LOOK INSIDE FOR OUR CALF & HEIFER SPECIAL EDITION!
DAIRY ST R
March 28, 2020
“All dairy, all the time”™
Volume 22, No. 3
COVID-19 COVERAGE
Dairies considered essential work places during pandemic
Robots right choice for Leedles
Producers, Bender talk about taking on-farm precautions against COVID-19 By Krista Kuzma
krista.k@dairystar.com
While the novel coronavirus has disrupted many people’s routines around the world, dairy farms still need to milk their cows and care for their animals every day. The government has deemed agriculture as an essential part of the work force that is allowed to continue to operate if regulations to slow COVID-19 are put in place. Emerald Spring Dairy near Plainview, Minnesota, and Grotegut Dairy Farm Inc. near Newton, Wisconsin, are trying to navigate how to keep their farm workers safe amid the pandemic. “It’s one thing to have disaster plans in place for a weather event, but it’s quite different to have a plan in place for something like this,” Rita Young said. “It’s like a science ction movie.” Young and her family own Emerald Spring Dairy where they milk 1,100 cows and employ 20 people. “We have talked to our employees about how to keep themselves safe,” Young said. “We are following the guidelines of our state and federal entities as they come.” Rosario Ibarra, general manager at Grotegut Dairy Farm Inc., said the 2,800-cow dairy with 50 full-time employees is also following the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the United States Department of Health and Human Services. Turn to PRECAUTIONS | Page 5
KRISTA KUZMA/DAIRY STAR
Rita Young stands in front of the signs about prevenƟng the spread of COVID-19 she placed next to the Ɵme clock on her farm, Emerald Spring Dairy, near Plainview, Minnesota.
STACEY SMART/DAIRY STAR
The Leedle family – (from leŌ) Lindsay, Jason, Tom, Jennifer and Colton (front) – milk 480 cows with eight robots and farm 1,000 acres near Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.
Black Cat Dairy in eighth year of robotic milking By Stacey Smart
stacey.s@dairystar.com
LAKE GENEVA, Wis. – The Leedles of Black Cat Dairy are in their eighth year of milking with robots, and the family has no regrets. The farm’s eight A-4 Lely robots have boosted milk production, reproduction and longevity, and lightened the workload of this family farm located near Lake Geneva. “I can’t say enough about these robots,” said Jason Leedle, who, like the rest of his family, prefers robotic milking over milking in a parlor. “They’re so reliable.” Black Cat Dairy is run by Leedle and his wife, Lindsay; his parents, Tom and Jennifer; his sister, Kristin Love; and his brother, Ryan. The Leedles milk 480 crossbred cows and farm 1,000 acres and have one employee, Mark Winkelman. When the Leedles switched to robotic milking in 2012, they noticed a near instantaneous surge in produc-
tion. Milk went up 12 pounds per cow – jumping from 74 pounds to 86 pounds in the rst two weeks. “This is a more cowfriendly environment,” Leedle said. “Cows are only on their feet when they want to be. That’s the biggest thing that helps them. Also, the robots are so consistent.” Cows average 3.3 milkings per day in the robot and are producing an average of 85 pounds of milk per cow with 4.3% butterfat and 3.3% protein. Cows seem to be sticking around longer, too, and Leedle said they still have some of those original springing heifers in the herd. “We revamped our breeding program and use a lot more beef semen now so we don’t get a big slug of heifers,” Leedle said. “We had a surplus we were selling in the past because we didn’t have any cows that needed culling.” Cows are breeding back quicker as well. The pregnancy rate prior to robots was 20%-
22%. Now, it is 30%-38%. “Cows are so comfortable which means they get pregnant easier,” Leedle said. The 232-by-234-foot barn contains four pens with two robots per pen. Leedle does not believe in overstocking; therefore, the number of cows matches the barn’s number of stalls. “The robots free up time,” Leedle said. “You still need someone here to watch the cows, breed them, feed them, but it’s not as time-sensitive. We used to have to stop eldwork at 3 p.m. to do chores and milk cows. Now, just one person can handle barn chores. It makes it a lot easier to get stuff done. We still keep plenty busy utilizing the extra available time.” Leedle is the dairy’s herdsman and also helps with eldwork. Jennifer and Kristin do all the calf raising. Kristin joined her family’s farm full time in 2013 after spending 12 Turn to LEEDLES | Page 6
Page 2 • Dairy Star • Saturday, March 28, 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
COVID-19 updates As the novel coronavirus continues to impact communities around the world, here at Dairy Star we want to make sure you are informed with the latest updates surrounding the pandemic and our dairy industry. We compiled a list of helpful resources, news and updates on postponed or canceled events on our website. We will update this page daily. Please visit www.dairystar.com for more information. If you have a helpful link or change of event to share with others, please email andrea.b@dairystar.com. Here are a few highlights from stories you will not nd in this paper, but you can nd online in zone 1. A clear dairy direction Dairy has always been the clear career direction for Robert and Jeannette Sheehan who dairy near Rochester, Minnesota. During their 36-year career, they have focused on developing a quality type and production herd that has achieve many awards. Off the farm, the Sheehans have felt it necessary to be involved in dairy-related organizations and volunteer to help the next generation create a love for the dairy cow. Because of this, the couple recently received the Golden Graduate Award from the University of Minnesota Gopher Dairy Club and were inducted into the Minnesota Livestock Breeders Association Hall of Fame. Read more about the Sheehans on pages 1 and 6 in rst section. Zimmermans start greenhouse for spring season By the calendar, spring is ofcially here. Lynette Zimmerman and her two daughters, Melissa and Rachel, look forward to this season every year as they prepare their greenhouses at their 60-cow dairy farm in Stearns County. The Zimmerman women spend the early days of March starting seeds and plugging plants for their small business, Country Corners Market. Throughout the spring season, they will sell owers and vegetables to the public and also create potted displays for cemeteries. Tending to the plants is another way the Zimmermans nd joy living on a dairy farm.
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Dairy Star • Saturday, March 26, 2020 • Page 3
It’s all inside... Columnists Ag Insider
Junction City
Genetic Futures at forefront of developing top pedigrees
Pierce
Page 32 First Section
Barron
Dunn
Pepin
Dairy Good Life Page 33 First Section
Jackson
Waushara
Green Lake Fond Du Lac
Columbia Dodge
Sauk
Dane
S
Carroll
on
ens
h tep
Walworth go
eba
n Win
e
Jo Daviess
Rock
on
Lafayette Green
Whiteside
Darlington
Repro Leaders: Rielly Farms
First Section: Pages 18, 20
Third Section: Pages 2 - 3
Ogle Lee
Racine Kenosha
Kane
Lake Geneva
Robots right choice for Leedles First Section: Pages 1, 6
Rock Island
Harvard
Mercer
Hen ders
on
For additional stories from our other zone, log on to www.dairystar.com
Two farmers share insights on water quality, auto calf feeders
McHenry
DeKalb
Zone 2
Madison
Jefferson Waukesha
Bo
Iowa
Grant
Second Section: Pages 6- 7
Zone 1
o ag Calumet
eb
nn Wi
ett e
Cr
Klinkners strive to meet goals
Oconto
Wa sh
d
O
aw
Genoa
te
ie am Brown
for
Richland
et
g uta
Adams Juneau
in
Shawano
Wood
Vernon
Pages 10 - 11 Second Section
Menominee
Portage Waupaca
Monroe La Crosse
The “Mielke” Market Weekly
ar
Langlade
Marathon
Clark
Eau Claire
Buffalo
Lincoln
Taylor
Chippewa
M
Forest
Menominee
Do or
St. Croix
Just Thinking Out Loud
Rusk
ce
aun ee
Page 31 First Section
Oneida
Ke w
Polk
ren
ton S he bo Milwaukee Ozauk M yg ee an anito wo c
Something to Ruminate On
Price
Delta
Dickinson
Vilas
Flo
Sawyer
Trempealeau
Burnett
First Section: Pages 22 - 23
Iron
ing
ur
n
Ashland
hb
Page 30 First Section
La Crosse
Wa s
Ramblings from the Ridge
Bayeld
Douglas
Farmstead cheesemaking a lifestyle
Third Section: Page 7
First Section: Page 36
qu
Page 27 First Section
Dairy’s Star Youth: Morgan Flier
Women in Dairy: Laura Warmka
First Section: Pages 34 - 35, 37
Really happy?
Waupun
Fox Lake
Ma r
Pages 8-9 First Section
n
re War
Dairy Prole: Brian and Mark Olbrich First Section: Page 39
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Page 4 • Dairy Star • Saturday, March 28, 2020
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Dairy Star • Saturday, March 28, 2020 • Page 5
ConƟnued from PRECAUTIONS | Page 1 “At the farm, we are making sure the work environments are as clean as possible, keeping cleaning supplies available to our entire workforce,” Ibarra said. “We are encouraging them to practice social distance at work and at home. We have constant communication with our employees about what’s happening, posting signs in their native languages and checking with all of them daily to make sure everybody is healthy.” The Youngs have put up government-issued posters in English and Spanish about handwashing and ways to prevent the spread of illness. They have also put out hand sanitizer and wipes for employees to use on frequently-touched surfaces. “It’s for when they’re using the time clock or door handles,” Young said. “A lot of them are wearing milking gloves, but they need to change milking gloves and do the common sense things to prevent spreading germs.” At this time, Emerald Spring Dairy is allowing people other than employees onsite; however, the Youngs are conscious of social distancing. “It is easier to keep social distance on the farm, even in the parlor, but we are following the guidelines as we hear them and what we should be doing,” Young said. Grotegut Dairy Farm has put restrictions on visitors to the dairy. Ibarra said the employees have embraced the necessary changes. “They are open to listen and follow the instructions we are given,” Ibarra said. “There are a lot of rumors outside, but our message to them is that we are following the authorities’ recommendations, and we are all in this together.” Both farms are in the process of developing plans should a number of their employees fall ill with COVID-19 and need to be quarantined. “Cross training is very important at this time so we can cover essential positions such as milking, and feed cows and calves,” Ibarra said. “We are also keeping constant communication with the area supervisors on what projects or tasks can be postponed in case we have a shortage.” According to Jeff Bender, these two farms are taking the right steps to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. “Farmers need to be aware this is something that can be quite serious and is spreading pretty quickly,” he said. “We need to be ready. We need to be prepared.” Bender is the co-director of the Upper Midwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center, a professor at the University of Minnesota in the division of environmental health sciences and an adjunct at the university’s college of veterinary medicine. As a veterinarian and a public health practitioner, Bender
has studied and done research on infectious and zoonotic diseases, and acts as the epidemiologist for the veterinary college. Bender said he is concerned for people in rural communities for many reasons. “Many folks think, ‘I’m isolated; therefore, this isn’t going to come to me,’” he said. Also, rural resident populations tend to be older in age, with farmers on average being 58 years old. While this virus can infect all people, there are increased complications in cases of older people. Health care access is also a concern. Oftentimes it is limited in rural communities, Bender said. “Hospitals are closing and it takes a little farther to get to places,” Bender said. “They have less of the support structures that they do in some of our bigger urban hospitals.” Bender’s last concern is the limited workforce. “If someone goes down, we often don’t have backup,” Bender said. “Who is going to milk those cows? Our farmers are a wonderful bunch, and they sometimes feel invincible. They say I’ll push through. We probably don’t want them to push through.” To limit the chances of COVID-19 spreading to a farm, Bender suggests following the recommendations of the CDC, such as practicing good hygiene, staying home if sick, frequently disinfecting surfaces and limiting contact with other people. Having a good biosecurity plan is also important for the farm, Bender said. Think about limiting farm access and other nonessential activities. Also enact a plan for on-farm social distancing – how many people can be in the breakroom at one time, staggering work schedules or conducting meetings in a different way. It is important for farmers to listen to their employees’ concerns. “This is where we lead well,” he said. “We need to be good advocates for our employees – thinking about them, thinking about their welfare, thinking about a plan if someone gets sick, working on that plan and setting up that plan.” Ibarra said Grotegut Dairy Farm is trying to ready itself should employees get sick with the novel coronavirus. “Our industry does not stop,” Ibarra said. “We are responsible to provide food to the world. Our continued operation is imperative for public health and community well-being. The consumer needs to know we will do all that is humane and nancially possible to keep operating in a safe and healthy environment for our people, our cows and our community.”
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Page 6 • Dairy Star • Saturday, March 28, 2020
ConƟnued from LEEDLES| Page 1
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Cows wait in line to use the robot March 13 at Leedle Farms near Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Milk producƟon increased 12 pounds per cow per day aŌer the rst two weeks of using robots. years in Virginia where her husband, Mark Love, was stationed in the military. Ryan, a former accountant, came back to the farm in 2016 and helps his dad with eldwork and feeding. Mark helps Jason with herdsman duties, including breeding and vaccinations. Lindsay helps with evening chores. Leedle and his wife have four children – Nolan, 8, Nathan, 6, Colton, 4, and Cameron, 2. Leedle also has a brother, George, and two sisters, Jaclyn Leedle and Kelly Barrett, who work off the farm. “I can remember taking only one or two vacations with the family while growing up,” Leedle said. “Now, my parents can get away whenever they want. It’s fantastic for them. Kristin spent a week in Florida recently watching her son play baseball. It’s easy to get away and spend time with family now.” Leedle admits his management philosophy has changed since switching to robots; however, he still remains active in the cows’ lives. “My wife and I used to milk every morning,” Leedle said. “I would see every cow each time she came in the parlor. Now, I rely on the data some, but I don’t sit at the computer all day. We’re still seeing everyone. If something is wrong with a cow, we usually know before the robot does.” When it comes to robotic barn design, Leedle said, “Build the barn around the cows, but keep the workers in mind. The farthest any cow has to walk in our barn for milking, feed or water is 90 feet. We built our barn so that one person could basically do everything if they had to. For example, one person can move a cow by themselves to any pen in the barn because of our gating setup.” In addition to robotic milkers, the Leedles’ barn also operates with a robotic feed pusher and alley scrapers that run every hour. “The idea with robotics is to stay behind the scenes and not disturb the cows,” Leedle said. “The whole barn is really reliable. Cows get up and eat every time they see the feed pusher, and thanks to the alley scraper, the cows are so much cleaner.” The Leedles bed with a combination of sawdust, recycled paper and lime, which Leedle said works better with robots than sand due to its abrasiveness. While Leedle now embraces the dairy, he was looking to get away from the farm after high school and attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison. However, the pull to the farm was strong for this fourth-generation farmer who still worked on his family’s dairy during the summer and on weekends.
“I realized dairy farming was what I loved,” Leedle said. He earned a nutritional sciences degree and came back to the farm full time in 2007. In 2009, he and Lindsay bought his grandparents’ portion of the farm and started milking the 230-cow herd with his parents in a double-8 herringbone parlor. “The barn was not real functional,” Leedle said. “It was a combination of three barns added on to one another. It had terrible ventilation in the summer, and we wanted to build a new barn. We thought it would be tough for two families to live off of 220 cows, so we decided to expand, too.” When Leedle joked to his dad about robots milking the cows, Tom took it to heart and ran with the idea. He spent a year doing in-depth research on robots, and in 2012, the Leedles built a robotic barn to t 500 cows. After waiting six months for the A-4 model to be approved in the United States, the Leedles began milking with robots Nov. 11, 2012. It took one week for animals to acclimate to the new machines. “Having eight robots made it easy for startup because we only had half the number of cows we do now,” Leedle said. “That’s probably why they gured it out so fast. There was a lot of empty robot time for cows to sniff out and learn.” To ll up the rest of the barn, the Leedles bought 200 springing heifers from a large farm in Idaho. The group freshened during a three-month window – from December 2012 to February 2013. “I didn’t like robots for the rst six months,” Leedle said. “It was really stressful. We had tons of heifers calving in a short timeframe and had to deal with lots of new calves and training skittish heifers on the robot. It was crazy. I wouldn’t wish that upon anyone.” Leedle’s sister and brother had not yet returned to the farm, which left Leedle, his wife and parents to deal with the chaos. “It wasn’t fun freshening that many heifers at once, but it was the way to do it to get the barn full,” Leedle said. “We made it through, and things got a lot easier. Those heifers all turned out to be really good animals.” After more than seven years of life with robots, the Leedles would not have it any other way. “I’m much happier with robots than I thought I would be,” Leedle said. “When you hear nightmares about robots, it’s often because people were not managing right. You can’t put them in and expect not to show up for work. And you can’t stick just anyone out there. It has to be someone intuitive to cows.”
COVID-19 COVERAGE
Dairy Star • Saturday, March 28, 2020 • Page 7
Livestock markets do not slow amid coronavirus By Jennifer Coyne jenn@dairystar.com
PERHAM, Minn. – Business was as usual last Monday for Perham Stockyards. “We have auctions weekly, and even though everything else is closing, we’re an essential part of the food chain to get food into stores,” Mitch Barthel said. Barthel is the owner and auctioneer at Perham Stockyards in Perham. The new coronavirus has caused disruption for businesses across the nation, but as the United States Department of Homeland Security deems food and agriculture as an essential critical infrastructure, those in the dairy industry continue to operate without interruption. While the threat of COVID-19’s impact on food production is of little concern, the greater worry of human health remains, and the number of people who typically gather to sale barns for their weekly auctions. To address this concern with livestock markets, the Minnesota Board of Animal Health put out guidelines to follow. “We’re considering this from a human health perspective because COVID-19 impacts people,” said Michael Crusan, communications director for the Minnesota BOAH. Livestock markets are traditionally a place for communities to gather.
At Barthel’s sale barn, he can seat up to 200 people. Yet, after COVID-19 became a concern in Minnesota, his attendance gathered roughly 45 people March 16. “It was no big gathering,” Barthel said. “And people are using common sense when interacting with others.” Mark Oberholtzer noticed the same during his auction March 19. “There were denitely a lot less people,” Oberholtzer said. “We did request no children or spectators attend; only the buyers were welcomed.” Oberholtzer is an owner and auctioneer at Oberholtzer Dairy Cattle and Auction Co. in Loyal, Wisconsin. Every auction sells about 450 head of livestock, including dairy cows, breeding stock, butcher cows, calves and beef animals. During the winter months, the sale barn seats up to 200 people, but summertime brings a smaller crowd of 35 people, said Oberholtzer. “(Thursday) at peak sale, there were only about 40 people in the barn,” he said. The Minnesota BOAH is recommending livestock markets post signs with symptoms of COVID-19 as well as requiring employees to stay home if they feel sick. These places should also clean surfaces frequently, and emphasize the importance of covering coughs and sneezes and proper hand hygiene of all employees. Perhaps most importantly, sale barn managers are asked to consider ways to
enforce social distancing. “We realize the community gathering aspect livestock sales bring,” Crusan said. “Really, it’s best not to hang out because of the known potential risk.” For those who do attend the sales, they are asked to maintain social distancing measures with a 6-foot buffer between them and the next person. “These people aren’t worried because they typically don’t have that much exposure between themselves and other people,” Barthel said. “Many of them don’t leave their farm or ranch.” Crusan and his co-workers are pointing to guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the state’s department of health to protect employees at sale barns and those attending. “Some livestock markets have reached out to us,” he said. “They’re asking for guidance.” In Wisconsin, Oberholtzer closed down their food stand which is typically offered throughout the day of auctions. “Until this has all passed, we’re doing our best to keep everything cleaned to prevent the spread,” he said. Despite the hindrance COVID-19 has put on parts of the livestock market, market prices have remained relatively unchanged if not improved slightly. “Markets are fairly steady as a whole,” Oberholtzer said. “Dairy cows are on par with what they’ve been.
There was a drastic drop in fat steers; they took a hit.” In the past, Oberholtzer has looked to internet streaming his auctions. Depending on how long the COVID-19 crisis remains in Wisconsin, he might look into it as an option to reach buyers. “It’s not a step we’ve taken, but if that’s what it takes to market cattle we’ll have to give it a chance,” Oberholtzer said. Crusan agreed. “(COVID-19) is pushing us to work remotely and virtually,” he said. “We can’t speculate the future, but what we thought wasn’t necessarily possible yesterday, we’re doing today and can do tomorrow. This may help us expedite our jobs to be faster and more efcient and provide more value. One thing for certain is we’ll take the lessons learned from this for our future.” As the agriculture industry will continue operating as usual amid the spread of the coronavirus, auctioneers like Barthel and Oberholtzer are grateful to remain open and provide a business transaction for their customers. “We have to continue business as usual,” Barthel said. Oberholtzer agreed. “We’ll continue to take it one week at a time,” he said. “In these changing times, we want to keep buyers and customers up to date.”
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DFA/Dean Foods deal is off Page 8 • Dairy Star • Saturday, March 28, 2020
After concerns were raised about competition A U.S. recession is possible and possible antitrust violations, Dairy Farmers President Donald Trump told reporters the U.S. of America and Dean Foods have agreed to drop a could be sliding into a recession. According to Wells proposed bankruptcy purchase agreement. Last Fargo agricultural economist Michael Swanson, there month, DFA agreed to pay $425 million to acquire is a risk. The technical denition for a recession is two 44 processing facilities from Dean Foods. consecutive quarters of negative growth. Ag Insider “It’s very likely with the airline travel While that plan will not go forward, the cancellations and meals away from home paperwork led with the bankruptcy court indicates DFA still plans to bid cancellations, the rst quarter will show on some of the Dean Foods assets. The a contraction. The open question is if the deadline for bids is March 30. second quarter will see a contraction. It all depends on how fast the virus is Dairy sector may request additional controlled.” Swanson said a recession relief doesn’t mean much for agriculture. As lawmakers work on additional “We’re more impacted by the strength coronavirus-related assistance, the of the dollar. Right now, the U.S. dollar National Milk Producers Federation is is really strong. That probably has more preparing to ask for dairy-specic relief of an impact of pricing of agricultural By Don Wick from USDA and Congress. Government commodities in the short term. Longerpurchases for federal nutrition programs term, not so much.” Columnist and food banks are being discussed as an option to help offset the demand disruption from Ag declared as a critical industry school and restaurant closures. NMPF may also ask Agriculture and food have been declared by the USDA to reopen enrollment for the Dairy Margin United States Department of Homeland Security as Coverage program. critical infrastructure during the coronavirus outbreak. This allows ag businesses to continue normal Ag groups seek policy to help farmers navigate operations, despite restrictions to stop the spread of COVID-19 the virus. Provisions to help farmers and ranchers navigate current business challenges could be included in the NFU elects new president third coronavirus package. American Farm Bureau The newly elected National Farmers Union Federation Executive Vice President Dale Moore President Rob Larew said he will focus on building said ag workers and a functioning supply chain are off of the current strength of the organization. “Times the most important things needed for agriculture at are tough. There are lots of challenges, not the least this time. “Our focus is making sure the men and of which is what the weather will be like this spring. women we’re working for have the tools they need to When we work together, we’re going to be a lot produce food and have the connectivity to other parts stronger.” Larew said the farm economy continues of the food chain,” Moore said. “I have a feeling it’s to drive a lot of policy priorities for the organization. not going to be too long until we talk about a fourth or “The effects of trade policy, whether or not we get fth tranche until we get this virus out of the U.S.” another Market Facilitation Program and whether
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ConĆ&#x;nued from AG INSIDER | Page 8 Dairy leaders to be honored at World Dairy Expo World Dairy Expo has announced the recipients of the 2020 Expo Recognition Awards. The Dairy Producers of the Year are Jim Ostrom, John Vosters and Todd Willer of Milk Source in Kaukauna, Wisconsin. Steve Eicker of New York and Conner Jameson of California are with Valley Agricultural Software and will be recognized as the Industry People of the Year. Wijnand Pon, who is the URUS Group in the Netherlands, is the International Person of the Year. The awards will be presented during World Dairy Expo.
Holstein farmers recognized The Wisconsin Holstein Association honored Trent and Kelsey Hendrickson of Blanchardville as the Distinguished Young Holstein Breeder. Kevin Jorgensen of Waupun was presented the Distinguished Service Award. Jorgensen worked for nearly 30 years in the A.I. industry and is a former president of the Wisconsin Holstein Association. Trivia challenge Former Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack is the president and CEO of the U.S. Dairy Export Council. That answers our last trivia question. For this week, what country drinks the most milk on a per-capita basis? 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 ďƒžve grandchildren, Aiden, Piper, Adrienne, Aurora and Sterling.
PDPW Board elections Three incumbents were reelected to the Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin board. Andy Buttles, Lancaster, Steve Orth, Cleveland and Katy Schultz, Fox Lake, were elected to their second three-year terms during PDPW’s Virtual Business Conference.
“Bovy just makes it really easy to access.â€? What do you use Bovy to look up? A lot of things; Fat, protein, scc, dry dates and due dates. One thing I really like is being able to see FCM. How has using Bovy helped you and your dairy? The information was all available before, Bovy just makes it really easy to access. If If I’m in the barn and have a question on a cow, I can just look her up and see were she’s at in her lactation and how much she’s producing. A feature I really like is being able to ask bovy questions, for example, who are my highest fat producing cows, or how many cows are due dry in next 60 days. How many years have you been testing with DHIA? A little over a year. How has testing with DHIA beneĂ€tted your dairy? Being able to see performance of every single cow is very important to me. It makes a great management tool for Dwight Wenger keeping track of cows to Brooten, MN • 67 cows breed to dry off etc. Minnesota Dairy Herd Improvement Association 307 Brighton Avenue South Buffalo, MN 55313 1.800.827.3442 www.mndhia.org
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“Both in our plants and on our farms, we’re really emphasizing there’s no travel unless essential,” Meshke said. “We are prepared with business continuity plans as best we can. One of the advantages our farm owners have with a multi-plant network is back up at other facilities. If one facility would be By Krista Kuzma impaired, there would be back up within the system.” krista.k@dairystar.com Bialkowski said Westby Cooperative Creamery MADISON, Wis. – In a year that was projected has asked its employees to quarantine themselves to be a sigh of relief for farmers after ve years of low when not working. That follows the Wisconsin’s milk prices, 2020 has now made a downward-trend in Emergency Order No. 12 Safer at Home Order enprice amidst the novel coronavirus pandemic. acted by Gov. Tony Evers that started March 25 and “This is a time when we can nd some silver lin- continues until April 24. It also is not allowing visiings, but they’re pretty small,” Mark Stephenson said. tors inside its plant. For its nearby retail shop, Westby “I think we have to be realistic that this (coronavirus) Cooperative Creamery has cut hours to reduce faceis a big negative impact (on the industry).” to-face interaction; however, online sales have inStephenson, whose specialty is dairy markets and creased. policy, is the director of Dairy Policy Analysis at the “People are obviously trying their best to follow College of Agricultural and Life Sciences at the Uni- the stay-at-home orders,” Bialkowski said. versity of Wisconsin-Madison. Stephenson said the pandemic has created a He said the milk price has dropped nearly $5 in change in consumers’ buying habits. While exports Class IV and up to $4 for Class III price in the last few have dropped, Stephenson said domestic purchasmonths, and dairy farmers will more than likely have es have made a large shift from food service to reto sustain another year of tight margins. tail. “Obviously we have a number of farms that have “One of the silver linings is that we saw an uptick gone from the hope or expectation that this was go- in uid milk consumption,” he said. “People go to the ing to be a better year than we had last year,” Ste- grocery store and pick up an extra gallon of milk.” phenson said. “Now we’re realizing we might be in Other dairy products are also up in retail sales, a 2009 kind of milk price. That’s really devastating and Stephenson does not see that changing soon. after lower prices.” “This isn’t going to be short term in nature,” he Processors such as Associated Milk Producers said. “It’s going to take quite a while for this to work Association Inc. based in New Ulm, Minnesota, and through, and we have to see how people react to havWestby Cooperative Creamery in Westby, Wisconsin, ing to learn to cook again or do somethings maybe are running their plants as usual despite COVID- they hadn’t been doing.” 19-related shutdowns across the country in other AMPI can verify this buying trend. industries. “We’re seeing the draw on natural cheese “We are a critical infrastructure industry, and we exponentially higher,” Meshke said. “Folks are are a critical part of the food supply,” said Sheryl buying so heavy at that retail level. We’re also seeing Meshke, co-president and CEO of AMPI. “What may a slowdown in sectors of the business that go to food be the norm on main street is not necessarily going to service with restaurants shut down across the country. be the norm for the critical infrastructure businesses.” So, there’s a balance.” Emily Bialkowski, marketing manager for WestAMPI’s No. 1 product is natural cheese followed by Cooperative Creamery, echoed that statement. by butter. “We are operating uninterrupted at this time,” she Westby Cooperative Creamery has also seen an said about the one-plant cooperative that makes cul- increase in retail and a decrease in sales to food sertured dairy foods. “The practices that make Westby vice; however, the largest portion of their sales comes Cooperative Creamery an SQF (Safe Quality Food from making private label products. Level III) certied plant are adhered to every day, Both processors are working to be in constant meaning Westby exercises the upmost care in prepar- communication with their plant workers and dairy ing food every single day not just when there’s an ex- farm owners as the pandemic has turned life upside ceptional turn of events.” down for many people across the country. AMPI reBoth processors are following the guidelines of cently unveiled its text and email options for producthe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and ers at its annual meeting in February and is having the United States Department of Health and Human eld representatives reach out to members to enroll in Resources such as social distancing and practicing the program. good hygiene. While each processor is working business-asusual at the moment, they are closely following any developments with the pandemic. “At this time, we foresee no signicant changes. 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Dairy Star • Saturday, March 28, 2020 • Page 11
COVID-19 COVERAGE
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Trade show exhibitors and aƩendees interact at Central Plains Dairy Expo in 2018. The 2020 show was canceled because of the novel coronavirus.
Central Plains, WPS regroup for 2021 events By Jennifer Coyne jenn@dairystar.com
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – As the novel coronavirus became reality for Americans across the nation in the early days of March, it was no surprise large gatherings were canceled, even those in the dairy community. “The proactive decision to protect the health and wellness of members of the community and those throughout the Central Plains included the immediate cancellation of the Central Plains Dairy Expo,” said Kristy Mach, Executive Director for Central Plains Dairy Expo. With the rapid spread of COVID-19, the mayor of Sioux Falls declared a state of emergency March 12. This limited gatherings at city-owned facilities to less than 250 people through Friday, March 27. In a typical year, the show brings together more than 300 exhibitors and draws in more than 4,000 attendees. “Organizers put a stop to online registration March 13,” Mach said. “At that time, there were more than 1,500 attendees preregistered for the expo.” Central Plains Dairy Expo was set to be this week, March 24-26. The Wisconsin Public Service also canceled their annual farm show in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, following recommendations from Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. The event was planned for Tuesday, March 31 to Thursday, April 2. “Obviously looking to this week, our biggest concern was the safety of our employees, vendors and attendees,” said Brendon Conway for WPS. “It just made sense for us to cancel and bring back the show in 2021.” The 60th annual event was positioned to bring together 20,000 people and 500 exhibitors. As the seriousness of the coronavirus is revealed daily, canceling these large trade shows was an undeniable measure and one the industry has positively responded to. “At rst people were disappointed, but as things have rapidly changed with other closures, people understand why we did as COVID-19 continues to spread,” Conway said. “Even if we were put in a time machine to see what the future held before we announced the show’s cancellation, we would have never been able to do it because of the rules and regulations that are now in place. We made the right decision.” Conway said choosing to cancel the
show earlier in the month has helped vendors that were anticipating attending. “We really wanted to make the decision sooner rather than later so people didn’t start moving their booths and displays and then have to turn around,” he said. The message was initially made through email and then follow-up communication to ensure vendors and attendees were aware of the change. As Central Plains Dairy Expo Board of Directors made the difcult decision to not reschedule the expo, it was both a sound yet emotional decision. “This cancellation feels like canceling a family reunion,” Mach said. “Every year, the expo brings thousands of people together for the good of the industry in the region. This is an event so many look forward to. The show is internationally renowned, and a favorite for venders and farmers alike.” While abruptly rescinding an event in the dairy community caught many off guard, both show spokespersons hold steadfast in the decision as it will benet the health of the dairy community in the long run. “For us, it’s never a prot event,” Conway said. “We just look to cover our costs. But because the show isn’t happening, it really isn’t impacting us one way or another.” Mach elaborated on the expo’s reasoning to not host a large gathering. “Ultimately, the cancellation of the Central Plains Dairy Expo event protects the dairy food supply chain, as we can hopefully keep those safe who provide us with fresh dairy products every day during this crisis,” she said. “We have seen consumers clearly concerned about having access to fresh food. Our industry needs to focus on staying healthy and keeping up with the demand for wholesome products for all Americans.” Neither the Central Plains Dairy Expo nor WPS Farm Show will reschedule for a 2020 date and have asked the dairy community to continue pushing onward. “Dairy farmers have faced adversity in the past,” Mach said. “They continue to show up … despite weather, economic conditions or pandemics. The farmers, and the entire sector, have a strong resilience and high adaptability.” The show committees have now refocused their efforts on planning events in 2021. “This is a very popular, long-standing tradition,” Conway said. “We have every intention to resume that tradition (next year).” Central Plains Dairy Expo has set dates for March 23-25, 2021, and the WPS Farm Show will take place March 30 through April 1, 2021.
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Page 12 • Dairy Star • Saturday, March 28, 2020
Father, son nd compromise for transition
Noska takes on farm with contract for deed By Jennifer Coyne jenn@dairystar.com
BROWERVILLE, Minn. – When Josh Noska reects on the process he and his father went through to transition the dairy farm, he is steadfast in knowing it was the right decision for them. “I wouldn’t do anything differently,” Josh said. Josh and his family – wife Kirstin, and children Keegan, 8, Kylan, 3, and Kenton, 1 – milk 28 cows in Todd County near Browerville. The Noskas also run a small engine repair shop at the farm. Just over two years ago, on March 20, 2018, the Noskas entered into a contract for deed with Josh’s parents, John and Judith. “I bought my dad’s herd when he retired in the early ’80s,” John said. “Then, when Josh was thinking about taking over the dairy, I left it up to him. I wanted to be sure I was not forcing him into something he didn’t want to do.” Prior to dairy farming, Josh spent several years in the road construction industry. Then, in 2016, he returned to the family farm and setup a transition plan with his parents. “I’ve always enjoyed dairy farming, and I wanted my kids to be raised on a farm and learn responsibility,” Josh said. “But, we also knew two families
MARK KLAPHAKE/DAIRY STAR
The Noskas (from leŌ) – Josh, KirsƟn and John – stand outside the farm’s dairy barn near Browerville, Minnesota. Two years ago, John transiƟoned the 28-cow dairy to his son and daughter-in-law through a contract for deed agreement. Not pictured is Judith Noska.
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ConƟnued from NOSKAS | Page 12 couldn’t make a living off the farm.” To create the smoothest transition for both parties, the Noskas worked with a third party to develop a plan. They connected with a lawyer who specialized in business transfers. “Once we got connected with him, it didn’t take long,” John said. “He told us a few things we needed to do that would protect both of us. Within a month or two we started to turn stuff over.” Josh agreed. “Working with him was excellent. If we hadn’t used a third party, a lot could have happened that we wouldn’t have understood,” he said. “My parents wanted it done this way so I was free and clear, to protect me. It was great.” The Noskas talked through each other’s expectations in the farm transfer and the feasibility of meeting those expectations. To begin, they each came up with a price for every asset, such as machinery and cattle, that would be included in the contract for deed. “Him and I each put a price on it all,” John said. “Then, we got together and compared. We were only $5,000 off on everything. Josh was really aware of what the true costs of things were.” The father and son then took information from the assets to determine a price for the farm and small engine business. “We discussed the price a lot ahead of time,” John said. Josh agreed.
“There is no kind of transition that is perfect, but at the end of the day, if you can come to an agreement where both sides are satised, that’s about as good as it gets.” JOHN NOSKA, DAIRY FARMER
“For me, the interest rates and payments had to be just right,” he said. Additionally, Josh needed to review the farm’s day-to-day operations with his father as he prepared to take over all responsibilities. “There was a lot Dad did that I didn’t know he did,” Josh said. “Dad’s farmed his whole life. He knows what
to do for breeding and feeding, and how to repair equipment, when it was last repaired, that sort of stuff.” One of the key pieces of making the transition possible was relocating Josh and his family to the farm. For 12 years, Josh lived on a property nearby, but not close enough to the farm if he were to own it. The contract for deed agreement allowed the Noskas exibility to move Josh and his family to the farm and for John and Judith to build a home on Josh’s property. “There has to be a plan for everything,” Josh said. “Plans are going to change as you work through each other’s needs, and you have to stay open about all opinions.” When Josh took over the farm, he immediately made changes to the daily operations. The rst thing Josh did was expand his Holstein herd to ll the entire barn. He has also started using one-touch pulsators for milking ease and added another milking unit for speeding up milking time. “I need to be able to spend more time in the shop,” Josh said. “These changes have helped me do that.” But making changes with the older generation looking on was not easy. “Transitioning is stressful,” Josh said. “If I changed anything, sometimes Dad would get upset. The biggest part is knowing I’m making these changes to benet the farm.” John agreed. “Anytime Josh did something different, I bit my tongue,” he said. “I’ve realized he’s done things with pretty good thinking. He’s a good mechanic and a good dairy farmer.” Now two years after the farm transition, the Noskas continue to work together with their roles more dened. Josh does all the day-to-day tasks for the dairy herd and small engine repair shop. John goes to the farm when he is able, particularly during spring eldwork and fall harvest. “I went over for the rst few months, but now I get out a lot less because Josh is there all the time,” John said. As the Noskas reect on their journey through a farm transfer, they know using a third party was essential and that they would not be where they are today if they had not started with a plan and stuck to it. “Dairy farming is simple,” John said. “There is no kind of transition that is perfect, but at the end of the day, if you can come to an agreement where both sides are satised, that’s about as good as it gets.”
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Dairy Star • Saturday, March 28, 2020 • Page 15
Why do you use a beef breeding strategy?
Brent and Cody Lexvold Goodhue, Minnesota Goodhue County 450 cows Tell us your breeding protocol. We breed all but about 10% of our herd to Angus. The 10% we breed to a dairy bull includes the few Jerseys we have on the farm, our special cows or ones with good genetics. Those calves will either be kept on the farm to raise here or sent to a heifer raiser. How long have you been breeding your dairy herd to beef? We have been doing it this way for about two years. Why did you decide to use this breeding strategy? We had been raising youngstock here and on a rented farm, but they were too crowded so we decided to change the way we did things. We decided not to raise anymore youngstock. It took too much labor and feed. It was not economical for us. We were going backwards in our checkbook so it was not worth it. We have been happy with how we are doing things at the moment. How do you determine what beef semen to use? We use Angus bulls that Select Sires suggests to use. When we do buy replacements, we buy whatever is out there at the moment. What changes have you made to your protocol since you ďƒžrst began this strategy? We made the full switch to this strategy two years ago and have had no changes with it since this. What is one thing you wish you knew before getting into this practice? We are happy we did it at this point. In hindsight, we wish we would have done it sooner. We prefer to raise our own animals, but this is better for us right now. It is not a permanent situation. Animals are more valuable as a cull cow. There will be a time when heifers go up in value. I thought we would have been at that point already, but we are not. Tell us about your farm. Along with the herd of milking cows, we raise calves until they are feeders at about 300 to 500 pounds. We also have 420 tillable acres. Brent is the second generation on the farm. His wife and Cody’s mom, Wendy, also works on the farm. Brent and Wendy also have two other children, Chelsey and Jenna.
Nathan Radue Maribel, Wisconsin Manitowoc County 250 cows Tell us about your breeding protocol. We start breeding our heifers at about 950 pounds to sorted dairy semen with the aids of Estrumate, tail chalk and a veterinarian ultrasound. Nearly all of our heifers become pregnant to sorted dairy with a handful bred to beef because they did not settle on the ďƒžrst few services. All cows are time bred at about 80 days in milk and resynced if found open. Right now, all second and greater lactation cows are bred to beef for all services, while the ďƒžrst-lactation cows are bred to sorted dairy on the ďƒžrst service only then bred to beef on following services if needed. How long have you been breeding your dairy herd to beef? Two years ago, we started using some beef on our older cows on third or greater services, but about nine months ago, we began using it more extensively by only using sexed dairy and beef with no conventional dairy semen used at all. Why did you decide to use this breeding strategy? We wanted to capitalize on the higher value of Holstein/beef crosses over straight Holstein bull calves since we sell them at 1 week of age. Our cattle’s genetics are improving faster because we are getting heifer calves out of our younger, genetically superior animals. This should help us manage our heifer inventory. Finally, having most of our heifers calving in with heifers should make for less stressful calvings. How do you determine what beef semen to use? I am using beef bulls picked to match up the best with Holstein to give them strong beef traits. I am using Angus and Simmental and seeing what calves I like the best. What changes have you made to your protocol since you ďƒžrst began this strategy? I moved to using sorted Holstein and beef on the herd. That way, most of the calves that hit the ground here are the desired outcome for a beef or Holstein heifer calf. What is one thing you wish you knew before getting into this practice? Not being afraid of moving away from conventional dairy semen. My conception rates on heifers has not changed very much and neither has my pregnancy rate on my cows. Tell us about your farm. Hickory Grove Dairy is owned by me and my brother, Seth. We took over in 2012 when our parents were looking to retire. We started out with our parents’ 80 cows and have grown from within to 250 cows. Current facilities include a double-8 parlor installed in 2014 and a three-row sand-bedded freestall barn. All replacements are raised here. We do all of our cropping on 600 acres. We have one full-time and several part-time employees. The farm has been in the family for over 100 years.
Aaron and Sarah Schmitz Ontario, Wisconsin Monroe County 35 cows Tell us your breeding protocol. We use beef semen on any cow that we would not keep a heifer calf from. These cows may have undesirable genetics but are still able to produce good quality milk. All heifers and top genetic cows receive two breedings of sexed semen. If they have not settled by then, we use beef semen on the third and subsequent inseminations. How long have you been breeding your dairy herd to beef? We implemented this strategy about two years ago. Why did you decide to use this breeding strategy? After Holstein bull calf prices plummeted, we started using beef semen on any cow that we would not keep a heifer calf from in order to make a higher proďƒžt when selling the calves. How do you determine what beef semen to use? We have been using primarily Angus semen as it settles well, is cheap and produces solid black calves a majority of the time. What changes have you made to your protocol since you ďƒžrst began this strategy? When we ďƒžrst started using beef semen, we were using it on hard settlers. Now we have a more aggressive strategy on which animals receive beef semen. What is one thing you wish you knew before getting into this practice? The only thing we would change is having had a more deďƒžned protocol when we started using beef semen. We have seen so much genetic growth in our herd by breeding low-end animals to beef and putting high-quality sexed semen into our superior animals. We have also been able to shorten calving intervals by getting cows bred back sooner from the increased fertility of beef semen. Tell us about your farm. Aaron and Sarah farm alongside Sarah’s parents, Scott and Genise. The dairy herd consists of around 35 milk cows, both registered and grade Holsteins and registered Jerseys. We are able to produce enough feed off the land for the herd and all replacements. Cows are housed in a traditional tiestall barn and graze on pasture during the summer. Turn to OUR SIDE | Page 16
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ConƟnued from OUR SIDE | Page 15
Brian and Nathan Hill Maple Park, Illinois DeKalb County 110 cows Tell us about your breeding protocol. It depends on their classication score, but our younger, higher-scoring cows get sexed semen from a popular bull. We put embryos in 10% of these animals that don’t take on the rst breeding. Last year, we had 30 embryos out of 160 breedings. The top half of our herd is bred with conventional semen. The bottom half gets beef semen. We now have 30%-40% of calves that are female. The rest are either beef or come from conventional semen. How long have you been breeding your dairy herd to beef? We’ve been using beef semen for two years. Our rst calves were born in the spring of 2019. Why did you decide to use this breeding strategy? We don’t need to keep that many heifers. There are too many heifers out there and no market for bred heifers. Also, we purchase most of our feed, and in our area, there are not a lot of hay supplies for feeding heifers. We can’t nd a cheap hay source, and custom hay is limited to begin with. We compete with horse people who like grassy hay; therefore, it’s more beef cow/horse hay available instead of alfalfa. How do you determine what beef semen to use? We use generic, commercial production Wagyu bulls. This Japanese beef cattle breed is known for producing a healthier meat. A couple other herds around here are using it too. There are a couple small feedlots nearby, so the goal is to get enough calves together at the same age for local raisers to buy. This way, the buyer has a whole group of Wagyu beef he can sell to someone else. A couple million people live within 30 miles of us, and there is a big demand for grass-fed beef. What changes have you made to your protocol since you rst began this strategy? We’re not that far into it yet, but one thing we have done is switch from Angus-cross to Wagyu. The rst year, we used a lot of Angus but switched to Wagyu in the last 6-8 months. Our rst group of Wagyu calves are being born now. It’s a matter of getting rid of bull calves at this point. Holstein bulls are not worth much right now, and there’s nowhere to go here with dairy steers. Shippers have to go to Milwaukee or Monroe, Wisconsin, which is a 1.5-hour haul. What is one thing you wish you knew before getting into this practice? It’s a challenge to say yet what that would be seeing as we haven’t been doing it that long. I wish we had used less sexed semen 3-4
Tony Finder Knapp, Wisconsin Dunn County 50 cows Tell us your breeding protocol. Our breeding protocol consists of bulls. We do not A.I. We run a Holstein bull with our cows and an Angus with the heifers. We started out breeding our heifers to Hereford. The Angus seem to be more in demand so we bought an Angus in December. We also like to try new things. As far as the cows go, they are all bred by the Holstein bull. If they don’t settle after a couple tries, we breed the cow to beef. They always settle the rst time with a beef bull. How long have you been breeding your dairy herd to beef? For 25 years. Why did you decide to use this breeding strategy? We started breeding heifers to beef mainly because of calving ease. It’s much less stressful on the heifer when they can just have the calf on their own. We very rarely, if ever, assist with a birth. The beef are worth more than the Holstein steers. How do you determine what beef semen to use? Well we don’t decide on semen because we use bulls, but we always buy nice bulls. The Hereford we were using we bought from Larson Hereford Farm in Spring Valley, Wisconsin. They have a large selection of quality cattle. What changes have you made to your protocol since you rst began this strategy? We haven’t made a lot of changes. We were always selling our bull calves. We bought the neighbor’s farm four years ago and now keep all the bull calves and nish them. What is one thing you wish you knew before getting into this practice? About the only thing I wish I knew is what the buyers want. They are always changing on what they want. We can send steers one month and top the market and send the same size next month and be below average on price. Tell us about your farm. We are a small family farm in western Wisconsin. It’s my mom, dad and me. We all do chores every day and have no employees. We own 316 acres and rent 200 additional acres. We milk 50 cows and have 20-30 steers on hand. We do a little cash cropping and raise all our feed. years ago. We got overloaded with heifers and had to deal with a surplus and decide, do we feed out? Milk off? Tell us about your farm. I farm with my son, Nathan, on 81 acres. We milk 110 cows with two robots that we put in four years ago. We purchase most of our feed and house some of our heifers at a nearby dairy farm. There is a demand for dairy solids, or manure, from local organic crop farmers so we sell some of our manure to these guys. I farmed in Kiel, Wisconsin, for a while before moving back to Illinois in 1989. I took over my father’s farm in the mid-1990s and bought 20 acres. After graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, Nathan worked at ABS Global in California for nine years, working his way up from relief technician to district manager. When he moved home, he bought the 60 acres next door. My wife, Barbara, works at Idaho National Laboratory in Idaho Falls, Idaho, and comes home every other weekend.
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Robert and Denise Sebranek Lone Rock, Wisconsin Richland County 380 cows Tell us your breeding protocol. We utilize double ovsynch for rst service then re-synch one week before pregnancy check. We preg check every other week. If a cow is open at preg check, she will either receive Estrumate, a CIDR or re-enroll back into ovsynch depending on her status. We practice timed breeding. Heifers are bred to a Holstein bull for the rst and second service and are bred to beef on the third service. If open after the third service, they are culled and converted over and put in our steer pens as we feed out all of our own steers. How long have you been breeding your dairy herd to beef? We have been using beef for about 10 years. Why did you decide to use this breeding strategy? We decided to use beef on problem breeders to try and reduce the number of cattle in our herd with that problem. We had plenty of replacements, but I could not bring myself to sell otherwise good cows just because they were hard breeders. This has allowed us to give those cows one more chance to come back to the milking herd while at the same time adding beef crosses to our feedlot as we fatten out all of our steers. How do you determine what beef semen to use? We use Angus and Hereford. We experimented with other beef breeds but did not like the cattle we got with other crosses. We do not use Herefords on heifers as they can sometimes throw a calf with a large head, from our experiences. Angus is great on calving ease. Other than calving ease, then we look at price. We buy the cheapest semen we can nd and conception rate from on-farm results, and then we will continue to use the higher conception rate bulls. What changes have you made to your protocol since you rst began this strategy? It’s no different than any other protocol on-farm. Conception rates are monitored, and pregnancies to Holsteins are watched so that we can average 75% pregnancies to Holsteins so we still have plenty of replacements for the dairy herd. We do some cherry picking. For whatever reason, some cattle may only get bred to beef. What is one thing you wish you knew before getting into this practice? I wish we would have started using beef sooner. We used to use Brown Swiss and Milking Shorthorn on problem breeders, but when those offspring came back into the milking herd we found out that most of them were still problem breeders. After we switched to beef, we didn’t have to worry anymore about offspring being trouble breeders. Tell us about your farm. My wife, Denise, and I have three daughters, ages 16, 15 and 12. We operate a dairy, feedlot and crop farm in southeast Richland County near Lone Rock, Wisconsin. We bought out my parents around 10 years ago. Denise grew up on a dairy farm, which her brothers now operate. Our kids help on the farm with daily chores and other things. We could not do what we do if it wasn’t for my parents, Larry and Judy, who still help on the farm, and our awesome employees, who work very hard to make this farm successful.
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Dairy Star • Saturday, March 28, 2020 • Page 17
Mixed to Perfection so you don’t have to! Effinity utilizes two active ingredients, Lactic acid and Phenoxyethanol, and combines them with distinct additives to generate an exceptional teat dip formulation that works in a complimentary way to boost bactericidal efficacy against mastitis-causing pathogens. What makes Effinity different from other dips on the market is that it can provide exceptional kill rates with a formula that is gentler on teat skin. Effinity is 100% customer satisfaction gauranteed - contact your local GEA dealer for more information.
Your Local GEA Hygiene Dealers: Monroe WestfaliaSurge Advanced Dairy Solutions Leedstone, Inc. Leedstone, Inc. Monroe WestfaliaSurge Eastern Iowa Dairy Systems Advanced Dairy Solutions IA • (563) 876-3087 Richland Center, WI WI Melrose, MN Melrose, MN Monroe, WI • 608-325-2772 Monroe, WIEpworth, • 608-325-2772 Richland Center, 608-647-4488 • 800-772-4770 320-256-3303320-256-3303 • 800-996-3303 • 800-996-3303 608-647-4488 • 800-772-4770 Sioux Dairy Equipment, Inc. Dairy J Gile Dairy Equipment Glencoe, MN Sioux Equipment, Inc. Glencoe, MN Cuba City, WI • (608) 744-2661 Centre Dairy Equipment 320-864-5575 • 877-864-5575 Rock Valley, IA Centre Dairy Equipment Rock Valley, IA and Supply Inc. Plainview, MN320-864-5575 • 800-548-5240 • 877-864-5575 712-476-5608 • 800-962-4346 and Supply Inc. 712-476-5608 • 800-962-4346 Preston Dairy Equipment Sauk Centre, MN Menomonie, WI • 715.231.8090 Colton, SD Service 800-944-1217 Sauk Centre, MN Midwest LivestockEdgerton, Systems, SD Sparta, WI • (608) 269-3830 320-352-5762 • 800-342-2697 MNInc. ChemicalColton, Sales 320-352-5762 • 800-342-2697 Menomonie, WI • 715-235-5144 Service 800-944-1217 507-920-8626 Midwest Livestock Systems, Inc. Stanley Schmitz, Inc. Fuller’s Milker Center, Inc. Zumbrota, MNOwen, • 800-233-8937 WI • 715-229-4740 Edgerton, MN Fuller’sWI Milker Center, Inc. Menomonie, WI Chilton, WI • 920-849-4209 Lancaster, • 800-887-4634 • 715-235-5144 Central Ag Supply Inc. Pine Island, MN • 800-233-8937 Chemical Sales 507-920-8626 Juneau, WI • 920-386-2611 Sioux Falls, MN • 800-705-1447 Lancaster, WI • 800-887-4634 Falls, MN • 800-705-1447 Baraboo, WI • 608-356-8384 Tri-County Dairy Supply Beatrice, NE •Sioux 800-742-5748 Central AgJanesville, SupplyWI Inc. Beatrice, NE • 800-742-5748 • (608) 757-2697 Juneau, WI • 920-386-2611 Baraboo, WI • 608-356-8384
Page 18 • Dairy Star • Saturday, March 28, 2020
Repro Leaders
Frequent preg checks drive pregnancy rate at Rielly Family Farms Gunnar Rielly Rielly Family Farms Darlington, Wisconsin Lafayette County 270 cows What was your average pregnancy rate last year? Our average pregnancy rate last year was 53%. What is your voluntary waiting period for cows? For heifers? Our voluntary waiting period for cows is 78 days. We begin to breed heifers at about 14 months. What is your ďƒžrst service conception rate? Our ďƒžrst service conception rate was 56.8% for our cows this past year. What is your reproduction program? Do you use a synchronization program? Cows get a shot of Lutalyse at 76 days in milk. The cows that show heat from that shot will be bred, and the non-responders get another shot of Lutalyse 10-11 days later. If a group of cows goes through this three times with no luck, then an Ovsynch group will be done. How do you observe for heat? Our cows have tail paint on their backs. Our A.I. technician, Tim Heiring, walks the cows daily, checking for any cows with
PHOTO SUBMITTED
Gunnar Rielly (from leĹŒ), Grady Rielly and Nick Casales operate Rielly Family Farms in Darlington, Wisconsin. The dairy earned bronze recogniĆ&#x;on from the Dairy CaĆŠle ReproducĆ&#x;on Council last year acknowledging the successes they have had with their farm’s reproducĆ&#x;on program, highlighted by a 53% pregnancy rate. Not pictured is Mark Rielly. paint rubbed off which would show heat. The paint also helps to save time locating cows for our synchronization program when giving shots.
How do you conďƒžrm pregnant or open cows? Every two weeks the veterinarian comes out, and we conďƒžrm pregnancies with ultrasound.
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What is your breeding philosophy? How do you select bulls? What traits Turn to RIELLY | Page 20
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Dairy Star • Saturday, March 28, 2020 • Page 19
New Construction or Remodeling 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
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“Getting udders ready to accept volumes of milk.” — Keith Beer
BEER CATTLE CO, BERNE, INDIANA, Max and Karen and sons Keith (right) and Craig Beer Calving 200 to 250 two-year-olds monthly, milking only fresh heifers, SCC 150,000 “Getting udders softer, faster for more milk is why we use Udder Comfort™ for our 2-year-olds over the past 4 years. The proof is in our comparisons. We see more pliable udders with lower SCC and a 3- to 4-pound production increase by 14 days in milk,” says Keith Beer. He and Craig and parents Max and Karen raise and sell fresh heifers, calving 200-250 monthly at Beer Cattle Co., Berne, Indiana. “Dairies continue to get more milk per cow, and we find ways to supply them with heifers that continue to get more milk. Udder Comfort is part of that. With the Udder Comfort Spray Gun and Backpack Sprayer, it’s easy to get the job done. “The Udder Comfort Backpack is a great tool to do groups of pre-fresh heifers in headlocks 1x/day 7 days before calving. Our results were similar to applying it post-fresh in the parlor with the Spray Gun. “For us, a combination is ideal: 1 to 2 days before calving and 3 to 5 days after. Seeing the difference it makes, our guys are proud to use it. One pass delivers Udder Comfort to the bottom of the udder and up a few inches to overcome edema around teats and the suspensory ligament, getting udders ready to accept volumes of milk. We found 5 gallons covers 12 applications on around 200 udders.”
Quality Udders Make Quality Milk To locate a dealer, call 1.888.773.7153 Visit our new website at uddercomfort.com @uddercomfort 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, March 28, 2020
ConƟnued from RIELLY | Page 18 do you focus on? Does fertility play a role in bull selection? Our breeding philosophy with the current state of the dairy industry is efciency. Calving ease is a big part of what we look for in bulls, especially for rst calf heifers. The main traits we focus on are strong feet and legs and strong suspensory ligaments in the udder. Our milk cows spend a majority of their time on concrete so we need them to be as strong in the feet as possible with us helping where we can with trimming and foot baths. We are working to improve our udders to hang high and tight.
How are cows and heifers bred? Do you have a different philosophy for breeding both? Both cows and heifers are bred articially. Heifers receive sexed semen and aged cows are bred to beef. We believe heifers should be bred without use of synchronization because they are young and fertile. We also use time breeding so our heifers are not calving during January or February to avoid issues in the cold. What do you do to settle hard breeders? Sometimes synch does not work. You just have to observe and breed to a natural heat. With plenty of other
PHOTO SUBMITTED
Rielly Family Farms is home to 270 milking cows that are milked in a double-12 parallel parlor. cows and replacement heifers to come calve in eventually, sometimes it may not be worth it.
PHOTO SUBMITTED
The cows at Rielly Family Farms are housed in sand bedded freestalls.
How many times do you try to breed a cow before you sell her? If a cow is not pregnant by 200 days in milk, she is designated as a cow to no longer breed. She will be sold once she falls under 65 pounds or if the barn is overcrowded.
Is there anything you have done or changed that brought about a signicant improvement in your reproductive program? Changing our pregnancy checks from monthly to every two weeks was a huge improvement to get our open cows serviced again sooner rather than later. Tell us about your farm. We are a family dairy running about 500 acres of alfalfa and corn. I work alongside
my father, Mark, my younger brother, Grady, and my cousin, Nick Casales. Our 270 cows are milked twice a day in a double-12 parallel parlor. The milking cows are housed on sand bedded freestalls which are raked three times a week. I am currently nishing my nal semester at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville with a dairy science degree, and Grady is a sophomore working on an animal science degree.
Does your milking equipment need maintenance? We service all dairy equipment! Give us a call to schedule a visit. 1010 Hoeschler Dr. • Sparta, WI 54656
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Dairy Star • Saturday, March 28, 2020 • Page 21
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JD 2210 LL, 2014, 45.6” Field Cult., $ ##1 167787 8 2 #167872
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JD 8335R, 2011, 4937 hrs. $ #165966
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DB66 Planter, 2012, 36R22” $ #1166629 296 96 #166296
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JD 1775NT, 2018, 16R30” #150736
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Over 1200 items with pictures updated daily • Go to www.mmcjd.com 7 14 1 8 6 3 15 5 7 3 10 1 5 5 11 11 8
ARTCULATED 4WD TRACTORS
JD 8650 1985, partial p. shift, duals, 10000 hrs., #167144 ................$23,900 JD 9420 2007, partial p. shift, triples, 5900 hrs., #166008 ................$94,900 JD 9530 2007, p. shift, duals, 4275 hrs., #165656 .......................... $139,900 JD 9530 2011, p. shift, duals, 3280 hrs., #166213 .......................... $154,900 JD 9560R 2014, p. shift, duals, HD gudgeon, 2853 hrs., #159510 . $199,500 JD 9560R 2012, e18 duals, big hyd. pump, HD gudgeon, 2509 hrs., #166191 .............................................................................................. $205,000 JD 9620R 2016, p. shift, duals, HD gudgeon, hydracushion axle, 2635 hrs., #161527 ............................................................................. $269,500 JD 9620R 2015, e18 duals, guidance, hydracushion axle, 1415 hrs., #166166 .............................................................................................. $315,500 JD 9570R 2019, p. shift, duals, big hyd. pump, PTO, guidance, HD gudgeon, hydracushion axle, 312 hrs., #166629 ......................... $399,500 JD 9570R 2019, p. shift, duals, big hyd. Pump, PTO, guidance, HD gudgeon, hydracushion axle, 142 hrs., #166628 ......................... $409,500
BOX DRILLS
Melroe 202 1985, 12’, 6” spacing, #161328 .........................................$1,700 JD 455 1996, folding, 30’, 10” spacing, #166982 ...................................$8,800 Brillion SS-10 end wheel, 10’, #167758..............................................$7,500 JD 455 1999, folding, 25’, 7.5” spacing, #167765 ...............................$24,900 JD 9400 no till, 10’, 6” spacing, #164960...............................................$4,750 JD 9400 no till, 10’, 6” spacing, #164959...............................................$4,750 JD 455 2019, folding, 25’, 6” spacing, #164918 ..................................$61,900
DISKS
4 10 10 7 16 5 5 5 11
JD 2623 2013, 33’, #149511 ...............................................................$39,500 JD 2620 2016, 26’, 3-section folding, 9” spacing, #165298 ...............$38,500 Krause 4991W 30’, 3-section folding, 9” spacing, #165465............$14,900 JD 637 2011, 45’, 5-section folding, 9” spacing, #166177 ..................$42,000 Wishek 862NT 2012, 30’, #144471 ...................................................$49,500 JD 2625 2013, 42’, 11” spacing, #151841 $38,500 Kuhn Krause 8300 2014, 28’, 3-section folding, #167353 .............$29,500 Summers DT2510 2012, 45’, 3-section folding, #167770 ..............$39,000 Sunflower 1830 2012, 30’, 3-section folding, 11” spacing, #161784 .................................................................................................$29,400 14 Lemken Rubin 12 2017, 23’, 3-section folding, 11” spacing, #165159 .................................................................................................$64,900 3 Wishek 862-NT 2009, 33’, 3-section folding, #163465....................$30,000
FIELD CULTIVATORS
10 JD 960 1998, 27’, 3-section folding, C-shank, #159473 ........................$6,900 15 JD 2210 2008, 65’, 5-section folding, C-shank, #166479 ..................$45,900 15 JD 2210 2007, 65’, 5-section folding, C-shank, #166478 ..................$43,900
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PLANTERS
JD 1750 2003, 6R30”, rigid, finger pickup, 1.6 bu., #167352 .............$18,500 JD 1780 1999, 24R22”, flex fold, vacuum, 3.0 bu., #155446 .............$33,500 JD 1760 2013, 12R30”, flex fold, vacuum, 3.0 bu., #156200 .............$52,500 JD 1765 2015, 12R30”, flex fold, vacuum, 1.6 bu., row command, #155243 .................................................................................................$54,500 JD DB60 2008, 24R30”, flex fold, vacuum, central fill system, #162602 .................................................................................................$72,400 JD 1765 2018, 12R30”, flex fold, vacuum, 3.0 bu., row command, #161082 .................................................................................................$75,900 JD 1770NT 2012, 24R30”, flex fold, vacuum, central fill system, row command, #167761 .................................................................... $109,000 JD DB66 2005, 36R22”, flex fold, vacuum, central fill system, row command, #166985 .................................................................... $128,400 JD 1775NT 2018, 16R30”, flex fold, vacuum, central fill system, row command, #150736 .................................................................... $169,000 JD DB66 2012, 36R22”, flex fold, vacuum, central fill system, row command, #166296 .................................................................... $199,900 JD 1775NT 2017, 24R30”, wing fold, Exact Emerge, central fill system, #160204 .............................................................................................. $262,900 JD DB66 2018, 36R22”, flex fold, vacuum, central fill system, row command, elect. drive, #161783................................................. $279,500 JD DB66 2018, 36R22”, flex fold, Exact Emerge, central fill system, row command, elect. drive, #161533................................................. $315,400
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8 JD 4940 2013, 120’ boom width, boom leveling, stainless tank, narrow tire width, hyd. tread adjust, guidance system, 20” spacing, 2741 hrs., #163551 ............................................................................. $132,000 14 Case IH Patriot 3330 2011, stainless tank, narrow tire width, guidance system, 20” spacing, 680 hrs., #167165 ............................. $212,400 1 JD R4038 2018, 120’ boom width, 20” spacing, 513 hrs., #150887$314,900 6 JD R4038 2019, 120’ boom width, boom leveling, stainless tank, mid tire width, hyd. tread adjust, guidance system, traction control, 20” spacing, 97 hrs., #165472............................................................. $327,900 16 JD R4038 2018, 120’ boom width, boom leveling, stainless tank, mid tire width, hyd. tread adjust, traction control, 20” spacing, ExactApply, 316 hrs., #157823 ........................................................... $329,500 15 Hagie STS16 2017, 132’ carbon fiber, narrow tire width, hyd. tread adjust, guidance system, 20” spacing, 738 hrs., #165088........ $334,900 7 JD R4038 2017, 120’ boom width, boom leveling, stainless tank, mid tire width, hyd. tread adjust, guidance system, traction control, 20” spacing, 216 hrs., #166646 .......................................................... $336,900
TRACK TRACTORS
7 JD 8430T 2006, 450mm/18” track size, wide track spacing, PTO, rear 3-point hitch, 6603 hrs., #164765 .................................................$87,500 14 JD 9630T 2010, 760mm/30” track size, 3779 hrs., #163509 ......... $153,900 17 Case IH 500 Quadtrac 2012, guidance system, 1998 hrs., #167065 .............................................................................................. $219,000 4 JD 8320RT 2018, 450mm/18” track size, narrow track spacing, PTO, rear 3-point hitch, big hyd. pump, 903 hrs., #163845............... $269,500 6 JD 9570RT 2015, 36” track size, wide track spacing, PTO, big hyd. pump, 1620 hrs., #167170 ................................................... $299,500 16 Case IH Steiger 620 Quadtrac 2017, 36” track size, wide track spacing, PTO, guidance system, big hyd. pump, 561 hrs., #161650 ................ $409,500 5 JD 9570RX 2017, 36” track size, wide track spacing, big hyd. pump, 712 hrs., #150666 ............................................................................... $419,500 8 JD 9620RX 2018, 36” track size, narrow track spacing, guidance system, 464 hrs., #165246 ............................................................................... $475,000 8 JD 9570RX 2018, 36” track size, narrow track spacing, guidance system, 290 hrs., #165245.................................................. $475,000
VERTICAL TILLAGE
14 Unverferth 75 2014, #153251 ............................................................$6,660 14 Flexi-Coil 75 #167041...........................................................................$9,900
4 Case IH 335 Barracuda 2018, #166725 .........................................$59,400
SELF-PROPELLED SPRAYERS
17 JD W260 2016, rubber/urethane conditioner, 698 hrs., #140978 .. $134,900 8 JD W260 2018, 16’, rubber/urethane conditioner, 500 hrs., #163764 .............................................................................................. $169,500
8 RoGator RG1300 2012, 120’ boom width, guidance, 20” spacing, 2740 hrs., #167047 ............................................................................. $110,000 8 Case IH Patriot 3330 2013, 90’ boom width, stainless tank, mid tire width, guidance system, 20” spacing, 2470 hrs., #167048 ............... $119,900
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15 Case IH TIGERMATE 200 2014, 60’, 5-section folding, C-shank, #154509 .................................................................................................$51,900 9 JD 2230fh 2018, 60.5’, 5-section folding, C-shank, #166421 ...........$89,900 9 JD 2210 2005, 54’, 5-section folding, C-shank, #167743 ..................$30,900 5 JD 2210 2012, 55.5’, 5-section folding, C-shank, #162453 ...............$51,900 11 JD 960 1989, 25.5’, 3-section folding, C-shank, #158920 .....................$4,399 8 JD 2210 2014, 55.5’, 5-section folding, C-shank, #154394 ...............$58,500 14 JD 960 1989, 42’, 5-section folding, C-shank, #165959 ........................$9,900 14 JD 2200 2002, 47’, 5-section folding, C-shank, #161487 ..................$25,400 14 Krause 5635 2009, 28’, 3-Section folding, #160777 ........................$19,400 14 JD 980 1998, #156455 .........................................................................$14,430
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(8) = PAYNESVILLE
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WINDROWERS
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110 2nd St. NE
23604 State Hwy. 9
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SEE OUR COMPLETE INVENTORY WITH PICTURES AND DESCRIPTIONS AT: www.mmcjd.com
Page 22 • Dairy Star • Saturday, March 28, 2020
DeLaval Parlor P500 milking system
96
Farmstead cheesemaking a lifestyle
Caldwell shares experiences at MOSES conference By Danielle Nauman
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max ceiling height requirement for DeLaval SynchroArc™
danielle.n@dairystar.com
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LA CROSSE, Wis. – Gianaclis Caldwell of Pholia Farm in Rogue River, Oregon, spoke about her experiences as a farmstead cheesemaker and the state of the industry at the Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service Conference Feb. 28 in La Crosse. According to Caldwell, farmstead cheese is dened as cheese made from the milk from animals which have to be housed on the same land where the cheese is made. “If you move your cheese-making into town, and bring the milk in, then it is no longer considered to be farmstead,” Caldwell said. “This isn’t a legal denition but an industry dened denition.” Caldwell said creating a business plan is important before embarking upon a farmstead processing
“Be award that your mission, vision and exit strategy can all change as time goes on.” GIANACLIS CALDWELL, PHOLIA FARM
operation. She suggested to create a vision and mission statement regardless of the planned scope of the business. “It’s really important to dene the purpose and make sure everyone agrees with it,” Caldwell said. “Having an exit strategy is really critical as well. Be aware that your mission, vision and exit strategy can all change as time goes on.” The requirements for becoming a farmstead cheesemaker and processor vary from state to state as do the regulations that farmstead processors must follow. Caldwell encouraged those considering to undertake farmstead processing to investigate the requirements in their area. One area of importance when it comes to farmstead processing and labeling of products is the use of the word pasteurized. Pasteurization is a legal term, Caldwell said.
www.delaval.com
Turn to FARMSTEAD | Page 23
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 Arlington, WI 608-635-0267
Farm Systems Melrose, MN 320-256-3276 Watertown, SD 605-886-7401 Sioux Falls, SD 800-284-0015
Redeker Dairy Equipment Brandon, WI 920-346-5579
S&S Dairy System LLC St. Charles, MN 507-932-4288
The Scharine Group Inc. Whitewater, WI 800 472-2880 Mt Horeb, WI 800-872-3470
Professional Dairy Systems Wadena, MN 218-632-5416
West Salem, WI 608-769-2113
is a registered trademark of Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. and “DeLaval” is a registered trade/servicemark of DeLaval Holding AB © 2020 DeLaval Inc. DeLaval, 11100 North Congress Avenue, Kansas City, Missouri 64153-1296. All facts and figures are the result of data collected on test farms and pilot farms. Data compared to DeLaval Champion. Results may vary and are not guaranteed. www.delaval.com
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Dairy Star • Saturday, March 28, 2020 • Page 23
ConƟnued from FARMSTEAD | Page 22 “For milk to be called pasteurized, you have to have a pasteurizer that is licensed, and the person performing the pasteurization needs to have a pasteurizing license,” Caldwell said. “You can heat the milk, you can literally boil it, but unless you have a pasteurizer, it will still be called raw.” Caldwell said some cheesemakers use a low-temperature heat treatment in their vats to lower bacteria counts, but it still has to be called unpasteurized milk. Before making a product to sell, you need to have insurance to protect yourself and your business if someone would become ill from consuming your product. Caldwell explained the importance and necessity of having liability insurance. “It’s expensive but is typically based on your income,” Caldwell said. “You have to have it to be in any store and to sell in farmers markets.” She said the insurance company will send an underwriter to the business to look at its policies. “They’ll look to see if you have something in writing, particularly a recall plan,” Caldwell said. “That really is a good practice. A recall plan means that if one of your products tests positive, within 30 minutes you should be able to have contacted everyone that sells that product. You need to know where it is and who to contact and the local media. The people who survive a recall are ahead of it, proactive and non-defensive no matter what happens with it.” Once all the rules and regulations have been researched and adhered to and the cheesemaking begins, Caldwell cautioned her audience not to go overboard in the kinds of cheese they pro-
“If you are going to use a distributor, you need volume to make up for those costs,” Caldwell said. “They take a big chunk, and the amount of product they take varies. Some will add all sorts of surcharges such as mileage or for storage.” Caldwell told her audience to be aware of state regulations and standards set by the Food and Drug Administration if planning to sell product across state lines. “Some states require that those standards are met at your facility, and some states go beyond them,” Caldwell
“If farmstead processing makes you happy, it gives you a great lifestyle.” GIANACLIS CALDWELL, PHOLIA FARM
said. “If you are going to do a growth model, you better meet that standard. And remember this, if the FDA decides to come inspect your place, they are going to hold you to the FDA standards regardless of the state regulations.” Regardless of the scope producers envision for their farmstead processing, Caldwell calls it a good lifestyle. “If farmstead processing makes you happy, it gives you a great lifestyle. You can have your kids there on the land, work together with your spouse and make your ends meet,” Caldwell said. “You will never put money in the bank unless it is to pay the next bill probably, but if that works for you, it is a great lifestyle choice.”
DANIELLE NAUMAN/DAIRY STAR
Gianaclis Caldwell of Pholia Farm in Rogue River, Ore., spoke about her experiences as a farmstead cheesemaker and the state of the industry at the Midwest Organic and Sustainable EducaƟon Service Conference Feb. 28 in La Crosse, Wisconsin. duce. “You need to really look at your market,” Caldwell said. “The biggest problem cheesemakers have is that we all love to make cheese. We want to make different cheeses. ... That is when your prot margin will drop so that is something you need to avoid unless you don’t need to make money at it.”
Direct-to-retail, or delivering your product to the retailer yourself, is the most common way to market farmstead cheese. Caldwell said using distributors is becoming more difcult and expensive. Seeking out cheese shops, wineries or other outlets may be a better market while avoiding the cost of having to go through a distributor.
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Dairy Star • Saturday, March 28, 2020 • Page 25
Dairy growth management building momentum Farmers participate in dialogue, idea sharing By Danielle Nauman danielle.n@dairystar.com
CASHTON, Wis. – Supply management is gaining momentum throughout the dairy industry nationwide after nearly ve years of struggling markets. Many ideas are being discussed, and leaders of farm organizations are coming together to develop an outside-ofthe-box idea for dairy growth management that will be fair and equitable to all dairy farmers. “I think there are a lot of people that still really don’t understand this,” Travis Klinkner said. “In reality, what this plan is, is that we are trying to get more money for our milk; a fair and equal price.” Klinkner is a Vernon County dairy farmer who sits on the Wisconsin Farm Bureau dairy committee. He led a dialogue about dairy growth management among area dairy farmers during a meeting sponsored by the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation March 15 in Cashton. Dairy growth management would comprise a mandatory federal program designed to manage the supply of milk to match domestic and foreign demand. The language being championed by Klinkner and members of the WFBF would allow for individual operators to choose to be rewarded for maintaining current levels of production or plan for strategic growth under a controlled cost. “We aren’t saying we want to get
rid of trade; that is a myth,” Klinkner said. “We’re also not trying to create a system that is ultimately limiting and mandating what you can do. We’re not about to tell farmers how to do things. We are all very independently minded.” More listening sessions to encourage dialogue among dairy farmers are being planned. Klinkner said the group is awaiting grant approval from the Dairy Innovation Hub so they can continue to receive farmer input and work to develop a strong plan with reallife application parameters that will increase support from farmers, industry members, consumers and Travis Klinkner legislators. WFBF dairy “ W h y commitee dairy growth management? What’s wrong with the system we have now? I don’t know if I really have to ask that question,” Klinkner said. “When you look at the overall production of the U.S. market, there is a constant 1% to 2% oversupply of milk that is hitting the federal milk marketing order, and that is depressing the total milk value.” Klinkner has been a champion of developing a plan for dairy growth management for the past two years and has been working to develop the idea through the WFBF’s dairy committee and resolutions process. “I rst got interested in the idea of supply management in 2018,” Klinkner said. “I attended a local meeting put on by the Wisconsin Farmers Union
where some Canadian dairy producers spoke about their quota system. I had questions, and when I walked away that night, I realized the answers I had received were not exactly what I had thought they would be.” Since that meeting, Klinkner has been working with dairy producers to nd a palatable solution to the production oversupply facing the American dairy industry. Introducing supply management in the United States is not an entirely new concept, and two previous ideas have been revisited by those working to develop a plan for dairy growth management. In 2009, Holstein Association USA developed the Dairy Price Stabilization Program which called for using a threeyear average of production to establish a base that would be reassessed quarterly. In the DPSP, base could not be sold but could be combined with other producers. In the DPSP, the base would end when the producer quit producing milk. With the DPSP, dairy farmers that maintain production within their projected base would be unaffected while dairy farmers wanting to expand would pay a market access fee of $2 to $3 per hundredweight. The fees collected would be redistributed to those farms remaining within their base. The Vermont Dairy Commission proposed the Vermont Growth Management Plan, which would be run through the Farm Service Agency with a at rate fee of $100 per farm and market access fees paid quarterly and distributed annually. The base would be established using the highest point of production
over the past three years and can be increased but not sold or traded. Like the DPSP, the base would end when the farmer ceases production and would not be reassigned. The national production volume in the Vermont plan would be determined to meet needs for both domestic consumption and export, and would include maintaining a 30-day stock for dairy products in case of emergency. The Vermont plan calls for strong signals for farmers for when overproduction is not wanted or for when increased volume may be needed. Klinkner shared with those in attendance that dairy farmers in WFBF’s District 3 have discussed and expressed a desire to ensure any form of growth management would be exible and responsive to the markets, and base changes would be communicated to producers in advance allowing for planning and potential growth. They also expressed the wish that production allotment has no monetary value. And, that there would be a clear entrance path for those wanting to enter dairy farming as well as a clearly dened exit strategy. Having a plan that recognizes the diversity of management styles and practices was also important to producers in the district. “The plans we are looking at are the plans that are the most exible,” Klinkner said. “The plans that will allow you to manage any growth, maybe differently than you would now, but you can manage for that growth. In the end, those that are maintaining production levels would get rewarded for doing so.”
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Page 26 • Dairy Star • Saturday, March 28, 2020
MALs deadlines fast approaching Marketing Assistance Loans and Loan Deciency Payments provide nancing and marketing assistance for wheat, feed grains, soybean and other oilseeds. MALs provide producers interim nancing after harvest to help them meet cash ow needs without having to sell their commodities when market prices are typically FSA News & Notes at harvest-time lows. The Farm Service Agency is now accepting applications for 2019 MALs for all eligible commodities after harvest. Requests for loans shall be made on or before the nal availability date for the respective commodities. For small grains such as wheat, barley and oat, the deadline is March 31. For crops such as soybean and corn, By Ryan Brunn the nal availability date is May Stearns Co. Exec. Dir. 31. For more information and additional eligibility requirements, visit a nearby United States Department of Agriculture Service Center or FSA’s website, http://www.fsa.usda.gov. Farm reconstitutions When changes in farm ownership or operation take place, a farm reconstitution is necessary. The reconstitution – or recon – is the process of combining or dividing farms or tracts of land based on the farming operation. To be effective for the current scal year, farm combinations and farm divisions must be requested by Aug. 1 of the scal year for farms subject to the Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage program. A reconstitution is considered to be requested when all of the required signatures are on FSA-155 and other applicable documentation, such as proof of ownership, is submitted. Total Conservation Reserve Program and non-ARC/ PLC farms may be reconstituted at any time. The following are the different methods used when doing a farm recon: - Estate method. The division of bases, allotments and quotas for a parent farm among heirs in settling an estate. - Designation of landowner method. May be used when part of a farm is sold or ownership is transferred; an entire farm is sold to two or more persons; farm ownership is transferred to two or more persons; part of a tract is sold or ownership is transferred; a tract is sold to two or more persons; or tract ownership is transferred to two or more persons. In order to use this method, the land sold must have been owned for at least three years, or a waiver granted, and the buyer and seller must sign a memorandum of understanding. - DCP cropland method. The division of bases in the same proportion that the DCP cropland for each resulting tract relates to the DCP cropland on the parent tract. - Default method. The division of bases for a parent farm with each tract maintaining the bases attributed to the tract level when the reconstitution is initiated in the system.
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Really happy?
My daughter, Anna, got back from a trip to California with a group of Collegiate Farm Bureau members on Monday and sent me photos while she waited at the airport. “Four more days this week and then spring break!â€? The novel coronavirus was changing plans for many travelers. There were not many at the airport. Anna is looking forward to being done with school. I have been listening to her say she is tired of college life, tests and wants to come home. Graduation cannot come soon enough. Tuesday morning, I got a text from her. “Universities are canceling classes until the By Tina Hinchley end of the month, or they are Farmer & Columnist all going online. Ohio State, Princeton and many others. I hope Madison does too.â€? Wednesday afternoon she wrote, “School is online until April 10.â€? She had one important test to take on Thursday. She sent a photo of her classroom that was empty except for four other students. “There is nobody on campus today. It is a ghost town.â€? She started to pack up her belongings shortly afterwards and was home for lunch. She did not waste any time getting off campus and back to the farm. With all of the schools closing, the teachers that are usually out to our farm for spring tours are not making reservations. My calendar looks so empty. However, I got a call on Friday from three University of WisconsinMadison college seniors who wanted to visit a farm before heading back home. I scheduled Kat, Talia and Daisy to come at the same time as a couple visiting Wisconsin who have always wanted to milk a cow. This couple was so excited about milking they arrived 50 minutes early. I was talking to them in the barn when Anna called to say the college students had been dropped off by their Uber driver, and she would bring them to me. I went out to greet them and broke into their conversation when Anna was saying, “When cows are content, they are quiet.â€? I could read Anna’s face that she was not thrilled about being asked, “Do you take care of your cows? Do they ever get to leave the barn? If they don’t leave the barn, then they are not really happy.â€? I swooped in and joined the conversation to relieve the situation. I did not know if Anna knew these girls from school and hinted if she wanted to give the tour. She gave me the look with teeth clenched and a fake smile. “No, thank you. Can you please explain housing ďƒžrst?â€? She turned around and left these young ladies with me to convince them that our cows are happy, healthy and content. I took them to the milk house ďƒžrst and discussed how every tank on every farm is sampled to ensure all the dairy products in the United States are antibiotic free. I took time explaining that rBST is no longer used on any farm. I had them feel the warmth of the pipeline because the milk from the cows goes into the ďƒžlter, is chilled by the plate cooler and into the bulk tank down to 38 degrees. It is all about food safety, and every farmer is required to do this. They stood listening to every word I was saying. I then spoke that cows are mammals like us. They must have a baby before their bodies can make milk. This was news to them. They began to soften and were curious about the cows. I gave them all booties to cover their shoes, and we walked right out by the cows. The cows were very curious about them, snifďƒžng and trying to lick them. Out came their phones, and the photos of the cows’ noses and tongues. We talked about how some cows are very friendly, some are shy, and some hear my voice and will come from the other side of the barn to see me. The cows know their farmers just like farmers know our cows. The visit in the robot barn left them blown away. They did not believe that cows love to be milked until they witnessed it themselves. The cows were lined up to get into the robot and hanging out afterwards. There were cows visiting each other, eating and then resting on their bed, chewing cud, making milk so they could come back to the robot to get milked again. Amazing. We have a special pen where visitors can hand milk a cow. Ashlee, cow No. 90, was in the stall, chewing her cud. They petted her and took selďƒžes with her. I took out my phone and was able to give them all of the information
Dairy Star • Saturday, March 28, 2020 • Page 27
about her. She is 5 years old and has calved three times already. She is due to have her next calf July 24. She had twins last July 23. “She is pregnant right now, and she is still making milk?� I felt Ashlee’s side, and rubbed it. “Yes, cows are super moms, and they have a super power to make feed into milk. Ashlee is still making nearly 10 gallons a day.� Kat, Talia, and Daisy were all smiling and clearly have changed their thoughts about dairy farmers in the hour tour. They all took turns squirting her milk into their hands. Feeling the warm milk and also feeling very good about how happy Ashlee is in our barn. Before leaving, they asked if they could feel her belly to see if they could feel the calf moving. It was a very good experience for them to visit a
Wisconsin dairy farm before they headed to the East. Kat was from New York City, Talia from New Jersey, and Daisy was from Brooklyn, New York. They met each other at college. They do not know if they will be back to the graduation ceremony because of COVID-19, but this visit to the farm left them feeling good about the dairy farms in Wisconsin. I got a thank you note from them a week later saying they could not stop talking about the tour, and that it made them so proud to be a part of the Wisconsin community. They were grateful to have such an authentic experience, and they will carry it with them for the rest of their lives. And yes, the cows in barns are really happy. 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.
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Page 28 • Dairy Star • Saturday, March 28, 2020 Joe Armstrong armst225@umn.edu 612.624.3610 Luciano Caixeta lcaixeta@umn.edu 612-625-3130 Hugh Chester-Jones chest001@umn.edu 507-835-3622 Gerard Cramer gcramer@umn.edu 612-625-8184 Marcia Endres miendres@umn.edu 612-624-5391 Sandra Godden godde002@umn.edu 612-625-8177 Joleen Hadrich jhadrich@umn.edu 612-626-5620 Les Hansen hanse009@umn.edu 612-624-2277 Brad Heins hein0106@umn.edu 320-589-1711 Nathan Hulinsky huli0013@umn.edu 320-203-6104 Kevin Janni kjanni@umn.edu 612-625-3108 Karen Johnson ande9495@umn.edu 320-484-4334 Emily Krekelberg krek0033@umn.edu 320-255-6169 Claire LaCanne lacanne@umn.edu 507-332-6109 Brenda Miller nels4220@umn.edu 320-732-4435 Kota Minegishi kota@umn.edu 612-624-7455 Erin Royster royster@umn.edu Jim Salfer salfe001@umn.edu 320-203-6093 Mike Schutz mschutz@umn.edu 612-624-1205 M. Scott Wells mswells@umn.edu 612-625-3747
www.extension.umn.edu/dairy
Dairy production in FAO statistics
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations gathers data on agriculture from around the world and publishes statistics regarding food supplies, trades, utilizations, and key socio-economic measures such as population and food insecurity indicators. This allows one to compare records over time and across countries for various food items. Let us look at some key statistics for dairy. I created three data plots for insights into the history, present and future of the industry. Please note that FAO’s dairy product quantity, measured in metric tons, is an aggregate across all major dairy products and utilizations, excluding butter. Such an aggregation is far from perfect and regarded as a crude approximation. Start with historical records on the growth By Kota Minegishi in U.S. dairy production in comparison with other U.S. commodities and world dairy proUniversity of MN duction (Figure 1). The gure shows time series data for those commodities using 1980 as a common baseline. U.S. production of corn and soybean (which is not shown but closely mirrors the path for corn) has increased by 136% from 1980 to 2017. U.S. dairy output has grown by 68%, which is larger than a 54% growth for the U.S. pork output. The growth for U.S. beef output is only 19% over this 37-year period, and its growth path has uctuated due to the impact of multi-year business cycles in the beef industry. Omitted from the gure is poultry production which has more than tripled during this time. Different growth rates are a result of the combined effects of technological change, shifts in consumer demands, and competing resource requirements such as feed in livestock operations. One can see that the growth in world dairy production has accelerated around 2000, growing faster than the growth in U.S. dairy output. This indicates that the world market has been hungrier for dairy than the U.S. market in recent decades. That leads us to the next gure showing major dairy exporters and importers (Figure 2). The top ve exporters consist of New Zealand, United States and key European countries (Germany, the Netherlands and France). Top importers are again European countries like Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, United Kingdom and Belgium. Outside Europe, top importers include Mexico, Russia and China. One might wonder how other potential dairy consumers around the world are doing. Figure 3 shows the data of recent population change and dairy consumption growth by FAO’s world region classication. Each circle represents a region with its size representing a relative population of the region and its color representing the current dairy consumption per person. The dotted line indicates the equal growth rates for the two axes, meaning that all regions above this line are experiencing faster dairy consumption growth than its population growth. Immediately, Southern Asia (including India, Bangladesh and Pakistan) and Southeastern Asia (including Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand) may stand out to you as the places with large population and rapid dairy consumption growth. With rapid population growth, Western
Africa (including Nigeria, Niger and Liberia), Eastern Africa (including Ethiopia, Tanzania and Kenya), and Western Asia (including Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Iraq) could become important dairy consumers in the coming decades. The consumption in Central America (including Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras) is growing but that of South America (Brazil, Argentina and Peru) is not. The demands in Western Europe (including France, Germany and the Netherland) and North America (United States and Canada) appear to be topping off; yet they Turn to STATISTICS | Page 29
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Corn trials aid in variety selection By Colleen Carlson University of MN
Each year, the University of Minnesota, in cooperation with the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station, tests a number of crop varieties. Included in these variety testing programs are corn, soybean, small grains, forage legumes, forage grasses and wild rice. The Southern Research and Outreach Center provides the leadership in testing corn brands that are sold to farmers in Minnesota. Corn grain yield potential is tested at nine locations across Minnesota, and both silage yield and quality are tested at three locations. The objective of these trials is to provide a non-biased source of information for growers to make variety selections for production on their farms. Corn grain yield is tested in three zones to accommodate the range in relative maturity and test corn where it is adapted and marketed to producers. Each of these zones includes three locations. The sites for the northern locations are: Crookston, Rothsay and Staples. The Crookston location is at the Northwest Research and Outreach Center, the Staples location is at the Central Lakes College Ag Center, and the Rothsay location is done with the cooperation of a local farmer on his eld near Rothsay. Corn in the relative maturity range from 78 to 95 is tested in the northern zone. The central zone has sites in Hutchinson, Morris and Rosemount. The Hutchinson site is located on property owned by the school district which gives ag students a chance to see how an agricultural research trial is conducted. The Morris site is on the West Central Research and Outreach Center, and the Rosemount trial is at U More Park. Corn in the relative maturity range from 90 to 105 are tested in the central zone. The southern zone has trials at ConƟnued from STATISTICS | PAGE 28
will continue to lead the demand around the world as the role models for dairy food cultures. Another giant in the East is Eastern Asia (including China, Japan and South Korea), in which China’s domestic production, trade policy and investment abroad all play key roles. During this particular survey period, China’s dairy import was cut back due to the excess storage stock that had accumulated by 2014. Today, the growth in dairy consumer demand in China is said to be relatively strong.
Lamberton, Rochester and Waseca. At Lamberton, the trial is at the Southwest Research and Outreach Center. The Rochester site is in cooperation with a local farmer just east of Rochester, and the Waseca site is on the Southern Research and Outreach Center. Corn in the relative maturity range from 95 to 109 are tested in the southern zone. Silage trials are conducted in the same elds at the Hutchinson, Rochester and Waseca locations. These trials are open to anyone that sells corn seed in Minnesota. There is a fee to enter the trials, and these fees offset the cost of labor to perform the research at each of the locations. The cost for entering the grain trials is $330 per entry per zone. Because there is more labor and quality testing, the cost to enter the silage trials is $400 per entry per zone. Work begins for these trials in the late winter as the call for entry takes place. We ask that anyone entering the trials get seed to us by April 1 as all seed is counted, packaged and organized before we go to the eld to plant. The trials are planted with a specialized rowcrop planter that will plant each plot (two rows, 22 feet long) using the seed packets lled ahead of time. We test all corn plots in 30-inch rows at a population of 36,000 seeds per acre. Care is taken to control weeds using products that are safe on all corn regardless of herbicide trait as we allow testing of any corn seed for sale in Minnesota. Results are published online each year by the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station. Links can be found to this at the Southern Research and Outreach Center website http://www.sroc. cfans.umn.edu. Information for this article was provided by Tom Hoverstad, who is a scientist at the University of Minnesota Southern Research and Outreach Center in Waseca.
The United States is surely well-positioned to serve as one of the top dairy exporters in the world with its growing demand for dairy. More innovations in processing, shipping and trading logistics, and freer trade agreements can bring more value in for farmers. Efcient markets all along the supply chain will help ensure farmers are appropriately compensated for the true value of the wholesome milk they produce for the country and the rest of the world.
Dairy Star • Saturday, March 28, 2020 • Page 29
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Hummingbird haven Page 30 • Dairy Star • Saturday, March 28, 2020
I bought a new hummingbird feeder yesterday because I needed a tangible sign in my house that spring and all its wonderful things are around the corner. I am already plotting its position in my owerbeds for optimal sighting of my favorite utterers. I smothered my little unfurling rhubarb leaves with a layer of horse manure. According to some expert rhubarb grower back in my family line, horse manure does the best job. It really disturbs Cora though, who is certain that the rhubarb will be inedible after this. I have been tempting my visual taste buds by paging slowly through my favorite perennial ower books. If one could force spring to come by sheer will, we would be looking out upon tulips after all of my wishes this past week. I think I have grown up with dirt under my ngernails. There are photos of me hugging a doll trailing after my mom in a owerbed at the ripe old age of three. Upon opening my trusty guide to perennials,
I note the inscription on the front page; ‘1997, To My Daughter Jacqui, for your love of owers.’ I was a mere 17 years old. This book, Pictorial Guide to Perennials (and a more recent version by the same name) by M. Jane Coleman Helmer, Ph.D. and Karla S. Decker Hodge, B.S. has served me well over the seasons of owerbed growth in my life. The descriptions note the light needs, the spacing requirements, the zone where it grows best, and the color photos are so enticing. It also lists the plants by their scientic names, but includes the more common names underneath. Helpful for a girl that knows some plants by different names. What I grew up knowing as ‘Pot-of-Gold’ is actually a primrose. While it seems that 1997 was eons ago, my love for owers has only become more cultivated over the years. Now instead of plunking in owers willy-nilly, I take into account the height, the sun requirements for
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best growth, the chance of it spreading and choking out other owers, among other things. I also try to think seasonally; my goal is to have color blanketing my yard from those early daffodils, hyacinths, and tulips to the last days of fall with a variety of sedums and grasses. Ramblings from the Ridge Another focus is cutting owers: the ones that hold up well in bouquets. The coral bells, astilbe, fern leaves, delphinium, black-eyed Susan’s, phlox, and, though not perennials, zinnias. I love nothing more than to be able to walk my yard and ll my arms with a vibrant By Jacqui Davison display of things I grew Columnist myself. Whether it is to brighten every corner of my house, or gift to a friend, the happiness that grows from a bouquet is one that lls my heart as well as many vases. I also seek out owers that draw in those magical hummingbirds. By setting my sights on them, I tend to make other pollinators happy along the way. From columbines in early spring, to a variety of coral bells, bee balm, trumpet honeysuckle, to the dainty owers of a hosta, and the tall liatris over the course of summer, all provide nutrition for hummingbirds and other pollinators. In my yard they seem to prefer the lavender, orange, and red owers. As I visit nurseries in the spring, I scan the plant tags for that little hummingbird icon to indicate they are a meal favorite. Then I plant it and cross my ngers. They say that hummingbirds come back to the same place to nest yearly, and I believe this to be true. It never fails that I will be at the sink up to my elbows in suds when my little zooming friends come to the window as if to say, ‘We’re back!’ It is a most welcome sight after their long absence. The feeders get lled pronto, and as they dine with the orioles, my dishwashing time becomes more entertaining. Once, I was outside pulling weeds in a red sweatshirt and had a pair of ruby-throated hummingbirds zoom so frighteningly close to my head I thought I would be impaled by a beak. Their chattering lls the yard and always makes me smile. Go outside during a summer shower and listen to their songs. They do not sound like a typical bird, but there isn’t much these petite creatures do that is like a regular bird anyhow. One would think they couldn’t hold their own against birds three times their size, but we have footage of one mother protecting her nest from an intruder that would amaze you. I’ll keep wishing for spring and rejoicing in every blade of green grass I spy. Perhaps if enough of us send our wishes for green grass and blooming owers to the universe it will arrive sooner than later. If I close my eyes I can taste all of the rhubarb desserts that my little patch will provide, hear the sweet songs of my long lost hummingbird friends, smell the wonderful scent of freshly turned dirt and feel that glorious grittiness of dirt beneath my ngernails. Ah, Spring, we need you. 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 (12), Dane (10), Henry (5) and Cora (toddler), 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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Spring weather can be hard on heifers
This is a stressful period for calves and heifers. We are on pace for one of the warmest average March temperatures in several years, yet most mornings still require a hat and gloves. Increasing ambient temperatures during the day, increased humidity and cooler nights have clear impacts on Something to Ruminate On heifer performance and health. The thermal neutral zone is the ambient temperature range in which calves do not expend additional energy to stay warm or cool off. The thermal neutral zone for calves is between 50 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit at birth, and between 32 and By Barry Visser 73 degrees for weaned Nutritionist heifers. Managing ventilation is challenging in the spring and fall with uctuating temperatures. The goal of any calf or heifer ventilation system is to provide enough air exchanges per hour without creating a chilling draft. The minimum winter ventilation rate is four air changes per hour (ACH), often achieved utilizing a positive pressure tube system for calves and younger heifers. As the temperature increases so does the required ventilation rate. In mild spring and fall weather, a target rate of 15 to 20 ACH is recommended. In summer months, it rises to 40 to 50 ACH. This can be achieved by opening the sidewall curtains in stages in naturally ventilated barns. Early spring is also a good time of year to perform regular maintenance on your curtains, fans and positive pressure tubes. Also check eaves, softs and weatherhoods for debris. Cold temperatures generally increase intakes. Conversely, intakes will often decrease when warmer temperatures follow a cold spell. Fluctuating temperatures and humidity often lead to variable intake, making it difcult to evaluate the feed bunk and predict intakes. Variation in energy intake and nutrient supply impacts feed conversion efciency. In heifer systems where grain and hay are fed separately, producers are likely to see lower forage and higher concentrate intakes since heifers that are marginally hungry will typically have lower voluntary intakes. Changes in feeding behavior and feed intake are typically the rst signs heifers are feeling the stress of environmental change. Decreased or variable intakes may increase coccidial shedding which can lead to exposure to other calves, especially in high-risk environments like wet bedding. Disease challenges in the digestive tract have been linked to higher risk for decreased respiratory health. Higher daytime temperatures in the spring result in thawing of bedding packs and increased bedding moisture. With plenty of moisture and organic matter, microbial activity accelerates and ammonia concentration increases. This change can irritate the respiratory tract and increase risk of respiratory disease, especially in enclosed facilities where ventilation is not adjusted. Increased humidity also increases the risk for airborne pathogen transfer as pathogens can travel further on moist air. All of these factors make spring a good time to work with your veterinarian to review vaccination protocols to make sure heifers have optimal protection from respiratory disease-causing organisms. Although this past winter was signicantly milder than the previous year, heifers still developed a thick winter hair coat. It may not be practical to remove this winter coat, but some farms have installed brushes to assist with long hair removal in the spring. This may also help clean up heifers after external parasites, such as lice, seemed to thrive this winter. Heifers with wet, dirty and matted hair coats will require signicantly more energy to stay warm than animals with clean, dry coats. Increase bedding frequency and amount to maintain a clean and dry bedding pack. Box-scraping outside lots can also be helpful through the spring mud season. Managing calf and heifer environments can go a long way in promoting youngstock health and performance. Finally, remember that energy demands increase when environmental quality decreases. Work with your nutritionist to ensure diets meet nutrient requirements. Barry Visser is a nutritionist for Vita Plus.
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Seeing the big picture Page 32 • Dairy Star • Saturday, March 28, 2020
What are we doing differently during this pandemic? Not much, really. We are still milking and caring for our cattle every day. I am whittling down on the surplus garden produce and hamburger in my freezers. We are being pretty self-contained in our own little world between the house and the barn. We have missed a few things. We have missed going to winter meetings and co-op dinners. We have missed saying a proper goodbye to neighbors and family members who recently died. I understand this is a serious situation with the virus, but we still need to laugh at the absurdity of our human nature or our lack of common sense. Hoarding toilet paper? I am down to my last three rolls and dread going to town to stock up and look like “one of those crazy people.” Mark and Austin said we could conscate some cow towels from the barn if we were desperate. I suggested we could even use old issues of the Dairy Star or the single, mismatched socks from
the dryer. Since I was a little girl, my mother taught us kids the importance of not touching our faces and always to wash our hands when we got home from town. She is a very wise woman. Whenever I forgot her words, I would inevitably pick up the latest bug spreading around town. Of course, how clean your hands are means something completely different when you are in the barn. When we have been running hard all day and need a burst of energy to get us through the last milking, a quick peanut butter sandwich or a handful of cookies would hit the spot. Before we touch the food, we make a quick assessment of how dirty our hands really are then proceed to wipe them off on the cleanest spot on our dirty pants. If our hands and pants are both too dirty, then we use the underside of our sweatshirt to provide a clean surface. My mom cringes at the thought of us eating in the barn, but at least we wiped off our hands before we grabbed the
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food. I gure our immune systems are so stacked and buff after years of ghting off everything we have been exposed to in the barn that we should be able to ght off this virus too. We have picked up a couple of new words from the media which describe things we have been doing on the farm for years. For some people it means a whole different routine. For us, it is just another Just Thinking Out Loud day on the farm. Social distancing. It sounds like an archaic social British dance done on a documentary. People keep their distance from one another, never touching as they mirror each other’s movements in rhythm. The Centers for Disease Control and By Natalie Schmitt Prevention should have Columnist asked us what we do to keep newborn calves healthy. We have been social distancing calves for years in calf domes or hutches to prevent the spread of scours and other viruses. Now maybe people will have a better understanding of why we keep calves apart until they are old enough to mingle without sharing every virus. What we need to do is take a break and put some space between people to help prevent the spread of germs. Self-quarantine. We have been doing this every winter and did not know there was even a specic name for it. We generally called it January and February. After ghting biting winds, frozen ngers, broken equipment and anything else that can go wrong on a sub-zero day, who has the energy or desire to go to town and mingle? We stay home. Our winter travels take us from the back door to the barn door. If we take a trip, it is to the end of the driveway for a couple of days’ worth of mail. I do not need to go to the grocery store. The basement storage is lled with jars of summer produce. The freezers are full of Illinois beef and plenty of hamburger from a cow who split her hips last summer. We have all the milk we can drink. I have not had to make my own butter yet, but I am baking lots of bread. Luckily the neighbor sells eggs, but she is starting to ration her supply. As things shift and change around us in a dark and unfamiliar way, life continues. I saw my rst robin of the year in the owering crabapple tree outside my ofce window. Al and a limited number of friends are cooking down maple syrup outside in his yard. The last remnants of snow and ice remain on the north side of the buildings, waiting for the rst soft spring rain to wipe them out. Beef calves are bouncing around their pastures with tails swinging in the air, full of vim and vinegar. I know the sun will rise every morning in the east even if clouds obscure the moment. Right now, many people may feel like they are in a cartoon running across the wooden planked bridge over a deep ravine. The rope has been cut. The planks are falling like dominos underneath your last step as you try to stay one step ahead to the other side. The seriousness of the situation hit Mark when he hauled a couple of cull cows to the slaughter plant last week. He said they were limiting the number of people who could be in the gathering space to one. Pens and countertops were wiped down every time someone touched something. Mark joked with the gal behind the glass counter. She could not laugh. If they have one positive test of the virus in their work force, they would have to shut down the plant for 30 days. They process 1,200 head of cattle a day. That is a sobering thought. The impact a temporary closure would have on our local economy, in town and on the farms would be felt long after the battle with the virus is won. The gospel reading in church this week (thank you, internet) was about a man who was born blind. Was his blindness due to his sins or the sins of his parents? Jesus replied, neither. He was born this way to provide God a chance to show his mercy and grace so others may see. May we open our eyes to see his miracles around us in this dark uncertain time. Natalie, Mark and his brother Al, farm together near Rice, Minn. They milk 100 registered Holsteins under the RALMA prex. Their four children are grown up and all involved in agriculture with hopes of someone returning to the farm. For questions or comments, please e-mail Natalie at mnschmitt@jetup.net.
The muck between the hummocks “Run to the truck,” my usually calm, very level headed father yelled. My father never yelled at us. My sister and I ran for our lives. Literally, that’s how it felt. If Dad was concerned enough to actually yell, our lives must have Dairy Good Life been in danger. We didn’t know what we were running from, but we ran. Before that moment, the night had been like most others. We had milked the cows and turned them back out to pasture. We cleaned up the barn and fed the calves. By the time we were done, it was dark. There was one last job to do before we called it a night. One of the close-up dry cows hadn’t come home with the rest. So we grabbed a ashlight and hopped in the truck. During the day, the dry cows had been grazing in the west pasture, so we headed that way to start our search. The west pasture wrapped around a hay eld, so we could drive up to the barbed-wire By Sadie Frericks fence and walk the rest of the way. Columnist Most of our cows chose to deliver their calves in the seclusion of the willow brush that separated the open pasture from the river. We reached the fence, and Dad switched on the ashlight. In daylight, the intense shadows in the willow brush made it easy for cows to hide themselves and their newborn calves. In the dark, only the blackest cows could hide. Flashlight beams bounced off white spots like reectors We quickly spotted the cow in the brush. She was on a knoll of high ground that, decades ago, had once been a beaver dam. Between us was a patch of hummocks. I know that in some places, hummocks exist in relatively dry pastures. But the pastures on our farm were almost always relatively wet. Our farmland sat atop a thick layer of Aitkin County clay. The high ground was usually dry enough to farm, but the low ground was not. So it was grazed. And that grazed low land often turned to hummocks. The path forward to the cow required hummock hopping. I assume this is a skill only Aitkin County – and perhaps other northern Minnesota – youth acquired while growing up on low land farms. Hummock hopping is not so much actually hopping as it is carefully stepping from one hummock to the next. A misstep meant landing in the muck between the hummocks. I can tell you that no other activity develops your balance better. With steady, precise steps, we hummock hopped our way over to the knoll where the cow was hiding. We had reached solid ground when Dad shushed us, “Shhhhh!” We froze. I remember standing there in the dark, listening with all my might, while Dad panned the area with the ashlight. Either my ears were frozen too, or Dad’s hearing was better than mine, because I don’t remember hearing any unusual sounds. What I did hear were my dad’s next words: “Run to the truck.” I can laugh about the situation now, but at the time I was terried. My sister and I turned around and ran. But ran is not really the right word for how we moved. It is almost possible to run across hummocks – in the daylight. It is completely impossible to run across hummocks in the dark. Our movement toward the truck was more like half-clambering, half-crawling, half-running. There was no avoiding the muck between the hummocks. Part way through the hummocks, I lost my shoe. I kept moving. We reached solid ground and sprinted for the fence. We shimmied through the strands of barbed-wire and jumped into the truck. Dad jumped in a moment later. He told us he thought he had heard an animal grunting. He gured it was either a bear or the neighbor’s beef bull. He didn’t want to encounter either in the dark. I don’t recall how or when we went back for the cow. I do know my shoe is still there, swallowed by the muck between the hummocks. I was reminded of this story when Daphne lost her boot yesterday in the mud by our silage bags. As the memory came back, I began to see several parallels between that experience and the pandemic emotions I am feeling. Judging from text messages, phone calls and social media posts, I’m not the only one experiencing a range of COVID-19-induced emotions. People are worried, overwhelmed and anxious. Our wellbeing, our parents’ and children’s wellbeing, the economy, social distancing and more are stressing us out. We’re running, in the dark, over rough ground, away from a threat we can’t see. I read an interview with David Kessler, an expert on emotional healing, in Harvard Business Review. In the interview, Kessler talked about pandemic stress. The best nugget of advice from the article was: “Emotions need motion. When you name (your emotion), you feel it and it moves through you. It’s important we acknowledge what we’re going through.” Navigating hummocks is considerably easier if you keep moving at a steady pace. It’s a lot easier to get stuck in the muck if you stop moving. Navigating a slew of pandemic emotions is easier if you keep moving through them too. Hummock hopping also requires great balance. So do our thoughts. Kessler said when we nd ourselves thinking negative thoughts, we need to counter them with positive thoughts. It’s not possible – or healthy – to ignore those negative thoughts; we need to balance them with positive thoughts. Lastly, hummock hopping is easier with a partner. That way, when you do fall into the muck, you have someone to help pull you out. While physically sticking together is not an option right now, we can stick together virtually. Make phone calls. Send text messages. Forward those funny toilet paper memes – laughter is good medicine. When you’re feeling down, talk with someone. Keep moving, keep your balance, and stick together, friends. We’ll get through the hummocks. Sadie and her husband, Glen, milk 100 cows near Melrose, Minn. They have three children – Dan, 11, Monika, 8, and Daphne, 5. Sadie also writes a blog at www. dairygoodlife.com. She can be reached at sadiefrericks@gmail.com.
Dairy Star • Saturday, March 28, 2020 • Page 33
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Page 34 • Dairy Star • Saturday, March 28, 2020
Creating the next great Holstein
Genetic Futures at forefront of developing top pedigrees By Stacey Smart
stacey.s@dairystar.com
JUNCTION CITY, Wis. – Cattle from the Holstein breed’s best bloodlines continually pass through the doors of Genetic Futures. This one-of-a-kind operation located near Junction City is a full-service bovine reproductive facility performing both in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer while also offering a live calf back to the customer. Many inuential animals are born here including future sires and females. “We have the pleasure of working with the most elite genetic cattle in the world,” said Wes Vomastic, manager of Genetic Futures. Home to many surrogate mothers, Genetic Futures houses recipients and donors, receives and implants embryos, takes pregnancies to term and provides a live calf to the customer at 21 days of age. The full-loop cycle creates continuous movement on the farm as heifers freshen and are sold as lactating dairy animals and then replaced with new recipients. Genetic Futures owns the recipients; their clients own the donors and calves. “Our No. 1 focus is the live calf program,” Vomastic said. “Implanting embryos and producing a live calf for our customers is the heart of our operation.”
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Wes Vomas�c and Megan Opperman run the day-to-day opera�ons at Gene�c Futures near Junc�on City, Wisconsin. This full-service bovine reproduc�ve facility performs in vitro fer�liza�on and embryo transfer while also offering a live calf back to the customer. Genetic Futures was established in the fall of 2009 by Mike and Julie Duckett of Duckett Holsteins in Rudolph, David Dyment and Mark Butz. The Ducketts’ esteemed show cattle were the motivation behind creating Genetic Futures. The business was formed to fulll a need for more recipients of embryos from one of the Ducketts’ top Holsteins, Harvue Roy
Frosty EX-97-2E-GMD. Intermediate champion at World Dairy Expo in 2007, Frosty went on to become a two-time supreme champion. After being approached by Select Sires to house some of their donors, Genetic Futures became a satellite center for Trans Ova Genetics and began implanting embryos with the rst calves born in the summer of 2010.
In its early years, the farm averaged around 30 births per month. Now, a steady ow of calves has lled the farm to capacity. Between 165 and 185 calves are born each month, producing an equal number of heifers and bulls. The Ducketts are now sole owners of Genetic Futures which has served Turn to GENETICS | Page 35
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ConƟnued from GENETICS | Page 34
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Heifers at GeneƟc Futures are moved to super-hutch group housing outdoors aŌer weaning before transiƟoning to one of two pack barns unƟl 10 months old. clients from all over the United States created every two weeks. Donors are and world but has tapered down in re- worked with on an individual basis to cent years to two main customers – Se- produce the most embryos per donor. lect Sires and Sandy-Valley Farms of Beck Embryo Transfer of Cashton imScandinavia. plants all embryos which are put in virIVF is the preferred method of em- gin heifers as they have a higher pregbryo production at Genetic Futures, nancy rate than lactating animals. with 95% of embryos coming to frui“To my knowledge, Genetic Fution this way. The farm does make some tures is the largest Holstein dairy reembryos in the conventional manner on cipient facility in the U.S. and the only a per-donor basis if an animal does not one in the country offering this specic respond to IVF. niche service of embryo implanting Unlike ET work, IVF can be done combined with a live calf program,” at a younger age and even during short- Vomastic said. term pregnancy. The rst IVF operaGenetic Futures buys open heifers tions are performed on heifers at Genet- from three sources. All recipients must ic Futures between the ages of 6.5 to 9 test negative for Bovine Viral Diarrhea, months and continue through breeding anaplasmosis, leukosis and neospora. age and sometimes while pregnant. “Studs cannot sell semen overseas “The goal is to shorten the genera- if a bull tests positive for these diseastional gap,” Vomastic said. “And IVF es,” Vomastic said. “We eliminate that shortens that gap. Higher genetic cattle risk upfront. We cannot take the chance can now have daughters by the time of a leukosis heifer carrying the next they’re 16 months old, and ultimately bull stud.” produce more calves in their lifetime.” The majority of embryos are made Aspirations, or the collection of for Select Sires. All newborns are geoocytes, is done once every 2 weeks netically sampled, tagged and idention about 30 donors. Genetic Futures’ ed. Genetic evaluations are conductonsite lab is rented by Trans Ova Ge- ed, and a DNA prole is available by netics, which performs the aspirations. 24 days of age. Genetic proles come Oocytes are taken back to Trans Ova out every Tuesday. Males that test high for fertilization before returning to Ge- go into Select Sires’ program in Ohio. netic Futures as embryos for implant- Females that test high stay at Genetic ing. Sandy-Valley aspirates on the same Futures and work into the donor proschedule at their farm and also sends gram. the embryos to Genetic Futures for im“Their life is based on genetic planting. Customers make all mating value,” Vomastic said. “Calves with an decisions. interesting genetic makeup remain at Each donor typically produces ve Turn to GENETICS | Page 37 embryos, resulting in 150 embryos
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When you get a spare moment what do you do? Spare moments are spent baking, reading or having coffee or wine with family and friends.
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Family: My husband, Russ, and I have four children. Erik, is married to Abbie, and they have a daughter, Chloe. Our daughter, Carrie, and her ďƒžancĂŠ, Marcus; our son, Brad, and his girlfriend, Leah; and our daughter, Danielle. All of my children have dairy science degrees. Erik’s is from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, and the other three are from UW-Madison. Tell us about your farm. We farm with Erik who is our herdsman. We milk 450 cows three times a day. We raise our calves on pasteurized milk, and they are also fed three times a day. When heifers are about 3-4 months old, they go to a heifer raiser until two weeks before freshening. The bull calves are raised to be sold as feeder calves (400 pounds), or we ďƒžnish them for market. What is the busiest time of day for you? From 5:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. I start the day feeding calves, feeding humans (family), doing household chores, then back out to feed calves at 12:30 p.m. After that, we hire help for the last feeding at 7:30 p.m.
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Tell us about your most memorable experience working on the farm. The most memorable experience on the farm was hosting the Dodge County Dairy Brunch in June 2017. It was in the spring of that year when 70 farms were displaced by their processor and needed to ďƒžnd a new home for their milk. We were one of them. We contemplated canceling the event until DFA signed us on and that kept us moving forward. With the help of family and friends, we scrambled to get things cleaned up and looking nice. Another thing that was important to us was for our guests to be educated. Signs were made stating facts about our farm – the how and why we do the things we do. Also, we had information stations set up by our nutritionist, veterinarian and agronomist. And 4-H and FFA members were there too. We served over 2,100 people that day. What a blessed, very rewarding day. What have you enjoyed most about dairy farming or your tie to the dairy industry? Raising my kids on the farm. There is no better way to teach them respect, responsibility and humility. My kids didn’t play many sports. They were more interested in dairy – dairy bowl, dairy judging and dairy showing. I learned a lot from taking them to these practices and events. It made me a better farmer. How do you stay connected with others in the industry? We stay connected with others in the industry through 4-H, FFA Alumni and PDPW. We strive to support these associations through fundraising, internships and on-farm education by hosting Day on the Farm, judging and dairy bowl practices and hands-on classes. Who is someone in the industry who has inspired you? The people in the aforementioned groups inspire me every day with their dedication and words of encouragement.
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If you could give a tour of your farm to a prominent woman in today’s society, who would it be? I searched the web to ďƒžnd the most prominent women of the 21st century. What I found were either politicians or entertainment ďƒžgures. I came across Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. She is an amazing 87 years old. I admire her tenacity in the face of challenges. She understands the struggle for equality for women in business and the hard work we put into doing what we love. She would have an open mind of what and why we do things on the farm. I would appreciate her honesty and perspective of what I do. What is the best vacation you have ever taken? When my husband and I went to see the waterfalls of Wisconsin. We traveled mostly northern Wisconsin in search of many waterfalls and state parks. We both enjoyed being away from the farm to go hiking and take in the beautiful scenery. Our wonderful kids handled things at home. What are some words you like to live by? I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. To God be the glory.
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Dairy Star • Saturday, March 28, 2020 • Page 37
ConĆ&#x;nued from GENETICS | Page 35
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These pregnant donor heifers will receive a classiďƒžcaĆ&#x;on score and milk record aĹŒer freshening. GeneĆ&#x;c Futures houses many of Select Sires’ donors. Genetic Futures and become a donor. If a calf’s numbers are not high enough to qualify as a donor, we buy her from the customer and use her as a recipient when she reaches 800 pounds.â€? Genetic Futures houses many of Select Sires’ donors. Donors calve at Genetic Futures and receive a classiďƒžcation score and milk record before moving on. Genetic Futures has grown exponentially in the last 10 years to encompass some of the world’s most soughtafter genetics. For example, all of KHW Regiment Apple-Red’s IVF work was done here, and notable sires such as Spotlight, Supercharge and Warrior were born at Genetic Futures. A staff of 20, including Vomastic and Megan Opperman, calf manager, handle day-to-day operations at Genetic Futures. The farm runs a 24-hour watch of expecting heifers that includes video surveillance and placing someone on calving duty at all times. Newborn calves spend the ďƒžrst 15 hours of life in a warming room featuring in-ďƒ&#x;oor heating and are tube-fed one gallon of colostrum at birth.
Heifer calves are raised in one of four calf barns in individual Calf-Tel pens, and bulls are raised in individual hutches outside. After weaning, heifers move to super-hutch group housing outdoors before transitioning to one of two pack barns until 10 months old. Breeding-age heifers are housed in a freestall barn. Milking is done in a double-12 parallel parlor. Vomastic said the size of the milking herd ďƒ&#x;uctuates constantly to a great degree. “We can have as few as 60 cows milking or as many as 430,â€? he said. “We’re always training new heifers.â€? In the quest to generate more offspring from a certain genetic pool, Vomastic said the goal of Genetic Futures is to produce the best calf possible. Client goals are to produce a better, more efďƒžcient dairy cow by selecting for individual traits, such as milk production and daughter pregnancy rates. “It’s pretty cool seeing our clients’ mating decisions and our live calf program come together to create some of the top genetic animals in the world,â€? Vomastic said.
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GeneĆ&#x;c Futures’ onsite lab is rented by Trans Ova GeneĆ&#x;cs for performing IVF aspiraĆ&#x;ons. GeneĆ&#x;c Futures is a satellite center for Trans Ova.
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Page 38 • Dairy Star • Saturday, March 28, 2020
Holstein TPI formula updated
New formula brings more balance By Danielle Nauman danielle.n@dairystar.com
TPI bull will generate $486 more net prot throughout her lifetime than a typical daughter from an average A.I. bull. Select Sires Inc. Holstein sire analyst Kevin Jorgensen is pleased with the changes to the formula and said balance is the primary focus. “These changes will help lead the direction of the breed,” Jorgensen said. “I think breeding with more balance is what everyone is looking for these days, balance between health traits, production and conformation.” In the new formula, equal weighting of 19% of the TPI will be placed on both PTA butterfat and PTA protein. “Bringing balance between fat and protein is reective of the current market,” Jorgensen said. “Both of those things are really important, having it more balanced is a good thing. There is going to be times when fat is more valuable than protein and vice versa, but they are both important things to select for, so having equal emphasis is a good thing.” The foot and legs composite is being modied to now
include data on rear legs-side view as a two-way trait with an intermediate optimum. This is an area Jorgensen said he was especially pleased with the changes. “The changes to the FLC will enhance our ability to make progress, and I’m glad they made it a two-way trait,” Jorgensen said. “We know legs are getting straighter so I think that will assist us in continuing to breed animals with improved feet and legs.” Within the TPI formula changes, the formula used to calculate feed efciency, using research data from the USDA, for calculating Cheese Merit $. The CDBC health traits will now include data for milk fever, displaced abomasum, ketosis, mastitis, metritis and retained placenta. These traits will be combined into an overall health trait index. The fer-
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tility index will also include the new trait of early rst calving. The total weighting of all fertility traits will remain unchanged at 13% of the TPI. The weighting for productive life will increase by 1%, with that percentage point being taken from the dairy form category. In addition to these changes, the standard deviations for existing traits will be updated to reect the changes made to the genetic evaluations. Jorgensen foresees minimal changes among the rankings of top bulls in the breed due to the new changes made to the TPI formula. Plymouth, Wisconsin, dairy farmer Bob Webb agreed with Jorgensen’s evaluation of the upcoming changes to the formula. “Our individual herd needs will stay the same, and the ac-
tual ranking of sires within certain lists will be impacted very little with just the slight changes to increase the emphasis on health traits and feet and legs,” Webb said. “This is a genetic reset like what most people do to their computers or cell phones. It levels the playing eld to account for the phenotypic changes that technology gives us.” Webb milks 700 registered Holsteins on his family’s Summit Farms. He uses roughly 80% genomic young sires in his breeding program. “It might take people some time to get used it, because the numbers might look different with the base changes at the same time,” Jorgensen said. “The number isn’t really that important; it is the ranking in the population. Regardless what the number is, the No. 1 bull is still the No. 1 bull.”
SA HU VI G NG E S!
BRATTLEBORO, Vt. – The April proof run might look a little different for those following the data released on Holstein bulls as the Holstein Association USA Inc. will be making updates to its Total Performance Index formula. The upcoming changes are a result of suggestions made by the organization’s Genetic Advancement Committee during a January meeting. The committee reviewed and discussed the genetic progress of the breed while analyzing current milk prices and the predicted changes to milk pricing. The suggestions for improving the TPI formula were brought before the Holstein Association USA board in February and were approved to be implemented with the April genomic evaluations. In a press release about the upcoming changes, Holstein Association USA stated that the use of quality genetics is one of the most effective ways to lower the cost of production and achieve protability. United States Department of Agriculture data suggests that an average daughter of a top-100
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Dairy Star • Saturday, March 28, 2020 • Page 39
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Brian and Mark Olbrich Holbric Holsteins Harvard, Illinois McHenry County 180 cows How did you get into farming? We are a third-generation dairy farm. Our grandfather bought this farm in 1929. What are your thoughts and concerns about the dairy industry for the next year? As of recently, COVID-19 has created much uncertainty in our markets. The well-being for our country is a big concern for the health and nancial stability. We feel that some type of supply management should be in place. If this doesn’t somehow happen, the trend to overproduce milk will continue. It doesn’t seem like our checkoff dollars are being properly managed, especially, with this current virus. The consumption of dairy products needs to be emphasized for its value in helping strengthen immune systems. What is the latest technology you implemented on your farm and the purpose for it? We have implemented the use of heat detection collars. This system is from NEDAP. We had these put in because our heifer facilities are not as visible to catch heats during daily chores. What is a management practice you changed in the past year that has beneted you? Using the heat detection collars with the program NEDAP. What cost-saving steps have you implemented during the low milk price? In order to cut some costs, we purchased a thrifty-dipper for post dipping. That has saved us a fair amount of expense on teat dip. Another area we were able to cut our
cost per unit of semen purchased by joining St. Jacobs Breeder’s Choice program. How do you retain a good working relationship with your employees? We have always treated our employees like family. We are all in this together. With doing this, we have been fortunate to have open, honest employees who have stayed here for 12 years or more. Tell us about a skill you possess that makes dairy farming easier for you. Picking just one skill is difcult. Farmers are one of a kind. We have to have multiple skills to be in this profession. We are very fortunate to have our father and grandfather to have taught us what we know. Endurance is a huge one as are dedication and passion. One brother compliments the other in their skills assets. What do you enjoy most about dairy farming? First and foremost would be
working alongside family. Watching our kids grow up and learn the value that hard work pays off. Seeing them develop a strong work ethic and passion for the industry. Being in the registered Holstein and Jersey businesses has brought us many friendships and helped our farm get to where it is today. If it wasn’t for all of that, we are not sure we would still be in the dairy industry. What advice would you give other dairy farmers? Hang in there. This industry has been on a roller coaster ride. Remember to enjoy the little things. What has been the best purchase you have ever made on your farm? The purchases of a few key cows have helped us build up and improve our herd. Hartto-Hart Mark Angela was purchased as a calf, and she ended up being our rst junior all-American nomination. Her cow family continues to be inuential in our current herd. Elginvue Regal Arlene-Red
was purchased as an older cow and owned with Mike Gregory. We ushed her, and her offspring and family have added the Red and White show type animals to our herd for many years. Gray-view Coke Ode was purchased as a younger cow. She ended up being an eighth generation Excellent. We now have many offspring from that family who have shown well and performed beyond our expectations. Ernlo Sheena-Lynn-ET was purchased as a bred heifer with our good friend Mark Lomen. She was carrying a bull calf sired by Goldwyn. That bull, Ernlo Gold Lynn Dickey, ended up going to Select Sires. Her greatest inuence has been through her sons, Dickey and Holbric-ML Spa RC* who was at Semex. In recent years, the purchase of a McHale round baler has turned out well for us. The speed that it can make a rm round bale has helped us put up great quality hay each year. It’s been extremely benecial in being able to feed high quality forages. What has been your biggest accomplishment while dairy farming? We have been fortunate to have bred or developed over 100 all-American nominations in either black and white or Red and White both open and junior for 28 consecutive years. What are your plans for your dairy in the next year and ve years? To try and ride out this storm and maintain our current herd size and continue producing quality products. How do you or your family like to spend time when you are not doing chores? We try to always spend time with our families on holidays. We go on trips when possible and love attending activities with the kids.
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Page 40 • Dairy Star • Saturday, March 28, 2020
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