council and dairy farms in written protocols is pain mitigation for disbudding which Brown County near De Pere.
DAIRY STAR FILE PHOTO
A calf is offered free-choice water. Under FARM 4.0, all pre-weaned calves must have access to clean, fresh water by day 3. was created as a continuous improvement plan. Of the seven practice standards, ve were developed with this version of FARM. “There was a lot of discussion in the council about preweaned calves,” Scheider said.
“We needed to nd solutions that were good for everybody.” Duane Laveau agreed. “We all realized education is important, and it’s important to be able to show the public how we take care of our animals,” he said.
Laveau serves on the council with Scheider. He and his wife, Doreen, milk 65 cows with their son, Paul, in Carlton County near Wrenshall, Minnesota. Turn to FARM 4.0 | Page 13
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Dairy Star • Saturday, February 8, 2020 • Page 13
ConƟnued from FARM 4.0 | Page 12 The new standards in FARM 4.0 include proper transportation of calves from the maternity area; providing colostrum or colostrum replacer within six hours after birth; providing milk or milk replacer to maintain health, growth and vigor; disbud calves – both heifers and bulls – before 8 weeks old; and provide a form of pain mitigation for disbudding. P r e v i o u s l y, disbudding practices only had to be noted in writDuane Laveau ten protocols; Dairy farmer practices were not reviewed. Now, practices must be in line with the written protocols. “The FARM Program has always included written herd protocols, but year after year, there’s been a lot more emphasis on what we’re doing on the farm,” Scheider said. “With these practices, we’re working more closely with our veterinarians and that allows the public to know we’re producing a highquality product that starts at the calves.” Pain mitigation was established as a continuous improvement plan while all other standards are categorized as mandatory corrective actions. “We knew we had to appease the public with what they wanted,” Laveau said. The council, made up of dairy farmers from across the country, conducted several conference calls and in-person meetings. They spoke with veterinarians and looked at leading industry research to develop standards that would reect proper animal care.
“Having a plan for pain mitigation was a big thing we all wanted and needed to address,” Scheider said. “But we knew it couldn’t be cut and dry; just because one method works for someone doesn’t mean it works for someone else.” At Zirbel Dairy Farms LLC, calves are fed 6 quarts of colostrum following birth and before they leave the farm to a custom grower. Then, within 24 hours of birth, the calves are disbudded. Scheider’s calf grower is expected to follow FARM guidelines. “Everything in FARM 4.0, (the grower) is doing,” Scheider said. “With my animals there, I can go to the grower and review their protocols. If there is
New standards for pre-weaned calves under FARM 4.0
Written protocols – Pain mitigation provided for disbudding. Actions – Calves are moved from maternity area by lifting, walking or the use of designed mechanical transport. – Calves receive volume and quality of colostrum or colostrum replacer within six hours after birth. – Calves receive a volume and quality of milk or milk replacer to maintain health, growth and vigor until weaned or marketed. – Calves are disbudded before 8 weeks of age. – Pain mitigation for disbudding is provided.
DAIRY STAR FILE PHOTO
Calves rest in a freshly bedded pen on a dairy farm. Every dairy enrolled in FARM must provide wriƩen protocols for how their youngstock are cared for, including handling, nutriƟon and pain management, under the program’s latest revisions. anything I think we need to discuss, we make time to do that.”
“We have to be able to see what’s best for the industry and have a willingness to change.” KRIS SCHEIDER, DAIRY FARMER
Laveau houses his calves on his farm. The heifers are raised as replacements, whereas the bull calves are raised to about 500 pounds before being sold on the market. Calves have access to food and wa-
ter shortly after birth, and they are also disbudded in a timely manner. Implementation of FARM 4.0 began Jan. 1 and will remain in effect until Dec. 31, 2022. Other improvements to the FARM Program include immediate corrective action for routine tail docking, and new action standards for non-ambulatory cows, euthanasia and continuing education. “We have to be able to see what’s best for the industry and have a willingness to change. Farming is not the same as it was 50 years ago, and it won’t be the same 50 years from now,” Scheider said. “It all comes down to having the public’s trust in what we’re doing.” More information about changes to the FARM Program can be found online (https://www.nationaldairyfarm. com/farm-animal-care-version-4-0/).
Page 14 • Dairy Star • Saturday, February 8, 2020
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Dairy Star • Saturday, February 8, 2020 • Page g 15
What is your favorite winter hobby?
Melendy Miller Plainview, Minnesota Wabasha County 85 cows What is your favorite winter hobby? I love painting. It’s a great stress relief for me, and I’ve started to get pretty good at it since I started doing it last year. How did you get into it? I started painting because a friend of mine was doing it, and she loved it. I started out doing simple things like silhouettes, and now I’ve moved on to more complex paintings. How do you ďƒžt it in between farm chores? I usually paint on Sundays since we usually make time for family every Sunday or in the evening after chores when my niece and nephew are around. They love painting with me. Why is it important for you to have an activity away from the farm? It’s important for me to have something to do outside of farming because farming can be stressful, so having painting as a way to recharge and destress is great. A lot of my paintings are farm or dairy related, but it’s nice to let loose and be creative in a different way. What has been your most memorable experience from your favorite winter hobby? One of the most memorable nights painting was when I got a group of friends together, and we did a wine and paint night. We all picked out a picture from Pinterest and our favorite wine and had a good time. What other hobbies do you have throughout the year? I don’t only paint in the winter, but I paint more frequently in the winter because some days it’s too darn cold to be outside for too long. In the summer, I love gardening and making my own salsa. I even try to grow some crazy plants inside like a grapefruit tree, lemon tree and kiwi to name a few. Being active in the summer is big for me. I enjoy hiking and rollerblading with friends. Tell us about your farm. I will be the fourth generation on my family’s dairy farm. I graduated from University of Wisconsin-River Falls with a degree in dairy science. I plan on staying on the dairy farm. My dad has been milking cows since 1987. I enjoy having some color in the herd, so we have a mix of Holstein, Red and White Holstein, Brown Swiss and Milking Shorthorn.
Ellen Harth Hinckley, Minnesota Pine County 120 cows What is your favorite winter hobby? I enjoy making tie blankets during my free time. I usually make blankets for myself or loved ones to stay warm during the winter. My favorite blanket I have made so far is a cow print on top and pink on the bottom. I am hoping to learn how to start making calf jackets. How did you get into it? I got into this hobby a few years ago when we made blankets to donate to a charity. How do you ďƒžt it in between farm chores? Aside from being a full-time college student at the University of Minnesota, I come home on weekends to do chores. Those weekends get pretty busy, so I usually do not have time to work on the blankets then. Over winter break was when I was able to balance farm chores and making blankets. I usually work on the blankets at night after chores. Why is it important for you to have an activity away from the farm? This activity allows me to tap into my creative side and helps relieve stress. I also love making these as gifts. It brings a lot of joy to people when they receive blankets. What has been your most memorable experience from your favorite winter hobby? When any close friends of my boyfriend and I have babies, I always make sure to give them a baby blanket. It is really cool to see them use it as a tummy time blanket, and it becomes the child’s favorite. What other hobbies do you have throughout the year? Throughout the year, I enjoy showing my Jerseys at various shows, sharing my dairy story as Pine County Dairy Princess and Midwest Dairy Ambassador, taking pictures, watching basketball and spending time with my puppy, Avery. Tell us about your farm. I grew up on my family’s dairy farm where we milk 120 Holsteins and registered Jerseys in a tiestall barn. The farm was started by my grandparents, Gerald and Arlene Harth. In 2011, my grandfather purchased my ďƒžrst calf to show in 4-H and since then my herd has grown to about 70 head. The farm is now owned by my dad, Harold, and uncles, George, Jerry and Mark. My favorite chore is taking care of the calves because it is a great feeling watching the calves grow to be successful milk cows.
Steve Baier Eau Galle, Wisconsin Dunn County 400 cows What is your favorite winter hobby? Snowmobiling is my favorite winter hobby. It is something my dad and I did. It is a good stress reliever for me, and it’s something to help make winter enjoyable. How did you get into it? I started riding with my dad, and I’ve been driving my own snowmobile since I was about 9 years old. How do you ďƒžt it in between farm chores? I generally day-ride in the area between chores. Between my dad, uncle and cousin, we all ďƒžll in for each other to get some time off throughout the year. We make it work. Why is it important for you to have an activity away from the farm? You have to get away. I enjoy farming, but you have to step away sometimes for a break. What has been your most memorable experience from your favorite winter hobby? I love going new spots, seeing new things. When you ride to Buffalo County, it’s hills. You go north, it’s ďƒ&#x;at land up near Amery. You see a lot of different things. A couple of weeks ago, my friend and I came across a herd of elk around Clam Lake. I’ve seen pretty much everything but a black bear while snowmobiling. I’m taking a trip, riding up to Canada on my snowmobile, along the North Shore. What other hobbies do you have throughout the year? I like to ATV in the summertime, and my girlfriend, Katie, and I have started raising meat goats as a hobby. Tell us about your farm. We milk 400 cows three times a day and have one of the top production herds in Dunn County. We raise two-thirds of our heifers. We farm about 1,300 acres and grow hay, corn, soybeans, barley and peas. The farm is owned by me, my dad, Ron, my uncle, Charlie, and cousin, Trevor. Trevor and I are the sixth generation on the farm.
B r i t t a n y Luchterhand S p e n c e r , Wisconsin Clark County 650 cows What is your favorite winter hobby? My favorite hobby is to take my horses out through the ďƒželds in the snow. They love to go through and rub their faces in it, and they enjoy the workout as much as we love to ride. We usually skip the saddles as our favorite saying is to never put anything between you and the heater. I love doing this with my daughter as it teaches her balance, and if she falls off, she has a soft landing. We are going to start adding sleds behind them to pull the smaller kids so we can include the whole family. How did you get into it? I have been riding horses my entire life. It is something that I just threw the kids into to see if they enjoy it. How do you ďƒžt it in between farm chores? I work off farm now, but when I was full time on the farm, I would get all my chores done, look out and say let’s go. Sometimes it took priority over cleaning my house. Why is it important for you to have an activity away from the farm? Life on the farm becomes crazy and hectic. It is important for me to have a sense of balance and clarity even if for an hour. Life becomes clearer with the view between the ears. What has been your most memorable experience from your favorite winter hobby? When I have to pony my daughters pony home with an empty saddle because she is too stubborn to tell me that her feet are cold before they become too cold. I always laugh at her for it. What other hobbies do you have throughout the year? Honestly, I don’t have any more. We ride year around but in spring and summer, I get to take the horses and family camping. It becomes a family event even if not everyone is riding. Tell us about your farm. We have a 650-cow dairy with a double-10 herringbone parlor. We employ 16 fulltime employees with nine of them being in the parlor and the additional seven working in the shop for maintenance and helping out with the custom dragline business. We will be running 1,400 acres this year to put up all of our feed.
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Page 16 • Dairy Star • Saturday, February 8, 2020
ConƟnued from OUR SIDE | Page 15 Chris Fieber Goodwin, South Dakota Deuel County 850 cows What is your favorite winter hobby? Taking the time to represent the dairy farm industry. I sit on the Midwest Dairy Association board and am the secretary/treasurer for our South Dakota division. Our annual meeting is in April, and it is mostly somewhere warm. I like going to these meetings because they give me the opportunity to talk to other dairy farmers from the Midwest. It gives me the opportunity to see if we are doing things right as a dairy farmer or if there are things I can learn from them. The biggest reason why I like this organization is it teaches me how to be a good advocate for the dairy industry. It has opened my eyes on how to advocate for the dairy industry and help educate the consumer on how to make healthier decisions in their diet. I have had the opportunity to talk to consumers in the grocery store and ask them why they choose dairy alternatives. That’s the perfect time to explain the pros of milk verses the alternatives. Most of the time they drink it because they watched somebody else drink it or are lactose intolerant. They didn’t know they can have dairy alternatives like fairlife milk. They were shocked, took my advice and that’s how it starts. One person at a time, and I hope they spread the word. My annual meetings become a year-long advocation for me. How did you get into it? I got onto the MDA board by being appointed in 2013. I wasn’t sure about it at rst because I was the youngest person on the board at that time. It was a little scary at rst because I was in a room of hundreds of dairy farmers from across the Midwest who had much more knowledge and experience than me. But as time went by, I realized I had a lot in common with them. So over time, it’s kind of like we are a big family and work together. How do you t it in between farm chores? I am fortunate because I come from a fairly large family. I am the third generation. On our farm, we have my dad and his three brothers. Then it’s me with my two brothers who help. I also have 15 more employees. I am fortunate that everybody has job experience and can ll in for me when I leave to represent the dairy industry. Why is it important for you to have an activity away from the farm? It opens your eyes to other ideas. No matter if it relates to the farm or not, you still get to spend time with your family and friends and get a break from your job. When you return back to the farm, you are refreshed and open-minded and can bring in new ideas and take your farm to the next level. It also helps you think outside the box on new ideas and not just have tunnel vision. Every day becomes a routine, and sometimes it is nice to change the routine and add change. I love the cows, but it’s nice to get away and meet new people and see new ideas. What has been your most memorable experience from your favorite winter hobby? When I met Walt Coleman at our annual meeting in Scottsdale, Arizona. He was one of our speakers, and I got the opportunity to meet him and listen to him talk about his life experiences. Walt was a ref during the NFL season. But the rest of the week he was a dairy farmer in Arizona. He got to meet the most famous football players. At the end of the day, he had something in common with me. He has the privilege to make a great product for the consumers to enjoy. I realized no matter how much money you had or how much fame you had we still have the same things in common and that made be proud to be a dairy farmer. I always wondered if the grass was greener on the other side, but after hearing Walt talk about the hate mail he would get from football fans for making a bad call, it made me realize that the grass really was greener on my farm. Walt said he would dairy farm any day of the week than have to listen to the critics put him down for a bad decision that was made on the eld. Either way, that was an eye-opener for me to meet someone that was well-known in the United States but was able to share a common interest with me and what I do every day on the dairy farm. What other hobbies do you have throughout the year? My family is also my hobby. I have a loving wife and three children. Our oldest son is 18, our daughter is 10, and our youngest son is 6. I vacation with my family. I enjoy watching my kids in sports. I help my children in 4-H. They show dairy cattle, goats and horses. I serve as an assistant re chief. Our family owns horses, and we love to go trail riding. We try to watch our son run at track events when we get the opportunity. We also do what we can for our church. We are part of a small group where we try to mission to local college kids to keep God in their lives or to even nd their faith. Tell us about your farm. Our farm is located right in city limits of Goodwin. We have more cows in the city than people. The population of Goodwin is around 120 people. We milk 850 cows three times a day and have 100 dry cows. We also have about 1,000 raised heifers. I am the third generation. My grandpa started the farm around 1955. Since then, we have only grown. Our farm has a lot of buildings that have great art pictures on them. My grandma loves to paint and has painted
Paul Giese, pictured with niece, Danica Mayville, Wisconsin Dodge County 60 cows What is your favorite winter hobby? My favorite winter hobby is watching and playing basketball. I enjoy playing rec league basketball on the weekends and sometimes play in the mornings before chores. I also enjoy going and watching high school, college and professional basketball games in my free time. How did you get into it? I got started playing basketball when I was in third grade and have played the game ever since. I played all through grade school and high school, and after high school, I started playing in various recreational leagues. How do you t it in between farm chores? I normally play basketball either before chores, after chores or in the afternoon between morning and night chores. Why is it important for you to have an activity away from the farm? I love playing basketball because it gives me time away from the farm to clear my mind and do something I enjoy with friends. What has been your most memorable experience from your favorite winter hobby? My most memorable experience playing basketball was winning three church basketball championships in a row while in high school. Also, I’ve enjoyed all the friends I have made over the years while playing basketball. What other hobbies do you have throughout the year? My other hobbies include collecting toy tractors and showing cattle at various shows throughout the summer. Tell us about your farm. My dad and I dairy farm together along with my uncle milking 60 Holsteins, Brown Swiss and registered Linebacks. We run 280 acres of land. I also help milk cows on a neighbor’s 160-cow dairy a few nights a week.
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about every old building on our farm to make it look nice. She has also painted old buildings in the town. She likes to put pictures of farms, animals, wildlife or any kind of scenery on the buildings. She is in her 80s and is still climbing a ladder to paint buildings. We have Holsteins and Holstein-Jersey crosses on our farm. Last year, we bred our Holstein-Jersey with Brown Swiss. We sell our milk to Valley Queen in Milbank, where they make cheese, so they like high butterfat. Jersey and Brown Swiss are able to make high butterfat milk. We like the Holsteins because they produce a lot of milk. With those three breeds combined, we feel we have the production and high components. With that being said, we receive a higher milk check.
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Becky Koller Owen, Wisconsin Clark County 52 cows What is your favorite winter hobby? Baking and crafting. I start making Christmas cookies when the hunters head out to the stands in November. I usually need to remake a few kinds of cookies because there are too many taste testers hanging around. I picked up crafting and making signs. How did you get into it? I started baking as a kid and like sharing goodies with neighbors. I went to a few craft shows and saw signs I like and tried my hand at making them myself. How do you t it in between farm chores? Between breaks in the barn, I can work on signs here and there. Why is it important for you to have an activity away from the farm? It gives me a break from frustrations caused by farming and life in general. What has been your most memorable experience from your favorite winter hobby? Getting to spend time with a close friend when we have craft get-together afternoons. What other hobbies do you have throughout the year? I enjoy working in my ower beds during the summer. I already have my tulips started in the milkhouse. Tell us about your farm. My husband and I run a small dairy farm outside of Owen. We have 52 milking cows. We keep our youngstock which about doubles our livestock herd.
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Dairy Star • Saturday, February 8, 2020 • Page 17
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Page 18 • Dairy Star • Saturday, February 8, 2020
Top Performers
Excellent care, genetics propels production at Synergy Dairy LLC Synergy Dairy LLC Pulaski, Wisconsin Shawano County 600 cows
What is your herd health program? Our vaccination program is designed to be thorough but not excessive. Calves receive First Defense TriShield along with 1 gallon of pasteurized colostrum at birth. In hutches and post-weaning, they get Once PMH and then Bovi-Shield Gold FP 5L5 HB at 5, 6 and 11 months. Cows receive a yearly dose of the BSG about one month after calving. In addition, we use SRP (Salmonella Newport) and Endovac Bovi in the milking herd. Our herd veterinarian does pregnancy checks via ultrasound every two weeks in the cows and heifers.
What is your current herd average, butterfat and protein? 31,662 pounds of milk, 4.4% or 1,400 pounds of butterfat and 3.3% or 1,035 pounds of protein. How many times a day do you milk? If you milk 3X a day, explain how that has worked for you. We have milked 3X for over 10 years and are condent we would not be able to achieve similar production or sustain milk quality on 2X.
What does your dry cow and transition program consist of? Our new freestall barn includes housing for cows and heifers throughout the preand post-calving transition phase. This area is close to our farm ofce allowing for consistent observation. Our pre-fresh cows and heifers are co-mingled in sand bedded freestalls starting at 30 days prior to calving. The TMR diet for this group consists of chopped straw, BMR corn silage and a negative DCAD mineral mix. Once they are within seven days of
Do you contract your milk? Has it been successful for you? This has been an animated discussion amongst us through the years, but we have not yet contracted any milk. Describe your housing and milking facility. We have a double-8 parallel parlor, and our cows are housed in two freestall barns. One is an older, naturally-ventilated barn with curtains and the other is a tunnel-ventilated barn constructed in 2018. Both barns are bedded with deep sand bedding.
Turn to SYNERGY | Page 20
Schedule of Events
28TH ANNUAL
Carver County
DAIRY EXPO
9:00 am 10:15 am
Over 50 Vendors!
10:30 am
Registration - Trade Show Open until 3:00 p.m. Early Bird Drawing in Trade Show Arena Session A
Session B
“Management Strategies in an Era of High Pregnancy Rates”
“Characteristics of Resilient Minnesota Dairy Farms”
Professor of Dairy Science and Extension Specialist in Dairy Cattle Reproduction, Department of Dairy Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Associate Professor and Extension Economist, Department of Applied Economics, University of Minnesota
Paul Fricke
COST: $10/person $5/Student (with ID)
Monday, February 17, 2020
9 AM-3:15 PM • CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL
11:30 am
12:30 pm
Trade Show and Education for Dairy Producers.
grand prize. Must bets are eligible for the present to win. Multiple prizes for com pleting the program evalua and returning tion. Must be present to win .
Online information available at https://z.umn.edu/2020DairyExpo and Facebook: @CarverScottExtension
For Dairy Expo information, please call Carver County Extension (952) 466-5300.
Greg Vold - Dorrich Dairy, Glenwood, MN Harlan Poppler - Poppler Dairy, Waverly, MN Kevin Solum – Minglewood Dairy, Deer Park, WI
Dairy producers share cow comfort strategies with three different stall surfaces - solids, mattresses and sand. Also addressing stall design, ventilation, feed distribution and more.
531 Morse Street • Norwood Young America, MN
3:15 p.m. Grand & Evaluation Dr Prize awings All registered partici pan
Joleen Hadrich
Panel discussion: “Strategies to Maximize Cow Comfort”
(Includes lunch, refreshments and program notes. Cash or Check only.)
Hosted by University of Minnesota Extension-Carver County and the Carver County Dairy Core Team
PHOTO SUBMITTED
Jay and Heather Jauquet and their sons – (from leŌ) Mason, 20, Evan, 16, and Carter, 18 – own Synergy Dairy LLC near Pulaski, Wisconsin. They milk 600 head of registered Holsteins and farm 550 acres of cropland. The herd maintains a combined fat and protein of 7 pounds per head per day.
2:15 pm
Enjoy Lunch and the Trade Show Session C
Session D
“Management Barriers to High Fertility”
“Building your Milk Check”
Paul Fricke
Professor of Dairy Science and Extension Specialist in Dairy Cattle Reproduction, Department of Dairy Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison
3:15 pm
Door Prize Drawings - Trade Show Arena
Barry Visser Dairy Specialist Vita Plus
In case of inclement weather, please call the Farm Information Line for event status: 1-800-232-9077
Dairy Star • Saturday, February 8, 2020 • Page 19
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From frigid days to year-round fresh groups: “People try to switch me, but Udder Comfort is the one.” — Bruce Vande Hey
VANDE HEY DAIRY, Bruce Vande Hey WRIGHTSTOWN, WISCONSIN 490 Holsteins and Jerseys 91 lbs/cow/day 130,000 SCC During Northeast Wisconsin’s coldest days, Bruce Vande Hey of Wrightstown is glad to have Udder Comfort™ as he is all year long. “It’s a no-brainer seeing how quickly it softens udders,” says Bruce, milking 490 Holsteins and Jerseys making 91 lbs/cow/day with 130,000 SCC. They also raise and sell additional fresh heifers. On frigid days, the whole herd typically gets Udder Comfort before leaving the parlor. “Removing swelling and improving blood flow help avoid frozen teats. It’s amazing how it works, keeps udders soft and teats pliable, which is what we want to see. People try to switch me, but Udder Comfort is the one,” Bruce explains. “For 7 years, we’ve used it routinely 2x/day in our fresh groups (6 to 8 days). We also start 2-year-olds with it 1x/day for a week before calving. Trust me, if Udder Comfort didn’t work better than anything else, I wouldn’t be using it.”
Quality Udders Make Quality Milk
Keep the milk in the system 1.888.773.7153 1.613.652.9086 uddercomfort.com Call to locate a distributor near you. For external application to the udder only after milking, as an essential component of udder management. Always wash and dry teats thoroughly before milking.
Page 20 • Dairy Star • Saturday, February 8, 2020
ConÆ&#x;nued from SYNERGY | Page 18
their due date or showing signs of calving early, they are moved to a group calving pack that is bedded with dried sawdust. Cows are allowed to calve within the group setting and then separated in a small accessory pen where we can milk them, take care of the calf and provide any other care the cow may need. Our post-fresh pens (one for rst lactation and one for older
cows) are directly across the feed alley and allow for convenient, frequent monitoring. What is the composition of your ration? What has been one of your most recent changes that have been successful for you? BMR corn silage, haylage, canola, corn gluten and a complete feed including dry corn comprises the lactating TMR. Our ration
PHOTO SUBMITTED
Synergy Dairy LLC is home to 600 head of milking registered Holsteins. Improving the consistency of their forages by using custom harvesÆ&#x;ng has contributed to producÆ&#x;on increases throughout their herd.
has been pretty consistent for ve-plus years. Through the years you have been farming, what change has created the biggest jump in your herd average? We purchased our current facility in 2004. Early on, converting to deep sand bedding and improving forage consistency through custom harvesting contributed the most
PHOTO SUBMITTED
The Jauquet brothers – (from leÅŒ) Evan, Mason and Carter – care for calves on a day with extreme cold temperatures. They feed pasteurized whole milk three Æ&#x;mes daily and keep the calves clean and well bedded.
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What role does genetics play in your production level, and what is your breeding program? Genetics has always played an important role in managing our herd and our business. Jay individually mates each animal using ge-
nomic and phenotypic data. We strive to produce at least 7 pounds of combined pounds of fat and protein per cow per day. Decades of emphasis in our genetics program has allowed us to consistently achieve high-component milk production. In addition, somatic cell score, daughter pregnancy rate and calving Turn to SYNERGY | Page 22
Stray voltage can develop at any time on any dairy. Have you noticed the following symptoms in your herd? • Increased somatic cell count • Poor reproductive performance • Decreased milk production Your dairy may have stray voltage! Contact us today and we’ll give your dairy facilities a thorough stray voltage checkup!
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to production increases. Later, incorporating BMR corn silage was a smart decision for our herd.
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Stray Voltage Consulting Over 30 years of experience 605-695-3328 • www.strayvoltageconsulting.org
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Dennis Thyen
Dealer Inquiries Welcome!
46310 164th Street Watertown, SD 57201 605.881.0647 Email: ddthyen@gmail.com
Dairy Star • Saturday, February 8, 2020 • Page 21
LOW RATE FINANCING AVAILABLE Financing subject to pre-approval through JD Financial. Some restrictions apply. See dealer for details.
127,200
JD 6110R, 2016, 513 hrs., $ # 144500
109,500
JD 1765, 2018, 12R30” #161082
JD 8320R, 2015, 1538 hrs., $ #1 143 4351 517 17 #143517
181,400
JD 7210R, 2015, 1584 hrs., #150804
JD 6135E, 2018, 476 hrs., #143698
84,900
JD 6130R, 2017, 294 hrs., $ #147778
$
$
95,900
DB60 Planter, 2014, 24R30” $ #1156690 907 07 #156907
75,900
JD 1770NT, 2014, 16R30” #156928
$
159,000
89,900
$
Over 1200 items with pictures updated daily • Go to www.mmcjd.com BOX DRILLS
10 10 5 11 11 8
Melroe 202, 1985, 12’Width, 6” Spacing, #161328 .................................................................$1,700.00 JD 8300, End Wheel, 13’Width, 6” Spacing, #158233 ...............................................................$5,700.00 JD 455, 2016, Folding, 25’Width, 7.5” Spacing, #160567 ...................................................... $44,900.00 JD 9400, No Till, 10’Width, 6” Spacing, #164960 ......................................................................$4,750.00 JD 9400, No Till, 10’Width, 6” Spacing, #164959 ......................................................................$4,750.00 JD 455, 2019, Folding, 25’Width, 6” Spacing, #164918 ......................................................... $61,900.00
4 10 6 1 15 15 15 16 5 11 8 14 14 14 14 14
JD 2210, 2009, 53’, 5-Section Folding, C-Shank, #154393 ................................................... $42,900.00 JD 960, 1998, 27’, 3-Section Folding, C-Shank, #159473.........................................................$6,900.00 JD 2230fh, 2018, 60.5’, 5-Section Folding, C-Shank, #166421 ........................................... $89,900.00 JD 2210 LL, 2014, 45.5’, 5-Section Folding, C-Shank, #165957 .......................................... $49,900.00 JD 2210, 2008, 65’, 5-Section Folding, C-Shank, #166479 ................................................... $45,900.00 JD 2210, 2007, 65’, 5-Section Folding, C-Shank, #166478 ................................................... $43,900.00 Case IH TIGERMATE 200, 2014, 60’, 5-Section Folding, C-Shank, #154509 .................... $51,900.00 Case IH TIGERMATE 200, 2014, 60’, 5-Section Folding, C-Shank, #154510 .................... $51,900.00 JD 2210, 2012, 55.5’, 5-Section Folding, C-Shank, #162453 ................................................ $51,900.00 JD 960, 1989, 25.5’, 3-Section Folding, C-Shank, #158920 .....................................................$4,399.00 JD 2210, 2014, 55.5’, 5-Section Folding, C-Shank, #154394 ................................................ $58,500.00 JD 960, 1989, 42’, 5-Section Folding, C-Shank, #165959 ........................................................$9,900.00 JD 2200, 2002, 47’, 5-Section Folding, C-Shank, #161487 ................................................... $25,400.00 Krause 5635, 2009, 28’, 3-Section Folding, #160777.......................................................... $19,400.00 JD 2210, 2013, 50.5’, 5-Section Folding, C-Shank, #160879 ................................................ $48,900.00 JD 980, 1998, #156455 ............................................................................................................ $14,430.00
4 4 2 10 10 17 17 7 7 7
JD 1775NT, 2018, 16R30”, Flex Fold, Vacuum, Central Fill, Row Command, #150736 .....$169,000.00 JD 1760, 2013, 12R30”, Flex Fold, Vacuum, 3.0 Bu. Hopper, #156200................................. $52,500.00 JD DB60, 2014, 24R30”, Flex Fold, Vacuum, Central Fill, #156907 .....................................$159,000.00 JD 1750, 2000, 6R30”, Rigid, Finger Pickup, 1.6 Bu. Hopper, #166057 ................................ $14,500.00 JD 1770NT, 2014, 16R30”, Flex Fold, Vacuum, Central Fill, Row Command, #156928 ............ $89,900.00 JD 1760, 2012, 12R30”, Flex Fold, Vacuum, 3.0 Bu. Hopper, #166557................................. $35,000.00 JD 1765, 2015, 12R30”, Flex Fold, Vacuum, 1.6 Bu. Hopper, Row Command, #155243 ..... $54,500.00 JD 1770NT, 2010, 12R30”, Flex Fold, Vacuum, Central Fill, #166423 ................................... $71,900.00 JD 7000, R30”, Rigid, Finger Pickup, 1.6 Bu. Hopper, #161201 ...............................................$4,900.00 JD DB66, 2018, 36R22”, Flex Fold, Exact Emerge, Central Fill, Row Command, Elect. Drive, #161533................................................................................................................$315,400.00 White 6322, #156848 ............................................................................................................ $18,900.00 JD DB60, 2013, 24R30”, Flex Fold, Vacuum, Central Fill, Row Command, #161245............$154,000.00 JD 7200, 1990, 6R30”, Rigid, Finger Pickup, 1.6 Bu. Hopper, #166352.....................................$6,900.00 JD DB60, 2014, 24R30”, Flex Fold, Vacuum, Central Fill, Row Command, #160470............$169,500.00 JD 1775NT, 2017, 24R30”, Wing Fold, Exact Emerge, Central Fill, #160204........................$262,900.00 JD 1790, 2012, 31R15”, Flex Fold, Vacuum, Central Fill, #161182.......................................... $89,000.00 JD 1770, 1998, 16R30”, Flex Fold, Vacuum, 1.6 Bu. Hopper, #159037 .................................. $20,900.00 JD 1765, 2018, 12R30”, Flex Fold, Vacuum, 3.0 Bu. Hopper, Row Command, #161082 ....... $75,900.00 JD DB66, 2012, 36R22”, Flex Fold, Vacuum, Central Fill, Row Command, #166296............$199,900.00 JD DB66, 2018, 36R22”, Flex Fold, Vacuum, Central Fill, Row Command, Elect. Drive, #161783................................................................................................................$279,500.00 JD 1780, 1999, 24R22”, Flex Fold, Vacuum, 3.0 Bu. Hopper, #155446 .................................. $33,500.00 JD 7300, 1990, 12R30”, Wing Fold, Vacuum, 3.0 Bu. Hopper, #157581 ...................................$8,500.00 White 6722, 16R22”, Wing Fold, Vacuum,1.6 Bu. Hopper, #157535 .................................... $11,900.00 Moore Built, 24R22”, Vacuum, 3.0 Bu. Hopper, #159607 .................................................... $27,900.00 JD 1725, 2018, 16R30”, Wing Fold, Exact Emerge, Central Fill, Row Command, Elect. Drive, #164717................................................................................................................$184,000.00
7 1 9 16 16 5 5 8 14 14 14 17 16 14 14
FIELD CULTIVATORS
(1) = GLENCOE 4561 Hwy. 212
PLANTERS
PULL-TYPE SPRAYERS
2 10 10 7 1 15 9 5 5
Hardi RANGER 2000, 2014, #155294 ................................................................................. $20,500.00 Blum 750, 1979, #158936.........................................................................................................$4,900.00 Miller Pro 750, #159603 ..........................................................................................................$6,500.00 Summers ULTIMATE, 2001, #159606 ................................................................................. $13,400.00 Hardi 4000, 2011, #166560 ................................................................................................... $19,500.00 Hardi RANGER 2000, 2014, #163524.................................................................................. $17,900.00 Fast 9518, #158292 ................................................................................................................ $25,900.00 Wil-Rich Trailmaster, #161848..............................................................................................$2,950.00 Top Air TA1200, 2008, #155358 ........................................................................................... $16,650.00
4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 2 2
JD 6175M, 2017, MFWD, Partial P. Shift, 540/1000 PTO, 241 hrs., #139696 ......................$109,500.00 JD 8270R, 2019, MFWD, P. Shift, 540/1000 PTO,, Duals, 125 hrs., #152536 ......................$225,000.00 JD 8320R, 2019, MFWD w/ Suspension, IVT, 540/1000 PTO,, Duals, 82 hrs., #152537.....$299,500.00 JD 8320R, 2018, MFWD w/ Suspension, P. Shift, 1000 PTO, Duals, 1385 hrs., #163840....$229,500.00 JD 8320R, 2018, MFWD w/ Suspension, P. Shift, 000 PTO, Duals, 1423 hrs., #163839......$229,500.00 JD 8270R, 2018, MFWD, P. Shift, 540/1000 PTO, Duals, 964 hrs., #163841 .......................$209,500.00 JD 7210R, 2018, MFWD, e23, 540/1000 PTO, Duals, Loader, 767 hrs., #163862 ...............$189,500.00 JD 8270R, 2018, MFWD, P. Shift, 540/1000 PTO, Duals, 991 hrs., #163842 .......................$204,900.00 JD 6145R, 2018, MFWD, 540/1000 PTO, Singles, 348 hrs., #147213 .................................$134,900.00 JD 6175R, 2015, MFWD, IVT, 540/1000 PTO, Singles, 4866 hrs., #156490 .......................... $98,500.00 JD 6175R, 2018, MFWD, Partial P. Shift, 540/1000 PTO, Singles, 1973 hrs., #157577 .......$128,000.00 JD 6145M, 2017, MFWD, Partial P. Shift, 540/1000 PTO, Singles, 2632 hrs., #156660 ........ $85,000.00 JD 8245R, 2017, MFWD, IVT, 1000 PTO, Duals, 982 hrs., #153517 .....................................$199,500.00 JD 8345R, 2014, MFWD w/ Suspension, IVT, 1000 PTO, Duals, 50K Transmission, 3288 hrs., #166449 ..................................................................................................................$189,900.00 JD 8345R, 2018, MFWD w/ Suspension, IVT, 1000 PTO, Duals, 209 hrs., #156041............$299,500.00 JD 8320R, 2015, MFWD w/ Suspension, P. Shift, 1000 PTO, Duals, 1541 hrs., #143517....$181,400.00 JD 4640, 1981, 2WD, Partial P. Shift, 540/1000 PTO, 8312 hrs., #165249............................. $22,500.00 JD 8100, 1995, P. Shift, 1000 PTO, 7684 hrs., #163584 .......................................................... $59,500.00 JD 6170R, 2013, MFWD, Partial P. Shift, 540/1000 PTO, Duals, 2490 hrs., #165468 ..........$115,000.00 JD 6155R, 2018, MFWD, P. Shift, 540/1000 PTO, Singles, 127 hrs., #147651.....................$136,900.00 JD 6175R, 2018, MFWD w/ Suspension, IVT, 540/1000 PTO, Duals, 72 hrs., #148777......$172,900.00 JD 8295R, 2018, MFWD w/ Suspension, P. Shift, 1000 PTO, Duals, 298 hrs., #148223......$246,900.00 JD 7230R, 2015, MFWD w/ Suspension, IVT, 540/1000 PTO, Singles, Front Hitch, Front PTO, 657 hrs., #159658 ...............................................................................$189,500.00 JD 8120, 2005, MFWD, Power Shift, 1000 PTO, Duals, 596 hrs., #166475 ............................ $94,500.00 JD 8295R, 2018, MFWD w/ Suspension, IVT, 1000 PTO, Duals, 804 hrs., #163758............$251,900.00 Ford TW35, MFWD, Syncro, 1000 PTO, Duals, 6265 hrs., #163951....................................... $24,500.00 JD 8370R, 2016, MFWD w/ Suspension, IVT, 1000 PTO, Duals, 1741 hrs., #146276 .........$239,000.00 JD 8320R, 2014, MFWD w/ Suspension, P. Shift, 1000 PTO, Duals, 3176 hrs., #155355....$179,500.00 JD 8245R, 2018, MFWD w/ Suspension, IVT, 1000 PTO, Duals, 122 hrs., #148225............$234,900.00 JD 4020, 1966, 2WD, Syncro, 540/1000 PTO, 3035 hrs., #166038 ........................................ $10,900.00 JD 8400R, 2018, MFWD w/ Suspension, e23, 1000 PTO, Duals, 199 hrs., #148295 ..........$314,900.00 JD 8400R, 2018, MFWD w/ Suspension, e23, 1000 PTO, Duals, 124 hrs., #148294 ..........$314,900.00 JD 8370R, 2018, MFWD w/ Suspension, IVT, 1000 PTO, Duals, 61 hrs., #147746..............$309,900.00 JD 8370R, 2018, MFWD w/ Suspension, IVT, 1000 PTO, Duals, 109 hrs., #147755............$304,900.00 JD 8245R, 2018, MFWD, P. Shift, 540/1000 PTO, Duals, 192 hrs., #148229 .......................$204,900.00 JD 8270R, 2018, MFWD w/ Suspension, P. Shift, 1000 PTO, Duals, 125 hrs., #148233......$234,900.00 JD 6155M, 2019, MFWD, Partial P. Shift, 540/1000 PTO, Singles, Loader, 100 hrs., #153304 $134,900.00 JD 6170R, 2013, MFWD, Partial P. Shift, 540/1000 PTO, Singles, 3400 hrs., #166366 ......... $77,500.00
2 10 17 17 17 17 17 17 7 6 6 6 6 6 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 12 15
ROW CROP TRACTORS
Visit one of our 17 locations in Central Minnesota! (7) = ALEXANDRIA (9) = PRINCETON (4) = ST. CLOUD 1035 35th Ave. NE
(2) = HOWARD LAKE (5) = GLENWOOD 5845 Keats Ave. SW
1710 N. Franklin
(3) = STEWART
(6) = SAUK CENTRE
78412 Co. Rd. 20
14 JD 7200, 24R22”, #159126 ...................................................................................................... $14,900.00 3 JD 1710, 24R22”, Wing Fold, Vacuum, 1.6 Bu. Hopper, Row Command, Elect. Drive, #164780 $42,900.00
1140 Centre St.
320-763-4220 5005 Co. Rd. 82 SE
3708 Baptist Church Rd.
(8) = PAYNESVILLE
16069 Hwy. 27 E.
725 Lake Ave. S.
15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 9 16 16 16 16 16 16 5 11 11 11 11 11 8 8 8 14 14 14 14 3 3 3 3 4 10 7 6 1 16 5 8 14 14 14
62505 US Hwy. 10
SELF-PROPELLED SPRAYERS
Ag-Chem 1074, 2009, 100’ boom, Stainless Tank, 3650 hrs., #158291 .............................. $56,900.00 JD 4920, 2004, 4600 hrs., #157917 ........................................................................................ $69,500.00 Melroe 216, 1985, Poly Tank, Tire Width: Mid, 20” nozzle spacing, #165990 .........................$5,650.00 JD R4038, 2019, 120’ boom, Boom Leveling, Stainless Tank, Tire Width: Mid, Hydraulic Tread Adjust, Guidance-ready, Guidance Receiver, Guidance Display, Traction Control, Nozzle Spacing: 20” nozzle spacing, 97 hrs., #165472 ........................................................................................................$327,900.00 JD R4038, 2018, 120’ boom, 20” nozzle spacing, 511 hrs., #150887 .................................$314,900.00 JD R4038, 2018, 120’ boom, Boom Leveling, Stainless Tank, Tire Width: Mid, Hydraulic Tread Adjust, Guidance-ready, Traction Control, 20” nozzle spacing, ExactApply, 316 hrs., #157823 .........$329,500.00 JD R4030, 2015, Dry Box, Hydraulic Tread Adjust, Guidance-ready, Guidance Receiver, Guidance Display, Traction Control, 972 hrs., #164771 ...........................................................$159,500.00 JD 4940, 2013, 120’ boom, Boom Leveling, Stainless Tank, Tire Width: Narrow, Hydraulic Tread Adjust, Guidance-ready, Guidance Receiver, Guidance Display, 20” nozzle spacing, 2741 hrs., #163551....................................................................................................................................$132,000.00 JD R4038, 2017, Hydraulic Tread Adjust, Guidance-ready, 510 hrs., #143961 ...................$299,500.00 Melroe 220, 1985, 60’ boom, 20” nozzle spacing, 1233 hrs., #160062 ..................................$8,450.00 Melroe 218, 1988, 60’ boom, 20” nozzle spacing, 924 hrs., #160063................................. $10,900.00
CALL TODAY! (320)365-1653 (12) = AITKIN 1120 2nd St. NW
(10) = LITTLE FALLS (13) = BAXTER (11) = WADENA
JD 8245R, 2017, MFWD, P. Shift, 1000 PTO, Duals, 1956 hrs., #165917 .............................$158,400.00 JD 8245R, 2017, MFWD, P. Shift, 1000 PTO, Duals, 1786 hrs., #165918 .............................$163,900.00 JD 8245R, 2017, MFWD, IVT, 1000 PTO, Duals, 1065 hrs., #162058 ...................................$199,900.00 JD 8320R, 2019, MFWD w/ Suspension, IVT, 1000 PTO, Duals, 129 hrs., #155882............$299,500.00 Case IH Magnum 315, 2012, MFWD, P. Shift, 1000 PTO, Duals, 2550 hrs., #163419 .....$112,400.00 JD 8295R, 2017, MFWD w/ Suspension, IVT, 1000 PTO, Duals, 903 hrs., #146274............$224,900.00 JD 7230R, 2018, MFWD, IVT, 540/1000 PTO, Duals, 192 hrs., #156513..............................$209,000.00 JD 8220, 2004, MFWD w/ Suspension, P. Shift, 1000 PTO, Duals, 11500 hrs., #166457 ...... $46,900.00 JD 8335R, 2012, MFWD w/ Suspension, IVT, 1000 PTO, Duals, 1949 hrs., #157884 .........$174,900.00 JD 8335R, 2012, MFWD w/ Suspension, IVT, 1000 PTO, Duals, 3200 hrs., #165963 .........$156,000.00 JD 8320R, 2015, MFWD w/ Suspension, IVT, 1000 PTO, Duals, 430 hrs., #163735............$262,400.00 JD 8345R, 2016, MFWD w/ Suspension, P. Shift, 1000 PTO, Duals, 1563 hrs., #146351....$259,000.00 JD 8245R, 2017, MFWD w/ Suspension, IVT, 1000 PTO, Duals, 1042 hrs., #146268 .........$209,500.00 JD 6175R, 2018, MFWD w/ Suspension, IVT, Rear PTO: 540/1000, Singles, 705 hrs., #158177....................................................................................................................................$139,500.00 JD 8295R, 2014, MFWD w/ Suspension, IVT, 1000 PTO, Duals, 850 hrs., #157103............$209,500.00 JD 8295R, 2018, MFWD w/ Suspension, IVT, 1000 PTO, Duals, 682 hrs., #163756............$251,900.00 JD 7210R, 2017, MFWD, IVT, 540/1000 PTO, Duals, 814 hrs., #153518 .............................$159,500.00 JD 6145M, 2016, MFWD, Partial P. Shift, Rear PTO: 540/1000, Singles, Loader, 400 hrs., #141878 ....................................................................................................................$112,900.00 JD 8345R, 2018, MFWD w/ Suspension, IVT, 1000 PTO, Duals, 290 hrs., #147199............$299,500.00 JD 8270R, 2017, MFWD, P. Shift, 540/1000 PTO, Duals, 391 hrs., #138467 .......................$199,500.00 JD 7520, 2004, MFWD, Partial P. Shift, 540/1000 PTO, Duals, 805 hrs., #159783................. $49,900.00 JD 8295R, 2016, MFWD w/ Suspension, IVT, 1000 PTO, Duals, 1220 hrs., #153516 .........$219,500.00 JD 8345R, 2018, MFWD w/ Suspension, IVT, Rear PTO: 1000, Duals, 133 hrs., #165247 ..$319,000.00 JD 7210R, 2018, MFWD, IVT, Rear PTO: 540/1000, Duals, 851 hrs., #163755....................$180,400.00 JD 8345R, 2016, MFWD w/ Suspension, IVT, 1000 PTO, Duals, 1913 hrs., #166297 .........$239,900.00 JD 8245R, 2017, MFWD w/ Suspension, IVT, 1000 PTO, Duals, 1123 hrs., #162059 .........$212,900.00 JD 8300, 1995, MFWD, P. Shift, 1000 PTO, Duals, 10129 hrs., #158662 ................................ $49,500.00 JD 8345R, 2018, MFWD w/ Suspension, IVT, 1000 PTO, Duals, 278 hrs., #155384............$299,500.00 JD 8335R, 2011, MFWD w/ Suspension, IVT, 1000 PTO, Duals, 4937 hrs., #165966 .........$139,000.00 JD 7210R, 2015, MFWD, IVT, 540/1000 PTO, Duals, 1374 hrs., #150804 ...........................$127,200.00 JD 6145R, 2018, MFWD, P. Shift, 540E, 540/1000 PTO, Singles, 310 hrs., #147212 ..........$129,500.00 JD 8370R, 2015, MFWD w/ Suspension, IVT, 1000 PTO, 1000E, 1938 hrs., #156835 ........$229,500.00
7045 Foley Rd.
(14) = ELBOW LAKE
(16) = BENSON
(15) = MORRIS
(17) = MADISON
110 2nd St. NE
23604 State Hwy. 9
380 Atlantic Ave. 516 1st St. E
SEE OUR COMPLETE INVENTORY WITH PICTURES AND DESCRIPTIONS AT: www.mmcjd.com
Page 22 • Dairy Star • Saturday, February 8, 2020
ConƟnued from SYNERGY | Page 20
DeLaval Parlor P500 milking system
96
”
max ceiling height requirement for DeLaval SynchroArc™
Up to
56
%
reduction in exit cycle time with DeLaval SynchroSweep™
3
PHOTO SUBMITTED
Synergy Dairy LLC raises all of its replacement animals and focuses on developing geneƟcs to conƟnue to improve the herd.
ease are traits we watch closely to keep our cows productive, healthy and efcient.
cow flow control options
ZERO
obstructions at cow exit
What type of improvements would you like to make that would increase your rolling herd average even higher? We are more focused on pounds of combined fat and protein shipped than milk alone. Honestly, although we will always work toward improving that number, we are increasingly focused on doing that efciently and protably. A feeding center is something on our radar to help reduce feed costs and make the feeding process more efcient. List three management strategies that have kept you protable. Take excellent care of the cows, heifers and calves. Produce a quality product that is in demand and adds value. Focusing on our strengths. One example would be spending our time managing the cows and genetics while custom hiring cropping and manure hauling.
www.delaval.com
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 Mondovi Dairy Systems Inc. Mondovi, WI 715-926-5777
MINNESOTA & SOUTH DAKOTA D&D Ag Supply Pennock, MN 320-599-4466 East Central Dairy Supply Mora, MN 320-679-1029
Professional Dairy Services Waunakee, WI 608-849-5043
Farm Systems Melrose, MN 320-256-3276 Watertown, SD 605-886-7401 Sioux Falls, SD 800-284-0015
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Dairy Star • Saturday, February 8, 2020 • Page 23
Water quality takes center stage at Dairy Day at Capitol
Legislation affecting farmers discussed in detail By Stacey Smart
stacey.s@dairystar.com
MADISON, Wis. – Water quality was at the heart of the agenda of Dairy Business Association’s Dairy Day at the Capitol Jan. 21 in Madison. The need for clean water was cited as a high-priority issue by the DBA, Wisconsin DNR Secretary Preston Cole, and representatives Todd Novak and Katrina Shankland. “Clean drinking water is a public health priority,” Cole said. “We want to keep water safe and clean – not only for human drinking but also for industry and business, which includes dairy and all of agriculture. Everyone deserves clean water.” Cole said 47% of wells do not meet public health standards. Wisconsin is facing a number of water contamination issues, and Cole recognized nitrate contamination as one of the biggest. He said nitrates are the most widespread contaminant continuing to challenge every corner of the state. Rule 151 is being designed to help reduce nitrates in drinking water by creating different prescriptions for different locations. Farmers are a key stakeholder in this 30-month rulemaking process. “Whatever rules come into place, we’re going to need to hear from you for implementation,” Cole said. “Farmers are part of the solution, and we’re going to contend with this nitrate issue together. You are not alone in this.” Sandy soils are most susceptible to nitrate contamination. For example, the Central Sands region in central Wisconsin where Shankland is from, faces signicant nitrate contamination. “A good portion of nitrates are coming from agricultural land,” Cole said. “There is too much manure and fertilizer on the land, which is polluting the groundwater and creating pathogens in the water.” Farmer-led groups using practices like cover crops, manure injection and managed grazing systems are helping to clean up the water. Cole spoke in favor of technology as a solution for helping solve some of the state’s water issues. “We need to apply the right nutrient source at the right rate at the right time and at the right place to be the best stewards of our environment,” Cole said. “We have to think boldly and think together about these issues. I’m not going to leave you guys behind. My phone is always on. You can call me anytime or send me an email. Whatever rules are made, you’re going to be at the table to help operationalize those rules. Your guidance is important. I can’t stress that enough.” Cole said they would also like to increase funds for well compensation. “If your well is crumbling and needs repairs, we hope to give you some money to help x the problem. We don’t want people having to live off bottled water.” Representatives Novak and Shankland are the chair and co-chair of the 16-member Water Quality Task Force that was formed a year ago. “With water, there is no x-all solution,” Novak said. “Geography is different all over, and we need data from every part of the state.” The task force recently held 14 hearings across Wisconsin with the average hearing lasting 6-8 hours. The team traveled 2,500 miles across the state through diverse geology, visiting with many stakeholders. “We heard from a lot of farmers,” Shankland said, “and have seen farmers from every area testifying, and they certainly want to be part of the solution.” All farm groups have testied at various points, as well. Following the hearings, the task force began drafting bills based on the feedback received and introduced a series of bills that move the needle on water. Thirteen bills are going to the assembly oor in February. “Whether it was scientists, farmers or homeowners, people were there to talk about why clean water is important to them,” Shankland said. “We met people from all walks of life, and the recurring theme was, ‘We all deserve access to clean water.’” A common denominator of the bills is to invest in
frontline workers tasked with promoting conservation at the county level. The lead bill proposes a $3 million increase to county conservation – an area that has not seen a signicant increase in a decade. Another bill focuses on conservation practices and would introduce a state-managed grazing specialist at DATCP and also supports certication for water stewardship. Miltrim Farms in Athens, Wisconsin, was the rst farm in North America to become certied by the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) in the Clear Water Farms program. Shankland said they did this in hopes that one day the certication label on their product will be something consumers ask for. “Consumers are demanding stewardship and want to know where the products they purchase come from,” Shankland said. “They want to know they were produced in a caring and compassionate way.” The audit for this certication carries a hefty price tag of $20,000. If the bill passes, the state will help pay for up to half of the audit. Investing another $250,000 in producer-led watershed grants is also part of this bill. Another bill proposes a new, voluntary nitrate optimization pilot program for farmers. Especially designed for folks in diverse geology settings with existing water contamination, the program would help calculate yields in a different manner. Shankland said this bill marries farm protability and resiliency with sustainability to help farmers not only be good stewards, but to also be protable. “If there’s a bill you feel strongly about, talk to as many senators as you can,” Novak told farmers. “We’re talking to the senators, too. We were very involved in drafting these bills, which is different than how other task forces have been run. I have no doubt all 13 bills will go through the state Assembly and move onto the Senate. We’ve been talking water quality in this state for the last few years without any real action. Now is our opportunity.” The DBA also shared its legislative priorities for 2020 pertaining to nutrient trading, truth-in-labeling, farmland preservation and more. 2020 legislative priorities: – The nutrient trading bill has broad bipartisan support and already passed in the state Senate and is looking for a vote in the Assembly as soon as possible. Like carbon trading, nutrient trading could be used to reduce the amount of phosphorous and other nutrients that reach surface and groundwater. – The MAC crop insurance x is a bill that would
STACEY SMART/DAIRY STAR
Todd Novak, chair of the Water Quality Task Force, shares informaƟon about the hearings held throughout the state to discuss contaminaƟon during Dairy Day at the Capitol Jan. 21 in Madison, Wisconsin. allow crop insurance proceeds to be counted when calculating eligibility for the manufacturing and agricultural credit. – Truth-in-labeling laws are needed to prevent plant-based dairy and meat products from using terminology that should be reserved for the dairy industry. – A bill to expand farmland preservation would encourage farmers to enroll in the Farmland Preservation Program. The goal is to shorten the contract length from 15 years down to 10 years and raise the amount eligible for a tax credit. – A new lemon law for agriculture is also being proposed. This bill would protect buyers of new farm equipment that turns out to be faulty.
Page 24 • Dairy Star • Saturday, February 8, 2020
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Dairy Star • Saturday, February 8, 2020 • Page 25
How to deal with farm stress Tranel discusses coping with difďƒžculty in dairy life By Krista Kuzma
krista.k@dairystar.com
CALMAR, Iowa – Dr. Larry Tranel said having stress is normal and can even be healthy for a person’s life; however, sometimes stress can get to be too much. “When farmers get under too much stress ‌ we become immobilized, confused,â€? Tranel said. “It’s tough to process what’s happening, what’s causing this, what’s going to happen, a lack of energy and a loss of hope. A loss of hope is a pretty big one. When you start losing Dr. Larry Tranel hope, there are Iowa State University deďƒžnitely issues we need to try to work with.â€? Tranel, Iowa State University dairy ďƒželd specialist, presented “Dealing with farm and family stressâ€? Jan. 21 during the Iowa Dairy Days 2020 in Calmar. The dairy industry’s economy throughout the last few years have put many dairy farmers in stressful situations.
“In the dairy industry, we have experienced the worst grief I’ve seen in my 31 years working in extension,â€? Tranel said. “Farmers are losing farms. They’re losing a way of life. ‌ This is quite unexpected for a lot of farmers. Sometimes some pretty darn good farmers have given me calls saying they might not last too much longer.â€? Tranel talked about how people – whether farmers or not – need to develop resiliency, the ability to deal with stress. He used the acronym PRIMER to learn the skill. P stands for perception. Tranel said there are three types of people if all were put into the same situation: One who thinks it is a problem, one who thinks it is a challenge, and one who thinks it is an opportunity. “People look at life as a problem,â€? Tranel said. “People look at life as being difďƒžcult. Once we learn and realize that life is full of problems and that life is difďƒžcult and it’s the challenge and opportunity of overcoming them that you get life with a lot of meaning; it changes our perspective on things.â€? Tranel also said to look at what can and cannot be controlled in a situation. “Maintaining a sense of control even if it’s small can make a big difference for the positive,â€? Tranel said. “Reinterpret negative thoughts to positive thoughts.â€? R stands for reality which is a person’s capacity and environment to understand the situation. Sometimes things happen that are not expected like the loss of a loved one, for example. This can cause immediate stress. Ac-
cepting that reality can help lessen the stress. “The grass is greener on the side of the fence that you fertilize and water,â€? Tranel said. “It’s deďƒžnitely a perception. What we think is reality is sometimes not actually what it is.â€? I is for identify emotions of stress related circumstances. “Ninety percent of the time, counselors help people sort through emotions because emotions are attached to something that happened in earlier times,â€? Tranel said. For example, anger is a secondary motion. “When we get angry, it’s important for us to actually identify what’s the source of it,â€? Tranel said. Because positive thoughts are precursors to positive emotions, it is important to think positive thoughts, Tranel said. “People who tend not feel good about themselves tend not to think good about themselves,â€? he said. “Choose happy and return there even when life gets us down.â€? M is for managing stress. This can be done using the acronym BEE SET – breathe, exercise, eat healthy, sublime, express and talk. When under stress, the body reacts by taking quick, short breaths. Tranel said lie down and try to slow down breathing, taking in air as deep as possible and exhaling as far as possible and repeating for ďƒžve to seven minutes. “If you really focus on breathing, you can put yourself in la-la land, the feeling just before you fall asleep,â€? Tra-
nel said. Tranel said seven minutes of heartpumping exercise – even for farmers – is healthy for things like psyche and serotonin levels. “It’s said to be one of nature’s best healers,â€? Tranel said. Eating healthy is better for your body and your brain. “Junk sugar and junk carbs are your two biggest culprits,â€? Tranel said. “People think fat is the issue. I will attest that I started drinking whole milk and added fat to my diet, and I lost weight.â€? Sublime is trading pain or stress for something else by using visual thinking of happy times and places to relax and change thoughts for a while. “Research shows you can change your pain for something else,â€? Tranel said. Express acceptance of the reality of the situation to help focus on the response or the solution, Tranel said. And talk through emotions with a positive attitude. E stands for extend out to others for social interaction. “Being lonely is the equivalence of smoking 15 cigarettes a day research has found,â€? Tranel said. “Become intertwined with other people’s lives. Find social support. It’s a basic human need.â€? R stands for resources. Find problem solving techniques that work. Find support from family and community. Set SMART – speciďƒžc, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-based – goals.
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Page 26 • Dairy Star • Saturday, February 8, 2020
Complete ARC/ PLC enrollment by March 16 The deadline for agricultural producers to sign up for the general Conservation Reserve Program through the United States FSA News & Notes Department of Agriculture is Feb. 28 while signup for continuous CRP is ongoing. Farmers and ranchers who enroll in CRP receive a yearly rental payment for voluntarily establishing long-term, resourceconserving plant species, such as approved grasses By Ryan Brunn or trees (known as covers) to control soil erosion, Stearns Co. Exec. Dir. improve water quality and develop wildlife habitat on marginally productive agricultural lands. CRP has 22 million acres enrolled, but the 2018 farm bill lifted the cap to 27 million acres. This means farmers and ranchers have a chance to enroll in CRP for the rst time or continue their participation for another term. By enrolling in CRP, producers are improving water quality, reducing soil erosion and restoring habitat for wildlife. This in turn spurs hunting, shing, recreation, tourism and other economic development across rural America. CRP general signup will be held annually. The competitive general signup will now include increased opportunities for enrollment of wildlife habitat through the SAFE initiative: State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement. While some practices under SAFE will remain available through continuous signup, CRP continuous signup will focus primarily on water quality with the Clean Lakes, Estuaries and Rivers (CLEAR) Initiative. The 2018 farm bill prioritizes water quality practices such as contour grass strips, lter strips, riparian buffers, wetlands and a new prairie strip. The USDA will also be working with Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program partners to relaunch CREP continuous options in each state under new statutory provisions. CREP will continue to target high-priority local, state or regional conservation concerns. The CRP Transition Incentives Program is an option for producers interested in transitioning land to a beginning farmer or rancher or a member of a socially disadvantaged group to return land to production for sustainable grazing or crop production. CRP contract holders no longer need to be a retired or retiring owner or operator to transition their land. TIP participants may have a lease less than ve years with an option to purchase, and they have two years before the end of the CRP contract to make conservation and land improvements. Land enrolled in CRP under a 15-year contract that expired in September 2017, 2018 or 2019, may be eligible for enrollment if there was no opportunity for re-enrollment, and the practice under the expired contract has been maintained. FSA recently posted updated soil rental rates for CRP on its website. Soil rental rates are statutorily prorated at 90% for continuous signup and 85% for general signup. The rental rates will be assessed annually. Under continuous signup, producers also receive incentives, including a signup incentive payment and a practice incentive payment. To enroll in CRP, contact a FSA county ofce or visit http://www.fsa.usda.gov/crp. A reminder: The sign-up period for the 2019 Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage programs ends March 16. Contact a Farm Service Agency ofce as soon as you know your election and complete this process soon. Farm Service Agency is an Equal Opportunity Lender. Complaints about discrimination should be sent to: Secretary of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. 20250. Visit the Farm Service Agency Web site at: www.fsa.usda.gov/ for necessary application forms and updates on USDA programs.
The dreaded dentist appointment
Dairy Star • Saturday, February 8, 2020 • Page 27
As I was eating cereal the other evening as my before bed snack, I bit into something hard. I sifted through the contents in my mouth with my tongue to nd a hunk of tooth. My tooth had cracked in half. I looked it over and thought it was a crown that was put on just last year. There was no pain, just a sharp tooth edge. I called the dentist in the morning to get an appointment so he could take a look. I am the type of patient who has huge anxiety about going to the dentist. I have had difcult times in the past when I have needed a lling, and I have a hard time numbing up. It usually takes several shots and then the test to see if I can still feel the pain. After By Tina Hinchley a few tests, “Yikes! Yes, Farmer & Columnist that still hurts.” As pain rushes through my jaw, my eyes water, my hands are clenched together on my stomach, and I am sweating. This is not a pleasant experience for me or for the dentist. I have left the dentist with a very sore jaw and actual bruising on my cheek because the needle hits my jaw bone like a punch in the jaw. I love to brush my teeth, morning and night, and even during the day. I love the taste of toothpaste. I love the clean feeling and fresh breath. But, I know I don’t oss as much as I should. Often before my exams, I try to oss like I should so I don’t feel guilty when the dental technician and hygienists mentions my gums are a little puffy as she pokes it with the sharp probe. I know they enjoy that poke. I am sure that is a punishment for not ossing enough. They encourage better care of my teeth and that it should only take a moment in my daily routine. Well, my morning routine doesn’t usually include ossing because I don’t like to oss. If I have something stuck in my teeth – apple, pulled pork, nuts – I rush to oss. But other than that, I really have to want to do oss and often don’t think about it before going to bed. Well, now I have an emergency visit, I haven’t ossed enough lately, I know they are going to poke my gums and test my tooth for sensitivity. I am not looking forward to this and actually seem to get a wave of depression over me as I head to the dentist.
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There is a smell that I notice as I open the door and it almost chokes me thinking about what is to come. As I am sitting nervously in the waiting room, I see another gentleman waiting, as well. He looked just as thrilled as I was to be there. The anxiety could have been cut with a knife. “Oh, hi Tina, you can come back now.” Great, it is time to feel the pain. Sitting in the chair waiting for the doctor to come in, I look around at all the tools and bits, and I hear the drilling sound in the next room. All of this is sensory overload – the sights, the smell, the sounds. I begin to sweat. The hygienist put a previous X-ray up on the screen, put a bib on me and the doctor came in and asked to see the piece that fell off. “Oh, that isn’t a crown, it’s a lling that was put in a few years back but will now need a crown.” He proceeded to look in my mouth and asked if it hurt, and I said, “No, not really.” He then put a cotton swab in my mouth to touch the tooth. I don’t know what was on that swap, but he made it hurt. “Yes, that hurts!” I started sweating again. The rest of the visit was a calming conversation about
our farm. He must have seen my eyes wide open and the perspiration on my forehead. I mentioned that I have anxiety about getting dental work done. He smiled and nodded, “Yes, we have a note on your chart about that.” “Let’s try to make her next appointment easier,” he said to the assistant while she nodded. “It will need to be two visits,” he said. “One to prepare the tooth and the next to put the crown on.” I just put my head down like a scolded dog, two visits. As I headed back to the truck with my yellow appointment card, I was relieved he wasn’t going to work on it today. I will be able to go home and work on my ossing before the next appointment and prepare for the next two visits. Anxiety will show up again then, but for now I was glad to be heading back home again with my broken tooth. Tina Hinchley, her husband, Duane, and their daughters, Anna and Catherine, milk 240 registered Holsteins with robots. They also farm 2,300 acres of crops near Cambridge, Wisconsin. They have been hosting farm tours for over 20 years.
Page 28 • Dairy Star • Saturday, February 8, 2020
Public service, dairy farming a way of life Kirschbaums involved in re department, rst responders, dispatch By Danielle Nauman danielle.n@dairystar.com
GLEN HAVEN, Wis. – Commitment, dedication, self-sacrice, exibility and a desire to make the world a better place are qualities held by both dairy farmers and public servants, especially emergency response personnel. Qualities, too, held by members of the Kirschbaum family. Lynn Kirschbaum and his son and daughter-in-law, Tyler and Kayla Kirschbaum, operate their dairy farm near Glen Haven and are members of the Glen Haven Fire Department and the Glen Haven First Responders unit. Tyler works full time off the farm as an emergency dispatcher for Grant County, and Kayla works full time off the farm as well. Kayla’s mom helps the family on the farm and is a member of the rst responders unit. Lynn’s brother, Gene, helps with feeding on the farm. The Kirschbaums milk 112 cows with two Lely robots. They made the decision to enter the world of robotics because of the age of their parlor and freestall barn, and because of labor. “I built our parlor in 1996 into our old tiestall barn,” Lynn said. “We remodeled another older barn on the farm to serve as a freestall barn. It came to a point when the buildings had reached the end of their usefulness.” The Kirschbaums spent the summer of 2016 constructing a new freestall barn with robotic milking units. They started their robots Sept. 29, 2016. The change to robots has helped the Kirschbaums better accommodate their responsibilities to the re department and as rst responders. “Before, if there was a call, especially during milking, one of us typically had to stay behind,” Tyler said. “Now it is easier for all of us to respond. The robots give us a lot of exibility.” The robots have also allowed Tyler and Kayla the opportunity to work off the farm. Tyler started working for the county as a dispatcher three years ago on a part-time basis and has been full time for one year. He works 12-hour
DANIELLE NAUMAN/DAIRY STAR
The Kirschbaums – (from le�) Kayla, Tyler and Lynn – milk 112 cows with two Lely robots on their farm near Glen Haven, Wisconsin. Robots give the Kirschbaums exibility to be members of the area volunteer re department, and for Tyler and Kayla to hold off-farm jobs. shifts, working six out of seven days one week and off six out of seven days the next week. Kayla works at an area swine farm. “Ideally, Kayla and I wouldn’t have to work off the farm, but there simply isn’t enough income for us not to,” Tyler said. “I need work for the insurance and to help pay for my purchase of my uncle’s 160-acre farm.” When Tyler started looking for a job, the dispatch center appealed to him. In high school, Tyler considered a career in law enforcement before deciding to return to the farm. Lynn has served as the chief of the Glen Haven Fire Department for 20 years and has been a member of the department for over 30 years. Tyler is a 10-year member of the re department, while Kayla has three years of service. “I’ve been around the re department all my life,” Tyler said. “It’s all I’ve ever known.” Fireghting is a family affair for Kayla as well as her father is a member of the Cassville Fire Department. In 2012, Lynn worked to create the rst responders unit to help ll a void in their community. “We had 10 people in our rst
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class,” Lynn said. “That was kind of a major accomplishment down in this area because several of the members are farmers so we are available at times when others aren’t. The rescue squads are now calling us for backup during the day when all their people are gone from town to work.” Being farmers gives the Kirschbaums a unique perspective when responding to emergency calls. Many of those calls stick with them and give them pause when thinking of their own routines. “It’s a major thing,” Tyler said. “About 90% of our district is farms, and maybe about 80% of our reghters are from the farm.” Lynn spoke of the benet of emergency personnel who double as farmers because they know how to operate a grain bin and auger. He said other skilled workers, such as electricians, bring a great wealth of knowledge as well. “We showed up to a dairy barn fully engulfed, and all you could hear was cows screaming and tractor tires exploding,” Tyler said. “It was something you don’t forget.” Lynn recalled a parlor re the department responded to when the temperature was below zero. “I got there about 9 p.m., and I knew it was going to be a problem; they were milking about 120 cows,” Lynn said. “I got on the radio and told Grant County that we were going to be in need of a
barn where this guy could milk cows. People heard that call on the scanners, and they started calling dispatch, offering empty barns. It wasn’t too much longer and stock trailers started pulling in to help move cows. By 2 or 3 o’clock in the morning, we had the cattle all moved. The barn they went to no longer had milking equipment. Two or three dealers came in and started working to get things set up so that the cows could get milked.” The Kirschbaums have also responded to life-threatening farm accidents, and Lynn said having a crew that knows how to work around large equipment can be the difference between life and death. In a small community, the Kirschbaums said there is always the chance they will know the victim of an accident, a difcult reality. “You can’t let your emotions affect your job,” Tyler said. Lynn agreed. “You just have to try and handle it professionally, no matter how hard it is,” he said. “You get it taken care of and deal with everything else afterwards.” Serving as emergency responders takes a special mindset, one that has become instilled in the Kirschbaum family members. “It really is a way of life,” Tyler said. “It becomes a part of you, something that you cannot turn off or walk away from.”
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Dairy Star • Saturday, February 8, 2020 • Page 29
The good, the bad, the unknowns of robots Dairymen share experiences of automated milking By Danielle Nauman danielle.n@dairystar.com
ABBOTSFORD, Wis. – With increasing labor issues, more dairy farmers are exploring the option of robotic milking systems on their farms, considering the pros and cons of entering the world of robotic dairying. The University of Wisconsin Extension held a Building Your Dairy Future workshop, looking at the efciencies and performance of robotic milking systems, Jan. 21 in Abbotsford. Three area dairy farmers shared their experience of the transition to robotic milking as part of the panel discussion. Mitch Malm operates Malm’s Rolling Acres near Loyal where two Lely robotic milkers were rst installed in 2012. The farm is home to 120 milk cows. “We were sick of milking in a tiestall barn, switching cows,” Malm said. “We had difculty hiring help. One day we decided we were either going to milk with robots, or we were going to quit milking.” David Trimner, of Miltrim Farms in Athens, began the robotic journey in October 2019. The farm started with nine robots and have not completely transitioned its herd to robots yet. The second groups of nine robots were started in December 2019. They are milking about 900 cows with the robots while 1,550 cows are milked in their traditional double-24 parlor. Trimner, who said he had always been interested in robots, began looking into the technology in earnest in January 2016 when he returned to the family farm. “Then I had to convince everyone else on the farm,” Trimner said. “We spent a lot of time exploring options. Our team felt that robots had advantages, like decreased labor; both cow comfort and efciency seemed better with robots. Instead of bringing cows to the parlor, the parlor was right in the pen.” Jake Peissig operates JTP Dairy Farm in Dorchester and is the fourth generation on his family’s farm to dairy. The Peissigs milk 325 cows, 250 of which are in their robot barn and 75 are in a tiestall barn. In 2009, Peissig said he began to think about returning home to farm with his father who was milking 120 cows in a double-4 step-up parlor. “My dad wasn’t ready to retire yet, so we needed to at least look at doubling the number of cows to generate enough income for both of us,” Peissig said. “We considered just building a new freestall barn for use with our existing facility which might have worked for that step but wasn’t ideal for future steps. One day we were touring freestall barns for ideas, and we walked into a robot barn and were just blown away.” Once the decisions were made to install robotic milking systems, the three dairymen said they spent time researching and touring robotic dairies around the country, and working with lenders to secure nancing. Trimner said his family spent nearly three years in various stages of the planning process before the rst cow was milked with a robot last October. Peissig said convincing lenders to
nance a robotic installation was the most difcult piece of the puzzle when they rst embarked on the planning stage for their expansion project. “When we started, there weren’t as many robot herds, and there were very few that had survived,” Peissig said. “It was difcult to talk to a lender about robots.” Peissig said their robotic plans were part of the transition plan for him taking over the family farm. “At the age of 30, I didn’t have enough equity to buy robots or build the barn,” Peissig said. “I bought the cows, and we used his equity to build the barn. And, he became my landlord.” Peissig said he leased the robots for six years which is not necessarily a route he would recommend. “It’s a very steep payment every month, and there is no exibility of renancing when you get $12 milk,” Peissig said. “You still have a lease payment, or they take out your robots. I still have mine, but it was really tight sometimes.” Malm said when they rst started their planning process, many banks did not know much about the ins and outs of converting to robotic milking systems. Training the cows to use the robots is an arduous task, and all three said it took a great deal of patience and additional labor. “You have to have a lot of people to help,” Peissig said. “It was a very long, physically grueling day. Then slowly you could tell it was getting better. By three months, it was no problem. The real turning point is when you start calving in cows that already knew the robot.” Malm said his transition experience was similar to Peissig’s. “We milked them in the old barn, loaded them on the trailer and hauled them to the new barn,” Malm said. “It probably took a good week to get them settled in and trained. It got better and some caught on fast, but at the start you had to push, pull and drag some of them to the robots.” Trimner said they were able to pretrain the cows, teaching them to enter the robots for feed before the robots were used for milking. “For six days, we pushed the cows through the robots once a day,” Trimner said. “We’d leave them there for about two minutes so they would see there was something there to eat. By day four or ve, it was pretty easy to get them in there. By the time we started milking, we didn’t have to push but maybe two or three cows. That was huge because when you rst start milking for the rst time it’s all about getting the cows through.” Peissig said despite the challenges he faced throughout his transition to robots, greater rewards were reaped more quickly than he expected in the rst year in the new facility. He said their old facility was crowded. In that barn, the herd was averaging 68 pounds of milk per cow per day. Improving cow comfort was a primary focus for Peissig in designing his new facility, which he felt would parlay into increased milk production. “We wanted to build a barn that was meant for cow,” Peissig said. “We had a lot of things in play that should have worked but didn’t because of the conditions the cows were in. We were realistic with our projections. Our ve-year goal was 90 pounds of milk. One year in, we were at 106 pounds with the same cows. That was just from the facility and the improvement in cow comfort. We were really able to unlock the potential of the cows we had.”
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Life and death Page 30 • Dairy Star • Saturday, February 8, 2020
Delivering calves has always been one of my favorite jobs on the farm. You are helping to bring life into the world; is there anything more amazing than that? I admit that after I have pulled multiple calves in the span of a few days it becomes far less a romantic thing. Nevertheless, when that slimy, opping creature is out and trying to sit up within seconds, you can’t help but be a bit enamored with it. I have memories of watching my dad do mouthto-mouth resuscitation on a newborn calf and being extremely disturbed. I love cows, but not that much. We purchased a calf-resuscitator contraption years ago, and that wonderful invention has saved many a weak calf. The thing is, even though you know full well that you may get less than ve dollars for that calf (depending on the market outlook), you cannot, in good conscience, let it die knowing you could have saved it. I remember our stall barn back when it had one big calving pen on the far end. I would prop youngest brother
Tony up in the window with a bag of popcorn and tell him he must stay there and be good. He would be munching away and chattering questions to me as I pulled the pokey calf out. It was such a feeling of accomplishment to be delivering a calf; especially with my very own fan club cheering me on. Later into my teenage years, it became a great way to test a boy’s mettle. I dated one that was noticeably scared of cows and of no assistance when I asked him to help me hold a cow over to pull a calf. Uffda – now that should have been a bright red ag. I recall an evening in the barn when I was working on delivering a calf when I discovered that I had more feet than I needed headed up through the birth canal. This was way before the days of cell phones. My parents were gone and I needed guidance. I called dear Dr. Burch. This woman is so sweet and genuine in her compassion for all things. I explained my predicament and she coached me on what to do, giving me the condence to follow through on my rst labor challenge. I did as instructed, and I
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delivered two live calves as a reward. My favorite part of this story is that she called me back after a while to get the full report because she was worried. She is a gem, of the nest quality. There is that old saying, ‘Where you have livestock, you must have dead stock.’ What about those rare moments when those two things are jumbled together? I can see a younger version of myself standing next to my dad on Ramblings from the Ridge the hill as he had one of the guys put down a distressed cow, while he sat crouched next to her with a scalpel in hand. She was cut open and we pulled out a set of live twins, lickety-split. It was incredible. Just before Christmas we had an extremely ill pre-fresh cow that was due to calve within days. We By Jacqui Davison decided it would be worth Columnist a shot to try to get her calf out. It was a miraculous operation. The mud-colored uid that poured out of that unfortunate cow as we worked our way towards the uterus gave us little hope of nding a healthy calf. Yet, as her body was failing her, her calf was protected and strong. After the trick of a cup of cold water poured in his ear, the bull calf was sitting up and ready to eat. Knowing when you should help a cow with her labor efforts is an essential part of farming. If you pull a calf too soon, without sufcient dilation, you risk injuring the cow internally. If you wait too long, the chances of a dead calf rise, in addition to having a cow with paralysis or one that wants to cast her withers from pushing for hours on end. On the ip side, knowing when to put an animal out of their misery is tricky as well. We ask ourselves these questions: Is she eating? Is she drinking? Can she move? If the answers are a resounding ‘no’ to these questions, her quality of life if very low. The opposite of the excitement of watching a calf take its rst breath of life, is the depression of witnessing a down cow wither away. The decision to pull the trigger on a cow’s life, literally and guratively, isn’t one taken lightly. Peter is most often our man for these types of jobs. He does not like it. He always takes a deep breath, touches the cow’s head, and silently thanks her for her life and all she gave to us. This is an intense and heart-wrenching thing to observe. Though deep down you know it is the right choice – as those big brown eyes beg you to take her pain away – it doesn’t make it any easier. Twenty years ago, we had a cow named Rudy. She was easily remembered due to her love of throwing feed over her back as she ate and her gentle personality. I adored her, and when she calved in on what was to be her last lactation, she came down with toxic mastitis. I pleaded with Dad to let me bury her, because I knew at her age she couldn’t handle another round of antibiotics, and I couldn’t sell her. I had a friend with a backhoe, and a chunk of lawn available. With gentle words of thanks and love, I walked her from the barn to the hole, left the men to do the rest, and ran back to the barn bawling. I always tell people I deal with life and death situations all the time in the barn. That doesn’t make me less excited to deliver a new calf, or less immune to the heaviness of ending a life. Jacqui and her family milk 800 cows and run 1,200 acres of crops in the northeastern corner of Vernon County, Wis. Her children, Ira (driver of anything with wheels), Dane (expert babysitter), Henry (wild boy with great hugs), and Cora (pint-sized cow whisperer), help her on the farm while her husband, Keith, works on a grain farm. If she’s not in the barn, she’s probably in the kitchen, trailing after little ones, or sharing her passion of reading with someone. Her life is best described as organized chaos – and if it wasn’t, she’d be bored.
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Heat stress still happens Dairy farmers have made great strides in reducing heat stress in the last 20 years. However, the average cow produced about 1.4% more milk per year over that time period, which means Veterinary Wisdom higher dry matter intake and heat production. The summer of 2019 did not seem to have extended periods of heat and humidity resulting in widespread dairy cow heat stress, and most farms did not see huge drops in production in our area; however, examination of pregnancy and conception rates on By Jim Bennett most high producing Columnist dairies we see tells a different story. It was not uncommon to see a 5 or 10 percentage point drop in conception rates, e.g., from 45% to 35%, for the warmest month or two. While this does not sound like a lot, the result is signicantly fewer pregnant cows for the period and a corresponding increase in cows eligible for insemination in subsequent months, eventually resulting in a slug of pregnancies later. Thus, there is a continued need for better heat abatement strategies. If you are not convinced your herd suffers from heat stress or would like to know how you compare to other farms, consider checking your summer to winter ratio. The S/W ratio was developed in Israel and is described in a recent paper (Guinn: Journal of Dairy Science, 2019). The concept is to look at performance as dened by several indices for the summer (June 21 to Sept. 21) and the winter (Dec. 21 to March 19). Indices included were energy corrected milk, somatic cell count, percentage fat, percentage protein, heat detection rate, conception rate and pregnancy rate. The S/W ratio is the summer average divided by the winter average. For example, for energy corrected milk, Midwest herds had an S/W ratio of 0.94. The top 25th percentile had a 0.99 ratio, and the bottom
Dairy Star • Saturday, February 8, 2020 • Page 31
25th percentile had a ratio of 0.89. So, if your ratio the oocytes themselves. Oocyte damage also explains is 0.89, it means your summer production was 89% the carryover effect, where one sees approximately of your winter production, and 75% of Midwestern two months of impaired fertility in the cooler fall. It herds had a higher S/W ratio than yours. And, your takes 40 to 50 days for follicles to develop into large, herd likely suffered more severe heat stress than most. dominant follicles and ovulate, so if insemination Not surprisingly, ooccurs just before ovulation pregnancy rate shows the If you are not convinced a damaged oocyte, i d your of lowest average S/W ratio in fertilization is less likely, the study. Pregnancy rate is herd suffers from heat stress and embryonic death is more dependent on conception rate likely should fertilization and heat detection rate, both ... consider checking your occur. Heat stress in dry cows of which typically decline in summer to winter ratio. near the end of gestation can the summer, so pregnancy rreduce fertility after calving rate will decline more for f the same reasons. than heat detection or conception rate. The average Third, cooling cows at night is more effective than S/W ratio for pregnancy rate was 0.82, meaning during the hottest part of the day. Milk production average pregnancy rate in the summer is only 82% dropped by 1.66% when cows were cooled at night of winter. The top 25% of herds had a S/W ratio of only and by 6.81% when cooled only during the day. 1.04, meaning they actually did slightly better in the Of course, the correct strategy is to cool during day summer than winter, and the lowest 25% had a ratio and night. of 0.63. The average S/W ratios for SCC, fat, protein Fourth, strategies to reduce heat related and heat detection rate are 1.05, 0.95, 0.96 and 0.97, reproductive losses might include strategic use of respectively. DHI test day data was used in this study, GnRH injections. Timed A.I. systems that rely on use but one could calculate ratios using DC 305 or other of GnRH force follicular turnover and clear the ovary on farm data sources. of damaged oocytes. Herds that do not use timed A recent literature review regarding heat stress A.I. might consider GnRH use during and at the end management (Negron-Perez: Journal of Dairy Science, of the summer by injecting GnRH near to or at the 2019) made a few interesting points regarding causes end of the voluntary waiting period. GnRH may also of decreased milk production and poorer reproductive increase conception rates when given at the time of performance. insemination on hot days. One, only about one-third of reduction of milk Dairy farmers have done an excellent job production is due to decreased dry matter intake addressing heat stress in their cows as evidenced during heat stress. The rest is due to increased by high summer milk production and very good maintenance requirements to dissipate heat and reproductive performance. However, heat stress is changes in metabolism of the cow. Thus, strategies still a signicant problem in most high producing focused on maintaining dry matter intake alone will herds in the Midwest. Unless improvements are made not control heat stress. in heat abatement systems, the problem will only get Two, impaired fertility during heat stress is mainly worse. Heat stress is not going away any time soon. due to reduced estrus detection, altered follicular Bennett is one of four dairy veterinarians at function and early embryonic death. Ovarian follicle Northern Valley Dairy Production Medicine Center size is 0.1 mm less for each additional point of in Plainview, Minnesota. He also consults on dairy temperature-humidity index on the day of estrus. The farms in other states. He and his wife, Pam, have four composition of follicular uids changes during heat children. Jim can be reached at bennettnvac@gmail. stress too, and there are a variety of direct damages to com with comments or questions.
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I’ll come back next week Page 32 • Dairy Star • Saturday, February 8, 2020
Twenty years ago, when I was looking for site, my neighbor, Clarence, and I also agreed on a a proper site to build a new dairy complex, Joe contract for deed to purchase the rest of the farm. suggested I talk to a close neighbor whose farm The contract stipulated that Clarence and his wife, was on a black top road. We already were custom Dorothy, would retain free use of the farmhouse for farming his land and were as a long as they wanted. The raising heifers in his old farmhouse f sits about oneGrowing i up, that h h house was feedlot. I knew immediately G half mile back from the tar that Joe had the right idea like my second home because road and one-quarter mile because on my home farm behind the dairy complex. there was not enough high one of Dorothy’s sons became The family that homesteaded elevation ground to build a my best friend. the land probably located site that could be expanded the t original farmyard there into the future. I also knew for f its close proximity to the elderly neighbor was in a bind for cash and Lake Ocheda and access to water. would be open to selling 20 acres for double the Clarence had grown up on this farm and had going rate. The real story, though, is the history of dated Dorothy in high school, but for some reason, the neighbor’s house. Dorothy married someone else. Clarence remained When I bought the 20 acres for the new dairy single and lived with his widowed mother on the
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farm for many years. Suddenly, when Clarence was in his early 40s, Dorothy’s husband died and left her with two sons to raise. Quite quickly Clarence and Dorothy reunited and married. Clarence’s mother, upon hearing Making Cents of Dairy that Dorothy and her two boys were moving into the farmhouse, immediately went and bought a house in town. She moved very quickly into her house in town and told Clarence she would be back the next week to get the rest of her stuff. Somehow she never got most of By Dave Vander Kooi that stuff in the huge Columnist upstairs closets. Growing up, that house was like my second home because one of Dorothy’s sons became my best friend. Her son, Wayne, and I cruised the neighborhood on our big Honda 50s. We baled hay together, went on double dates and just plain had a lot of fun. Their whole family included me on adventures and camping trips. Sadly, Wayne, Clarence and Dorothy all passed away within three weeks of each other about 12 years ago. That left their daughter, Janell, in charge of the estate, and she lives in Florida. When Janell was home for all three funerals, she walked through the old farmhouse and said she only wanted a family heirloom hutch shipped to Florida and for me to take care of everything else. The house was full of three generations of stuff. I asked my daughters and daughter-in-law to go through it and take anything they wanted. That was not nearly enough. Then I had two employees help me take out obvious junk to burn and recycle. Then I immediately rented it to one of my employees who had a new wife and a new baby. This new family had nothing, so they were happy with the used beds, used couches, used dishes and everything else in that house. They basically lived on the main oor and closed off the ve big bedrooms on the second oor for heating cost reasons. On Jan. 1 of this year, this family moved back to their native country of Honduras. The husband was older, had worked for me for 15 years, and his wife was younger and had milked for me for 10 years. Over this time, they lived very frugally and saved up enough money to hire contractors in Honduras to build them a brand-new concrete house on 20 acres of land. Their plan is to buy ve milk cows, milk them with a bucket milking machine I gave them and sell the milk locally. Now the house is big and empty. Joe and Corey think I should tear it down, and they are probably right. But it has pocket doors in the parlor, exterior French doors and a beautiful staircase. The whole house needs work, and there are still artifacts on the second oor, including a hand crank cream separator. Right or wrong, I am completely redoing the kitchen, even including a built-in dishwasher. The rest of the main oor will get new paint and carpet. The old plaster walls will have dents and holes, but I learned from watching HGTV that as long as they are clean and painted that is OK. I will have no problem renting out the house, the problem always is nding the right renters. Vander Kooi operates a 1,800-cow, 4,500 acre farm with his son, Joe, and daughter-in-law, Rita, near Worthington, Minnesota. Send him feedback at davevkooi@icloud.com. Follow him on Instagram, @davevanderkooi.
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Dairy Star • Saturday, February 8, 2020 • Page 33
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To nd a statement about sustainably-produced food, one must only look as far as the nearest cereal box or energy bar in your pantry. Within the agricultural community, we hear that people who eat and buy food are deeply concerned about how it is produced. In fact, a recent Cargill-led survey of 4,000 consumers from the United States, China, Mexico and Spain revealed that sustainability the most important farmer attribute to 30% of Come Full Dairy Circle was respondents, ranking higher than efcient, traditional, small-scale or caring. In winter, I spend more time reading the pile of magazines on our counter. An issue of Farm Journal with a drainage tile on the cover caught my eye. The magazine focused entirely on the topic of America’s conservation ag movement. It laid out the challenges and opportunities of more sustainable farming, providing a snapshot of ineld practices such as drainage, conservation easement, no-till, reduced tillage, cover crops and CRP. Farmers who are beneting from soil health management were featured. It delved into what the prosumer wants, how By Jean Annexstad food companies are responding and how there is a need Columnist for more technology for livestock farmers to improve productivity, reduce labor needs and help identify potential illness and reduce water pollution. I had been thinking about this as I had an opportunity for a few afternoons in January to meet with a small group of farmers and interested faculty at Gustavus Adolphus College to discuss a book called, “Farming for Us All,” by Michael Mayereld Bell. The topic of this book written in 2004 promoted sustainable farming ideologies that were developed by the Practical Farmers of Iowa, a group of farmers who exchanged practices and dialog on how to farm in economically and environmentally sound ways on small farms that support rural community life. The book centered on a series of interviews done with Iowa farmers about their actual farming methods and how they could prot into the future in a rapidly changing farming environment. Our book group discussion was very timely and raised more questions. So, what does sustainability on an Upper Midwest dairy farm like ours look like to consumers? People who are a lot wiser than me have dened it as the ability to farm protably for many generations on the same ground. Some farmer/leaders say if a farm is a three- or four-generation farm, with another generation joining in the future, the farmers must have done and are doing something right. That is likely so, but is that a good enough answer for consumers? How do we effectively communicate the sustainability efforts we make as dairy farmers? We always tell groups who tour our farm about the crop, feed, milk and manure cycle. We explain how we grow alfalfa and corn to feed our cows. They produce highly nutritious food from the crops that people cannot digest. Then we carefully manage the use of manure as a resource to nurture the next crops to feed the cows, decreasing the need to purchase inorganic fertilizer. The alfalfa improves soil health in our crop rotation. The explanation seems obvious to dairy farmers, but I get the impression that many people have never thought about it before in that way. On our farm, we have grown cover crops on a few other elds in the past few years to reduce erosion and improve soil. Our veterinarian was so excited about the tillage radishes in one of the elds we planted, he stopped to pull some to taste on his way to herd check. Besides corn and soybean, grain farmers in our area grow alfalfa for larger neighboring dairies which helps their soil health. Some farmers are experimenting with new crops such as hemp, rye and Kernza. There is also deep concern about the greenhouse gases that are contributed by cattle, probably a topic for several more columns. What I am thinking about is the recent Starbucks CEO-driven effort to switch their customers away from dairy ingredients and towards plant-based add-ins to coffee drinks. This seems like a glaring example of how an un-addressed concern could affect consumption of milk and cream. It is annoying that dairy is made the scapegoat in this discussion. But it raises the question, “How does greenhouse gas contributed from dairy t into the sustainability conversation?” If you are interested in a great explanation on this topic, listen to episode 22 of Midwest Dairy’s “Dairy on the Air” podcast where Dr. Frank Mitloehner, researcher at University of California-Davis, shares insights regarding the dairy industry’s contributions to greenhouse gas emissions. Besides his detailed explanation of the biogenic carbon cycle, he explains the methane digesters popping up on California dairies that will harness renewable natural gas, replacing the fuels that are contributors to climate change. Change is inevitable for us all. Jean dairy farms with her husband, Rolf, and brother-in-law, Mike, and children Emily, Matthias and Leif. They farm near St. Peter, Minnesota, in Norseland, where she is still trying to t in with the Norwegians and Swedes. They milk 200 cows and farm 650 acres. She can be reached at jeanannexstad@gmail.com.
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Page 34 • Dairy Star • Saturday, February 8, 2020
Scanlans found love just across the road Life went different directions before bringing them together By Danielle Nauman danielle.n@dairystar.com
FENNIMORE, Wis. – After life took Tim and Amy Scanlan in their own direction, fate led them to nd each other right where they had each started – on their respective family farms across the road from each other in the hills of Grant County. Tim and Amy and their sons – Julian, 27, Paul, 25, Henry, 24, and John Patrick, 10 – milk 150 Holstein cows on their farm near Fennimore. They dairy in partnership with Tim’s brother, Steve, and his family. The Scanlans raise their heifers, and the farm consists of about 900 acres, with 670 tillable. Tim grew up on his family’s Scanlan Brothers Dairy Farm, and Amy grew up spending a great deal of time at her grandparents’ Wood Violet Farm. “Tim is seven years older than I am, so I didn’t know him in school,” Amy said. “We knew of each other, but we didn’t really know each other back then.” Amy returned to her grandparents’ farm after her grandfather’s death in 2000. Her grandfather had a working relationship with the farm family across the road, buying hay,
corn and bull calves. In turn, the Scanlans rented cropland and pasture ground from her grandfather. When Amy took over managing Wood Violet Farm, she continued the same business relationship. “(Tim) would bring over corn or hay, and we would stand around and talk,” Amy said. “I can specically remember talking to him on 9/11. He was the rst person I talked to after all that had happened that morning.” Both Tim and Amy are divorced, and Amy has three sons from her rst marriage. As time progressed, they became friends, realizing how much they had in common. “It’s hard to nd people who really love the ag industry, and it’s even harder to nd a woman who does,” Tim said of what drew him to Amy. “She is one of them, one of those people who can still be in awe of a cow having a calf even after seeing it so many times.” Amy agreed. “I think we share this, the miracles on the farm,” she said. “Watching the crops grow, the calves born; all of it is God’s creation. Farmers are such an intimate witness to it; it’s hard to describe it in words.” Tim not only fell in love
PHOTO SUBMITTED
The Scanlan family – (from leŌ) Tim, Paul, John Patrick, Amy and Julian – milk 150 Holsteins on their farm in Grant County near Fennimore, Wisconsin. Tim and Amy grew up on their family’s farms across the road from each other. with Amy but with her three boys as well, taking them in as his own. A few years later, their son John Patrick joined the family. “Here’s this man who fell in love with this woman, and then just fell in love with her kids,” Amy said. “The way he just stepped in and became a dad
BRINGING DAIRY
for my boys was amazing even vited to a Yellow Ribbon Event with all the challenges.” in Baltimore, Maryland, and Tim and Amy married in Amy will attend with him. She 2007 and will be celebrating will not return home until the their 13th anniversary Feb. 9. evening of their anniversary. “This will be the rst anIn addition to the stress of niversary we won’t be spending having a child deployed, they together,” Amy said. are trying to gure out what Their oldest son Julian will be deployed in April and was in- Turn to SCANLANS | Page 35
to Life
2020 District Meetings
FEB 1 – 12:00 PM Tobie’s, Hinckley District 2, Eric Sonnek FEB 7 – 11:30 AM Browerville Comm Center, Browerville District 5, Debi Clasemann FEB 8 – 12:00 PM Hy-Vee, Owatonna District 19, Karen Kasper FEB 11 – 11:30 AM Pizza Ranch, Alexandria District 7, Suzanne Vold
FEB 12 – 11:00 AM – Leadership Meeting 12:00 PM – Midwest Dairy Pizza Ranch, Slayton District 18, Dave Schwartz FEB 14 – 11:30 AM The Oaks, Willmar District 11, Jane Remiger FEB 17 – 11:30 AM Immanuel Lutheran Silo School, Lewiston District 21, Rita Young MAR 4 – 10:00 AM – Extended program with Minnesota Milk 11:30 AM – Midwest Dairy 1:00 PM – DHIA Rochester Events Center District 20, Chris Sukalski
MAR 5 – 10:00 AM –Extended program with Minnesota Milk 11:30 AM – Midwest Dairy Crow River Winery, Hutchinson District 12, Charles Krause District 13, Kevin Buss MAR 9 – 7:30 PM American Legion, Millville District 17, Mindi Arendt MAR 14 – 7:00 PM Goodtimes, Caledonia Houston County ADA, Margaret Johnson MAR 19 – 7:30 PM Branding Iron Restaurant, Preston Fillmore County ADA, Margaret Johnson
No RSVP required. Please call 651-703-1008 or email barnold@midwestdairy.com with any questions. Visit MidwestDairy.com for additional locations and times.
Dairy Star • Saturday, February 8, 2020 • Page 35
ConƟnued from SCANLANS | Page 34
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Amy and Tim Scanlan operate Scanlan Brothers Dairy and Wood Violet Farm with their family near Fennimore, Wisconsin. The couple was married Feb. 9, 2007. their family life will look like during his absence. “We are all really going to miss him when he’s gone,” Amy said. “John Patrick and Julian are very close, so there is a 10-year-old struggling to deal with that. Julian helps a lot with Paul, too, who is autistic, and they also have a special bond, and his absence will denitely affect Paul. Not to mention we’ll miss
“Here’s this man who fell in love with this woman, and then just fell in love with her kids.” AMY SCANLAN, DAIRY FARMER
Julian’s help on the farm.” While he is gone, they are hoping access to technology will help ll the
void and make Julian’s absence more tolerable for John Patrick and Paul. “It’s really starting to sink in for John Patrick that Julian is going to be gone for a long time,” Tim said. “But I just keep telling him he’ll have baseball, soccer, football and lots of other activities to help that time go by quickly.” The Scanlans have always relied on the faith they share, a faith which has brought them through many difculties including complications that arose during John Patrick’s birth. “We were terried,” Amy said. “It was probably the worst moment of my life, to realize my baby wasn’t crying.” That faith brought them through John Patrick’s time in the hospital as an infant and to the happy, healthy boy he is today. “Our faith is really important to us; we are both Irish Catholics,” Amy said. “My grandpa always thought a lot of Tim, and I like to think he’s smiling up in heaven, seeing the two of us together.”
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Page 36 • Dairy Star • Saturday, February 8, 2020
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Family: My husband, Troy, and I have three kids, Drew, 17, Ainsley 15, and Macie, 12. Tell us about your farm. At Nobland Farms, Troy and I farm along with my in-laws, Dennis and Rita. In March 2017, we moved into our new parlor and freestall setup and currently milk 350 registered Holsteins, both black and red, three times a day. We also have a 100-cow crossbred beef herd. All animals are raised on the farm. Between owned and rented land, we have 1,000 acres on which we grow corn and alfalfa. Troy and my father-in-law mix all the feed while I feed calves every day. The kids will ďƒžll in the various rolls as needed. We do our own tillage and harvesting with the exception of custom harvesting corn silage. What is the busiest time of day for you? The morning, as I’m trying to process new calves from overnight, feeding calves and seeing the kids before they leave for school; it tends to get a little busy. I try to do all the extras during the morning chores so then evening chores can move along. When you get a spare moment, what do you do? Our kids are involved in sports so usually most of the spare time is spent attending their events. We also enjoy showing our dairy cattle. Through the summer and fall, we are busy with that as well. Besides the kids’ events, I enjoy reading, spending time during the summer doing yardwork and taking care of all the ďƒ&#x;ower gardens I have. Tell us your most memorable experience working on the farm. Watching our kids
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walking the colored shavings at World Dairy Expo. It takes so much work, sweat and tears, but the look on their faces when they walk into the show ring is something you don’t forget. Also, we had a stave silo fall down on our farm about 10 years ago. My husband was ďƒžlling another silo with high moisture corn and happened to look and see the silo full of corn silage had started leaning. Fortunately, the best outcome happened and fell directly on to our machine shed which we had emptied out. Had it changed any course, it would have fallen onto our dairy barn or towards a heifer shed. It took three days and lots of stress of unknowns before we found a guy to come and cut the bands holding the silo up to bring it down and begin clean up. What have you enjoyed most about dairy farming? When Troy and I got married, I worked off the farm, and ďƒžve years ago, we made the decision to have me home full time. I have not looked back on that decision. Being home with the kids and Troy more has been great. Seeing new life born every day never gets old. Seeing that new heifer born, feeding her that ďƒžrst time and seeing her grow and then watching her have her ďƒžrst calf makes me love what I do every day. How do you stay connected with others in the industry? I’m involved with 4-H, the local and state Holstein associations, various organizations on social media and attending functions related to the ag industry. Troy and I are advisors for our county junior Holstein group, and also work with those kids for dairy judging and dairy bowl contests that we participate in. I have attended the Wisconsin Junior Holstein Association Convention for numerous years. It is always great to see the old friends I have made and meet new ones from all over the state. Who is someone in the industry who has inspired you? My three kids are who inspire me; I work every day for them and with them. We want to be able to have the ability to allow any or all of our kids to return home to be part of Nobland Farms. When we built our new facility, we kept in mind the possibility of expansion down the road should they make that decision to join us. If you could give a tour of your farm to a prominent woman in today’s society, who would it be? A group of young kids. We had the opportunity to host Platteville second graders last year, and it was the greatest time. To teach those kids about the dairy industry and watch those minds work and ask questions makes me proud to do what I do every day. With how far removed kids have become from agriculture, this has given them the chance to see a dairy farm ďƒžrst hand. This is something we plan to continue for years to come. What is the best vacation you have ever taken? My husband and I took our kids to Walt Disney World about eight years ago with another farm couple with three kids of their own. To watch the excitement through their eyes was wonderful. Troy and I also took a vacation to Punta Cana six years ago with a group of friends and enjoyed the beach and relaxation. What are some words you like to live by? I don’t really have words to live by, but I try to make each day the best. If there is a bad day, the next day will be better.
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Dairy Star • Saturday, February 8, 2020 • Page 37
HEART
HEART
DAIRY
DAIRY
Andy & Valerie Zunker Dairy farming for
Jack Herricks Dairy farming for
32 Years
49 Years
The Zunkers milk 275 cows on their dairy, R & Z Farms Inc., in Rusk County near Conrath, Wisconsin.
Jack Herricks milks 600 cows in Monroe County near Cashton, Wisconsin.
How many years have you been dairy farming? Andy and I were raised and actively worked on our family’s dairy farms. When Andy and I got married in 1987, he left his dairy farm in Marathon County to farm here on my family farm in Rusk County. We have been farming here together for 32 years. Tell us about your farm. My great-grandfather bought the ďƒžrst piece of land for our farm in 1926. He and my grandfather both farmed here with a few cows being milked by hand. By 1960, my father was milking 40 cows in a stanchion barn and cropped 160 acres. After he married my mother, they built a double-6 herringbone milking parlor in 1967. They were milking 100 cows. My parents, Audrey and Al Riphenburg, continued to build their herd size and the acres they farmed. In 1987, Andy and I joined the operation after he answered my personal ad in The Country Today, and we were married. We continued to milk in the same parlor while increasing herd size and acreage. Our son, Dallas, joined our dairy in 2011 after graduating from the diesel technician program at Chippewa Valley Technical College. In 2012, we had a silo collapse on our twostory barn that included our milking parlor. We rebuilt a double-10 herringbone milking parlor onto the existing 72-by-300 freestall barn. We were milking 275 cows and cropping 1,000 acres. In May 2017, the 85-mile long tornado that made history in Wisconsin hit our farm as an F3. It damaged or destroyed every building we had. After an extensive summer of repairs and rebuilding, we are back on track and looking forward to a future of being part of the dairy industry with a fresh look and outlook. Tell us about your family. Andy and I have been married 32 years and have two children. Lexi is a graduate of University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and the University of Minnesota with degrees in music performance. Lexi is active on the farm as her time allows and is a passionate agvocate in the dairy industry. Dallas is a huge asset to our dairy and has great management and mechanical skills. He loves everything to do with machinery and agronomy. He and Andy make a wonderful team, and it is a joy to watch them work side by side in harmony every day with a passion for farming. Andy loves everything farming, and I think that is his vocation and his hobby rolled into one. Andy and Dallas make maple syrup every spring. He is a great family man, and we have always farmed with the mindset of family ďƒžrst. I, Valerie, am a retired piano teacher with a degree in music. I do bookwork for the dairy and keep track of what’s going on with everyone on all levels whether it is business or pleasure. I have a bucket list that I have been working on, and last year I checked one thing off of it with the purchase of a beautiful red pontoon for all of us to enjoy. I also am an agvocate and have recently started an Instagram account where I share tidbits about agriculture and other interests I have. What has been the highlight of your dairying career? Andy said his highlight was when we started milking in our new milking parlor in 2012. It was a huge leap of faith for us to stay in the dairy industry at a time when things aren’t always so rosy. We also are proud to have celebrated 50 years of parlor milking in 2017. My highlight is seeing my family working together on our farm and making a good life for all of us. What do you love about dairy farming? Independence is a huge part of owning your own business. Being a good steward to the land and of animals is a pleasure and a blessing we take seriously. We are doing our part to continue the tradition of dairying and providing quality dairy products to people around the globe. As a dairy family in an ever-changing industry, we have the honor and opportunity to represent dairy in the best possible way through example and practice. What has been the biggest obstacle you have faced in your dairying career and how did you overcome it? Farming is an obstacle in itself. We have met some challenges, and we have kept our nose to the grindstone and worked our way through them. Although both our silo collapse and the tornado devastated our operation, in the end, both events can be looked back on as an opportunity to reinvent our farm and our thinking. We took those opportunities and ran with them to make our farm look beautiful and be more efďƒžcient. What has been the best decision you have made on your farm? Improving cow comfort in our 300-cow freestall barn by installing pasture mats was a big part of moving our dairy forward. Also, we were very torn as whether we should keep milking cows after our silo collapse, but looking back, we are glad we rebuilt our milking parlor and milking herd and made the decision to continue. Who has been an inspiration to you during your dairying career? We have a close-knit family, and we build each other up and inspire one another to keep going on all fronts every day. Dairying is not always easy. There are so many aspects of this business that can and do get you down. If you can face every day with gratitude for all that we are blessed with, it is easier to get up and face the work at hand. That and faith in God has been our inspiration.
How many years have you been dairy farming? I began dairy farming in 1971. Tell us about your farm. Our family and farm were in a very difďƒžcult situation when I came home to farm as my dad had just been taken out in an accident on the farm. At that time, we had 34 cows and 120 acres. Over time with God’s blessings, our farm now has 600 cows and 1,120 acres. Tell us about your family. My wife, Pat, and I have three children and seven grandchildren. Angie, our oldest, and her husband, Don, and Daniel, our youngest, and his wife, Michelle, all farm with us. Nathan and his family live and work in Fort Mill, South Carolina. What has been the highlight of your dairying career? Sometimes it seems that just being a survivor is an accomplishment all of its own. Truly the highlight is having the next generation gaining establishment in the business. What do you love about dairy farming? We are a very select segment of the 1.5% that feed the world. I cherish being a caretaker of God’s resources and producing food for his people. It is awesome to be a part of a continuous cycle of growth and birth. What has been the biggest obstacle you have faced in your dairying career and how did you overcome it? The single biggest obstacle I faced was lack of experience and knowledge and the gripping feeling of insecurity that came with it. I have learned that everyone has something to offer. The secret is to assemble all those ideas into a working plan. It took many years to develop a comfort level with myself and what I am all about. What has been the best decision you have made on your farm? The single best decision was to diversify very early in my farming career into a non-ag enterprise. This will readily provide for our retirement years so that as we reach a non-productive stage in life we won’t be a liability to the farm. Who has been an inspiration to you during your dairying career? My wife, Pat, has been my single most important inspiration. We married young and have both farmed together all these years. Even when there were those times that it seemed all else had failed, we had each other for support.
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Page 38 • Dairy Star • Saturday, February 8, 2020
HEART
HEART
DAIRY
DAIRY
Jim & Debbie Senn
Alex & Mary Olson
Dairy farming for
43 Years
Dairy farming for
The Olsons milk 690 cows at Breezy Hill Dairy in Barron County near Dallas, Wisconsin. The couple is pictured with a dam (far right) and three triplet heifers that were born on Mary’s birthday in 2016.
The Senns milk 360 cows in Fond du Lac County near Campbellsport, Wisconsin.
How many years have you been dairy farming? Almost 43 years. My dad started farming in 1953, and I became a partner in 1977 and took over sole ownership in 1996. Tell us about your farm. My dad started out with 19 cows and received 40% of the milk check. His father-in-law owned the farm and got the remainder of the check. After graduating from high school, I went to college, but it was not my thing. I wanted to be back on the farm and returned in 1973. We were milking 60 cows at the time. When I became a partner in 1977, we were milking 75 cows. Registered Holsteins have always been our focus. We gradually grew the herd internally and in 1996 built a three-row freestall barn and bumped the herd up to 140. We built a at-barn parlor in our existing dairy barn in 1997. In 2008, we built a four-row freestall barn for 250 cows. By 2016, we were at 300 cows and up to 350 by 2018. All freestalls are sand-bedded, and our milk goes to Grande Cheese. We farm 650 acres. Our son, Ted, farms with us, and we also have nine non-family employees between full and part time. Tell us about your family. My wife, Debbie, and I have been married for 34 years and have three children. Our oldest, Tracy, is the Fond du Lac County 4-H educator and is married to Jeremy. They just had their rst child, and his name is Korbin. Ted is our middle child, and Travis is the youngest. Travis and his wife, Bethany, live in Florida. Bethany attends graduate school at the University of Gainesville in a dairy science-related eld. Travis works for Southeast Milk Cooperative. They had their rst child in April 2019, a girl named Savannah. What has been the highlight of your dairying career? Hosting President Gerald Ford on April 3, 1976. My dad was close friends with our congressman at the time who helped make this possible. Ford was campaigning in Wisconsin and was here the week before the Wisconsin primary. The stars were in alignment to make this happen as we were located correctly geographically right in the middle of where Ford was visiting along Highway 45, and we were of the same political afliation. Another highlight has been our success in the showring. We’ve had two class winners at the Wisconsin State Fair. Also, Ted’s show cow scored EX93-3E, and Tracy’s show cow scored EX90-4E. I’ve lost count how many VG and EX family members trace back to our heifer that won at the state fair in 1971. Also, all three of our kids received the American FFA Degree. What do you love about dairy farming? I love seeing what I’ve done come to fruition. Watching calves develop into really good cows is very satisfying. It’s really cool to go onto the Holstein website and use the family tree app to trace back 15 generations or more to that foundation cow and all the good ones in between. You sometimes forget some of them. It’s a great sense of accomplishment. Another thing I love about dairy farming is all the friends I’ve made in the industry. What has been the biggest obstacle you have faced in your dairying career and how did you overcome it? In 2004, we had an outbreak of microplasma. We had no idea where it came from. I’d been to many presentations about how to deal with it, but once these cows had it, they weren’t worth keeping around anymore – their udders were empty. We lost 28 cows as a result. We talked to everyone we could and had vets come out, did culturing, etc., to gure out who might be affected and followed all the safety protocols. Then just as mysteriously as it appeared, it disappeared. What has been the best decision you have made on your farm? In 1987, one of our cows, 3-year-old Senland Troy Elva, topped the state Holstein sale at $5,600. There was a lot of interest in some really good daughters we had out of a newly released bull, and Elva was one of them. I got advice to capitalize on this while I could. After all, we’re in the registered business to sell animals, and selling one of our better cows ended up being the right decision. Who has been an inspiration to you during your dairying career? There are several people who I’ve looked to over the years for ideas and advice. But if I was to narrow it down to one person, it would be my dad. From the time I was old enough to be out and about without holding somebody’s hand, I followed him as much as I could – from being around him in the barn helping with chores to watching him x things. I’ve always had a passion for tools. I learned a lot from my dad just by observing. He was also very good at explaining why we did things a certain way.
33 Years
How many years have you been dairy farming? For 33 years. Tell us about your farm. Our farm has been in a constant state of growth and modernization since it was started by Alex’s family in 1949 with 160 acres and 20 cows. Along with 12 employees, we milk 690 Holsteins and Jerseys two times per day in a double-8 parlor. All cows are housed in sand-bedded freestall barns. Calves are raised in hutches for two months and transitioned to a bedded pack group housing until 6 months of age and then are sent to a grower in Kansas. We crop 1,020 acres of corn and alfalfa. Some of the planting and manure hauling are completed by the dairy. The remainder of the manure and harvesting is done by local custom operators. Tell us about your family. We have been married for 23 years and have two Yorkies Sophie, 5, and Winston, 1. What has been the highlight of your dairying career? In 2013, we hosted Wisconsin Farm Technology days, and in 2016, on Mary’s birthday, we had a set of triplet heifer calves born. The triplets along with the dam are still with us today. Both experiences were surreal. Hardly a day goes by that we are not reminded of either experience. What do you love about dairy farming? Working with the animals and farming the land. Every day presents new opportunities and challenges for us. What has been the biggest obstacle you have faced in your dairying career and how did you overcome it? In 2007, we had a re that destroyed our at barn parlor and holding area and some heifer facilities. A lot of decisions had to be made quickly so rebuilding could start and cows could return home. We had a tremendous amount of support from our community and dairy farms that took great care of our cows while the contractors quickly rebuilt the facilities in less than four months. What has been the best decision you have made on your farm? Not any one thing tops the list for us. We have made numerous changes such as going from tower silos to drive over feed piles, converting to no-till planting, using top A.I. sires and using sand bedding. It is the sum of all changes that has enhanced our business, improved the welfare of the cattle and employees, and kept the land sustainable for the future Who has been an inspiration to you during your dairying career? When Alex was growing up there were multiple people in the ag industry such as dairy producers, veterinarians and other ag professionals who were very passionate about their careers. They were always willing to lend advice and pass along their skills to help us succeed.
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Bill, Kathy and Monte Olszewski Johnson Creek, Wisconsin Jefferson County 110 cows
How did you get into farming? I (Kathy) grew up on a farm 5 miles from here. We had a registered herd, and Bill and I farmed with my folks for a long time before buying this farm in 1989. What are your thoughts and concerns about the dairy industry for the next year? We are concerned there will be a lot of farms going under. We think how alfalfa comes through this year on feed inventory will be a determining factor. We don’t see the milk price doing much and feel the dairy marketing board needs to combat against milk substitutes to help farmers. What is the latest technology you implemented on your farm and the purpose for it? We have not implemented any new technology in recent years. Part of the reason for that is due to cost – what would the return on investment be? Accountants say your investment should break even in two years, so just to go out and buy the latest and greatest technology does not seem worth it unless the ROI proves it worthy. We do well without implementing a lot of technology. For example, we have an exceptional conception rate without using Ovsynch or CIDRs. What is a management practice you changed in the past year that has beneted you? We have increased the amount
Dairy Star • Saturday, February 8, 2020 • Page 39
sponsored by saved many cows and allowed us to expand from within. Bill: Tiling has helped a lot, especially the last couple years.
of custom cropping we hire. We started custom hiring our crops 12 years ago and are doing more of it now to save labor. It has allowed us to get third and even fourth crops off the eld. Hay is cut and chopped in two days’ time and corn silage in one day. In the long run, this is cheaper for us due to the savings on labor and machine costs. It is the practice that saves us the most time. What cost-saving steps have you implemented during the low milk price? We have changed our breeding strategy. We used to use all the top-end, high-priced semen. Now on our lower-end cows, we use cheaper semen or beef semen. We have shifted our focus from high-genomic bulls that cost more money to older, proven bulls. Genomics has taken a lot out of breeding. We used to sell a lot of bulls and embryos, but now there is just no point because it is too hard to keep up with the fast pace of genomics. In the last 1.5 years, we have switched our bedding from wood shavings to cornstalk to help save money. We also raise some steers to help supplement the low milk price.
STACEY SMART/DAIRY STAR
The Olszewskis – (from leŌ) Kathy, Monte and Bill – milk 110 registered Holsteins near Johnson Creek, Wisconsin. years which has helped me quite a bit as a farmer, particularly with managing the diet and ration changes.
How do you retain a good working relationship with your employees? We only have one part-time employee, and Monte’s sons also help out occasionally.
What do you enjoy most about dairy farming? We are going to be honest; it is not a whole lot of fun lately. But we do enjoy being our own boss and being outside rather than cooped up in an ofce. Although there are days when we wish we were in an ofce, like when it is cold or rainy outside.
Tell us about a skill you possess that makes dairy farming easier for you. We are really good at detecting sick cows, and we can spot a cow that has a DA without using a stethoscope. I (Monte) was a nutritionist for 10
What advice would you give other dairy farmers? It is not very protable for dairy farmers right now; therefore, do not hang on just for emotional reasons. Get out while you still have something. Farming is just like
any business – you need to have something left over in the end. Farmers often hang on too long and end up with nothing. For what? You are doing this to make some money too. It is also important to try to stay within your means while farming and make sure you establish a succession plan. What has been the best purchase you have ever made on your farm? Kathy: Our skid loader. I do not know how many forkfuls of manure I did not have to shovel because of it. Monte: The freestall barn. It has improved cow health over the tiestall barn and saved a lot of labor even though we do not have a parlor. The freestall barn has
What has been your biggest accomplishment while dairy farming? We have sold a lot of bulls and embryos all over the world and had bulls in the active lineup in A.I. studs, not only in the United States but across Europe and Japan as well. We even had the No. 2 bull in Japan at one time. We used to get many international visitors during World Dairy Expo. One farmer who visited was from Poland and had purchased an embryo from one of our best cows, Olszewski Win Emory Special. He said she turned out to be the best cow on his farm which was a really nice thing to hear. What are your plans for your dairy in the next year and ve years? Kathy and Bill: We would like to retire. Monte: My plans are a little up in the air at this time. When my parents retire, I cannot physically do all this work by myself. I would have to cut the herd in half, but I would still have the same amount of bills, so how do you survive? I think even if we were to sell all the cows, we would still have youngstock here. How do you or your family like to spend time when you are not doing chores? Kathy: We like to attend our grandsons’ sporting events and visit my sister in Eagle River. Monte: I like to study the stock market. It has been helpful in making me look at the farm as a business.
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