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2 DAIRY ST 5R C E L E B R A T I N G
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Y E A R S
June 10, 2023
“All dairy, all the time”™
Volume 25, No. 8
Family’s venture allows for expansion Lax-Pietig farm triples in size with purchase By Hans Lammeman hans.l@star-pub.com
FAIRFAX, Minn. – Forty-ve years after Steve and Jeanette Lax purchased their family farm near Sleepy Eye through a farm security loan, the family made a move to triple the size of their operation and position for a successful future in agriculture. Steve expanded the operation with the acquisition of Nosbush Dairy near Fairfax along with his children, Mike Lax and Melissa Pietig, and his son-in-law, Jamie Pietig. The farm sale included about 1,300 acres and 900 cows, along with existing facilities, feed inventory and growing crops. Now, the family milks 920 cows in a double-16 parallel parlor. The
HANS LAMMEMAN/DAIRY STAR
Steve Lax (leŌ) stands with his daughter Melissa PieƟg and her family – Jamie, Henry and Rosie – and his son Mike Lax in their dairy barn June 5 near Fairfax, Minnesota. The family acquired the Nosbush family’s farm Sept. 1, 2022. herd is housed in a sand-bedded freestall barn. Mike said each family member is vital in managing
their diverse farming portfolio, Lax-Pietig Dairy LLC and Lax-Pietig Family Farms LLC. While they all help with addi-
tional duties, Jamie operates as the chief executive ofcer with a focus on crops, Mike serves as the chief operating ofcer
with oversight of cattle movement and other cattle-related duties, Steve manages crops on about 1,200 acres near Sleepy Eye and Melissa operates as the chief human resources ofcer and research manager over two hog research barns. Steve said he was glad to see the operation grow so signicantly at a time when many family farms face the risk of closing. He and Mike previously managed about 350 cows at their dairy near Sleepy Eye. “This was a way to (expand) without having to look at the building and the permitting process – so many things were already in place,” Steve said. “This was an excellent way to basically triple the size of our business in a short time. The Nosbush group has been excellent to work with through this whole process.”
Turn to LAX-PIETIG | Page 6
Inspired to promote McNamara hosts Goodhue County Breakfast on the Farm By Amy Kyllo
amy.k@star-pub.com
GOODHUE, Minn. – Rich McNamara is promoting dairy from the acres of his farm and into his community. For the very rst time, he will be hosting the Goodhue County Breakfast on the Farm June 16. McNamara said he looks forward to the event, especially since the urban-rural gap is widening quickly. “This is a way to try to connect the people, to realize we take a lot of pride in the product that goes in the store,” McNamara said. More than just dairy promotion is inspiring Mc-
Namara to open his farm to 1,500 to 1,700 guests. Nine years ago, his son Derek was killed in an all-terrain vehicle accident the same day McNamara welcomed his rst grandchild. McNamara said his son would want him to host the event and is driven by his memory. McNamara began dairying on his farm in 1987 and now milks 305 Holsteins on his farm near Goodhue. He is assisted by his nephew, Michael McNamara, and hired help. When he was approached by fellow dairy farmer Lyle Dicke a year ago, asking him to host, his immediate response was yes. McNamara said many surrounding
AMY KYLLO/DAIRY STAR
Rich (leŌ) and Michael McNamara stand on Rich’s farm May 25 near Goodhue, Minnesota. They will host the Goodhue County Breakfast on the Farm from 7-11 a.m. June 16.
dairy farms have hosted, and understands the importance showcase the strength of he had been thinking about of this type of event for the Turn to MCNAMARA it for several years before community. he was asked. He said he “It was a good way to | Page 8