Look inside for the Minnesota Milk Dairy Conference & Expo Tab!
DAIRY ST R “All dairy, all the time”™
Volume 19, No. 18
40 Square may be answer for healthcare woes By Jennifer Coyne jenn@dairystar.com
NEW ULM, Minn. – When the Affordable Health Care Act went into full effect three years ago, Steve and Kerry Hoffman were one of many individuals who lost their health insurance plan through a private provider. Now, an answer to the Hoffmans’ – and other dairy farming families’ – healthcare troubles is within reach. In the last Minnesota legislative session, 40 Square Cooperative Solutions was legally granted permission to offer healthcare coverage to participating members in the open enrollment period, which began Nov. 1 and will run until Dec. 15. “With 40 Square, farmers have an option for health insurance. From the informational meetings we’ve attended and what I know, I truly believe this is a great victory for us,” said Steve, who milks 135 cows with his wife, Kerry, near New Ulm, Minn. The structure of 40 Square Under Multiple Employer Welfare Arrangement (MEWA) specications, 40 Square Cooperative Solutions is a cooperative with a self-funded insurance plan for farmers of all agriculture sectors in Minnesota. The cooperative developed a plan, the 40 Square Consortium Health Plan (Consortium), which offers six benet packages for its members through a trust. Plans range in $1,500 to $6,550 deductibles, with four being Health Savings Account (HSA) compatible. All plans use the Cigna PPO Network. “The structure is unique in the sense that by law the co-op is allowed to sponsor MEWA,” Char Vrieze said. “The co-op and plan exist alongside each other, they cannot exist independently.” Vrieze helped develop the cooperative structure and is currently serving as the organization’s project manager. 40 Square Cooperative Solutions is made up of a board that markets and supports the Consortium and its plans, and consists of ve farmers and three outside investors. The Consortium’s board, on the other hand, will be made up of ve individuals – all farmers and members of the cooperative. The farmer members of both boards must be plan participants. “Because open enrollment just began, we don’t have any plan participants yet,” Vrieze said. “Therefore, when we do have plan participants next year, an election will take place to establish the permanent board.” Dairy farmer Steve Schlangen, of Albany, Minn., is currently serving as a board member for 40 Square Cooperative Solutions. “Fifteen years ago, this was an important issue, and then [due to regulatory and other issues] it got put on the back burner,” Schlangen said. “Now, within the last couple of years, laws have changed and we’re moving forward with something brand new.” Vrieze agreed. “For the rst time, we’re putting the power in the hands of farmers,” she said. Those interested in enrolling will pay a one-time fee of $100 in voting stock and an additional $1,000 in common stock that supports the trust, paid out in the course of the rst 12 months of membership. By federal law, members must have at least one common law employee. “Employees must issue someone on the farm a W-2 form,” Vrieze said. “Some people have voiced concerns about not having an employee. But if you have a spouse that does bookwork or Turn to 40 SQUARE | Page 5
November 11, 2017
“This is the worst weather we’ve ever had.” – Jerry Capko
A long fall
USDA reports Minnesota harvest 60 percent complete By Jennifer Coyne jenn@dairystar.com
SWANVILLE, Minn. – It has been several years since farmers expected to still be harvesting by Thanksgiving, but the 2017 season is on schedule to surpass that date. Across Minnesota, only 60 percent of the corn was harvested as of Nov. 5, according to the United States Department of Agriculture-National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA-NASS). With wet weather conditions throughout the growing season, and now during harvest, that puts the state’s corn harvest 24 percent behind Nov. 5, 2016 and 27 percent, or 12 days, behind the ve-year average. “In a general sense, it was not unusual to be combining corn at Thanksgiving 50 years ago, but our expectations have since changed,” said Dan Martens, University of Minnesota Extension. “I think farmers would like to see the soil freeze up to get the crops off. We might be in the elds yet in December.” Unfortunately, Jerry Capko and his family can relate to Martens’ predictions all too well. Jerry and his son, Jared, and brother, Larry, run 1,500 acres of row crops on their 250-cow dairy near Swanville, Minn. As of Nov. 5, the family had nearly 650 acres of corn to complete of their own, in addition to 200some acres of soybeans and corn to nish custom combining.
PHOTO SUBMITTED
During corn silage harvest this fall, Drew Schefers’ chopper box became stuck in the elds on his farm near Foley, Minn. “This is the worst weather we’ve ever had,” said Jerry, who has been farming for 40 years. “Usually, we’re 90 percent, if not 100 percent, done with harvest. We’re still combining soybeans.” Jared agreed. “It’s been a nightmare,” he said of the fall harvest. “Our corn silage elds look like a jigsaw puzzle, with what we could get and couldn’t. One eld took us
MARK KLAPHAKE/DAIRY STAR
Jerry and Jared Capko milk 250 cows, with Jerry’s brother, Larry, near Swanville, Minn. The Capkos recently put tracks on their combine to get through their wet elds.
two hours to get through and we only got two loads off it.” Drew Schefers, of Foley, Minn., agreed. “We have 20 acres of silage left to chop, but the ground is too wet. I might try and chop it when the ground freezes, but it’s not going to make good silage,” said Schefers, who will harvest the remnants of his corn silage for a fodder-type feed. Schefers and his wife, Renee, milk 80 cows and run 90 acres of tillable land, all of which is corn silage. The troubles of this fall began during the summer months when precipitation was abundant and temperatures were unusually cool. From May until the rst week of November, the state received an average precipitation of 28.43 inches, as temperatures averaged 60 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). From Oct. 30 to Nov. 5, a majority of the state received 0.5 inches of rain, if not more. Likewise, temperatures were noted nearly 8 degrees below the normal temperatures recorded
Turn to HARVEST | Page 6
Page 2 • Dairy Star • Saturday, November 11, 2017
DAIRY ST R www.dairystar.com
ISSN 020355 522 Sinclair Lewis Ave. Sauk Centre, MN 56378 Phone: (320) 352-6303 Fax: (320) 352-5647 Published by Dairy Star LLC General Manager/Editor Mark Klaphake - mark.k@dairystar.com 320-352-6303 (ofce) 320-248-3196 (cell) 320-352-0062 (home) Ad Composition Nancy Powell 320-352-6303 nancy.p@dairystar.com Amanda Thooft 320-352-6303 amanda.t@dairystar.com Consultant Jerry Jennissen 320-346-2292 Editorial Staff Andrea Borgerding - Associate Editor (320) 352-6303 • andrea.b@dairystar.com Krista Kuzma - Assistant Editor (507) 259-8159 • krista.k@dairystar.com Jennifer Coyne - Assistant Editor (320) 352-6303 • jenn@dairystar.com Ron Johnson (608) 874-4243 ron.j@dairystar.com Ruth Klossner (507) 240-0048 cowlady@centurylink.net Brittany Olson (320) 352-6303 brittany.o@dairystar.com Danielle Nauman (715) 245-6848 danielle.n@dairystar.com Maria Bichler - Copy Editor 320-352-6303 Advertising Sales Main Ofce: 320-352-6303 Fax: 320-352-5647 Deadline is 5 p.m. of the Friday the week before publication Sales Manager - Jeff Weyer (Northern MN, East Central MN) 320-260-8505 (cell) jeff.w@dairystar.com Mark Klaphake (Western MN) 320-352-6303 (ofce) 320-248-3196 (cell) Laura Seljan (National Advertising, SE MN) 507-250-2217 fax: 507-634-4413 laura.s@dairystar.com Jerry Nelson (SW MN, NW Iowa, South Dakota) 605-690-6260 jerry.n@dairystar.com Mike Schafer (Central, South Central MN) 320-894-7825 mike.s@dairystar.com Lori Menke (Eastern Iowa, Southern WI) 563-608-6477 • lori.m@dairystar.com Megan Stuessel (Western Wisconsin) 608-387-1202 megan.s@dairystar.com Deadlines The deadline for news and advertising in the Dairy Star is 5 p.m. Friday the week before publication. Subscriptions One year subscription $35.00, outside the U.S. $110.00. Send check along with mailing address to Dairy Star, 522 Sinclair Lewis Ave., Sauk Centre, MN 56378. Advertising Our ad takers have no authority to bind this newspaper and only publication of an advertisement shall constitute nal acceptance of the advertiser's order. Letters Letters and articles of opinion are welcomed. Letters must be signed and include address and phone number. We reserve the right to edit lengthy letters. The views and opinions expressed by Dairy Star columnists and writers are not necessarily those of the Dairy Star LLC.
The Dairy Star is published semi-monthly by Dairy Star, LLC, 522 Sinclair Lewis Ave., Sauk Centre, MN 56378-1246. Periodicals Postage Paid at Sauk Centre, MN and additional mailing ofces. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Dairy Star, 522 Sinclair Lewis Ave., Sauk Centre, MN 56378-1246.
North America dealers. A glance at what’s inside
Dairy Prole brought to you by your
With 2017 coming to an end, Phil Plourd, of Blimling and Associates, detailed how he expects the dairy markets to look in 2018. While the market does not indicate much variance from this past year, there are several factors that continue to inuence dairy demand, including trade, consumer trends and the economy. Plourd expands upon these factors, among others that inuence market price, on pages 12-13 in rst section. During the last week of October, more than 67,000 FFA members and supporters gathered in Indianapolis, Ind., for the 90th National FFA Convention. Among the many FFA By Mark Klaphake members recognized for their success in the organization, Isabella Portner rose to the top with her agriculture prociency Editor for Dairy Production Entrepreneurship. Read about Portner’s FFA project developed from her own dairy herd and see the list of other FFA recognition winners in dairy projects from Dairy Star’s coverage area on pages 3-4 in second section. This year’s Winona County Farm Family of the Year recipient was awarded to two families who run the same farm, but are not related; however, their partnership has turned into a relationship that has made them feel like family. The Thicke and Crowleys have been dairying together since 2003 on their certied organic dairy farm near La Crescent, Minn. Read on pages 2-3 and 5 in third section about receiving the award and how their partnership turned into a larger family-like relationship. The Sobecks spent Halloween day trying to get more of their fall harvest done. It has been the latest harvest the Sobecks have experienced on their dairy near Winona, Minn. Although harvesting was a priority, there were plenty of other dairy chores to do that day, including checking on the 230-cow herd that is milked by robots along with hauling manure. Find out about the rest of the Sobecks’ day in the “A day in the life” feature on pages 16, 18-19 in second section. This is a time of year when many dairy farmers need a bit of extra help on the farm because of the harvest season. Sometimes, that help comes in the form a retired parent. In this issue, we featured parents who have retired from dairy farming, but still help on the farm now run by their children. Read about them and what they do on the farm on pages 6-7 in second section. Along with harvesting, fall also brings hunting season. In this issue’s “From our side of the fence” feature, we talked to dairy farmers who like to sport blaze orange and try to ll a tag. Read about what they hunt, what they enjoy about it and the best animal they have gotten on pages 15-16 in rst section.
Favorite quotes from this issue:
“We do not intend to grow our dairy herd and we don’t see much opportunity to purchase or rent more land. Sharing our lives with guests is a proven way for us to generate farm income with the resources we
currently have.” – Margie Weiss (Pages 14-15, Second Section)
“Sometimes cows have a curl to the toe on the front. People take the grinder and take the inside wall away to straighten the claw out. This causes permanent damage. If your hoof trimmer puts the grinder between the toes, for me that’s a pink slip.” – Karl Burgi
(Page 6, Third Section)
By the Numbers
economic impact a $26K: The single dairy cow has in South Dakota. (Pages 22-23, Second Section)
20 MILLION:
Pounds of agriculture plastic collected last year throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin from Revolution Plastics. (Page 7, First Section)
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Dairy Star • Saturday, November 11, 2017 • Page 3
It’s all inside...
FIRST SECTION
Swanville
First Section: Pages 10 - 11 Kittson Roseau
First Section: Pages 1, 6
Marshall
THIRD SECTION
Hamlin
or n
Kingsbury
Douglas Charles Mix
n nso
Brookings
Lake
Moody
McCook Minnehaha
Hubbard Wadena
Wright ey
Meeker
Hennepin McLeod
Renville
Yellow Medicine
Carver Scott
Sibley Lyon
Redwood
Nicollet Brown
Murray
Rock
Nobles
Isanti
A day in the life of the Sobecks
Second Section: Pages 16, 18 - 19
Dakota
Rice
Goodhue Wabasha
Cottonwood Watonwan Blue Earth Waseca Steele Dodge Olmsted Jackson
Martin
Faribault
Freeborn
Mower
LaCrescent
Winona
Fillimore
Houston
Thickes, Crowleys receive Winona County award
Ha
Da
vis
on
Sa nb
Miner
Deuel
Kandiyohi
Chippewa
Lac Qui Parle
Codington
Clark
Winona
Anoka
Swift
Lincoln
Hunting season Pages 38 - 39 Dairy Recipes
Stearns
Pope
Sherburne
Grant
Page 37
Benton
ms
Soft milk prices for 2018
Stevens
Mille Lacs
Morrison
Douglas
go
Roberts
Day
Pine
isa
Pages 34 - 35
Big Sto Stone
Third Section: Pages 14 - 15
Ch
Keeping calves strong amongst the snow
Carlton
Crow Wing
Todd Grant
Pine Island
Star Youth: Valerie Sauder
Aitkin
Washinton
Foster reigns over Jerseys
Cass
r
Marshall
Itasca
Kanabec
rse
Second Section: Pages 22 - 23
Pages 32 - 33
Ottertail
Wilkin
Stern pledges to grow state’s industry
Page 30
Page 6 Burgi presents webinar about hoof health Pages 8 - 9, 11 Yahara Pride Farms Field Day focuses on conservation Pages 12 - 13 Extension agents visit Tanzania Pages 16 - 17 Some Udder Stuff Page 19 - 20, 22 Dairy Calendar Pages 24 - 30 Classieds
Becker
Clay
Milbank
en
nom
Mah
Pipestone
Mid-American Hay Auction Results Pages 28 - 29 Crop and weather reports
Norman
Clearwater
Polk
Tra ve
Page 25
St. Louis
Red Lake
First Section: P ages 18, 20
SECOND SECTION
Pages 10 - 11 The “Mielke” Market Weekly Page 12 Dairy markets Page 13 Area hay auction results Pages 14 - 15 Dairying Across America Page 20 Progress made in war against mastitis
Koochiching
Pennington
Top Performers
First Section: Page 36
Second Section: Pages 3 - 4
Ra
Ocheyedan
Beltrami
Woman in jeans: Shelby Mahoney
Portner claims national title at FFA convention
Lake of the Woods
eu
Our experience with an automated calf feeder
Su
Page 29
Cannon Falls
Sleepy Eye
USDA reports Minnesota harvest 60 percent complete
Kerfeld was stationed in Germany with rock ‘n roll legend
Cold weather preparedness for your dairy
Page 30 Dear County Agent Guy Page 31 On the Road with Princess Kay Page 32 Making Cents of Dairy Page 33 Dairy Good Life Page 34 Veterinary Wisdom Pages 35, 37 Moores aim to add value with cheese
St. Rosa
Le
Pages 1, 40 Square may be answer for healthcare woes Pages 8-9 Ag Insider Page 26 FSA News & Notes Page 27 The Transition Pen Page 28
Hutchinson
Turner
Bon Yankton Homme
Lincoln Clay
Union
Lyon
Osceola Dickinson Emmet
Sioux
O’Brien
Clay
Palo Alto
Kossuth
FROM OUR SIDE OF THE FENCE: What do you like about hunting? Pages 15-16
Plymouth
Milaca, Minn.
Zone 1
For additional stories from our other zone, log on to www.dairystar.com
Dairy Prole: Jeff Minks Page 39
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Third Section: Pages 2 - 3
Page 4 • Dairy Star • Saturday, November 11, 2017
WINTER FIX SALES EVENT
NEW EQUIPMENT
SAUK CENTRE
TRACTORS NH T4.100 & 110 Utility, Cab & Loader ...3 in Stock! NH T6.180 Plus, Super Steer, 4 Rmts ........In Stock! NH T6.155 Plus, 2WD, 4 Rmts ...................In Stock! NH Boomer 46D, Cab Heat, A/C, Loader ..In Stock! NH Boomer 40 ROPS, Loader ...................In Stock! SKID LOADERS NH L218, L220, L228, L234 and C238 ...... In Stock! HAY TOOLS NH SpeedRower 220 & 260 ...................... In Stock! NH Procart 819, 1022, 1225 Rakes............In Stock! NH Dura-Vee 1020, 1225, 1428 Rakes ......In Stock! NH H7230 & DB313R Discbines ................In Stock! NH H6740, 7’ 10” Disc Mower, 3 Point ......In Stock! NH ProRotor 3114 & 3223 Rakes...............In Stock! NH ProTed 3417, 17’ 1” Working Width .....In Stock! BALERS NH RB450, RB460 and RB560...................In Stock! TILLAGE Salford 8208 Plow, 8 Bottom .....................In Stock! Salford I-2218, 18’ Vertical Tillage..............In Stock! Salford 9809, HD Ripper, 9 Shank..............In Stock! Salford I-4124, HD Vert. Tillage, 24’ ...........In Stock! Konskilde 9200, Vertical Tillage..................In Stock! FORAGE NH FR500 Chopper, Dual Drive..................In Stock! MANURE SPREADERS BBI Endurance, 22’ Litter Spreader ...........In Stock! MISCELLANEOUS Messer Attachments and Rock Wagons ....In Stock!
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USED EQUIPMENT SAUK CENTRE
TRACTORS NH T7000 Front PTO/3 Point Kit .................. $6,500 SKID LOADERS NH L230, Cab Heat, A/C, Air Seat ............. .$36,900 NH L218, Cab, Heat .................................... $24,900 HAY TOOLS NH 1475, 14’ Haybine ................................. $13,500 NH H7450, 13’ Disbine, Draw Bar Swivel ... $27,900 Enorossi RTVH14, 14 Wheel Rake .................. $1,450 BALERS NH RB460, Dry Hay, 4’x6’, 1070 Bales ....... $32,900 NH BR780A, Twine/Net, Wide P/U .............. $11,900 BR7070, Silage Special, 4’x6’, Clean .......... $26,900 TILLAGE Salford 8214 Plow, 14 Bottom .................... $53,500 FORAGE Krone EC7500 ............................................. $29,500 NH 919A4 CH, 4R-36”, Fits 1915.................. $1,750 MISCELLANEOUS Berti TA-220 Offset Flail Mower. .................... $4,500 PIERZ TRACTORS NH T6.165 Plus, Super Steer, 151 HrsLease Return! NH TN75, FWA, Pwr Shuttle, Loader ............Just In!
SKID LOADERS NH L230, 850 hrs., Perf Package ................ $43,500 NH LS180, Cab, Heat, Hyd Q-Tach, New Tires.....................................................Just In! HAY TOOLS NH H7450, 13’ Discbine, Drawbar Swivel ... $24,500 NH 166 Inverter, Hyd Drive, RH Table Ext ..... $5,700 NH 1431, Nice Consigned ............................. $14,000 NH 1465 Haybine, Hyd. Lift, Stub Guards ...... $9,350 Enorossi 10 Wheel, Carted Rake..................... $3,500 BALERS NH BR750A Net/Twine, Wide P/U ............... $17,800 NH BR780, Auto-Wrap, Bale Ejector, Std. P/U ................................................... $11,900 NH BR780, Net/Twine, Bale Command ...... $17,500 NH BR7090, Net Only, Wide P/U ................ $27,900 NH BR7060, Roto-Cut, Net/Twine, Bale Command ..........................................Just In! Vermeer 505I, 5x5 Bale, Electric Tie, Twine... $3,900 Vermeer 504F, 4’x5’, 1 yr. Old Belts .............. $1,500 TILLAGE JD 3710, 10 Bottom Plow, Nice, 2013 Model .$29,500 FORAGE NH FP230, 27P HH, 3PN CH, KP................ $39,500 MISCELLANEOUS Hiniker 5610, 15’ RH Discharge Stalk Chopper ..................................................... $9,500
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SAVINGS ON TOOLS AND TOOL STORAGE
This is available in addition to the existing six-month warranty on new and remanufactured parts when installed by a New Holland dealer by December 31, 2017.
When you purchase New Holland-branded tools and tool storage, you’ll earn a reward card for 10% of the total purchase price, excluding taxes, shipping and other fees.
Hurry in—offers end December 31, 2017. 1Subject to credit approval. Terms and conditions apply. Ask an associate for details. 2See your local New Holland dealer for full details and qualifications ©2017 CNH Industrial America LLC. All rights reserved. New Holland is a trademark registered in the United States and many other countries, owned by or licensed to CNH Industrial N.V., its subsidiaries or affiliates. CNH Industrial Capital and CNH Industrial Genuine Parts are trademarks in the United States and many other countries, owned by or licensed to CNH Industrial N.V., its subsidiaries or affiliates. Productivity Plus® is licensed or sublicensed to Citibank, N.A. in the United States. MRC
MAINTENANCE SOLUTIONS
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©2016 CNH Industrial America LLC. All rights reserved. New Holland is a trademark registered in the United States and many other countries, owned by or licensed to CNH Industrial N.V., its subsidiaries or afÀliates. New Holland Construction and CNH Industrial Genuine Parts are trademarks in the United States and many other countries, owned by or licensed to CNH Industrial N.V., its subsidiaries or afÀliates. Any trademarks referred to herein, in association with goods and/or services of companies other than CNH Industrial America LLC, are the property of those respective companies. www.newholland.com/na MRC
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Dairy Star • Saturday, November 11, 2017 • Page 5
you provide commodities to a neighbor in exchange for help, and you possibly see 40 Square as being a viable option, issue a W-2 form to those persons to potentially be considered a common law employer.” Additionally, the state requires a three-year commitment from all enrolled participants. “Because we’re a new option, we need to secure members in order to stabilize the [trust] pool,” Vrieze said. However, with unforeseen circumstances, such as a farm transfer, aging into Medicare or relocation, members can leave the cooperative and receive their original $1,100 investment, at the discretion of the board, over the following ve years. Those who leave within the three-year commitment for other reasons will receive $200 of their investment and the cooperative will retain the remaining $900. “To live up to the spirit of the law, it will hurt nancially to leave the cooperative,” Vrieze said. More information about the cooperative and Consortium’s benet packages is available online at https://40square.coop.
BUILDING A BETTER HERD... One Calf At A Time!
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PREVENT YOUR COWS FROM DOING THE SPLITS PRE
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A healthcare solution in the making In 2009, Cooperative Network, based in St. Paul, Minn., and Madison, Wis., and United Farmers Cooperative (UFC), of Winthrop, Minn., founded 40 Square Cooperative Solutions. “It’s been a long process,” Patrick Murray said. “We’d been making tweaks since the cooperative began, but the tipping point was last fall when [private insurance companies’] rates went off the chart and they no longer offered plans on the individual market, which affected farmers and their families.” Murray is the senior government member service director at Cooperative Network. The possibility of the cooperative being authorized to sell healthcare coverage gave steam to the 2017 legislative session. “A bill was passed by Gov. Dayton for premium relief, and with bipartisan help for measures of reform, we were ofcially off the ground,” Murray said. After the Hoffmans were dropped from their provider in 2014, Kerry took an off-farm job to claim health insurance. Since then, she has looked
for ways to return home and yet provide insurance for her family of four. “When 40 Square announced their plan, we were excited to check it out and see what our rates might be,” Kerry said. After evaluating the Consortium, as well as the 18 months’ worth of coverage Kerry can receive through her former employer under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA), the Hoffmans made a difcult decision. “Right now, it’s actually cheaper per month for us to use COBRA,” Kerry said. “We’re older and are starting to have more health problems that younger families would not deal with, which put us at a greater risk when we evaluated a plan through 40 Square.” Steve agreed. “[The Consortium] is a great concept that I’m sure we’ll be using in the future. But for now, it was purely an economical thing to not become a member this year,” he said. Because the Consortium is in its rst year, and in order to grow the pool of members, a health questionnaire inuences the rate members receive for the healthcare coverage. The cooperative may not require the questionnaire in the future, Vrieze said. Schlangen encourages farmers to look at the Consortium as an option, but not as a catchall solution. “This plan might be a really good for some, and there might be other options for others,” Schlangen said. “The purpose of this is to provide competition in the marketplace.” Over time, he expects the packages to be more affordable for all as the cooperative enrolls more members. Although other states offer similar healthcare options through federal appropriation, the Minnesota cooperative and its plan is a rst-of-itskind healthcare that has the potential to provide affordable options where private providers cannot. “I’m a huge supporter of cooperatives and the value they hold when farmers have voting rights. We’ve seen it happen in the dairy industry and in healthcare,” Steve said. “Once this becomes a success in Minnesota, I have high hopes it will be able to move to different states and expand to help other farmers across the nation.”
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ConƟnued from 40 SQUARE | Page 1
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Page 6 • Dairy Star • Saturday, November 11, 2017
ConƟnued from HARVEST | Page 1
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The Schefers family – (from leŌ) Jesse, Renee and Drew – milk 80 cows near Foley, Minn. They sƟll have 20 acres of corn silage to nish harvesƟng. from 1981-2010 (USDA-NASS). These weather conditions resulted in stunted crop growth and immature quality at harvest time. “The corn was low to the ground and it never snapped out of that,” Schefers said. “Because of the weather, everything has been about a month behind.” Throughout Martens’ territory in Benton, Morrison and Stearns Counties in central Minnesota, he said standing elds meant for corn silage, soybeans and corn still waiting to be harvested. “We’re denitely behind,” Martens said. “I spoke with several farmers who couldn’t recall a harvest so late with so many crops still in the eld.” For the elds that are opened up or completed, it has not been an easy task with the excessive standing water and mud. Both the Scheferses and the Capkos have struggled with equipment being stuck or wearing down with the elements of the weather. “Every time the ground rmed up, it would rain again,” Schefers said. “We couldn’t keep up.” Throughout the course of September and October, Schefers became stuck often as he and his brothers, Kevin and Dave, worked tirelessly to complete corn silage. In one instance, a chopper box sunk into the ground, with the top of the wheels barely visible above the soil. “There was nothing we could do until we got the box out. We started unloading the silage onto the ground and scooping it by hand into a dump wagon. … It took three hours,” said Schefers, mentioning the water-absorbent characteristics of his heavy clay soils. From there, Schefers and his crew began hauling chopper boxes only onefourth full. “It was not efcient, taking four times as long, but we were getting something done,” he said. The Capkos dealt with similar experiences as Schefers. In hopes of corn harvest going smoother, the Capkos purchased tracks for their combine. “We wanted to get it all done, so we
started looking at what it would take to put tracks on and the cost of them,” Jared said. “They’ve done great. When they work, they’re a blessing.” For Jerry, the tracks have been another technology developed to make harvest time for efcient. “Everything is getting faster,” he said. “We used to have a four-row combine and now, with these tracks, we’re hopefully going to get crops off a lot faster.” The Capkos nished 200 acres of high moisture corn with tracks on the combine. Jared estimates the acreage is more than twice as much as what they could do with tires on the combine in the current eld conditions. Although still behind, Jared hopes the weather cooperates enough to nish his family’s crops. Then, if weather permits, he has custom work to nish. “If the snow can hold off, I think we’ll get it all done,” Jerry said. Jared agreed. “We really appreciate all of our help back home on the farm, balancing chores while we’re in the elds,” he said. “It couldn’t all get done without them.” While eld conditions are everyone’s top priority, Martens advises to error on the side of caution when feeding out the crops that are coming off this fall. Farmers should work closely with their nutritionist to determine how the feed resources work best in rations. Some silage was harvested wetter than preferred. Some was chopped drier and more mature than preferred. “The worry of molds and mycotoxins is going to be on a case-by-case basis,” Martens said. “The best approach is to use feed where there is more concern as soon as possible where you have a choice.” As fall harvest is well underway, and the push to nish is greater than ever, it is another reminder to be safe while completing eldwork – not only combining, but in hauling manure and tilling. “Farming is like playing cards, with what card your dealt effecting your next play, and it doesn’t end when the crops are off the eld,” Martens said.
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Dairy Star • Saturday, November 11, 2017 • Page 7
Revolution Plastics launches Recapture Bag Organization improves services with new program By Jennifer Coyne jenn@dairystar.com
SAUK CENTRE, Minn. – Over the last year, Revolution Plastics has taken the agricultural industry of Minnesota and Wisconsin by storm, collecting more than 3 million pounds of agricultural plastics at farms, which is then properly recycled. It has encouraged an alternative, ecofriendly method of disposal rather than the traditional means of burning or throwing it into a landll. On Nov. 6, the recycling group launched a new program, Recapture Bag, which is aimed to provide recycling options for dairy farmers who did not qualify for the dumpsters. The program is in addition to the already 1,400 recycling dumpsters in Minnesota and 4,000 in Wisconsin. “It was a common concern voiced to us that small farms were not able to ll the dumpster more than once or twice a year. So, we started thinking, how do we help everybody?” said Price Murphy, director of operations for Revolution Plastics. “The bags are not replacing the dumpsters, but allowing every farmer the opportunity to recycle.” The program works by farmers purchasing a bag kit from any of three vendors – Blue Lake Plastics, LLC, in
JENNIFER COYNE/DAIRY STAR
Price Murphy, of RevoluƟon PlasƟcs, displays the organizaƟon’s newest program, Recapture Bag, during a product launch at Blue Lake PlasƟcs, LLC, in Sauk Centre, Minn., Nov. 8. The Recapture Bag program is available for small livestock producers who do not qualify for the dumpster program. Sauk Centre, Minn., Jordan Ag Supply in Monroe, Wis., and KSI Supply in Sheboygan Falls, Wis. “We identied three key dealers that are supportive of the current recycling program and supply to a large number of farms in the area,” Murphy said. Each kit contains a roll of ve bags with individual bags designed to hold up to 200 pounds of plastic material. When all ve bags are full, generating
1,000 pounds of ag plastic waste – the equivalent of one dumpster load – the company will collect the bags for proper disposal. For Chris Kerfeld, at Blue Lake Plastics, LLC, he is anticipating this program to be a large success. With 450 bag kits ordered, Kerfeld had 300 claimed at the launch of the new recycling platform. “The interest is there. … Farmers have just been waiting for the program
to get setup,” said Kerfeld, who will sell the kits for around $30. Recycling plastic is becoming more commonplace as landlls are accepting fewer amounts of plastic, Murphy said. “Landlls are taking nearly 2 million pounds less plastic than they used to,” he said. “People are wanting to, and should be, recycling.” Once the dealers have sold out of their initial inventory, there is opportunity to restock for further distribution – for farmers and solid waste companies that farmers may already be working with. “If a farm is outside of our pick-up area, we’ve setup centralized locations where the bags can be dropped off and we’ll pick them up,” said Murphy, referring to areas such as Pine County, Minn. Unlike the dumpsters, which are returned to the farms for reuse, the bag kits are recycled and new kits must be purchased. However, the plastics from the dumpsters, as well as what will be collected from the bags, is made into the bag kits. “We distribute the product and it’s our obligation to get rid of it the right way, and with this program we’re able to bring everything full circle,” Kerfeld said. “[Revolution Plastic] is a great company to work with and we all want it to work out and do the right thing. It’s a win-win for everyone.” Murphy agreed. “We believe we can help everyone,” he said. “The dumpsters are successful and still thriving, and we’re hopeful this will be, too.”
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Difcult decisions to be made Page 8 • Dairy Star • Saturday, November 11, 2017
There are a lot of asks coming in the upcoming farm bill debate. The dairy and cotton sectors are asking for changes in the farm safety net, while others are seeking more money for trade and research. “We’re going to have to make choices and some of those will be difcult,” said House Agriculture Committee Chairman Mike Conaway. “Some folks will be disappointed.” Ag Insider Conaway sees four priorities. “All of us have seen the big four things we need to x: cotton, dairy, the ARC-County payment scheme and the foot and mouth disease vaccine bank.” Conaway told reporters he hopes to move the farm bill through the House in late 2017 or early 2018. Farm bills take a long time House Agriculture Committee Chairman Mike Conaway and Ranking Member Collin Peterson have predicted the farm bill could move by early 2018. Texas A&M University Extension economist Joe Outlaw isn’t necessarily that optimistic. “I think they’ll try By Don Wick really hard. Sometimes they try and things don’t get Columnist done as intended. The chairmen on both sides want to get things done, but I also have experience that it takes a long time.” No matter the timeframe, money will continue to be the challenge. “Pretty much across the board there will be downsizing, but I do believe cotton will be back in Title I protection, rather than insurance-only. I do believe dairy will get assistance. I think there will be modications of the nutrition title, specically SNAP. I don’t know if there will be signicant cuts, but I do believe there will be added requirements to garner votes from people in Washington.” Outlaw spoke at the Farmer Cooperative Conference in St. Paul.
Agriculture monitors guestworker bill With a one-vote margin, the agricultural guestworker bill has passed in the House Judiciary Committee. This legislation would drop the current H-2A temporary visa program and replace it with the H-2C program. The bill moves the regulatory oversight of this program from the Labor Department to USDA. The American Dairy Coalition supports this bill, saying it helps resolve the labor shortage facing the dairy industry. Imitation labeling is not attering Milk is often described as Mother Nature’s perfect food. The industry is taking a stand against imitation dairy products. National Milk Producers Federation Senior Vice President of Communications Chris Galen said dairy farmers want legislation prompting the Food and Drug Administration to take action against mislabeled dairy products. “As we see more imitation dairy products on store shelves, we need to make sure they are in compliance with government standards
of identity for what you can call a food. These imitation plant-based milks aren’t complying with existing regulations. The government denes milk as a product from a cow or another dairy animal. Therefore, if you’re making milk from nuts, seeds or grains, it doesn’t comply with those regulations.” The other labeling issue being addressed is the proliferation of absence claims, such as no-added hormones or no GMOs. “When there’s a disclaimer that says something doesn’t contain something, there’s something wrong with that or unsafe for the person consuming it and that’s not the case.” The joint NMPF-National Dairy Board-United Dairy Industry Association Convention was held in Anaheim, Calif. Low-fat and fat-free options A bill has been introduced in Congress that would allow schools to offer low-fat and fat-free milk, including avored milk, to students participating in the federal school lunch and breakfast programs. This bill would make permanent the administrative changes proposed earlier this year by USDA. If passed, it would allow school districts to determine which milkfat varieties it offers to their students. The National Milk Producers Federation and International Dairy Foods Association praised the introduction of this bill. Strong quarterly income for Land O’Lakes For the third quarter, Land O’Lakes reports net earnings of $47.5 million. That’s up from quarterly earnings of $8.1 million one year ago. The co-op reports strong performance in its crop inputs and animal feed divisions and lower earnings from its dairy foods division. The merger between WinField and United Suppliers was completed in early October. The Land O’Lakes crop protection and seed business combined with United Suppliers two years ago and operate under the WinField United brand name. Cargill to acquire Diamond V Cargill has signed off on an agreement to acquire Diamond V Nutrition. Diamond V is based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and is known for natural and sustainable feed products. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed, but Cargill expects to close on the sale in early 2018. ND dairy leader earns prestigious Lyng award A Richardton, N.D. dairy farmer has been honored with the Richard E. Lyng Turn to AG INSIDER | Page 9
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Dairy Star • Saturday, November 11, 2017 • Page 9
ConƟnued from AG INSIDER | Page 8 Award for his dairy promotion efforts. Jerry Messer has chaired the National Dairy Council for the past ve years. Messer is also a long-time chairman of the Midwest Dairy Association’s North Dakota Division Board, the Midwest Dairy Association Corporate Board and the North Dakota Dairy Promotion Commission. With the award, a scholarship will be given in Messer’s name at North Dakota State University. Until next time National FFA Central Region Vice President and Minnesota native Valerie Earley,said farewell to members in her retiring address at the National FFA Convention. Earley told members to live as their original masterpiece; be yourself. “We think it’s easier to be the copy version of us, because there’s less of the original being damaged. We need to live as our original, unnished masterpiece.” Minnesota FFA’er wins star farmer award Joseph Arnold from Holloway, Minn. is the 2017 FFA American Star Farmer. “My SAE is a crop farm. I started out growing corn. Today, I grow corn, soybeans, navy beans, kidney beans and sugar beets. I think I’m happy with where I am on the crops right now. I’ll try to perfect that more.”
MN FFA earns dairy prociency A Minnesota FFA’er represented the dairy industry well at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis. Isabella Portner from Sleepy Eye, Minn. received recognition for dairy production-entrepreneurship. DMI scholarships awarded Dairy Management Inc. has awarded scholarships to 12 future dairy leaders. The recipients include Kirby Krogstad, South Dakota State University; Gabriella Sorg, University of Minnesota; Audrey Souza, South Dakota State University and Jacob Web, South Dakota State University. The scholarships are valued at $2,500. Trivia challenge Mrs. O’Leary’s cow is blamed for the famous Chicago re. That answers our last trivia question. For this week, Brie cheese originated in what country? We’ll have the answer in the next edition of Dairy Star. Don Wick is owner/broadcaster for the Red River Farm Network, based in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Wick has been recognized as the National Farm Broadcaster of the Year and served as president of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting. Don and his wife, Kolleen, have two adult sons, Tony and Sam, and ve grandchildren, Aiden, Piper, Adrienne, Aurora and Sterling.
“It’s very convenient. She orders them and they are shipped directly to me...” What do you like about the DHIA tags? I like that they come printed with a barn number and have an American ID printed on one of the two ear tags. Tell us about the convenience of going through DHIA for your ear tags. It is very convenient. I just tell my Àeld representative the color, number sequence and how many tags I want. She orders them and they are shipped directly to me and I am billed at our next test. Why do you test with DHIA? It provides me with valuable information about our herd. Every month you can evaluate your herd and see what areas may need improvement. What other services provided by DHIA do you use? We do monthly testing and get our ear tags through DHIA.
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Good Selection of Used Dryers - Call! Feterl 12”x72’, swing drive .........$8,500 WestÄeld WR8026 EMD .............$1,895 Sheyenne 13-70 Swing Dr.......... $12,995 Hutch 8”x62’ swig auger .............. $6,200 Sudenga 10”x71’ swing auger ..... $7,900 WestÄeld MK 130-71 swing drive auger ........................................ $13,900 Batco 2500 drive over hopper ...... $8,290 Sudenga 10”x41’ pto auger w/hopper .................................... $4,595
Tractors
Oliver 1365 .....................................$6,599 Agco White 8410, 4 wheel drive .........Call IH 1086 ...............................................Call
Combines
Gleaner R-62 w/heads .................$39,500 Gleaner A-75, 4 whl drive ........... $110,000
Skid Loaders
Bobcat S300, 2800 hrs, heat, ACS control, 2-speed ..........................................$26,900 Bobcat S630, 400 hrs, heat, 2 spd $34,800 Bobcat S590 heat 2-spd . (3) from $31,900 Bobcat S850, heat & A/C, 2-speed 2 units .......................Start @ $40,900 ‘15 Bobcat S750, A71 pkg., 2 spd $35,950 ‘16 Bobcat S740, A71, 2 spd ..... $34,500 Bobcat S550, heat, 2 spd., 300 hrs., ‘14..............................$31,800 Bobcat S550, heat, 2014, 2 spd. $29,900 Bobcat S185, head, 2 spd, 2900 hrs.................................. $18,500 Bobcat S130, heat, ‘12............. $22,400 ‘14 Bobcat T590, heat, hi-Åow . $34,900 ‘12 Gehl 5240E, 2 spd., heat, 900 hrs.................................... $23,900 Gehl 5240, heat, 2 spd., ‘10, 1350 hrs.................................... $20,900 ‘14 Gehl V400, heat, AC, 2 spd ..$34,900 ‘07 Gehl 4640, single spd., heat $15,500 Gehl R220, heat, 2 spd., joystick $31,900 Mustang 1750 2014 open cab .$36,500
TMR’s
Knight 5073, tow ......................$17,199 Knight 3250, stationary ..............$3,899 Knight 3050 ..............................$11,499 Knight 3150, tow ......................$22,499 Knight 3042, reel auggie...........$12,499
Tillage
JD 2700, 9-24 ...........................$23,900 JD 985 49.5’, 3 Bar...................$18,900 JD 980, 44.5’ ............................$16,900 JD 980 44.5’, 3 Bar...................$17,500
JD 512, 7 shank, 2013...................$29,900 JD Crumbler model 200, 45’ .........$10,500 CIH Tigermate II, 54.5’ .............$29,900 2) CIH 370, 28’..........................$31,900 CIH PTX300 chisel plow, 34’ ....$22,800 JD 2625 disc, 34 ft., ‘15 ...........$47,900 JD 2210 4-bar, 2006, 45.5ft......$35,900 JD 980, 36’ ...............................$13,700 JD 610 chisel plow, 17’ ............$10,900 Wil-Rich 957, 9 shank ..............$29,900 Wil-Rich 957, 7 shank ..............$15,900 Wil-Rich 957, 5 shank ..............$16,500 Wil-Rich 513, 9-24....................$38,900 Wil-Rich 29’ chisel plow, ‘07 ........$22,800 Wil-Rich QX2, 60’, basket ............$49,900 Wil-Rich Q-5 cult., 4-bar harrow, 32.5’............................................$11,900 Great Plains Turbo Chisel, 11 shk $22,800 Krause Dominator, 12 ft. (2) from $29,900 Krause Dominator, 12 ft., 2015.$40,900 Krause 18’ w/reel.............from $33,000 DMI 530 Ripper ........................$11,900
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Knight 8032, slinger ..................$14,499 Knight 8114, (A088) ....................$8,949 Knight 8132, (B0077)................$19,899 Knight 8132 ..............................$17,899 Meyer 3954, (1250) ....................$4,949 Meyer 390 spreader ...................$9,750 NI 3636 spreader ........................$8,900
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By Diane Leukam Staff Writer
ST. ROSA, Minn. – As Veterans Day rolls around each year, it’s natural for veterans to reminisce about their days in the service and Erv Kerfeld, a retired dairy farmer from St. Rosa, is no different. He has an involved set of experiences to remember, but one unique aspect of his military life has been carried with him since he was discharged in 1960. Tucked in his wallet is a worn black and white photo taken in 1959 of himself as a young man, alongside fellow serviceman Elvis Presley. “He was older. He got drafted but I volunteered; I gured I would get drafted anyway,” Kerfeld said. A graduate of the Class of ’57 in Melrose, Minn., Kerfeld had made up his mind to do something before he started farming. He was inducted on Feb. 8, 1958 at the age of 18. “Dad was kind of ticked off when I did that. He said, ‘Do you know what happens in war? It could be eternity,’” Kerfeld said. In July 1958, after training at Fort Hood, DIANE LEUKAM/DAIRY STAR Te x a s , K e r f e l d w a s Erv Kerfeld holds a keepsake book lled with photos and other informaƟon stationed at Ray Barracks in Friedberg, Germany. about his Ɵme spent staƟoned in Germany in 1958. Kerfeld served in the 3rd arThe barracks was used by mored division of the 52nd infantry, where he drove a personnel carrier. Kerfeld the German military for is a reƟred dairy farmer from St. Rosa, Minn. training in the ‘40s. A month later, Elvis was stationed there as well. “I was on guard duty at the back gate the day he got there,” Kerfeld said. “There was a railroad that came to the back part of the barracks and nobody was supposed to know he was coming, but the German girls were all there outside the gate across the railroad tracks. He was already famous.” According to Kerfeld, Elvis could have joined the United Service Organizations (USO) instead of doing the training, but he wanted to do the training like everybody else. During the time the men were both there, the two spoke numerous times while out in the eld for training. DIANE LEUKAM/DAIRY STAR “I thought he was a normal guy. He acted like it Erv Kerfeld carries this photo of him (right) and Elanytime I talked to him,” Kerfeld said. vis Presley in his wallet. It was taken in 1959 when During their time in Germany, he never heard Elvis the two were in the military, staƟoned in Friedberg, sing. Germany. Kerfeld was in the 3rd armored division in the 52nd infantry, while Elvis was in the 32nd tank division. Kerfeld explained that when driving into the barracks, to donate blood again on subsequent trips to Germany. the infantry division went straight down and the armored Rough trip home In January 1960, it was time for Kerfeld and his division made a right turn. In 1959, an open house was held at the barracks so company to return home aboard a troop ship; but unlike the German people were able to come on base and see their July trip over in 1958, the North Atlantic was rough. “When we came back the last ve days on the what was happening. The American military had their Atlantic, it was 35-foot swells day and night. When you equipment available for them to view. “This picture was taken that day,” Kerfeld said. “He went to sleep at night you had to strap yourself in the had his quarter-ton Jeep, and I had my personnel carrier.” bunk, and they were ve high, and you always wanted For entertainment during their time there, each to get the top bunk,” he said. Many of the men suffered from motion sickness. barracks had what was called a day room where the men “When we got back to New York, the ship was had a place to relax and play pool, ping pong, cards or covered with 2 inches of solid ice,” he said. “A lot of the whatever they chose to do. “We did our share of goong around, but we did a guys when they hit the ground they laid down and kissed the ground. They were so happy to get off the ship.” lot of training,” he said. The men then went to Fort Sheraton, Ill., where they Kerfeld found time for another important activity: donating blood to the German Red Cross. Kerfeld were discharged on Jan. 17, 1960. From there, Kerfeld donated several times in 1959, and on one of those ew to the Twin Cities and then took a bus to Melrose. occasions, Elvis was donating blood on the next couch Turn to KERFELD | Page 11 over. Because of that, either would have been eligible
Dairy Star • Saturday, November 11, 2017 • Page 11
ConƟnued from KERFELD | Page 10
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Kerfeld is pictured on top of his personnel carrier in 1958 during training in Germany. “I got to Melrose around 4 in the morning and it was 17 below,” he said. “The guy at the hotel wouldn’t let me in even though I had my dress clothes on.” There was a phone booth across the street and he called a taxi from Sauk Centre because they did not have one in Melrose, and because there was no phone on the family farm. He sat in the phone booth and waited. “It wasn’t a good homecoming at the time, not when it was that cold out. You had the clothes for it but even then it was cold,” Kerfeld said. “That’s the way it was.” Back home, the photo with Elvis found its home in Kerfeld’s wallet. “I didn’t follow his life a lot because once we got out I got married in ‘64 and the kids started coming and farming alone, I didn’t have time,” Kerfeld said. Even though he listened to The King’s music, that was about it. Kerfeld and his wife, Jeannette, raised a family of eight sons and one daughter, including Eugene, Glenn, Randy, Michelle, Kenny, Kyle, Keith, Craig and Chad. In 1985, Erv and Jeannette traveled back to Germany with his sister and brother-in-law to visit his nephew who was stationed in Frankfurt. They took the opportunity to go back to Ray Barracks where Kerfeld found a reminder of his time there. “We went to the day room. They had a lot of Elvis’ records that he had donated to that day room,” Kerfeld said.
He and Jeannette always planned to go down to Memphis, but they never got there. Elvis passed away on Aug. 16, 1977, and Kerfeld watched the coverage. Many years later, in 2009, Jeannette passed away. In mourning for his wife of 45 years, one thing that helped him through that period of time was reading. One of the books he read was “Elvis and Me” by Priscilla Presley. “Somebody gave me the book after my wife died, because I did a lot of reading then,” Kerfeld said. When speaking of what he read in the book, the compassion Kerfeld has for his fellow serviceman and feelings of regret at his ultimate demise are evident. “I think he got pushed too hard,” he said. “After they did a show they’d be up all night until early in the morning. Drugs were involved. That’s what a lot of people said, this Colonel Parker was his manager; he kept pushing.” One thing Kerfeld does not regret is his time spent in the military. “In my mind, I think it wouldn’t hurt every young guy to do it, even if it’s six months, to get some training like it was back then. There was no leeway…it has to be [like that] otherwise they wouldn’t stick together like they do.” When Nov. 11 rolls around, no doubt Kerfeld will mull over his time serving his country, and just maybe, he will pull that old photo out of his wallet and think of that time long ago when he stood shoulder to shoulder with the king of rock ‘n roll.
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Page 12 • Dairy Star • Saturday, November 11, 2017
Dairy forecast looks stagnant
Plourd searches for answers to market trends By Jennifer Coyne
krista.k@dairystar.com
MILBANK, S.D. – The dairy industry has been in a time of low milk prices and a glut of product with demand lessening across the domestic and international markets for nearly two years. As 2017 neared the halfway mark, there was hope this following year would be different. However, as forecasts are Phil Plourd predicting, not Blimling and much is expected Associates to differ in the year ahead. At Valley Queen Factory’s dairy outlook seminar Nov. 1, in Milbank, S.D., Phil Plourd, of Blimling and Associates, reported $1.63 for CME block cheddar this year and an estimated $1.65 per pound next year. In 2018, CME futures for trading are at an average of $1.69. “The cheese outlook is super unexciting, suggesting next year will be a lot like this year, which almost
JENNIFER COYNE/DAIRY STAR
Phil Plourd, with Blimling and Associates, explains the current dairy market to farmers at a Valley Queen Cheese Factory meeƟng in Milbank, S.D. Nov. 1.
guarantees that it’s wrong. We usually don’t ever see the same prices year over year,” Plourd said. While futures are forecasted, questions still remain as to what is driving prices and the trends that dairy markets continue to follow. International trends inuence U.S. market Over the last few months, milk production in the European Union (EU) has moved from unchanged year-over-year to an increase of 3
percent, which speaks volumes for the international markets. EU is the largest dairy-producing region – 1.6 times greater than the United States and seven times greater than New Zealand. “So, when [the EU] is up or down 1-2 percent, it’s a pretty big deal to other players on the dairy stage. When they go up 2 percent, compare it to the United States going up 3 percent or New Zealand up 14 percent. Those are big-deal kind of numbers that
continue to inuence the market,” Plourd said. While an increase in milk production was expected at the end of the quota system, the duration of time it has taken for production to stabilize is causing woes in the market. “We’re in year three or four of a seven-year process of rebalancing milk,” Plourd said. “We’re not well insulated for this, so as it ebbs and Turn to FORECAST | Page 13
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Dairy Star • Saturday, November 11, 2017 • Page 13
ConĆ&#x;nued from FORECAST | Page 12
ďƒ&#x;ows, it’s going to create a lot of noise in the U.S. market.â€? Possible parallels between domestic markets A decline in milk price has not deterred farmers from expanding and producing more milk over the last year. In 2017, cow numbers reached the highest level in decades with 69,000 more cows accounted for than in 2016. “We have more cows in the system now than ever before,â€? Plourd said. “There have been some tough times making milk, but across the board, we’re running pretty solid and cow power explains a lot of that.â€? Texas is a driving force in national production values, adding nearly 60,000 head. Plourd does not expect milk prices to recoup with more cows. In fact, unless corn prices rise, Plourd ďƒžnds it hard to imagine milk prices getting really high. “On a go-forward basis, it’ hard to imagine a milk price that gets to $18 and stays there for a long period of time without corn being greater than $4,â€? Plourd said. “The challenge is that ethanol became a 5-billion bushel story for corn from 2004 to 2014, and recreating a demand center that large doesn’t happen very easily. The ethanol era is over, so a lot of things have to go right in the dairy world to see $20 milk.â€? Additionally, there continues to be an oversupply of products in the United States and EU. Nearly 300 million pounds of powder are in U.S. storage, with the EU holding onto 800 million pounds. Solutions for market recovery remain unknown In 2017, of the three dairy producing regions across the globe, the United States was the only region with a positive year-over-year change in milk production. This resulted in $1.75 cheese and $2.35 butter, Plourd said. As 2018 is shaping up, all dairy regions are
,OWER COST THAN SORTED SEMEN
expected to produce more. “That’s one of the mental challenges we have to get through – if the best we could do in a bad environment was not great, what are we going to do in a good situation?� Plourd said. However, the U.S. economy suggests dairy demand should be strong. “Stocks have never been higher, gasoline is pretty cheap right now, and unemployment is at 4.2 percent nationally, which is technically full employment meaning people have jobs or access to jobs. We should have a strong demand for dairy products,� Plourd said. But as Plourd pointed out, dairy is not the only
“The world is changing pretty quickly, and how dairy ďƒžts into this is pretty important and I think we’re going to have to work hard to stay relevant.â€? Čƒ PHIL PLOURD, BLIMLING AND ASSOCIATES
market suffering. This downward trend in demand is apparent across the entire food industry. One study indicated a negative year-over-year volume change of the top 18 food companies – from JM Smucker at an 11 percent decline to Danone Wave at negative 2 percent. “What’s going on? What explains that? It’s strange,� Plourd said. Some suggest the way U.S. consumers are eating is changing, with more frequent snacking rather than three large meals throughout the day. Also, more people are working from home, resulting in a decline of lunch purchases. “Lunch is dead. There were 433 million fewer
lunch visits in 2016 than 2015. That’s $2.6 billion lost revenue from businesses and meals that tend to be cheese friendly,â€? said Plourd, citing The Wall Street Journal. To compensate for the lack of lunches, food companies have capitalized on the portion control trend and are offering small dairy packages, as well as partnering with meal-prep services to offer dairy. While these options eliminate food waste, they may not push dairy through the markets in the quantities needed to regain traction. Additionally, online delivery of foods is gaining popularity; but moving perishable products through this avenue is difďƒžcult. “The world is changing pretty quickly, and how dairy ďƒžts into this is pretty important and I think we’re going to have to work hard to stay relevant,â€? Plourd said. In a glimpse of hope, niche foods have gained popularity amongst retailers and consumers. “It’s never been easier to market yourself as a small food business. Distribution might pose an issue, but grocery stores are leaning towards small foods more than they were ďƒžve years ago,â€? Plourd said. “Ultimately, we’re still eating, but how we’re eating, where we’re eating and what we’re eating is different.â€? Will 2018 be a bullish or bearish year? As 2017 nears its end, dairy inventory remains abundant with declining demand, and the EU is ramping up for more production with U.S. production persisting. Likewise, trade and labor continue to be topics of conversation with policy makers in the year ahead – both of which greatly affect the dairy industry. With so many unknowns in the dairy market, it is difďƒžcult to know how 2018 will shape up. “The fact that everyone is so bearish might be the best reason to be bullish,â€? Plourd said.
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Page 14 • Dairy Star • Saturday, November 11, 2017
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Dairy Star • Saturday, November 11, 2017 • Page 15
What do you like about hunting?
at the farm.
Adam Mellgren Zumbro Falls, Minn. Wabasha County 65 cows
Stacey Bork Beaver Creek, Minn. Rock County 120 cows
What do you like about hunting? It is a get away for me. It is peaceful, and I usually end up taking a nap. It is a time to let my mind drift and get away from thinking of all I have to get done
What do you like about hunting? I enjoy the thrill and the excitement of the hunt. I also enjoy being outdoors and relaxing. An added bonus is having some wild game to eat.
What animals do you hunt during the year? I hunt deer, coyote, rabbit and pheasant. In addition to hunting, I like to sh. Tell us about your most unique hunting experience. A few years ago, I was sitting in my hunting blind when I saw this big yellow thing climbing up a tree. I got my binoculars and saw a red squirrel carrying an entire cob of corn up into the tree. That was pretty funny. What is one of your favorite hunting traditions? When my twin girls turned 3 years old, I started taking them with me. They will be 8 years old this year. It is fun to share this time with them. I only take one with me each time, usually in the evenings after school. They are starting to understand they have to whisper if they do not want to scare any animals away. We have not gotten much since I have taken the girls with me, but it is a fun tradition we have started. What is your favorite recipe or meal from game you have hunted? I like fresh venison loin with butter and onion. We cook it while we are cutting up the deer. It is part of our butcher party. We usually make the rest of the meat into jerky and snack sticks. What is the best animal you’ve ever tagged? I got a 15-point buck about ve years ago. That was the biggest animal I have gotten, so far. I went out with a few other people, and we were just setting up to do a drive. I was going to be one of the people to stand while the other two walked towards us to move any animals our way. When the two of us got to the spot where we were going to stand, we saw a big buck and a doe. He took off and I chased after him. I was not even ready so I was putting bullets in my gun while I followed him. I got him with my last shot. Tell us about your farm. I farm with my wife, Sarah, who also works off the farm full-time as a milk inspector. We have three kids: Ashley, 7, Emily, 7, and Roger, 2. We run 300 acres of corn, beans, hay and oats. I have been hunting for about 24 years. My family did not hunt while I grew up, but I had friends who did. I did not shoot a deer during my rst 10 years of hunting, so I was just about ready to give up. But, then I nally got one.
What animals do you hunt during the year? I hunt deer, antelope, elk, ducks, geese, pheasants, raccoons, mountain lions and coyotes. Tell us about your most unique hunting experience. I was bow hunting elk in the Black Hills and was sitting between a pair of Ponderosa pines when a cow elk came up behind me and licked my backpack. This startled me, and I jumped a bit. My quick motion spooked the cow, so she took off running. This startled a nearby bull elk, who also bolted off into the forest. I was shocked at rst, but then felt disappointment. He was a pretty nice bull. What is one of your favorite hunting traditions? Hunting deer in the Black Hills. That area is different than what we have here on the prairie. It’s very beautiful country with all those trees and hills. What is your favorite recipe or meal from game you’ve hunted? Pheasant fajitas. They are quick and easy to make. You just slice up some pheasant, sprinkle on some fajita seasoning and they are ready. If you don’t have any seasoning, you can simply salt and pepper the pheasant and put a little salsa on it. What is the best animal you’ve ever tagged? The Black Hills bull elk I took with a bow. It had rained the night before, so I was able to track the elk herd’s movements. I picked a spot between two trees and built a small blind and waited for the herd to return from their daytime grazing. I could hear him coming toward me, so I bugled at him, and he came closer. He stopped 20 yards away, and I let the arrow y. He ran for 10 seconds before crashing to the ground. I was shaking with excitement for quite a while afterward. Tell us about your farm. My wife, Lisa, and I have three children, Hunter, 16, Olivia, 12, and Gunner, 7. Our herd is registered Holsteins. I farm with my brother, Barry. We have 800 acres of row crops and raise Holstein steers, beef cattle, hogs, sheep and goats. We also have a few chickens running around. Our kids’ summertime job is to help around the dairy. We also like to show a few head of our dairy cattle at the Sioux Empire Fair each summer.
Brad Medek Pierz, Minn. Crow Wing County 220 cows What do you like about hunting? Deer hunting has always consisted of getting together with family to decrease the population of deer damaging our crops. The best part of it is spending time with family. Our group consists of 31 hunters, all of which are related. The memories we make together are priceless. What animals do you hunt during the year? I only hunt deer. Many family members hunt on our property. Black bear, deer, small game, waterfall and varmints are hunted throughout the year. Tell us about your most unique hunting experience. As you can imagine being part of a big hunting crew has its advantages and also its disadvantages. I remember being the stander on a drive. I was standing on a piece of wood in the middle of a swamp because the grass was so tall I couldn’t see over it. The guys jumped a doe and a buck in the drive. They were coming towards me. I emptied my clip on them, reloaded and shot another four shells at them. One went down. When the guys came to help me they razzed me for letting the buck get away, giving me no credit for the doe I had laying. When the story is re-told every year they remind me of how I lobster clawed the reload process and could have gotten the buck as well. What is one of your favorite hunting traditions? My father-in-law started the tradition of our hunting crew and their family members turning the farmhouse basement into party central over the two weekends of hunting long before I was ever part of this crazy bunch. He has been gone for ve years now, and we are still carrying on his tradition. Everyone brings beverages and dishes to share. We drive my motherin-law crazy, but it is great to have a place to gather and reminisce of past hunts. What is your favorite recipe or meal from game you’ve hunted? Pan fried fresh venison chops cooked by my mother-in-law. It has been a longstanding tradition to process our own deer and make our own sausage. What is the best animal you’ve ever tagged? The rst deer I shot. I remember being soaking wet and freezing cold. I was ready to call it quits when a little buck appeared. I shot twice and was so excited when I saw him fall that I forgot about being cold and wet. Tell us about your farm. Our farm is a 900-acre, 220-cow dairy farm. We rent an additional 500 acres from neighbors. We grow our own feed and do most of our own fabricating and mechanic work. We cash crop a couple hundred acres each year. We raise our heifers for replacement cows and sell our bull calves. Turn to FENCE | Page 16
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ConƟnued from FENCE | Page 15
Jason Juers Lake City, Minn. Wabasha County 100 cows What do you like about hunting? It is peaceful in the woods, and I like being outside. It is also fun to get together with our hunting group, which includes my brother, neighbors and friends from high school. What animals do you hunt during the year? Mostly deer. If I have time, I will hunt coyote. I do both shotgun and muzzle loader. Tell us about your most unique hunting experience. A couple years ago, I was sick during hunting season. My hunting group wanted me to go hunting. Even though I did not want to go, I got my stuff and headed out. They put me on the fence line and I ended up getting a doe. What is one of your favorite hunting traditions? Every opening weekend and sometimes the last weekend, one of the guys in our hunting group and his wife puts together a big lunch for our group. It is a huge feast. There is so much food. It is a fun time to get everyone together and spend time talking. What is your favorite recipe or meal from game you have hunted? When we cut up a deer, we cook the tenderloin at the same time. We season it with lemon pepper and butter. It tastes really good. We usually have the rest of the deer processed by someone locally, where it is made into beef sticks and sausage. Those are good, too. What is the best animal you have ever tagged? It was my rst time hunting when I was 14 years old. I saw a buck. I did not think I would get it, but I shot anyway. I took a lot of shots, but I got him on my last shot. It was a 7-point buck. Tell us about your farm. I farm together with my dad, Bryan, brother, Nate, and nephews, Brandon and Mason, in addition to a few part-time employees we have. Along with our herd of dairy cows, we have 110 beef cows and raise all our steers and heifers, which are housed on four farmsites. We also raise corn, soybeans, alfalfa, oats and peas. This was the rst year we had peas. Since the prices of corn and soybeans were low, we decided to try something different and dedicated land to peas. It was an opportunity to double crop and a place to haul manure so it has more benets than being a cash crop.
Chris Christensen Browerville, Minn. Todd County 40 cows
David Brown Audubon, Minn. Becker County 90 cows
Mike Seppelt Pierz, Minn. Morrison County 40 cows
What do you like about hunting? I like being able to sit in the woods and relax. It is a peaceful time to be there. It does not matter if I do not get any deer.
What do you like about hunting? I enjoy seeing nature. I’d rather watch the deer than shoot one. I just like being in nature.
What do you like about hunting? It’s a time to relax and get away from reality for a few hours.
What animals do you hunt during the year? I only hunt deer; years ago I used to hunt small game.
What animals do you hunt during the year? I hunt raccoons and deer.
Tell us about your most unique hunting experience. It happened just last week on the rst morning of the rst day of deer hunting when my son, Caleb, went out for the rst time and was able to shoot a deer. It was exciting to see him do that; the expression on his face, he was so excited. He did not think he would get one and was surprised when it fell over. It was an 8-point buck. It made him proud. Another unique experience was when Caleb was 7 and he wanted to sit on the deck and use my call. He called and had six deer in the yard, and I was hunting across the 40acre eld. What is one of your favorite hunting traditions? I enjoy preparing for the hunt. That includes putting down the food plots to keep the deer here and making sure I have the right foods to bring them into the area. Then I watch them all summer long. What is your favorite recipe or meal from game you’ve hunted? Summer sausage. We have Steve’s in Browerville do this for us and it is excellent summer sausage. What is the best animal you’ve ever tagged? I have a lot of 10 pointers on the wall. I enjoy hunting for the big bucks. I cannot pick a favorite of the six because they are all nice. I will not shoot anything smaller than an 8-point buck. Tell us about your farm. My wife, Jennifer, helps me full-time on the farm. We have one child, Caleb. We milk in a stanchion barn and have a mix of Jerseys, Guernseys and Holsteins. We plant corn and alfalfa on our 230 acres.
Tell us about your most unique hunting experience. My most unique experience is when I shot an 8-point buck in my third year of hunting. It was the rst day I was able to shoot in the three years I had been hunting. I saw deer but they were either too far away or on other property. He came about 50 yards away, and I shot and dropped it in one shot which was nice because I didn’t have to track. What is one of your favorite hunting traditions? Throughout the summer I like to watch and see where they are moving and what bucks are out there. What is your favorite recipe or meal from game you’ve hunted? My grandma slow cooked the back strap of the 8-point deer and made a bunch of xings with it. It was amazing. What is the best animal you’ve ever tagged? The 8-point buck I shot. It was opener morning, and he walked out of a bunch of trees. I was on the edge of the trees and he walked out to a clearing and I shot. Tell us about your farm. I help my parents, Jay and Anna, and do all the feeding for them. Dad does the milking and we do the eldwork together. We farm 500 acres and plant corn, oats, peas and alfalfa. I also work at the Perham Stockyards in Perham, Minn. on Mondays and any other day I need to work cattle there.
What animals do you hunt during the year? I hunt mainly deer, ducks and pheasants. Tell us about your most unique hunting experience. I wounded a big buck with a bow and arrow and tracked it for two days. Then, I ended up taking an airplane to look for him, but was unsuccessful. A couple days later, someone got it during rie season. It was a 10-point buck that weighed 243 pounds eld dressed. What is one of your favorite hunting traditions? Every year, a good friend and I go out the rst morning and bow hunt. We stay usually are out for three hours. It’s satisfying because it’s the culmination of the work we do to prepare. We do food plots, we trim brush off shooting lanes, we move our portable stands a lot, we spend every Sunday out there during the summer. The reward of sitting out there and relaxing the rst morning is great. What is your favorite recipe or meal from game you’ve hunted? I like to make sausage and venison sticks with about one-third pork. What is the best animal you’ve ever tagged? I shot a nine-point buck in 2014 with my bow and arrow. It came walking in and I ended up hitting it in the spine and dropped it in its tracks. It was the biggest deer I’ve got. Tell us about your farm. I farm with my wife, Brittaney, and we have a 15-month old son, Brett. She is a stayat-home mom. I rent 220 acres of tillable land and plant corn, soybeans and alfalfa. I milk in a tiestall barn and have been milking for over seven years. I love it.
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Page 18 • Dairy Star • Saturday, November 11, 2017
Top Performers
Nutrition plays role in increasing production on Pedley Dairy milking 3X a day for many years.
Keith Pedley Ocheyedan, Iowa Osceola County 300 cows What is your current herd average, butterfat and protein? Our herd averages stand at 31,050 milk, 1,163 butterfat and 946 protein. How many times a day do you milk? If you don’t milk 3X a day, have you tried it in the past? We have been
Do you contract your milk? Has it been successful for you? I have never tried to contract any milk. Describe your housing and milking facility. We have a double-8 parallel milking parlor that we built in 2000. In 2002, we added a 216- by 96-foot barn that has room for 200 freestalls. We bed all of our freestalls with sand.
JERRY NELSON/DAIRY STAR
Keith Pedley milks 300 cows near Ocheyedan, Iowa. Pedley credits nutriƟon and acƟvity monitors to increasing milk producƟon.
JERRY NELSON/DAIRY STAR
The freestalls at Pedley Dairy are bedded with sand. Their cows are milked three Ɵmes a day and the alleys are scraped twice a day.
What is the composition of your ration? What has been one of your most recent changes that has been successful for you? The TMR for the milking herd is made of corn silage, dry hay, haylage, cottonseed and a grain and protein mix. We haven’t changed our ration much over the past ve
years; we simply tweak it to reect our forage analysis. I have only two rations, one for the milking herd and one for the dry cows. Through the years you’ve been farming what change has created the biggest jump in your herd average? Turn to PEDLEY | Page 20
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Dairy Star • Saturday, November 11, 2017 • Page 19
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MODAK DAIRY, The Moes Family, GOODWIN, SD 2100 cows, 96 lbs/cow/day SCC dropped from 280,000 to 178,000 Greg Moes and his wife Julie and son Jacob are pictured by the MoDak Dairy wall that includes photos of employees and previous generations and memorably their son Scott, killed in a car accident a year ago, whose passion for the dairy helped steer its expansion and modernization. Jacob says he was led from construction work back to the 5th generation dairy by his brother’s encouragement and ideas and is glad to have had the chance to work with Scott, as brothers and co-herd managers, before his passing. Ron Visser (above) has served as co-herd manager.
“Our fresh cows are doing better since we started using Udder Comfort™. We calve 200 a month and saw right away the impact on reducing edema. Our goal is 10 applications on every fresh udder. We spray fresh udders 2x/day 5 to 7 days, and use color bands and CMT 2 days a week before removing the bands,” says Ron Visser at MoDak Dairy, Goodwin, South Dakota where 2100 cows are milked on the Moes family’s 5th generation Century Farm.
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“Udder Comfort is a real plus for milk quality, the missing piece to all we do for cow comfort. Less than a year ago, SCC was 280,000. We couldn’t budge it. Now it is dropping like a rock to 178,000 and we’re down to 4 hospital cows.”
Call to locate a distributor near you. For external application to the udder only after milking, as an essential component of udder management. Always wash and dry teats thoroughly before milking.
Page 20 • Dairy Star • Saturday, November 11, 2017
ConƟnued from PEDLEY | Page 18 Our herd average has been going up steadily, and I think that nutrition has played the biggest role in this. About 2.5 years ago, we tted our cows and heifers with collars that track rumination and daily activity. This has enabled us to get them bred on schedule and helps us detect sick animals quickly. Adding headlocks has also helped. When a heifer comes in heat, we no longer have to sort her off and haul her to another barn for breeding. What is your herd health program? We follow the recommended vaccination protocols and make sure every animal is vaccinated. The Worthington Veterinary Clinic comes to our farm
twice a month for herd health checks. We also work with our nutritionist to ensure the cattle are all receiving the proper levels of nutrition. What does your dry cow and transition program consist of? Our dry cows are kept outside on a bedded pack. About two weeks prior to calving, we move the dry cows into a transition pen. After they calve, we put them right in with the rest of the milking herd. I think they have less stress when they can be with their buddies. What role does genetics play in your production level and what is your breeding program? We have never bred
JERRY NELSON/DAIRY STAR
Keith Pedley uses the informaƟon gleaned by tracking collars to determine when an animal is ready to be bred and whether or not there are any animals in the herd that are having health issues. About 2.5 years ago, Pedley Ʃed his enƟre herd of 300 cows with collars that track their ruminaƟon and daily acƟvity. for milk; we have always bred for type. When selecting sires, we look for longevity and good legs and udders. We have done some genomic testing and ET work. We will typically use 25-30 different bulls over the course of a year.
JERRY NELSON/DAIRY STAR
The dry cows and the older heifers at Pedley Dairy are kept outside on a deep bedding pack. One of Keith Pedley’s goals is to build a barn to house his dry cows and bred heifers.
What type of improvements would you like to make that would increase your rolling herd average even higher? I wish we had a dry cow barn so the dry cows could be kept inside. We have also been told that we need to get our heifers
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a little bigger before they calve for the rst time. What would you say are the three most important factors for you that helped you attain your current herd average? At the top of the list is having a good nutritionist. Next, is having a good veterinarian to help with herd health issues. Last, but not least, is our employees. We couldn’t do it without all of the wonderful people who work for us.
Tell us about your farm. My wife, Barb, and I purchased this farm from my father in 1991. At that time, the dairy operation consisted of 60 cows and 30 heifers. Barb and I have two sons, David and Kyle, who joined the operation after they graduated from college. In addition to helping all around the farm, David and Kyle have a custom manure hauling business. During the fall, they are running pretty much 24 hours a day.
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Drago 12-30, 2008 $ #139217
Over 1200 items with pictures updated daily • Go to www.mmcjd.com ARTICULATED 4WD TRACTORS 11 Versatile 1156, ‘88, 470 hp, 6534 hrs., #139641 ................................... $44,900 1 JD 8560, ‘91, 235 hp, 6305 hrs., #140759....................................................... $33,900 7 JD 8640, ‘87, 275 hp, 10435 hrs., #137151....................................................... $20,350 9 JD 8650, ‘84, 290 hp, 7458 hrs., #142202....................................................... $27,000 6 JD 9200, ‘97, 310 hp, 6844 hrs., #138865 ..................................................... $59,500 3 JD 9330, ‘10, 375 hp, 1260 hrs., #140493 ...................................................$185,000 6 JD 9400, ‘96, 425 hp, 6221 hrs., #134367....................................................... $79,000 7 JD 9620,’06, 500 hp, 6120 hrs., #138706....................................................... $99,500 7 JD 9360R, ‘13, 360 hp, 1289 hrs., #139202.....................................................$195,900 6 JD 9460R, ‘14, 460 hp, 2656 hrs., #141947.....................................................$233,000 5 JD 9510R, ‘13, 510 hp, 2054 hrs., #140937.....................................................$219,500 8 JD 9520R, ‘17, 520 hp, 350 hrs., #142212.....................................................$329,500 7 JD 9560R, ‘12, 560 hp, 1751 hrs., #133796.....................................................$239,000 5 JD 9620R (2), ‘15, 620 hp, 463 hrs., #137678.................................... $365,000 3 Challenger MT965B, ‘09, 510 hp, 3800 hrs., #137356 .................................$135,000 1 Case IH STEIGER 335, ‘10, 335 hp, 5290 hrs., #142352 .................................$119,000 5 New Holland T9050, ‘10, 485 hp, 1884 hrs., #141515 .................................$179,000 COMBINE PLATFORMS 7 JD 615P, ‘16, #133555 ............................. $26,000 3 JD 625F, ‘07, #142365 ............................. $24,000 6 JD 625F, ‘12, #142196 ............................. $26,950 8 JD 630F, ‘04, #141475 ............................. $15,500 8 JD 630F, ‘07, #142384 ............................. $21,900 4 JD 630F, ‘11, #113753 ............................. $25,900 2 JD 635F, ‘06, #142452 ............................. $14,500 8 JD 635F, ‘07, #135115 ............................. $18,500 8 JD 635F, ‘10, #140551 ............................. $22,900 6 JD 635F, ‘10, #141912 ............................. $27,500 3 JD 635F, ‘11, #134729 ............................. $29,800 4 JD 635F, ‘12, #118150 ............................. $33,900 6 JD 635FD, ‘12, #141854 .......................... $55,000 3 JD 640FD, ‘15, #142243 .......................... $75,900 8 JD 640FD, ‘17, #142205 .......................... $89,500 6 JD 930F, ‘03, #133476 ............................. $11,500 COMBINES 10 Case IH 8010, ‘06, 2125 hrs., 1506 sep, #132086 ................................... $99,000 7 JD 8820, ‘81, 5450 hrs., #142380....................................................... $12,995 6 JD 9500, ‘92, 5694 hrs., 4030 sep, #142681 ................................... $23,500 1 JD 9500 (3), ‘90, 3950 hrs., #141093....................................................... $27,900 5 JD 9500, ‘92, 5306 hrs., 3502 sep, #140474....................................................... $35,900 2 JD 9550, ‘03, 3155 hrs., 2101 sep, #142192....................................................... $72,900
265,000
JD S660, $ 2015, 850 hrs., #117457
3
JD 9560 STS, ‘07, 1375 hrs., 925 sep, #142548.....................................................$129,000 9 JD 9570 STS, ‘08, 1563 hrs., 1084 sep, #115868.....................................................$139,500 6 JD 9650 STS, ‘01, 3720 hrs., 2515 sep, #142385....................................................... $78,500 8 JD 9670 STS, ‘10, 1250 hrs., 940 sep, #142154.....................................................$159,500 6 JD 9760 STS, ‘04, 2642 hrs., 1763 sep, #107702....................................................... $98,900 8 JD 9760 STS, ‘07, 2095 hrs., 1452 sep, #142194.....................................................$115,000 7 JD 9770 STS, ‘09, 2631 hrs., 1931 sep, #124372.....................................................$127,900 10 JD 9770 STS, ‘10, 2427 hrs., 1776 sep, #135046.....................................................$132,900 3 JD 9870 STS, ‘09, 3239 hrs., #134942$139,000 6 JD 9870 STS, ‘09, 2428 hrs., 1677 sep, #141914.....................................................$169,500 6 JD S550, ‘12, 1105 hrs., 720 sep, #134811.....................................................$179,500 6 JD S660, ‘12, 1812 hrs., 1385 sep, #133738.....................................................$175,000 4 JD S660, ‘13, 1607 hrs., 1027 sep, #135180.....................................................$196,000 7 JD S660, ‘15, 850 hrs., 525 sep, #117457.....................................................$259,500 8 JD S660, ‘14, 415 hrs., 261 sep, #142203.....................................................$269,500 8 JD S660, ‘17, 53 hrs., #142206 ............$345,000 1 JD S670, ‘12, 2368 hrs., 1711 sep, #128689.....................................................$159,500 4 JD S670, ‘13, 847 hrs., #134914 .........$227,900 1 JD S670, ‘15, 586 hrs., 366 sep, #124831.....................................................$299,500 3 JD S670, ‘15, 312 hrs., 168 sep, #125750.....................................................$325,000 8 JD S670, ‘17, 29 hrs.,#142208 .............$385,000 9 JD S680, ‘12, 1935 hrs., 1275 sep, #134377.....................................................$224,000 3 JD S680, ‘13, 1162 hrs., 881 sep, #140845.....................................................$265,000 8 JD S680, ‘17, 65 hrs., #142207 ............$425,000 CORN AND ROW CROP HEADERS 10 JD 643,#124401 ........................................ $14,900 5 JD 893, ‘97, #142624............................... $12,900 10 JD 893, ‘98, #138934............................... $16,500 10 JD 893, ‘99, #140414............................... $18,500 4 JD 893, ‘96, #134171............................... $19,000 8 JD 893, ‘06, #142418............................... $20,500 6 Drago 12-30, ‘08, #139217 .................... $29,500 8 JD 606C, ‘13, #132413 ............................ $53,900 2 JD 606C, ‘13, #132993 ............................ $53,900 11 JD 608C, ‘09, #142383 ............................ $42,500 4 JD 608C, ‘10, #142453 ............................ $44,900 7 JD 612C, ‘09, #126839 ............................ $52,900 2 JD 612C, ‘14, #134078 ............................ $85,000 8 JD 612C, ‘16, #134111 ..........................$109,000 7 Fantini 6RN, ‘12, #141882...................... $25,900 1 Geringhoff RD830B, ‘04, #132061....... $18,900 DISKS 3 Case IH 370, ‘14, #137899 ..................... $37,900 10 JD 2620, ‘13, #139728 ............................ $39,500 4 JD 2623 (5), ‘14, #134863 ...................... $41,900 3 JD 2625, ‘15, #141983 ............................ $56,500 1 Krause 8200, ‘13, #131061 .................... $34,900
259,500
11 Summers 9K4727, ‘15, #129015 .......... $79,500 GRAIN CARTS 1 Brent 780, ‘07, #142209 .......................... $21,900 11 Brent 780, ‘04, #141745 .......................... $23,900 5 Parker 838, ‘07, #142664........................ $21,900 3 Unverferth 1015, ‘10, #142393 ............. $32,000 7 Brent 1082, ‘12, #142445 ....................... $36,000 3 Balzer 1550, ‘12, #141992 ..................... $55,000 3 Brent 1594, ‘11, #125547 ....................... $62,900 5 Unverferth 1596, ‘15, #142431 ............. $99,500 RIPPERS 11 JD 510, ‘97, #141007...........................$10,400 5 JD 512, ‘04, #141408...........................$10,900 9 JD 512, ‘00, #141499............................... $13,875 4 JD 2700, ‘02, #133806.........................$14,900 1 JD 2700, ‘04, #140687 ............................ $15,900 6 JD 2700, ‘09, #118932 ............................ $27,900 8 JD 2700, ‘13, #134946.........................$29,500 8 Kuhn 4855, ‘15, #138368 ....................... $59,900 1 Case 530B, ‘01, #141085 ........................ $16,000 8 CIH 730C, ‘11, #135148 .......................... $30,000 ROW CROP TRACTORS 12 Case 2290, ‘81, 130 hp, 4300 hrs., #134161....................................................... $12,900 4 JD 4555, ‘90, 155 hp, 8384 hrs., #140253....................................................... $48,000 10 JD 4955, ‘90, 200 hp, 13645 hrs., #142214....................................................... $34,500 11 JD 4960, ‘93, 200 hp, 10115 hrs., #141012....................................................... $43,900 4 JD 7420, ‘07, 115 hp, 5301 hrs., #134042....................................................... $58,900 7 JD 7810, ‘97, 175 hp, 6783 hrs., #137231 ..................................................... $59,500 5 JD 7830, ‘08, 205 hp, 3332 hrs., #135361.....................................................$114,500 11 JD 7920, ‘03, 170 hp, 4910 hrs., #134912....................................................... $89,500 3 JD 8130, ‘06, 225 hp, 3580 hrs., #141472.....................................................$125,000 7 JD 6140R, ‘13, 140 hp, 2059 hrs., #139642....................................................... $91,900 11 JD 6145R, ‘15, 145 hp, 268 hrs., #120191.....................................................$122,900 8 JD 6150M, ‘14, 150 hp, 1021 hrs., #135969....................................................... $98,500 2 JD 6155R, ‘15, 155 hp, 170 hrs., #134317.....................................................$129,900 4 JD 6155R, ‘16, 155 hp, 75 hrs., #127619.....................................................$157,900 7 JD 6170R, ‘13, 170 hp, 1165 hrs., #139818.....................................................$134,900 8 JD 7210R, ‘15, 210 hp, 445 hrs., #141371.....................................................$169,500 8 JD 7210R, ‘15, 210 hp, 491 hrs., #141370.....................................................$169,500 11 JD 7215R, ‘13, 215 hp, 1639 hrs., #137258.....................................................$135,900 8 JD 7230R, ‘13, 230 hp, 1547 hrs. #140670.....................................................$147,900 4 JD 7230R, ‘15, 230 hp,195 hrs., #125073.....................................................$189,500 6 JD 7430 Premium, ‘10, 3710 hrs., #142442.....................................................$101,000 10 JD 8235R, ‘13, 235 hp, 1715 hrs., #127894.....................................................$149,000
JD S550, $ 2012, 1105 hrs., #134811
179,500
6 8 5 4 8 7 7 8 4 10 11 10 5 4 10 6 4 6 7 3 4 2 10 4 4 5 4 4 4 4 11 10 3
JD 8245R, ‘10, 245 hp, 2077 hrs., #140015.....................................................$136,900 JD 8245R, ‘17, 245 hp, 500 hrs., #142213.....................................................$209,500 JD 8270R, ‘10, 270 hp, 5140 hrs., #140901.....................................................$114,900 JD 8285R, ‘13, 285 hp, 324 hrs., #137303.....................................................$206,000 JD 8295R, ‘17, 295 hp, 440 hrs., #141853.....................................................$239,500 JD 8320R, ‘14, 320 hp, 2305 hrs., #127013.....................................................$219,000 JD 8345R, ‘15, 345 hp, 809 hrs., #136799.....................................................$239,500 JD 8345R, ‘17, 345 hp, 386 hrs. #141850.....................................................$279,500 UTILITY TRACTORS JD 2840, ‘79, 80 hp, #137677 ............... $13,000 JD 6200, ‘97, 89 hp, 9911 hrs., #141979....................................................... $28,600 JD 6400, ‘95, 100 hp, 10700 hrs., #142557....................................................... $27,000 JD 6400, ‘94, 100 hp, 7942 hrs., #129836....................................................... $29,500 JD 6430, ‘08, 115 hp, 1576 hrs., #132066....................................................... $74,900 CIH 115C, ‘14, 115 hp, 425 hrs., #142395....................................................... $63,800 JD 5083E, ‘10, 83 hp, 250 hrs., #140550....................................................... $48,500 JD 5085E, ’16, 85 hp, 241 hrs., #124729....................................................... $51,900 JD 5085M, ‘15 85 hp, 890 hrs., #141995....................................................... $45,500 JD 5100E, ‘16, 100 hp, 99 hrs., #124826....................................................... $54,900 JD 5100M, ‘15, 100 hp, 592 hrs., #118463....................................................... $62,900 JD 5105M, ‘11, 105 hp, 940 hrs., #142381....................................................... $56,000 JD 6105M, ‘14, 105 hp, 396 hrs., #132099....................................................... $71,000 JD 6105R, ‘13, 105 hp, 454 hrs., #135169....................................................... $91,500 JD 6105R, ‘14, 105 hp, 229 hrs., #127952....................................................... $99,000 JD 6110R, ‘15, 110 hp, 104 hrs., #119898....................................................... $99,500 JD 6120R, ‘15, 120 hp, 243 hrs., #124875.....................................................$118,900 JD 6125M, ‘13, 125 hp, 973 hrs., #126547....................................................... $85,900 JD 6125R, ‘13, 125 hp, 600 hrs., #134131.....................................................$103,000 JD 6130M, ‘16, 130 hp, 11 hrs., #127623.....................................................$106,900 JD 6130R, ‘16, 130 hp, 170 hrs., #138428.....................................................$110,000 JD 6135E, ‘15, 135 hp, 298 hrs., #124885....................................................... $71,900 JD 6330 Premium, ‘13, 105 hp, 3716 hrs., #137150....................................................... $72,900 CIH Maxxum 140, ‘14, 140 hp, 914 hrs., #140549....................................................... $78,500 NH T5060, ‘13, 105 hp, 1945 hrs., #140888....................................................... $39,000
JD S670, $ 2012, 2368 hrs., #128689
159,500
Page 22 • Dairy Star • Saturday, November 11, 2017
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Managing wet corn with a late harvest By Liz Stahl, Dave Nicolai & Jeff Coulter U of M Extension
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Contact one of the following dealers to learn more: IOWA Kramer Bros. Monticello, IA 319-465-5931 Prairie Land Ag Supply Inc. Rock Valley, IA 712-476-9290 United-Suckow Dairy Supply West Union, IA 563-422-5355 Postville, IA 563-864-7417
WISCONSIN Advanced Dairy/Bob’s Dairy Supply Spring Valley, WI 715-772-3201 Ederer Dairy Supply Plain, WI 608-546-3713 Joe’s Refrigeration Inc. Withee, WI 715-229-2321 Mlsna Dairy Supply Inc. Cashton, WI 608-654-5106 Professional Dairy Services Waunakee, WI 608-849-5043
Mondovi Dairy Systems Inc. Mondovi, WI 715-926-5777 West Salem, WI 608-769-2113 The Scharine Group Inc. Whitewater, WI 800 472-2880 Mt Horeb, WI 800-872-3470 MINNESOTA & SOUTH DAKOTA D&D Ag Supply Pennock, MN 320-599-4466
East Central Dairy Supply Mora, MN 320-679-1029 Genex Farm Systems Melrose, MN 320-256-3276 Watertown, MN 605-886-7401 Sioux Falls, SD 800-284-0015 S&S Dairy System LLC St. Charles, MN 507-932-4288 Professional Dairy Systems Wadena, MN 218-632-5416
is a registered trademark of Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. and “DeLaval” is a registered trade/servicemark of DeLaval Holding AB © 2017 DeLaval Inc. DeLaval, 11100 North Congress Avenue, Kansas City, Missouri 64153-1296. www.delaval.com
There is a signicant amount of corn to be harvested throughout the Upper Midwest. Grain moisture for most of this corn is not at a level safe for long-term storage, ranging from 17 to 20 percent. Dr. Kenneth Hellevang, Extension Engineer with North Dakota State University, is a regional expert on corn storage issues. Suggestions from Dr. Hellevang and publications for dealing with wet corn and a late harvest include the following: 1. Do not expect corn grain to dry much in the eld at this point. In November, little in-eld drydown of grain, if any, can be expected with cold air temperatures. It is not recommended to delay harvest in the hopes of corn drying signicantly, especially where stalk quality is a concern. 2. Natural Air (NA) drying is not efcient when air temperatures are lower than about 40°F. When air temperatures drop to around 40°F, corn should be cooled below 40°F with aeration, and to 20 to 30°F when possible. The NA drying time for corn at an initial moisture content of 21 degrees, for example, exceeds two months at air temperatures of 30 to 40°F. 3. Corn should be dried to 13 to 14 degrees for long-term storage. Corn can either be dried in a hightemperature dryer to a safe long-term storage moisture, or cooled down and dried next spring. Corn grain at a moisture content up to 20 degrees can be cooled to 20 to 30°F with aeration, held over winter, and then dried when outdoor temperatures average 40°F or warmer by using NA drying with an airow rate of at least 1 cubic feet per minute (cfm)/bushel. If corn is wetter than 20 degrees, refer to information from Dr. Hellevang on drying high-moisture corn for more details: https://z.umn.edu/dryinghmcorn. 4. The wetter the corn, the shorter the time this grain can safely be stored. The wetter the corn, the more quickly it deteriorates. At a temperature of 40°F, corn grain at a moisture content of 13 percent has a maximum allowable storage time of around 150 months, while at 18 percent this drops to 6.1 months (see the University of Minnesota fact sheet “Grain Storage Tips” at https://z.umn.edu/grainstoragetips). For corn at 28 percent, this drops to 30 days. 5. Grain temperature is a major factor in determining the approximate allowable safe storage time (AST) for corn. For example, at 30°F, corn at 20 percent moisture can be safely stored for over 300 days. At 40°F, this time drops to 90 days and at 50°F, this time drops to only 50 days. A key reason is because of the impact of temperature on insect activity: Insect reproduction is reduced below 70°F, insects are dormant about 50°F, and insects are killed if grain is below 30°F for a few weeks. Cool temperatures also hinder mold development. 6. The AST for grain is cumulative. If half of the AST for harvested grain is used before grain is dried and cooled, only about half of the AST will be left for the grain after it has been dried. For example, corn stored at 20 percent moisture and 50°F has an AST of about 50 days. Drying the grain to 15 percent moisture after 25 days and cooling it for winter storage will use half of the AST. When temperatures warm to 70°F next summer, the AST for this grain at 15 percent moisture and 70°F would now be about 60 days instead of the 125 days shown on an AST chart. 7. Moisture meter accuracy decreases when air temperatures are below 40°F. When temperatures are below 40°F, place a grain sample in a sealed container, wait 6 to 12 hours while letting the sample warm to 70°F, then recheck the moisture. For more details on handling wet corn later in the season, check out Dr. Hellevang’s presentation High Moisture Corn Drying and Storage. More information on grain drying and storage is available on the University of Minnesota Extension Corn Harvest website at https://z.umn.edu/cornharvest. This site also includes a link to the North Dakota State University Grain Drying and Storage website at https://www. ag.ndsu.edu/graindrying.
An easy keeper Heifer giveaway calf comes from balanced cow family at New Alta Dairy By Krista Kuzma
krista.k@dairystar.com
PIPESTONE, Minn. – One lucky youth will be able to bring home a calf this Christmas to start or grow his or her dairy herd. This year’s Dairy Star Great Christmas Heifer Calf Giveaway is Newalta Light My Fire 9945, a Light My Fire daughter born Sept. 16, that comes from Newalta Dairy, which milks 2,300 cows near Pipestone, Minn. The Vander Wal family owns and manages the dairy. John and Berlinda Vander Wal farm together with their daughter and son-inlaw, Alisha and Trevor Ekkel, who have a son, John, 1. Two other daughters – Jenn Landman and her husband, Steve, and their children, Brooklin, 2, and Ryan, 10 months; along with Bernice – work off the farm but still in the dairy industry. Their youngest two children, Amy Jo and Ian, are nishing college and high school, respectively, and help on the farm when they are able. The family moved to Pipestone from Canada in 2005 and started milking 600 cows in their new facility in 2006. While growing their herd, the family bought grade animals, but have been working to register all the calves born on the farm. About 60 percent of the herd is considered to have an 87
percent registered Holstein ancestry. “We’ve always had registered Holsteins,” Alisha said. “We really like the pedigree side of it and keeping track of all their information, and being able to classify them.” Plus, the family likes to show animals during the summer months. The Vander Wals see potential in the young Light My Fire daughter. “She’s just a small calf yet, but so far she looks like she has good type with good stature, and good feet and legs compared to the other calves in the group,” Alisha said. The dam of 9945 is a second lactation Absolute daughter that is scored Very Good-86. “She’s a good milk cow that has a nice square udder and a good rump along with sound feet and legs. Overall she’s a very correct cow,” Alisha said. The September calf’s granddam is an Epic daughter, scored Very Good86. The Vander Wals bought her as an embryo from another Minnesota registered breeder. For her second lactation record, she produced 28,660 pounds of milk in 327 days. “She’s a good strong milk cow with no real faults. The family is not real showy cows, but they’re good milk cows.” Alisha said. The great granddam is a Ramos daughter score Excellent-91 and has a lifetime production record over 200,000 pounds of milk. “There are a lot of good cows behind this calf,” Alisha said. “They breed back well and they do their thing. We don’t notice them because they just t right in.” That follows their breeding
Dairy Star • Saturday, November 11, 2017 • Page 23
JERRY NELSON/DAIRY STAR
Alisha Ekkel and John Vander Wal (holding Alisha’s son, John Ekkel) show the Light My Fire heifer calf that will be given away in the Great Christmas Giveaway drawing. philosophy at Newalta Dairy. Trevor, who chooses most of the bulls to use, said they breed for a balanced cow without extremes one way or another. Good feet and legs, well-attached udders along with positive components and low somatic cell count are a focus for developing the herd. “If they’re genomic, they have to be over 2.8 for type or I don’t touch them. I don’t chase TPI or net merit,” Trevor said about choosing bulls. Some of the recent bulls Trevor has liked have been Beemer, Brandt, Teddy, Spur and Doorman. He used Light My
Fire because of his good milk and type and low somatic cell score. The bull also has good health traits and has produced daughters that do not have high pins, Trevor said. The Ekkels and Vander Wals are excited for this calf’s future. “She will probably produce well. She may not be a show calf, but she has some potential [to be in the show ring]. She has a well balanced cow family,” Alisha said. “Like her family, she should be an easy keeper. She should t right in anywhere. I think the winner will be happy.”
Page 24 • Dairy Star • Saturday, November 11, 2017
+
DAIRY ST R
The Great Christmas
G I V E A W A Y
2017
Grand Prize Drawing Will Be Held Thursday, December 14, 2017
THE WINNERS WILL BE POSTED ON WWW.DAIRYSTAR.COM, MILK BREAK NEWSLETTER AND ON FACEBOOK.
Adults register for a Trip for two to Nashville for 3 nights
ADULT GRAND PRIZE
(air and hotel).
(one prize winner from each circulation area)
A WINNER FROM EACH ZONE!
We’ll also add $400 for each winner for a relief milker
17 & UNDER GRAND PRIZE
Grand Prize Heifer Calf: NEWALTA LIGHT MY FIRE 9945 Born: September 16, 2017
Dam: Newalta Absolute Genaven Sire: 250HO12879 Mapel Wood Light My Fire Granddam: Grand Melarry Epic Generosa-ET Grand Priz e comes Fro Calf Newalta D m the Vande airy, rW family of al Pipestone , MN.
2ND PLACE CHILDREN’S PRIZE ZE
Toy Pedal Tractor A WINNER FROM EACH ZONE!
A Alisha Ekkel and John Vander Wal (holding Alisha’s son, J John Ekkel) and the Light My Fire heifer calf that will be g given away in the Great Christmas Giveaway drawing.
Register free at any of the participating businesses for your chance to win!
Dairy Star • Saturday, November 11, 2017 • Page 25
REGISTER AT THESE PARTICIPATING BUSINESSES: IOWA
ALLAMAKEE COUNTY • Bodensteiner Implement Waukon • 563-568-3463 • Equity Livestock Waukon • 563-568-4501 • Innovative Ag Services Waukon • 563-568-3455 • Waukon Veterinary Services Waukon • 563-568-2487
HOWARD COUNTY
• Bodensteiner Implement Cresco • 563-547-2152
O’BRIEN COUNTY
• Associated Milk Producers Inc. Sanborn • 712-729-3255
SIOUX COUNTY
• Rock Valley Hay Auction Co. Rock Valley • 712-476-5541 • Sioux Dairy Equipment, Inc. Rock Valley • 1-800-962-4346 • Valley Dairy Farm Automation Rock Valley • 712-476-2781
WINNESHIEK COUNTY
• Bodensteiner Implement Decorah • 563-382-2961 • Brynsaas Sales & Service Decorah • 563-382-4484 • Franzen Sales & Service Fort Atkinson • 563-534-2724 • Langs Dairy Equipment Decorah • 563-382-8722 • NICC Dairy Center Calmar • 866-474-4692, ext. 107
MINNESOTA BECKER COUNTY
• Adkins Equipment Inc. Detroit Lakes • 218-847-3131
BENTON COUNTY
• Arnold’s of St. Cloud Sauk Rapids • 320-251-2585 • First National Bank of MilacaGilman OfÀce • 320-387-2233
BROWN COUNTY
• Associated Milk Producers Inc. New Ulm • 507-233-4600 • New Ulm Regional Vet Clinic New Ulm • 507-233-2520
CARVER COUNTY
• Lano Equipment of Norwood Norwood/Young America 952-467-2181 • Bongards’ Bongards • 952-466-5521 • Storms Welding Cologne • 952-466-3343
DAKOTA COUNTY
• Werner Implement Vermillion • 651-437-4435
DOUGLAS COUNTY • Nelson Creamery Nelson • 320-762-0115 • Osakis Creamery Assn. 1-800-584-9236 • Pro Ag Farmers Co-op GarÀeld • 320-834-2271
GOODHUE COUNTY
• Ag Partners Bellchester • 651-923-4453 Goodhue • 800-732-1439 Wanamingo-Agronomy Location 507-824-2215
• Ag Partners Farm Store Cannon Falls • 507-263-4651 Pine Island • 507-356-8313 Wanamingo 507-824-2231 • GB Feed and Supply Bellechester • 651-923-4425 • Midwest Livestock Systems Pine Island • 507-356-8349
KANABEC COUNTY
• East Central Dairy Supply Mora • 320-679-1029 • Fluegge’s Ag Mora • 320-679-2981
KANDIYOHI COUNTY
• D&D Ag Supply & Construction Pennock • 320-599-4466 • Farm-Rite Equipment Willmar • 320-235-3672
LYON COUNTY
• Midwest Ag Marshall • 507-532-2279
MCLEOD COUNTY
• Arnold’s of Glencoe Glencoe • 320-864-5531 St. Martin • 320-548-3285 • Mueller Sales & Service Dairy Equipment Glencoe • 888-205-0974
MEEKER COUNTY
• Farm-Rite Equipment Dassel • 1-888-679-4857 • Form-A-Feed Ag Services LitchÀeld • 320-693-7223 • Mies Equipment Watkins • 1-800-324-8269
MILLE LACS COUNTY
• Farmers Co-op Creamery/ ADM Alliance Nutrition Foreston • 320-294-5711 • First National Bank of Milaca Milaca • 320-983-1333 • Timmer Implement Pease • 320-369-4183
MORRISON COUNTY
• Gilman Co-op Creamery Gilman • 320-387-2770 • Litke’s Veterinary Service Pierz • 320-468-6666 • Modern Farm Equipment Pierz • 320-468-2161 • Pierz Co-op Pierz • 320-468-6655 • Sunrise Ag Cooperative Buckman • 320-468-6433 Lastrup • 320-468-2543 Little Rock • 320-584-5147 Pierz • 320-468-2168
OLMSTED COUNTY
• Associated Milk Producers Inc. Rochester • 507-282-7401
OTTER TAIL COUNTY
• Bongards’ Perham • 218-346-4680 • J&L Nutrition Perham • 218-205-0174 • PCCA-Country Store Perham • 218-346-7075 • Perham Stockyards Perham • 218-346-3415 • Pro Ag Farmers Co-op in Henning 218-583-2947 • Pro Ag Farmers Co-op in Urbank 218-267-2401
PIPESTONE COUNTY
• Gorter’s Clay & Dairy Equipment Pipestone • 507-825-3271
• Pipestone Livestock Auction Pipestone • 507-825-3306
STEARNS COUNTY
• A&C Farm Service Paynesville • 320-243-3736 • Ag Venture Feed & Seed, Inc. Watkins • 320-764-9910, 800-779-8910 • Albany Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Albany • 320-845-2801 • Arnold’s of Kimball Kimball • 320-398-3800 • Arnold’s of St. Martin St. Martin • 320-548-3285 • Arnzen Construction/St. Rosa Lumber Freeport, In St. Rosa 320-836-2284 or 1-888-276-1751 • Associated Milk Producers Inc. Paynesville • 320-243-3794 • Centre Dairy Equipment & Supply Inc. Sauk Centre • 320-352-5763 or 1-800-342-2697 • Crop Production Services Sauk Centre • 320-352-6564 • Dairy Star Sauk Centre • 320-352-6303 • Dairyland Supply Sauk Centre 320-352-3987 or 1-800-338-6455 • DHIA Sauk Centre 320-352-2028 or 1-800-369-2697 • Ecker Feed Service, LLC New Munich • 320-837-5249 • Elrosa Grain & Feed Elrosa • 320-697-5515 • Farm-Rite Equipment St. Cloud • 320 240 2085 • Feed Co. Paynesville • 320-243-3938 • Freeport State Bank Freeport •1-800-252-9856 320-836-2126 Greenwald • 320-987-2265 New Munich • 320-837-5297 Melrose • 320-256-7208 • Farm Systems Melrose 1-800-636-5581 • 1-800-247-0012 • Lake Henry Implement Lake Henry • 320-243-7411 • Leedstone Melrose • 1-877-608-3877 • Melrose Implement Inc. Melrose • 320-256-4253 • Modern Farm Equipment Sauk Centre • 320-352-6543
STEELE COUNTY
• Ag Partners Owatonna • 507-413-8000 • Northland Farm Systems Owatonna • 800-385-3911
TODD COUNTY
• Olson’s Custom Farm Service Staples • 800-477-7059 • Pro-Ag Farmers Co-op in Clarissa Clarissa • 218-756-2112 • Pro-Ag Farmers Co-op in Eagle Bend Eagle Bend • 218-738-2552
WABASHA COUNTY
• Ag Partners Farm Store Lake City • 651-345-3328 Plainview • 507-534-2531 • Beck Implement Elgin • 507-876-2122 • Dairyland Equipment Service Plainview • 507-534-3161 • Wingert Sales & Service Plainview • 507-534-4386
WADENA COUNTY
• Aldrich Tractor Inc. Aldrich • 218-445-5430
• Olson’s Custom Farm Service Verndale • 218-445-5500 Sebeka • 218-837-5749 • Pro Dairy Systems Wadena • 218-632-5416
WINONA COUNTY
• Benson Farm Service Lewiston • 507-523-2188 • Elba Coop Elba • 507-796-6571 • S&S Dairy Systems St. Charles • 507-932-4288
WRIGHT COUNTY
• Hobert Sales Inc. Cokato • 320-286-6284, 1-800-820-6455 • The Country Store/ Munson Lakes Nutrition Howard Lake 320-543-3517, 800-663-9177
YELLOW MEDICINE COUNTY
• Equity Elevator Wood Lake • 507-485-3153, 800-248-5427
SOUTH DAKOTA BROOKINGS COUNTY • W.W. Tire Brookings • 605-696-7400
CODINGTON COUNTY • Midwest Ag Supply Watertown • 605-882-2497
HUTCHINSON COUNTY
• Associated Milk Producers Inc. Freeman • 605-925-4234
MINNEHAHA COUNTY • Central Valley Dairy Supply Brandon • 605-467-0812 • Midwest Livestock Systems Sioux Falls • 800-705-1447
ROBERTS COUNTY • Valley Dairy Supply Corona • 605-432-5224
WISCONSIN PEPIN COUNTY
• Anibas Silo & Equipment Durand • 715-285-5317
PIERCE COUNTY
• Western Wisconsin Farm Store Ellsworth • 715-273-5066 • Ag Partners Grange Hall • 715-647-5002
ST. CROIX COUNTY
• Dairyland Farm Services Woodville • 866-467-4717
TREMPEALEAU COUNTY • Centerville Cooperative Trempealeau • 608-536-3311 • D&D Farm Supply Arcadia 608-323-7001 or 800-657-6955 • Hegg Mill Ettrick • 608-525-4545
LA CROSSE COUNTY • St. Joseph Equipment LaCrosse • 608-788-1775
VERNON COUNTY
• Premier Cooperative Cashton • 608-654-5416 • Koon Kreek Feeds Coon Valley • 608-452-3838
To view a complete list of participating businesses, log on to www.dairystar.com *Enter as often as you like. One entry per store visit, please. Winners must be 18 years or older and a Grade A or B dairy farmer for heifer, or 17 years or younger and a son or daughter of a Grade A or B dairy farmer for heifer calf. Winners must also live in the Dairy Star circulation area to be eligible and are responsible for transport of animal.
Page 26 • Dairy Star • Saturday, November 11, 2017
CUSTOM-MADE HUTCHES
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Elections for the 2017 county committee
USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) County Committee Elections are underway in Stearns County and throughout the state. It is important that every eligible producer participate in these elections because FSA county committees are a link between the agricultural community FSA News & Notes and the USDA. The 2017 election in Stearns County will be conducted for the representative Local Administrative Area (LAA) 3 which includes the townships of Farming, Munson, Eden Lake, St. Martin, Zion, Paynesville, Spring Hill, Lake Henry, Lake By Ryan Brunn George, Crow River, North Fork and Crow Lake. Stearns Co. Exec. Dir. This year, Stearns County has one nominee for the county committee. Dan Olmscheid completed his rst term on the FSA committee and is running for re-election. Dan farms near St. Martin with his wife, Bea. They have three grown children and two granddaughters. They raise corn and soybeans and feed out 150 head of dairy beef. Dan has been on the St. Martin Co-op Board for 20 years. He was an original board member for New Vision Alliance in Albany, which is now Centra Sota Feed and Grain. Currently, Dan is on the Paynesville Mutual Insurance Board serving as the secretary. County committee members are a critical component of FSA operations. Committees should be comprised of members who reect the diversity of producers involved in production agriculture in Stearns County. This means that producers representing underserved groups or communities should be on the committee to speak on behalf of their constituency. Underserved producers are beginning, women and other minority farmers and ranchers and land owners and/or operators who have limited resources. Other minority groups including Native American and Alaska Natives; persons under the poverty level, and persons that have disabilities are also considered underserved. To be eligible to vote in the elections, a person must: Meet requirement one (see explanation below) or meet requirement two, and requirement three (see explanation below). Requirement one: Be of legal voting age and have an interest in a farm or ranch as either: an individual who meets one or more of the following; is eligible to vote in one’s own right, is a partner of a general partnership, is a member of a joint venture or an authorized representative of a legal entity, such as: a corporation, estate, trust, limited partnership or other business enterprise, excluding general partnership and joint ventures; a state, political subdivision of a state or any state agency (only the designated representative may cast a vote for the entity). Requirement two: Not of legal voting age, but supervises and conducts the farming operations of an entire farm. Requirement three: Participates or cooperates in an FSA program that is provided by law. County committee election ballots were mailed to eligible voters on Nov. 6. The last day to return completed ballots to the Stearns County USDA service center is Dec. 4, 2017. Farm Service Agency is an Equal Opportunity Lender. Complaints about discrimination should be sent to: Secretary of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. 20250. Visit the Farm Service Agency Web site at: www.fsa.usda.gov/ for necessary application forms and updates on USDA programs.
The empty nest stage The Transition Pen
By Laura Scholtz & John Rosenhammer Father/Daughter Farming Duo As I was growing up, holidays were something I looked forward to. A few more days of vacation from school and no homework; that was a small part of it. Stufng myself on everybody’s best home cooking and lling up with a slice or two of apple pie; well, that was another reason. But the real motivation was getting together with all the cousins for a competitive afternoon of sporting activity. Football was usually the rst choice. Coaxing my uncles to join us meant we were in for an afternoon of serious hard-nosed competition. Occasionally the afternoon would be temporarily halted for a pulled muscle, a nose bleed, a few gasps for oxygen or an argument of where out-of-bounds really was. The uncles tended to create the rules as each situation arose, but the joy of having them all out there with us outweighed the setbacks we were dealt. Of course, bragging rights for an entire year were at stake so no one wanted to quit until their team was ahead. With the shorter days, many outcomes were determined past twilight and well into the dark evening hours. Running over Grandma’s ower bed never seemed a big deal, but accidentally tripping over a young apple tree or running into a grown tree was the nal straw, or whistle, to call it a day. As we were raising our family we often heard comments from other parents. “I can’t wait for school to start again.” “It sure will be nice when they are all graduated and out of the house.” It seemed like that day would never come; when all ve of our children would be graduated and out of the house. But that day came for us this past May as Johnny graduated and left for college in September. Patty and I have always looked forward to having all our children around the table and at home with us. We chose to be involved in our children’s lives and they in ours. It was a sad day sending Joe to Canby, Laura to River Falls, Mary and Becca to Brookings and Johnny to Watertown. They each had become such a vital part in our dairy farming operation that we were unsure of surviving without them. So now that we have experienced the empty nest stage, what are our thoughts? For starters, the nest is rarely empty. When Becca moved out Laura came back, and Joey has tried his hand at custom farming and is just two miles from us. Laura met her husband, Chris, and after working in town he also often shows up at the farm. Mary has started a cow calf herd, using our farms facilities and pasture, so she is attached and coming back. Becca has pursued a degree in nursing, and I challenge her to study hard and learn well because some day she may be coming back and taking care of Patty and I. Johnny is getting his associates degree in diesel technology and loves to use his CDL by hauling grain to town on weekends. He is also back. Plus, he enjoys lling his truck with free farm gas to get through the coming week. We did assume that some things may be easier and less stressful with a quieter house. Three whole weeks went by before that changed. A desperate call came from Johnny. “Mom, my stomach hurts. It’s been hurting for three days, and I can’t even sleep at night or even walk across the street for class,” he grieved with constant, unceasing pain. An hour later he had surgery and his appendix was removed. Three hours later Patty went to see him and stayed overnight. The next four days he spent on our living room couch. He seemed concerned over what he was missing out on in Watertown. Rather uncharacteristic of the same young man who was never concerned about perfect attendance his senior year of high school. Two weeks later, Johnny developed the worst sore throat of his
Dairy Star • Saturday, November 11, 2017 • Page 27
life, again three hours away. He caught a ride home Friday, got no better over the weekend and entered the clinic Monday morning. After a series of tests, he is diagnosed with mono and spent another week at home on the couch. If this is the empty nest stage, it certainly is not empty or easier. Joe has jumped headrst into the custom work business. This venture is time demanding and seasonal. When people call he must drop everything to accommodate his customer’s wishes. This has created numerous situations where he calls his mother to make a parts, food or bank deposit run. Oh, and can you give me a ride, or pick me up at such and such a time? After all, we always have time since we are empty nesters. This summer we lined a small shed for him so he has a heated shop to x in this winter. The current project is moving a neighbor’s house on to his place for him to live in. He is too busy, but needs a basement built with all the trimmings and before
winter of course. “Dad, I will buy all the materials, but you have time to work on it, don’t you?” Of course, what else would I do? I don’t know if I am qualied, but my price is right. How can one argue with free? To be honest, we are amateurs in this empty nest stage. If the busyness of the last six months is any indicator, life is not going to slow down or be easier. But I think that we should thank God for the gift of family. That we are here to constantly serve others, rather than be served. May our example guide our children so they will look forward to the coming holidays. Whether it be for the food, ballgames, card games or companionship, may we come together in spirit so that the nest never becomes empty. John Rosenhammer farms with his daughter, Laura Scholtz, on Roseview Dairy near Sleepy Eye, Minn. They milk 200 Holsteins and run 580 acres of cropland.
TRACTORS
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CIH 1460, arial flow, 2WD, elec. ctrls, for the head - $8,495
NH 740CF, 30 ft Super Flex Head, 5 Bat-Reel, Crary Wind System - $27,500
Harvestec 4308, 8 row chopping head - NOW $9,500!!
Harvestec 6306C, 6 row, 2014 model - $45,500
CIH 140A, CHA, 2013, 2207 hrs., 140 HP, 4 Hyd Remotes, 540-1000 PTO - $49,952
‘11 NH T8020, 200 HP, 4 Hyd Remotes, 540-1000 PTO, Front Axle Suspension, Power Shift, 3459 hrs. - $69,450
CIH 5220, 1996, 6016 hrs., New Rubber, 4X4, 540-1000 PTO, 2 Hyd Remotes, Shuttle Shift - $30,995
NH TG210, 210 HP, 2003, 3 Hyd remotes, 540-1000 PTO, Super Steer - $44,845
TILLAGE JD 893 8 Row, Oxbo knife rolls set up for snapledge, hyd deck plates - $18,900
JD 930F, 30 ft Flex head, double drive, 3” sections, full finger auger NOW $6,500!!
Kelly Ryan 2W-12 Bagger, w/100” motor, 10 ft tunnel, w/hyd brakes - $28,500
JD 893 Double drive, plastic spouts, from 9600 combine, 8 row - NOW $11,500!!
White 435 8 Shank, Hyd Depth Control on front disk - $4,950
MF 8020 7-shank, Rock Flex, Front disk - $3,500
NH 73C, 30 ft flex head, dual PTO drive, tiger tooth sections, AWS wind system - $15,900
McFarlane RD4020-RB6, 20 Ft, 19 In Front Blades, Rock Flex, Hyd Leveling, 6 Bar Chopping Basket, 3 Bar Spike Tooth,w/Rear Rolling Basket - $23,500
IH 735, 5-bottom variable width, auto reset - $3,295
JD 8820 combine, FWD, 30.5x32 Tires, Bin Ext, Nice Unit! - $8,900
Used H&S 612 Gear, 12.5Lx15 tires - $3,450
JD 2700 5 bottom, Auto reset with coulters, variable width - $3,500
NH 740CF, Double drive, AHHC completion package, hyd lateral float, 3” Knives, Crary air reel, 30’ - $38,995
“Models * Years and Hours Shown on All Equipment are Estimated”
This is just a small portion of our used inventory. Visit our website
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Box 530 • 201 S Financial St., Thorp, WI 54771 • Doosan • Kioti • New Holland • H&S • Meyer • Meyer’s • Kelly Ryan • Agco (Hwy. 29, North on 73 5 Blocks to Cty X, East 1/2 Mile) • Hesston • Haybuster • Brillion • Agco Massey • Sunflower • Leon • Loyal • Woods
Page 28 • Dairy Star • Saturday, November 11, 2017
www.extension.umn.edu/dairy
Betty Berning bberning@umn.edu 320-203-6104
Cold weather preparedness for your dairy
Luciano Caixeta lcaixeta@umn.edu 612-625-3130
The rst snowakes have already own, and there have been more than a few mornings when we woke up to belowfreezing temperatures. It may be November, but winter will be here before we know it. The time to start planning for winter is now before the winter wind howls. There are key areas to consider for getting your farm prepared for cold temperatures, frigid winds, and snow and ice. Your facilities are your main defense against the elements in all seasons, so making sure they are maintained is key not only to winter preparedness but to yearround management, as well. Inspect facilities inside and out. Look for items that need to be put away or disposed of. Make By Emily Wilmes note of any damage to walls, curtains, the U of M Extension roof, rafters and doorways. Make immediate repairs when possible; plan time to make larger repairs in the coming weeks. In addition, make sure your barn’s ventilation system is working. This includes checking curtains, ventilation fans, air inlets and any mechanical equipment associated with them. Proper ventilation is crucial to disease prevention in the winter, so keeping your system in working order and performing maintenance and repairs will prevent future problems. Equipment in and around your facilities should also be checked over and needed repairs made. Make sure to inspect manure equipment, barn heating equipment, skid steers, tractors, feed mixing equipment, generators and any other equipment you use. This is also the time to check snow removal equipment and ensure it is in proper working order so it is ready to go for the rst big snow fall. When examining equipment, make sure to check batteries and levels of gas and antifreeze. Speaking of fuel, make sure your farm’s supply is adequate and ready to go for the winter. The time a cow starts to feel cold stress is inuenced by several factors: ambient temperature, body condition, hair coat thickness and whether the hair coat is dry or wet. Typically, with a dry winter coat, cattle will begin to feel cold stress around 32 degrees F; however, they could be comfortable down to 18 degrees F. An important factor in preventing cold stress is providing shelter and keeping animals dry. Most likely, cows will be in the barn, but consider dry cows, heifers or steers that may be more exposed to the elements. If it is not possible to provide a shelter for these animals, at the least a windbreak should be provided. Young calves (less than 3
Hugh Chester-Jones chest001@umn.edu (507) 835-3622 Gerard Cramer gcramer@umn.edu 612-625-8184 Marcia Endres miendres@umn.edu (612) 624-5391 Sandra Godden godde002@umn.edu 612-625-8177 Les Hansen hanse009@umn.edu 612-624-2277 Brad Heins hein0106@umn.edu (320) 589-1711 Kevin Janni kjanni@umn.edu (612) 625-3108 Karen Johnson ande9495@umn.edu 320-484-4334 Brenda Miller nels4220@umn.edu (320) 732-4435 Kota Minegishi kota@umn.edu 612-624-7455 Randy Pepin pepin019@umn.edu (320) 333-1369 Erin Royster royster@umn.edu Jim Salfer salfe001@umn.edu (320) 203-6093 M. Scott Wells mswells@umn.edu 612-625-3747 Emily Wilmes krek0033@umn.edu (320) 255-6169
weeks of age) can begin feeling cold stress at even 60 degrees F, so observe calves daily for cold stress and be sure to have calf jackets washed and ready for those that need them. In addition, offer an adequate amount of clean, dry, comfortable bedding. Now is a great time to think about winter feeding strategies. As the temperatures drop, the energy needs of cattle increase, as they need to work harder to keep themselves warm. Some cattle will eat twice the amount of feed they do in the warmer months. At the very least, ensuring there is a higher density of energy in the feed will help cattle maintain their body temperature. Work with your nutritionist to determine the best course in balancing rations for higher energy content in the winter months. As feed intake increases, so does water intake. If water availability is restricted, feed intake will be reduced. If you do not have a heated waterer, make a point to manually provide warm water several times a day to your cattle. You should also consider increasing energy levels for calves and providing them with plenty of fresh, warm water. Warm water is best as it does not require the calf to use excess energy to heat it to internal body temperature. While preparing for the needs of animals in the winter is the most important, there are other cold weather preparedness measures you should take to ensure the whole farm (people included) is ready for cold weather. Around the farm yard, consider any preparations that need to be made related to blowing and melting snow. This may include putting up a snow fence or planning snow breaks to minimize drifting near driveways and walking paths. Now is also the time to consider ll for areas that get muddy or troublesome during snow melt. Lastly, consider what should be done in cases of extreme winter weather. These considerations should include a contingency plan if milk cannot be picked up on time and how to get plowed out quickly. This is also a good time to think about an emergency action plan, which is a critical part of year-round risk management. If you have not worked on a plan before, creating one for winter is a great place to start. At the very least, have a list of emergency phone numbers compiled that includes your creamery, veterinarian, nutritionist and insurance agent. Also review what do to if there is a loss of power or if animals need to be evacuated for any reason. It can be hard to think about winter in November, but now is the time to prepare for the cold and snow that winter will bring. Preparing your farm by considering facilities, equipment, animal care and general farm management can help save time and headaches down the road.
OMNIFOUNT SERIES O • Easy to maintain and clean • Large access panel for ease in maintenance • Heating elements are located directly under the stainless steel trough for exceptional performance and overall heat coverage • Cable heater provides extra valve and supply line protection • Durable insulated with energy efficient polyurethane foam • 304 Stainless steel trough for guaranteed
The unique components of RumiLife® CAL24™ nutritional supplement allow you to feed two calcium boluses consecutively, meaning you don’t have to catch the cow twice.
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Our experience with an automated calf feeder
Dairy Star • Saturday, November 11, 2017 • Page 29
Maintaining the health and growth of dairy calves is important in their rst months of life. The calf program at the University of Minnesota West Central Research and Outreach Center (WCROC) has focused around group feeding of dairy calves. We have conducted calf studies on the economics of once per day feeding, optimal weaning time, as well as nutritional supplements for growing calves on milk. Recently, we installed an automated calf feeder at our research center to help answer questions that producers have about using these systems and how to effectively raise calves on automated feeders. In this article, I’m sharing our experience with retrotting a barn to add an automated calf feeder into our operation. It was a daunting task, but we made everything work and our calves are doing great. The University of Minnesota WCROC milks 275 cows and raises about 75 heifer calves per calving By Brad Heins season (spring and fall). So far, we will only be able to raise U of M Extension about one-half of our calves on the automated feeder. The remaining calves are housed in groups of 10 in outdoor super hutches and fed six liters of milk once per day. When we started thinking about installing an automated feeder, we were not thinking about the water softener, water heaters, calf pen waterers, etc., that had to be installed as well. At our dairy, we have fed whole milk for years, so we needed a system that could work with our whole milk feeding. We installed a Holm and Laue HL 100 automated calf feeder, with two calf hygiene stations for feeding. One of the hygiene stations has a forefoot calf weigh scale attached to record daily growth of calves. For feeding whole milk, we added a 200-gallon Milk Jug cooling tank from Calf-Star in New Franken, Wis. We also have a Holm and Laue Milk Taxi that can pasteurize milk and transport the milk to the Milk Jug and calf feeder. The biggest reason we went with this brand of automated feeder was because of the cleanliness features. After a calf visits the feeder, the mixing bowl is rinsed with clean water, and the nipple is rinsed with a mixture of water and hydrogen peroxide. We also set our systems to start a wash cycle automatically three times per day. In addition, we change the nipple in the hygiene station once per day for washing. We also have the Holm and Laue CalfGuide system that provides an interface to allow the monitoring of calf milk consumption, drinking rates, number of visits and body weights. We installed our automated feeder in a 60- by 60-foot barn that we retrotted to t the feeder. We have an unconventional system because we wanted our calves to have access to the outdoors even in the winter time. We have two pens in our barn with 15 calves each that will provide for 49 square feet per calf. We also bed with a lot of dry straw to allow calves to burrow into the straw and keep warm in the winter. We may be able to put more calves on each nipple feeding station, but we decided to limit ourselves the rst time we had calves on the feeder. We had already been feeding calves in groups of 10, so it was easy for us to increase the
Example calf from WCROC in the CalfGuide System.
group size number. For ventilation, we installed the FLIP DUCT calf barn ventilation design from Crystal Creek in Spooner, Wis. The design allows us to use the ventilation system during the summer and winter weather. The system will provide 46 cfm per calf in the winter and 109 cfm per calf during the summer, which will allow air volume in the group pens to change at 45 times per hour in the summer. Our calves are being fed eight liters of whole milk per day in two-liter increments. We start them on the feeder at 5 days of age and allow them to drink 6.8 liters per day. They are ramped up to eight liters within 7 days. We also will start weaning the calves off milk starting at 49 days and will wean by 56 days of age. Everything is looking good after having calves on the automated calf feeder. Calves are growing, they are healthy and they look good, and some calves are gaining 2.5 pounds per day. We have not had any health problems or scours in our calves. However, we do have excellent colostrum management, superb hygiene, excellent calf starter quality and consumption, and access to fresh, clean water at all times, which are important to raising healthy calves. In the future, I’ll provide updates on feeding calves with our automated feeder.
PHOTO SUBMITTED
The automated calf feeder room at the WCROC has a Milk Taxi, Milk Jug and H&L 100 feeder.
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PHOTO SUBMITTED
These are calf pens and venƟlaƟon systems in the barn at the WCROC. They are fed with an automated feeder.
PHOTO SUBMITTED
* Source: Sexcel field trial data. Results vary by bull
Thanksgiving preparations Page 30 • Dairy Star • Saturday, November 11, 2017
Thanksgiving, that all-American face-stufng contest, will soon be here and we know what that means. All across this great land of ours, people will look at one another and repeat those immortal words rst uttered centuries ago by Miles Standish when he turned to Christopher Columbus and said, “I can’t believe I ate the whole thing.” Our nation has a long tradition of overeating on Thanksgiving Day. I, for one, plan to avoid any gustation related suffering this Thanksgiving. How? Instead of my old system of laying in large supplies of tummy remedies, I plan to get in shape. I’m not signing up for a yoga class or any such foolishness. I have instead developed a cunning strategy that involves eating larger meals each day. That way, when Thanksgiving rolls around and we gather around a table that groans under heaps of yumminess, I will be able to say in all honesty, “Gee, looks like
there’s only enough for me. I hope you guys aren’t hungry, too.” I come from a long line of eaters. My parents ate and my grandparents ate and their grandparents before them ate. I hate to brag, but my family’s eating history is so deep, it’s entirely possible that we invented the art of ingesting. This is what caused my wife to suffer untold amounts of consternation when we were newlyweds and she took it upon herself to host Thanksgiving for my extensive clan. The previous Thanksgiving had been held at my grandparents’ house. We had celebrated the holiday by attempting to break our personal records for the number of calories consumed in one sitting. Grandma was a genius in the kitchen. She was the kind of cook who could take whatever was handy – even disgusting things, such as dried cod that had
MIDWEST DAIRY DAY Maximizing Production with Improved Reproduction Friday, Dec. Iowa’s Dairy Center | 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
1
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, the Northeast Iowa Dairy Foundation and Northeast Iowa Community College collaborated to offer the Midwest Dairy Day. This program provides in-depth information on improving milk production through a variety of practical reproductive programs and metabolic management. Midwest Dairy Day is open to all dairy producers, students and industry members. 10 - 10:30 a.m.
Check-in
10:30 a.m. - Noon
Achieving High Fertility in High Producing Dairy Herds Paul Fricke, Ph.D. Professor of Dairy Science, University of Wisconsin - Madison
Noon - 1 p.m.
Lunch
1 - 2 p.m.
Improve Reproduction by Monitoring Metabolic Disorders Pat Gorden, D.V.M., ABVP Senior Clinician, Iowa State University, College of Veterinary Medicine
2 - 3 p.m.
Dairy Producer Panel
This program is free thanks to the generous support of local businesses. Registration Deadline: Wednesday, Nov. 22
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been soaked in lye – smother it in a creamy brown gravy and voila! A feast t for a horde of marauding Vikings. Or in this case, my family. Given the number of people in my family and our Norse heritage, it was difcult to tell the difDear County Agent Guy ference. There’s a disorder known as Martha Everlasting Stewart Syndrome (MESS) that strikes during the holiday season. The hallmarks of this afiction include ts of obsessive cleaning punctuated by bouts of frenzied redecorating. Those affected by MESS have By Jerry Nelson sometimes been found Columnist on their hands and knees on their sidewalks, scrubbing fanatically with a toothbrush and mumbling, “I just want everything to be perfect.” My wife was struck by this malady a few weeks before Thanksgiving. It got so that I dared not sit still for even a moment for fear that I might be summarily re-upholstered or steam cleaned with a Rug Doctor. Thanksgiving dawned crisp and cold, much like the hemispherical, frost-encrusted monstrosity that my wife hauled out of the freezer. “What in the world is that?” I asked. “It’s the turkey, you doofus,” she replied tactfully. “Oh. I was wondering if you were starting a new Thanksgiving tradition of serving ostrich. I don’t know much about cooking, but maybe you should have started thawing it before today.” This invoked a urry of frenzied activity that focused on thawing an alleged turkey, which was approximately the size of the iceberg that sank the Titanic. Several hundred gallons of hot water later, I suggested that perhaps an increase in the oven temperature would decrease the turkey’s cooking time in a proportional manner. My wife reluctantly agreed. Some hours later, our house had lled with guests. The prospect of consuming massive amounts of victuals was foremost on everyone’s mind. My wife, still stuck in the Martha Stewart mode, chose this occasion to take her rst stab at making gravy. Her efforts resulted in something akin to a mass of misshapen dumplings. Undaunted, she poured the steaming concoction into the blender and hit the Turbo Frappe button. A fountain of gravy erupted from the blender, bestowing the kitchen ceiling with an interesting new color and texture. My wife instructed me to carve the turkey while she scooped the remaining gravy into a boat. I sliced into the beast and hit something solid. Prying open the incision, I discovered that our gambit had failed, that the interior of the bird remained encased in permafrost. We started a new tradition that Thanksgiving called “Let’s dash to the chicken joint and pick up a dozen buckets of drumsticks and a few gallons of gravy.” As Grandma left that day, she slipped a small package into my wife’s hand. “Here, honey,” Grandma whispered. “I never set foot in the kitchen without one of these.” It was a packet of instant gravy. Jerry is a recovering dairy farmer from Volga, S.D. He and his wife, Julie, have two grown sons and live on the farm where Jerry’s great-grandfather homesteaded over 110 years ago. Jerry currently works full time for the Dairy Star as a staff writer/ ad salesman. Feel free to E-mail him at: jerry.n@dairystar.com.
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Countryside, corn elds and combines
Countryside, corn elds and combines. That is what can be seen when driving through rural Minnesota this time of year. From the car window of someone who has never experienced harvest season, the countryside, corn elds and combines may seem insignicant. However, for farmers and their families, this scenery takes on a whole new meaning. For dairy farmers, harvest means time is spent not only in the barn doing daily chores, but also in the eld. Although sometimes it seems there is not enough time in the day to accomplish everything, farmers continue to complete the harvest year after year. Behind the countryside, corn elds and combines are countless On the Road with hours of memories, teamwork and dedication from Princess Kay Minnesota’s farmers. Leaves falling from their trees means it’s easier to see the countryside. When I was home on the farm for the weekend, I went for a run on our gravel road. Each year, I watch the change in these elds alongside the road as they are planted in the spring, grow throughout the summer and are harvested in the fall. That evening, I watched the countryside change before my eyes as my neighbors harvested their corn. But that is not the only thing that can be seen from the countryside during harvest. On the way to one of my Princess Kay events, I saw a mom with two By Emily Annexstad 64th Princess Kay of the young children delivering lunch to the eld. This brought back memories from my childhood. GrowMilky Way ing up, one of my favorite jobs during harvest was to help deliver lunches to the eld. My brothers and I also spent hours riding in the buddy seat of the tractor over the years. We had a bird’s eye view of the countryside as the corn was harvested by our family and employees. The corn may have disappeared from the elds around my farm in late September, but the result is a full bunker silo. The corn silage will keep our cows fed throughout the year, and in turn provide us with that wholesome, nutrient-rich milk. Corn has a long history of helping to feed America. When the pilgrims rst found the new world, they learned how to grow corn with the help of the Native Americans. Without this partnership, it is likely that the pilgrims would not have survived their rst few winters. Today, some dairy farms in my area partner with local crop farmers. Crop farmers add alfalfa to their crop rotations, resulting in increased soil quality and haylage or hay for local dairy farms. Working together has been, and continues to be, a part of what makes agriculture successful. Farming has changed over the past two centuries. From oxen and horses with wooden plows, to the rst tractor, to combines that drive themselves, the advancements that have been made are amazing. However, when Hidden b Hidd behind hi d the h countryI think about a combine, I help but think about all side, corn fields and combines can’t the times when combining or of late fall are some of the chopping has come to a halt equipment broke. It most authentic, hard-working because seems we are always coverpeople I have ever met. ing our bunker silo as a storm is coming in on the horizon. Maybe, yields are great, but it won’t stop raining. Or, the weather is perfect, but the combine breaks down. It is in these moments we may question why we do it. We have no control over the weather, and we can’t prevent equipment from breaking, but we can choose how we react to the situation. Farmers react by humbly waiting for the rain to stop and the mud to dry, driving three towns over to nd the right part for the tractor and spending hours in the shop xing equipment. Through the inevitable struggles, farm families manage to complete harvest each year, and when spring nally comes, start the process all over again. Hidden behind the countryside, corn elds and combines of late fall are some of the most authentic, hard-working people I have ever met. Thanksgiving is approaching, and I am truly thankful for farmers and their families. Without you, our Thanksgiving table would not be plentiful – it wouldn’t even be half full. Dairy farmers, thank you for choosing farming as your way of life, not just during harvest season, but all year long. The hard work you put in is both something to be proud of and something to be thankful for. I hope all of you have a safe and plentiful harvest this year. As you drive past the countryside, corn elds and combines, I hope you take a minute to remember the memories your family has made in this scenery, and be extra thankful for them.
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Dairy Star • Saturday, November 11, 2017 • Page 31
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I am so frustrated
Page 32 • Dairy Star • Saturday, November 11, 2017
Tonight, I needed to print off a new calving list it, and thought I would go back to the dairy after for the week. I hit print on the dairy ofce computer writing this article to see if it worked. and out came three sheets of unreadable lines. The I know the employees at the dairy have similar printer had been warning me for weeks to check frustrations every day. I usually hear some of ink levels, but I always those when I arrive early think it’s a scam trying to in the morning. Our herd know the h employees l at the h get you to buy more ink I k manager, Bry, hears before you really need it. dairy have similar frustrations those frustrations all day Well, now it was empty. long, and Joe hears many But no problem, I was every day. also. Some problems are ready with a new bottle overstated and need to be of ink. I poured in the ink ignored, but most are real and hit print and again blank papers came out. So, and make the employees’ jobs more difcult than I thought there had to be a way to prime the new they should be. ink. I searched the priming procedure. Not so easy Let’s go for a walk in the freestall barn. Man because our internet server at the dairy had just passes on each end of every pen, so employees can burned up another connection for the fourth time enter and exit pens easily and safely, good. Gates this year. So, I went to my house to nd how to do with slam latches that work and a backup chain
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latch on every gate, good. Headlocks in every pen to manage cows for breeding, sorting, drying off, hoof trimming, pour on and vaccinations, good. Waterers that are easy to clean, good. Rakes available by all pens to clean back of stalls, not good. We Making Cents of Dairy need to buy some more. Dedicated skid loaders to scrape pens, push up feed and level stalls; yes, but a constant maintenance battle. We are experimenting with a robot feed pusher in one section of the barn, hoping that would free up labor resources and be more consistent at By Dave Vander Kooi pushing up feed. Columnist As we walk from the freestall barn to the holding area, one of the big changes we made this past summer is visible. We installed permanent concrete footbaths with drains, insulated one-inch water ll valves, and pre-calibrated chemical solution valves and tanks. No longer do the employees have to set out the plastic foot baths, string out the water hose, carry buckets of formaldehyde and then manually dump the foot baths at the end of the shift. Now we enter the milking parlor where multiple frustrations can appear. This is where money can be made and lost depending on the attitude of the employees and the cows. It’s also the hardest area to keep perfect because of the 24 hour a day use. I actually let one employee go a few weeks ago because she complained to me and everyone else so much that she turned a pleasant environment into a place nobody wanted to be. And yet, I need to listen to the real complaints employees have. For example, the washing machine for the towels must work, and the backup washing machine for the towels must be ready to work when the rst machine fails, and it will fail. Are all the hand gloves, detergents, teat dips, garbage bags, etc., ready to use and available? Are the employee bathrooms, lockers and kitchen facilities decent? Ours need some upgrades, especially in the lighting department. I value and trust my employees, and try to make their jobs less frustrating on a daily basis, but it works both ways. One of the little things they did drove me crazy. As all dairymen know, milk inspectors require hand soap on all bathroom and milk house sinks. I bought the nice-looking liquid soap dispensers like my wife has in her bathroom at home. Those little soap bottles have disappeared faster than the dollars in a milk check. So, I went to the store and bought cheap bars of Ivory soap and put one on each sink. That was nine weeks ago, and the bars are still there and square. Now I’m headed back to the dairy to prime my printer, and either become more frustrated, or go to sleep with a smile. Dave Vander Kooi operates a 1,200-cow, 3,000 acre farm with his son, Joe, and daughter-in-law, Rita, near Worthington, Minn. Send him feedback at davevkooi@icloud.com. Follow him on Instagram, @ davevanderkooi.
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So much better now
One of the things Auntie Konnie told me every time we talked was that Glen and I needed to nd some help. “You can’t keep working that hard,” she’d say. Or, “What if something happens and you both need to be away from the farm?” She was right. And, Glen and I both knew it. So after Konnie’s funeral, I doubled my efforts to nd someone to help us with chores. I could write a whole book chapter about everyDairy Good Life thing that went into that process. The highlights are that we kept trying, kept a positive attitude and kept an open mind. The result of that process, though, is that we now have someone helping full time with milking and miscellaneous chores as hours allow. The young man we hired is a joy to work with and has quickly learned our systems. To be completely honest, everything seems so much better now. It’s hard to describe the change between feeling stretched to the point of breaking and feeling well staffed for each day’s work. By Sadie Frericks Sure there have been some minor challenges. I Columnist don’t like payroll taxes and all the paperwork that goes along with being an employer. We had to gure out where on our farm we could create an employee break room and bathroom. We’re still adjusting to the new schedule we set up. But those challenges feel especially minor when compared to the benets we are reaping in return. Most importantly, dairy farming is enjoyable again. Instead of feeling like the chores will never end, the workload feels manageable with three of us here. We can delight in all the simple joys of farming – the birth of a special new calf, Daphne painting on the cows with tail paint, the kittens playing in the straw – without feeling like we’re drowning in the work. I also feel like we’re better farmers. We’ve actually had time to catch up on many of the small maintenance and improvement projects that we kept putting off until we had enough time. We’re checking jobs off the “should do” and “could do” lists on a daily basis. The psychological weight of feeling constantly behind is lifting away. Moreover, the pervasive guilt I used to feel is shrinking, too. For the past several years, I’ve struggled with feeling like I’m not enough. If I was in the house helping the kids or cooking or the thousand other things that need to be done inside I would feel guilty for leaving Glen to work alone. Most chores on our farm are easier, take less time, and are more enjoyable when two people work together. If I was in the barn all day (chores could literally take all day), I would feel guilty because it meant supper would be frozen pizza again or the kids might not get to bed on time. I could give a dozen more examples, but what’s important is that I no longer feel guilty about not being in both places at once. If I need to spend extra time in the house, I know that Glen has help outside. On the days when all three of us work together, we end up having enough time for family and fun. We took the kids out to eat one night last week, something we haven’t been able to do in a really long time. Glen went deer hunting this weekend, and our milker and I had morning chores all done by the time he got back. I’ve sat down to play a few songs on the piano more times in the past couple weeks than I have the past couple years. Konnie would be happy to hear about how much better life and farming are going for us. We are happy, too. Sadie and her husband, Glen, milk 75 cows near Melrose, Minn. They have three children – Dan, 10, Monika, 7, and Daphne, 4. Sadie also writes a blog at www.dairygoodlife.com. She can be reached at sadiefrericks@gmail.com.
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Page 34 • Dairy Star • Saturday, November 11, 2017
The race always wins
In a recent Runners World article, “The Race Al- one has to work to x only what one can control, and ways Wins,” the author describes his attempts to im- in that way hopefully negate or reduce the negative prove his marathon time and experience. In spite of effects of those factors out of our control. When renumerous changes in strategy, he always falls apart in sults of any controllable process are poor it is almost the last six miles and nishalways due to one of two es feeling miserable. I have things. Either the process is have observed b d that h ffarmers are wrong, or the process is berun quite a few marathons I h ing performed incorrectly. and have had the same ex- no different than the rest of us Alternatively, one could say perience myself. For dairy farms, there when it comes to fixing problems. doing the wrong thing versus doing the thing wrong. are lots of words one could The distinction is important substitute for race in that sentence. For example: The weather always wins. The because doing the wrong thing usually results in conmarket always wins. Pick your own noun. There are sistently poor results, while doing the thing wrong many factors that affect success on a dairy farm that usually results in inconsistent results. In my 36 years of working on dairy farms, I have are completely out of the control of the farmer. There is no point trying to control these factors. Instead, observed that farmers are no different than the rest of
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us when it comes to xing problems. They often tend to see problems as doing the wrong thing and most xes as changing the process. That is why in trying to reduce the herd average somatic cell count, for example, many will purchase Veterinary Wisdom a new teat dip, or different liners, or take-offs or something else, when the real problem is inconsistent udder preparation or other errors in compliance. Or, some will make a variety of changes to the udder preparation process itself. It is almost always easier and quicker to change the process By Jim Bennett than it is to improve comColumnist pliance. This is especially true when employees are performing the process. Managing people seems to be harder for most of us than managing cows. Successful managers often use what I call the tightening the circle strategy to improve results when compliance is the problem. Circling the process means examining all the critical control points and looking for mistakes that escape the circle. Success means xing those mistakes, examining results and then circling around again looking for more mistakes. Fixing mistakes tightens the circle. Next managers examine results, and if still not right, circle again, continuing to tighten the circle. I watched a successful farmer signicantly improve udder health using this process. Yes, there were a variety of changes made in processes, but mostly this manager patiently kept tightening the circle for at least three years to solve the problem. New infection rates went from over 10 percent to 5 or 6 percent; chronic infections went from 16 or 17 percent to 6 or 7, and the herd somatic cell count dropped from 200,000-300,000 to just over 100,000. Even better, results are now consistent from month to month, even through the summer. Fixing the problem took a lot of time and persistence, but it was worth it because the problem was xed instead of inconsistently improved based on luck. Furthermore, the farmer can now move on to more pressing problems because maintaining success means continuing surveillance circling instead of making drastic or expensive changes. The other benet is that xing the problem made everyone’s life easier on the dairy because there are fewer mastitis cows to identify in the parlor, pull out of a string, culture, treat or identify to cull. If this farmer had instead chosen to make subsequent changes to the process it would have caused more work for employees and ultimately more stress since the results would still have been inconsistent. As for my own efforts to improve my marathon experience, I ran the Twin Cities Marathon with my 20-something, very t son at my side. He usually runs a lot, but due to injury he had done little training this summer. He decided to run the race really slow by tagging along with me, just for fun. I saw this a signicant change in strategy, or process, for me because I could use him to help my attitude and keep my pace more consistent. Hopefully I could perform better during the race. It went well until about mile 25.5. At that point I decided to run as hard as I could for the last one-half mile. Unfortunately for me, a marathon is 26.2 miles, not 26, so I found myself suppressing what would be an uncontrollable urge to up chuck about 0.2 miles from the nish. With great effort, I managed to cross the nish line before diverting off to the side of the course to unload. Perhaps the best part was that this was the rst year the Twin Cities Marathon offered a free photo of each runner’s nish. Mine shows my son with arms held high in celebration right under the nish banner, and me with one hand on my stomach, cheeks pushed awkwardly out and desperately heading for the sideline. It is my favorite race photo because it proves that in the end the race always wins. Jim Bennett is a dairy veterinarian at Northern Valley Dairy Production Medicine Center in Plainview, Minn. He and his wife, Pam, have four children. Jim can be reached at bennettnvac@gmail.com with comments or questions.
Dairy Star • Saturday, November 11, 2017 • Page 35
Moores aim to add value with cheese
Iowa dairy couple opening holiday shop in Maquoketa By Ron Johnson
ron.j@dairystar.com
MAQUOKETA, Iowa – It’s been said, “Necessity is the mother of invention.” That’s true for Brandon and Heather Moore of Maquoketa, Iowa. The Jackson County farm couple began milking their rst cows three years ago. But, like many dairy farmers, they have felt the pinch of rather low milk prices. Their necessity was nding a way to add value to the milk from their 50 cows. Their solution was having cheese made from the herd’s milk and
RON JOHNSON/ DAIRY STAR
Heather Moore and her husband, Brandon, are the owners of Moore Family Farms Cheese of Maquoketa, Iowa. The couple uses the milk from their 50-cow herd to produce the cheese products.
PHOTO SUBMITTED
This is a sample of the mild cheddar the Moores had made from their farm’s milk.
marketing it on their own. Heather and Brandon have rented a small storefront in nearby Maquoketa and will sell their cheese at their Moore Family Farms Holiday Shop. The store is scheduled to open Nov. 11.
The thought that it would not hurt to make their milk more valuable and pocket a larger prot occurred to the couple this past spring. “I think the dairy industry realized that maybe our markets aren’t quite as
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secure as we thought. We’re kind of looking to the future to make sure we can keep our market,” Heather said. The Moores considered other Turn to MOORES | Page 37
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Page 36 • Dairy Star • Saturday, November 11, 2017
Women In Jeans Shelby Mahoney Cannon Falls, Minn. Goodhue County 70 cows Family: My parents are Keith and Kay Mahoney. Tell us about your farm (and your role). Mahoney Holsteins was established in 1960 by my grandparents. My parents now own 70 registered Holsteins both black and white, and red and white. I am the herdswoman at our family farm. My role is milking, feeding cows, health care and breeding the cattle. On Fridays, I also breed cattle at a larger dairy a few miles away. What is the busiest time of day for you? The busiest time of day for us is 4 to 8 at night. We sweep feed in the mangers, mix feed for the cattle, do general cleaning chores, milk cows, feed calves and treat any fresh or sick cows. When you get a spare moment what do you do? I enjoy graphic design – logos and ads for our farm and website. I also enjoy showing dairy cattle. Tell us about your most memorable experience working on the farm. Winning grand champion of the Holstein show at this year’s Minnesota State Fair and being able to walk our homebred cow in the parade of champions for supreme champion selection. It was an amazing memory that our family will always remember. What have you enjoyed most about dairy farming or your tie to the dairy industry? Helping new calves when they are born. It is a great
experience watching them grow into heifers and eventually cows that I will milk in the barn someday. I also enjoy being able to work with family every day on the farm. It is an interesting lifestyle of balancing family, farming and a business all in one. How do you stay connected with others in the industry? Social media is a great way for all women in the industry to stay connected no matter where we are in the world. I like to use Facebook and Instagram to post pictures or have conversations about farming. I also enjoy staying connected by going to cattle shows. They are a great way to meet up with old friends and make new ones. Places like World Dairy Expo also help us to continue to better our industry. In your opinion, what’s the importance of women in today’s dairy industry and how have you seen that change over the years? I believe more women are getting involved in today’s dairy industry. With the new technology, social media, graphic designing or industry jobs, I think women are becoming more interested in dairy related jobs. I also believe more women are taking over family farms or working on dairy farms. I think the woman’s place in the dairy industry is important for both the business and family.
FARM INFORMATION STATION Joe Gill • Farm Director
SERVING CENTRAL MINNESOTA FOR OVER 50 YEARS Catch the Dairy Star’s Mark Klaphake with Joe Gill at 6:45 a.m. the 2nd & 4th Fridays of the month on KASM!
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DID W We are in our third generation of raising and selling alfalfa. I’ve seen a lot T ! U Y S a O bus e’ve KNO OU GE akot Y R of people jump in and out of the hay business... our family has been doing this our ? W? ine be DID OW the LAouth D e s entire lives.We know what it takes to make hay in South Dakota and we know how to n s N f S K o sin in treat a customer. When you buy alfalfa from us either you are 100% satisfied or we’ll make it right. ne in o rs re duce a We a Pro alf Alf
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Dairy Star • Saturday, November 11, 2017 • Page 37
ConĆ&#x;nued from MOORES | Page 35
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Heather Moore and her husband, Brandon, are opening a shop that will sell their farm’s cheese, along with other items. The shop opening is scheduled for Nov. 11. options. One was enlarging the dairy herd. Another was beginning to merchandize the genetics of their registered Holsteins. That will happen someday, Heather said. So, they chose a different alternative: making and marketing cheese. To test the ďƒžnancial waters and keep their investment low, Heather and Brandon decided to not try to make the cheese themselves. Instead, their ďƒžrst batch was made this past September at Nordic Creamery in Westby, Wis. The Moores hired their regular milk hauler, Mark Rolfes, of New Vienna, Iowa, to truck 7,300 pounds of the farm’s milk 105 miles to Nordic Creamery. Moore Farm’s cheese will sell for $8 a pound. “I was a little concerned that we were charging too much for our cheese,â€? said Heather. “But everyone who has wanted to buy it has said that’s not a problem.â€? Indeed, approximately 200 of the 714 pounds of cheddar had already been sold via preorders before Heather drove to southwest Wisconsin to pick it up. The Moores have promoted their new business and product with Facebook and Instagram. Relatives and friends have signed up to buy the cheese. So have a few grocery stores, such as a Hy-Vee in nearby Dubuque, the Fareway in Maquoketa, and one in Bellevue. There’s also been interest from a winery and a local wine bar. Heather said an order arrived from Colorado for 35 pounds. The Moore’s store, at 204 S. Main St., Maquoketa, will offer more than cheese. It will also sell cheese curds made by Westby Cooperative Creamery, meat from the Edgewood Locker and pork from Brandon’s father’s farm. He raises Berkshire hogs for Berkwood Farms and will keep the store stocked with ham, bacon and pulled pork. “It’s good meat,â€? Brandon said. Other foods the Moores will stock include homemade Iowa jerky and honey. From Heather’s home area, Crawford County, Wis., will come handmade soap. Wooden toys made by Heather’s uncle will also be in the shop. Heather and Brandon might add Iowa maple syrup, too. “We’re kind of open to anything,â€? Heather said. A week before the shop’s opening, the Moores had a long list of work to do. Coolers had just been installed, but a banner for the front of the building was not hung. The display window needed stocking and arranging, and a string of Christmas lights lay on the ďƒ&#x;oor. Heather will divide her time
between the shop and the farm, handling most of the twice-daily milkings. Two neighbors will ďƒžll in for milking as needed. She will also tackle the shop work, having it open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday through Dec. 31. Along with tending the shop, Heather will deliver the cheese locally. Brandon, meanwhile, has 800 beef cattle to tend to as part of his custom feeding business. He is also a regional sales representative for a feed company. Heather and Brandon also must make time for their trio of boys. Tucker is 7; Cassidy is 4; and Cooper is 18 months. It’s an exciting time for Heather and Brandon. They said they would like to keep the shop open past Dec. 31, but, that decision hinges on how good business is. “We think it should do really well. It’s across from the movie theater and on the way to Walmart.â€? Maquoketa is a mere seven-minute drive from the Moores’ 80-acre farm. The city of approximately 6,000 has been doing a good job of revitalizing the downtown over the past ďƒžve years or so, Heather said. If their ďƒ&#x;edgling cheese business goes well, the Moores might take it a step farther. “I think, to make this really go, we need to have our own processing room,â€? Brandon said. The processing facility would be right on the farm and would make small batches of cheese plus curds, both from the herd’s milk. Brandon said the expenses of trucking milk away and hauling cheese back would be eliminated. The Holsteins, plus two Brown Swiss that the Moores house for 4-H members, are chugging steadily along. Heather said the farm is producing more milk this year, with 50 cows, than it did last year with 55. The cows hit a daily average of 80 pounds this past spring. In addition, the Moores had 40 cows scored. They averaged Very Good 85, Heather said. “It’s pretty cool,â€? she said. “We now have more cows over 90 points than under 80. And we have more Very Good cows than Good-Plus.â€? For now, Brandon and Heather hope to concentrate on the cheese business and the farm. “There’s only so much Brandon and I can do, and we’re almost there,â€? Heather said. As for Moore Family Farms Holiday Shop, she said, “We’ll see if it goes well. If it does, we’ll keep it. If it doesn’t, it was a good run and we tried.
8600, 2016, 148 Hrs, RWA, Warranty ......$409,500 8100, 2016, 250 Hrs, RWA, Warranty ......$259,000 7780, 2014, 1301 Hrs, RWA .....................$239,000 7580, 2013, 610 Hrs, RWA, Warranty ......$274,900 7950, 2012, 694 Hrs, RWA .......................$274,900 7850, 2008, 1600 Hrs, RWA .....................$179,500 7550, 2012, 1825 Hrs, RWA .....................$205,000 7550, 2010, 1344 Hrs, RWA .....................$209,500 7550, 2008, 1359 Hrs, RWA .....................$189,500 7450, 2009, 1550 Hrs, RWA .....................$189,500 7450, 2010, 2985 Hrs, RWA .....................$139,000 7350, 2008, 2950 Hrs, RWA .....................$149,000 7800, 2007, 1885 Hrs, RWA .....................$159,500 7700, 2007, 1570 Hrs, RWA .....................$169,500 7500, 2005, 2423 Hrs, RWA .....................$135,000 7400, 2004, 2918 Hrs, RWA .....................$124,900 7400, 2005, 1516 Hrs, 2WD .......................$98,000 7300, 2003,3637 Hrs, RWA ........................$79,000 6850, 1999, 3120 Hrs, RWA .......................$79,500 6850, 1998, 3100 Hrs, 2WD .......................$74,500
6710, 1995, 2908 Hrs, RWA .......................$68,500 5830, 1991, 3700 Hrs, RWA .......................$39,900 5730, 1986, 4980 Hrs, RWA .......................$35,900 Claas 970, 2008, 3000 Hrs, RWA ............$175,000 Claas 900, 2005, 2848 Hrs ...................... $115,000 Claas 890, 2002, 2290 Hrs, RWA ............$129,000 All hours listed are “cutter hours�.
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Jeff Minks Milaca, Minn. Mille Lacs County 200 cows How did you get into farming? I grew up on a 30-cow dairy near here. When I was in my third year of college, one of my professors asked me if I wanted to buy this farm. What are your thoughts and concerns about the dairy industry for the next year? It’s looking a lot like 2009. I’m hoping most farmers will survive until spring. There have been a lot of 60 year olds retiring. There is also a lot of smaller farmers accusing larger farms, which is not good for the industry. We have to gure out some kind of volume control. What is the latest technology you implemented on your farm and the purpose for it? The milk pregnancy tests; it works well and you get feedback on pregnancies under 30 days. It saves a lot of time and work. What is a management practice you changed in the past year that has beneted you? We changed to a hay-based TMR to get higher ber in the ration. We are gearing for more components with our crossbreds. It’s working; we are generally getting 4-5 percent in butterfat and mid-3 percents for protein.
have a hard OB, and I don’t have any people around to help me. I don’t have enough arm strength. I last just two minutes while palpating a cow. What do you enjoy most about dairy farming? The lifestyle. I enjoy the ability to make decisions.
years? I’ll maintain for the next year. After this year, I’ll have to gure out a working exit. Passing on the farm is a priority. I do have an employee who is interested in taking over.
How do you or your family like to spend time when you are not doing chores? My wife and I enjoy shing and visiting. I farm with my wife, Linda, son, Chris, and my two employees, Abby Grimm and Corrina Rauschendorfer.
What advice would you give other dairy farmers? Stay with what you can handle with a skeleton crew. What has been the best purchase you’ve ever made on your farm? All of my skid loaders. I have had 27 in my 41 years of dairying. I’ve had all new ones. I’ve never had a new car or truck, but I always get new skid loaders.
How do you retain a good working relationship with your employee(s)? I treat them fair – like they are part owners. We have one full-time and two parttime employees. Most of our employees have animals here, What has been your biggest too, so it’s an incentive to take accomplishment while dairy farming? Teaching ethics to past care of all the animals. employees and bad neighbors. Tell us about a skill you possess There is nothing worse than a bad that makes dairy farming easier neighbor. for you. I have the ability to do most of the vet work myself. The What are your plans for your only time I call the vet is when I dairy in the next year and ve
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Page 40 • Dairy Star • Saturday, November 11, 2017
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Your Local GEA Milking Equipment Dealer: Advanced Dairy Solutions Richland Center, WI 608-647-4488 • 800-772-4770 Centre Dairy Equipment Sauk Centre, MN 320-352-5762 • 800-342-2697 Eastern Iowa Dairy Systems Epworth, IA • 563-876-3087 Fitzgerald, Inc. Elkader, IA • 563-245-2560 Fuller’s Milker Center, Inc. Lancaster, WI • 800-887-4634
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