Sign up for our Newsletter
Dairy St r Milk Break
Email andrea.b@dairystar.com to sign up.
DAIRY ST R
July 11, 2020
“All dairy, all the time”™
Volume 22, No. 10
Falling in love at the fair
Kamphuis twins nd their signicant others while showing cattle By Stacey Smart
stacey.s@dairystar.com
BRANDON, Wis. – For many farm kids, the county fair can be a source of new friendships and romances. Sometimes when exhibiting animals, a 4-Her may even nd the person they are meant to spend the rest of their lives with. This was the case for identical twins and dairy farmers, Derrek and Darren Kamphuis, who found their true loves while showing cattle at the Fond du Lac County Fair. Rachel Bock and Darren married last September; Valerie Kramer and Derrek are getting married this October. The couples have known each other since they were children, meeting in 2008 when they tied their cattle together at the county fair. The four started out as friends and grew closer during their time spent at the state fair. When they got older, friendship eventually turned into something more. But early on, RaTurn to KAMPHUISES | Page 5
STACEY SMART/DAIRY STAR
Rachel and Darren Kamphuis (leŌ) and Derrek Kamphuis and Valerie Kramer stand with Kampy Doorman Braelyn at the Kamphuis family’s 270-cow dairy near Brandon, Wisconsin. The twin brothers met their wife and ancé as kids while showing caƩle at the Fond du Lac County Fair.
Mother Nature douses St. Croix County Wahlquist, Gausman report nearly foot of rain causes ood damage on farms By Danielle Nauman danielle.n@dairystar.com
PHOTO SUBMITTED
Creeks and rivers in St. Croix County are ooded with rainwater that caused many washed out bridges and roadways, as well as eld and property damage. The area had nearly 12 inches of rainfall June 28-29.
BALDWIN, Wis. – If there is one thing dairy farmers can count on it is that they are at the mercy of the weather. From drought conditions to downpours, from blizzards to tornadoes, one can only guess what Mother Nature might dole out on any given day. During the overnight hours of June 28 and June 29, Mother Nature unleashed her fury on western Wisconsin’s St. Croix County area, dropping anywhere from 8 to 12 inches of rain in the area. The heavy rainfall caused substantial ooding, and many roads and bridges were washed out throughout the area. Jim Wahlquist operates Wahlquist Farm, where his family milks 50 cows and raises their youngstock near Baldwin. The family also operates a shop where they x farm equipment, primarily tractors, for other people. “Back in 2010, we had some ooding, but nothing even close to this,” Wahlquist said. The Rush River, a creek that runs through the Wahlquist Farm, over ran its banks, causing the ooding the Wahlquists experienced in wake of the torrential rain fall. Turn to FLOODING | Page 7
Page 2 • Dairy Star • Saturday, July 11, 2020
DAIRY ST R www.dairystar.com
ISSN 020355 522 Sinclair Lewis Ave. Sauk Centre, MN 56378 Phone: (320) 352-6303 Fax: (320) 352-5647 Published by Dairy Star LLC General Manager/Editor Mark Klaphake - mark.k@dairystar.com 320-352-6303 (ofďƒžce) 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 Ofďƒžce: 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 (ofďƒžce) 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 Hoeďƒ&#x;er (Eastern Iowa) 320-250-2884 • amanda.h@dairystar.com Julie Barnes (SE WI and Northern IL) julie.b@dairystar.com Megan Stuessel (Western Wisconsin) 608-387-1202 • megan.s@dairystar.com Ashley Curry (Northeast WI and Upper MI) 920-539-7268 • ashley.c@dairystar.com Deadlines The deadline for news and advertising in the Dairy Star is 5 p.m. Friday the week before publication. Subscriptions One year subscription $35.00, outside the U.S. $110.00. Send check along with mailing address to Dairy Star, 522 Sinclair Lewis Ave., Sauk Centre, MN 56378. Advertising Our ad takers have no authority to bind this newspaper and only publication of an advertisement shall constitute ďƒžnal 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 ofďƒžces. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Dairy Star, 522 Sinclair Lewis Ave., Sauk Centre, MN 56378-1246.
A glance at the other side
Dairy Star likes to provide local stories, which is why we have two versions of the paper. Below are a few highlights from stories you will not ďƒžnd in this paper, but you can ďƒžnd online in zone 1. Find full editions on our website, www.dairystar.com, and click on the e-edition tab under the Dairy Star header. Nosbushes prioritize three practices for high milk quality The team at Nosbush Dairy, near Fairfax, Minnesota, focuses on clean cows, a trusted transition cow protocol and milking equipment maintenance to maintain a monthly average somatic cell count of 50,000 to 70,000. The 770-cow dairy was recognized as one of the top herds in the state with a SCC below 100,000 by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. Royalty role is Benrud’s way of giving back Emily Benrud’s time as a Princess Kay of the Milky Way ďƒžnalist is an opportunity for the young woman to give back to her family and community as she represents Minnesota’s Goodhue County. Benrud grew up on a 100-cow organic dairy farm, and credits much of her life experiences to the generosity of dairy farmers, including her parents, Roger and Michelle Benrud. A dairy gal through and through When Mackenzie Craig’s family sold their cows in 2015, that did not stop Craig from being involved in the industry. Aside from working on two area dairy farms and traveling across Minnesota as an A.I. technician, Craig is also spending her summer representing Douglas County as a ďƒžnalist for the 67th Princess Kay of the Milky Way. Dairy is center point of life Katherine Maus, of Freeport, Minnesota, has used her family’s livelihood of milking cows to connect with her peers at college and throughout the community who are unfamiliar with dairy farming. In her role as a Princess Kay ďƒžnalist, Maus has enjoyed sharing her unique dairy story.
SIMPLICITY. VERSATILITY. QUALITY.
SR 100 GII SERIES SPEEDRAKE
ÂŽ
WHEEL RAKES
• Adjust windrow widths independently to match crop pickup widths Ĺ? 6XSHULRU WHUUDLQ IROORZLQJ ZLWKRXW WKH QHHG IRU K\GUDXOLF Ä RDW • Rear wheels raise last for cleaner windrow ends Ĺ? )DVW HDV\ VZLWFKLQJ EHWZHHQ WUDQVSRUW DQG Ä&#x;HOG SRVLWLRQV 8-, 10- and 12-wheel models • 18'10" – 23'4" working widths
INVEST IN QUALITY ÂŽ
www.kuhn.com
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
Steinhart Farm Service Platteville
A.C. McCartney Durand, IL
Beaver Machine Coleman
Riesterer & Schnell Marion
Gruett’s Inc. Potter
Peabudy's North Pecatonica, IL
Kalscheur Implement Cross Plains
Lulich Implement Mason
Visit your local KUHN dealer today!
Dairy Star • Saturday, July 11, 2020 • Page 3
It’s all inside... Columnists
First Section: Page 36
ett e
Richland
Dane
Grant
Lafayette Green
Jo Daviess
n Win
Do or
Racine Kenosha
McHenry
Karkow
Top Performers: Nichols Hill Dairy First Section: Pages 18, 20
Kane
Lee
Rock Island
FROM OUR SIDE OF THE FENCE:
Mercer on
For additional stories from our other zone, log on to www.dairystar.com
go eba
Ogle
Whiteside
Hen ders
First Section: Pages 37 - 38
Walworth
DeKalb
Lebanon
Grosenick’s garden, raw milk soap appeal to many
Jefferson Waukesha
Rock
on ens
ph
Ste
Carroll
Zone 2
Green Lake Fond Du Lac
Columbia Dodge
Sauk
Iowa
First Section: Pages 28 - 29
Zone 1
o ag Calumet
eb
nn Wi
Wa sh
Roden Barnyard Adventures provides taste of farm life through camps, events
Waushara
for
d
West Bend
O
aw
Page 22 Second Section
Juneau
ie am Brown
g uta
Adams
Vernon
Country Cooking
Shawano
Wood
Monroe La Crosse
Pages 8 - 9 Second Section
Oconto
Portage Waupaca Jackson
te
Ke w
The “Mielke” Market Weekly
et
ton S he bo Milwaukee Ozauk M yg ee an anito wo c
Buffalo
in
ing
Third Section: Pages 10 - 11
Pepin
Menominee
Marathon
Clark
Eau Claire
Menominee
Langlade
e
Pierce
ar
on
Kearns joins parents in dairy operation
ce
M
Forest
qu
Gays Mills
Dunn
Lincoln
Taylor
Chippewa
Cr
Page 33 First Section
St. Croix
Barron
ren
Oneida
Rusk
Trempealeau
Page 32 First Section
Price
Delta
Dickinson
Vilas
aun ee
n ur Polk
Iron
Flo
Sawyer
hb
Burnett
Making Cents of Dairy
Come Full Circle
Ashland
Wa s
Page 31 First Section
First Section: Pages 1, 5-6
Bayeld
Douglas
Page 30 First Section
Veterinary Wisdom
Kamphuis twins nd their signicant others while showing cattle
Women in Dairy: Shauna Szymanski
First Section: Pages 34 - 35
Ramblings from the Ridge
Brandon
Cassel
Curds for Kids receives national attention, donation
Bo
Pigeon Falls
Pages 8-9 First Section
Ma r
Ag Insider
n
re War
What are the most productive methods you use to reduce heat stress incidences in your milking herd? First Section: Pages 15 - 16
Page 4 • Dairy Star • Saturday, July 11, 2020
WE HAVE ALL YOUR FLY CONTROL PRODUCTS! ADM Mastergain Range Mineral $
10% OFF all Rubbermaid Stock Tanks
23/BAG
High Country Plastics 250 lb. Mineral Feeder
SAVE $6/BAG
Contains garlium which is great for fly & tick control.
Was $164
NOW $12999! 3/8 In. Cordless FUEL Mid-Torque Impact Wrench
0-575/2000/2300 RPM, 0-450/2900/3200 IPM, 1,500 in./lbs. torque. Includes impact wrench w/ friction ring, (2) Red lithiumbattery packs, belt clip and carrying case #3639127
3/8” Drill Driver Kit $
JUST
99!
399
$
99
LOOK TO THE GILMAN Twine, net wrap, inoculants, rake & baler teeth, discbine blades, CREAMERY FOR ALL YOUR BALING NEEDS sickle sections & guards. CHECK OUT OUR RENTAL SELECTION! Get your jobs done & save money at the same time!
Automatic
Made in USA
AGRi-Speed HITCH
One person operation - eliminate the need for a second hand for hook-ups
TIRES
Discount on In-Stock Models!
We are an exclusive dealer!
FIND OUT HOW ROASTING CAN BENEFIT YOUR RATIONS
Skid Loader & Implement (Mounting Available)
We can custom roast your grains including barley, corn, wheat, oats and soybeans.
Gilman Co-op Creamery
FEED & FARM SUPPLY STORE
1-800-887-4634•(608) 723-4634 John, Jim & Dave Fuller 423 U.S. Hwy. 61 North • Lancaster, WI
Gilman, MN 320-387-2770
www.fullersmilkercenter.com
Open M-F 7:30-7, Sat. 7:30-5, Sun. 8:30-1 Good service - fair prices - every day
WWW.GILMANCREAMERY.COM
RESIDUAL KILL FOR HOURS!
NPE FREE
Dual Germicide—Barrier Teat Dip (Fast & Long Lasting Kill)
Primary Germicide / Chlorine Dioxide - Fast Kill (6 Log / 15 Seconds)
Secondary Germicide / Heptanoic Acid
Less Tacky, Shorter Dry Time & Minimal Build-up!
PROTECTS AND CONDITIONS: Perfect for controlling mastitis in warm, wet, humid weather!
- Kills for hours Excellent Skin Conditioners Less Tacky (No Sticky Build-Up Left Behind) & Quick Dry Time Great Color Marking — Very Low Drip Rates
2 BEST BARRIERS ON THE MARKET! Use less because our dips stay on the teat! FOR MORE INFO - CONTACT ONE OF THESE DEALERS... Advanced Dairy Systems
Athman Dairy Inc.
D&D Ag Supply
9 State Rd. 29 • Spring Valley, WI 54767 (715) 772-3201
238 Main Street North • Pierz, MN 56364 (320) 468-2494
133 Atlantic Ave. NE • Pennock, MN 56279 (320) 599-4466
Advanced Dairy Solutions
Professional Dairy Systems
East Central Dairy Supply
Champion Milking Systems
Eastern Iowa Dairy Systems
278 W. Court St. • Richland Center, WI 53581 1449 Homecrest Ave. • Wadena, MN 56482 (608) 647-4488 (218) 632-5416
Anderson Dairy Systems, Inc. 1312 13 1/2 Ave. • Barron, WI 54812 (715) 537-3300
23218 350th Street • Albany, MN 56307 (320) 845-4156
2195 Hwy. 23 • Mora, MN 55051 (320) 679-1029
105 3rd Ave. NW • Epworth, IA 52045 (563) 876-3087
Fuller’s Milker Center, Inc.
Lang’s Dairy Equipment, Inc.
2337 Millennium Rd. • Decorah, IA 52101 (563) 382-8722 1467 West 5th Street • Winona, MN 55987 (507) 452-5532 Gorter’s Clay & Dairy Equipment 1400- 7th St. SE • Pipestone, MN 56164 Leedstone (507) 825-3271 222 E Co Rd 173, Melrose, MN 56352 (320) 256-3303 Tri-County Dairy Supply, Inc. 24260 Cty. Rd. 27 • Plainview, MN 55964 4107 N US HWY 51 • Janesville. WI 53545 (507) 534-3161 608-757-2697 423 U.S. 61 • Lancaster, WI 53813 (608) 723-4634
Leedstone
1720 Freitag Dr. • Menomonie, WI 54751 (715) 231-8090
United Suckow Dairy
12687 Hwy 18 & 52 • Postville, IA 52162 (563) 864-7417 210 N. Industrial Pkwy • West Union, IA 52175 (563) 422-5355
Dairy Star • Saturday, July 11, 2020 • Page 5
ConƟnued from KAMPHUISES | Page 1
Grain Bins Sukup grain bins were designed with the operator in mind and it shows in the many features standard on every Sukup Bin. From our patented anchor brackets to our extra-strong roofs; quality, strength and innovation have made Sukup Bins a top choice across the countryside and Sukup the world’s fastest growing bin company.
Call us today to see how we can find a bin fit for your operation! PHOTO SUBMITTED
Derrek Kamphuis and Valerie Kramer pose with Foxy RB Cozumel-Red EX-93. The couple has planned an October 2020 wedding. chel was not so crazy about her future husband. “I hated Darren at rst,” Rachel said. However, those feelings changed over time, and the pair started dating when Darren was a senior in high school and Rachel was a sophomore. Valerie and Derrek began dating the day before Valerie headed off to college at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. The 25-year-old brothers farm with their father, Steve, and their uncle, Doug, milking 270 cows and farming 550 acres. From cropping to cows, family does all the work at Kampy Holsteins. Derrek and Darren attended the UW-Madison Farm and Industry Short Course and graduated in March 2015. That July, the Kamphuis family started building a new facility and moved into the freestall barn and double-8 herringbone parlor two days before Christmas. Previously, the family was milking 100 cows in a tiestall barn which has since been converted into calf housing. The freestall barn design features tunnel ventilation that produces a 16 mph wind down the center alley created by 20 72-inch fans, two 55-inch fans and ve exhaust fans in the peak. “Cows stay really cool in the summer, and we hardly have to run the sprinklers,” Derrek said. “When it’s cold, the barn keeps the heat in, and we
Old
don’t have any problems with freezing. We can push manure all winter.” Valerie and Rachel hold full-time jobs off the farm. Valerie, who grew up on a farm in St. Cloud, Minnesota, is an associate credit ofcer at Compeer Financial in Fond du Lac, and Rachel, who grew up on a farm in Calumetville, is an inside sales representative at Heritage Animal Health in Ripon. Derrek and Darren’s show days began at the Alto town fair when they were 9 years old. “We were big into dairy judging, and our friends encouraged us to show at the county and state fairs as well,” Darren said. Not only did Darren and Rachel meet at the county fair, it would also be the site of their engagement in 2017. Darren popped the question right before Rachel was about to enter the showring with one of Darren’s special cows, Bella-Ridge Gin Blossom-ET. Darren usually showed Gin Blossom, but he gave her to Rachel that day. Rachel had a longstanding joke that Gin Blossom was her engagement ring. It was the futurity contest – a formal event in which the showpeople wear tuxedos and dresses. When Darren asked Rachel, “Are you ready to show off your engagement ring?” she thought
712-722-3626
SERVICE AFTER THE SALE Q-Catch 8500V Vet Squeeze Chute
Turn to KAMPHUISES | Page 6
Cowpower 1050 hyd. chute
Easy Cattle Handling
NEW, UPDATE, OR REMODEL? WE CAN DO THAT! Mulhern Dairy
New
Fountain, MN 2x14 SCR Milk Meters and ID
Call us to help you make your dairy operation more efficient.
www.midwestlivestock.com
ZUMBROTA, MN • 800-233-8937 BEATRICE, NE • 800-342-5657 SIOUX FALLS, SD • 800-705-1447 MENOMONIE, WI • 715-235-5144
Page 6 • Dairy Star • Saturday, July 11, 2020
ConƟnued from KAMPHUISS | Page 5
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 MATHER’S
Cleaning Drain Tiles, Manure Systems, Sewers and Frozen Lines MARCUS KRAHN
320-217-9607
Here Today. Gone Tomorrow.
(Formerly Noah VanBeck)
Give Classifieds a try.
No Sunday Calls (Emergency Only)
Firestone tracks. Built for dependability.
COMMITMENT. 9 years. WE AREN’T AFRAID OF
WE’LL GIVE YOU
Coverage as strong as our tires.
CJ TIRE & AUTO
Rule Tire & Auto
F&M Co-op Oil
Friedrich’s Tire & Oil
New Vienna, IA
Madison, SD
PHOTO SUBMITTED
Rachel and Darren Kamphuis are pictured following their engagement at the Fond du Lac County fair in 2017. Darren proposed right before Rachel entered the showring with Bella-Ridge Gin Blossom-ET, the winner of that night’s futurity. The couple was married last September. he was referring to the cow. But then Darren pulled out a ring, got down on one knee and proposed, bringing tears to Rachel’s eyes. “I was shocked,” Rachel said. “The whole time I was showing, I was thinking, what just happened?” The wedding was held in a remodeled barn on the farm where Rachel’s grandmother grew up, and many of the couple’s fair friends came to celebrate. Registered Holsteins brought Darren, Rachel, Derrek and Valerie together and continue to be a passion for these young dairy men and women. They even made sure to include the cows in their engagement and wedding photos. The Kamphuises shifted to an allregistered herd in less than 10 years and built up solid genetics in a short timeframe. “We got into registered cattle because of showing,” Darren said. “We started showing with grade animals and eventually transitioned to all registered. When expanding the herd, we looked for registered cattle.” This high-type herd had the No. 1 BAA in the nation for large herds in 2018. Last year, they were No. 3 and have a BAA of 108.8. The Kamphuises breed for a balanced cow, striving for a good blend of type and production. The farm’s rolling herd average is 27,000 pounds of milk, 1,000 pounds of butterfat and 950 pounds of protein on twicea-day milking with cows averaging 85 to 88 pounds of milk per day.
“I like to wake up and milk good cows that look nice,” Derrek said. “We study pedigrees and a bull’s linears when making mating decisions. We don’t mate off a number on the page. We like cow families. If a bull doesn’t quite t our criteria, but we like his family, we’ll use him.” A cow that Derrek and Darren credit in the development of their registered herd is Rosedale Go For Gin 2E-93. The Kamphuises have 30 offspring from this cow. “We bought three daughters from her originally – one of them being Gin Blossom,” Darren said. The farm likes to market its genetics, with one of the most memorable sales being Kampy Corvette Gretchen who went on to win a trifecta of shows as a fall calf in 2018. She was nominated all-American, all-Ontario and was grand champion of the Mexican National Show, winning in three countries in one month’s time. The Kamphuises show at county futurities, district shows, state shows and World Dairy Expo. “Our show schedule is a little more sporadic now,” Darren said. “We’re not at every show every year.” Filled with fond memories of their fun fair days as youth spent showing cattle, Darren, Rachel, Derrek and Valerie hope they will have children of their own who will continue the tradition. And perhaps, history will repeat itself.
Willmar, MN
Sauk Centre, MN
WW Tire Service Bryant, SD
FIRESTONEAG.COM #F A R M H A R D *Two-year free replacement on radial tires. Certain limitations and conditions apply to both.
PHOTO SUBMITTED
The cows at Kampy Holsteins are on display for the Wisconsin Holstein ConvenƟon tour hosted by the Kamphuises Feb. 22 near Brandon, Wisconsin. The farm had the No. 1 BAA in the naƟon for large herds in 2018.
Dairy Star • Saturday, July 11, 2020 • Page 7
ConƟnued from FLOODING | Page 1
“I’m not certain exactly how much rain we got because everyone’s rain gauges overowed,” Wahlquist said. “But I think it was somewhere around 10 to 12 inches.” Wahlquist said he is grateful for the help others offered to begin the process of cleaning up. “We had a lot of good people come to help,” he said. “They were there for three or four days cleaning and that helped us greatly.” Water ooded the family’s shop and required a great deal of cleaning, particularly before the equipment and tools began to suffer rust damage from the high water. Wahlquist’s barn avoided water running in, allowing the milk cows to ride out the ood relatively unscathed. “Water just barely got to the point where it was trickling into the barn,” Wahlquist said. “Other than that, it was untouched. We always had power.” In terms of crops and feed, PHOTO SUBMITTED Wahlquist said he lost about a 10-foot Heifers wade through water in a pasture near the Gausman family’s farm. Exsection of a silage bag, and his crops cessive rain caused ooding and washed away fences June 28-29. mostly survived the ood without damage. “The biggest thing is a lot of the enough of the current that it wasn’t tak- ing process. “You have to pump it all out, and second crop hay was ready before the en down.” There are two houses located on the then you have to muck all the mud out. rain came,” Wahlquist said. “We had actually thought about cutting hay Sun- farm, and the basements of both ood- You have to get in there with the disday. And now everything is so muddy ed, including water entering the rst infectant for the mold,” Wahlquist said. “The house that had water up into the we are having trouble getting into some story living area in one. “My dad bought this farm in 1955, rst story, you have to pull up all the of the elds, so it is getting old on us. We also have some elds we can’t get and the original farm house that is here, ooring and tear out the sheetrock up to because of bridges and roads washed we haven’t ever had to pump water to at least 2 feet, and everything. It’s alout of the basement until this ood,” most like having to gut it.” out.” Sue Gausman and her family operWahlquist said his corn survived Wahlquist said. The damage to both houses was ate Gausman Farms, also near Baldwin, the ooding without too much incident. “There is mud on it, pretty high on substantial, and Wahlquist said mitigat- where they milk 110 cows. She said the stalks,” he said. “But it was out of ing the damage will be a time-consum- that, despite the nearly foot of rain that
fell, they have mild damage to their farm. “A bridge near our farm on Highway 63 washed out, and three cars went into the pond that is by the creek and one went into the creek,” Gausman said. “Sadly someone drowned, so in light of that, we have nothing to complain about.” Gausman said some eld roads washed away, and most of their pasture fences were swept away as well. “We had to bring the cattle home that we had just put out to pasture, and we’ll have to repair some fences,” Gausman said. “But really, it is minor.” Gausman said they had a great deal of standing water in their elds, particularly in their alfalfa. The standing water is also keeping them from accessing other areas that did not ood. Gausman said it is hard to determine at this time what the nal tally of crop loss might be. “We had some debris in our hay elds, but it was mostly all cornstalks,” Gausman said. “The amazing part is that it’s all pretty much in two patches. If you had tried to make it in such nice patches, you’d never have been able to do it. I’m surprised it isn’t spread out more. There wasn’t much garbage that oated down the creek, but I was able to pick most of that up.” Gausman said they are grateful not to suffer the loss of any livestock but heard of a beef farmer who lost several head along with a horse that drowned. “We are fortunate that our farm buildings are about a half-mile away from the creek,” Gausman said. “We were lucky not to face any tragedy or great property damage.”
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 made by farmers for farmers.
Call (920) 830-0277 Today!
AppletonSteel.com
Class III milk price moves higher Page 8 • Dairy Star • Saturday, July 11, 2020
The Class III futures spot market has approached USMCA positives highlighted in Farmers for Free $23 per hundredweight. That is a high mark for milk Trade roundtable prices since 2014. “A lot of this is government related Farmers for Free Trade hosted a virtual roundtable in terms of the Farmers to Families Food Boxes; that discussion on the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement. has been helpful,” said Dan Basse, presiThe agreement went into effect July 1. dent of Ag Resource Company. “Milk had House Agriculture Committee Chair ColAg Insider the biggest run in June out of any comlin Peterson said the implementation modity.” Basse said it will be difcult for is a positive in a time when positive acthe futures price to break through the $22tion is needed. “Thank goodness we got to-$23 cwt resistance level. it (the USMCA) done when we did,” Peterson said. “I would say that we need to June milk price nearly $9 higher than be vigilant. There are troubling signs of May people using the COVID-19 pandemic as The federal order Class III milk a reason to put up trade barriers. We’ve price averaged $21.04 cwt in June. That seen some monkey business going on in is $8.90 more than the price in May and Mexico, and we continue to worry about $4.77 higher than June of last year. Canadians and dairy policy. We need to be vigilant and make sure the trade agreeWisconsin leads the nation in CFAP ment is enforced.” Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst By Don Wick payments was also part of the discussion. “I do think Columnist To this point, dairy farmers have reit’s important to continue touting the succeived over $1 billion in Coronavirus cess of this phenomenal trade deal. HopeFinancial Assistance Program payments. Wisconsin fully, this will lead to more in the future,” Ernst said. leads the nation in the number and amount of CFAP payments. Over 4,500 Wisconsin dairy farmers re- Farmland values hold rm ceived $224 million. According to the University of Wisconsin Extension Agricultural Land Prices Report, land values have USMCA implications for the US dairy industry remained solid over the past ve years. The average Roughly 40% of U.S. dairy exports go to Canada annual growth in farmland values was 2% from 2009 and Mexico. International Dairy Foods Association to 2019. Farmland rental rates also increased during President and CEO Michael Dykes said that adds to that time period. the signicance of the newly implemented U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement. There is speculation Canada’s Butter, cheese inventories rise new Tariff Rate Quota plan will restrict imports of According to the United States Department of AgU.S. branded cheese and butter products. “Throughout riculture Cold Storage Report, U.S. butter inventories the extensive negotiations with Canada, the message topped 380 million pounds in May. That was up 66.4 was clear we need a new day in our trade relationships million pounds from May 2019. Total cheese invenwith Canada on dairy. Let’s not have any funny busi- tories increased 5% year-over-year. American cheese ness here; let’s make sure we do this above board,” inventories rose nearly 34 million pounds and the Dykes said. IDFA has voiced its concerns to the U.S. other-than-America cheese inventories increased 35.4 Trade Representative’s Ofce. million pounds.
COVID-19 may have long-term impact on consumer behavior A new report from CoBank said the coronavirus has dramatically impacted consumer behavior, and the dairy supply chain will need to make adjustments. During the stay-at-home advisories, consumers bought more milk and cheese. Cereal sales are also up, which inuences milk consumption. Grocers are cutting back on their product selection to improve operational efciency. CoBank said that may inuence the testing of new concepts. A tighter economy will also impact disposable income and ultimately disrupt the dairy supply chain. Another round for the food box program USDA has approved over $1 billion in extended contracts and $202 million in new contracts for the Farmers to Families Food Box Program. In this second round of purchases, the program will purchase $288 million in dairy products. A total of 27.5 million food boxes have been delivered, below the goal of 40 million. New farm stress resource is available The Farm Center at the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection is offering free, condential counseling resources. Mental health professionals are available 24/7 for the Farmer Wellness Hotline. Tele-health and in-person counseling are also available through this pilot program to address farm stress. The hotline number is 1-888-9422474. DFA faces federal racketeering allegations Dairy Farmers of America leadership are being sued, facing claims predatory pricing strategies were implemented to eliminate competition. The lawsuit was led by a group of farmers and a Dean Foods shareholder. The complaint was led under the federal government’s RICO Act and asks for divestiture and dissolution of DFA. A spokesperson for DFA said the lawsuit is “without merit.” DFA purchased the maTurn to AG INSIDER | Page 9
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
Dairy Star • Saturday, July 11, 2020 • Page 9
ConƟnued from AG INSIDER | Page 8 jority of Dean Foods’ assets after Dean vention will return to Indianapolis in Foods led for bankruptcy. 2021. Borden Dairy sale approved The bankruptcy court has approved the sale of Borden Dairy to Capitol Peak Partners. Capitol Peak is led by the former CEO of Dean Foods and will have majority ownership of Borden Dairy. Borden’s lender, KKR, will have minority interest in the Dallas-based company. COVID-19 impacts WFBF annual meeting format The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation annual meeting will be conducted in person and virtually. The agenda will be shortened to a two-day format Dec. 5-6. The WFBF Young Farmer and Agriculturalist Conference will only be conducted virtually. National FFA Convention will be virtual The National FFA Convention will be virtual this year. The National FFA Organization said there were many pandemic-related challenges that made hosting an in-person event impossible this year. However, an in-person con-
Rasdall moves from USDA to IDFA Effective July 7, Becky Rasdall will take over as the vice president for trade policy and international affairs at the International Dairy Foods Association. Most recently, Rasdall has been a senior policy advisor for USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service. Rasdall concentrated on technical and sanitary/phytosanitary barriers for U.S. trade.
DHIA: Now MORE than ever
Who is she?
Trivia challenge Pizza Hut was the rst pizza fast food chain in the United States, starting in 1958. That answers our last trivia question. For this week, when were ice cream cones invented? 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.
“You should try KLC Roasted Beans, they help us produce even with reduced DMI.”
“Boy it·s hot out. I have a hard time keeping my dry matter intake up.”
KLC Roasted Soybeans have what you need for your dairy ration:
Knowing who she is enables you to successfully manage her. Accurate ID enables you to make the right decision on the right cow. We offer “official ID” tags from Allflex, Destron Fearing, Y-Tex, and Temple. We offer visual management tags from these companies as well as Z-Tag.
Box 486 Buffalo, MN 55313 763.682.1901 www.mndhia.org
KLC Farms Competitively Bids For Raw Beans - Call For Price!
Energy Protein Amino mino Acids Bypass Protein
Quality
Consistency
KLC Farms Roasting, Inc. 1-877-738-2326 877 738 232 Visit www.roastedbeans.com
Cut Your Refrigeration Needs in Half with an Accu-Therm Plate Cooler!
Check Out our selection of
VERMEER EQUIPMENT!
Discount on In-Stock Models!
1/6
IN STOCK:
Joe Digman Digman Dairy Dickeyville, WI
Made in USA
“Several years ago we installed a plate cooler in our old set up and immediately noticed a difference in how fast it cooled the milk. It was obvious we were saving energy, so it was an easy decision to put one in our new facility. Additionally we like how we get multiple uses out of our water, by being able to reuse the water to water the cows.”
604N Select Baler, 504 R Premium baler, VR1022, VR1224 and TE1710 Ready to Work! (715) 285-5317
Ken Anibas • www.anibassilo.com N6423 Commerce Lane, Arkansaw, WI siloman@nelson-tel.net • kevinatanibassilo@yahoo.com
“Your Complete Farm Service Company” Serving You Since 1973
www.fullersmilkercenter.com
Page 10 • Dairy Star • Saturday, July 11, 2020
Tell the advertisers you saw their ad in the Dairy Star! " %
Barn Lighting, Sheds, Fans, Trenching, Irrigation, Homes & More!
Master Electrician, Owner
C
.M. ELEC E.A Bob Meyer TRI . B Lic. #CA03435
We Offer the Following Agricultural Services:
Koltes Dairy going strong a decade later
!
Need an Electrician?
10 YEAR UPDATE
E lectric Cell:
320-761-1042 Serving Central Minnesota
SUPPORTING THE FARMERS OF TOMORROW. The future of farming depends on dreams like this. And at American Family Insurance, we’re proud to support the National FFA Organization and the dreams they help.
The lobby is locked, but we can be reached by phone! Gary Scott, Agent Gary Scott Agency Inc Milaca, MN 56353 Bus: (320) 983-6880 gscott@amfam.com
American Family Mutual Insurance Company, S.I. & Its Operating Companies, American Family Insurance Company, 6000 American Parkway, Madison, WI 53783 Š2019 016630 – 04/19 – 11594345
ANDREA BORGERDING/DAIRY STAR
The Koltes family (from leĹŒ) – Ken, Miley, Andy, Caden and Mike – stand in the yard of their farm Koltes Dairy near St. Cloud, Minnesota. Ken, Andy and Mike work in a partnership they formed 10 years ago in July 2010.
Brothers, father remain committed to partnership By Andrea Borgerding andrea.b@dairystar.com
CANOLA MEAL CORN GLUTEN FEED CORN DISTILLERS GRAINS CORN STARCH LINSEED MEAL FLAX SEED OAT HULLS RICE HULLS SOYBEAN MEAL SOY BEST SOYBEAN HULLS SOY FLOUR SOY PLUS
8
AMINO PLUS SOY ISOLATE WHEAT MIDDS WHEAT GERM MEAL BEET PULP CASEINATES CHEESE SCRAPS SAW DUST FOOD BY-PRODUCTS LACTOSE NONFAT DRY MILK SUGAR/DEXTROSE WHEY PROTEIN POWDER
Dairy Star ďƒžrst visited with the Koltes family in July 2010 shortly after they started in their new partnership. We checked in with them ten years later. ST. CLOUD, Minn. – In July 2010, Andy and Mike Koltes started a business venture that was risky and highly expected to fail. Despite the odds the industry was offering for new dairy farmers at the time, the brothers partnered with their father, Ken, to start Koltes Dairy LLC. The brothers never looked back. “We are deďƒžnitely further than what we thought we would be 10 years ago,â€? Andy said. Mike agreed. “When I stop and look at the past 10 years, it’s been all about slowly making life easier,â€? Mike said. Today, the Koltes trio is milking 130 cows and raising 600 acres of corn, soybean and alfalfa on their farm near St. Cloud. The Koltes brothers attribute their success in surviving the industry’s ups and downs to a conservative outlook, each partner being able to specialize in areas of the farm and the willingness of their father to be open to new ideas. For much of the Kolteses dairying career, the average milk price has been less than what is considered proďƒžtable. This experience has helped the brothers manage the dairy for a modest milk price. “On average, we haven’t had good prices the last 10 years; we are used to that,â€? Andy said. “You can survive on $14-$15 milk if you are used to it.â€? With the odds stacked against them, Andy, Mike and Ken went in with a perspective of operating the dairy at low cost but sparing no expense in keeping the cows comfortable and producing milk. The Kolteses started out with a good herd and built on that foundation by focusing on genetics, cow comfort and quality feed. Today, they are at a 28,700-pound herd average. Andy and Mike have made few changes to their facilities that include a swing-10 parlor, tiestall barn converted to a freestall barn and an additional bedding pack barn. The facilities are the same ones their father milked in during his career. Ken sold the
family’s herd of cows four years prior to the Kolteses forming a partnership to start milking again. The parlor has been maintained and the freestall has been added onto since starting up 10 years ago. “We could’ve built a new barn sometime in the past 10 years, but I think we’ve been super conservative,â€? Andy said. “Dad is very conservative and that has rubbed off on us.â€? Andy and Mike credit their father for allowing them to take the reins on operating the dairy. The key to making their partnership work has been the ability to specialize in their own areas and having the freedom of making a decision to beneďƒžt the partnership. “I think what has made us successful is that it was the three of us starting from scratch,â€? Mike said. “That allowed Dad to let go and make it easier
“I think what has made us successful is that it was the three of us starting from scratch. That allowed Dad to let go and make it easier for the three of us to make decisions.� MIKE KOLTES, DAIRY FARMER
for the three of us to make decisions.â€? Andy feeds all the cows and calves and manages most of the ďƒželdwork. Mike does breeding, milking and herd health. Ken helps feed calves when Andy is in the ďƒželd in addition to milking every morning and some evenings. Despite physical ailments including arthritis, Ken enjoys milking and doing chores as grandchildren often help much to his enjoyment. Ken also plants corn and cuts and rakes hay. “Everyone goes out and comes in at the same time, but we all have our own areas,â€? Andy said. “We overlap when we are busy.â€? Turn to KOLTES | Page 11
Dairy Star • Saturday, July 11, 2020 • Page 11
ConƟnued from KOLTES | Page 10
The Kolteses also have one fulltime employee, Eugene Nowak, who milks ve nights a week and on weekends if needed. Both Andy’s and Mike’s wives also help as needed, especially during eldwork. Missy, Andy’s wife, helps feed calves, and Brianna, Mike’s wife, milks and hauls hay. Andy and Mike are grateful for having had the opportunity to dairy farm and are even more grateful to still be farming today.
“We talk about how at some point we have to remember what our dad has done when it comes to the next generation to come in and take over.” ANDY KOLTES, DAIRY FARMER
“It was a stretch in the beginning so everybody had to be involved and committed,” Andy said. “Our biggest accomplishment has been getting it all to come together to the point where now everything works well together.” Milk production is something the Kolteses strived for from the beginning, and despite almost having a 29,000-pound herd average today, they are quick to mention that there is
always room for more production. “The ipside to that is we don’t need to buy our milk production either,” Mike said. “You have to nd a spot where you are making money.” The Kolteses strive to make quality hay and forages to drive production. In the future, the Koltes brothers will continue to buy more land from Ken to allow him to retire out of the partnership. At 63 years old, Ken is pleased the partnership worked out the way it did. “The people who are owning it are making the decisions which is the way it should be,” Ken said. “They listen to my opinion. They won’t always do it if it doesn’t suit them, but I can have an opinion and that’s all I ask.” Andy and Mike both agree their father has done a great job of letting them take ownership. “We talk about how at some point we have to remember what our dad has done when it comes to the next generation to come in and take over,” Andy said. To entice the next generation, the brothers realize a new facility is in their future. But for now they are biding their time and waiting for the right moment to take the next step – a process they feel has kept them in the dairy business. “It comes down to seeing the opportunities and trying to make the most of the opportunities that come up,” Mike said. “You have to realize when a good opportunity is knocking.”
SUPERIOR LOOK, BUILD & PERFORMANCE
• Bunker Wall Restoration • Silo Restoration • Barn and house foundation restoration
www.premiergunitellc.com
FutureCow® Prep System The FutureCow® Prep System from GEA accomplishes multiple pre-milking procedures in one easy step. The system features a mechanical brush unit that gently washes, disinfects, stimulates and dries all in one visit to the cow.
“It’s very easy to use, even our part-time workers use it and it saves time and money, with no towels or laundry needed. We have less garbage and fewer chemicals and disinfectants are needed.” The KUHN Knight PS 250 & 260 ProSpread® apron box manure spreaders are high-capacity, non-commercial spreaders designed for feeder, cow/calf, and dairy operations that process a wide array of semi-solid and solid materials. The KUHN Knight PS 250 & 260 ProSpread® apron box manure spreaders are high-capacity, non-commercial spreader designed for feeder, cow/ calf, and dairy operations that process a wide array of semi-solid and solid materials. A 10-degree sidewall flare provides greater capacity while still maintaining ease of loading and unit maneuverability. A heavy-duty guillotine gate delivers greater metering capability and material flow management. Improved beater location provides an enhanced spreading pattern by streamlining material flow from the apron to the beaters.
Blue Hilltop, Inc. 507-879-3593 – 800-821-7092
Box Box 116, 116, Lake Lake Wilson, Wilson, MN MN 56151 56151 –– www.bluehilltop.com www.bluehilltop.com
Tony and his son, Mark, have been working with Centre Dairy for around Tony Clasemann 25 years. Jon and his crew worked on Long Prairie, MN building and improving their parlor and 240 cows the FutureCow is a large part of their operation. With a service agreement, they can always replace worn parts. They receive great 24-hour service from Centre Dairy if they have an emergency situation.
Jon Stein 320-352-5762 • 1-800-342-2697 Henning Area 218-849-0211
DAIRY EQUIPMENT CENTRE AND SUPPLY INC.
40625 State Hwy. 28 • Just West of Hwy. 71 • Sauk Centre, MN
Page 12 • Dairy Star • Saturday, July 11, 2020
Prepare for market changes ahead Kohl discusses how the COVID-19 pandemic will change consumer behavior By Krista Kuzma
krista.k@dairystar.com
The novel coronavirus and the COVID-19 pandemic has made impacts on almost every industry, including agriculture. Dr. David Kohl, gave his thoughts about the situation during a July 2 webinar, “Managing through the Black Swan Cycle,” hosted by the South Dakota Agriculture Foundation and the Central Plains Dairy Foundation. “Usually you’ll have a black swan about every 10 years, but this one really hit hard,” said Kohl, Virginia Tech professor emeritus, and owner of Homestead Creamery in Wirtz, Virginia. Kohl described the pandemic and its affects – both current and potential – in three phases. The rst phase includes happenings from March 1 to May 1. Many people lost jobs and states shut down non-essential businesses for preventative measures. Kohl said 40% of those businesses had sales plummet to 25% or below. “What happened around the world is the global economy was put on life support through the federal reserve assistance but also through the scal support,” he said. The second phase started mid-May and will continue through the end of the
year. “We’ve got disjointed recovery plans at the local, state, national and international levels,” Kohl said. “We’re also moving into the realization of job loss.” Kohl said millions of people will not get their jobs back and many who do will have a reduced salary. Businesses will also fail. “What you’re going to see is extreme volatility,” Dr. David Kohl Kohl said. “It’s Professor not going to be emeritus an option, but a requirement that we manage this volatility out there.” The third stage will be from January 2021 and beyond when businesses are working to move forward to being successful again. “One of the things we have to be really careful in the ag industry is concentration cannibalization,” Kohl said. “We have seen it with the big processors. They’re making the bucks, but the producers are hurting and the consumer paid an extra price.” Kohl foresees this phase to include an acceleration of deglobalization along with articial intelligence. “We’re going to see more energy, a commitment to move forward, innovation, adaptation and new business models for successes,” Kohl said. “It’s going to take creative leadership.” Part of this will be dealing with Kohl’s assumption of products being
BODENSTEINER IMPLEMENT CO. www.bodimp.com
Pre-owned equipment!
purchased at a more local level rather than globally. He said the last seven decades have built up globalization. “Agriculture has played in this very well,” he said. “$1 out of every $5 of net farm income comes from export markets.” Kohl is watching other countries’ economies closely. “Are we going to have a market for our product out there?” he said. Many businesses will see less demand, he said. “Businesses are going to have to learn to operate in a 90% economy,” he said. “In other words, it’s not going to come back to normal.” A shift will go towards online sales and home deliveries. “We will have to align industry segments with consumer shifts,” Kohl said. “It’s going to be quick supply and demand shifts. You’ll see a lot of seesaw type of consumption.” While trade agreements will have an impact on markets and economies, Kohl said it is not the only factor. “Don’t bet your farm and ranch on trade agreements,” he said. However, he is closely watching Australia and China’s interaction along with the possibility of Europe splitting apart, and how that could affect global markets. Kohl is cautious about individual farm’s nancial responsibilities, especially when it comes to the monetary support distributed by the government. “(Farmers) need to have a plan post support because these checks coming in are going to be nonrecurring income,” he said. “I’m concerned that when we come to August, September, October
Electronic Dairy Board Repair Service
Call: (c) 406-590-7764
www.circuitÀxer.wixsite.com/ boumaticboardrepair
2013 JD 7780
KP, PRWD, Pro Drive, 2499 hrs. #49737 $185,000 (DYE)
2011 NH H8080 Windrower
w/15’5” 750HD header, 884 hrs. #44281 $75,000 (DYE)
JD 698 Rotary Head
2013 JD 640C Windrow Head
2018 John Deere 560M
2015 JD 569 Prem RB
Came off 7780, 8 row, small drum #49738 $54,500 (DYE)
Twine and Surface Wrap, 5’bales #50642 $59,500 (CRE)
Crop roller, hyd. gauge wheels #49739 $15,000 (DYE)
19,500 bales #50079 $23,500 (DYE)
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
WHICH BARN IS BEST FOR YOUR HERD?
Birds just love this barn. The webs in these trusses are easy nest areas for birds. They also restrict air flow which leads to poor ventilation and moisture buildup in the building.
Starwood Rafters Uses
2014 JD 204K Compact Ldr.
Cab w/AC, 1.4 yd. bkt., new tires #48301 $52,000 (WAU)
2018 JD 330G Skid Steer
84” bkt., EH controls, 2083 hrs. #49222 $39,500 (LIME SPRINGS)
2010 Kuhn Knight 3130 Feeder wagon #48609 $17,800 (WAU)
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
Turn to MARKETS | Page 13
Esgate Rd., Anamosa Silo 8827 Maquoketa, IA 563-652-5125 Repair, LLC
Repair vs. Replace
Specializing in: WestfaliaSurge, BouMatic, & DeLaval pulsators & Takeoffs, circuit boards, Mueller milk tank circuit boards.
and November, people who have not planned could throw them for a loop.” So, how long did Kohl think the recession will last? “This is settling in for the longer turn,” he said. “There’s no pattern for corrective action. You can see what’s happening in various states around the country.” He foresees the upcoming months to continue to be volatile. “There is a disconnect to the stock market,” he said. “It’s very dangerous right now. We have to watch for reemerging bio shocks or cyber attacks, particularly in the southern hemisphere.” People’s behavior to focus again on the four basics of food, water, warmth and rest have changed consumer behavior. Kohl sees four types of consumers coming out of this pandemic. The rst will be a minimalist, going back to basic needs and taking pride in surviving on minimal items. The second will be a frugal consumer. This person will go back to basic needs but with some select expenditures and experiences. “They take a lot of pride in budgeting, savings and rainy-day funds,” Kohl said. “These rst two groups love Dave Ramsey and will follow him closely.” The third consumer is a carefree consumer that is impulsively and emotionally driven. “This is the group that scares me,” Kohl said. “They’re going to hit the wall … when the checks quit or the jobs don’t come back. And then they’re
Pole Sheds • Free Stalls Riding Arenas Pavilion Shelters Machinery Storage
The arched rafters create a more open barn allowing better ventilation. Also since there are no open webs in the trusses, there are no places for birds to nest.
• Spans up to 72 ft. • Up to 12’ spacing depending on the load you desire • Bird nesting control • Better ventilation & visability • No feed alley post obstruction • Additional ceiling height
Starwood Rafters Lam-Ply Truss
ANOTHER QUALITY PRODUCT FROM STARWOOD RAFTERS
STARWOOD RAFTERS, INC. 715-985-3117
W24141 Starwood Ln. • Independence, WI 54747 Website: www.starwoodrafters.com
888-525-5878
Dairy Star • Saturday, July 11, 2020 • Page 13
ConƟnued from MARKETS | Page 12 going to go to the plastic credit card.” The nal consumer is the alpha spender and investor. “We see these in agriculture,” Kohl said. “They’ll go to the high-end purchases. They will be risk takers but focus on taking advantage of discounted opportunities. They have that wealth and income cushion that is a shock absorber to future black swans.” Through all this, Kohl said there are positives for agriculture. “I think the importance of a diversied safe food, ber and fuel source – the basics of life – we have got an opportunity and we need to expound upon this,” he said. Going forward, Kohl said farmers will need to work at setting up business plans to be successful into the future. Resiliency is the rst of four pillars of a successful business model according to Kohl. This includes knowing cost of production, and having a marketing and risk management program. “With this volatility, that (marketing plan) is your offensive strategy,” Kohl said. “Your defensive strategy is your risk management, your insurance programs.” The second pillar is agility. “Working capital is going to be important,” he said. “A big one here is having a market for that product. We saw a lot of euthanized hogs and cattle get backed up. One of the big things we have to think about is the optimization and efciency versus diversication and resiliency. The third pillar is having an entrepreneurial and innovative spirit. “Agriculture is a people rst business,” Kohl said. “And we’ve got to invest in people.” The nal pillar is having a strong business IQ, which includes 15 factors critical for a successful business (see
1. Know cost of producƟon 2. Know cost of producƟon by enterprise 3. Goals – business, family and personal 4. Record keeping system 5. Projected cash ow 6. Financial sensiƟvity analysis 7. Understand nancial raƟos, break evens 8. Work with advisory team and lender 9. MarkeƟng plan wriƩen and executed 10. Risk management plan executed 11. Modest lifestyle habits, family living budget 12. WriƩen plan for improvement executed and strong people management 13. TransiƟon plan/business owner plan 14. EducaƟonal seminars/courses 15. Aƫtude breakout box). Kohl said mental health and business planning are also important. “There is a correlation between developing plans and your emotional health,” Kohl said, citing a Canadian study. “The business planning and management will not eliminate stress, but it provides options and gives peace of mind.” Despite challenges, Kohl looks forward to the future. “Overall, I am optimistic about the industry of agriculture,” he said.
www.albanychrysler.com
www.albanychrysler.com NEW 2020 JEEPCHEROKEE TRAILHAWK
Heated Seats, Remote Start!
4X4, Heated Seats!
0% FOR 72 MONTHS* (O.A.C.) LEASE FOR $279/MONTH+ NEW 2020 NEW 2020 JEEP GRAND CHRYSLER PACIFICA CHEROKEE 4X4 NEW 2020 JEEP CHEROKEE 4X4
0% FOR 84 MONTHS* (O.A.C.)
Power Sun Roof, Navigation, Leather! 0% FOR 72 MONTHS* (O.A.C.)
NEW 2019 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN
NEW 2020 RAM 1500 WARLOCK
NEW 2020 RAM 1500 BIG HORN
Back Up Camera, Touch Screen Radio!
8.4 Inch Touch Screen Radio, Bluetooth!
5.7L Engine,Towing Package, Power Seat!
NOW ONLY $ *
20,999
$
LEASE FOR
209/MONTH
+
$
LEASE FOR
299/MONTH
+
EMPLOYEE PRICING PLUS
0% FOR 60 MONTHS* (O.A.C.) NEW 2020 RAM NEW 2019 RAM 1500 LARAMIE 2500 LARAMIE
5.7L Engine, Cooled Seats, Towing Package!
6.7L Engine, 12.0 Touch Screen Radio, Sport Package!
374/MONTH
61,479
$
LEASE FOR
+
NOW ONLY $ *
NEW 2019 RAM 2500 LIMITED
NEW 2020 RAM 1500 NEW 2020 JEEP NEW 2020 JEEP BIG HORN CREW CAB GLADIATOR RUBICON GLADIATOR S MODEL
6.7L Diesel, Sun Roof, Off Road Package!
6.7L Diesel, Sun Roof, Off Road Package!
Rear Camera, Remote Start, Towing Package!
Hard Top, Towing Package, Heated Seats!
Heated Seats, Towing Package, Trac-Lok!
61,479
68,673
35,577
46,999
37,426
NOW ONLY $ *
NEW 2020 CHRYSLER 300 AWD
NOW ONLY $ *
NOW ONLY $ *
NEW 2020 CHRYSLER PACIFICA
34650 225th Ave. - Albany, MN 56307
320-845-2801 • 800-392-3426
NOW ONLY $ *
NEW 2020 JEEP RENEGADE SPORT
NEW 2020 JEEP CHEROKEE SPECIAL EDITION
Black Wheels, Rear Camera! $ * NOW ONLY 19,999
V6, Leather, Advanced Safety, Heated Seats! $ * NOW ONLY 29,202
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
+Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk Lease for 42 months with $279 due at signing. Plus tax title and licensing fees. All discounts and rebates to dealer and are subject to change without notice. See dealer for complete details. +Ram Warlock lease figured at 42 months with $2,999 due at signing. Plus tax title and licensing fees. All discounts and rebates to dealer and are subject to change without notice. See dealer for complete details. +Ram 1500 Big Horn Lease for 42 months with $2,999 due at signing. Plus tax title and licensing Fees. All discounts and rebates to dealer and are subject to change without notice. See dealer for complete details. +Ram 1500 Laramie Lease figured at 42 months with $2,999 due at signing. Plus tax title and licensing fees. All discounts and rebates to dealer and are subject to change without notice. See dealer for complete details. *All discounts and rebates are subject to change without notice. See dealer for complete details.
www.albanychrysler.com
www.albanychrysler.com
AWD, 8.4 Inch Touch Screen Radio, Heated Seats, Blind Spot Monitoring, Rear Camera! Stow N’go Seating! $ * $ * NOW ONLY 27,942 NOW ONLY 29,665
NOW ONLY $ *
www.albanychrysler.com
www.albanychrysler.com
NEW 2019 RAM 2500 LIMITED
www.albanychrysler.com
www.albanychrysler.com
V6, Towing Package, Heated Seats!
www.albanychrysler.com www.albanychrysler.com www.albanychrysler.com
www.albanychrysler.com
NEW 2020 JEEP RENEGADE 4X4
www.albanychrysler.com
www.albanychrysler.com
15 critical factors for a successful business
As a dairyman, are you looking to improve the way your fresh cows transition, take off, peak and breed back? Looking to improve rumen health, rumen function, overall health, digestion, feed efficiency, and YOUR BOTTOM LINE??? If so, then…
RECALIBRATE WITH RECAL The RECAL line of probioƟcs is NOT just another probioƟc on the market. RECAL is a probioƟc heavily weighted towards beƩer digesƟon and uƟlizaƟon, primarily FIBER DIGESTION. There are a lot of nutrients in your forages that can be uƟlized by improving digesƟon. RECAL is also a probioƟc that produces more B-vitamins in the rumen of that cow, mainly vitamin B12. B-vitamins are well known to aide in sƟmulaƟng appeƟte, stress, immune system, reproducƟon and also very important in rumen digesƟon.
FEED EFFICIENCY With feed prices on the rise and limited forage supplies, it’s Ɵme to opƟmize dry maƩer intake instead of maximizing dry maƩer intake. Improved digesƟon and rumen health will always lead to improved feed eĸciency!!!
Stop and Think!!!
If you can improve digesƟon, what should happen??? Either the cows should eat the same and produce more, or produce the same and eat less. Cows really eat to their energy requirements. So, by improving digesƟon and uƟlizaƟon, cows meet their energy requirements sooner and don’t need to eat as much dry maƩer. This will also allow the cows more Ɵme to lay in their stall, chew their cud, relax and be comfortable.
Our main focus with RECAL probiotics and YOUR cows!!! #
1
To improve rumen health. What is the most important part of that cow??? The RUMEN!!!
#
2
To improve the overall immune system of your cow. The immune system starts in the RUMEN!!!
3
To improve digesƟon and uƟlizaƟon of the feed that the cows are eaƟng. If the feed is going in one end of the cow and coming out the other end of the cow without being digested and uƟlized, what good is it??? A WASTE!!!
#
4
To improve reproducƟon. Let’s face it, you don’t make money milking cows unless you are milking FRESH cows!!!
#
5
To improve YOUR BOTTOM LINE!!! It’s not about how much milk can we make. It’s about how much MONEY can we make!!!
#
Go by what the cows say, they don’t lie!!! For less than $0.08/cow/day, you will see a diīerence CALL TODAY... IT’S ONLY COMMON SENSE!!! FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
RECAL Microbials, LLC • Jamie Troxel 330-601-2142 • www.RECALmicrobials.com m
r We offe 30-day free trials.
Page 14 • Dairy Star • Saturday, July 11, 2020
Vertical Mixers With More Management Versatility 12” Vertical Pumps and Lagoon Pumps AVAILABLE
Protwin® Side-Discharge de der er Spreader NEW MODEL!
• Process bales of hay, straw, cornstalks in the mixer as 1st step in mixing a TMR with other ingredients
Penta 4430
• Mix all pre-processed feedstuffs for feedlot Ànishing rations • Mix all the ration combinations in-between • No other mixing concept covers such a wide range of feedstuffs Quality Built To Last Longer
The new KUHN Knight PS 235 and 242 ProSpread® apron box spreaders are non-commercial spreaders that provide an affordable option for producers without sacriÀcing quality.
Available In Sizes From 350 Cu. Ft. To 1,660 Cu Ft.
La rg
If y
ou
h
ion .
ing Dealer
Minnesota’s
nd l Ha
ding and Man e e ur tF s e e
l
ut
so wwave a a w.d barn, we have y.com airylandsuppl
Steerable Series St i Spreaders Excellent maneuverability and control on all types of terrain.
L LIQUID MANURE TANKS, PUMPS AND AGITATORS
with i h Cyclone C l Beater Great for Poultry litter! Now available for SB models
Designed to Suit your Needs
Installation Available.
Powerful PTO Pumps & Agitators To Handle Liquid Manure
Freestall Tilting Alley Scrapers
Parts On Hand.
The 600T Pull Type TMR has a maximum payload of 14,000 lbs, struck capacity of 549 ft³ or 641 ft³ with tub extension, and requires 100 horse power
SAUK CENTRE, OFF I-94 ON THE CORNER OF HWY. 28 & 71 SOUTH
From Our Side Of The Fence
Dairy Star • Saturday, July 11, 2020 • Page 15
How do you reduce heat stress in your milking herd?
Brad Tinrud Whitetail Valley Dairy Waupaca, Wisconsin Waupaca County 254 cows Describe your facilities for your milking herd. Milking cows are housed in a naturally ventilated 3-row freestall barn with fans. Pre- and post-fresh are housed in a naturally ventilated 2-row freestall barn with fans. What are the most productive methods you use to reduce heat stress incidences in your milking herd? Fans in both barns are spaced to achieve at least a 10 mph breeze. A mister system is placed over the headlocks where the cows eat. The mister system is automatic and turns on when the barn becomes 76 degrees and runs longer and more often the hotter it gets. How do you treat a cow when she experiences heat stress? We very rarely experience any heat stress. What precautions do you take to prevent heat stress in your calves, youngstock and dry cows? Baby calves are housed in a curtain-sided calf barn with a positive ventilation system along with basket fans over their pens that run on thermostat. When the barn reaches 75 degrees, the basket fans run. Calves are fed free-choice water 24 hours a day. Heifers 6 months and younger are housed in a three-sided solar barn with a bedding pack bedded with sawdust. Ventilation tube is on calves 3 months and younger and fans on the others. Heifers 7 months and older are housed in a three-sided solar barn with freestalls. Dry cows are also housed in a three-sided solar barn with freestalls with fans over the stalls. Dry cows and pregnant heifers are in separate pens but have access to unlimited pasture. What is one tactic to reduce heat stress that you want to implement or wish you implemented sooner on your dairy farm? The mister system has proved itself to be the best way to reduce heat stress. Since installed, the cows do not drop in milk production or on cow intakes during the heat. Describe the hottest summer you have experienced in your dairy career. How did that summer affect your milking herd? Currently we are experiencing the hottest summer yet. Six days with 90 degrees and humidity, and the cows have not dropped but gained 2 pounds per cow. Tell us about your farm. Whitetail Valley Dairy is a sixth-generation family-owned and operated farm. We milk 250 Holstein cows three times a day. We raise our youngstock and house all animals here. We farm 1,400 acres growing corn, soybean, alfalfa and sorted variations of alfalfa and grass mixes for dry cows and heifers. We A.I. our cows ourselves and have a 31% conception rate. We average 104 pounds per cow per day with an RHA of 31,186 pounds of milk, 1,182 pounds of butterfat and 989 pounds of protein.
Jeremy Natzke Wayside Dairy Wayside, Wisconsin Brown County 2,220 cows Describe your facilities for your milking herd. We have four freestall barns for our milking and dry cows. All barns have tunnel ventilation. Three of them can be ventilated tunnel or naturally. Natural ventilation includes open curtain sidewalls and panel fans. One of them is tunnel-ventilated all of the time. What are the most productive methods you use to reduce heat stress incidences in your milking herd? We have a few key people checking on sprinklers, fans and water tanks four to six times per day in extreme temperatures. They make sure fans are working properly and are clean, and ensure sprinkler nozzles are not plugged or damaged. How do you treat a cow when she experiences heat stress? First of all, we take her temperature to see where she is at. It really depends on the cow. She might need an IV of ďƒ&#x;uids or a fever reducer. If necessary, antibiotics might be needed. What precautions do you take to prevent heat stress in your calves, youngstock and dry cows? We have fans, sprinklers and tunnel ventilation for our dry cows. Our heifers have a shade cloth over their feed bunk and fans in the barn to get out of the sun. What is one tactic to reduce heat stress that you want to implement or wish you implemented sooner on your dairy farm? We converted our natural ventilation barns to tunnel ventilation six or seven years ago. This was a drastic improvement from natural ventilation. Much less variation in extreme heat as far as milk production and dry matter intake is concerned. Describe the hottest summer you have experienced in your dairy career. How did that summer affect your milking herd? 2012 was a very hot summer. We only had natural ventilation on our older barns, and the cows proved to us that it was time to make a change. Milk production and feed intakes dropped for 10 days before we were able to recover from the drastic heat. This was also the year we put up our transition barn that was tunnel ventilated. We soon realized the impact this barn had on the cows. Tell us about your farm. Our farm was established in 1863 when our ancestors from Germany came to Wayside. The owners are Dan, Paul and Jeremy Natzke along with Jenna Nonemacher. Paul, Jeremy and Jenna are the ďƒžfth generation to own and operate this farm. We milk 2,000 cows and crop 3,000 acres which consists of alfalfa, corn, wheat, sorghum Sudan and triticale. We have 31 full-time employees who help us be successful in running our farm. We try to do a good job in our business of taking care of the land, animals and our people. We are also involved with our community, church and school, and try to be good neighbors to the people of Wayside.
Dana Allen-Tully Gar-Lin Dairy LLC Eyota, Minnesota Olmsted County 1,750 cows Describe your facilities for your milking herd. We have a 50-stall carousel GEA parlor along with a single-12 herringbone treatment parlor. Cows are in a 160-by-200 cross-ventilated special needs barn and 4-row freestall barns with natural ventilation. There are thermostat-controlled fans and sprinklers, and mechanical sand separation. For calves, we have a 225-head autofeeder barn for calves 2-55 days of age. What are the most productive methods you use to reduce heat stress incidences in your milking herd? We aggressively use sprinklers and fans in our freestall barns. Our cross-ventilated barn has two phasehigh pressure misters that run based on temperature and humidity. The holding pen also has sprinklers and fans along with a shower in the return lane. We are also cognoscente of additive animal/people stresses outside of heat such as: calm animal handling, vaccinations and tasks at cool times of the day, increased ďƒ&#x;y control/farm cleanliness, adequate clean water available, reduced lock-up times and morning/evening feeding. How do you treat a cow when she experiences heat stress? We walk pens daily in the morning to observe cows for heat stress. If a cow’s temperature or respiration exceeds her herdmates, she is checked for lung congestion, temperature, abnormal heart rate and mastitis and treated according to our protocols. This could include separating her to reduce competition or improve comfort in our cross-ventilated barn. What precautions do you take to prevent heat stress in your calves, youngstock and dry cows? Providing a clean, dry environment with a lot of clean, fresh water is paramount. Just like in the cows, reducing additive stresses is our primary focus in the heat with particular attention to ďƒ&#x;y control. What is one tactic to reduce heat stress that you want to implement or wish you implemented sooner on your dairy farm? Further reducing lock-up times by using our sort system to catch cows to check, vaccinate, breed, etc. We then move them to an area in their pen where cows have access to feed, water and freestalls. When we are ready to work with them, the headlocks are set and cows are locked up. Once ďƒžnished, cows are released allowing them to already be in their correct pen. Describe the hottest summer you have experienced in your dairy career. How did that summer affect your milking herd? It seems this year the summer heat started earlier and has had longer stretches of continuous heat and humidity. Tell us about your farm. We are a third-generation family dairy farm in southeast Minnesota. We milk approximately 1,750 cows (80% Holstein/20% Pro-Cross), have worked to right-size our heifer herd by using beef breeds and farm 4,100 acres of corn, corn silage, high moisture shell corn, alfalfa, sweet peas, winter rye, sweet corn and soybeans.
Trusted People. Trusted Feed. 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 SUH PL[ WR FRPSOHWH IHHG VSHFL¿F WR \RXU IDUPœV QHHGV 2XU H[SHULHQFHG VWDႇ DUH UHDG\ WR GHOLYHU WKH KLJKHVW TXDOLW\ IHHG at an economical price, assist in balancing diets, or work with your private nutritionist or dairy consultant. Contact Star Blends at: 800-462-4125 or StarBlends.com
Page 16 • Dairy Star • Saturday, July 11, 2020
ConƟnued from OUR SIDE | Page 15 Shaina Kirckof Belgrade, Minnesota Stearns County 80 cows Describe your facilities for your milking herd. I have an 80-cow tiestall barn. The new barn was built in 2012 after the original barn was lost in 2009 from a re. I put in 4-by-6 one-legged Berg stalls with rubber mats that provide the cows with plenty of room. I put hydrated lime down on the mats before bedding with straw each morning. The hydrated lime helps to keep the stalls dry while keeping bacteria down. I have curtains across the west side of the barn with seven 50-inch fans and two 36-inch fans on the east end of the barn. Half ways down the barn, there are two 36-inch fans that suspend from the ceiling. I have a large maternity pen at the east end of the barn with a 50-inch fan. During the hotter months, I put 3-foot fans down the center of the barn to help with air ow. The ceilings are 12 feet high. With high ceilings, it allows the heat to rise off of the cows and be blown out with the fans. What are the most productive methods you use to reduce heat stress incidences in your milking herd? Keeping the cows cool is one of the biggest battles during the summer months. The things I nd most effective are: getting the cows fed early in the morning before it gets too hot out; keeping the stalls clean and dry; maintaining clean drinking cups; keeping their backs free of dust and debris; and giving haircuts immediately once entering the barn to any cow or heifer that has a longer hair coat. How do you treat a cow when she experiences heat stress? If it appears a cow is under heat stress, I will put a fan directly on her. If needed, I will mist her with water to try and slowly bring down her body temperature. Most of the time the nights cool down enough that I do not deal with a signicant amount of extreme heat stress. What precautions do you take to prevent heat stress in your calves, youngstock and dry cows? My calves that are on milk have 24-hour access to fresh water. After feeding milk, I wash out, sanitize and ll their pails up with fresh water. I nd it extremely important that all stalls remain as dry as possible. This helps with y control as well. In my pole sheds, where I house my calves, youngstock and dry cows, the south side of the sheds are completely open while I cut out large rectangular openings on the north side to allow more air ow. All animals have an optimal source of fresh, clean water 24/7. All barns are kept as dry as possible. What is one tactic to reduce heat stress that you want to implement or wish you implemented sooner on your dairy farm? To install fans throughout all pole sheds where I house all my youngstock and dry cows. I would also like to open the back side of my calf barn to allow the smaller calves to utilize the pasture as well. Describe the hottest summer you have experienced in your dairy career. How did that summer affect your milking herd? I am not entirely sure which summer has been the hottest, but it has been a steamy one so far this June and July. Although I have high ceilings and good air ow, the heat does at times affect the cows. When this happens, the cows tend to not eat as well which means they will not produce as much milk. To help with this, I get the cows up every few hours, push feed up and scrape manure out from under them. I have found that decreasing the dry matter intake while keeping the protein and energy levels up during this time also helps. Tell us about your farm. I truly do love my cows. I love how the dairy challenges me. The lifestyle it offers is like no other. Being a dairy farmer means you get to learn something new every day. You get to assist the mothers giving birth, nurture sick animals back to good health and watch the babies kick up their heels after you put fresh bedding in. I am the daughter of a third-generation farmer. I am so fortunate to be able to farm alongside my mother, father and grandfather.
Lucas Schmitt Hawkeye, Iowa Fayette County 280 cows Describe your facilities for your milking herd. We house our cows in two 3-row freestall barns with sand bedding and natural ventilation. We also have a bedding pack for fresh and hospital cows. The barns are scraped using the skidloader twice daily. We have two Lely robots that milk about 120 cows, and a double-8 parallel parlor to milk the other 160 cows. What are the most productive methods you use to reduce heat stress incidences in your milking herd? The main way we keep cows cool is by running fans in the barns and holding pen. We run our fans manually. They are turned on if it gets over about 70 degrees. Having enough waterers and keeping them clean is especially important in warm weather. Another method we use is trying to keep the cows from bunching up in the barns. We spread around a y bait every couple days to kill ies and keep the population in check. We apply a Permectrin insecticide pour-on every two weeks on the milking cows to help with ies. Keeping weeds down around the buildings helps, too. The cows will bunch in the darker parts of the barns so I close the doors at the end of the scrape alleys on the hottest days. That helps the cows spread out more. The fans keep enough air moving with the doors closed. We don’t add anything extra to the feed during heat, but we do mix feed for the cows twice daily yearround; this is especially helpful to keep feed fresh during hot days. How do you treat a cow when she experiences heat stress? We don’t treat many cows for heat stress, but if they are struggling, they will get moved to the bedding pack so we can keep a closer eye on them. What precautions do you take to prevent heat stress in your calves, youngstock and dry cows? The dry cows and breeding heifers all have fans in their barns. Trying to get them fed earlier in the mornings while it is cooler is helpful. Our calves are fed with an automatic calf feeder, which uses milk replacer containing Clariy to help with the y population. The barn has open sidewalls, and having the calves in a bedding pack helps with airow. We also make sure all the calves have fresh, clean water. What is one tactic to reduce heat stress that you want to implement or wish you implemented sooner on your dairy farm? I think having sprinklers would help the cows. The concerns I would have is making more manure and possibly more mastitis cases. Also, I don’t think the Permectrin pour-on would be as effective with sprinklers. Describe the hottest summer you have experienced in your dairy career. How did that summer affect your milking herd? I don’t remember the year, but there was one summer that it was hot enough for a few days that we lost a couple of steers from the heat. We lost milk production that year, plus reproduction generally suffers during heat stress. Tell us about your farm. I operate our farm, Windsor Valley Dairy LLC, with my parents, Steve and Connie; one full-time employee; and my sister, Molly, recently returned to help on the farm. We milk 280 cows, raise our replacement heifers and nish all of the steers. We have about 850 acres of cropland where we grow corn, hay, oat and rye to feed the cattle. My parents bought the farm where we milk in 1988 and started milking 16 cows while still milking for my grandpa down the road. They have grown it to what it is now. Last year, we started an LLC to help with transferring ownership of the farm.
Jessica Schramm Garnavillo, Iowa Clayton County 800 cows Describe your facilities for your milking herd. Sand-bedded freestall barns with tunnel ventilation, fans and sprinklers. The barns were added on to for Lely robots in 2018. What are the most productive methods you use to reduce heat stress incidences in your milking herd? The milking barn was switched from cross ventilation to tunnel ventilation when we installed robots. This has improved air ow over the cows to keep them comfortable during warm weather. Each group of cows has fans above the freestalls. We have sprinklers over the headlocks along the feed alley. How do you treat a cow when she experiences heat stress? It is rare that we treat a cow for heat stress symptoms. As temperatures start to climb in spring and into summer, we keep a close eye on fan belts, temperature control settings and sprinkler settings to make sure we are providing the best environment to keep our herd cool. What precautions do you take to prevent heat stress in your calves, youngstock and dry cows? Our calves are housed in group housing barns. We have three barns with the all-in, all-out method. During high-temperature days, we remove the solid doors that lead into the calf barns and replace them with wire or berglass gates to maximize air ow. Side curtains are rolled up once the temperature at night stays above 45-50 degrees. We monitor each calf multiple times per day for any signs of distress. The use of electrolytes is applied to any calf needing an extra boost during the afternoon, and subcutaneous uids are given when a calf shows extreme signs of distress. Youngstock are in open air lots with windows opened in the sheltered areas. We bed these pens with sawdust. When the youngstock reach 11 months old and are appropriate size, they are moved into a barn with sand freestalls in a cross-ventilated barn. The dry cow barn is a sand-bedded freestall barn with cross ventilation and fans. There always seems to be a nice breeze in this barn which helps cool things off. What is one tactic to reduce heat stress that you want to implement or wish you implemented sooner on your dairy farm? I would like to add sprinklers above our far-off dry cows and also more fans to the calf barns we have now. We use sprinklers above our close-up dry cows and notice them spending more time spaced out. In adding sprinklers to our far-off dry cows, I would hope it would help with dry matter intakes to keep them consuming a steadier amount of feed. In terms of the calf barns, we have two hoop buildings and one mono-slope building with a side curtain. The mono-slope building seems to have better air movement and cooling than the hoop barns, and while all the calf barns have positive air tubes installed, they are not designed for heat stress weather. We are looking into the most benecial way to add more air ow/cooling to the calf barns to keep our youngest calves from experiencing the heat too much. Describe the hottest summer you have experienced in your dairy career. How did that summer affect your milking herd? This summer is shaping up to be the hottest one I have experienced. Our cows are slower to recover in the pounds produced department after hot spells. In years prior, it
Corwin Van Veldhuizen Rock Rapids, Iowa Lyon County 240 cows Describe your facilities for your milking herd. Our cows are housed in freestall barns that are bedded with sawdust. We milk our herd with four Lely A4 milking robots. What are the most productive methods you use to reduce heat stress incidences in your milking herd? Our most productive heat stress tools are our stir fans and our sprinkler system. The sprinklers cool the cows down, and the fans help keep the air moving over them. How do you treat a cow when she experiences heat stress? If an animal is experiencing a lot of heat stress, we will give her extra uids orally. If needed, we will also give her extra uids with an IV. What precautions do you take to prevent heat stress in your calves, youngstock and dry cows? We give a half gallon of water at noon during the hot days to all of our youngstock. We make sure our dry cows have shade and are given unlimited access to water. We also have stir fans in the dry cow pen. What is one tactic to reduce heat stress that you want to implement or wish you implemented sooner on your dairy farm? Our freestall barns have natural ventilation and stir fans. It would be nice if we could switch our barns over to tunnel ventilation to provide a more positive airow and better cooling during the hot summer months. Describe the hottest summer you have experienced in your dairy career. How did that summer affect your milking herd? It seems like every summer seems to have a hot period that we have to work through. There isn’t any particular summer that stands out for me. Tell us about your farm. My wife, Stephanie, and I have three children, Tyler, 20, Shelby, 16, and Trevor, 13. We milk around 240 Holsteins and raise the supporting youngstock. We farm about 500 acres and raise all of the crops for the dairy and youngstock. My parents, Arthur A. and Nellie, purchased this farm in 1971, so our family has been here for almost 50 years.
seems the heat waves came in short bursts with only a handful of very warm days followed by moderate temperatures that allowed the cows to rebound in terms of milk production. Tell us about your farm. Pattison Dairy has 700 head milking housed in sand-bedded freestalls with the use of 12 Lely A4 robots. The robots were installed in the fall of 2018. We are averaging 95 pounds per cow per day with 2.7 milkings per cow per day. We have a 4% butterfat and 3% protein content with a somatic cell count of 140,000.
Dairy Star • Saturday, July 11, 2020 • Page 17
Reduce Energy Costs Save up to 50% on energy costs by using municipal or well water to precool milk.
Accu-Therm® Plate Cooler Advanced Dairy Solutions Richland Center, WI
Redeker Dairy Equipment Brandon, WI
United Suckow Dairy Postville, IA; West Union, IA
Central Ag Supply Juneau, WI; Baraboo, WI
Stanley Schmitz Inc. Chilton, WI
Gorter’s Clay & Dairy Equipment Pipestone, MN
Ederer’s Dairy Supply Plain, WI; Blanchardville, WI; Dodgeville, WI J. Gile Dairy Equipment, Inc. Cuba City, WI Monroe Westfalia Surge Monroe, WI Professional Dairy Services Arlington, WI 1-800-MUELLER | PAULMUELLER.COM
Total Dairy Services Kewaunee, WI Tri-County Dairy Supply Janesville, WI Fuller’s Milker Center Lancaster, WI Eastern Iowa Dairy Systems Epworth, IA Sioux Dairy Equipment Rock Valley, IA; Colton, SD
Leedstone Melrose, MN; Glencoe, MN; Plainview, MN; Menomonie, WI Midwest Livestock Systems Zumbrota, MN; Menomonie, WI; Sioux Falls, SD; Beatrice, NE S&S Dairy Systems St. Charles, MN Glencoe Co-Op Assn. Glencoe, MN
Page 18 • Dairy Star • Saturday, July 11, 2020
Top Performers
Employees, genetics drive herd at Nichols Hill Dairy Skyler, Jenna, Lydia and Sawyer Buman, and Allen Kohn Nichols Hill Dairy Krakow, Wisconsin Shawano County 400 cows What is your current herd average, butterfat and protein? 30,652 pounds of milk, 4% butterfat, 1,223 pounds of butterfat, 3.1% protein, 949 pounds protein. How many times a day do you milk? If you do not milk 3X a day, have you tried it in the past? If you do milk 3X, how long have you done it? We milk 3X per day. Allen milked 3X for 20 years before the partnership. Do you contract your milk? Has it been successful for you? We have done futures contracting as well as DRP. Both have been successful, but we’ve done more DRP lately. Describe your housing and milking facility. The cows are housed in two, six-row naturally-ventilated freestall barns with mattresses with sawdust bedding. They are milked in a double-8 step-up parlor. What is your herd health program? We have a weekly herd check with Valley Vet. The cows are vaccinated with
Bovi-Shield Gold and J-Vac at 30 days in milk. They get J-Vac at dry off, then again 21 days before calving. At birth, the calves receive Bovine Ecolizer, Calf Guard, Enforce-3 and one gallon of colostrum. They get BSG at 5, 6 and 12 months. What does your dry cow and transition program consist of? We have faroff and pre-fresh dry cow groups that are both housed in freestalls. The diet includes dry hay, haylage, corn silage and a mineral mix. Cows get moved into pre-fresh 14 days before calving. The only difference in the diet is the pre-fresh get a product called X-Zelit. It is a calcium binding product that took the place of our negative DCAD diet. Once they are ready to calve, they get brought into a maternity pen. What is the composition of your ration? What has been one of your most recent changes that has been successful for you? We feed BMR corn silage, haylage, dry and high-moisture shelled corn, canola, Exceller meal, corn gluten and a vitamin pack. We have fed cereal rye and BMR sorghum in the past with success. The last few years we have been faced with winter killed alfalfa and had to utilize alternative forages. Turn to NICHOLS HILL DAIRY | Page 20
PHOTO SUBMITTED
Skyler and Jenna Buman, pictured with their children Lydia and Sawyer, operate Nichols Hill Dairy in partnership with Allen Kohn. They milk 400 cows in Shawano County near Krakow, Wis.
Dairy Star • Saturday, July 11, 2020 • Page 19
got room in your tank?
Bongards’ Creameries
Has been a quality market for MN dairy farmers for over 100 years. MN producers provide one of the country’s most distinctive brands of cheese that is still made using the same Old World craftsmanship and has been combined with cutting-edge technology to produce cheese that delivers unforgettable taste with unparalleled quality. MN Dairy farmers and Bongards, quality that stands the test of time. We offer a competitive base price, premiums, and the best Àeld representatives in the industry. 13200 Co. Rd. 51 Bongards, MN 55368 (952) 466-5521 Fax (952) 466-5556 110 3rd Ave. NE Perham, MN 56573 (218) 346-4680 Fax (218) 346-4684
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
“... results that pay off in our milk quality...” — Pete Raskovic
KEYSTONE FARMS, NEW GLARUS, WISCONSIN, Raskovic Family 50 registered Jerseys and Holsteins, SCC 100,000 “We use Udder Comfort™ on all fresh cows, applying it 2x/day for 7 days after calving. It’s just as important to the fresh cow as a calcium bolus, and for about the same cost per lactation, we use Udder Comfort to prepare fresh udders for results that pay off in milk quality for the cheese plant. Getting every lactation started this way keeps SCC at 100,000 where I like to see it,” says Pete Raskovic, Keystone Farms, New Glarus, Wisconsin, where daughters Katie and Lauren enjoy showing cattle from the Holstein and Jersey herd. Almost 20 years ago, Pete brought his racing world automotive skills and dairy passion from Pennsylvania to Wisconsin where milk from the farm goes to a Master Cheesemaker in Wisconsin’s ‘Little Switzerland’ for daughter Nikole’s Keystone Farms Cheese shop back in eastern Pennsylvania. “We started using Udder Comfort several years ago after getting samples at World Dairy Expo and comparing for ourselves: Cows receiving it had exponentially faster reductions in swelling after calving. That’s what we like to see. Udder Comfort works a lot better than other products,” says Pete. “We see and feel the difference.”
Quality Udders Make Quality Milk
Maximum Results Minimal Cost 1.888.773.7153 1.613.652.9086 uddercomfort.com Call to locate a distributor near you. For external application to the udder only after milking, as an essential component of udder management. Always wash and dry teats thoroughly before milking.
Page 20 • Dairy Star • Saturday, July 11, 2020
ConƟnued from NICHOLS HILL DAIRY | Page 18
Through the years you have been farming, what change has created the biggest jump in your herd average? We switched to BMR corn silage four years ago and saw an increase in milk production. Another change that made a difference was feeding some or all dry shelled corn. We ran out of HMSC last summer and saw a dramatic increase in components. We feed some HMSC but have went to half and half. What role does genetics play in your production level and what is your breeding program? Genetics is a big part of our production. We breed for milk and components with an emphasis on solid type and good health traits. We use genomic testing to identify our top individuals. Then, we have been using sexed semen on our top one-third of both cows and heifers and using beef on the rest. That has helped increase the genetic value rapidly and brought in more money selling a black beef calf versus a Holstein bull. Since we switched from conventional semen to sexed and beef, we saw a 5% increase in our pregnancy rate from 27% to 32%. What type of improvements would you like to make that would increase your rolling herd average even higher? To increase our herd average, we will continue with our breeding program to rapidly increase genetic value. Also, keep nding ways to increase cow comfort and use new technology that becomes available. List three management strategies that have helped you attain your production and component level. Our three factors are people, genetics and environment. Our employees do a fantastic job and know the importance
PHOTO SUBMITTED
The herd at Nichols Hill Dairy averages over 30,000 pounds of milk and 1,200 pounds of buƩerfat on three-Ɵmes-a-day milking. of quality cow care. We also use top genetics to be able to breed cows that have potential to produce high volumes of milk and to stay healthy. We strive to put up high-quality feed with good facilities that allow our cows to reach their genetic potential.
Tell us about your farm. Nichols Hill Dairy was started three years ago when I bought into the business with Allen Kohn. Allen has been on this farm since 1954 when his parents moved here. Allen has focused on breeding high-quality, registered cows all his life. This has made it possible to be able to sell a lot of high producing cows to other dairies.
We have 400 Holsteins and farm about 1,000 acres of cropland. We raise our heifers from birth to 6 months. They go to a grower and come back 60 days before calving. We couldn’t do it without our exceptional team of employees. Our herdswoman, Becky Bscherer, deserves a lot of credit for her hard work and dedication.
Let Farmers Co-op Creamery in Foreston help you with all your farm & animal needs!
TWINE • NET WRAP • BALE FILM BUNKER COVERS• SILAGE BAGS • Jenkins Skid Steer Attachments • Sioux Mineral Feeders • Spanier Gates • Corral Panels • Hay Feeders • Tartar Farm & Ranch Equipment
NATURAL BAGGED WOOD SHAVINGS on t s e For
FARMERS CO-OP CREAMERY
ALWAYS WELCOMING NEW PATRONS!
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
OILERS
FLY REPELLENTS
• POUR ONS • SPRAY • TAGS
MISCELLANEOUS
Bulk Oil & Hydraulic oil Fencing supplies Belts • Dairy Supplies
Dairy Star • Saturday, July 11, 2020 • Page 21
Financing subject to 0.75% Ànancing for 60 months on qualiÀed pre-owned Combines pre-approval through JD Financial. Some restrictions Plus $5,000 credit towards Powergard warranty until July 31 st . apply. See dealer for details.
2012 JD S550, 1438 hrs, 1077 $ seep hrs, hhrrs, s, #161903 #1619 1661903 19033 sep
154,900
2014 JD S680, 2434 hrs., 1781 $ sep hrs., #159509
187,400
2014 JD S660, 1066 hrs., 810 $ sep hrs, #155826
2014 JD S670, 1669 hrs., 1265 $ sep hrs., #155388
199,500
2013 JD S670, 1778 hrs., 1400 $ sep hrs., #166863
2013 JD S680, 2116 hrs., 1391 $ sep hrs., #162070
2014 JD S690, 2220 hrs.,1638 $ sep hrs., #161532
189,500
2018 JD S770, 340 hrs., 235 $ sep hrs., #164920
209,500
184,900
158,400
369,500
Over 1200 items with pictures updated daily • Go to www.mmcjd.com COMBINES 4 JD 9770 STS, 2009, Corn/Bean, 2WD, Duals, 2604 hrs., 1878 sep hrs., #162933...$89,000 4 JD S760, 2018, Corn/Bean, 2WD, Duals, 586 hrs., 500 sep hrs., #163861 ............$289,500 4 JD 9870 STS, 2008, Corn/Bean, PRWD, Duals, Chopper, Yield Monitor, 3295 hrs., #160885 ....................................................................................................$101,900 2 JD S680, 2015, Corn/Bean, PRWD, Duals, 1736 hrs., 1233 Sep. hrs., #167207 ....$250,900 2 JD 9500, 1996, Corn/Bean, 2WD, Singles, 4216 hrs., 2884 Sep. hrs., #171205......$29,900 10 JD S660, 2017, Corn/Bean, 2WD, Duals, 860 hrs., 741 Sep. hrs., #165798...........$225,000 10 JD S680, 2014, Corn/Bean, PRWD, Duals, 1646 hrs., 1251 sep. hrs., #161855.......$209500 17 JD S660, 2015, Corn/Bean, 2WD, Duals, 797 hrs., 545 sep. hrs., #157075 ...........$229,500 17 JD S770, 2018, Corn/Bean, 2WD, Duals, 337 hrs., 243 sep. hrs., #156063 ...........$329,500 17 JD S660, 2012, 1342 hrs., 1025 sep. hrs., #155239 ...............................................$178,000 7 JD 9650 STS, 2002, Corn/Bean, PRWD, Duals, 5012 hrs., 3459 sep. hrs., #161213$35,900 7 JD S680, 2013, Corn/Bean, PRWD, Duals, 2116 hrs., 1391 Sep. hrs., #162070 ....$184,900 6 JD S680, 2015, Corn/Bean, PRWD, Duals, 2153 hrs., #169577 .............................$169,500 6 JD S780, 2019, Corn/Bean, PRWD, 265 hrs., 199 sep. hrs., #169550 ....................$443,400 6 JD S780, 2018, Corn/Bean, PRWD, Duals, 552 hrs., 398 sep. hrs., #154560 .........$399,500 1 JD S680, 2013, Corn/Bean, PRWD, Duals, 1166 hrs., 815 sep. hrs., #164375.......$209,000 1 JD S680, 2017, Corn/Bean, PRWD, Duals, 858 hrs., 646 sep. hrs., #165255 .........$339,500 1 JD S780, 2018, Corn/Bean, PRWD, Duals, 580 hrs., 324 sep. hrs., #157910 .........$409,500 15 Case IH 8230, 2012, Corn/Bean, PRWD, Duals, 2339 hrs., 1576 sep. hrs., #167306 ............................................................................................$129,500 15 JD S780, 2018, Corn/Bean, PRWD, Duals, 684 hrs., 533 sep. hrs., #165090 ........$394,900 15 JD S780, 2019, PRWD, Singles, 333 hrs., 238 sep. hrs., #166357..........................$437,500 15 JD S680, 2015, Corn/Bean, PRWD, 1434 hrs., 1000 sep. hrs., #166122...............$257,500 15 JD S780, 2019, PRWD, Singles, 166 hrs., 112 sep. hrs., #166356..........................$439,500 15 JD S680, 2012, Corn/Bean, PRWD, Duals, 2612 hrs., 1958 sep. hrs., #163765.....$159,400 15 JD S680, 2014, Corn/Bean, PRWD, Duals, 1761 hrs., 1361 sep. hrs., #156460.....$205,500 15 JD S660, 2014, Corn/Bean, 2WD, Singles, 1056 hr., 702 sep. hrs., #155345 ........$189,500 9 JD S670, 2014, Corn/Bean, PRWD, Duals, 1904 hrs., 1260 sep. hrs., #153514.........179500 16 JD 9500, 1995, Corn/Bean, 2WD, Singles, Chopper, 4741 hrs., 3048 sep. hrs., #166162 ........................................................................................................................$26,400 16 JD S670, 2013, Corn/Bean, PRWD, Duals, 1584 hrs., 1190 Sep. hrs., #161854 ....$179,500 16 JD 9870 STS, 2010, Corn/Bean, 2WD, Duals, Chopper, 3244 hrs., 2400 sep. hrs., #161419 ........................................................................................................................$99,500 16 JD S680, 2014, Corn/Bean, PRWD, Duals, 1668 hrs., 1157 sep. hrs., #170663.....$179,500 16 JD S770, 2018, Corn/Bean, 2WD, Duals, 1500 hrs., 990 sep. hrs., #169225 .........$239,000 16 JD S780, 2018, Corn/Bean, PRWD, Duals, 1500 hrs., 990 sep. hrs., #169226.......$279,500 16 JD S770, 2018, Corn/Bean, 2WD, Duals, 1500 hrs., 990 sep. hrs., #169224 .........$239,000 16 JD S780, 2018, Corn/Bean, PRWD, Duals, 1657 hrs., 988 sep. hrs., #169233.......$279,500 16 JD S780, 2018, Corn/Bean, PRWD, Duals, 1500 hrs., 990 sep. hrs., #169229.......$279,500 16 JD S780, 2018, Corn/Bean, PRWD, Duals, 1500 hrs., 990 sep. hrs., #169232.......$279,500 16 JD S780, 2018, Corn/Bean, PRWD, Duals, 1500 hrs., 990 sep. hrs., #169231.......$279,500 16 JD S780, 2018, Corn/Bean, PRWD, Duals, 1655 hrs., 988 sep. hrs., #169230.......$279,500
(1) = GLENCOE 4561 Hwy. 212
JD S770, 2018, Corn/Bean, 2WD, Duals, 1303 hrs., 990 sep. hrs., #169220 .........$239,000 JD S780, 2018, Corn/Bean, PRWD, Duals, 1500 hrs., 990 sep. hrs., #169227.......$279,500 JD S770, 2018, Corn/Bean, 2WD, Duals, 1500 hrs., 990 sep. hrs., #169223 .........$239,000 JD S770, 2018, Corn/Bean, 2WD, Duals, 1500 hrs., 990 sep. hrs., #169221 .........$239,000 JD S780, 2018, Corn/Bean, 2WD, Duals, 1500 hrs., 990 sep. hrs., #169228 .........$279,500 JD S780, 2019, Corn/Bean, PRWD, Singles, 317 hrs., 233 sep. hrs., #169827 ........$434,500 JD S770, 2018, Corn/Bean, 2WD, Duals, 1500 hrs., 990 sep. hrs., #169222 .........$239,000 JD S680, 2014, Corn/Bean, PRWD, Duals, 2434 hrs., 1781 sep. hrs., #159509....$187,400 JD S780, 2019, Corn/Bean, PRWD, Duals, 416 hrs., 294 sep. hrs., #169509 .........$429,500 JD S780, 2019, Corn/Bean, PRWD, Duals, 346 hrs., 234 sep. hrs., #171003 .........$429,500 JD S780, 2019, Corn/Bean, PRWD, Duals, 307 hrs., #169507 ...............................$429,500 JD 9760 STS, 2005, Corn/Bean, 2WD, Duals, 2933 hrs., 1983 sep. hrs., #169323..$74,500 JD S780, 2019, Corn/Bean, PRWD, Duals, 439 hrs., 300 sep. hrs., #169508 .........$429,500 JD S780, 2018, Corn/Bean, PRWD, Duals, Active Yield, 434 hrs., 324 sep. hrs., #154461 ....................................................................................................................$409,500 5 JD S660, 2014, Corn/Bean, PRWD, Duals, 1066 hrs., 810 sep. hrs., #155826 .......$209,500 5 JD 9770 STS, 2011, Corn/Bean, 2WD, Duals, 3640 hrs., 2848 sep. hrs., #165662..$81,900 5 JD S680, 2013, Corn/Bean, PRWD, Duals, 2846 hrs., 1904 sep. hrs., #161858 ..........$159,500 5 JD S550, 2012, Corn/Bean, 2WD, Duals, 1438 hrs., 1077 sep. hrs., #161903 .......$154,900 5 JD 9510, 1999, Corn/Bean, 2WD, Singles, 2395 hrs., 1628 sep. hrs., #171234 .......$39,500 5 JD S680, 2017, Corn/Bean, PRWD, Duals, 930 hrs., 701 sep. hrs., #168849 .........$349,900 5 JD S680, 2017, Corn/Bean, PRWD, Duals, 1491 hrs., 1044 sep. hrs., #169826.....$299,000 11 JD S670, 2017, 2WD, Duals, 1088 hrs., 496 sep. hrs., #146349 ............................$219,500 8 JD S670, 2013, Corn/Bean, 2WD, Duals, 1778 hrs., 1400 sep. hrs., #166863 .......$158,400 8 JD S760, 2019, Corn/Bean, PRWD, Duals, 142 hrs., 91 sep. hrs., #164924 ...........$339,500 8 JD S770, 2018, Corn/Bean, PRWD, Duals, 340 hrs., 235 sep. hrs., #164920 .........$369,500 8 JD S780, 2019, Corn/Bean, PRWD, Singles, 329 hrs., 264 sep. hrs., #164921.......$409,500 8 JD S780, 2019, Corn/Bean, PRWD, Duals, 109 hrs., 72 sep. hrs., #166067 ...........$435,000 8 JD S670, 2014, Corn/Bean, PRWD, Duals, 1669 hrs., 1265 sep. hrs., #155388.....$199,500 14 JD S680, 2012, Corn/Bean, 2WD, Duals, 2406 hrs., 1579 sep. hrs., #152167 .......$139,500 14 JD S690, 2014, Corn/Bean, PRWD, Duals, 2142 hrs., 1563 sep. hrs., #153332.....$189,500 14 JD S680, 2013, Corn/Bean, PRWD, Duals, Spreader, Yield Monitor, Contour Master (Lateral Tilt Feederhouse), Power Folding Bin Extension, 2037 hrs., 1638 sep. hrs., #166363 .....$185,900 14 JD S690, 2014, Corn/Bean, PRWD, Singles, 2220 hrs., 1638 sep. hrs., #161532 ..$189,500 14 JD S680, 2012, Corn/Bean, PRWD, Duals, 1850 hrs., 1350 sep. hrs., #167937.....$174,900 14 JD S780, 2019, Corn/Bean, PRWD, Duals, 697 hrs., 501 sep. hrs., #171104 .........$409,900 14 JD S780, 2019, Corn/Bean, PRWD, Duals, 834 hrs., 615 sep. hrs., #171105 .........$399,400 14 JD S780, 2019, Corn/Bean, PRWD, Duals, 693 hrs., 533 sep. hrs., #171103 .........$404,400 3 JD S790, 2019, Corn/Bean, PRWD, Duals, 469 hrs., 350 sep. hrs., #165456 .........$449,500 3 JD S690, 2014, PRWD, Duals, 1938 hrs., 1317 sep. hrs., #145222 ..........................$179500 3 JD S690, 2013, Corn/Bean, PRWD, Duals, 1625 hrs., 1161 sep. hrs., #167773.....$199,900 3 JD S680, 2012, Corn/Bean, PRWD, Duals, 2375 hrs., 1739 sep. hrs., #154637.....$169,500 COMBINE PLATFORMS 4 JD 620F, 2009, Platform size: 20 Feet, Platform Kind: Flexible, #162055.................$14,900
Visit one of our 17 locations in Central Minnesota! (7) = ALEXANDRIA (9) = PRINCETON (4) = ST. CLOUD 1035 35th Ave. NE
(2) = HOWARD LAKE (5) = GLENWOOD 5845 Keats Ave. SW
1710 N. Franklin
(3) = STEWART
(6) = SAUK CENTRE
78412 Co. Rd. 20
16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16
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.
4 10 10 17 17 7 6 1 1 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 9 16 16 16 16 16 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 8 8 8 8 14 14 14 14 14 14 3 3 3 3
CALL TODAY! (320)365-1653 (12) = AITKIN 1120 2nd St. NW
(10) = LITTLE FALLS (13) = BAXTER (11) = WADENA 62505 US Hwy. 10
JD 735FD, 2019, Platform size: 35 Feet, Platform Kind: Flexible, #153881 ............$83,900 JD 635F, 2005, Platform size: 35 Feet, Platform Kind: Flexible, #151340................$10,900 JD 630F, 2010, Platform size: 30 Feet, Platform Kind: Flexible, #163458.................$17,900 JD 630F, 2011, Platform size: 30 Feet, Platform Kind: Flexible, #165930................$19,500 JD 635F, 2010, Platform size: 35 Feet, Platform Kind: Flexible, #157461.................$17,900 JD 630F, 2015, Platform size: 30 Feet, Platform Kind: Flexible, #161556................$31,900 JD 640FD, 2013, Platform size: 40 Feet, Platform Kind: Flex/Draper, #162071 .......$58,400 JD 640FD, 2013, Platform size: 40 Feet, Platform Kind: Flex/Draper, #165248 .......$58,500 JD 635F, 2009, Platform size: 35 Feet, Platform Kind: Flexible, #168276.................$16,900 Case IH 3020-35, 2012, Platform size: 35 Feet, Platform Kind: Flexible, #167307$22,400 JD 740FD, 2019, Platform size: 40 Feet, Platform Kind: Flex/Draper, #166355 .......$89,500 JD 740FD, 2019, Platform size: 40 Feet, Platform Kind: Flex/Draper, #166354 .......$89,500 JD 740FD, 2019, Platform size: 40 Feet, Platform Kind: Flex/Draper, #165091 .......$92,900 JD 635F, 2008, Platform size: 35 Feet, Platform Kind: Flexible, #162546.................$14,900 JD 635F, 2011, Platform size: 35 Feet, Platform Kind: Flexible, #147914................$21,900 JD 740FD, 2019, Platform size: 40 Feet, Platform Kind: Flexible, #165094 ............$92,900 JD 635F, 2012, #155553............................................................................................$23,900 JD 640FD, 2013, Platform size: 40 Feet, Platform Kind: Flex/Draper, #167744 .......$63,500 JD 745FD, 2019, Platform size: 45 Feet, Platform Kind: Flex/Draper, #169235 .......$94,500 JD 630F, 2012, Platform size: 30 Feet; Platform Kind: Flexible, #163426 ................$18,900 JD 630F, 2004, Platform size: 30 Feet; Platform Kind: Flexible, #157864 ..................$9,900 JD 645FD, 2017, Platform size: 45 Feet; Platform Kind: Flex/Draper, #162936 ......$89,500 JD 745FD, 2019, Platform size: 45 Feet; Platform Kind: Flex/Draper, #169234 .......$94,500 JD 630F, 2004, Platform size: 30 Feet; Platform Kind: Flexible, #151382 ..................$8,900 JD 635F, 2011, Platform size: 35 Feet; Platform Kind: Flexible, #152874 ................$21,900 JD 635FD, 2014, Platform size: 35 Feet; Platform Kind: Flex/Draper, #165663 .......$51,900 JD 635F, 2009, #156903 ............................................................................................$18,900 JD 630F, 2014, Platform size: 30 Feet, Platform Kind: Flexible, #154411.................$28,900 JD 635F, 2010, #155411 ............................................................................................$17,900 JD 640FD, 2013, Platform size: 40 Feet, Platform Kind: Flex/Draper, #153979 .......$58,500 JD 735FD, 2019, Platform size: 35 Feet, Platform Kind: Flex/Draper, #163723 ......$79,500 JD 630F, 2012, Platform size: 30 Feet, Platform Kind: Flexible, #163740.................$18,900 JD 630F, 2004, Platform size: 30 Feet, Platform Kind: Flexible, #163741...................$9,900 JD 630F, 2017, #155371 ............................................................................................$29,500 JD 635F, 2008, Platform size: 35 Feet, Platform Kind: Flexible, #162473.................$12,400 JD 635F, 2009, Platform size: 35 Feet, Platform Kind: Flexible, #161084.................$18,900 JD 640FD, 2014, Platform size: 40 Feet, Platform Kind: Flex/Draper, #144274 .......$44,900 JD 630F, 2013, Platform size: 30 Feet, Platform Kind: Flexible, #171329.................$32,900 JD 635F, 2011, Platform size: 35 Feet, Platform Kind: Flexible, #170308.................$25,400 JD 645FD, 2017, Platform size: 45 Feet, Platform Kind: Flex/Draper, #154190 .......$89,500 JD 745FD, 2019, Platform size: 45 Feet, Platform Kind: Draper, #169349 ...............$96,400 JD 630F, 2006, Platform size: 30 Feet; Platform Kind: Flexible, #163578 ................$12,900 JD 635F, 2009, Platform size: 35 Feet; Platform Kind: Flexible, #161840 ................$14,900 JD 630F, 2010, Platform size: 30 Feet; Platform Kind: Flexible, #170578................$12,900
7045 Foley Rd.
(14) = ELBOW LAKE
(16) = BENSON
(15) = MORRIS
(17) = MADISON
110 2nd St. NE
23604 State Hwy. 9
380 Atlantic Ave. 516 1st St. E
SEE OUR COMPLETE INVENTORY WITH PICTURES AND DESCRIPTIONS AT: www.mmcjd.com
Page 22 • Dairy Star • Saturday, July 11, 2020
Loehrs honored as Holstein Association USA’s 2020 Distinguished Young Holstein Breeders
Start planning for tomorrow, today. 0
Kurt and Sarah Loehr of Eden, Wisconsin are the winners of the 2020 Distinguished Young Holstein Breeder award. The Loehrs’ cattle are registered under the Forest-Ridge prex. The prex had humble beginnings in 2003, just before the couple met and started farming together. Sarah has strong Registered Holstein® roots as National DJM semi-nalist and brought Kurt along on a journey that has established them as a well-respected name in Registered Holstein circles. Kurt and Sarah married in 2010 and took over the farm a year later. Today, the Loehr’s 92-cow herd has a Rolling Herd Average of 23,289 pounds of milk, 929 pounds of fat, and 738 pounds of protein. Kurt and Sarah’s herd currently consists of 21 Excellent and 46 Very Good cows with an impressive 110.7 BAA, making them one of the top 100 BAA herds in the country. With a passion for the show ring, they also have claimed three All-American nominations, and ve Red and White All-American nominations. Kurt and Sarah breed for high type with good feet and legs, excellent udders, dairy strength and wide rumps. With a quarter of their income from cattle sales, they breed cattle that can thrive in any type of dairy operation. They also lease show calves to area youth. They say, “We want our genetics to excel for others, whether that is a youth show calf or a milk cow sold to a repeat buyer.” Both Kurt and Sarah are active as youth activity volunteers, event organizers, and Kurt currently serves on the Wisconsin Holstein Association board of directors. They have two young daughters, Adella and Ainsley.
% FINANCING FOR UP
72 MONTHS*
TO
3 MONTH DEFERRAL ON CONTRACTS UP TO 60 MONTHS*
SCAN ME
www.delaval.com
Contact one of the following dealers to learn more: IOWA Kramer Bros. Monticello, IA 319-465-5931 Prairie Land Ag Supply Inc. Rock Valley, IA 712-476-9290 United-Suckow Dairy Supply West Union, IA 563-422-5355 Postville, IA 563-864-7417 WISCONSIN Advanced Dairy/Bob’s Dairy Supply Spring Valley, WI 715-772-3201 Ederer Dairy Supply Plain, WI 608-546-3713
Joe’s Refrigeration Inc. Withee, WI 715-229-2321 Mlsna Dairy Supply Inc. Cashton, WI 608-654-5106 Mondovi Dairy Systems Inc. Mondovi, WI 715-926-5777
MINNESOTA & SOUTH DAKOTA D&D Ag Supply Pennock, MN 320-599-4466 East Central Dairy Supply Mora, MN 320-679-1029
Professional Dairy Services Arlington, WI 608-635-0267
Farm Systems Melrose, MN 320-256-3276 Watertown, SD 605-886-7401 Sioux Falls, SD 800-284-0015
Redeker Dairy Equipment Brandon, WI 920-346-5579
S&S Dairy System LLC St. Charles, MN 507-932-4288
The Scharine Group Inc. Whitewater, WI 800 472-2880 Mt Horeb, WI 800-872-3470
Professional Dairy Systems Wadena, MN 218-632-5416
West Salem, WI 608-769-2113
*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. is a registered trademark of Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. and “DeLaval” is a registered trade/servicemark of DeLaval Holding AB © 2020 DeLaval Inc. DeLaval, 11100 North Congress Avenue, Kansas City, Missouri 64153-1296. www.delaval.com
Kindschi named 2020 National Guernsey Youth
Levi Lloyd Kindschi, age 20, from Loganville, Wisconsin, was recently named the 2020 National Outstanding Guernsey Youth by the American Guernsey Association. This is the highest honor that can be achieved by a youth in the association. Levi’s enthusiasm for the golden breed began in 2015 when he was honored to win the Wisconsin Guernsey Breeder’s youth essay calf contest. Levi then went on to participate in Guernsey contests such as: prepared speaking, extemporaneous speech, display boards, quiz bowl, and video at both state and national conventions. He has also exhibited, marketed and bred Guernseys under his late grandfather Leon’s pre-x, Kin-Land. Some of Levi’s other dairy achievements include: 2019 Outstanding Wisconsin Guernsey Youth; a Wisconsin Brown Swiss Grant Calf Winner; a Wisconsin Holstein Association scholarship and DistinguishJunior Member; FFA SAE-Dairy Grant, and Agri-Science Fair Gold and Silver Medals; John Haskins scholarships, Select Sires scholarship; Guernsey’s Turley scholarship. Levi is a May 2020 graduate from Southwest Technical College in Fennimore with a degree in Farm Operations and Management - Dairy. Levi recently accepted a full-time dairy position at the Dairy Forage Research Center.
COW SAVER! Cows Can Be Safe On Concrete
HELP!
Call Smith’s before I break my leg or something!
Scabbling makes grooves in your concrete 2” wide and 3/16” deep so your cows ALWAYS have traction.
REFERENCES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST
Smith’s of Wisconsin
Serving the Midwest over 30 yrs.
1-800-525-9364
Dairy Star • Saturday, July 11, 2020 • Page 23
Holstein USA names honorees DJM, YDJM awarded via virtual event By Danielle Nauman danielle.n@dairystar.com
BRATTLEBORO, Vt. – In spite of the unusual circumstances surrounding the novel coronavirus pandemic, the Holstein Association USA honored members through the Distinguished Junior Member and Younger Distinguished Junior Member distinctions in a virtual event July 1. Each year since 1922, Holstein Association USA has honored members in the DJM award programs. The contest has changed from honoring two individuals to a slate of six nalists. A separate contest to honor Young Distinguished Junior Member nalists was added in 2004. Youth begin the DJM application by submitting a detailed portfolio, including three video essays chronicling their junior Holstein projects and involvement, and their viewpoints on several issues. In a typical year, the 12 seminalists attend the National Holstein Convention to participate in interviews. In light of the pandemic, those interviews
PHOTO SUBMITTED
This year’s Holstein AssociaƟon USA’s Young DisƟnguished Junior Members are – (top row, from leŌ) Colton Brandel; Rachel Craun; Nevin Erbsen and Natalie Fredericks; (boƩom row, from leŌ) Jacob Harbaugh; Jacob Raber; Naomi ScoƩ and Gabriella Taylor. The youth were recognized with the disƟncƟon in a virtual event July 1. were conducted via Zoom in late June. Similar to the DJM contest, applicants in the YDJM produce a portfolio of their junior Holstein activities and involvement. Eight nalists are
• Vertical beater manure spreaders • Tanks • Track skidloader
(320) 249-7579 brandonstang23@gmail.com
• We offer full service or assisted loading/hauling • Newer reliable equipment Call for questions and scheduling
• Front and rear open roof box
selected. DJM nalists selected from the Dairy Star’s publication area included Connor Erbsen of Lanark, Illinois, and Mason Jauquet of Pulaski, Wisconsin.
DJM semi-nalists from the area included Rachel McCullough of Juda, Wisconsin; Hannah Nelson of Ellsworth, Wisconsin; and Colin Uecker of Watertown, Wisconsin. In the YDJM contest,
honors were bestowed upon Colton Brandel of Lake Mills, Wisconsin; Nevin Erbsen of Lanark, Illinois; Jacob Harbaugh, of Marion, Wisconsin; and Naomi Scott of Westgate, Iowa. Connor Erbsen, 20, is the son of John Erbsen and Anjie Erbsen, and will be a junior at Iowa State University studying agronomy and animal science with a minor in ag systems technology. His family milks 45 registered Holsteins at Erbacres Holsteins, where they focus on breeding high-type cows. Connor Erbsen has spent much of his life immersed in the junior Holstein association, both in Illinois and on the national level, and has been an ofcer in the Illinois Junior Holstein Association for several years, serving as the treasurer, vice president and president. He has participated in dairy bowl and dairy judging. “I would encourage other juniors to not be afraid of trying new things,” Connor Erbsen said. “I didn’t want to go to my rst junior convention, but my dad made me go. I’m glad he did, because I was able to meet some new friends. You need to be open to trying new things; you never know when Turn to HOLSTEIN | Page 25
“JETCRETE”
(pnuematically applied concrete)
• Reline your silo w/Jetcrete • Basement and Barnwall Resurfacing w/Jetcrete • Repair Concrete Storage Vats, Bunker Silos, Buildings, etc., w/Jetcrete
800-866-7327
IS E R O T S E IN L N O R U O Y, A D A S R U O H 4 2 N OPE 7 DAYS A WmEpaEreKou.r pr!ices on nce and co Shop at your convenie e products, and more. nc fe c tri ec el er gh la al fountains, G
SHIP IT CARDS AND CAN ! WE ACCEPT CRED OR DO UR YO T TO YOUR ORDER RIGH
CO., INC. RURAL MFy.G81., PO Box Q 820 N US Hw Freeman, SD 57029 7135 Toll Free 1-800-477925-4174 560 Fax Ph. 605-925-7135 •
.com
www.RuralMfg
Premium animal bedding with reliable delivery and exceptional customer service.
Try our bedding and see how well it serves your efforts to produce healthy animals and provide a quality environment for all of your livestock.
Our premium bedding is made 100% from pine and other soft woods, making our bedding suitable for organic producers. It is comfortable, provides a dry cushioned place to rest, encouraging the overall productivity of your animals.
All loads are hauled on 53’ walking floor trailers, holding approximately 150 cubic yards. We are here to keep your operation on schedule. We will earn your repeat business by being effortless to work with.
Our bedding reduces ammonia volatilization, improving the air quality in the housing facility
Contact us today to learn how we can assist you with your animal bedding needs! Heidi Gandsey, Sales heidi.gandsey@gmail.com
Cell: (320) 297-0603 • (218)-825-8824 10545 Business 371 • Brainerd, MN
fletchertruckinginc.com
Page 24 • Dairy Star • Saturday, July 11, 2020
ROBOTIC MILKER FAILURE DLG yoX LQsWDOO D 5RERWLF 0LONHU WKDW
Had serious operational problems? Failed to perform as advertised? CRQWDFW 8V
800.371.3506 RoboticMilkerFailure.com CRQ²GHQWLDO IrHH LQLWLDO cRQVXOWDWLRQ
Experienced litigators representing Minnesota farmers against Lely North America, Inc. Stueve Siegel Hanson 460 Nichols Rd, Suite 200 Kansas City, Missouri 64112
STUEVE SIEGEL HANSON
Cullenberg & Tensen 199 Heater Road, Suite 2 Lebanon, NH 03766 The Perrone Firm 2136 Victory Boulevard, Staten Island, New York 10314 Attorney Advertising Material. All discussions strictly cRQǼGHQWLDO The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements.
ConƟnued from HOLSTEIN | Page 23
it could lead to a great opportunity.” Connor Erbsen hopes to work in the area of agronomy and precision agriculture, working with dairy farmers to grow forages. Jauquet, 21, is the son of Jay and Heather Jauquet. His family milks 540 registered Holsteins on their Synergy Dairy. He is a student at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay studying business administration and environmental policy and planning. Jauquet started his junior Holstein involvement behind a dairy bowl buzzer. Throughout his junior career, he relished in growing his leadership skills and spent two years serving on the Wisconsin Junior Holstein Association Junior Activities Committee. “I was a JAC during the time we were planning to host the National Holstein Convention last summer in Wisconsin,” Jauquet said. “That was a great experience, allowing me to continue to further grow my leadership experiences.” Jauquet looks forward to continuing his involvement in the Wisconsin Holstein Association, particularly continuing to work with junior members. “Inspiring kids and helping them learn new things is one of my favorite things about being a leader in the association,” Jauquet said. Jauquet plans to return to the family farm someday. Brandel, 15, is the son of Matt and Tracy Brandel and will be a sophomore at Lake Mills High School in the fall. The Brandels operate a 160-cow registered Holstein and Milking Shorthorn herd and farm 700 acres of land, growing all the forages for their herd. “I have grown up watching the ded-
Dairy Star • Saturday, July 11, 2020 • Page 25
ication of most of my family members pursing their goals in dairy farming and in their involvement in the Holstein association,” Brandel said. “That has inspired me to work to reach my own goals.” Besides showing his animals, Brandel participates in dairy bowl and dairy judging, and with his family, he takes part in dairy promotion activities such as Cows on the Concourse, Agriculture in the Classroom and the Wisconsin State Fair Dairy Lane. He is also involved in FFA and wrestling. “Being a junior Holstein member
“It has been a very humbling opportunity to be recognized at the national level for the hard work I’ve put into my junior Holstein work.” JACOB HARBAUGH, YDJM
has shaped my life in countless ways on the farm and in the showring,” Brandel said. “It has given me lifelong skills: being able to speak in public, time management and responsibility.” Brandel plans to continue working alongside his family, someday joining the family’s dairy operation. Nevin Erbsen, 15, is the son of Carl and Becky Erbsen and will be a sophomore at Eastland High School. He is involved in the operation of Erbacres Holsteins, where they milk 45 regis-
tered Holsteins in a tiestall barn and crop about 700 acres. “We have a family tradition of showing,” Nevin Erbsen said. “We go to several shows each year at the county, state and national levels.” Nevin Erbsen takes part in dairy judging and dairy bowl contests through his membership in the Illinois Junior Holstein Association. “I would encourage kids to get involved as soon as you can because time goes by fast,” he said. “You don’t really get to have enough time to do everything you would like to do. I didn’t get involved as early as maybe I should have, and now I kind of regret that.” Nevin Erbsen said his future plans involve the dairy industry. “I’d like to work on a larger dairy to see what that is like,” he said. “But as long as I’m in the dairy industry, I will be happy.” Harbaugh, 15, is the son of Lynn and Sarah Harbaugh and will be entering his sophomore year at Clintonville High School. His family raises show heifers and has as many as 20 heifers at any given time. Harbaugh credits his involvement with the junior Holstein association with growing his condence level, by participating in activities such as dairy quiz bowl and speaking contests, as well as the time he spends exhibiting his animals at a variety of local, state and national shows. “It has been a very humbling opportunity to be recognized at the national level for the hard work I’ve put into my junior Holstein work,” Harbaugh said of receiving the YDJM award. Harbaugh said he has enjoyed not only the competition he has experi-
2020 Ram 1500 Laramie Lease For $ 374/Mo. for 42 months 10K miles per year, $2999 plus tax, lic. and fees due at lease signing O.A.C.
OLIVIA
CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP & RAM
enced through his membership but also the friends he has made along the way. “Getting involved has allowed me to meet so many new people and make life-long friends,” Harbaugh said. “I would encourage all other juniors to take advantage of all the opportunities you can.” Scott, 17, is the daughter of Mike and Kathleen Scott, and is in her senior year as a homeschooled student. Her family milks 130 cows with robots, and she milks an additional 35 cows in a tiestall barn each day before and after school. “The cows I milk in the tiestall barn don’t work in the robots, usually because of teat placement or milking speed,” Scott said. “I enjoy doing that every day.” Scott has been active in the Iowa Junior Holstein Association since she was 9, taking part in the state conventions and contests since that time, and has also attended and competed at the National Holstein Convention the last several years. “The rst year I went to the national convention, it was here in Iowa,” Scott said. “I’ve gone since that time, and have participated in dairy bowl, dairy jeopardy and scrapbook contests.” Scott was on Iowa’s winning junior dairy bowl team in 2018, and has had a top entry in the scrapbook contest on several occasions. Scott plans to attend a two-year college before transferring to a fouryear college, and is interested in learning more about dairy processing with the hopes of bringing on-farm processing to her family’s dairy.
2020 Jeep Cherokee
0% Financing for 84 Months
NO PAYMENTS FOR 90 DAYS WE HAVE OVER 30 YEARS OF SALES EXPERIENCE! CONTACT US TODAY!
2135 West Lincoln Ave. | Olivia, MN
Page 26 • Dairy Star • Saturday, July 11, 2020
FSA county committee nominations open The United States Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency began accepting nominations for county committee members June 15. Elections will occur in certain Local FSA News & Notes Administrative Areas for these members who make important decisions about how federal farm programs are administered locally. All nomination forms for the 2020 election must be postmarked or received in the local FSA ofce by Aug. 1. “I encourage AmeriBy Ryan Brunn ca’s farmers, ranchers and forest stewards to nomi- Stearns Co. Exec. Dir. nate candidates to lead, serve and represent their community on their county committee,” said Richard Fordyce, FSA administrator. “There’s an increasing need for diverse representation, including underserved producers, which includes beginning, women and minority farmers and ranchers.” Agricultural producers who participate or cooperate in an FSA program and reside in the LAA that is up for election this year may be nominated for candidacy for the county committee. Individuals may nominate themselves or others, and organizations, including those representing beginning, women and minority producers, also may nominate candidates. Committee members are vital to how FSA carries out disaster programs, as well as conservation, commodity and price support programs, county ofce employment and other agricultural issues. Nationwide, more than 7,700 dedicated members of the agricultural community serve on FSA county committees. The committees are made of three to 11 members and typically meet once a month. Members serve three-year terms. Producers serving on FSA county committees play a critical role in the day-to-day operations of the agency. Producers should contact a FSA ofce to nd out how to get involved in their county’s election.
N i Nationwide, id more than h 7 7,700 700 dedicated members of the agricultural community serve on FSA county committees. Check with a USDA service center to see if your LAA is up for election this year. To be considered, a producer must sign an FSA-669A nomination form. The form and other information about FSA county committee elections are available at https://www. fsa.usda.gov/elections. Election ballots will be mailed to eligible voters beginning Nov. 2. Shannon Olson, county operations trainee contributed to this article. Farm Service Agency is an Equal Opportunity Lender. Complaints about discrimination should be sent to: Secretary of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. 20250. Visit the Farm Service Agency Web site at: www.fsa.usda.gov/ for necessary application forms and updates on USDA programs.
Eggenberger Farm Services CHOPPING
We also do custom “ripping”
MANURE
We do cover crops, hay, corn, earlage, Fastest service. sorghum. Multiple choppers multiple Many spreaders to serve you with crews. We have a direct cut head. pen pack to sand manure. CALL US TODAY. Bringing quality service to you! • (651) 380-8962
NDS to honor Geiger with Pioneer Award
Dairy Star • Saturday, July 11, 2020 • Page 27
® www.boumatic.com
Qu
ly,
ARRIVAL
tel y
NEW
state and national roles, Randy was a passionate voice for farmers, and a great advocate for their needs.” Geiger’s unwavering optimism for the dairy industry, and his belief in young people, was contagious. He mentored and helped numerous young people to get into dairy farming. Among the many honors Geiger received during his life were the University of Wisconsin-Madison College of Agricultural & Life Sciences’ Honorary Recognition Award in 2005, the “Master Agriculturalist” award from the Wisconsin Agriculturalist in 2009, and the Cooperative Network’s Cooperative Builder Award in 2017. For more information about National Dairy Shrine, the banquet, or the students and dairy industry leaders being recognized this year, contact National Dairy Shrine’s ofce at info@dairyshrine.org or visit their website www.dairyshrine.org.
pl e
3,400 Upper Midwest dairy farmers producing nearly 10 billion pounds of milk. Geiger was also very instrumental in creating educational scholarships for farm youth when Manitowoc Milk Producers received a monetary bequest from radio personality Bill Walters. As a result of Geiger’s efforts, FarmFirst has awarded more than $145,000 in scholarships to 165 students. Geiger was a highly effective participant in national public policy discussions affecting dairy producers through his service on the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) Board of Directors from 2008-13 where he also helped guide its Environmental and Milk Marketing Committees. In 2003, he was part of the group of dairy producers who oversaw the formation of the Cooperatives Working Together program, a self-help program aimed at improving dairy farm income. As Jim Mulhern, NMPF President and CEO, states, “In his many local,
G e nt
National Dairy Shrine is honoring four respected individuals with its Pioneer Award this year in recognition of their signicant contributions to the dairy industry. Among the 2020 honorees is Randall A. “Randy” Geiger (1950-2019), the highly regarded dairyman and dairy cooperative leader from Reedsville, Wisconsin, who died last September. Geiger will join a distinguished group of industry leaders whose stories and portraits are featured in the National Dairy Hall of Fame at the National Dairy Shrine Museum in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin. A lifelong dairyman, Randy Geiger’s love for farming began while growing up on his family’s Wisconsin dairy farm. Following his father’s untimely death in 1966, Randy began a 50-year career in dairy farming when he and his wife Rosalie established their own Ran-Rose Dairy Farms. Together they bred and developed an outstanding herd of Registered Holsteins recognized for its production and high quality of milk. In 1994, Ran-Rose Cream Spirit became Wisconsin’s lifetime milk production leader with a total of 342,000 pounds milk. From 1996 to 2015, the Ran-Rose herd earned the Manitowoc County DHIA Udder Health Award every year for its low somatic cell score. In 2002, the herd was recognized with the National Mastitis Council’s National Dairy Quality Award. Over the years, the Ran-Rose herd accrued Progressive Breeder of Registry awards, Progressive Genetics awards, and Gold Medal Dam and Dam of Merit recognitions from Holstein Association USA.
i c k ly
and C
om
“In his many local, state and national roles, Randy was a passionate voice for farmers, and a great advocate for their needs.” JIM MULHERN, NMPF PRESIDENT AND CEO
They had three cows who amassed over 300,000 pounds milk lifetime and 21 cows with over 200,000 pounds. Geiger was a dedicated and committed volunteer throughout his life. He served on dozens of community, state and national committees and boards. He became a visible and effective voice in lobbying elected ofcials at all levels of government on behalf of dairy farmers and rural residents. As a dairy leader, he was instrumental in positively shaping the dairy business environment. In 1989 when the Kasson Cheese plant at Brillion, Wisconsin, went into bankruptcy and dairy farmers were not paid for their milk, Geiger worked tirelessly to make changes in the Wisconsin Producer Security law to minimize the chances of farmers not getting paid in the future for their milk. He later was asked to give guidance to the Wisconsin Dairy 2020 Task Force following an appointment by the governor. Geiger was president of the Manitowoc Milk Producers Cooperative for 16 years (1998 to 2013). From 2011-12, he became the “bridge builder” and driving force behind the formation of FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative which brought together three of Wisconsin’s leading dairy cooperatives – Manitowoc Milk, Family Dairies USA and Milwaukee Cooperative Milk Producers – into one powerful entity in 2013. As Jeff Lyon, current FarmFirst General Manager says, “Randy saw the duplication of programs and services by our three predecessor cooperatives, and he recognized that if the three cooperatives were to remain relevant and continue to meet the needs of dairy farmers, a merger was needed to improve efciencies, programs and services.” Today FarmFirst represents
GEMINI MILKING ROBOT Empower Your Dairy Farm! Meet the Gemini: the BouMatic milking robot, built on over 80-years of experience
ABRAHAM’S FARM REPAIR r Call us fo & New ts s U ed Par
WE CAN REPAIR YOUR SILOS AND UNLOADERS
in best milking practices, cow focused and designed to take your dairy farm to the next level!
Bill Abraham - Over 20 years experience
320-864-6821 Leave message
boumatic.com/gemini
Page 28 • Dairy Star • Saturday, July 11, 2020
Capturing the agritourism market
Roden Barnyard Adventures provides taste of farm life through camps, events By Stacey Smart
stacey.s@dairystar.com
WEST BEND, Wis. – Sharing her family’s farm with the public is a great joy for Jacki Moegenburg. She started Roden Barnyard Adventures right out of college and has watched her agritourism business grow in leaps and bounds since. An adventure centered around farm camps for children, Roden Barnyard Adventures also offers tours, birthday parties and horse-drawn sleigh rides. Roden Echo Valley, owned and operated by Moegenburg’s parents, Bob and Cindy Roden, and her brother, Rick, is the home of Roden Barnyard Adventures where the motto is, Make it a Dairy Good Day! The Rodens milk 700 cows and farm 2,000 acres near West Bend. The herd is a three-way cross of Holstein, Montbéliarde
and Swedish Red. The Rodens have been crossbreeding for 10 years to produce a tougher, longer-lived, more feedefcient animal with higher components. The Rodens also compost all of their manure for bedding. In addition to running Roden Barnyard Adventures, Moegenburg feeds calves every morning with her mom. Moegenburg had a vision of the farm to become a destination for city folk and other strangers to the dairy industry. She made agritourism her career, pouring her heart and soul into her life’s dream of combining her love for both animals and children into a thriving business. Now in its seventh season, Roden Barnyard Adventures is a place where people can learn about agriculture rsthand in a fun
STACEY SMART/DAIRY STAR
A camper pets a cow at Roden Echo Valley dairy farm near West Bend, Wisconsin. The Rodens milk 700 cows and farm 2,000 acres.
way. “People are not exposed to agriculture like I was growing up,” Moegenburg said. “I wanted to give people what I had as a kid. And I always wanted to raise my kids on the farm – this allows me to do that.” Moegenburg and her husband, Brett, have two children, Gracelyn, 4, and Byron, 1.5, and are expecting their third child in November. The kids tag along with Moegenburg as she oversees the camps. Recreating her experience of growing up and working on a dairy farm was the goal of Moegenburg’s farm camps, which give children a hands-on farm experience. Campers embrace all the farm has to offer, even if it means getting dirty. STACEY SMART/DAIRY STAR Here, name tags are made out Cindy Roden (from leŌ), Jacki Moegenburg and her children, of ear tags, and children can Byron, 1.5, and Gracelyn, 4, pose with a calf at Roden Echo Val- interact with farm animals oneley near West Bend, Wisconsin. Moegenburg started Roden on-one. Barnyard Adventures on her parents’ farm in 2014. “We’re giving these kids
a genuine farm experience,” Moegenburg said. “We like to keep them busy, just like a farmer.” Roden Barnyard Adventures is in full swing from May through October, with farm camps taking place over an eight-week timeframe from mid-June to mid-August. Moegenburg offers four types of camps: little farmers for ages 4-6; regular farm camp for ages 7-11; advanced farm camp for ages 10-14; and calf camp for ages 9-14. Camps are three to four days long and most run from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. “The rst year we offered camp, we had 25 kids total,” Moegenburg said. “Now, we have close to 300, and we have a lot of repeat campers.” There is never a dull moment at Roden Barnyard Adventures, where campers feed milk, water and grain to calves, clean their bottles and help with other daily chores.
They also make crafts and participate in obstacle races, water games and scavenger hunts. At calf camp, campers put calves on halters and have the chance to walk and wash a calf and partake in a mock show. The last day of camp is topped off with a pizza party and concludes with an ice cream social and farm tour for the camper’s family and friends. Kids bring their own lunch, but Moegenburg supplies the snacks and serves a variety of foods grown in the state. They also use pretzels, corn pops and other ingredients to mimic what cows eat. The campers also make ice cream and butter and participate in a sundae relay race. “We try to teach a lesson through every snack or activity without making it seem like a classroom,” Moegenburg said. Turn to BARNYARD | Page 29
Nutretain Forage Inoculants 25 years of proven success and the best value for money in the industry! The proof is in the fermentation: Haylage Àeld trial: (Norfolk, NE. 2003)
(Same Àeld of alfalfa, chopped same day and ensiled in same 600 ton bag. North end of bag ensiled with bacterial inoculant, south end of bag with Nutretain Haylage™, enzyme based, inoculant)
Nutretain Haylage™
Bacterial Inoculant
Dry Matter
56.87
56.33
Crude Protein
20.72
19.76
RFV
167
157
pH
4.73
5.21
Lactic acid
7.47
2.05
Acetic acid
2.22
1.79
Iso-butyric acid
<0.01
.05
BritAm Nutritional Concepts Inc. 2300 South Main Avenue • Sioux Falls SD 57105 Contact: Mike Bettle at 615-478-7312 or Email:britamintl@earthlink.net Call, text or email for your local agent or distributor.
Dairy Star • Saturday, July 11, 2020 • Page 29
Con�nued from BARNYARD | Page 28
THE NO COMPROMISE FABRIC STRUCTURE
DAIRY, MACHINERY & HAY STORAGE
Commercial Agri Buildings
Single and Truss Arch available from 20’-120’ wide Flo-Coat® Galvanized Steel Tubing Supplied by Allied Tube & Conduit Heaviest gauge steel in the industry Pre-engineered truss buildings WE ALSO SELL REPLACEMENTTARPS!
NELSON’S AGRI STRUCTURES
Dean Nelson • Central and Northern Minnesota • Grove City, MN • 320-857-2633, Cell 320-699-3297
RIVERSIDE HOOP BARNS, INC.
US Hwy. 75 At IA/MN Stateline • Steen, MN • 507-392-2870 • Fred A. Tilstra & Sons
Leah Weninger, one of the camp COW-nselors, asks campers a ques�on during Regular Farm Camp for 7-11-year-olds June 30 at the farm near West Bend, Wisconsin. Weninger is from a dairy farm in Iron Ridge and a�ends Fox Valley Technical College.
Eastern Minnesota and Wisconsin • Harris, MN • 651-248-6302 • Craig Moline
JADER ENTERPRISES LLC
Servicing all of Iowa • Sumner, IA • Jim Rubner • 563-518-1057
ASK US ABOUT GOVERNMENT FUNDING FOR HAY STORAGE
R
I AT
ONS & M
A
N GE
MENT
the day, eat snacks, have lunch and do activities. They also added a corn pit for kids to play in and additional farm animals such as pigs, chicks, a donkey, goats and sheep. For the rst ve years, Moegenburg led all the camps with help from family members. Now she feels comfortable letting others lead and employs counselors, all of whom are 4-H or FFA members, to assist with running farm camp. When Moegenburg was approached about hosting birthday parties, she added it to the list of experiences one could have at Roden Echo Valley dairy farm and did 15 parties last year. She also hosts tours. New this winter, Roden Barnyard Adventures will offer sleigh rides through a path of Christmas lights on Friday and Saturday nights during December and January. “I’m super excited about that,” Moegenburg said. “I bought the business from a neighbor who thought it was a good t for what we’re doing here. I love Christmas, and this will bring extra joy to that season.” Opening their farm to all who are interested in getting a closer look, the Rodens host Sundae on the Farm in partnership with Ozaukee County Dairy Promotion in late August – a free event open to the public with food and ice cream available for purchase. “I wish more farms would do things like this,” Moegenburg said. “It takes time and energy, but it’s become my new joy. I love having kids here.”
Duke Lange • Swanville, MN • 320-290-0859
LAKESIDE HOOP STRUCTURES, LLC
A
Many of the campers come from within a half-hour radius, but Moegenburg has also hosted kids from Minnesota, Texas, California, Arizona, Colorado and Illinois. Some families plan their summer vacation around camp and will stay at a nearby hotel. In some cases, children may have family living in the area, such as a grandparent. “We catch a good audience from nearby towns like Cedarburg, West Bend and Grafton,” Moegenburg said. “All of my business comes to me via word of mouth. I haven’t paid a dime in advertising.” Moegenburg said the hardest part is turning people away, and this is her third year with a wait list. “I’m amazed at how many kids are on the wait list,” said Moegenburg, who added a ninth camp this summer. Moegenburg has a degree in agricultural marketing and communications from the University of WisconsinRiver Falls and was already making plans for her agritourism venture while still in college. When she was a junior, Moegenburg put together a business plan. She also did an internship running a farm camp in New Jersey. “I’m grateful my family supports what I’m doing here,” Moegenburg said. “They encourage and promote the business and want to see it grow. They love having visitors and are my biggest cheerleaders. We work together, and I couldn’t do it without them.” To accommodate campers, the Rodens built a facility that serves as the base for children to begin and end
LANGE CONSTRUCTION & CONCRETE
FA R M O PE
STACEY SMART/DAIRY STAR
Since 1967, Southwest Tech agriculture programs have been the backbone of not only course offerings but to the communities served by the college. Opportunities were recently expanded to serve the increasingly dynamic ag industry. The new program structure allows you to specialize in the ag career of your choice, and will put you on the path to success. FARM OPERATIONS AND MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS Ag Mechanics Dairy Livestock Crops Dairy Technician Livestock Tech Crop Operations Farm Ag Maintenance Reproduction Technician HANDS-ON LEARNING Expert instructors immersed in today’s ag industry enhance classroom lecture with hands-on training using the latest technology such as drone simulation software and a cow birthing simulator as well as real-time experience using the agricultural demonstration and grow labs. DIVERSE CAREER OPPORTUNITIES Herd Manager, Calf Manager, Farm Equipment Mechanic, and more! LEARN MORE TODAY!
www.swtc.edu/ag
STACEY SMART/DAIRY STAR
Campers take a break June 30 in the air-condi�oned building the Roden family built especially for Roden Barnyard Adventures. Camps are offered on the farm from mid-June to mid-August.
1800 Bronson Boulevard, Fennimore, WI 53809
800.362.3322
Accommodations: Call 608.822.2632 (tdd: 608.822.2072) or email disabilityservices@swtc.edu Southwest Tech is committed to legal affirmative action, equal opportunity access, and diversity of its campus community. www.swtc.edu/equality
All creatures great and small Page 30 • Dairy Star • Saturday, July 11, 2020
‘All things bright and beautiful, All creatures great and small, All things wise and wonderful, The Lord God made them all.’
The opening lines from Cecil Frances Alexander’s classic poem run a loop through my head as of late. It starts at the house as I check in on the creatures and does not quiet until I reach the barn. Sometimes it slips back on while I milk cows and all is peaceful, however, not when I’m milking sassy, temperamental heifers. That wrecks any sense of peace I once had. I attribute it to reading Charlotte’s Web and remembering why I connected with that book as a child, and the desire to create that for my children. It was all of the different animals and their personalities; they are so intriguing, so entertaining. I most deďƒžnitely subscribe to the romantic
notion that animals can talk in their own languages, and are probably having some crazy conversations that we are too busy to comprehend. I love to watch the antics of each member of our menagerie and ponder what it is they are thinking. We have Oreo and Rex, Cora’s two bunnies, on the shaded porch of the house. These two bunny brothers are a bona ďƒžde pair of entertainers. They stand on their haunches to nibble on a carrot, then proceed to hop around their cage at top speed, and leap up onto their nesting box. Their noses wiggle in the most adorable way when they are eating or resting. Cora and the boys love to take them out on the grass to play; which usually ends up being a game of fetch. Oreo and Rex hop off and they tear off after them and fetch them back to their makeshift tractor inner tube pen. They are the softest creatures to hold and pet, especially when they are content enough to not scratch and
Contact a DCC Waterbeds dealer near you: Eastern Iowa Dairy Systems Epworth, IA Livestock Systems Charles City, IA Wille Construction Garnavillo, IA Fuller’s Milker Center Inc Lancaster, WI Field’s Mt. Horeb WI Scharine Group Inc. Whitewater/Janesville, WI & Mt Horeb, WI Midwest Livestock Systems Pine Island MN, Beatrice, NE, Sioux Falls, SD, Menomonie, WI
Northland Farm Systems Owatonna, MN Leedstone Melrose, MN, Glencoe, MN, Plainview, MN, Woodville, WI Gorter’s Clay & Dairy Equipment, Inc. Pipestone, MN United Development LLC Brookings, SD Advanced Dairy LLC Spring Valley, WI Bob’s Dairy Supply Dorchester, WI
Dorner Equipment Sales & Service New Franken, WI Komro Sales & Service Durand, WI Preston Dairy Equipment Sparta, WI RLS Vinyl and Farm Supply LLC Hager City, WI Lindstrom Farm Systems Menomonie, WI Nachatelo Construction Mauston, WI Russell Berger Wilson, MI
www.DCCWaterbeds.com | (608) 709-2693 Advanced Comfort Technology, Inc. Š 2020
wiggle those powerful back legs. After the resident wild life (raccoons or mink) had two nights of chicken dinners that fed their families well at our expense, we have revamped (and hopefully critterproofed) the coops and are started on round two. We have 40 broilers that will Ramblings from the Ridge ďƒžnd their frozen home the end of August and are coming along nicely. Their pen mates include four of the Rhode Island Red chicks that didn’t make it on the raccoon menu and one lonely duckling that hatched out of the incubator. The duckling thinks he is a chicken at this point, and is often seen in the middle of the huddle, By Jacqui Davison preening his short-necked, Columnist yellow siblings. The second try on the laying hen chicks has brought more color and variety into our coop. The sturdy Rhode Island Reds are joined by Barred Rock, Easter Egger and Australorp chicks. They haven’t earned names yet, but as they grow, I’m sure the chicken cuddling children will crown them with one. Then there are the pigs – those six delightful, snorting, running, roly-poly, pink, ďƒ&#x;oppy-eared pigs. I admit, feeding the pigs their slops after I get the kitchen cleared is one of my favorite jobs. They always seem so appreciative. Of course, we have a Wilbur, and oddly enough, he is the runt of his crew. Until the past week, he was still small enough to squeeze his hams through the panel to peruse the perimeter of his pen. He would dig and hop about, then put himself right back in. His penmates – Charlotte, Ham, Bacon, Side Pork and Sausage – would nip at him as if out of jealousy when he wiggled back in. My mini-ďƒ&#x;ock of sheep is mowing the lawn with great efďƒžciency. So far, only the places where we can ďƒžnd shade and move their hutch and tall calf panel contraption to. They are on the verge of being tame enough to let them have a bigger area, but must be electric fence trained ďƒžrst. I don’t want to have sheep on the loose. Ira and I chose names for them to live up to: Armella, Magdalene, Margaret and Tasha; all ladies who lived to a ripe old age, and would probably ďƒžnd it an honor that a spunky sheep bears their name. Even with all of these creatures great and small, we are missing a few furry friends on our farm – most notably, dogs. We said tear-ďƒžlled goodbyes to Bull and Bessie last month, two weeks apart, and our farm has been dogless ever since. As a pup, Bull had the biggest feet, and eventually grew into a 140-pound Labrador, full of genuine love for anyone that would offer a hand to pet him. He made it through six grandchildren – each using him as a jungle gym to crawl over or as a steady object to learn to walk next to. He even tolerated curious ďƒžngers exploring his gums and teeth. He would sit by the stroller as I milked cows, barking a stern warning to any cow that dared turn towards his small boss. His gentle demeanor convinced more than one timid hand that not all dogs are to be feared. He had eyes that looked into your soul, and I’m certain he knew how much we all loved him. Bessie was as hyper as Bull was calm. She was born knowing how to fetch, and the person throwing her chosen toy (stick, rock, bone) would undoubtedly tire far before she would. She was unrelenting in her game. She carried the title of a true farm dog to her grave. In the last few years, she preferred spending her time in the parlor more than the house. The milkman carried treats for her; the employees shared food and brought her a dog bed. She gave them appreciative tail wags and bright eyes that were full of energy and smiles. While all these new charges may seem daunting to some, they are serving to make our lives more full. Full of new tales, learning opportunities and full of love, and when we ďƒžnd the appropriate puppies to add to the farm, our hearts will make more room. Jacqui and her family milk 800 cows and run 1,200 acres of crops in the northeastern corner of Vernon County, Wis. Her children, Ira (12), Dane (10), Henry (5) and Cora (3), 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.
Buyers & Feeders of damaged corn, soybeans, screenings, wet, hot, dry, ďŹ re and silo corn. Trucks available. Z BAR FEED YARDS - -
Gone viral
In the popular lexicon, gone viral means spreading really fast, and most commonly the phrase is used to refer to spread of a video. The last few months have seen both videos and disease spread rapidly and cause great pain and destruction Veterinary Wisdom around the world. Farmers hear quite a bit about viruses because of the variety of viral diseases animals can suffer from. But, just exactly what is a virus anyway, and are viruses actually alive? Viruses are an inert complex of molecules. They cannot replicate on their own. They require the cells of other organBy Jim Bennett isms to make their progColumnist eny for them. So, by most common denitions, they are not really alive. Yet they are known to infect all living organisms, not just animals, and a broad variety contribute to animal and human disease. There are so many different viruses in nature that most of them do not even have names. While the structure of viruses varies between viral groups, all viruses have an outer coat, or capsid, and genetic material, or genome, inside. Capsids are mostly made up of proteins. Enveloped viruses have an outer layer made up mostly of fats; the components of that layer may come from host cells. Coronaviruses are enveloped viruses. The type of capsid may be important when choosing a disinfectant to inactivate the virus, because some disinfectants work better on different capsid types. The viral genome is made up of either DNA or RNA. DNA and RNA exist in all living cells. RNA is kind of a single-stranded photocopy of DNA. RNA serves as a messenger between the genetic information coded in cellular DNA and the various cellular machinery that will begin the processes of performing the tasks coded by the DNA. Viral DNA or RNA is relatively simple, and typically only has coding for replication of the physical structure of the virus. Everything else needed for replication comes from the host.
Dairy Star • Saturday, July 11, 2020 • Page 31
The rst phase of viral infection involves entry into sity of Minnesota, have adequate levels of protective a host cell. The virus needs to attach to and then pen- antibodies. Adequate levels of antibodies would also etrate the wall of the host cell. Once the viral genome have to persist for a signicant amount of time, likely is inside, the cell begins to synthesize proteins that will years; otherwise previously infected individuals would lead to assembly and release of new virus particles. be susceptible again. Coronavirus vaccines are nothing Viral entry and attachment usually does not require new in veterinary medicine, and include vaccines for energy on the part of the T TGE in swine, coronavirus virus. Once new particles S d diarrhea in cattle, feline inSo, every time i we h hear the h have been constructed, they fectious peritonitis in cats are released from the cell. words vaccine or vaccinate, we and canine coronavirus in The simplicity of vidogs. We can all hope that ruses explains, to some de- can remember that connection an effective vaccine is degree, the difculty we have and thank our favorite animal, veloped soon for humans in controlling them. It is and is made available in hard to kill something that the cow, for this particular sufcient quantity to vacis not alive. Destroying or contribution to human health. cinate most of us as soon as inactivating an organism ppossible. with complex machinery Yes, viruses are may only involve targeting small. They are simple, but one small part, but very simple organisms have fewer simple does not mean unimportant or of little conseparts to target. We do not have broad spectrum antivi- quence. ral drugs similar to broad spectrum antibacterial drugs Some of the information in this article comes readily available in human or veterinary medicine. from: Actor, J. Basic Virology: https://www.ncbi.nlm. Fortunately for us, effective vaccines exist for all nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7152364/. sorts of human and animal diseases. Vaccines are esBennett is one of four dairy veterinarians at Northpecially important for viral diseases because we have ern Valley Dairy Production Medicine Center in Plaso few ways to directly combat viruses once an ani- inview, Minn. He also consults on dairy farms in other mal is infected. The very rst vaccine was developed states. He and his wife, Pam, have four children. Jim by Edward Jenner in 1796. He used live cowpox virus can be reached at bennettnvac@gmail.com with comto inoculate humans against smallpox. Later the virus ments or questions. was called vaccina virus. In Latin, vacca means cow and vacinnae means of, or relating to cows. So, every time we hear the words vaccine or vaccinate, we can remember that connection and thank our favorite animal, the cow, for this particular contribution to human health. Your Mixer, Spreader, Hay Processor Headquarters The term herd immunity is used a lot in the media We carry: today in relation to the current human coronavirus pandemic. Of course, this, too, is borrowed from veterinary medicine. Effective herd immunity is unlikely to be www.rotomix.com LLC achieved in the human population without widespread use of an effective vaccine. This is because effective Dana Berreau herd immunity would require that a large percentage 507-879-3593 / 800-821-7092 of humans in any given herd, perhaps 60%-70% acBox 116, Lake Wilson, MN 56151 cording to Dr. Michael Osterholm from the Univer-
Blue Hilltop, Inc.
SMARTPHONE FARMING
SM
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 Shawn: 320-345-1445 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.
We had COVID-19 at Ocheda Dairy
Page 32 • Dairy Star • Saturday, July 11, 2020
Sonia has milked weekdays morning shift for 14 work and fortunately called in sick Monday morning. years. Her husband, Robert, has worked for us for By Tuesday, she was tested, and it came back posi17 years. They live in their paid-for house on a quiet tive for COVID-19. I told her to take two weeks paid off and see how it goes. street in Worthington with She ended up taking three their three daughters and With h two morning i shift hif weeks off because she did one son. Their oldest daugh- Wi ter is a bilingual pre-med workers out, we were starting get quite sick, and she conferred with a doctor daily student at the local community college. Their son to get worried about everyone over the phone. She has no idea where she picked is 16 and makes pizzas at else. up the virus, but it was all our convenience store after over Worthington. Neither school. Sonia is quiet, reliable, works her shift, and goes home and takes care her husband nor her children ever got sick, and their of her family. In April, after Worthington was hit hard house is not large at all. A few days after Sonia got sick, another morning with the new coronavirus at the local packing plant, shift member, Jose, said he felt a little off. We immediSonia got sick. Sonia felt ill over the weekend when she was off ately sent him home and told him to let us know. Two
DURING BALING SEASON, TIME IS PRECIOUS. DOWNTIME ISN’T. You know how it works: harvest time is limited. Your window can be narrow. And, sometimes, it’s easy to overstep a baler’s limits. That’s why we’ve created the new Massey Ferguson® 4100V RB Series of silage balers. They’re the kind of rugged, hardworking machines you can count on to handle everything your operation demands, season after season. And with Massey Ferguson’s unique HydroFlex Control™ two-stage anti-blockage system, blockages are reduced and resolved quickly and easily.
masseyferguson.us
CHECK OUT THE MASSEY FERGUSON 4100V RB SERIES © 20 AGCO Corporation. Massey Ferguson is a brand of AGCO Corporation. AGCO® and Massey Ferguson® are trademarks of AGCO. All rights reserved. MF18TK001CRv02
FEED WITH THE BEST TO BE THE BEST. Mix and feed with the fastest, most consistent vertical
days later, he was back working and said he felt great, and that he had called the guy who was substituting for him and told the substitute he was not needed. We had a major communication breakdown that morning. We told Jose to go home and also get tested. At Making Cents of Dairy that time, there were numerous testing sites in Worthington because of the high rate of infection. Jose notied us he tested positive but felt good, so he wanted to come back to work right away so his paycheck would not be so small. I told him to take two weeks paid off and enjoy being a single By Dave Vander Kooi dad to his two preteen Columnist daughters. His wife and his in-laws were killed in a horric car/train wreck about seven years ago. With two morning shift workers out, we were starting to get worried about everyone else. Our crew had not been very good at wearing the face shields we had provided them early on, and they were not good at spacing out their break room times as we had suggested. We hired a few temporary workers to ll in some spots, but we were very nervous about a major outbreak and how we would handle that. From the outset, I said I would rather dump milk any day than not get the cows milked. Every morning, after the two positive cases, Bry and I would ask each other: Get any sick calls? Did everyone show up for work that was supposed to? Do we have enough people for all three shifts? As each day went by with no new news, it felt like a new win each day until the two weeks passed, and Sonia and Jose returned to work. We do not know how many other employees were asymptomatic because no one wanted to get tested. The reason no one wanted to get tested was they all heard horror stories from their friends who had been tested about the long swab stick pushed into your nose so hard that it caused painful nose bleeds for hours. Why more of us did not get sick is a major mystery to me. I am terrible about wearing latex gloves even in the fresh cow parlor. I am in and out of the main parlor every morning and interact with all the employees on a daily basis. I take their hand-written time sheets to the computer to do payroll and touch everything they touch. I am also a huge believer in sunshine and vitamin D to help prevent COVID-19. Some of us get outside more often than those who only work in the milking parlor. The only major differences between a dairy operation and, say, a packing plant would be people are spaced apart better at the dairy, and there is a lot of ventilation at the dairy because the cows give off a lot of heat. I did force myself to wear latex gloves for about two months, and now I kind of like having a box of them available in my work truck. It so happened that Sonia’s three weeks off coincided with Jose’s two weeks off. They both came back to work on the same Monday morning. When I walked into the parlor to greet them, we all had big smiles of relief on our faces. I motioned to them with my arms wide open like we should have a group hug, and they both walked toward me until we were exactly 6 feet apart, and then we just plain giggled. Vander Kooi operates a 1,800-cow, 4,500 acre farm with his son, Joe, and daughter-in-law, Rita, near Worthington, Minn. Send him feedback at davevkooi@ icloud.com. Follow him on Instagram, @davevanderkooi.
mixer on the market. Feeding a Total Mixed Ration with an NDEco ensures every bite has a
www.NDEco.com | 888.336.3127
JIM’S ELECTRIC SERVICE • JIM’S ELECTRIC SERVICE • JIM’S ELECTRIC
Jim’s Electric Service
Serving Central Minnesota since 1977 Taking care of all your electrical needs fast and efÀciently.
Jim Schulzetenberg and crew are here to give you the best job!
The experienced crew - Jim Schulzetenberg along with Mike, Dennis, and Jared give you the best job.
320-987-3587
JIM’S ELECTRIC SERVICE
milk production and provide better herd health.
J I M ’S E L E C T R I C S E RV I C E
consistent mix of proper nutrients, will optimize
JIM’S ELECTRIC SERVICE • JIM’S ELECTRIC SERVICE • JIM’S ELECTRIC
Useful ashbacks
Flashback to 30 years ago. We were milking in a 61-cow tiestall barn and contemplating building a freestall barn with a parlor. I was writing freelance articles for a national dairy magazine and providing dairy farm labor. Our barn was showing its age with leaky pipes and watering cups; and the teat injuries and swollen hocks caused by unyielding rubber mats and very large Holsteins were taking a toll. A few days ago, I was looking for a photo I had taken for a magazine in my stash in our ofce. I did not nd the photo, but I did nd the cover story about the Crave Brothers’ newly built freestall barn and the start of their operation. It was enlightening to re-read the article I had written. I remember the exciting interview with them in 1990 at their dairy operation in Waterloo, Wisconsin. Since that time, the strides the Crave Brothers Homestead Come Full Dairy Circle Cheese (operated as a separate entity), dairy farm and anaerobic digester operations have made require many to exclaim, “Wow,” for the family’s hard work and success. The Craves are legendary for their renowned mozzarella and other soft cheeses made on-farm, and because they host the National 4-H Dairy Conference attendees, a farm and cheesemaking facility tour that is a favorite part of the conference for many, including our three kids. I have not been back to see the Crave operation since 1990 when I wrote the article focusing on their By Jean Annexstad low-cost facility. Checking their website, I found a YouTube video shot in 2017 at their operation for a Columnist PBS program called, “Wisconsin Foodie.” George Crave gives the host a tour of the current astounding operation, which is run today by the family of four brothers and their families. Back to the barn article from 30 years ago. The gist of it was that the Craves had built a 200-cow, cold-housing, uninsulated, naturally-ventilated, four-row, center feed alley, curtain-sided freestall barn for $800 per stall, including the slats, pit and gravity ow to a manure lagoon. They did much of the construction work themselves and had researched the barn by touring other operations, talking to experts and spending two years in planning. The upsides of the barn were its low cost, opportunity to boost milk volume by adding cows, feeding a drive-by TMR and actually lowering the debt load per cow to a lower level for their operation than before they built the barn, even with the $10 per hundredweight milk price of that time. The Craves mentioned the new barn’s simplicity, the reductions in cow health costs because they had fewer mastitis cases, and how it had reduced their labor requirements. For context, all of the adjectives used to describe that barn were not as commonplace 30 years ago as they are today when many cows in all parts of the country are housed in similar barns. Yet those were relatively new concepts, and as George Crave described in the video, “It was one of the rst curtain-sided barns in the Upper Midwest at the time.” Well, it so happens that the timeframe was also when we had started the process of planning for a facility change, and the barn we put up is similar. I sure could see my biases as I re-read the article. Our kids are at home this summer and are providing labor on our dairy. They have gained insight as they have been out and about at other dairy farms in their college endeavors and their current jobs. They frequently ask good questions about choices we made with facilities and management styles. These questions cause us to reect on how those decisions were made and how they might be made differently if we were starting over again. Once again, our dairy facilities are aging. We have aged, too, which seems to make our work more difcult. Bovines take a toll on any facility. Roofs leak, parlor gates rust and malfunction, and curtains need to be replaced and repaired. Pretty soon all of the things that are not working right add more hours to the workload. Improvements to save labor are needed, yet scarce cash makes the next moves and changes even tougher to consider. Yet, a lack of capital was the same scenario 30 years ago when we made our major change from tiestall to our present set up. Is that an insurmountable roadblock? The questions today revolve around what might be the best model for the future of our operation. We have started researching options and thinking about what would be feasible for our business to remain a viable one. No answers have jumped out, mostly because of the economics faced on dairy farms. Maybe it will take the next 30 years to gure out the best choices, make the changes and then reect once again. Maybe while we are contemplating, we will nd our inspiration by another tour or article about other groundbreaking dairy facilities. 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.
Sign up for our Newsletter
Dairy St r Milk Break Email andrea.b@dairystar.com
Black Oak
Trucking
Dairy Star • Saturday, July 11, 2020 • Page 33
MOTOR REPAIR
We Sell and Service Generators!
Each WINCO PTO generator is designed using the highest quality components and the best workmanship available.
USED GENERATORS
Allis Chalmers 45KW ....................... $3,900 Honda 4500W gas generator .......... $1,100 Niagra 15 KW w/powershaft ............... $900
WE HAVE HANSON SILO REPLACEMENT PARTS AVAILABLE!
• quick • dependable • nearly 40 years experience
WE STOCK FRACTIONAL TO 10 HP SINGLE AND 3-PHASE MOTORS!
Baldor 3 HP, 3450 rpm ............... $200
AMPS, INC. 105 County Rd. 10, Albany, MN • 320-845-4690
FIBERGLASS FENCING • GATES • FREESTALLS • FEED RAIL • FEED LOTS PATENT PENDING
New additive in our paint now prevents & protects against the growth of mold & mildew.
Fiberglass freestalls offer a heightened level of comfort which can lead to an increase in milk production!
NEW PRODUCTS:
• All Solid Rail Fencing has a 20 year UV coating to prevent slivers, Colors available • Show Fencing & Pasture fencing • Cattle Panels & Continuous Fencing • 1’’ & 1-1/4 Electric Fence Post UV Protected •13% Chrome Post for Head Locks & Feed Rail • Guard Rail and Fiberglass posts. • Lifetime warranty on our fiberglass products from rusting and rotting
“The fence from TJ’s Fencing is the most equine friendly, safest, most durable fence on the market. It is a great looking fence that will add eye appeal to any farm.” Jess Bergantzel Show Horses, Mechanicsville, IA
Ventilation for Calves
“We decided to install freestalls from TJ’s Fencing after a friend recommended them. They were easy to install and the cows really like them. We only have about half of the stalls converted right now, but are eager to get the rest of our stalls converted to freestalls from TJ’s Fencing.“ - Bernard County Dairy, Richard Decker Installed in February 2020
“The fencing looks great, is easy to maintain, it lasts forever and the people are great to work with!” - Stempfle Holsteins, Maynard, IA
Hwy. 76 • Harpers Ferry, IA
LIVESTOCK AND FLATBED HAULING
Chris Ritter
Melrose, MN
(320) 333-1836
563-586-2023
www.tjsfencingcompany.com Email: tjfence@acegroup.cc
FAMILY OWNED FOR OVER 30 YEARS!
Page 34 • Dairy Star • Saturday, July 11, 2020
The favor returned
Curds for Kids receives national attention, donation By Danielle Nauman danielle.n@dairystar.com
PIGEON FALLS, Wis. – Problem solving and beneting the community – two priorities for Jackie Goplin and Beth Stay of Pigeon Falls. Those concerns led the duo to start a campaign that came to be known as Curds for Kids. Goplin, a dairy farmer who milks 90 cows on two locations with her family, heard about other people heading up fundraising efforts to purchase dairy products for food pantries and school lunches. She and Stay contacted Rich Miller, of New Richmond, to nd out about the work he was doing in his community. “We asked him if he’d mind if we did the same thing here,” Goplin said. “He was happy to encourage us to get started.” The pair began working to collect nancial donations to launch Curds for Kids in early April, and in short order, they were purchasing cheese curds from Lynn Dairy and Associated Milk Producers Inc., working to distribute the curds through area school districts. Cheese curds have been donated weekly to the Trempealeau
PHOTO SUBMITTED
Jackie Goplin (from leŌ) and Beth Stay, of Pigeon Falls, Wisconsin, are lmed by a television crew while parƟcipaƟng in a Zoom meeƟng with Mike Rowe of Returning The Favor, a reality web television series that provided a $15,000 donaƟon to their Curds For Kids campaign. County school districts of Arcadia, Blair-Taylor, Gale-EttrickTrempealeau, Independence, Osseo-Fairchild and Whitehall.
Over 15,000 pounds of cheese curds have been distributed to approximately 3,000 students in Trempealeau Coun-
ty.
The project helps dairy farmers by increasing demand for dairy products and feeds
children through the lunch delivery programs created in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic-related school closures. Soon after they started the program, Goplin and Stay were contacted by a producer for “Returning the Favor,” a reality web series hosted by Mike Rowe. The show’s staff kept in touch with the pair throughout the spring before setting up a visit, bringing with them a surprise donation. “When I heard that dairy farmers were dumping milk, I was just appalled,” said Stay to Rowe during the show which aired June 23 on Facebook Watch. “How could we be dumping milk down the drain when there are hungry kids in our communities? This makes no sense.” Rowe agreed, hearing the pair tell the story of how their community has been affected throughout the pandemic. “Most people can’t possibly understand what that would feel like for a farmer, to take their product and literally ush it away, knowing that within 30, 40 or 50 miles there are hungry people,” Rowe said during his video conversation with Goplin and Stay. “It’s got to be one of the greatest tragedies in modern agriculture.” Goplin and Stay were surprised by Rowe and his crew during a Zoom interview. While Rowe’s crew originally planned Turn to CURDS | Page 35
experience the
330’ 0’ HHYDRO YDRO TTOOLBAR OOLBAR $$31,250 ,
35’ PUCK TOOLBAR $72,000 ,
TOP PRICES PAID & CONTRACTING AVAILABLE 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
1998 JOHN DEERE ENGINE UNIT $23,440
2015 BAZOOKA FARMSTAR 40’ TITAN TOOLBAR
Green Bay Dressed Beef
Dean Derricks • 920-655-4730 Green Bay, WI Holstein Steers • Fed Cows • Lean Cows
Chad McQuade • 605-668-4275 Yankton, SD Lean Cows • Bulls
Mike Baczwaski • 800-445-0042 Gibbon, NE Fed Cows • Lean Cows • Bulls
stutsmansequipment.com | 319.679.2281
Long Prairie Buying Station
Cody Ritter • 320-293-5212 • 320-732-8358 Long Prairie, MN
Dairy Star • Saturday, July 11, 2020 • Page 35
ConĆ&#x;nued from CURDS | Page 34
The GA-400 Gopher Getter is our standard three-point hitch model.
The GA-300 Gopher Getter attaches to a category 2 or 3 standard or quick hitch.
The GA-700 Gopher Getter is our heavy-duty 3-point model.
The GA-800 Gopher Getter is our NEWEST, heavy-duty quick hitch model.
% " !$ %% % ### PHOTO SUBMITTED
One of Jacki Goplin’s cows shares the news that Returning The Favor donated $15,000 to Curds For Kids. Goplin and her family milk 90 cows near Pigeon Falls, Wisconsin. to ďƒ&#x;y a banner overhead announcing the donation, that plan was scraped due to the weather. Pastor Mary Ann was enlisted to ďƒžnd another way to spring the surprise on the pair, and arranged for neighbors to congregate at the Goplins’ farm, and a cow to be the bearer of the good news. “Returning the Favorâ€? gifted Curds for Kids $15,000 to continue providing the curds throughout the duration of the summer with hopes that students will be back in the classroom come fall. Curds for Kids was able to purchase an additional three tons of cheese curds, which is enough to feed their Trempealeau County school children for ďƒžve weeks. To illustrate the importance of the donation for dairy farmers, Curds for Kids shared that the three tons of cheese
curds purchased utilizes one day’s worth of milk from 1,000 local cows. While Goplin and Stay have focused their efforts on supplying Trempealeau County school children, they are happy to see the neighboring counties of Jackson and Clark begin their own versions of the Curds for Kids program, and all of the other dairy product donation efforts that have grown around the state. “Cheese curds are such an easy and nutrient-dense snack,� Goplin said. “One of the good outcomes of this has been getting cheese curds to these families, and maybe to kids who have never had them before. And hopefully we are creating a new generation of consumers.�
Patented US 7,810,450 B2
Advanced Cow Management Solutions for Robotic Milking > > > >
Sort Gates Scissors Gates Specialized Gating Clean Access Man Walks Request
FREE EQUIPMENT GUIDES on our Entire Product Line!
Tipped forward in training mode
Call 866-543-5116 sales@sturdybuiltmfg.net
260 S. Muddy Creek Rd. Denver, PA 17517
Wifo Farm Equipment Toll free: 1-800-390-4752 | Web: www.wifo.ca Email: abe@streamsideindustries.com Round Bale Spinner Model: RBS
Custom Loader Attachments
**Dealer Inquiries Welcome** Please call for more information Quantity discounts available More Wifo products online
•Hydraulic hoses and couplers included withattachments that require to have for operation •Comes with loader mount
Heavy Duty Square Bale Hugger Model: SBH
Page 36 • Dairy Star • Saturday, July 11, 2020
Women In Dairy Shauna Szymanski Cassel, Wisconsin Marathon County 45 cows Family: My husband, Tom, and kids, Henry, 6, Isabelle, 4, Amelia, 3, and Ivan, who was born at the end of June. Tell us about your farm. The farm we are on was my husband’s grandpa’s farm that we started renting in 2011 and bought in 2015. We became certied organic through MOSA soon after. It has been a lot of work since day one, with remodeling the house, building a new milk house, and updating machinery and the other buildings. We milk 45 cows and raise our youngstock along with four litters of pigs a year that we farrow from our own sows. We are on the path of having the cattle certied organic by fall with the plan of shipping organic milk soon after. Our farm also has 250 certied organic acres that my husband and I run by ourselves. We grow corn, hay and small grains which is fed to our animals. My husband works Friday, Saturday and Sunday in town so the barn chores and animal care fall on my shoulders with the help of our children. Our children are in the barn every day helping with feeding calves, scraping pens and doing other little chores that help show them the responsibility of farming. What is the busiest time of day for you? My busiest time of the day would be morning and night chore time, but depending on the time of year, it can be nonstop all day. Between milking, feeding, other barn chores, the four children and eldwork, my day is pretty much go-go-go all day long. When you get a spare moment what do you do? I like to either tend to my goats, poultry or garden. I love to raise bottle goats every year. They are awesome for weed control and are fun to have around the farm. We also have chickens, ducks, geese and, new this year, a couple turkeys. We do collect eggs for family and friends, but they also are fun to watch grow and free range around the farm. My children have really tamed down the geese and ducks that they walk up to them and pet them like dogs. Tell us about your most memorable experience working on the farm. My most memorable experience working on the farm would have to be the day my husband got
down on one knee in the middle of the barn alley and proposed to me after we came home from a date and had to do late night barn check on a cow that was due to freshen. I will never forget that day and think of it often when I think of all the hardships we have overcome and the successes we have had since then. What have you enjoyed most about dairy farming or your tie to the dairy industry? The thing I enjoy most about dairy farming is raising our kids doing it all. It is just amazing the amount they pick up on and learn from growing up in this lifestyle. Watching them grow into the independent little people they are amazes us. How do you stay connected with others in the industry? The ways I stay connected to others is the dairy industry is by the Facebook groups Dairy Moms and True Moms of Agriculture, and taking a trip to the neighbors and chatting with them. Who is someone in the industry who has inspired you? I would have to say that my grandpa is who inspired me to get into this industry. Every weekend I would go to his farm and help him with his 50-cow dairy. Spending all my free time on the farm gave me my love for animals and farming. Without him and his farm, I would have never met my husband who happened to be farming with his family right down the road. If you could give a tour of your farm to a prominent woman in today’s society, who would it be? It wouldn’t matter who it was, I would want them to know the importance of the small family farm and what owning a farm means to us. It is more than a business to us, it is a way of life that we as family couldn’t imagine living without. What is the best vacation you have ever taken? Honestly, we haven’t had a true vacation since we have started farming in 2011. The closest thing we have to vacations is taking a drive to look at the eld and going to talk to the neighbors. We are planning on taking a well-deserved vacation in three years on our 10-year wedding anniversary.
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
What are some words you like to live by? Don’t let anyone tell you can’t do something. Having a can-do attitude is the most important thing you can do. This industry is a difcult industry to navigate, and you have to stay as positive as you can to be able to survive it.
tfn
A floor that works as hard as you do! EASY TO CLEAN!
GEA EL48-6D6100 Manure Tanker - $62,500
Patz 500XH Vertical TMR Mixer - $26,000
Bush Hog 2620 Rotary Mower- $9,500
IMPERVIOUS TO MILK AND WATER!
WE ALL KNOW THE T CONCRETE IS BAD!!
WE CAN REFURBISH IT! PARLORS, FEED BUNKS, MILKING AREAS, VET AREAS, NEW OR OLD FACILITIES
Artex SB200 Manure Spreader - $24,500
GEA SP-3B-10 Manure Pump- $6,000
Lots of Used Mixers • Variety of Manure Pumps and Tanks Used Manure Spreaders • All on Hand!
Book now to receive winter discounts.
1660 Jordan West Rd., Decorah, IA
563-382-4484
JOHN BECKNER
320-808-3284 johnbrww@runestone.net
Cloverdale Super Carrier 14 Bale Accumulator - Call
www.brynsaas.com
Dairy Star • Saturday, July 11, 2020 • Page 37
Dairy producer brings ďƒ&#x;avor to farmers markets
6$8. &(175( 01 3KRQH
ZZZ PPFMG FRP
2017, 103 Hrs, RWA, Active Fill Control, Harvest Lab and Autotrac Ready, ProDrive, Dual Header Drive, Leather Seat
$
STACEY SMART/DAIRY STAR
Shelly Grosenick, owner of Crimson Kitchen and Gardens, and her daughter, Maddy, work the farmers market June 23 in Watertown, Wisconsin.
Grosenick’s garden, raw milk soap appeal to many By Stacey Smart
stacey.s@dairystar.com
LEBANON, Wis. – Creating a food experience is Shelly Grosenick’s passion in life. This dairy farmer found her niche several years ago when launching Crimson Kitchen and Gardens – an endeavor ďƒžxated on her zest for the edible. “My business is all about bringing fun back to healthy food,â€? Grosenick said. “I like trying new things and providing something delicious that makes people feel special while at the same time catering to allergies and other health concerns customers may have.â€? Specializing in jams, jellies, salsa and pickles, Grosenick also sells fresh produce from her garden, canned goods, fresh baked breads and raw milk soap – the newest item in her ever-expanding product offering. “The soap is a piece of the farm, allowing me to connect the dairy to the garden,â€? said Grosenick, who began making soap last fall. “This is a full-circle family farm, and the soap allows me to use milk from my dairy that would otherwise be thrown away. It’s perfect for making soap.â€? Grosenick and her husband, Jim, milk 250 cows and farm 300 acres in Lebanon. The couple has two children – Maddy, 7, and Tucker, 5 – who love to help their mom in the garden. Grosenick’s half-acre garden contains a wide variety of plants, including more than 60 tomato varieties, six kinds of
watermelon, six types of bean, sweet and hot pepper, cabbage, lettuce, broccoli, cauliďƒ&#x;ower, kale, Brussel sprout, cucumber, potato, okra, corn, beet, squash, pumpkin, licorice basil and more. More than 1,000 plants ďƒžll her garden. “You name it, I grow it,â€? Grosenick said. Coming up with new products is a fun challenge for Grosenick who knows her way around the garden and kitchen quite well. “I’ve been gardening my entire life,â€? said Grosenick, who is not afraid to think outside the box when growing food and developing recipes. What once started as a hobby turned into a necessity before morphing into a business in 2016. Grosenick suffers from an autoimmune disorder, a ďƒžnding that was made after she had her son and fell very ill for quite some time. A plethora of food sensitivities and allergies accompanied her sickness, leaving Grosenick unable to consume most store bought foods. “I couldn’t eat an apple from the grocery store,â€? Grosenick said. “It made me sick. I only felt good when I ate my own food.â€? This discovery led to a burst of creativity for Grosenick who craved more variety in her diet. She began experimenting with new plants and recipes, and when she brought her ďƒ&#x;avorful foods to parties or other events, people wanted to buy it. “This was timed well with a drop in milk prices and helped us out ďƒžnancially,â€? Grosenick said. “It’s a good way to diversify.â€?
429,000
8700, 2017, 1235 Hrs, RWA ......................$368,800 8700, 2016, 890 Hrs, RWA ........................$367,900 8600, 2016, 785 Hrs, RWA ........................$359,000 8600, 2015, 1197 Hrs, RWA ......................$262,500 8500, 2017, 103 Hrs, RWA ........................$429,000 8500, 2016, 665 Hrs, RWA ........................$329,000 8500, 2016, 588 Hrs, RWA ....................... $315,000 8400, 2015, 1110 Hrs, RWA ......................$257,400 8300, 2017, 350 Hrs, RWA ........................$336,400 7780, 2014, 1301 Hrs, RWA ......................$239,000 6810, 1996, 4925 Hrs, 2WD ........................$29,500 Claas 860, 2000, 4870 Hrs, RWA ...............$59,500 NH FR9090, 2008,1998 Hrs ..................... $139,000 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.
“Now that we have the robots, we have the time to be better managers. Because of this, we have the time to make the barn as cow-comfortable as possible.�
Turn to GROSENICK | Page 38
Contact your local Lely Center!
Eastern Iowa Dairy Systems Epworth, IA 563-876-3087
Better Managers and More Comfortable Cows The Lely Astronaut A5 robotic milking system helps you achieve optimal freedom of movement for your cows. With free-cow traďŹƒc, cows decide when to eat, drink, relax or be milked, so you can focus on making your operation the best it can be.
The way to dairy.
TM
www.lely.com
STACEY SMART/DAIRY STAR
Shelly Grosenick makes and sells soap using waste milk from her family’s dairy farm near Lebanon, Wisconsin.
Š 2020, Lely North America, Inc., All Rights Reserved. 0612_0620_US
Page 38 • Dairy Star • Saturday, July 11, 2020
ConƟnued from GROSENICK | Page 37
From May through October, Grosenick sells her products at the Watertown, Horicon and Hustisford farmers markets. To keep busy in winter, Grosenick attends craft fairs, cookie walks and other events. Grosenick also ships products and said she has done more shipping this year than ever before, sending her food and soaps to 10 states. Grosenick also sells extra produce to local outlets, like the hospital restaurant. “My business complements the dairy side of things,” Grosenick said. “Manure from the farm is used as fertilizer in my garden. Overgrown or overripe produce is fed to the chickens or cows. We recycle bunker plastic and use it as a weed barrier in the garden. I also do a lot of companion planting and crop rotation. I believe in using old-fashioned techniques combined with new technology.” Chickens are used as a natural pesticide, eating bugs and reducing pests in the garden. “Our motto is waste not, want not,” said Grosenick, who does not like to see anything on the farm end up in the garbage. “We believe in creative efciency and using what we have to make new things.” When making soap, Grosenick also uses herbs from her garden and tallow, which is the fat from their butchered animals. “I like taking products from our farm and turning them into something usable,” Grosenick said. “People love the soap –
STACEY SMART/DAIRY STAR
Shelly and Jim Grosenick and their children, Maddy, 7, and Tucker, 5, stand in the freestall barn at their farm located in Lebanon, Wisconsin. The Grosenicks milk 250 cows and farm 300 acres. it’s really taking off.” Her soap is available in about a dozen varieties including blooming lilac, chocolate mint, Caribbean colada, cherry almond and warm vanilla with additional varieties offered at Christmas time. “I have seasonal varieties for all of my products,” Grosenick said. Last year, Grosenick introduced veggie boxes – an assortment of fresh vegetables and other Crimson Kitchen and Gardens signature items available at different price points. The popular boxes are lled with in-season vegetables and herbs from Grosenick’s garden.
She also tucks in fresh baked bread and a jam or jelly. “I like to provide people the opportunity to try something new and exciting, but I’m exible in what I offer and will customize boxes upon request,” Grosenick said. In addition, Grosenick began making home deliveries in 2019. “Not a lot of people offer local delivery,” Grosenick said. “But it works well for me in between markets.” To satisfy a range of taste buds, Grosenick offers sweet, savory and spicy products as well as low-sugar options. She is adamant about food safety
and uses all United States Department of Agriculture-approved recipes, which allows her to experiment with ingredients. Grosenick’s Spring Fever spread is made with no sugars, llers or preservatives and can dress up a sandwich by replacing mayonnaise, ketchup or mustard. It can also be mixed with cream cheese, mayo and sour cream to create a dip. Grosenick prides herself on unrivaled jam and jelly avors not found in a store, like whiskey old-fashioned jelly, Moscato jelly, mimosa jelly, chipotle strawberry jam, balsamic onion jam and pineapple habanero
jam. From carrots to mushrooms to asparagus and more, her pickled vegetables are concocted with avors ranging from friendly to ery. “I always provide ideas for how to eat my products and often mention how well dairy pairs with a lot of these items,” Grosenick said. “For example, I recommend mixing my jams with yogurt or cream cheese.” Grosenick grows many unique heirloom veggies and fruits such as dragon tongue beans, orange watermelon and Black Krim, Sunrise Bumblebee, Chocolate Cherry, White Cherry and Berkeley Tie Dye tomatoes. “Each year we pick something new to grow,” said Grosenick, whose garden peaks in August and September. At Christmas, Grosenick offers gift boxes, a highlight of which is her Christmas jam. “It tastes like Christmas in a jar,” Grosenick said. “It’s so popular, I can’t keep it in stock.” Grosenick also makes exclusive items like her motherin-law’s famous peanut brittle and her grandmother’s rhubarb pie. She credits the two women, both of whom passed away last winter, as inspiration for her business, having taught her a great deal about gardening, canning, baking and more. “This is a lifestyle for me and the message out of my mess,” Grosenick said. “Every single person has a talent they can use to help someone else.”
Smarterer 1/2
The revolution in better kernel processing starts with Scherer replacement rolls. Each custom kernel processor roll is heat-treated, hard-chrome plated and dual-plane balanced, and is designed for virtually every major brand. Scherer rolls with replaceable shafts always deliver improved performance at every turn.
LEADING THE PROCESSING REVOLUTION
1• 8 0 0 • 8 8 3 • 9 7 9 0 schererinc.com
Dairy prole
Dairy Star • Saturday, July 11, 2020 • Page 39
sponsored by
Allen Dornacker Dornacker Prairie Acres West Bend, Wisconsin Washington County 300 cows How did you get into farming? My dad and uncle farmed for 30 years together. When my uncle retired, I bought out his half and started farming with my dad the year after I completed the Fox Valley Technical College Farm Operations Short Course program. We are milking 265 cows – 180 of them are in a naturally ventilated 3-row barn with three Lely robots and 85 are being milked in our old double-6 herringbone parlor. The only way to cashow the new barn was to keep milking in the old one, too. So, we doubled our herd and went from 130 to 265 cows. We work about 1,000 acres of land. We raise our heifers and steers and nish out about half of the steers. We’ve been crossbreeding since 2016 doing a three-way cross of Holstein, Montbéliarde and Swedish Red. The crosses have better conception rates, fewer health problems, and better butterfat and protein. Also, the calves are healthy. We’ve cut our dead-on-arrival rate in half since switching to crossbreeds. What are your thoughts and concerns about the dairy industry for the next year? Supply management and a potential second wave of COVID-19 problems. What is the latest technology you implemented on your farm and the purpose for it? We built a new robot barn and manure pit. We wanted to modernize and build something that would be more labor-efcient in the long run. The new manure pit increased
Tell us about a skill you possess that makes dairy farming easier for you. I’m innovative and able to come up with creative ideas to solve problems. What do you enjoy most about dairy farming? Making high-quality feed and seeing the results in high-producing, healthy cows. What advice would you give other dairy farmers? Don’t be afraid to try new things. What has been the best purchase you have ever made on your farm? A skidloader. It saves lots of time and manual labor.
STACEY SMART/DAIRY STAR
The Dornacker family – (front, from leŌ) Kate, 12, Jack, 10, Adam, 9, and Anna, 7; (back, from leŌ) Ralph and Allen – milks 265 cows and farms 1,000 acres near West Bend, Wisconsin. Not pictured is Allen’s wife, Nancy. our storage capacity from three months to a year’s worth. What is a management practice you changed in the past year that has beneted you? We built a larger feed bunker silo instead of using bags so feed would be more consistent. Dry matter is more consistent. We also started composting our bedding pack and waste feed to prevent vomitoxin (DOM) in our forages. Rather than spreading this material directly on the eld and inoculating the bad bugs in the soil, we now heat it and break it down. Our corn silage and shelled corn vomitoxin levels have drastically gone down, and cow health is much better. We’re also doing a lot of cover crops now, and I built a
cover crop seeder to go on the front of the tractor when sidedressing nitrogen on the corn crop so I can interseed to establish a cover crop. The seeder can also be used with a vertical tillage tool. What cost-saving steps have you implemented during the low milk price? We lowered the robot pellets by 2 pounds and the milk has stayed the same by feeding high neutral detergent ber digestibility forages. How do you retain a good working relationship with your employees? Compliment them often, reinforce good behavior and make them feel like they are part of a winning team.
What has been your biggest accomplishment while dairy farming? Improving herd health by deep bedding stalls. We began using alternative animal paper bedding in 2013 and started deep bedding in 2016, which is when we noticed positive results. Laminitis, swollen hocks and new mastitis cases went down by 50%. We now use twice as much bedding, but the increased bedding cost has more than paid for itself through better cow comfort, longevity, reproduction and a reduction in mastitis. What are your plans for your dairy in the next year and ve years? We hope to be able to expand the robot barn to accommodate the cows that are being milked in the old barn and retire the 1980 parlor. How do you or your family like to spend time when you are not doing chores? Go up north to my parents’ cottage, snowmobile and bike ride.
Great leafy corn silage
starts with the correct RFS Hybrids Relative Maturity 95-110 days
E. Rissler Mfg. LLC
Mt. Hope, WI
608-988-4568 www.ksc@tds.net
GREENWOOD SEALED SILOS DELIVER QUALITY FEED
MANUFACTURING IN PENNSYLVANIA SINCE 1971
365 Days a Year
FARMERS UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF PUTTING QUALITY FEED IN FRONT OF THEIR COWS. As farmers ourselves, we know a well-maintained sealed silo is an integral part of providing your cows with consistent, quality feed.
New Enterprise, PA
814-766-2246
715.267.1416
Maki Farm Service Curtis, WI Podevels Sales & Service MarshÀeld, WI Reinke Sales Green Bay, WI Swiderski’s Antigo, WI
N10828 County Highway O Greenwood, WI 54437
Call For Your Local Dealer:
sales@greenwoodsilo.com
PLUS, OUR SILOS OFFER: ` sealed construction ` reliable bottom-unloading ` consistent fermentation ` all-weather push-button operation ` QR SODVWLF DQG OHVV UXQRǥ ` less land use ` smaller land footprint
www.greenwoodsilo.com/goodasnew
Page 40 • Dairy Star • Saturday, July 11, 2020
Take-off arms: Drop-down or non-drop-down
5VCNN CPINGU Œ QT Œ
%QPĆ‚IWTCVKQPU VQ UVCNNU
8GTUCVKNG FGUKIP VQ Ć‚V [QWT HCTO GEA has taken rotary parlor innovation to a new level with the heavy-duty DairyRotor T8000 series. The new low-proďŹ le cabinet design — engineered for fast, smooth cow ow on and o the platform — can be paired with two dierent undercarriage options. Let our team help turn your rotary parlor vision into reality with the DairyRotor T8000.
Your Local GEA Milking Equipment Dealers: #FXCPEGF &CKT[ 5QNWVKQPU /QPTQG 9GUVHCNKC5WTIG Advanced Dairy Solutions Leedstone, Inc. (WNNGToU /KNMGT %GPVGT +PE Monroe WestfaliaSurge Eastern Iowa Dairy Systems Richland Center, Lancaster, WI • 800-887-4634 Richland Center, WIWI Melrose, MN Monroe, WI • 608-325-2772 Epworth,WI IA •• (563) 876-3087 Monroe, 608-325-2772 608-647-4488 • 800-772-4770 320-256-3303 • 800-996-3303 608-647-4488 • 800-772-4770 Glencoe, MN J Gile Dairy Equipment .GGFUVQPG +PE Sioux Dairy Equipment, Inc. 5KQWZ &CKT[ 'SWKROGPV +PE Centre Dairy Equipment 320-864-5575 • 877-864-5575 Rock Valley, IA Cuba City, WI %GPVTCN #I 5WRRN[ +PE Melrose, MN Rock Valley, IA• (608) 744-2661 and Supply Inc. Plainview, MN • 800-548-5240 712-476-5608 • 800-962-4346 Baraboo, WI • 608-356-8384 Menomonie, WI •320-256-3303 • 800-996-3303 712-476-5608 • 800-962-4346 Sauk Centre, MN 715.231.8090 Colton, SD Service 800-944-1217 Preston Dairy Equipment Juneau, WI • 920-386-2611 Glencoe, MN Colton, 320-352-5762 • 800-342-2697 Edgerton, MN Chemical Sales Sparta,SD WI • (608) 269-3830 320-864-5575 Service 800-944-1217 Midwest Livestock Systems, LLC • 877-864-5575 507-920-8626 %GPVTG &CKT[ 'SWKROGPV CPF 5WRRN[ +PE Fuller’s Milker Center, Inc. Zumbrota, MN • 800-233-8937 Stanley Schmitz, Inc. Edgerton, MN Lancaster, WI • MN 800-887-4634 Menomonie, WI •/KFYGUV .KXGUVQEM 5[UVGOU +PE 715-235-5144 Central Ag Supply Inc. Chilton, WI • 920-849-4209 Sauk Centre, Chemical Sales 507-920-8626 WI • 920-386-2611 320-352-5762 • 800-342-2697Sioux Falls, MN • 800-705-1447 Menomonie, WI •Juneau, 715-235-5144 Beatrice, NE • 800-742-5748 Baraboo, WI • 608-356-8384 Tri-County Dairy Supply Owen, WI • 715-229-4740 #FXCPEGF &CKT[ 5QNWVKQPU Janesville, WI • (608) 757-2697 (KV\IGTCNF +PE Pine Island, MN • 800-233-8937 Richland Center, WI Elkader, IA • 563-245-2560 Sioux Falls, MN • 800-705-1447 608-647-4488 Beatrice, NE • 800-742-5748