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Volume 27, No. 4
Advocating for agriculture
April 12, 2025
“All dairy, all the time”™
Friend, business partner gone too soon Hilby taking over farm one year at a time By Michelle Stangler Staff Writer
DANIELLE NAUMAN/DAIRY STAR
Wisconsin Secretary of Agriculture Randy Romanski addresses the crowd March 26 during the Wisconsin Farm Bureau FederaƟon’s Ag Day at the Capitol in Madison, Wisconsin. Romanski shared agricultural highlights of DemocraƟc Gov. Tony Evers’ budget proposal.
Farmers, legislators discuss industry needs, concerns By Danielle Nauman danielle.n@dairystar.com
MADISON, Wis. — Over 400 agricultural enthusiasts convened on Wisconsin’s capitol city to learn more about legislative issues of impact, and to take their concerns and ideas to their legislators at the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation’s Ag Day at the Capitol March 26. “Ag is a priority, (legislators) need to hear what you do, how you do it and what’s important to you,” said Wisconsin Secretary of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection Randy Romanski. “Wisconsin agriculture is an important part of our economy. It’s a $116.3 billion industry and employs nearly 10% of our citizenship — that demographic shows us all that ag is a part of our past, present and future.” Romanski shared agricultural priorities put forth by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers for the next biennial budget. He said many are building on programs with a history of success. “Many of the governor’s priorities are going to look really familiar,” Romanski said. “These are the same things the governor and legislature have worked together on in recent budgets, building on successful programs.”
Turn to AG DAY | Page 7
HAZEL GREEN, Wis. — In January, Nick Hilby lost his business partner and lifelong friend, Brandon Martin, to brain cancer. It was Martin who had given Hilby the opportunity to farm. “Brandon and his dad were always open to trying to help anybody get some sort of start,” Hilby said. Hilby always knew he wanted to farm, but without a family operation to take over, it did not seem like a real possibility. That changed when he met Martin. Meeting while helping out at Hilby’s uncle’s farm, the two boys Turn to HILBY | Page 6
PHOTO SUBMITTED
Nick Hilby (from leŌ), with his daughter, Emma, and Brandon MarƟn with Hilby’s son, Levi, stand in a eld overlooking MarƟn Dairy Farms near Hazel Green, Wisconsin. The Hilby and MarƟn farmed together since Hilby was a kid, up unƟl MarƟn’s passing in January.
Award-winning geneƟcs Henkes named Iowa Holstein Association Master Breeder By Dan Wacker
dan.w@dairystar.com
PHOTO SUBMITTED
The Henkes family — Shane (front, from leŌ), Owen, Leigh and Leah Lange; (back, from leŌ) MaƩ, Leslie and Trent Henkes, and Marshall Lange — stand Feb. 22 in Gutenberg, Iowa. The Henkes family manages a 96% homebred herd that includes 24 Excellents.
LUANA, Iowa — Being in charge of hosting the Iowa Holstein Association’s annual show means there must be trust involved with those you are working with. What show host Trent Henkes did not know was that the rest of the executive committee, and even his kids, were keeping a secret from him. During the awards ceremony, it was revealed that Henkes was winner of the 2025 Iowa Holstein Association Master Breeder award. “It’s truly an honor to receive,” Henkes said. “Our family is good Turn to HENKES | Page 2