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DAIRY ST R “All dairy, all the time”™
Volume 20, No. 23
VenƟlaƟon: Not only a warm weather concern By Jennifer Coyne & Danna Sabolik Staff writers
PERHAM, Minn. – Summers in the Midwest are unpredictable, with extreme weather uctuations affecting cow comfort and health on dairy farms throughout the region. The concern for animal welfare does not end when the sun begins to set sooner. In fact, the same challenges with temperature and moisture are present throughout the winter months, and the solution lies in proper ventilation. “Being in the Upper Midwest, we get a wide temperature range; so how do we manage that?” said Kevin Janni, professor and engineer with the University of Minnesota. Janni gave a presentation on proper barn ventilation during a Moo University workshop Jan. 14 in Perham, Minn. As cold weather sets in, barns are buttoned up; but it is crucial ventilation through the facilities remains to deter lingering stale air and the build up of unwanted moisture. “While a higher temperature in the barn will keep manure from freezing, it also raises relative humidity and increases the risk of pneumonia in the herd,” David W. Kammel said. Kammel, a professor of biological systems engineering with the University of WisconsinMadison, has worked with the state’s extension as an expert in livestock housing since 1985. During the winter, farmers should manage the barn climate to the point when manure is likely to freeze and adjust accordingly with weather conditions and the needs of the animals. Naturally ventilated barns provide a temperate climate conducive for animal welfare nearly all year-round. However, winter cold snaps make them less efcient, and for this reason mechanically ventilated barns are growing in popularity.
Turn to VENTILATION | Page 6
January 26, 2019
Dairy endeavor starts early for Mallow
High schooler maintains separate herd on parents’ dairy By Stacey Smart Staff Writer
IXONIA, Wis. – Even though Ann Mallow farms side by side with her parents, Joe and Karen Mallow, at the same location, the ambitious 18-year-old milks a herd of her own, one she has been building since her 14th birthday. “I love the dairy industry and really enjoy working with animals,” Mallow said, “and I wanted to branch out on my own.” The high school student began milking her own 23cow herd Nov. 1, 2018 on her family’s dairy near Ixonia, Wis. Most teenagers do not ask for a calf for their birthday, but that was Mallow’s only wish the year she turned 14. Growing up on her parents’ farm, Mallow loved working with the calves and had a
STACEY SMART/DAIRY STAR
High schooler Ann Mallow milks 58 head that include Jerseys, Brown Swiss, Holsteins and a variety of crossbreeds near Ixonia, Wis. Mallow began building her herd at the age of 14. strong desire to start her own herd. Knowing of Mallow’s plans to save up money to buy her rst calf, two nearby farms gifted calves to the young dairy girl. “It was really nice to get
that start,” Mallow said. Then, with money she received for her birthday, Mallow bought a bred heifer. “Within three days, I had three heifers and grew from there,” Mallow said.
Mallow’s 23-cow herd is housed in a freestall barn built especially for her last summer, separate from her parents’ 30-cow herd. The two farm Turn to MALLOW| Page 7
New year, new milk market
Lafayette County dairyman helps himself, neighbors By Danielle Nauman danielle.n@dairystar.com
PHOTO SUBMITTED
Robert Pierce milks around 30 cows on his LafayeƩe County dairy farm outside of Darlington, Wis. Shortly before Thanksgiving, Pierce learned he would be losing his milk market as of the rst of the year, and struggled nding a new home for his milk, largely because of the small size of his herd.
DARLINGTON, Wis. – Thanksgiving did not bring good tiding for 16 farms in southwest Wisconsin. Those dairy producers received the dreaded notice that they were being dropped from the milk market with the Wisconsin Cheese Group as of Jan. 1. Included in this were 12 Amish farms, 11 of which had Grade A permits, and four non-Amish farms that were selling milk with Grade B permits. Robert Pierce was one of the affected dairy farmers. Pierce milks about 30 cows on his dairy outside Darlington, Wis. A problem-solver by nature, Pierce did not waste time in beginning a search for a new market, not only for himself but for his neighbors as well. “Two of us that were Grade B, including myself, Turn to PIERCE | Page 5