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DAIRY ST R “All dairy, all the time”™
Volume 20, No. 22
January 12, 2019
Froehlich saves the day
DHIA tester performs CPR during a farm visit By Danna Sabolik
danna.s@dairystar.com
ELROSA, Minn. - Early on a Friday morning Darcy Froehlich was on a usual milking visit to perform DHIA testing when her instincts were tested. On Dec. 14 around 5 a.m., Bruce Felling was drinking his morning cup of coffee and reading the paper when he began experiencing chest pains. “I thought I should be by people, and I knew my daughter-inlaw was milking in the barn outside,” Bruce said. That is the last thing he remembers that morning. Bruce has no recollection of bundling up or making his way down to the barn, much less calling for Tessie, his daughter-in-law, or collapsing in her arms. Tessie Felling was milking with Froehlich as they were doing DHIA testing in the barn that morning for the dairy herd near Elrosa, Minn. “I heard Bruce calling my name, but when I looked for him he wasn’t there,” Tessie said. “So I stuck my head out of the barn and as soon as I saw him I knew it was bad. He looked scary.” Tessie called for Froehlich and a couple other employees who were milking with them and together they were able to lie Bruce down on the ground. That is when Froehlich took charge. Turn to FELLING | Page 5
PHOTO SUBMITTED
Bruce and Tessie Felling stand in the parlor where Bruce collapsed the morning of Dec. 14. Tessie and DHIA tester, Darcy Froehlich, rushed to his aid by performing CPR while waiƟng for EMS to arrive.
DMC offers relief for industry
Small farms to benet most from new program By Jennifer Coyne jenn@dairystar.com
WASHINGTON, D.C. – As President Donald Trump signed the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 into law on Dec. 20, Steve Schlangen saw hope for himself and the dairy community. “We thought the last farm bill was good, but it turned out to be a op,” said Schlangen, who attended the signing at the invitation of U.S. Rep. Collin Peterson of Minnesota, ranking member of the House Ag Committee. “This new bill went the other way. It will help all farms some, but smaller farms the most.” Schlangen and his wife, Cheryl, dairy farm near Albany, Minn.;
PHOTO SUBMITTED
President Donald Trumps signs the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 into law Dec. 20 in Washington, D.C.
Schlangen serves as chairman of Associated Milk Producers Inc. and on the National Milk Producers Federation Board of Directors. In this role he has had the opportunity to provide input on government programs, such as the previous Margin Protection Program for Dairy and the newly created Dairy Margin Coverage. Updates to the farm bill were given overwhelming support in Congress and now those in the dairy industry are anxious for its implementation. The most notable change for dairy farmers is the discontinuation of MPP and start-up of DMC, a risk management tool more reective of current industry trends. “MPP for dairy producers is discontinued as we know it. … They changed the name; they rebranded it,” said Dr. Marin Bozic, University of Minnesota. “This really will be a new program in terms of its effectiveness and ability to help dairy producers.” Turn to FARM BILL| Page 6