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“All dairy, all the time”™
Volume 19, No. 1
February 25, 2017
“In two weeks, it went from a barn of cobwebs to a barn of cows.” - Ken Bekius
Ambition revitalizes family farm
Bekius begins milking in parents’ barn By Jennifer Coyne jenn@dairystar.com
MILACA, Minn. – At 22 years old, Ken Bekius’ life has come full circle, from riding his bicycle down the alleyway of his family’s dairy barn to now walking down that very alleyway, milking his own herd. This past summer, Bekius purchased a herd of 42 registered cattle from a retiring dairy producer near Thief River Falls, Minn., and on Oct. 15, 2016, he began milking in his parents’ – Curt and Jackie’s – 75-stall tiestall barn near Milaca, Minn. “This barn sat empty for ve years. In two weeks, it went from a barn of cobwebs to a barn of cows,” said Bekius, who is currently milking 60 Holsteins and Brown Swiss, as well as one Milking Shorthorn and Jersey. While Bekius’ parents continue to custom raise dairy heif-
JENNIFER COYNE/DAIRY STAR
Ken Bekius milks 60 cows on his parents’ farm near Milaca, Minn. AŌer the barn sat empty for ve years, Bekius updated the facility and began milking Oct. 15, 2016.
A world of dairy Castaneda explains international trade, impact on farms By Cassie Olson
cassie.o@dairystar.com
WISCONSIN DELLS, Wis. – With the changing of presidential administrations, the topic of international trade is being examined more so than ever. Acronyms such as “TPP” and “NAFTA” are mentioned daily in mainstream media, but can easily be confused by the average citizen. Jaime Castaneda, Senior Vice President of Strategic Initiatives and Trade Policy for the National Milk Producers Federation, explained possible impacts of trade and its value on farms during an educational session on Feb. 10 at the FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative Annual Meeting at the Chula Vista Resort in Wisconsin Dells, Wis. Castaneda said the United States is
well-positioned to compete in international markets. “You know how to produce milk; a lot of it. The United States has a very large, highly productive herd,” Castaneda said. “We are well-positioned to supply a lot of milk.” The United States dairy industry continues to grow. Milk production in the country has seen an average increase of 1.7 percent per year, more than any other country globally. Meanwhile, domestic use of milk in the United States also continues to grow, but at a slightly lower rate of one percent per year. Having a surplus of milk makes the United States strategically placed to compete well in international markets. One of the most recognizable trade agreements in the United States is the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which rst began taking shape in 1989 as the United States made its free trade agreement with Canada. Negotiations began to take place with Turn to TRADE | Page 5
ers and beef cattle, they sold their milking herd in 2011, when Bekius was 16. Soon after, Bekius found other opportunities to stay involved in the industry, working for neighboring dairy producers and heifer raisers. Then in 2015, after milking in a stall barn, Bekius decided to repair his family’s barn. “Honestly, I didn’t see a future in dairy until that moment. Then, I thought I could do this for a lifetime,” Bekius said. “I started saving my pennies.” Bekius’ father was eager to help his son become established in the industry. “When Kenny said he wanted to farm, I was hopeful,” he said. “I did this for 20 years, and I know the battles and struggles that are a part of dairy farming; but it’s a job that you get to wake up and enjoy what you’re doing.” Together, Bekius and his family prepared the barn by replacing the wooden walls with steel, installing new light xtures and updating the milk Turn to BEKIUS | Page 7
Hendrickson’s dairying career coming to a close
Cows leaving, but not farmer’s love of good cows By Ron Johnson
ron.j@dairystar.com
BLANCHARDVILLE, Wis. – Is there really life after cows? Larry Hendrickson hopes so. This dairyman of 50 years is in the midst of selling his remaining registered Holsteins, both black-and-white and redand-white. The barn on Larry and Marie Hendricksons’ Green County farm in south-central Wisconsin was home to 45 cows a year ago, but now, just 15 cows and eight youngstock remain. Parting with 30 cows so far has not been easy. Half the tiestall barn is devoid of cows and has been curtained off, to keep cold air out and help keep the water pipes from freezing. “I love my cows,” Hendrickson said. Turn to HENDRICKSON | Page 6
RON JOHNSON/DAIRY START
Larry Hendrickson is down to 15 cows as he approaches reƟrement aŌer 50 years of dairying near Blanchardville, Wis.