DAIRY ST R SPRING
Calf & Heifer Special Edition March 25, 2023
Nurturing a passion for calves Individualized care yields success at Busse’s Barron Acres By Abby Wiedmeyer abby.w@dairystar.com
BARRON, Wis. – Feeding calves has always been Sherry Arnold’s favorite chore. When her parents, Norman and Judy Busse, decided to sell their herd of 150 dairy cows in 1999, they, along with Arnold, wanted to nd a way to stay on the farm. They started custom raising heifers for a neighboring dairy and raised bull calves as well. Arnold and her parents, along with an employee, raised 600 calves that year. In 2022, that total was up to 14,000 calves. Arnold said it has been a steady learning curve. “I took that love of feeding calves and turned it into what it is today,” Arnold said. “I haven’t done it by myself either. I feel like we’re on this train that just keeps moving.” Today, the farm is run by Arnold and her parents, business partner Micah Halvorson and a group of 35 employees. The team custom raises calves from 19 dairy farms. Over the years, a strategic system has been put in place.
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PHOTO SUBMITTED
Sherry Arnold greets a calf on Busse’s Barron Acres near Barron, Wisconsin. Arnold and her partners custom raise calves for 19 dairy farms.