Visit us at the Minnesota Milk Dairy Conference and Expo November 29th - December 1st in Booth #908
DAIRY ST R
Volume 18, No. 19
“All dairy, all the time”™
November 26, 2016
Better together Kaeding, Thrans build partnership, expand farm By Cassie Olson
cassie.o@dairystar.com
AUGUSTA, Wis. – Mark Kaeding quickly realized the importance of succession planning for his farm when a close call with a blood clot put things into perspective nine years ago. Today, Kaeding is working with Deanne and Eric Thran in building a farm partnership, ensuring a brighter future for both the farm and their 500 cows. Kaeding started milking at the age of 12 with his parents. Located on his family’s home farm near Augusta, Wis., Kaeding rst started milking in a stanchion barn with 28 cows. Over time, he continued to grow the farm until he had reached 350 cows in 2007. It was the rst time Kaeding had needed reliable, consistent help. As he went about hiring employees, he identied a need for a Spanish-speaking translator, which led him to meeting Turn to TOGETHER | Page 5
Hillsboro dairy farmer provides weekend meals for children
CASSIE OLSON/DAIRY STAR
Eric (leŌ) and Deanne Thran and Mark Kaeding milk 500 cows on their dairy farm near Augusta, Wis. The Thrans and Kaeding are working towards entering a partnership aŌer years of working together on the farm.
It takes a village
By Cassie Olson
cassie.o@dairystar.com
HILLSBORO, Wis. – While hunger is recognized as a worldwide problem, many people do not realize the impact hunger can have in their local communities. Stacy Sosinsky, who cares for the calves on her family’s 700-cow dairy near Hillsboro, Wis., decided to take a stand against hunger after noticing its prevalence in the elementary school last fall. With the generous help of her community, Sosinsky started Feeding Our Cubs, an organization that provides packs of food, Cub Packs, to 60 elementary children in Hillsboro and Wonewoc every Friday during the school year. Sosinsky said the idea sparked long before the program’s inception. “I had read about a similar program in People magazine,” Sosinsky said. “I
CASSIE OLSON/DAIRY STAR
always wanted to do it, but I kept saying it was something I would do when the kids were older.” Sosinsky and her husband, Adam, have two sons, Oliver, 6, and Finley, 3. When Oliver went to school last fall, Sosinsky realized she needed to get her idea rolling. “I was starting to see kids and their families at school more often and it got me thinking, if the kids need it, when exactly is a good time?” Sosinsky said. “There never is a bad time to help someone else.” Sosinsky began planning the program in October 2015 by calling a coordinator of a similar program, Snack Pak 4 Kids, in Texas. The coordinator gave Sosinsky advice and resources to get the program running and explained how his program had been successful. Soon thereafter, Sosinsky applied for Feeding Our Cubs to become a nonprot business. Before securing potential donors, Sosinsky met with the school administration to identify how many kids
Stacy Sosinsky farms with her family near Hillsboro, Wis. Last November, Sosinsky started the organizaƟon Feeding Our Cubs, which provides weekend meals for youth in the Hillsboro and Wonewoc School Districts who struggle with hunTurn to FEEDING OUR CUBS | Page 7 ger.
Page 2 • Dairy Star • Saturday, November 26, 2016
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 - Managing Editor (320) 352-6303 • andrea.b@dairystar.com Krista Kuzma - Assistant Editor (507) 259-8159 • krista.k@dairystar.com Missy Mussman (320) 429-1084 missy@dairystar.com Ron Johnson (608) 874-4243 ron.j@dairystar.com Ruth Klossner (507) 240-0048 cowlady@centurylink.net Jennifer Coyne (320) 352-6303 jenn@dairystar.com Cassie Olson (715) 245-6848 cassie.o@dairystar.com Brittany Olson (320) 352-6303 brittany.o@dairystar.com Advertising Sales Main Ofce: 320-352-6303 Fax: 320-352-5647 Deadline is 5 p.m. of the Friday the week before publication
North America dealers. A glance at what’s inside
Dairy Prole brought to you by your
In this issue we have a variety of story topics starting out with one about inspection of robotic milking facilities. Since 2003, automated milking systems have had to follow regulations in accordance with the Grade A Pasteurized Milk Ordinance regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. Read about how dairy farmers go about these regulations and how it has changed since robotic milkers have entered the dairy scene. The story can be found on pages 10-11 in rst section. The Moser family recently went through the By Mark Klaphake process of putting in a robotic milking system. As of early November, the Mosers’ herd of 93 Holsteins have Editor been milked by two robots on their farm near Colesburg, Iowa. Read about how the family and cows have adjusted to the new lifestyle on pages 2-3 in third section. This issue’s Day in the Life feature followed the Hanson family on Nov. 12 on their 28-cow dairy near Clitherall, Minn. The day included both fall eldwork and deer hunting. Read about the family’s fall harvest and whether or not they lled their tags for the season on pages 18, 20-21 in second section. Like many farmers, the Utechts are busy in the fall; however, in addition to regular chores on their 50-cow dairy and fall eldwork, Rick and JJ Utecht have to catch Friday night football games to watch their four sons – Nathan, Mitchell, Dylan and Derrick – play together on the Eden Valley-Watkins High School football team. Read about how they make it work and the success of this year’s football team on pages 3-5 in second section. The school year is a busy time for Dean Wargin, who milks 40 cows near Hermantown, Minn. Along with being a dairy farmer, Wargin is the Hermantown school district’s transportation director. Although it makes for a tight schedule, the off-farm job helps his income and gives him the satisfaction of helping kids get to and from school safely. Read his story on pages 16-17 in second section. In this issue’s Reproduction Leaders feature, the Read family’s 120-cow registered Brown Swiss herd had a 2015 average pregnancy rate of 31 percent. For the past three years, the Reads have used the SCR cow monitoring system to help them nd animals that are in heat. Read on pages 18, 20 in rst section about the protocols they use on their farm to get cows pregnant.
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.
“When you’re 18 years old and you buy a dairy farm, it’s a huge jump. It’s a big step for anybody, but especially a kid like me.” - Jonny Fowler (First Section, Page 23) “We have to listen to what consumers want or we go out of business. The truth is, the facts don’t matter; it is very limited what one company can do to combat an image.” - Deb Arcoleo (Third Section, Pages 6-7)
2:
By the Numbers Sets of triplets in one year for Breezy Hill Dairy. (First Section, Page 12)
of experience Freddy 30: Years Frickson has as an auctioneer. (Second Section, Pages 30-31)
SPREADS TOUGH MATERIALS QUICKLY AND EVENLY
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.
Favorite quotes from this issue:
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J P Scherrman Farley, IA
Burco Sales
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D & D Farm Supply Arcadia, WI
Chili, WI
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Hillsboro Equipment Hillsboro, WI
W. H. Lien Hixton, WI
Jordan Implement Juda, WI
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Steinhart's Farm Service Platteville, WI
Hwy 48 Farm Service Rice Lake, WI
Link Implement Ridgeland, WI
Dairy Star • Saturday, November 26, 2016 • Page 3
It’s all inside... FROM OUR SIDE OF THE FENCE:
What are you thankful for this harvest season? Pages 15 - 16
River Falls
Dallas
Chetek
Second Section: Pages 34 - 35
First Section: Page 12
First Section: Page 23
Eau Claire
Children Museum of Eau Claire Steven hosts Martin June Dairy Thorp, MonthWis. activities
n
Polk
Barron
Zach Tietz
Frederic, Wis.
Hillsboro
Price
Sosinsky provides weekend meals for children First Section: Pages 1, 7
Rusk Taylor Chippewa
Dunn
Pierce
Pepin
Norman Zacharias Hinckley, Minn.
Buffalo
La Crosse, Wis.
Pages 26-27
Page 39
Dairy Prole: Tom and Lisa Miller
Page 25 Mid-American Hay Auction Results HSUS hopes to work with farmers
Richland Center
Bechtels working through another challenging year
Clark
Eau Claire Trempealeau
St. Croix
Winona chapter to host 75th anniversary celebration Dec. 4
Second Section: Pages 6 - 7
Jackson Madison
PDPW food, consumer panels share viewpoints on agriculture
La Crosse Monroe
Third Section: Pages 6 - 7
Pages 30 - 31
Frickson works as auctioneer for over half a century
Worth
Mitchell
Cerro Hancock Gordo
Pages 17 - 18 Some Udder Stuff Pages 19 - 23 Classieds
Floyd
Howard
ick
Ch
w
a as
Bremer
Zone 2
Black Hawk
Bu
For additional stories from our other zone, log on to www.dairystar.com
ford
Craw
Dane
Iowa Grant
Fayette
Clayton
n
are
na
a ch
Richland
Allamakee
Winnebago
Winneshiek
Vernon
Dairy’s Star Youth: Nick Seitzer
Pages 10 - 11 Kids Corner: The Schleders Pages 14, 16 Dairy Calendar
First Section: Pages 1, 5 - 6
Iron
Sawyer
Pages 22 - 23
THIRD SECTION Page 5 Wells announces $40 million expansion Page 9
Kaeding, Thrans build partnership, expand farm
ur hb
Burnett
A day in the life of the Hanson family
Page 33 Solutions to common farm transfer challenges Pages 36 - 37 Sachs family named Olmsted County Farm Family of the Year Pages 38 - 39 Dairy Recipes
Augusta
Ashland
Pages 14-15 Dairying Across the World Pages 18, 20 - 21
Fowler grateful for help on farm after breaking his leg
Bayeld
Douglas
Pages 14 - 15 Second Section
SECOND SECTION Pages 10-11 The “Mielke” Market Weekly Page 12 Dairy Markets Page 13 Area hay auction results Pages 16 - 17 Durovecs expand herd, house cows outside
Breezy Hill Dairy welcomes two sets of triplets this year
Pechacek farms in city limits, has SCC of 56,000
W as
FIRST SECTION Pages 8-9 Ag Insider Pages 10 - 11 How automated systems meet federal guidelines Pages 18, 20 Cow monitoring system gives Reads 31 percent pregnancy rate Page 22 The Real Deal with Dairy Page 26 FSA News & Notes Page 27 Dairy in the Suburbs Page 28 Rural Roots Page 29 Farmer hunting Page 30 Ramblings from the Ridge Page 31 A grand World Dairy Expo Page 32 Just Thinking Out loud Page 33 Dairy Good Life Pages 34, 37 Dairy farmers reect on time serving their country Page 35 Spraying dandelions in Roundup Ready alfalfa can pay/ Be kind and thankful Page 36 Women in Jeans: Annie Jepson
w ela
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Lafayette Dubuque
Jones
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Moser family’s Christmas wish: a barn full of cows Third Section: Pages 2 - 3
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Page 4 • Dairy Star • Saturday, November 26, 2016
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TRACTORS NH 8770, 2WD, 20.8x42 Duals ................... $49,000 NH T7000 Front PTO/3 Point Kit .................. $6,500 NH TV140, Loader, New Tires .................... $57,500 McCormick CT65U, Cab, Loader, Ag Tires .. Just In! SKID LOADERS NH L230, Cab Heat, A/C, Air Seat ............. .$36,900 NH L220, Cab, Heat, AC, 2 Speed .............. $31,500 HAY TOOLS NH 166, Extension, Dual Drive & Pickup Wheels........................................... $6,500 NH 1475, 14’ Haybine ................................. $13,500 BALERS NH BR7070, Crop Cutter ............................. $28,900 NH BR7090, Net Only, Wide P/U ................ $27,900 NH BR780A, Twine/Net, Wide P/U.............. $11,500 JD 568, Net/Twine, Wide P/U ...................... $19,000 TILLAGE Salford 8214 Plow, 14 Bottom ..................... $55,500 JD 3710, 10 Bottom Plow. ........................... $42,500 FORAGE Krone EC7500 ............................................. $29,500 NH 365W Hay Head, 15’, Off FX25. .............. $5,900 NH 919A4 CH, 4R-36�, Fits 1915 .................. $1,750 MANURE SPREADERS NH 195, Hydraulic Drive ................................ $8,900 MISCELLANEOUS Berti TA-220 Offset Flail Mower. ................... $4,500
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Dairy Star • Saturday, November 26, 2016 • Page 5
ConƟnued from TOGETHER | Page 1
Healthy Cows Start with
CASSIE OLSON/DAIRY STAR
The manure pit has a recepƟon pit where liquid waste water is separated from solids through mesh pillars before being pumped into a second pit to be spread on the farm’s acreage. Deanne 10 years ago. “I started translating for Mark while Eric and I were farming at my parent’s place just south of Eau Claire,” Deanne said. “I would come and do an employee meeting on the farm once a month, and did similar services for about 25 different farms in the area.” It wasn’t long after Deanne started translating that Kaeding got sick. A blood clot had been found in his lung. “This blood clot about near killed me,” Kaeding said. “It got me thinking of all the people I work with and that it’s not just me. The farm shouldn’t miss a beat if anyone falls.” Despite having three children of his own, Kaeding didn’t have anyone with an interest in one day taking ownership of the farm. A few years later, in 2013, the Thrans decided to sell their herd. Deanne had a couple ideas for employment in mind. “I considered interpreting fulltime,” Deanne said. “But I eventually asked Mark if he needed a herdsperson.” Kaeding offered Deanne the opportunity to build her own position. “I told her to create her own job,” Kaeding said. “Her expertise is in the cattle with the reproduction and genetics. I told her to do what she liked, and she sure has been good at it.” Deanne has continued to work with breeding and IV’ing cows on the farm. Eric worked part-time on the farm before becoming full-time in June 2016.
He contributes to the eld work and handles mechanical maintenance and repairs across the farm. Kaeding said their contributions have become irreplaceable. “They brought in a different network of people for the farm to draw from. It has been benecial for me to learn from them new ways to make the farm that much better,” Kaeding said. In the last year, the Thrans and Kaeding worked together to expand the herd to 500 cows with an addition and updates to the freestall barn. The expansion came at the suggestion of the farm’s nancial advisor, Dave Becker. “I had been planning to put in a new manure pit for the farm for four years. Dave suggested, to pay for the manure pit and support all of the families on the farm, that we consider expanding, as well,” Kaeding said. The manure pit is one that is unique to the area. Manure is scraped three times a day into a receiver pit where it accumulates. Along the edge of the pit, cubicle towers made from mesh screen the manure to separate waste water from the solids. The waste is then pumped into another pit where it is later pumped into elds for application while the remaining dry solids are trucked out separately. When expanding the farm, Dave also made suggestions to improve the existing freestall barn while they added on. Once naturally ventilated, Kaeding and the Thrans decided to add tunnel Turn to TOGETHER | Page 6
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Page 6 • Dairy Star • Saturday, November 26, 2016
ConĆ&#x;nued from TOGETHER | Page 5
CASSIE OLSON/DAIRY STAR
Kaeding and the Thrans underwent an expansion in 2015. They expanded the freestall barn and added tunnel venĆ&#x;laĆ&#x;on, which all the owners say have drasĆ&#x;cally improved the comfort of their cows. ventilation during the expansion. “We toured another facility that had retroďƒžtted their barn to have tunnel ventilation,â€? Deanne said. “It made sense.â€? Eric said the biggest difference they have seen with the expansion is the comfort of the cows. “The cows are the most comfortable they’ve been. There is no more congregating at the water and the air temperature is consistent,â€? he said. Kaeding added that the health and performance of the cows have improved as well. “The cows are more comfortable using their stalls for laying and relaxing. We are noticing less abscesses and ulcers than I used to from cows standing around. Cows are consuming more feed. Also, the ventilation doesn’t only help with heat from a temperature aspect; the cows are coming into much stronger heats reproductively, as well,â€? Kaeding said. As Kaeding works with the Thrans towards building a partnership, he said it is one of the best decisions he has made for the herd. In the partnership, Eric and Deanne will own the cows while the land will continue to be owned by Kaeding Dairy, under the agreement that the crops will be fed to the herd. Kaeding said building a partnership like this ensures a line of succession. “This way, we are set up right for the next generation to succeed,â€? Kaeding said. “If their son comes back to
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SAUK CENTRE, MN
320-352-6543 • Hwy. 71 South
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farm or my grandchildren come back to farm one day, it is a clear way of how it will be done.� All three agree they each play an important part in making the farm succeed. “Mark and Deanne have such a similar mind when it comes to the cows,� Eric said. “All three of us are on the same page with the same goals in mind. It makes it so much easier when everyone can work in the same direction, not different ones all at once.� Kaeding stressed the importance of having a succession plan for a farm. “You work so hard to get where you are, you don’t want to walk away from something once it is built up,� Kaeding said. “[Farm succession] is not something you want to think about, but it’s a reality. You must plan a farm for the worse while continuing to hope for the best.� Deanne agreed. “Employees depend on that fact: if one day someone cannot be here, the farm will still continue,� Deanne said. “It can save a lot of problems – and it has.� Between the expansion and the partnership, Kaeding said he is certain the farm is in great shape for both now and the future. “The motto every day is to make the farm more than what it costs us,� Kaeding said. “Bringing in Deanne and Eric has been a blessing.�
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Dairy Star • Saturday, November 26, 2016 • Page 7
ConƟnued from FEEDING OUR CUBS | Page 1 would be a part of the program. She recognized it would take $200 to provide weekly Cub Packs for one child throughout the school year and began reaching out to potential donors to support the program’s 60 children. The generosity of donors and local businesses was eye-opening. “The support of businesses is really what helped get us off the ground. With my connections from the farm, we’ve had great agribusiness support,” Sosinsky said. “The school was very receptive and supportive. We were delivering our rst packs the week after students returned from Christmas break in January of this year.” Each Cub Pack contains snack foods high in protein to help sustain students throughout the weekend. The packs contain two shelf-stable milks, two 100 percent fruit juice boxes, a pudding pack, applesauce, two beef sticks, a granola bar, a small box of cereal, an instant oatmeal pack, a bag of crackers and a pack of trail mix. When students are away from school longer than a two-day weekend, the packs will also include a jar of peanut butter. Most of the pack foods are purchased with monetary contributions from the community. Sosinsky purchases the products from various businesses such as Costco and the local grocer. The products are stored in a room at the local hospital where Sosinsky packages them before delivery. The Cub Packs are packaged into drawstring bags donated by Grande Cheese, where Sosinsky’s family ships their milk. The packs were created with the goal of being child-friendly. Apart from the microwaveable instant oatmeal, the food items require no adult preparation. Sosinsky said this was intentional for
school district under the direction of the Viroqua FFA Alumni. Sosinsky hopes she can continue to help other rural school districts start similar programs. “This organization was created to address childhood hunger in rural communities. Urban communities oftentimes have more resources, such as food shelves, to help ght hunger,” Sosinsky said. Sosinsky said people often forget that while hunger is a problem worldwide, there are ways to make a difference at the local level.
To learn more about or donate to Feeding our Cubs, please visit www. feedingourcubs.org. PHOTO SUBMITTED
Cub Packs contain protein-lled snacks that are all accessible by children for weekend consumpƟon. Included in each Cub Pack are shelf-stable milks, 100 percent fruit juice boxes, pudding and applesauce cups, beef sƟcks, granola bars, cereal, instant oatmeal, crackers and trail mix. students to be able to eat at their convenience. “Children are helpless and constantly at the will of those around them,” Sosinsky said. “Everything in the pack is accessible for children ages 4 and older. They are not full meals, but they are good, healthy, protein-lled snacks that can ll their stomachs.” Eventually, Sosinsky hopes to expand the program to include middle and high school students. Understanding that hunger does not take a break when the classroom does, she also would like to establish a summer program to help limit hunger for children year-round. Sosinsky hopes the program gives
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every student a chance to excel both in the classroom and in their community. “Everyone knows how it feels to be hungry; if a child goes hungry for the 65 hours from the time school gets out on Friday to the time it resumes on Monday, their body and mind cannot perform as well as a student who isn’t hungry,” Sosinsky said. “Yes, it’s a pack of food, but it’s so much more than that. It gives a kid, who might not have a chance, the opportunity to be successful and, one day, hopefully pay it forward.” Since starting the program, Feeding Our Cubs has been used as a model for a similar program in the Viroqua, Wis.,
New calf barn with 472’ of curtain
“There are great organizations that address childhood hunger at a global level,” Sosinsky said. “As farmers, we know we feed the world every day; this takes it down a notch to invest in feeding the children within our smaller communities.” One year since starting Feeding Our Cubs, Sosinsky said she has an entirely new appreciation for her community. “Being a part of a community that invests in kids this way is something special. I feel so fortunate to be raising children in an area where our neighbors still care about one another,” Sosinsky said. “This brings true meaning to ‘it takes a village to raise a child.’” As the holiday season fast approaches, Sosinsky encourages others to consider giving to local hunger taskforces.
Page 8 • Dairy Star • Saturday, November 26, 2016
Vilsack champions MPP, other risk management efforts During his visit to the National Association of is we’re sitting on pretty good feed inventories.â€? Farm Broadcasting annual meeting, Agriculture During the Ag Bankers Conference in Indianapolis, Secretary Tom Vilsack reviewed his eight years the government’s Margin Protection Program was at USDA. Vilsack touted the Agriculture Depart- scrutinized. DeLong also said dairy farmers would ment’s work in conservation, market be helped if regulatory agencies did Ag Insider development, risk management and the their jobs better. “Having that producer farm safety net. “The ARC and PLC be able to move on things on a timely programs are now available to 1.7 milmanner is very beneďƒžcial for their busilion farming operations and that’s more ness and if they start piling stuff on participation than in the direct payment and delaying projects it takes a toll on program,â€? he said. Vilsack also said their business and we have loans that $11 million in payments to dairy farmmay not be performing as well as they ers. “The interesting fact about that is it should.â€? could have been $40 million if producers had simply kept the same level of It Won’t Be Business-As-Usual coverage they had under the dairy marIn the current price environment, it gin protection program from the previisn’t business-as-usual. Virginia Tech By Don Wick ous year. For whatever reason, dairy Professor Emeritus David Kohl is enColumnist farmers decided to scale back their couraging farmers to become better commitment to that program and purborrowers. “December through April chased the catastrophic coverage. Had they stayed is going to be ground zero, particularly, when we where they were in 2015, they would have received consider new operating lines of credit. You have to four times what was actually paid out.â€? remember, these lenders are under severe pressure from regulators and examiners.â€? When discussing Ag Bankers Discuss Dairy Outlook the farm economy, Kohl used a baseball analogy, Current milk prices are about 40 percent less saying we’re in the middle innings and more time is than just two years ago. Mike DeLong, who is an needed before agriculture comes out of this downagricultural banker at Bremer Bank in Menomonie, turn. Kohl said the good managers can still make Wisconsin, is a member of the American Bankers money in a tight economy. Association ag bankers committee. DeLong says there are some positive factors. “One good thing Interest Rates Increases Ahead An interest rate hike is expected next month. American Bankers Association director of economic research Brittany Kleinpaste believes more interest rate increases will happen in 2017. “We are still looking and hoping for one rate increase in December, two in 2017 and two in 2018,â€? says Kleinpaste. “If you look at the Fed funds futures market Register daily at though, they don’t expect that to be a case: less than participating businesses. three raises in the next year and a half.â€? Interest rates have not changed in nearly a year. Kleinpaste See pages 24 & 25 in the first section for details. says interest rates have to be normalized sooner-or-
The Great Christmas Heifer
G I V E A W A Y
later and she thinks it would be good for the farm economy. Not the Same as 1980s The current downturn in the farm economy is not the same as the farm crisis of the 1980s. Speaking at the National Agricultural Bankers Conference, Purdue economist Jason Henderson said it is important to pay attention to history. “It’s not off the table; it’s just not the most likely event to happen.â€? Henderson expects some inďƒ&#x;ation, which would likely be helpful for agriculture. “When you look out there, what’s the black swan for agriculture? Inďƒ&#x;ation comes on stronger than what most people expect. That’s one risk.â€? Milk Production Increases In October, U.S. milk production increased 2.7 percent from year earlier levels. Wisconsin production went up 2.2 percent and California was up 1.8 percent. Who Will be the Next Ag Secretary? President-Elect Donald Trump is beginning to ďƒžll his new cabinet. For the agriculture secretary post, numerous names have been circulating. Chuck Conner, who is the president and CEO of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, is on that short-list. Mike McCloskey, who founded Fair Oaks Farm in Indiana, is another possibility. Former Kansas Congressman Tim Huelskamp, former Texas Governor Rick Perry, former Indiana Farm Bureau President Don Villwock and Kansas Governor Sam Brownback have also been identiďƒžed as potential choices for the USDA job. Aussie Dairy Industry Review The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has launched a year-long investigation into its dairy industry. This inquiry comes after a big drop in the price paid to farmers. The investigation will evaluate competition between milk processors, Turn to AG INSIDER | Page 9
Think inside the box GEA’s Monobox is the all-in-one automated milking solution. 6SHHG (Ä’FLHQF\ 4XDOLW\ <RX FDQ KDYH LW DOO ZLWK *($Ă?V QHZ 0RQRER[ 7KH VWDWH RI WKH DUW DXWRPDWHG PLONLQJ V\VWHP LQFOXGHV *($Ă?V Ă&#x;LQ OLQHU HYHU\WKLQJ Ă :LWK WHDW SUHS PLONLQJ DQG SRVW GLSSLQJ DOO ZLWKLQ WKH OLQHU WKH PLONLQJ SURFHVV LV DOZD\V FRQVLVWHQW DQG H[FHSWLRQDOO\ VWUHDPOLQHG <RX ZDQW WKH XOWLPDWH LQ TXDOLW\ URERWLF PLON SURGXFWLRQ VR WKLQN LQVLGH WKH ER[ WKH *($ 0RQRER[ Your local GEA Dealer 86 +Z\ /DQFDVWHU :, ZZZ IXOOHUVPLONHUFHQWHU FRP
Dairy Star • Saturday, November 26, 2016 • Page 9
ConƟnued from AG INSIDER | Page 8
contracting and the availability of market information. A nal report is due in November of next year. Dean Foods/CROPP Joint Venture Announced Dean Foods has entered into a 5050 joint venture with the farmer cooperative known as CROPP. CROPP, which operates under the Organic Valley brand name, will process milk at plants operated by Dean Foods. Organic Valley products will be added to the Dean Foods lineup of branded products and will be sold in supermarkets and convenience stores. Dairyline Has New Ownership Farm Journal Media has acquired ‘Dairyline’ from HFW Communications. The radio broadcast is heard on nearly 60 radio stations nationwide. Mike Adams, who is the host of ‘AgriTalk,’ will take over as the host of ‘Dairyline.’ WMMB Names New CEO Chad Vincent is the new CEO for the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board. For the past seven years, Vincent has been a senior vice president and chief marketing ofcer for Sartori Cheese in Plymouth, Wisconsin. In April, WMMB parted ways with longtime WMMB CEO James Robson.
Brooks Farms to Receive Leopold Award Brooks Farms of Waupaca is the winner of the Leopold Conservation Award. Ron Brooks and his family will be recognized at the Wisconsin Farm Bureau annual meeting in December. The Brooks family will be given a $10,000 cash prize and a Leopold crystal for their stewardship and management of natural resources. WDE Adds Miller to Staff World Dairy Expo has added Cassi Miller of Mount Horeb to its staff. Miller will be a program assistant and will help coordinate school tours, provide customer service and work on the Expo Recognition and Friends of Expo programs. Trivia Challenge Ghee is a claried butter that is popular in India. That answers our last trivia question. For this week’s trivia, how many dairy farms are there in the U.S.? We’ll have the answer in the next edition of Dairy Star. Don Wick is a partner and 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.
DHIA would like to wish all our members a Happy Thanksgiving. We are very thankful for the opportunity to work with you and your herd. We are also very grateful for your commitment and dedication to the dairy industry.
Minnesota Dairy Herd Improvement Association 307 Brighton Avenue South Buffalo, MN 55313 1.800.827.3442 www.mndhia.org
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Page 10 • Dairy Star • Saturday, November 26, 2016
WHO WILL YOU FIND IN OUR
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Business Directory? by Jennifer Coyne
LOG ON TO: www.dairystar.com TO BE INCLUDED IN THE DAIRY STAR BUSINESS DIRECTORY CALL 320-352-6303
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KUHN Krause offers a line of primary tillage tools that promote the breakdown of crop residue and allow for excellent root development for the next crop. These sub-surface tillage tools break up compaction while preserving the soil surface, promote aeration, limit erosion and runoff, and improve water infiltration which helps the soil retain moisture. 800-642-4104 or 507-228-8224 • www.ufcmn.com Main Office/Ag Service Center 840 Pioneer Ave., Lafayette, MN Used Dryers & Augers
Good Selection of Used Dryers - Call! Feterl 12”x72’, swing drive .........$8,900 Sudenga 10”x31’, elec. ..............$3,495 Sudenga 10”x56’, elec ...............$4,995 WestÄeld 10”x31’, elec ...............$1,850 WestÄeld WR8026 EMD .............$1,895 WestÄeld WR8031 EMD .............$1,950 Sheyenne 13-70 Swing Dr.......... $12,995 Hutch 8”x62’ swing hopper auger .$6,495
Skid Loaders
Bobcat T650, heat & AC, 2 spd.....$38,900 Bobcat S630, 400 hr, heat, 2 spd..$34,800 Bobcat S590 heat 2-spd . (3) from $31,900 Bobcat S850, heat & A/C, JS ...$46,500 Bobcat S550, heat, 2014, 2 spd. $29,900 ‘15 Bobcat S205, heat/AC, 2 spd. $31,900 Bobcat S130, heat, ‘12............. $22,400 Gehl 5240, heat, 2 spd, 400 hrs, radio .......................................$29,975 Gehl V330, heat & A/C, ‘12, 2400 hrs..................................$34,600 ‘05 Gehl 5640, 2600 hrs. ..........$18,999 Gehl 4640, heat, single speed ....$15,500 ‘07 Gehl 4640, single spd., heat $15,500 Gehl 4400 w/rops .......................$3,999 Gehl 4240E w/heat (3) start @ $14,900 Gehl U330, heat, 2 spd. ...........$36,800 Case 430, ‘10 ...........................$24,900 Gehl R220, heat 2-speed, ‘13 ..$34,800 Gehl R190, heat, AC, ‘15, 2 spd. $36,800 Mustang 1750 2014 open cab .$37,900 JD 1025R loader tractor, mower deck, 60”, cab, snowblower, 23 hrs. ... $23,900 Bobcat 2200 UTV .......................$6,950
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’ ............................$19,600 JD 980 44.5’, 3 Bar...................$17,500 JD 960 28.5 ft 3 bar ..................$16,900 JD 512, 7 shank, 2013...................$29,900 JD 230 disc, 26’...............................$4,750 CIH Tigermate II, 45.5 ft w/basket $34,900
How automated systems meet federal guidelines
Stoner explains evolution of robots, food safety regulations Steve Stoner can still recall when the rst automated milking system (AMS) was installed in Wisconsin. It was a time of potential for the dairy industry, but also uncertainty as regulating agencies formulated guidelines that would fullll to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). “In the early 2000s, Wisconsin was one of the rst states to install robots,” Stoner said. “This technology was important to our dairy industry, but presented challenges in the development of standards for the installations to meet unknown federal guidelines.” For 20 years, Stoner – current food safety supervisor within the technical services section of Wisconsin’s Bureau of Food and Recreational Businesses – has immersed himself in dairy food quality standards. He oversees six technical specialists across the state that aid in equipment and plan review for automated milking installation (AMI) in accordance with the Wisconsin Administrative Code and FDA’s Grade A Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO). While it was not until 2003 that the FDA incorporated AMI regulations in the PMO, states now have the option to adopt PMO regulations or create their own that mirror national standards. “These regulations are in place to provide a baseline to ensure the equipment will properly milk the cows and be cleaned effectively,” Stoner said. Plan, prepare to pass inspections On. Nov. 18, two robots arrived at Byron Hendrickson’s 50-cow dairy near Estelline, S.D. Soon they will be installed and inspected. “We’ve been taking one day at a time and learn-
ing a lot,” Hendrickson said. For the past several months, Hendrickson and his family have worked with their local and state inspectors to ensure the new 115-stall freestall barn and milking facilities will comply with federal guidelines. “Inspectors have looked over my setup three or four times now,” Hendrickson said. “They want to make sure it’s progressing right. If they see something that’s not right, they let me know and we x it.” While the South Dakota dairyman openly welcomes inspectors onto his farm for review of the construction, preparing for the AMI and state and federal inspections began last spring. Steve Stoner Prior to ordering the equipWisconsin’s Bureau of ment or beginning construction, Food and Recreational dairy producers must undergo a Businesses plan review for the design of the facility and milking process. On behalf of the producer, the contracted installer submits this application to the state department of agriculture. “We walk through the PMO, and its Memorandum of Information (M-I) and Appendix Q to see that the plan and equipment will meet specic guidelines,” Stoner said. “This must be done upfront, prior to installation.” Each review is conducted differently, depending on the design specications, including auxiliary items such as water, heat and electrical sources. “It is important for dairy producers to have a good understanding of the human interface requirements with these automated systems. Does the system meet Turn to ROBOTIC MILKER | Page 11
CIH Tigermate II, 54.5’ .............$29,900 CIH 730B, 7 shank ...................$15,900 CIH 600PTX chisel plow, 38’, 3 bar harrow ...........................$29,800 2) CIH 370, 28’..........................$31,900 JD 2210 4-bar, 2006, 45.5 ft.....$39,900 JD 980, 36’ ...............................$13,700 JD 331 disc, 28’ .........................$6,850 DMI Tigermate II 36.5’, basket .$29,900 DMI 730 ripper..........................$10,900 DMI 730B .................................$15,900 DMI 527B .................................$14,900 Glencoe Soil Saver .....................$7,950 Wil-Rich 957, 9 shank ..............$29,900 Wil-Rich 957, 7 shank ..............$20,600 Wil-Rich 957, 5 shank ..............$16,500 Wil-Rich 513, 9-24....................$39,600 Wil-Rich 29’ chisel plow, ‘07 ........$22,800 2) Wil-Rich 60’ w/basket cults .............Call Wil-Rich QX2, 60’, basket ............$52,900 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
Spreaders
Knight 8032, slinger ..................$14,499 Knight 8114, (A088) ....................$8,949 Knight 8132, (B0077)................$19,899 Knight 8132 ..............................$17,899 Meyer 3954, (1250) ....................$4,949 H&S 430 w/end gate.................$19,300
Miscellaneous
Loftness Chopper 20 ft...............$14,600 Valmetal 5600 RD bale chopper .$13,800 Used grain legs............................... Call Woods 3 pt. chopper, 20’ ...........$5,950 EZ Flow 300 bu. box ..................$1,950 Used Snowblowers ........................ Call Top Air 800 gal, 60’ boom ..........$6,950 Hardi 1,000 gal., 60’ boom .......$14,400 Demco 600 gal., 66’ bom .........$14,900 Century 750 gal., 60’ boom ........$6,950 Red Ball 670, 1200 gal., 66’ boom$13,800 Unverferth Cart 9200 1000 bu. $19,950 Fast Sprayer 1200 gal. 90 ft. boom$18,800 Red Ball 1200 gal, 90 ft. boom 570 $18,800 H&S 12 wheel Hi Cap rake .........$8,275 J&M 1151, scale & tarp ............$48,900 Rite-Way Roller, 60’ ..................$34,900 Vicon disc mower .......................$5,950
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DAIRY STAR FILE PHOTO
A cow is milked by a roboƟc milking system on the Moulton family’s 330-cow dairy near Rush City, Minn.
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Dairy Star • Saturday, November 26, 2016 • Page 11
ConƟnued from ROBOTIC MILKER | Page 10 your management practices and goals for milk production, along with being able to be inspected to meet the regulatory requirements?” Stoner said. “It’s important to understand any shortcomings of the system and address them.” If the milk lter, for example, will be located in the same room as the robot, then a producer is required to wash their hands prior to handling the lter, Stoner said. For producers to best prepare for the installation process, Stoner suggests obtaining a copy of the PMO, M-I and Appendix Q from the FDA, and ask questions. “It’s not easily understandable and we get that,” Stoner said. “The big question that producers need to ask is, ‘Is their system in compliance with state and federal rules?’” Hendrickson has kept in contact with his dealership representative to ensure standards are being met – from the equipment to the construction to the nal installation. “Good communication means a good relationship,” Hendrickson said. “Everybody knows what’s going on and I trust [the dealership] to know what they’re doing.” After Hendrickson’s barn construction is completed, the robots will be inspected. If the inspection meets criteria, producers are granted a grade B license and grade A permit. If criteria are not met, but the issues do not directly impact food safety, producers are given a grade B license with no grade A permit. “Worst case, if the setup holds a risk for food safety, producers are denied a license, must x the issues and go through the process again,” Stoner said. “That’s pretty rare.”
DAIRY STAR FILE PHOTO
Craig Moulton manages his family’s 330-cow dairy near Rush City, Minn. In speaking with inspectors and other roboƟc dairy producers, the Moultons have kept their robots up to code. Robots, regulations in the future Once an AMI meets state and federal requirements, the robots are reviewed as part of the dairy’s routine inspections. However, every two years, PMO is revised to incorporate new technologies that better meet FDA regulations on food safety. With that, standards for an AMS may be heightened. “As the PMO is updated, we’ll look at adjusting our regulations based on what we know and what we’re able to regulate with new technology,” Stoner said. For Craig Moulton, working with
state and federal inspectors, as well as his local dealership, has kept his robots up to code. “If we ever have any questions, we call to make sure it’s OK,” Moulton said. “It’s important to keep in contact with other robot users so that when things change you can get on top of it.” Moulton manages his dad, Jon’s, 330-cow dairy near Rush City, Minn. In January 2010, the Moultons installed six robots. The Moultons have since installed an additional one with plans to expand in the future. “When we built the barn, we built it with enough room for eight robots,”
Moulton said. When Moulton installed the seventh robot in 2013, although the same equipment as the previous six, a safety valve was required. “The worry is that water will get into the milk during the sanitation cycle,” Moulton said. “It’s the same robot, but because technology has changed we had to add a safety valve to meet regulations.” Valves that were accepted 10 years ago are no longer accepted based on FDA regulations and the technology that is available. “We’re asking producers to upgrade their systems within their routine dairy inspections,” Stoner said. “They will not be grandfathered in.” These improvements are not uncommon. In supervising the inspections, Stoner works with manufacturers to understand the systems’ faults and strengthen them in the process. “We’re all learning,” Stoner said. When looking at how robotic inspections have changed over the years, technology has adapted to the regulations. “It’s not so much that regulations haven’t changed with technology, but that technology has improved to better meet the regulations,” Stoner said. “Technology can meet the rules in a way we didn’t think of before.” In the future, Stoner envisions automated systems will continue to progress to better meet FDA guidelines. “It’s like an ebb and ow system. As we gain a better understanding of technology’s capabilities, we typically broaden the scope of the regulations,” Stoner said. “As technology moves forward, both industry and regulatory, we’ll continue getting better.”
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Page 12 • Dairy Star • Saturday, November 26, 2016
A double triple treat Breezy Hill Dairy welcomes two sets of triplets this year By Brittany Olson
brittany.o@dairystar.com
DALLAS, Wis. – What appeared to be a difcult rst calving on Aug. 8 turned out to be even more unusual for Alex and Mary Olson. Their Red and White rst-calf heifer had not one, not two, but three little surprises under wraps for her keepers. The Olsons own and operate Breezy Hill Dairy, a 625cow dairy near Dallas, Wis. Oddly enough, the set of triplets born in August would be joined by yet another trio of calves just two months later. “We’d had triplets born before, but they were either stillborn or the mother aborted them halfway to term,” Alex said. Mary echoed her husband’s sentiments. “To have two sets of triplets in one year, especially live and healthy triplets, is unbelievable,” she said. While maneuvering what felt like a very small rst calf, another set of legs – and then a third set – were discov-
“We were all coming up with these weird names that just didn’t t,” Alex said. “It was during the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, and I happened to be at the sale barn in Barron, Wis., when someone was talking about the Olympics on the radio.” While the idea of naming them Gold, Silver and Bronze was more tting, it still didn’t seem quite right. However, America, Rio and Olympia t the three calves perfectly. Gerke had more than her fair share of shenanigans with her three newest charges, who have just been weaned and are thriving. “They used to escape their hutches all the time, and America is the ringleader of the three. She still is even though they’re in a group pen now,” Gerke said. Mary went on to add that, even as they grow older the trio still eats at the feeder together and lies down together. “It makes you wonder if
“To have two sets of triplets in one year, especially live and healthy triplets, is unbelievable.” MARY OLSON, DAIRY PRODUCER
ered when assisting the cow in delivering her triplets. The 2-year-old cow delivered three healthy, although tiny, black and white heifer calves. “It took an hour to untangle all the calves,” Alex said. “The second one came fairly easy after the rst one was born, but the third calf had more difculties being born.” Chelsey Gerke, calf manager at Breezy Hill Dairy, immediately jumped into action to give the three little ladies the extra care they needed given their unique situation. “It was a more sensitive deal given that they were all heifers, and because of their small size,” Gerke said. “After feeding them smaller amounts more frequently than other calves their age, they began to take off.” Making the rst set of triplets even more special is that they were born on Mary’s birthday. “It was one of the best birthday presents I’ve ever received,” Mary said. Alex, Mary and Gerke had a hard time coming up with names for the three sisters. It took a while before they found names that stuck.
they’ll always be like that,” Mary said. Alex chalked it up to having spent nine months in very close quarters. “They were together from the very beginning,” he said. A little over two months later, Ernesto Javier Castellanos Azuara, herdsman at Breezy Hill, and operations as-
BRITTANY OLSON/DAIRY STAR
Ryan Zerbian, operaƟons assistant at Breezy Hill Dairy, spends Ɵme with America, Rio and Olympia, a set of triplet heifers born on Aug. 8. Breezy Hill Dairy milks 625 cows near Dallas, Wis. sistant, Ryan Zerbian, went to check on a 7-year-old cow in the calving pen who was giving birth ve days early and hadn’t seemed quite right. “After the rst calf was born, Ernesto reached inside and felt two more,” Alex said. “After the third one was born, all unassisted, and alive, we started checking between legs to see what we had.” The cow had delivered two heifer calves and a bull calf, alive and healthy like the set of triplets born two months prior. However, the stress of delivering three calves was too much and the cow died two days after calving. “In the week or week and a half leading up to calving, she wasn’t quite at 100 percent,” Alex said. “That calving probably took too much out of her.” The October triplets are in hutches beside each other and doing well. The two heifer calves were found to be free-
PHOTO SUBMITTED
Calf manager Chelsey Gerke cares for one of the two sets of triplet calves at Breezy Hill Dairy. martins, but are thriving nonetheless. “It’ll be interesting to see how they grow up,” Alex said. As for triplet births in dairy cattle, it was hard for the Olsons to nd statistics that t the two unique births at Breezy
PHOTO SUBMITTED
Alex (leŌ) and Mary Olson along with calf manager Chelsey Gerke were surprised with two sets of live and healthy triplets this year. The Olsons own and operate Breezy Hill Dairy, a 625-cow dairy near Dallas, Wis.
Hill, especially the August threesome. “Mary found a general statistic that said triplets are one in a million,” Alex said. “But to have all heifer calves out of a rst calf heifer, particularly a red heifer, seems like steeper odds yet to me.” As for America, Rio and Olympia, their futures are looking particularly bright. Even though they are black and white from a red heifer, they’ll be tested to see if they carry the red gene. “I love the red ones,” Mary said. “I really do.” To have one batch of triplets, like Alex said, is a one-ina-million chance. Two batches of triplets, especially alive and healthy like the ones born at Breezy Hill Dairy, might be more than purely happenstance. Either way, everyone is still in a happy sort of disbelief at all six little wonders. “I catch myself looking at them and thinking, ‘Did this actually happen?’” Alex said, incredulously. “It’s incredible.”
Dairy Star • Saturday, November 26, 2016 • Page 13
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Page 14 • Dairy Star • Saturday, November 26, 2016
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From Our Side Of The Fence Dairy Star • Saturday, November 26, 2016 • Page 15
What are you thankful for this harvest season?
Jim McNally, Chris and Jason Lynch Winona, Minn. Winona County 110 cows How many acres do you farm, what do you plant and what was this year’s harvest like with each crop? We farm 500 acres consisting of 280 acres of corn, 145 acres of alfalfa, 50 acres of oats and 25 acres of soybeans. All the crops this year were excellent. We took ve cuttings of alfalfa. The rst crop was the best, but the quality went down throughout the year. The yields were better this year than in the last couple years. We chopped most of it, but made some into round bales. For our corn, we chop 70 acres that is put into bunkers, use 40 acres for high moisture and use the rest for dry corn. It was an excellent crop, averaging 200 bushels per acre with a high test weight. It was dry this year. We chopped at 70 percent moisture and harvested a bit early before all the rain came. This was our rst year back to growing soybeans after going without them for several years. They did really well – 72 bushels per acre average. We sell all the soybeans we grow. We chop the oats for the heifers. What was the most challenging aspect of raising crops this year? The weather. It always seemed to rain when we needed to cut alfalfa. That’s why the quality went down throughout the summer. We also had quite a few equipment breakdowns, which made harvest challenging. What are you most thankful for this harvest season? Denitely family. Three family members passed away within a three-month period. That was hard, especially having to t harvest in between all of it. But, we stuck together as a family to get through the hard time and to get all the harvesting done. How will this year’s crop affect the planning for your 2017 season? We won’t change much. We will try to do even better than we did this year. We will try to keep our harvesting schedule on time. This year’s plentiful harvest allows us to feed more, and we might even be able to increase our herd a bit, which is one of our farm’s goals. What’s been a recent crop strategy you’ve tried or are thinking of trying? We’ve really tried to work on working together to get the harvest done rather than relying on two people. This year, we also took a chance on planting soybeans and it worked out well for us. We thought since we have the equipment we might as well try it. The price of soybeans has been good for us; it loosens up the ground and puts fertilizer back into the land. We plan to increase the amount of soybeans we plant next year. Tell us about your farm. The farm consists of Jim and his daughters, Nicole, 19, and Amanda, 17, along with Jim’s cousin and his wife, Jason and Chris Lynch, and their kids James, 16, and
Kevin Rybinski Hendricks, Minn. Lincoln County 140 cows How many acres do you farm, what do you plant and what was this year’s harvest like with each crop? We farm 800 acres and raise wheat, soybeans, corn and alfalfa. It has been a good year all around for all of the crops. It’s probably been one of the best years we’ve ever had. What was the most challenging aspect of raising crops this year? It was a tough year for putting up dry alfalfa hay. We ended up chopping the majority of our alfalfa. Other than that, there weren’t many struggles. It seems like we got the rains whenever we needed them. What are you most thankful for this harvest season? The good crops and good weather to get them out. This fall started out much too wet, but it’s been warm and dry. Field conditions are getting better every day. How will this year’s crop affect the planning for your 2017 season? We have more hay and corn on hand than we had planned, so we may plant more soybeans next year to help boost our cash crop income. What’s been a recent crop strategy you’ve tried or are thinking of trying? I went to variable rate fertilizing and variable rate planting this year. It has really helped with the yields of my crops by putting the fertilizer where it’s needed and adjusting the seeding rates according to soil types. I think it worked extremely well. I’m a real believer. Tell us about your farm. My wife, Lisa, and I have three children, Ryker, 5, Ryanna, 3, and Rylisa, 1 1/2. My brother, Kenny, crop farms with us. We have two part-time hired men to help on the dairy and run our herd of 150 stock cows. This fall, we are going to add onto our dairy barn and make room for another 40 freestalls. We are also going to switch the barn over to tunnel ventilation. We have been using sand bedding for the past several years and think that it has really helped with our somatic cell count and overall herd health. Josh, 7. Jim’s grandpa bought the farm in 1942. His parents, Ray and Wanda, bought it in 1971, and Jim bought the farm in 2012. Jason also has a full-time job in addition to working on the dairy. Chris’ mom comes on the weekends to help, especially to keep the crew well fed. Although we spend a lot of time farming, we try to make it enjoyable. And we try to take time for breaks. We like to have bonres at night or hook up the wagon for a family wagon ride on Sunday afternoons when the weather is nice. We’ve realized, especially this year after losing three family members, you have to stop and smell the roses sometimes.
Steven Martin Thorp, Wis. Clark County 50 cows How many acres do you farm, what do you plant and what was this year’s harvest like with each crop? We farm 140 acres, and this year we planted oats, corn, and alfalfa, and had a forage bean sorghum for heifers. Everything turned out good. The haylage yielded a lot, but it was not as good quality as in past years. As for the oats, the straw was a little too wet with all the rain we received. The heifer feed was good. Our high moisture corn yielded right around 200 bushels per acre, and the silage corn was the best testing we have ever had. What was the most challenging aspect of raising crops this year? The biggest challenge was making dry hay. We tried to get it off and dried, but usually ended up wrapping most of it. We were very lucky we got the silage off before we got a lot of rain. Rain was the biggest challenge this year. What are you most thankful for this harvest season? I am thankful that after it was all done, everything and everyone was safe. Everything went great without any major breakdowns. We are very thankful to have gotten the corn silage off before the seven-inch rainfall we received earlier this fall. How will this year’s crop affect the planning for your 2017 season? It won’t be that much different than this year, but we are planning to grow less hay because we harvested so much this year. Instead, we plan on raising more corn. What’s been a recent crop strategy you’ve tried or are thinking of trying? We are thinking of putting in BMR corn silage and trying 15-inch rows with the corn. I’ve heard other farmers say they’ve gotten good results with the BMR corn silage, and since we don’t have that much land, we are thinking we could get more corn per acre with the 15-inch rows. We are also thinking of doing some cover cropping in the future. Tell us about your farm. We had started farming on a rented farm in 2002 in Pennsylvania and moved here because we had family in the area. My dad and I have been farming here since 2007. In addition to working here, I work for Randy Mahr on his dairy farm. I take a special interest in top-end forages and top-notch genetics. I work with representatives like Pat Thulsty and Kyle Westaby. They did a good job helping me to reach my goals with the herd. My goal is to maybe build a freestall barn and eventually come home and farm full-time with my dad. We are milking 50 cows in a tiestall barn and raise all our own youngstock.
David and Brian Names Ottertail Lake, Minn. Ottertail County 80 cows How many acres do you farm, what do you plant and what was this year’s harvest like with each crop? We farm 700 acres of land. On those acres, we grow corn, soybeans and alfalfa. This year, we averaged 52 bushels per acre on the soybeans and 209 bushels per acre with the corn. We also were able to get four cuttings on our alfalfa. Looking at this, it was better than I thought it was going to be. What was the most challenging aspect of raising crops this year? At the beginning of the growing season, it was pretty dry. At rst, I thought we weren’t going to get much out of it, but by July, it started to rain. However, at the end, it started to get pretty wet and took us a little longer to get stuff out, especially hay. What are you most thankful for this harvest season? We’re really grateful we had such a nice fall. Even though we had wet conditions this fall, we were able to get the beans done before the rains and got the corn done before the snow hit. It all happened at the right time. How will this year’s crop affect the planning for your 2017 season? We have a crop rotation in place of corn on beans, and every four years, we turn over the alfalfa elds and plant corn in its place. We’re just going to stick with that again. What’s been a recent crop strategy you’ve tried or are thinking of trying? As of right now, we haven’t tried anything nor are we looking at anything new yet. But we would like to see what options for crops we could grow that would maximize our prot and minimize our costs. Tell us about your farm. David and I (Brian) farm with our mother, Joyce. We milk our 80 cows twice a day in our swing-8 herringbone parlor. The cows are kept in a shed with a bedded pack, which uses three big square bales of straw each day, and have access to the outdoors. During the growing season, the cows are able to graze the pasture, but are fed a TMR mixture of corn, dry hay, haylage, corn silage and a mineral mix daily in feeder wagons outside. Turn to FROM OUR SIDE OF THE FENCE | Page 16
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Page 16 • Dairy Star • Saturday, November 26, 2016
ConƟnued from FROM OUR SIDE OF THE FENCE | Page 15 Zach Tietz Frederic, Wis. Polk County 130 cows How many acres do you farm, what do you plant and what was this year’s harvest like with each crop? We farmed 650 acres this year. We planted 90 acres of sorghum sudangrass, which turned out really well, along with 375 acres of corn and the rest being hay. Once our elds dried out, everything went fast. What was the most challenging aspect of raising crops this year? Waiting for everything to dry out was tough, and we had to work around the rain. What are you most thankful for this harvest season? I’m thankful for a good crop, especially with prices being so low. We didn’t use as much fertilizer and still got one heck of a nice crop. How will this year’s crop affect the planning for your 2017 season? We had to wait for our sorghum before we could get to chopping corn silage, so I think we’ll convert our sorghum acres to hay. What’s been a recent crop strategy you’ve tried or are thinking of trying? I want to get into planting fall cover crops. We have a lot of sandy ground, and cover crops would act as a soil builder and help hold manure better. Tell us about your farm. I farm with my parents, Joe and Donna, and my brother, Sawyer. We milk 130 cows. My younger brothers, Heath and Teddy, are in school but help out as much as they can.
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Norman Zacharias Hinckley, Minn. Pine County 120 cows How many acres do you farm, what do you plant and what was this year’s harvest like with each crop? The number of acres we farm varies from year to year since we rent land. This year, between our rented and owned land, we farmed 250 acres and planted corn for corn silage and alfalfa we mostly wrap for baleage. We usually plant a cover crop of barley or oats when we have a new seeding of alfalfa. We had an exceptionally good crop of alfalfa this year. We were able to get four cuttings and had close to 20 percent more than normal. Our corn silage crop was good, too. We harvested 26 tons per acre on the heavier ground and 20 tons per acre on the lighter ground. What was the most challenging aspect of raising crops this year? We had a lot of rain this year. It was the worst ooding we’ve had since I’ve lived here. All three roads to our farm were underwater or washed out. Our third crop of alfalfa was not dairy quality because of the rain. It rained a lot when it was time to cut. Once it quit raining, there was so much standing water in the eld, we couldn’t do anything. By the time the water was gone, the alfalfa was too rank. It was frustrating because we had a beautiful crop out there and couldn’t do anything with it. What are you most thankful for this harvest season? My No. 1 priority is God and my family. But in terms of crops, I’m thankful we had an excellent rst, second and fourth alfalfa crop providing us with quality forage. I’m also thankful our silage crop was good, too. We had above normal levels of protein and digestibility. How will this year’s crop affect the planning for your 2017 season? We put in a new seeding of alfalfa that looks really good. I think we’re going to have more hay ground next year. What’s been a recent crop strategy you’ve tried or are thinking of trying? We tried a different way of rotating alfalfa to corn. Instead of plowing the alfalfa, we spray it to kill the plant and no-till corn into the sod. It saved us time and fuel costs. We liked it. Tell us about your farm. I farm with my wife, Camille, and our two sons, Jared, 22, and Caleb, 19. Our sons work here part-time. We milk our 120-cow herd twice a day in a double-6 parallel parlor that we built 10 years ago. We have two freestall barns consisting of stalls using recessed mattresses with covers and bedded with two inches of bedding lime. It’s like sand bedding, but it’s not deep and never gets compacted. The lime stays soft and the cows love it. Our freestall barns are parallel to each other with an outdoor feed lane in between them. All of our feeding is done outside. We raise most of our replacements on the farm and purchase a few, too.
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Dairy Star • Saturday, November 26, 2016 • Page 17
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CIH 8010, 2006, 2117 hrs., 1506 sep., #132086 $
109,900
10 CIH 8010, 2006, 2117 hrs., 1506 sep., #132086 ..............................................$109,900 3 JD 9560 STS, 2005, 1481 hrs., 907 sep., #130053 ..............................................$125,000 6 JD 9770 STS, 2009, 2597 hrs., 1919 sep., #124372 ..............................................$130,000 9 JD 9570 STS, 2008, 1563 hrs., 1084 sep., #115868 ..............................................$145,000 11 JD 9870 STS, 2009, 1600 hrs., 1230 sep., #106732 ..............................................$160,000 1 JD S670, 2012, 2239 hrs., 1628 sep., #128689 ..............................................$165,000 4 JD 9770 STS, 2009, 1861 hrs., 1289 sep., #117362 ..............................................$165,000 8 JD S660, 2012, 1765 hrs., 1385 sep., #133738 ..............................................$175,000 7 JD 9570 STS, 2010, 908 hrs., 682 sep., #122037 ..............................................$179,000 2 JD 9770 STS, 2010, 1466 hrs., 1080 sep., #118492 ..............................................$180,000 3 JD 9670 STS, 2010, 1161 hrs., 811 sep., #132428 ..............................................$182,500 6 JD S660, 2012, 421 hrs., 221 sep., #96947 .................................................$229,000 4 JD S660, 2014, 350 hrs., 182 sep., #107228 ..............................................$249,000 9 JD S660, 2014, 339 hrs., 450 sep., #132631 ..............................................$260,000 9 JD S660, 2014, 297 hrs., 89 sep., #116531 ..............................................$265,000 7 JD S690, 2013, 1148 hrs., ................799 sep., #119306 ..............................................$265,000 11 JD S660, 2015, 578 hrs., 196 sep., #117457 ..............................................$269,000 5 JD S670, 2014, 662 hrs., 488 sep., #133494 .............................................$285,000 2 JD S660, 2015, 330 hrs., 147 sep., #125946 ..............................................$295,000 8 JD S670, 2015, 383 hrs., 290 sep., #124831 ..............................................$305,000 8 JD S670, 2015, 280 hrs., 140 sep., #125750 ..............................................$325,000 2 JD S660, 2016, 245 hrs., #134019 ..............................................$340,000 2 JD S670, 2016, 185 hrs., 150 sep., #133717 ..............................................$369,000 2 JD S680, 2016, 172 hrs., #133715 ..............................................$389,000 COMPACT TRACK LOADERS 5 JD CT322, 2006, 3609 hrs., #126268 ................................................ $24,900 13 JD CT322, 2006, 2100 hrs., #133832 ................................................ $24,995 12 JD CT322, 2006, 3290 hrs., #131411 ................................................ $26,900 4 NH C227, 2011, 900 hrs., #133181 ................................................ $27,900 12 JD 319D, 2010, 463 hrs., #130278 ................................................ $36,900 12 CIH TR270, 2016, 17 hrs., #132330 ................................................ $47,000 6 JD 317G, 2016, 147 hrs., #133454 ................................................ $47,900 6 JD 333E, 2013, 1731 hrs., #128299 ................................................ $48,000 8 JD 333D, 2013, 1279 hrs., #124961 ................................................ $49,500 9 JD 323E, 2014, 506 hrs., #123205 ................................................ $51,900 4 JD 333D, 2012, 690 hrs., #130565 ................................................ $51,900 13 JD 333D, 2013, 932 hrs.,
‘12 JD S660 , 421 hrs., 221 sep., #96947 $
229,000
2 8 4 13 10 8 5 7 7 1 13 4 13 6 13 11 10 1 4 6 1 9 6 5 6 1 10 2 6 4 7 6 8 7 5 6 4 6 4 8 2 8 1 3 7 7 8 6
#125901 ................................................ $51,900 JD 323E, 2015, 282 hrs., #129368 ................................................ $52,900 JD 323E, 2014, 332 hrs., #125605 ................................................ $55,900 JD 323E, 2015, 165 hrs., #130570 ................................................ $57,000 JD 329E, 2013, 405 hrs., #121156 ............................................... $57,900 JD 329E, 2014, 730 hrs., #126548 ................................................ $57,900 JD 329E, 2014, 419 hrs., #128337 ................................................ $59,500 JD 329E, 2014, 240 hrs., #131459 ................................................ $61,900 JD 333E, 2014, 550 hrs., #133945 ................................................ $63,900 JD 333E, 2014, 576 hrs., #120261 ................................................ $64,900 JD 333E, 2015, 558 hrs., #125621 ................................................ $67,500 JD 333E, 2015, 328 hrs., #131502 ................................................ $68,000 JD 333E, 2015, 387 hrs., #125622 ................................................ $68,000 JD 333E, 2015, 216 hrs., #129971 ................................................ $69,900 JD 333E, 2015, 176 hrs., #130057 ................................................ $70,500 JD 333E, 2015, 192 hrs., #130058 ................................................ $70,500 CORN AND ROW CROP HEADERS JD 693, 1996, #131820 ................... $15,900 Drago N8TR, 2003, #132087 ......... $18,400 JD 693, 2005, #134028 ................... $18,900 JD 893, 1996, #126995 ................... $18,900 JD 1293, 2007, #132423 ................. $18,900 Geringhoff RD830B, 2004, #132061 ................................................ $18,900 JD 893, 2001, #127232 ................... $19,500 JD 893, 1998, #133187 ................... $20,000 JD 893, 2004, #134018 ................... $20,900 JD 1293, 2005, #116503 ................. $21,900 Harvestec 4308C, 2006, #133685 ................................................ $22,500 Geringhoff ROTA-DISC 1200B, #127038 ................................................ $23,000 Drago N6TR, 2010, #133807 ......... $23,000 JD 893, 1993, #133956 ................... $23,500 JD 893, 2003, #131470 ................... $25,000 Fantini 6R30, 2010, #133739......... $25,900 Geringhoff ROTA-DISC 830B, 2006, #107701 ................................................ $27,500 Harvestec 4112C, 2009, #127253 ................................................ $35,000 Geringhoff 1622, 2007, #132675 ................................................ $47,900 Geringhoff ROTA-DISC 1222, 2007, #118082 ................................................ $48,900 JD 612C, 2008, #127007................. $49,500 JD 612C, 2009, #126839................. $52,900 JD 606C, 2013, #115136................. $53,900 JD 606C, 2013, #116470................. $53,900 JD 606C, 2013, #132413................. $53,900 JD 606C, 2013, #132993................. $53,900 JD 608C, 2012, #118668................. $54,900 JD 608C, 2012, #131793................. $54,900 JD 612C, 2009, #128688................. $55,000 JD 612C, 2009, #133911................. $57,500 JD 612C, 2009, #103694................. $58,000 JD 606C, 2014, #125557................. $58,900 JD 612C, 2013, #122102................. $59,500
JD S670, 2015, 230 hrs., 140 sep., #125750 $
325,000
1 9 10 7 1 2 2 5 8 3 2 5 3 10 2 2 1 7 10 11 1 10 6 7 10 5 5 11 5 4 2 11 11 4 8 12 10 10 11 2 11 1 1 10 5 7 9 2 6 7 5 5 4 5 10 7 8 8
JD 608C, 2013, JD 608C, 2013, JD 608C, 2013, JD 612C, 2012, JD 612C, 2013, JD 612C, 2014, JD 612C, 2014, JD 612C, 2014, JD 612C, 2014, JD 612C, 2014, JD 612C, 2016, JD 618C, 2013,
#126457................. $59,900 #132632................. $59,900 #125707................. $60,900 #106737................. $74,900 #125221................. $79,900 #134078................. $85,000 #125736................. $92,900 #125927................. $92,900 #126047................. $95,900 #126845................. $98,900 #134111...............$109,000 #107764...............$119,000 DISKS JD 650, 1999, #126844 ................... $18,000 JD 637, 2000, #130806 ................... $20,900 Wishek 842T, #126450 ..................... $21,000 Wishek 842T, #126451 ..................... $23,900 JD 637, 2005, #131583 ................... $29,000 EZEE-ON 4600, 2009, #126167..... $31,900 JD 637, 2011, #126287 ................... $33,500 SunÁower 1444-40, #118477 ......... $34,900 Krause 8200, 2013, #131061 ........ $36,000 JD 2623, 2013, #126300 ................. $38,900 JD 2623, 2014, #126778 ................. $39,900 Salford 570RTS, #131148 ................ $43,900 JD 2623, 2014, #126286 ................. $45,900 JD 2623, 2013, #111788 ................. $46,900 JD 637, 2012, #116113 ................... $49,500 JD 2623, 2013, #108452 ................. $49,500 JD 2623, 2015, #121336 ................. $49,500 JD 2623, 2013, #108855 ................. $51,900 JD 2623, 2014, #107046 ................. $76,900 JD 2623, 2016, #118461 ................. $83,900 Summers 9K4727, 2015, #129015 ................................................ $89,500 LARGE SQUARE BALERS JD L330, 2016, #125537 ...............$125,900 ROUND BALERS JD 568, 2007, #131030 ................... $17,500 JD 468 SILAGE SPECIAL, 2007, #131448 ................................................ $17,900 JD 582 SILAGE SPECIAL, 2006, #132056 ................................................ $18,500 JD 458, 2009, #131244 ................... $18,900 JD 568, 2007, #131763 ................... $18,900 JD 458 SILAGE SPECIAL, 2010, #132415 ................................................ $19,500 New Holland BR7090, 2008, #123046 ................................................ $21,900 Case IH RB564, 2008, #129522..... $23,000 JD 568, 2007, #122377 ................... $25,900 New Holland BR7090, 2012, #133944 ................................................ $27,500 JD 568, 2012, #121286 ................... $27,900 JD 568, 2011, #132345 ................... $29,900 JD 568, 2008, #119918 ................... $30,000 JD 468 SILAGE SPECIAL, 2011, #126398 ................................................ $30,900 JD 469, 2013, #131787 ................... $30,900 JD 469, 2014, #121911 ................... $30,900 JD 468 SILAGE SPECIAL, 2012, #132115 ................................................ $31,900 JD 568, 2011, #126221.................... $32,900 JD 568, 2012, #123505.................... $34,900 JD 569, 2014, #121188.................... $37,900 JD 569, 2013, #126055.................... $38,900 JD 569, 2014, #123810.................... $38,900 JD 569, 2014, #124210.................... $38,900 JD 569, 2015, #134021.................... $40,500
‘14 JD S660, 253 hrs., $
#107228
260,000
Page 18 • Dairy Star • Saturday, November 26, 2016
Repro Leaders
Cow monitoring system gives Reads 31 percent pregnancy rate Reads Brown Swiss Roger and Lori Read; Greg, Heather and Jennifer (5 months) Read Lyle, Minn. Mower County 120 registered Brown Swiss What is your herd’s pregnancy rate average for last year?
31 percent. What is your herd’s reproduction program? How do you get cows pregnant? We have been using the SCR activity monitor for monitoring our cows for three years. Two months ago we added it to monitor our heifers that are housed at another farm.
KRISTA KUZMA/DAIRY STAR
The Reads – (from leŌ) Roger, Lori, Greg, holding Jennifer, and Heather – milk 120 registered Brown Swiss cows near Lyle, Minn. The herd’s 2015 average pregnancy rate was 31 percent.
KRISTA KUZMA/DAIRY STAR
Cows wear transponders that monitor acƟvity to help the Reads beƩer access when a cow is in heat and should be bred.
We also use PC Dart for herd data management. The two network our data for real-time response to heats. By monitoring, we get daily activity per cow along with rumination. This allows us to use a minimum 60day waiting period, and then we A.I. the cow based on her activity. If a cow is open after ultrasounding, we follow up with Ovsynch and a timed second breeding.
Do you use seasonal breeding or avoid certain months? We breed year round. How often do you do pregnancy checks? At least monthly. What is your breeding philosophy? How do you select bulls? What traits do you focus on? Does fertility play a role in bull selection? We research young sires with a high net merit and
Progressive Performance Ranking (PPR, the Brown Swiss version of GTPI for other breeds), but also look for bulls with good production and protein. Then we look at the heritability traits for type such as feet and legs. Finally, the choice comes down to what meets these qualications and stays away from inbreeding. Turn to READS | Page 20
The Bobcat® S185 was the best selling loader in North America for more than a decade. And now, we're excited to announce that this model and six others have been completely redesigned to increase performance, reliability and comfort. Bobcat® and the Bobcat logo are trademarks of Bobcat Company.
USED SKID STEERS ON HAND
‘15 Bobcat S650, 680 hrs, A71 pkg.............................................................. $39,500 ‘14 Bobcat S650, 421 hrs., A51 pkg, 2 spd .................................................. $39,500 ‘14 Bobcat S590, 1811 hrs., 2 spd, A71....................................................... $28,900 ‘12 Bobcat S750, 3279 hrs., A71, CHA, 2 spd .............................................. $35,500 ‘07 Bobcat S300, 4193 hrs., CHA, 2 spd ...................................................... $29,900 ‘06 Bobcat S205, 4800 hrs., A51 pkg........................................................... $24,500 ‘08 Bobcat S185, 1428 hrs., CHA, A71, 2 spd .............................................. $28,500 ‘12 Bobcat S185, 1499 hrs., C/H .................................................................. $26,500 ‘08 Bobcat S185, 1758 hrs., H51 pkg, 2 spd ................................................ $23,500 Bobcat T190, 2589 hrs., Gold pkg, CHA, 12” tracks ..................................... $28,500 Bobcat V723 Versa Handler, 3049 hrs, CHA ................................................ $34,500
Authorized Bobcat Dealer
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Dairy Star • Saturday, November 26, 2016 • Page 19
“The one to get the job done...” — Carley Krull
Carley Krull, 2015 R&W Queen with EX-90 ‘Dirty Girl’ and the Queens of Krull Farms on 2016 Classification Day.
“We have been using Udder Comfort™ for 10 years. We absolutely love what it does to help our herd! We use it for just about everything. Every fresh animal gets it after milking, morning and night, for 3-4 days to speed healing and remove swelling in half the time,” says Carley Krull, freshman at Iowa State. Carley, Cassy, Bryce and their mother Cindy operate Krull Farms, Lake Mills, Wis., home to some top Holsteins, with up to 9 generations EX and AA nominees like Krull Goldwyn Entrust-ET 3E-94. Homebred Dirty Girl out of Dreamy was 2014 Champion of WDE R&W Jr. Show Recently, Rosedale 2 Hot 2 Handle-Red was top R&W at WI State Fair Jr. Show. Carley appreciates membership in the Dairy Girl Network as a place to share and gain advice. She sees “a large need for women in the dairy industry, which provides great opportunities,” but says that, “A major challenge for any young dairy farmer is staying afloat right now. “Recently, we tried other products but realized we weren’t saving any money. The one to get the job done is Udder Comfort!
KRULL FARMS, LAKE MILLS, WISCONSIN Cindy, Cassy, Carley and Bryce Krull 35 Registered Holsteins (many 2-3 yr-olds) RHA 20,900, BAA 112.1, SCC 110,000 “We make sure it is in the show box too, applying it before loading to prevent swelling from trucking. We reapply if there seems to be any discomfort at the show. We reapply if we see a start to swelling while bagging and always after milkout, post-show.”
Quality Udders Make Quality Milk
Keep the milk in the system 1.888.773.7153 1.613.652.9086 uddercomfort.com 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 26, 2016
ConƟnued from READS | Page 18 What percentage of your herd is bred through A.I. or a bull? About 98 percent of our herd is A.I. bred. We have a bull that runs with our bred heifers in the summer on pasture. If you use A.I., who breeds your cattle? Roger or our son, Greg, do the majority of our A.I. work. We breed most cows after morning milking; however, we have a small group we breed in the evening. Do you have a different philosophy when breeding heifers
vs. cows? No, we use the same philosophy. What do you do to settle hard breeders? How many times do you try to breed a cow before you sell her? We do have some Swiss/Holstein crossbreds in the herd. Sometimes, we will use a highly fertile Holstein bull just to settle the cow. This really depends on the cow. It is a weakness for us. We don’t like to give up on a good cow, so we will breed her up to six times. It’s probably not the right thing to do, but it is what we do.
KRISTA KUZMA/DAIRY STAR
Roger navigates the SCR sytem on the computer in the barn. The Reads have been using the system for three years. What is your target size/ weight/age for breeding heifers? Since we have Brown Swiss, we target breeding age at 12-14 months and hopefully at a minimum of 750 pounds.
KRISTA KUZMA/DAIRY STAR
This 2-year-old exemplies the type of cow the Reads try to breed for in their herd.
Is there anything you have done or changed that brought about a signicant improvement in your reproductive program? We believe our advancement in noticing heats came from the SCR cow monitoring system/PC Dart integration. About 75 percent of activity occurs between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m., with most true heats taking
place around 2 a.m. Since we are usually in bed during this time, we would be missing them without our monitoring system. It also works well for our employees who can monitor the dashboard every day. Our system is easy to use. It has also made us more aware of our cows, and allows us to get cows bred more quickly. Greg can also monitor the cows using an app on his phone while at his off-the-farm job. Tell us about your farm. We farm 320 acres, where most commodities produced are fed to the cows. The cows are man-
aged in two groups – the fresh cows on a bedded pack and the longer lactation cows in freestalls with waterbeds. Cow comfort is really important, and we believe that the recent addition of the JOZ robotic feed pusher has made the cows more content and increased their resting time, which makes heats more noticeable. We have used the SCR system for three years, and in recent discussions with some team members from Israel, will look forward to the improvements in the collars and technologies that give us a heads-up on our cows’ health.
USED EQUIPMENT FROM A NAME YOU CAN TRUST!
2008 N-H 185 Spreader - $7,950.00
2013 T-770, Glass Cab with A/C, Hi Flow Aux, 1340 Hrs. - $49,000
USED TRACTORS
2013 N-H T9.615, 775 Hours, Auto Steer, Cab Suspension ...................................... $260,000.00 1996 N-H 9682, 4646 Hours, Reman engine at 425HP ................................................ $79,500.00 2009 N-H TV-6070, 750 Hours, Loader, 3 point both ends ........................................... $99,900.00 2012 N-H T7.185, MFD, 785 Hours...... $99,500.00 2013 N-H 40 Workmaster, MFD, Loader, 245 Hours........................................... $18,900.00 2001 N-H TC-25, MFD, Loder, 850 Hours, Soft Cab ............................................... $9,750.00 1955 Ford 900 ........................................ $4,000.00 1973 Oliver 1465, 6141 Hours................ $5,500.00 1972 A-C 180, Diesel, Loader ................ $6,000.00 1954 A-C D-14 ....................................... $2,950.00 2012 Bobcat CT-235, MFD, Loader, 61 Hours............................................. $11,900.00 2013 J-D 6140M, MFD, Cab, 1980 Hours......................................... $69,500.00
2012 N-H T7.185, MFD, 785 Hours - $99,500
2010 J-D 5075M, MFD, Cab, Loader, 1150 Hours ........................................ $35,000.00 I-H Super C with Woods 59 Belly mower .. $2,450.00 1966 M-F 150, Gas ................................ $3,950.00
Used Tillage
(2) 2014 W-R Quad X2, 60’ with Rolling Baskets .............................Starting at $43,600.00 2014 W-R Quad X2, 40’ with Rolling Basket ................................................ $55,000.00 2015 W-R XL2 34’, 4 bar harrow .......... $36,500.00 1997 W-R Quad 5 32’, 4 bar harrow .... $14,950.00 2009 W-R 957 Ripper, 5 shank, Harrow .. $17,500.00 2001 DMI 730B, Levelers ..................... $10,900.00 J-D 2800 Plow, 6 Bottom, Onland Hitch .. $5,950.00 Oliver 548 Plow, 4 Bottom ..................... $1,250.00 2010 Wishek 862NT, 16’ Disk, 30” blades................................................. $23,000.00
USED MISC
2006 N-H 195 Spreader ......................... $9,500.00 2008 N-H 185 Spreader ......................... $7,950.00
Equipment of Norwood LANO A family business since 1946 with the Lanos: Jack, Paul, Bob and Andy 952-467-2181
USED SKIDSTEERS
2013 T-770, Glass Cab with A/C, Hi Flow Aux, 1340 Hrs .......................................$49,000.00 2014 T-650, 1 Million Ed, SJC Controls, 900 Hours ............................................$47,000.00 2013 T-590, Glass Cab with A/C, 917 Hours .....................................$38,500.00 (2) 2012 S-750 Glass Cab with A/C, 730 hours and up ........................ Starting at $30,900.00 2006 S-250, Glass Cab with A/C, Hi Åow Aux, 3500 Hours ...................................$23,500.00 (2) 2007 S-220, Glass Cab with A/C, .. Starting at $13,900.00 (3) 2012 S-650, Glass Cab with A/C, ... Starting at $31,900.00
(2) 2014 S-590, Glass Cab With A/C, 2 speed . Starting at $28,900.00 (2) 2011 S-175, Glass Cab & Heater, 2 Speed, 610 Hrs & Up .............. Starting at $18,500.00 (2) 2008 N-H L-175, Glass Cab with A/C, 2 Speed ......................... Starting at $18,000.00 2011 J-D 326D, Glass Cab with A/C, 2 Speed, 1700 Hours ...................................$27,000.00 2004 Case 85XT, 3215 Hours .........$14,000.00 2010 Cat 262C, Glass Cab with A/C, 2025 Hours ............................................$28,900.00
LANO EQUIPMENT OF NORWOOD 952-467-2181 One Tough Animal
www.bobcat.com
Dairy Star • Saturday, November 26, 2016 • Page 21
FREE Calf Housing Video!
WHO SAYS THEY HAVE 140 LUMENS PER WATT?
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See what JanAire curtains can do for your calf housing!
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Visit us at the Minnesota Milk Expo, booths 221 & 223
Call Jon today to Ànd a fre-heater for your operation. Jon Stein 320-352-5762 • 1-800-342-2697 Henning Area 218-849-0211
DAIRY EQUIPMENT CENTRE AND SUPPLY INC.
40625 State Hwy. 28 • Just West of Hwy. 71 • Sauk Centre, MN
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LARRY TRISSEL Phone: 540-433-1840 Fax: 510-433-1842 info@agsolutionsplus.com www. agsolutionsplus.com
JIM HEHENBERGER (WI) 608-544-2421 (office) • 608-963-9485 (cell) RICH PEDERSON (MN) 320-995-6403 (office) • 320-905-3725 (cell)
Page 22 • Dairy Star • Saturday, November 26, 2016
The Real Deal with Dairy
Protect against slips & falls Traction in all directions Reduce animal stress Aids in heat detection Cost effective & practical
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Used Parts • Replacement Parts
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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
Today’s consumers are more than three generations removed from the farm and as farmers we must share our information and personal stories to build greater trust in production agriculture. Consumer perceptions of dairy farming are inuenced by a variety of factors including what they see as they drive by farms that dot America’s Dairyland, certainly social media, the internet and their experiences at local farmers markets. The reality today is that few people have an accurate knowledge of food production. When consumers are By Vivian bombarded with information Thompson on every front – social meWMMB Board dia, television, friends and Member, District 6 family – there is constant confusion and trust issues about the food we eat. Consumers may be confused when shopping the dairy aisle. The Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board’s The Real Deal with Dairy initiative is focused on cutting through the clutter and is committed to share the real facts about one of the most important parts of our diet: dairy. This initiative tackles some of the hardest topics we face in dairy production ranging from antibiotics, plant-based alternatives to nutritional myth busting. I encourage you to visit the website at: http://www.americasdairyland.com/dairy/healthnutrition/real-deal-with-dairy. While navigating the dairy aisles and interpreting labels is a challenge for consumers, many have not even seen a dairy farm up close or met the people that make our dairy farms one of the biggest assets - generating $43.4 billion annually – for Wisconsin’s economy. While social media is not for everyone, there are numerous ways to get involved, such as farm tours or other grassroots programs, which gives us the chance to make an impact, one person at a time on a local level. In my District the Farm-City Day is a great opportunity to promote conservation education and the difference sustainable agriculture practices make to conserve our natural resources. Over 350 third and fourth graders from
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. © 2016 DeLaval Inc. DeLaval, 11100 North Congress Avenue, Kansas City, Missouri 64153-1296
area schools, and close to three thousand general public and partners attended the two day FarmCity Days in Menomonie this year. Farm-City Day is aimed to educate the community on where and how our food is produced and show how agriculture has evolved over the last 50 years. The success over the nine years of the event can be attributed to the countless volunteers, community members and industry partners who all believe in agriculture advocacy. As part of The Real Deal with Dairy initiative, a two minute video was launched on America’s Dairyland YouTube channel. This video pays tribute to the many Wisconsin dairy farmers who have the privilege of calling America’s Dairyland, home. The lm has captured a day in the life, and all of the things we as farmers do 365 days a year. We as dairy farmers have been tasked to tell our story, but farmers are busy farming – milking, feeding their cows, and providing food to feed the world. We don’t have time to create a website or blog, tweet or even post on Facebook every day. The harsh reality is however, if we don’t tell our own stories, others tell them for us. I hope you take some time and watch this video, be inspired and reenergized about why we are so passionate about farming, or even use this as motivation for telling your story and being a dairy advocate. https://www.youtube.com/user/ DairyImpactWisconsin.
Dairy Star • Saturday, November 26, 2016 • Page 23
Thankful for family, friends
Fowler grateful for help on farm after breaking his leg By Brittany Olson
brittany.o@dairystar.com
CHETEK, Wis. – Anyone who knows Jonny Fowler knows he likes to work hard. “I bought the family dairy farm when I was 18,” Fowler said. They also know Fowler plays hard, too. Fowler, who milks 70 cows with his parents, Kord and Becky, near Chetek, Wis., ended up playing a little too hard over a month ago. “I was horsing around with friends about ve weeks ago, just screwing around like a little kid, and I broke my right leg,” Fowler said. As for how much his injury affected his farming career, Fowler had just one word – everything. “I can’t do anything in the barn now except sit there,” he said. Kord took over for his son in the barn, a job they’d both been doing since he came into the operation after graduating high school in 2014. “Dad and I ran the place, but for now he’s taken over my duties,” Fowler said. Fowler’s grandma, Jean Briggs, even stepped up to ll in for Fowler on the farm.
PHOTO SUBMITTED
Jonny Fowler is recovering aŌer breaking his leg over a month ago. Fowler milks 70 cows with his family near Chetek, Wis. “She came out of retirement more than a few times to help get chores done,” Fowler said. In addition to lling in around the barn, Fowler’s family and friends took his place in other tasks that the young farmer was charged with, such as cutting wood for winter. “Mom and our neighbor helped cut wood for me, as well as my friend Michael Prine,” Fowler said. Fowler described the rst two weeks of being laid up as miserable. “It sucked. I was just sitting around the house during the busi-
est time of year,” he said. “Michael came and got me out of the house a few times, and he still does.” As he comes closer to having his right leg back, Fowler has learned to make do with what he has in the meantime, particularly adapting to driving, despite his injury. He hasn’t let his injury rob him of anything to do with farming, either. “I still do a little tractor driving,” he said. Because Fowler is still able to drive and operate farm machinery, he has been helping a
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custom harvester with combining – and keeping plenty busy in doing so. “In the last nine days, I’ve put in 78 hours behind the wheel of the combine,” Fowler said. “That’s with a bum leg. There is no excuse for laziness after that.” As for how he gets up the ladder on the combine, Fowler has adapted to that, too. “I step with my good leg and use my knee on my bad leg to complete the step while pulling upward with my arms,” Fowler said. Because it will take a full 10 weeks before his leg will be
without a cast, Fowler will be using crutches until he gets a walking boot, which he will receive Nov. 22. “I still won’t be able to do very much around the farm, but at least I won’t need crutches anymore,” Fowler said. From countless family and friends coming out of the woodwork to help him around the farm, to his friend’s grandma knitting a boot for his cast, Fowler is nothing short of thankful for all the time and effort given to help a young farmer get back on his feet. “When you’re 18 years old and you buy a dairy farm, it’s a huge jump. It’s a big step for anybody, but especially a kid like me,” Fowler said. “Two years later, when you think you’re nally starting to get this farming thing gured out, something like this happens and you don’t plan for it at all.” Fowler is sentimental of all the people who came forward to help him. “I really appreciate it,” he said. “I’m so thankful. It’s nice to know people are there to help you out when you need it. I couldn’t have done it without them.” Dec. 12 is a day Fowler longs for, because he won’t need a cast anymore and he can get back to living the full-throttle life he’s been accustomed to for the past 20 years. Or maybe – just maybe – Fowler might slow down a bit.
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Page 24 • Dairy Star • Saturday, November 26, 2016
The Dairy Star presents
The Great Christmas Heifer
G I V E A W A Y THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS Grand Prize Drawing Will Be Held Thursday, December 15, 2016 Drawings every business day December 1 until December 15, 2016 for other prizes. THE WINNERS WILL BE POSTED ON WWW.DAIRYSTAR.COM AND ON FACEBOOK.
Grand Prize Heifer: SHEEKNOLL KINDBOY 2615 (AKA HENNY) (HOLSTEIN) Born: Dec. 15, 2015
Sheeknoll 2615 com Kindboy the Sheeh es from a Rochester,n family Minn.
Sire: 7HO12198 Morningview MCC Kinboy-ET Dam: D Sheeknoll Man-O-Man Dora Dam’s Sire: 14HO06429 Long-Langs Oman Oman 2-ETN D Grand Dam: Sheeknoll Alexander April G Granddam’s Sire: 7HO8221 Golden-Oaks St Alexander-ET G
The Sheehans – (from left) Steve, Ben, Jerome, Andrew, Jeannette and Robert – are providing the heifer for the Great Christmas Heifer Giveaway. The family milks 300 registered Holsteins near Rochester, Minn.
Grand Prize Heifer Calf: EACHIBON JESSA R JAMAICA (BROWN SWISS) Born: August 31, 2016
Sire: Jo Dee Nemo Richard Dam: Eachibon Jessalyn Double Dare Jessa Dam’s sire: 54BS92 Fjel-Mar Joel DOUBLE DARE-ET Granddam: Eachibon Jessica Dally Jessalyn Granddam’s sire: Kulp Gen Pronto Dally-ET
Eachibon Jes R Jamaica sa comes F Jason Weihrom r Melrose, Wouch is. Jason Weihrouch is pictured with the prize heiferr calf, Eachibon Jessa R Jamaica. Weihrouch milks 35 registered Brown Swiss cows on his farm near Melrose, Wis.
PLUS
11 DAILY ADULT PRIZES LEADING UP TO GRAND PRIZE HEIFER
2ND PLACE TOY PEDAL TRACTOR YOUTH PRIZE & 10 DAILY YOUTH PRIZES LEADING UP TO GRAND PRIZE Register free at one of the participating businesses for your chance to win!
Dairy Star • Saturday, November 26, 2016 • 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
BREMER COUNTY
• ViaÀeld Sumner • 563-578-3214
BUCHANAN COUNTY • Bodensteiner Implement Rowley, IA • 319-938-2222 • ViaÀeld Winthrop • 319-935-3336
CHICKASAW COUNTY
• Ag-Land Equipment New Hampton • 641-394-4226 • Bodensteiner Implement New Hampton • 641-394-3061
CLAYTON COUNTY • Bodensteiner Implement Elkader • 563-245-2470 • Innovative Ag Services Elkader • 563-245-1230 Monona • 563-539-2001
DELAWARE COUNTY
• Edgewood Feed Mill Edgewood • 563-928-6405 • Manchester Livestock Auction Manchester • 563-927-2540 • Simon’s Grain & Feed, Inc. Manchester • 563-927-6050
DUBUQUE COUNTY
• Animal Health International Dyersville • 563-875-7555 • Bodensteiner Implement Dyersville • 563-875-2724 • Cascade Livestock Auction, LLC Cascade • 563-852-3533 • Eastern Iowa Dairy Systems Inc. Epworth • 563-876-3087 • Helle Farm Equipment Dyersville • 563-875-7154 • Innovative Ag Services Cascade • 563-852-7245 Farley • 563-744-3337 • New Vienna Ag New Vienna • 563-921-2896 • Ungs Shopping Center Luxemburg • 563-853-2455
FAYETTE COUNTY
• Associated Milk Producers Inc. Arlington • 563-933-4521 • Bodensteiner Implement Clermont • 563-423-5206 Oelwein • 319-283-4371 • Unionland Feed and Supply West Union • 563-422-5022 • ViaÀeld Arlington • 563-633-3415 Clermont • 563-423-5293 Elgin • 563-426-5566 Maynard • 563-637-2285
HOWARD COUNTY
• Clet Koshatka Farm Equipment Protivin • 563-569-8636 • Bodensteiner Implement Cresco • 563-547-2152
JACKSON COUNTY • Innovative Ag Services Andrew • 563-672-3228
JONES COUNTY
• Bodensteiner Implement Monticello • 319-465-3515
WINNESHIEK COUNTY • Bodensteiner Implement Decorah • 563-382-2961
• Brynsaas Sales & Service Decorah • 563-382-4484 • Franzen Sales & Service Fort Atkinson • 563-534-2724
PEPIN COUNTY
BARRON COUNTY
PIERCE COUNTY
BUFFALO COUNTY
RICHLAND COUNTY
WISCONSIN
• Equity Livestock Barron • 715-537-5618 • Highway 48 Farm Serice, Inc. Rice Lake • 715-234-6788
• Anibas Silo & Equipment Durand • 715-285-5317 • Jerry Baier & Sons Durand • 715-672-4363 • Western Wisconsin Farm Store Ellsworth • 715-273-5066 • Ag Partners Grange Hall • 715-647-5002
CHIPPEWA COUNTY
• Advanced Dairy Solutions Richland Center • 608-647-4488 • Equity Livestock Richland Center • 608-647-6151 • Premier Cooperative Richland Center • 608-647-6173 • St. Joseph Equipment Richland Center • 608-647-8804
CLARK COUNTY
SAUK COUNTY
• Badgerland Financial Mondovi • 715-926-5055
• Associated Milk Producers Inc. Jim Falls • 715-382-4113 • Chippewa Valley Dairy Supply Stanley • 715-644-2350 • Cloverdale Equipment Curtiss • 715-223-3361 • Federation Cooperative Humbird Feed Mill • 715-964-2411
DANE COUNTY
• Argall Dairy Systems, Inc Belleville • 608-424-6110 • Badgerland Financial Sun Prairie • 608-825-2400 • Field Silo & Equipment Mt Horeb • 608437-5561 • YES JCB Madison • 888-276-4365
EAU CLAIRE COUNTY • Equity Livestock Altoona • 715-835-3104
GRANT COUNTY
• Argall Dairy Systems, West Platteville • 608-348-3385 • Badgerland Financial Lancaster • 608-723-4115 • Bloomington Livestock Exchange Bloomington • 608-994-2020 • Fuller’s Milker Center, Inc. Lancaster • 608-723-4634 • Innovative Ag Services Cuba City • 608-744-2287 • Scott Implement Platteville • 608-348-6565
GREEN COUNTY
• Badgerland Financial Monroe • 608-328-2282 • Equity Livestock Monroe • 608-328-8344 • Monroe WestfaliaSurge Monroe • 608-325-2772 • Tri-County Dairy Supply Inc. Janesville • 800-822-7662
• McFarlanes’ Sauk City • 800-627-8569
ST. CROIX COUNTY
• Dairyland Farm System Woodville • 866-467-4717
TREMPEALEAU COUNTY • Badgerland Financial Arcadia • 608-323-3325 • Centerville Cooperative Trempealeau • 608-536-3311 • Hegg Mill Ettrick • 608-525-4545
VERNON COUNTY
• Badgerland Financial Viroqua • 608-637-2188 • Premier Cooperative Cashton • 608-654-5416 • Koon Kreek Feeds Coon Valley • 608-452-3838
MINNESOTA DAKOTA COUNTY
• Werner Implement Vermillion • 651-437-4435
FILLMORE COUNTY • Farmer’s Co-op Elevator Rushford • 507-864-7733
GOODHUE COUNTY
• Badgerland Financial Dodgeville • 608-935-3396 • Premier Cooperative Mineral Point • 608-987-3100
• 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
JACKSON COUNTY
HOUSTON COUNTY
LA CROSSE COUNTY
WABASHA COUNTY
IOWA COUNTY
• Federation Cooperative Black River Country Store • 715-284-5354 • Federation Cooperative Hixton Country Store • 715-963-2041 • St. Joseph Equipment LaCrosse • 608-788-1775
LAFAYETTE COUNTY
• Center Hill Veterinary Clinic Darlington • 608-776-4083
MONROE COUNTY
• Badgerland Financial Sparta • 608-269-3148 • Equity Livestock Sparta • 608-269-3104 • Preston Dairy Equipment Sparta • 608-269-3830 • St. Joseph Equipment Norwalk • 608-823-7434
• Farmer’s Co-op Elevator Caledonia • 507-725-3306 Houston • 507-896-3147 Spring Grove • 507-498-5321 • 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 • 507-534-2285
WINONA COUNTY
• Benson Farm Service Lewiston • 507-523-2188 • S&S Dairy Systems St. Charles • 507-932-4288
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 26, 2016
USED EQUIPMENT SPECIALS
Tractors
‘01 NH TM150, MFD, 5200 hours ...................... $49,000 ‘15 CIH Farmall 85C, MFD, new...............Call for pricing ‘99 CIH MX220, 4037 Hours .............................. $69,000 ‘06 CIH MX285 w/Front Duals, 3 Pt Hitch & PTO, 5000 hrs........................................................... $86,000 ‘93 CIH 9250, 4WD, 6700 hrs, very nice ............ $59,000 ‘94 CIH 9250, 4WD, 7300 hrs, very nice ............ $49,000 ‘09 CIH STX485 Quadtrac, 2850 hrs ................ $219,000 ‘11 CIH STX535 Quadtrac, 2924 hrs ................ $229,000 ‘13 CIH Steiger 500 Quadtrac, 900 hrs ............. $295,000 ‘12 CIH Steiger 550 Quadtrac w/guidance, 3200 hrs......................................................... $239,000 ‘12 CIH Steiger 550 Quadtrac, 2650 hrs ........... $259,000 ‘13 CIH Steiger 550 Quadtrac w/ PTO, 1380 hrs$279,000 ‘12 CIH Steiger 600 Quadtrac w/PTO, 1700 hrs $285,000 Case 75XT Skidsteer .......................................... $18,000
‘07 CIH Tigermate-200, 47’ Field Cultivator ....... $39,500 ‘15 McFarlane Incite 5032, 32’ Vertical Universal Tillage Machine, New Demo Unit ..................... $72,500 ‘11 JD Plow 10 Bottom...................................... $34,000 Sunflower 4411, 12’ Disk Chisel ........................ $10,500 CIH 730B Ecolotiger w/leads.............................. $14,000 CIH 730B Ecolotiger w/leads.............................. $15,000 ‘10 Case-IH 870 - 22’ w/o Drag, nice ................ $42,000 ‘13 Case-IH 870-22’ w/ Spike Harrow, Nice ...... $59,000 CIH MRX 690 Ripper (7 Shank) ......................... $17,000 ‘13 Summers 2510 DT 38’ Diamond Tillage Disk w/baskets & Caster Hitch S/N: M1574 Rental Unit ...................................................... $89,000 ‘14 McFarlane Reel Disk 4135, 36’ w/ Baskets, New Demo Unit ................................................ $68,500
Combines
CIH 2166 combine, 2692E/2123R...................... $55,000 ‘03 CIH 2388 combine, 3113E/2294R ................ $79,500 CIH 4300, 35’ Field Cultivator ............................ $11,500 ‘09 CIH 7088 combine, 987E/715R .................. $190,000 CIH 4700, 30’ Field Cultivator w/3 Bar Mulcher ... $5,900 ‘08 CIH 8010 combine ..................................... $149,000 CIH 4700, 36’ Field Cultivator w/3 Bar Mulcher ... $7,900 ‘11 CIH 8120 combine w/tracks,1207E/908R ... $269,000
Tillage
WE ALSO RENT SKIDSTEERS, SHREDDERS & RIPPERS
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© 2015 2007 CNH America LLC. All rights reserved. Case IH is a registered trademark of CNH America LLC. CNH Capital is a trademark of CNH America LLC. www.caseih.com
Growth shouldn’t stop when the temperature drops. Give them the energy they need, when they y need It.
Ballots are out for FSA elections
I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving holiday, and we at the Farm Service Agency (FSA) are thankful for all the hard-working farmers we get to serve every day. We are also thankful for those who have made the choice to serve on our local county committees and be the connection between our agency and the farmers. USDA encourages farmers and ranchers to make their voices heard by voting in the current FSA County FSA News & Notes Committee elections. On Nov. 7, USDA began mailing ballots to eligible farmers and ranchers across the country. Producers must return ballots to their local FSA ofces by Dec. 5 to ensure their vote is counted. Nearly 7,700 FSA county committee members serve FSA ofces nationwide. Each committee has three to 11 elected members who serve three-year terms of ofce. One-third of county committee seats are up for election each year. County committee members apply their knowledge and judgment to help FSA make important decisions on its commodity support By Ryan Brunn programs, conservation programs, indemnity and diStearns Co. Exec. Dir. saster programs, and emergency programs and eligibility. Producers must participate or cooperate in an FSA program to be eligible to vote in the county committee election. Farmers and ranchers who supervise and conduct the farming operations of an entire farm, but are not of legal voting age, also may be eligible to vote. Ballots include the names of candidates running for the local committee election. FSA has modied the ballot, making it easily identiable and less likely to be overlooked. Voters in the local administrative area up for election who do not receive ballots in the coming week can pick one up at their FSA ofce. Ballots returned by mail must be postmarked no later than Dec. 5. Newly elected committee members will take ofce Jan. 1, 2017. For more information, visit the FSA website at www.fsa.usda.gov/elections. 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.
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Birds just love this barn. The webs in these trusses are easy nest areas for birds. They also restrict air flow which leads to poor ventilation and moisture buildup in the building.
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A patchy harvest
We’ve never had a harvest season quite like this just west of our house to inspect the situation. Apone. proaching a particularly muddy spot, Our elds never fully recovered Dairy in the Suburbs he’d pushed his luck a little too far. after receiving six inches of rain in one With Gemma safely buckled-in on the day in the second half of September. Ranger and Tate buckled in the comThe ground was fully saturated then, bine, I helped Kurt hook up a heavy and every rain we’ve received since chain between the combine and trachas kept it waterlogged. At one point tor, and then (after going over the inearly in the season Kurt was worried structions multiple times), freed him we wouldn’t get our beans out of the from the mud. eld. It’s been a long harvest season, but We did, though. Well, most of we’ve had a good yield and even manthem. Like other area farmers, we aged to bale up corn stalks. started in on the high ground, harWhen Kurt nished in the last eld By Susan Steinke vesting what we could in elds that earlier this week, I joyfully asked him, Columnist had areas of standing water. Kurt’s “Is that it? Is harvest nally nished?” method of harvesting what he could He shrugged and said, “Well, as was to drive into questionable muddy spots until the combine started to slide sideways, and then quickly shift to reverse and hope he could back out. We did as much of our beans as we could, but there were scattered patches we were forced to leave behind in our elds. The combine sat idle for many days at the end of our best attempt at a bean harvest. Rain and wet conditions had us biding our time, hitting us with the reality that this would be one of those harvest seasons that dragged on and on. But then we were granted a blessed reprieve in the form of unbelievably beautiful weather in
I’ h It’s hard d ffor a ffarmer to say harvest is done when there are still patches of crops in the field mocking him. November, the kind that harvesting farmers dream about. Kurt started to venture into our corn elds, again sticking to the high ground and avoiding the wet spots, risking a push into muddy patches as much as he dared. “I’d better be careful,” he warned me. “The neighbor got stuck with their big combine today. When they couldn’t get it out with a small bulldozer, they had to bring in a bigger dozer.” “You’d better not get stuck.” I agreed. “We don’t have a dozer to pull you out!” The very next day, arriving home after a day spent in the eld, Kurt pulled out his phone to show me a picture before he started evening chores. It featured Tate standing in ruts as tall as his shoulders. “What’s this?” I asked suspiciously. “I got the combine stuck. These are the ruts left behind after Kevin pulled me out with the fourwheel drive White.” Thank goodness we didn’t have to hire a dozer. It wasn’t the only time he got stuck. The second time his dad was able to pull him out. The third time I came home from grocery shopping with the kids to nd him waiting impatiently. “Want to pull me out?” he sheepishly asked me. He was stuck again, and with his dad working up a eld at the other farm site, I was his only option. The kids and I drove out with him to the eld
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Dairy Star • Saturday, November 26, 2016 • Page 27
much as I can do.” It’s hard for a farmer to say harvest is done when there are still patches of crops in the eld, mocking him. But, along with those patches are deep ruts, a reminder of why those patches still stand. The beans we’ve plowed under; we had to give them up as a loss. But the corn we’ll leave yet. Let’s see what the next few weeks bring in terms of freezing temps and snow. This harvest season might not be over yet. Susan and her husband, Kurt, milk 40 cows in Greeneld, Minn. They have three little farmhands: Lily, 8, Tate, 4, and Gemma, 2. Just two miles east of their farm, on a clear day you can see the Minneapolis skyline. Susan can be reached at kurt.susan@hotmail.com.
Election of 2016 an interesting ride
Page 28 • Dairy Star • Saturday, November 26, 2016
Register for free FSMA training, on-site consultation
The Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA), in partnership with the Center for Dairy Research (CDR), invites dairy manufacturers and processors to register now for the Artisan Dairy Producer Food Safety Initiative. Thanks to grant monies from the United States Department of Agriculture-National Institute of Food and Agriculture, this program offers – at no cost - training and on-site consultations geared toward preparing small dairy manufacturing plants for compliance with Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) regulations. “FSMA deadlines are looming, but many artisan cheesemakers simply don’t have the resources or expertise to create a food safety plan on their own,” said John Umhoefer, WCMA Executive Director and Initiative Co-Director. “We’re pleased to be able to provide the helping hand Wisconsin’s dairy producers need now to ensure their facilities and processes meet or exceed regulatory standards.” Initial program seminars will be held regionally throughout Wisconsin in January and February 2017. All Wisconsin dairy manufacturers will be welcome to attend and learn the key concepts of FSMA. In March, April, and May, two FSMA-trained Food Safety Educators will travel to up to 50 dairy manufacturing plants to evaluate existing operations, review existing food safety plans and, wherever necessary, help develop compliance plans. For the rest of the year, those educators will follow up with participating producers and make themselves available to answer all dairy manufacturers’ FSMArelated questions. All services will be free of charge. WCMA and CDR ofcials are pleased to announce that Jim Mueller of Mueller Consulting and Larry Bell of LBell Consulting will serve as the program’s Food Safety Educators. Mueller has more than 40 years of dairy experience and is a Wisconsin licensed Cheesemaker and grader. He provides technical service expertise to dairy producers of all sizes through his consulting business. Bell spent 31 years as a research manager and supplier quality manager for a major dairy manufacturer, and has ve years of consulting experience in plants both large and small. “Jim and Larry have the experience and knowledge to help artisan dairy producers create strong food safety plans,” said Marianne Smukowski, CDR Outreach Program Manager and Initiative Co-Director. “Now, we’re encouraging dairy producers to partner with them to prepare for FSMA.” Invitations will be mailed to Wisconsin dairy producers – including cheese, yogurt, butter, and ice cream makers and processors – before January 1, 2017. However, interested producers may register now to participate. Contact WCMA Communications and Policy Manager Rebekah Sweeney via email at rsweeney@wischeesemakers.org or via telephone at (608) 828-4550 for more information or to register today.
So it’s Trumpschweiger on our plates for the next four years. When the meat grinders and sausage stuffers nally fell silent, Clintonwurst garnered plenty of votes as our sausage of choice, but still lost out. A month ago, I used a sausagemaking analogy to describe what has now beRural Roots come our dear, departed 2016 presidential election. I did that because I felt as though the messy process of politics I observed was akin to seeing sausage being made. It’s been an interesting 18 months, watching all the candidates verbally duke it out. Now we have one left standing. And it’s not who many in the meBy Ron Johnson dia expected and predictStaff Writer ed. How could they be so very, terribly wrong? How could the polls have been so far off base – like a Bluetick coonhound barking up the wrong tree? Even before our Nov. 8 election rolled around, I was scratching my head over the polls and the interpretations from the so-called experts. Some polls had Clinton up by one, two, three or more percentage points. I’ve gotten into the habit of paying close attention to the margin of error. That is, how wrong do the people conducting each poll acknowledge that it might be? Let’s say, for example, that a poll says a candidate has a two-point lead, but the margin of error is four points. What the poll is really telling us, then, is that the person with the lead could win by as many as six percentage points. Likewise, the poll is telling us the candidate could lose by as many as two points. The polls just didn’t feel right – not where I live and work in southwest Wisconsin farm country. And it wasn’t just the feeling in my small, local area. A week before election day, I drove a few counties into Iowa for a dairy farmer feature story. The Minnesota Moose, as I call the Dairy Star car, took me into Butler County, Iowa. We rolled through several rural communities – Prairie du Chien, Marquette, Monona, Luana, Postville, Claremont, West Union, Fredericksburg and Nashua. One thing that caught my eye was the campaign signs and the lack of them. While local candidates and those in state races had plenty of colorful signs erected in their support, I noticed a distinct dearth of signs for the two political aspirants. During my multi-county trip, I counted windmills and vintage tractors, as I usually do. But I also tried to count the signs for Clinton and Trump. On that day, Nov. 1 – one week before the election – I counted all of one sign for Clinton. By contrast, I counted 31 for Trump. No, my counting was not scientic by any stretch of the imagination. But the results made me wonder what was going on.
Thanks partly to my after-the-election reading and listening, plus personal experience, I think I have an inkling. People in rural areas are, for the most part, polite. They also tend to mind their own business and expect other folks to do the same. So I think the dearth of signs for either candidate was somewhat due to respect for friends and neighbors. Why trumpet, “Trump,” or proclaim, “Clinton,” when you have to go to church and high school sporting events with the people you are irritating with your sign? Also, I think some folks were plain sheepish about who they planned to vote for. Remember, neither result – Clintonwurst nor Trumpschweiger – was wonderfully appetizing much of the time. I’ll not delve into some of the details of the election. I won’t mention how Trump and his fellow Republicans won Wisconsin for the rst time since 1984. Nor will I mention the fact that Trump carried 59 of Wisconsin’s 72 counties, including some that had not voted for a Republican presidential candidate in nearly 40 years. One of the counties that went Republican was Crawford, where I live. There’s another reason for Trump doing so well in rural areas. I agree with the theory that he tapped into a vein of quiet anger; anger in people who feel they’ve largely been ignored by politicians and the government in general, except when it’s time to collect taxes. And then there’s the rural-urban divide. Not everyone in farm country wants to embrace new and different values. Rather, they want to live by the values of their parents and grandparents. I must say this election was one to remember. I voted in Eastman, Wis., and had to wait in line behind one person – a dairy farmer I see and talk with every so often. All in all, my time at the polling place was brief. My wrist watch told me I was in and out in a mere nine minutes, 24 seconds. Then it was a six-mile drive home to do chicken chores and settle in for the election results. I managed to stay up past midnight, with the outcome still in doubt. I think the TV news people were still waiting for the nal tally in Pennsylvania. I know I hit the sack with no inkling of how the Wisconsin voting would turn out. I do remember thinking early in the evening, “This is w-a-a-a-y better than football!” The back-and-forth battle for Florida, the rst major prize, was a doozy. First one candidate had the lead, then the other. What’s more, the changes were shown on the TV screen, as various voting locations turned in their results. A two-point lead for one person quickly melted into a 0.3-point lead for the other candidate. And back and forth it went for hours. Now, some two weeks later we are adjusting to the outcome, as are the victor and the vanquished. How this will all play out in the grand march of time is anyone’s guess. But this presidential election of 2016 sure was one heck of an interesting ride.
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Dairy Star • Saturday, November 26, 2016 • Page 29
he took me out to eat. He was a perfect gentleman and asked me if we could go out again. Of course, I said yes. On the second date, I helped milk, push in feed and fed the calves. I was so excited; I found a farmer. The next time I went to Lorraine and Charlie’s place, I couldn’t wait for Charlie to ask if I found a farmer yet. When he asked, I smiled and started to tell him. He wanted to know about Duane’s cows, tractors and land. Lorraine was listening and said, “You didn’t help him in the barn did you?” “Yes,” I said. Then she asked, “You didn’t feed the calves, did you?” I was so proud and again told her, yes. Then, she asked if I rode in the tractor when he spread the manure. To which I replied that no, I did not because he spreads manure in the morning. Lorraine and Charlie looked at each other. Charlie said, “Well, you found yourself a farmer, and he would be a fool to let you go.”
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Lorraine told me whatever I learned would become my job on the farm. She was right. I now milk the cows, drive tractors, skid loaders, chop hay and corn silage, x milking machines … and like Lorraine, I love being a farmer and a farm mom. Charlie and Lorraine are the reason I am a farmer today. Just recently, I thought of Lorraine. Duane was combining, and I was going to scrape the freestall barn. But, I couldn’t because the spreader was full, and I don’t know how to spread manure. I could hear Lorraine telling me, “Don’t ever learn how to drive the spreader, or it will become your job, too.” I think she knew this day would come. I drove the spreader, but only once so far. I did a good job, too. Duane said I would be allowed to do it again, if I want to. Tina Hinchley, her husband, Duane, and their daughters, Anna and Catherine, milk 120 registered Holsteins and farm 2,500 acres of crops near Cambridge, Wis. They have been hosting farm tours for over 18 years.
DI EN
Charlie was quick to show me a Before I met my husband, I had a business called Senior Services. I helped newspaper ad for meeting other people. senior citizens stay at home. I took care He suggested I put an ad out so I could of things they needed, such as driving nd a farmer. This was before Farmers. com; this was before comthem to the grocery store, puters. Charlie said it was beauty parlor and pharmacy. safe, because there was a I would carry in groceries, code system where the perwash windows, change linson replying to the adverens and clean their homes. tisement would not know One couple I really enjoyed were Lorraine and your name or phone numCharlie North, Waterford, ber. I could be in control of Wis. They were retired who I wanted to respond to farmers. They drove Alafter they left a message. I lis Chalmers tractors and took the newspaper section were proud to have had the with me, and thought about last all-Guernsey dairy in it for many weeks. By Tina Hinchley Racine County. As I would Farmer & Columnist Then nally, I went visit weekly or bi-weekly, I farmer hunting. I wrote an got to know them very well. ad. I remember it saying Lorraine would tell me stories about something about being a tall, hardworkher and her twin sister’s lives as farm ing, country woman seeking a tall, hardwives. Lorraine told me of carrying the working, honest farmer. It worked. I had milk pails to pour into the tank, feeding 14 farmers who responded to my ad. I incalves and having children in tow while terviewed each farmer with a list of quesworking every day. While I changed their tions. sheets, dusted and washed the oor, she Do you like to drink and hang out at would smile and tell me how their lives the bars? Do you smoke? Do you have together were so wonderful and reward- any past wives or children from previous ing. It was hard work, not for the average relationships? Do you know how to operwoman, but she loved being a farm wife, ate a washing machine? And then the big mother and grandmother. one, do you consider yourself nancially Charlie had switched from growing responsible? corn to having an apple orchard, where Well, Duane passed the test, so we he would need help picking apples and went on our rst date. making cider. I had the privilege to ride I wanted to meet him in a public in his golf cart and help, and learn some place. Duane suggested the bowling alof his secrets. I could ask about anything. ley. I had to drive an hour and a half and Charlie was always thrilled to share in- was running late. Well, he was still in the formation about cows, tractors and ap- barn and suggested I come to the farm ples. and meet him there. Charlie would ask, “Did you nd There went my safe public place. I yourself a farmer yet?” remember the lights being on in the barn I would reply something like, and the milkhouse smell. I was so ner“Where do I nd a farmer? They are all vous that I could barely speak. I think working.” he knew it. Duane gave me a tour before
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Heifers, deer season and the pits Page 30 • Dairy Star • Saturday, November 26, 2016
I just can’t help it, I think in rhyme, It comes to me easy, Most all of the time.
Prototheca, that demon Found its way back, to many a cow Beautiful fresh bovines – milking steady I’ve sold more than 10 ladies as of now
I must have some Seuss genes Hidden about, For thoughts come in, But this is how they go out.
Heifer calves have been coming And we are not in short supply, Twenty little ladies in a week, To some we just had to send bye-bye.
The manure hauling has slowed, Solids scooped, hauled out second stage pit, Reel and sprinkler on liquid patrol, Soon (I’m told) this will be it.
Girls working hard, Electrolytes pushed every day, We wish for a hard freeze, Killing bugs that put calves in harm’s way.
A whopping seven sets of heifer twins in two months, Did I mention before? I despise twins, Thankful for only two Ramblings from the Ridge DAs, not more. Stalls xed, new headlocks up this week, The winterizing, xing frenzy has begun, Bunker walls moved for wind-breaks, Hoping winter holds off until we’re done.
By Jacqui Davison Columnist
My husband has been scarce in the past weeks, Checking temperatures – married to the bins, Now it’s on to hunting for he and Ira, I’m hoping for some venison – then everyone wins. Dad’s orange is on the clothesline, The country will soon be ablaze, With all our relation, Here to join in the deer season craze. Melanie and I have been busy moving cows, The passes aren’t meant for me, Six months pregnant with farmer number four, “Man-passes” not “Pregnant-woman passes” they truly seem to be. Bought the potatoes for boiling and ricing, Can you guess? Lefse to make! Sure there’s turkey and ham, but lefse?! It’s the great Thanksgiving icing on the cake. Hope you and yours had a wonderful holiday, Got your big bucks, and stayed safe and sound, Rejoiced in time with family and friends, In homes with love abound. Jacqui, her dad, sister, and brothers milk 550 cows and run 1,000 acres of crops in the northeastern corner of Vernon County, Wis. Her children – Ira (9), Dane (6) and Henry (2) – farm with her while her husband, Keith, works on a grain farm. She loves to cook, quilt and garden and wishes there were more hours in the day to get it all in. Farming and teaching others about farming are her passions.
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I remember what it was like watching my rst supreme champion selection at World Dairy Expo. Arriving close to the start time, the ability to nd a good seat in the coliseum proved to be a difcult task as many WDE attendees gathered to watch the nal event of the show. As my friends and I sat down in one of the top rows, the lights lowered and the spotlights A Little Bit of Sunshine came on. I didn’t realize the grandeur of the event. I could feel the excitement and the emotion gathering in the circular venue as people excitedly waited for the next honored cow. Each cow and leadsperson took their turn, slowly making their way around the outside of the ring as the spotlight made the pair the sole focus of the event. Music played – in this particular instance, the soundtrack from Forrest Gump – while the announcer shared highlights about the cow and a short history behind the breeder and farm. I could see the pride in each leadsperson as he or she By Krista Kuzma soaked in the moment of having a grand champion cow at Assistant Editor World Dairy Expo. As I listened about each cow’s achievements while the music played, I couldn’t help but get a bit teary eyed. The breeders and farmers who owned those cows had all worked so hard to get to that moment. It spanned more than just getting a cow ready for a show. It goes back to the farm – breeding that animal, raising her and giving her the best quality care in order to help her thrive into a show cow that could parade around the ring at one of the biggest shows in North America. “It would be cool if that could be one of our cows someday,” I thought to myself. I didn’t think too much more about the idea since these cows are primed for showing and Sheeknoll Farms rarely made an appearance on the colored shavings at World Dairy Expo. My family also had the same thought. And over the past few years, we have occasionally exhibited an animal when she has done well at local and regional shows. This year, our 6-year-old Holstein, Sheeknoll Durham Arrow also known as Thomas, was having a great summer show season. My family decided to see how she would do at Expo. While the rest of family took care of the cows back home, my brother, Andrew, and mom, Jeannette, took turns caring for Thomas in Madison. Although we like to show during the season, we don’t have a big set up like many other strings. And our crew is made up friends and young dairy enthusiasts. When show day arrived, Mom took the halter and proudly lead Thomas past the judge as well as she could. Thomas didn’t want to cooperate in class that day. She was being stubborn and wouldn’t move well. Regardless of how she lead, the judge saw her potential and pointed her to the top of the aged cow class. The crowd erupted in cheers, and Dad and I each jumped out of our seats cheering and clapping. We couldn’t believe our farm had just won a class at World Dairy Expo. Our goal was to simply claim a medal by getting into the top 10. With the excitement of winning the class, it didn’t even dawn on us that we had potential to win the whole show. But when the moment came for grand champion selection, the judge made a big circle around the lineup of beautiful bovines and walked right up to Thomas and Mom to give her a high ve, and name our cow as Holstein grand champion at World Dairy Expo. What a thrill. We were shocked, excited and so happy. Could this really be happening to us? I think the moment is perfectly captured in a picture of Mom. The judge is giving her a high ve while her eyes are closed tight with a huge smile on a face. It was a look of both joy and disbelief. Following the Holstein show, Mom had the honor of leading Thomas in the supreme champion selection. Just like the rst time I watched it, the lights turned down and the spotlights came out. The emcee shared the story of Thomas and our family while the duo elegantly walked atop the colored shaving. Thomas must have known this was a big deal. She didn’t act up like in the Aged Cow class. Although she stopped once or twice, Thomas lead perfectly, showing off the attributes that earned her grand champion of the Holstein show. I got a little teary eyed. Although I still like to claim to be a part of Sheeknoll Farms, I can’t take credit for any of the work. It made me so proud of my family to watch my mom and Thomas. It was one way to recognize all the hours, dedication and challenges they overcame while dairy farming. During the ceremony, Thomas was named reserve supreme champion of World Dairy Expo – the cherry on top of an already spectacular day. My family has always been an inspiration to me, but this year’s World Dairy Expo makes them even more so. It makes me want to push myself further in projects I work on. It is possible to achieve dreams. My family showed me that during their grand day at World Dairy Expo.
Dairy Star • Saturday, November 26, 2016 • Page 31
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Ready or not
Page 32 • Dairy Star • Saturday, November 26, 2016
Winter seems to have been playing hide and living on borrowed time. Winter was going to come seek the past couple of weeks. To be honest, I out of hiding with a vengeance, and we better be wasn’t trying very hard to nd it, either. I counted ready. the warm fall days as one less day of winter or one The forecasters had been calling for a major day closer to spring. I was weather system to come enjoying the clear moon- Th across our way by the end The fforecasters h had db been lit November nights as we of the week. We’ve heard walked switch cows across calling for a major weather this story before. Somethe yard wearing just system to come across our times they’re right and sweatshirts and ball caps. sometimes they’re wrong. It just made me want to way by the end of the week. It all depends upon where dance across the yard with the pressure systems travel. joy. The warm sunny days We might be on the edge of felt more like September than mid-November. It a little or a lot depending which way it swung. We was strange turning on the tractor’s air conditioner were hoping it wasn’t going to be as bad as they as I chopped corn stalks for baling. There were so predicted. They got this forecast right. Apparently many fun things I wanted to do, but I knew we were winter was tired of playing hide and seek and called
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out, “Ready or not, here I come!” Luckily, we were almost ready. These past 48 hours have been lled with nishing up summer projects, washing equipment and winterizing cattle sheds. Every morning after milking and chores, Mark and I would com- Just Thinking Out Loud pare lists as to what needed to get done. I had to nish getting the leaves off the yard. The garden had to be cleared for tillage work and strawberries needed to be tucked in for the winter. Of course, there were still windows to wash. Mark needed By Natalie Schmitt help nishing his repair job on the cable fence Columnist behind the shed. He had already jackhammered out the cement around the old rusted posts and replaced them. I had to help him string and tighten the cable fencing once the new cement had hardened. Then we needed to nish cleaning up the heifer sheds and bedding them down. The nal touch was to close up the windows and anchor down the plastic walls to keep the north winds from whistling through the sheds. Fall eld work has gone very well here on the sand plains of central Minnesota. All the low spots have been worked and ready for spring rains. The summer manure piles have been spread and worked down across chopped corn elds. Large round bales of corn stalks have been stacked and tarped in a very long pyramid. Because the tractors have been in the elds so much this fall, I haven’t been able to clean off the mud splatters, dust and grime blocking the view out the windows. You don’t really notice how dirty the windows are until the afternoon sun hits the windows at a perfect angle and you are suddenly driving blind. No matter how much you squint your eyes or shade your face, you can’t see where you’re going as you bring another load of bales in the yard for unloading. You just hope you’re driving straight between the fuel tanks and the short row of calf domes. That was enough of that. Before I headed back out for another load, I grabbed my window cleaner spray bottle, a wash rag and a pile of newspapers. While the guys placed bales on the racks, I started washing windows in the eld. I’ve only been able to get a couple of tractors clean and a few of the barn windows cleared off, but at least I have the living room and dining room windows in the house polished up for winter. Now we can watch the winds whip snow across the yard from the comfort of a warm house and clean windows. We have made it through another growing year with no major incidents. The barns are full of cattle, the grain bins are over owing. We have much to be thankful for as we head into the holiday season. Ready or not, here they come! Natalie, Mark and his brother, Al, Schmitt farm together near Rice, Minn. They milk 100 registered Holsteins under the RALMA prex. Their four children are great help around the farm and are pushing Natalie out of several jobs. Therefore she is thankful to have something else to do. For questions or comments please email Natalie at mnschmitt@jetup.net.
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Health insurance, part four
There has been no shortage of health insurance drama here in Minnesota these past couple months – both in the media and in my own house. First came the announcement that health insurance premiums could increase another 59 percent and that health insurance companies would be allowed to cap enrollment. Then, our governor made national headlines when he criticized the affordability of the Affordable Care Dairy Good Life Act. Here at home, we were getting letters and phone calls from our health insurance agent warning us to enroll early. If we didn’t hurry, we risked not getting into a plan before insurance companies reached their enrollment limits. Then, our cooperative rolled out a new health insurance agency for patrons. I attended the informational meeting and left thinking it sounded too good to be true. Despite the drama, I am pleased to write that we have a health insurance solution for the curBy Sadie Frericks rent enrollment period. It turned out that our coColumnist operative’s health insurance solution wasn’t too good to be true. We were able to use the new agency to nd a traditional health insurance policy. I was surprised to see there were actually three health insurance companies still selling policies in our area. I know other areas of the state are more limited. I was also surprised by how easy the process was. Our agency’s health insurance marketplace was accessible online, so I was able to compare multiple companies and multiple policies on the same screen. I liken the experience to picking a ight using Travelocity. I answered some questions about my preferences and the marketplace gave me a list of matching options from all three health insurance companies. We ended up picking a policy with Health Partners. The deductible and out-of-pocket maximum are similar to our old policy with Blue Cross and Blue Shield, but this time, the agency helped us apply for tax credits through MNSure. We qualied for the credits, which make our premiums much more affordLLong story short, h we h have a (In the past when I tried decent policy with much more able. to look into options through reasonable premiums. MNSure, I spent hours on the exchange website and didn’t get anywhere.) Long story short, we have a decent policy with much more reasonable premiums. However, if those tax credits go away, then we will go a different direction. Our Plan B is to switch to coverage with a health care sharing organization like Christian Health Ministries or Good Samaritan. After being recommended by several friends and other dairy farmers, I looked into those plans very carefully. We have very few visits to the clinic for reasons other than wellness exams, so our health insurance needs basically amount to catastrophic coverage. A health share plan would have been our rst option if our cooperative’s insurance agency hadn’t helped us obtain the tax credits through MNSure. A health share plan would have saved us as much money as our tax credits will now. The main concern I had with the health share plans was the extra step involved of submitting health care receipts myself. We are also creating a separate savings account for health expenses. Our plan is to accumulate enough to cover our out-of-pocket maximum in the event of a serious health situation. This is not a Health Savings Account – we don’t have enough medical expenses to justify creating an HSA. (We created a similar savings account, making deposits through a milk check assignment, to supplement our Margin Protection Plan. That account has come in very handy.) For the rst time in a long time, I am content with our health insurance. The system overall is still broken, but at least our situation is better. I would like to end by writing that our health insurance challenges are over. But, I’m sure that’s wishful thinking. With Republicans now in charge in the White House, Senate and House of Representatives, changes to national health caw laws are all but guaranteed. I sat in on a post-election debrieng yesterday with a political analyst from Washington, D.C. There’s currently a lot of speculation about whether the Affordable Care Act will be repealed and replaced or amended. It sounds like some pieces of the ACA will be kept – namely, the provision that prevents insurers from denying coverage to people with preexisting medical conditions and the provision that allows young adults to remain on their parents’ policies until age 26. Regardless of what’s to come, any major changes to the health care law will require an act of congress. We all know those don’t happen overnight. Let’s just hope that any new health care laws result in less drama and fewer challenges. Sadie and her husband, Glen, milk 75 cows near Melrose, Minn. They have three children – Dan, 9, Monika, 6, and Daphne, 3. Sadie also writes a blog at www.dairygoodlife.com. She can be reached at gsfrericks@meltel.net.
Dairy Star • Saturday, November 26, 2016 • Page 33
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Page 34 • Dairy Star • Saturday, November 26, 2016
Standing up for the U.S.
Dairy farmers reect on time serving their country By Krista Kuzma
krista.k@dairystar.com
While farmers make up less than 2 percent of the American population, members of the U.S. military are even fewer. “It’s a sense of pride [to serve the country] because there’s a statistic that we’re less than 1 percent of all Americans who do stand up, serve and do our time,” Jake Dejno said. With Veteran’s Day on Nov. 11, three dairy farmers who have served their country spoke about their experiences: 27-year-old Dejno, who milks 300 cows with his family near IndepenJake Dejno dence, Wis.; 71-yearold Dave Maschka, who milks 200 cows with his son, Chad, near Minnesota City, Minn.; and 91-yearold Ralph McNamara, who helps his son, Dave, on his 90-cow dairy near Goodhue, Minn. Dejno served most recently and is still nishing his eight-year obligation in the Army in inactive reserve status until 2017. “Basically, I just sit and wait for a phone call if they need me,” Dejno said. After graduating from high school in May 2008, Dejno enlisted in the Army and went to basic training in September 2009.
During his time in the 593rd brigade, Dejno was deployed for 12 months to Iraq working as a mechanic on the base’s airport. “It was an escape from the farm. It was something completely different that I know very few other people have done in our area,” Dejno said about why he enlisted. He also felt a call to serve his country. “One of my neighbors told his dad the same thing and I thought, ‘Dad, if I don’t do it, who will,’” Dejno said. “That’s pretty well true.” Maschka also enlisted in the Army, but did so because he knew he would likely be drafted for the Vietnam War regardless. “I enlisted so I could choose what I wanted,” said Maschka, who was 22 when he joined. “I knew lots of people from the area who were 18, 19, 20 years old who were being drafted.” Although he wanted to be placed in defense missiles, that was not where he ended up. “I knew there were defense missile plants in Minneapolis and Texas. I gured if I got it, I wouldn’t end up in Vietnam,” Maschka said. Instead, he learned about the supply chain and then spent a year in Vietnam from March 1968 to March 1969 in the 128th Assault Helicopter Company. In addition to nding supplies for the helicopters, Maschka also served as a door gunner on an M60 helicopter. Because of this, he received the nickname, Mac the Flying Farmer. McNamara’s Army experience came because he was drafted in his late teens, serving as a rieman in the 7th Infantry Division from 1945 to 1946 during the World War II era. Turn to VETERANS | Page 37
KRISTA KUZMA/DAIRY STAR
Dave Maschka shows the taƩoo he has with his nickname, Mac the Flying Farmer, which he received while serving in the Vietnam War. Maschka milks 200 cows with his son, Chad, near Minnesota City, Minn.
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Dairy Star • Saturday, November 26, 2016 • Page 35
Spraying dandelions in Roundup Ready alfalfa can pay By Ron Johnson
ron.j@dairystar.com
BELMONT, Wis. – They’re a pretty yellow, but too many dandelions can lower alfalfa yields. It can be cost effective to spray dandelions in alfalfa, according to University of Wisconsin-Extension Weed Specialist Mark Renz. He discussed the impact of dandelions on yields the spring after treatment during a pest management update meeting Nov. 9 in Belmont, Wis. In an experiment conducted at the Arlington Agricultural Research Station in Arlington, Wis., Roundup Ready alfalfa was sprayed with the broad-spectrum herbicide glyphosate. The alfalfa stands were 4 and 5 years old, Renz said. The elds contained from four to six alfalfa plants per square foot, and down to fewer than four plants per square foot. Meanwhile, the elds also contained large populations of dandelions. In the fall, the yellow weeds made up 25 to 35 percent of the cover,
while in the spring, they made sate was pegged at $8.50 per up 18 to 45 percent of the cov- acre. Second, the cost of aper. plying the herbicide was $8.50 Glyphosate was sprayed per acre, for a total per-acre in the fall and in the treatment cost of $17. spring. Fall applicaThen, the valtions, Renz said, were ue of prime alfalfa made in late October hay in mid-May was to early November. taken into account. Spring applications In 2015, the hay was were made in mid-tovalued at $130 to late April. $200 a ton as large, Here’s what the square bales, Renz researchers found. said. For elds sprayed in Mark Renz In 2016, 2014 and 2015, and UW-Extension Weed the hay was valued cut in May, 0.7 ton Specialist higher – at $150 to of plant biomass was $210 per ton as large, lost if glyphosate was applied square bales. in late April instead of in early Renz also talked about November. research involving Warrant’s The same trend was found use in alfalfa. Warrant is a for elds sprayed in 2015 and pre-emergence and post-emer2016. There, elds sprayed in gence herbicide used to gain late April yielded 0.5 ton less residual control of Palmer biomass per acre compared to pigweed, waterhemp, lamb’s elds sprayed in late October. quarters, nightshade, foxtail, “It could be worth it to and other small-seeded grasses treat in the fall versus the and broadleaf weeds. spring,” Renz said. Researchers evaluated the Renz said that conclusion herbicide at the Arlington Agwas reached by using several ricultural Research Station and numbers. at the Lancaster Agricultural First, the cost of glypho- Research Station in Lancaster,
Wis. Renz said the herbicide was used three ways – as a pre-plant herbicide, pre-emergence, and post-emergence. Renz said the herbicide’s effectiveness and crop tolerance was good. When it was applied alone, and before weeds emerged, it controlled 85 percent of the weeds. It also rarely injured the alfalfa, Renz said. And when it did, the injury was similar to that caused by Raptor and Pursuit. The herbicide was also studied when alfalfa was coplanted with corn. In that situation, said Renz, when applied pre-emergence it achieved 85 to 95 percent weed control. For comparison, glyphosate applied post-emergence achieved more than 95 percent weed control, Renz said.. Researchers did nd a small decrease in the yield of corn silage when using the herbicide. Renz said the reduction amounted to less than 5 percent. This research also looked at alfalfa re-establishment after the herbicide was used.
Renz said establishment was successful, and the fall cover of alfalfa was 25 to 50 percent. The next year, the alfalfa yield was typical of a secondyear eld, Renz said. It yielded 5.9 to 6.3 tons per acre, or double what would be expected in the stand’s establishment year. Renz touched on reduced seeding rates for Roundup Ready alfalfa. He said the seeds can cost $125 for a 50-pound bag. What’s more, seeds of HarvXtra – a Roundup Ready alfalfa that’s lower in lignin – can run $300 for 50 pounds. But some farmers might be seeding at rates that are too high. Renz said the seeding rate recommended in the industry is 15 to 20 pounds per acre. However, said Renz, “Research shows little benet to seeding more than 10 pounds of pure, live seed (PLS) per acre.” In Wisconsin, he said, the recommended PLS rate is 12 pounds per acre, unless growing conditions are poor.
Be kind and thankful This is, without a doubt, my favorite time of year. As I await the rst snowfall here in West Central Wisconsin, I am getting so excited to enter the holiday season. Harvest is complete, the table is set and it is time to celebrate the greatest blessings in our lives. Thanksgiving always has been and always will be my favorite holiday. While growing up on my family’s farm, I remember hastily completing chores with my dad so we could go inside my grandma’s house to warm up. Once inside, we were blasted with the rich aroma of a proud Norwegian kitchen: mashed potatoes with an unmeasurable amount of butter, bowls of rich stufng and piles of lefsa making my mouth water. Except for the pungent stink of Dad’s lutesk, the smells of Thanksgiving are some of my favorite. But Thanksgiving is about much more than the food; it’s about the company as well. While hosting a large meal can be a headache, everyone comes By Cassie Olson together with thankful hearts. While in college, my Staff Writer sorority always hosted a large Thanksgiving feast the Monday before the break. Preparing the meal was an all-hands-on-deck adventure. Someone would wake up in the wee hours of the morning to start roasting the multiple turkeys and hams. Groups of sisters would spend B Beyond d the h ffood d and d even hours baking pies, preparing roles and mixing casseroles. Usually by the company, though, midday, a breaker would go out Thanksgiving is about from all the roasters going, but that was always a part of the ad- appreciation. venture and are some of the holiday memories I will cherish for a lifetime. Preparing the Thanksgiving feast always concluded with the meal itself. I will never forget my sophomore year when some 110 guests quite literally lled our house. To see that many of my peers come together under one roof to enjoy a meal and each other’s company was incredible. Beyond the food and even the company, though, Thanksgiving is about appreciation. It is recognizing the things we sometimes take for granted and appreciating the value they hold in our lives. Whether that is family you don’t always get to see, having a place to call home or your health, even on the toughest of days, there are so many things for which we should be thankful for. I’m an avid shopper and, yes, I love taking advantage of Black Friday deals. But it’s also frightening how fast we all move past our one dedicated day of thankfulness to start making purchases. While many individuals are
shopping in hopes of nding the perfect gift for a loved one, it is easy to get wrapped up in the hunt for a deal and soon forget the spirit of Thanksgiving. While doing an interview for one of my stories this issue, Stacy Sosinsky told me about another opportunity to give thanks while impacting the lives of others. Following the Thanksgiving holiday and major shopping events such as Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday, Giving Tuesday is a global day of giving to harness the collective power of individuals, communities and organizations for the common purpose of celebrating and encouraging giving. Giving Tuesday is about ordinary people coming together to achieve extraordinary things. Donating to a charity, volunteering at a shelter or simply conducting one random act of kindness are just a few ways to make Giving Tuesday a part of your Thanksgiving season. While we all have much to be thankful for, the holiday season is equally a time to show our kindness to one another. We are moving into a beautiful time of year; be kind and be thankful.
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Page 36 • Dairy Star • Saturday, November 26, 2016
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Dairy Star • Saturday, November 26, 2016 • Page 37
ConĆ&#x;nued from VETERANS | Page 34 Even though ďƒžve out of his six brothers had been drafted along with many other young men who he knew in the area, McNamara was not too nervous about serving. He was deployed to South Korea for 15 months where he was to keep the civilians safe. During his boat ride over, the United States dropped the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. “We had to spend 44 days on the ship,â€? McNamara said. “If it wouldn’t have been for the atomic bomb, we would have only been on there for about 20 days.â€? Each of the dairy farming veterans experienced times when they feared for their safety. When he enlisted, Dejno knew a deployment to Iraq would be included in the job. “I knew it was coming. The idea of going wasn’t bad. Being there at times got a little nerve racking,â€? Dejno said. Although he was not in direct combat, Dejno sometimes worried about indirect ďƒžre with mortars. “I worked at night with a gun that would shoot anything in the sky coming our way. It would detect it most of the time,â€? Dejno said. “[When it wasn’t detected] sometimes you’d hear the bang and then the dirt, gravel or shrapnel bouncing off whatever building you were in. That got a little hairy every once in awhile.â€? Maschka also worked at night to guard the perimeter of the base. “That was the scariest part because we didn’t know what was out there,â€? he said. “But, I liked ďƒ&#x;ying at night because I could see where everything was going. Every 10th round is a tracer round that glows so you know what you’re hitting.â€? Even though he was a substitute gunner, Maschka was not in direct combat a lot. “The interesting thing about the Vietnam War was that there were no ďƒ&#x;y zones, so the enemy could be ďƒ&#x;ying by, and we couldn’t shoot because it was a no ďƒ&#x;y
KRISTA KUZMA/DAIRY STAR
Ralph McNamara holds a medal he received for his service in the Army during the mid 1940s. McNamara helps his son, Dave, on his 90-cow dairy near Goodhue, Minn. zone,� Maschka said. In South Korea, McNamara rarely saw combat; however, he had to watch for the enemies across the 49th parallel. “Russia was on the other side,� he said. “It was nerve racking.� Both Dejno and Maschka said they learned skills during their time in the Army. “You grew up in a hurry,� Maschka said. “You learn to think for yourself. You learn to think outside the box.� Dejno learned organizational skills, time management and attention to detail.
“Before [enlisting] I was a sloppy mess,â€? Dejno said. Plus, Dejno learned perseverance. “The army threw you all kinds of curve balls. It’s just like farming. One day it can be sunshine and everything’s going good, and then there’s a break down and it starts to rain. You have to muscle through it,â€? Dejno said. Their experience was not what they expected. “At ďƒžrst, it was something to get away from the ordinary to give it a whirl,â€? Dejno
said. “But it’s not quite the commercials you see. It’s different.â€? Maschka agreed. “People here didn’t understand or know what was going on. There were lots of hippies protesting,â€? Maschka said. “At the time, I thought it was a good thing. But when we ended, it was like we just threw up our hands and ended it. We spent a lot of money, but did we accomplish anything other than losing a lot of people?â€? Maschka said he knew a lot of people who were killed or missing in action. “It’s a whole different war than it is now,â€? he said. Coming back to the United States was a bit of a shock. “For awhile, it was different. It took a good two to three months to come back. We didn’t have to worry about bullets ďƒ&#x;ying or mortars going off. You deďƒžnitely gain a different respect on life after that,â€? Dejno said. “Maybe some people understand what we’ve done over there, but I’d say a good majority don’t. Unless you’ve been there, you don’t have a clue. I didn’t before.â€? When Maschka returned to California, he and other servicemen had to deal with protestors. “People were protesting outside the base. We left in civilian clothes, so we didn’t have to deal with them,â€? he said. When McNamara was drafted, he never had the opportunity to ďƒžnish high school ďƒžrst. When he returned to the United States, he started farming, married and raised his family. Finally in 2001, he and ďƒžve other veterans ďƒžnished high school and received their diplomas. Although the three dairy farmers’ experience had challenges and times when the men feared for their life, the life lessons learned while serving their country are irreplaceable. “The experience was great,â€? Maschka said. “I wouldn’t trade it for anything.â€?
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Tom and Lisa Miller with Kyle Jendrezejowski (left), Erin, and Ellie Miller; Riley and Tyler Miller (not pictured) La Crosse, Wis. La Crosse County 70 cows How did you get into farming? I worked for Lisa’s uncle for 30 years as a hired hand before we bought part of the family farm from him in 2006. What are your thoughts and concerns about the dairy industry for the next year? We are concerned about the prices for protein and commodities, not to mention the price of milk in general. We are also worried about the ease of transitioning dairy farm ownership to young people. It’s hard to think about. Farming cannot just be dairy anymore; you should be diverse for the farm to work. What do you enjoy most about dairy farming? We enjoy raising a family and being our own bosses. We like being able to have a certain level of free time to do things like run to town to run errands when we need to.
What advice would you give other dairy farmers? The younger you can start, the better. We would suggest nding a farm you can rent while having a job on the side until you get your legs under you to start out. Buying a farm all at once can be big and daunting.
What has been your biggest accomplishment while dairy farming? We installed a parlor in 2008, which has made it easier for us to milk and get outside help if we need to leave the farm. Until then, we were milking in stanchions.
What are your plans for your dairy in the next ve years? We would like to build a freestall barn and a combination heifer barn. We also would like to expand to 100-120 cows for our kids to come home and farm with us. What is your favorite thing to do on the farm? Lisa likes taking care of the calves and Tom likes running the skidsteer. What is your favorite dairy product? Cheese and cheese curds from Carr Valley. What is your favorite tool? The skidsteer, because it offers convenience and makes tasks enjoyable. If you could add one thing to your farm regardless of price, what would it be? Putting in the freestall barn would be the biggest priority.
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Page 40 • Dairy Star • Saturday, November 26, 2016
Warm Wishes
From Our Family to Yours at Thanksgiving As we gather around with family and friends this holiday, we offer up thanks for the many blessings that make life meaningful. Gifts like friendship, love, health and prosperity make us especially grateful, and we hope you enjoy these same blessings in abundance at this special time of year and always. To our valued friends, neighbors and customers here in the community, go our heartfelt best wishes for a joyous and healthy season. We deeply appreciate your kindness and support. Happy Thanksgiving!
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