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C E L E B R A T I N G
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Y E A R S
DAIRY ST R 25
Volume 25, No. 24
February 10, 2024
“All dairy, all the time”™
Farmers Conservation a gather for long-standing tradition Ag Day at Menn family receives Monroe County award the Capitol By Abby Wiedmeyer
Legislators, lobbyists discuss political updates affecting agriculture By Stacey Smart
stacey.s@dairystar.com
MADISON, Wis. — More than 275 farmers and agriculturists gathered Jan. 31 at the Monona Terrace in Madison for Ag Day at the Capitol. The day started with updates on legislation and concluded with attendees walking to the Capitol to meet with legislators from their respective areas. Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation President Brad Olson welcomed the group before turning the oor over to Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection Secretary Randy Romanski. “Whether it’s your rst time or your 100th time speaking to a legislator, your voice matters,” Romanski said. “Think of ways you can interact with people in Washington, D.C., as well. There’s still time to get things done.” The Wisconsin Realtors Association’s director of political and governmental affairs, Joe Murray, provided an update on the political landscape in the state. “We’re in a very historically unique moment in Wisconsin politically, and everybody is going to be impacted one way or the other,” Murray said. Murray pointed to the April 4, 2023, Wisconsin Supreme Court election as the source of this political signicance. After 15 years of center-right control, the court shifted to center-left control, and with it came orders for new state legislative maps. Murray said that in a 4-3 ruling, the Wisconsin Supreme Court decided Dec. 22, 2023, that the state’s legislative maps violate the Wisconsin Constitution because they include districts that are not contiguous. They must be redrawn for the 2024 elections.
Turn to AG DAY | Page 2
abby.w@dairystar.com
NORWALK, Wis. — When it comes to conservation practices, the Menn family has a deeply rooted history. Harvey and Jackie Menn were presented with the Monroe County Conservation Farmer of the Year award at a banquet Jan. 27 in Sparta. For Harvey Menn, he is simply following the legacy laid before him. “Dad bought the farm in 1952, and he got the same award that year,” Menn said. “He was farming with my grandfather prior to that, so my grandfather was involved in conservation as well.” The farm originated when Menn’s ancestors homesteaded land in 1854. Today, Lawn View Farm consists of 250 owned and rented acres and 90 Jersey cows. The Menns have raised four children, Kayla, Jenna, Ryan and Kyle, on the organic farm. Jackie said the kids have all been contributors to the farm’s success. Menn graduated from college in
ABBY WIEDMEYER/DAIRY STAR
Harvey and Jackie Menn look over their conservaƟon plans Jan. 23 at their farm near Norwalk, Wisconsin. The Menns received the Monroe County ConservaƟon Farmer of the Year award Jan. 27. 1987 and worked for his dad for three years. In 1988, he and Jackie married and started taking over the operation. They purchased the farm from his dad in 1990. The conservation work began with
Menn’s grandfather in the 1940s. At that time, the Civilian Conservation Corps,
Turn to MENNS | Page 5
Dual herd enhances learning experience UW-Platteville manages parlor, robots By Abby Wiedmeyer abby.w@dairystar.com
ABBY WIEDMEYER/DAIRY STAR
The barn at Pioneer Farm at the University of Wisconsin-PlaƩeville houses 200 cows Jan. 31 near PlaƩeville, Wisconsin. Half the herd is milked in a double-5 herringbone parlor, and the other half is milked in two Lely A5 roboƟc milking systems.
PLATTEVILLE, Wis. — Pioneer Farm, the school dairy for the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, milks cows using two systems. Half of the 200-cow herd is milked in a double-5 herringbone parlor, while the other half is milked in two Lely A5 robotic milking systems. The dual-herd design offers optimal hands-on learning opportunities for the students, according to the herd manager, Cory Weigel. Turn to UW-PLATTEVILLE | Page 6