Issuu

Dairy St r Milk Break

Email andrea.b@dairystar.com to sign up.

DAIRY ST R “All dairy, all the time”™

Volume 23, No. 4

Hanging on for his life

April 10, 2021

DeRosier survives 45 minutes in under-barn manure pit By Danielle Nauman danielle.n@dairystar.com

OSCEOLA, Wis. – Troy DeRosier woke up the morning of Saturday, March 20, thinking about the nice weather and the farm work he hoped to accomplish that day. He went to bed that evening with a very different outlook and a renewed appreciation for the gift of life. Troy with his wife, Barbara, and their son, Jordan, a high school senior, operate Crystal Ball Dairy where they milk 200 cows and operate an on-farm processing plant near Osceola. The cows are housed in a freestall barn built two years ago after the DeRosiers suffered a barn re. The barn has slatted oors and is built above a 2-million-gallon manure pit. The pit is about 12 feet deep, and on that Saturday, Troy estimated the manure was about 9 feet deep. Troy said he was looking forward to weather that would allow them to begin the process of spring manure spreading. On Saturday afternoon, Troy started the tractor Turn to DEROSIER | Page 6

JASON SCHULTE FOR DAIRY STAR

Troy DeRosier (middle) pictured with his son, Jordan DeRosier, (leŌ) and employee Alex Williams, fell into the 2 million gallon manure pit underneath the freestall barn March 20 on his farm Crystal Ball Dairy Farm in Osceola, Wisconsin. DeRosier was parƟally submerged in 9 feet of manure for 45 minutes before being rescued by Jordan and Williams.

USDA program expands COVID-19 assistance Farmers to receive payments beginning in April By Jennifer Coyne jenn@dairystar.com

ST. CLOUD, Minn. – Dairy farmers should anticipate additional assistance from the federal government because of market disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. On March 24, the United States Department of Agriculture announced the initiative – USDA Pandemic Assistance for Producers – that will provide more than $6 billion to farmers, ranchers and producers through existing and new programs. “This is timely,” Steve Frericks said. “With the assistance, farmers could utilize funds to meet business obligations and ultimately help their bottom line because of what COVID-19 has done.” Frericks is the county executive director for Stearns County’s USDA

Farm Service Agency. The pandemic assistance will come in four parts: invest $6 billion to expand help and assistance to more producers; add $500 million of new funding to existing programs; carry out formula payments under the developed Coronavirus Food Assistance Program; and reopen enrollment for CFAP 2 to improve access to underserved producers. At the time of this printing, details of the rst part of the assistance were unclear. The USDA has committed to providing dairy farmers with compensation through a dairy donation program, as well as for euthanized livestock, specialty crops and the cost of organic certication, among other means. “The biggest impact there is for dairy farmers is assistance through the dairy donation program,” Frericks said. In previous COVID-19 assistance packages, dairy farmers received direct payments on the pounds of milk produced in their herd. “Those were substantial,” Frericks said. “This is being handled differently. We’ll have to see what this program

does.” Additional assistance dairy farmers will receive will be in the form of the restructured CFAP payments. The formula for payment rates for beef cattle has been adjusted for CFAP 1 payments with the USDA increasing

“With the assistance, farmers could utilize funds to meet business obligations and ultimately help their bottom line because of what COVID-19 has done.” STEVE FRERICKS, USDA FARM SERVICE AGENCY

that rate based on on-farm inventory April 16, 2020, to May 14, 2020. The new rates include $7 per head for feeder cattle less than 600 pounds, $25.50 per head for feeder cattle 600 pounds or more, $63 per head for slaughtered fed

cattle, $14.75 per head for slaughtered mature cattle and $17.25 per head for all other cattle in inventory. The USDA has estimated payments will exceed $1.1 billion to more than 410,000 farmers under the mandated formula. Cattle producers already enrolled in CFAP 1 will receive these payments. “Producers don’t have to provide additional information or signatures,” Frericks said. “There is no need for an additional application as we can process the payments from previously approved CFAP 1 applications.” Under CFAP 2 revisions, farmers will receive $20 per acre for eligible crops identied as CFAP 2 at-rate or price-trigger crops. “With alfalfa now included, that’s a very large deal for Minnesota,” Frericks said. The payments are expected to provide over $4.5 billion to more than 560,000 farmers under the mandated formula, according to the USDA. “Under the provisions, most farmers will get payments around Turn to USDA | Page 5

Page 2 • Dairy Star • Saturday, April 10, 2021

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 (ofce) 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 Ofce: 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 (ofce) 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 Hoeer (Eastern Iowa) 320-250-2884 • amanda.h@dairystar.com Megan Stuessel (Western Wisconsin) 608-387-1202 • megan.s@dairystar.com Kati Kindschuh (Northeast WI and Upper MI) 920-979-5284 • kati.k@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 ofces. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Dairy Star, 522 Sinclair Lewis Ave., Sauk Centre, MN 56378-1246.

This issue at a glance

Spring weather brings back a feature Spring eldwork has kicked into gear in for some of those in the Dairy Star coverage area. Farmers have reported they did some small grain planting while others are trying to get the piles and pits of manure empty before starting spring eldwork. The commencement of spring eldwork coincides with our weather and crop watcher pages in the Dairy Star. This is the rst issue of reports from our coverage area. We will have 14 dairy farmers from across the region update us on the amount of rain they have received in the past two weeks along with information about how their crops are progressing along with an area crop update. Six of the farmers are from Wisconsin: Steve Case of Janesville, John Sager of Jackson, Evan Jones of Ridgeway, Bruce Gumz of Dorchester, Craig Fietzer of Manawa and Brian Friske of Kendall. There are also ve weather and crop reporters from Minnesota. They include Paul Bitzan Jr. of Millerville, Matt Zabel of Plainview, Mike Peterson of Willow River, Mike Schneider of Sacred Heart and Chad Weineke of Adrian. There are two reporters from Iowa, Richard Blough from Waterloo and Joe Wilcox of Marcus; and one from South Dakota, Russell Jungemann of Wolsey. Their information will appear in each Dairy Star for the next seven to eight months, or until fall harvest is complete. The rst reports are on pages 18-19 of second section. We hope all our farmers throughout the Dairy Star coverage area have bountiful and safe planting and harvest seasons.

MM 300 MERGE MAXX

9’10” working width

Merger

GENTLE HANDLING , MINIMAL LEAF LOSS KuhnNorthAmerica.com

Floating head provides consistent, clean pickup over irregular ground

Large-diameter gauge wheels minimize dirt and stones

Pickup design gently handles crop to reduce leaf loss

Cross conveyor produces uniform, fluffy, better feeding windrows

Farmers’ Implement Allenton

Komro Sales & Service Durand

Lindstrom Equipment Mondovi

Gibbsville Implement Waldo

D & D Farm Supply Arcadia

Eron Equipment Junction City

East Side Farm Equipment Monroe

Carl F. Statz & Sons Waunakee

Cherokee Garage Colby

Luxemburg Motor Co. Luxemburg

Frontier Ag & Turf New Richmond

A.C. McCartney Durand, IL

Beaver Machine Coleman

Riesterer & Schnell Marion

Steinhart Farm Service Platteville

Peabudy's North Pecatonica, IL

Kalscheur Implement Cross Plains

Lulich Implement Mason

Gruett’s Inc. Potter

Visit your local Wisconsin KUHN Hay and Forage Dealer today! INVEST IN QUALITY www.kuhn.com

Larger models available at select Dealers.

Dairy Star • Saturday, April 10, 2021 • Page 3

It’s all inside... Columnists

Second Section: Pages 18 - 19

Second Section: Pages 6 - 8

The “Mielke” Market Weekly

Buffalo

Wisconsin Dells

Wehling shares benets, incentives at PDPW conference

La Crosse

First Section: Pages 34 - 35

Juneau

go ba Calumet

Waushara

e nn Wi

Green Lake Fond Du Lac

Columbia Dodge

Sauk

Wisconsin Dells

PDPW panel discusses ideal cows of the future

Jo Daviess

First Section: Pages 12 - 13

Zone 1

FROM OUR SIDE OF THE FENCE: Zone 2

How has alternative energy beneted your dairy farm?

son

hen

p Ste

Carroll

Rock

Walworth go

eba

n Win

Lafayette Green

Whiteside

Kids Corner featuring the Krauses

Third Section: Pages 12-13

Ogle Lee

Racine Kenosha

McHenry

DeKalb

First Section: Pages 15 - 16

New Holstein

Jefferson Waukesha

Iowa

Grant

Page 26 Second Section

Dane

for

Richland

e mi Brown

a tag

Adams

Monroe

Country Cooking

Oconto

Shawano

Wood

Vernon

Pages 10 - 11 Second Section

Menominee

Portage Waupaca Jackson

Langlade

Marathon

Clark

Eau Claire

Do or

Chippewa

Ke w

Pepin

Taylor

Menominee

ton S he bo Milwaukee Ozauk M yg ee an anito wo c

Pierce

Page 32 First Section

Lincoln

Forest

ett e

From the Zweber Farm

Dunn

ren

Oneida

Rusk

Trempealeau

St. Croix

Price

Delta

Dickinson

Vilas

Flo

Sawyer

Barron

Page 31 First Section

Iron

aun ee

n Polk

Veterinary Wisdom

Page 32 First Section

Ashland

ur Burnett

Page 30 First Section

Come Full Circle

First Section: Pages 10-11

Bayeld

Douglas

First Section: Pages 1, 6-7

Ramblings from the Ridge

Technology-driven Drees aims high with robotics, milk testing software

ing

DeRosier survives fall into under-barn manure pit

Peshtigo

Converting from cows to goats

Wa sh

Osceola

Page 27 First Section

Port Washington

Weather and Crop Reports

Wa s

Farmer and Columnist

Dorchester

Pages 8-9 First Section

Ma r

Ag Insider

Milton Kane

Wisconsin Junior Holstein creates new way to celebrate members

First Section: Pages 37 - 38

Rock Island Mercer

Hen ders

For additional stories from our other zone, log on to www.dairystar.com

Sun Prairie

re War

Rademacher-Meier Dairy breeds for functional cows First Section: Pages 18, 20, 22

COMPLETE MANURE EXPERTS Hull, IA Watertown, SD

(712) 439-2081 (605) 753-0300

www.automatedwastesystems.com

Page 4 • Dairy Star • Saturday, April 10, 2021

EXCELERATOR® XT 8010

LED Lighting

Vertical Tillage

11’6’’ - 40’3’’ working width

Fuller’s Milker Center is a preferred trade Ally with Focus on Energy

XTEND YOUR VERTICAL TILLAGE

Adjustable gang angle: provides more aggressive tillage

Excalibur ® VT blades: capture and slice tough residue

Ask about the CCX 9000 Cover Crop Seeder for your Excelerator XT 8010! Available for 11’ to 34’ models.

Mid-mounted HD tines: redistribute residue, level seedbed & reduce clods

LED Long Day Lighting

Parlor LED Lighting

24/7 soil conditioning reel: ğQLVKHV WKH VHHGEHG

60240 US HWY 12, Litchfield, MN 55355

CAMarch19-1-B-WS

Monday- Friday: 7:30am - 5:30pm 8 Saturday: 7:30am - 12:00pm www.schlauderaffimplement.com • (320) 693-7277 INVEST IN QUALITY

Sales & Installation

www.kuhn.com

Stays on Hooves for 2 weeks!

Dirty Water? CLEAN IT UP WITH

Pure 3000 Chlorine Dioxide Technology

Max Protection until the next milking

DUAL GERMICIDE CHLORINE DIOXIDE THE PREMIER GERMICIDE ON THE MARKET SAVE UP TO

TOUGH TIMES CALL FOR

PRIME PROTECTION

$1/GAL.

over Iodine

USE

PRE & POST

9 EMOLLIENTS Ultimate teat conditioning

GREEN COLOR ffor or High-Vis Marking

Advanced Dairy Solutions

BI-WEEKLY, LONG-ACTING FOOTBATH Helps improve hoof health and enhance digital dermis... to promote cow mobility, comfort and overall productivity.

Works in cold weather with better efﬁcacy & less labor! FORMALDEHYDE HAS ZERO EFFICACY.

Average Cost/Lost-Proﬁt per case of Digital Dermatitis is $275 OR MORE!

Bob’s Dairy Supply

540 E. County Rd. A • Dorchester, WI 54425 278 W. Court St. • Richland Center, WI 53581 (715) 654-5252 (608) 647-4488

East Central Dairy Supply 2195 Hwy. 23 • Mora, MN 55051 (320) 679-1029

Professional Dairy Systems Eastern Iowa Dairy Systems Anderson Dairy Systems, Inc. 1449 Homecrest Ave. • Wadena, MN 56482 105 3rd Ave. NW • Epworth, IA 52045 1312 13 1/2 Ave. • Barron, WI 54812 (715) 537-3300

Athman Dairy Inc.

238 Main Street North • Pierz, MN 56364 (320) 468-2494

Removes

IRON, MANGANESE and SULFUR in water!

REDUCES:

• Respiratory • Crypto Issues • Salmonella • Scours • E-coli

HIGHLY EFFECTIVE AGAINST: • Prototheca • Staph Aureus • Mycoplasma • Pseudomonas

FOR MORE INFO - CONTACT ONE OF THESE DEALERS...

Advanced Dairy Systems

9 State Rd. 29 • Spring Valley, WI 54767 (715) 772-3201

KlingonBlue Klingon Blue

™

A HIGHLY EFFECTIVE WATER INJECTION SYSTEM W

(218) 632-5416

D&D Ag Supply

133 Atlantic Ave. NE • Pennock, MN 56279 (320) 599-4466

(563) 876-3087

Fuller’s Milker Center, Inc. 423 U.S. 61 • Lancaster, WI 53813 (608) 723-4634

Gorter’s Clay & Dairy Equipment 1400- 7th St. SE • Pipestone, MN 56164 (507) 825-3271

Tri-County Dairy Supply, Inc.

4107 N US HWY 51 • Janesville. WI 53545 608-757-2697

Precision Dairy Equipment 24548 IA-13 • Elkader, IA 52043 (563) 245-2560

Lang’s Dairy Equipment, Inc.

2337 Millennium Rd. • Decorah, IA 52101 (563) 382-8722 1467 West 5th Street • Winona, MN 55987 (507) 452-5532

Leedstone

222 E Co Rd 173, Melrose, MN 56352 (320) 256-3303 24260 Cty. Rd. 27 • Plainview, MN 55964 (507) 534-3161

Leedstone

1720 Freitag Dr. • Menomonie, WI 54751 (715) 231-8090

United Dairy Systems

210 N. Industrial Pkwy • West Union, IA 52175 (563) 422-5355

Dairy Star • Saturday, April 10, 2021 • Page 5

ConƟnued from USDA | Page 1 $20 per acre, this includes alfalfa, corn, hemp, sorghum, soybeans, sugar beets and wheat, among other crops, and some will get additional beef payments,” Frericks said. “This will be substantial.”

“Nearly all producers have signed up for (CFAP). So, the big thing is that for most producers, they won’t have to sign a new application to receive funding.” STEVE FRERICKS, USDA FARM SERVICE AGENCY

Minor adjustments to the CFAP formulas will also include a correction for row crop applications that allows farmers to use 100% of the 2019 Agriculture Risk Coverage-County Option benchmark yield if the farmer has a non-actual production history insurance policy. On April 5, the USDA reopened signup for CFAP 2 for a new enrollment period for new and modied applications that will last at least 60 days to ensure all farmers have the opportunity to take advantage of this program. “Nearly all producers have signed

up for (CFAP),” Frericks said. “So, the big thing is that for most producers, they won’t have to sign a new application to receive funding. But, if someone didn’t timely le for CFAP 2, they now can.” Across the United States, more than 870,000 applications have been approved for CFAP 2 payments totaling over $13 billion as of March 28, according to the USDA. The dairy sector, specically, includes 23,308 applicants across the nation receiving a total $1.19 billion; this equates to a little over 9% of the sum of CFAP 2 funds distributed. In the Upper Midwest, Wisconsin leads with dairy payments at $219 million for 5,933 applicants. Others include Minnesota at $66 million for 2,420 applicants; Michigan at $64 million for 872 applicants; Iowa at $35 million for 956 applicants; Illinois at $14 million for 533 applicants; South Dakota at $13 million for 170 applicants; and North Dakota at $2 million for 70 applicants. Previous rounds of COVID-19 assistance gave an economic boost to the agriculture industry, and Frericks expects this next round to do the same. “It’s all coming at a good time as most are actively preparing to put crops in the ground,” he said. “This shot of revenue will help support what (farmers) are doing and allow them opportunity to get additional assistance for their crops and livestock that have been affected by COVID-19.”

TRUST THE EXPERTS At Famo Feeds, we strive to provide the best support for your operation and work to accommodate your speciﬁc needs.

From calf to cow and everything in between!

FEED THEM FAMO! 320-836-2145 or 800-450-2145

Check out our newly redesigned website to ½nd a Famo Feeds dealer near you!

www.famofeeds.com

OLSEN IMPLEMENT, INC. “Serving you for 67 Years”

P.O. Box 28 • 2015 Hwy. 9 West • Osage, IA 50461

641-732-4301

" %

2015 New Holland L218

CALL FOR PRICE!

.M. ELEC E.A Bob Meyer TRI . B Master Electrician, Owner Lic. #CA03435

1050 hrs., cab/htr, 72” bucket, clean unit

Barn Lighting, Sheds, Fans, Trenching, Irrigation, Homes & More!

We Offer the Following Agricultural Services:

Need an Electrician?

E lectric Cell:

320-761-1042 Serving Central Minnesota

NEW, UPDATE, OR REMODEL?

BEFORE

AFTER

Tell the advertisers you saw their ad in the Dairy Star!

WE CAN DO THAT!

AFTER

BECO DAIRY AUTOMATION INC.

Clark Farms, LLC • Altura, MN • 2x12 Remodel, Turner Vertical Lift with Beco FlowNexus Meters and Individual ID

SIOUX FALLS, SD MENOMONIE, WI ZUMBROTA, MN 800-705-1447 715-235-5144 800-233-8937 Celebrating 50 years in business! www.midwestlivestock.com

Page 6 • Dairy Star • Saturday, April 10, 2021

ConƟnued from DEROSIER | Page 1

Willmar, MN • 320.231.1470

EXPANDING OR REMODELING YOUR LIVESTOCK OPERATION? LANGE AG SYSTEMS SPECIALIZES IN:

Ŷ NEW FACILITIES

NO JOB TOO BIG OR TOO SMALL

Ŷ RETROFITTING & REMODELING Ŷ TURNKEY PROJECTS Ŷ BARN DESIGN Ŷ INSTALLATION, MAINTENANCE & REPAIRS

ƋƵŝƉŵĞŶƚ tĞ KīĞƌ͗ ͻ sĞŶƟůĂƟŽŶ &ĂŶƐ ͻ sĞŶƟůĂƟŽŶ ŽŶƚƌŽůƐ ͻ WŽƐŝƟǀĞ WƌĞƐƐƵƌĞ dƵďĞƐ ͻ ƵƌƚĂŝŶ ^ǇƐƚĞŵƐ ͻ DĂƩƌĞƐƐĞƐ ͻ tĂƚĞƌĞƌƐ ͻ ^ƚĂůů ƋƵŝƉŵĞŶƚ ͻ ,ĞĂĚůŽĐŬƐ ͻ DŝƐƟŶŐ ^ǇƐƚĞŵƐ

Lange Ag Systems is proud to offer Grain Bags, Silage Bags & Bunker Covers from Up North Plastics and Feed Fresh Silage Covers & Custom Size Bunker Covers from Raven!

t ^ >> E t Θ h^ 'ͳ ' Θ < >>z Zz E '' Z^

www.LangeAgSystems.com Esgate Rd., Anamosa Silo 8827 Maquoketa, IA 563-652-5125 Repair, LLC

¾ New Silos & Rebuilt Silos w/new staves door frames & doors ¾ Replasters are hand plastered ¾ Complete Silo Repair & Service ¾ Sales & service on all brands of feeding equipment including ValMetal, Jamesway, Van Dale, Hanson & Laidig Bottom unloaders ¾ Jamesway/ValMetal manure equipment 4 & 6 wheel tanks, lagoon pumps, transfer pumps, alley scrapers, stationary, mobile & vertical mixers ¾ Electric Motor Repair drop off station ¾ Metal Culvert Sales

Visit our website for a complete list of available equipment www.jameswayfarmeq.com www.valmetal.com

Repair vs. Replace

Electronic Dairy Board Repair Service

Specializing in: WestfaliaSurge, BouMatic, & DeLaval pulsators & Takeoffs, circuit boards, Mueller milk tank circuit boards. Call: (c) 406-590-7764

www.circuitÀxer.wixsite.com/ boumaticboardrepair

that ran the pump to agitate the manure. While farm safety has always been in the back of his mind, Troy admitted he did some things that saved him a few steps or a couple of minutes. One of those things was having a wooden plank behind the tractor that served as a footbridge across the pit opening, allowing him easier access without having to walk around the front end of the tractor. As Troy walked across the plank, it snapped in half, plummeting him into the rolling waves of manure agitating beneath his feet at a rate of 9,000 gallons per minute. “The agitator output hit me as I was falling into the manure,” Troy said. “It was a massive amount of force. It threw me about 40 feet in under the barn. I was tumbling through the manure. I was about to drown. I couldn’t get air. I was being somersaulted and tossed around in the manure.” As he was being thrown through the thick swirling mass, Troy hit a couple of support columns before nally grabbing ahold of one. “I was nally able to orient myself which way was up and was able to get up above the manure so I could nally try to get some air,” Troy said. “It was tough just trying to hold onto the column because you have this river of manure that is still trying to knock you off the column. I didn’t even have any breath to holler for help. It was all I could do to hold on.” As he clutched the column gasping for air, Troy knew he was in great peril, clinging to the ne line between life and death in his own personal subterranean hell, beneath the very structure where he made his living. “I started wondering when the gas was going to overcome me,” Troy said.

“I thought for sure I was dead. You just don’t survive these things.” After an estimated 30 minutes spent treading the cold liquid manure, Troy witnessed what seemed a miracle to him. “The pump, the agitation, actually changed direction,” Troy said. “It moved away from me on its own. It’s never done that without someone physically moving it. When it did that, it calmed the river of manure down so I could catch my breath. Then I was able to start hollering for help.” Because of the noise of the tractor roaring at the pit opening, no one could hear Troy’s cries for help. “No one would have thought to check anything, because it is normal for that tractor to be running the agitator with no one around,” Troy said, recalling the feeling of questioning how he possibly could be found. “It happened to be chore time, and Alex Williams, a high school employee, nally heard me when he came to bring cows up to the parlor for milking.” When he rst heard Troy yelling, Williams said he did not think much of it. “I wasn’t sure where he was, but I just thought he was doing something with a cow somewhere,” Williams said. “Then I thought I heard him yell, ‘Help!’ I had no idea what was wrong or where he was.” Williams said he went outside and throttled down the tractor to better hear the cries. “When I realized where Troy was, it certainly was not what I was expecting,” he said. Troy called for Williams to get Jordan and a ladder. When the boy Turn to DEROSIER | Page 7

INTRODUCING 2 ALL-NEW FEED MIXERS. Increased Capacity, with a lower loading Height. It's Compact. It's Economical. It's an NDEco. A perfect t for your Dairy.

U550D 580 ft³ 87" Height

U700D 705 ft³ 99" Height

We've recently expanded our dealer network to better serve dairies in the Midwest:

www.NDEco.com | 888.336.3127 @NDEcoTMR

Lindstrom Equipment, WI - 715.231.3168 Podevels Farm Service, WI - 715-384-6193 Northland Farm Systems, MN - 507.451.3131 Far West Equipment, ND - 701.260.4959

got room in your tank? We Finance/Lease Dairy Cattle!

• • • •

Increase your production and your proÛts Free up capital for other needs Avoid complicated bank loan processing Lease will be personalized to your operation

Sunshine Heifers

Your leader in dairy cattle Ànancing/leasing!

Contact: 602-768-6678

Dairy Star • Saturday, April 10, 2021 • Page 7

ConƟnued from DEROSIER | Page 6 turned the tractor off, the agitating manure began to still, allowing Troy some time to gather back strength for the arduous rescue that lie ahead. When Jordan received the call for help from Williams, he said he was not certain he heard Williams correctly. “It took me a second to comprehend what he was saying, that my dad was in the pit,” Jordan said. “That is the fastest I’ve ever run.” The boys found a ladder in the shop and raced to the back of the barn, ready to extricate Troy from the pit. “I remember getting there and hearing his voice and thinking, ‘Thank God he’s still alive,’” Jordan said. “There were a few moments I was denitely afraid we were going to lose him.” By the time the boys arrived with the ladder, Troy estimates he had been in the pit for at least 45 minutes. The boys put the ladder into the hole. Troy needed to make his way back across the pit toward the hole, a distance he estimated to be about 40 feet. “I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to swim,” Troy said. “It was hard to let go of that column, fearing I would sink back down into the manure. When I reached that ladder, it was such a feeling of relief and joy.” In typical farmer-fashion, Troy shook off the incident and did not seek medical treatment until Monday. He said he drank lots of hot chocolate and took several hot showers to warm himself up after spending nearly an hour in 50-degree liquid manure. When he nally went to the clinic, the doctors were astounded to hear his story, especially when his lungs scanned clear of any damage. The only battle scar

JASON SCHULTE FOR DAIRY STAR

Troy DeRosier installed a metal grate over the agitator opening to the manure pit under his freestall barn, ensuring that there will not be a repeat experience of someone falling into the pit. Troy retained from his ordeal was the aftermath of a virus he picked up from ingesting some manure. Troy credits the design of their barn for keeping him from being overtaken by toxic gasses while in the pit. “Our barn is tunnel-ventilated,” Troy said. “If it had been a naturallyventilated or a cross-ventilated barn, I

think the gas would have overcome me. The way our ventilation is designed, the cold air sinks down into the pit. The fans keep it down there, and it is always moving. Thank God for that design.” When he looks back on the ordeal, Troy realizes how lucky he is to be alive. He has gained a new outlook on farm safety. A metal grate has been

installed over the pit entrance to ensure nothing like this ever happens again. “I certainly think God was involved,” Troy said. “There is no reason I survived being thrown in initially, and then when the agitation changed direction. … There is no other explanation besides God just wasn’t quite ready for me yet.”

SHE’S GOING TO GIVE YOU THE BEST YEARS OF HER LIFE. GIVE HER SOMETHING SIMPLE TO START. Many productive days lie ahead. Optimal gut health, immunity and lifetime performance all start with just one gram per day. Learn more at: DiamondV.com/SmartCare

SmartCare

USDA unveils new plan for COVID-19 relief Page 8 • Dairy Star • Saturday, April 10, 2021

After reviewing existing COVID-19 relief, the asking the Biden Administration to eliminate the Section United States Department of Agriculture will take a 232 and Section 301 import tariffs. The Tariff Reform new approach for distributing additional assistance Coalition includes the National Council of Farmer to farmers and ranchers called Pandemic Assistance Cooperatives. The coalition said retaliatory tariffs have for Producers. USDA will rewrite rules for this relief, hurt United States agricultural trade. placing a larger emphasis on small and Ag Insider socially disadvantaged farm operations, DFA spins off two plants specialty crop and organic producers, and Dairy Farmers of America has support for the food supply chain and completed the sale of the two former Dean renewable fuels. The existing Coronavirus Foods milk processing plants located Food Assistance Program will fall within in De Pere, Wisconsin, and Harvard, this new initiative, and parts of CFAP Illinois. A partnership made up of New may be rened to address farmer needs. Dairy Opco, which had acquired the The dairy industry is waiting for the assets from the bankrupt Borden Dairy, implementation of the supplemental Dairy and Select Milk Producers is the buyer. Margin Coverage program which was The two plants had to spun off as part of enacted in December 2020. an antitrust enforcement action sought by the Department of Justice and the attorney Dairy trade concerns with Canada generals of Wisconsin and Massachusetts. By Don Wick According to a new report from the DFA acquired the two plants in 2019 after Columnist United States Trade Representative’s the Dean Foods bankruptcy. Terms of the Ofce, Canadian dairy quota commitments deal were not disclosed. are hurting United States dairy farmers. The report said the United States “remains concerned about potential DFA income moves higher in 2020 Canadian actions that would further limit U.S. exports Dairy Farmers of America reported 2020 net to the Canadian dairy market.” income of $170.6 million. That is up from $83.2 million in 2019. Due the acquisition of a large share of Dean Dairy exports to China are recovering Foods’ assets through bankruptcy, DFA saw its income The recent trade war between the United States and sales increase. DFA President and CEO Rick and China took a toll on the American dairy industry. Smith praised the resiliency of its farmer-owners and However, Krysta Harden, president and CEO, United employees during the COVID-19 crisis. “Despite the States Dairy Export Council, said dairy exports to China challenges, we made solid progress on our strategic are bouncing back. “China is a very, very key market for goals,” Smith said. U.S. dairy; No. 3,” Harden said. “It’s a market that has been growing, a market that is important to us, and one FarmFirst approves policy that we would like to see improve over time.” Harden The FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative has approved its said the USDEC has been building partnerships in China policy priorities for the year ahead. The implementation to develop products that Chinese consumers want. The of the COVID-19 economic stimulus bills is at the demand for health-conscious products is an area of top of the list. In addition, FarmFirst hopes to see growth. “We’re working with the Chinese Institute of improvements made to the Dairy Margin Coverage Food Science and Technology on different products and program, ag labor reform and federal order reform. prototypes that might meet that growing demand,” she said. Raising taxes for infrastructure can have unintended consequences Trade coalition wants Trump era tariffs removed President Biden wants to raise the corporate A coalition of agriculture and business groups is tax rate to 28% to help pay for his infrastructure bill.

American Farm Bureau Federation Executive Vice President Dale Moore said there can be unintended consequences when tax rates are increased. “When tax increases begin, it’s easy for someone to say we’re still several thousand dollars short and then, take another grab,” Moore said. Infrastructure is a priority for farm groups like the American Farm Bureau Federation, and they want to move forward in a bipartisan way to fund infrastructure improvements responsibly. Moore said the devil is in the details. “If taxes are what’s going to pay for this, one of the issues we’ve been hearing about lately is the elimination of stepped-up basis,” he said. “That’s not something we’d consider a win. It could put farmers out of business.” More investment sought for public research According to a new report from the American Farm Bureau Federation and the Farm Journal Foundation, the entire United States food system is threatened by the level of public funding for agricultural research. The United States has traditionally been a global leader in agricultural innovation, but Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall said that advantage may be slipping away. “We have to be able to participate in markets, whether it is the carbon market, conserving water or whatever it might be,” Duvall said. “That research must be done regionally, and it needs to be done through our landgrant colleges.” COVID-19 created huge challenges for the agricultural supply chain. Farm Journal Foundation CEO Tricia Beal said that should be a wake-up call for more publicly-funded research to address unexpected shocks to the system. Cheese, butter production rises USDA’s February Dairy Products Report said American cheese production increased more than 5% from one year earlier. Butter production rose 2.2%. The production of non-fat dry milk increased more than 21%. Skim milk powder declined over 20%. Maurer recognized for leadership The Professional Dairy Producers has presented Julie Maurer with the rst-ever Dean Strauss Turn to AG INSIDER | Page 9

Appleton steel American made Appleton Ultra Pro Model Dairyman Classic Barn Model Dairyman Lite Barn Model

Appleton Ultra Pro Model

When you need it tough, reliable and American made...make it an Appleton! The Professional Choice

Call (920) 830-0277 Today!

AppletonSteel.com

Dairy Star • Saturday, April 10, 2021 • Page 9

ConƟnued from AG INSIDER | Page 8

Leadership Award. Maurer is the coowner of Soaring Eagle Dairy at Newton. Maurer is president of the Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center and a member of the Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin board of directors. The award was established in honor of Dean Strauss who passed away in 2019 at the age of 48. Strauss was active in many dairy organizations including time as president of the PDPW. Weigel joins WDE board Southwest Wisconsin Technical College animal science instructor Ryan Weigel has been appointed to the World Dairy Expo Board of Directors. Weigel is serving in a corporate board position for the Wisconsin Holstein Association. Weigel and his family operate a dairy farm outside of Platteville.

World Dairy Expo comes to terms with Dane County World Dairy Expo will remain in Madison, Wisconsin. Due to COVID-19 protocols, Expo ofcials were considering other venues. The dates for the 2021 show are Sept. 28 to Oct. 2. Wisconsin

FFA

plans

in-person

convention The Wisconsin FFA Convention is expected to be an in-person event this year. Virtual options are also planned for those unable to attend. The convention will be held during the week of July 5 at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison. State FFA Director Cheryl Zimmerman said the convention may look different due to potential limitations caused by the pandemic. Trivia challenge Harry Truman is the last United States president that grew up on a farm milking cows. That answers our last trivia question. Jewel Bronaugh is the current United States Deputy Secretary of Agriculture. For this week’s trivia, what is Bronaugh’s home state? We will have the answer in the next edition of Dairy Star.

Don Wick is owner/broadcaster for the Red River Farm Network, based in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Wick has been recognized as the National Farm Broadcaster of the Year and served as president of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting. Don and his wife, Kolleen, have two adult sons, Tony and Sam, and ve grandchildren, Aiden, Piper, Adrienne, Aurora and Sterling.

Not All Roasted Soybeans Are Created Equal! Our soybeans have what your dairy ration needs:

KLC Farms Preferred By Bovines Everywhere

What are some of the DHIA tests you use?

We have used PCR DNA, Milk Elisa Preg, Johnes Elisa, and of course the usual fat, protein, SCC and MUN.

Why did you decide to use PCDart and how long have you been using it on your dairy? I switched to PCDart in November of 2020. I wanted something user-friendly that could interface with Delpro, had remote usage options, was quick and easy to make new reports, and something that I could note long comments in if I needed. What do you like about the PCDart Program? Switching to PC DART for my herd was a no-brainer because of cost savings, ease of use and the wonderful educational component that has gone with it!

Tell us about your farm. Our farm, Little Valley Dairy is a sixth & seventh generation farm. Our children: Nick (23), Katie (22), and Clara (18) all participate in the operation. Nick works full time off the farm, but helps out when he is available, especially with cropping and trucking, as he owns his own semi as well. Katie recently graduated from the U of M, works remotely, and milks cows morning and night. She also works hard with our registered cattle in and out of the show ring. She keeps us on our toes and makes sure things are getting done. Clara is a senior at Plainview-Elgin-Millville, the president of both her 4-H and FFA, is active in several other school organizations and is an Olmsted County Dairy Princess. She feeds, on average, 30 gallons worth of pasteurized milk to bottle calves morning and night. Evenings before calf feeding you can Ànd her helping in the barn or parlor. We have a fairly diversiÀed operation consisting of the dairy, nearly 1,000 acres of crops and our custom forage harvesting operation. Our heifers are raised Donny & Holly Thompson at our grower (Mark and David Lehnertz) Little Valley Dairy from around 9 months of age until three to Àve months prior to calving. 190 cows • Plainview, MN

At least 20 years testing with DHIA

307 Brighton Avenue South Buffalo, MN 55313 763.682.1091 www.mndhia.org

Competitor’s Soybeans

• Energy • Protein • Amino Acids • Bypass Protein

Roasting, Inc.

“Switching to PC DART for my herd was a nobrainer because of cost savings, ease of use, wonderful educational component.”

DHIA: Now MORE than ever Don’t Settle For Anything But KLC Roasted Soybeans!

Electrical Services

1-877-738-2326 Visit www.roastedbeans.com

Quality

Consistency Call us for a quote today! Farm - Residential Commercial

Warmer days ahead!

Stand By Generators

Keep your barn cool with

NCF 52” Panel Fans

PTO Stand By Generators LED Lighting

• Durable and innovative 6-blade design • Heavy-duty galvanized frame • Unique and flexible mounting systems

Heavy-duty, Extremely EfÄcient Fan for Quiet Dairy Barn Ventilation 320-836-2284 1-888-276-1751

29033 Co. Rd. 17, Freeport, MN In St. Rosa www.arnzenconstructioninc.com

Service Panel

David Martin Master Electrician

Patrick Oyen

Journeyman School

X Free estimates X Professional & Knowledgable X Preferred Trade Ally w/Focus Energy X We search for & assist w/Energy Rebate Incentives!

Page 10 • Dairy Star • Saturday, April 10, 2021

WHO WILL YOU FIND IN OUR

Business Directory?

Striving for perfection

LOG ON TO: www.dairystar.com TO BE INCLUDED IN THE DAIRY STAR BUSINESS DIRECTORY CALL 320-352-6303

CHUCK GORDON FOR DAIRY STAR

CHECK OUT THE

7700 SERIES

The Drees family – (from leŌ) Mack, Lisa, Bill, and Zack – milk 250 cows and farm 800 acres near PeshƟgo, Wisconsin. Not pictured is Dennis Drees.

Technology-driven Drees aims high with robotics, milk testing software working together on a farm that isn’t very old,” Drees said. “The goal is for me to own the farm with my brother one day.” Drees is never satised with satisfactory; PESHTIGO, Wis. – Even before he nished college, Mack Drees knew the only place he wanted therefore, words like OK and good are not part of his to work was his family’s farm, Drees Dairy. But vocabulary. Rather, perfect and great are the terms Drees knew things had to change in order to support Drees aligns with his work. “I’m extremely passionate about this farm, and the return of the next generation. He wanted to grow the farm but in a way that would not require more I’m kind of a perfectionist,” he said. This goal-oriented dairyman manages the herd employees. So, he turned to robotics. with high energy and a positive mindset. A lover of The Drees family installed four Lely A-4 robots in 2015 as part of an expansion that doubled the size technology, Drees constantly looks for ways to be of the herd. The decision was the brainchild of Drees, more efcient. “The main goal of technology is to make a job who returned to the farm the year prior after graduating more efcient,” he said. “You never want to create a from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. The family went from milking 120 cows in a tiestall barn new job when buying technology. As dairy farmers, to milking 240 cows with robots while keeping their our job is to choose the best tech out there.” Robotics changed the dynamics of Drees Dairy labor force the same. The farm is run by Drees and and allowed the family to redirect work in more useful his brother, Zack, their father, Bill, and their uncle, ways. Time previously spent milking is now geared Dennis. “I knew robots were the future,” said Drees, the toward other tasks designed to improve the overall farm’s herd manager. “And I’m excited about the operation. “Whether it’s calf care or tending to cows in heat, decision. We really like the robots. My dad and uncle put a lot of faith in my brother and I when we decided we get more in depth with things not enhanced before and look at them under a microscope,” Drees said. this was the way we wanted to go.” The Drees family milks 250 cows and farms about “For example, my dad will breed cows three times a 800 acres near Peshtigo. Drees’ grandfather, Henry, day versus once to make sure the optimal insemination started the farm in 1977 and remains an owner along point is reached. And I have more time to walk fresh pens and take care of calves. Robots help us be more with Bill and Dennis. “I think it’s neat we have three generations efcient in our work, and I’ve become a better time manager as a result.” Drees said the list of positives the robots provide is endless, including spurring a dramatic increase in milk. In the tiestall barn, cows averaged 75 pounds of milk per day. Now, cows are averaging 102 pounds of milk daily with 4.25% fat and 3.1% protein. The dairy maintains a low somatic cell count, averaging 57,000 last month. Cow longevity has also improved, with 20% of the herd in their fourth lactation or higher. Older cows are peaking at 140 pounds, Drees said. CHUCK GORDON FOR DAIRY STAR Drees loves robotics Drees Dairy uses four Lely A-4 robots that they installed in 2015 as part of an expansion that doubled the size of the herd at the farm near PeshƟgo, Wisconsin. Turn to The farm’s milk producƟon increased by more than 25 pounds per cow per day DREES | Page 11 when switching from a Ɵestall barn to robots. By Stacey Smart

stacey.s@dairystar.com

REISER IMPLEMENT Waukon, IA 563-568-4526 After Hours: Ken 563-380-3137 • Dave 563-380-8680 www.reiserimpl.com

USED EQUIPMENT HAY & FORAGE COMBINES ‘19 Rhino 3150 15’ Batwing Mower Most Used Miller Pro 1416 Avalanche Combines 2 Years Merger Interest Free! ‘11 Pottinger 851A rotary rake, 26’ ‘15 Tonutti TCR 12 wheel ‘11 MF 9695, lat. tilt, duals, rake chopper, 860/660 hrs ‘15 Tonutti TCR 8 wheel rake Tonutti 12 wheel Dominator rake, ‘00 MF 8780XP, lat tilt, Rhino RHP, 12 wheel rake MF 1617 4 Rotor Tedder chopper, Ag Leader, ‘01 NH 1442, 13’ Cut, Center 3,800 hrs JUST IN Pivot ‘12 JD 630, center pivot, w/ Impeller ‘86 MF 8560, 4,300 hrs. ‘99 JD 920, 9’ Disc Mow/ ‘05 Harvestec 4308 CH Cond.

SKID LOADERS ‘19 Bobcat T870, A91, high flow, SJC, 400 hrs ‘18 Bobcat T870, A91, high flow, SJC, 1,200 hrs. ‘18 Bobcat S770, C/H, SJC, 2 spd., 814 hrs. ‘17 Bobcat T770, A71, SJC, roller, 1,000 hrs ‘19 Bobcat T770, joystick, roller, 450 hrs ‘17 Bobcat S770, A71, 600 hrs ‘17 Bobcat T770, A71, 1,000 hrs ‘13 Bobcat S770, High Flow, CAH, 800 hrs ‘16 Bobcat S770, CAH, 3,800 hrs ‘18 Bobcat S650, CAH, 2 spd, SJC, 1,800 hrs. ‘18 Bobcat T590, A71, roller, 2 spd., SJC, 500 hrs ‘17 Bobcat S590, A51, 2 spd., 3,900 hrs ‘18 Bobcat S590, CH, 4,400 hrs ‘15 Bobcat S590, CAH high flow, 4,200 hrs

‘06 Bobcat A300, CAH, 2,500 hrs ‘13 JD 333E, CAH, 1,400 hrs ‘15 JD 333E, CAH, 1,085 hrs

PLANT/TILL ‘14 Kinze 3000, 6RN, no till ‘11 Kinze 3000, 6RN, Dry, Shut Offs, Like New! Sunflower 4211-9, disc chisel w/ buster bar Landoll 1200, 9 shank Disc Chisel CIH 6500 Consertill, 9 shank Disc Chisel Sunflower 4511, 11 shank, Disc chisel disc CIH 690 disc chisel, 5 shank ‘11 Sunflower 4511-13, 13 shank disc chisel Sunflower 5034 field cult, 29’ Sunflower 5034 field cult, 30’ ‘12 Summers 30’ Super Coulter

TRACTORS

‘15 JD 3038E Compact w/ JD 305 loader, 332 hours

‘19 Bobcat 3400 Side x Side, CH, radio ‘03 Gehl 4635, CH, 4,100 hrs ‘13 Gehl V270, CAH, ISO, 6,600 hrs ‘14 Case SV280, CAH, 150 hrs ‘14 Terex PT100F, CAH, high flow, 1,200 hrs ‘15 NH L228, CAH, 1,900 hrsA ‘20 Bobcat L28 Articulated Wheel Loader, ONLY 84 HOURS!

MINI EXCAVATORS ‘03 Bobcat 430 ZHS, CAH, thumb, new tracks ‘‘00 Bobcat 331 ‘16 Case CX31V, CAH, Thumb, Angle Blade, 698 hrs

‘04 MF GC2300 Compact, w/60” deck ‘12 JD X720, 25 HP w/ 60” commercial deck

MISCELLANEOUS ‘13 Brent 882 Cart, corner auger, tarp, 30.5x32 Ag tires ‘15 Brent 1196 Avalanche Cart, dual auger, tandems, tarp, scale Brent 440 Gravity Box Loftness 20’ Stalk Shredder, NICE!! ‘13 NDE 1502 Vertical TMR w/ scale 10’ NDE 1502 TMR Kuhn AC 270 Commercial TMR REM 2500 HD Vac

Dairy Star • Saturday, April 10, 2021 • Page 11

ConƟnued from DREES | Page 10

and all the data that comes with it, using the information to make management decisions and ne tune management practices. The data he receives is amplied through the farm’s use of TriStar AMR, a testing service for robotic dairy farms. Drees nds this tool more efcient than traditional milk testing programs. Previously, Drees Dairy tested milk with a shuttle system that was placed next to the robot. “If a cow sees the shuttle, she might not want to enter the robot,” Drees said. “This resulted in fewer visits per cow per day. Also, this system only took one sample, giving you one day’s worth for an average. With TriStar, you get a week’s worth of her average making it seven times more accurate. It’s also less expensive. The annual cost is only slightly higher than what we used to pay for a month of testing.” Drees receives reports containing data for each cow, such as pounds of milk, fat average, protein average, total visits, refusals, calving interval, days in conception, inseminations per pregnancy and more. “If I see less visits per cow, it tells me we hit our capacity,” Drees said. “I don’t like to go over 63 cows per robot. Overcrowding causes inefciency. We want cows to average 2.8 to three milkings per day.” Cows milking over 170 pounds a day are visiting the robot 4.5 to ve times daily. “We nd robots help cows

PHOTO SUBMITTED

Mack Drees feeds protein to calves on his family’s farm near PeshƟgo, Wisconsin. Drees is the farm’s herd manager and hopes to own Drees Dairy with his brother, Zack, one day. carry their peak out longer than if getting milked two or three times a day,” Drees said. A system that provides data down to the decimal place is arming Drees with precise gures. “It shows me each cow’s milk production down to a T every day,” Drees said. “For example, our top cow is giving 190.4 pounds of milk per day. The data helps us on a day-to-day basis, and the true winner of this program is our nutritionist. Cows are telling us within 24 hours if a change to the ration was good or bad. We can then correct it a touch and be back up on milk. The

Target Your Customers!

amount of info TriStar AMR provides is incredible, and the data is down to the second. It might be too much data for some people, but it’s not too much for me. I love it.” Another layer of data on the farm comes from the tags cows wear for detecting rumination, activity, milk temperature, among other information. Conception rates dramatically increased with the use of this monitoring system. “It puts eyes on cows 24/7,” Drees said. “We have the technology to treat our herd as if it were a small herd in a tiestall barn with lots of people around. We’re also treating

cows a little bit quicker for mastitis and getting to cases faster.” Drees makes mating decisions for the farm’s registered Holstein herd. Components, milk and health traits are most important to Drees, who also likes cows that look nice and has started to dabble in type genetics. The farm also does embryo transfer and sells cows monthly to other dairy farmers. “I’ve been using the highest genomic bulls and high TPI bulls,” Drees said. “I feel by selecting the best genomic bulls, I can create the best herd in the least amount of time.

I have Helix cows entering their fourth lactation because I used him so long ago. He’s in the limelight now, and I’m creating some success with those animals.” Drees puts his whole heart into farming while keeping an eye to the future. He would like to see milk production and reproduction levels continue to climb. “We’re averaging 102 pounds per cow, and I’m so excited about that,” Drees said. “But my goal is 110 pounds. I’d also like to see our pregnancy rate, which is currently (at mid 40%), get to 50%.” Focused on efciency, cow comfort and consistency, Drees Dairy follows strict protocols in every area of the farm from newborn calf care to cow dry off. “You have to be consistent,” Drees said. “You can’t cut corners. There’s no way we can reach 110 pounds of milk if we don’t do everything the best we possibly can. We have to break everything down to the micromanagement level. If you focus on the small things, the big things take care of themselves.” Utilizing technology and diving into data has been helpful to Drees in his quest for perfection. “I keep pushing efciency and perfection, not cow numbers,” Drees said. “I’m a very competitive person, and we’re trying to do everything as great as we can and be as efcient and perfect as possible.”

The Dairy Star is sent only to DAIRY FARMERS!

If you would like to advertise in the DAIRY STAR, call 320-352-6303 for more information.

www.albanychrysler.com

www.albanychrysler.com www.albanychrysler.com www.albanychrysler.com www.albanychrysler.com

Spring

Savings

www.albanychrysler.com

2018 RAM 2500

2018 CHRYSLER 300S AWD

UT4647, Big Horn, Heated Seats, Towing Package!

UC4353, COOLED SEATS, ALL WHEEL DRIVE!

NOW ONLY

41,990

2019 DODGE DURANGO GT PLUS

2017 ALFA ROMEO GIULIA

2018 FORD EDGE TITANIUM

US2898, Leather, Heated Seats, Power Liftgate!

UC4351, AWD, Leather, Heated Seats!

US2899, All Wheel Drive, Towing Package, Navigation!

NOW ONLY

32,990

NOW ONLY

25,990

‘10 Nissan Altima, Gray, UC4336 ................................$7,990 ‘08 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT, Bright Silver, UV2253 $7,990 ‘17 Dodge Grand Caravan, Red, UV2671.....................$9,990 ‘15 Jeep Cherokee, White, US2817 ...........................$12,490 ‘18 Jeep Compass, Orange, US2843 .........................$17,990 ‘14 Ram 1500, White, UT4488 ..................................$17,990 ‘18 Hyundai Santa Fe, Bright Silver, UC4318 ............$17,999 ‘18 Jeep Compass, White, US2861 ...........................$18,990 ‘13 Ram 1500, Gray, UT4564 ....................................$18,990 ‘16 Subaru Legacy, Blue, US2741 .............................$18,999 ‘17 Chrysler Paciﬁca Touring L, White, UV2452........$22,899 ‘17 Jeep Compass, Black, US2813............................$22,990 ‘20 Chrysler Voyager, Billet, UV2673 ........................$22,990 ‘18 Jeep Compass, White, US2812 ...........................$23,990 ‘19 Dodge Challenger, Gray, UC4331 ........................$24,990 ‘18 Dodge Charger, White, UC4324 ..........................$24,999 ‘16 Jeep Grand Cherokee, Black, US2744 .................$24,999 ‘17 Ford Explorer, Blue, US2725 ...............................$26,990 ‘17 Jeep Grand Cherokee, Black, US2789 .................$28,990 ‘17 Jeep Grand Cherokee, White, US2793.................$30,990

34650 225th Ave. - Albany, MN 56307

320-845-2801 • 800-392-3426

NOW ONLY

21,990

NOW ONLY $25,990

2018 CHRYSLER PACIFICA

UV2697, Touring Plus, Blind Spot Monitoring, Stow N’ Go Seating! NOW ONLY

24,990

‘17 Jeep Grand Cherokee, Black, US2800 .................$30,990 ‘18 Jeep Grand Cherokee, White, US2784.................$31,990 ‘17 Jeep Grand Cherokee, Velvet, US2794 ................$31,990 ‘16 Ram 1500 Sport Crew Cab 4x4, Red, UT3788 .....$32,799 ‘19 Jeep Grand Cherokee, Black, US2765 .................$32,999 ‘18 Dodge Durango, White, US2763 .........................$33,990 ‘19 Jeep Grand Cherokee, Billet, US2736..................$33,999 ‘19 Ram 1500, Billet, UT4469 ...................................$33,999 ‘19 Jeep Grand Cherokee, Black, US2752 .................$34,999 ‘15 Jeep Wrangler, Black, US2837 ............................$35,990 ‘17 Ram 1500, Black, UT4485 ...................................$35,990 ‘20 Jeep Grand Cherokee, Black, US2766 .................$36,990 ‘20 Jeep Grand Cherokee, Granite, US2755 ..............$37,999 ‘19 Ram 1500, White, UT4567 ..................................$38,990 ‘20 Chevrolet 1500, Gray, UT4566 ............................$40,990 ‘19 Ram 2500, Black, UT4553 ...................................$42,990 ‘19 Chevrolet Silverado, White, UT4584....................$42,990 ‘20 Chevrolet 1500, Red, UT4559 .............................$52,990 ‘19 Ram 3500, White, UT4505 ..................................$52,999 ‘20 Ram 1500, Black, UT4592 ...................................$55,990

SALES HOURS: Mon.-Thurs. 8:30 AM - 7:00 PM; Fri. 8:30 AM - 6 PM; Sat. 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM

SERVICE HOURS: Mon.-Fri. 7:00 AM-6:00 PM; Sat. 7:00 AM - 1:00 PM

www.albanychrysler.com www.albanychrysler.com www.albanychrysler.com www.albanychrysler.com

www.albanychrysler.com

Exhaust Fans Recirculating Fans Chimneys 5RRI 9HQWV

:H KDYH \RXU YHQWLODWLRQ VROXWLRQV &DOO XV WRGD\

United Dairy Systems :HVW 8QLRQ ,$

www.albanychrysler.com www.albanychrysler.com www.albanychrysler.com

Page 12 • Dairy Star • Saturday, April 10, 2021

No two animals are the same PDPW panel discusses ideal cows of the future By Danielle Nauman danielle.n@dairystar.com

WISCONSIN DELLS, Wis. – No two dairy farmers have the same criteria for the perfect dairy cow. The idea of what might make the perfect cow of the future was the topic of discussion during the breakout session, “My Perfect Cow,” that took place at the Professional Dairy Producers Annual Business Conference March 17 in Wisconsin Dells. The discussion was moderated by Sauk City dairy farmer Mitch Breunig and included Steve Berland, cofounder of GenElite LLC, and Jon Schefers, with PEAK Genetics, as well as Dr. Juan Tricarico, of the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy, who appeared virtually. “There are many different perfect cows,” said Tricarico, referring to the session’s name. “There are probably as many perfect cows as there are business models. And, there are probably as many business models as there are dairy farms. The perfect cow

potential in the Holstein cow compared to the Jersey. The Holstein cow isn’t even at the apex of where she can be.” Additionally, Schefers looks for his perfect cow to be a healthy animal that is an efcient converter of feed. He also looks for those cows to grow more rapidly, being ready to enter the milking population earlier in life. In 20 years, Schefers thinks the average Holstein herd will carry a 4.1% butterfat and 3.3% protein average with over 28,000 pounds of milk compared to 2019 averages of 3.8% DANIELLE NAUMAN/DAIRY STAR butterfat and 3.1% protein Jon Schefers (le�) and Steve Berland discusses the diﬀerences and similari�es in what dairy with over 25,500 pounds of producers might consider the perfect cow, and what she might look like in the future during a milk. He believes genomics will help expedite the seminar March 17 at the Professional Dairy Producers’ annual business conference. progress for both production and components as well as for is very subjective. Everybody is one of the components that that produces a lot of milk so health and longevity. will have a particular has contributed historically to that the same amount of milk “I get really passionate perspective on that, but there the U.S. milk yield increase is produced from a smaller about production because that are some commonalities.” and also to the improvement overall population. is what drives efciency,” Tricarico emphasized of natural resources and the “My perfect cow of the Schefers said. “We’re making the importance of genetic reductions in environmental future is high production with a lot of progress, particularly selection and the role it plays impacts. Another benet high components,” Schefers in the United States dairy is that the effects and said. “I have a dream that the due to genomics, but we industry as dairy farmers gains are cumulative. The Holstein cow of the future still have a lot of work to have been breeding with improvements we make today has a 5% fat test with a 3.5% do, especially in terms of specic selection in mind to may not have an immediate protein; she will have the fertility.” Berland echoed the create the next generation of impact but will build on each components of a Jersey. When sentiments of both Tricarico dairy animals. other and have impact as time we look at all of the snips in “Characteristics that goes by.” the Holstein population and and Schefers. He said Turn to we desire become more Schefers said he views all the genetic markers in the prevalent,” Tricarico said. “It efciency as being a cow Jersey, there is actually more PERFECT COW | Page 13

5HPRYH WKH SUREOHP QRW WKH SUR¿WV %LWLQJ KRUQ ÀLHV DFFRXQW IRU RYHU ÀLHV DFFRXQW IRU RYHU SURGXFWLRQ ORVVHV ELOOLRQ LQ SURGXFWLRQ ORVVHV WWDFN KRUQ À\ SUREOHPV DQQXDOO\ $WWDFN KRUQ À\ SUREOHPV K 'LSWHUDFLGH® DYDLODEOH KHDG RQ ZLWK 'LSWHUDFLGH LQ D YDULHW\ RI SURGXFWV RI SURGXFWV

Advanced Mineral Performance Technology

ADM Cattle Nutrition • 866-666-7626 • AN_BeefHelp@adm.com

Dairy Star • Saturday, April 10, 2021 • Page 13

Con�nued from PERFECT COW | Page 12

The TORENNA Advantage ®

- Cow Comfort Without the Hang Ups!

32” Rail Mounted Stalls Age: 7-12 months • Ohio

GRAPHIC COURTESY PDPW

Gene�c selec�on allows for dairy farmers to strive to create gene�c improvement, leading to a more eﬃcient, produc�ve and environmentally friendly cow.

despite the differences in everyone’s idea of their perfect cow, certain commonalities keep breeders headed in the same general direction. “If you think about your own herd, your perfect cow would be your highest producing cow, which can be dened as whatever cow produces the most dollar value of product given your milk market,” Berland said. “Add to that, she is at least 6 years of age, has never been in the sick pen,

“We certainly can’t ignore farm-level protability; however, our customers are asking for new attributes in the milk they buy.” DR. JUAN TRICARICO, THE INNOVATION CENTER FOR U.S. DAIRY

has never been on a cull list, and she has never been sworn at by you or your employees. You maybe have a cow like that in mind. If everyone came here with a picture of that cow from their herd, none of those cows would look exactly alike.” Berland expanded on those ideas, saying those cows produce a quality product that keeps dairy farmers in business. The cows that last in herds are the ones who have sound

functional type with good mobility and sound udders. They are the healthy cows that are reproductively sound and have good dispositions, making them easy to work with. He said all of these things are dependent on both genetics and management. “We need to let the cow tell us what she needs to be a perfect a cow,” Berland said. Berland said in recent years more emphasis is being placed on health traits, globally, becoming equal to the emphasis placed on production in most countries. “It takes a substantial amount of work to develop and work toward these new targets and genetic traits,” Tricarico said. “Selecting for complex traits, such as the new feed saved trait, requires a lot of talent, research, data, technology and communication for it to be successfully developed and applied.” Tricarico said not only does the cow of the future need to t productivity ideals but also meet the ideals of consumers as well, such as selecting for cows that naturally produce less methane gas as part of their digestive process. “There is a need to increase the focus on traits valued by processors, marketers and consumers,” Tricarico said. “We certainly can’t ignore farm-level protability; however, our customers are asking for new attributes in the milk they buy. We need to listen and gure out what ones we can respond to.”

28” Rail Mounted Stalls Age: 4-7 months • Ohio 2-5 Month

5-8 Month

8-12 Month

12-16 Month

16-20 Month

20-24 Month

JERSEY CALF

15” 150-275 lbs.

20” 275-400 lbs.

23” 400-550 lbs.

27” 550-690 lbs.

31” 690-800 lbs.

35” 800-900 lbs.

HOLSTEIN CALF

19” 200-450 lbs.

25” 450-620 lbs.

31” 620-890 lbs.

33” 35” 890-1100 lbs. 1100-1300 lbs.

38” 1300-1500 lbs.

TORENNA® Rail-Mounted Freestalls are flexible and adjustable making them ideal for calves, maximizing their comfort and safety while they grow and learn to use stalls.

Toll Free: 1-855-354-7687 Email: sales@torenna .com

BODENSTEINER IMPLEMENT CO. BODENSTEINER www.bodimp.com IMPLEMENT CO. Ask Us About Low Interest Rates!

2015 John Deere 329E 803 hrs., cab, A/C #51378 $44,5000 (WAU)

2014 Meyer 4218

front and rear unload #52710 $18,500 (DYE)

2013 John Deere 7780

GRAPHIC COURTESY PDPW

Although each dairy producer has his or her own vision of their perfect cow, there are commonali�es that exist: healthy cows that are reproduc�vely sound and produce large volumes of high component milk eﬃciently. This graphic shows the gains made by the Holstein and Jersey popula�ons over a 10-year period.

PRWD, 2625 hrs., 1508 cut. hrs. #49737 $177,500 (DYE)

2015 John Deere 333E 3662 hrs., cab w/AC #51992 $38,000 (DYE)

2015 Case TV380

2080 hrs., A/C #51198 $38,500 (NH)

H&S 5126 Top Shot

RH Discharge, small 1000 pto #50451 $15,500 (DEC)

2006 RoGator 1074

100’ Boom, 2275 hrs. #51375 $64,000 (WAU)

2017 Bobcat S740

4096 hrs., cab w/AC #52730 $26,000 (DYE)

2009 John Deere 7450 Kernel Processor, PRWD #51626 $132,000 (CRE)

2006 RoGator 1074

100’ Boom, 4091 hrs. #50884 $49,000 (CRE)

2015 JD 5085E

MFWD, CAB, 1334 hrs. #51918 $44,000 (DYE)

For complete info on all our used equipment log on to bodimp.com Elkader (ELK) ........563-245-2470 Clermont (CLE) ......563-423-5206 Cresco (CRE) .......... 563-547-2152 Decorah (DEC) ....... 563-382-2961 Dyersville (DYE)..... 563-875-2724

Monticello (MON) ...319-465-3515 New Hampton (NH) 641-394-3061 Oelwein (OEL) ......... 319-283-4371 Rowley (ROW)........ 319-938-2222 Waukon (WAU) ......563-568-3463

Page 14 • Dairy Star • Saturday, April 10, 2021

Friendly & Knowledgeable Staff! Parts Dan, LaShana and Mike

Replacement Parts For Your Dairy Replacement Axles

Silo Unloader Augers

Replacement Corner Wheels

Badger Dura-Forge Flat Chain & Graetz Hook Chain Replacement Parts For Hanson®

Badger Parts and Service

Service

Replacement Barn Cleaner Drive Parts ALL POPULAR PADDLE LENGTHS AVAILABLE

Replacement Conveyor Chains

Whatever Your Needs, Give Us A Call!

Parts For VanDale®

Terry, Chris, Roger, Ethan and Joe

SAVE TIME & MONEY!

SUPERCART BEDDING CHOPPER

Service & Installation Available. Parts On Hand.

If y

ion .

ing Dealer

Minnesota’s

ding and Man e e ur tF s e e

nd l Ha

La rg

AGRI CHOPPER

Most Models In Stock.

so wwave a w.da barn, we have y.com airylandsuppl

SAUK CE CENTRE, OFF I-94 ON THE CORNER OF HWY. 28 & 71 SOUTH

From Our Side Of The Fence

Dairy Star • Saturday, April 10, 2021 • Page 15

How has alternative energy benefited your dairy farm?

Chad Lubben Edgerton, Minnesota Rock County 350 cows Describe the type of alternative energy you have on your farm. We have an 80 kilowatt solar system on our barn roof. When did you install it? We installed it in 2012. We were looking at renewables and chose solar over wind because the solar panels would be out of sight and out of mind. We were adding onto the barn anyway and had the roof engineered to accommodate the solar panels. How has alternative energy beneted your dairy farm? The three-year payback of the solar panels almost made it a no-brainer. During the cooler months, we use solar power to run our hammer mill. When it’s hot in the summertime, solar power provides the energy we need to run the cooling fans in our loang barns. What are the greatest challenges you have had with your energy system? We were only allowed to have up to 40 kW, so it was a challenge to jump through the hoops that enabled us to install an 80 kW system. We were able to do this because we have separate meters for the house and the barn. At one time, we had the largest private solar installation in Minnesota. Describe the maintenance of your alternative energy system. We have had zero maintenance issues. Some years ago, we had a devastating hailstorm that totally wiped out our crops. All of our buildings needed new steel, but the solar panels were just ne. What advice would you give to other farmers who are thinking about putting in an alternative energy source? Government grants made our system affordable. Make sure you look into all the programs available to you. The grants reduced the payback time from 10 years to three years. Describe your experience working with your energy company and electrician in installing and maintaining your energy source. In the beginning, we had problems being able to use the entire 80 kW system. We worked with our electric cooperative to clear those hurdles. Other than that, we have had no issues with our solar power system. Tell us about your farm. I farm with my parents, Cal and Char. My wife, Morgan, and I have a 2-yearold daughter and are expecting our second child in May. Morgan was a Princess Kay nalist in 2015. We use genomic testing on all of our animals. We think a dairy herd that is more efcient is better than going to a larger herd. Dad and I nish out 10,000 hogs per year. Last spring, when the COVID-19 pandemic shut down many slaughterhouses, we ended up with some hogs that did not have any place to go. CNN came out to our farm and interviewed me about the situation. They did a really good job. When my segment aired, we began to get phone calls from people who wanted to buy hogs. We sent hogs all over the nation, from Vermont to Washington.

Tom Gavin Lansing, Iowa Allamakee County 450 cows Describe the type of alternative energy you have on your farm. We installed a 40 kilowatt solar panel eld on the roof of one of our freestall barns. When did you install it? We installed it the summer of 2017. We felt it was time to look at alternate energy sources. We felt solar would be most cost efcient for our farm and take up the least amount of space. How has alternative energy beneted your dairy farm? Our solar eld produces about onequarter of the energy consumed by our dairy. Someday we would like to add additional panels, but with current laws and regulations, a 40 kW system is as big as someone can build and still put energy back on the grid and get paid for it. Most days in winter, spring and fall when fans are not running in the middle of the day, our power goes back on grid; we consume the most electricity in the morning and evening. What are the greatest challenges you have had with your energy system? Snow in the wintertime. When there is snow on them, they don’t produce. Being they are on our barn roof, it is too dangerous to attempt to remove the snow, so they don’t produce until the snow melts. Describe the maintenance of your alternative energy system. There is very little maintenance. Once a year we try to clean the panels off with soap and water to make sure they stay clean and producing at 100%. What advice would you give to other farmers who are thinking about putting in an alternative energy source? Look at your options. If you’re going to do solar, make sure you get good sun. Our original plan was to put the solar eld on a barn closer to our power service to save money on running wires. Luckily, we noticed it before it was too late, but two silos were blocking the summer sun after 5 p.m. every day. That would have been nearly four less hours of power produced in the long summer days. Describe your experience working with your energy company and electrician in installing and maintaining your energy source. Our energy company has been great to work with. They helped point us in the right direction when we started this project. Our installer did a great job installing and has been great to work with. Tell us about your farm. Together with my dad, Pat, and uncle, Mike, we operate Gav-N-View Farms. Our farm has been in our family for nearly 150 years. My kids will be the sixth generation of dairy producers. We raise our own crops to feed the dairy and raise our replacement heifers. We also nish nearly 1,000 Angus cattle yearly.

Star Blends has been helping Midwest farm families by providing, high-quality feed, dairy nutrition, and commodity contracting for more than 20 years. Our state of the art mill can accurately blend anything from a custom pre-mix to complete feed, VSHFL¿F WR \RXU IDUP¶V QHHGV 2XU H[SHULHQFHG VWDႇ DUH UHDG\ WR GHOLYHU WKH KLJKHVW TXDOLW\ IHHG DW DQ HFRQRPLFDO SULFH DVVLVW in balancing diets, or work with your private nutritionist or dairy consultant.

Feeding your animals like they’re our own Contact Star Blends at:

800-462-4125 or StarBlends.com

Jim Campbell Rewey, Wisconsin Iowa County 55 cows Describe the type of alternative energy you have on your farm. We have a 20 kilowatt solar panel system. When did you install it? It was installed in December 2017; Iowa County sponsored a solar panel promotion that summer, and I went out of curiosity. After listening, I became interested and decided I wanted to do this. It felt like the right thing to do. Little did I know it would be the rst step of becoming a greener farm. How has alternative energy beneted your dairy farm? The benet would be a reduced utility bill. My system produced 35,390 kW, or 35.4 megawatt-hours, which is about 62% of my yearly usage. With money from Focus On Energy and tax credits, I expect to pay it off in about 10 years. What are the greatest challenges you have had with your energy system? I have had no real challenges with my system. Describe the maintenance of your alternative energy system. Mine are on a pole mount so I can adjust the angle seasonally. Keeping the threads on the crank oiled is my biggest challenge, which is not a big problem. I change the angle in early February, mid-April, late August and early November. It takes about 10-15 minutes. Then sweeping off snow in the winter; usually only wet heavy snow sticks, the light stuff blows off. What advice would you give to other farmers who are thinking about putting in an alternative energy source? I would encourage anybody to do it if at all possible. Check out a few installers and nd one that will work with you and educate you about the process and energy in general. I truly believe this is something everybody should consider. Describe your experience working with your energy company and electrician in installing and maintaining your energy source. My installer, Todd Timmerman from Timmerman’s Talents, did most of the work: contacting the electric company, and he even helped my electrician (Tom Esser, Esser Electric). It was the rst solar system installation that electrician had worked with. This is where you learn about net-metering and overproduction of electricity. Tell us about your farm. I own 310 acres and have been farming here since 1988. I transitioned to organic in 2001 and became certied in 2003. I operate a 55-cow grass-fed dairy. Around 2011, I became an all foragebased operation in order to be part of Organic Valley’s grass-fed program. I articially breed my cows, and I use aAa and have for about eight years. I milk year-round. I have a few sows, and I farrow to nish and direct market them. My wife and I have ve kids, four live close by and one is in Nebraska. We have 13 grandkids. Most come to the farm quite often to help, and we have a lot of fun farming together. Turn to OUR SIDE | Page 16

Page 16 • Dairy Star • Saturday, April 10, 2021

ConƟnued from OUR SIDE | Page 15 Danae Stieglitz Stieglitz Dairy LLC Greenwood, Wisconsin Clark County 320 cows Describe the type of alternative energy you have on your farm. We have a 100 kilowatt solar energy system. When did you install it? It was up and running in November 2015. We had it installed because we had been looking for many years for a green energy source that had a quick payback. We looked into windmills and methane digesters, but none were suited to what we were looking for. After learning more at a booth at World Dairy Expo, we found there were Focus on Energy grants available for cost-sharing of the solar panels, and we decided to go ahead and install them on the roof of our freestall barn in hopes the energy produced would be enough to run our milking parlor, house and shop. How has alternative energy beneted your dairy farm? The solar panels have beneted our dairy farm by cutting our energy costs by a third. The payback for our solar panels is about seven years. It would have been about ve years had we received net metering from our electric cooperative. What are the greatest challenges you have had with your energy system? The greatest challenges that we have faced with our energy system is where we placed our solar panels. We mounted them on the roof of our freestall barn which was great for saving room verses a ground mounted system; however, when it snows, we have no way to clear the snow off of the panels, so we may have a month or two in the winter when they are not producing electricity. Describe the maintenance of your alternative energy system. There is little to no maintenance needed for the solar panels once installed. We do need to watch the seven inverters to make sure they are operating. If one is not working, we call the company that installed the system, and they do all of the servicing needed. There have only been a few times we have had to call in a service repair. What advice would you give to other farmers who are thinking about putting in an alternative energy source? If anyone is looking into an alternative energy source, I would tell them to start working with their electric company or cooperative rst. See what they would be willing to work with, and gure out your potential payback. Learn the difference between net metering, power purchase agreement and power offset programs. Make sure there is a written agreement with the energy company in place before your energy source is installed, and make sure both parties understand what is going to happen. Describe your experience working with your energy company and electrician in installing and maintaining your energy source. Our electric cooperative was willing to work with us on our project, but unfortunately we didn’t get anything in writing before our project started. We were told one thing by our electric cooperative before we installed the panels, and after they were installed, we were told something completely different so our payback was not as quick as we hoped. However, we are happy with our solar panels and are glad we did make the decision to install them. Tell us about your farm. Our dairy farm has been in my husband’s family since 1906. We farm together with his two brothers and his parents. We milk 320 cows, a primarily Holstein herd, twice a day and raise our youngstock. We raise alfalfa hay, corn, soybean and winter wheat on 1,500 acres of land which we use to feed our animals and cash crop a small amount. Our farm employs four full-time employees who help us with milking and herd health. Our teenage children have also started to take on more responsibility and will milk and help feed calves when needed. As a way to try to diversify our farm, we purchased a herd of registered Hereford beef from a retiring farmer, and we have 45 cowcalf pairs. The beef animals have been a great 4-H project for our children to learn more responsibility and animal husbandry.

Dave Allen Oshkosh, Wis. Winnebago County 125-130 cows Describe the type of alternative energy you have on your farm. We have an anaerobic biodigester on our farm that is owned and operated by the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. We’re not a big farm, and this was the rst small-scale biogas system in Wisconsin. It uses scaled technology involving wet digestion and a 64kW engine that uses plug ow system technology. We supply all the solids, sending all the manure from our animals through the digester. The university has a contract with Wisconsin Public Service, and all the electricity goes on the grid. We get the leftover heat for our shop and our house. When did you install it and why? The digester was installed in 2012. We had a connection with the university because they were using some of our bedding pack for their dry digester. They asked if we were interested in this project, and after a little bit of research, I said let’s give it a try. The digester is a win-win-win. It takes methane out of the manure, makes electricity, provides heat for our house and shop, and when it’s all done, leaves us with outstanding fertilizer. How has alternative energy beneted your dairy farm? The digester offers better manure management and odor reduction. Our shop and our home are heated exclusively by the digester, and there’s still leftover heat. The other byproduct we get is great fertilizer. The manure is broken down and digested and readily available – it seems to hook to the soil really well. What are the greatest challenges you have had with your energy system? The greatest challenge was getting it started. It was a prototype when we put it in – there were none like it in North or South America, and there were not a lot of experts in the eld. It took 2 years before it was running at a steady rate, and now it operates really well. It’s been an educational tool for UW-Oshkosh and its students, and they’ve learned how to run it really efciently. There are several students that help manage the system, and it’s been a good experience for them to learn about digesters. Describe the maintenance of your alternative energy system. Many components of the system are maintained and watched continually. The university does daily checks, and every piece of equipment has a maintenance schedule – from valves, pumps, the combined heat and power unit, etc. They maintain and provide 24/7/365 digester operations to ensure things are running properly and safely. What advice would you give to other farmers who are thinking about putting in an alternative energy source? You’ll need somebody who knows the system and knows how to run it. It requires regular maintenance and has parts that wear. You need to be able to understand the system. It’s great from a green energy standpoint because you’re taking manure and making something out of it. When all is said and done, you still have manure you can use as fertilizer. Describe your experience working with your energy company and electrician in installing and maintaining your energy source. It’s not like it came with an electrician, and anything mechanical can have a problem at any time. But the people at UW-Oshkosh have been very good to work with. They keep getting better and better at dealing with all the technical aspects. The digester is German-engineered and probably has more bells and whistles than it really needs. It’s a very precise system. Tell us about your farm. I farm with my two sons, Cody and Rush. We milk between 125 and 130 cows with two robots that were installed in 2015. Robots were a great decision for us. We also farm 700 acres and keep all of our bull calves, raising them as steers to market weight. We sell milk, beef, corn, beans, and wheat, and it’s all working well for us. Life is good. MIDWEST ALKOTA

18297 LINCOLN RD. • FAYETTE, IA 563-425-3219 Doug Kiel

MIDWEST ALKOTA TH

103 5 ST. • GRUNDY CENTER, IA 319-215-2138 Taylor Appel

SERVING NE IOWA & SW WI

www.facebook.com/timmermanstalents9

CALL TODAY

We service all brands

dly made ou

www.timmermanstalentsllc.com

Now selling Chlor-clean detergent, one step cleaner and disinfectant, reduce the risk of infection Pr

(608) 642-2262

CENTRAL IOWA

Dennis Haubenschild Princeton, Minnesota Isanti County 1,500 cows Describe the type of alternative energy you have on your farm. We have an anaerobic digester that captures methane. When did you install it and why? We started using it in 1999. I have been PHOTO COURTESY PRINCETON studying this alternative UNIONͳTIMES energy source since the early 1970s. I call it a history class gone wild. I found out digesters were used in World War II, and it fascinated me. I wanted to know more about them. After learning more, I then realized agriculture could be supplying energy along with food. My wife, Marsha, and I went across the country in the 1970s to look at all the digesters that failed to learn why. From all this information, I designed the digestor for our farm. I kept it simple. It is a pre-World War II design. At the time, it cost about $300,000 to build. How has alternative energy beneted your dairy farm? It puts out about 120 kilowatts per hour and runs about 98% of the time. It was up to this capacity by the summer of 2000 and it started paying back in about seven years. It has eliminated about 90% of the odor from manure and the manure that goes through the digester has a higher pH level, which makes is more available on the elds. This has made all inputs – chemicals, commercial fertilizers, etc. – work better, and we have been able to cut down the use of them by 20%. We use the solids that are separated as bedding for the cows. Because of its higher pH, there is less bacteria in the separated manure solids than sawdust. What are the greatest challenges you have had with your energy system? Getting the permits at the beginning was a challenge because there were not many, if any, other digesters in Minnesota at the time. Another challenge is needing to take care of it. It needs to be treated like a baby calf. Most people who failed, built it, turned on the switch and expected it to go. It needs to be tended to and gured out the rst year. Funding right now is also a challenge. Our digester was built for 800 cows. We looked into building another one last year, but the cost would be over $4 million. That is not cost effective. Describe the maintenance of your alternative energy system. We shut it down once a month to do regular maintenance – change oil, switch lters, etc. It is the same type of maintenance as on any internal combustion engine. What advice would you give to other farmers who are thinking about putting in an alternative energy source? Don’t ask for net metering. That’s why companies and energy cooperatives shy away from people putting in alternative energy sources. It’s giving away money. If you have an alternative energy system, treat it like a baby calf. Be consistent and work with it, especially the rst year. Describe your experience working with your energy company and electrician in installing and maintaining your energy source. East Central Energy has bent over backwards for us to make this work. All our electricity is sold to our power company. Then we buy all our electrical needs back. I think that is the simplest way. I am against net metering because I do not want to be subsidized for my energy. Tell us about your farm. Marsha and I farm together with our two sons, Tom and Bryan. My dad bought this farm in 1952 and had two cows. Our soil is very sandy and my dad wasn’t used to it. He had to learn how to work the ground and use manure correctly to grow a good crop. He used no till before it was widely used and was very particular in where manure was spread. I remember growing up, that part of farming was stressful at times, but that stuck with me. I joined the partnership in the mid 1970s, milking 80 cows. Bryan and Tom joined the farm in the 1990s and we increased to 400 cows and then 800 cows. In recent years, we made another expansion to our current herd size. Expansion has all been to keep the family together on the farm. ATTENTION:

Past or Present Lely A4 Robot Owners

I want to hear your Lely A4 Robot experience, whether bad or good.

Please take the time to call me, I am interested in talking to you!

Call 507-399-1329

Dairy Star • Saturday, April 10, 2021 • Page 17

for your chance to win a $100 Gift CertiÄcate or Farm Systems Apparel! $

Jamesway

BIG JOHN Bedding Separator SEPARATOR

FEATURES

Genuine Augers, screens and parts

Systems from 90 to 10,000 cows Over 100 local installations Over 4,000 working installations worldwide

Warehouse on Wheels

Plate Coolers

IF IT FITS IN OUR TRUCK, WE CAN DELIVER IT:

Give us a call the next time you need something delivered. We have a full line of dairy route supplies.

• Eѝcient Cooling • Reliable milk quality • Cost-saving investment • Designed for optimum eѝciency

Service for all three Farm Systems locations, Melrose, St. Peter & Brookings.

DeLaval VMS™ V300

A SYSTEM APPROACH

• Contributes to Improved Farm Proﬁtability • Contributes to More Milk per Labor Hour • Contributes to Healthier Cows Contributes to Highest Milk Quality

Find this cow!

7 of 24

Dura Cha Chain h i S Scraper Vertical Pump Prop Agitator Hammermills

• SMART control panel technology • Automatic weight control arms • New HD basket with screen • Reduce bedding costs • Increase liquid storage capacity • Environmentally friendly • Readily available bedding materials on a daily basis

Proven again and again to achieve 36-39.4% dry matter

for your chance to win a $ 100 Gift CertiÄcate or Farm Systems Apparel!

**One entry per customer** • Winner will be notiÄed Cow must be identical to cow on this form (size may vary).

Q. On which product is the cow located?

Name: Phone: Address:

WE ARE HIRING!

Drop oɈ/mail/email your entries to: 58 Interstate Drive N.W. Melrose, MN 56352 or hand oќ to your service tech DAIRY ST R melrose.farmsystems1@gmail.com

Let us know you saw our ad in the Dairy Star! Proudly serving you from Brookings, SD; St. Peter, MN; and Melrose, MN. 58 Interstate Drive N.W., Melrose, MN 56352 | 800-636-5581

Page 18 • Dairy Star • Saturday, April 10, 2021

Breeding Focus

Rademacher-Meier Dairy breeds for functional cows Alan and Fran Rademacher, Stuart and Heidi Meier Rademacher-Meier Dairy Sun Prairie, Wisconsin 250 cows Describe your facilities and list your breeding management team. Cows are housed in sand-bedded free stalls in 6-row barns. We have a lactating barn with separate pens for 2-year-olds and mature cows with access to outdoor feeding. In 2016, we built a transition barn

for dry and post-fresh cows. We shoot for a dry period of 45 days. Both barns have sprinklers, which we started using in 2012. Sprinklers help with conception. We used to see a huge dropoff from July through September, but when we put sprinklers in, it made a big difference immediately. Cows are milked twice a day in a double-12 parallel parlor. Heifers are housed on bedded packs from weaning to 1 year of age. They are then transferred to sand-bedded free

PHOTO SUBMITTED

The breeding management team at Rademacher-Meier Dairy includes – (from leŌ) Brian Kelroy, Dan Davis, Fran Rademacher, Heidi and Stuart Meier and their children, Kayla and Kellen, Alan Rademacher, Dr. Kent Pohlman and Mohammed Touir. The Rademacher and Meier families have maintained a 35% pregnancy rate for the last 12 months on their 250-cow dairy near Sun Prairie, Wisconsin.

STACEY SMART/DAIRY STAR

Cows at Rademacher-Meier Dairy are housed in sand-bedded free stalls. As part of their reproducƟon program, the farm does daily tail chalking in addiƟon to a regular ovsynch program.

stalls from 1 year old to fresh. The breeding management team includes the four owners, our veterinarian, nutritionist and A.I. technician. What is your reproduction program? Do you use a

synchronization program? natural heat is not detected, we How do you get animals give Lutalyse shots. We also do pregnant? We have a 63- daily tail chalking of cows and day voluntary waiting period heifers. for cows and use a regular ovcynch program with a double Lutalyse. Heifers are mostly bred to natural heat. If a Turn to RADEMACHER-MEIER | Page 20

FARM INFORMATION STATION Joe Gill • Farm Director

SERVING CENTRAL MINNESOTA FOR OVER 50 YEARS Catch the Dairy Star’s Mark Klaphake with Joe Gill at 6:45 a.m. the 2nd & 4th Fridays of the month on KASM!

PO Box 160, Albany, MN • (320) 845-2184 • Fax (320) 845-2187

tfn

505 West Main Street Marshall, MN 56258

SOLAR Solar Electricity • Photovoltaic • PV Solar Hot Water Heating Systems Site Assessment Rebates and Tax Incentives

Phone: 806-346-2362

WIND Wind Electricity Site Assessment

(608) 642-2262

www.timmermanstalentsllc.com www.facebook.com/timmermanstalents9

:HVW 0DLQ 6WUHHW

alan@stuhrenterprises.com

The Stuhr Transition-Nutrition Solution

Both research and practical on-farm application demonstrate the consistent results producers see when feeding ANION BOOSTER™ and GLUCOSE BOOSTER™ in the pre-fresh and the early fresh cows. The Stuhr Transition- Nutrition Solution is proven at the University and on the dairy to provide a palatable source of anions and an effective source of glucose precursors to help prevent Hypocalcemia and Ketosis.

For More Information go to: stuhrenterprises.com

Dairy Star • Saturday, April 10, 2021 • Page 19

Dairy Equipment By

OVE DOROHEAD RS

E AGS R A G OOR D

commercial & residential

Specializing In: • Hot Dipped Galvanized Gating • Fiberglass Gates • Crowd Gates • Parlor Stalls • Free Stalls • Parlor Floors• Parlor Remodels

www.stormsweldingmfg.com

commercial, residential, rolling steel

CITY-DOOR

.COM

We work on any make and model

CITY-DOOR 715-781-0256

952-466-3343 • 513 W. Lake St., Cologne, MN

Jason Rouleau • jason@city-door.com 215 S Chestnut St. • LaCrescent, MN 55947

‘Attach faster, milk faster, adapt faster’ Target ‘milkability’

Preparing for transition to milking is important in any system and critical for voluntary milking. Changes in udder and teat VKDSH DQG VL]H GXULQJ WKH À UVW WZR ZHHNV DIWHU FDOYLQJ FDQ DIIHFW XQLW DWWDFKPHQW WLPH Á RZ UDWH PLONLQJ HIÀ FLHQF\ completeness and interval. The NEW Udder ComfortTM Battery-operated Backpack Sprayer makes this ‘robot-ready’ routine possible: 7 to 14 pre- and/or post-fresh Udder Comfort DSSOLFDWLRQV WR WKH ERWWRP RI WKH XGGHU DQG XS D IHZ LQFKHV “When you’ve got the data, it’s easy to see little things add up to make the big picture better. I can’t believe anyone’s not doing this. We do it GDLO\ LQ WKH FORVHXS SHQ D ZHHN EHIRUH FDOYLQJ WR SUHSDUH FRZV HVSHFLDOO\ \HDU ROGV µ VD\V -RVK /LQJHQ %DODWRQ 0LQQHVRWD ZLWK URERWV PLONLQJ FRZV PDNLQJ OEV energy-corrected milk and SCC of 100,000. “ They come in full of milk, but so soft. Attachments are faster. 7KH\ PLON IDVWHU DQG DGDSW IDVWHU ZLWK IHZHU FKDQJHV WR WKH XGGHU LQ WKH À UVW GD\V UHGXFLQJ IHWFK GD\V E\ RYHU RQ À UVW ODFWDWLRQV 7KDW·V KXJH ´ 'R , VWLOO UXQ LQWR D KLJK FRQGXFWLYLW\ FRZ" <HV EXW QRW QHDU OLNH EHIRUH 7KLV DEVROXWHO\ SD\V µ -RVK H[SODLQV &KDG )UHGG :HVWÀ HOG 1 < DJUHHV +H KDV URERWV PLONLQJ FRZV PDNLQJ RYHU OEV ZLWK 6&& EHORZ

´7KHUH·V QR GLVUXSWLRQ ZLWK WKH EDFNSDFN :H FDQ XVH LW DQ\ZKHUH ³ GU\ FRZ SHQ VSULQJHU SHQ PLGGOH RI WKH EDUQ DQ\ZKHUH 7KH VHFUHW LV JHWWLQJ WKH 8GGHU &RPIRUW RQ DW OHDVW WKH À UVW WR GD\V IUHVK µ VD\V &KDG ´0RUH FRPIRUWDEOH FRZV XVH WKH URERW PRUH IUHTXHQWO\ WUDLQLQJ WR LW IDVWHU DQG RXU PDVWLWLV LV GRZQ *UHDW SURGXFW JUHDW WRRO JUHDW WHDP µ KH DGGV KWWSV ZS PH SE Z+ H'

Quality Udders Make Quality Milk

Maximum Results Minimal Cost 1.888.773.7153 uddercomfort.com

Call to locate a distributor near you. &Žƌ ĞǆƚĞƌŶĂů ĂƉƉůŝĐĂƟ ŽŶ ƚŽ ƚŚĞ ƵĚĚĞƌ ŽŶůǇ͕ ĂŌ Ğƌ ŵŝůŬŝŶŐ͕ ĂƐ ĂŶ ĞƐƐĞŶƟ Ăů ĐŽŵƉŽŶĞŶƚ ŽĨ ƵĚĚĞƌ ŵĂŶĂŐĞŵĞŶƚ͘ tĂƐŚ ĂŶĚ ĚƌǇ ƚĞĂƚƐ ƚŚŽƌŽƵŐŚůǇ ďĞĨŽƌĞ ŵŝůŬŝŶŐ͘

Page 20 • Dairy Star • Saturday, April 10, 2021

ConƟnued from RADEMACHER-MEIER | Page 18

Describe your breeding philosophy. We breed for solid, functional cows that last.

What guidelines do you follow to reach the goals for your breeding program? We believe in overall management of cows – paying attention to cow comfort and close attention to nutritional needs and watching for irregularities in the lactating group. If something is wrong nutritionally, it usually rears its head with lactating cows. Also, a regular hoof trimming program helps. All heifers are trimmed at 60-90 days in milk, and everyone is trimmed at dryoff. We have a trimmer here monthly and have snubbed lameness on the farm. We don’t even have a need to run

a footbath anymore. What are the top traits you look for in breeding your dairy herd and how has this changed since you started farming? Health traits, feet and legs, and udder composition. Fertility gures in as well, but if other things fall in line, fertility tends to follow suit. We push for the best animal we can get and raise them the best way, and we nd that milk production also falls in line. The traits we breed for have not changed a whole lot over the years except perhaps we focus more on health traits now than we did in the past. Whereas before, stature and capacity may have ranked higher than longevity.

STACEY SMART/DAIRY STAR

The lactaƟng barn contains separate pens for 2-year-olds and mature cows with access to outdoor feeding. This barn and the transiƟon barn both feature sprinkler systems to keep cows cool during the summer – an investment that reaped immediate rewards for concepƟon rates. What are certain traits you try to avoid? Large, typey cows. We don’t want inefcient animals.

STACEY SMART/DAIRY STAR

The farm’s stanchion barn was converted into sand-bedded freestall housing for heifers. Heifers are bred at 13 months of age.

Describe the ideal cow for your herd. She is middle of the road mature weight and size and is the kind of cow that will give you 5 to 6 years or three-plus lactations. Our ideal cow is a well put together animal that holds up. She is not one that is extreme on any one thing. I don’t need a recordbreaking cow. I’d rather get four to ve lactations out of a good cow than two lactations

PLANNING A NEW BUILDING PROJECT?

Let us Help!

We build barns and pole buildings!

out of a gangbuster cow. What role does genetics have in reaching the goals of your farm? Genetics plays a big role in helping us reach our goals. You’re not going to get there if cows are not capable of doing it. Genetics dictate what you’re going to get, and you have to do everything you can to maximize the potential of the genetics you have. As we get daughters out of better bulls, we can be more selective with our culling.

What percentage of your herd is bred to sexed, conventional and beef semen? For heifers, 80% are bred to sexed and/or conventional semen. The rst service is sexed semen, and the second and third services are conventional. We usually don’t go past a third breeding. We sort heifers by net merit, and the bottom 20% are bred to beef semen. Cows in their rst and second lactations are bred to conventional semen, while animals in their third lactation Turn to RADEMACHER-MEIER | Page 22

¿Como se dice?

SPANISH CORNER SPONSORED BY:

Have you ever wondered ‘How do I say that in Spanish?’. Below are a few common phrases heard around the dairy, along with how to say them in Spanish.

› Drive the skid steer carefully please. Maneje el montacargas (skid steer) con cuidado por favor. Mah-neh-heh ehl mohn-tah-kahr-gahs (skid steer) kohn kwee-dah-doh pohr-fah-bohr.

› Check the oil and gasoline on the tractor please. SPECIALIZING IN • • • • •

General Construction New Construction Pole Buildings & Barns Equipment Sales Equipment Install & Service

Building Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, and Nebraska’s premier hog confinement, dairy, and poultry barns. 105 NE Johnson St. • Elkader, IA 52043

(563) 245-9000 1002 Grand Ave. • Alden, IA 5006

(515) 859-3204 www.premieragsystems.com

Revise el aceite y la gasolina en el tractor por favor. Rreh-bee-seh ehl ah-sey-the ee lah Gah-soh-lee-nah ehn ehl Trahk-duhr pohr-fah-bohr.

› Wear the seat belt please. Use el cinturón de seguridad por favor. Yus-eh ehl seen-too-rohn deh seh-goo-ree-dahd pohr-fah-bohr.

Have a phrase you want to learn? Submit your request to Jorge.

Jorge Delgado Talent Development Expert jdelgado@alltech.com

www.alltech.com/dairy-on-farm-support

Dairy Star • Saturday, April 10, 2021 • Page 21

Financing subject to pre-approval through JD Financial. Some restrictions apply. See dealer for details.

Low-Rate Financing Available

JD 569, 2014, ##179194 17919 1944

JD 973PT, 2012 #148479

JD 460M, 2018, #164359

25,900

48,500

JD 569, 2013, #177245

43,900

Demco RM600, $ 2014 #181336

17,900

JD 469, 2015, #175511

21,500

Hardi Commander $ 1200, 2002, #181150

17,500

23,900

Top Air TA1200, $ 2011, #179435

44,900

Equipment and pictures added daily • Go to www.mmcjd.com 4 7 6 3 4 2 2 10 17 17 6 15 9 5 14 14 3 10 1 15 3 2 1 10 17 7 6 6 8 2 6 15 4 17 6 6 9

DISKS C-IH RMX340 2009, 35’, 3-Section Folding, 9” Spacing, #181151 ......................... $29,400 JD 637 2011, 45’, 5-Section Folding, 9” Spacing, #166177 .................................... $34,900 JD 220 18’, #181622 ................................................................................................$4,900 Wishek 862-NT 2009, 33’, 3-Section Folding, #163465 ....................................... $19,900 FIELD CULTIVATORS JD 1010 24’, 3-Section Folding, C-Shank, #181016..................................................$3,950 C-IH Tigermate 255 2018, 55’ 5-Section Folding, C-Shank, #181416 ................. $94,900 JD 2210 2012, 32’, 3-Section Folding, C-Shank, #173629 ..................................... $35,900 Sunflower 5035 2016, 24’, 3-Section Folding; C-Shank, #177191....................... $28,900 C-IH 4300 30’, 3-Section Folding, C-Shank, #181148 ..............................................$8,500 JD 960 26’, 3-Section Folding, C-Shank, #181586 ....................................................$6,000 JD 2210 2013, 50.5’, 5-Section Folding, C-Shank, #181334 .................................. $46,900 JD 2210 2013, 50.5’, 5-Section Folding, C-Shank, #181660 .................................. $47,500 JD 960 1989, 38’, 3-Section Folding, C-Shank, #180045 ..........................................$4,000 JD 980 1994, 35.5’, 3-Section Folding, C-Shank, #181327 .......................................$9,500 JD 960 1989, 42’, 5-Section Folding, C-Shank, #165959 ..........................................$5,900 Elmers 6400 1991, 41’, 3-Section Folding, S-Tine, #178092 ................................ $10,900 JD 980 2004, 37’, 3-Section Folding, C-Shank, #181236 ....................................... $17,900 INTEGRAL SPRAYERS CENTURY 300 1979, #171243.................................................................................$2,900 Demco RM600 2014, #181336 ............................................................................ $17,900 Marfle 2008, #177651 ............................................................................................$6,900 Fast 973PT 2012, #148479 .................................................................................. $48,500 LARGE SQUARE BALERS JD L330 2016, 7000 Bale Count, #179376 ............................................................ $89,900 C-IH LBX331 2002, 53000 Bale Count, #181560 .................................................. $20,900 MOWER CONDITIONERS NH H7230 2015, #176984 ................................................................................... $22,400 Hesston 1372 2010, #178648 ............................................................................. $17,400 JD 635 2009, #173285.......................................................................................... $14,900 JD 956 2015, #180948.......................................................................................... $35,900 JD 946 2010, #179286.......................................................................................... $18,500 NH H7550 2014, #167351 ................................................................................... $19,900 MULCH FINISHERS JD 724 1990, 20’, 3-Section Folding, #174088 .........................................................$5,900 Sunflower 6331 25’, 3-Section Folding, #174316 ..................................................$4,900 Kuhn Krause 6200-45 2014, 45’, 9” Spacing, #180001$45,900 DRAWN PLANTERS JD 1750 1997, 6 Row, 30”, Rigid, Vacuum, 1.6 Bu. Hopper, #176829 .................... $13,900 JD 1790 2003, 16/32 Row, 15/30” Spacing, Flex Fold, Vacuum, Central Fill System, #181335 ................................................................................. $62,900 JD 7200 1988, 8 Row, 36” Spacing, Wing Fold, Vacuum, 1.6 Bu. Hopper, #180622 ..$8,400 White 6100 1995, 6 Row, 30’ Spacing, Rigid Frame, Plate Metering System, #181144 .............................................................................$7,900 JD 1770 1997, 16 Row, 30” Spacing, Flex Fold, Vacuum, 3.0 Bu. Hopper, #180078$19,500

9 JD 1760NT 2014, 8 Row, 30” Spacing, Wing Fold, Vacuum, 3.0 Bu. Hopper, #181228....................................................................................... $37,500 16 JD DB66 2017, 36 Row, 22” Spacing, Wing Fold, Exact Emerge, Central Fill System, Row Command, Elect. Drive, #175194................................................................. $349,500 5 JD DB44 2013, 24 Row, 22” Spacing, Flex Fold, Vacuum, Central Fill System, Row Command, #179347 .................................................................................... $159,900 5 JD 1775NT 2021, 16 Row, 30” Spacing, Flex Fold, Exact Emerge, Central Fill System, Row Command, Elect. Drive, #174940 .................................. $199,500 5 JD DB66 2013, 36 Row, 22” Spacing, Flex Fold, Vacuum, Central Fill System, Row Command, #181324 ..................................................... $219,500 11 JD 1770 1997, 16 Row, 30” Spacing, Flex Fold, Vacuum, 1.6 Bu. Hopper, #181280....................................................................................... $22,400 8 JD 1770NT 2013, 16 Row, 30” Spacing, Flex Fold, Vacuum, 3.0 Bu. Hopper, Row Command, #177779 ...................................................................................... $75,900 14 Wil-Rich PT2200 2005, 24 Row, 22” Spacing, Wing Fold, Vacuum, 3.0 Bu. Hopper, #177551....................................................................................... $33,900 INTEGRAL PLANTERS 6 JD 1720 2006, 16 Row, 30” Spacing, Wing Fold, Vacuum, 3.0 Bu. Hopper, #181587....................................................................................... $24,400 15 JD 1710 24 Row, 22’ Spacing, Wing Fold, Vacuum, 3.0 Bu. Hopper, #168140........ $14,900 5 JD 7300 1989, 12 Row, 30” Spacing, Wing Fold, Vacuum, 1.6 Bu. Hopper, #180958..........................................................................................$9,000 3 JD 7300 1992, 12 Row, 30” Spacing, Wing Fold, Vacuum, 1.6 Bu. Hopper, #175563..........................................................................................$9,900 3 JD 7300 2003, 22” Spacing, Wing Fold, Vacuum, 1.6 Bu. Hopper, #181589........... $15,000 PULL-TYPE SPRAYERS 4 Hardi NP1100 2003, #180960................................................................................$8,500 10 Hardi NAVIGATOR 1000 2007, #169543 ............................................................. $11,900 17 Top Air TA1200 2005, #180618 ........................................................................... $12,500 1 Hardi NAV550 2005, #179504................................................................................$9,500 16 Hardi Navigator 4000 #180889 ......................................................................... $15,000 5 Hardi Commander Plus 1200 2002 #181150.................................................... $17,500 14 Redball 132’ walking tandems #176938 ......................................................... $12,900 3 Top Air TA2400 2011, #179435 ........................................................................... $44,900 3 Hardi Navigator 4000 2013, #179001 ............................................................... $24,000 3 Hardi Commander 1500 gallon, 2005, #181238 ................................................ $19,500 ROUND BALERS 4 JD 459 2014, Mega Wide Pickup, Twine & Surface Wrap, 540 PTO, 4’ Bale, 3600 Bale Count, #177752 ........................................................................ $29,400 4 JD 560M 2019, Mega Wide Pickup, Twine & Surface Wrap, 1000 PTO, 5’ Bale, 2100 Bale Count, #179000 ........................................................................ $45,500 2 NH BR7060 2011, Mega Wide Pickup, Surface Wrap, 540 PTO, 4’ Bale, Precut Knives, 7300 Bale Count, #169262 ............................................................. $23,900 2 NH 664 1998, Pickup: Regular; Wrapping: Twine Only; 540 PTO, 5’ Bale, #171161.......................................................................................................$3,950

2 JD 569 2012, Mega Wide Pickup, Twine & Surface Wrap, 1000 PTO, 5’ Bale, 3300 Bale Count, #173254 ........................................................................ $38,400 10 JD 569 Silage Special 2015, Mega Wide Pickup, Twine & Surface Wrap, 540 PTO, 5’ Bale, 3300 Bale Count, #178210.......................................................... $41,500 10 JD 560M 2018, Mega Wide Pickup, Surface Wrap, 1000 PTO, 5’ Bale, 7600 Bale Count, #181057 .................................................................................... $41,500 10 JD 854 Silage Special 2013, Mega Wide Pickup, Twine & Surface Wrap, 1000 PTO, 5’ Bale, Precut Knives, 6000 Bale Count, #181465 ................................. $27,900 10 JD 569 2016, Mega Wide Pickup, Twine & Surface Wrap, 1000 PTO, 5’ Bale, 9800 Bale Count, #181002 .................................................................................... $31,400 17 JD 569 2014, Mega Wide Pickup, Twine & Surface Wrap, 1000 PTO, 5’ Bale, 15560 Bale Count, #179194 .................................................................................. $25,900 6 JD 460M 2018, Mega Wide Pickup, Twine & Surface Wrap, 1000 PTO, 4’ Bale, Precut Knives, 6400 Bale Count, #164359 ................................................. $43,900 6 JD 560M 2019, Mega Wide Pickup, Surface Wrap, 1000 PTO, 5’ Bale, 7200 Bale Count, #179188 ........................................................................ $42,400 6 Claas 480RC 2017, Mega Wide Pickup, Surface Wrap, 540 PTO, 4’ Bale, Precut Knives, 5165 Bale Count, #179187 ................................................. $31,500 6 JD 459 Silage Special 2017, Mega Wide Pickup, Surface Wrap, 4’ Bale, 3800 Bale Count, #177855 ........................................................................ $35,900 6 JD 569 Silage Special 2013, Mega Wide Pickup, Surface Wrap, 1000 PTO, 5’ Bale, 9540 Bale Count, #177861 ........................................................................ $29,400 6 NH Rollbelt 460 2015, Mega Wide Pickup, Twine & Surface Wrap, 540 PTO, 4’ Bale, 9000 Bale Count, #178946.......................................................... $20,900 6 JD 569 2016, Mega Wide Pickup, Surface Wrap, 1000 PTO, 5’ Bale, 5085 Bale Count, #180947 .................................................................................... $42,400 6 JD 567 2002, Mega Wide Pickup, Twine Only, 540 PTO, 5’ Bale, 8312 Bale Count, #179041 .................................................................................... $11,900 6 JD 566 1998, Regular Pickup, 540 PTO, 5’ Bale, 14000 Bale Count, #181621............$9,400 12 JD 469 2015, Mega Wide Pickup, Twine Only, 540 PTO, 4’ Bale, 8060 Bale Count, #175511 .................................................................................... $23,900 5 JD 569 2013, Mega Wide Pickup, Twine & Surface Wrap, 1000 PTO, 5’ Bale, 18000 Bale Count, #172972 ...................................................................... $30,900 5 JD 568 2008, Mega Wide Pickup, Twine & Surface Wrap, 1000 PTO, 5’ Bale, 13500 Bale Count, #176786 ...................................................................... $21,900 11 NH BR780 2003, Regular Pickup, Twine Only, 540 PTO, 5’ Bale, #169873.......................................................................................................$6,900 11 JD 468 Silage Special 2011, Mega Wide Pickup, Twine Only, 540 PTO, 4’ Bale, 15000 Bale Count, #180946........................................................ $16,900 11 JD 468 Silage Special 2008, Mega Wide Pickup, Twine Only, 540 PTO, 4’ Bale, 12000 Bale Count, #181574........................................................ $15,900 3 Vermeer 605F 1980, Regular Pickup, Twine Only, 1000 PTO, 5’ Bale, #168368.......................................................................................................$2,400 WINDROWERS 8 JD W260 2019, Platform Size: 16, Rubber/Urethane Conditioner, 175 hrs., #175592 ........................................................................... $174,900

Visit one of our 17 locations in Central Minnesota! CALL (7) = ALEXANDRIA (9) = PRINCETON (12) = AITKIN (4) = ST. CLOUD (1) = GLENCOE 4561 Hwy. 212

1035 35th Ave. NE

(2) = HOWARD LAKE (5) = GLENWOOD 5845 Keats Ave. SW

1710 N. Franklin

(3) = STEWART

(6) = SAUK CENTRE

78412 Co. Rd. 20

1140 Centre St.

320-763-4220 5005 Co. Rd. 82 SE

3708 Baptist Church Rd.

(8) = PAYNESVILLE

16069 Hwy. 27 E.

725 Lake Ave. S.

1120 2nd St. NW

(10) = LITTLE FALLS (13) = BAXTER (11) = WADENA 62505 US Hwy. 10

7045 Foley Rd.

TODAY! (320)365-1653 (14) = ELBOW LAKE

(16) = BENSON

(15) = MORRIS

(17) = MADISON

110 2nd St. NE

23604 State Hwy. 9

380 Atlantic Ave. 516 1st St. E

SEE OUR COMPLETE INVENTORY WITH PICTURES AND DESCRIPTIONS AT: www.mmcjd.com

Page 22 • Dairy Star • Saturday, April 10, 2021

ConƟnued from RADEMACHER-MEIER | Page 20

Start planning for tomorrow, today. 0

% FINANCING FOR UP

72 MONTHS*

STACEY SMART/DAIRY STAR

3 MONTH DEFERRAL ON CONTRACTS UP TO 60 MONTHS*

Cows in their third lactaƟon or higher and 20% of the farm’s heifers are bred to beef semen at Rademacher-Meier Dairy. The family likes the Angus calf’s aggressive eaƟng habits and overall healthiness. and above are bred to beef. If cows get past 145 days in milk, we start to evaluate whether or not to put any more effort into them. We’ll give heavy producers another round of ovsynch and start a CIDR. We stop working with poor producers who are not pregnant after two services and have reached 145-160 days in milk. About 43% of the herd are rst-calf heifers, 30% are second lactation, and 27% are third lactation and higher. What is your conception rate? How does this differ with different types of semen? We have maintained a 35% pregnancy rate for the last 12 months. Our services per conception rate is 1.6. Pregnancy rates are broken down as follows: 65% for conventional, 25% for beef and 10% for sexed.

SCAN ME

What is the age of your heifers at rst service? Thirteen months.

www.delaval.com

East Central Dairy Supply Mora, MN 320-679-1029

How does your heifer inventory affect your breeding program? We make adjustments to maintain a certain level of inventory. If our pregnancy rates are high and we’re going to be ooded with heifers, we’ll ramp up the percentage of animals bred to beef. If pregnancy rates are low and inventory is going down, we’ll back off breeding to beef and ramp up conventional and/ or sorted semen in both cows and heifers. It’s easier to uctuate our breeding program with heifers than it is with cows. We’ve been impressed with the Angus calves. They are aggressive eaters. They take off and never stop. They handle the weaning/transition phase much better than our Holsteins, and they’re always healthy. They’re just a good, solid animal.

Farm Systems Melrose, MN 320-256-3276 Watertown, SD 605-886-7401 Sioux Falls, SD 800-284-0015

Tell us about your farm. Alan’s parents bought this farm in 1956. Heidi started in partnership with her parents, Alan and Fran, in 2006. In 2011, Stuart also joined the partnership. We milk 250 cows and nish our beef calves. We farm 900 acres of corn, soybeans, wheat, alfalfa, and some sorghum sudangrass, and do the majority of the eld work ourselves.

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 Dairy Systems, Inc. West Union, IA 563-422-5355 WISCONSIN Advanced Dairy/Bob’s Dairy Supply Spring Valley, WI 715-772-3201 Ederer Dairy Supply Plain, WI 608-546-3713

DeLaval Dairy Service Kaukauna, WI 866-335-2825 Joe’s Refrigeration Inc. Withee, WI 715-229-2321 Mlsna Dairy Supply Inc. Cashton, WI 608-654-5106 Professional Dairy Services Arlington, WI 608-635-0267 Redeker Dairy Equipment Brandon, WI 920-346-5579 The Scharine Group Inc. Whitewater, WI 800 472-2880 Mt Horeb, WI 800-872-3470

What is the greatest lesson you have learned through your breeding program? From the day a calf hits the ground until she leaves the farm, everything you do makes a difference – it all adds up. If you neglect something, cows tell you where you are lacking. The same is true for milk production.

MINNESOTA & SOUTH DAKOTA D&D Ag Supply Pennock, MN 320-599-4466

S&S Dairy System LLC St. Charles, MN 507-932-4288 Professional Dairy Systems Wadena, MN 218-632-5416

*0% interest for up to 72 months, DeLaval equipment only and restrictions may apply, on approved credit and minimum deal amount of $25,000 is required to qualify. Lease option may include a residual to be paid in order to obtain full ownership at the end of the term. Subject to special conditions’ that may cease at any time. Accrued interest invoices are capped at 4 months, effective Jan 1st 2021. is a registered trademark of Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. and “DeLaval” is a registered trade/servicemark of DeLaval Holding AB © 2021 DeLaval Inc. DeLaval, 11100 North Congress Avenue, Kansas City, Missouri 64153-1296. www.delaval.com

PROTECT AGAINST SLIPS & FALLS • • • •

Traction in all directions Reduce animal stress Aids in heat detection Cost effective & practical

We offer grooving & scarifying

BEST FOOTING CONCRETE GROOVING

Strum, WI

715-579-0531

www.bestfootingconcretegrooving.com

CALL TODAY!

Dairy Star • Saturday, April 10, 2021 • Page 23

Updating on their own timeline

Rollers grow herd, improve facilities over six years By Andrea Borgerding andrea.b@dairystar.com

HEWITT, Minn. – The Roller family knew they had to make changes to the facilities on their dairy to ensure the farm’s future. With the goal of improving cow comfort and minimizing labor, Ryan Roller, planned every angle, dimension and feature of the family’s new 62-cow freestall, 30-cow bedded pack, tunnel ventilated facility and swing-10 milking parlor. “We wanted to get a barn that had more cow comfort – that was the main thing,” Gene Roller said. Ryan agreed. “I would say more efciency too,” Ryan said. “We would spend many hours milking.” Prior to updating their facilities, the Rollers – Gene and wife Brenda, along with their son, Ryan, and his wife, Amy – milked a herd of 50 registered Holsteins in a tiestall barn. The barn needed repairs, and with Ryan returning to the farm full-time, the Rollers’ next step was to construct a new facility. What the Rollers did not plan on was the building process taking several years to complete. “It was a wakeup call because we thought we could build in one year, be done and milking in it,” Ryan said. “It ended up being years of building.”

MARK KLAPHAKE/DAIRY STAR

The Rollers – from leŌ, Gene, holding Charlie, Brenda, Ryan holding Macy and Amy holding Caleb – recently nished a facility expansion project. The Rollers milk 92 cows near HewiƩ, Minnesota. In 2014, the Rollers built a 66- by 100-foot bedded pack barn adjacent to the tiestall barn. The pack barn provides 100 square feet per cow and initially housed their high producing cows while the Rollers continued to milk in the tiestall. “We put our better cows in the pack barn, and we couldn’t believe the response in increased milk production,” Ryan said. “That really pushed us to get the sand-bedded free stalls done.” But the next stage for the Rollers was building the parlor. In 2016, the

Rollers completed the swing-10 milking parlor with used automatic takeoff units and a new rapid exit parlor. Today, one or two people can milk the herd in 1.5 to 2 hours. “I’m really glad we did 10 cows (per side),” Brenda said. “Having 20 cows in here at a time – it seems to go smooth.” Brenda said heifers easily transition into milking in the parlor. “The heifers are used to it in two days and are much easier to handle versus in the tiestall,” Brenda said.

The entire herd transitioned well into the milking parlor, but at that time, cows were being housed in three different places – the pack barn, tiestall barn and pasture. The Rollers were eager to nish the next stage which was creating a sandbedded, 62-stall freestall area by adding on to an existing building and connecting it to the bedded pack barn. Ryan had spent years researching the benets and management of sand Turn to ROLLERS | Page 25

CIH 5300

MX 120

grain drill w/grass $11,000

FWA w/ldr $57,000

WE ARE YOUR DEALER FOR:

Midsota Rock Wagons

USED TRACTORS

Sitrex Side Rakes

CIH 8940 Magnum, FWA..................Coming In CIH 8920 Magnum, FWA, 3,900 hrs ... $75,000 CIH 7220 Magnum ..........................Coming In CIH 7120 Magnum ............................. $40,000 CIH 7130 Magnum, FWA, 3,300 hrs. . $68,000 MX 120, 2WD, 4500 hrs. ................... $50,000 MX 120, FWA w/ldr ............................ $57,000 IH 1586, 5165 hrs. ............................. $20,000 IH 1086, 4800 hrs., sharp .................. $22,000 IH 986 ................................................ $20,000 JD 2955, FWA, cab, 4100 hrs. ........... $32,000

TILLAGE

CIH RMX 370, 27’ disc....................... $28,000 CIH Tigermate II, 30’ .......................... $21,000 CIH Tigermate 200, 32’ rolling basket $32,000 CIH Tigermate 200, 32’ ...................... $27,000 CIH 4800 26’ ﬁeld cultivator................. $7,500 CIH 7500, 4-bottom plow..................... $5,000 CIH 5100 grain drill .............................. $5,000 CIH 4300 30’ ﬁeld cult ......................... $9,500 CIH 3900 cushion gang disc, 21’ ....... $13,000 CIH 527B ripper ................................. $13,000 DMI 530 w/lead shanks...................... $14,000

Mandako Land Rollers

DMI 530 Ecolo-Tiger .......................... $12,000 DMI Tigermate, 26’ .............................. $9,500 JD 714, 9-shank disc chisel ................. $9,500 Glencoe 4450 13-shank, disc chisel ... $10,500

TOP PRICES PAID & CONTRACTING AVAILABLE

HAYING & FORAGE EQUIP.

New Holland RV 450 w/slicer, endless belts, less than 1700 bales ........................ $35,000 (2) H&S XL 16’ silage boxes ...........$2,600 ea. Sitrex QR12, QR10, QRS rakes ................ New Many sizes of rakes available All Sizes of Sitrex Rakes .....................On Hand

GRAVITY BOXES

Brent grain cart .................................. $25,000 Brent Grain cart.................................... $9,500 Many Used Gravity Boxes - Demco, J&M, Brent

MISCELLANEOUS

NH 680 manure spreader ..................... $7,500 NH 185 spreader ................................ $11,500 CIH 5300 grain drill w/grass .............. $10,900 Midsota 5510 & F610 rock trailers .... In Stock Midsota F8216 rock trailer ........................ Call Gehl 170 grinder, scale, like new........ $22,000 New Red Devil & Agro Trend Snowblowers

GREENWALD FARM CENTER Greenwald, MN • 320-987-3177

WWW.GREENWALDFARMCENTER.COM

Your Market For:

Holstein Steers • Fed Dairy Cows • Lean Dairy Cows Your local area buyer for MN, IA and WI.

Bruce Belter • 507-429-0359

Holstein Steers • Lean Cows • Bulls • Fed Cows

Tyrel Lembke • 877-300-9298 Long Prairie, MN Lean Cows • Bulls

Green Bay Dressed Beef

Dean Derricks • 920-655-4730 Green Bay, WI Holstein Steers • Fed Cows • Lean Cows

Chad McQuade • 605-668-4275 Yankton, SD Lean Cows • Bulls

Mike Baczwaski • 800-445-0042 Gibbon, NE Fed Cows • Lean Cows • Bulls

Long Prairie Buying Station

Cody Ritter • 320-293-5212 • 320-732-8358 Long Prairie, MN

Page 24 • Dairy Star • Saturday, April 10, 2021

20th Annual

Grand Prize Winner will be announced May 10 on KASM 1150 AM at 9:15 a.m.

Central Minnesota Credit Union And The Dairy Star Present

ROCK PICKERS FOR A DAY

One Finalist From Each Location!

Finalist Drawing To Be Held In May At Branch OfÀces

Meet the Central Minnesota Credit Union and Dairy Star Rock Pickers...

Finalists will win a Prize Pack

Register at the below Central Minnesota Credit Union locations to have staff from the Credit Union and the Dairy Star help you pick rocks for 4 hours! *Enter as often as you would like, one entry per visit. CMCU membership is not required to enter.

You needed smart Ànancial solutions for your farm. So we made that our focus.

888.330.8482 | myCMCU.org Equal Opportunity Employer

Live Remot Throughou es Day During t The Picking - L Rock is to KASM F ten or Details!

Dairy Star • Saturday, April 10, 2021 • Page 25

ConƟnued from ROLLER | Page 23 bedding. He found the benets outweighed the challenges of managing sand. “I did a lot of research to be sure to get the stall design right,” Ryan said. “I looked at every specic design detail to be sure the cows would use them correctly.” Initially, the Rollers did not have money to purchase a stall groomer. Ryan manages the stalls by adding sand every 5-7 days and leveling the stalls in between. The barn was completed last fall, and the herd responded immediately to the new housing area. “It was a huge jump in milk production,” Gene said. “We are thinking because of the stalls and increased cow comfort.” The Rollers think more access to water was also a contributing factor to increased milk production. Just months into the new facility, the Rollers are relieved to have the project done. Despite it taking longer than they thought, building in stages ended up being a blessing in disguise. “One good thing about us taking a little more time is being able to see things that we thought would be better,” Brenda said. Even with all his design preparation and planning, Ryan agreed. “It’s frustrating because you have to be patient, but in a way it is good because at each step you have time to think

ANDREA BORGERDING/DAIRY STAR

The Rollers used a porƟon of an original building to design the 62-stall freestall area of their facility. They built a lean onto the side to accommodate drive-by feeding. about it and try to do every part right,” Ryan said. The Rollers also did as much construction as they could themselves to help cut costs. They poured not all but most of the cement in the buildings, purchased dairy equipment, did the plumbing and installed stalls and headlocks. “If you can do it yourself, you can save at least half the cost,” Gene said. Looking back, Ryan said he would have done a few things differently. Managing manure in the barn is something Ryan would like to change eventually. “I designed the barn

around cow ow to the parlor,” Ryan said. “One thing I’d do differently is design the barn around manure ow.” Manure is scraped several times a day into a small holding pit and hauled out twice a day. Ryan would like to make an underground storage area where the holding pit is and pump it to a permanent storage. This improvement project is already in the works. “Eventually I would like to purchase a manure robot, but I am waiting for one that is designed to handle sand bedding,” Ryan said. In the 10-year plan, Ryan would like to invest in a Lely Vector feeding system. He

designed the freestall facility with plans to add a feed kitchen adjacent to it. “I’m looking to hire labor in the future, and I think we could gain enough to make (the Vector) pay,” Ryan said. “I like the feeding consistency, not wasting feed and always have feed pushed up.” Adding a milking parlor system is something Gene and Ryan were always working toward. “I like my cows, and I like to milk them myself – it forces me to work with them every day,” Ryan said. “I like that if I wanted to get 50 more cows, I can now.” Gene and Brenda milk in

the mornings while Ryan does feeding and scraping. Brenda and Ryan milk in the evenings. The herd is divided in two groups – a high group and a low group. The low group consists of 30 cows housed on the bedded pack. The high group of 60 cows is housed in the freestall area. Each group is brought into the holding area and milked one at a time. The Rollers recently made a key turning point in their expansion. “We are nally where we can get rid of the cows we don’t want anymore,” Ryan said. “We were always trying to save animals.” The Rollers breed for longevity among other features so having 10- to 11-year-old cows in their herd is not uncommon. Through the years of expansion – a slow and steady pace of growth – the Rollers were encouraged by the results from the changes they did for their herd. They know there will always be updates to be made to continue to allow for improvement. Ryan said there are many different ways to do things – there is no right or wrong way. “What works for one farmer may not work for the next farmer,” Ryan said. “Just about anybody can make anything work.” Ryan and Amy will be taking ownership of the dairy in 2022. Amy, who currently works off the farm, looks forward to helping more on the dairy in the future.

You Know Farming, AND SO DO WE. Specializing in Custom-Designed Agricultural Facilities Since 1970. Big or Small, We Design/Build Them All. Designers

| Construction Managers | Builders

400 Brickl Road | West Salem, WI 54669-0125

Toll Free: (800) 658-9030 | Web: BricklBros.com

Page 26 • Dairy Star • Saturday, April 10, 2021

New FARM Animal Care Guide will help dairies prepare

SDSU Extension and the University of NebraskaLincoln Extension have partnered to create a resource binder for dairy producers to prepare for the National Dairy FARM (Farmers Assuring Responsible Management) Animal Care Program Version 4. Created by the National Milk Producers Federation in partnership with Dairy Management Inc., the National Dairy FARM Program works with all U.S. dairy farmers, co-ops and processors to demonstrate to dairy customers and consumers that the dairy industry is taking the very best care of cows and the environment, producing safe, wholesome milk and adhering to the highest standards of workforce development. The purpose of the FARM Animal Care resource guide is to help dairy farms of all sizes prepare for the FARM Animal Care evaluation. “We knew there was a need for this resource binder. Dairy producers have reached out to us asking how they can prepare for the FARM Animal Care Program evaluation,” says Kim Clark, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension Dairy Educator. “We wanted to help producers better prepare for and feel condent with the evaluation.” The resource guide includes resources, tools and standard operating procedures, which can be used to meet each animal care standard set by the National Dairy FARM Program. The binder is divided into sections by topic. Each topic includes a summary sheet

“We want to meet the needs of dairy producers and provide them with the resources to make continuous improvement.” HEIDI CARROLL, SDSU EXTENSION

to meet that specic standard. A standard operating procedure template also accompanies each topic with the intent that it can be completed with each dairy farm’s step-by-step processes to meet that standard, or the dairy can develop their own document to meet each standard. Clark says completing the information in the resource binder does not guarantee each standard is met; it’s only the rst step. The FARM Animal Care Evaluator will determine if each standard is met by reviewing documentation and making observations. However, the dairy will be prepared with all the necessary documentation for each standard when the binder is complete. “Dairy farms of all sizes will benet from this resource binder,” says Heidi Carroll, SDSU Extension Livestock Stewardship Field Specialist and South Dakota Beef Quality Assurance Coordinator. “We want to meet the needs of dairy producers and provide them with the resources to make continuous improvement. This binder is a comprehensive package that processors and eld representatives can offer to dairy farms, and it improves communication and clarity about the animal care standards.” Resource binders can be purchased for $45 plus shipping. Binders can be purchased at the SDSU Bookstore and will be shipped within one to two weeks of ordering. Producers are encouraged to purchase binders now, as FARM Animal Care Evaluators are beginning to return to farms to conduct evaluations and follow-up on any prior evaluation’s corrective actions. Before placing an order for your dairy, farms are encouraged to reach out to their cooperative or FARM evaluator to ensure a copy has not already been purchased for them. For questions about this resource binder, contact Heidi Carroll at Heidi.Carroll@sdstate.edu or Kim Clark at KimClark@unl.edu.

The spring rush

sun is shining longer, we are keeping busy getting ready for another planting season. The seed has been delivered, inputs ordered, and the tractors have been taken out of the shed. Dual tires have been put on the planting tractor, and the planter is hooked up and opened out. A lot of work goes into getting the elds ready to plant. If the eld needs repairs to the tile or trees need to be worked on, it has to be done when the soil is dried from the snow cover. All of this needs to be done without getting trucks or equipment stuck. Then comes the rush when all the farmers begin working the ground, picking rocks and then nally the planting. Tina Hinchley, and her husband, Duane, daughter Anna, milk 240 registered Holsteins with robots. They also farm 2300 acres of crops near Cambridge, Wisconsin. The Hinchley’s have been hosting farm tour for over 25 years.

farmland, and it shows there were open elds without trees. We have used these maps from the past and also the most recent to document what our farmland restoration plans are. All of the agents we have worked with have been helpful and patient. They want to make the permitting process as painless as possible, and they want to make sure we are all in agreement on the plans to protect the land and water on this new property. Wisconsin Land and Water Conservation Association, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Natural Resources Conservation Service, United States Army Corps of Engineers and the township have all heard from us and have been proactive in our project to restore the farmland to what it was. We are hopeful we will be able to plant in the areas where the farmland restoration has taken place this spring. While the days are still warming the soil and the

te ly

pl e

ly,

www.boumatic.com

G e nt

My husband, Duane, loves eld work. He loves the smell of the soil. Using precision planting helps him feel good about being fussy about how the elds look as the seeds are sending up their rst leaves. We take evening drives spring, summer and fall just to see the crops growing. He takes pride in having healthy crops of corn, soybeans, wheat and alfalfa. If the wheat or alfalfa did not make it through the winter, he gets upset and tries to replant. Any time there is a wet hole after spring rains and the corn or soybean stand By Tina Hinchley got too wet, he tries to Farmer & Columnist replant. He knows it is not protable, but he does not want any weeds or sapling trees to get started and grow all summer. As he harvests in the fall, he starts thinking about the next year ahead. He analyzes what is happening in the ground. Not only does the yield monitor tell him how things are going as the corn and soybeans are going through the head of the combine, but he is also taking notes about things that might need attention come spring. Tile lines that need to be repaired or replaced. Overhanging branches that need to be trimmed back or the trees removed. As this year’s winter winds changed, the calendar ipped to March. Duane began looking at the notes and started making calls and organizing this spring’s plans. Could we handle more land? Now that I know how to mix feed since he has recovered from his hip

Dairy Star • Saturday, April 10, 2021 • Page 27

i c k ly

and C

Whil the While h d days are still ill warming the soil and the sun is shining longer, we are keeping busy getting ready for another planting season. surgery, he will head out early with the tractor. He was always itching to get out every spring when he saw the other farmers out, but he was always mixing feed. Now that I can do it, he will get more planted and can take on a little more farmland. We looked into purchasing a couple 40-acre parcels and what could be done with the property to restore the farmland. Trees have grown up over the past 30 years and have made some of the lower areas too wet to plant because the drainage tiles have lled up with tree roots. These tiles need to be cleaned or replaced. When trees need to be removed, they can be cut down, but anytime the roots are removed, there is a chance erosion can take place. We have spent over three weeks working on erosion control permits. The Wisconsin Land and Water Conservation Association has a mapping program with photos of all of the farmland in Dane County as far back as the 1950s. The maps show the contours with the elevations and slopes on the

Revolutionary Milking Claw

Flo-Star Xtreme ®

HOOF TRIMMING Since 1997

Trimming commercial and show cattle

We use a hydraulic upright chute for less stress. “Our two man crew allows us to complete the job in a timely manner with less disruption of your herd’s daily routine.”

507-272-3447

• Weighs only 9.5 oz. – Reduces operator fatigue during long milking shifts and allows more of the weight distribution to be in the shell and liner, reducing unit nit alignment issues. • Low Profile – The Xtreme has a height of only 5.2 inches. Perfect for small breeds and low-hanging udders. • Air Inlet – An air inlet designed into the claw results in a stable vacuum to the claw at all times. This means less bouncing of the claw and a more gentle milking for teat ends. • Patented X-crossed Inlet Design – Small improvements to an already great design; improved “cow fit”; fits wide, narrow, short or long udders and uneven teat placement. • Milkability – More stable flow of air out of the claw maintains vacuum stability. The milk quickly exits the claw. Even high producing cows will not flood the Xtreme.

Visit our website for more product information. U. S

Covering the states of MN, IA, SD, WI & IL

Call Dan at

‘Xtreme’ milking performance with unprecedented ted “Gently, Quickly and Completely” results.

Monahan

. Co m p a

Page 28 • Dairy Star • Saturday, April 10, 2021 Dana Adams, adam1744@umn.edu 320-204-2968 Joe Armstrong armst225@umn.edu 612.624.3610 Luciano Caixeta lcaixeta@umn.edu 612-625-3130 Gerard Cramer gcramer@umn.edu 612-625-8184 Marcia Endres miendres@umn.edu 612-624-5391 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 507-280-2863 Claire LaCanne lacanne@umn.edu 507-332-6109 Brenda Miller nels4220@umn.edu 320-732-4435 Erin Royster royster@umn.edu Isaac Salfer ijsalfer@umn.edu 320-296-1357 Jim Salfer salfe001@umn.edu 320-203-6093 Mike Schutz mschutz@umn.edu 612-624-1205 Melissa Wison mlw@umn.edu 612-625-4276

www.extension.umn.edu/dairy

Comparing health traits for conventional, organic cows By Brad Heins, Lydia Hardie, Isaac Haagen, Chad Dechow University of Minnesota

Increased selection for milk production has resulted in a decline in cow health which can decrease farm protability. However, the selection for improved health of heifers and cows is of increasing importance to dairy farmers. Health disorders are difcult to evaluate in the United States because uniform recording systems for health data are not utilized and the data is often incomplete. National genetic evaluations in the United States may lead to improved health in cows on conventional farms, but there is uncertainty in the improvement offered to organic dairy farmers. Organic cows only comprise approximately 3% of the United States’ dairy cow population. In August 2018, the Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding released evaluations for disease resistance traits and these were incorporated into the Net Merit index. The evaluations are from Dairy Herd Improvement Association herds across the United States and include displaced abomasum, milk fever, ketosis, mastitis, metritis and retained placenta health traits. The health evaluations are dened as resistance to a disease and presented as percentage points of resistance above or below the breed average. Favorable values for resistance to the health disorder will receive positive values. The Jersey breed has had health evaluations since April 2020. There is an economic impact of the health traits on the dairy farm; health costs range from $28 for a ketosis case to $197 for a displaced abomasum (see table). Rates of disease incidence for

Holstein and Jersey cows in the United States are in shown in the table. Mastitis has the highest incidence in Holstein and Jersey cows, and for other diseases, incidence is slightly lower for Jerseys compared to Holsteins. The Penn State University and the University of Minnesota collaborated on a research project to evaluate health traits of organic dairy cattle. The objectives were to characterize the genetics of health traits and determine the presence of genotype by environment interaction for health traits in United States organic dairy cows. We collected cow health data from 16 certied organic dairy farms from across the United States for the following traits: lameness, mastitis, metabolic diseases (displaced abomasum, ketosis and milk fever), and reproductive diseases (abortion, metritis and retained placenta). Because we did not use a random sample of herds, our reported incidence of disease cannot be assumed as representative of the United States organic dairy industry. The incidence rates of organic cows were generally comparable to what has been reported nationally for the United States dairy industry, based primarily on conventional cows. The mastitis incidence (13.8%) was similar to that of national evaluations and was the highest incidence of all health traits. We combined incidences of metabolic (1.3%; ketosis, DA and milk fever) and reproductive (7.6%; metritis and retained placenta) because of the low occurrence of any one trait. The national genetics evaluations for health do offer genetic improvement for cow health to organic farmers with greatest improvements for mastitis resistance. Albeit small, there is a heritable component to health traits which should foster their genetic improvement.

Health trait direct cost and incidence rates for Holstein, Jersey and organic Holsteins cows Estimated cost Holstein incidence Jersey incidence Organic Holstein Health trait ($ per case) (%) (%) incidence (%) Milk fever 34 1.3 1.2 Displaced abomasum 197 2.1 1.3 Ketosis 28 3.9 2.6 Mastitis 75 10.2 10.4 13.8 Metritis 112 6.2 5.0 Retained placenta 68 3.6 1.9 Lameness 8.6 Reproductive 7.4 Metabolic 1.3

WE MAKE HYDRAULIC HOSES! E L B A I L 0% APR E R L U F POWER ANCE SPE M R O 60 F CIAL FINANCING R E P MONTHS Skid Steer Loaders aders Track Loaders

OR CASH OFF

PERFECT TIME TO UPDATE

YOUR SKID STEER OR COMPACT TRACK LOADER!

5080D Keyline w/loader - $45,900

5120G

w/loader, 120 hp, power shift - $77,950

Ask about 0% Ànance options! MINNESOTA’S NEWESTT DEUTZ-FAHR DEALER

Must credit qualify through a third party financial provider. Delivery of machines must take place at time of order. Wacker Neuson reserves the right at any time to modify or discontinue this promotion/program. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Available in the United States and Canada only. Other restrictions may apply. Program ends June 30, 2021.

Take advantage of aggressive rates on powerful and reliable Wacker Neuson Skid Steer Loaders and Compact Track Loaders. Retail end-customers can receive financing of 0% for 60 months through June.

Call Josh 320-573-2341 4054 50th Ave Swanville, MN 56382

www.wollerequipment.com

Tips for spring manure application

Spring is here. While we all hope it sticks around, it probably has some people thinking about getting manure applied before planting. While you may already have a plan for where and how you want to apply the manure, here are some other tips to consider before getting started. Prepare your equipment and monitor it through the application season Whether you are pumping liquid manure or loading solid manure, going through your equipment now is important for avoiding spills or downtime when it is go time. For liquid systems, how did your hoses hold up over the winter? Are the pumps ready to go? For solid By Melissa Wilson spreaders, are the beaters worn down? Is there slack in the apron chain that should be adjusted? For any system UMN Extension that needs to travel on the road, are your signals and break lights working? During heavy use, keep monitoring these things to watch for wear and tear that can be xed before it becomes a problem. Collect a manure sample and send it for a nutrient analysis Manure is a valuable nutrient source for crops. Knowing the nutrient content can help you maximize its use and get the best bang for your buck. Collecting a manure sample when the manure is well mixed is ideal. This could be after liquid manure has been agitated or during the loading of solid manure. Either way, collecting several smaller samples during the loading process and mixing them well before sending to a lab is the preferred method. Choose a clean, plastic bottle with a wide opening and tight lid to ship the manure to the lab; do not use glass. It turns out the mail service is not happy when manure sample bottles break in transit. What tests should you choose? At a minimum, we suggest total nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, though ammonium content can also help understand the rst-year nitrogen fertilizer value of the manure. If you are interested in getting secondary and micronutrients tested in the manure, too, many laboratories offer these services. Look for laboratories that participate in the Manure Analysis Prociency Program or the Certied Manure Testing Program. Both programs are coordinated by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and help laboratories rene their manure analysis techniques to provide more reliable results. Consider options for reducing soil compaction Soil compaction during spring manure application is a concern. The rst and main thing you can do to reduce this issue is stay off wet elds if at all possible. The second thing to consider is tire size on your equipment. For example, say you have a 6,000-gallon tanker that weighs 55,000 pounds when full. Tires that are 20-by-20 on two axles on this tanker will likely have to be inated to 32 PSI, while 28.1-by-26 tires on two axles will be able to be inated at 16.5 PSI. To minimize compaction, you want to ideally be around 10 PSI when in the eld. Speaking of tires, making sure they are properly inated is another tip. Road ination is usually at a much higher PSI than is needed in a eld and is sometimes overlooked when entering a eld. Another consideration is controlling trafc patterns in the eld as much as possible. The rst pass of a heavy implement usually causes 80% of the compaction, so limiting equipment to the same areas can minimize the overall compaction in the eld. Finally, a healthy soil with good structure can resist compaction. Consider using cover crops and minimizing tillage to build up soil structure. Check out the Minnesota Ofce of Soil Health website for tips on getting started at https://mosh.umn. edu/management.

Dairy Star • Saturday, April 10, 2021 • Page 29

AUTHORIZED DEALERS:

Increase Ef¿ciency By Feeding TMR!

Hanson Silo Lake Lillian, MN 320-664-4171 Hartung Sales & Service Freeport, MN 320-836-2697 Melrose Imp. Melrose, MN 320-256-4253 Anibas Silo & Eq. Arkansaw, WI 715-285-5317

TMR Feedcarts Stationary TMR Mixers Round Bale Unrollers

Brubacker Ag Equipment LLC Curtiss, WI Edgar, WI Bagley, WI 715-613-7308

Free Brochures! 1.800.436.5623

TODAY’S CALVES ARE TOMORROW’S PROFITS

Keep your calves healthy and help them grow faster with Poly Dome huts!

Short on Labor? Short on time?

Automatic

AGRi-Speed HITCH We are an exclusive dealer!

• One person operation - eliminate the need for a second hand for hook-ups • Available for pick-ups, choppers, tractors, wagons, etc.

• Multiple sizes ranging from 22” to 10” • Galvanized roof built to open easily • Built with galvanized panels for easy feed flow adjustment

SKID LOADER ATTACHMENTS CHECK OUT OUR RENTAL SELECTION! Get your jobs done & save s money at the same time!

MAKE YOUR NEXT PROJECT

BRENTON BUILT

TIRES

Rolinda Dairy, Waterville IA

Dairy Facilities & Beef Confinements are Brenton Buildings Specialty, from • New Freestall Construction 50 cow expansions to multi-million • General Contracting dollar facilities click below to see what • Material only or Turn-Key Packages Brenton Buildings can do for you.

BRENTON BUILDINGS 206 W Center St., Monona, IA 52159

563-539-4450

FAX: 563-539-4545 • www.brentonbuildings.com

Automotive, Skid Loader, Tractor & Implement (Mounting Available) ANY BRAND NAME

Gilman Co-op Creamery FEED & FARM SUPPLY STORE

Gilman, MN 320-387-2770

Open M-F 7:30-7, Sat. 7:30-5, Sun. 8:30-1

Good service - fair prices - every day

WWW.GILMANCREAMERY.COM

Renovation rewards Page 30 • Dairy Star • Saturday, April 10, 2021

As I mentioned in my last column, Peter had big plans for the boys and any extra pairs of hands on the farm during spring break week. The plan kicked off last Monday morning. Stacy and I had to sort cows for phase one of the moving and renovation scheme. We rushed to the barn, leaving the posse of kids in the house with instructions to eat and get to the barn fast. While the last pen – our low milking group – was in the parlor, we needed to sort the grandma pen. All of the things had to happen in a timely fashion to accommodate cows, and now was the time. We pulled 26 cows out of the grandma group. The grandma pen was becoming the low pen, as the current low pen was the one in dire need of updating. While these girls wandered around in the alley, the time was right to move the dry cows to pasture. The roar of the Gray Ghost, our old farm truck, let Stacy and I know the kids had made it to the barn.

We zipped down to the dry pen to help ll the gaps in directing the dry cows out the door and down to their home for the next few days. Only two clever creatures escaped our makeshift moving lane. Now we had the room needed for moving the remaining 90-plus cows from the grandma pen to join their cohorts in the senior living center. Stacy and I hurried back. We chose to put these cows in a pen closer to the parlor, with more and bigger stalls for their stature. We call them our grandma cows with fondness, as they are the oldest and biggest girls on the farm, and we appreciate their years of service. The low pen of cows was lling the back of the holding area near to bursting, so the need for speed was eminent. We tried to explain this to the cows; they clearly did not care. They were denitely more perturbed that we were disturbing their morning naps. I held back the 26 cows while Stacy walked the

Keeping Families on the Farm™

GET THE MOST FROM YOUR COWS DO THE MOST FOR YOUR COWS with A5 Astronaut Automated Milking You:

• See health and productivity data on each cow • Optimize the production of your herd • Reduce manual, physical labor in milking • Gain from high-performance, low-energy equipment

She:

• Gains freedom and reduced stress • Decides when and how often to milk • Gets unique-to-her-body treatment • Enjoys consistency in her routine

Leedstone currently supports 88 farm families with nearly 270 automatic milking Astronauts.

Our team of experts is here to help you too! CONTACT YOUR LEEDSTONE REP TODAY!

Melrose, MN Jake—320.761.9630 jmoline@Leedstone.com

Glencoe, MN Paul—320.510.0200 pbecker@Leedstone.com

Plainview, MN Gregg—507.696.5518 gluebke@Leedstone.com

Menomonie, WI Mark—507.259.8047 mjurgenson@Leedstone.com

for the lastest news on Lely and more, with Leedstone! Leedstone.com/your-dairy-equipment-center •

• Family and veterinarian owned since 1994

pen pleading with the cows to move faster. Instead of taking their typical right turn into the parlor, they were to get to the end and hang a left into their new home. They were so pokey in getting there I thought we would never be done. They didn’t nd their steam until they Ramblings from the Ridge were stampeding back after making a lap around the new pen. There was a moment when I was close to abandoning my station to sort cows again later. I screamed. I yelled. I bellowed as loud as possible. I only let one cow sneak through into my group. They turned By Jacqui Davison back, and with a quick Columnist swinging of gates, we let the 26 back into their pen and released the low pen. There were some moments of mass confusion as the cows booked it up the alley and found the only turning option was right instead of their usual left. They made a few hot laps around the pen while Stacy and I held our breath that no cow would fall. But, as the mixer came by, they all calmed down. We sorted out 10 cows to go dry, so our pen numbers would be where we needed them to be, and took a deep breath. Phase one completed. The next step was to divide up our pen four cows. These are the middle-aged ladies of large stature. Twelve of my choosing went down to the tunnel barn to join their comrades in pen six. Then 10 went into the low pen. Phase two, check. For the next three days, Peter and his team tore out old loops, pipes, half-busted pieces of cement, and loosened up sand with the mini-excavator. As fast as one section of the barn was ripped out, they started hauling in new loops and replacing old brisket boards with heavy-duty berglass tubes. To give you an idea of his work force, one day for lunch, I fed 11 kids ages 14 and under and four men. The weather was in our favor, both for having dry cows on the pasture without worry and for getting inside work done. By noon on Wednesday, it was ready for cows. After a rushed lunch with the crew, Stacy and I left the children to their own devices and went back to the barn to sort our post-fresh pen as they got milked. Peter joined us at the barn with lists, and we got busy. We had decided that the post-fresh cows should be the lucky girls to get the newly restored pen three. Not only are there 10 more stalls than before, the smaller pen will help us not to overcrowd these cows. Their previous home in the tunnel barn is where the pen four cows and 37 of the longest fresh and biggest girls now call home. The dry cows are back in a freestall barn with locks on the gates and a stop sign to prevent any potential mix-ups. From the kids to the adults, we shared the feeling of accomplishment. Quite a productive week it was. The icing on the cake was to see the cows lying comfortably in the new stalls and everyone calm and happy. Peter put it best when he said, “You know how they say you should put people in a place where they can be successful? I think we are putting all of the cows in places where they will succeed.” So far, the cows are in agreement, at least judging by the milk tank. Jacqui and her family milk 800 cows and run 1,200 acres of crops in the northeastern corner of Vernon County, Wisconsin. Her children, Ira (14), Dane (12), Henry (7) and Cora (4), 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.

Blue Hilltop, Inc. Your Mixer, Spreader, Hay Processor Headquarters We carry:

www.rotomix.com

LLC

Dana Berreau

507-879-3593 / 800-821-7092 Box 116, Lake Wilson, MN 56151

Antibodies and antibiotics The words sound almost the same, but they are completely different things. “Anti” comes from Greek, meaning against. Both antibodies and antibiotics act against pathogens, but they are very different. Antibodies are Y-shaped Veterinary Wisdom proteins produced by specialized white blood cells. Antibiotics are antibacterial compounds that are, at least originally, produced by microbes. There are at least ve types of antibodies: IgG, IgM, IgA, IgD and IgE. IgG and IgM circulate in the blood steam, while IgA is secreted into mucus and other body By Jim Bennett uids. IgE is involved Columnist in allergic reactions, and IgD helps activate cells to produce antibodies. They all have a Y shape with variations. The upper part of the Y binds to an antigen which can be the pathogen or part of the pathogen. The lower part of the Y binds to other components of the immune system. Antibodies have a variety of roles. Some will directly kill the target organism; others will wrap the invaders in a mucus coating; others will bind to the antigen to tag it for killing by other immune cells. Antibodies circulate throughout the body or are directly attached to the surface of a B lymphocyte, which is a type of white blood cell. B lymphocytes have specialized IgM antibodies on their cell surface. Each B cell has an antibody that responds to a very specic antigen. If a B cell nds its specic antigen, the antigen binds to the IgM on the cell surface. This causes the B cell to reproduce and become a plasma cell. Plasma cells are the body’s antibody factories; each cell can produce massive amounts of antibodies. These antibodies circulate throughout the bloodstream and lymphatic system. After antibodies bind antigens, other white blood cells that have the ability to destroy

Dairy Star • Saturday, April 10, 2021 • Page 31

the pathogen interact with the bound antigen and may, for all practical purposes, act just as quickly as destroy pathogens though a variety of methods. Some a bactericidal drug. For any antibiotic to be effective, activated B cells do not become plasma cells, but its concentration in the target tissues must exceed instead become memory cells that survive in the body the minimum inhibitory concentration, or MIC, and allow the immune system to respond to the same required to kill the target organism. This is why some pathogen more quickly in the future. antibiotics are more effective for disease in certain Antibiotics are substances originally produced body areas. Some drugs achieve high concentrations by one type of microbe that in the lungs and others in destroy other microbes. the gut, for example. The words d sound d almost l the h An antibacterial drug is Th Technically, both anything that kills bacteria, same, but they are completely antibiotics and antibodies are including antibiotics, produced by an organism to synthetic antibacterials and different things. ght pathogens. Antibodies, antiseptics. For example, though, are produced by the sulfonamide drugs are host body to ght invading technically not antibiotics but are antibacterials, organisms. Antibiotics, while originally produced by because they are not produced by microbes but are an organism to ght invaders, are substances given effective in killing bacteria. However, the term to other, more complex organisms, like humans and antibiotic is often commonly used to include other cows, to ght pathogens. Thus, they are entirely antibacterials such as sulfonamide drugs that did not different things that at least in some ways accomplish originate by microbial production. An antimicrobial the same thing. is anything that kills any type of microbe; thus, this Bennett is one of four dairy veterinarians at would include antibacterial, antiviral and other drugs. Northern Valley Dairy Production Medicine Center Antibiotics are a specialized type of antibacterial in Plainview, Minnesota. He also consults on dairy drugs. Antibiotics are typically effective only against farms in other states. He and his wife, Pam, have four bacteria, though some antibiotics can have effects on children. Jim can be reached at bennettnvac@gmail. certain protozoal, parasitic organisms. Antibiotics com with comments or questions. have no activity against viruses. On the other hand, antiseptics typically kill a wide variety of organisms that may include bacteria, viruses and parasitic protozoans, such as cryptosporidium. However, I antiseptics differ widely in their effects on various F More milk pathogens. Some may be antibacterial and antiviral, A less feed with for example, while others may be only antibacterial. uniform Àne-grind Antiseptics, like iodine in teat dips, are typically used Solid cast rolls All belt-electric drive topically and not ingested. Single or double mills USA & International sales Antibiotics can kill bacteria, which is called Replacement rolls available for most mills bactericidal, or inhibit bacteria, which is called Used mills and tumble mixers on hand bacteriostatic. Just because an antibiotic is Hammer Mills bacteriostatic does not mean it is less effective than Phone: (319) 634-3849 • Toll Free: (800) 426-0261 a bactericidal one because the life of a bacterium is web: www.ifamill.com • email: ifamill@netins.net very short. If a drug inhibits bacterial reproduction, it

Roller-Grinder

CALL YOUR LOCAL GEHL DEALER TODAY!

WE GREW UP ON www.gehl.com

MINNESOTA

THE FARM

A&C Farm Service Inc. Paynesville, MN Mid-Central Equipment Henning, MN Northland Farm Systems Inc. Owatonna, MN

WISCONSIN

Lindstrom Equipment Mondovi & Menomonie,WI Luxemburg Motor Company Luxemburg, WI

SOUTH DAKOTA

Lake County International Madison, SD

SINCE 1859, GEHL HAS CREATED INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR EQUIPMENT OWNERS AND USERS IN AGRIBUSINESS.

IOWA

Today, Gehl carries the tradition forward with a complete line of skid loaders, track loaders, articulated loaders and compact H[FDYDWRUV GHVLJQHG ZLWK SURGXFWLYLW\ DQG HI¿FLHQF\ LQ PLQG

Baumler Implement West Union, IA

A full line of EDGE attachments are available for Gehl loaders and compact excavators for added versatility around the jobsite.

Mark’s Tractor & Implement Osage, IA • Dumont, IA CHOOSE G E N U I N E

™

P A R T S

FOR YOUR GEHL EQUIPMENT

Reiser Implement Waukon, IA

Planting season Page 32 • Dairy Star • Saturday, April 10, 2021

Planting season seems to sneak up on a person outside with a foot of snow on it unnecessarily. If I or maybe just on me. One week there’s 6 inches of wait too long, valuable planting days are lost getting snow and it’s 15 degrees, the next week it’s beautiful equipment out and ready to go. I always seem to and I’ve removed three layers of clothes by the end of wait too long due to a bit too much optimism. I’m the day. I start to look to the optimistic that I have at elds for signs it’s getting least a few more days of a dry enough out there to get Th somewhat relaxed chore There’s ’ always l the h h hope off excited about putting some schedule before the eld an early planting year when seed in the ground. work season starts. I had There’s always the hope small grains and hay are looked over the equipment of an early planting year before packing it away. It’ll when small grains and hay seeded before the last snow. be no problem to just pull it are seeded before the last out and go. snow. Nothing makes for an Reality tends to even alfalfa germination like a pile of snow shoving show up as a warm wind blows up from the south and it into contact with the soil and soaking it thoroughly the elds are suddenly ready to go when they were as it melts. I can’t get too excited and pull everything still quite wet just a couple days before. This tends out of its tightly packed winter storage conguration to be a surprise to me when after weeks of checking, in the shed or a bunch of equipment nds itself parked I walk out to the wettest spot in a eld and nd it

only slightly soggy wet but the rest of the eld ready to go. It’s at this point I generally discover a missing bolt on the soil nisher that I didn’t notice in the fall. No worries, we’re just getting going, there’s plenty of time for a little repair. Better now than a big one later. Oops, there seems to be a wing missing on From the Zweber Farm this disk scraper. How did I not see that last summer? At least I have all the pallets of seed here. Wait, I ordered 12 bags of graze and chop mix but I only see ve now that I look closer even though the receipt says 300 pounds. The second dose By Tim Zweber of reality comes when the weather forecast Famer Columnist suddenly switches from a week of sunshine to three days of sun and then three days of thunderstorms. While a little rain isn’t a big deal, a lot of rain might end planting for quite awhile. Wouldn’t it be so nice to just get it all done and enjoy the rain days rather than be waiting around for it to dry up so we can go again? This tends to lead to a couple very late nights working ground and planting. That cheap GPS unit I bought years ago is worth its weight in gold at about 10 p.m. in the middle of a eld when the soil texture changes and suddenly the wheel track of the planters last pass seems to completely disappear. In the end I never seem to get everything I want to do done. The rain shows up just a bit too early and the planter gets pulled in the shed to wait with a couple pallets of seed for the sun to work its magic. Oh well. As they say, April showers bring May grazing or something like that. Hopefully you all got at least a start on your elds or gardens. Until next time my dairy good friends, keep living the dream. Tim Zweber farms with his wife Emily, their 3 children and his parents Jon and Lisa by Elko, Minnesota.

New farm safety video available By Emily Krekelberg

The only complete beef x dairy program!

SUPERIOR Genetics

RELIABLE Markets

ProfitSOURCE beef sires are specifically selected for use on dairy cows with a focus on the traits needed to earn top dollar for your beef x dairy calves Partners, TD Beef and Power Genetics, offer improved, secure pricing for qualifying calves ProfitSOURCE connects packer interest with improved uniformity and cutability along with age, sire and source traceability through RFID Calf care guidelines ensure feeding and carcass performance, adding value along the supply chain

U of M Extension

In partnership with American Family Insurance, the University of Minnesota Farm Safety & Health Team is launching a new series of farm safety videos. The purpose of this project is to share crucial farm safety messages and reminders with the agricultural community. The videos can be used for many audiences including youth, farmers, agriculturalists, and health professionals. Emily Krekelberg, Extension Educator for Farm Safety & Health, is overseeing this new project. “This is a great opportunity for us to share safety and health messages more widely,” she says. “Especially right now, when we are coming up on the busy spring planting season and are unable to do safety training face-to-face.” The videos are all shorter than ve minutes, making them a great tool for farms. They provide a mix of information, demonstration, and discussion. The rst video in the series covers roadway safety and includes information about pre-trip inspections, equipment for roadway safety, and safe driving habits. The video can be found at https://z.umn.edu/ AgRoadwaySafetyVideo. For more resources visit extension.umn.edu/ farmsafety and follow the UMN Extension Farm Safety and Health Team on Twitter @UMNFarmSafety.

Highly trained Select Sires consultants are ready to help you determine the best breeding plan to ensure the highest proﬁtability for your herd. Call today to learn more!

Minnesota/Select Sires Co-op, Inc. Phone: (800) 795-1233 ™

Select Sires MidAmerica, Inc. Phone: (847) 464-5281

ProﬁtSOURCE is a trademark of Select Sires Inc., ®Your Success Our Passion. is a registered trademark of Select Sires Inc.

+ 16.00 R20 Michelin XZL $300 + We stock military HD wheels + 14.00 R20 Goodyear AT/2 $325 + 40 + sizes of Aircraft tires + Great quality tires with 75% + tread in stock

Farm Landings LLC

Dell Rapids, SD 57022 • (605) 838-5362 sales@farmlandingsllc.com

Safety on our minds

Wednesday of this past week was a very tough day. Just as I was feeding a new calf, a neighbor called with bad news. She told me of a terrible accident that happened early that morning involving a tractor and a semi that had collided. The driver of a tractor was killed. He was the 58-year-old husband of a dear friend. The rest of the day was a blur. It included planning with other friends to provide support for the family. We brought food they might need, gave hugs and comfort. I made some very challenging phone calls to our own children who had grown up playing sports, going to school, socializing and showing at the county fair with the children of our farmer friend who had lost his life in the accident. This was the second accident in our FFA/4-H family in just a few weeks’ time. Another father of friends died Come Full Dairy Circle in an accident involving a large round bale while feeding his beef cattle. His boys were in FFA and high school ag classes with our kids. Both men were people who contributed to the county fair, many of their children’s activities and were always helping with anything and everything that needed a volunteer. They are, of course, irreplaceable to their families, friends and to their communities. They had meaningful lives and many who love them. I write about this topic not to dwell on tragedies, but because we can often overlook the need to pay attention By Jean Annexstad to farm safety. It hits very close to home when the people Columnist involved in the accidents are neighbors and friends. With spring planting coming and a busy summer of putting up forages and all kinds of additional crop work, safety will be on my mind. I hope it will be on everyone’s mind. As I am sure many of you do on your farms during busy times, I mention being safe and careful fairly often. I am sure it is not often enough. As my father always told me when I drove anywhere, “Slow down.” That advice is good for any kind of farm task, whether it involves operating a vehicle with a motor or not. Slowing down and really thinking about the task at hand is no doubt a good way to put safety at the forefront. I try to be aware of who is doing what during the day and to be on alert for anything that might be going wrong. But I admit there are a lot of things that can and do cause unsafe work hazards on a farm. People often work by themselves, and there are sometimes unsafe situations. A review of safety procedures on every farm is probably overdue and necessary on a routine basis. There are plenty of farm safety resources online. Printing some of the safety procedures and placing them where people see them could help boost awareness. A simple thing like making sure re extinguishers are placed where needed and available is something to think about. What about making sure the PTOs on unloaders are covered? How about reviewing safety procedures that should be used during storms or other weather-related events? Do employees and family members need a short course in animal behavior and cattlemoving techniques? Machinery is one of the top causes of fatal ag injuries according to the Farm Bureau Rural Insurance website. Here is their list of 10 equipment safety tips: – Read and comply with the manual. – Follow and keep up with federal and state laws. – Always keep your slow-moving-emblem clean, visible and properly mounted. – Dress appropriately. – Ensure you are well rested. – Avoid alcohol. – Maintain awareness. – Adjust equipment accordingly. – Keep children and animals away from equipment. – Read up about planter equipment safety. The list is a quick starting point, and there is much more detail on every aspect of farm safety on the internet. Why not take a few minutes this spring to review safety ideas? Maybe your farm needs a point person for safety. Maybe a young person on your farm needs a project for 4-H or FFA and safety could be the emphasis. I suppose it goes without saying that we should all strive to be safe in our work at all times. It is another thing to make sure it happens. Please be safe in the busy days ahead. We need everyone in this resurgence of spring as we continue to do the work we love with those we love. Jean dairy farms with her husband, Rolf, and brother-in-law, Mike, and children Emily, Matthias and Leif. They farm near St. Peter, Minnesota, in Norseland, where she is still trying to t in with the Norwegians and Swedes. They milk 200 cows and farm 650 acres. She can be reached at jeanannexstad@gmail.com.

Dairy Star • Saturday, April 10, 2021 • Page 33

Seven Oaks HD is an underground construction contractor specializing in Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) and Land Improvements

BENEFITS OF USING DIRECTIONAL DRILLING INSTALLATION INCLUDE:

Ŷ Continuation of Normal Operation Ŷ Avoidance of identi¿ed Infrastructure Installation Ŷ Maintain Integrity of Driveway, Roadways, Buildings, and Natural Features Ŷ Little to No Disturbance to Wetlands or Other Sensitives Areas Ŷ Many Unique Installation Capabilities Vs. Open Cutting/ Digging (Entering under Buildings or Tanks) Ŷ Minimal Site Restoration

PRODUCT INSTALLATION Ŷ Gas Lines Ŷ Power Wire/ Lines Ŷ Communication/ Fiber Optic Ŷ Water Lines/Water Mains Ŷ Drainage/ Tile Lines Ŷ Forced/ On Grade Sewer Ŷ Manure Transfer Lines

Land Improvements Drain Tile Design/ Installation Ditch Cleaning & Grading • Fenceline Clearing

Changing weather and higher inputs got you down? Using Drain Tile to manage excess moisture in the soil pro¿le is the foundation for increasing pro¿tability per acre. - Less compaction - Better soil Structure - Allows more days per year for ¿eld operations - More Yields with same or less inputs

Call Us to Discuss Your Project Now!

920-450-2844 Jon Lamers 920-378-5163 www.SevenOaksTeam.com Chad Van Asten

Page 34 • Dairy Star • Saturday, April 10, 2021

Solar energy a bright spot for agriculture Wehling shares benets, incentives at PDPW conference By Danielle Nauman danielle.n@dairystar.com

WISCONSIN DELLS, Wis. – Good stewardship of the land and natural resources, and increased use of conservation farming practices have become normal practices for many farmers. And, many are looking for ways to use alternative energy in their operations. “There are so many opportunities when it comes to renewable energy,” said Adam Wehling, dean of Agriculture, Energy and Transportation at Chippewa Valley Technical College. “People might not have considered it because most probably are not aware of the feasibility in terms of price. In the ag sector, there are so many programs and incentives available that it is mind blowing. Then when you start looking at the numbers and the dollars, it does make sense.” Wehling talked about how dairy farmers can use alternative energy on their farms and the benets they can reap during a Learning Lounge presentation March 17 at the Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin Annual Business Conference in Wisconsin Dells. The biggest barrier to farmers using alternative energy, in Wehling’s opinion, is fronting the funding of the project while waiting for the return from grants and tax incentives. Tax credits of 26% through 2023 and 22% for 2024 are in place for farmers looking to add

DANIELLE NAUMAN/DAIRY STAR

Adam Wehling, the Dean of Agriculture, Energy and Technology at Chippewa Valley Technical College, explains how solar panels work to provide an alternaƟve source of energy. Wehling shared his knowledge at the Professional Dairy Producers’ annual business conference March 17. renewable energy production to their farms. “The timeline on some of these government grants takes a little bit of time, and you have to be patient with it,” Wehling said. “But if they are going to cover the cost, it certainly makes sense.” While Wehling oversees the alternative energy training program at CVTC, he has also implemented a solar system to generate energy on his own beef operation. He uses his personal experiences to help offer advice and ideas to those seeking information. Besides CVTC, other technical colleges in the state are investing time and money in working with renewable energy

Fence Line Feeders

Heavy Duty Poly Hay feeder

Cattle Master Series 3 Squeeze Chute

HD Hay Saver

IN STOCK

Goat and Sheep Feeders

and can serve as valuable resources including Madison Area Technical College, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College in Green Bay and Mid-State Technical College in Marsheld. Solar panel installation is what Wehling sees as the most benecial, easiest to maintain and most affordable means of producing alternative energy. To maximize the nancial benet of installing solar panels, Wehling said the equation starts with looking at a farm’s current electrical energy usage to determine the appropriate size system the farm would require and then working within the guidelines the farm’s utility company places on alternative energy

The Most Dependable Waterers on the Market!

production. “You would basically be trying to reduce your energy bill down to just the cost of having service and meters provided to your operation and reducing all the kilowatts of energy purchased,” Wehling said. “It may not reduce your energy consumption to zero, but it will certainly make a dent in it.” Wehling said complete reduction of kilowatts purchased might not be possible on all operations, because each energy company is different in the guidelines they have in place governing the size of alternative energy systems. Turn to SOLAR | Page 35

WaterMaster Series

EcoFount 1

EcoFount 2 Cattlemaster Series

OmniFount Series

Tarter Gates IN STOCK

715-644-2350 715-644-

Thrifty King Series

Chippewa Valley Dairy Supply

Russ Pierson

6053 CTY. HWY. G • STANLEY, WI 54768 • Andrew Zimmerman

SALES & SERVICE

MUELLER SALES & SERVICE Glencoe, MN • 320-864-3556 OR 888-205-0974

We’ve got the Equipment you need 2016 Penta 500 Soil Finisher,

Kuhn SW1114 Bale Wrapper

2016 Kuhn FC3160TCD Mower Conditioner

New 2021 Nuhn Crawler with GPS

2016 Artex SB300 Manure Spreader

2020 Artex SBX800 Manure Spreader

$13,900

$33,500

$26,000

$199,000

Call for Pricing

$69,085

25’, 14” rolling basket

www.komrosales.com

Dairy Star • Saturday, April 10, 2021 • Page 35

ConƟnued from SOLAR | Page 34

E. Rissler Mfg. LLC MANUFACTURING IN PENNSYLVANIA SINCE 1971

New Enterprise, PA

814-766-2246

DANIELLE NAUMAN/DAIRY STAR

The Chippewa Valley Technical School has a demonstraƟon lab with a variety of alternaƟve energy sources including decoraƟve, ground and roof-mounted solar panels as well as two sizes of windmills. The rst step to bringing solar energy production to a farm is to speak to a solar contractor. Wehling recommends asking the farm’s energy company for referrals for reputable solar contractors and to be sure to check recommendations and speak with past customers about their level of satisfaction with the project. “A good solar contractor will know your local energy company guidelines, and they will be able to tell you exactly what the opportunities and challenges are,” Wehling said. The two most common placements of solar panels on farms are groundmounted systems and roof-mounted systems. Wehling said there are advantages and disadvantages to each. Roof-mounted systems will last a long time, especially if placed on newer roofs or steel roofs that have a long life left in them. “It is basically a set it and forget it kind of system,” Wehling said of the roof-mounted panels. “If it is on a steel roof, the snow will slide off, and you really don’t have to worry about it. It is basically a maintenance-free option.” The drawbacks to a roof-mounted system are the limitations of having a monofacial panel and that the angle of roof is typically not as steep as what can be done on a ground-mount. Both of those factors will limit the production of each panel, particularly in the winter months.

Call For Your Local Dealer:

Brubacker Ag Equipment, LLC Curtis, WI Podevels Sales & Service MarshÀeld, WI Reinke Sales Green Bay, WI

Ground-mounted systems require a location on a farm where they are out of the way of farm equipment trafc and not in a location that might be developed in the future. The benet to ground-mounted systems comes in the use of bifacial panels and the ability to adjust the angle of the panels throughout the year, extending the production curve. Wehling compares solar energy production to a bell curve. A roofmounted system maintains the traditional curve, while a ground-mounted system allows you to extend the width of the curve. “With bifacial panels and adjustable racks, you can produce more energy with the same footprint of infrastructure and make yourself more energy with less initial investment,” Wehling said. “If I could have used the adjustable racks with bifacial panels that are available now, … I could have probably cut the size of my system by about 30%.” Increased technology has made the solar panels sturdier than what has been seen in the past, Wehling said, explaining that panels are made to withstand 1-inch hail. He said the panels typically come with a 20-year warranty and have a 30-year life expectancy. These improvements have made solar production the most efcient means of creating alternative energy for on-farm use, Wehling said.

SERVICES: • Diesel Repair on Medium/ Heavy Duty Trucks & Trailers • Farm/Ag Equipment • Engine Rebuilds • Resurfacing Flywheels • Hydraulic Hoses (made in minutes!) • Custom Fabrication

FREE

Pickup/delivery within 20 mile radius

N5756 County Road D • Fond du Lac, WI

920.906.9840 • 920.933.3813 WWW.JTLREPAIR.COM

EVERYTHING

SILO

The Best Service Crews, The Best Replacement Parts, The Best Service...

That’s The Osakis Silo Advantage To You!!!

320-808-3936 Call n A ytime

300 E Main St. Osakis, MN 320-859-5340

24 Hours 7 Days A Week

Visit us online at www.osakissilo.com

Page 36 • Dairy Star • Saturday, April 10, 2021

Women In Dairy Brittany Erickson Viroqua, Wisconsin Vernon County 120 cows Family: My husband, Trent, and I just had our rst child, Briella, this winter. Tell us about your farm. We live on my husband’s family farm where he and his dad work full time. I have a full-time job off the farm but assist with milking, feeding calves and any other chores on nights and weekends. We milk 120 cows in a parlor, raise our own replacement heifers and nish steers. We raise our own crops as well as extra cash crops for the additional income. My husband and I also raise chickens on the side for eggs and for kids to show at the county fair. What’s the busiest time of day for you? Evenings are the busiest time of the day for me. Once I get off work, I pick our daughter up from daycare and head home to help with evening chores along with house work and making sure we all get fed before 11 p.m. When you get a spare moment what do you do? There is not a lot of free time with an infant in the house, but I do enjoy listening to podcasts and reading books when I can. If my husband and I happen to have free time together, we enjoy playing board games and going on UTV rides when the weather is nice. Tell us about your most memorable experience working on the farm. I grew up on a small family dairy farm where we milked 48 cows in a stanchion barn. My cousins lived on a neighboring farm and the best nights in the barn were when we would convince our dads to let us ‘switch.’ We would split up which kids milked at each farm so that we could do chores with our cousin instead of just our siblings. It made the same old night milking routine much more fun. What have you enjoyed most about dairy farming or your tie to the dairy industry? I love the farm life, living out in the country with all of our animals. I am so thankful I got to grow up on a dairy farm and have been fortunate enough to marry my farmer so that I am able to continue living this life. I am excited to be able to raise our family here and instill in our kids the same work ethic and passion for the ag community that my husband and I have.

How do you stay connected with others in the industry? I am blessed with a full-time job off the farm that is also in the dairy industry so it is easy for me to stay involved. My husband and I also have several friends who are in the industry as well as relatives. Who is someone in the industry who has inspired you? Why? My mom is denitely my inspiration. As I am navigating through how to be a farm wife with a full-time job off the farm, raise a family and still help out on the farm whenever possible, I lean on her for support and wisdom as she has been through it. Thanks to her example, I know it is possible for me to do it all as long as I set and maintain certain boundaries so I do not get burned out. If you could give a tour of your farm to a prominent woman in today’s society, who would it be and why? I would happily give a tour to anyone willing to listen to me, but one person that comes to mind is Taylor Swift. She has a huge fan base, specically younger women. That is a huge demographic that needs to be educated on the truths of the dairy industry so they are able to make the best, informed decisions when they grocery shop for their families. What is the best vacation you’ve ever taken? My honeymoon with my husband; we went to a resort in Mexico where we were able to relax and enjoy ourselves without the pressures of running a dairy farm for a few days. Of course, he is a typical farmer and got bored because there wasn’t enough variety for him but we still had an amazing time. What are some words you like to live by? “It is what it is” and “If it’s meant to be, it’ll happen, one way or another.”

Spring is not far away!

SKID STEER ATTACHMENTS Grapple buckets, bale spears, rock buckets etc.

n o t s Fore

WE ARE TAKING ORDERS for corn, soybeans, oats and assorted alfalfas/clover/grass mixtures.

Dahlman Seed

WE CUSTOM BUILD FEED BUNKS

LUBRICANTS AVAILABLE

Fresh Ûoor stock available for all your animal needs

FARMERS CO-OP CREAMERY

YOUR ONESTOP SHOP CO-OP!

MEETING YOUR ANIMAL FEED NEEDS & MORE! FORES T ON, MN • 320-294-57 11 • M-F 8-5PM • S AT 8-NOON WWW.FORES TONCREAMERY.COM

Dairy Star • Saturday, April 10, 2021 • Page 37

Wisconsin Junior Holstein creates new way to celebrate members Kronberg, Broege take home association’s top youth honors By Danielle Nauman danielle.n@dairystar.com

Nothing has looked normal for Wisconsin Junior Holstein members during the last year, including the cancellation of their annual convention which traditionally takes place in early January. Instead of a state-wide gathering, juniors from each district were invited to attend district activity days last month. Traditional contests were held and awards and recognition were passed out. The association’s top junior honors, the designation of Wisconsin Holstein Boy and Wisconsin Holstein Girl, went to Ben Kronberg of Milton, Wisconsin, and Jenna Broege of Janesville, Wisconsin. Kronberg, 20, is the son of Todd and Becky Kronberg and is a junior at the University of WisconsinMadison studying agricultural business management. He hopes to work in agricultural sales. “I was really happy to hear my name announced,” Kronberg said. “It is a great culmination of my junior career. I have grown up looking up to past Holstein Boys and have always thought they are a well-respected group of guys. It is very humbling to now be a part of that group, and I hope that I can be that role model

for a younger kid as well.” The relationships he has developed, both with other juniors and with adults, have been the hallmark of his years as a junior, Kronberg said. “Everything comes down to the relationships I have been able to build,” Kronberg said. “Those relationships have been born of the activities I have been involved in. The activities and experiences are great, but the relationships are the best.” Kronberg said he has enjoyed participating in dairy bowl and dairy jeopardy. “Dairy bowl has been the most fun,” Kronberg said. “The team I have grown up being a part of is a great group, and it has been fun to grow as a team. We spend a lot of time together, practicing and waiting between rounds. We are able to bounce ideas off each other, and compare and contrast what our thoughts on different things have been.” Kronberg counts Kevin Jorgenson as a friend who he said has inuenced his junior career and driven him to push himself to reach his full potential. “Kevin has really helped me to build those meaningful relationships with others in the industry,” Kronberg said. “Those are connections that will continue to benet me far into the future.” Kronberg plans to nd ways to transition to an active adult membership and hopes to help others in his age group nd ways to become active.

6$8. &(175( 01 3KRQH

ZZZ PPFMG FRP

2016, 519 hrs, RWA, Kernel Processor, 3 Speed, Guidance and Harvest Lab Ready, AutoLube, Inoculate System

241,900

8800, 2018, 1064 Hrs, RWA ............................ $369,000 8800, 2016, 1607 Hrs, RWA ............................ $304,900 8700, 2017, 924 Hrs, RWA .............................. $351,900 8600, 2016, 785 Hrs, RWA .............................. $359,000 8600, 2017, 849 Hrs, RWA .............................. $329,000 8600, 2015, 1197 Hrs, RWA ............................ $262,500 8600, 2015, 1531 Hrs, RWA ............................ $236,400 8500, 2017, 103 Hrs, RWA .............................. $429,000 8500, 2016, 862 Hrs, RWA ............................. $315,000 8300, 2017, 350 Hrs, RWA .............................. $336,400 8100, 2016, 519 Hrs, RWA .............................. $241,900 7980, 2013, 1921 Hrs, RWA ............................ $185,900 7780, 2014, 1270 Hrs, RWA ............................ $212,400 6710, 1993, 4050 Hrs, RWA .............................. $49,400 5400, 3360 Hrs, RWA ........................................ $16,900 All hours listed are “cutter hours”.

Call today for details on our Easy-Lease financing!

Other machines available for lease also. Subject to credit approval. Call for details.

Turn to JUNIORS | Page 38

SMARTPHONE FARMING

Alma Pro

Automatic Calf Feeder

MilkShuttle

Automatic Milk Transport & Pasteurizer

FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF DAIRY FARMERS.

We offer 21st century whole-barn solutions through Smartphone Farming. Put your farm operation literally at your ﬁngertips: control milking, calf feeding, cleaning, etc. all from your phone, tablet or PC. AMS GALAXY USA is committed to supporting our customers — from small family farms to large-herd operations — with efﬁcient, affordable, reliable and cow-friendly automatic milking systems, specialized stress-free calf feeding systems, and other automation solutions for dairy farms. For more information, contact your Authorized Dealer or AMS Galaxy USA:

MIDWEST DAIRY ROBOTICS 1DWH /D[ mwdrobotics@yahoo.com AMS GALAXY USA Kutztown, PA 484-648-1365

AMSGalaxyUSA.com ROBOTIC MILKING. AUTOMATIC CALF FEEDING. ROBOTIC BEDDING. ROBOTIC FEED PUSHING. TOTAL FARM AUTOMATION.

Page 38 • Dairy Star • Saturday, April 10, 2021

ConƟnued from JUNIORS | Page 37

“I feel like there is a disconnect at the age I am reaching,” Kronberg said. “You graduate from the junior association, but then you don’t really become involved in the adult organization until you have kids. I would like to help nd ways to bridge that gap and draw people my age to the adult association.” Kronberg plans to volunteer with the Rock County Holstein Association and at the state level, particularly to help the youth programs. “I hope to maybe help coach dairy bowl or at the very least volunteer to work as a scorekeeper or judge for the state contests,” Kronberg said. The best advice Kronberg can offer younger members is to remain optimistic. “Stay positive and try to be involved in as many things as you can,” Kronberg said. “Those events are designed to build juniors. It might seem overwhelming to a young kid, but take it all in and run with it; let yourself grow and develop as a leader in the industry.” Broege, 19, is the daughter of Phyllis Broege and the late Steve Broege. The freshman at the University of WisconsinMadison is majoring in dairy science and working toward a certicate in mathematics. She is involved in the Association of Women in Agriculture, Collegiate Farm Bureau, the National Agri-Marketing Association and Badger Dairy Club. “It was pretty surreal,” Broege said. “I’ve always watched older people win that award. It was very amazing to receive it.” Broege has enjoyed her time as a junior member because of the connections and friendships she has made throughout the years. “When I was younger, I really did not enjoy attending the junior convention because I didn’t know anyone,” Broege said. “As I attended more events with

PHOTO SUBMITTED

Ben Kronberg and Nicole Broege are this year’s Wisconsin Holstein AssociaƟon’s Outstanding Holstein Boy and Girl, respecƟvely. The award is the top honor given to youth in the associaƟon. my sisters, I eventually made more friends; the more friends I had, the more I enjoyed the different activities. The more I enjoyed those, the more involved I became.” Broege said she has enjoyed showring competition, dairy judging, dairy bowl and competing in dairy jeopardy, and has been fortunate to have many people to look to as mentors and role models. “I have always done everything with my two older sisters, Kristen and Jenna; I am lucky to follow in their footsteps,” Broege said. While her sisters ignited her passion for the registered Holstein cow, Broege credits fellow Holstein enthusiast Nick Sarbacker for helping fan those ames.

PREMIUM AUTOMATIC WATERERS

“Nick has taught me about different sides of the industry, especially marketing and merchandising,” Broege said. Broege completed the rst year of her two-year-term on the Junior Activities Committee and is looking forward to tackling her second year. “This last year was very different for the JAC because of COVID-19,” she said. “We really had to think outside of the box to communicate with and engage our membership statewide.” Broege does not expect her love of the Holstein breed or her involvement in the association to wane as her junior career ends. “I am looking forward to really starting again from the bottom as a new

adult member in the Wisconsin Holstein Association,” Broege said. “There are so many avenues to be involved and so many new connections to make.” In particular, Broege looks forward to working with the junior association as an adult member and hopes to impact youth as she has been impacted. “I would tell younger members to trust the process,” Broege said. “It is daunting at the beginning, but if they would talk to the members they might look up to, they would probably be surprised that they were young and apprehensive once too.” In addition to Kronberg and Broege, Wisconsin Distinguished Junior Member awards were presented to Elise Bleck, Plymouth; Eliza Endres, Waunakee; Josh Gerbitz, Milton; Courtney Glenna, Amery; Hannah Hockerman, Westeld; Cole Mahlkuch, Juda; Ainsley Noble, Lancaster; and Marissa Osberg, Monroe. Younger Distinguished Junior Member awards were presented to Ashley Brandel, Lake Mills; Ava Endres, Waunakee; Cathryn and Christopher Gunst, Pine River; Elena Jarvey, Sobieski; Austin Meyer, Chilton; Emily Stumpf, Appleton; Garrett Ulness, Valders; and Madison Wiese, Wrightstown. Juniors selected to receive the 12 and Under Member Recognition award included Justin and Katie Brandel, Lake Mills; Kayla Buttles, Lancaster; Makenna Gilbertson, Hollandale; Vivian Lichty, Beaver Dam; Leah Mess, Rosendale; Ella Raatz, Colby; Miles Rickert, Van Dyne; Cameron and Dylan Ryan, Fond du Lac; Braelyn and Payton Sarbacker, Verona; and Madison Sarbacker, Whitewater. The selection of Zoe Ertel of Plymouth as the 2021 Wisconsin Holstein Princess and Emily Stumpf of Appleton as the princess attendant were also announced.

Housing the Future When you buy Calf-Tel, you can be confident it will last a lifetime... and then some. For decades, Calf-Tel® has set the standard for superior durability and efficiency, making your investment in calf housing systems one that grows with each generation of calves it protects. Backed by success and people that know how to raise healthy calves, Calf-Tel promises – and delivers – a wise investment. Outdoor Hutches

Group Housing Indoor Pens

Indoor Pens

Group Housing

Ritchie manufactures a complete line of livestock watering products with the highest speciﬁcations in the industry. From a single horse Stall Fount to a fountain that waters up to 500 head, Ritchie fountains are top quality. Plus, every Ritchie fountain is backed by our 10 year limited warranty. For more information contact us at:

Carlson Wholesale - 800-669-4038 www.carlsonwholesale.net @carlsonwholesale

Dealer logo For more information, or the name of your nearestand dealer, call contact here

1-800-669-4038 or

tim@carlsonwholesale.net or chad@carlsonwholesale.net

Dairy profile

Dairy Star • Saturday, April 10, 2021 • Page 39