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DAIRY ST R “All dairy, all the time”™
Volume 18, No. 23
January 28, 2017
“We had the parlor and barn design planned out three-fourths of the way through, before we decided to see robots.” - Stephen Roerick
Plan B: Roericks install robots By Jennifer Coyne jenn@dairystar.com
SWANVILLE, Minn. – With a year gone by of milking with robots at Roerview Dairy, the Roericks are more than pleased with their decision to expand and update their facilities. “Never in my 30 years of dairying did I think we’d be milking with robots,” Roger Roerick said. “Even three years ago, I didn’t think we would.” On Dec. 8, 2015, Roger and his wife, Diane, and two sons, Stephen and Craig and their families, began milking their 175-cow Holstein herd with three Lely A4 robots on their farm near Swanville, Minn. Alongside the robots are three brushes, an automatic feed pusher and three automatic manure scrapers within the 132- by 208-foot, six-row, crossventilated freestall barn. The barn also includes two intensive care unit pens behind the robot room and dual feed lanes on the outer walls. Turn to ROERICKS | Page 10
ANDREA BORGERDING/DAIRY STAR
The Roericks – Craig, Roger and Stephen – stand in their new six-row, cross-venƟlated barn. The Roericks began milking their 175-cow Holstein herd with three Lely A4 robots on their farm near Swanville, Minn., in December 2015.
The 45th: what Trump means for the dairy industry By Jennifer Coyne jenn@dairystar.com
Over the last two years, Donald Trump promised an America with opportunity for every citizen, but as the business mogul was sworn in as the 45th President of the United States Jan. 20, questions still lingered for the future of the dairy industry. “They always say that governing and campaigning are two different processes,” said Chris Galen, spokesperson for National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF). “Now, we have a chance to see how Trump will govern.” While on the campaign trail, the now-president spoke of several priorities of his future administration, including trade agreements, secure borders and multiple government reforms. “Some of those priorities are of interest to agriculture,” Galen said. “Others could pose a challenge.” Trade agreements In weeks leading up to Trump’s inauguration, NMPF and 15 other organizations expressed the benets of agricultural trade in a letter to the forming administration. “… As the Trump Administration assembles its team and policies, U.S. agricultural trade interest must be maintained, not only in existing markets, but by expanding access to new Turn to TRUMP | Page 6
Livelihood gone in one night
Deutschs lose barn, 63 cows in re By Krista Kuzma
krista.k@dairystar.com
ELKO NEW MARKET, Minn. – In one night, the core of what makes up Cindy and Ray Deutschs’ livelihood went up in ames. “I would give anything to milk our cows tonight. Anything,” Cindy said. A re claimed Cindy and Ray Deutschs’ 65-stall tiestall barn during the early morning hours on Jan. 13 on their dairy near Elko New Market, Minn. The 63 cows inside the barn along with their three dogs died in the re. Fourteen cows in the milking herd, along with all the youngstock survived. Turn to DEUTSCHS | Page 7
KRISTA KUZMA/DAIRY STAR
Ray and Cindy Deutsch stand in the middle of where their dairy barn and cows once stood. A re burned the barn and 63 of their cows on Jan. 13 on their farm near Elko New Market, Minn.