Last Chance e a ls
D
See page 7 in the second section for end of the year specials!
DAIRY ST R
Volume 18, No. 20
Ready or not, change is here FARM 3.0 begins rst of year
“All dairy, all the time”™
December 10, 2016
Ottes keep faith in their farm
By Jennifer Coyne jenn@dairystar.com
ST. CLOUD, Minn. – In a few short weeks, most dairy producers across the country will see a requested change to their on-farm management practices as noted in the National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Program’s latest version (3.0), which becomes effective Jan. 1, 2017. On Nov. 30, Ryan Bennett, senior director of industry and environmental affairs with the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), explained FARM 3.0’s revisions during the 2016 Minnesota Milk Conference and Expo in St. Cloud, Minn. “We were worried about [the dairy industry’s] image in 2009, that’s why the program started,” Bennett said about FARM. “We continue improving the program because we’re still worried.” At the beginning of the new year, dairy producers enrolled in FARM – who account for 98 percent of the nation’s total milk production – will have to abide by new rules that further promote the well being and safety of animals and employees on Ryan Bennett the farm. NMPF “Every three years, FARM is re-evaluated and revised,” Bennett said. “We need to defend the defensible. If the science is not there, what needs to change so that we’re a viable business and industry?” FARM 3.0’s notable improvements are categorized into two priority areas – phase one and phase two. “The big points we’re trying to hit are pain management and employee training,” Bennett said. Phase one is a short list of three matters that require mandatory correction – veterinarian-client-patientrelationship (VCPR); dairy cattle ethics and training agreement; and no tail docking after Jan. 1, 2017. “The rst two are forms that document a working relationship with your Turn to FARM | Page 5
MISSY MUSSMAN/DAIRY STAR
The OƩe family – (from leŌ) Eric, Kelsey, Kayla Volkeit, Tyler, Chicky, Bret and Blake – received the Minnesota Milk Producer AssociaƟon’s Producer of the Year award. They milk 425 cows at Square Deal Dairy near Randolph, Minn.
Square Deal Dairy named MMPA Producer of the Year By Krista Kuzma
krista.k@dairystar.com
RANDOLPH, Minn. – For the Ottes, life consists of faith, family and farming. “It’s the rst two that make the third successful,” Blake Otte said. All three of these aspects have helped the Otte family’s farm, Square Deal Dairy, earn the Minnesota Milk Producers Association’s Producer of the Year Award, which they received Nov. 30 during a banquet at the Minnesota Milk Dairy Conference and Expo in St. Cloud, Minn. Blake and Chicky Otte together with their children, Tyler and his wife, Kelsey, Bret and his ancé, Kayla, and Eric, milk 425 cows near Randolph, Minn. “It was an honor to even be nominated. It shocked us, but in all reality we’re very appreciative,” Blake said. Blake is the overall manager of the farm, while Chicky takes care of the books while still working off the farm at a local sale barn. After graduating from college and working on another dairy as a herdsman, Tyler has returned and joined the farm in June of this year, overseeing the milking herd. Although Bret graduated from college
and works off the farm, he plans to return to the dairy full-time in the future to be in charge of the youngstock. Eric is in his rst year at Ridgewater College and also plans to return to Square
Deal Dairy to manage the crops. In addition to their family, the Ottes employ 12 people. Turn to OTTES | Page 6
KRISTA KUZMA/DAIRY STAR
Tyler (leŌ) and Blake OƩe look over a list of cows in the their parlor. Tyler recently returned home to the farm in June and manages the milking herd.
Page 2 • Dairy Star • Saturday, December 10, 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
North America dealers. A glance at what’s inside
Dairy Prole brought to you by your
As Jan. 1 approaches so does the change in veterinary feed directives. Starting the rst of the year, dairy producers and other livestock raisers must have written consent from a certied veterinarian to administer feed-grade antibiotics to animals in their herd. Read on pages 12-13 in rst section about how dairy farmer, Brian Kollman, has prepared for the change for his 200-cow herd near Brooten, Minn. In this issue’s “From our side of the fence,” By Mark Klaphake dairy producers who have started in the industry within the past ve years talk about how they’ve Editor made it through the dip in the milk price. Read more about how they’ve handled the hurdle on pages 1516 in rst section. Dairy farmers from the region gathered Nov. 29 – Dec. 1 for speakers and a trade show during the Minnesota Milk Dairy Conference and Expo in St. Cloud, Minn. Read about the stocking density seminar on page 26 in second section, the workshop about strategies for small farms on pages 22-23 in rst section along with photos on pages 35, 37 in rst section. At this time last year, the Kelm family was gearing up to start using their robotic milkers and new freestall barn. Now with a year under their belt, the Kelms are still learning the ropes of the new system, but have been enjoying the benets so far. Read about their new setup on pages 3, 6 in second section. Andrew Primus of Meire Grove, Minn., is an extremely busy man. Every day he has three jobs that keep his days full. First, he milks cows at his parents farm, and then works full days doing mechanical work at the Greenwald Farm Center before stopping at a neighboring dairy farm to feed their animals. Although he is busy, he’s happy with how his days play out, including Dec. 5, which is featured in our “Day in the life.” Read about Primus on pages 16, 18 and 19 in second section.
Advertising Sales Main Ofce: 320-352-6303 Fax: 320-352-5647 Deadline is 5 p.m. of the Friday the week before publication
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.
“You see it all over our great state, when somebody is down, you see the neighbors coming to help. None of us ever know when tragedy is going to hit.” - Jim Beatty, (Pages 3-4, Third Section)
“The rst three months were a nightmare. If you’re taking over a herd, it’s a cake walk, but if you have to buy a herd and build it up, it’s challenging.” - Brandon Marshik, (Pages 10-11, First Section)
By the Numbers
of preweaning mortalities 56: Percent in calves caused by scours, cryptosporidium and coccidiosis (Pages 8, 11 Second Section)
of solar panels on four 564: Number rooftops at Crystal Ball Farms Organic Dairy. (Page 25, Second Section)
FAST MOWING, FAST DRYDOWN
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:
Download our ForageXpert app today to ƂPF VJG RGTHGEV tool to optimize your harvest!
FC TL SIDE-PULL MOWER CONDITIONERS • • • •
® Standard drawbar or 2-point Gyrodine ® swivel hitch for tight turns INVEST IN QUALITY Lubed-for-life Optidisc ® cutterbar and Fast-Fit™ blades Finger, rubber roller or steel roller conditioning - adjustable to match any crop Broadest range of windrow width settings in the industry
8'10", 10'2" and 11'6" working widths
KuhnNorthAmerica.com
Van’s Implement
St. Joseph Equipment
Titan Machinery
Jaycox Implement
Gordy's Repair
Dave’s Repair
Dairyland Supply
Schuneman Equipment
Lindell Sales & Service
Isaacson Sales & Service
Miller Sellner
Hull, IA
Stacyville, IA
Eyota, MN Hills, MN
Cannon Falls, MN
Lafayette, MN
Northland Dairy Supply
Fluegge’s Ag
Eagle Bend, MN
Beck Implement Elgin, MN
Mora, MN
Northland Farm Systems Owatonna, MN
Pipestone, MN
Sauk Centre, MN Slayton, MN
Woller Equipment Swanville, MN
United Farmers Cooperative Waconia, MN
Visit your local Kuhn dealer today!
Worthington, MN Brookings, SD Watertown, SD
Noteboom Implement Corsica, SD
Pfeifer Implement Sioux Falls, SD
Mark's Machinery Yankton, SD
Dairy Star • Saturday, December 10, 2016 • Page 3
It’s all inside... FIRST SECTION
Marshall
Hamlin
Brookings
nb or
n
Kingsbury
Charles Mix
n nso
Lake
Moody
McCook Minnehaha
Carver Scott
Sibley Lyon
Redwood
Nicollet Brown
Murray
Rock
Nobles
Kanabec sey
Hennepin McLeod
Renville
Yellow Medicine
Wright Ra m
Chippewa
Meeker
Third Section: Pages 11 - 12
Dakota Goodhue
Rice
Wabasha
Cottonwood Watonwan Blue Earth Waseca Steele Dodge Olmsted Jackson
Martin
Faribault
Freeborn
Mower
Winona
Fillimore
Winona
Houston
Hutchinson
Turner
Bon Yankton Homme
Lincoln Clay
Union
Dairy’s Star Youth: Amanda McNally Third Section: Page 15
Ha
Da
vis
on
Sa
Miner
Kandiyohi
Capra Nera crafting artisan goat cheese
Washinton
Deuel
Isanti
Anoka
Swift Lac Qui Parle
Altura
r
Clark
Benton
Stearns
Pope
Sherburne
Grant Codington
Mille Lacs
Morrison
Douglas
Stevens
First Section: Pages 18, 20
Pine
eu
Roberts
Day
Big Sto Stone
Carlton
Crow Wing
Todd Grant
Brosig considers nutrition most important factor to achieve high production
Aitkin
Su
Marshall
Second Section: Pages 3, 6
Altura
Cass
Le
Kelms build 10-row freestall barn with robots
Hubbard
Ottertail
First Section: Page 38
Itasca
Wadena
Becker
Wilkin
Faribault
en
nom
Mah
Plainview
Women in Jeans: Holly Thompson
go
Classieds
Norman
Clay
Pages 20 - 21 Dairy Calendar Page 22 August mailbox prices higher in all reporting areas
Pages 24 - 30
Polk
First Section: Pages 12 - 13
Douglas
St. Louis
isa
Pages 18 - 19 Some Udder Stuff
Koochiching
Clearwater
VFD implementation on the horizon
First Section: Pages 1, 6 - 7
Lake of the Woods
Beltrami
Red Lake
THIRD SECTION
Pages 3 - 4 Buchanan County farmers step up to help their own Page 7 Bentley discusses facility options for older non-milking animals during seminar Page 9 Good facilities help get calves off to strong start Page 13 Drug-resistant salmonella found in dairy bull calves Pages 16 - 17 Kids Corner: The Turnquists
First Section: Pages 10 - 11
Pennington
Brooten
Square Deal Dairy named MMPA Producer of the Year
Marshiks establish their dairying career
Ch
Page 25 DeRosiers add solar panels to 100-cow dairy Page 26 Krawczel digs deep into stocking density research Page 27 People in the Dairy Community Page 29 New Year treats Pages 30, 32 People in Dairy Pages 30-31 Dairy Recipes
Second Section: Roseau Pages 4-5
Kittson
rse
Pages 14-15 Dairying Across America Page 20 Mid-American Hay Auction Results
Second Section: Pages 16, 18 - 19
Randolph
Rice, MN
Yoreks improve to sustain multiple families on 675-cow operation
Lincoln
Page 8 Protable cows start as healthy calves Page 10 The “Mielke” Market Weekly Page 12 Dairy markets Page 13 Area hay auction results
Sobieski
A day in the life of Andrew Primus
Pipestone
SECOND SECTION
Meire Grove
Tra ve
Pages 1, 5 FARM 3.0 to take effect Jan. 1 Pages 8 - 9 Ag Insider Pages 22 - 23 Bewley shares strategies for survival on small farms Page 26 FSA News & Notes Page 27 On the Road with Princess Kay Page 28 Who gets to bake the cake? Page 29 Look back to look ahead Page 30 Dear County Agent Guy Page 31 A Christmas cookie baking tradition Page 32 Call before you dig Page 33 Dairy Good Life Page 34 Veterinary Wisdom
Lyon
Osceola Dickinson Emmet
Sioux
O’Brien
Clay
Palo Alto
Kossuth
FROM OUR SIDE OF THE FENCE:
What advice did you receive to survive your rst downturn? Pages 15-16
Plymouth
Aurelia, Iowa
Zone 1
For additional stories from our other zone, log on to www.dairystar.com
Dairy Prole: Dave and Matt Fordyce Page 39
When they breathe easy, so do you No matter the weather outside, GEA keeps your cows comfortable, healthy and productive inside. Comfortable cows are the most productive. Just like
to provide ideal barn temperature, air quality and
you, they perform their best when they are cool, calm
humidity levels. With our total ventilation solutions,
and content. GEA’s industry-leading curtains and fan
your cows will breathe easier — and so will you. Contact
systems can be integrated with automation technology
your GEA barn equipment representative today.
Page 4 • Dairy Star • Saturday, December 10, 2016
NEW EQUIPMENT SAUK CENTRE TRACTORS NH TS6.130, Cab, FWA, Pwr. Shuttle ...In Stock! NH Boomer 37 & 47 with Loader ...........In Stock! NH Workmaster 33 & 37 tractors...........In Stock! NH T4.100 & 110 Utility, Cab & Loader ...................... 4 to choose from! NH T6.165 Plus & T6.180 Plus..............In Stock! SKID LOADERS NH L218, L220, L228 ........................... In Stock! HAY TOOLS NH SpeedRower 220 & 260 ................. In Stock! NH Procart 819, 1022, 1225 Rakes.......In Stock! NH Dura-Vee 1020, 1225, 1428 Rakes ..In Stock! Kemco Inline Bale Wrappers .................In Stock! NH H7230 & DB313R Discbines ...........In Stock! NH ProRotor 3223 Rotary Rake, 23’ .....In Stock! BALERS NH RB450 Roto-Cut, RB560 Specialty Crop & Bale Slice...........................................In Stock! TILLAGE Salford 8208 Plow, 8 Bottom .................In Stock! Salford I-2218, 18’ Vertical Tillage.........In Stock! Salford 9809, HD Ripper, 9 Shank ........In Stock! GRAIN HANDLING Art’s Way 6530 Grinder Mixer, 165 Bu Tank ......................................In Stock! Parker 505 Gravity Box...... ...................In Stock! FORAGE Miller Pro 5300 18’ Forage Box, 14T .....In Stock! NH FP240 & FR500 Forage Harvesters .. In Stock!
PIERZ
TRACTORS NH TS6.120 & TS6.140 ........................In Stock! NH T7.230 Classic, Power Shift, Super Steer .......................................In Stock! NH T4.90, T4.100 & T4.110 Utility’s ......In Stock! NH T6.180 Plus & T6.165 Plus..............In Stock! SKID LOADERS NH L218, L220 ......................................In Stock! HAY TOOLS NH SpeedRower 220 & 260 ..................In Stock! NH H7220 & H7330 Discbines ..............In Stock! NH ProCart 819 and 1022 Rakes ..........In Stock! NH Dura-Vee 1225 & 1428 Rakes ........In Stock! Kemco Inline Bale Wrappers .................In Stock! NH ProRotor 3114 & 3226 Rotary Rakes ..In Stock! NH H7230 & DB313R Discbines ...........In Stock! NH ProTed 3417....................................In Stock! Krone KW5.52T Tedder.........................In Stock! BALERS NH RB450, RB460, RB560 ...................In Stock! NH BC5070 Small Sq, 72 Thrower ........In Stock! TILLAGE Salford I-4124, HD Vert. Tillage, 24’ ......In Stock! GRAIN HANDLING Parker 605 Gravity Box .........................In Stock! FORAGE NH FP240, Crop Proc., Tandems..........In Stock! MANURE SPREADERS NH DT2600, M2080, 195’s ....................In Stock! BBI Endurance Litter Spreaders, 18’ & 20’.............................................In Stock! MISCELLANEOUS Messer Attachments and Rock Wagons .. In Stock!
COMMON-SENSE VERSATILITY UNCOMMON POWER AND COFORT.
UNITS IN STOCK
USED EQUIPMENT SAUK CENTRE 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 PIERZ TRACTORS JD 4055, 2WD, 1650 Hrs., Sharp ............$36,900 NH TC30, FWA, 9x3 Gear, 914A Mower ........................................$10,900 SKID LOADERS NH L230, Cab, Heat, A/C, Perf Pkg ........$34,500
Sauk Centre, MN 320-352-6543
NH L225, Cab, Heat, AC .........................$31,500 NH LS170, Cab, Heat, Hyd. Q-Tach .......$19,700 HAY TOOLS NH 166 Inverter ........................................ Just In! NH 1411, 10’ 4” Discbine.........................$13,500 (2) NH 499, 12’ Haybines, 540 PTO ...............................Starting at $5,500 (2) NH 1475, 14’ Haybines .......Starting at $3,500 M&W ER-10, 10 Wheel Carted Rake ........$2,400 JD 926, Flail Conditioner, 9’ 9” Cut..........$10,800 BALERS NH BR780, Net/Twine, Bale Command .. $17,500 NH BR740a, Auto-Wrap, Wide P/U, Monitor.................................................$15,400 NH BR740, Bale Slice, Net/Twine ...........$17,500 NH BR7060, Roto Cut .............................$22,800 NH BR7070, Net-Twine, XtraSweep .......$23,500 NH 664, Auto-Wrap, Twine, 540 PTO .....$11,900 JD 327, 30 Thrower, 540 PTO...................$3,900 JD 469 Premium, Net, Mega Wide P/U ...$34,500 JD 547, Twine, Bale Ramps, 540 PTO......$8,200 TILLAGE Krause 8200, 25’ Disc, Cush. Gang ........$35,500 GRAIN HANDLING Sudenga 8”x61’, 540 PTO Drive................$2,900 FORAGE NH FP230, 27P HH, 3PN CH, KP ...........$39,500 Miller Pro 5200, 16’ Rear, 12T Tandem ....$7,800 NH 824 Corn Head, 38”, FP Adapter.........$4,500 MANURE SPREADERS NH 155, Splash Guard, New Tire ..............$7,900 NH 195, Dbl Apron, PTO, Truck Tires ....$12,500 MISCELLANEOUS Hiniker 5610, RH Discharge Stalk Chopper .................................................$7,900 NH 918 Flail Mower ...................................$2,600 Grouser Skid loader tracks ............................Call!
A NEW WORLD DEMANDS NEW HOLLAND.
TS6 Series tractors are the new face of standard tractors. They are all-purpose, but anything but basic. They are rugged, powerful, comfortable and flexible. The fact they are affordable is an added bonus. • More horsepower and torque while reducing emissions and fuel use • Comfortable flat-deck platform with plenty of legroom • VisionView™ cab with optional high-visibility roof panel Learn more about these 90- to 115-PTO HP tractors at www.newholland.com/na
EQUIPPED FOR A NEW WORLD™
© 2016 CNH Industrial America LLC. All rights reserved. “New Holland” is a trademark registered in the United States and many other countries, owned by or licensed to CNH Industrial N.V., its subsidiaries or afÀliates. “Equipped For A New World” is a trademark in the United States and many other countries, owned by or licensed to CNH Industrial N.V., its subsidiaries or afÀliates.
SAUK CENTRE, MN
320-352-6543 • Hwy. 71 South
PIERZ, MN
320-468-2161 • Hwy. 27 West
Store Hours: Monday-Friday 8-5, Saturday Seasonal
www.modernfarmequipment.com
Pierz, MN 320-468-2161
Ve rs ati le ,
REMOVE STONES THE EASY WAY D u ra ble,
EfÅc ie nt
• Designed to collect stones from approx. 1” to 12”. • Working width of 17’ provides for a one-man operation. • Wide low-pressure tires reduce compaction in the field. • Adjustable depth control wheels are designed to follow the contours of uneven fields. • Unique hydraulic dumping system allows easy discharge directly into a dump trailer or truck. • Transport width of 8.5’ for convenient and safe road transportation. • Operates with a low tractor power requirement. • 20% larger hopper design. UNITS IN STOCK
SAUK CENTRE, MN
320-352-6543 • Hwy. 71 South
PIERZ, MN
320-468-2161 • Hwy. 27 West
www.modernfarmequipment.com
Dairy Star • Saturday, December 10, 2016 • Page 5
ConƟnued from FARM | Page 1 veterinarian and the proper training employees receive to work with animals humanely,” Bennett said. While the VCPR will be renewed at the discretion of the veterinarian, all employees with animal care responsibilities must sign the training agreement annually. “This agreement indicates that the employees recognize the mishandling of animals and will report any wrongdoing,” Bennett said. “Proper training for the agreement may include workshops, shadowing and even educating themselves through reading materials and online videos.” Since the announcement of these approved changes last spring, the elimination of tail docking has been the most concerning for dairy producers.
“We’ll defend the defensible, but not the indefensible, to continue to have credibility.” RYAN BENNETT, NMPF
“The American Association of Bovine Practitioners called out the practice [of tail docking] and we were threatened by customers that other animal care programs would be created if we did not act,” Bennett said. A second list of continuous improvement management practices are noted in phase two, which is expressed in two subcategories – herd health plan and animal observations. The herd health plan component includes the need for visible protocols regarding newborn and milk-fed dairy calves, pain management, non-ambulatory management and euthanasia. “Chances are you have a protocol for all of these things, but now they have to be written down and visible,” Bennett said. Examples of protocols and other resources will be available online (www. nationaldairyfarm.com) for dairy producers to use for their own farm. Additionally, phase two includes animal observations, such as lameness, body condition and hock/knee scoring. “Frankly, our numbers on animal observations are really good in the program as a whole,” Bennett said.
Changes to FARM 3.0 were rst discussed in 2015 as the technical writing group evaluated FARM 2.0 and suggested improvements. The nal version of FARM 3.0 includes all changes that were approved by the NMPF FARM board of directors. These improvements to the FARM program are in an effort to relate with the inuential consumers, Bennett said. “We call them the ‘moveable middle.’ We’re not going to change the minds of the PETAs and HSUSes of the world, but we can inuence the average grocery store consumer,” he said. Throughout the year, producers will be requested to participate in an on-farm second-party evaluation to ensure phase one and phase two components are being met to comply with FARM 3.0. Bennett urged producers to not accept any on-farm evaluations that are not pre-scheduled. “It hasn’t happened often, but there are always people looking for ways to make undercover videos,” he said. “Do not agree to an on-farm evaluation without being notied rst. A trained evaluator will contact you and schedule a farm visit that works with your schedule.” After the initial evaluation, if a dairy does not meet phase two priorities, a continuous improvement plan will be established and revisited in three years. However, if phase one priorities are not met, a mandatory corrective action plan will be set in place. “If one of these priorities is not being addressed on the farm, the dairy is then placed on probation from FARM,” Bennett said. “If changes still don’t happen, dairies are suspended from the program.” The evaluation process could take 14 months pending additional visits to the farm. Lastly, a third-party verication group will sample a random number of farms that accurately represent those across the nation and determine the success of FARM 3.0. Through this updated program, Bennett is condent consumers will nd greater trust in the dairy industry now and for years to come. “With these, we can promote that we’re doing well to our customers,” Bennett said. “We’ll defend the defensible, but not the indefensible, to continue to have credibility.”
Wishing You a Beautiful Seaon May you and yours be graced with all the special blessings this season of joy holds. We wish you every happiness as you celebrate Christmas and ring in the New Year among cherished family and friends.
We thank you for your loyal patronage.
Happy Holidays!
320-836-2145 or 800-450-2145
Check out our newly redesigned website to ½nd a Famo Feeds dealer near you!
www.famofeeds.com
MANCHESTER Livestock Auction, Inc.
(40 miles west of Dubuque, Iowa on 4 lane Highway 20)
DAIRY SALES
Sales & Installation of HiTensile Fence
2nd Fridays Monthly at 11:00 AM Selling 150 to 250 Head
ELECTRIC • WOVEN • RAIL
Sheep and Goats sell at 9:30 AM
Browerville, MN
563-927-2540
www.manchesterauction.com
(320) 360-6308
The Right Fence... Built RIGHT
COMPLETE BARN SOLUTIONS WHATEVER YOUR DAIRY NEEDS
Gar-Lin Dairy • Eyota, MN • 1700 cows • 250 calves
New calf facility with 5 GEA Smart Feeders
Call us to find out how we can upgrade your parlor and make it more efficient.
www.midwestlivestock.com
PINE ISLAND, MN • 800-233-8937 BEATRICE, NE • 800-342-5657 SIOUX FALLS, SD • 800-705-1447 MENOMONIE, WI • 715-235-5144 OWEN, WI • 715-229-4740
Page 6 • Dairy Star • Saturday, December 10, 2016
ConƟnued from OTTES | Page 1
KRISTA KUZMA/DAIRY STAR
Bret OƩe feeds a group of heifers on his family’s farm near Randolph, Minn. Bret plans to return to the farm full Ɵme in the future to be in charge of the youngstock.
We BUY, SELL, TRADE used dairy equipment and milk tanks WE SPECIALIZE IN USED DAIRY EQUIPMENT.
Milking machine equipment, bulk milk tanks and cooling equipment. Give us a call, we will be glad to help you with any of your milking machine or bulk tank needs.
We also BUY your used equipment and milk tanks.
SALVAGE HOUSE
424 Third Street, Fullerton, NE 68638 • 800-844-5427
RENEW YOUR TRACTOR CAB! 1” Black Vinyl Upholstery At Wholesale Prices! WE SHIP DAILY JD Sound Guard Cabs & Sound Guard Cab Parts BUY - SELL - TRADE
KIESTER IMPLEMENT KIESTER, MN
www.midwestfarmsales.com
507-294-3387
es,” Blake said. They built a special needs barn, put up a new shop, added RFID tags for the herd, started using an activity monitoring system and updated their parlor to include rapid exits. One of the biggest changes on the farm has been using manure solids for bedding, which started in 2012. “We went from sand to a [manure solid] separator. People think we’re nuts, but it’s the only way a new system would t into our existing facility,” Blake said. Before, the Ottes only had storage for three days. As the herd grew, manure hauling became a big chore, especially during certain seasons. “We would get up at 3 a.m., when there still was frost on the elds and then haul until we couldn’t haul anymore. That’s how we had to arrange our springs,” Blake said. Although they admit sand would have been ideal for cow comfort, manure solids came in at a close second. “The cows really like it,” Tyler said. During all this, they encountered decreasing milk production. After discussing many reasons, the Ottes realized the herd suffered from stray voltage. By working with their power company and a company that deals
“We’ve tried to make dairying more of a passion for the boys than just a job,” Chicky said. “We tried to always keep up in technology to move ahead and make plans to change and get better. We wanted the boys to get some post high school education and experience and make sure they want to come back, because it’s a big commitment. We also wanted to be sure their future spouses wanted to come back because it’s a commitment for everybody.” Bringing in the next generation has been exciting for Blake and Chicky, especially knowing they will be carrying on a family tradition. But, they also admit it has not always been easy. “It has its challenges. It’s a ne line between employee and child,” Chicky said. Tyler, Bret and Eric are the fth generation in their family to farm. Blake and Chicky’s dairying career started differently from their children’s. They milked 80 cows in a stanchion barn while working in partnership with Blake’s parents. But in 1997, they built a sand bedded freestall barn with a double-10 parallel parlor. “I built the place for cow comfort,” Blake said. Over the years, the Ottes took many steps to continually improve the facilities. “I wanted to be sure we kept up the cow comfort since it’s one of our focus-
Turn to OTTES | Page 7
Cow Scout
ACTIVITY MONITORING SYSTEM ACT 3 Reduce Labor 3 Increase Pregnancy 3Decrease Days Open 3Limit Need For Hormones
1010 Hoeschler Dr. • Sparta, WI 54656
DAIRY EQUIPMENT INC. Celebrating 35 Years in Business
Phone: 608-269-3830 Toll Free: 1-888-863-0227 Email: prestonde@prestonde.com
Dairy Star • Saturday, December 10, 2016 • Page 7
ConƟnued from OTTES | Page 6 with the issue, the Ottes have made upgrades to their farm. Within the last two years, they installed lters for the variable frequency drives (VFDs), replaced uorescent lights with LEDs, put in a grounding system, tted the well with a water treatment system and switched to a three-phase system. Because of these switches, the cows are improving in production and appear to be more comfortable in the barn. Despite challenges like stray voltage and swings in milk price, Blake and
“You have to make small strides because small strides become bigger strides.” BLAKE OTTE, DAIRY PRODUCER
Chicky said knowing the potential of the next generation helped them stay on track. “What helped me was these three dreaming constantly. We knew it wasn’t just going to end with Blake and I. If it was going to end with him and I, it would have ended a long time ago in one of those challenges. Knowing this is what the kids wanted made it worth it,” Chicky said. Now, with the next generation back at Square Deal Dairy, the Ottes are excited for what changes will be made in the future. “A goal has always been to get bigger, but in what capacity can we get bigger? If we max out our parlor, that’s only 100 more cows, and with the restrictions we have on where we’re located, that will be it. We have to become better at being more efcient. We have to be better with the cows and getting
Cows rest on separated manure solids in their stalls at Square Deal Dairy near Randolph, Minn. more milk out of them,” said Tyler, who also mentioned a second dairy isn’t out of the question for future goals. Bret wants to make a few updates to the youngstock facilities. “Our heifer side needs updates along with some of the sheds. We’ve slowly done some, but we need more. And more feed storage, too,” Bret said.
Eric wants to put up more pivot irrigators to add to the 13 they already own to help keep their 1,500 acres watered. Along with corn and alfalfa, the Ottes grow vegetable crops – sweet corn, peas and beans. But regardless of what changes will be made in the future, Blake and Chicky know it needs to be done slowly over
KRISTA KUZMA/DAIRY STAR
time and by using their faith, family and farming philosophy to get through it. “You have to keep faith and keep challenging yourself,” Blake said about how to come through challenges. “You have to make small strides because small strides become bigger strides. They all add up.”
YEAR-END CLEARANCE we have a great selection of snowblowers ON HAND
CIH 9280, 4WD, nice $52,000
CIH 8940, FWA, 2200 hrs $90,000
CIH 7220, 2WD, 2300 hrs, 18.4x42 - $71,000
CIH 7230, 3500 hrs., new rubber, nice - $71,000
CIH 5240 Maxxum, FWA w/loader - $48,000
New Holland 1465 - Call IH 856 - $21,000 USED TRACTORS
CIH 8920, FWA, 5700 hrs .... $57,000 ‘96 CIH 7220, 2WD, 6000 hrs, nice ........................................... Call CIH 7150, FWA, new motor.. $58,000 CIH 7140, 2WD, 9000 hrs. .. .$36,500 CIH 7130, 2WD, 4500 hrs .... $45,000 CIH 7120, FWA, 5200 hrs .... $57,000 IH 5488, 2WD, 540 & 1000 pto ............................ $21,000 IH 3688, low hours ...........Coming In IH 1566 w/cab & AC, new motor, nice ................................... $17,000 IH 856 .................................. $12,000 JD 4030 ............................... $15,500
CIH 7140, FWA, 4600 hrs. $53,000
JD 4030 Call
JD 4040 - $21,500
‘84 AC 8070, new tires, new engine - $32,000 CIH 530C - $22,000
White 435, 11 shank ............. .$8,500 DMI 500 5 shank ripper, 3 pt. mount .......................... $6,500 JD 714 disc chisel, 9 shank ... $9,000 JD 712, 11 shank disc chisel . $8,500
HAYING & FORAGE EQUIP.
QR12 12-wheel cart rake....... .$7,500 Sitrex QR12 rake .................... $6,500 Many sizes of rakes available
GRAVITY BOXES
VARIOUS SIZES OF GRAVITY BOXES ON HAND 2) Demco 450 ............$9,500-10,500 3) Demco 365 ............$4,500-$5,500 TILLAGE Kilbros 325 Bu., with brush CIH Tigermate II, 26.5’ w/4 bar auger.................................... $4,000 harrow,walking tandems, All sizes of used Demco gravity gauge wheels .................... $25,000 boxes avail. CIH 4800, 28’ & 26’ ............... $8,500 MISCELLANEOUS CIH 4800, 28’ w/IH mulcher... $8,500 CIH 4300, 36’ ....................... $14,500 Midsota 5510 rock trailers .. In Stock New Mandako land rollers In Stock CIH 530B ripper w/lead shanks .................... $17,000 Various sizes of New Agrotrend CIH 496 21’ cushion disc ............ Call snowblowers............................. Call
Gehl 4640
$29,000
CIH 4300, 30’ $10,500
We have NEW Sitrex 10 & 12 wheel Rakes Available
NEW MIDSOTA ROCK WAGONS ON HAND
CIH 3900, 23’ disc $22,000
New Mandako 20’ Land Roller - $15,500
FARM OYL PRODUCTS AVAILABLE
GREENWALD FARM CENTER Greenwald, MN • 320-987-3177
WWW.GREENWALDFARMCENTER.COM
MPP modications discussed on Capitol Hill Page 8 • Dairy Star • Saturday, December 10, 2016
House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Collin Peterson has met with members of the National Milk Producers Federation to discuss possible changes to the Margin Protection Program. According to USDA, only 19 percent of the 25,000plus dairy farmers enrolled in MPP received payments this past year. Peterson said it will cost the government more if changes are made to MPP, but he is optimistic. A balancing act With transition to the new Trump administration, the favorite guessing game is who will ll the cabinet. American Farm Bureau Federation Senior Director of Congressional Relations Mary Kay Thatcher expects the agriculture secretary will likely be one of the last cabinet positions named.
At that point, Thatcher believes those last cabinet decisions will be a balancing act for President-elect Trump. “Do I have geographical representation, men and women, blacks and whites? When you’re the last person on the totem pole, that too will add to the decisions.”
MN House, Senate Committee Chairs selected Committee leadership assignments have been made for the Minnesota House and Senate for the upcoming session. In the upper chamber, Senator Torrey Westrom of Elbow Lake will chair the agriculture, rural development and housing nance committee. The policy side of that committee will be led by Luverne Senator Bill Weber. Nearly all of the Senate committees are being chaired by nonmetro lawmakers. On the House side, Representa-
tive Rod Hamilton of Mountain Lake will again chair the agriculture nance committee and Representative Paul Anderson of Starbuck will lead the ag policy committee. Representative Dan Fabian of Roseau will lead the environment and natural resources policy and nance committee. Ag Insider Big change for MN Senate With the GOP in the majority in the Minnesota Senate, rural lawmakers have leadership positions on nearly every committee. “Republicans took control by one, so it’s going to be tight for them to control By Don Wick the oor votes because Columnist of the narrow margin,” said Bruce Kleven, who lobbies for agriculture groups. “At the same time, they get to pick the committee chairs.”
A preview of Minnesota’s 2017 session Minnesota lawmakers will start a new session in St. Paul on Jan. 3, 2017. Minnesota Farmers Union Director of Government Relations Thom Petersen said property taxes will be a focus. “With low commodity prices, Minnesota property taxes for farmland are very high, so whatever we can do to help reduce that burden or make it fairer, we’ll be working on that during this session.” Transportation funding, farmer-lender mediation and buffers will also get attention.
Save up
to
15%
ip r Teat D e t in W with the s Program Saving r ealer fo r GEA D Ask you s! detail complete
Protect Your Cows, Even in the Worst Winter Weather ather Derma Septº and Derma-Koteº
You unconditionally care for your herd all year long. As temperatures drop, caring for your cows’ teats is more important than ever.
YouChoose unconditionally care forwinter your all GEA yearto long. As and temperatures drop, for your teatherd dips from heal, protect condition your cows’ teatscaring while killing DermaSept or Derma-Kote cows’ teats is more than ever.is right Choose Derma-Kote® winter mastitis-causing bacteriaimportant on contact. Winter weather aroundDermaSept® the corner. Contactor your GEA dealer today to develop ateat winter teatfrom health program for heal, your herd. dips GEA to protect and condition your cows’ teats while killing mastitis-causing bacteria on contact. Winter weather is right around the corner. Contact your GEA dealer today to develop a winter teat health program for your herd. ®
®
Focused on policy The Minnesota Milk Producers Association has new leadership. David Buck, who has a 500-cow herd at Goodhue, Minn., is the organization’s new president. Buck wants Minnesota Milk to remain a political force. The Margin Protection Program has been a frustration for many dairy farmers. We asked Buck if changes could be made to MPP in 2017. “We’re optimistic that something could get done, but, we’re also realistic that these things take time.” At the state level, health care costs and funding for a state-of-the-art dairy research facility are priorities. The milk check hasn’t been as good as many would like, which is another concern. “It’s always tough when prices are low, but, if you’re in the business awhile you realize there’s ups and downs and try to manage the ups so the downs aren’t so bad.” Remembering Castro The death of Cuban leader Fidel Castro dominated the weekend news. A myriad of agriculture groups traveled to the island nation over the years, promoting trade opportunities. St. Charles, Minnesota farmer Ralph Kaehler has been to Cuba more than 20 times and frequently met with Castro. In 2002, Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura spoke at a food and agriculture exposition in Havana. At that same event, Kaehler coordinated the shipment of the rst livestock to enter Cuba since 1959. “It was pretty surreal. It was like a rock concert with so many people there when Castro came through. He visited and looked at the livestock. My sons, Cliff and Seth, were 10 and 12 (years old) at the time and they gave Castro the tour.” Kaehler said change has been slow to come between the United States and Cuba, but it is time to move forward and normalize relations between the two neighboring countries. MN DNR updates buffer maps The Minnesota DNR has released an update to Minnesota’s buffer map (http://dnr.state.mn.us/ buffers/index.html). This update is based on input from landowners and drainage authorities, making sure the map accurately shows where buffers are needed. Since the preliminary buffer map was released in March, the DNR received more than 3,400 comments or change requests. From that, nearly 2,100 updates have been made to the map. Another update to the buffer map is scheduled for Turn to AG INSIDER | Page 9
Dairy Star • Saturday, December 10, 2016 • Page 9
ConĆ&#x;nued from AG INSIDER | Page 8
release in early 2017. Deadline approaches for livestock investment grants The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is taking applications through Dec. 16 for the Livestock Investment Grant Program. These grants are for projects that are planned for 2017. “The intention is to provide an incentive for people to move forward with projects in livestock. That includes any type of feeding equipment, manure handling, fencing, upgrades to calf barns, lighting, ventilation and anything to do with livestock would be eligible for the grant.� Throughout the country, states are trying to lure dairies. Curt Zimmerman supervises the livestock development team for the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and said the grant program is unique. “We have a chance to talk to a lot of the livestock folks from other states, and I don’t know of another program that directly provides grants to livestock producers like Minnesota does.� Land O’Lakes to acquire feed business Land O’Lakes is in the process of purchasing the Southern States Cooperative feed business. A letter of intent has been signed. With this move,
Land O’Lakes will be able to expand its footprint in the eastern United States. MMPA honors the best of the best During its awards program, the Minnesota Milk Producers Association presented the Bruce Cottington Friend of Dairy Award to former Midwest Dairy Association CEO Mike Krueger. State Senator Lyle Koenen of Clara City is the Legislator of the Year and Square Deal Dairy of Randolph is the MMPA Producer of the Year award winner. Trivia challenge There are approximately 47,000 dairy farms in the United States. That answers our last trivia question. For this week’s trivia, what is the size of the average U.S. dairy herd? 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 ďƒžve grandchildren, Aiden, Piper, Adrienne, Aurora and Sterling.
ELSTON MANUFACTURING The GA-300 Gopher Getter attaches to a category 2 hitch or category 2 quick hitch.
When did you start using the Porta BHB ketosis test? How many years have you been testing with DHIA? Our Dad, Leonard Hoen Sr., started testing in the early 1950s and Roger and I have been testing with DHIA ever since. When did you start using the Porta BHB test? This March. What is your process of using the test? We check the cows that are fresh 4-7 days and/or cows that are not eating very well. What advantages are there to using the Porta BHB test? We can check the cows earlier and the test is very accurate and reasonably priced. Why is this test important to your dairy? It has helped our peak production get higher and our success rate of conception has been increasing since using the Porta BHB test.
Hollandale Farms Richard and Roger Hoen Cologne, MN • 95 milk cows
The GA-700 Gopher Getter is our heavy duty 3 point model.
Minnesota Dairy Herd Improvement Association 307 Brighton Avenue South Buffalo, MN 55313 1.800.827.3442 www.mndhia.org
Larger and heavier frame, category 1 and 2 hitch, larger bait box, 22� spring loaded coulter, larger 15 inch packer wheel, replaceable tip on torpedo tube.
IN G S V A S E H T N I CASH OR TES REBAP TO U
706 N Weber Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 800-845-1385 or 605-336-7716 I www.elstonmfg.com
7 800
REB
OR
ŕś”ŕś?ŕś‰ŕś›ŕś? $4 460
ŕś‰ŕś› ŕś”ŕś—ŕś&#x; ŕś‰ŕś› ŕś›
Quality
Consistency
Our soybeans have what your dairy ration needs: • Energy • Protein • Amino Acids • Bypass Protein
KLC Farms Roasting, Inc. 1-877-738-2326 877 738 232 Visit www.roastedbeans.com
$
$6 /2: $6
ŕś˜ŕś?ŕśš ŕś•ŕś—ŕś–ŕśœŕś?
8'(' %8&.(7 ,1&/ ,&(6 ,1 /($6,1* 35
V270 70 GEN:2
R260
0 $5,0 0ATE 00
with KLC Roasted Soybeans
LEASE
R220
R19 0
t nutritionis Ask your sted soybeans, roa for KLC le for substitutes. don’t sett
How as testing with DHIA beneÀted your dairy? We are able to check which cows are more proÀtable. We are able to check the somatic cell count for the individual cows. We also can check their production and reproduction history.
GOPHER GETTERS
The GA-500 Gopher Getter is our pull-type model and allows for easy highway transportation.
The GA-400 Gopher Getter is our standard three point hitch model.
“Our success rate of conception has been increasing since using the Porta BHB test.�
ŕś•ŕś—ŕś–ŕśœŕś?
$6,6 00 60
REBATE
OR
4ŕś•ŕś—ŕś–ŕśœŕś? 494 ŕś•ŕś—ŕś– ŕśœŕś?
ŕś”ŕś?ŕś‰ŕś›ŕś? $
ŕś‰ŕś› ŕś”ŕś—ŕś&#x; ŕś‰ŕś› ŕś›
$6,150*
$7,800*
OR
OR
REBATE
ŕś”ŕś?ŕś‰ŕś›ŕś? $5 557
ŕś‰ŕś› ŕś”ŕś—ŕś&#x; ŕś‰ŕś›
ŕś•ŕś—ŕś–ŕśœŕś?
REBATE
ŕś”ŕś?ŕś‰ŕś›ŕś? $
ŕś‰ŕś› ŕś”ŕś—ŕś&#x; ŕś‰ŕś›
5 560
ŕś•ŕś—ŕś– ŕś•ŕś—ŕś–ŕśœŕś? ŕś• ŕś—ŕś–ŕśœŕś? ŕśœŕś?
CALL YOUR LOCAL GEHL DEALER FOR MORE DETAILS! -HURRY! OFFERS EXPIRE DECEMBER 31, 2016-
• Arnolds St. Martin, Willmar, Kimball • Jungclaus Implement Glencoe • KLS Implement Inc. Elrosa • Northland Farm Systems Inc. Owatonna • United Farmers Cooperative Lafayette *The rebate values displayed for the R260 and V270 GEN:2 include a trade rebate of a competitive skid loader model.Rebates without trade are available for the R260 and V270 GEN:2 skid loaders, at a reduced value. Offers expire 12/31/2016. Leasing offers are based on; 500 hr. usage /36 mo., base unit, open ROPS, and T-bar controls for each model. Separately the R190 includes; 10x16.5 8-Ply/Titan HD and 66�, 15.1 cu.ft. dirt construction bucket. The R220 includes; 12x16.5 10-Ply/Titan HD and 70�,16.1 cu.ft. dirt/construction bucket. The R260 includes; 12x16.5 10-Ply/Titan HD, 70� 16.1 cu.ft. dirt/construction bucket. The R270GEN:2 includes; 12x16.5 10-Ply/Titan HD and 70�, 16.1 cu.ft. dirt/ construction bucket. Available at eligible and participating authorized Gehl dealers in the United States and Canada. Offer not available to government accounts, national accounts, and municipal/utility bid customers. Some restrictions apply. See dealer for more details. Manitou Americas, Inc. reserves the right to extend or discontinue any of these programs at any time without notice.
gehl.com
Page 10 • Dairy Star • Saturday, December 10, 2016
We have
BULK BINS!
Starting from scratch
DEALERSHIPS AVAILABLE IN SOME AREAS!
WE SPECIALIZE IN BULK BINS!
Call us today for a bulk bin that fits your operation!
4 B’s Distributing & Dealers Livestock Equipment Center, Inc. Locations in Glenwood, MN & Mitchell, SD
888-995-3810
MISSY MUSSMAN/DAIRY STAR
Les Kuehl
The Marshiks – (from leŌ) Cylie, Jill holding Dominic, Audrie and Brandon – have been milking cows for 2.5 years and have received producƟon and quality awards from their local DHIA and creamery. The Marshiks milk 55 cows on their farm near Rice, Minn.
Repair Service
Marshiks establish their dairying career
20+ Years Experience
By MIssy Mussman missy@dairystar.com
• Sealed silo parts & service • Stainless steel roofs • Feeders & conveyors • Stainless steel conveyor chains • Best chains on the market • Early maintenance service checks • Used and rebuilt unloaders Not afÀliated with the Harvestore brand
320-760-2909
Eve. 320-762-1827 No Emergency Charges--Ever!
3URXGO\ 0DGH LQ WKH 8 6 $
available at
Complete Fencing, LLC Adam Helman 2914 Holton Road Abbotsford, WI 54405
tfn
RICE, Minn. – Receiving Benton County DHIA’s award for the highest rst year milk production and sixth place lowest somatic cell count through Gilman Co-op Creamery make Brandon and Jill Marshik seem like veteran dairy farmers; however, the couple is only 2.5 years into their dairying career. “It’s denitely an accomplishment for us,” Brandon said. However, along with their accomplishments, there have been plenty of challenges. Brandon and Jill began milking cows in April 2014 and are currently milking 55 cows with their children, Cylie, 9, Audrie, 4, and Dominic, 1, on their farm near Rice, Minn. The Marshiks milk their cows twice a day in a stanchion barn where the herd averages 75 pounds of milk per cow per day and consistently keeps somatic cell count (SCC) below 100,000. “Our lowest SCC was 13,000,” Brandon said. The lactating cows are housed in a sand bedded freestall barn while the dry cows and heifers are on a
715-573-2430 Completely self-insulating and non-conductive
NO insulators EVER required!
MISSY MUSSMAN/DAIRY STAR
Jill Marshik feeds a calf grain during evening chores with help from her daughter, Audrie.
bedded pack in the same barn, which is bedded every morning and night. “The stanchion barn stalls are too small to house cows regularly,” Brandon said. “We only keep 12 cows in there during the winter to keep things warm.” Between the two of them, Brandon does most of the milking while Jill feeds the cows and calves. “The rest is split up between us,” Jill said. “We work together.” Even their children help where they are able. “I love being home with my kids,” Brandon said. Brandon also breeds the cows with the help of an ear tag monitoring system to catch heats. “I don’t have to watch them as closely,” Brandon said. “If one comes into heat, it alerts me on my phone or computer. We use a clean up bull on the cows that don’t settle to A.I.” The Marshiks own 80 acres of land and rent another 120 acres they plant in corn and alfalfa, and have some of Jill’s dad, Bruce’s, land in alfalfa. “All the crops we grow are strictly used to feed our cows,” Brandon said. “If we fall short on feed, we work it out with Jill’s parents to buy some from them.” After 2.5 years, the Marshiks are in the process of transitioning the bedded pack into sand bedded freestalls and building a lean onto a shed for the dry cows. “We’re doing most of it ourselves,” Brandon said. “We want to save money where we can.” Things at the Marshiks are going well, but they did not start out this way. “It was a journey, that’s for sure,” Brandon said. Neither Brandon nor Jill grew up on dairy farms. The only dairy background they had was Brandon’s work experience on ve dairies during high school, including his uncle’s farm. “I knew I was going to milk cows one day,” Brandon said. For eight years, the Marshiks raised crops and Holstein steers alongside Jill’s parents, Joanne and Bruce Brenny, while Brandon worked full-time at a concrete plant in Elk River, Minn. In the spring of 2013, the Marshiks found their farm, which was going into foreclosure. “This farm popped up, so we jumped on our opportunity,” Brandon said. “It was in rough shape and wasn’t ideal for dairy farming. We needed to x it up if we wanted to use it. We were starting from scratch, but we worked with what we had.” The Marshiks rented the farm for a year and focused on their steers as they made their much-needed Turn to MARSHIK | Page 11
Dairy Star • Saturday, December 10, 2016 • Page 11
ConƟnued from MARSHIK | Page 10
712-722-3626
SERVICE AFTER THE SALE Q-Catch 8500V Vet Squeeze Chute
MISSY MUSSMAN/DAIRY STAR
Brandon Marshik aƩaches a milker to a cow during evening chores. Cows are milked in the stanchion barn and housed in a freestall barn. upgrades, including removing unnecessary trees and buildings, rebuilding the milkhouse, purchasing new milking equipment and hutches, remodeling an old shed into a partial sand bedded freestall barn, installing fans in the barns and xing up the stanchion barn stalls. “There were stalls that were gone, and the ones that were there were in rough shape,” Brandon said. To help pay for the improvements to the farm, the Marshiks took out a rst time farmer loan through the Farm Service Agency. As they prepped the farm, the Marshiks heard plenty of skepticism from others about starting their own dairy. “There was a lot of doubt,” Brandon said. “But we wanted to try it.” The Marshiks purchased the farm on March 31, 2014, and took out a consignment loan to purchase 18 cows. They began milking in April 2014. “The rst three months were a nightmare,” Brandon said. “If you’re taking over a herd, it’s a cake walk, but if you have to buy a herd and build it up, it’s challenging.” The cows they bought were used to a bedded pack and a parlor, and struggled adjusting to the stanchions and freestalls. They also underwent a major diet transition. “They’d been fed like beef cattle, so it was a complete 180 for them,” Brandon said. Due to the difcult transition, the cows were only averaging 33 pounds per cow per day and had a SCC of nearly 900,000. “That was tough, especially when most of our milk check was going towards paying off the consignment loan,” Brandon said. “There were times we wouldn’t get a check. Luckily, we shared equipment with Jill’s parents, so we didn’t have the additional equipment costs.” Additionally, several cows were aborting calves and others were not bred or had a hard time getting pregnant. “It was frustrating,” Jill said. “But we stuck with it.” During this time, Brandon was still working in Elk River full-time. “We wanted to see how it would work out rst and wait a year before we decided anything,” Brandon said. Thankfully, Jill’s parents were there to help out with Brandon working off the farm. “They’re were supportive of us and lent us a helping hand when we needed it and still do,” Jill said. “If it wasn’t for their help, it would’ve been even
harder to get started.” Eventually, the Marshiks purchased more cows, culled the difcultto-breed cows and Brandon quit his job in the fall of 2015. “I was sick of driving two hours each day and not having time for my kids,” Brandon said. Farming full time allowed Brandon to chop silage in a few days instead of weeks. “The money I make in milk because of that, makes up for the money I’m not getting from my old job,” he said. Besides feeding quality forages, the Marshiks’ started feeding grain and protein to the cows individually during milking to improve production. “They’re fed based on their individual production,” Jill said. “Brandon constantly works with the nutritionist.” To lower their SCC, the Marshiks bedded the stalls with fresh sand once a week, scraped the stalls and aisles twice a day, used a new teat dip with 0.5 percent iodine and 0.5 percent chlorhexidine, and combed the cows as needed. The Marshiks also attended seminars and meetings to learn more about dairy farming. “We picked stuff up and tried things on our farm,” Brandon said. “Some worked and others didn’t. Anything we can do to save and gain on our farm, we’re all in. We don’t throw away an opportunity to make money.” One thing the Marshiks learned is to allow cows plenty of time to rest. “The less you mess with them, the more milk they produce,” Jill said. “As soon as they’re done being milked, we immediately let them out so they can eat and lay down.” They are also adding high moisture corn to the diet. “We learned cows can do better on it, so we thought why not try it,” Brandon said. The Marshiks are eventually planning to turn the stanchion barn into a parlor and potentially expand the herd to 65 cows. “The milk prices aren’t great right now though,” Brandon said. “It would be nice to see them go up so we can make those upgrades or get by a little better.” Despite the challenges they have faced, the Marshiks are glad to be dairy farming as a family “It’s fun to see where we came from, and I’m proud we were able to oat through it,” Brandon said. “It was my dream for many years, and I’m glad we’re able to live it.”
Easy Cattle Handling
Cowpower 1050 hyd. chute
Page 12 • Dairy Star • Saturday, December 10, 2016
A closer look by Jennifer Coyne
Industry news addressed with help from your neighbors
VFD implementation on the horizon
FDA’s directive begins Jan. 1 BROOTEN, Minn. – Just shy of a month before the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) veterinary feed directive (VFD) takes effect, livestock producers, veterinarians and feed suppliers are asking questions to prepare for the uncertainties. “When this happens, I want to be able to deal with it and manage my herd without any problems,” said Brian Kollman, who milks 200 cows with his wife, Mary, and six children – Brett, Kim, Austin, Sam, Thomas and Kristy – near Brooten, Minn. To plan for how the VFD will impact Kollman’s calf, heifer and steer management practices, the dairyman maintains a working relationship with his veterinarian, Dr. Brett Boyum. “We’ve been working to understand the needs of our producers so that there is a seamless transition at the start of the new year,” said Boyum, who is an associate veterinarian at the Alexandria Veterinary Clinic in Alexandria, Minn.
JENNIFER COYNE/DAIRY STAR
Dr. BreƩ Boyum speaks with his client, Brian Kollman, about the veterinary feed direcƟve (VFD), which will begin Jan. 1. Kollman and his family milk 200 cows near Brooten, Minn. Beginning Jan. 1, 2017, dairy producers, among other livestock raisers, must have written consent from a licensed veterinarian to administer feedgrade antibiotics to animals in their herd. For dairy producers, the most-concerning feed-grade antibiotics that will now re-
quire a VFD include milk replacer containing neomycin; oxytetracycline and cholortetracycline (CTC) crumbles for heifers; and cattle feed containing tylosin. “Previously, dairy producers only needed to have a VFD for tilmicosin,” said Dr. Lee Michels, of Freeport Vet-
erinary Services in Freeport, Minn. “Now, almost all medicated feeds require a VFD.” However, the list of VFDapproved antibiotics will not include ionophores, such as monensin and lasalocid. “They’re feed additives that pose no threat to human health,” Michels said.
Boyum agreed. “There is a concern about antimicrobial resistance in humans becoming more prevalent, although the science shows that feed-grade antibiotics don’t directly lead to antimicrobial resistance,” Boyum said. The purpose of the VFD is to help regulate antimicrobial use – and the hope is that producers are judiciously using medically important antibiotics. “Everyone’s wondering where this came from,” Michels said. “It’s the best system to ensure we’re following labels and recording how drugs are used.” Regardless of the impact it may have on an individual operation, those in the livestock industry must be prepared for this directive. “Many believed this wouldn’t affect them and thought it would go away,” Michels said. “You’re not going to be effected like a feedlot in Kansas, but your farm will still be impacted.” For Boyum and Kollman, who have an established veterinary-client-patient-relaTurn to VFD | Page 13
CONTACT YOUR LOCAL DEALER TODAY
MAXX-TRAC HIGH PERFORMANCE SPREADERS
IOWA BRUNKAN EQUIPMENT
Worthington • (888) 789-2363
ENGEL AGRI-SALES
Sac City • (712) 662-3385
MARK’S TRACTOR & IMPLEMENT Osage • (641) 732-5044
ANAMOSA SILOS INC.
Maquoketa • (563) 652-5125
FESTINA LIVESTOCK EQUIPMENT Fort Atkinson • (563) 534-7963
ZOSKE’S SALES & SERVICE
Iowa Falls • (641) 648-2980
MINNESOTA K & R EQUIPMENT INC.
Fountain • (507) 268-4425
ZOSKE’S SALES & SERVICE
Sauk Rapids • (320) 253-3036
WISCONSIN ALTHOFF’S SALES & SERVICE Bangor • (608) 486-2032
ANIBAS SILO & EQUIPMENT INC. Arkansaw • (715) 285-5317
BAKER IRON WORKS
OUTPERFORMS, OUTMANEUVERS AND OUTSPREADS THE COMPETITION BY A MILE MAXX-TRAC Steering is gentle on your fields and on your equipment.
Engineered for professional haulers, Jamesway’s new MAXX-TRAC tankers deliver maximum performance.
Platteville • (608) 348-7182
BINDL SALES & SERVICE
Reedsburg • (608) 524-6339
HIGHWAY 48 FARM SERVICE
Rice Lake, WI • (715) 234-6788
MAKI FARM SERVICES
Curtiss, WI • Edgar, WI • (715) 613-7308
NORDSTROM CONST & LUMBER Melrose • (608) 488-2401
PODEVELS FARM SERVICE
Marshfield • (715) 384-6193
RUF’S FARM SERVICE INC.
Darlington, WI • (608) 776-4048
FOLLOW US info@JameswayFarmEq.com Tel : 819-845-7824
STEINHART’S FARM SERVICE INC. Platteville, WI • (608) 348-9401
JameswayFarmEq.com
SIKORA EQUIPMENT INC. Colfax • (715) 568-4747
Dairy Star • Saturday, December 10, 2016 • Page 13
ConƟnued from VFD | Page 12 tionship (VCPR), they have addressed the directive as a way to further develop their working relationship to attain the family’s goals, including the implementation of disease prevention and treatment protocols for the herd. With the VFD nearing, this working relationship will not waiver, but become greater, to continue meeting the Kollmans’ farm objectives. “To ensure the Kollmans were ready, it was important to understand what they were currently using for feed-grade
heifers to use over a certain period of time. “I was worried about nding a sick heifer on Friday and not being able to get an approval from Brett until Monday when he visits,” Kollman said. “Because of the VCPR, it can be continuous communication between me, my vet and feed supplier.” Working through what-if scenarios has helped Kollman plan for the VFD and all the obstacles he may encounter. “We wanted to ensure we have all the logistics managed
“I’ve done what I had to and what I needed to do. I’m as prepared for Jan. 1 as I can be .” BRIAN KOLLMAN, DAIRY PRODUCER
antibiotics and how they were being fed,” Boyum said. “We discussed using antibiotics for control of respiratory diseases around times of stress for their youngstock.” During routine herd checks, Kollman asked Boyum questions regarding the VFD and how the mandate will impact his herd – illustrating different scenarios in which a VFD may be required on the farm. For example, because of the up-to-date VCPR, Boyum is able to approve an allotted amount of feed-grade antibiotics for Kollman’s growing
appropriately,” Boyum said. “Once we understood where the needs were, we wanted to make sure we had a system in place so that feed delivery is not interrupted and we can maintain animal health.” Michels agreed. “The last thing we want to do is not get the animal the proper treatment because of regulations,” he said. “We’re reaching out and planning with dairy farmers, with the animals’ and producers’ best interests in mind.” Once a VFD is requested, veterinarians have the exibility in deciding how it is
administered – electronically or through paperwork – to the producer and feed supplier. “We don’t know quite how it’s going to take place, but we are prepared to write a VFD honestly and legally,” Michels said. Although there are foreseeable challenges, Kollman envisions the directive as a way to improve his dairy. “I’ve done what I had to do and what I needed to do. I’m as prepared for Jan. 1 as I can be,” Kollman said. “This is forcing me to look at individual animals’ health, as well as the group as a whole, and it’s forcing me to look at my housing facilities and nd other ways to prevent illness on the farm.” Boyum agreed. “While there has been angst about this, there is also opportunity for further conversation about best management practices and treatment decisions,” he said. With a few short weeks before the VFD becomes effective, Boyum and Michels are urging dairy producers to create a VCPR with their veterinarians, re-evaluate their herd management practices and converse with their feed supplier. “We need to have these feeds in our toolbox, but we have to look at our herds from a preventative standpoint,” Michels said. “The FDA could’ve gotten rid of our tools, instead they’re monitoring them.”
JENNIFER COYNE/DAIRY STAR
Dr. Lee Michels reviews informaƟonal materials for the upcoming VFD beginning Jan. 1. Michels and his colleagues have prepared for the change by speaking with their clients and hosƟng educaƟonal meeƟngs.
Sunny Hill Acres Heifer Raising Where your heifers are treated like our own.
Vaccination Program customized to your needs AI Breeding • TMR feeding Call to see how well we can raise your heifers. 507-649-1895 • Northfield, MN
MF 7724 Call for details
BUY RENT LEASE
Space Available! - 40 Years of Dairy Experience
FEED BUNKS
Super High Capacity Fence Line Bunk
MF 5613 w/loader Call for details
• 38” wide, 34” high on back side • 24-1/2” high on front side • 20” deep feed trough • 6” feed saver lip
H- Feed Bunk
AL’S
CONCRETE PRODUCTS 1-800-982-9263
Serving Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin Since 1965
www.alsconcreteproducts.com
White 9200 Call for details
9860 SP w/9196 header Call for details
Villard, MN • (888) 554-3111
Fence Line Feed Bunk
• Deep Feeding Capacity • Long Service Life & Cattle Safe • Available in 12”, 14”and 16” depths
MF 8735 Call for details
BUY RENT LEASE
Villard Implement Co.
Pictured with optional guard rail post mounted on the inside of the bunk or can also be placed outside.
• Fence line feed bunk with slanted back • 15” feed trough depth • 24” high front side (Also available in 18-1/2” height for smaller cattle)
MF 2705 E Call for details
AGCO DT-205B $105,000
Gehl 5640E 4 to choose from White 6144 $36,900
TRACTORS
JD MT .................................................................$3,500 MF GC1705 w/60” deck ............................... Just In MF 8690, FWA, loaded, 1 yr. old....................Save MF 8660 CVT, only 460 hrs ....................$129,000 MF 8660 CVT, 600 hrs ........................... Coming In MF 8650 CVT ........................................... Coming In MF 8650, 1 yr. old, 300 hrs. ......................... Just In MF 8650 .......................................................$120,000 MF 7497 ......................................................... 105,000 MF 6490, AWD ............................................. $82,000 MF 5470 w/961 ldr ................................ Coming In MF 1085 w/cab ...............................................$7,500 AGCO Allis 9670, only 4000 hrs ............. $39,500
AGCO DT-200A ............................................ $69,500 AGCO DT-180A, CVT .................................. $82,500 AGCO LT75A w/loader, only 175 hrs .... $50,000 IH M Farmall.....................................................$1,950 Ford 876, 4WD ............................................. $32,500 JD 4010..............................................................$5,900 White 2-105 .....................................................$3,950 White 2-85 ................................................ Coming In
PLANTERS
White 8524-22 CFS planter ...................... Coming In White 8222 12 row w/liquid ............................ Just In White 8182 12 row ........................................... $40,000 White 8108, 2 yrs. old, like new ............................Call White 6100 12 row ........................................... $12,000 White 6100 8 row w/7 row skip unit ............. Just In White 5100 8 row 30” .........................................$5,500 JD 7200, 12 row w/dry fert ............................ $15,000 JD 7200, 6 row, conser planter................ Coming In JD 1750, 6 row w/dry fert ......................... Coming In JD 1780, 31 row ................................................. $27,500 Case IH 900, 6 row w/dry fert., cross auger $7,950 Kinze 3700, 24 row 30”.............................................Call
SKID STEERS & SPREADERS
Gehl 7810E ................................................................$27,000 Gehl 5640E, 2 spd. ..................................................$17,000 Gehl 5640E, 2 pd. ....................................................$24,500 Gehl RT-175 track loader.........................................Just In Gehl 6640E, cab/heat ............................................$24,500 Gehl 4835, cab, heat ..............................................$15,500 Gehl V-400, only 50 hrs .........................................$50,000
Gehl V-330, 300 hrs. ..................................................Just In Bobcat S650..............................................................$27,500 Meyers 7400 spreader .............................................Just In
MISC. ITEMS
JD 2700 ripper .........................................................$19,500 JD 510, 7 shank disk chisel ..................................$10,500 MF 9895 combine, only 438 sep hrs ........................ Call Case IH 870, 9 shank ripper......................................... Call Sunflower 7200-28 Soil Cond................................Just In Sunflower 4610 ripper .....................................Coming In Sunflower 4511-13 disc chisel ......................Coming In Sunflower 4411-9 ripper ......................................$24,000 Sunflower 1435-26 disc ...........................................Just In Sunflower 1435-23 tandem disc w/mulcher $35,000 Sunflower 1434-32 tandem disc .......................$32,500 Krause 4900, 30’ disc................................................ $9,500 Geringhoff 6 row chopping head ....................... $8,500 Demco 650 gravity box ...........................................Just In MF 2170XD baler ................................................. $100,000 MF 2150, only 11,000 bales.................................$65,000 Vermeer 5500 round baler .....................................Just In Vermeer 605N, only 500 bales ..............................Just In Vermeer 605M, low bales ............................................ Call Vermeer 605M corn stalk, only 1500 bales....$39,500 NH 340 3x3, 2015, only 4500 bales .............Coming In J&M 620 grain cart ................................................... $8,500 Minnesota 250 gravity box w/auger ................. $1,500 JD 2700 5-bottom .................................................... $4,950 Demco 1250G sprayer w/90 ft. boom ..................... Call JD 240 disc mower ................................................... $2,450
Page 14 • Dairy Star • Saturday, December 10, 2016
Put Some Real Muscle Into Your Spreading With
eading r p S r e t t Be f the o e r o M Utilizes utrients N Manure
Designed to Suit your Needs
THE WORLD’S BEST TMR PROCESSOR
SUPREME OFFERS A FULL LINE OF PULL-TYPE, STATIONARY AND TRUCK-MOUNT MIXERS FROM 235 TO 1877 CU. FT. WITH EVERY UNIT CUSTOM DESIGNED & BUILT!
Factory Rebates Available!
Built in Redwood Fa Redwood Falls, MN •P Plastic lastic Áo oor or • IInset nset guillotine gate with lift-up door doo 5//8” thick ÁÁighting • 5/8” ighting on vertical beater • Horizontal or vertical beaters • 3/8” thick tube construction on reach • Remote grease banks • Underslung spring suspension • Inset and an angled vertical beater with bottom pan
Li it d Ti Limited Time Factory Discounts
900T
DAIRYLAND SUPPLY INC.
MORE CHOICES, MORE PARTS, DEPENDABLE, FAST SERVICE
320-352-3987 • 1-800-338-6455
Sauk Centre
Off I-94 On The Corner Of Hwy. 28 & 71 South www.dairylandsupply.com
Check out our line up of used Slingers Excellent line up of USED Supreme Mixers Reconditioned PENTA Mixers 400 cu.ft. to 1000 cu. ft. 8132 • 8141 • 8150 500T to 1200T (3) 277 Hagedorn (2) 7300 Houle 25’ Custom Made Injector System 7000 Nuhn Manure Tank 310 H&S Manure Spreader Hydra-Spread Spreader Used #1646 Used #1641 Manure Tanks Used #14150
5 or 6 Disc incorporators, 28L tires, steerable axles, exc. condition, field ready.
Starting at $39,900
7,000 gal., 5 shank Dietrich inj. system, vacuum cross over, hyd drive
$42,500
72’ Houle Lagoon Agi-Pump Used #1658
$ 21,500
Used #1501
8” disch., 1000 RPM, dual wheels, hyd controls, very good cond, ready to go.
$ 16,700
5250 Houle Tanks
28Lx26 Tires, Steerable Axles, Top Spread Rr Disch, Field Ready, RENTAL UNITS,
SAVE THOUSANDS
Direct inject tool bar, coulters, new sweeps, Krone flow meter, field ready.
$16,900
$8,380
HP425 H&S Manure Spreader
540 RPM, wide undercarriage, hyd controls, very good cond., ready to go.
52’ Houle Lagoon Agi-Pump
Single beater rear disch.,1000 RPM, 295/17.5R22.5 tires, very good cond, field ready.
Used #1529
Hyd push-gate, 385/65R22.5 tires, upper beater, very good cond., field ready.
$ 11,400
32’, 42’ & 52’ Houle Lagoon Agitators Fixed prop, HD driveline, exc cond, ready to go! CALL
2016 7300 Houle Tanks 725/65x26 Tires, Steerable Axles, Top Spread Rr Disch, Field Ready, RENTAL UNITS,
SAVE THOUSANDS
Hyd Pugh-Gate & End-Gate, 425/65R22.5 tires, exc. cond.
Starting at $13,900
3036 Knight Reel Auggie Mixer Used #1488
LH slide tray disch, hay shelf, 285/75R24.5 tires, very good cond, ready to go.
$ 12,900
312 Botec Feed Mixer
3300 Knight Reel Auggie Mixer
3” dual auger tip up disch, scale system, very good cond, ready to go.
LH slide tray disch, 540 RPM, scale system, new auger & knives, ready to go.
Used #1606
$ 5,900
Used #1618
$ 9,490
From Our Side Of The Fence
Dairy Star • Saturday, December 10, 2016 • Page 15
What advice did you receive to survive your first downturn? Alex Ode Brandon, S.D. Minnehaha County 340 cows Tell us about your farm. Royalwood Farms is a conventional family dairy. It is an LLC that started with my grandfather, Robert Ode. My dad, Gregg, and my uncle, Doug, took it over from him. I am the fth generation. Our Holstein herd consists of 340 head that are milked in a double-8 parallel parlor three times a day with a RHA of 30,426 milk, 3.7 percent butterfat and 3.1 percent protein. The cows are housed in a 6-row, sand-bedded barn. We raise all our own replacement heifers as well as steers up to 500 pounds. The farm runs 800 acres of owned and rented farmland. We use custom planters and harvesters. When did you start farming and how did you get started? I was pretty much born into the lifestyle. My dad and mom, Gregg and Jane, never pressured me with anything and always wanted me to make my own life decisions. I respected them for that and as I grew up, I knew that it was the way of life I wanted to live and raise my own family. I work at Bel Brands in Brookings, as well. I attended South Dakota State University with a double major in dairy manufacturing and dairy production with a business specialization and never looked back. What have you learned through this period of low milk prices? This period of low milk prices has a much different feel than other downturns, especially those of 2009 and 2012. In 2009, you lost money no matter what you did or how hard you tried to cut costs. In 2012, prices were better but our area was hit with a severe drought that forced us to buy more feedstuffs than usual. The current low prices have really made us keep up on cost saving opportunities, but we haven’t made any big changes. Feedstuffs are much cheaper this year. What cost-saving measures did you implement on your dairy? We kept an eye on some of the major expenses and looked at where we were investing our money. There are always ways to improve, even when times are tight. You have to look at every dollar you spend and ask if there’s a better way to spend it that will give you a better return. We are always looking for ways to get more marginal milk out of the cows, which helps cover costs when margins are tight. What was the best advice you received to survive your rst downturn? Don’t panic. Take it one day at a time. Who is a part of your support system and how do they support you? Our nutritionist helps us keep a good balanced TMR, yet watches expenses to keep income over feed costs as high as possible without sacricing milk, components, health or reproduction. Our agronomist helps us get the right nutrients to the right locations and helps us select the correct hybrid for each location. He also helps us with our custom planter’s variable rate fertilizer and seed for cost savings. What do you hope to accomplish in the next ve years? I hope to continue to keep the family farm alive. Our location will keep us from expanding, but there are always ways to improve and make tasks easier and less stressful on the mind and body.
Mitch, Emma and Amy Kruger Em-mi K Holsteins New Richland, Minn. Waseca County 70 cows Tell us about your farm. Our farm includes our 70-cow dairy with registered Holsteins and Red and White Holsteins along with an 1,100-acre cropping enterprise consisting of corn, soybeans, alfalfa and peas. We are also involved with my parents’ hog nurseries. When did you start farming and how did you get started? We started farming part-time in 1997 with 260 rented acres and later in 1999 started milking cows for the rst time, purchasing a local herd. We eventually exited the dairy business to concentrate on family and crop farming, but restarted the dairy in 2014. What have you learned through this period of low milk prices? The most important thing we have learned as milk prices have fallen is the value of the support around you. Support includes skilled and understanding lenders, honest and experienced nancial advisors, hard working and dedicated employees and most importantly family.
Brad and Jeremy Putz Petersburg, Iowa Delaware County 100 Jersey cows Tell us about your farm. We farm alongside our parents, who have 140 Holsteins milked with two Lely robotic milkers. Our parents own 180 acres, rent 33 acres, and they purchase dry hay and shelled corn. We buy all of our feed from our parents at so much per head per day. My brother and I milk 100 Jerseys in a step-up parlor twice a day. We raise all of our heifers and sell steers at 450 pounds. When did you start farming and how did you get started? In March of 2013 we purchased a herd of 36 Jerseys which were advertised online. All we did to start was purchase the cows and install a 1,000-gallon bulk tank in our old barn because everything else was still there. We also bought youngstock from the couple we bought the cows from. What have you learned through this period of low milk prices? The market uctuates quite a bit, considering when we started, the milk price is where it is now. Then we saw the highest it ever was, while also experiencing the downfall afterwards. What cost-saving measures did you implement on your dairy? We kept our somatic cell count below 100 which saved us money on treating cows and paid higher premiums on our milk check.
What cost-saving measures did you implement on your dairy? To cut feed costs dramatically. We shopped and compared, ultimately changing our nutritionist and feed company. We also increased our forage production, chiey alfalfa for dry hay and balage, eliminating the need for purchased hay. We also looked at every other service, supplier and product to try to uncover saving opportunities – from seed corn and chemical programs to sanitation companies and vet services. We also reduced labor from employees outside the family.
What was the best advice you received to survive your rst downturn? You can’t jump in and out of this industry.
What was the best advice you received to survive your rst downturn? The best advice we received came from a former business contact who helped facilitate the move to our current feed company and nutritionist.
What do you hope to accomplish in the next ve years? We would like to put two more robots in for our herd.
Who is a part of your support system and how do they support you? Family. We are lucky to have each other, our parents and other close relatives who are also farming or part of the dairy industry. It seems like everyone has jumped in to help with chores, eld work, ideas or resources. We also lean on our nancial advisor, Mark Wehe, from South Central Technical College. What do you hope to accomplish in the next ve years? We are planning on nancial stability and opportunity. Our rst step is to solidify the quality of the animals in the herd, focusing on production and genetics. Accomplishing that, we hope to be able to market surplus heifers and eventually embryos. We will also continue to work on improving our facilities, concentrating on animal comfort and labor efciency at the same time.
Who is a part of your support system and how do they support you? Our parents support us by giving us nancial advice and a place to start out and buy into. We all work together with both herds.
The Great Christmas Heifer
G I V E A W A Y Register every day at participating businesses. See pages 24 & 25 in the first section for details.
From Our Side Of The Fence
Page 16 • Dairy Star • Saturday, December 10, 2016
What advice did you receive to survive your first downturn?
Tom Heiar Spragueville, Iowa Jackson County 40 cows Tell us about your farm. The home farm has been in the family since 1880. I milk in a tiestall barn that has 45 stalls. We raise all our youngstock. Dad has stock cows and hogs. With two farms there is a total of 357 acres where we grow corn, oats and hay. When did you start farming and how did you get started? I was born and raised on the farm. I graduated from high school in May of 2010, and that June, I went into partnership with Dad milking cows. In January 2016, I bought all the cows. What have you learned through this period of low milk prices? Learn to save money when milk price is good and use it when it is low. What cost-saving measures did you implement on your dairy? Focus on the things that you need more than the things you want. Try to do as much work as you can yourself. What was the best advice you received to survive your rst downturn? Always stay positive. Who is a part of your support system and how do they support you? My parents, especially my dad. I wouldn’t be this far if it wasn’t for him. What do you hope to accomplish in the next ve years? To keep improving on milk quality.
Alex Zilka Pierz, Minn. Morrison County 62 cows Tell us about your farm. I milk 62 cows in a tiestall and raise all replacements in a rented facility from the Tax family. When did you start farming and how did you get started? I started farming two years ago, I purchased 51 cows, replacements and some basic milking equipment through contract for deed from the Taxes. What have you learned through this period of low milk prices? Not to be afraid to try new and different things. What cost-saving measures did you implement on your dairy? Three times a day milking, quality feed and monthly breakevens. What was the best advice you received to survive your rst downturn? You have to be able to separate your nancial situation from your emotions. Who is a part of your support system and how do they support you? Friends and neighbors give me advice on what’s working for them on their farms. What do you hope to accomplish in the next ve years? In the next ve years, I hope to pay off the cows and purchase a farm in central Minnesota.
TMR Feed Carts • Round Bale Unrollers • Stationary TMR Mixers
AUTHORIZED DEALERS IN IA, MN & WI KM Electric Charles City, IA 641-364-2103
Hanson Silo Lake Lillian, MN 320-664-4171
Fritsch Equip. DePere, WI 920-532-6292
Maki Farm Svc LLC Curtiss, WI 715-613-7308
Maki Farm Svc LLC Edgar, WI 715-352-2011
Zabel Equip. Eastman, WI 608-874-4105
Trevor Green Neillsville, Wis. Clark County 18 cows Tell us about your farm. My wife, Jessica, and I are currently milking 18 cows with another 15 that are dry. We recently purchased and moved onto our new farm in the last month after renting another farm in Black River Falls for the last three years. We are on the grass milk program through Organic Valley and are certied organic. When did you start farming and how did you get started? We started farming in 2013. We had always wanted to farm, so we started off renting a farm from Don Liss until we could purchase our own farm in the last few months. What have you learned through this period of low milk prices? Being that we are organic, low milk prices didn’t affect us as much as it did for others. However, transitioning between the two farms has been a challenge because of the number of dry cows we have. We were starting to see production start to increase, but moving has caused them to drop a little. What cost-saving measures did you implement on your dairy? We try to spend as little as possible to get a higher return. Switching to grass fed has helped so we don’t have to feed corn and deal with feed prices. It also gives us an additional $4 premium on our milk. We also have bought everything used and not spent our money on big, costly items. What was the best advice you received to survive your rst downturn? I used to get stressed out a lot, but I came to nd out from others that whatever is going to happen will happen. It is best to accept the situation once it has happened and do what you can to x it. If something breaks, it’s already done so rather than stress, focus on getting going again. Keep moving forward. Who is a part of your support system and how do they support you? John Bahnub, Rod Gearing and Don Gearing. They are people I used to work for and I learned what I know from them. I picked up a lot of my knowledge from them, and they are the ones who taught me not to get worked up. What do you hope to accomplish in the next ve years? We would like to ll the 38-stall tiestall barn. We don’t want to get any bigger than that, however. We want to focus and strive towards better breedings with the Fleckvieh breed in our herd. As our breeder said last week: you have to build the cow and then the milk will come. We are also focusing on getting good feed up and getting the heifers we’ve raised up and going in the milking herd. We hope to get settled in here and improve our production.
Christopher Baird Ferryville, Wis. Crawford County 37 cows Tell us about your farm. I have 80 acres, with 55 or so open, in pasture. I till under eight or nine acres of my worst pasture every year and put it into silage corn. I use managed grazing, milk Jerseys and calve seasonally. When did you start farming and how did you get started? My parents bought the farm in 1997. I took it over and started running it in early 2013, and bought it November of 2014. What have you learned through this period of low milk prices? It sure helps to milk Jerseys, because of the components. The low milk price is mostly low solids and protein. The butterfat price is OK. So, I don’t think I got hit quite as hard on the per-hundredweight price as other farmers. I think I had one month last summer – maybe two – when I was under $18. My last milk check was on the order of $25 (per hundredweight), or just under $25. DHIA says the rolling herd average is at 4.75 percent fat and 3.8 protein for the year. At the end of November, I was running 5.78 fat and 4.36 protein. What cost-saving measures did you implement on your dairy? I didn’t buy good hay this fall. It’s hurting me in the bulk tank now. But hopefully, I’ll be able to make it up next year. What was the best advice you received to survive your rst downturn? There’s probably advice I haven’t taken. I know Donny Boland (a nearby dairyman) has said the most expensive seed is the stuff with the cheapest price tag. I try not to change anything. I’ll catch up in the future. I don’t spend money that I don’t have. Who is a part of your support system and how do they support you? The people in the Great Rivers Graziers and the people who participate in their pasture walks always have good advice. There are a lot of other people, too. Bill Turner, a neighbor, has always been a great help. He’s loaned me equipment. My tractor broke down this spring when I was trying to get my silage corn in. He actually did a lot of the plowing himself with his tractor. What do you hope to accomplish in the next ve years? I’d like to get up to the low 50s for cow numbers, and I’d like to get my herd average from 9,200 pounds to 14,000.
Dairy Star • Saturday, December 10, 2016 • Page 17
WINTER BUILD SALE
From large FREE STALL BUILDINGS to EFFICIENT FARM SHOPS, Cleary can customdesign a structure to match your personal style and provide a safe, healthy, productive environment for your equipment, your animals and you!
CONTACT US FOR A FREE CONSULTATION! COKATO, MN • 320-286-4486 KASSON, MN • 507-634-6640 MANKATO, MN • 507-625-5170 ELLSWORTH, WI • 715-273-1444 PRAIRIE du CHIEN, WI • 608-326-2909 RICE LAKE, WI • 715-458-2233 SPARTA, WI • 608-269-3424
FEATURING:
HUMBOLDT, IA • 515-332-9825 LE MARS, IA • 712-548-4594 WAVERLY, IA • 319-352-9497 ABERDEEN, SD • 605-225-0688 DELL RAPIDS, SD • 605-428-4381
800-373-5550 • ClearyBuilding.com
MAKE QUICK WORK OF MOVING ALL TYPES OF SNOW –
Precision Flighting
for Agriculture & Industry
POWDER, CRUSTED, ICY OR WET
Sectional Flighting Press-Formed In Individual Segments
WOODS SNOW BLOWERS Standard to heavy duty
Choose from Woods Standard Series for sub-compact and compact tractors, or Heavy Duty snow blowers with tractor range of 60 - 175 hp.
Heavy Duty Helicoid edge-formed from bar stock & coil
Throw that snow
Models are available in 6 working widths from 54 to 108 inches with a 2-stage design that gives you more throwing force with less hp.
NEW SNOWBLOWERS IN STOCK
YEAR END SALE
Wide variety of new in stock, all sizes available!
EQUIPMENT ON HAND
TRACTORS ‘06 MF 8460,MFWD, CVT, 2025 Hrs .................... $97,900 ‘95 White 6144. MFWD, 4015 Hrs ....................... $36,500 ‘94 White 6175 2WD, 5300 Hrs ........................... $39,750 ‘12 Challenger MT545B, MFWD, CVT, duals, 4350 hrs ............................................................ $62,500 ‘63 IH 460 2WD ..................................................... $2,950 ‘53 Farmall M ........................................................ $2,165 ‘80 Massey Ferguson 2745, 2WD, 4563 Hrs........ $11,500 ‘56 Ferguson TO35, loader, rear blade ................... $5,665 Allis Chalmers C tractor Sinlge front wheel ............ $1,000 Allis Chalmers C w/ belly mower ............................ $2,000 SKID STEERS ‘95 Mustang 2060, dsl, B, 5770 hrs. ................... $11,665 ‘09 Mustang 2044, dsl., 4400 hrs. ....................... $15,575 ‘12 Mustang 2044, dsl, T-bar, B, 2175 hrs ........... $17,775
‘13 Mustang 2054, Dsl, 3200 hrs......................... $19,450 ‘13 Gehl V400, Cab & heat, 2375 hrs ................... $29,500 ‘12 NH 215, Cab & Heat, 1550 hrs, bkt ................ $17,500 Case IH 84” material bucket, Euro mount ................. $665 66” Midsota Bucket, Mustang single pin................... $390 MISC EQUIPMENT Allied YC962 8’ snow blower ................................. $2,995 Allied YC1080C 9’ snow blower, 1000 RPM ........... $3,890 Farm King Y740 74” snow blower.......................... $1,950 Loftness 961 8’ snow blower ................................. $1,750 Allied YC962 8’ snow blower ................................. $2,995 Rhino FM72 6’ finishing mower ............................. $1,670 Knight 3300 Reel Auggie TMR, 3 auger discharge . $9,500 2014 Harvest International H1072 grain auger ...... $7,950 Duall 125 loader, (IH 560) ...................................... $2,780
Sectional Flighting in individually formed segments. Wide range of standard sizes in stock and immediately available. Custom forming to purchaser’s specifications. Standard Pitch, Long Pitch, Short Pitch, No loss of thickness at outer edge for high wear applications. Precise dimensional accuracy. Diameters 4” - 60” (100mm-1524mm). Materials - Mild Carbon Steel and Stainless Steel 304 and 316, Abrasion Resistance AR400 and AR235.
Heavy Duty Helicoid edge-formed from bar stock or coil in thicknesses up to 0.75” (19mm). Raw material widths 0.5” - 5.0” (12mm - 127mm). Flighting diameters 1.5” - 20” (37mm - 508mm). Materials - Mild Carbon Steel and Stainless Steel 304 and 316. Precise dimensional accuracy. Standard Pitch, Long Pitch, Short Pitch, Minimal loss of thickness at outer edge of flighting for optimum wear resistance.
MENTION YOU SAW THIS AD IN THE DAIRY STAR
AND RECEIVE A 5% DISCOUNT OFFER ENDS
12/31/16
Phone: 1-800-579-9978 1-815-876-1616 • 1-815-872-1112 info@Áightmfg.com
www.Áightmfg.com
Address: P.o. Box 502 2750 Tradition Drive Princeton, IL 61356
Page 18 • Dairy Star • Saturday, December 10, 2016
Top Performers
Brosig considers nutrition most important factor to achieve high production Mark Brosig Altura, Minn. Winona County 230 cows What is your current herd average, butterfat and protein? The herd’s current production is 29,550 pounds of milk with 1,070 pounds of fat and 904 pounds of protein. How many times a day do you milk? If you don’t milk 3x a day, have you tried it in the past? We milk three times a day. We have been doing this for about 10 years. Do you use BST? If so, what is your protocol? Just under 50 percent of the herd is given rBST, which is administered on a 14-day schedule. I do not use rBST on rst-calf heifers because I try to sell approximately 50 rst-calf heifers every year to offset my heifer raising costs. Heifers are raised by someone else off-site.
Do you contract your milk? Has it been successful for you? I don’t contract milk. I’ve tried it in the past a few times and broke even. I’ve always had the attitude that if I make money, I’ll spend it and if I don’t then I won’t. Describe your housing and milking facility. I have a sand bedded freestall barn with a double-8 parabone milking parlor. The freestall barn was built in the early ‘90s and has 167 stalls. Stalls are bedded with a layer of sand and topped with lime, which helps change the pH and keep somatic cell count low. The parlor was built in 1972 as a double-4 swing parlor and remodeled in 1993 into what is it now. The parlor is showing its age, but nothing will change until I get a commitment from the next generation if they would like to return to the farm.
What is the composition of your ration? What has been one of your most recent changes that has been successful for you? The ration consists of 60 pounds of haylage (with 23 percent protein and 160 relative feed quality) 25 pounds of corn silage, 19 pounds of high moisture corn, 10 pounds of liquid whey (Delac), 1.5 pounds of canola meal, and 6.5 pounds of a protein and mineral mix. I am feeding a new crop of corn silage. After Jan. 1, we will increase corn silage to 40 pounds since it will be more thoroughly fermented. Through the years you’ve been farming, what change has created the biggest jump in your herd average? The biggest jump came from switching to milking three times a day. When milking two times a day, the herd hovered around 22,000 pounds of milk. After adding a milking, the
KRISTA KUZMA/DAIRY STAR
Mark Brosig’s 230-cow herd averages 29,550 pounds of milk with 1,070 pounds of fat and 904 pounds of protein. Brosig and his family, along with a few employees, milk the cows three Ɵmes a day on his farm near Altura, Minn. herd went up to 27,500 pounds. I also believe nutrition played an important role in this jump. When we switched our milking schedule, we also changed nutritionists.
KRISTA KUZMA/DAIRY STAR
The Brosigs’ dry cow raƟon consists of corn silage, wheat straw and canola meal.
Expert Sales & Service
What is your herd health program? We do ultrasounding every other week. At that time, we determine what to do with open cows – either give a shot of estromate, start them
on an ovsynch program with GnRH or designate as do not breed. We also have a thorough vaccine protocol that includes Scourguard 4KC, J5, Bovishield Gold FP 5 LP, Alpha 7 and Type A for clostridium. We have also been putting a probiotic in the TMR, which has helped keep the cows healthy. Turn to BROSIG | Page 20
S Southwest D S Dairy Systems
Up to 5% Increase milk and components
915 S. Main St., Cuba City, WI 53807
608-744-2661
www.jgiledairyequipment.com
915 S. Main St., Cuba City, WI 53807
Phone: 608-744-2661
www.jgiledairyequipment.com
Dairy Star • Saturday, December 10, 2016 • Page 19
“We love the stuff... especially for fresh cows.” — Robert and Jeannette Sheehan
SHEEKNOLL FARMS, ROCHESTER, MINNESOTA The Sheehan Family with WDE Grand Champion Holstein ‘Thomas’ (Sheeknoll Durham Arrow EX94 96MS) 300 cows RHA 26,000 SCC 150,000
“If we take care of the cows, they will take care of us,” is the mantra of the Sheehan family at Sheeknoll Farms, Rochester, Minnesota. That was the case with Sheeknoll Durham Arrow (aka ‘Thomas’) in her grand journey with Jeannette Sheehan at the halter, picking up champion banners all summer on her way to first place aged cow, production, best udder, best bred-and-owned, senior and grand champion of the 2016 International Holstein Show at the 50th World Dairy Expo, where she was also reserve supreme. “It’s still surreal,” said Jeannette after leading the EX94 96MS 6-year-old to her storybook finish. “She had her share of Udder Comfort™. We love the stuff,” said Jeannette. Husband Robert explains: “We use the lotion before shows and really put it on thick after showing.
“We also use it at home in the parlor and stall barn operations,” adds Robert, partnering with his wife and children and brothers Jim and Jerome and their families in the 300-cow dairy. “We use it a lot, especially for fresh cows: 2x/day for 5 days after calving. For 8 years, we have been using Udder Comfort because it’s very effective in doing what we want it to do: reduce swelling and regain udder texture and quality.”
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, December 10, 2016
ConƟnued from BROSIG | Page 18
What does your dry cow and transition program consist of? Cows are dried off between 45 to 60 days prior to calving. Dry cows are fed a corn silage, wheat straw and canola meal ration up to calving. At calving they are moved directly to the heifer group of the milking herd. We do not have any facilities for transitioning fresh cows. What role does genetics play in your production level, and what is your breeding program? I have never se-
lected bulls for production when choosing bull studs. I have always focused on feet and legs, udders and components – in that order. I also take into account productive life. I like using older proven bulls with lots of daughters on the ground. About one year ago we installed an activity monitoring system. We watch and document heats and breed after 50 days. If there is no activity by then, we will start the cow with one shot of lutalyse with ovsynch to follow.
KRISTA KUZMA/DAIRY STAR
The raƟon of Brosig’s milking herd includes 10 pounds of liquid whey, which is stored in this tank on Brosig’s farm.
What improvements would you like to make that would help increase your rolling herd average? There is improvement to be made in the herd’s pregnancy rate. Currently, it is at 19 percent, which is quite low for me. That number is a little altered because I don’t calve for about 50 days in the winter. A humid summer, overcrowding and some lower quality feed directly affected the pregnancy rate going into fall. The activity system should help us improve heat detection. Pregnancy checks have been better. What would you say are the three most important factors for you that helped you attain your current herd average? I believe nutrition is the most important factor in achieving high production. For the past 10 years, I have worked with nutritionist Chad Kieffer at Benson Farm Service in Lewiston, Minn. He keeps me up to date in the latest trends in nutrition as well as balancing my ration. If a good quality ration is kept in front of the cows at all times, they will respond. We have a Juno feed
KRISTA KUZMA/DAIRY STAR
This heifer is an example of the type of animal for which Brosig breeds for in his herd. Traits he focuses on include feet and legs, udders and components, in that order.
KRISTA KUZMA/DAIRY STAR
A feed pusher keeps feed in front of cows at all Ɵmes, pushing up feed every hour. pusher to help with this. It runs every hour. The second most important factor to production is having good hired help. All dairy farmers must treat their employees with respect and reward them nancially when they are doing a good job. I always do my share of the unpleasant tasks, and I think my employees respect me for that. Cows like consistency, so good hired help is great for milking cows and is a lot less stressful for their owner. I have four full-time employees, one that has been with me for 10 years. The third most important factor is making sure all aspects of the dairy farm are in synch. If one part of the operation is out of whack, it will affect the nal result. One example is our hoop building we now use for sand and lime to bed the cows. We used to get a load of sand twice a week. Now that we
have storage for it, we can add the needed amount when it’s needed rather then when it arrives at the farm. It helps make the rest of the farm tasks run more smoothly and helps with cow comfort. Tell us about your farm. This is a fourth-generation dairy farm; I am farming the land my great grandfather homesteaded in 1869. My wife, Kathy, and I have ve children – Hannah, Haly, Maggie, Leah and Greg. Three of them are still at home. All our children have milked cows and fed calves on the farm. We have 300 acres of cropland that are rented and owned. Along with high production, we strive for a low somatic cell count, which we usually keep under 100,000. My years of dairy farming are now in the 30s.
The Leader In Feeders!
Affordable Custom Built TMR Mixers Base Models from 60 cu. ft. to 1100 cu. ft. Stationary, Single Screw & Twin Screw Models Available FEATURES: • AR 200 Auger Flight • 5/8” standard upgrade to 3/4” • Up to eight knives for fast hay processing • 21” tungsten carbide auger knives • Optional stainless steel side discharge conveyors Sizes Available: 3’, 4’, 6’ • Front door conveyors - Flat feed out one side or both sides - Flat with an incline to ¿ll bunks • C-55 chain • Heavy duty PTO with shear pin • Weightronix scale or Digi-Star • Ladder with viewing platform • Heavy duty jack • Call for additional options!
We build, sell and install aftermarket liners and augers for all brands of TMR mixers!
5 Year Warranty on Mixing Tub & Auger
In standard lengths from 12’-36’
HD 5/8” AR 200 steel auger on every auger we sell or repair!
ARROW FRONT® FEEDER WAGON
Thirty years of building cattle feeders has given S.I. Feeders a lot of experience in making a strong durable cattle feeder with many feed saving advantages. The Arrow Front feeder has excelled with the test of time and continues to set an example for the industry. Contact your nearest dealer listed below for a new color brochure and information on the complete line of feeders. Mfg. By
Long Prairie, MN 320-630-5143 weaverorgfarms@ gmail.com
WEAVER FARM EQUIPMENT
Chris Weaver
N 5820 Johnson Road • Portage, WI 53901 • (608) 742-8851
S.I. Feeders Available At The Following Dealers... Hammell Equipment ChatÀeld, MN Rushford, MN Eitzen, MN Harmony, MN
United Farmers Coop Lafayette, MN Waconia, MN Gaylord, MN Norseland, MN
Dairy Star • Saturday, December 10, 2016 • Page 21
Recently repriced equipment for year end
See our complete inventory with pictures and descriptions at:
www.mmcjd.com
Visit one of our 13 locations in Central Minnesota!
Price Reduced
269,000
2012 JD 9460 RT $ # 125925
(1) = GLENCOE 800-558-3759 4561 Hwy. 212
2013 JD 9560R # 123386
Price Reduced
279,000
$
289,000
2012 CIH Steiger 550 $ Quadtrac, #132994
Over 1200 items with pictures updated daily • Go to www.mmcjd.com
(2) = HOWARD LAKE 866-875-5093 5845 Keats Ave. SW
(3) = STEWART 800-827-7933 78412 Co. Rd. 20
(4) = ST. CLOUD 800-645-5531 1035 35th Ave. NE
(5) = GLENWOOD 888-7999-1495 1710 N. Franklin
(6) = SAUK CENTRE 888-320-2936 1140 Centre St.
(7) = ALEXANDRIA 888-799-1490 5005 State Hwy. 27 E
(8) = PAYNESVILLE 866-784-5535 725 Lake Ave. S.
(9) = PRINCETON 800-570-3453 3708 Baptist Church Rd.
(10) = LITTLE FALLS 800-655-5469 16069 Hwy. 27 E.
(11) = WADENA 888-631-2311 62505 US Hwy. 10
(12) = AITKIN 800-732-1129 1120 2nd St. NW
(13) = BAXTER 800-568-4338 7045 Foley Rd.
Price Reduced
ARTICULATED 4WD TRACTORS JD 8450, 1984, 225 hp, 12344 hrs., #125922 ................................................. $22,900 4 JD 8560, 1989, 235 hp, 9900 hrs., #127263 ................................................. $26,500 5 JD 9300, 1997, 360 hp, 4445 hrs., #132726 ................................................ $79,000 8 JD 9400, 1996, 425 hp, 6200 hrs., #134367 ................................................ $85,000 2 JD 9520, 2006, 450 hp, 5016 hrs., #110315 ..............................................$141,500 6 JD 9630, 2010, 530 hp, 1746 hrs., #123341 ..............................................$209,000 1 JD 9560R, 2013, 560 hp, 2226 hrs., #127914 ...............................................$235,000 7 JD 9460R, 2014, 460 hp, 617 hrs., #125963 ...............................................$249,000 6 JD 9560R, 2012, 560 hp, 1661 hrs., #133796 ...............................................$269,000 3 JD 9560R, 2013, 560 hp, 912 hrs., #127237 ...............................................$275,000 1 JD 9560R, 2013, 560 hp, 153 hrs., #123386 ...............................................$279,000 11 JD 9520R, 2015, 520 hp, 211hrs., #124593 ..............................................$329,000 2 JD 9620R, 2015, 620 hp, 148 hrs., #133711 ...............................................$395,000 2 JD 9620R, 2015, 620 hp, 455 hrs., #125913 ...............................................$399,000 COMBINE PLATFORMS 9 JD 630F, 2004, #134110 ................... $16,500 11 JD 630F, 2006, #133946 ................... $18,000 5 JD 635F, 2009, #131606 ................... $24,500 4 JD 635F, 2008, #132156 ................... $25,000 5 JD 635F, 2011, #125837 ................... $25,000 4 JD 630F, 2011, #113753 ................... $25,900 6 JD 630F, 2011, #133185 ................... $25,900 1 JD 635F, 2010, #134267 ................... $25,900 2 JD 615P, 2016, #133554 ................... $26,000 2 JD 615P, 2016, #133555 ................... $26,000 7 JD 630F, 2012, #126623 ................... $27,900 4 JD 635F, 2012, #118150 ................... $33,900 8 JD 635F, 2013, #133692 ................... $37,500 2 JD 630F, 2016, #134347 ................... $38,900 3 JD 640FD, 2013, #127499 ................ $64,000 1 JD 640FD, 2013, #125673 ................ $75,000 COMBINES 4 JD 9500, 1989, 4400 hrs., 3300 sep., #132034 ................................................. $32,500 9 JD 9500, 1990, 4636 hrs., 3005 sep., #126219 ................................................. $32,900 3 JD 9500, 1995, 4340 hrs., 3091 sep., #134360 ................................................. $39,500 2 JD 9600, 1995, 5000 hrs., 190 sep., #133728 ................................................. $39,500 2 Case 2388, 1999, 4446 hrs., 3233 sep., #133693 ................................................. $49,500 3 JD 9650 STS, 2000, 3293 hrs., 2189 sep., #126187 ................................................. $58,500 2 JD 9610, 1998, 3600 hrs., 2400 sep., #133475 ................................................. $60,000 1 JD 9550, 2003, 3115 hrs., 2153 sep., #132427 ................................................. $69,000 5 JD 9660 STS, 2004, 2242 hrs., 1525 sep., #132570 ................................................. $89,000 6 JD 9760 STS, 2004, 2642 hrs., 1763 sep., #107702 ................................................. $98,900 2 JD 9560 STS, 2005, 2645 hrs., 1771 sep., #132194 ...............................................$105,000 4
10 Case IH 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, 1722 hrs., 1293 sep., #106732 ........................................ $152,900 1 JD S670, 2012, 2360 hrs., 1711 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 9 JD S680, 2012, 1910 hrs., 1275 sep., #134377 ........................................ $224,000 6 JD S660, 2012, 421 hrs., 221 sep., #96947 .......................................... $229,000 1 JD S670, 2013, 1230 hrs., 904 sep., #134165 ........................................ $229,000 9 JD S660, 2014, 339 hrs., 450 sep., #132631 ........................................ $260,000 9 JD S660, 2014, 396 hrs., 89 sep., #116531 ........................................ $265,000 7 JD S690, 2013, 1211 hrs., 831 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, 386 hrs., 245 sep., #125946 ........................................ $295,000 8 JD S670, 2015, 383 hrs., 290 sep., #124831 ........................................ $305,000 5 JD S680, 2014, 715 hrs., 485 sep., #134397 ........................................ $309,000 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 CORN AND ROW CROP HEADERS 11 JD 693, 1996, #131820 .................. $15,900 10 Drago N8TR, 2003, #132087 .......... $18,400 1 JD 693, 2005, #134028 .................. $18,900 4 JD 893, 1996, #126995 .................. $18,900 6 JD 1293, 2007, #132423 ................ $18,900 1 Geringhoff RD830B, 2004, #132061 .......................................... $18,900 4 JD 893, 1996, #134171 .................. $19,000 9 JD 893, 2001, #127232 .................. $19,500 6 JD 893, 1998, #133187 .................. $20,000 5 JD 893, 2004, #134018 .................. $20,900 6 JD 1293, 2005, #116503 ................ $21,900 1 Harvestec 4308C, 2006, #133685... $22,500 10 Geringhoff ROTA-DISC 1200B, #127038 .......................................... $23,000 2 Drago N6TR, 2010, #133807 .......... $23,000 6 JD 893, 1993, #133956 .................. $23,500 4 JD 893, 2003, #131470 .................. $25,000 7 Fantini 6R30, 2010, #133739 ......... $25,900
6 8 7 5 6 4 6 4 8 2 8 7 7 6 1 9 10 7 1 2 3 5 8 3 2 5 8 2 2 5 2 1 5 11 1 5 8 1 6 11 4 6 4 4 4 5 9 9 7 8 7 5 8 2 10 2 10 4 4 1 5 2 3 7
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 612C, 2009, #133911 ................ $57,500 JD 612C, 2009, #103694 ................ $58,000 JD 612C, 2013, #122102 ................ $59,500 JD 608C, 2013, #126457 ................ $59,900 JD 608C, 2013, #132632 ................ $59,900 JD 608C, 2013, #125707 ................ $60,900 JD 612C, 2012, #106737 ................ $74,900 JD 612C, 2013, #125221 ................ $79,900 JD 612C, 2014, #134078 ................ $85,000 JD 612C, 2014, #125736 ................ $92,900 JD 612C, 2014, #125927 ................ $92,900 JD 612C, 2014, #126047 ................ $95,900 JD 612C, 2014, #126845 ................ $98,900 JD 612C, 2016, #134111 .............. $109,000 JD 618C, 2013, #107764 .............. $119,000 FIELD CULTIVATORS JD 980, 1998, #117816 .................. $16,900 JD 985, 1995, #130971 .................. $18,000 Case TIGER MATE II, #129749 ........ $25,000 JD 2210, 2005, #119916 ................ $32,900 JD 2210, 2005, #106361 ................ $33,900 Case IH 200, 2011, #129145 .......... $35,000 JD 2210, 2006, #119500 ................ $37,900 JD 2210, 2007, #102810 ................ $37,900 JD 2210, 2005, #120515 ................ $39,500 JD 2210, 2009, #131140 ................ $44,900 JD 2210, 2011, #106313 ................ $52,900 JD 2210, 2010, #102073 ................ $54,900 Case IH 200, 2011, #129150 .......... $55,000 MULCH FINISHERS JD 2310, 2011, #108698 ................ $46,900 JD 2310, 2013, #124495 ................ $48,900 JD 2310, 2008, #124769 ................ $50,000 PLANTERS: DRAWN JD 1750 2004, #127953 ................. $19,500 JD 1750, 1998, #123390 ................ $20,000 JD 1750, 2001, #127462 ................ $20,500 JD 1780, 1998, #125519 ................ $27,500 JD 1780, 1997, #127222 ................ $28,500 JD 1750, 2013, #131524 ................ $36,500 JD 1770NT, 2004, #131585 ............ $38,000 JD 1770, 2004, #120099 ................ $42,900 JD DB44, 2008, #131589 ................ $58,500 JD 1790 CCS, 2004, #124998 ......... $61,900 JD 1770NT, 2008, #106973 ............ $65,900 JD 1790 CCS, 2004, #125700 ......... $67,900 JD 1790 CCS, 2007, #118810 ......... $67,900 JD 1760, 2014, #114182 ................ $69,500 JD 1770NT, 2010, #120512 ............ $71,500 JD 1770, 2011, #132629 ................ $72,500 JD 1770NT, 2010, #131019 ............ $75,000 JD 1770NT, 2010, #123272 ............ $77,500 JD 1770NT, 2012, #117386 ............ $89,500 JD 1770NT, 2014, #120447 ............ $89,500 JD DB58, 2008, #131528 ................ $92,500 JD DB44, 2007, #127876 ................ $93,900
5 4 11 7 6 1 5 8 4 2 8 11 10 12 11 8 10 13 1 1 1 2 9 7 5 6 8 6 2 4 2 8 3 4 4 4 11 4 1 1 10 8 5 12 8 8 8 12 6 2 12 1 4 4 4 6 4 6
JD 1790, 2013, #131596 .............. $109,000 JD 1770NT CCS, 2013, #125129 ... $115,000 JD 1775NT, 2016, #123174 .......... $129,000 JD DB44, 2013, #131588 .............. $145,000 JD DB66, 2009, #101972 .............. $149,000 JD DB44, 2014, #114004 .............. $169,000 JD DB44, 2014, #114081 .............. $169,000 JD DB44, 2014, #132329 .............. $169,000 PLANTERS: INTEGRAL JD 7300, 1997, #126928 ................ $16,000 JD 1720, 2006, #120108 ................ $35,000 JD 24R22, #127252 ........................ $39,000 SKID STEER LOADERS JD 250-II, 2003, 1761 hrs., #134362$15,000 JD 332, 2005, 6900 hrs., #131737 . $16,500 JD 320, 2005, 2931 hrs., #126912 . $18,900 JD 320D, 2012, 5072 hrs., #126926 $18,900 JD 260, 2002, 2279 hrs., #134262 . $20,500 JD 320, 2008, 1088 hrs., #134034 . $21,900 JD 320, 2007, 580 hrs., #126492.... $24,900 JD 315, 2014, 27 hrs., #113452...... $28,900 JD 315, 2014, 42 hrs., #113451...... $28,900 JD 318D, 2013, 245 hrs., #134270 . $29,900 JD 326D, 2011, 2209 hrs., #132158 .......................................... $30,500 JD 318D, 2011, 389 hrs., #134073 . $30,900 JD 332D, 2011, 2749 hrs., #117927 .......................................... $30,900 JD 320E, 2014, 1748 hrs., #125994 .......................................... $32,000 JD 318D, 2010, 317 hrs., #126439 .......................................... $32,900 JD 320D, 2013, 681hrs., #133492 .......................................... $32,900 JD 320E, 2015, 1551 hrs., #134169 .......................................... $32,900 JD 326E, 2014, 1951 hrs.,#126744. $33,500 JD 320E, 2015, 142 hrs., #127651.. $33,900 Bobcat S590, 2013, 757 hrs., #131472 .......................................... $35,900 JD 318E, 2014, 612 hrs., #125356.. $36,900 JD 320D, 2013, 210 hrs., #126841 . $37,000 JD 326E, 2014, 860 hrs., #127652.. $37,500 JD 320E, 2015, 160 hrs., #115882.. $38,465 JD 320E, 2014, 175 hrs., #118329.. $38,500 JD 320E, 2014, 115 hrs., #121065.. $40,900 JD 318E, 2015, 45 hrs., #118133 .... $41,500 JD 326E, 2014, 430 hrs., #125552.. $41,500 JD 320E, 2014, 429 hrs., #125588.. $41,900 JD 320E, 2015, 30 hrs., #126180 .... $41,900 JD 326E, 2015, 375 hrs., #134033.. $42,000 JD 326E, 2014, 210 hrs., #131457.. $42,900 JD 326E, 2015, 230 hrs., #118077.. $42,900 JD 332E, 2014, 1345 hrs., #132664 .......................................... $42,900 JD 326E, 2014, 490 hrs., #128883.. $43,500 JD 320E, 2015, 115 hrs., #130568.. $43,900 JD 326E, 2013, 170 hrs., #104177.. $43,900 JD 328E, 2014, 830 hrs., #125591.. $43,900 JD 326E, 2015, 150 hrs., #128590.. $44,000 JD 326E, 2015, 136 hrs., #118578.. $44,900 JD 326E, 2015, 200 hrs., #127008.. $46,000 JD 332D, 2012, 612 hrs., #127231 . $46,000 JD 328E, 2014, 561 hrs., #124407.. $46,900 JD 328E, 2014, 531 hrs., #127230.. $49,500 JD 332E, 2014, 748 hrs., #132327.. $49,900 JD 328E, 2016, 200 hrs., #131549.. $51,000 JD 332E, 2015, 274 hrs., #131496.. $51,900
Price Reduced CIH 8010, 2006, 2117 hrs., 1506 sep., #132086 $
109,900
‘12 JD S660 , 421 hrs., 221 sep., #96947 $
229,000
JD S670, 2015, 230 hrs., 140 sep., #125750 $
325,000
‘09 JD 9870 STS, 1722 hrs., 1293 sep., $ #106732
152,900
Page 22 • Dairy Star • Saturday, December 10, 2016
700-1100 Head Springing, Bred, Open Heifers On Hand At All Times. Excellen type Excellent LINUS KUENNEN LI
30842 P Avenue Fort Atkinson, IA 52144 For
Lindell Sales & Service 37236 County 56 Blvd., Cannon Falls, MN
651-258-4311 • Mark’s Cell 651-764-4084
We carry... HOULE
Phone 563-534-7754 Ph Mobile 507-261-1703 Mo
Bewley shares strategies for survival on small farms
F 563-534-3042 Fax www.kuennendairycattle.com www.
By Missy Mussman
The next issue of the Dairy Star is published December 24th.
missy@dairystar.com
Put the PLUS+ in your farm ™
™
Milk Quality
Productivity
Herd Health
www.delaval-us.com
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
Bigger isn’t neccesary
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
ST. CLOUD, Minn. – When considering economies of scale, large herds have an advantage with large costs being divided among a greater number of animals. “Smaller herds are at a natural competitive disadvantage,” said Jeff Bewley with the University of Kentucky. But they are not limited because of that. Bewley shared strategies for smaller farmers to be successful Nov. 30 during the Minnesota Milk Dairy Conference and Expo in St. Cloud, Minn. “There are economic factors being small we can’t change, but there are opportunities to be successful,” he said. “We just have to look for them.” Seeing what other small businesses in the world are doing to be successful is a good place to start. “Many small businesses are successful despite the fact the world said they can’t be,” he said. “Most farmers read dairy related publications. They’re great, but by looking at other publications like the Harvard Business Review, farmers can learn what other small companies are doing right and apply those concepts.” To be successful, farms should have a leader or owner who knows who they are, what they want out of their business and why. “Owners need to have that CEO/CFO mentality,” Bewley said. The connection to the community in which the company does business is equally important. “Being involved in communities is something dairy farmers are already really good at because we do a lot of it,” Bewley said. But one challenge is labor force. “Employees come rst in successful small businesses,” Bewley said. “Farmers need to view their employees as an asset, not a liability.” In some cases, employees are family, but in others, farmers have to hire outside people. “The key is to hire character and train skills,” Bewley said. “A lot of the things we do on dairy farms, we can train people to do. It’s frustrating when employees don’t understand the ight zone of a cow on the rst day, but we can train them to understand. We can’t train work ethic. It’s something to keep in mind when hiring employees.” Motivating those employees and engaging them in the operation is the next step. “The hardest job is to work with the people who work for us, but it’s important to manage employees well to be successful in the operation,” Bewley said. “If you treat them as a liability, you’ll struggle, but if you treat them as an asset, you’ll do well.” Having a strong relationship with customers and suppliers is another strategy for success. “There are suppliers interested in helping farmers be successful and bring more to the table than their product,” Bewley said. “Maintain those relationships and build trust and loyalty to maximize what you can get out of them.” Farmers can build those relationships while still remaining privately owned. “They still have the exibility to experiment and grow a workplace environment and management structure that suits them,” Bewley said. A big component is a farmer’s love for their farm and what they do. “When farmers have a passion for what they do, they understand the purpose and goals for the farm and strive for them,” Bewley said. To set successful goals, farmers should determine how they are going to be great. “It’s quite clear that we can no longer be average if we’re small,” Bewley said. “Small farmers have to be great at something, but there’s no cookie cutter answer. There are a lot of ways to be great.” Bewley said farmers could focus on emphasizing production for milk, fat or protein, doing on-farm Turn to BEWLEY | Page 23
Dairy Star • Saturday, December 10, 2016 • Page 23
Con�nued from BEWLEY | Page 22 processing, being organic, grazing or low input farming and agritourism. “These are all great options, but they’re not for everyone,” Bewley said. Marketing genetics is another option for small herds. “There’s a lot of value there,” Bewley said. “And small farms have good potential to ll that value.” Another way is going in partnership with other farmers to do things like purchasing items together to take advantage of discounts or contract heifer raising, either for themselves or for someone else. “It can be hard because farmers would have to let go of a certain way of doing things in some cases,” Bewley said. “They’d still have the opportunity to be their own bosses, but would work with other people.” Farmers can also contract their feed and make strategic investments. “Making strategic investments is very important to the success of small farms,” Bewley said. “They’re already starting at a competitive disadvantage. They don’t want to do things that would shoot themselves in the foot to make it harder.” For example, Bewley said many farmers over invest in labor turnovers, hospital cows, toys, parlors and land. “Land is a great asset to have, but you can only have so much and you have to be able to make the payments,” Bewley said. “Having too many assets can make it difcult to maintain a profit.” But farmers underinvest in things that can improve production like cow comfort, forage storage, transition cow facilities, human resources and preventative cow health procedures.
“When making investments, farmers have to base it off of more than just a gut feeling,” Bewley said. “On some of those big decision investments, farmers should do a investment analysis to understand the return they would receive over time. I’ve seen farmers build a brand new, bigger parlor to spend less time milking. They don’t utilize it as much as they should causing cost of production to be substantially higher. I’ve seen farmers go under for things like that.” That is why it is important to understand the nancial side of their farm. “The margin of error isn’t very large,” Bewley said. “We have to be careful where we make our errors.” For many farmers, nances are not the focus. “Financial records are just as important as production records,” Bewley said. “We can’t have that mentality of I’m not that type of farmer. Not many farmers like working with the nances, but they can’t ignore it.” Finances can be overwhelming and complicated, so Bewley suggested farmers rst understand the cost of production. “It’s more relatable, especially looking at the economics of mastitis and reproduction,” Bewley said. “That opens the door to asking more questions and understanding more complicated nancial aspects.” It can also help farmers through times of low milk prices. “Farmers should always look for ways of saving money, but not at the expense of cutting revenue,” Bewley said. “Sometimes we have to spend money to make money because we can gain more by increasing revenue than
MISSY MUSSMAN/DAIRY STAR
Jeff Bewley discusses strategies for smaller dairy farms to stay compete�ve during his “Small Giants” presenta�on on Nov. 30 at the Minnesota Milk Dairy Conference and Expo in St. Cloud, Minn. cutting costs.” Overall, Bewley said small farms can be successful by controlling machinery costs, being entrepreneurial, employing modern techniques and labor efciency, shopping for lower cost inputs, using commercial lenders,
keeping records, changing to improve, maintaining family support and most of all, enjoying the farm. “It’s not easy being small,” Bewley said. “But there’s opportunity for smaller farms to be successful and continue as a small giant.”
Haven’t Yet Tried Masters Choice Corn Hybrids? • Forage Analysis Superbowl (FASB) victories like no other corn
Here’s what all the BUZZ is about!
- In 2016, Masters Choice (MC) had 7 out of the top Ten! - In 2016, MC had the highest Milk/Ton of all (Std & BMR) - In 2016, MC had 3 finalists rated better than the highest BMR - In 2016, MC had the Quality Counts winner with the best Kd of all - MC has had the Grand Champion 3 out of last 6 years - In 2014, MC had the Grand Champion Forage overall
• Masters Choice yields with the big boys and always better than BMR • In the FASB, MC averages about 10% higher in starch than the BMRs • And last, but not least, MC has Floury, more available corn
Burkholder Seeds
For more info or dealer Claremont, MN inquiries - please call: Dwight
Rick Tamm
NW Territory Manager
320-267-5021 Brad DeBauche
NC Territory Manager
920-660-7974 Larry Hawkins 608-516-0101
507-279-0292 Justin 507-456-0006
Gerard Becker
Long Prairie, MN (320) 290-9261
Hy View Feeds 507-493-5564 Mabel, MN
Valley View Ag Russ Funke Dyersville, IA (563) 590-6939
Schueler Farms
Greenwald Elevator
Sherman Schueler 330-987-3159 Willmar, MN John Dockendorf (320) 894-4808 Greenwald, MN (320) 290-1240
Jack Stamschror
Altura, MN
Crop & Livestock Nutrition Atwater, MN (320) 212-3190
Cleeson Mill
(507) 458-5907 Luxemburg Feed Service
Luxemburg, MN (320) 252-1513
Winscher Seeds Mike Winscher 320-282-6748 Shawn Winscher Royalton, MN (320) 420-4516
Timberline Dairy Service Joe Graber Kalona, IA (319) 656-3527
Kellogg, MN (507) 259-0269
Dale Ommodt, CCA
Jason Mickelson Frazee, MN 218-849-3137
Lee Kurtenbach
Mechanicksville, IA (319) 241-5105
Peak Forage Products LLC
Benjamin Arlt
Natures Best
Tim Huffman 608-574-7918 Nelson Horst Adam Decker 608-988-6855 Canton S.D. Kevin Zimmerman (605) 359-0765 608-574-7918
Natures Best
Mervin Beachy St. Ansgar, IA (641) 381-0054
Big Stone City S.D. (651) 331-8865
DJ Cattle Co.
Daryn Yoder Leon, IA (641) 344-6002
Chad Tesch Canton S.D. (605) 759-5622 Dan (Boone) Uphoff, Sioux Falls S.D. (605) 321-1862
Natures Best Roger TeSlaa
Inwood, IA
(605) 370-2249
Page 24 • Dairy Star • Saturday, December 10, 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, December 10, 2016 • Page 25
IOWA
REGISTER AT THESE PARTICIPATING BUSINESSES:
ALLAMAKEE COUNTY • Bodensteiner Implement Waukon • 563-568-3463 • Equity Livestock Waukon • 563-568-4501 • Innovative Ag Services Waukon • 563-568-3455 • Waukon Veterinary Services Waukon • 563-568-2487
HOWARD COUNTY
• Clet Koshatka Farm Equipment Protivin • 563-569-8636 • Bodensteiner Implement Cresco • 563-547-2152
WINNESHIEK COUNTY
• Bodensteiner Implement Decorah • 563-382-2961 • Brynsaas Sales & Service Decorah • 563-382-4484 • Franzen Sales & Service Fort Atkinson • 563-534-2724
MINNESOTA BECKER COUNTY
• Adkins Equipment Inc. Detroit Lakes • 218-847-3131
BENTON COUNTY
• Arnold’s of St. Cloud Sauk Rapids • 320-251-2585 • First National Bank of MilacaGilman OfÀce • 320-387-2233
KANDIYOHI COUNTY
• Arnold’s of Willmar Willmar • 320-235-4898 • D&D Ag Supply & Construction Pennock • 320-599-4466 • Farm-Rite Equipment Willmar • 320 235 3672 • Haug Implement Co. Willmar • 320-235-8115
LYON COUNTY
• Midwest Ag Marshall • 507-532-2279
MCLEOD COUNTY
• Mueller Sales & Service Dairy Equipment Glencoe • 888-205-0974
MEEKER COUNTY
• Farm-Rite Equipment Dassel • 1-888-679-4857 • Form-A-Feed Ag Services LitchÀeld • 320-693-7223 • Mies Equipment Watkins • 1-800-324-8269
MILLE LACS COUNTY
• Farmers Co-op Creamery/ ADM Alliance Nutrition Foreston • 320-294-5711 • First National Bank of Milaca Milaca • 320-983-1333
MORRISON COUNTY
• Werner Implement Vermillion • 651-437-4435
• Centra Sota - Feed Division Little Falls • 320-632-3631 • Centra Sota Upsala • 320-573-2186 • Central Minnesota Credit Union Little Falls • 320-414-0500 • Elmdale Creamery and Locker Elmdale • 320-573-2607 • F & M State Bank Pierz • 320-468-6422 • Gilman Co-op Creamery Gilman • 320-387-2770 • Modern Farm Equipment Pierz • 320-468-2161 • Pierz Co-op Pierz • 320-468-6655 • Sunrise Ag Cooperative Buckman • 320-468-6433 Lastrup • 320-468-2543 Little Rock • 320-584-5147 Pierz • 320-468-2168
DOUGLAS COUNTY
MURRAY COUNTY
BROWN COUNTY
• Associated Milk Producers Inc. New Ulm • 507-233-4600 • New Ulm Regional Vet Clinic New Ulm • 507-233-2520
CARVER COUNTY
• Lano Equipment of Norwood Norwood/Young America 952-467-2181 • Bongards’ Bongards • 952-466-5521 • Storms Welding Cologne • 952-466-3343
DAKOTA COUNTY
• Nelson Creamery Nelson • 320-762-0115 • Osakis Creamery Assn. 1-800-584-9236 • Pro Ag Farmers Co-op GarÀeld • 320-834-2271
FILLMORE COUNTY • Farmer’s Co-op Elevator Rushford • 507-864-7733
GOODHUE COUNTY
• Ag Partners Bellchester • 651-923-4453 Goodhue • 800-732-1439 Wanamingo-Agronomy Location 507-824-2215 • Ag Partners Farm Store Cannon Falls • 507-263-4651 Pine Island • 507-356-8313 Wanamingo • 507-824-2231 • GB Feed and Supply Bellechester • 651-923-4425 • Midwest Livestock Systems Pine Island • 507-356-8349
HOUSTON COUNTY
• Farmer’s Co-op Elevator Caledonia • 507-725-3306 Houston • 507-896-3147 Spring Grove • 507-498-5321
KANABEC COUNTY
• East Central Dairy Supply Mora • 320-679-1029 • Fluegge’s Ag Mora • 320-679-2981
• Miller Sellner - Slayton Slayton • 507-836-8571
OLMSTED COUNTY
• Associated Milk Producers Inc. Rochester • 507-282-7401 • St. Joseph Equipment Eyota • 507-545-2000
OTTERTAIL COUNTY
• Bongards’ Perham • 218-346-4680 • Central Minnesota Credit Union New York Mills • 218-385-2070 • Farmer’s Elevator Fergus Falls, MN • 218-736-3301 • PCCA-Country Store Perham • 218-346-7075 • Perham Stockyards Perham • 218-346-3415 • Pro Ag Farmers Co-op in Henning 218-583-2947 • Pro Ag Farmers Co-op in Urbank 218-267-2401
PIPESTONE COUNTY
• Gorter’s Clay & Dairy Equipment Pipestone • 507-825-3271 • Pipestone Building Materials Pipestone • 507-825-6358 • Pipestone Livestock Auction Pipestone • 507-825-3306
STEARNS COUNTY
• A&C Farm Service Paynesville • 320-243-3736
• Ag Venture Feed & Seed, Inc. Watkins • 320-764-9910, 800-779-8910 • Albany Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Albany • 320-845-2801 • Arnold’s of Kimball Kimball • 320-398-3800 • Arnold’s of St. Martin St. Martin • 320-548-3285 • Arnzen Construction/St. Rosa Lumber Freeport, In St. Rosa 320-836-2284 or 1-888-276-1751 • Associated Milk Producers Inc. Paynesville • 320-243-3794 • Centra Sota St. Martin • 320-548-3245 • Central Minnesota Credit Union Melrose • 320-256-4269 Albany • 320-845-4784 Freeport • 320-836-2791 Paynesville • 320-243-7022 Sauk Centre • 320-351-2274 St. Joseph • 320-271-0274 Cold Spring • 320-685-4007 Avon • 320-356-7136 Belgrade • 320-633-0007 • Centre Dairy Equipment & Supply Inc. Sauk Centre • 320-352-5763 or 1-800-342-2697 • Crop Production Services Sauk Centre • 320-352-6564 • Dairy Star Sauk Centre • 320-352-6303 • Dairyland Supply Sauk Centre 320-352-3987 or 1-800-338-6455 • DHIA Sauk Centre 320-352-2028 or 1-800-369-2697 • Ecker Feed Service, LLC New Munich • 320-837-5249 • Elrosa Grain & Feed Elrosa • 320-697-5515 • Farm-Rite Equipment St. Cloud • 320 240 2085 • Feed Co. Belgrade • 320-254-8294 • Freeport State Bank Freeport •1-800-252-9856 320-836-2126 Greenwald • 320-987-2265 New Munich • 320-837-5297 Melrose • 320-256-7208 • Genex Farm Systems Melrose 1-800-636-5581 • 1-800-247-0012 • Hartung Sales & Service Freeport • 320-836-2697 or 320-267-8568 • Lake Henry Implement Lake Henry • 320-243-7411 • Leedstone Melrose • 1-877-608-3877 • Melrose Implement Inc. Melrose • 320-256-4253 • Modern Farm Equipment Sauk Centre • 320-352-6543 • Sauk Centre Country Store Sauk Centre • 320-351-2227
STEELE COUNTY
• Northland Farm Systems Owatonna • 800-385-3911
TODD COUNTY
• Central Minnesota Credit Union Grey Eagle • 320-285-2256 Long Prairie • 320-732-6662 • Long Prairie Machinery, Inc. Long Prairie • 320-732-3715 • Olson’s Custom Farm Service Staples • 800-477-7059 • Pro-Ag Farmers Co-op in Clarissa Clarissa • 218-756-2112 • Pro-Ag Farmers Co-op in Eagle Bend Eagle Bend • 218-738-2552
WABASHA COUNTY
• Ag Partners Farm Store Lake City • 651-345-3328 Plainview • 507-534-2531 • Beck Implement Elgin • 507-876-2122 • Dairyland Equipment Service Plainview • 507-534-3161 • Wingert Sales & Service Plainview • 507-534-2285
WADENA COUNTY
• Aldrich Tractor Inc. Aldrich • 218-445-5430 • Central Minnesota Credit Union Wadena • 218-632-5200 • Olson’s Custom Farm Service Verndale • 218-445-5500 Sebeka • 218-837-5749 • Pro Dairy Systems Wadena • 218-632-5416
WINONA COUNTY
• Benson Farm Service Lewiston • 507-523-2188 • S&S Dairy Systems St. Charles • 507-932-4288
WRIGHT COUNTY
• Hobert Sales Inc. Cokato • 320-286-6284, 1-800-820-6455 • The Country Store/Munson Lakes Nutrition Howard Lake • 320-543-3517, 800-663-9177
YELLOW MEDICINE COUNTY
• Equity Elevator Wood Lake • 507-485-3153, 800-248-5427
SOUTH DAKOTA BROOKINGS COUNTY • W.W. Tire Brookings • 605-696-7400
CODINGTON COUNTY • Midwest Ag Supply Watertown • 605-882-2497
HUTCHINSON COUNTY
• Associated Milk Producers Inc. Freeman • 605-925-4234
MINNEHAHA COUNTY • Central Valley Dairy Supply Brandon • 605-467-0812 • Midwest Livestock Systems Sioux Falls • 800-705-1447
ROBERTS COUNTY • Valley Dairy Supply Corona • 605-432-5224
WISCONSIN BUFFALO COUNTY
• Badgerland Financial Mondovi • 715-926-5055
LA CROSSE COUNTY • St. Joseph Equipment LaCrosse • 608-788-1775
PEPIN COUNTY
• Anibas Silo & Equipment Durand • 715-285-5317 • Jerry Baier & Sons Durand • 715-672-4363
PIERCE COUNTY
• Western Wisconsin Farm Store Ellsworth • 715-273-5066 • Ag Partners Grange Hall • 715-647-5002
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
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.
Final reminder for MPP-Dairy signup
Page 26 • Dairy Star • Saturday, December 10, 2016
SEE HOW MUCH BETTER A LOADER CAN BE. New Holland skid steer and compact track loaders provide you with excellent visibility – an important advantage that allows you to work more confidently and quickly to improve your overall efficiency. • A lower door threshold allows for better sightlines to the bucket cutting edge and to the trench. • The see-through area on the cab roof provides a clear view to the bucket at full height. • Rear visibility is among the best in the industry due to a large window, low engine hood and no rear frame towers.
EQUIPPED FOR A NEW WORLD™
• Side screens located on both sides of the cab provide better visibility to your surroundings.
STOP BY TODAY.
©2016 CNH Industrial America LLC. All rights reserved. “New Holland” is a trademark registered in the United States and many other countries, owned by or licensed to CNH Industrial N.V., its subsidiaries or afÄliates. “Equipped For A New World” is a trademark in the United States and many other countries, owned by or licensed to CNH Industrial N.V., its subsidiaries or afÄliates.
PROVING YET AGAIN MAN’S ABILITY TO
ADAPT TO ANY ENVIRONMENT.
This is your nal reminder that all MPP-Dairy producers must sign the 2017 election form and pay at least the $100 administrative fee by Friday, Dec. 16. This will ensure coverage for the 2017 year and you will receive the bump in coverage. Please contact your FSA ofce to ensure you are registered for the 2017 year. It’s that time of year at the ofce. We are cleaning FSA News & Notes up our folders and ling away previous year’s paperwork. It’s also the time we prepare for 2017 and try to get all of our records in order. We are asking that you please inform our ofce of any changes to your farming operation as soon as you can. This can be a change of address, business name and type (corporation, LLC, partnership, etc.), or adding land to your operation whether by lease or purchase. For the ofce to make a land change, we require the producer provide a signed lease agreement or a recorded deed to show purchase. Please bring this into the ofce so the correct changes By Ryan Brunn can be made. Some of these changes may require a new Stearns Co. Exec. Dir. CCC-902 Farm Operating Plan that we can take care of this winter. Land changes can also result in farm or tract reconstitutions. When changes in farm ownership or operation take place, a farm reconstitution is necessary. The reconstitution – or recon – is the process of combining or dividing farms or tracts of land based on the farming operation. The following are the different methods in allocating base acres when doing a farm recon: • Estate method: the division of bases, allotments and quotas for a parent farm among heirs in settling an estate; • Designation of landowner method: may be used when part of a farm is sold or ownership is transferred; an entire farm is sold to two or more persons; farm ownership is transferred to two or more persons; part of a tract is sold or ownership is transferred; a tract is sold to two or more persons; or tract ownership is transferred to two or more persons. In order to use this method, the land sold must have been owned for at least three years, or a waiver granted, and the buyer and seller must sign a memorandum of understanding; • DCP cropland method: the division of bases in the same proportion that the DCP cropland for each resulting tract relates to the DCP cropland on the parent tract; • Default method: the division of bases for a parent farm with each tract maintaining the base acres attributed to the tract level when the reconstitution is initiated in the system. Producers who wish to transfer their farm records to a different administrative county for 2017 must le a request with the ofce that must be signed by all landowners. Restrictions apply when transferring to an ofce other than the county in which the land is physically located. 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.
! 7 / 4 2 n e p O e r We A en 24 hours a day,
A NEW WORLD DEMANDS NEW HOLLAND. Your farm is an ever-changing landscape filled with ever-changing demands. Count on the versatility of a 200 Series Skid Steer Loader to get any job done. An easy hydraulic hookup lets you quickly change attachments. The Super Boom® provides maximum reach when lifting, stacking or loading hay. And one of the widest cabs available makes getting in and out safer than ever. Learn more at EquippedForANewWorld.com
EQUIPPED FOR A NEW WORLD™
e store is op That’s right! Our onlin at your convenience and 7 days a week. Shop s, Gallagher electric in ta un fo on es ic pr r compare ou ore. fence products, and m
©2016 CNH Industrial America LLC. All rights reserved. “New Holland” is a trademark registered in the United States and many other countries, owned by or licensed to CNH Industrial N.V., its subsidiaries or afÄliates. “Equipped For A New World” is a trademark in the United States and many other countries, owned by or licensed to CNH Industrial N.V., its subsidiaries or afÄliates.
Stop By One Of These New Holland Dealers For Details...
ADKINS EQUIPMENT INC. DETROIT LAKES, MN
MODERN FARM EQUIPMENT
218-847-4587
SAUK CENTRE, MN 320-352-6543 PIERZ, MN 320-468-2161
SCHLAUDERAFF IMPLEMENT
TRUEMAN-WELTERS INC.
WERNER IMPLEMENT
320-693-7277
763-682-2200
651-437-4435
LITCHFIELD, MN
BUFFALO, MN
VERMILLION, MN
SHIP IT CARDS AND CAN ! WE ACCEPT CRED OR DO T TO YOUR YOUR ORDER RIGH
CO., INC. RURAL MFy.G81., PO Box Q 820 N US Hw Freeman, SD 57029 7135 Toll Free 1-800-477925-4174 560 x Fa Ph. 605-925-7135 •
.com
www.ruralmfg
The importance of tradition
Dairy Star • Saturday, December 10, 2016 • Page 27
p le
Qu
ly,
www.boumatic.com
tel y ™
them feel the same impact. When consumers hear on this earth because of the family farms that produce family farming they think about the strong values food. Agriculture is able to make sure food is safe befamilies hold. Consumers trust family, and therefore cause of the family farms that ensure every measure they trust the food that a family would produce. Con- is taken to produce a wholesome product. Agriculture sumers feel their values about feeds the world because of how food is raised and grown the tradition of family farmAgriculture i l iis able bl to ffeed d will match those of a family A ing. Don’t be afraid to share producer. Consumers want to that unique story with others. hear your story. They want every human on this earth Share your successful family to know how growing food because of the family farms farming story. and being raised on a farm With the holiday season has positively impacted your that produce food. upon us, I wish you all a life and can positively impact merry Christmas and a happy their life, too. It builds more New Year. Thank you for your trust with consumers if we, as farmers, use stories and commitment to the dairy community 365 days of the emotions as compared to throwing science at them. year, even on the holidays. Have a wonderful holiday I truly believe agriculture’s success is attributed to lled with family, friends and great traditions. family farms. Agriculture is able to feed every human
G e nt
When I was a senior in high school I had to read a short story titled, “The Lottery,” by Shirley Jackson for my American Literature Class. I don’t remember a lot from some of my high school classes, but On the Road with I remember when we Princess Kay read this story. For those of you who are unfamiliar, it’s about a town and its people. The people of the town all put their names into a lottery once a year, every year. One name is chosen, and that one person is stoned to death. Pretty extreme, right? I thought the story went way too far, but when our class By Haley Hinrichs discussed the story, my 63rd Princess Kay of the English teacher told me Milky Way that the author wanted us to question and think about the traditions we have. Traditions are all around us. Most of us have traditions on holidays, or traditions with our family and friends, but by far my favorite tradition is family farming. In fact, over 97 percent of farms are family owned, and the other 3 percent are often owned by colleges or universities who use the farms for teaching and research. We, as Minnesota dairy farmers would not be where we are today without passing down the farm from generation to generation. This probably isn’t the rst time you’ve heard this 97 percent gure. So, what’s the big deal about 97 percent of farms being family owned? Why is this a tradition we hold onto so tightly? The answer to this question is emotion. Family farming is emotionally impactful on both the farmers and the consumers. From what I can see, consumers don’t want to hear facts; they want a story from us that will put their trust in our food industry. Farmers with bigger farms have an emotional tie to the farm over the nancial need of farming. When you talk with a farmer, you are not just talking with them about their job. You are talking to them about their life. They are going to share with you how their farm has inuenced their life and their family’s lives. You will nd that their farm is one of the most impactful inuences of their life. Those farming experiences will help to determine a farmer’s sense of success and also the lifestyle they live. Farmers also see the impact that a farm will have on their children. Growing up on a farm can be extremely challenging, but it teaches some of the most important lessons in life. It has shaped who I am as a person, and I’m willing to bet it’s shaped who you are, too. Now, let’s share that with consumers and help
ic k ly
and C
www.boumaticrobotics.com
om
RealTime+ COW ACTIVITY & HEALTH MONITORING SYSTEMS
Hot Topics for Cold Days workshops begin Jan. 16
A health snap shot of your cows on time, anytime.
Much more than activity, BouMatic RealTime + Health Monitoring Solution allows you to know your cows’ activity, feeding, walking and laying down behaviors. There is no need for the animal to walk through a parlor ID portal making it ideal for heifers and dry cows. Combined with SmartDairy® milk weight data “RealTime” provides the ultimate in herd health and heat detection. NEW BouMatic HerdMetrix™ Phone App Makes Data Accessible Anywhere, Anytime! A
U. S
n
y
The progressive series workshops called “Hot Topics for Cold Days” begins in Jamestown, North Dakota Jan. 16; Watertown, South Dakota Jan. 17; Pipestone, Minnesota Jan. 18; Orange City, Iowa Jan. 19 and wraps up in Norfolk, Nebraska Jan. 20. All workshops will contain the same information and run from 10 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. with registration starting at 9 a.m. Workshop topics Include: Finances and returns for robotic dairies; Jim Salfer, University of Minnesota; Technology in Activity Monitors; Leo Timms, Iowa State University; Understanding Food Marketing: An Industry Perspective; Betty Berning, University of Minnesota and Kim Clark, University of Nebraska; Effective Communication when Working with Employees on Dairies; Tracey Erickson, SDSU Extension Dairy Field Specialist; Succession Planning; Heather Gessner, SDSU Extension Livestock Business Management Field Specialist. For location information, to register on-line or download the brochure, visit iGrow.org/events.
. Co m p a
Page 28 • Dairy Star • Saturday, December 10, 2016
Betty Berning bberning@umn.edu 320-203-6104 Rafael Bisinotto rbisinot@umn.edu 612-625-3130 Hugh Chester-Jones chest001@umn.edu (507) 835-3622 Gerard Cramer gcramer@umn.edu 612-625-8184 Marcia Endres miendres@umn.edu (612) 624-5391 Sandra Godden godde002@umn.edu 612-625-8177 Les Hansen hanse009@umn.edu 612-624-2277 Brad Heins hein0106@umn.edu (320) 589-1711 Kevin Janni kjanni@umn.edu (612) 625-3108 Karen Johnson ande9495@umn.edu 320-484-4334 Brenda Miller nels4220@umn.edu (320) 732-4435 Kota Minegishi kota@umn.edu 612-624-7455 Randy Pepin pepin019@umn.edu (320) 333-1369 Erin Royster royster@umn.edu Jim Salfer salfe001@umn.edu (320) 203-6093 M. Scott Wells mswells@umn.edu 612-625-3747 Emily Wilmes krek0033@umn.edu (320) 255-6169
www.extension.umn.edu/dairy
Who gets to bake the cake?
With holiday season approaching, allow me to share a dessert recipe: a cheesecake from a Japanese user-contributed recipe website (http://cookpad.com/recipe/358818). Many users of this website nd ways to take recipes and simplify them. Here are the three steps: 1. Make a crust at the bottom of a baking pan by breaking graham crackers (90 g) mixed with melted unsalted butter (40 g). 2. Mix two eggs, sugar (80 g), our (3 tbsp.), lemon juice (2 tbsp.) in a blender or using a whisk, and additionally, blend in By Kota Minegishi heavy cream (200 ml) and cream cheese (250 g; softened in microwave). U of M Extension 3. Pour the mix on top of the crust and bake for 45 minutes at 340 degrees F. “This will make your cheeks fall off (from smiling so wide),” as the Japanese say to describe the jolt of joy and happiness of great food. And as a dairy enthusiast, you would be particularly delighted at the transformation of these simple ingredients – the magic of lemon juice, our and cream yielding an exceptionally smooth and rich desert sandwiched between a toasty cracker-bottom and golden upper-crust. That cooking website (and accompanying app) is one of the most successful examples of crowdsourcing to-date (along the lines of Wikipedia for encyclopedia, TripAdvisor for travel, and Yelp for restaurants). Crowdsourcing allows information and fresh ideas to be published quickly and reviewed by fellow users over time. Designs embedded in those websites promote collaboration and friendly competition among users via rating, voting and commenting on the existing content and creating new content. In the case of the Japanese cooking site, users report their cooking experiences with the recipe by posting their photos and short messages, and those interactions motivate the creator to revise the recipe, create more recipes and develop his or her online prole. Many users network with each other to nd similar styles of cooking, discover new recipes and improve their cooking skills. I bring this up because one of my extension projects is the development of a crowdsourcing site for dairy farmers to network and exchange ideas. Our pilot is being developed for the community of robotic milking users who face new challenges in efciently adopting the technology. I am advocating for in-
tensive producer networking because it can be a novel way to strengthen the dairy industry at a grassroots level, which I believe is important for dairy communities to be viable leaders of rural America for decades to come. Consider a thought experiment of how to make a combined group of 40 200-head dairies as protable as a modern 8,000head dairy. The collection of the smaller farms is up against an array of comparative advantages of large-scale operations, including scale economies; a technical team of in-house nutritionists, veterinarians, and mechanics; and a professional advisory board consisting of strategic consultants and high-stake stakeholders. From a resource perspective, the collection of the 40 dairies, when combined, would nd themselves having too many cooks in the kitchen (decision-makers) and too much redundant cookware (equipment), compared to the single, large-scale counterpart. This means that even if the group becomes as competitive in day-to-day operations as the large farm, there would not be much economic rent left for their cooks. Another way to look at this is that the large-scale operation needs only a small margin to pay for its owner and stay in business, and in a long run such operations will increase in number and drive the milk price down to the level of their production cost. For such a collection of dairies to be economically sustainable, they will need to stay more efcient than their large-scale counterpart, which means innovating faster and adopting new technologies resourcefully. How would that be possible? The answer, I believe, could be in turning the countless cooks into strength. New ways of dairying need to be continuously assessed and tested from various viewpoints, and the knowledge base should be shared for its fast and robust expansion. Innovation in isolation will be too slow and haphazard to be sustainable in this increasingly consolidated landscape of dairy production. It is time to share ideas and collaborate with others for the sake of your enterprise. Lend your skills to those experiencing similar challenges because they are best positioned to return the favor. We need to continue hacking the recipe of Mother Nature and modern technology, not just in multimillion-dollar research and development projects at multinational agribusinesses, but together in a resource pool at the farm and community enterprise level. The more the merrier to share the recipe and taste of success.
WHICH BARN IS BEST FOR YOUR HERD? Hydro Engineering H1605 Manure Injection System - Call
Patz 1100 vertical TMR mixer - $19,500
Patz 620 vertical TMR mixer - Call
Houle 42’ lagoon pump $21,800
Custom Made 6 Manure Injection System - $19,000
Roto-Mix 620-16 horizontal TMR mixer - Call
LOTS OF USED MANURE TANKS AND MIXERS COMING IN
USED MIXERS:
• Used 510 truck mount • Patz 615
MANURE PUMPS:
• 2) 42’ 6” Houle Lagoon pumps • 52’ 8” Lagoon pump
TANKS:
• 2) ‘06 7300 • 3) ‘08 Houle 7300 ‘10 GEA 7300
See us for your FarmStar drag hose equipment needs! 1660 Jordan West Rd., Decorah, IA
www.brynsaas.com
563-382-4484
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.
Starwood Rafters Uses Pole Sheds • Free Stalls Riding Arenas Pavilion Shelters Machinery Storage
The arched rafters create a more open barn allowing better ventilation. Also since there are no open webs in the trusses, there are no places for birds to nest.
• Spans up to 72 ft. • Up to 12’ spacing depending on the load you desire • Bird nesting control • Better ventilation & visability • No feed alley post obstruction • Additional ceiling height
Starwood Rafters Lam-Ply Truss
ANOTHER QUALITY PRODUCT FROM STARWOOD RAFTERS
STARWOOD RAFTERS, INC. 715-985-3117
W24141 Starwood Ln. • Independence, WI 54747 Website: www.starwoodrafters.com
888-525-5878
Look back to look ahead The end of the year is rapidly approaching. It is a special time of year lled with family, friends and reection. As 2016 comes to an end, look at the year past and the year ahead. I’d like to suggest that you ask yourself four questions: what went well; what didn’t go well; what do I want to do differently; and where do I want to go from here? Being positive is important. Start by identifying areas where things By Betty Berning went as planned. It was a tough U of M Extension year. You survived. What did you do well? What are you grateful for? Maybe your family worked well together. Perhaps the cows had great production. In spite of the slow harvest, did you have record yields? Look at your victories. Spend some time analyzing them and asking, why did this happen? What was my role in it? This will help you understand what behaviors or actions made a difference and what to continue in the future. It is really important to focus on the positive during challenging times. Moving on, think about what didn’t go well. Was it milk price? Completing harvest? There were a lot of challenges this year. Be honest with yourself about what didn’t go well and stick to the facts. There is no need to throw a pity party. Pick a few key issues. Determine what you had control over and what you didn’t have control over. There are many things that fall in a gray area; we can’t completely control them, but we have some control. For example, we don’t control milk price, but we can take advantage of opportunities to forward contract milk. Another example is our inability to control the weather. However, you can think about how to prioritize eld work on good weather days, and who might be able to pitch in so you can get more done. Look ahead, what do you want to do differently? It might be as simple as avoiding some of the issues identied
in question No. 2. It could also be that you are looking to make some changes to your farm in the form of expansion, adding a child as a business partner or hiring additional labor. These are opportunities for you to improve. Last question; where do I want to go from here? This is where you can start to think about your farm’s vision and strategic plans. Think about what your goals are for 2017 and beyond. What is it that you want to accomplish? What changes need to occur? If you’re thinking about expansion, do you have a plan in place? Where might your plan need to be changed? If you haven’t written these things out, write them down. Then you can revisit them on a regular basis. Not everyone likes to write goals. Some people like to stay in the present moment. Generally speaking, that’s a good way to live on a daily basis; however, on occasion a business (any business, including a farm) must look at its past and learn. It must also look forward to identify where it might like to go. Without an idea of where you may be headed, it is difcult to know what steps are needed next. In other words, without a roadmap, it’s hard to nd your destination. The year is almost over, and 2017 will be a new year that is completely different. There will be new challenges and opportunities. Take time to reect. Think of it as strategic business planning. Talk to your business partners and family about your answers to the above questions. Discuss their answers to the questions. Together you can create a great plan and vision for your business moving forward. Although 2016 hasn’t been easy, be sure to be positive and focus on what you can control. Keep after your goals and be willing to adjust. Finally, be patient. Lots of small steps add up over time. Life is a journey made of many steps. We don’t arrive at our destination immediately. Keep stepping forward toward your destination. With time and hard work, your many small steps will bring you to your goal. Best wishes to you.
‘12 Case IH 315, 203 hrs, Autoguide $173,000 (OC)
FALL TILLAGE
CIH 4300 field Cult, 3 bar ....................................................................... $16,000 ’06 NH ST250, 33.5’, 4 ba ...................................................................... $20,500 ’98 DMI 730B, 10” pts, 6 shank .....................................................$12,700 (OC) ’10 CIH 870-18’, 7” pts, 9 shank ............................................................ $53,500 ’12 JM TF212-34’, torsion flex, low usage, dbl. basket .............................$9,975 Sun 1434-21 disk, 21’ cush gang .......................................................... $25,500 CIH 3950-29 disk, 29’ 3”, 3 bar, shedded .............................................. $15,700 ‘08 CIH RMX 340 disk, 25’ 9”, 3 bar ...................................................... $25,900 ’04 CIH RMX370, 34’9”.......................................................................... $32,400
TRACTORS
‘12 CIH 600 QT Stieger, 1350 hrs., luxury cab, guidance, 6 remotes ...$276,500 ‘12 CIH 315, 181 hrs., auto guide, wgts.....................................$173,000 (OC) ‘06 CIH 305 Magnum, 3350 hrs., leather interior, remote mirrors...... $102,900 ‘10 CIH 260 Magnum, 1375 hrs., deluxe cab, 4 rmts, guidance ready $141,600 ‘08 CIH 215 Magnum,3412 hrs., MFD, 3 remotes ....................$87,500 (OC) ‘05 CIH MXU135, 6,630 hrs, 115 PTO ................................................... $53,800 ‘00 CIH MX200 Magnum, 7,060 hrs, MFD, 4 hyd. remotes ................... $52,500 ‘06 CIH MX305, 2704 hrs., luxury interior, susp. frt. axle, 4 remotes .... $96,500 ‘87 CIH 585, 540 PTO, 2 remotes, 8F-4R trans .........................................$8,900 ‘77 IH 1086, 8,195 hrs, 540/1000 PTO .....................................................$9,400 ‘11 NH T7.210, 2,000 hrs., loader, elec. J/S, nice ................................$102,000 ‘14 Kubota MX5100, 1360 hrs., 3 spd., hydro, ROPS, MFD ............... $17,500 ‘13 Kubota L4240, 1050 hrs., cab, hydro, loader ......................... $28,500 (OC)
Town & Country IMPLEMENT
‘14 NH L225, 360 hrs, Dlx cab w/heat & AC $33,900
Kubota L3540, 965 hrs., open station, loader ........................................ $19,800
SKIDLOADERS
‘15 NH C232, 630 hrs, C/H/AC ............................................................... $45,800 ‘13 NH L230, 1705 hrs., C&H, AC, HMP, 2 spd., air seat, perf. pkg. ...... $34,900 ‘11 NH L230, 1825 hrs., C&H, AC, HMP, 2 spd., perf. pkg ..................... $31,500 ‘15 NH L228, 287 hrs, cab w/ heat......................................................... $35,400 ‘15 NH L228, 275 hrs, C/H/AC ............................................................... $37,650 ‘15 NH L228, 285 hrs, C/H/AC ............................................................... $36,250 ‘15 NH L228, 290 hrs, C/H/AC ............................................................... $37,650 ‘12 NH L225, 880 hrs, C/H/AC ............................................................... $32,400 ‘14 NH L225, 315 hrs., C&H, AC, HMP, 2 spd., turn signals ............... $36,300 ‘14 NH L225, 280 hrs., C&H, AC, HMP, 2 spd ........................................ $36,700 ‘12 NH L225, 615 hrs., C&H, AC, HMP, 2 spd ........................................ $34,400 ‘‘12 NH L225, 1125 hrs., C&H, AC, 2 spd., HMP, air seat, radio, debris kit ... $31,900 ‘10 JD 323D, 1,390 hrs, C/H/AC............................................................. $32,900 ‘01 Case 1840, 3,495 hrs, Open ROPS, Quick Tach ..................................$9,800 ‘12 Case SV250, 1047 hrs., C&H, HMP, 2 spd., air susp. seat ..... $30,500 (OC) ‘12 Case SV250, 1039 hrs., C&H, AC, 2 spd., HMP, air seat, radio ........ $31,900
Dairy Star • Saturday, December 10, 2016 • Page 29
ANDERSON HYBRID
Round and square bale wrapper
$16,900
CALL US AT
(715) 223-3361 OR VISIT US ON-LINE AT
N13835 County Rd. E - Curtiss, WI 54422
www.cloverdaleequip.com
THEY ALWAYS WORK WITHIN OUR BUSY SCHEDULE
Roger Roerick (far right) and his sons Craig and Stephen Installed Mueller tank and robotic interface
“We have been working with Jon and Centre Dairy for about Àve years now. Jon and his crew are very knowledgeable and their service is great. We have around 180 milk cows and have faith that our barns and robotic equipment are performing the way they should. They always work within our busy schedule and we hope to continue to grow our operation with them.” HiPerForm® III with Robotic Interface Control The all-new Mueller HiPerForm III coupled with the Robotic Interface Control is designed to retro Àt almost any refrigeration and cleaning control on the market while allowing the user to communicate with a robot. With crosscompatibility, the HiPerForm III is able to pair with both Mueller and non-Mueller branded coolers. HiPerForm III interlaces with robotic milking machines for remote start of cooling and wash functions with the Robotic Interface Control.
UTVS
‘13 Kubota 1100, 300 hrs., cab w/heat & AC, hydrostat, nice ..............$16,995 ‘11 Kubota 1100, 1398 hrs., cab w/heat, AC, alloy wheels, nice ............ $13,900 ‘14 JD 855D recreational vehicle...............................................................$8,950
Rock Valley, IA (712) 476-2731 • Orange City, IA (712)737-4874 www.townandcountryimpl.com
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
Sleepy time
Page 30 • Dairy Star • Saturday, December 10, 2016
When you stop and think, sleeping is a pretty when you open your eyes again, an entire third of a weird idea. day has disappeared. And the whole time you were For starters, it’s a hard thing to classify. Is sleep lying there, what did you accomplish? Nothing. You an activity? If so, it’s the only activity whose principal have been unproductive and unconscious. And I know characteristic is a conspicuous lack of activity. Also, from personal experience sleep can render a guy so why does “sleeping with,” helpless that a toddler can as in “with another person,” crawl into his bed and decoimply an altogether dissimi- Th These days, d as I rapidly idl age, I rate his face with a magic lar activity, one that has very find I’m needing fewer hours marker.I fell into the habit of little to do with slumber? Is sleep a bodily func- of sleep. sleeping when I was a little tion? If so, it’s a function tyke and have been trying that doesn’t seem to require to shake the cruel addiction any outside resources nor ever since. produce any discernible byproducts. Not unless you Lord knows I’ve had plenty of motivation. When want to count dreams as a byproduct. a guy has a eld of corn to harvest and a blizzard is Consider the weirdness of it all. You go to bed, you predicted to sweep in and cover the fruits of his labor close your eyes and – if everything goes as planned – under a cold, white blanket, slumber is an annoyance,
USED EQUIPMENT ON HAND
NHTG285 4WD, Suspended Axle, Good Tires - $38,500
Case IH MX285 7,780 Hrs, 3 Hyd Remotes, 1000 PTO, Front & Rear Duals - $65,000
CIH 8950, 4 Wheel Drive, 4 Remotes, Rear Tires 50%, Fronts 95% - $58,000
New Holland T4040, 70 HP 540X1000 PTO, Shuttle, Only 2377 Hours, 4WD w/Ldr - $38,500
Bobcat S530, 2 Speed, Mechanical Hand & Foot, Cab With Heat, New Tires - $20,500
Case 420 CT Track Loader, Hand Controls, With Bucket $18,500
Claas 280 Roto-Cut, Net & Twine, 4X6 Bale, 82” Pick-Up - $12,500
John Deere 566, 4X6 Bale, Twine & Net, 540 PTO - $8,995
Case IH WDX 2302 S/P, Cab & Axle Suspension, 18 Ft. Cut, Steel Rolls - $64,000
CaSe IH 8312, 12 Ft Hydro Swing Discbine, Rubber On Steel Rolls - $7,995
NH FP230 Chopper, Metal Alert III, NH Processor, Tandem Axle - $18,000
NH FP240, 2013, Metal, Processor, 29P Hay Head, Excellent Condition! $53,995
GeHl 20 Ft, Front & Rear Unload, On Gehl 410 Wagon, Truck Tires - $10,500
Meyer 4516, Front Unload, Variable Speed, On Meyer 1200 Tandem Gear, 12.5X15 tires - $10,500
Calumet 3750 Vacuum Tank, PTO Pump, Rear Discharge $21,500
Calumet 3250 Manure Tank, New Steel Painted Tank, 540 PTO - $12,995
JD 235, 25’ Rock-Flex Disk, Tandem Axle, Scrapers $8,995
Dunham 15 Ft. CultImulcher, Crowfoot- Front, Notched Rear, C Shank Teeth - $7,000
Derco 220 Power Box with 24” ext. on H&S 412 gear, 320 bushel - $4,995
J&M 1000-Bushel Grain Cart with tarp, PTO drive, w/scale $25,500
“Models * Years and Hours Shown on All Equipment are Estimated”
This is just a small portion of our used inventory. Visit our website
www.swiderskiequipment.com/thorp to view the complete list.
715.669.5255 • THORP, WI
“WILL TRADE ANYTHING, ANYTIME, ANYWHERE” Store Hours: 8-5 M-F / 8-4 Sat.
Box 530 • 201 S Financial St., Thorp, WI 54771 • Doosan • Kioti • New Holland • H&S • Meyer • Meyer’s • Kelly Ryan • Agco (Hwy. 29, North on 73 5 Blocks to Cty X, East 1/2 Mile) • Hesston • Haybuster • Brillion • Agco Massey • Sunflower • Leon • Loyal • Woods
a bother, something he desperately wishes he could do without. At such times, I longed for someone whom I could hire to do my sleeping for me so I could keep working. Learning to sleep with another person can be a ticklish proposition. It often involves a lot of Dear County Agent Guy understanding and a willingness to compromise. Shortly after my wife and I were wed, we complicated our sleeping situation by buying a water bed. I don’t know what to say in defense of that purchase other than it was the “in” thing to By Jerry Nelson do at the time. Water Columnist beds and disco were all the rage. Both of those have one thing in common; nobody who lived through that era will ever admit that they partook in either. Once I got our new water bed’s frame put together, I used a garden hose to pump 10,000 gallons of H2O into the mattress. It was extremely late at night before the bed was assembled and its mattress lled to capacity. I was eagerly looking forward to a restful evening of repose on our brand-new hydraulicallycushioned sleeping platform. But a signicant problem soon presented itself, namely, that our feeble old water heater hadn’t been up to the job of lling an entire water bed. As such, the water I had pumped into the mattress was only slightly above the freezing point. We soon discovered that no amount of padding could eliminate the impression that we were lying atop a sloshing, undulating iceberg. “Oh, boy,” exclaimed my wife through chattering teeth, “We’re having fun now!” By the time the next evening rolled around, the water bed’s temperature situation had changed dramatically. My wife, who believes that a warm, toasty bed is exactly what the Founding Fathers meant by “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” had cranked the water bed’s heater up to “parboil.” I dove into our new water bed and instantly jumped right back out. “Cripes!” I said, “That water’s hot enough to cook a lobster.” “I know,” smiled my wife as she pulled the covers up to her chin. “Isn’t it great?” We got rid of the water bed some years later when it sprang a leak during the night. It was the rst time I have ever woken up to discover the bed had wet me. Things haven’t changed as far as my wife’s sleeping preferences go. We now have a dual-control mattress heater and her side is always set to temperatures normally associated with owing lava. Maybe that’s why my wife no longer has babies; she has cooked all her eggs. These days, as I rapidly age, I nd I’m needing fewer hours of sleep. I guess discovering you are able to stay awake more and more hours but have less and less energy to accomplish anything during those hours is just another of life’s cruel ironies. Ah, well. It’s time for me to set this column aside and totter off to bed. And as I drift off, I’ll ponder this deep, philosophical question: Does spending an hour dreaming that you’re asleep count as two hours of sleep? Jerry is a recovering dairy farmer from Volga, S.D. He and his wife, Julie, have two grown sons and live on the farm where Jerry’s great-grandfather homesteaded over 110 years ago. Jerry currently works full time for the Dairy Star as a staff writer/ ad salesman. Feel free to E-mail him at: jerry.n@dairystar.com.
Dairyland Pest Control Specializing In Farm Fly, Rodent & Bird Control FARM • COMMERCIAL RESIDENTIAL
Toll 507-359-1123 Free 800-826-7380 • New Ulm, MN Dayle Besemer, owner/operator
tfn
A Christmas cookie baking tradition
Amid the preparations of corn casserole, stufng, squash and turkey for Thanksgiving, I was able to spend time helping Dad in the barn over my extended stay at home. While feeding calves the morning of Nov. 23, I couldn’t help but hear the song “Rocking Around the Christmas Tree” playing on the radio. As soon as I heard it, I knew the Christmas season was in full swing. Although most of our family’s Christmas traditions revolve around getting a real Christmas tree together, spending a day turning our house into a Christmas wonderland, exchanging Christmas lists to buy just the right gift for everyone, attending the candlelight service on Christmas Eve and waiting until morning chores are done to open Christmas gifts, we have several others which revolve around food. We give cheese and butter as gifts for my aunts and uncles and eat our traditional shrimp dinner on Christmas Eve and apple cranberry dumplings on Christmas By Missy Mussman Staff Writer Day. But one of my favorite traditions is spending time each year getting together as family to bake our favorite Christmas cookies. Being the dairy farmers we are, Mom would always call our milk truck driver to place a special order of butter before cookie baking day so we would have enough on hand; unless it was a year Kristy, Kelsey or I had scraps from our butterheads. When we were younger, my aunts and grandmothers would come to our house. We would start baking cookies at 9:30 in the morning and not nish until the evening hours with Dad and Grandpa Mussman popping in throughout the day to be our ofcial taste testers for all the cookies. By the end of the day, we’d have so many cookies, consisting of snowballs, turtles, fudge, molasses, chocolate crinkle, Christmas wreaths, Reeses Peanut Butter Cup, Oreo trufe, almond bark covered pretzels and our family’s favorites: peanut butter blossoms, cut out butter cookies and raspberry almond thumbprints, that each family would have at least three containers full of cookies to take home. Although we ate the majority of our cookies from the bake day, we put a plate together to give to our milk truck driver on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, depending on when he was due to stop. Even though we still get together as family to bake our traditional Christmas cookies, our group of bakers has gotten smaller than it once was. Now, it’s just my sisters, my mom and I. Last year, we spent the day as we always did with our smaller baking group and my little nephew, James, who was 1 year and 3 months old at the time. We made turtles per Kelsey’s request and our traditional peanut butter blossoms, cut out butter cookies and raspberry almond thumbprints with Dad fullling his taste testing duty. Kelsey took charge of the turtle cookies and Kristy and Mom tackled the peanut butter blossoms while I made the raspberry almond thumbprints. Things were moving along smoothly and it was time to dig into the cut out cookies. When it comes to the cut outs, I try to make sure certain cookie cutters are used and I am usually put in charge of decorating the cookies. However, Kelsey and Kristy claimed the job last year as I was helping Mom nish the peanut butter blossom cookies. It was a hard job to let go of because I try to make the cookies look as pretty as I can and get very detailed in my frosting to give it a real-like quality. My sister, Kristy, tried to accomplish that, but Kelsey did her own thing. I tried to hide the wince when I looked at the cookies that didn’t look as detailed as mine would’ve been. But Kelsey knew what I was thinking. So, she started making the Santa cookies look grumpy, and used colors that didn’t t what the cookie was supposed to be. As luck would have it, Mom laughingly told Kelsey she had to take home all of her uniquely decorated cookies. Even James tried his hand at baking some cookies at his young age, which mainly included dipping his hand in the warm chocolate of the peanut butter blossoms and getting it all over his face and clothes. Although the group isn’t as big anymore and the number of cookies we make isn’t as many, the memories we made those days of baking, spending time and laughing with family on the farm were the memories that made and continue to make Christmas not only a time of year with delicious foods and treats, but also one of the most magical times of year.
Dairy Star • Saturday, December 10, 2016 • Page 31
y d d e R
AG SERVICE
I N C.
Stitzer, WI
Knowlegeable Professionals for each unique operation Mineral and Protein Mixes Nutrition and Management Services One bin complete mixes for easy TMR loading Robot herd consulting and pellets Base mix added to your bulk commidities Hopper bottom or auger trucks to suit all your needs In-house Grain Merchandiser to locate and price bulk commodities
Local, on-farm specialists who care about YOUR profitability
Dan Hentrich Mark Brown Reddy Ag Service Reddy Ag Service 608-642-7334 608-330-1331
LOOKING TO ADVERTISE? In Northern/East Central Minnesota Call: Jeff Weyer
OfÀce 320-352-6303 Cell: 320-260-8505 jeff.w@dairystar.com
In Central, South Central Minnesota Call: Mike Schafer
THE SL360X • •
Handles silage and hay bales, round and square. Minimizes leaf loss on high quality hay such as Alfalfa Easily dispense part of a bale, a whole bale, hay or silage into your TMR without TMR jam jam-ups, up TMR damage, and without the expense and leaf loss of grindi grinding. BOOK A
DEMO TODAY
Sam Enloe Dan Welch Reddy Ag Service Ross Soil Service 608-778-8589 608-426-1819
www.reddyagservice.com
MEET OUR NEW FEEDER. •
Mineral Point, WI
320-894-7825 mike.s@dairystar.com
Watch the videos online: www.hustlerequipment.com
In Southwest Minnesota, Northwest Iowa, South Dakota Call: Jerry Nelson
605-690-6260 jerry.n@dairystar.com
In Southeast Minnesota Call: Laura Seljan
507-250-2217 laura.s@dairystar.com
DAIRY ST R
Call before you dig Page 32 • Dairy Star • Saturday, December 10, 2016
We have all heard the ads on the radio in Minnesota to call Gopher State One Call before doing any kind of excavation work, especially in road right of ways or around buildings. I have even heard their ad telling homeowners to call before planting owers. I’m not sure what it’s called in other states, like Hawkeye 1 or Corn Husker 1, but I’m sure there are similar rules. We are in the process of expanding our dairy by adding a large lean-to on the south side of our original barn. The old and new parts will both be tunnel ventilated and the process requires a new main electrical service. We also replaced our generator set with a bigger unit and put a new larger transformer closer to the road to help eliminate stray voltage. To do all this required underground wire installation in a busy area close to our existing utility room. What could possibly go wrong? Of course Gopher State One Call was
9500 Series
called, and the telephone wire wasn’t even close. Everything else was our own private electrical, and we were on our own. Our rst adventure started when the concrete crew wanted to dig large holes with an auger for the foundation of the generator base. We knew there were underground wires in the vicinity of our north barn. No problem. We will call our electrician, and he will come out with his hi-tech locator to tell us exactly where those wires are. Before this, our electrician didn’t own a locator, and would call in a different electrician/mad scientist with a 40-year-old locating machine to do it for him. The mad scientist would walk around pointing his machine at the ground, scratch his head for a few minutes, and paint exactly right where the underground wires were. Now we had the high tech machine, and it was only off by 5 feet. That 3-foot diameter post hole auger hit a three
8500 Series
Designed for the toughest environments and terrain. The most rugged member of the Zimmatic family is built with the industry’s thickest pipeline.
An incredible value featuring structural strength and long-lasting reliability. The 8500 matches the competition’s thickest pipeline.
7500 Series
Cost-effectively irrigates fields up to 60 acres, featuring a full 10.5 ft crop clearance. An ideal small field irrigator.
A FIT FOR EVERY FIELD A WIDE RANGE OF PIVOTS & LATERALS Zimmatic® by Lindsay offers proven systems and products that are built to be strong, long lasting, durable and easy to use for growers who need highly efficient irrigation choices. With the Lindsay Advantage, you can mix and match components to build your own unique system. Choose your pivot point, spans, tower structure, driveline, control panel and add-ons for a complete solution that fits your field. www.lindsayadvantage.com
Northern Irrigation Contractors, Inc. 45214 County Rd. 80 East P.O. Box 264 Perham, MN 56573 218-346-7246 or 800-492-4994
Huge tower rebates! 12 Month Delayed First Payment
lop
Dun
as
istm r h C
ir 5/pa
$13
ut
o Blow plus
FR
om
ts.c o o b
.ud w w it w
Vis
PING
HIP EE S
We have conversion for all makes of irrigation: Valley, T & L, Reinke, and Lockwood, to convert your system to reliable Lindsay Zimmatic controls. We also sell and service all pumps - submersible and turbine.
To learn more about our series of pivots and laterals, contact your local dealer, or visit www.zimmatic.com. ASK YOUR DEALER ABOUT THIS LIMITED TIME OFFER:
ct erfe p e h for t ift? g n i ok as g o l m t u s yo Chri , Are e e y ots er lo o h p t B r m u e f mo+ k no r e h Loo T Sale
WE SERVICE ALL MAKES OF IRRIGATION!
© 2012 Lindsay. All rights reserved. Zimmatic is a registered trademark of the Lindsay Corporation. All product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Certain restrictions and conditions apply. See your local Zimmatic by Lindsay dealer for complete details. www.zimmatic.com
phase, four wire conduit dead center, broke the plastic conduit, and wrapped the inch diameter wires around itself pulling the wires out of the main panel 100 feet away. Fortunately for the auger operator, the three largest fuses at the whole dairy blew in- Making Cents of Dairy stantly and no one was hurt. It was a warm harvest day when this happened, and not the call I wanted, getting me off a nice combine to face a completely shut down dairy and 1,000 cows in a cross-ventilated barn with no fans running. The electrician, his assistant, Corey, and I By Dave Vander Kooi gured out what to do. Columnist By replacing the fuses, and isolating off the north barn, we could resume milking within a short time. We also opened all the feed alley doors manually to provide air movement. Then we pulled new wires into the panel, splicing them to where they broke underground. Three hours later, we had everything together and running. The barn stayed quite comfortable thanks to it being a windy day. The next project on the list was getting underground wire from the new transformer to the new service next to the generator pad. Joe, the electrician, and I agreed to hire a boring machine so we could go deep and not hit anything. We now knew exactly where the existing underground wiring was in the area, and all that was left was the 4-inch main water line coming from my well to the dairy. This water line was installed 16 years ago. So, simple math says a normal water line buried at 6 feet plus a generous allowance for ll of 3 feet places the water line at 8 to 9 feet deep. Now if we tell the boring machine people to go 12 feet deep we are safe, right? Wrong. Again came the dreaded cell phone call of high pressure water spraying out of the boring head. This emergency called for all hands on deck. The boring company had a backhoe on sight, so we started digging at the spot of carnage. We soon realized we needed to bring in a bigger track hoe to safely excavate 13 feet and step down the hole so it wouldn’t cave in. The contractor who brought the track hoe does a lot of city water main repairs, so he knew where to source some repair ttings for us. I had to shut the well down immediately, so the only water available for the cows was a small rural water line we have for backup. The only reasonable explanation we could come up with why the main water line was so deep is the original barn plumber told the water line installer to go deeper in that area so the smaller water lines installed later would not damage the main line. After the break, the boring guy said he should have shoved a tracer wire into the water line to nd the depth; now he tells us. We would have been better off trenching in the electrical at 2 feet, and we wouldn’t have hit anything. Fortunately, we got everything patched up by the afternoon, and the cows were only out of water for an hour. The contractors helping us were very good, and we appreciated that. Maybe in badger land things like this don’t happen because they almost always are better than the gophers. Vander Kooi operates a 1,200-cow, 3,000 acre farm with his son, Joe, and daughter-in-law, Rita, near Worthington, Minn. Send him feedback at davevkooi@ icloud.com.
HOOF TRIMMING
Call today to get your cows tuned up for more milk production! • I use the 5 Step Functional Hoof Trimming, which is the Gold Standard. 10 ft. Foot • Gentle with cows Baths For Sale • Large Dairy Experience • Over 100,000 cows trimmed in the last 10 years! • Professional Hoof Care in the Midwest since 2003 • Lifetime of dairy knowledge • Graduate of Dairyland Hoof Care Institute Drink Milk We offer foot bath systems with a money back guarantee! Drink Milk
JUSTIN ADDY’S BOVINE HOOF CARE Avon, MN Covering MN, SD, IA, & WI
320-200-1221
Focus on genetics pays off Let me tell you about Spring. (I know we’d all like to think about Spring, the season, but I’m talking about Spring, the cow.) Spring is one of our young Holstein cows. If you walked through our herd, you might not notice her at rst. She has classic black-and-white Holstein markings. She’s moderately sized – maybe a little on the short side. She has very correct conformation and a great udder. Spring doesn’t stand out in our herd health records either – and that’s a good thing. She’s a trouble-free cow that breeds back right away and hasn’t had any health issues. Where Spring really shines, though, is in our Dairy Good Life production records. On our last DHIA test, with the cows still on pasture, Spring led our herd in components with 6.2 percent butterfat and 3.9 percent protein. Spring’s numbers were even better than our Jerseys’ numbers. Why am I telling you about Spring? Because she’s the perfect example of what happens when dairy farmers focus on genetics. For the past 10 years, Glen has very diligently researched and selected the sires we use on our farm. He also very carefully matches them with our cows to produce the best possible offspring. By Sadie Frericks He does so with a specic goal in mind: Increasing our herd’s production and components through Columnist strong, balanced cows. If you ask Glen, he will tell you that mating dairy cattle is as much an art as it is a science. But he has some stringent criteria that he doesn’t waver from. He only uses bulls that have positive percentages for components and will increase milk production. He only selects bulls that have two points on udder composite and two points on foot and leg composite. He ignores all of the highly-publicized, formula-based indexes. We use young sires almost exclusively, so there is some trial and error involved. Mostly, though, we’ve had success because part of Glen’s research involves looking back through each bull’s pedigree and evalWe b W breed d our cows ffor h health l h uating cow families, so there are no surprises in offspring. and production, not for the This pedigree research also show ring. helps us avoid inbreeding. The other thing I should mention is our cows are all grade. I know from past comments that a lot of people assume our cows are registered because they all have names and our kids show them. We breed our cows for health and production, not for the show ring. Thankfully, though, when you breed for correct conformation, you end up with heifers and cows pretty enough to do all right in the show ring. But looking good in the show ring doesn’t contribute to our farm’s success, so those pretty cows also need to produce high-value milk. Why wouldn’t you notice Spring if you walked through our herd? Because the majority of our cows have the same correct conformation, great udders and moderate size. And the majority of them are milking just as well. In the past 10 years, we have improved our butterfat and protein production by 1 percent and 0.5 percent, respectively, even with summer grazing. Our dairy’s rolling herd average has increased 10,000 pounds (although part of that can be attributed to advances in nutrition, fresh cow transition and management changes). These kinds of improvements contribute greatly to our farm’s success. Regardless of whether you milk registered cattle or grade cattle, focusing on your herd’s genetics can pay off. 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.
DOON SAWMILL & FENCING LLC • Custom Sawing • RR Ties • Feed Bunks • Flat Beds • Guardrail • I-Beam Post • Oil Well Pipe • Sucker Rod
Call today to learn more!
Our Guardrail feed bunks are the best!
2641 Garfield Ave. • P.O. Box 297 • Doon, IA 51235
(712) 726-3562
Dairy Star • Saturday, December 10, 2016 • Page 33
Inc. CALL US AT:
507-234-5594 800-658-7262
erin@bosssupplyinc.com
THE NEW CHAPTER IN LAGOON BOATS
THE CRAWLER!
The Nuhn Lagoon Crawler is an amphibious vehicle designed for agitating lagoons. The wheels are able to drop down, giving the vehicle roughly 5 feet of ground clearance. The unit then drives itself into a lagoon, where it turns into an agitation boat. When in the lagoon, the Lagoon Crawler is powered by a quad port, Nuhn Header Series manure pump. 10000+GPM volumes are used to maneuver the pontoon through the lagoon and agitate the solids from the bottom. The Nuhn Lagoon Crawler does not need a priming system. Once the lagoon is emptied, the four wheels are lowered and the machine is able to drive itself out of the lagoon.
Demco Conquest, 1100 gal., 60’, hyd. pump, T-jet 844 ctrller, adj. axle, rinse tank, 2” quick ¿ll, 20” spacing .........................$10,000 NUHN 6750, Alliance tires, self load, hyd. direct drive, anti-foam funnel w/7 disc inj ...........................................$54,000 Nuhn 7 Row Folding Tapered Disc Injector, complete ............................................... $7,500 NEW Nuhn Fill Pipe on Wheels 8”-10”, 35’ (Load Stand) ....................................$3,500 Miller Pro 500 gal., 45’ boom, tandem axle .......................................... $3,500 Nuhn 9 Row Folding Tapered Disc Injector, complete ..............................................$10,750 Nuhn 5 Row Tapered Disc Injector....$5,000 Top Air 3pt. hyd X-fold 80’ boom, no controls .............................................$4,750 Redball 565 1000 gal. 60’ hyd. Front Folding Boom, Single Nozzle Bodies, Raven 450 Ctrls, Hyd. Ace Pump, 320 Tires ........... $10,000 Balzer 7400 Low-Pro 5th wheel steer slurry, hyd drive, 5 unit disc inj, auto trail steerable rear axle, brakes, 30.5-32 tires, 700/40-22.5 front tires, walking tandem rear axle, adj undercarriage (3 AVAILABLE) ....................CALL FOR PRICING)
FAST 9518, 1800 gal, 90’ boom, 380 tires, triple nzzl, Raven ctrls ..........................$15,000 NEW Nuhn 7000 gal Slurry Tank, Alliance Tires, Hyd. Direct Drive ........... Call for Pricing NEW Vertical Till Injectors.... Call for Pricing NEW Doda Pit Pumps ............ Call for Pricing Houle 6”, 8’ Pit Pump, small 1000 PTO, Dual Agitator, 3pt. w/ Hyd Cylinder for Top Link ............................................$8,000 Nuhn Vertical Pit Pump 8”, 8’ Pit , 3 point hitch -with wireless remote (used only 1 season!) ...........................$14,000 L&D Land Manager Spayer, 1000 gal , 60’ boom, 20” spacing, Big Wheel, Raven controls........................................$8,750 Balzer 28’x8” loadstand, all new tubes, 9.5L-15 imp tires, hand winch ................$2,500 T6 Manure Truck .................................$10,000 Houle 6” 8’ Pit Pump, Twin Nozzle on transport cart, 1000 PTO ......................$11,000
NUHN PIT PUMPS IN STOCK NOW!
If it’s broken, x it Page 34 • Dairy Star • Saturday, December 10, 2016
One can learn a lot of things from dairy farmers. of animals within. It had two rows of stanchions with One thing: if it’s broken, x it. Some of you may re- cows facing inward, head to head. The alley behind member the Hoard’s Dairyman columnist, Dr. John the small gutter at the back of the cows was only a McCormack, who wrote about veterinary practice in couple feet wide, so one had to slink along the back Georgia in the 1960s and ‘70s. He wrote a wall if there was an ornery cow or one column about a fellow with a rickety barn Veterinary Wisdom with a lthy tail. A collection of newwho called for Dr. McCormick to examine borns, weaned calves and some yearlings and treat a cow for ketosis. When he arwere tied along the back wall and center rived, there was only one cow in the barn, alley with twine strings, which made it and the farmer was not around. She was even more difcult to navigate through loose in a pen, so he put a halter on her the facility. They all had horns, too, makand tied her to the only thing that looked ing it even more interesting, but that is the secure, which was a post in the corner. subject of another story. In short, it was She did not appreciate being tied up, and wall to wall cattle. There were quite a few made the doctor’s job more difcult by holes and cracks in the walls, which was her antics. Nevertheless, he did manage good because the air quality was atroto get her treated. In her continued thrashcious. I used to nd a lot of reasons to go ing, though, she managed to pull the post out to the truck to get something imporBy Jim Bennett from its moorings. When Dr. McCormick tant, when in reality, I just needed oxyColumnist heard some cracking noises, worried for gen. Amazingly the beasts inside were his safety, he ran for the door. With loud always pretty healthy. I also made a point bangs, crashes and a lot of dust, the barn came tum- to never park too close to the barn just in case it was bling down around the cow. She seemed stunned, but to fall over in the direction of my vehicle. I remember otherwise unhurt. A few days later, the farmer told him joking with the farmer that his barn was just like the the cow was doing ne, but there must have been a (now demolished) Metrodome in Minneapolis in that storm that day because his barn had collapsed. it was held up by air, except the air came from expirOur practice had a client with a similarly rickety ing and burping bovines instead of big fans, and that barn. The most amazing thing about it was the density if he ever let them all outside at once, the barn would
Your Place or Mine?
Barn Floor Groovers s
Portable Welding Silo Unloader Repair
NOT
Protect Your Cows From Injuries and Slippery Concrete
• Free Stalls • Stalls • Feed Lots • Pens
Sales, Service, Rental of manure handling and feeding equipment
• Holding Areas reeas • Walkwayss
DIAMOND SAWED 1/2”, 3/4” OR 1-1/2” WIDE W GR GROOVES ROO OOVES O OVES
PAUL’S WELDING & REPAIR
Dick Meyer Company, Inc.
1-800-228-5471
St. Martin, MN 320-548-3300 or Cell 320-249-1498
www.barnÁoorgroovers.com
UNMATCHED
fall down just like the dome when it ran out of air. Sure enough, a few years later he built a new, small tiestall barn and one day, a few weeks later, the old barn fell down. Most clients are much better about xing things. One said he xes things out of respect for his employees. People need to feel valued and to be part of the team. Another client told me he does not expect employees to work with broken stuff because they most likely will not get the job done the way he expects otherwise. On my veterinary calls, I have often seen farm employees struggle to get their jobs done when things are not repaired: broken lock ups, gates, lights, chains, freestalls, doors and even milking equipment. Remarkably, the employees seem to be able to get things done, but I am pretty sure the farmer is right; things do not get done the way you expect. What I notice is things get done, but they take a whole lot longer and often with considerably more stress for the people and animals involved. Another farmer told me his secret is to ask employees about what needs xing on a regular basis, and not to scream at anyone when they report damage. He also said one needs to walk around the farm looking for things needing repair, because many employees will still choose not to report damage. A client with no employees told me if everything is not working properly on his farm he cannot get his work done. He has a calving pen with a homemade lock up and an attached rope that made it easy for him to lock up a calving cow. If he had the choice of chasing a calving cow around the pen with a rope or doing nothing, he would most often choose to leave her alone, and once in a while would miss a severe case of dystocia as a result. Years ago, a professor told me if it has been on the farm for 20 years or more, it is probably worn out. While this is perhaps often true, dairy farmers have shown me that most things will last a long time if maintained and repaired on a regular basis and doing so makes their farms more productive. Jim Bennett is a dairy veterinarian at Northern Valley Dairy Production Medicine Center in Plainview, Minn. He and his wife, Pam, have four children. Jim can be reached at bennettnvac@gmail.com with comments or questions.
Used Equipment ON HAND
PERFORMANCE AND VERSATILITY
X7 SERIES
12 JD 7230R,
230 HP, 4 rmts, joystick, includes JD H480 loader
$159,000
14 Versatile 310, 06 McCormick MTX135, duals all around, 3 PTOs, MFD, 3 rmts, 3800 hrs., 540/1000 PTO
$47,500
deluxe cab. Demo tractor with only 50 hours!
$165,000
14 Vermeer 605SM 12 Krone 1290 HDP XC, 10 Vermeer 605SM Cornstalk Special, scale, 13,543 bales, cutter knives, Cornstalk Special, scale, autolube, touch screen
monitor -
$32,500
high density, 3X4 bales,
local trade -
$126,500
07 Krone Big X V12,
1342 eng. hrs., ‘912 cutter hrs., ext. warranty available
Faber’s
Farm Equipment
866-841-1819 or 712-753-4757 1809 240th St. • Inwood, IA
605-753-8650 605 753
443 Pheasant Ridge Drive • Watertown, SD
www.fabersfarm.com
$189,500
Faber’s Farm Equipment
oiler, net wrap, 7632 bales, field ready
$30,500
07 Krone Big X 650,
1659 eng. hrs., 1253 cutter hrs., ext. warranty available
$191,000
866-841-1819 or 712-753-4757 1809 240th St., Inwood, IA
www.fabersfarm.com
Dairy Star • Saturday, December 10, 2016 • Page 35
Producers attend MN Milk Dairy Conference and Expo
ANDREA BORGERDING/DAIRY STAR
Exhibitors visit with dairy producers during the dairy conference and expo Nov. 30 in St. Cloud, Minn.
MISSY MUSSMAN/DAIRY STAR
Minnesota Milk member Greg Jans (leŌ) presents Lyle Koenen with the Legislator of the Year Award on Nov. 30 in St. Cloud, Minn.
ANDREA BORGERDING/DAIRY STAR
Dairy producers listen during a general session on stocking density, presented by Peter Krawczel, University of Tennessee, on Nov. 30 at River’s Edge ConvenƟon Center, St. Cloud, Minn.
MISSY MUSSMAN/DAIRY STAR
Mike Kruger (leŌ) receives the Bruce Coƫngton Friend of Dairy Award from Pat Lunemann on Nov. 30 in St. Cloud, Minn.
JENNIFER COYNE/DAIRY STAR
Mitch Barthel, of Perham Stockyards, took bids during the scholarship aucƟon on the evening of Nov. 30. Turn to EXPO | Page 37
Antimicrobial bi-layer teat end brushes
Consistent cleaning at every milking session
Effective, proprietary chlorine dioxide solution
A system for all herd sizes
FutureCow® Prep System
The most consistent cow prep for any herd size The future of your herd’s milk quality starts with consistency. Prep each cow the same way at every milking session with the FutureCow™ Prep System from GEA Farm Technologies. With the lightest brush on the market, FutureCow™ provides optimal teat cleaning, stimulation and mastitis prevention. Whether it’s the first hour of milking or the very last, ensure greatness in one easy step with the FutureCow™ Prep System.
1.877.WS.DAIRY www.gea-farmtechnologies.com
GEA Farm Services | WestfaliaSurge
GEA Farm Technologies
engineering for a better world ©2015 GEA Farm Technologies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Monroe WestfaliaSurge W6031 Melvin Rd. • Monroe, WI
608-325-2772
Page 36 • Dairy Star • Saturday, December 10, 2016
Women In Jeans Holly Thompson Plainview, Minn. Olmsted County 195 cows
Family: My husband, Donny, and I have three kids: Nick, 19, Katie, 18, and Clara, 14. Tell us about your farm and your role. Our farm, Little Valley Dairy, is my husband’s family farm with Donny being the fth generation. I grew up on a dairy as well, Hinckley Holsteins, between Chateld and St. Charles, Minn. We slowly took on the responsibilities of his family farm while working our off-farm jobs and transitioned into full-time farming in June 1998. Today we own 900 acres and rent a neighboring 80. We began with 60 cows on shares, adding heifers as we could, and in 2006, were milking 130 in a double-4 herringbone parlor that was beginning to fail. In December 2006, we started using our new freestall facility and parlor where we now milk nearly 200 cows. All youngstock are housed either at the home farm or at one of our other two building sites nearby. Together with our children, we do everything without hired help. In a nut shell, Donny oversees the crop entity while doing all the feeding and bedding; I take charge of the dairy and drive tractor or run the combine for him. We also own a custom chopping business, which takes Donny off-farm during the growing season. What’s the busiest time of day for you? With both girls in school and Nick also working off the farm, afternoon milking is busy. Sports schedules change each day and sometimes the girls’ schedules conict so someone has to be a chauffeur and milk the cows, too. We’ve learned to roll with the punches since some days we never know who may be around to help with milking. When you get a spare moment what do you do? I like to cook, bake, travel to cattle shows to watch the kids, swim, have quiet time in the woods at our campsite and occasionally watch my friend compete in tractor pulls. I also stay active on both the state and national levels for DHIA. Tell us about your most memorable experience working on the farm. I’ve always enjoyed watching a calf develop into a good cow. The one my daughter, Katie, shows is no exception. We purchased her as a calf, Jerland SH RB Natane-Red-ET. This year, she was reserve champion of the Midwest Fall National Red and White Show. At Expo, Katie glided across the shavings
FARM INFORMATION STATION Joe Gill • Farm Director
SERVING CENTRAL MINNESOTA FOR OVER 50 YEARS Catch the Dairy Star’s Mark Klaphake with Joe Gill at 6:45 a.m. the 2nd & 4th Fridays of the month on KASM!
PO Box 160, Albany, MN • (320) 845-2184 • Fax (320) 845-2187
with her cow, Natane, the calf who was purchased from and bred by Reid and Daria Stransky. She won her senior 2-year-old class of the junior show. It has been awesome watching Katie use the advice she has been given by Stranskys and Andy Sheehan, amongst others, and bring it home to use on other animals, teaching her sister, Clara, the how’s and why’s. What have you enjoyed most about dairy farming or your tie to the dairy industry? I enjoy being my own boss, which I’m sure my husband is not always fond of. How do you stay connected with others in the industry? I’m involved in DHIA both on the state and national levels. I’ve been secretary for Minnesota DHIA board and chair of the National DHIA Scholarship committee for a handful of years as well. Each March, I travel with state board members to our national convention where we rekindle old friendships and make new ones, all while learning more about our industry. In your opinion, what’s the importance of women in today’s dairy industry and how have you seen that change over the years? Sometimes I think women bring a whole other view point. Many women even seem to be the farm spokesperson, which is especially important with many consumer purchases being made by other women. If you could give a tour of your farm to a prominent woman in today’s society, who would it be? Oprah Winfrey, simply because there are so many women who connect with her. If I could teach her more about how our animals are so kindly cared for and how safe our food supply is, I believe she would in turn share her knowledge with the millions of viewers/followers who hold her in such high regards. What is the best vacation you’ve ever taken? We don’t get away much with the farm, summer sports, 4-H, FFA and cattle shows. So for us, our vacation is in our backyard. We had a pool installed in 2011 and spend most of our family time there. Just hanging out whenever we have time, being silly with the kids is what I enjoy most. What are some words you like to live by? I’ve always said, “work hard, play harder,” but more so now days I like, “communication is the key to success.” When the kids are giggling and goong off while helping me milk, they occasionally hear, “we don’t get done if you don’t get them on.”
tfn
M&D TRUCK AND EQUIPMENT
‘10 Genie GTH844 Telescoping Forklift 1,440 Hrs., w/Heat, 44’ Ht., 8,000# Lift Cap., 99 Hp, 90% Foam Filled Tires, Frame Tilt, Manual Coupler, 22,500# Mach - $39,900
‘13 Cat 277C2 Skid Steer Loader 1,655 Hrs., w/Air, 2-Spd., ISO Ctrls, 84 Hp, Standard Flow, 4,300# Lift Cap., ANSI Gauges, Undercarriage Good, 9,500# Mach. - $38,500
‘07 Cat D6K XL Crawler Dozer
“OUR SOMATIC CELL COUNT DROPPED WITHIN TWO WEEKS. OUR STALLS ARE CLEANER AND THE MACHINE SAVES US TIME.”
3,888 Hrs., w/Air, 125 Hp, 120” 6-Way Blade, 22” Pads, GPS Ready, 28,409# Mach - $75,500
- ADAM McCARTHY STONEY SPRINGS FARM APPLETON, WI
’14 Cat 262D Skid Steer Loader 690 Hrs., w/Air, 74 Hp, 32GPM XPS High Flow, 2,950# Lift Cap., Backup Cam, 78” Bucket, Counter Rear Weights, 8,011# Mach - $37,900
‘94 Moxy MT30 Haul Truck
21,005 Hrs., 30-Ton, 335 Hp, Scania Diesel, 6x6, Air Brakes, 23.5R-25 Tires, Good Rubber - $32,900
’97 NH 8160 Loader Tractor
4,359 Hrs., w/Air, 90 Hp, 4x4, 98”Front Ldr Bucket, 540/1000 PTO, 2 Set Remotes, 3 Point, 13,500# Mach - $29,500
201 N 29th Ave. Monroe, WI 53566
www.mdtruckequipment.com
www.skidloadersource.com
G
ay & Dairy Equi pm r’s Cl e t en or of M
t
608-325-3810 1-888-811-2525
• Saves both time and labor • Cleans stalls more thoroughly than doing it by hand • Can clean stalls, add new bedding and apply lime all in one pass!
innesota, Inc.
(507) 825-3271
P.O. Box 786, E. Hwy. 30, Pipestone, MN 56164 Fax (507) 825-4052 • E-mail: gorters@iw.net
www.gortersclayanddairy.com
MILKING EQUIPMENT • MANURE EQUIPMENT FEEDING EQUIPMENT • HOUSING • ROUTE SUPPLIES
Dairy Star • Saturday, December 10, 2016 • Page 37
Con�nued from EXPO | Page 35
SAUK CENTRE, MN Phone 320-352-6511 Ask for Ralph or Steve
www.mmcjd.com
Allllll h A hou hour ho hours ouurrs aar our ou are re cutt cut ccu cutter utt uut tttteerr h hours oours urrrss uurs
Large Selection of Used Self-Propelled Forage Harvesters
MISSY MUSSMAN/DAIRY STAR
Ron Miller (right) of Li�le Falls, Minn., takes a picture of an auc�on item while visi�ng with Charles Krause (center) and Andrew Krause of Buffalo, Minn., on Nov. 30 during the Minnesota Milk Dairy Conference and Expo in St. Cloud, Minn.
8700, RWA, 2016 ...................................Coming In 8600, 2016, RWA, Prodrive ....................Coming In 8100, 2015, 150 Cutter Hours, RWA ........ $279,000 7780, 2014, 259 Cutter Hours, RWA ........ $369,000 7780, 2014, 425 Cutter Hours, RWA ........ $349,000 7780, 2014, 845 Cutter Hours,RWA ......... $319,000 7780, 2013, 1126 Cutter Hours, RWA ...... $299,000 7580, 2013, 610 Cutter Hours, RWA ........ $299,000 7580, 2013, 1009 Cutter Hours, RWA ...... $265,000 7380, 2014, 590 Cutter Hours, RWA............ $260,000 7950, 2012, 694 Cutter Hours, RWA ........ $299,000 7850, 2008, 1600 Cutter Hours, RWA ...... $210,000 7750, 2012, 1019 Cutter Hours, RWA ..... $265,000 7550, 2010, 1344 Cutter Hours, RWA ...... $249,000 7550, 2008, 1359 Cutter Hours, RWA ...... $219,000 7450, 2009, 1550 Cutter Hours, RWA ...... $195,000 7350, 2010, 1100 Cutter Hours, RWA ...... $219,000 7350, 2009, 1025 Cutter Hours, RWA ...... $209,000 7250, 2009, 560 Cutter Hours, RWA ........ $196,500 7800, 2007, 1885 Cutter Hours, RWA ...... $179,000 7700, 2007, 1570 Cutter Hours, RWA ...... $185,000 7500, 2003, 2406 Cutter Hours, 2WD ...... $149,000 7400, 2004, 2918 Cutter Hours, RWA ...... $144,500
6950, 1999, 2328 Cutter Hours, RWA ........ $98,500 6850, 1998, 3120 Cutter Hours, RWA ........ $98,500 6850, 1998, 3100 Cutter Hours, 2WD ........ $78,500 6710, 1995, 2908 Cutter Hours, RWA ........ $78,500 5730, 1986, 4980 Hours, RWA................... $43,900 Claas 970, 2008, 4000 Hours, RWA ........ $199,000 Claas 960, 2013, 1312 Cutter Hours, RWA ...................................................... $275,000 Claas 980, 2014, 610 Cutter Hours, RWA ....................................................Coming In Claas 890, RWA.....................................Coming In
7800
2007, 1885 Cutter Hours, RWA, Pro Drive, Autolube, KP ........ $179,000
Call today for details on C
New! o our u Easy-Lease financing!
JENNIFER COYNE/DAIRY STAR
Shannon Seifert shows an auc�on item to banquet a�endees on the evening of Nov. 30.
Feed Mixing… Vertical or Rotary? Your dairy’s performance depends on choosing the right feed mixer to improve your operation. Roto-Mix designs and manufactures strong, durable feed mixing equipment. Both Vertical and t ai tr ailler le er Rotary models are available in truck, trailer orr st o stat attio iona nary na ry. ry y. stationary.
620.225.1142 www.rotomix.com Available at
JENNIFER COYNE/DAIRY STAR
The Minnesota Milk Conference and Expo banquet ended with an improv performance by Slap Happy Comedy.
Mark’s Tractor Osage, IA Steve Gehrke 608-778-3878 K&R Equipment Fountain, MN Baker Iron Works Platteville, WI E&M Farms Ossian, IA Blue Hilltop Lake Wilson, MN Dairyland Supply Sauk Centre, MN
Page 38 • Dairy Star • Saturday, December 10, 2016
IS YOUR FORAGE MAKING THE CUT?
SILO-KING
®
Forage & Grain Treatment 6LQFH $JUL .LQJ KDV EHHQ FRPPLWWHG WR SURYLGLQJ LWV FXVWRPHUV ZLWK WKH KLJKHVW TXDOLW\ IRUDJH DQG JUDLQ WUHDWPHQW VROXWLRQV 2XU 6LOR .LQJ‹ SURJUDP LV ÀHOG SURYHQ ODERUDWRU\ WHVWHG DQG XQLYHUVLW\ UHVHDUFKHG WR SURYLGH RXU FXVWRPHUV ZLWK WKH EHVW SURGXFW IRU WKHLU RSHUDWLRQ 6LOR .LQJ‹ UHWDLQV PRUH QXWULHQWV DQG HQHUJ\ ZKLOH UHGXFLQJ KHDWLQJ VHHSDJH DQG GU\ PDWWHU ORVV WR SURYLGH \RX ZLWK LPSURYHG IHHG H඼FLHQF\ DQG EHWWHU SURÀWV
Interested in using Silo-King® in 2017? Book now and receive special discounts! )RU PRUH LQIRUPDWLRQ RU WR VHW XS D PHHWLQJ ZLWK RQH RI RXU DUHD PDQDJHUV FDOO
$JUL.LQJ FRP
Dairy prole
Dairy Star • Saturday, December 10, 2016 • Page 39
sponsored by
Dave and Matt Fordyce Aurelia, Iowa Buena Vista county 180 cows How did you get into farming? Our dad moved to this area from southern Iowa in 1949. He and our mom purchased this farm in 1964, and began milking a dozen mixed breed cows in a stanchion barn. The dairy grew as our family grew, incorporating ideas my dad gleaned from traveling the state as an ABS representative. We built a double-4 herringbone parlor in 1975. We expanded it to a double-7 in 2005 and added automatic takeoffs. We both attended Iowa State University and decided to come home and join the operation after we graduated. We were in a four-way partnership with our brothers, Dan and Mark, until 1998, at which time Dan decided to get into the seed business and Mark opened a woodworking shop. What are your thoughts and concerns about the dairy industry for the next year? It will be nice to have a new administration come in with some new proposals. The economics are such that there may be some dairies leaving the business, so we have to learn to be more efcient. We currently have more heifers than we need thanks to the crossbreeding program we started in 2000 that involves using Montbéliarde, Swedish Red and Holstein sires. What do you enjoy most about dairy farming? We like the independence of it. Matt recently went to Ireland with his family to tour historic sites. Dave has been able to travel overseas with farm groups to observe agricultural practices in other countries. What is the best advice you have ever received? Dad always believed in mating the best cow with the best bull, and that advice still holds true today. The hybrid vigor we get from our crossbreeding program is a plus. What has been the best purchase you’ve ever made on your farm? Our silage bagger. We started bagging in 1981, and it didn’t take long for us to realize that we needed to have our own bagger. Owning a bagger has given us options, such as buying wet gluten when it’s cheap. What has been your biggest accomplishment while dairy farm-
ing? How did you achieve this? The standard of living we have enjoyed. When our brothers left the operation, we were able to nd good employees to take their places. It’s also nice to know we are providing employment for people in our community. What are your plans for your dairy in the next ve years? None of our children are interested in farming, so we hope to nd a young person who would be interested in working here with an eye toward eventually becoming part of the operation. What is your favorite thing to do on the farm? We spend a lot of time researching the sires we are going to use. It’s fun to see the results when a new heifer joins the milk herd. How do you like to spend your time when you are not doing chores? We like to give back to the community by hosting farm tours for local schoolchildren. We have also hosted tours for kids from overseas, such as last summer when we hosted a group from Japan. When the weather is t, we also like to go golng. What is your favorite technology? Our computer and our cell phones. We would be lost without our smart
phones. Our computer helps us keep track of everything on the farm and brings in new information from the outside world. Tell us about a skill you possess that makes dairy farming easier for you. Matt does the A.I. work to implement our reproductive program. He rst
learned how to do A.I. when he was 16 years old. If you could have a celebrity help you with chores for a day who would it be? Donald Trump. It would be good for him to see how things work on a dairy and to experience the culture of the farming community.
Star Blends is a full service feed manufacturing facility. We provide custom complete feeds, supplements and minerals. We utilize modern technology to produce your needed products on demand with the highest quality feeds at the best cost. We also offer a wide selection of commodities, ingredients and additives. We are focused on dairy, efficiently delivering to farms in Western Wisconsin. Give us a call, we’d be happy to discuss our commodities or custom products and services with you and your nutritionist.
1919 Riley Road Sparta, WI 54656 | 800.462.4125
Page 40 • Dairy Star • Saturday, December 10, 2016
Save up
to
15%
t Dip a e T r e t Win with the s Program Saving or ealer f r GEA D u o y k s A ! e details complet
Protect Your Cows, Even in the Worst Winter Weather Derma Septº and Derma-Koteº
You unconditionally care for your herd all year long. As temperatures drop, caring for your cows’ teats is more important than ever. Choose DermaSept® or Derma-Kote® winter teat dips from GEA to heal, protect and condition your cows’ teats while killing mastitis-causing bacteria on contact. Winter weather is right around the corner. Contact your GEA dealer today to develop a winter teat health program for your herd.
Call us for more information: Advanced Dairy Solutions Richland Center, WI 608-647-4488 • 800-772-4770 Centre Dairy Equipment Sauk Centre, MN 320-352-5762 • 800-342-2697 Eastern Iowa Dairy Systems Epworth, IA • 563-876-3087 Fitzgerald, Inc. Elkader, IA • 563-245-2560
Fuller's Milker Center, Inc. Lancaster, WI • 800-887-4634 www.fullersmilkercenter.com Hobert Sales Inc. Cokato, MN • 320-286-6284 Leedstone Melrose, MN 320-256-3303 • 800-996-3303 Glencoe, MN 320-864-5575 • 877-864-5575 www.leedstone.com
Midwest Livestock Systems Menomonie, WI • 715-235-5144 Owen, WI 715-229-4740 Pine Island, MN • 800-233-8937 Sioux Falls, SD • 800-705-1447 Beatrice, NE • 800-742-5748 Monroe Westfalia Surge Monroe, Wisconsin 608-325-2772 jcraigo@tds.net
Preston Dairy Equipment, Inc. Sparta, Wisconsin 608-269-3830 • 888-863-0227 www.prestonde.com Sioux Dairy Equipment, Inc. Rock Valley, IA 712-476-5608 • 800-962-4346 Colton, SD Service 800-944-1217 Edgerton, MN Chemical Sales 507-920-8626