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January 11, 2020
“All dairy, all the time”™
Volume 21, No. 22
“It’s been a huge loss in the community, but people are united and there’s a solidarity in farming.” – Rodney Roers
Farm accident claims three lives
Boesls remembered as genuinely good people By Jennifer Coyne & Mark Klaphake Staff Writers
MILLERVILLE, Minn. – There is a void in the rural community of Millerville after losing three of its members in a horric farm accident days before Christmas. Brothers Steve and Curt Boesl and Curt’s 11-yearold son, Alex, succumbed
to toxic silo gases Dec. 21, 2019, on Curt’s farm site near Millerville. “After 27 years, you think you can prepare yourself for anything, … but you can never understand the feeling of sitting on top of a silo catwalk doing mouthto-mouth resuscitation with someone that close (to you),” Rodney Roers said. Roers is the former Millerville Fire Department Chief and took part in the life-saving efforts following the accident. Roers knew the Boesls, having served on the
Curt Boesl
Alex Boesl
department with them for more than 20 years. On the morning of the incident, Curt and Alex were working in the top of the silo
Kugaths farm through the ages
Steve Boesl
when another one of Curt’s sons was outside the silo. The son below realized what was happening and called 911 and his uncle, Steve, ac-
cording to a report from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Ofce. “We got the call and you hear it’s on Gravel Pit Road, and you know there are only three people on that road,” Roers said. “You’re scared for everyone, but in your gut you know it has to be Curt and Julie’s place. … You pray you’re there on time. You pray you can save them.” Once the re department and emergency crews arTurn to BOESLS | Page 5
How two producers weathered the downturn
Byington, Roerick share strategies during MN Milk Conference seminar By Krista Kuzma
krista.k@dairystar.com
JENNIFER COYNE/DAIRY STAR
The Kugaths (from leŌ) – Harlan, Jan and Mike – talk about the chores to complete on their dairy Jan. 2 at the farm near Cologne, Minnesota. Harlan and Jan conƟnue to work with their son every day.
Cologne couple looks forward to chores every day By Jennifer Coyne jenn@dairystar.com
COLOGNE, Minn. – Rain, snow or wind does not stop Harlan and Jan Kugath from making their way to the
dairy barn every morning. The couple, ages 83 and 79, respectively, looks forward to their daily routine – up at dawn, a quick breakfast and then chores on their family’s 40-cow dairy farm in Carver
County near Cologne. “I’ll retire when they close the cover,” Harlan said. Harlan and Jan purchased the dairy farm from Harlan’s Turn to KUGATHS | Page 10
WELCH, Minn. – The last four years of low milk prices have been tough for nearly every dairy farmer. Two producers – Craig Roerick of Upsala and Parker Byington of Lewiston – shared strategies they used to make it through the downtown during a farmer panel Dec. 4, 2019, called, “Dairy Protability and Resiliency” during the Minnesota Milk Dairy Conference and Expo in Welch. Roerick works together with his dad, Roger, and brother, Stephen, on their family’s 175-cow dairy near Upsala. Their cows are milked by robots in a new facility the Roericks built in 2015. Byington and his family – his wife, Katherine, and their three young children along with his parents, Terry and Elizabeth – moved from eastern Washington to Minnesota, purchasing their farm in 2016. They milk 600 cows on their farm, Heritage Hills Dairy, near Lewiston. Terry works off the farm driving truck for a feed elevator. Both farmers said keeping accurate and timely records is important in keeping the farm going. The Roericks have been enrolled in the farm business management program since the early 1980s. “That’s what helps us get our records done,” Roerick said. “Yes, it takes time to input all the information, … but we split up the chores to make sure it’s not too overwhelming.” The Byington family works with a consultant through ComTurn to DOWNTURN | Page 6