JUNE IS
DAIRY MONTH TIME TO CELEBRATE THE DAIRY COMMUNITY AND HONOR OUR NATION’S HARDWORKING DAIRY FARM FAMILIES FOR THE WHOLESOME, NUTRITIOUS MILK AND DAIRY FOODS THEY PROVIDE.
(Pictured Below)
WINGERT DAIRY
“The people we have met in this industry make it great. We cherish each and every one of them,” Randi said. “Dairy farming teaches hard work, respect, give and take. Seeing a new calf born or how excited the kids get never gets old even though we’ve all seen it a million times.”
(Pictured Above)
DAHL FAMILY DAIRY
“I’ve always had a love for farming...the cattle, milking, field work, watching things grow, living in the middle of nowhere. It’s just a peaceful atmosphere and a slower paced life. We both agree that there is no better place to raise kids, than on a farm.”
(Pictured Left)
HAUGEN DAIRY The Haugens say they like what they do, and they intend to keep doing it. Vance summarized their operation as, “What we do is A way of doing dairy, it’s not THE way…The dairy industry is still a pretty good place to be.” This is a special section of the Fillmore County Journal I www.fillmorecountyjournal.com
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FILLMORE COUNTY JOURNAL
Monday, June 3, 2019
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Supporting America’s Dairy Industry
Dahl family dairy pushing forward
The Dahl family: Josh and Steph, Cashton, Jaxie, and Bricker. By Kirsten Zoellner The family dairy farm can conjure both the picture of a family working side by side, child toddling along in the pasture in dad’s shadow, and also a modern, conservation-minded operation. Both are true representations and are something both local and national spotlight has focused on in recent years. The growing trend in
“knowing thy farmer,” and the current dairy crisis have put the dairy farmer in a unique position and they’re holding firm the best they can and looking to the future of their industry by treasuring what they have and where they’ve come from. Rushford’s Josh and Steph Dahl are fourth generation on their farm. Josh’s great-grandparents Carl and Inga Howe
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Photo submitted were the first to settle the place in 1889 and begin farming, building their barn in 1905 and the farmhouse in which Josh and Steph live, in 1910. Josh’s grandmother Alette Howe was raised there, marrying Henry Dahl and beginning to farm themselves in 1957. Alette’s brothers, bachelors Harry and Edward also lived and farmed with the family. See DAHL FAMILY Page 3 ➤
Did you know?
Certain types of dairy can have a positive effect on blood pressure. According to the Cleveland Clinic, people with high blood pressure, which occurs when the force of blood pushing against blood vessel walls is above normal range, can look to diet to help lower their blood pressure. Among the foods that can benefit people with high blood pressure is low-fat dairy. Calciumrich foods, such as low-fat dairy products like skim milk, 1% milk and Greek yogurt, can help lower blood pressure. In addition, the Cleveland Clinic notes that low-fat and low-salt cheese also can help people achieve healthier blood pressure levels. People with healthy blood pressure can switch to low-fat dairy to avoid high blood pressure, which is often referred to as hypertension. In a study of more than 5,000 adults, researchers in Spain found that those who reported including the most low-fat dairy in their diets were 54% less likely to develop hypertension over a two-year period than those who consumed the least amount of low-fat dairy products.
Left to right, Cashton, Bricker, and Jaxie Dahl atop a hay bale on their family farm. Photo submitted
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DAHL FAMILY Continued from Page 2
In 1973, Josh’s parents, Jerry and Joyce Dahl, took over, buying it from his uncles and settling in a new homestead on the farm. It was there that they raised the six Dahl siblings: Janel, Jon, Jamie, Jason, Josh, and Laura. Josh didn’t initially plan on farming, instead graduating and heading to Minnesota West Community and Technical College, in Jackson, to train to be a lineman. “I ended up coming back to farming. Guess it’s in my blood,” says Josh. “I grew up Rushford’s Josh Dahl on his family’s dairy farm. Photo submitted doing it and always enjoyed it.” In 1999, Josh bought into the 440-acre farm. Initially, the family dairy, a traditional, 50-head tie-stall was on his parents’ place. Then Jerry and Josh upgraded to a double eight, parallel parlor at the original home site, milking 16 cows at a time. The improvement was a good move for Dahls and their cooperative, Foremost Farms. They currently milk around 170 cows. When not milking, the cows enjoy a comfortable life in a free-stall barn. In addition to the milkers, the family has around 15 dry cows, 180 The 440-acre Dahl farm is a fourth-generation family operation. heifers, and 20 calves at any Photo submitted given time. The numbers fluctuate during the year. A new calf barn was constructed in 2016 and a heifer shed, for when they’re not out on pasture, in 2017. That same year, the farm also put in a new 1.9 million gallon, concrete basin manure pit that can be emptied once a year when soil conditions are optimal. “The calf barn and heifer shed have been huge,” says Josh. “Getting them out of the elements, especially in the cold weather, EHLING UCTION O LLC has been better for everyone, 27741 State Hwy 16 • Preston, MN us included. Being able to keep a closer eye on our heifers has 507-765-2131 in turn made them into much www.gehlingauction.com more productive cows.” The family has also worked closely with the state and county increase the vitality of their WE SALUTE & SUPPORT THE DAIRY to soil and the water quality of their portion of the Root River FARMER Watershed. In 2018, they were honored as Conservation Farmers of the Year by the Root River Soil and Water Conserva• Cleaning Supplies • Fly Control Products tion District. All of the farm’s • Milk Filters • Dairy Towels • Animal Health improvements have been made to increase the health of the • Red Brand Fencing Supplies • Sioux Gates animals, with an eye on conser• Bale Feeders • Bunks vation and both water and soil • Twine • Net • Silo Wrap improvement, and to improve overall efficiency of the farm, • Bunker Covers Even with added efficiencies, the days of a dairy farmer are long and strenuous. Josh’s sisHrs: Mon-Fri 7:30-6 ter Janel focuses on the calves Sat 7:30-5 and brother Jon and his family recently moved back and will be 507-493-5217 joining the operation. The fam11748 St. ily also employs two additional
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Even little Bricker Dahl gets in on helping on the farm, bottle feeding one of the calves. Photo submitted
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Cashton and Jaxie Dahl bottle feeding some of the family’s calves. Photo submitted
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Monday, June 3, 2019
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DAHL FAMILY Continued from Page 3
workers, who arrive for 6 a.m. milking, working until noon, and then return to the farm for another five hours each afternoon. Josh is up early mixing feed for the twice daily milking, as well as for the heifers and dry cows, each with their own particular rations. He also helps with both milkings. “I have plenty to keep me busy during the day and evenings,” he admits. Besides daily feeding and milking, there’s a whole host of animal management, including overall nutrition, disease prevention, and health care, sorting, and their breeding program. Add to that repair and maintenance on the equipment, management of manure, and the planting, oversight, and harvest of crops. “I usually get in the house in the evenings anywhere between 9-11 p.m. depending on how the day goes, what I have going on and how many things break during the day,” Josh jokes. “During harvest season, it’s always later; sometimes I work straight through.” “It’s very rewarding to watch your crops grow, after all the
A young calf on the Dahl family farm. hard work and long hours that you’ve put into them,” he continues. “Same with the calves; watching them grow and turn into good milkers. It makes a guy happy.” Also making a guy happy has been a supportive wife. Steph grew up in Askov, Minn.,
Photo submitted
between the Twin Cities and Duluth. “Steph has wanted to live on a farm her whole life,” notes Josh. “Both of her parents lived on dairy farms growing up and she spent a lot of time at her grandparents farm when she See DAHL FAMILY Page 5 ➤
Josh Dahl in the family’s milking parlor with help from kids Cashton, Jaxie, and Bricker. Photo submitted
The Official Legal Newspaper for Fillmore County
Monday, June 3, 2019
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Supporting America’s Dairy Industry
DAHL FAMILY Continued from Page 4
was young.” The two were fortunate to find each other, having met on the agriculture-lifestyle online dating site, FarmersOnly. com, in 2010. Married in 2013, the pair has welcomed three children to the family farm: twins Cashton and Jaxie, and Bricker. “It’s been great having a wife who loves the farm, is supportive, and understanding and having kids that absolutely love farming too,” enthuses Josh. “They want to constantly help me with whatever I’m doing, learn what everything is and how it works, and ride with me no matter what I’m driving. They are great little helpers!” The family has been a boon in tough times and has held
tight together through the current dairy crisis. As dairy farms across the country struggle, they are hoping the low milk prices will change soon. “We just hope and pray every day that things get better, so we can continue to do what we love and that our kids will eventually be able to farm here if they choose to,” says Josh. “Farmers put a lot of money back into the local economy.” Josh, Steph and their family are pushing forward, keeping their family’s tradition close at heart. “I’ve always had a love for farming... the cattle, milking, field work, watching things grow, living in the middle of nowhere. It’s just a peaceful atmosphere and a slower paced life. We both agree that there is no better place to raise kids, than on a farm.”
Soil sampling – a useful tool for farming, gardening and lawn care By Michael Cruse Extension Educator Fillmore and Houston Counties Soil sampling is one of the most basic and informative tools an individual can use to take care of their Michael Cruse crops, garden and lawns. From one little bag of soil we can find out if our plants have access to basic nutrients, whether the pH of our soil is where it needs to be, or if we have too much salt or lead in our soil. And just how easy is it to take a soil sample? Well, here are the basic instructions.
do not do a soil test. Many crop producers now contract out this service and couple this work with other services like variable rate application of fertilizers. For those who do not contract out their soil sampling, con-
sider taking a sample the next time you are adding fertilizer or diagnosing a problem with your lawn. You just might save yourself some time and money while at the same time reducing your impact on the environment.
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location in your field, lawn or garden. about seven to nine times. place a small sample in a bag. soil testing lab and wait for results. It really is that easy. And furthermore, we have the tools for taking the samples and the bags to send the samples in just waiting for you at the local Extension office. As I write this I can hear what some people are saying, “Mike, I have been gardening for years and have never taken a soil sample. I seem to do alright without one.” More power to you to, but at best what you are doing is winging it. And winging it never truly works. Let’s say that you add fertilizer to your garden/lawn every year and you get desirable results. So all the nutrients you need must be there, right? What are the chances that you are over applying and losing nitrogen or phosphorus to local water sources? Kind of a big deal considering the karst topography of the region. Long story short, there is no way to be sure if your soils are at the correct pH, if nutrients are available to your crops, or if you have other basic issues if you
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Monday, June 3, 2019
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Supporting America’s Dairy Industry
Harmony dairy family forges on despite challenges By Hannah Wingert Jim and Randi Wingert of Harmony know what it is to work hard, but they also know how fulfilling that work can be for their whole family. “It’s honorable, rewarding, yet the most challenging work some days,” Randi said. Jim and Randi along with their seven children, Coltin (19), Morgan (17), Claytin (12), Mady (11), Melony (8), Maggie (8), and Martina (7) run a dairy farm just outside of Harmony. The family milks a herd of about 90 head, consisting of registered Ayrshires, Brown Swiss, and crossbreds. “We don’t have any hired help. It’s just us and the kids,” Randi said. In addition to the cows, the Wingerts also raise chickens and ducks for their eggs, which are sold to Estelle’s in Harmony. They usually raise a few feeder pigs as well each year for their family. As if raising seven children and running a dairy farm wasn’t enough, in the past two years, Jim and Randi have each added a full-time job to their already
full plates, a change made necessary by the low milk prices that have plagued dairy farmers over the last three to four years. Jim drives feed truck for a company in Leroy, and Randi works at Harmony Kids. Their day starts at 4 a.m. when the two of them head out to the barn to do the morning chores. After chores, Randi leaves for work, followed a little while later by Jim. Jim often doesn’t return home from his job until after 10 p.m. so when Randi arrives home in the afternoon, she and the kids work together to get the evening chores done. If for some reason, she’s running late, the kids pitch right in and get things done. “We have the best hired help,” she said, smiling. “If somebody’s gone, everyone knows where to fill in.” Their kids are just as devoted to the farm as Jim and Randi are and enjoy taking care of the cows. “Their hard work and dedication to their animals is amazing,” Randi said. The full-time jobs aren’t the only thing that has changed on
Jim and Randi Wingert run their dairy farm with the help of their seven kids. Photo by Hannah Wingert the Wingert dairy farm since milk prices started dropping. “Farm-wise, we do everything ourselves,” Randi explained. The family does their own repairs on their equipment now, ordering parts and sup-
plies online and watching YouTube videos to figure out how to do new things. They’ve also cut back on their household expenses, saving money wherever they can. “We’ve sacrificed a lot,” Randi said. “The
cows eat first. End of story. Whatever’s left over, that’s what we get to try to live off of.” When they first noticed that things were getting a little See WINGERT FAMILY Page 7 ➤
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Supporting America’s Dairy Industry
WINGERT FAMILY Continued from Page 6
tighter, Jim and Randi tried to combat it by adding a third milking to their daily schedule, in addition to the morning and evening ones they already did everyday. They were able to stick to that for 16 months, but when they realized that their cows weren’t handling the strenuous schedule very well anymore, they knew they had to go back to just two daily milkings. “We had times it
worked well for us, but it was starting to wear on everything,” Randi said, explaining that even their equipment was showing signs of wearing down from the extra milking. In addition to that, their oldest son, Coltin, was heading off to college at the University of Wiconsin-River Falls to study dairy management, and it just wasn’t feasible to keep milking three times a day without his help. Shortly after that, Randi began her full-time job off the farm, followed by Jim a month
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later. For Jim and Randi, the future of their dairy farm is uncertain. “We hope there’s a future, but we just don’t know,” Randi said. For now, the couple takes it day by day and sometimes hour by hour, as they watch one after another of their fellow dairy farmers close their milking parlors for good. “For now we just keep trudging forward,” she said. “We can’t afford to stay and we can’t afford to get out,” Jim added. “We are literally paying to work right now and that’s every dairy farm.” Randi pointed out that each time a dairy farm shuts down, it doesn’t just affect that farmer, but also hurts the local economy. “During the week, we do farm business with 10-15 businesses,” she explained. “They’re all affected.” Despite the hardship and the uncertainty, Jim and Randi are grateful for their farm and everything it’s given their family. “I got to stay home and raise the kids, and I am so thankful for that,” Randi said. The kids are involved in 4-H and FFA, both of which have provided them with many
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opportunities and lifelong skills. Morgan is currently serving as a MN State Brown Swiss Ambassador, which allows her to share her love of dairy farming. The whole family has also forged lifelong friendships with others in the dairy business. “The people we
have met in this industry make it great. We cherish each and every one of them,” Randi said. “Dairy farming teaches hard work, respect, give and take. Seeing a new calf born or how excited the kids get never gets old even though we’ve all seen it a million times.”
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Page 8
FILLMORE COUNTY JOURNAL
Monday, June 3, 2019
The Official Legal Newspaper for Fillmore County
Supporting America’s Dairy Industry vigor.” The farm totals about 270 acres, and the Haugens have learned the most efficient ways to fence off and rotate the pastures to be used. Vance stated, “About every 12 hours, they’ve got a new place to eat… that’s rotational grazing.” Another difference, according to Vance is, “Most dairy farms run 365 days out of the year. We choose to dry everything off in January, take a month and a half or two month break. One advantage to this seasonal system, according to Bonnie, is, “When a calf is born, when the
Haugens love dairy farming
cow needs nutrition to ramp up for their milk production, because we’re grazers. We try to have them freshen so as their nutritional needs are increasing, that’s when the best grass is available for them.” Over recent decades, technology and evolving policy have created many changes and challenges for the dairy industry. Vance stated his opinion that, “Times are changing. The dairy industry is changing. In 20 years, we’ve lost two thirds of See HAUGEN DAIRY Page 9 ➤
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for supporting Dairy Producers! Olaf Haugen says calving time is “a marathon, not a sprint.” By Rich Wicks One of the traditional images that represents the Fillmore County area is a herd of dairy cows out grazing in the pasture. Over the years, small dairy operations have become less and less common. But for Olaf Haugen, and his parents Vance and Bonnie Haugen, it’s still their way of life, and they recently gave a peek inside their farm and lifestyle. The Haugen farm is located a few miles outside of Canton, on Deer Road. Vance and Bonnie started their dairy farm in 1993, and from the start, they
chose to implement rotational grazing. Vance explained, “What we do a little bit differently here, instead of bringing all of the feed to the cows, and the cows staying in one place, we have, for six to eight months of the year, depending on how the growing season is, we bring the cows to the feed. And that’s been a real economic improvement for us. It’s kept us in the dairy game. This particular system, since we’ve got lower investment, gives an opportunity for people to stay in the business.” Vance explained that their
Photo by Rich Wicks son Olaf has taken over managing the farm, Bonnie does most of the bookwork, and Vance does “a little bit of running around, but that’s about it.” They also have a hired hand. Vance said Olaf had been working at John Deere, and only considered changing careers if he could get a comparable income. Vance said so far, the dairy has fulfilled that expectation for Olaf, and he now lives with his own family, just a couple of miles from the farm. The Haugen farm has around 200 cows, and they are Holstein and Jersey base, with Norwegian Reds and Normandy. Vance pointed out that there are six major breeds of U.S. dairy cows, but added, “If you cross-breed, you get hybrid
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Olaf pointed out that the dairy industry is developing a Continued from Page 8 number of “niche markets” such the dairy herds in the U.S. And as non-dairy milk (almond milk it’s nothing evil or nefarious, it’s and similar products), organic just a policy decision.” These milk, grass-fed milk, etc. These changes, according to Vance, products have all tended to are making it tougher for new demand a higher price in the dairies to start up and succeed store, but some consumers are willing to pay that. For the bulk of the market, though, low price is still the name of the game. So dairy producers are continually striving to find ways to be more efficient, and to control costs. Vance explained that one advantage of a rotational grazing dairy is the ability to have less buildings and equipment, saying, “We choose not to have any major buildings… Free stall barns are running anywhere around $2,000 to $3,000 per stall… We built a milking parlor ourselves back 20 some years ago.” Vance expressed his feeling that, “I personally want to see more livestock on the land, and I want to see them on the land correctly.” He also stated that one result of the current trend of fewer small dairies, is fewer and Olaf Haugen, a dairy farmer outstanding in his field. Photo by Rich Wicks fewer young people growing up on dairy farms, meaning there are less people likely to go into Our thanks and salute to area Dairy Producers the dairy industry. The Haugens say they like what they do, and they intend to keep doing it. Vance summarized their operation as, “What we do is A way of doing dairy, it’s not THE way… The dairy industry is still 302 Industrial Dr., Rushford, MN 55971 a pretty good place to be.”
HAUGEN DAIRY
(especially smaller operations), but he adds that there are also unique challenges for large operations, such as liquid manure systems. He also explained that larger dairies require larger milk hauling trucks, which are much heavier and therefore hard on roads.
Monday, June 3, 2019
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Honoring our Dairy Producers
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Monday, June 3, 2019
The Official Legal Newspaper for Fillmore County
How can you control weeds if you choose not to spray herbicides? By Michael Cruse Extension Educator Fillmore and Houston Counties Spring is finally here! The temperatures are rising and our age-old nemesis – weeds – have returned to wreak havoc on our lawns, gardens and Michael Cruse fields. Everyone has the right to choose how they will control weeds on their property. For those who decide not to use herbicides, what are your options for weed control? First, I encourage you to look at a piece from the University of California Integrated Pest Management Program called Weed Management in Landscapes, which you can find at z.umn. edu/4b9g. This piece does a nice job of laying out weed control, including the use of herbicides.
For me it boiled down to two basic themes: preparation and compromise. How do you prepare to control weeds? If I know what kind of weeds grow in my lawn, garden or field and where they grow, I can better focus my efforts early in the season to control those weeds. If I know when weeds typically emerge in a field or garden maybe, I would choose to delay planting and control a flush of weeds with cultivation. And if I take soil samples, then I know if I am providing the proper level of nutrients to my crop or lawn, which allows it to compete with the weeds. Now where does compromise come in? For me compromise is about deciding what is most important to you and being willing to give in order to achieve that which you value most. For example, if you decide that the risks associated with using herbicides is too great, then you must accept that weed control for you 507-346-2579 800-660-MEAT M-F 7-5:30 Sat. 8-3 17643 121ST Ave. 4.5 miles South of Spring Valley on Hwy 63
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and diligent weed control efforts, we will still be fighting a neverending battle. So when deciding on how you will control weeds
Morem Electric
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will take longer and require more physical labor. Let’s consider a few of the options. Cultivation is the classic method used for weed control and can be very effective at controlling many weeds. But to be successful you have to cultivate multiple times throughout a growing season which can be demanding of both your time and your body. Also, cultivating too often can lead to the breakdown of soil structure and the loss of soil health. Other weed control methods like flaming, using hot water, or mowing also have positives and negatives. If you mow weeds after they have gone to seed all you are doing is dispersing those seeds to a greater area. Hot water may not contain any chemicals but it must remain very hot to be effective at killing small weeds, which is difficult to do. And using flames to burn weeds carries the obvious risks of burning yourself and starting fires. Long story short, there is no easy answer to controlling weeds. Even with the best site preparation, the healthiest crop or lawn,
Dairy Farmers!
Residential • Commercial • Farm • Industrial • Solar Installation
The FCJ reaches over 13,000 households each week.
FILLMORE COUNTY JOURNAL
Monday, June 3, 2019
Page 11
Supporting America’s Dairy Industry
Disaster recovery resources and information Parts of southeastern Minnesota were hit hard last weekend by severe weather, including three possible tornadoes in Fillmore County. Next comes the recovery process. Recovering from a natural disaster can be confusing and
stressful, but these resources might help. First, be sure to report any damage to your local emergency management team as soon as possible, even if the amount of damage you received was small. Here is contact information for the emer-
gency management personnel in our area. Even if you weren’t in the path of the storm, it’s good to save this information just in case. Kullot, director; 901 Houston St. NW, Preston, (507) 765-3874 Niday, director; 306 S. Marshall St, Courthouse, Ste 2008, (507) 725-3379 Klinger, director; 201 W. 3rd St, Winona, (507) 457-8266 Disaster recovery guides The state publishes several disaster recovery resources you might
601 W Highway 52 • Canton 507-743-2250 27743 State Hwy 16 • Preston 507-765-2484
We salute our area dairy famers! 3 mi. East Hwy 16 • Spring Valley, MN 507-346-2433
Visit us online! www.HylandMotorCo.com
13723 US 52 • Harmony, MN
507-886-4222
Thank you TO OUR AREA DAIRY FARMERS!
of Public Safety Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency has disaster recovery resources for homeowners, renters, business owners, local officials, https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/hsem/disaster-recovery/Pages/ homeowners-renters.aspx. merce provides a detailed disashttps:// dps.mn.gov/divisions/hsem/disasterrecovery/Documents/commercedisaster-packet.pdf. merce also has information that will help guide homeowners who https://mn.gov/commerce/consumers/your-home/protect/other/floods/ what-to-do.jsp. For questions regarding insurance claims You can also check out the merce Consumer Services Center. They will help you understand your rights and answer questions you might have regarding possible insurance claims. phone, (800) 657-3602; by email, emailconsumer.protection@state. mn.us; online, https://mn.gov/commerce/consumers/your-home/protect/ dic/.
H
Thanks To our area Dairy Farmers! ARMONY AGRI
SERVICES, INC.
P.O. Box 489, 25 2nd St. NE Harmony, MN 55939
HARMONY BLEND feeds TEL (507) 886-6062 1-800-762-4452
FAX (507) 886-6092 Web: www.harmonyagri.com
S & A Petroleum, Inc. Wholesale Gas & Diesel C-Stores Bulk Delivery
Thank you Dairy Farmers! Houston bp Food Shop
Lanesboro bp Food Shop
On Highway 16 East, Houston MN 507•896•3000
On Hwy 16 W, Lanesboro, MN 507•467•2121
Preston Motor Mart
Mabel bp Food Shop
On Hwy 52, Preston MN 507•765•3330
Hwy 44 & Locust, Mabel MN 507•493•5924
Custom Fencing Harmony, MN
MATES
TI FREE ES
• FENCING • CONTINUOUS FENCE • GUARD RAIL • WOVEN WIRE • HIGH TENSILE • FEEDLOT SETUP • BARBED WIRE • FENCE LINE REMOVAL
FOR FENCING CALL SAMUEL BACK 641-220-5102
Preston equiPment Jct. 52 & 16, Preston, mn
Ph: 507-765-3803
Complete exCavating ServiCe
www.preston-equipment.com
We Salute Our
Dairy prODucerS!
ConServation Work Site preparation SeptiC inStallation liCenSed & Bonded
Dan & aDam Sveen LANESBORO, mINNESOTA email: dansveen1@gmail.com
CHS offers Hubbard and Form-A-Feed services.
Now carrying Sullivan show supplies!
507-867-4311 321 N Main St • Chatfield, MN
chsrochester.com
Page 12
FILLMORE COUNTY JOURNAL
Monday, June 3, 2019
The Official Legal Newspaper for Fillmore County
Supporting America’s Dairy Industry
The benefits of including dairy in your diet A well-balanced diet has long been touted as a necessary component to a healthy lifestyle. When combined with routine exercise, a well-balanced diet can improve quality of life and reduce a person’s risk for various diseases. No well-balanced diet is complete without dairy. While many people may immediately associate milk with dairy, dairy products are much more diverse than that. In fact, including various dairy products in your diet can provide a host of diverse health benefits. Dairy products are nutrient-rich The United States Department of Agriculture notes that
dairy products provide a host of nutrients that are vital to overall health. often linked to dairy, calcium is vital for building strong bones and healthy teeth. Dairy also helps to maintain bone mass, helping men and women combat age-related bone loss. ucts such as yogurt, fluid milk and soy milk are good sources of potassium. That’s beneficial because diets rich in potassium help men and women maintain healthy blood pressures. vitamin D is widely associated with dairy, particularly milk.
Save the date for
Dairy Night ON THE FARM
Saturday, June 15 5:30-8:30 pm Event held rain or shine
Hosted by
Mulhern Dairy
and maintain strong bones, and products such as fluid milk and soy milk are great sources of vitamin D. Yogurts and cereals fortified with vitamin D also can be great sources of this valuable vitamin. Health benefits Osteoporosis is a condition in which a person’s bones become fragile and brittle due to loss of tissue. Age is a risk factor for osteoporosis, but a poor diet that does not include sufficient amounts of dairy also can increase a person’s risk for osteoporosis. The Department of Agriculture notes that dairy can help men and women lower their risk for ailments other than osteoporosis. Adequate dairy intake has been associated with a reduced risk for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Athletes may be especially motivated to consume dairy, as its effect on bone strength and maintenance can help them reduce their risk for injury while practicing and competing. Adolescents and children can benefit greatly from diets that contain adequate amounts of dairy. Bone mass is built during childhood and adolescence, so foods such as dairy that
promote bone health can help children and teenagers develop strong, healthy bones. In regard to which dairy products to include in one’s diet, the Department of Agriculture notes the importance of avoiding foods that are high in saturated fat. Dairy products high in saturated fats can contribute to high amounts of “bad” cho-
FARM TOURS
make for a healthy alternative to dairy that is high in saturated fats, and men and women can discuss such products with their physicians. No balanced diet is complete without dairy, which benefits the body in myriad ways. Tha Dairy nks, Farme rs!
326 Parkside Dr. SE, Preston Home 507-765-2297 • Cell 507-251-5535
608 Houston St NW • Preston, MN 55965 • (507) 765-3846
We can take care of all your Automotive needs! Family owned and operated
25901 County Road 7, Fountain, MN
DAIRY DISPLAYS
lesterol in the blood, increasing a person’s risk for coronary heart
garage Doors & Openers residential & Commercial
PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER
SalES & SErViCE Spring VallEy
507-346-7237
14097 Hwy 16 E, Spring VallEy www.springvalleyoverheaddoor.com FREE ESTIMATES
Stop in for Complementary Ice Cream & Metz Cheese Curds!
Get them now before new price increases.
Bring in your old mower and trade up for the new mower that fits your needs. Rhino tough & ready.
5 Year Warranty on Gear Boxes
Community Hog Roast - June 12, serving 5-7 pm, Creekside Park
Hwy. 43 North, Rushford, MN • 507-864-2955 www.connaughtysalesinc.com