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“All dairy, all the time”™
Volume 19, No. 1
February 25, 2017
Seven: A fortunate year “The goal is to always dream of the next thing...” - Sam Zimmermann
Marathon County couple receives Wisconsin’s 64th Outstanding Young Farmer Award By Cassie Olson
cassie.o@dairystar.com
RINGLE, Wis. – Forwardthinking. Relationship-driven. Cost-effective. These are three attributes that accurately describe Sam and Jenn Zimmermann. The couple resides in Ringle, Wis., where they are milking 170 Holstein cows, raising 180 heifers and four children, Mason, 13, Adele, 12, Neah, 9, and Garrison, 4. As they approach the completion of their seventh year as dairy farmers, the Zimmermanns are humbled to have received Wisconsin’s 64th Outstanding Young Farmer Award on Jan. 28 in Baraboo, Wis. Both Sam and Jenn have legacies in farming: Jenn having been raised on her family’s dairy farm near River Falls, Wis., and Sam on the farm on which
CASSIE OLSON/DAIRY STAR
Sam and Jenn Zimmermann milk 170 cows on their farm near Ringle, Wis. The couple was recently recognized as the 2017 Wisconsin Outstanding Young Farmer (OYF) during the 64th Annual OYF Awards Weekend, Jan. 27-29 in Baraboo, Wis.
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
he milks today. A re in 1997 claimed the farm’s tiestall barn, leading Sam’s parents, Gary and Karen Zimmermann, to switch their focus from milking cows to raising heifers. After graduating from UW-River Falls in 2001, Sam worked for a farm credit institution before becoming a consultant for UW-Extension’s Dairy Farm Modernization Program. It was in this role he realized the feasibility of dairy farming on a smaller scale. “I knew a lot of people who did moderate, step-wise growth on their farms,” Sam said. “The goal is to always dream of the next thing, not necessarily milking more cows, but rather the next sensible step.” It was in 2009 that big changes started to be made on the Zimmermanns’ dairy. When Sam’s father began to experience kidney failure due to polycystic kidney disease that fall, he and Jenn made the decision to take over the family farm. Their family began building the low-cost swing parlor they use today, and in April 2010, the Turn to WIS. OYF | 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.