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GIVEAWAY
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DAIRY ST R “All dairy, all the time”™
Volume 20, No. 18
November 10, 2018
Vividly remembering Vietnam
Fifty years later, Minnesota dairyman carries the bullet that struck him while serving By Jerry Nelson
jerry.n@dairystar.com
BIGELOW, Minn. – Every Nov. 11, we salute those who have served in our nation’s armed forces. This Veteran’s Day will be special for dairy farmer Dorward Dykstra and his wife, Shirley, as it will mark 50 years since Dorward was sent to Vietnam. “I grew up on a dairy farm a mile south of the border between Iowa and Minnesota,” Dorward said. “Dad milked about 30 cows in a stanchion barn.” Today, the Dykstras operate a 300cow dairy near Bigelow, Minn. Dorward joined the Army Reserves in 1963. He was assigned to the 452nd General Supply Company, which was based in Worthington, Minn., and Winthrop, Minn. Dorward and Shirley were wed in 1964 and began milking 20 cows on a rented dairy farm located a short distance from his father’s place. On April 13, 1968, the Dykstras received news that would shake their world to its core. “I was in the barn washing the milkers when I heard on the radio that the 452nd
was being sent to Vietnam,” Shirley said. Dorward was given 30 days to get his affairs in order before reporting to Camp Riley, Kan., for three months of intensive training. His preparations included writing his will and making funeral arrangements. The Dykstras’ oldest son, Gary, was two years old at the time and Shirley was pregnant with their daughter, Cindy. “Dorward’s brother-in-law had just gotten back from Vietnam and was at loose ends, so we hired him to milk the cows and take care of the farm,” Shirley said. “We gave him the milk check and let him keep half of the calves that were born while Dorward was gone.” Shirley was determined to join Dorward while he underwent his training at Ft. Riley. “We eventually found the basement of a house to rent for a few months,” Dorward said. “It needed a lot of cleaning, but we made it our temporary home.” Shirley said the transition was not easy. “It was traumatic for Gary to move to Kansas,” Shirley said. “He was accustomed to having the run of the farm. He couldn’t Turn to DYKSTRA | Page 6
Tuberculosis discovered in Dane County herd
JERRY NELSON/DAIRY STAR
Shirley and Dorward Dykstra relive memories of Dorward’s sƟnt in Vietnam 50 years ago on their 300-cow dairy farm near Bigelow, Minn. Dorward was awarded a Purple Heart aŌer being shot while he was working in a supply yard that was operated by the 452nd General Supply Company.
Making more cheddar
AMPI renovates Paynesville plant to stay competitive, meet cheese demand
Standard biosecurity practices can keep area herds safe
By Danna Sabolik
danna.s@dairystar.com
By Stacey Smart Contributing Writer
A dairy farm in Dane County, Wis., recently tested positive for bovine tuberculosis when the disease was discovered in a carcass during a routine slaughter inspection. The carcass was traced back to the herd, which was immediately quarantined by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. Since then, two more cows from the same farm have also been conrmed as having TB. “The level of concern should be no higher today than it was a month ago,” said Dr. Mike Etter, Lodi Veterinary Care, Lodi, Wis. “Farms must practice good biosecurity at all times to control and prevent disease, not just when there is an incident.” Tuberculosis is a chronic respiratory disease that can affect both animals and humans. Bovine tuberculosis is caused by the Mycobacterium bovis Turn to TUBERCULOSIS | Page 7
PHOTO SUBMITTED
The new cheese vats are installed at the AMPI cheese manufacturing plant in Paynesvill, Minn. The vats feature state-of-the-art technology and controls.
NEW ULM, Minn. – While most people know of Cheddar as an all-American favorite cheese avor, it is also a slang term for money. Now, member-owners of a certain AMPI plant have an opportunity for more of both. Associated Milk Producers Inc.’s (AMPI) Paynesville, Minn., plant recently underwent renovations that will allow it to produce more cheese as demand continues to grow. According to the USDA Economic Research Service, Cheddar cheese consumption reached an all-time high in 2017 at more than 11 pounds per person. “Making cheese is what AMPI does exceptionally well, and our customers want more of it,” said Mike Hinrichsen, AMPI vice president of cheese and whey manufacturing. “As consumers crave more cheese, we’re the farmer-owned cooperative that delivers.” Turn to AMPI | Page 5