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Please call Andrea 320-352-6303, or email andrea.b@dairystar.com
“All dairy, all the time”™
Volume 18, No. 24
Producers converge at the Capitol
MMPA hosts annual day in St. Paul to talk with legislators By Krista Kuzma
krista.k@dairystar.com
ST. PAUL, Minn. – More than 60 people, including over 50 dairy producers, from across the state gathered Feb. 1 in St. Paul for the annual Dairy Day at the Capitol hosted by the Minnesota Milk Producers Association. Throughout the day, small groups had individual meetings with 65 legislators in addition to meetings with Lieutenant Governor Tina Smith and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Commissioner John Linc Stine. Dave Buck, MMPA president, and Marin Bozic, assistant professor in dairy foods marketing economics at the University of Minnesota, each testied in front of the House and Senate agriculture committees, where they handed out milk and cheese to members. Buck said the day went well and producers were given ample time to talk with legislators. Although MMPA has a lobbyist working on behalf of dairy farmers nearly every day at the Capitol, Buck said the annual day in St. Paul is important for dairy farmers to meet with state leaders. “We get dairy farmers from all across the state to come in to meet with legislators. I think the
legislators really appreciate that because they’re talking to normal people who are out there doing the work, and they like to hear from them even more so than hearing from a lobbyist,” Buck said. Throughout the day, there were ve main issues the producers discussed with legislators.
An exception for milk trucks Currently, there is an 80,000-pound load limit on interstates in Minnesota; however, not having any wiggle room for milk trucks creates a problem. If a truck is near capacity for milk and all the farms on the routes are up in production on the same day, it may cause the trucker to go over the weight restriction and receive a ne. “We want to be sure our milk trucks can stay on the roads and carry as close to full weight as possible, so they can be both economically and environmentally efcient,” said Lucas Sjostrom, MMPA executive director. Minnesota’s 80,000-pound limit is lower than the surrounding states. A legislative change could help alleviate challenges because of that. “It affects both those of us at farm level because our costs could go higher and also the co-ops, since they are affected as they cross state lines,” Sjostrom said. “The receptiveness is Turn to CAPITOL | Page 7
KRISTA KUZMA/DAIRY STAR
A group of dairy farmers meet with Lt. Gov. Tina Smith (center) to talk about dairy issues during Dairy Day at the Capitol on Feb. 1 in St. Paul, Minn.
February 11, 2017
Innovation provides family’s future
JENNIFER COYNE/DAIRY STAR
Mike and Linda Hanson milk 102 cows near Goodridge, Minn., with their sons – David, and his wife, Ashley, MaƩhew (pictured) and Steven. This fall, the family installed two milking robots and a mixing and feeding robot.
Hansons automate milking, feeding on dairy By Jennifer Coyne jenn@dairystar.com
GOODRIDGE, Minn. – When Mike Hanson was a young boy helping on his family’s dairy, he was mixing and delivering feed to the milking herd with a shovel and pails. Now, Mike has not touched a shovel for feed in ve months. “Leave it to the farmers to get innovative,” Mike said. “They’re always thinking; there’s always someone pushing the envelope.” Mike and his wife, Linda, milk 102 Ayrshires and Holsteins near Goodridge, Minn., in Pennington County with their three sons – David and his wife, Ashley, Matthew and Steven. They also run 3,000 acres of cropland. This fall, the Hansons began milking with two Lely robots and feeding with a Lely Vector – one of the rst autoTurn to HANSONS | Page 5
JENNIFER COYNE/DAIRY STAR
A claw reaches down into a bale of dry hay to add to the raƟon. The robot mixes feed 15 Ɵmes in 24 hours for the Hansons’ lactaƟng and dry cows.
Page 2 • Dairy Star • Saturday, February 11, 2017
DAIRY ST R www.dairystar.com
ISSN 020355 522 Sinclair Lewis Ave. Sauk Centre, MN 56378 Phone: (320) 352-6303 Fax: (320) 352-5647 Published by Dairy Star LLC
General Manager/Editor Mark Klaphake - mark.k@dairystar.com 320-352-6303 (ofďƒžce) 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 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 Proďƒžle brought to you by your
As milk prices slowly climb, many dairy producers are noticing another market that is suffering. Over the last several weeks, Holstein steer prices have tumbled, in some cases bringing in a mere 70 percent of their beef counterparts. Dairy Star spoke with area sales barns and dairy producers who raise their steers. Read about their reaction to the price change on pages 12 and 13 in By Mark Klaphake ďƒžrst section. With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, Editor Josh and Steph Dahl, of Rushford, Minn., reďƒ&#x;ect on how their relationship started with a click of a mouse. Through online dating, long distances traveled to spend time together, and surrogacy the Dahls have a heartwarming story of ďƒžnding love, which can be found on pages 10 and 11 in ďƒžrst section. Dairy Star caught up with couples willing to share their tips for ever-lasting love in “Our side of the fence.â€? Read about how the couples met, how they balance farm chores and personal time, as well as advice they have for other farming couples on pages 15 and 16 in ďƒžrst section. In January, Lucas Sjostrom took over as executive director of Minnesota Milk. Sjostrom, from Brooten, Minn., is taking over the position from Bob Lefebvre. The move is one of several changes the association is making. Find out more about Minnesota Milk’s changes on pages 23 and 25 in ďƒžrst section. In Holy Cross, Iowa, producers gathered to learn how to better manage their colostrum during the Iowa Dairy Days. During the seminar, Jennifer Bentley spoke of colostrum storing and feeding methods to maximize colostrum use in calves. Read more about these methods on pages 6 and 7 in third section.
Advertising Sales Main Ofďƒžce: 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 ofďƒžces. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Dairy Star, 522 Sinclair Lewis Ave., Sauk Centre, MN 56378-1246.
“I remember back when we were milking 80 cows and had a rolling herd average of 12,000. It took a lot of work to get here, but we climbed to the high top of the mountain.� -
Loren Wood (Second Section, Pages 14-15)
“Plain and simple, I’ve been fussy. I might milk slower, but I’m paying closer attention and being more consistent.� - Ryan Knisley (Second Section Pages 7-8)
By the Numbers
herd average 31,016: Rolling of Blue Horizons Farm. (Pages 18, 20 in First Section)
67 TO 80:
Pounds of new forage growth per acre per day. (Page 18 in Second Section)
CLEAN, EVEN CUTTING
Sales Manager - Jeff Weyer (Northern MN, East Central MN) 320-260-8505 (cell) jeff.w@dairystar.com Mark Klaphake (Western MN) 320-352-6303 (ofďƒžce) 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 ďƒžnal acceptance of the advertiser's order. Letters Letters and articles of opinion are welcomed. Letters must be signed and include address and phone number. We reserve the right to edit lengthy letters.
Favorite quotes from this issue:
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Dairy Star • Saturday, February 11, 2017 • Page 3
It’s all inside...
FIRST SECTION
Pages 8 - 9 Ag Insider Pages 12 - 13 Holstein steers lose battle at market Page 22
On the Road with Princess Kay
Richmond
Goodridge
Third Section: Page 13
Frist Section: Pages 1, 5 - 6
Hansons automate milking, feeding on dairy Roseau
Kingsbury
Brookings
Pages 5, 8
High school seniors work on agriculture instructor’s dairy Pages 6 - 7
Colostrum helps calves defend against diseases Pages 10, 12
Miner
Douglas Charles Mix
Hutchinson
Pages 21 - 26 Classieds
Wadena
Nicollet Brown
Murray
Rock
Nobles
sey
Dakota
r
Redwood
First Section: Page 36
Rice
Goodhue Wabasha
Cottonwood Watonwan Blue Earth Waseca Steele Dodge Olmsted Jackson
Martin
Faribault
Freeborn
Mower
Winona
Fillimore
Houston
Lincoln Clay
Union
Lyon
Osceola Dickinson Emmet
Sioux
O’Brien
Clay
Palo Alto
Kossuth
FROM OUR SIDE OF THE FENCE:
How does having a dairy make you a better couple? Pages 15-16
Fairfax, Minn.
Zone 1
For additional stories from our other zone, log on to www.dairystar.com
Rushford
Dahls meet online, nd love
Plymouth
Dairy farmer bequests $100K to local museum
Pages 18 - 19 Dairy Calendar
Scott
Turner
Bon Yankton Homme
Page 11
Kid’s Corner: The Eckerts Pages 16 - 17 Some Udder Stuff
Moody
McCook Minnehaha
Coyne, Nelson sisters represent Pierce-Pepin Holstein Club Pages 14 - 15
Lake
Carver
Minnesota City
Women in Jeans: Elle Tibor
Ha
nso
n
Sa nb
on vis
THIRD SECTION
Da
Sweets for my sweetie Pages 38 - 39 Dairy Recipes
or n
Page 30
Hennepin McLeod Sibley
Lyon
Isanti
Wright
eu
October mailbox prices lower in all reporting areas
Meeker
Renville
Yellow Medicine Lincoln
Page 29
Deuel
Kandiyohi
Chippewa
Pipestone
Hamlin
DHIA 2016 SCC for herds under 150K
First Section: Pages 18, 20
Anoka
Swift Lac Qui Parle
Codington
Clark
Benton
Stearns
Pope
Sherburne
Grant
Page 25 Mid-American Hay Auction Results Pages 26 - 28
Mille Lacs
Morrison
go
Freezing colostrum also an option
Pine
Douglas
Stevens
Rochester
Milking 3X boosts production for Holtegaards’ herd
isa
Roberts
Day
Big Sto Stone
Carlton
Crow Wing
Todd Grant
Second Section: Page 3
Aitkin
Su
Marshall
Third Section: Pages 2 - 3
Cass
Le
Tra ve
rse
Vander Wals named 2016 Pipestone County Farm Family of the Year
Page 23
Page 37
Ottertail
Wilkin
Pipestone
Panel compares differences among grazing operations
People in the Dairy Community
Becker
Clay
Millville
Sextons deal with aftermath of blaze that burned their milking facility
Ch
Page 18 University of Missouri dairy specialist gives tips to grazing protability Pages 21 - 22
men
no Mah
Itasca
Washinton
Norman
Page 4 Samac presents at Tour de Forage meeting Pages 10 - 11 The “Mielke” Market Weekly Page 12 Dairy markets Page 16 Graziers gather for annual GrassWorks conference
Koochiching
Hubbard
Polk
Second Section: Pages 7 - 8
First Section: Pages 1, 7
St. Louis
Red Lake
SECOND SECTION
Pages 14 - 15 Dairying Across America
Beltrami
Pennington
Knisley recognized by DHIA for milk quality
Second Section: Page 5
Producers converge at the Capitol
Lake of the Woods
Marshall
Lake Henry
St. Paul
Research nds ash content can be lessened in DM
Kanabec
Kittson
Royalton
Ra m
Star Youth: Marissa Willenbring
Clearwater
Pages 23, 25 Changes at Minnesota Milk Page 26 FSA News & Notes Page 27 The Transition Pen Page 28 Avoiding slips, trips and splits Page 29 Best management practices for group housing of pre-weaned calves Page 30 Dear County Agent Guy Page 31 What should you know? Page 32 Making Cents of Dairy Page 33 Dairy Good Life Page 34 Veterinary Wisdom Pages 35, 37 Mannings step into new age of robots
Dairy Prole: Curt and Chris Nachreiner 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
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humidity levels. With our total ventilation solutions,
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your cows will breathe easier — and so will you. Contact
systems can be integrated with automation technology
your GEA barn equipment representative today.
First Section: Pages 10 - 11
Page 4 • Dairy Star • Saturday, February 11, 2017
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Dairy Star • Saturday, February 11, 2017 • Page 5
ConƟnued from HANSONS | Page 1
Trust the experts Future success starts with today’s nutrition At Famo Feeds, we strive to provide the best support for your operation and work to accommodate your specific needs.
PHOTO SUBMITTED
The mixing and feeding robot delivers a batch of feed to the lactaƟng herd Feb. 2. mated mixing and feeding systems in the nation. Located at the end of the 116- by 276-foot, cross-ventilated freestall barn is an enclosed area, aptly named the kitchen, where dry hay, baleage and corn silage is stored. Throughout the day and night, a robotic claw picks up the appropriate amount of forage and places it in the top of the mixing and feeding robot. At the same time, corn and protein are added to the ration traveling through a pipe system from outside bins. The technology measures ration ingredients in kilograms (kg), allowing a maximum ration weight of 680 kg (1,500 pounds). The Hansons are currently mixing batches of 340 kg (750 pounds). Once the ration is properly mixed, the robot travels along a path down the feed alley, guided by metal strips and ultrasound technology, and provides feed to the milking and dry herds. A laser is used to detect how much feed to distribute and where. Currently, the Hansons are feeding their herd 15 times in 24 hours, with every third ration mixed for the dry cows. Also, every 45 minutes, the robot returns to the feed alley and pushes up feed. The frequent feedings result in feed that is always fresh. Cows clean the bunks and the Hansons have not dealt with taking away refusals. “I never have to take feed away or push it up again,” Mike said. “This is a no brainer.” The idea of updating the dairy was rst thought of in 1994 when Mike and Linda were milking 32 Ayrshires in a
40-stall tiestall barn and feeding a dry hay and corn ration. “In the early ‘90s, we had blueprints for a new barn,” Mike said. “But I’m a perfectionist, which also means I’m a procrastinator. I was always looking at blueprints and changing them.” As the years went on, the Hansons’ sons expressed interest in being involved on the family dairy for the long haul and the plans started to solidify – more land and cattle were purchased. “I love cows, and I knew if I wanted my boys to have a future in dairy we couldn’t be milking 50 cows,” Mike said. “We had to get bigger.” However, growing the herd and milking in the same facility was only a short-term solution. “On the last morning before we moved everyone into this barn, we milked 78 cows,” Linda said. “That got to be wearing, milking two full shifts.” With competition from area industries for employees, Mike and Linda knew they did not want to build a parlor and worry about nding reliable labor. Instead, they opted for automation. When the plans were in place, Linda and David traveled to Canada to view similar facilities. “I remember Mike asking us what we thought of the (feeding) system,” Linda said. “David said it was the way to go.” Mike agreed, who traveled north with Matthew on a later occasion. “I asked the farmer if he would Turn to HANSONS | Page 6
Programs and support for every stage... from calf to cow and everything in between! Our full lines of feed include: •Complete feeds •Starter feeds •Supplements •Concentrates •Vitamins •Minerals •Pre-mixes •Base Mixes •Milk replacers •Animal Health •Preservatives/Inoculants •Tubs •Pet Foods •Specialty and custom feeds to meet your specific needs
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ConƟnued from HANSONS | Page 5
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rather give up milking robots or feeding robots, and he said the milking robots. That’s when I knew we were doing the right thing,” he said. “We didn’t feed TMR, so we were going to invest in equipment regardless of which way we went.” After more than a year of touring farms and researching different facilities, in January 2015, the Hansons began planing the construction on their barn, and began milking with robots on Sept. 23, 2016. Within a day, the feeding system was operable, as well. “I had no idea what to expect. We were feeding a single ration all my life,” Matthew said. “Now, I could be down in the cities and change the ration on my phone if I need to.” The barn can hold 120 lactating cows and 40 dry cows. The Hansons have the land availability to double their herd in the future. Additionally, the feeding system can mix up to 16 different rations and feed upwards of 350 cows. However, with only a few months under their belts, the mixing and feeding automation has been a learning curve for the Hansons and others involved in the project. When the cows were rst fed with the system, they had to adjust to the technology and its presence in the barn. “Cows were waiting in line to be milked, and then the Vector would go by with feed and the cows would head to the feed bunk,” Mike said. Linda agreed. “The cows were initially a little hungry and would rather eat than use the robot, but that’s something the guys worked through,” she said. “We’re learning as we go.” Matthew has worked with the farm’s nutritionist to perfect the amount of feed given and when throughout the day to optimize the cows’ time at the
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bunk and also at the milking robots. Not having to milk or feed, the Hansons are able to more closely manage their herd. “We have more time, but we’re not spending that time on vacation,” Matthew said. “We’re taking better care of our animals.” Linda agreed. “Some would say, ‘I could put on ve milkers in the time it takes the robot to put on one,’” she said. “But the point is we don’t have to. We can focus our time elsewhere on the farm.” While the Hansons continually learn and adjust to their new set-up, they have one larger goal in mind. “We’ll look back and this will be great,” Linda said. “This is about the boys and their future – that’s why we built this.”
JENNIFER COYNE/DAIRY STAR
The Hansons can monitor their raƟons, and change them as needed, from their personal phones and electronic devices.
Dairy Star • Saturday, February 11, 2017 • Page 7
ConƟnued from CAPITOL | Page 1 all there. Legislators on both sides of the aisle are really receptive of the idea.” Economic development for co-ops Sometimes expanding a milk processing facility can mean better efciency and fewer jobs on-site, but equates to more jobs at the farm level. Dairy farmers asked legislators not to skip funding for co-ops that are upgrading just because the number of jobs at the co-op does not increase. “[I’m here] to raise awareness for the need for the growth of the dairy industry as well as to nd more programs that can help processors grow and expand if they need to. In our area there’s been growth [in cow numbers] so processing is going to be a big issue. I want to be sure our farm continues and hopefully grows so the next generation has somewhere to go,” said Kindra Carlson, who has a 1,500-cow dairy near Pennock, Minn.
Streamline regulations Dairy farmers talked to their legislators about making small changes in regulatory timing and permitting, which would cut down on paperwork and let the dairy producers focus on their onfarm priorities. Tom Sedgeman, a rsttime Dairy Day at the Capitol attendee and 350-cow dairy producer from Sauk Centre, Minn., wants to make sure the permitting process is done in a timely manner, especially as he plans to add 50 cows to accommodate the next generation coming in to his family’s farm. “[Legislators] can feel condent that we’re concerned about the environment, proper regulations and following the protocol to do some expansions. We want to make sure there’s opportunity for small producers, mid-sized producers and larger producers. We all need to be successful and survive to keep this industry in Minnesota strong,” Sedgeman said.
KRISTA KUZMA/DAIRY STAR
Rep. Erin Murphy (second from right), a Democrat who represents St. Paul, met with Dairy Day at the Capitol aƩendees (from leŌ) Tom Sedgeman, Shelly DePestel, Joyce Sedgeman and Tom Wegner. The Sedgemans are dairy farmers from Sauk Centre, Minn., and DePestel dairy farms near Lewiston, Minn. Wegner is an economist at Land O’Lakes.
THANKS FOR ATTENDING
KRISTA KUZMA/DAIRY STAR
Minnesota Milk Producers AssociaƟon president, Dave Buck (leŌ), and Marin Bozic, University of Minnesota assistant professor in dairy economics, tesƟfy in front of the House of RepresentaƟves ag commiƩee on behalf of Minnesota dairy farmers on Feb. 1 during Dairy Day at the Capitol in St. Paul, Minn. UMN Dairy Research, Teaching and Consumer Education Center Another priority was making sure there are still supporting funds as plans go forward to improve the dairy facilities at the University of Minnesota campuses in St. Paul and Morris. Support for the Livestock Investment Grant MMPA has been thankful for the continued funding of the Livestock Investment Grants (LIG). These grants have been especially helpful to beginning farmers like Elinor Opitz, who began dairy farming in 2015 and now milks 40 cows near Maple Lake, Minn. “I’ve utilized [LIG] and it works so well for me. I make that my pet issue to talk about because I like to contrast how well things work at the state level compared to the problems most of us have run into trying to get any of the aid at the federal level,” Opitz said. Sedgeman agreed it’s a good grant program. “For the few dollars they invest today, they will get many dollars returned
down the road in the life-long career of that next generation,” he said. Overall, many of the dairy farmers who attended the day thought it was time well spent. “The urban and rural legislators that we met were very open and interested in hearing what we had to say, and there were good questions back and forth. I think people put away their Republican and Democrat hats when they met with us and focused on rural issues,” Sedgeman said. Buck agreed. “Obviously, a lot of things get decided in St. Paul. You have to be there and voice your concerns. The legislators here are very willing to listen, and may not agree with you on everything, but they’re always willing to listen,” he said. “This is where the rules get made so we have to be here. The world is run by the people who show up.” Minnesota dairy farmers are hoping they made a difference in the legislature by showing up to Dairy Day at the Capitol Feb. 1.
Looking for scholarships? Minnesota Milk is awarding 10 $1,000 scholarships to students conƟnuing their educaƟon within the dairy industry. The applicant’s family must be a current member of Minnesota Milk. ApplicaƟons are due June 1. To learn more, visit MnMilk.org.
Dairy Day at the Capitol February 1
Meet Two of our 2016 Scholarship Winners! More than 60 dairy stakeholders – including more than 50 dairy farmers – were at more than 65 meeƟngs with legislators throughout the day.
Join us at our Įnal Dairy Farm Management Workshop.
Thursday, March 2, 2017
Cabela’s, Owatonna, sponsored in cooperaƟon with Midwest Dairy and Minnesota Dairy IniƟaƟves · 9:30-10 a.m. RegistraƟon · 10 a.m. Forage Planning for the Whole Year – Pam Uhlenkamp, Farm Business Management · 11:30 a.m. Midwest Dairy Update – Karen Kasper · 12 noon Lunch · 12:30 p.m. Minnesota Milk Update · 12:45 p.m. Dairy MarkeƟng – Jason Vavra, AMPI
Emily Annexstad, St. Pater, parents: Rolf & Jean Annexstad. Emily is a freshman in animal science/ ag communicaƟon and markeƟng at the University of Minnesota Twin CiƟes. She has been acƟve in 4-H and FFA, dairy judging, dairy quiz bowl and showing caƩle. She earned her State FFA Degree and was a state 4-H Dairy Showcase award winner. Emily was in NaƟonal Honor Society, soccer, track, speech, band and choir, along with the Lutheran Youth AssociaƟon. She belongs to the Minnesota Junior Holstein AssociaƟon and is a Nicollet County Dairy Princess. Blake Berning, St. Michael, parents: Paul and Stacy
Berning. Blake is a sophomore in agriculture economics at North Dakota State University, where he belongs to Saddle and Sirloin Club. He has shown dairy, swine and rabbits in 4-H and has been a Wright County 4-H ambassador and camp counselor. He also played baseball and hockey, and served on the state oĸcer team for Business Professionals of America.
Register at MnMilk.org.
(763) 355-9697 | mmpa@mnmilk.org | MnMilk.org Minnesota Milk was established in 1977 as a grassroots organization for Minnesota’s dairy industry. Our focus is in three areas: Government Policy (taking timely action to support and/or oppose issues impacting our members); Education (providing programs that further the professional goals for our members); and Membership (creating more ways for our members to prosper).
NAFTA renegotiation could be good for dairy Page 8 • Dairy Star • Saturday, February 11, 2017
The dairy industry is one part of agriculture that Practicing bold may benet from a renegotiated North American Free President Donald Trump has been in ofce for Trade Agreement. National Milk Producers Federa- a matter of weeks and major agriculture issues, like tion Senior Vice President of Communications Chris trade and regulatory reform, are being addressed. Galen said dairy farmers want to adCombest, Sell and Associates founding Ag Insider dress Canada’s domestic pricing policy. partner Tom Sell said Trump campaigned “It’s designed to cut off exports from as a bold candidate with bold promises the United States. That’s something that and he hasn’t backed down a bit. Sell needs to be on the table as NAFTA gets sees agriculture as a unique part of the reassessed. We want to make certain we economy and there is reason for anxiety can export to both Canada and Mexico, about trade. “There is signicant price the focus is less Mexico as opposed to the taxing that can come from trade barrirelationship with Canada, which needs ers. We want open markets in U.S. agto be looked at.” Galen said they are inriculture. We want access to worldwide terested in the potential bilateral trade markets. We want to have a level playing agreements. “I think there are still opporeld. This possibility of going backwards tunities out there. It’s just going to be a when it comes to trade liberalization is a By Don Wick different dynamic in Washington D.C. in real reason for concern. That said, noththe next few years.” Columnist ing real has happened yet.” U.S.-Mexico trade emphasized at dairy forum Speaking at the International Dairy Foods Association forum in Florida, former Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said the dairy industry can overcome the current political spat between the United States and Mexico. The relationship between the two countries is signicant because 40 percent of U.S. dairy exports go to Mexico. Vilsack took over February 1 as the president and CEO of the U.S. Dairy Export Council.
Milk production continues to increase With more favorable dairy prices, milk production is rising. USDA World Ag Outlook Board Chair Seth Meyer said there are several factors for the increase in production. “Good returns, larger cow numbers and a little more milk per cow. That’s also supported by better returns, too.” Meyer said dairy prices in 2017 should be higher with USDA pegging the all milk price up 11 percent at $18 per hundredweight.
A new standard for trade deals House Agriculture Committee Chairman Mike Conaway said the abandonment of the Trans-Pacic Partnership wasn’t a complete loss. In Conaway’s view, there is now a oor as to what a good trade deal looks like for agriculture. “We’ll be able to measure these bilateral agreements against what was there on TPP to see how much better we’re going to be. I think we will be better as a result of Mr. Trump’s negotiations in production agriculture.” Conaway believes agriculture could benet from a fresh approach to NAFTA. “With respect to Canada, we would love to open up the dairy market better.”
More milk According to USDA, December milk output was up 2.4 percent from one year earlier. Production per cow is also rising, reaching levels not seen since this series of reports began in 2003. In South Dakota, milk production went up 4.3 percent. Minnesota milk production increased just over 1 percent and the amount of milk produced in Wisconsin rose nearly 2 percent. Dairy replacement numbers decline The U.S. cattle herd is at a seven-year high. According to the semi-annual cattle inventory report,
the supply of cattle and calves rose 2 percent in 2016, reaching 93.5 million head. That’s the third straight year of expansion. The report indicates more cows and heifers were retained in the fourth quarter. Surprisingly, dairy heifer replacements declined. “I think there were some expectations that given the current increases in the cow inventory; expectations of higher milk prices and improved returns in 2017, there might be more of a willingness to expand the dairy herd than what this report is showing,” said Shayle Shagum, USDA livestock analyst.
Bill would enforce dairy labeling standards A bill has been introduced in the U.S. House that would prevent so-called ‘soymilk’ or ‘almond milk’ from using those traditional dairy terms. The Food and Drug Administration has regulations that denes milk as a product of cow. A similar bill was introduced in the Senate two weeks ago. The National Milk Producers Federation is praising this action, saying plantbased drinks are misbranded. A growing dairy industry Minnesota dairy farmers left the barn and lled the state capitol Feb. 1. University of Minnesota Extension dairy specialist Marin Bozic testied before the House Agriculture Committee. Bozic said the dairy industry is growing in the Upper Midwest. “For a number of years, it was the western states who were growing. Wisconsin and Minnesota were losing cows; the size of our herd. That has changed.” From 2005 to 2015, Minnesota milk production increased 15.5 percent. Wisconsin milk output increased 27 percent and South Dakota milk production rose by more than 64 percent. Bozic said the Upper Midwest has potential to grow the dairy industry further, due to the climate and the availability of quality feed. MnDOT revises ditch rule The Minnesota Department of Transportation is making some adjustments to its controversial permit requirements for the mowing and baling of road ditchTurn to AG INSIDER | Page 9
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ConƟnued from AG INSIDER | Page 8 es. The issue has been a hot topic since the DOT announced the permit plan last fall. With the change, the time frame for permit applications has been extended. Landowners who want to mow on state highway right-of-way adjacent to their property must apply for a permit before the end of February. As of March 1, all others can apply to mow or bale hay from those ditches. The agency also revised its insurance and safety requirements. Common sense needed on MnDOT permit rule Permits are now required by the Minnesota Department of Transportation for landowners who want to mow and or bale hay in ditches along state roads. It is a misdemeanor to mow hay on a state highway right of way without the permit. Minnesota Farm Bureau President Kevin Paap said this topic is frustrating his members. “We’ve heard from a couple elected ofcials that they’re actually getting more calls on ditch mowing than they are buffers.” Meetings have been organized between lawmakers, the DOT and Minnesota farm leaders. If ditch hay is baled, state ofcials want it done late in the season so it will protect habitat for wildlife and pollinators. Safety is also a consideration. “We in agriculture understand that if we have large round bales on the side of the road, that’s a safety issue. The state needs to know who baled it so
we can make sure they get picked up on a timely basis, but commonsense has to prevail on some of this.” Accelerated Genetics names new president/CEO Accelerated Genetics has named Janet Keller as its new president and chief executive ofcer. Keller was with the company from 2001 to 2010 as the vice president of communications. Most recently, Keller was the communications and public relations manager for World Dairy Expo. Keller and her husband also own and operate a Holstein dairy farm. Trivia challenge In 1890, Stephen Babcock created a simple test to measure the butterfat content in milk. That answers our last trivia question. For this week’s trivia, what dual-purpose cattle breed originated in the 19th century from crossbreeding Simmental imported from Switzerland? We’ll have the answer in the next edition of Dairy Star. Don Wick is owner/broadcaster for the Red River Farm Network, based in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Wick has been recognized as the National Farm Broadcaster of the Year and served as president of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting. Don and his wife, Kolleen, have two adult sons, Tony and Sam, and ve grandchildren, Aiden, Piper, Adrienne, Aurora and Sterling.
“Lameness manager makes it so simple to add animals to the maintenance trim list.” Why did you decide to use Lameness Manager? We have always entered our foot trim and lame cows into Dairy Comp. This way we can track each cow’s health status. Last summer when I attended a meeting on Lameness Manager, I saw ways that would make entering our footrim and lameness easier. Lameness Manager makes it so simple to add animals to the maintenance trim list. Before, we would enter it on our own Excel spreadsheet which was a lot more entering and work. How has Lameness Manager changed the way you manage your herd? The report is programmed to have the lame or problem cows repeat on the list in three weeks for a recheck which before they may have been missed. Have you noticed any correlation between lameness and ketosis? When a cow is lame she may be off feed, which could mean she has ketosis or a displaced abomasum. Why do you test with DHIA? We are able to use the DairyComp program which seems to be the universal language in the dairy industry.
Louise Malecha Malecha Dairy Villard, Minn. • 1,100 cows
Minnesota Dairy Herd Improvement Association 307 Brighton Avenue South Buffalo, MN 55313 1.800.827.3442 www.mndhia.org
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Steph and Josh Dahl, holding their son, Bricker, talk and make plans for the rest of the day while walking through the calf barn to check on the animals.
Dahls meet online, nd love By Krista Kuzma
krista.k@dairystar.com
RUSHFORD, Minn. – Before they met each other, Josh and Steph Dahl knew it would take a special someone to be their signicant other. “It’s hard to nd someone who understands that you can’t pick up and go and have every weekend off or even the evenings,” Josh said about dating and being a farmer. They each took their relationship search online and the click of a mouse turned into a click in their personalities. The Dahls met online at farmersonly. com in 2010, which eventually led to a marriage celebration in December 2013. The couple now farms together with Josh’s parents on their 150-cow farm, Dead End Dairy, near Rushford, Minn. Before nding Steph, Josh’s lifestyle on the farm didn’t leave much time for dating. It was hard to meet
KRISTA KUZMA/DAIRY STAR
Steph and Josh Dahl, holding their son, Bricker, check on a calf together on their dairy near Rushford, Minn.
someone when he was devoted to the care of his animals and land. “Everyone else [in my family] thought I wouldn’t get married and be like the other bachelors here on the farm,” Josh said referencing his grandma’s brothers, who each were bachelors. “There haven’t been kids in this house since my grandma grew up.” But Josh’s sisters wanted a different outcome for him. They helped him take pictures to set up an online dating prole. At the same time, Steph was also looking online for a companion after losing her rst husband in a farming accident. The two owned a business together, but operated a hobby farm near Pine City, Minn. “I swore I would never date or get married again, but I was lonely. I had this big huge house and all these animals, and I missed having someone to talk to,” Steph said. Growing up, Steph spent a lot of time at her grandparents’ farms, which grew her interest in the lifestyle. “I’ve wanted to live on a farm my whole life. I knew I wanted someone who either lived on a farm or loved animals,” Steph said about why she chose a dating website for farmers. When they found each other online, they started messaging each other and then talking on the phone. Josh didn’t know if the four-hour travel time between them would work for a relationship. He had a farm to run. “I thought she’s cute and she seems really cool, but that’s far away,” he said. Steph had the same hesitation. “It was safe,” she said. “We could talk, but we didn’t have to meet if it didn’t work out.” But they decided to meet. They went on their rst date to a Twins baseball game in Minneapolis. “We were both really nervous,” Steph said. “But it went well and we talked on the phone the whole way home. I was so excited I missed my exit.” The two would talk every day and about a month later, Steph made the trek down to Josh’s dairy. Josh had some help preparing for the visit from his sister and her daughters. “They came and helped me get the house cleaned and the yard mowed to make it look somewhat presentable,” Josh said with a laugh. “I was happy Steph didn’t see the yard and turn around and go back home.” Steph said having his family there made it more comfortable. “It broke the ice and made it easier,” Steph said. “It was a good rst visit. I got to feed babies, help in the barn and milk cows. I was in heaven.” Turn to DAHLS | Page 11
Dairy Star • Saturday, February 11, 2017 • Page 11
ConƟnued from DAHLS | Page 10
YOUR Annual Dairy Checkoff Meeting is Coming Up!
Date
Time
2/14/17 11:30 a.m. KRISTA KUZMA/DAIRY STAR
Steph and Josh Dahl along with their three kids (from leŌ), Cashton, Jaxie and Bricker, milk 150 cows with Josh’s family on their farm, Dead End Dairy, near Rushford, Minn. The couple now farms together aŌer meeƟng online. Steph started visiting every couple weeks before it turned into an every weekend routine. Steph, who worked as a para at the school, would get done with work on Friday, pack her bag and drive four hours to spend time with Josh on the farm. “I would always drive home late Sunday night. I would stay as long as I could because I never wanted to leave,” she said. Their time together consisted mostly of farm chores – riding in tractors or the combine, feeding calves and milking cows. “We never went anywhere,” Steph said. Josh admired Steph’s kindness.
“We try to appreciate every day because you don’t know when your last could be.” STEPH DAHL, DAIRY PRODUCER
“She’s very considerate of others, like how she sends birthday cards to all our nieces and nephews. And she understands how everything can go around here,” he said. Steph liked how Josh worked around the farm. “He’s so patient and soft spoken. I love how he loves what he does and the animals,” she said. By 2011, Steph and Josh knew they wanted to keep their relationship going so Steph moved to Rushford. By March 2012, they were engaged. Shortly after, Josh’s sister approached the couple about being a surrogate mother for them. “I can’t have kids because I have lupus and had to have chemo treatments to get my lupus under control. Between the two of those things there is no way I could carry a baby without risking my own life or the child’s. I told him that
on our rst date and we were OK with that,” Steph said. But they realized this was a chance to grow their family and took the offer. They welcomed twins, Cashton and Jaxie, in May 2013. That December, Josh and Steph got married in a small ceremony on a portion of their land they bought together that overlooks a valley and the rest of the farm and other elds around it. Their décor included a Christmas tree with lights in the back of their truck. “We didn’t tell anyone. We bundled up with the kids, got married and went to see the [La Crosse] Rotary lights afterward,” Steph said. “Neither of us wanted a big wedding. We’re not fancy or into that stuff, and that chunk of land is so special to us and just so pretty.” They celebrate their anniversary by going to the Rotary lights as a family, which now includes 1-year-old Bricker, who also had a surrogate mother. Throughout the rest of the year, the Dahls enjoy spending time together as a family on the farm. “The kids don’t go to daycare. I can pop in the house whenever I want to see them and they can ride with me outside,” Josh said. Steph feeds calves nearly every day together with Josh’s sister and brings the kids to the barn to help with milking and other chores when the weather allows. It’s these little things the Dahls enjoy the most. “We try to appreciate every day because you don’t know when your last could be,” Steph said. “To be lucky enough to nd another amazing man that I love more than I ever thought I could and be a mom on top of that and be on a farm – it doesn’t get much better than that.” They’re also thankful they both looked online to meet their special someone. “For us to even meet out of all the people out there is amazing,” Steph said. “We just clicked.”
Locations
District Director
Extended Program
The Oaks, Willmar
Tom Walsh
Armed Forces Reserve Community Center, Cambridge, MN
Kathy Skiba
2/24/17 11:30 a.m.
Lewiston Silo School, Lewiston
Rita Young
3/2/17
10:00 a.m.
Cabela’s, Owatonna
Karen Kasper
3/6/17
Noon
Stewartville Legion Stewartville
Chris Sukalski
3/7/17
10:00 a.m.
McIntosh Community Center, McIntosh
Dan Grunhovd
Yes 3
3/9/17
11:00 a.m.
Pizza Ranch Slayton
Dave Schwartz
Yes 4
3/11/17
Noon
Tobies Big Kettle Room, Hinckley
Peter Ripka
American Legion Millville
Jim Dose
Good Times, Caledonia
Carolyn Freese
2/15/17
Noon
3/13/17 7:30 p.m. 4/1/17
7:30 p.m.
Yes 1
Yes 2
ADDITIONAL COUNTY ADA LOCAL MEETINGS
3/16/17 7:00 p.m.
Branding Iron, Preston
Carolyn Freese
EXTENDED PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS 1. Guest Speaker: Kindra Carlson, MMPA Director 2. Forage Planning for the Whole Year; Pam Uhlenkamp Preparing for the Next $12 Milk; Jason Vavra 3. Robotic Dairy-Finance and Returns; Jim Salfer Dairy Precision Technologies; Dr. Brad Heins DHIA Annual Meeting Feed Directive Disaster Preparedness Composting Alternatives; Minnesota Board of Animal Health Dr. Randy Lindeman, State Veterinarian and Chad Carlson, Agriculture Advisor 4. County ADA Leadership Meeting
Producers may attend the meeting closest to them. At some locations, County ADA business may be conducted so please contact your county leadership to learn more.
MidwestDairy.com
Also, visit MidwestDairy.com or call 1-877-577-0741 for more meeting locations and dates!
Page 12 • Dairy Star • Saturday, February 11, 2017
A closer look by Jennifer Coyne
Industry news addressed with help from your neighbors
Holstein steers lose battle at market
Reports show growing margin between beef, dairy prices CALLAWAY, Minn. – Two weeks ago, Mike Schouviller and his brother, John, brought 36 Holstein steers to the local sales barn. As the Schouvillers sat down in the arena, waiting for bidding to begin, an unsettling feeling washed over them. “We overheard buyers not bidding on Holstein cattle because of the price,” Mike Schouviller said. “It’s scary to think what might happen to the Holstein steer market.” The Schouvillers and their families milk 115 cows near Callaway, Minn., and raise all of their youngstock – selling steers at market weight. Historically, Holsteins have brought in less per hundredweight (cwt.) for lower carcass quality and lower dressing percentages compared to their beef counterparts. “The most valuable cuts along the carcass include ribeye and loin items, and the major muscles in these cuts tend to have a narrower, concave shape in Holsteins,” said a spokesperson for
DAIRY STAR FILE PHOTO
As of Feb. 6, Holstein steer prices were more than $30 less than their beef counterparts. Recent changes in the industry have contributed to the lower market values.
the United State Department of Agriculture (USDA). “This is less appealing to end users and creates a discount for Holstein beef cuts.” However, over the last six months, the price spread between beef and Holstein steers has signicantly widened upwards of $12 per cwt. By December 2016, the spread expanded to as much as $30 per cwt., according to data col-
lected by USDA Market News. On Feb. 6, the markets at Central Livestock Association in Zumbrota, Minn., ranged from $115 to $119.75 per cwt. for fed beef steers and $63 to $81 per cwt. for fed Holsteins. “A greater supply of Holstein calves has led to lower prices for fed Holsteins,” said the USDA. “Also, declines in Holstein calves destined
for special fed veal production have increased the supply of Holsteins that were put on feed for the beef market.” The most notable reason for the change in market prices is due to recent changes in the packing industry. This change resulted in many slaughterhouses reducing or stopping the harvest of Holsteins. “In particular, one beef packer anTurn to STEERS | Page 13
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Dairy Star • Saturday, February 11, 2017 • Page 13
ConƟnued from STEERS | Page 12
nounced in mid-2016 that it would cease buying and slaughtering Holsteins, which played a factor in the recent decline in prices for Holstein feeder cattle and nished cattle,” said the USDA. Don Huntington, with Central Livestock Association in Zumbrota, agreed. “That’s hurting the market and caused feeder cattle to drop like a rock,” said the eld man. With such a wide margin and the inability to control the market, sales barns and dairy producers, alike, are taking the hit. “We’re working through what we have until Holsteins get kicked back into the market,” said Mitch Barthel, Perham Stockyards in Perham, Minn. “We’re always looking for new outlets – making phone calls to individual buyers and packing houses.
“We’re always looking for new outlets – making phone calls to individual buyers and packing houses. But where the market is, there’s not a lot of options.” MITCH BARTHEL, PERHAM STOCKYARDS
But where the market is, there’s not a lot of options.” In the Upper Midwest, only a small handful of packers will accept Holstein meat, including JBS Packerland in Green Bay, Wis. “More people are making their cattle bigger to make more dollars at the cheaper price,” Huntington said. “But there’s even fewer [packers] that will take anything greater than 1,650 pounds.” While the specic reason for the discontinued processing of Holsteins is unknown, Tyson Foods provided this statement: “We continue to harvest Holstein cattle from existing long-term supply agreements. Meanwhile, customer demand continues to drive the direction of our procurement needs.”
Although prices deter producers to raise their steers to market weight, the cattle provide additional income for the farm – making current markets even more frustrating. For 20-some years, John Van Doorn and his family have raised their Holstein bull calves to a feeder weight of 600 pounds on their dairy near Tony, Wis. The Van Doorns previously only raised Guernseys and Jerseys, but delved into the Holstein market when bull calves were selling at a low price. “Fat steer prices have always been pretty good, but now they’re not very good. When we started, we could get $2.58 per cwt., now it’s at $0.77,” said Van Doorn, who frequently sells on the Zumbrota auction. “That’s a lot less money and now it’s gotten really ugly.” Schouviller raises steers to efciently use the feed refusals from his dairy herd. “There’s always a little waste from dairy cows. We clean that up with the steers,” Schouviller said. “They also pay a lot of bills when we’re making money. That extra income is nice.” While the markets have plummeted, producers have held on with a slight up-tick in milk prices. “Everything in farming [is unpleasant] … cull cows are down, feeders are down,” Van Doorn said. “Now, the $2 more per cwt., in milk is making up for the lost income.” Schouviller agreed. “We’ve been selling fat steers for 10 years or so,” Schouviller said. “If we get hit with $13 milk, that’s a double whammy on both ends, and insurance won’t cover it. If prices keep dropping, we should just milk more and not raise calves.” Time will only tell how this will impact dairy producers in the long run, but many are hopeful this is a short downturn in the market cycle. “Really, there’s nothing we can do but wait for the market to recover,” Huntington said. “There’s going to be a demand for them again.” Van Doorn agreed. “There’s always people that want [Holsteins]. Things will turn around when you think there’s no hope,” he said. “Things will straighten out.”
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From Our Side Of The Fence
Dairy Star • Saturday, February 11, 2017 • Page 15
How does having a dairy make you a better couple?
Frank and Julie Grehl Hitchcock, S.D. Beadle County 100 cows
Marie and Jay Noska Browerville, Minn. Todd County 46 cows
How long have you been married? We have been married 31 years this Valentine’s Day.
How long have you been married? 41 years of wedded bliss.
How did you and your spouse meet? We met at college. It was my rst day on campus, and he opened the door for me. It was love at rst sight for both of us. How does having a dairy make you a better couple? Having a dairy makes us a better couple because we are stronger together and have always been a team. Being able to recognize each of our strong points has helped in working together. The dairy is multi-faceted; there is always a place to nd your expertise. Many hands make light work. How do you nd time for each other? We nd time for each other in simple everyday activities. We use parts runs to eat out together. We like spending time together and talking about improvements and future plans. We also pray together. What advice would you give other couples? The advice I would give other couples is to love what you do and do what you love. Working with my best friend every day is great. Sometimes plan-A doesn’t work, and we have to move to plan B or C. Be exible. Each day is a gift. Enjoy it and enjoy being together. If you and your spouse could go anywhere for Valentine’s Day, where would it be? If we could go anywhere for Valentine’s Day, we would go to Hawaii. The warm sun and sand would feel great in the middle of a long, cold, snowy South Dakota winter. Tell us about your farm. Our farm consists of Frank and I, and our boys, Nick and Nathan. Our daughter, Katelyn, a past dairy princess, also helps when she is not working as a registered nurse. Our two oldest daughters live off the farm. We farm 2,500 acres consisting of corn, soybeans, oats and alfalfa. Rick and Ann Stocker Jordan, Minn. Scott County 90 cows How long have you been married? We’ll be celebrating our 30th anniversary in July. How did you and your spouse meet? A mutual friend introduced us to each other. How does having a dairy make you a better couple? We work together daily, which gives us a chance to discuss all the things going on, both on the farm and in our family. We rely on each other to always be there. How do you nd time for each other? Besides milking together twice a day, we try to have date night a couple times a month, even if it’s grocery shopping. What advice would you give other couples? Communication is the key. We like to nd a bale a straw, where no one can bother us. We discuss things going on at the farm, things going on with our kids, and with our extended family. If you and your spouse could go anywhere for Valentine’s Day, where would you go and why? We don’t have a special place that we like to go, but we love it when our children can join us for a night out. We enjoy spending time with our family, even though it’s getting harder to get everybody together. Tell us about your farm. Rick was born and raised on the family farm. His father passed away when Rick was 15, so he’s been milking for 38 years. Ann joined the operation in 1987, when we got married. We have raised four children on the farm. They all have off-the-farm jobs, but are willing to help out whenever they can. We milk twice a day in a stanchion barn that we rotate two groups through. We raise our replacement heifers and nish our dairy steers. Our farm is 300 acres, where we raise corn, alfalfa, barley and soybeans.
How did you and your spouse meet? I met Marie in school in Browerville. We dated on and off through high school, and then it went downhill from there. How does having a dairy make you a better couple? Talking things out together and making decisions together. A dairy farm is a great place to nd hiding places. How do you nd time for each other? My favorite time is when we take a coffee break in the milkroom during morning chores. This gives us a chance to catch our breath and talk. Sometimes, it’s just nice to steal away for a few hours and eat meals together. What advice would you give other couples? Talk things out and have a sense of humor about things. To the men, I would say learn how to say, “Yes, dear.” If you and your spouse could go anywhere for Valentine’s Day, where would you go and why? Going to a cabin up north would be ideal. It would be nice to go where it is nice and peaceful. Tell us about your farm. We bought the farm 32 years ago from Marie’s parents. We milk 46 cows and feed out Holstein steers. We crop farm 200 acres, which are planted with corn, alfalfa, soybeans and a few weeds. I also sell seed for Legend Seeds. We have four grown kids – Joshua, Jason, Justin and Sarah – and seven grandkids. Marie and Larry Hendrickson Blanchardville, Wis. Green County 60 cows How long have you been married? We have been married 14 years in July and have never had a ght. How did you and your spouse meet? Marie worked for the local veterinarian, and I was one of his clients, so we knew each other for years. Then, certain circumstances brought us together. A conrmed bachelor, I was no more. How does having a dairy make you a better couple? It boils down to our love of animals. The miracle of each new born calf is a wonder. The joy of working side by side when time allows builds our relationship. My wife has a full-time job off the farm, so time can be limited. How do you nd time for each other? On the weekend, we try to get off the farm for awhile, otherwise we are together for the evening chores. That’s our time to discuss the day’s happenings and future plans. What advice would you give other couples? Never go to bed mad. Cherish each day because life is too short. Don’t sweat the small stuff. If you and your spouse could go anywhere for Valentine’s Day, where would it be? We really aren’t ones to travel. We love our farm. The perfect day is when we can spend time with our grandchildren and share life on the farm with them. Tell us about your farm. Our farm is 120 acres, mostly hay ground along with our dairy cattle and calves. We have had 40 to 60 Red and White and Black and White registered Holsteins. We are in the process of selling our herd. At present, we have 15 cows left. It is that time in our life to retire due to health reasons. We have horses, donkeys, chickens, cats, bunnies and two dogs – Gus, a Golden Retriever, and Stella, a beagle. As our granddaughter said, she doesn’t have to go to a petting zoo. She just goes to Grandpa and Grandma’s. Turn to FENCE | Page 16
Page 16 • Dairy Star • Saturday, February 11, 2017
ConƟnued from FENCE | Page 15 Daryl and Maggie Krohnfeldt Alexandria, Minn. Douglas County 55 cows
Christy and Tom Berscheit Grey Eagle, Minn. Todd County 46 cows
How long have you been married? 41 years
How long have you been married? Twenty-four years
How did you and your spouse meet? At my brother and her sister’s wedding, I was the bestman and she was a bridesmaid. We started dating ve months later. We communicated back and forth via letters, and then I called her and we went out for a date.
How did you and your spouse meet? Through mutual friends.
How does having a dairy make you a better couple? Working together and sharing the joys and sorrows of life on the dairy farm. How do you nd time for each other? Summer time with the dairy and the farm work, free time is very limited. The winter time slows down, somewhat. In between morning and evening chores, you have more free time. We like to go to town and have dinner or just relax and watch TV.
How does having a dairy make you a better couple? Dairy farming and farming in general has highs and lows. As a couple you really have to be a team and communicate through the good and the bad times. How do you nd time for each other? At the end of the day we usually sit down for supper or occasionally go out for supper. What advice would you give other couples? Marriage, like all things in life, has good times and bad times but you have to communicate and make time for one another.
What advice would you give other couples? The rural life on the dairy is a nice place to raise a family. Communicate with each other and share each other’s joys and sorrows.
If you and your spouse could go anywhere for Valentine’s Day, where would you go and why? We would probably go to Hawaii, because it seems like a beautiful place.
If you and your spouse could go anywhere for Valentine’s Day, where would you go and why? Somewhere south to get a break from the cold weather, ice and snow. We would go listen to a country music concert by Luke Bryan.
Tell us about your farm. We own 240 acres and rent an additional 280 acres. Our crops are corn, alfalfa and soybeans. In addition to milking 46 cows we also raise our own replacement heifers.
Tell us about your farm. We are a family dairy farm of 55 Jersey cows and farm approximately 225 acres. We raise corn and alfalfa, and wheat or oats for nurse crops on alfalfa. We have a grown son that helps on weekends and takes time off from his job to help the farm in the busy season. He is interested in coming back to the farm, so we are going to be transitioning the farm to him. Richard and Margaret Reiman Princeton, Minn. Mille Lacs County 50 cows, Jerseys and Holsteins How long have you been married? 41 years. We were married in 1975. How did you and your spouse meet? Rich was a DHIA supervisor for my aunt and uncle, and occasionally did chores for them. My aunt thought we should meet and she brought him to my family’s house to visit. But I had other ideas and left early. We kept meeting at DHIA meetings, county fair tractor pulls and church. She was persistent. On our rst date, we went to the reworks in Pease, Minn., on July 4. Later, we climbed the 60-foot Harvestore to see more reworks in the area. How does having a dairy make you a better couple? We have worked together well and experienced a lot of ups and downs as have everyone else. Dairy is in our blood and it is a real passion for us. What advice would you give other couples? Please stay away from using the words always, never and should have. Since planned events don’t always work out on a dairy farm, if an opportunity arises, go for it don’t overthink it. If you and your spouse could go anywhere for Valentine’s Day, where would you go and why? It would be to southern Minnesota to spend time with our sons, daughter-in-law and 6-month-old grandson. Tell us about your farm. We live on a traditional 320-acre dairy farm, where we raise all our own feed and rotationally graze as long as possible. We are a thirdgeneration farm transitioning to a fourth generation with our daughter and son-in law.
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Stewart and Emma Bartz Downing, Wis. Dunn County 50 cows How long have you been married? Four and a half years. How did you and your spouse meet? We met at a mutual friend’s Memorial Day cookout. When another friend introduced herself to Emma and asked if she was my girlfriend, her look of horror and violent head shaking made me feel less than condent about initiating a conversation with her, but I guess it all worked out in the end. How does having a dairy make you a better couple? I think it denitely underlines the importance of communication. We’d be lying if we said we had everything gured out, but with myself spending the evenings milking and Emma working in town all day our time together is denitely limited. When we do get a chance to spend time together it makes us appreciate that opportunity more. How do you nd time for each other? That was a big hurdle when we rst got married. Growing up my parents both worked on the farm so they got to eat three meals together and spend down time with each other, so each day was treated pretty much the same. Now that we’ve taken over the farm, I try to get as much done during the weekdays as possible so that on weekends when Emma isn’t working we try to do just the basic chores, like feeding and milking, and then spend the rest of the day together, with the exception of planting and harvest time. What advice would you give other couples? Prioritize. Keeping the farm running is denitely important, but you need to make time for each other. The world will keep turning if you wait a day to dust the pipeline or wash your tractor instead of spending time with your signicant other. Sorry fellas, but running to town for parts doesn’t always count as date night. It may be the only time to get together in the spring, but once crops are in you’d better have a day to give her. The largest farm or highest herd average doesn’t mean a thing if you don’t have someone to share it with. If you and your spouse could go anywhere for Valentine’s Day, where would you go and why? Probably somewhere that isn’t farm related. The farm has had its fair share of attention in our love story; we had our wedding reception on the farm and with a rst-calf heifer requiring assistance calving, so all our family and friends got a rsthand look at what pulling a calf in a tuxedo looks like. The day after we got married we took off to attend a herd dispersal in southern Wisconsin. On Valentine’s Day 2015, we spent the day classifying cows. I’m sure Emma would prefer chocolates to washing cows at 5:00 a.m. again. Tell us about your farm. We milk primarily registered Holsteins, with production ranging between 85 to 95 pounds, depending on the time of year. Emma is also employed at WESTconsin Credit Union. We purchased the cows from my parents in 2015 and rent the barn from them. We crop approximately 200 acres alongside 200 acres that my father farms. We raise corn, alfalfa-grass mixtures, soybeans, oats and rye.
Dairy Star • Saturday, February 11, 2017 • Page 17
Page 18 • Dairy Star • Saturday, February 11, 2017
Top Performers
Milking 3X boosts production for Holtegaards’ herd Blue Horizons Farm Roger and Nathan Holtegaard Rochester, Minn. Olmsted County 530 cows What is your current herd average, butterfat and protein? Our current herd average is 31,016 pounds of milk with 1,182 pounds of fat and 927 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 have been milking our herd three times a day for three years. Before that, we noticed the cows had a lot of milk, and we thought it would be healthier for them to have an extra milking. Plus, an extra milking would boost production, which would also boost our income.
KRISTA KUZMA/DAIRY STAR
The father-son duo of Roger and Nathan Holtegaard own and manage their 530-cow dairy, Blue Horizons Farm, near Rochester, Minn. Their herd currently has a rolling herd average of 31,016 pounds of milk with 1,182 pounds of fat and 927 pounds of protein.
KRISTA KUZMA/DAIRY STAR
Cows are milked in the Holtegaards’ double-10 parallel parlor they rebuilt in 2013.
Do you use BST? If so, what is your protocol? Yes, we start our cows on BST at about 6065 days in milk and give it every 14 days. They receive it until about two weeks before dry off.
switched to sand bedding in 2008, and in 2015, we built a new freestall barn. In one of the barns, we have a separate Describe your housing and group for dry cows that has a milking facility. Our milking bedded pack. First lactation herd is housed in three freestall cows are housed in the older barns with sand bedding. We barns while the older cows Turn to BLUE HORIZON | Page 20 Do you contract your milk? Has it been successful for you? No, we’ve never tried it.
SINCE 2003
COMFORT BUILT TO LAST. • Hock protection • Clean & dry, low SCC • Reduces maintenance on equipment • Less labor • 10-year limited warranty “What I like about waterbeds is they are close as we’ve seen to our sand stalls, and I mean as close to sand on day one or two after Älling, in terms of comfort. What is better is the waterbeds are consistent day in and day out, with none of the maintenance. If I miss bedding the barn, the stalls are still comfortable. Right now my percow average is higher and my cell count is roughly the same as when we had sand bedding. It would be hard to convince me that I would get better production or lower count with sand than I’m getting right now. I walk into a barn and I see all of my cows laying and I see cows chewing her cud, and I know we’ve accomplished what we set out to do – and with waterbeds in the barn.”
- Verhasselt Farms, Kaukauna, WI 1,642 DCCW ISOs • 1,023 DCCW Originals
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OɈer valid on DCC Waterbeds ISO purchases made January 2 – May 1, 2017 (U.S. and Canada only) For complete rebate details visit: www.DCCWaterbeds.com/rebate Rebates must be postmarked or emailed no later than June 1, 2017.
Contact a DCC Waterbeds dealer near you: Dairy Services, Inc. - Stratford, WI Fuller’s Milker Center Inc. - Lancaster, WI Field’s - Mount Horab, WI Eastern Iowa Dairy Systems - Epworth, IA Scharine Group - Whitewater, WI Livestock Systems - Charles City, IA K&R Equipment - Fountain, MN
Komro Sales & Service - Durand, WI Midwest Livestock Systems - Pine Island, MN & Sioux Falls, SD Dairyland Equipment - Plainview, MN Joel Ross - Lonsdale, MN United Development LLC- Brookings, SD Preston Dairy - Sparta, WI Leedstone - Melrose, MN & Glencoe, MN
www.DCCWaterbeds.com | (608) 709-2693 Advanced Comfort Technology, Inc. © 2017
Dairy Star • Saturday, February 11, 2017 • Page 19
“We love it in the maternity pen!” — Alan Mesman
MESMAN FARMS, MT. VERNON, WASHINGTON Alan (Anita), Ben (Chelsy) and Samantha Mesman Robotic Organic Dairy, 110 cows, SCC 150,000 “We have been using Udder Comfort™ for 8 years and just love it in our maternity pen!” says 4th generation dairyman Alan Mesman, pictured above with wife Anita during the 2016 WODPA Conference. Alan and his son Ben and daughter Samantha operate Mesman Farms, a 110-cow robotic organic dairy near Mt. Vernon, Washington. “As an original user, we did one of the first DHI comparisons 8 years ago, coating udders of high-count cows. We were surprised when our SCCs fell by 40,000. We then transitioned to using Udder Comfort routinely after calving to manage udder edema and milk quality.” With robotic milking in place 3 years, the Mesmans continue to make sure fresh cows get Udder Comfort. “We use it in the maternity pen for 4 milkings to remove edema and soothe irritation, especially on the new heifers.
“I like seeing positive change in working with the cows and watching the progress of our Holstein/Jersey herd. Udder Comfort plays a big part, helping fresh cows reach their potential.”
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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, February 11, 2017
ConƟnued from BLUE HORIZON | Page 18 are in the new barn. Cows are milked in a double-10 parallel parlor with rapid exit. We redid the parlor in 2013.
able with sand. We had another adjustment to cow comfort when we built our new barn. We had brisket boards put in, but realized they were not in the right spot. We eventually moved them to give the cows more room in the stalls. Technically they’re not needed, but the brisket boards help save on sand. We built the barn with the possibility of building a sand lane, which we are looking at for the future. The third factor is making quality feed. We have our own equipment so we’re able to harvest our feed. We also have a self-propelled chopper, which makes putting up silage a lot easier, and all haylage and corn silage is stored in a pile. A fourth factor is having quality help. We have eight full-time employees.
What is the composition of your ration? What has been one of your most recent changes that has been successful for you? The milking herd receives a ration that includes 55 pounds of BMR corn silage, 33.3 pounds of haylage, 8.5 pounds of Delac whey, 4 pounds of cottonseed, 12.4 pounds of mineral mix, 11 pounds of snaplage and 11 pounds of dry shelled corn. We’ve been using the snaplage and the dry corn the last few years. We think it’s helped with herd health and components. We work closely with our nutritionist, Todd Windhorst. Through the years you’ve been farming, what change has created the biggest jump in your herd average? When we switched to three-time-aday milking, our cows each jumped up about 10 pounds of milk per day. What is your herd health program? Our milking herd gets vaccinations of Scour Guard, J-5, Bovishield and SRP. The hoof trimmer comes once a month. We trim the dry cows so we don’t disrupt the milking herd. What does your dry cow and transition program consist of? Our dry cows are split into
Cows at Blue Horizons Farm are housed in sand-bedded freestall barns. two groups – far off and prefresh. Cows are dried off for 45 to 60 days and are put into the prefresh group three weeks before calving. They all receive the same ration consisting of corn silage, winter rye and a mineral mix. After they’ve had a calf, they go right into their appropriate pens in the milking herd. What role does genetics play in your production level and what is your breeding program? We use an ovsynch
program with double lutalyse and tail chalking. Bulls are chosen based on dollar value. Sexed semen is used on the heifers for their rst breeding and calving ease is taken into consideration. What type of improvements would you like to make that would increase your rolling herd average even higher? Having a post-fresh group for the cows before they are put in with the rest of the milking herd would help the cows
KRISTA KUZMA/DAIRY STAR
make a better transition. What would you say are the three most important factors for you that helped you attain your current herd average? The rst has been switching to three-time-a-day milking. The second is cow comfort, which we have seen increase since we started using sand bedding. When we put in sand bedding, we didn’t see an immediate jump in production, but it slowly went up. The cows seemed more comfort-
Tell us about your farm. Roger’s parents bought the 240acre farm in 1949. In 1972, Roger joined the operation, and Nathan joined in 2007. At that time, we also bought a neighboring farm where we now feed our heifers and steers. It allowed us to make more room for animals and make all of them more comfortable. When Nathan came home, we milked 180 cows and slowly worked up to our current herd size. We also run 1,100 acres of owned and rented land. We raise all our own replacements and feed out our steers.
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Dairy Star • Saturday, February 11, 2017 • Page 21
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ARTICULATED 4WD TRACTORS JD 8760, 1990, 4375 hrs., #135332 .............................................$45,500 JD 9400, 1998, 8346 hrs., #134904 .............................................$59,900 JD 9400, 1996, 6173 hrs., #134367 .............................................$79,000 JD 9520, 2006, 3109 hrs., #135259 .......................................... $139,000 JD 9620, 2006, 4700 hrs., #134870 .......................................... $148,000 JD 9630, 2008, 3004 hrs., #135019 .......................................... $169,000 JD 9430, 2011, 2227 hrs., #134950 .......................................... $189,500 JD 9630, 2011, 1925 hrs., #134865 .......................................... $204,000 JD 9560R, 2013, 2226 hrs., #127914 .......................................... $235,000 JD 9560R, 2012, 1681 hrs., #133796......................................... $249,000 JD 9620R, 2015, 455 hrs., #125913 .......................................... $399,000 FIELD CULTIVATORS JD 985, 1995, #130971 .................$18,000 Case TIGER MATE II, #129749 .....$25,000 JD 2210, #135359...........................$32,000 JD 2210, 2006, #119500 ..............$37,900 JD 2210, 2007, #102810 ..............$37,900 JD 2210, 2005, #120515 ..............$39,500 JD 2210, 2009, #131140 ..............$44,900 Case IH 200, 2011, #129150 .......$55,000 Great Plains Discovator VII, #134563 .............................................$17,500 JD 2310, 2011, #108698 ..............$46,900 JD 2310, 2008, #124769 ..............$50,000 LARGE SQUARE BALERS JD L330, 2015, #135164 ............ $109,000 JD L330, 2016, #125537 ............ $125,900 MOWER CONDITIONERS JD 635, 2008, #126498 .................$15,900 JD 946, 2005, #130363 .................$17,500 JD 835, 2008, #131315 .................$18,500 NH H7150, 2011, #122976 ..........$19,900 JD 635, 2013, #134300 .................$21,900 JD 946, 2009, #132018 .................$23,500 JD 835, 2012, #130580 .................$24,000 NH H7150, 2012, #126620 ..........$24,500 JD 946, 2011, #126500 .................$25,500 JD 830, 2015, #134944 .................$25,900 JD 835, 2015, #133943 .................$26,500 JD 956, 2011, #126054 .................$27,900 JD 956, 2013, #121134 .................$28,900 JD 946, 2014, #126629 .................$30,900 JD 946, 2014, #126997 .................$32,000 PLANTERS JD 1750, 1998, #123390 ..............$20,000 JD 1750, 2001, #127462 ..............$20,500 JD 1780, 1997, #127222 ..............$28,500 JD 1750, 2013, #131524 ..............$36,500 JD 1760, 2005, #134967 ..............$39,700 JD 1780, 2001, #134553 ..............$42,500 JD 1770, 2004, #120099 ..............$42,900 JD DB44, 2008, #131589 ..............$58,500 JD 1790 CCS, 2004, #124998 ......$61,900 JD 1770NT, 2006, #135018 .........$64,000 JD 1770NT, 2008, #106973 .........$65,900 JD 1790 CCS, 2004,#125700 .......$67,900 JD 1790 CCS, 2007, #118810 ......$67,900 JD 1770NT, 2010, #120512 .........$71,500
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4 4 1 10 5 2 4 7 5 4 4 6 8 4 2 8 8 7 10 12 11 2 11 10 1 1 4 2 9 2 6 5 4 5 4 10 8 8 6 10 10 1 10 8 2 4 10 4 8
JD 1770, 2011, #132629 ..............$72,500 JD 1770NT, 2010, #131019 .........$75,000 JD 1770NT, 2010, #123272 .........$77,500 JD 1770NT, 2010, #134770 .........$78,732 JD 1770NT, 2012, #117386 .........$89,500 JD 1770NT, 2014, #120447 .........$89,500 JD DB44, 2005, #134620 ..............$89,900 JD DB44, 2007, #127876 ..............$93,900 JD 1770NT CCS, 2012, #135066 .......................................... $105,900 JD 1770NT CCS, 2013, #125129 .......................................... $115,000 JD 1770NT, 2014,#134722........ $127,330 JD DB66, 2009, #101972 ........... $149,000 JD DB44, 2015, #132329 ........... $169,000 JD 7300, 1997, #126928 ..............$16,000 JD 1720, 2006, #120108 ..............$35,000 JD 24R22, #127252 ........................$39,000 ROUND BALERS JD 568, 2007, #131030 .................$17,500 JD 457, 2005, #134613 .................$17,900 JD 582 Silage Special, 2006, #132056 .............................................$18,500 JD 458, 2009, #131244 .................$18,900 JD 568, 2007, #131763 .................$18,900 JD 458 Silage Special, 2010, #132415 .............................................$19,500 NH BR7090, 2008, #123046 ........$21,900 NH BR7090, 2012, #133944 ........$22,900 CIH RB564, 2008, #129522 ..........$23,000 JD 568, 2007, #122377 .................$25,900 JD 468 Silage Special, 2012, #134462 .............................................$26,000 JD 569, 2013, #135012 .................$26,900 JD 568, 2008, #119918 .................$30,000 JD 468 Silage Special, 2011, #126398 .............................................$30,900 JD 469, 2013, #131787 .................$30,900 JD 468 Silage Special, 2012, #132115 .............................................$31,900 JD 459 Silage Special, 2013, #134718 .............................................$32,500 JD 568, 2011, #126221 .................$32,900 JD 569, 2014, #135360 .................$37,000 JD 569, 2013, #126055 .................$38,900 JD 569, 2014, #124210 .................$38,900 JD 569, 2015, #134021 .................$40,500 JD 569 SILAGE SPECIAL, 2015, #134962 .............................................$44,500 TRACTORS International 5488, 1982, 8140 hrs., #129314 .............................................$24,500 JD 4440, 1981, 9095 hrs., #123224 .............................................$26,900 JD 4255, 1991, 11822 hrs., #133470 .............................................$27,900 JD 7520, 2007, 13300 hrs., #134769 .............................................$34,900 JD 4955, 1989, 8190 hrs., #133760 .............................................$52,900 JD 4560, 1993, 4640 hrs., #135362 .............................................$56,000 JD 7420, 2007, 5301 hrs., #134042 .............................................$58,900 JD 6430, 2008, 3072 hrs., #125897 .............................................$64,500 JD 7420, 2007, 4776 hrs., #134043 .............................................$64,900 JD 6430, 2010, 696 hrs., #128336 .............................................$72,500
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JD 6430, 2008, 1346 hrs., #132066 .............................................$79,500 6 JD 8100, 1994, 3510 hrs., #134258 .............................................$81,900 6 CIH 145 PUMA, 2013, 755 hrs., #134447 .............................................$84,500 11 JD 7920, 2003, 4910, #134912 .............................................$94,900 6 CIH Magnum 180, 2010, 1227 hrs., #131001......................................... $103,500 8 JD 7630, 2007, 3650 hrs., #131106 .......................................... $105,000 8 JD 8220, 2002, 5469 hrs., #127863 .......................................... $108,500 4 JD 7830, 2008, 3289 hrs., #135361 .......................................... $114,500 9 JD 6150R, 2013, 698 hrs., #127915 .......................................... $119,000 4 JD 8220, 2004, 1601 hrs., #132349 .......................................... $122,000 9 JD 6145R, 2015, 268 hrs., #120191 .......................................... $122,900 11 JD 8330, 2006, 3975 hrs., #121999 .......................................... $124,900 1 JD 6155R, 2015, 179 hrs., #124983 .......................................... $129,500 1 JD 7200R, 2012, 729 hrs., #135070 .......................................... $129,900 4 JD 7830, 2011, 3778 hrs., #110189 .......................................... $134,000 4 JD 7215R, 2013, 1150 hrs., #133909 .......................................... $142,000 8 JD 6175R, 2015, 650 hrs., #135147 .......................................... $148,000 8 JD 7210R, 2015, 1250 hrs., #134394 .......................................... $153,900 3 JD 8235R, 2013, 1636 hrs., #127894 .......................................... $159,000 2 CIH Puma 230 CVT, 2012, 760 hrs., #121468 .......................................... $159,000 8 JD 7210R, 2015, 651 hrs., #134395 .......................................... $161,900 1 JD 7215R, 2013, 301 hrs., #117213 .......................................... $162,500 8 JD 7210R, 2015, 837 hrs., #134396 .......................................... $164,900 1 JD 7230R, 2015, 446 hrs., #126922 .......................................... $171,500 3 JD 8245R, 2014, 429 hrs., #107406 .......................................... $172,900 5 JD 8260R, 2013, 1527 hrs., #125130 .......................................... $179,000 1 JD 8320R, 2010, 2499 hrs., #117098 .......................................... $185,000 4 JD 8245R, 2015, 494 hrs., #135325 .......................................... $185,500 1 JD 7230R, 2014, 447 hrs., #126805 .......................................... $193,000 2 JD 7230R, 2015, 88 hrs., #134308 .......................................... $197,500 2 JD 7230R, 2015, 96 hrs., #134309 .......................................... $205,000 3 JD 8335R, 2013, 2029 hrs., #127896 .......................................... $219,000 8 JD 8295R, 2015, 911 hrs., #134373 .......................................... $224,900 2 JD 8285R, 2011, 1345 hrs., #118552 .......................................... $226,900 7 JD 8320R, 2014, 2084 hrs., #127013 .......................................... $227,500
JD 5085M, 2012, $ 85 hp., 1610 hrs., #125293
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8 3 6 12 4 10 4 9 11 12 4 6 6 10 7 6 4 8 7 10 4 4 12 10 11 5 2 4 3 4 4 4 2 4 4
JD 8270R, 2015, 100 hrs., #134459 .......................................... $239,000 JD 8270R, 2015, 70 hrs., #125647 .......................................... $250,000 NH TL100A, 2004, 4335 hrs., #134908 .............................................$17,900 JD 2950, 1984, 10321 hrs., #134614 .............................................$24,500 JD 6400, 1997, 12549 hrs., #134717 .............................................$29,700 JD 6400, 1994, 7825 hrs., #129836 .............................................$34,900 JD 5075M, 2013, 100 hrs., #125138 .............................................$38,000 JD 5101E, 2010, 880 hrs., #132064 .............................................$38,500 JD 6130D, 2011, 4100 hrs., #134834 .............................................$44,900 JD 5085M, 2012, 1610 hrs., #125293 .............................................$47,995 Kubota M100GX, 2014, 450 hrs., #131537 .............................................$49,000 JD 5085E, 2016, 241 hrs., #124729 .............................................$51,900 JD 5100E, 2016, 99 hrs., #124826 .............................................$54,900 JD 6140D, 2013, 378 hrs., #131138 .............................................$62,500 JD 5100M, 2015, 295 hrs., #118463 .............................................$62,900 JD 6105E, 2016, 292 hrs., #124868 .............................................$63,900 JD 5115M, 2012, 611 hrs., #129621 .............................................$66,500 JD 6120E, 2016, 267 hrs., #124871 .............................................$67,900 JD 6140D, 2014, 15 hrs., #133561............................................$68,900 JD 6130D, 2015, 223 hrs., #123740 .............................................$69,500 JD 6105M, 2014, 320 hrs., #132099 .............................................$71,000 JD 6135E, 2015, 298 hrs., #124885 .............................................$71,900 JD 6120E, 2016, 125 hrs., #124883 .............................................$73,900 JD 6135E, 2015, 1 hr., #124880 ..$76,900 JD 6125M, 2013, 359 hrs., #123591 .............................................$86,900 JD 6125M, 2013, 631 hrs., #126547 .............................................$91,000 JD 6105R, 2013, 414 hrs., #135169 .............................................$91,500 JD 6105R, 2014, 106 hrs., #127952 .............................................$99,000 JD 6125R, 2014, 479 hrs., #128687 .............................................$99,000 MF 6616, 2014, 898 hrs., #127776 .............................................$99,500 JD 6125R, 2013, 500 hrs., #134131 .......................................... $103,000 JD 6110R, 2015, 104 hrs., #119898 .......................................... $105,900 JD 6125R, 2014, 225 hrs., #127948 .......................................... $106,000 JD 6110R, 2016, 95 hrs., #133619 .......................................... $112,000 JD 6120R, 2015, 132 hrs., #124875 .......................................... $118,900
JD 6140D, 2013, $ 140 hp., 378 hrs., #131138
62,500
Page 22 • Dairy Star • Saturday, February 11, 2017
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Farms, fairs, Fairborne and Fairchild
What seems to be one of the least busy months of the year for most people happens to be a fairly adventurous month for Princess Kay. At the end of December, I had the honor of touring Square Deal Dairy, owned by Blake and Chicky Otte and their three sons. Square Deal Dairy was the recipient of the Minnesota Milk Producer of the Year Award. After touring the farm and talking with On the Road with the Otte family, I underPrincess Kay stand why they earned this award. Not only is the Otte family some of the kindest people I have ever met, but they truly have a passion for the dairy community. The Otte family is always coming up with new ways they can improve their farm and make a positive impact on the By Haley Hinrichs dairy community. They 63rd Princess Kay of the strive to provide the best Milky Way opportunities and experiences for both their sons and their employees. You can clearly see how they follow strong values in their life and on their farm. Once January hit, I was able to head to Ames, Iowa, to start my spring semester at Iowa State University. After the rst week at school, I came home for the Minnesota Federation of County Fairs Convention. I started the morning with my rst workshop. My workshop primarily focused on how we can promote dairy at county fairs. I was there to provide insight as to why dairy is important to promote and new ideas to promote dairy at the county and state fair level. The session was lled with many eager faces to learn more, ask questions and engage in insightful discussion. I was then able to share my passion for the dairy community and fairs with the more than 700 attendees at the luncheon. I wrapped up the day with my nal workshop and some exploration at the convention. It was a great day of catching up with old friends and making new friends, as well. I wrapped up the month of January with another trip to Minnesota. I was able to walk in the St. Paul Winter Carnival Parade along with Fairborne and Fairchild, the Minnesota State Fair Mascots. If you have ever encountered these silly gophers, you will know they are energetic and a bit mischievous at times. On my way back to school, I found a stash of goodies consisting of granola bars, lip balm and candy bars, all neatly tucked in the hood of my jacket by these tricky mascots. Good thing they were watching out for me. January was a success. Some days I still cannot comprehend how fortunate I am to be a part of such an amazing program and have the opportunity to work with such a dedicated group of people. Stay tuned next month for more adventures.
Contact one of the following dealers to learn more: IOWA Kramer Bros. Monticello, IA 319-465-5931 Prairie Land Ag Supply Inc. Rock Valley, IA 712-476-9290 United-Suckow Dairy Supply West Union, IA 563-422-5355 Postville, IA 563-864-7417
WISCONSIN Advanced Dairy/Bob’s Dairy Supply Spring Valley, WI 715-772-3201 Ederer Dairy Supply Plain, WI 608-546-3713 Joe’s Refrigeration Inc. Withee, WI 715-229-2321 Mlsna Dairy Supply Inc. Cashton, WI 608-654-5106 Professional Dairy Services Waunakee, WI 608-849-5043
Mondovi Dairy Systems Inc. Mondovi, WI 715-926-5777 West Salem, WI 608-769-2113 The Scharine Group Inc. Whitewater, WI 800 472-2880 Mt Horeb, WI 800-872-3470 MINNESOTA & SOUTH DAKOTA D&D Ag Supply Pennock, MN 320-599-4466
East Central Dairy Supply Mora, MN 320-679-1029 Genex Farm Systems Melrose, MN 320-256-3276 Watertown, MN 605-886-7401 Sioux Falls, SD 800-284-0015 S&S Dairy System LLC St. Charles, MN 507-932-4288 Professional Dairy Systems Wadena, MN 218-632-5416
is a registered trademark of Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. and “DeLaval” is a registered trade/servicemark of DeLaval Holding AB © 2017 DeLaval Inc. DeLaval, 11100 North Congress Avenue, Kansas City, Missouri 64153-1296. www.delaval.com
PHOTO SUBMITTED
Princess Kay Haley Hinrichs visits with the OƩes – (from leŌ) Chicky, Eric, Tyler and Blake – at their dairy, Square Deal Dairy near Randolph, Minn. The OƩes were recipients of the MMPA Producer of the Year Award.
Dairy Star • Saturday, February 11, 2017 • Page 23
Minnesota Milk staff changes usher in 2017 work Organization moves forward with Sjostrom as executive director By Krista Kuzma
krista.k@dairystar.com
Dairy producer members of the Minnesota Milk Producers Association will see new and familiar faces representing them at the organization’s events. In January, Lucas Sjostrom took over as executive director of Minnesota Milk. Sjostrom, who is from Brooten, Minn., previously served as government and policy relations program manager and is taking over the executive director position from Bob Lefebvre. Despite the change, Lefebvre and Eir GarciaSilva, who previously was associate director of Minnesota Milk, will still be on board to help with other Minnesota Milk duties. Other people on the Minnesota Milk team include Shannon Seifert, who was hired in October, and Jodi Jetson, who works directly with dairy farmers. Alyssa Olson works as the program assistant in the
Buffalo ofce while one more staff member, who is yet to be hired, will complete the team. All are employed by Midwest Dairy Association, but are contracted for their services for Minnesota Milk. For Midwest Dairy, Sjostrom has been promoted to Minnesota director of industry relations, GarciaSilva has been promoted to vice president of industry relations and Lefebvre remains senior vice president of industry relations. “We’re still carrying out the same responsibilities as we were before on both sides,” Sjostrom said. “Check off money still stays with check off and Minnesota Milk money still stays with Minnesota Milk, but now we’re able to talk a lot more between organizations and represent each other at meetings rather than coming to the same meeting with two different voices.” Along with having a common voice for both organizations where it’s appropriate,
“Checkoff money still stays with checkoff and Minnesota Milk money still stays with Minnesota Milk ...” LUCAS SJOSTROM, MINNESOTA MILK
KRISTA KUZMA/DAIRY STAR
Lucas Sjostrom has taken over the role of execuƟve director for Minnesota Milk Producers AssociaƟon. another benet includes being adequately staffed. “The big benet beyond not having duplication at meetings anymore is that we have a whole accounting team, and we have a whole IT depart-
ment. Minnesota Milk didn’t have that before. At the [Minnesota] State Fair when it used to be Jodi and a couple of her coworkers, we now have a whole team of about six who can dedicate 12 days to help-
ing with just the product side,” Sjostrom said. “We’re able to better utilize our assets throughout the year, and we’re also able to be on the same page as both organizations move forward separately, but in similar ways.” Sjostrom came on board with Minnesota Milk nearly one year ago. Previous to that, he worked for several dairy publications and in government relations for Holstein USA after graduating from the University of Minnesota. He gained a love for dairy while growing up on his family’s farm near LaFayette, Minn. The 80-cow dairy is run by his parents, Steve and Deb, and brother, Jacob. His sister, Megan Jacobsen, works in the agriculture industry. When he has time, Sjostrom enjoys working with his family at Redhead Creamery, the on-farm cheesemaking facility owned and run by his wife, Alise, and at the farm that supplies the milk for the creamery, which is owned and run by his in-laws, Jerry and Linda Jennissen. “I learned my sophomore year of college when I went to Washington, D.C., [for an internship with Congressman Collin Peterson] that there aren’t very many people who are both dairy farmers and want to work with government. I gured out a long time ago that this was a nice niche for me Turn to MMPA | Page 25
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Page 24 • Dairy Star • Saturday, February 11, 2017
Location: CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL 531 Morse Street, Norwood Young America
Monday, February 20, 2017
A seminar and trade show for dairy producers.
$10/person $5/Students (with ID) Ticket price includes lunch, refreshments and program notes. Cash or check only. For more information, contact Colleen Carlson at 952-466-5306 or check the website at z.umn.edu/expo2017
The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer.
9:00 am Registration - Trade Show Open 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. 10:15 am Early Bird Drawing - Chanhassen Dinner Theatre Tickets 10:30 am
SESSION A
SESSION B
SESSION C
Small Giants: Strategies for Small Farm Survival
25 Years and Counting: Building on the Past for a Bright Future
Communication: The Key to Labor Management
Dr. Jeffrey Bewley, Extension Dairy Systems Specialist, University of Kentucky
Jim Dickrell, Editor, Dairy Herd Management
Betty Berning Extension Educator, Agriculture Business Management, University of Minnesota
11:30 am
Special Presentation: Carver County Dairy Expo 25th Anniversary – Auditorium
11:45 am
Keynote Session: Feeding America, Feeding the World
12:45 pm
ENJOY LUNCH AND THE TRADE SHOW
2:15 pm
Phil Plourd, Dairy Economist, Blimling and Associates – Auditorium
SESSION D
SESSION E
SESSION F
The Effect of Hay Rake Type on Ash Content in Hay
Using Precision Technology to Improve your Farm
Escuela de Mastitis** Science of Mastitis
Abby Neu, Extension Educator, University of Minnesota
Dr. Jeffrey Bewley, Extension Dairy Systems Specialist, University of Kentucky
Jorge Delgado Bilingual Trainer – Dairy Specialist Elanco Animal Health ** Please note this entire session will be presented in Spanish.
3:15 pm Door Prize Drawings, Ladies Basket and $250 Cash! In case of inclement weather, please call the Farm Information Line (800) 232-9077. For other Dairy Expo information, please call Carver County Extension (952) 466-5300.
Dairy Star • Saturday, February 11, 2017 • Page 25
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together with other agricultural organizations such as the University of Minnesota Extension, Minnesota Dairy Initiatives and Farm Business Management. “Let’s make sure we’re making the best use of everyone’s time. We have a lot of overlap, especially between some of these groups on timing and topic area because we aren’t all talking. That’s probably Minnesota Milk’s job – to make sure we’re making the best use of those state, federal and dairy farmer dollars,” Sjostrom said. Legislatively, Sjostrom wants to make Minnesota Milk and dairy farmers even more visible. “What we really want to do is to have more technology involved. For a small cost we can get text messages to dairy farmers in a quick fashion. If they need to call their local or state representatives they can do that with that technology,” he said. He also wants more dairy farmers to connect with their legislators, both at Dairy Day at the Capitol and through regional legislative events. “I’m really optimistic but I really want to get to a day where we’re loved and known from farm to fork,” Sjostrom said. “I want those dairy inuencers to know what dairy means to their community, their nutrition and to the farm. I’m in a pretty benecial spot because dairy fat is back. Minnesota is poised to grow cow numbers and people are starting to nally gure out how important immigrant labor and dairy farm local spending are to their local economy. All the research has been done, now I just have to share that with our neighbors, county commissioners and everyone who will listen and hopefully be the darling industry everyone starts talking about.”
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because there aren’t many people who really, truly enjoy this,” said Sjostrom about looking forward to his position as Minnesota Milk’s executive director. In his new role for Minnesota Milk, Sjostrom will focus on producer education, leadership development and legislative policy. “That’s what we’ve focused on for 15 years since Bob [Lefebvre] started,” Sjostrom said. Dave Buck, Minnesota Milk president, thinks Sjostrom is a good t for the position. “He’s an excellent asset to the organization,” Buck said. “He has some policy background with [Congressman] Collin Peterson, has a journalism background and he’s young, so he can relate to the newer, younger producers. We’re really happy to be working with him.” Going forward, Sjostrom has a few goals for the organization. The rst is to grow membership. Currently, Minnesota Milk’s membership includes one-fourth of Minnesota’s dairy farmers, but Sjostrom wants to double that number. “I would think at least 50 percent of dairy farmers agree with what we’re doing and would want to get involved with what we’re doing,” he said. “My parents didn’t know much about Minnesota Milk, but got more involved through the scholarship program.” Sjostrom also wants Minnesota Milk to grow and organize its personal development program through students. “We want to nd leaders already at the college or even high school level to help us get that channel of leaders so we have great board members in the future so that we have great dairy farmers down the road,” Sjostrom said. For education, Minnesota Milk wants to maximize educational opportunities for dairy farmers by working
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ConƟnued from MMPA | Page 23
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Page 26 • Dairy Star • Saturday, February 11, 2017
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USDA offers targeted farm loan funding The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) reminds producers that FSA offers targeted farm ownership and farm operating loans to assist underserved applicants as well as beginning farmers and ranchers. USDA denes underserved applicants as a group whose members have been subjected to racial, ethnic or gender prejudice because of their identity as members of the group without regard to their individual qualities. For farm loan program purposes, targeted FSA News & Notes underserved groups are women, African Americans, American Indians and Alaskan Natives, Hispanics, Asians and Pacic Islanders. Underserved or beginning farmers and ranchers who cannot obtain commercial credit from a bank can apply for either FSA direct loans or guaranteed loans. Direct loans are made to applicants by FSA. Guaranteed loans are made by lending institutions who arrange for FSA to guarantee the loan. FSA can guarantee up to 95 percent of the loss of principal and interest on a loan. The FSA guarantee allows lenders to make By Ryan Brunn agricultural credit available to producers who do not Stearns Co. Exec. Dir. meet the lender’s normal underwriting criteria. The direct and guaranteed loan program provides for two types of loans: farm ownership and farm operating. In addition to customary farm operating and ownership loans, FSA offers microloans through the direct loan program. The focus of a microloan is on the nancing need of small, beginning farmer, niche and non-traditional farm operations. Microloans are available for both ownership and operating nance needs. To learn more about microloans, visit www.fsa.usda.gov/microloans. To qualify as a beginning producer, the individual or entity must meet the eligibility requirements outlined for direct or guaranteed loans. Additionally, individuals and all entity members must have operated a farm for less than 10 years. Applicants must materially or substantially participate in the operation. For more information on FSA’s farm loan programs and targeted underserved and beginning farmer guidelines, visit www.fsa.usda.gov/farmloans. Direct loans FSA offers direct farm ownership and direct farm operating loans to producers who want to establish, maintain or strengthen their farm or ranch. FSA loan ofcers process, approve and service direct loans. Direct farm operating loans can be used to purchase livestock and feed, farm equipment, fuel, farm chemicals, insurance and other costs including family living expenses. Operating loans can also be used to nance minor improvements or repairs to buildings and to renance some farm-related debts, excluding real estate. Direct farm ownership loans can be used to purchase farmland, enlarge an existing farm, construct and repair buildings, and to make farm improvements. The maximum loan amount for both direct farm ownership and operating loans is $300,000 and a down payment is not required. Repayment terms vary depending on the type of loan, collateral and the producer’s ability to repay the loan. Operating loans are normally repaid within seven years and farm ownership loans are not to exceed 40 years. Please contact your FSA ofce for more information or to apply for a direct farm ownership or operating loan. Farm Service Agency is an Equal Opportunity Lender. Complaints about discrimination should be sent to: Secretary of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. 20250. Visit the Farm Service Agency Web site at: www.fsa.usda.gov/ for necessary application forms and updates on USDA programs.
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Three words to describe farm transition
Dairy Star • Saturday, February 11, 2017 • Page 27
The Transition Pen
By John & Laura Rosenhammer Father/Daughter Farming Duo Excitement, fear and hope; these are three words that seem to be welling up in my mind when I actually, seriously think about transitioning. Excitement: that could eventually mean more time to work on my honey-do and bucket lists. Fear: the things we cannot control, such as weather, xed costs and disease. Hope: the efforts and hard work of the past and present will meet the needs and goals of the future. These three words realistically describe how I felt when I, myself, began dairy farming – except on the other side of the fence. In your early 20s, you have only yourself to worry about and support. Now, in my 50s, I have a wife, ve children, future in-laws and grandchildren, sure to come. The trick is to carefully address all involved so that they show respect, and feel respected, as our transition process progresses. Last week, we were fortunate to have our loan
weaknesses. Next, there would be open discussion among the group in order to understand and listen to everybody’s thoughts. Never assume what the others are thinking. If you break the word ‘assume’ down, it makes an “[...] of u and me.” They also stressed that transition takes time, in the form of years. It took many years to get to the point you are now, and the test of time will prove worthwhile if the interested party is in it for the long haul. Never pass on a farm to your children quickly with the hopes that it will encourage them to stay on. Sweat, equity and a savings account for our daughter, Laura, were also discussed. A savings account would be a bonus value that would be built up and earned over time. An example would be gifting her a pre-set number of cows for meeting goals and exceeding expectations. Examples include: achieving particular pregnancy rates, somatic cell counts and minimizing death loss. Sometimes maintaining good numbers, rather than always trying to maximize those numbers, results in less pressure and achieves worker satisfaction.
There are enough challenges and uncertainties out there that I do not want to put unnecessary pressures of achieving the “gold medal” onto my daughter, as well. When I see the “wow” and sincere smiles on her face after a pleasing pregnancy check, the birth of another live and healthy calf, or nursing a sick cow successfully back to health, I know that her heart is in the right place for taking over the dairy with the right intentions. To summarize, the consultants provided many ideas, options, do’s and don’ts concerning the lengthy process. Finally, they asked if what they had said had made sense to my family and helped to better our situation. To this I replied, “This is the easy part. I have four other children and a brother to also ll in the pieces of the puzzle with.” Laura Rosenhammer farms with her father, John, and uncle, Greg, on Roseview Dairy near Sleepy Eye, Minn. They milk 200 Holsteins and run 580 acres of cropland.
P R O V IN G Y E T A G A IN M A N’S A BI L I T Y T O
A D A P T T O A N Y E N V IR O NME N T.
I your early In l 20 20s, you h have only yourself to worry about and support. Now, in my 50s, I have a wife, five children, future in-laws and grandchildren, sure to come. ofcer, along with two consultants who specialize in transition planning, meet with our families. All were very sincere, caring and professional, but also very open-minded. They recognized that each situation has differing goals and priorities. Communication is the theme they emphasized the most. Their rst idea was to get all involved in the transition to write down their personal goals, fears, strengths and
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Page 28 • Dairy Star • Saturday, February 11, 2017
www.extension.umn.edu/dairy
Betty Berning bberning@umn.edu 320-203-6104
Avoiding slips, trips, splits
Rafael Bisinotto rbisinot@umn.edu 612-625-3130 Hugh Chester-Jones chest001@umn.edu (507) 835-3622
Farms can be dangerous places on foot, especially when it’s winter and there is snow and ice. Although we can’t always prevent all incidents, here are a few tips to help you and your cows avoid slips, trips and splits. When choosing proper winter footwear, it is important to have a boot with a good grip pattern, adequate cushioning and water resistance. Worn out footwear not only can cause joint and back pain, but can be a huge player when it comes to slippery surfaces whether it be snow, ice or mud. If it is icy, you may want to invest in a pair of ice cleats for your boots. Another key item to look for in a boot is good ankle support. If you do slip or trip, a boot with good ankle support can help lessen the chance of an ankle sprain or more serious injuries. By Brenda Miller If possible, have a bag of lime near doorU of M Extension ways or a pile of sand available. Spreading lime or sand will help provide traction on icy or even just wet surfaces. If you are unsure if a surface is going to be slippery or not, slow down, bend your knees a little and shufe your feet instead of walking normally. Your center of gravity will be lower and your feet will slide instead of slipping. However, the best way to avoid icy slips is to try to prevent the ice from forming in the rst place. If you have metal roofs, you can install snow slides or guards to help prevent snow from shooting off the roof and piling in front of doorways where it tends to thaw and freeze. Also, make sure the land is graded away from buildings and outdoor waterers. Also, be sure to check waterers on a regular basis for leaks and freeze ups. It is especially important to move animals in a calm and slow manner when conditions are unfavorable. If you have spread sand/lime on an icy or wet surface and are ready to move the animals, open the gate and let them go at their own pace. Give yourself extra time and patience to get cows where they need to go. Most parlor oors are wet from water, milk, teat dip and cow excrements and can get slippery in a hurry. Parlor mats serve numerous purposes. They are perforated to let liquids ow through them, anti-fatigue to help ease back and leg pain, light weight, slip-resistant, and they come in different colors. Also, if there is milk dripped, spilled or dumped anywhere in the parlor or milkhouse the milk fat/protein will create a lmy and slippery surface if not properly cleaned. Replace mats when the slip-resistant bumps are no longer doing their job. Regular scraping of pen and alley walkways will help with overall cleanliness and better footing for both humans and bovines. Cows need safe surfaces to walk on, not only just to move around, but to show heats as well. Do not forget about dry cow and heifer pens; they need regular scraping, too. In addition, proper grooving of concrete goes a long way. In especially high trafc areas such as walkways, holding areas and return lanes, a diamond pattern groove can help reduce slipping. When grooving, be sure the surface is not too rough as you do not want it to be abrasive to the cows’ hooves. After a few years of wear and
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
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It is important to have a pair of winter farm boots with a good grip paƩern to help prevent slips, trips and splits. In icy condiƟons you can add a pair of ice cleats to help with tracƟon. tear, concrete will most likely need to be re-grooved to maintain effectiveness. Clean up and store all tools, milking equipment and machinery after use. There is nothing more frustrating than needing a screwdriver or pliers only to realize you can’t nd it because you or someone else did not put it away after using it the last time. Teach your children early in life to do the same with outside toys and any tools or equipment they use. Tears will be shed if a toy, bicycle, tool or ATV is backed into or ran over because it was not put away in the proper location. It is also no fun to trip over these items or lose them in the mud or snow. These tips can be used for all seasons of the year as the weather is always changing. The winter cold will (hopefully) soon be over and the spring thaw (or mud season) will come. Slow down, be aware of your surroundings and stay safe out there.
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Management practices for pre-weaned calves in group housing
Dairy Star • Saturday, February 11, 2017 • Page 29
In recent years, the Midwest has seen an increase in interest by producers in adopting group housing systems for pre-weaned dairy calves. Options for milk delivery systems for group housed calves include computerized feeders, mob (hand) feeding of fresh milk or free choice acidied milk. Group housing systems offer benets including increased exibility of labor (though not necessarily labor savings), ease of delivery of milk, and allowing calves more opportunity to exercise and socialize. However, producers should be aware that commingling pre-weaned calves in groups will increase the opportunity for disease transmission, thereby increasing the risk for illness and mortality. Calves, like human infants, have functional but immature immune systems which are not prepared to fend off infectious diseases. Disease can be avoided or limited if we minimize exposure to infectious agents while increasing immune resistance so calves can prevent and/or quickly By Sandra Godden recover from an infection. So why is disease risk increased in group housed pre-weaned calves as compared to calves U of M Extension housed individually (e.g. hutches)? Put simply, because we are breaking a basic rule of biosecurity; by putting calves in groups we are allowing direct contact between calves. If even one calf in the group is ill and shedding an infectious agent, depending on the nature of the pathogen, this can now be transmitted to every other calf through nose-to-nose contact, aerosol transmission or through contact with a contaminated environment or surfaces (e.g. contaminated bedding, waterers or a shared nipple). Producers interested in adopting group housing systems should weigh the potential advantages and disadvantages before making the decision on whether or not these systems are right for the dairy. This will include consideration of goals and priorities for the calf rearing program. Producers already using group housing systems should implement management strategies designed to mitigate disease risk. The following will discuss best management practices when using group housing systems for pre-weaned dairy calves. Some are universal, meaning they apply to any kind of housing system, while others are specic to group housing situations. Colostrum management – A good colostrum management program is the rst cornerstone of any successful youngstock program. This can be monitored through periodic evaluation of serum total protein concentrations in 1- to 7-dayold calves. Producers can visit with their herd veterinarian about setting up a monitoring program. Consistency and cleanliness of the milk diet – Whether feeding milk replacer or whole milk, the consistency and cleanliness of this diet is important to the calves. • Consistency and level of total solids (TS) in milk can be estimated and monitored using a brix refractometer. Goal: TS between 12.5 and 13.5 percent, never exceeding 15 percent. No more than a 1 percent uctuation in TS should occur from meal to meal. • Cleanliness of milk or milk replacer can be monitored by doing periodic cultures of milk. Goal: Total plate count less than 20,000 cfu/mL. Note that some computerized feeding systems may not self-clean well, so ongoing monitoring of the cleaning and sanitation procedures, cleanliness of the milk and frequent replacement of the feeding hoses is recommended. • Milk temperature should be between 95 and 105 degrees F when delivered to calves. Daily milk allowance – A high plane of nutrition supports growth as well as a strong immune system. Producers are encouraged to feed at least 20 percent of the weight of the calf (approximately 8 liters per day for a Holstein calf) of a high-quality milk replacer or whole milk. If using a computerized feeder, meal allowances should be more than or equal to 2 liters per meal and the daily milk allowance should be more than or equal to 8 liters per day. Do not use a long
delay in the ramp up period to reach this peak milk allowance, as this is associated with increased disease risk. A reasonable goal is to be offering calves the peak daily allowance by 5 to 7 days of age. A majority of studies indicate producers will be paid back for this increased investment in milk allowance through healthier calves, improved growth and improved milk production in the adult cow. Keep group sizes small – Studies show increased disease rates when calves are housed in large groups (greater than seven to eight calves per group) as compared to calves housed in small groups or individually housed. If producers want to capture the benets of socialization while minimizing disease risk, pair housing (two calves per pen) might be an option to consider. Stocking density – It is recommended there be at least 40 square feet per calf. Pen dynamics – Use an all-in all-out system for assembling groups of calves, then emptying and cleaning/sanitizing the pen after the group is weaned. If this is not possible, keep the distribution of ages as narrow as possible, with no more than a one-week difference in ages among all calves in the group. Delay introduction to the group until 12-14 days of age – Studies report benets to backgrounding the calf in an individual pen for 12 to 14 days prior to introduction to the group. If introduced at an older age, the calf is quicker to catch on to the new feeding system and will be more able to compete with group mates. One study also reported reduced respiratory disease in calves introduced after 12 days of age. Furthermore, by backgrounding calves you will, by default, reduce your group size and stocking density, which will be a benet to all. Ventilation – Excellent air quality is a must for any housing system, both to reduce pathogen burden and to remove moisture. Bedding management – Clean, dry and comfortable are the hallmarks of a good bedding program. Slatted oor systems (or no bedding) are discouraged for calves as this can predispose to chilling, is uncomfortable, and can lead to permanent joint injuries, infection and lameness. Daily examination of calves for early detection, diagnosis and treatment of disease – Computerized feeding systems are designed to assist producers in nding suspected sick calves by using software algorithms that monitor for changes in feeding behaviors such as daily milk intake or drinking speed. However, research suggests these algorithms are not always sensitive and may miss detecting sick calves. As such, while the computer may be an aid, do not rely solely on the computer. It is important for a trained person to evaluate calves daily.
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Page 30 • Dairy Star • Saturday, February 11, 2017
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What do women want?
It’s that time of year when we guys must again grapple with the above question. This conundrum is so deep; it even stumped a man who was smart enough to trick folks into paying good money just to lie on a couch and talk to him. Dear County Agent Guy Civilization has made tremendous strides since Sigmund Freud’s time. But have we men gotten any better at comprehending the female psyche? The answer is a resounding no. We can put a man on the moon, but even as he stands on the lunar surface marveling at the cosmic wonder of it all, he still wouldn’t have the vaguest notion regarding what his wife might want for Valentine’s Day. The inner workings of the feminine mind remain as mysterious and indecipherable as Mona Lisa’s grin. Women provide guys few clues and often send mixed signals. Some of the answers I’ve received when I posed Freud’s question have included, “Why? What By Jerry Nelson do you think we want?” and “If you don’t know, I’m not Columnist going to tell you.” This leaves us guys groping in the dark, metaphorically. We have no choice but to fall back on what little knowledge and experience we have somehow managed to obtain. I grew up painfully shy and just plain awkward. Girls were an alien species. They were extremely interesting, denitely worth further study, but light-years beyond my comprehension. The only female I truly understood was our farm dog, Smoky. Unlike the girls at school, Smoky was always happy to see me. She would greet me with a wet kiss and actually seemed to nd it interesting if I smelled of another dog. Smoky was the rst female to unconditionally accept me as is. But the affections of a dog weren’t enough, so I redoubled my efforts to understand human females. Despite my bumbling ignorance, I somehow acquired a girlfriend during high school. By the time V-Day rolled around, I still had precious little knowledge regarding the feminine mind, so I used my experiences with Smoky to guide my Valentine’s Day gift-buying decisions. Smoky loved dog biscuits, but would a gift that touted fresher breath and cleaner teeth send the right message? What else might Smoky like? Perhaps a new collar? Yeah, that’s it. So, I gave the girl a necklace. It was a hit and I got a big, wet kiss – and not just from Smoky, either. Flash forward some years. I’m married, but have received the message that a marriage license isn’t a get out of jail free card when it comes to Valentine’s Day. Smoky was gone by then, so I was left to my own devices. What do women want? I asked myself over and over. It suddenly dawned on me. Of course, owers. You can’t go wrong with owers. They’re never the wrong size, are usually the right color and come with a pleasing aroma for no extra charge. Flowers it is. But when I went to the orist, I was jabbed by the prickly thorn of sticker shock. A dozen Valentine’s Day roses would set me back approximately the same amount as the monthly payment on my pickup. I had to decide: her owers or my pickup? I decided to keep my pickup. Sadly, there were no inexpensive oral options available. It was midwinter, which meant there were no wildowers to be had. I even drove slowly past the cemetery to see if there’d been a funeral recently, but no luck. I eventually decided the best and least-cost option would be to write a poem for my beloved. I’m nobody’s poet and the best ideas are stolen, so I penned a verse that went something like: Roses are red/ Violets are blue/ Sugar is sweet/ Hey, those are cute shoes. A few years ago, I observed an older couple browsing the greeting card department of a mega-store. After they’d spent several minutes poring over Valentine’s cards, the elderly woman announced, “I’m done. How about you?” “I’m done too,” replied the old gentleman. “Let’s see it,” said his wife. The elderly couple silently swapped cards. After reading the card the elderly gentleman had selected, his wife smiled and said, “That’s sweet.” “I meant every word of it,” replied the old guy, beaming. “So did I,” said his wife, taking his hand in hers. “Happy Valentine’s Day!” They stole a quick smooch, put the cards back in the rack and, still holding hands, strolled out of the store. I was greatly inspired by this elegant example of efciency and economy. In fact, I think my wife and I should go shopping and visit the greeting card department this Valentine’s Day. Jerry is a recovering dairy farmer from Volga, S.D. He and his wife, Julie, have two grown sons and live on the farm where Jerry’s great-grandfather homesteaded over 110 years ago. Jerry currently works full time for the Dairy Star as a staff writer/ad salesman. Feel free to E-mail him at: jerry.n@dairystar.com.
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What should you know?
It’s been about 18 months since Dairy Star rst started “A closer look,” which has been found in the rst section of nearly every issue. This feature was originally created for you – our readers. Its intent was to break down complicated topics and trends in the industry and get to the core of what you need to know to be a better producer. We have been able to accomplish this task twice each month with the help of industry professionals and dairy producers, alike. Admittedly, and unfortunately so, 2016 was a good year to develop this feature. We covered topics that ranged from FARM 3.0 to international trade deals to the milk market and even land prices. We’ve delved into breeding techniques, facility structures and bedding choices, among many more. In this issue, we broadened our horizons to a sector that greatly affects many dairy producers, but is often on By Jennifer Coyne Staff Writer the back burner of the farm operations – the beef industry. I had the opportunity to speak with the USDA, area sales barn owners and eld representatives, as well as producers who routinely visit the sales barns with their feeder calves or market-weight Holstein steers, about the plummeting Holstein prices in the beef market. It’s devastating to hear the vast price differences and assumptions for those discrepancies. I was frustrated as I learned more, and thought of the frustration my dairying friends are going through – perhaps hardly breaking even with their investments at the sales. There are options, of course. Sexed semen might become more popular to wait out this stagnant period. Then, what about the growing population of cull cows that are sure to be a result of the breeding practice? Crossbreeding the lower percentile of the herd to Angus could result in a better price at market. But then, is the beef-cross worth the sacrice in milk production if replacement heifers are needed rather than market cattle? Feeding to a greater nishing weight is also an option, but a costly one. Just as we’ve seen with low milk and grain prices, dairymen and women carry on. You’re resilient and passionate for your work, knowing the hard times can’t last forever. There’s always hope. I gained a wealth of knowledge throughout this particular assignment and am still left with questions that would lead into topics for another issue. Through this feature and with every article composed, I have learned a little bit about a lot. With each planning meeting for the next issue, I get giddy thinking about the possibilities and the chance to expand my horizons that much further. But what I learn needs to benet you, too. As the year gets underway, many topics and trends will be sure to arise and need to be dissected – ranging from animal care, employee management, building design, nutrition, hoof health and much, much more. So what should you know? Please tell us which topics you’d be interested in reading more about, and I’ll take a closer look.
“I didn’t even think we had stray voltage!” Roger Lange milks 100 head on his family dairy at Crofton, Nebraska. Until recently he was often forced to sell his fresh heifers because they wouldn t let down their milk. “We called Stray Voltage Consulting, and Jerry found the problem within half an hour.” Roger said. “I was very impressed with Jerry. He’s a former REA guy, so he understands both the farmer and the electric company. Being able to work with both sides is a key component to his success.” “I haven’t had a single problem with our fresh heifers since Jerry corrected our stray voltage problem. I would highly recommend Stray Voltage Consulting to anyone who thinks they might have stray voltage!”
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Dairy Star • Saturday, February 11, 2017 • Page 31
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Those Holstein bull calves Page 32 • Dairy Star • Saturday, February 11, 2017
Three-and-a-half years ago, I wrote a column that were bred A.I. to Angus. about using sexed Holstein semen on virgin heifWe stayed on that program for two-and-aers, and Angus semen on select older cows to in- half years and sold 1,200 Angus cross calves for crease the bottom line at our dairy. The thought double the price of the Holstein bulls. Last year, process behind it was we slowed down breeding having our young heifAngus because we were The elephant l h that h jjumped d ers with the best genetics Th in planning stages of a calve with an easier calv- into the barn now is the 600-cow expansion and ing Holstein heifer calf knew we needed more to adequately supply our dismal price Holstein bull replacements. Along with replacement needs. The calves are bringing. that, feed costs to raise young cows in the herd those replacements have were bred to good nondropped dramatically, so sexed Holstein sires to extra replacements are not supply additional heifers and some Holstein bull a burden. calves for which we had a regular buyer. The older The elephant that jumped into the barn now is cows were bred rst service to Holstein and after the dismal price Holstein bull calves are bringing.
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During the recent holidays, I gave 25 bull calves to several of our long-term employees. Yes, free, but hopefully those employees can make a little on them, and we will consider it a job perk. One of those employees brought two groups of Making Cents of Dairy calves to a large special Holstein feeder auction last Friday and received $75 per head for 40-day-old calves, and $150 per head for 60-day-old calves. So much for a job perk. I have two local buyers who actually pay us for bull calves, but each can only take 20 By Dave Vander Kooi calves and then they Columnist are full for seven to eight weeks. We need one more buyer to ll the gap, and hopefully one who buys year around. Where and why did the Holstein market crash so badly? Truth and rumors abound. The answer lies somewhere between or in all of the following. Adequate supply of beef, pork and chicken, so let’s take it out on those dairy guys. Walmart telling beef suppliers that when they say they want Angus, they mean Angus, not an animal with a little black on it. A processing plant quit butchering Holsteins. The stars fell out of alignment with the cow that jumped over the moon, and the list goes on and on. For some real numbers, I turned to my son-inlaw, Aaron, who feeds both Angus and Holstein feeders. Based on his numbers for calves being placed now and sold in 14-16 months, it costs $1,237 to nish a Holstein-Angus cross versus $1,290 to nish a pure Holstein. Neither include the cost of the baby calf. The main cost difference is in the additional time to nish the Holstein to the same weight of 1,450 pounds. All his costs include calf rearing, yardage, vet, trucking, death loss and feed. The fat Angus selling at $1.03 less shrink yields $1,403. Well, $1,403 less $1,237 equals $166 left to pay for the baby calf and/or prot. The fat Holstein selling at $0.91 less shrink yields $1,199. Well, $1,199 less the $1,290 to raise the animal leaves a $91 loss to pay for the calf and/or … a loss. The optimist in me says this Holstein bull thing will turn around soon, but numbers don’t lie, and the numbers are ugly. Sure, spring will come and there are always people looking to put a few calves on their acreage grass. But the bottom line is the calf price is always determined from the fat animal price minus the cost of raising that animal. I think it is time to rethink our breeding program to maximize the number of Holstein heifers we need for replacements, breed the rest of the herd to beef bulls and severely limit the number of Holstein bulls born. 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.
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Forget owers and chocolates and jewelry. I got the best Valentine’s Day gift ever – even if it was by accident and it arrived a little early. It all started nine months ago on May 10, 2016. “Do you think maybe there were a few things going on that day?” Glen asked cheekily, looking back. I don’t remember exactly what was on our to-do list, probably eldwork and planting. But, I do remember standing in the barn ofce with Glen, talking about the heifers which were caught in the headlocks for Dairy Good Life work that morning. “Your Milking Shorthorn heifer needs to be preg checked,” Glen said. Most of our pregnancy checks are done via blood samples, so we simply needed to collect a vial of blood from Dallas to bring to the lab. “And Wonder is in heat,” Glen said. Wonder is a stylish Holstein heifer out of our W family. She carries a polled gene, so Glen selected a red-and-white polled bull for her rst service, but she didn’t settle. Glen decided to try the same bull again for her second service. Later that day, when Glen and I stopped to disBy Sadie Frericks cuss the day’s progress, he made a confession. Columnist “I made a mistake,” he said. He went on to explain that when he pulled the thawed straw of semen out of the thaw unit, he double checked the straw before loading it into the gun. But the straw wasn’t the Holstein bull he had in mind – it was one of the Milking Shorthorn sires we had in the tank. “I think I still had Milking Shorthorns on my mind after talking about Dallas,” Glen said. You’ve heard of distracted driving; well, this is what I’d call distracted breeding. Instead of discarding the Milking Shorthorn straw and thawing a Holstein, Glen put the Milking Shorthorn in Wonder. I know some dairy farmers would have chalked it up as a loss and thawed another straw. I think it is proof of how much Glen really loves me – or he’s just that frugal. Upon hearing his admission, I jumped for joy. “Maybe she won’t settle,” Glen said, half hoping. But Wonder did settle. And I jumped for joy again when we got the pregnancy report 30 days later. We already had several roan calves out of the Milking Shorthorn bull that Glen accidentally thawed, so I knew there was a really good chance Wonder’s calf would be blue roan. The prospect almost made me cry. My last blue roan, Glory, passed away unexpectedly in April of 2015, leaving me heartbroken. She passed so quickly, I didn’t even get a chance to say goodbye. She was, undoubtedly, my favorite cow. For eight years, she was my reminder of and connection back to the beautiful blue roans I grew up with. Some of Glory’s descendants are red roan, but I knew deep down she was my last blue roan. We decided several years ago that we were done crossbreeding. The Jersey crosses would all be bred continuously to Jersey; the Milking Shorthorn crosses would all be bred to Milking Shorthorn. All Holsteins would be bred to Holstein – no new crosses. Without a Holstein x Milking Shorthorn mating, it would be next to impossible for another blue roan to be born on our farm. But miracles do happen. Sometimes in the form of accidents. “Please let it be a heifer,” I cheered every time I saw Wonder’s mating in our record system. Then, Wonder showed up on the heifers to calve list with a due date of February 14, 2017 and my excitement tripled. It would be hard to top a Valentine’s Day blue roan heifer calf. When Wonder started showing signs of calving early, my hopes intensied. An early calf was more likely to be a heifer. All of my hoping and cheering paid off. On February 2, Wonder delivered a beautiful little blue roan heifer calf. I was so ecstatic I could hardly sleep that night. I’m still excited. Wonder herself calved in looking just as stylish as she did as a heifer. This little blue roan calf could turn out to be pretty spectacular. All because of a wonderful whoops. Sadie and her husband, Glen, milk 75 cows near Melrose, Minn. They have three children – Dan, 10, Monika, 7, and Daphne, 4. Sadie also writes a blog at www.dairygoodlife.com. She can be reached at sadiefrericks@gmail.com.
Dairy Star • Saturday, February 11, 2017 • Page 33
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You are not a cow Page 34 • Dairy Star • Saturday, February 11, 2017
On a beautiful late September afternoon, I walked creased dry matter intake. Everyone knows that dry Evaporation cannot occur in 100 percent humidity. into a freestall barn for my weekly reproductive visit. matter intake goes up with milk production. The top Often, cooling systems provide too little water to acAll of the fans were running and there cow of yours that gives over 200 pounds tually get the cow wet. For maximum effectiveness, was a substantial breeze inside. After the Veterinary Wisdom of milk a day is producing a lot of heat. cows should be wet to the skin not just to the hair rst few examinations, the feedline cow Since cows across the country produce, surface. A rule of thumb is that each sprinkler nozzle soakers came on. My assistant that day on average, about 0.7 pounds more milk should produce one gallon of water for each on cycle. was the herdsman, and he was wearing a per day each year than the year before, Many systems also fail to produce sufcient air speed warm hoodie pulled over his head. Soon they need to eat more than the year be- to allow for evaporation. Remember that cooling althe breeding technician came by, and I fore, and thus your herd gets hotter every most entirely occurs during the evaporation stage, not saw she was wearing a jacket over her year. Your cows were not nearly as hot the wetting stage. You might also think turning the fans off once it regular clothes. You might think running 10 years ago as they were last summer. In all those fans and soakers on a day where addition, your 200-pound cow is housed feels cool in the barn is ne. You are wrong because one has to wear a jacket inside makes in a barn full of cows that are all, on aver- you are not a cow. Remember that cows produce exno sense and wastes a lot of money. You age, producing more milk than last year, cess heat even on cool days. When the temperature in might think that because you are not a and they are all producing more heat, on the barn drops, your cows may still be hot and may By Jim Bennett cow. Humans and cows are mostly alike, average, so given the same cooling sys- stay hot until sometime early the next morning, even but one way we are different is how hot tem and same outside temperature, your on cool nights. In most cases, fans are used to cool Columnist we feel and how we cool ourselves on barn may be hotter than last year. All of cows not to cool barns. The moment the barn temwarm days. This can create problems for our cows this may be hard to believe because you do not feel perature drops to the point where the thermostat turns because we humans evaluate the environment by how hotter every year, and your house is not hotter every off the fans is when cow cooling slows dramatically, since now the only way they we feel rather than how they feel. Most of the time, year. But remember, you are have to cool themselves is not a cow. this means cows will be too hot. Before f llong, cows will ill need d through conductive heat You probably notice B The 2001 version of Nutritional Requirements of loss to the environment. Dairy Cattle says metabolizable energy (ME) of the increasing the air speed to be cooled and the time to Thus, fans need to stay on diet of a dairy cow is converted to milk production in your barn makes it feel long into the night following with 64 percent efciency. If we assume the remain- cooler. You sweat on hot think is now. der of the energy of the digested diet is converted to days and increasing air a hot day. Otherwise, cows heat, we can calculate just how much excess heat a speed can increase evaporamay not be fully cooled uncow generates. Of course, there are a whole variety tion of sweat, making you feel cool. But you are not til the next morning when the air temperature begins of interactions that can occur to affect just how ef- a cow. A big Holstein cow only sweats about as much to increase again. Sometimes cows never get comcient a given cow is on any given day, but the fact as an average sized man, which means evaporation pletely cooled before they start to heat up again. On a cold winter or spring day in the Upper Midremains that as dry matter intake goes up, excess heat of sweat plays a much smaller role in cooling, and production goes up, too. By using a back of the enve- increasing air speed much beyond 5 mph makes little west, perhaps the last thing you are thinking about is lope style calculation, and factoring in a few educated difference to the cow. To effectively cool cows, there cooling your cows, but remember, you are not a cow. guesses, your cow producing 100 pounds of milk is is only so much one can do with air movement, and Before long, cows will need to be cooled and the time likely generating about 1,550 watts of excess energy thus we must gure out a way to increase evaporative to think is now. Jim Bennett is a dairy veterinarian at Northern every 24 hours. One might think of this as putting a cooling of the cow. This means water: Water applied 1,500-watt milk house heater under a coat and wear- rapidly in volumes large enough to get the cow wet. Valley Dairy Production Medicine Center in Plaining it all day long. This would seem crazy to you, but This also means air movement: 2-5 mph of air move- view, Minn. He and his wife, Pam, have four children. ment around the cow to remove the layer of humid- Jim can be reached at bennettnvac@gmail.com with then, you are not a cow. Remember, heat production goes up with in- ity around her and allow more evaporation to occur. comments or questions.
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Dairy Star • Saturday, February 11, 2017 • Page 35
Mannings step into new age of robots
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RON JOHNSON/DAIRY STAR
Alan and Melissa Manning (back row, leŌ) with six of their children – (front row) Lucy and Anne; (middle row, leŌ to right) Emma, Cecilia, Dominic and Stephen – and Alan’s brother, Jonathan, milk with four robots near Seneca, Wis.
By Ron Johnson
ron.j@dairystar.com
SENECA, Wis. – Alan and Melissa Manning had ve main goals in mind when they decided to invest in robotic milkers and a bigger freestall barn on their dairy near Seneca, Wis. They wanted more-efcient facilities, three daily milkings, no new hired labor, better cow health and a business that would be attractive to their children. The Mannings’ Crest View Acres began using four GEA Monobox robots Nov. 1. It’s believed to be the rst robotic dairy in southwest Wisconsin’s rugged Crawford County. And, the Manning farm is just the second in the United States to use that brand and style of robotic milkers, according to Alan. “The rst one started in August [2016,]” he said. “They’ve been used in Germany, I think, a couple of years.” The Mannings still milk 50 of their registered Holsteins in a double-6, atbarn parlor in the older, two-story barn. “It’s hard to start late-lactation cows with a robot,” Alan said. “So we’re drying them off. When they calve back in, we’ll transfer them [to the robotic barn.]” Alan and Jonathan, his brother and herdsman, are ne-tuning the robotic barn, while employee Jaime Gonzales milks in the old barn. Alan said he and Jonathan are still learning the ropes about robotics, and that it’s commonly stated that making the adjustment can take three months or more. The Mannings milk 170 in the robot barn and plan to buy more cows until they hit 200 or so. The family did not rush the decision to go to automatic milking. Alan said they began looking into robots and toured farms three years. Along the way, they cherry picked ideas they especially liked. Some of those are reected in the 90- by-440-foot freestall barn. “This is a free-ow barn,” Alan said. “But we have a sort gate for special needs cows.” Fresh, lame or sick cows are allowed to pass through a one-way gate and into the special-needs pen. A computer identies each cow, and if her number is on the
special-needs list, she can pass through. The 280-stall, four-row barn is tunnel ventilated. A bank of 22 fans on the barn’s east end helps control the temperature and humidity inside. Those fans are variable speed. A sensor reads the temperature inside and outside the barn and measures the wind speed, barometric pressure and humidity. Then it adjusts the speeds of the fans accordingly. In addition, more than a dozen pusher fans help keep the cows comfortable. As of late December, Alan said he had not had to deal with frozen manure; however, he is eager to see how the barn performs in the heat and humidity of summer. In other nods to cow comfort, the barn is equipped with sprinklers and has adjustable curtains on the west end wall. The stalls are four feet wide, 8.5 feet long, and bedded with a mix of recycled paper and lime atop cow mattresses. The farm gets a semi load of the paper every 10 days from a mill in eastern Wisconsin. If it wasn’t being reused, the paper would end up in a landll, Alan said. Just a mile from the Mississippi River, as the crow ies, the barn runs east to west, with the robots in the center and on the north side. It has drive-by feeding on one side and cable scrapers in the cow alleys. Channels under the scrapers catch liquids and guide them to a reception pit at the end of the barn. A manure lagoon that only needs to be emptied once a year is outside, along with ve bunker silos. The ve-acre site has a parking lot big enough to let a milk tanker get in and out. The 30- by-130-foot milking center contains the robot rooms, supply storage, utility room, break room, restrooms and ofces. Four stone columns stand at the entrance of the milking center and support a balcony that comes off a second-story conference room. Alan’s brother, Jerry, a partner in the farm, did the concrete and stone work. But, it’s the robots and associated computer system that are the nerve center of the Mannings’ new facilities. Alan said he chose this brand and model of robotic milker because of its fewer moving parts and lower maintenance requirement.
Turn to MANNING | Page 37
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Page 36 • Dairy Star • Saturday, February 11, 2017
Women In Jeans Elle Tibor Minnesota City, Minn. Winona County 130 cows
Family: Husband, Ben, and children, Toben, 4, Evelyn, 2, Tucker, 1, and one on the way. Tell us about your farm and your role. We farm in a partnership with Ben’s parents, Tom and Marie Tibor. We enjoy milking our Holstein herd in our double-8 parlor, along with raising an Angus beef herd and all the youngstock. The majority of our crops are fed back to the livestock. If you asked me what my role on the farm was a couple of years ago, it would have been hands down farm work. I absolutely love digging in and getting my hands dirty on the farm, whether its milking cows, helping deliver calves, completing eld work, teaching new employees, and so on. Since our kids have come along and are close in age, I have transitioned to caring for them and doing more housework. I still help on the farm when I can and plan to dig in again more in the future when the kids get a little older. What is the busiest time of your day? It depends on the day. I stay busy caring for our kids, doing all the housework, helping on the farm when I can, and working at my part-time job off of the farm. When you get a spare moment what do you do? I like relaxing by going for walks down the gravel road and soaking in the countryside, spending time with the family, time with nature/hunting and photography. Tell us about your most memorable experience working on the farm. We work a lot, so my most memorable experience was when my husband took a break (which is a seldom occurrence) to surprise the kids and me for our anniversary. It was a hot August day and he cleared a path through the woods and set up a screen tent, table and chairs in a beautiful spot on the farm on the top of a bluff that overlooks the Mississippi River. He took us out on a drive with the four-wheelers and surprised us with what he had done. We enjoyed supper, cake and owers with our children as the sun went down. In that moment, I experienced a lot of gratitude for the life we live and for all we are blessed with. What have you enjoyed most about dairy farming or your tie to the dairy industry? My husband hired me nearly 15 years ago to work on the farm. We’ve
been working side by side since and I absolutely love the opportunity to work with my best friend. It’s also incredibly rewarding raising our family on the farm and watching the kids enjoy the animals, farmland, and all the experiences that come with it. It’s also enjoyable being our own bosses. How do you stay connected with others in the industry? I enjoy attending farm workshops/seminars, especially ones exclusively for women. There is always something new to learn to bring back to the farm that may improve the operation. The networking also helps to share wisdom, ideas and it’s fun. In your opinion, what’s the importance of women in today’s dairy industry and how have you seen that change over the years? Women have always played an important role in the dairy industry and their involvement varies and ranges from working directly on the farm, raising the children/the next generation, working off the farm and so on. I, along with many other women, work off the farm to provide benets for the family. It would be awesome to have the opportunity to stay at home on the farm, doing what I love if healthcare was more affordable. It seems to me that many more women are working off the farm to support the family and more women are taking on ag related jobs, as well as ag related leadership roles. If you could give a tour of your farm to a prominent woman in today’s society, who would it be and why? I would give a tour to Jolene Brown, who is a very inuential person in the ag industry because she has a lot of wisdom to share about farm management, stress reduction, and farm transitioning to the next generation. I’ve been to a lot of her seminars and she is a lot of fun.
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Dairy Star • Saturday, February 11, 2017 • Page 37
ConĆ&#x;nued from MANNING | Page 35
“Everything is in line. It has a 3D camera that attaches the unit, instead of lasers. One arm washes the teats, attaches the cups, strips each quarter, milks and then postdips,â€? Alan said. Another thing Alan said he likes about his robots is the fact that they do not need to be calibrated daily, only cleaned. Cows get a bit of grain at the robots and are in and out of the boxes in 5.5 to six minutes. Alan said each machine is milking seven to eight cows an hour. With the machines in use just more than two months, the Mannings are already well on their way to their desired three daily milkings. Alan said the cows are averaging 2.6 visits to the robots every 24 hours. Milk production in the new barn dropped initially. It was at about 82 pounds per cow per day in the ďƒ&#x;at parlor. It’s back up to 75 pounds a day, and Alan said he expects that to rise. The butterfat and protein
content of the milk is up signiďƒžcantly, Alan said. The fat test is now at 4.3 percent, up from 3.9 percent. And, the protein is now at 3.3 percent, up from 3.1 percent. Meanwhile, the somatic cell count (SCC) has spiked a bit. Alan attributed that to the automatic take-offs not being adjusted quite right. He said the SCC is at 250,000, while in the old barn it stood at 130,000. The robotic system’s computer gathers a wealth of data. “The load of information you get out of that is almost astronomical.â€? Alan said. Especially valuable, he said, is the number of times each cow is milked per day, the amount of feed used each day and the amount of milk produced. Changes in the ration show up quickly in the form of fewer cow visits to the robots and less milk. “We went from 2.7 milkings down to 2.2 in 12 hours. It was due to a change of moisture in the
RON JOHNSON/DAIRY STAR
This 280-stall freestall barn is home to four roboĆ&#x;c milkers. The barn also has a special needs pen with a one-way gate. feed,â€? Alan said. Alan believes he can have a good future in dairying. After high school and technical college, he rented a barn a few years, then began working with his parents, Vince and Mary, and is now buy-
RON JOHNSON/DAIRY STAR
These 22 fans generate much of the air ďƒ&#x;ow for the Mannings’ tunnel-venĆ&#x;lated barn. The 90by 440-foot barn has adjustable curtains on the other end and 280 stalls inside.
ing the place from them. The farm is 260 acres. Alan owns 220 acres nearby and works with his folks with the cropping and other aspects of the operation. Alan said the new barn and dairy center was a signiďƒžcant investment, of $3,500 to $4,000 per cow. It’s projected to be paid for in 15 years. Although some of the technology is new to the Mannings, one thing is not different. “It still comes down to cow management,â€? Alan said. “I think if you’re a cow guy, you can make almost anything work.â€? Alan is from a family of 15 children. Melissa and he have a brood of seven: Lucy, 11; Dominic, 9; Emma, 8; Anne, 6; Stephen, 4; Cecilia, 2; and Matilda, four months. They are one reason the Mannings chose to invest in
new facilities and new milking technology. “I felt that if I ever wanted my kids to come back and farm, I had to do something to make it interesting or intriguing to them,â€? Alan said. Alan and Jonathan have a ďƒžve-year goal: Fill the new barn and become more efďƒžcient. Alan ďƒžgures the robots can eventually milk 70 heifers each, or 60 higher producing, older cows each. And, he would like to get to the point where each machine is harvesting 6,000 to 7,000 pounds of milk a day. For now, Alan wants to reach the three-month milestone of milking with his robots. “We’re patiently waiting for February, to see how things change,â€? he said. “We haven’t had the chance to just sit back and enjoy it all.â€?
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Pioneer.com/HarvXtra HarvXtra® is a registered trademark of Forage Genetics International, LLC. HarvXtra® alfalfa with Roundup Ready® technology is enabled with technology from The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, Inc. Roundup Ready® is a registered trademark used under license from Monsanto Company. Do not export Pioneer ® brand alfalfa seed or crops containing Genuity® Roundup Ready® technology, including hay or hay products, to China pending import approval. In addition, due to the unique cropping practices, do not plant this product in Imperial County, California. ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW PESTICIDE LABEL DIRECTIONS. Alfalfa with the Genuity® Roundup Ready® technology provides crop safety for over-the-top applications of labeled glyphosate herbicides when applied according to label directions. Glyphosate agricultural herbicides will kill crops that are not tolerant to glyphosate. ACCIDENTAL APPLICATION OF INCOMPATIBLE HERBICIDES TO THIS VARIETY COULD RESULT IN TOTAL CROP LOSS. Pioneer ® brand products are provided subject to the terms and conditions of purchase which are part of the labeling and purchase documents. ® TM SM , , Trademarks and service marks of DuPont, Pioneer or their respective owners. © 2017 PHII. DUPPFO17005_VAR1_021117_DS
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Dairy Star • Saturday, February 11, 2017 • Page 39
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Curt and Chris Nachreiner Fairfax, Minn. Renville County 300 cows How did you get into farming? We grew up with it. (Chris) I went to dairy herd management in Hutchinson and then came back. Curt: I came home right after high school. Our dad passed away in 2002. We farm in a partnership with our mom, Janet. What are your thoughts and concerns about the dairy industry for the next year? The slaughter price. Right now it’s around 50 cents and the calves don’t have much value. It’s amazing how fast they can change. What do you enjoy most about dairy farming? Curt: Everything. I enjoy milking and eldwork like chopping silage. Chris: I enjoy the diversity a dairy operation has. I like raising healthy animals, growing our own feed and xing a facility to bring 150 head home. our own stuff. What is your favorite thing to do What advice would you give on the farm? Curt: Cutting and other dairy farmers? Do as much chopping hay in the summer. as you can on your own; it helps Chris: Picking up bales and raiskeep your costs lower. ing the animals. What has been the best purchase you’ve ever made on your farm? The double 10 parallel parlor we have. We used to have a stanchion barn and with the parlor we can milk more cows faster. We wouldn’t have the people we have help now without the parlor. What has been your biggest accomplishment while dairy farming? We’ve been able to manage our cash ow, which includes we didn’t buy any equipment and didn’t have any extra purchases. We try to buy equipment when we have the funds to do so. We raise all our own feed. We rent and own 900 acres.
What is your favorite dairy product? Curt: Any cheese. Chris: Chocolate chip ice-cream.
Tell us about a skill you possess that makes dairy farming easier for you. Curt: I’m pretty mechanical. I can x pretty much anything. Chris. We both can read animals well. If you could have a celebrity
help you with chores for a day who would it be? Curt: Tim Allen because of funny he is. Chris: Paul Allen (Minnesota Vikings announcer) because I think he would be interesting to listen to and would be entertaining to be around.
What is your favorite tool? Curt: Cordless tools. Chris: The skid loader, it’s everywhere every day. How do you or your family like to spend time when you are not doing chores? Curt: Taking the family out to eat. Chris: Visiting with the kids and seeing how school is going.
What is your favorite technology? Curt: The basic electricity, because there is nothing we could do without it. Chris: The computers, they really help when it What are your plans for your comes to accounting. Also we use dairy in the next ve years? Our DTN to check weather, markets, heifer raiser wants to retire in the and commentary. coming year so we need to build
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Page 40 • Dairy Star • Saturday, February 11, 2017
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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