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DAIRY ST R “All dairy, all the time”™
Volume 20, No. 24
February 9, 2019
Frigid temps wreak havoc on dairies
Farmers across Midwest battle extreme winter weather By Jennifer Coyne jenn@dairystar.com
PHOTO SUBMITTED
Emily Pieper feeds calves milk during aŌernoon chores Jan. 31 at her family’s farm near New Prague, Minn. Pieper dressed in extra layers to withstand the chilling temperatures.
FENNIMORE, Wis. – The Upper Midwest has long been known as a favorable farming region with a temperate climate ideal for raising livestock and growing crops. Unfortunately, plunging temperatures and dangerously cold wind chills Jan. 29-31 made daily chores agonizing for dairy farmers across the region. “This has been emotionally and physically exhausting,” Amy Scanlan said. “At one point our tractor wasn’t working to feed TMR, the waters were frozen, and the cows were bellowing. All I could do was ball myself.” Scanlan and her husband, Tim, prepared for the drastic weather, but are still dealing with the aftermath of the unusual conditions on their 125-cow dairy farm near Fennimore, Wis. Chilling temperatures as low as negative 40 degrees Fahrenheit, with wind chills dropping to 60 degrees below zero in parts of northern Minnesota, blanketed the Upper Midwest as a cold front moved in from Canada. As the weather passed through, people were encouraged to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel. “To put this into perspective, the National Weather Service only ever issues a wind chill warning at negative Turn to WEATHER | Page 5
JENNIFER COYNE/DAIRY STAR
Snow blows around the Gamradt family’s dairy farm Jan. 29 near Sauk Centre, Minn. Temperatures as low as negaƟve 40 degrees Fahrenheit and wind chills dropping to 60 degrees below zero blanketed the Upper Midwest as a cold front moved through from Canada.
A large, growing Chinese dairy industry Bennett travels abroad to teach veterinary work By Krista Kuzma
krista.k@dairystar.com
HEBEI, China – Dr. Jim Bennett’s typical routine as a veterinarian includes traveling from farm to farm to look at and diagnose cows along with talking to the farm’s staff members. While this was true during the end of January, Bennett was not at his regular clients’ farms. Instead, he traveled to Hebei, a province in China, for nine days to visit dairy farms and teach on-farm staff about how to troubleshoot diseases, especially mastitis. “Their industry resembles our industry,” said Bennett, a veterinarian at Northern Valley Dairy Production Medicine Center in Plainview, Minn. “If you didn’t know where you were, you would think you were on a farm in the U.S. The cows look like U.S. cows, and the modern farms there really look like our farms.” Bennett visited eight dairy farms, all of which he considered to be large. The smallest dairy he visited had 1,000 cows while the largest had 6,000. “The new farms built in the last few years look like they could be stuck in the Midwest,” he said. “They’re very similar.” Bennett said China’s dairy industry is a young, but growing industry. Farms considered to be old have been in operation for 40 years while newer models have been built within the last 15 years. The older facilities are a mix of freestall barns, dry lots and bedded pack housing. Newer farms had barns that were four-row, naturally-ventilated or cross-ventilated. Bedding was either recycled manure solids or organic bedding like rice hulls. Bennett said he did not see sand bedding. Milking facilities ranged from 80-stall rotaries to double-20 parallel parlors. He also saw manure digesters, alley scrapers and the latest feeding equipment. “The new dairies are very high tech,” Bennett said. “They had all the technology we would expect to see on a big U.S. dairy. The Chinese look to us because our systems are what they want Turn to BENNETT | Page 7
Page 2 • Dairy Star • Saturday, February 9, 2019
DAIRY ST R www.dairystar.com
ISSN 020355 522 Sinclair Lewis Ave. Sauk Centre, MN 56378 Phone: (320) 352-6303 Fax: (320) 352-5647 Published by Dairy Star LLC General Manager/Editor Mark Klaphake - mark.k@dairystar.com 320-352-6303 (ofce) 320-248-3196 (cell) 320-352-0062 (home) Ad Composition Nancy Powell 320-352-6303 nancy.p@dairystar.com Amanda Thooft 320-352-6303 amanda.t@dairystar.com Consultant Jerry Jennissen 320-346-2292 Editorial Staff Andrea Borgerding - Associate Editor (320) 352-6303 • andrea.b@dairystar.com Krista Kuzma - Assistant Editor (507) 259-8159 • krista.k@dairystar.com Jennifer Coyne - Assistant Editor (320) 352-6303 • jenn@dairystar.com Ruth Klossner (507) 240-0048 cowlady@centurylink.net Danielle Nauman (608) 487-1101 danielle.n@dairystar.com Danna Sabolik - Staff Writer (320) 352-6303 • danna.s@dairystar.com Maria Bichler - Copy Editor 320-352-6303 Advertising Sales Main Ofce: 320-352-6303 Fax: 320-352-5647 Deadline is 5 p.m. of the Friday the week before publication Sales Manager - Jeff Weyer (Northern MN, East Central MN) 320-260-8505 (cell) jeff.w@dairystar.com Mark Klaphake (Western MN) 320-352-6303 (ofce) 320-248-3196 (cell) Laura Seljan (National Advertising, SE MN) 507-250-2217 fax: 507-634-4413 laura.s@dairystar.com Jerry Nelson (SW MN, NW Iowa, South Dakota) 605-690-6260 jerry.n@dairystar.com Mike Schafer (Central, South Central MN) 320-894-7825 mike.s@dairystar.com Amanda Hoeer (Eastern Iowa) 320-250-2884 • amanda.h@dairystar.com Megan Stuessel (Western Wisconsin) 608-387-1202 • megan.s@dairystar.com
A glance at what’s inside The extreme cold weather consumed many of us since the last issue came out. The historic low temperatures the last week in January caused many challenges for dairy farmers across the Midwest. We have several features about farming in the frigid air. Along with our front-page story about how two farmers dealt with temperatures plunging into the negative 30s, we also talked to dairy producers from across our coverage area how they faired through the frigid cold weather Jan. 29-31 and what problems arose By Mark Klaphake on their dairies. Read about them on pages 11-12 in Editor third section. Another story highlights how winter poses threats to animal health if the right care is not given to the cattle. Animal housing, nutrition and comfort of all animals on the farm are important to take into consideration when the mercury drops uncomfortably low. Read more about caring for cattle in cold weather on pages 18 and 20 in rst section. Our “From our side of the fence” feature also deals with cold weather. We asked dairy farmers how they prepare their farm for a cold snap, what challenges they face, how low temperatures changes their daily routine and how it affects their herd. They also describe some of the most frustratingly cold days they have experienced in their farming career. Turn to pages 15 and 16 in rst section to read about it. Cold weather isn’t the only topic in this issue of the paper. With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, we found several couples who have dairy farmed together for 30 years or more. They shared with us what they love about dairying, the key to the longevity of their career, their most memorable experiences while farming and the keys to working side-by-side with their spouse. Find the couples featured on pages 7 and 8 in second section. While the dairy economy is still depressed right now, there is still hope for smaller producers according to Jim Salfer, University of Minnesota Extension specialist. We attended his presentation, “Survival of the Small Dairy Farm at the annual Tour de Forage meeting Jan. 30 in Royalton, Minn. Read about what Salfer had to say on pages 23 and 25 in rst section.
Favorite quotes from this issue:
“The only thing in this business you can control is your own attitude, and what you do with it.” – Ron Bula (Third Section, Pages 6, 8)
“You can only cut so much before it starts to hurt your production.”
– Brandon Marshik (First Section, Pages 10-11)
By the Numbers
120,000:
Pounds of cheese made from May through October at Upland Cheese. (Third Section, Pages 2-3)
tariffs on U.S. Dairy 30: Percent products to Japan. (First Section, Pages 23, 25)
CONSISTENT, TIGHTLY WRAPPED BALES
RW ROUND AND SW SQUARE BALE WRAPPERS Deadlines The deadline for news and advertising in the Dairy Star is 5 p.m. Friday the week before publication. Subscriptions One year subscription $35.00, outside the U.S. $110.00. Send check along with mailing address to Dairy Star, 522 Sinclair Lewis Ave., Sauk Centre, MN 56378. Advertising Our ad takers have no authority to bind this newspaper and only publication of an advertisement shall constitute nal acceptance of the advertiser's order. Letters Letters and articles of opinion are welcomed. Letters must be signed and include address and phone number. We reserve the right to edit lengthy letters. The views and opinions expressed by Dairy Star columnists and writers are not necessarily those of the Dairy Star LLC.
The Dairy Star is published semi-monthly by Dairy Star, LLC, 522 Sinclair Lewis Ave., Sauk Centre, MN 56378-1246. Periodicals Postage Paid at Sauk Centre, MN and additional mailing ofces. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Dairy Star, 522 Sinclair Lewis Ave., Sauk Centre, MN 56378-1246.
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Dairy Star • Saturday, February 9, 2019 • Page 3
It’s all inside... Columnists Ag Insider
Pages 8-9 First Section
Royalton
First Section: Pages 23, 25 Kittson Roseau
Marshall
Wadena
Rock
Nobles
Scott
Sibley Redwood Brown
Nicollet
Third Section: Page 9
sey
Washington
Wilkin
McCook Minnehaha
Murray
Hennepin Carver
Stewartville
Dairy’s Star Youth: Jake Twohey
Dakota
Rice
Goodhue Wabasha
Cottonwood Watonwan Blue Earth Waseca Steele Dodge Olmsted Jackson
Martin
Faribault
Freeborn
Winona
Fillimore
Mower
Ridgeway
Houston
From Our Side of the Fence
Ha
nso
Moody
Wright
McLeod
Renville
Yellow Medicine Lyon
Meeker
Anoka
Hutchinson
First Section: Pages 15 - 16
Turner
Bon Yankton Homme
Lincoln Clay
Union
Lyon
Osceola Dickinson Emmet
Sioux
O’Brien
Plymouth
Clay
Palo Alto
Kossuth
Winnebago
Worth
Hancock
Cerro Gordo
Mitchell
Floyd
Howard
Bremer Black Hawk
Zone 1
w
sa
ka
ic Ch
Allamakee
Charles Mix
Lake
Kandiyohi
Isanti
Winneshiek
Douglas
n
Sa nb
on vis
Page 21 Second Section
Da
Country Cooking
Miner
Brookings
Sherburne
Chippewa
Lincoln
or n
Kingsbury
Deuel
Benton
Stearns
First Section: Pages 12 - 13
go
Pages 10 - 11 Second Section
Hamlin
Mille Lacs
Morrison
Pope
Swift
Lac Qui Parle
Codington
Clark
Page 33 First Section
The “Mielke” Market Weekly
Big Sto Stone
Grant
Come Full Circle
Pine
Douglas
Stevens
Welch
Panelists talk about managing people on the farm
isa
Day
Carlton
Crow Wing
Ch
Page 32 First Section
Roberts
Aitkin
r
Marshall
Making Cents of Dairy
Grant
rse
Third Section: Page 5
Cass
Todd
Pipestone
Page 31 First Section
Mossings Dairy continues expanding more than 10 years after moving from England
Otter Tail
Tra ve
Veterinary Wisdom
Becker
Clay
Egan
en
nom
Mah
Kanabec
Norman
Itasca
Hubbard
Polk
First Section: Pages 34 - 35
First Section: Page 39
Koochiching
Clearwater
Marti races in extreme cold
First Section: Page 36
Dairy Prole: Ron Hess
St. Louis
Red Lake
Dear County Agent Guy Page 30 First Section
Beltrami
Pennington
New Ulm
Foley
Women in Dairy: Hannah Molitor
Ra m
Page 26 First Section
eu
FSA News & Notes
St. Cloud
First Section: Pages 10 - 11 Lake of the Woods
Su
Page 22 First Section
Page 27 First Section
Marshiks lean on relationships, efciencies to stay dairying
Le
On the Road with Princess Kay
The Transition Pen
Rice
Salfer gives tips for survival of small dairies
Fayette
For additional stories from our other zone, log on to www.dairystar.com
n
na
ha
c Bu
Clayton
are
law
De
Linn
Dubuque
Jones
Castalia
Surviving the snap
Jacksoncold
Third Section: Pages 11 - 12
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Page 4 • Dairy Star • Saturday, February 9, 2019
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Dairy Star • Saturday, February 9, 2019 • Page 5
COLD CALVES NEED MORE ENERGY!
ConĆ&#x;nued from WEATHER | Page 1
PHOTO SUBMITTED
The freestall barn at the Piepers’ dairy is closed up during the extreme cold temperatures Jan. 31 at Pieper’s farm near New Prague, Minn.
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Pieper and his family milk 440 cows near New Prague, Minn. The youngstock and cows are all housed indoors; however, the milking herd walks a short distance outside to the parlor. To keep the animals out of the elements as much as possible, the Piepers reworked their schedules so more were available to help clean the stalls and move the cows back to the barn as soon as they exited parlor. “We’re not taking many the“Chores took us six hours, breaks to keep things even with extra guys on hand,â€? Pieper said. “We’re not taking moving. It’s exhausting ... many breaks to keep things It’s exhausting ‌ completely cumbersome.â€? moving. completely cumbersome.â€? For Pieper and those working TIM PIEPER, DAIRY FARMER outside, they dressed in several layers and tried to protect and prepped machinery as best as exposed skin from frostbite. possible. Unlike other winter storms, this “Last week we made sure our system arrived with snow and then diesel barrels were full,â€? Tim Pieper lingered with wind speeds surpassing said. “All this week, we’ve been 30 miles per hour in some areas. using our standby generator, which is monitored by the power company, Turn to WEATHER | Page 6 every afternoon and evening.â€?
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ConƟnued from WEATHER | Page 5
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Both the Piepers and Scanlans dealt with frozen waterers. The Scanlans’ farm is located on two sites, with youngstock at one location and milking cows housed on the other. During chores Jan. 30, the Wisconsin family realized both water wells froze. The tank on their pressure washer cracked, and the drain in the parlor was plugged with ice. At the same time, the Scanlans could only feed dry hay to the milk cows because the tractor to feed TMR would not start. Other equipment, like the skidloaders, were parked in a heated building when not operating and could still only run for a few hours. “We took a 1,300-pound hit to the bulk tank because of all this,” Scanlan said. By Feb. 1, the temperatures rose and the wind let up. On average, temperatures climbed 75 degrees – almost 100 degrees in some areas, Edwards said. It was a warm up welcomed long enough to clear manure build up, but the quick change posed risk for pneumonia and other health concerns for animals, particularly calves. “The animals are doing well, but only time will tell the true impact
“When the bills for the repairs start coming in and the milk check reects the loss in production, that’s when it will really set in.” AMY SCANLAN, DAIRY FARMER
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A map indicates wind chill temperatures across the United States Jan. 27 to Feb. 2. The Upper Midwest saw wind chill temperatures reach negaƟve 50 degrees Fahrenheit or greater during the polar vortex.
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of this,” Pieper said. “That big of temperature change is as equally challenging as dealing with the cold. Knock on wood we don’t have issues with herd health.” Scanlan agreed. “It’s been pretty awful on top of a hard year,” she said. “We’re
PHOTO SUBMITTED
A water is thawed at Amy Scanlan’s dairy farm near Fennimore, Wis. The Scanlans dealt with two frozen wells from the frigid temperatures that shook the Midwest at the end of January.
still assessing the damage as it’s unfolding. When the bills for the repairs start coming in and the milk check reects the loss in production, that’s when it will really set in.” January began as a mild month and then quickly became one of the most brutal in decades. The winters of 1996 and 2014 were other years most comparable to what the Midwest experienced at the end of last month. February is not expected to be much of a relief with colder than average temperatures forecasted for the rst half the month, according to the National Weather Service. The cold temperatures will be coupled with shots of precipitation as part of active storm tracks moving through. “Long term trends show warming temperatures, and winter is warming at a faster rate than any other season,” Edwards said. “That’s not to say we still won’t see extreme cold events, they’ll just be less likely.” The bitter weather may have been an anomaly, but for dairy farmers across the Midwest it has become a burden that will be felt for months to come.
Dairy Star • Saturday, February 9, 2019 • Page 7
ConƟnued from BENNETT | Page 1 to do there. Their interest is in large-scale industrial sized dairy.” Besides one farm that had a mix of Holsteins and Jerseys, all the farms had Holsteins. “I thought the cows looked very nice,” Bennett said. “They had good conrmation, good udders, and good feet and legs.” Production on the farms ranged from about 60 pounds of milk per cow per day up to almost 88 pounds on threetimes-a-day milking with no rBST. While there were many similarities between the U.S. dairies and the ones Bennett visited in China, there were several differences. The rst is the amount of security. Every farm has a guard house and is surrounded by a fence. “The gate opens up and you have to speak to the guard to get in,” Bennett said. They all also have disinfectant protocols. Each person on the farm has to wear disposable coveralls or a lab coat along with farm boots, a hat cover and latex gloves. “I think it’s more protecting the people because they have brucellosis, which is a human health risk,” Bennett said. They also have to deal with other diseases that many farmers in the United States do not, including Streptococcus agalactiae (Strep ag), mycoplasma mastitis and foot and mouth disease. Although some of the diseases they deal with can be prevented through vaccines, the government does
PHOTO SUBMITTED
Cows rest in a dry lot on a dairy farm in the Hebei province of China. Dr. Jim BenneƩ visited eight dairy farms in China to help with troubleshooƟng on-farm veterinary issues. not allow it. “There’s a lot of vaccine use that’s bootlegged from other countries or made locally,” Bennett said. Most farms are privately owned, but some are owned by the government or by a company that is owned by the government; however, the government owns 100 percent of the country’s land, so in order to build a farm, a person must get government permission and pay for the right to build the dairy. “The degree of government involvement in the industry there is really different and surprising,” Bennett said. “There are a lot of things in
China that don’t necessarily make sense because of that structure with government control … .” Bennett used the novaccine rule as an example. The government does not allow vaccines because it does not think diseases are present in the country, but farmers know differently. Plus, the diseases can be easily prevented with the vaccines. “The farmers nd ways to work around stuff and make it work, where we don’t even have to think about it here,” Bennett said. The amount of labor on each farm also surprised
Bennett. A 4,000-cow dairy he visited had about 200 employees. He calculated the wage of a milker to be about $3 per hour. “They can afford to employ a lot of people,” he said. Every farm also had a cafeteria with a cooking crew along with dormitories. “Most places take a break in the middle of the day so the employees can go rest in the dormitory,” Bennett said. “One farm provided a room for us to take a nap for one hour after lunch.” The reason for a growing and changing dairy industry in China is the shift in
eating habits in the younger generations. Foods such as pizza are growing in popularity in the country. “I suspect the demand is changing because it’s becoming westernized,” Bennett said. “I saw the same clothes and same cars as we have. The world is attening and people are wanting to eat more like us.” While the dairy industry in China operates on a large scale, Bennett said other parts of agriculture in the country are drastically different. Bennett said the Chinese government allows independent farmers to have 40- by 40-foot plots of land to grow produce. “You see people out picking a 1-acre plot by hand but then you have a 5,000-cow dairy right next door with all the technology, their own feed mill and everything else,” Bennett said. “These exist right next to each other, which is really kind of shocking. You have agriculture as what it was hundreds of years ago, and you have agriculture as it looks like today and both coexists.” The experience helped Bennett see the dairy industry in another country. “The people on the farms are well versed in dairy practices and dairy numbers,” he said. “They keep up on information and techniques pretty well. The best [Chinese dairy farms] are close to being as productive as our farms in the U.S. It’s a very forwardlooking business.”
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Government shutdown slowed implementation of dairy program The 35-day partial government shutdown is share to the tune of potentially $90 million and over over, but Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar is the next ďƒžve years, the cumulative impact will be seeing a possible hangover effect on $185 million of lost opportunity,â€? he Ag Insider agriculture. The delay slowed down said. USDEC commissioned a study implementation of the farm bill. “We that calculates the loss of market access. fell behind in signup of the Market Cheese would feel the most signiďƒžcant Facilitation Program, ARC and Dairy negative impact, but other dairy Margin Protection Program; I think ingredients will also feel the pain. “At the hardest hit is our dairy farmers,â€? a time when we’re looking for every she said. Klobuchar said the dairy single dollar we can in the market, we industry is seeing the biggest impact can’t afford to let that happen,â€? Vilsack from the downtime. The government is said. funded through mid-February, giving the administration and Congress time Long-term relief sought for farmers to negotiate border security issues. The National Farmers Union board Klobuchar wants to avoid another of directors is asking the administration By Don Wick shutdown. “The hope is these people and Congress to strengthen the farm Columnist have learned their lesson and this won’t safety net. The Market Facilitation happen again,â€? she said. Program was welcomed, but the NFU board said long-term relief is necessary. In addition, $200 million in trade promotion funds awarded the Farmers Union wants Congress to address what The United States Department of Agriculture it sees as a chronic oversupply situation in the U.S. has awarded $200 million to nearly 60 organizations dairy and grain sectors. as part of the trade mitigation effort. The American Soybean Association received the largest allocation Dairy Revenue Protection is back in gear through the Agricultural Trade Promotion Program Sales of the new Dairy Revenue Protection at nearly $22 million. A total of $5.2 million was policy have resumed. The sales had been suspended given to the U.S. Dairy Export Council. The money during the government shutdown. This revenue will be used by these groups to identify and access insurance policy is offered through the federal crop new export markets. insurance program. The program is designed to insure against declines in quarterly revenue from Lost opportunity milk sales. The new trade agreements between Japan and other countries will put U.S. dairy exports at a IDFA sites success stories competitive disadvantage. U.S. Dairy Export Council International Dairy Foods Association President President and CEO Tom Vilsack cites the Japan’s and CEO Michael Dykes recapped the past year trade agreements with Australia, New Zealand and during the Dairy Forward Conference in Orlando, the European Union. “They basically now tilt the Fla. The dairy title in the farm bill and the new playing ďƒželd to our competitors; we will lose market Class 1 pricing formula were cited. Dykes also
highlighted USDA’s ďƒžrst-ever purchase of ďƒ&#x;uid milk for food banks and the increase in dairy product exports. Regarding industry challenges, Dykes said animal protein is in the crosshairs, with consumers demanding food that includes a story about the environment and social responsibility. I’ll have whole milk House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson and Pennsylvania Congressman Glen Thompson have introduced legislation allowing whole milk in school nutrition programs. Peterson said this proposal will provide more healthy choices for the kids and provide a valuable market for dairy farmers when they are facing difďƒžcult market conditions. New bill encourages support for Minnesota 4-H and FFA members The Minnesota FFA Foundation Executive Director Val Aarsvold addressed House File 221 in front of the Minnesota House of Representatives Agriculture Food, Finance and Policy Committee, requesting special license plates be established and money appropriated for the state 4-H and FFA organizations. Two local FFA members testiďƒžed as well. “The question that has come up is why an agricultural license plate? The answer is quite simple,â€? Aarsvold said. “It’s an opportunity to celebrate what’s right with agriculture and invest in our future. It’s a voluntary way to have Minnesotans show their support. In 2016, more than 665,000 people voluntarily paid an additional fee to support a cause they believe in. These young people are worth that involvement.â€? Committee Chairman Jeanne Poppe referred House File 221 back to the House Ways and Means Committee to be re-referred Turn to AG INSIDER | Page 9
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ConƟnued from AG INSIDER | Page 8 to the Committee on Transportation, Finance and Policy. Below budget year for GENEX The 2018 nancial results for the GENEX cooperative came in below the levels budgeted, impacted by low milk prices. This past year was a time of signicant change for the cattle articial insemination company. A new parent company, URUS, was formed through the combination of Cooperative Resources International and Koepon Holding BV. The new company also divested itself of Central Livestock Association. Revenue was also inuenced by the industry’s shift to using beef semen on dairy females, with beef into dairy sales quadrupling in the past year. Awards presented at MFBF LEAP conference During the Minnesota Farm Bureau LEAP Conference, the MFBF Promotion and Education Committee presented the golden apple award to Brian Randolph, who passed away
in January. Debra Durheim of Todd County was named the advocate of the year. The MFBF Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee presented the golden pitchfork award to Pam and Tim Uhlenkamp of Sibley County and the outstanding friend of YF&R to MFBF’s east central area program coordinator Dennis Sabel. Trivia challenge A juicy Lucy is the term for a cheeseburger with the cheese in the middle, rather than the top. That answers our last trivia question. How old was the oldest cow on record when she died? We will 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.
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RICE, Minn. – While some have left the dairy industry in the last ve years others have entered, but it has not been easy. “Honestly, it’s stressful,” Brandon Marshik said. “I wake up and sometimes think what more can I do? But, I’ve worked too hard and put in too much effort to sell out.” Brandon and his wife, Jill, began milking 23 cows in the spring of 2014 near Rice, Minn. Today, the Marshiks, and their young children – Cylie, Audrie and Dominic – are maintaining a herd of 80 cows, an accomplishment the couple credits to open communication with their lender and working with their farm business management instructor to make decisions for the betterment of the dairy. “A lot of people like to do what they know works and don’t change,” Brandon said. “I have many different ideas, and I’m not afraid to do something different.” This mentality has helped the Marshiks maintain an 80-pound bulk tank average, a somatic cell count of 30,000 to 40,000, and some of the highest quality milk produced in central Minnesota.
“We’re not greedy; we’re just looking for enough to pay the bills. We’ve been under our breakeven point for too long.” JILL MARSHIK, DAIRY FARMER
In the beginning of their dairying career, Brandon and Jill worked tirelessly to improve cow comfort and milk quality. “We spent the rst two years just surviving,” Brandon said. “We wanted to get through without making expensive updates.” After developing a strict milking routine and prioritizing cleanliness on the farm, and turning a machine shed into a freestall barn, the Marshiks saw results.
As more opportunities became available to expand, the Marshiks looked to the bank for help. Since beginning farming, the couple has maintained a good relationship with their lender and he is willing to help when they need it. “We started with nothing and he gave us a chance,” Jill said. The Marshiks also work with their farm business management instructor to keep records up to date. They diligently le monthly DHIA information so it is easy to see where the farm stands. “Everybody is in a pinch and sometimes the milk check isn’t big enough,” Brandon said. “We have the records to show that we can make things happen. Our banker trusts us to make it work. Brandon and Jill continue to milk in the 28-stall tiestall barn, keeping a majority of the herd in the freestall barn and bedded pack nearby. When a cow comes down with mastitis, or another health issue, Brandon quickly evaluates his treatment options and sometimes has to remove her from the herd. The couple also chooses to keep a young herd with few cows over ve calves. “Last year, we had 34 cows leave the herd,” Brandon said. “Our low SCC isn’t reected much on the milk check, but we’re saving on what it would cost to treat her or the decrease in milk.” The Marshiks began with 800,000 SCC and have since decreased that value by nearly 95 percent. In 2015, the couple started using the CowManager system to detect heats and more closely monitor herd health. “Our preg rate went up and continues to rise,” Brandon said. “We’re getting our animals bred on time and our milk is increasing because we’re getting the cows bred back sooner.” Two years after putting the monitoring system in place, the Marshiks built a manure pit and an outdoor lot for dry cows and heifers. To weather the cost of such changes on the farm, the Marshiks are no longer using milk replacer to feed their calves. Instead, they save some milk at each milking. They are also raising the bull calves for resale. Turn to MARSHIKS | Page 11
Dairy Star • Saturday, February 9, 2019 • Page 11
ConĆ&#x;nued from MARSHIKS | Page 10
German Valley Dairy Doug & Anna, Caleb and Titus Wolf JENNIFER COYNE/DAIRY STAR
Brandon Marshik reviews data collected from the CowManager System. The Marshiks implemented the technology in 2015, and it has helped improve their pregnancy rate and overall herd health.
In their personal life, the Marshiks also watch their spending. “We only buy what we absolutely need. ‌ $20 here and there adds up,â€? Jill said. While Brandon and Jill have found ways to eliminate expenses on the farm, they have also remained steadfast with certain costs, such as quality feed and bedding. “Health and cleanliness is important to us,â€? Jill said. “So, $80 for a bale of straw is a lot, but having one cow with mastitis or a sick calf can be costly. In the long run, $80 is worth it for what I can prevent.â€? Brandon agreed. “You can only cut so much before it starts to hurt your production,â€? he said. “We’re careful where we cut costs and are pretty efďƒžcient. And, those investments have been expensive, but they’ve been worth it.â€? The Marshiks continue to do all the farm labor themselves and share ďƒželdwork equipment with Jill’s parents. Despite their best efforts,
dairying has not been pleasant for the Marshiks. Often, they have thought about what their life could have been without milking cows, but are quickly reminded of the purpose they ďƒžnd in themselves. “2018 was the worst,â€? said Brandon of the cattle market. “You couldn’t turn any which way and were forced to hang on to everything. A lot of people told me not to get into it, but this is what I wanted to do.â€? Jill agreed. “We’re not greedy; we’re just looking for enough to pay the bills,â€? she said. “We’ve been under our breakeven point for too long.â€? With changes to the farm bill and forecasted markets showing some relief, the Marshiks are hopeful the worst may be behind them. “We’ll continue working towards our goals and trying different things when we hit a wall,â€? Brandon said. “What keeps me going is the progress we’ve made in ďƒžve years and the lifestyle we’re able to have with our family.â€?
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Page 12 • Dairy Star • Saturday, February 9, 2019
Managing more than cows
Panelists discuss how to work with employees By Krista Kuzma
krista.k@dairystar.com
WELCH, Minn. – With the amount of work on a dairy, many farmers have to hire employees. “It’s no longer just the cows,” Marco Lopez said. “You are becoming people managers.” Lopez and Mario Solis, both technical services specialists for FormA-Feed, were the moderators for a panel with three dairy farm managers talking about employees on dairy farms. The
“It’s no longer just the cows. You are becoming people managers.”
KRISTA KUZMA/DAIRY STAR
A panel of dairy managers – (from leŌ) Dan Coates from Legacy Farms in Shell Lake, Wis.;, Joe Jans from Co-Jo Dairy in Grove City, Minn.; and Cayetano Avila from D&D Dairy in Rushford, Minn. – talk about their experiences dealing with employees during the Form-A-Feed Professional Dairy Conference Jan. 18 in Welch, Minn. not receive health insurance or other similar benets, employees are given paid vacation after one year. Another panelist, Joe Jans, is a partner in his family’s dairy, Co-Jo Dairy, which milks 850 cows near Grove City, Minn. His dairy has 17 employees along with him and his dad. Most employees are full time and are given paid vacation after one year of employment. They also have the ability to sign up for AFLAC insurance, which the dairy pays half of. The third panelist, Dan Coates,
MARCO LOPEZ, FORMǧAǧFEED
seminar was an informal question-andanswer type format Jan. 18 during the 2019 Form-A-Feed Professional Dairy Conference in Welch, Minn. One panelist, Cayetano Avila, is the dairy manager of D&D Dairy near Rushford, Minn. The 950-cow dairy has 21 full-time employees along with him and an owner. While they do
is the operations and human relations manager at the 1,500-cow dairy, Legacy Farms, in Shell Lake, Wis. There are about 24 employees with six being family and six being owners. Five of the employees are part time. They are given paid vacation, which is prorated with the ability to earn up to 80 hours. Audience members provided the questions for the three panelists during the seminar. Two questions asked about starting pay for employees and if the farms offer any incentive programs. At D&D Dairy, employees are
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started at the same pay rate. The same is true at Co-Jo Dairy, where employees receive a starting pay of $11, but usually receive a $1 increase within the rst month if they do not miss a day of work and show a good work ethic. “If you show up with a smile on your face and on time I’ll give you a raise,” Jans said. The night shift receives a $1 higher wage. Over time, Jans increases wages. “If they come to me and ask, I
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Dairy Star • Saturday, February 9, 2019 • Page 13
ConƟnued from EMPLOYEES | Page 12 usually give it to them,” he said. Coates said only his milkers have a set wage for starting. Other positions depend on each employee’s experience and age. He tries to give raises totaling up to $2 during the rst year. “If I can get them through their rst year, that will keep them there longer,” Coates said. “[The raise] seems to be good incentive.” Legacy Dairy is the only one of the three to
“Four times a year we sit down with them and show them where their weaknesses are and where they can improve.” DAN COATES, DAIRY FARMER
offer an incentive program, which has changed four times in the last three years. Their most recent change started at the beginning of 2018 and seems to be working, Coates said. The program is based on individual performance rather than somatic cell count or milk production. Every quarter, an employee has a review with a supervisor who gives them a score on how they are doing. That score determines how large the employee’s bonus will be. “Four times a year we sit down with them and
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show them where their weaknesses are and where they can improve,” Coates said. “It has helped immensely in retaining and improving their job.” Another person asked about important factors besides money that help keep employees on their dairy. “You have to care about them,” Avila said. “We have to do the best we can with whatever problem they have when they come to us. Talk to them and do whatever we can to x it.” Jans agreed. “We are a team and a family,” he said. “We’re all pretty close to everyone who works on our dairy. Make sure you talk to them and ask them how their family is. Make conversation with them like you would anybody else.” Coates echoed those sentiments along with giving certain long-term employees a bit of exibility. “If I give them time off after they come to me saying they need time off for family things, when they come back they’re that much more loyal,” Coates said. Someone in the audience asked the panel members what they look for when hiring employees. For Avila, the process is simple. “Whoever wants the job, I interview them,” he said. “If they stay, then they stay.” Jans calls his method the beating heart syndrome. “If you have a beating heart, you’ve got a job,” he said. But most of the time he asks his crew for potential employees.
“Ninety percent of the time they’ll have someone,” Jans said. “That seems to work because if I hire someone and they don’t get along, they’ll be gone after a week anyway. I let the employees try to ll the position rst.” Coates has a similar hiring process. “If you’re breathing you’ve got a job,” he said. “I try to go away from that, but it’s tough especially if we have a few positions open. A lot of times the crew comes to me and says the walking and breathing method doesn’t work because they end up paying for it because the person will walk out or not do their job. A lot of times we’ll put the extra effort in to hire the right person.” It is also critical everyone gets along, Coates said, especially with his diverse work crew. Along with hiring local and foreign-born employees, Legacy Farms also hires through Wisconsin Corrections. To communicate with their employees, each of the farms have meetings. D&D Dairy meets every month while Co-Jo Dairy has quarterly gatherings. “And, we’re always in conversation,” Jans said. “Every one of them knows they can talk to me any time. We’re pretty open.” Legacy Farms has a meeting every two weeks on pay day to talk about any problems or good things that have happened. Every other meeting they talk about a safety item, and every month they have a larger meeting with a presentation about changes to implement or how to improve an area of the farm. A lot of times, the dairies will offer a meal or try to show appreciation. “Thank you goes a long way,” Lopez said.
n I v e i r t ’ e u d o ! Y BYRON SEEDS MINNESOTA
FEBRUARY MEETINGS COMING SOON!
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Wed., Feb. 13
Thurs., Feb. 14
Fri., Feb. 15
THIS YEAR’S EXPERT LINE UP OF SPEAKERS INCLUDE: 10 a.m.-11 a.m. Leo Brown, Sorghum Management & Quality 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Ag Resource Consulting, Soil Fertility and Forage Quality Noon
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Dennis Brown, KingFisher Corn & Plot Research
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Jim Paulson, Economics of High Quality Forage
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FOR INFORMATION CONTACT Rick Tamm 320-267-5021 or rtamm@albanytel.com
Page 14 • Dairy Star • Saturday, February 9, 2019
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Dairy Star • Saturday, February 9, 2019 • Page 15
From Our Side Of The Fence How do you prepare for cold weather?
Heidi and Brian Lantzky Hawkeye, Iowa Fayette County 135 cows How do you prepare your farm for a cold snap? In late fall we clean up, and ready the space heaters and torpedo heaters. We do building repairs and maintenance to seal up any cracks or gaps. We make sure equipment is ready for winter and make sure all auto waterers are working. This year we installed new curtains in the return lane from the parlor, and we are so happy we did. The old one would not have held up in this severe cold that we just experienced. For the recent cold snap, we double bedded and double fed everything on Monday and Tuesday so we didn’t need to run the tractor and TMR on Wednesday, or run the skidloaders any more than necessary. What challenges do you have with cold weather on your dairy? We are on a hilltop that is windy and fairly open. Our freestall barn was originally built as a compost barn that has 16-foot high curtain sidewalls and an open peak. It is a cold barn. Normal winter days are no problem, but the deep freeze freezes up the manure in the alleys. We skidloader scrape so a bucket is necessary instead of the tire scraper when it is really cold. Our overhead doors seem to cause us issues when it is cold. But on the ip side, this is an amazing barn in the summer. How do the low temperatures change your daily routine? Like at other dairies, everything just takes longer. Equipment has to warm up. Extra heaters are put in the parlor to keep it thawed. We block off the bottom of all roll doors to the parlor between groups of cows. Cows and people move slower in the cold. We had an extra employee every night shift during the cold snap just to help with everything. How has the cold weather negatively affected your herd? How do you handle these situations? Our milk production didn’t uctuate. Jerseys are really resilient to heat and cold. We don’t calve from Christmas until the end of February. This was so awesome in this cold snap. Almost all of our calves were weaned, and we didn’t have to worry about new babies and frozen teats on fresh cows or heifers. Fortunately no animals have gotten sick yet. We had this crazy warm after the crazy cold so we are keeping a close eye on everyone. Describe the most frustrating day you experienced on the farm because of cold weather. There have been many over the years. I don’t know that we could pick just one. There have been equipment breakdowns and cows that get sick, among other things. We take it one day at a time and leave the past behind us. What is the best tip you’ve received about how to handle cold weather for your dairy? Many years ago, we were told to use baby powder as a dip in cold weather. So we use it when the temperature drops below 10 degrees. Our somatic cell count stays around 55,000-75,000. What is a must have for yourself when preparing to go out into the cold? Two pairs of boots. We change them when our feet get cold. We also wear real wool socks and lots of warm layers. Tell us about your farm. We have all registered Jerseys. Our rolling herd average is 20,500 pounds of milk with twotimes-a-day milking. We run a 5.41 percent butterfat and 4.05 percent protein. We farm 210 acres and sell many heifers each year. We have 160 heifers on the farm. We started our dairy
Elizabeth and Dean Johnson Heron Lake, Minn. 100 cows How do you prepare your farm for a cold snap? Bed everything well, including extra sand in the free stalls. Have a good supply of feed on hand and grind any that will be needed in the near future. Be sure heaters in automatic waterers are working properly. Be sure all young calves have jackets. Fill tractors and skid loaders with fuel. What challenges do you have with cold weather on your dairy? Frozen fountains, frozen manure, and extra attention is needed for calves because they are housed in hutches. These are a few, but there are always other things that can happen. How do the low temperatures change your daily routine? Everything simply takes longer. We get up earlier. We only scrape free stall alleys once per day in the afternoon when it is warmer. We spend a lot of time moving snow when the storms come through. How has the cold weather negatively affected your herd? How do you handle these situations? We have noticed a slight drop in production. A few cows have frostbite on their teats. Two of our energy free fountains froze up on the coldest day. Describe the most frustrating day you experienced on the farm because of cold weather. After farming for over 30 years, there have been a few. One that sticks out in our minds is Jan. 4, 1999. After blowing snow for several hours, the tractor gelled up at about milking time. We left it until the next day, and it took nearly the whole day to get the tractor running again. We built a heated shop three years ago and that has helped so much to help keep tractors and skid loaders running. It has been a great help in this cold weather. What is the best tip you’ve received about how to handle cold weather for your dairy? Fellow dairymen have given us a couple of tips. Never use liquid dip when the temperature is less than 15 degrees. Do not breed animals, especially heifers, to calve in January when weather is usually the coldest. What is a must have for yourself when preparing to go out into the cold? Be sure to dress warm and in layers. Warm socks and gloves are a must. Tell us about your farm. We milk about 100 cows. Cows are housed in a hoop barn with sand free stalls and eat out of the south side of the barn. Heifers are also in sand free stalls and on pasture in the summer and fall. Dry cows and recently fresh cows are on a bedded pack in another hoop barn. We use sawdust in the summer and corn stalks in the winter in that barn. from scratch in 1998 with a rented facility and purchased our own farm in 2006 and built a dairy on it. We believe in balanced breeding: high producing cows that look good doing it is what we always strive for. We have been the recipients of the National Young Jersey Breeder award and the National Dairy Shrine Progressive Dairymen award.
Sarah and Jacob Enter Nicollet, Minn. 50 cows How do you prepare your farm for a cold snap? We make sure everything has fresh bedding. If we are able to, we clean out pens and scrape any loose manure. We try to get No. 1 fuel in the tractors and if needed an additive to help prevent gelling up. The skidloader usually gets a prime spot in the garage to make sure it will start. All the waterers get checked to make sure they are working the way they should be so we can avoid them freezing up. The calves get extra bedding to make sure they have a warm, dry place to lay. Extra feedings for the calves and other animals is also important in making sure they have enough energy to stay warm during the especially cold times. What challenges do you have with cold weather on your dairy? Getting manure cleaned out and hauled away, and getting the spreader cleaned off so other problems will not arise. Keeping the cattle bedded, making sure they stay warm and keeping water thawed. How do the low temperatures change your daily routine? Some chores, like manure hauling, are done earlier in the day than normal in case of trouble. If something were to break and a parts run would be necessary, then we would be able to get items needed. Everything seems to take a little bit longer. With this last cold snap and school being cancelled, there was extra help from our kids. They are hard workers and helped to get done whatever was needed. How has the cold weather negatively affected your herd? How do you handle these situations? Other than the cows looking like they were a cold on the coldest and windiest night, we did not have any issues. We were blessed because we have had issues in the past and know many of our dairy friends had things go wrong. Describe the most frustrating day you experienced on the farm because of cold weather. Having the tractor we use for feeding gel up. The cattle were not able to be fed when we had hoped, but after a few hours, we got the tractor going again. The worst time we have had is probably when we had a pipe freeze up in a barn we keep our young stock in. We had to climb into a narrow pit, scoop the water out and pull it up to be dumped. What is the best tip you’ve received about how to handle cold weather for your dairy? Making sure the calves have plenty of energy to stay warm, using calf coats and making sure they have clean, dry bedding has been the best at keeping the calves healthy during the cold times. What is a must have for yourself when preparing to go out into the cold? Facial hair in the winter has been a big help for Jake. Lots of layers, an insulated coverall, warm socks and a good pair of gloves. A good cup of coffee or hot chocolate are helpful, too. Tell us about your farm. We have a 50-cow tiestall barn. We raise our heifers and steers. We grow corn, soybeans and alfalfa. Jake farms with his uncle and his parents help whenever needed. Turn to OUR SIDE | Page 16
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Page 16 • Dairy Star • Saturday, February 9, 2019
ConƟnued from OUR SIDE | Page 15 Sharon and Dale Anderson Chisago City, Minn. Chisago County 45 cows H o w do you prepare your farm for a cold snap? We prepare for a cold snap by making sure the Bobcat and tractors are full of fuel with #1 added and diesel 911. The Bobcat and tractors are hooked to timers to go off at 3 a.m. All animal housing is cleaned and freshly bedded. We check all the waterers and make sure the thermostats are working. Calf jackets and blankets are ready, along with extra straw and shavings. Cows and heifers that are due within two to three weeks are brought in the barn from the dry cow shed. What challenges do you have with cold weather on your dairy? Keeping the barn cleaner and manure spreader clean and running can be a challenge in cold weather. We do not have a heated shop. How do the low temperatures change your daily routine? Our cows go outside for a couple hours each day. When it is cold, it is a mad dash to get all the barn chores done in a short hour so they can come back in. They are fed more when it is cold. Youngstock is fed extra grain and calves are given an extra feeding. How has the cold weather negatively affected your herd? How do you handle these situations? In cold weather we check the fans for ice buildup, which can cause the fan blades to catch on the ice and stop them. Pneumonia is always a concern with temperature swings along with signs of stress. Milk production goes down if the cows need to stay inside. Describe the most frustrating day you experienced on the farm because of cold weather. Wednesday, Jan. 30 was the most frustrating. The compressor on the bulk tank didn’t start and needed a service call. The batteries on the spreader tractor needed to be charged so the barn didn’t get cleaned until late in the afternoon. For some reason the breaker to the out buildings and waterers went out. One waterer froze. The block heater on the TMR mixer tractor also was cut out and wouldn’t start. Four hours later after getting the tractor started, we let the cows out. The water line broke on the waterer that froze and took two hours to x, with the wind and -20 degree temperatures, that was not fun. What is the best tip you’ve received about how to handle cold weather for your dairy? The best advice is to be prepared. If it is something you depend on, it will probably fail and you need to have a back up. The backup plan also needs a backup plan. What is a must have for yourself when preparing to go out into the cold? Before going into the cold we need positive determination and a good, strong, hot cup of coffee. Dale, being the stubborn Swede he is, suggests pants and maybe a long tshirt under your short-sleeved shirt. I on the other hand wear layers – a wicking layer with thumb-holes and a turtleneck next to my skin, then a eece layer followed by a
David Vanderzee Ridgeway, Minn. Winona County 85 cows How do you prepare your farm for a cold snap? We try to make sure all the animals are dry. We also check that the waterers and equipment are all working properly. What challenges do you have with cold weather on your dairy? We normally have a water cup that will freeze up and cleaning the freestall barns is a challenge, as well. How do the low temperatures change your daily routine? The days get longer since a group of cows stay in the barn. That means bringing in extra bedding and feeding them in the barn. How has the cold weather negatively affected your herd? How do you handle these situations? The cows have done really well considering it got down to 63 below zero with wind chill. We went down a few pounds of milk, but it wasn’t bad. Describe the most frustrating day you experienced on the farm because of cold weather. During the cold snap, the lift pump went out on my tractor, and we got really behind on chores. We had frozen water cups and the day didn’t seem like it was going to end. What is the best tip you’ve received about how to handle cold weather for your dairy? Take care of yourself and stay warm. For the cows, keep them out of the weather as much as possible. What is a must have for yourself when preparing to go out into the cold? Wear things that are heavy – coat, hat, gloves or anything that keeps you warm. Tell us about your farm. I am the fourth generation to milk on the family farm. I started with my uncle in high school then worked off the farm for a few years. I came back in 2015 when I bought my own cattle. My uncle, Randy, raises steers and also cash crops. Unfortunately as of Feb. 14, I will be selling my cows due to the current dairy economy and getting an off-farm job. wind resistant layer. The thumb-holes make it easy to tuck the cuffs into my water resistant mittens. A wool or double eece hat and a scarf to protect from the sharp winds. Boots a size larger than you wear to t heavy socks into. If I can barely t through the lock ups in the calf barn to check the waterers, I know I have enough on. Tell us about your farm. We milk between 40-50 cows in a stanchion barn with 70 head of youngstock. We farm 140 acres of corn, corn silage, alfalfa and soybeans. In addition to their full-time jobs, our daughter and son-in-law are a tremendous help on the farm.
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Jim Scholl Buckman, Minn. Morrison County 20 cows How do you prepare your farm for a cold snap? I always do things ahead of time. I can mix enough feed for ve days and then I take a 3- by 3-foot slab of hay and lay it over the feed so it doesn’t freeze too much. The hay also keeps the snow off. I also make sure I have enough kerosene to keep everything heating and running. I close the barn doors in the evening and turn one of the fans off at night. I try to keep the barn at 40 degrees Fahrenheit. I feed the calves three times a day, and then at night I close up the hutches with a straw bale. The No. 1 thing is to keep them dry. For the youngstock, I put a blanket over their water fountain at night so it doesn’t freeze. What challenges do you have with cold weather on your dairy? Keeping the cows comfortable with enough feed and water at all times. The youngstock have a shed they can go into so they’re not outside at night. This helps, especially when it is snowing or we have a northwest wind. Sometimes, ice builds up around the water fountain outside, and then I have to be careful I don’t slip on it. How do the low temperatures change your daily routine? I start earlier. When it’s cold and I know a storm is coming, I usually start chores at 1 or 2 p.m. in case something happens. How has the cold weather negatively affected your herd? How do you handle these situations? Unless I go into the barn in the morning and a water pipe is busted, the cold weather is OK for the cows. They eat more and usually give more milk. Describe the most frustrating day you experienced on the farm because of cold weather. One year the silage froze up pretty well, and we had to use the TMR mixer to break it up. I also fed dry hay with the silage and top dressed it once in a while so the cows would eat it. When I was a kid, farming was a different story. Now, it’s a lot easier to take care of the cows, especially with a skidloader. What is the best tip you’ve received about how to handle cold weather for your dairy? As old as I am, I’ve learned a lot on my own. Make sure you have thin enough diesel fuel or are able to mix the fuel with kerosene; otherwise you’ll have problems running the tractor and skidloader. What is a must have for yourself when preparing to go out into the cold? I wear coveralls all the time and put a jacket on over them. Then, when I get in the barn I can take the jacket off. I wear rubbers over my shoes and have two pairs of gloves – one thick pair for outside and one thin pair for in the barn. Tell us about your farm. I’ve been farming all my life. My wife, Linda, farms with me. At 70 years old, I have just enough to take care of. I milk the cows, feed the calves and heifers, and raise my own feed for the animals. I can relax when the cows are milking, and it’s a good feeling when the milk truck goes down the road because I’m giving something for people to eat and drink.
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Gary Lien, Northeast Iowa Dairy Center Calmar, Iowa Winneshiek County 288 milking cows How do you prepare your farm for a cold snap? Prior to a cold snap we make sure all the heating elements and water fountains are operating properly. Before an extremely cold spell or wind chill warning, all outside lots get scraped and deep bedded with cornstalk bedding. We also use a teat dip formulated for colder weather. What challenges do you have with cold weather on your dairy? The automatic scraper system and the slatted oors in the freestall barns can freeze up. The pelleted feed for the robot system can get frozen chunks, which potentially can plug the auger system. The robot milking system can also malfunction because of the extreme cold. How do the low temperatures change your daily routine? We try to get all the cows and heifers fed early so if we have problems with machinery, we have time to deal with it. That means we need to start our day earlier. As we’re feeding, we check all the automatic waterer systems to make sure they are not frozen. Extremely low temperatures often result in longer days because everything must be thawed before we are done. We bed the milking freestalls with sand, so when the sand arrives, it must be distributed immediately in the stalls or it will freeze on the pile. How has the cold weather negatively affected your herd? How do you handle these situations? We’ve had a few chapped teats from the cold weather. Sometimes it’s hard to keep up with the intake or consumption of the cow since they require more feed when it’s cold. Describe the most frustrating day you experienced on the farm because of cold weather. Having to unplug a drain under the Jersey robot stall because it was either frozen or plugged with sand. What is the best tip you’ve received about how to handle cold weather for your dairy? Be willing to be exible because your normal routine will change. What is a must have for yourself when preparing to go out into the cold? Layers of clothing and warm mittens. Tell us about your farm. Iowa’s Dairy Center currently milks 288 cows in a unique center focused on education and demonstrations for our 10,000 annual visitors. The center is home to two Lely robots, milking 65 Jerseys and 70 Holsteins, and we also milk 153 Holsteins three times a day in a one-of-a-kind double-8 parallel and herringbone parlor. We care for around 280 head of replacement heifers, a small cow/calf herd and dairy steers housed at the Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) Beef Center. Iowa’s Dairy Center operates in partnership with Iowa State University, NICC and Midwest Dairy to provide education for farmers, students and consumers.
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Dairy Star • Saturday, February 9, 2019 • Page 17
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Page 18 • Dairy Star • Saturday, February 9, 2019
Winter poses threats to animal health
Nutrition, shelter pivotal to get through season By Jennifer Coyne jenn@dairystar.com
RINGLE, Wis. – Dairy cattle are genetically built to withstand an array of weather conditions. Through rain, sleet and snow, these animals can thrive, but only if they are provided the right resources. In the midst of winter, it is important to re-evaluate animal housing, nutrition and overall cow comfort of both youngstock and mature cattle. “It’s been a weird year with moisture, so keeping track of nutrition, housing and comfort are all important to prevent cold stress,” Heather Schlesser said. Schlesser is the dairy agent with the University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension in Marathon County. Dairy animals are able to thrive in the winter when they have been appropriately prepared for the conditions. “You have to be prepared so you can react and the problems with winter don’t become compounding issues,” said Sam Zimmermann, who milks 225 registered Holsteins near Ringle, Wis. “There are some things you have to stay on top of.”
PHOTO SUBMITTED
A group of milking cows make their way to the parlor from the bedded pack at Sam Zimmermann’s dairy near Ringle, Wis. During the winter, Zimmermann’s biggest concern is frostbit teat ends because of the distance caƩle must walk outside to and from the parlor. For Zimmermann, he begins thinking of changes he has to make to the rations, housing and milking procedure well before cold weather arrives. “The cold is way less miserable if you have healthy cows,” Zimmermann said. “They do really well in the cold, in terms of milk production, if they’re given the right nutrition to maintain energy.” He considers his farm to reect a low-cost design with a three-row
freestall barn and bedded pack for the milking herd, and then another bedded pack for breeding-age heifers, close-up dry cows and pregnant animals. Far-off dry cows are outwintered. The outwintered animals have a windbreak made of silage bales for protection against the elements. He also makes sure the herd has ample water and available TMR. Likewise, the lactating groups and those housed in the bedded pack are provided plenty of feed.
“On really cold days, I feed extra so there’s feed in front of them at all times, and because when it’s this cold out it won’t spoil,” Zimmermann said. The Wisconsin farmer relies on his nutritionist to make adjustments to the ration so the cows are supplemented with enough energy. “Surround yourself with good people and manage those relationships so they can help,” Zimmermann said. Turn to WINTER | Page 20
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Dairy Star • Saturday, February 9, 2019 • Page 19
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NEALAND FARMS NEWVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA The Nealy family 400 cows: 92 lbs/cow/day 130-180,000 SCC “What I like best about Udder Comfort™ is really two things that are related: The removal of swelling and how that helps with cell counts. Since installing the Udder Comfort Spray Gun a year ago, the product gets used more because it is easy and fast to grab the gun and spray it on. But at the same time, the spray gun is more efficient, using 30 to 50% less spray per application. So, we’re getting even better results now and more savings at the same time,” says Matt Nealy. He and his father Steve, cousin Tommy and uncle Tom operate the third generation Nealand Farms, milking 400 cows near Newville, Pennsylvania. Matt is the ‘cow guy’ but says that everyone does everything here. “Udder Comfort is something we don’t cut when times are tough. Getting the swelling out faster means better milkouts earlier and higher quality milk.
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Page 20 • Dairy Star • Saturday, February 9, 2019
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ConƟnued from WINTER | Page 18 Having a well-balanced ration is the most important tool farmers can use to keep their herd healthy in the winter months, Schlesser said. “Those animals have to have extra energy and access to water,” she said. “For cattle outwintered, yes they will get some water from the snow on the ground, but it’s not enough. It takes too much energy to melt the snow into water and takes away from other functions.” With this winter’s mild start and then harsh storms coming and going throughout the season, dairy farmers need to be diligent about maintaining the animals’ environment, Schlesser said. “We have to make sure those cows are comfortable,” she said. For outwintered livestock, chapped teats and mobility on ice and snow are the greatest concerns. Inside, ice build up can be an issue near the waterers, but it may be more common to deal with respiratory issues caused by inadequate ventilation. If the cows have to walk a distance from the parlor to the barn, frostbite is also a danger. “Frostbit teats are really my only concern, other than how the calves are doing,” said Zimmermann who uses a powder teat dip in the winter as the cows walk a short distance outside from one facility to the other. For youngstock, the most troubles occur due to the cold. At 2 percent body fat or less, calves do not generate enough energy to maintain themselves and also promote growth unless their diet is changed. Many dairy farmers combat this issue by increasing the amount of milk the calves consume in a day – either by giving more milk at each feeding or
feeding more frequently. “Making sure those calves are getting enough calories is the biggest concern, especially for calves in hutches,” Schlesser said. “For those housed in a barn, we’re worried about issues with ventilation, such as respiratory stress or pneumonia.” Both calves and cows under cold stress will gather in groups, and may hunch up and shiver. If the circumstances continue, a decrease in body condition score is noticed, as well as a drop in milk production. “Prepare for the worst case scenario,” Schlesser said. “Make sure the herd has access to shelter.” Dry, clean bedding also helps mitigate cold stress. Schlesser suggests using straw in place of wood shavings for calves and adding straw to sand-bedded stalls for the milking herd. In doing this, the straw acts as an insulated base to prevent freezing. “Make sure you’re looking at your bedding type and what will best for the animals,” Schlesser said. For Zimmermann’s outwintered group, he beds with large straw bales. “I spread out the bale a little bit and then let the animals do what they do,” said Zimmermann, emphasizing the importance of having a clean bedding source. While working through the winter may pose challenges in all aspects of the dairy, it is far more benecial to make adjustments before pitfalls become apparent in the health of the cattle. “With the milk prices, there’s not cash around to take care of things as maybe we should and that’s a challenge,” Zimmermann said. “But, we can’t afford to not play offense.”
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Dairy Star • Saturday, February 9, 2019 • Page 21
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AIR DRILL AND SEEDER 14 JD 1990, 2011, #155512..............................................................................$68,500 BOX DRILLS 5 JD 455, 1999, Width: 30, Spacing: 7.5”, #150258 .........................................$18,900 11 JD 455, 2018, Configuration: Folding, Width: 30, Spacing: 7.5”, #143110 ....$63,900 11 JD 8300, Width: 13, Spacing: 10”, #150084 ...................................................$3,300 8 JD 455, 2018, Configuration: Folding, Width: 25, Spacing: 6”, #150886 .......$58,900 FIELD CULTIVATORS 4 JD 2210, 2008, 60 ft, 3-Section Folding, #146682 ......................................$34,500 4 JD 960, 1994, 36 ft, 3-Section Folding, Standards: C-Shank, #148486 ..........$7,500 10 JD 960, 1994, 26 ft, #148845 .........................................................................$5,500 10 JD 1010, 31 ft, #150876 ................................................................................$2,825 10 JD 1010, 25.5 ft, 3-Section Folding, Standards: C-Shank, #151724...............$3,495 17 JD 2210, 2013, 51 ft, 5-Section Folding, Standards: C-Shank, #146726 ......$57,500 17 JD 980, 1995, #155787 ..................................................................................$9,500 7 JD 960, 1988, 44 ft, Standards: C-Shank, #150157 ........................................$7,215 6 JD 980, 1996, 41 ft, 5-Section Folding, Standards: C-Shank, #148488 ........$14,500 1 JD 960, 1993, 33 ft, 3-Section Folding, Standards: C-Shank, #154535 ..........$6,500 1 JD 2210, 2011, #155650..............................................................................$29,900 1 Case IH 690, 2014, #155651 .......................................................................$18,900 1 Case IH TIGERMATE 200, 2013, #155652...................................................$33,000 15 Case IH 4800, #155715.................................................................................$5,100 15 JD 2210, 2007, #155792..............................................................................$30,500 16 JD 980, 1995, 45 ft, 5-Section Folding, #145326.........................................$14,000 16 Case IH TIGERMATE 200, 2012, 42 ft, Standards: C-Shank, #151915 .......$44,500 16 Case IH TIGERMATE 200, 2014, 60 ft, 5-Section Folding, Standards: C-Shank, #154507 ......................................................................................................$59,400 16 Case IH TIGERMATE 200, 2014, 60 ft, 5-Section Folding, Standards: C-Shank, #154510 ......................................................................................................$59,400 16 Case IH TIGERMATE 200, 2014, 60 ft, 5-Section Folding, Standards: C-Shank, #154511 .......................................................................................................$59,400 5 JD 980, 1997, #155850 ................................................................................$11,500 11 JD 2210, 2010, 50.5 ft, 5-Section Folding, #146707 ...................................$49,500 11 JD 980, 1997, 26 ft, 3-Section Folding, Standards: C-Shank, #151565 ..........$9,900 8 DMI Tigermate, 48 ft, #147786..................................................................$14,500 8 JD 2210, 2009, 53 ft, 5-Section Folding, Standards: C-Shank, #154393 ......$48,000 8 JD 2210, 2014, 55.5 ft, 5-Section Folding, Standards: C-Shank, #154394 ...$58,500 8 JD 2210, 2009, 50.5 ft, 5-Section Folding, Standards: C-Shank, #154537 ...$43,500 14 JD 980, 1997, 44 ft, #145571 .......................................................................$16,500 14 JD 2210, 2007, 58 ft, 5-Section Folding, Standards: C-Shank, #151055 ......$32,900 14 JD 980, 1997, 26 ft, 3-Section Folding, Standards: C-Shank, #153320 ..........$9,900 14 JD 2210, 2009, 54 ft, 5-Section Folding, Standards: C-Shank, #153415 ......$42,500 3 JD 2210, 2012, 55 ft, 5-Section Folding, Standards: C-Shank, #148753 ......$54,900 3 JD 980, 1994, 33 ft, 3-Section Folding, Standards: C-Shank, #151027 ........$12,000 PACKER 16 Summers Packer, 2007, #146356 ..............................................................$13,750 PLANTERS: DRAWN 4 JD 1765, 2015, 12R30, Metering System: Vacuum, Hopper: 3.0 Bushel, #138495 .......................................................................................................$69,500 4 JD 1775NT, 2017, 16R30, Frame: Flex Fold, Metering System: Vacuum, Hopper: Central Fill System, Row Command, #150734 ............... $152,500 4 JD 1775NT, 2018, 16R30, Frame: Flex Fold, Metering System: Vacuum, Hopper: Central Fill System, Row Command, #150736 .............................. $169,000 17 JD 1765, 2015, #155243..............................................................................$54,500 7 JD 1760, 1997, 12R3, Frame: Wing Fold, Metering System: Vacuum, Hopper: 3.0 Bushel, #137790........................................................................$28,050 7 JD 7000, 1981, 12R30, Metering System: Finger Pickup, Hopper: 1.6 Bushel, #149569 ........................................................................................................$7,215 7 White 8180, 2004, #154647 .......................................................................$29,500 7 JD DB60, 2015, #155825 .......................................................................... $172,500 6 Great Plains YP2425, 2007, 24R30, Frame: Flex Fold, Metering System: Vacuum, Hopper: Central Fill System, #152236 ..........................................................$65,000 15 JD DB66, 2008, #155284 .......................................................................... $139,900
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Case IH Tigermate 200, 2014, 60’ Äeld cultivator, $ 6” spacing, #154511
16 JD DB44, 2014, 24R22, Frame: Flex Fold, Metering System: Vacuum, Hopper: Central Fill System, Row Command, #151691 .............................. $159,000 11 JD 1775NT, 2018, 16R30, Metering System: Vacuum, Hopper: Central Fill System, Row Command, #140328 .......................................................................... $149,500 11 JD 1750, 1999, 6R30, Frame: Rigid, Metering System: Finger Pickup, #153700 .......................................................................................................$19,800 11 White 6100, #155671...................................................................................$5,000 8 Wil-Rich 24-22, 2009, 24R22, Metering System: Vacuum, Hopper: 1.6 Bushel, Row Command, #139224 .............................................................................$49,500 8 Case IH 900, 12R30 in, #150606 ...................................................................$8,900 8 JD 1760, 2012, 12R30, Frame: Flex Fold, Metering System: Vacuum, Hopper: 3.0 Bushel, #154220........................................................................$54,500 14 JD DB44, 2004, 24R22, Frame: Flex Fold, Metering System: Vacuum, Hopper: Central Fill System, #154547 ...........................................................$56,000 14 Kinze, 2000, #155343..................................................................................$15,540 14 JD 1780, 1999, #155446..............................................................................$33,500 PLANTERS: INTEGRAL 17 JD 7300, 1988, Row Spacing: 22 in, Frame: Wing Fold, Hopper: 1.6 Bushel, #148843 .......................................................................................................$14,600 6 White 5100, #155511 ...................................................................................$6,700 8 JD DR24, 2018, 24R22, Metering System: Vacuum, Hopper: Central Fill System, Row Command, #150773 .......................................................................... $179,500 PULL-TYPE SPRAYERS 4 Hardi NAV 1100, #137543..........................................................................$14,000 4 Raven 1000 Gallon, #149597 ......................................................................$6,100 2 Hardi RANGER 2000, 2014, #155294 .........................................................$20,500 10 Fast 7400, #130185 ....................................................................................$18,900 10 Top Air 60, #140416......................................................................................$5,000 10 Redball 580, 2006, #151074 ......................................................................$18,900 7 Summers ULTIMATE 120, 2012, #155256 .................................................$27,900 15 Wil-Rich Blumha, #148336..........................................................................$5,500 15 Top Air TA1200, 2008, #155358 .................................................................$16,650 5 Hardi COMMANDER 1200, 2004, #148536 ................................................$19,900 5 Hardi Commander 1200, 2002, #150043 .................................................$14,900 5 Wil-Rich 500 GAL, #150604 .........................................................................$6,000 14 Summers 500, 1996, #145350 .....................................................................$4,500 ROLLER 5 Harms LR45, 2012, #155414 ...................................................................... $16,900 ROLLING BASKETS 7 Wil-Rich RP53, 2014, #146687...................................................................$14,500 7 Unverferth 1225, 2004, #150158 ................................................................$9,990 14 Unverferth 75, 2014, #153251 ....................................................................$6,660 SELF-PROPELLED SPRAYERS 4 JD R4038, 201, Boom Width: 120-Foot, Boom Leveling, Tank: Stainless, Nozzle Spacing: 20 in, 289 hrs., #141223................................................... $329,500 15 JD 4940, 2014, 1754 hrs., #155452 .......................................................... $199,500 16 JD 4830, 2013, Boom Width: 90-Foot, Boom Leveling, Tank: Stainless, Hydraulic Tread Adjust, Traction Control, Nozzle Spacing: 20 in, 1423 hrs., #150080 $169,500 16 RoGator 664, 1994, Boom Width: 60-Foot, 4300 hrs., #150044..................$23,900 16 Case IH 4430, 2013, Boom Leveling, Tank: Stainless, Tire Width: Narrow, Guidance-ready, 2655 hrs., #154198 ......................................................... $209,500 8 JD R4038, 2018, Boom Width: 120-Foot, Nozzle Spacing: 20 in, 490 hrs., #150887 .................................................................................................... $339,000 14 JD R4038, 2017, Hydraulic Tread Adjust, Guidance-ready, 508 hrs., #143961 .................................................................................................... $346,500 14 JD R4038, 2018, 100 hrs., #155379 .......................................................... $340,200 UTILITY TRACTORS 4 JD 5115M, 2018, Configuration: Standard, Cab, Partial Power Shift, MFWD, Rear PTO: 540/1000, Tire Width: Mid, Loader, 175 hrs., #143684 ..................$78,900 4 JD 6135E, 2016, Configuration: Standard, Cab, Partial Power Shift, MFWD, Tire Width: Wide, 195 hrs., #142599.............................................................$71,900 4 JD 6130M, 2018, Configuration: Standard, Cab, Partial Power Shift, MFWD, Rear PTO: 540/1000, Tire Width: Mid, 208 hrs., #143700 ..............................$94,900
59,400
4 4 4 4 4 4 2 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 17 17 6 6 12 12 15 15 15 15 15 5 11 11 11 11 8 8 8 14 14 14 14
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JD 5100E, 2018, 233 hrs., #143682 .............................................................$65,900 JD 5115M, 2018, 304 hrs., #143686 ............................................................$78,900 JD 6120E, 2018, 100 hrs., #143694 .............................................................$79,500 JD 6135E, 2018, 100 hrs., #143696 .............................................................$84,900 JD 6135E, 2018, 100 hrs., #143698 .............................................................$84,900 JD 5115M, 2018, 100 hrs., #143690 ............................................................$71,900 JD 6125R, 2014, 779 hrs., #155293 .............................................................$67,500 JD 6130R, 2016, Configuration: Narrow, Cab, Partial Power Shift, Guidance-ready, MFWD, Tire Width: Mid, 160 hrs., #124987 ........................$96,900 JD 6120E, 2016, Configuration: Standard, Cab, Partial Power Shift, MFWD, Tire Width: Mid, 259 hrs., #124310 ...............................................................$69,500 JD 6135E, 2016, Cab, Partial Power Shift, MFWD, Rear PTO: 540, Tire Width: Mid, Loader, 131 hrs., #124870............................................................................$76,900 JD 6120E, 2016, Cab, Partial Power Shift, MFWD, Rear PTO: 540, Tire Width: Wide, Loader, 222 hrs., #124867............................................................................$69,500 JD 6130M, 2016, Configuration: Narrow, Cab, Partial Power Shift, MFWD, Rear PTO: 540/1000, Loader, 195 hrs., #124993............................................$99,500 JD 5065M, 2012, Partial Power Shift, 2WD, Rear PTO: 540, 4975 hrs., #151388 .......................................................................................................$21,900 Farmall Super C, 2WD, Rear PTO: 540, #151487...........................................$3,500 JD 6420, 2002, 6900 hrs., #154564 .............................................................$52,500 JD 6110R, 2017, Configuration: Standard, Cab, Partial Power Shift, Guidance-ready, MFWD, Rear PTO: 540/1000, Tire Width: Wide, Loader, 364 hrs., #144495 ...$99,500 JD 6110R, 2017, Configuration: Standard, Cab, IVT, Guidance-ready, MFWD, Rear PTO: 540/1000, Tire Width: Mid, 257 hrs., #144497 ..............................$97,900 JD 6135E, 2016, Configuration: Standard, Cab, Partial Power Shift, MFWD, Tire Width: Narrow, 258 hrs., #142600..........................................................$74,900 JD 6130R, 2016, Cab, Partial Power Shift, Guidance-ready, MFWD, Rear PTO: 540/1000, Tire Width: Mid, 340 hrs., #142596 ..............................$99,500 JD 6120M, 2016, Configuration: Standard, Cab, Partial Power Shift, MFWD, Rear PTO: 540/1000, Tire Width: Narrow, 116 hrs., #141879 .........................$92,900 JD 5115M, 2017, Cab, Partial Power Shift, MFWD, Rear PTO: 540, 540/1000, Tire Width: Mid, 130 hrs., #140105 ...............................................................$71,900 JD 6110R, 2016, Cab, IVT, MFWD, 338 hrs., #144500 ...................................$95,900 JD 6130R, 2016, Configuration: Standard, Cab, IVT, MFWD, Rear PTO: 540/1000, 539 hrs., #144507...................................................................................... $109,500 JD 6110M, 2016, Configuration: Narrow, Cab, Partial Power Shift, MFWD, Rear PTO: 540/1000, 292 hrs., #144493 ........................................................$79,500 JD 6130R, 2017, Configuration: Standard, Cab, IVT, MFWD w/ Suspension, Rear PTO: 540/1000, Tire Width: Mid, 403 hrs., #144505 ........................... $109,500 JD 5100E, 2016, Cab, Power Reverser, MFWD, 2075 hrs., #149334 ..............$46,900 JD 5100E, 2016, Cab, Power Reverser, MFWD, 1971 hrs., #145220 ..............$46,900 JD 6110R, 2017, Cab, IVT, MFWD, Rear PTO: 540/1000, 345 hrs., #142813 .......................................................................................................$99,500 JD 5115M, 2016, Cab, Power Reverser, MFWD, Rear PTO: 540/1000, Loader, 290 hrs., #149192.........................................................................................$79,500 JD 6135E, 2016, Configuration: Standard, Cab, Partial Power Shift, MFWD, Rear PTO: 540, Tire Width: Wide, 62 hrs., #142602 ........................................$72,900 JD 5065E, 2015, 200 hrs., #155407 .............................................................$30,000 JD 6130R, 2017, Configuration: Standard, Cab, Partial Power Shift, MFWD, Rear PTO: 540/1000, Loader, 156 hrs., #147778......................................... $109,500 JD 6130R, 2015, Configuration: Standard, Cab, Partial Power Shift, Guidance-ready, MFWD, Rear PTO: 540/1000, Tire Width: Wide, 262 hrs., #142595 ................$99,500 Massey Ferguson 3545, 1983, Cab, Partial Power Shift, MFWD, Rear PTO: 540/1000, Tire Width: Mid, 4279 hrs., #151182 ............................$19,500 JD 6110R, 2017, Cab, Partial Power Shift, MFWD, Rear PTO: 540/1000, Loader, 100 hrs., #144496.........................................................................................$99,500 JD 6110R, 2017, Cab, IVT, MFWD, Rear PTO: 540/1000, Loader, 100 hrs., #144499 .................................................................................................... $104,900 JD 6130R, 2017, Configuration: Narrow, Cab, IVT, Guidance-ready, MFWD, 213 hrs., #144504 ................................................................................................... $106,900 JD 6130R, 2017, Configuration: Standard, Cab, Partial Power Shift, Guidance-ready, MFWD, Rear PTO: 540/1000, Tire Width: Wide, 150 hrs., #144503 ...............$99,500
141,900
JD 6155R, 2017, $ 341 hrs., #144512
Page 22 • Dairy Star • Saturday, February 9, 2019
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Lean into what you love Take it or leave it, Valentine’s Day is coming. By no means is this my favorite holiday, but there are some aspects of it I think we can all benet from. This time of year, I always try to reect on what it is and who it is I love. I have noticed that in the most challenging times and coldest months of the year, I tend to lean into what I love a little more than usual. I cannot think of a better time for dairy farmers to consider On the Road with the same. Princess Kay When I think about farmers doing what they love, I cannot help but think of my aunt and uncle. Together, they care for Holsteins and a few Ayrshires at Thunder Valley Farms. Outside of the farm, they are just as dedicated to multiple efforts in the community. In our small town of Staples, Minn. you can nd my By Rebekka Paskewitz aunt playing piano for 65th Princess Kay of the Milky Way countless choirs, leading worship on Sunday mornings, and volunteering with community meals and fundraisers. If you ever visit with my aunt off the farm, she will share the cutest stories of the newest Ayrshire calf or give you heart-warming updates on show cows that are getting closer to their retirement. My uncle nds himself involved in various farm groups and as an active church elder. When he is speaking in church on Sunday mornings, you can bet there will be a story, if not two, about his farm, his cows or the most recent challenge he has faced in the barn. In our community, my uncle, Bruce and aunt, Sandy, are known for their love of the farm. Even from college, I am lucky enough to get texts or phone calls from them with some of the most amusing farm stories. Rumi, a Persian Theologian, once said, “Let the beauty of what you love be what you do.” My aunt loves her calves and the personal connection she can make with cows. My uncle has always loved and continues to enjoy working alongside his family. On the farm, they use these loves to push through the cold days and even the somber milk checks. In the community, they use these loves to serve other people. My aunt and uncle are not the only dairy farmers who have loves they lean into. I believe each member of the dairy community has them. In my time as Princess Kay, I have been able to lean into my love for sharing your stories as dairy farmers through social media. In the past months, I have developed videos and interactive content that show the heartwarming, triumphant and honest moments you experience. To see some of this work or to suggest new stories from your farm, I encourage you to like and follow Princess Kay of the Milky Way on Facebook and Instagram. Over the coming months I hope to continue using my loves to serve you. Valentine’s Day is popular for many reasons. As a dairy community, let us make the most of a holiday founded in love. I challenge you to pinpoint what you love on the farm or about dairy farming. Maybe it is being in the parlor with your kids or that valued thinking time in the tractor. Take time to lean in on that love and use it to energize your farm or even to serve others. I also challenge you to love your fellow dairy farmers. Often times these are our greatest resources to lean on. This month is our chance to start leaning into what we love. I hope you see as much benet from letting the beauty of what you love be what you do. Princess Kay of the Milky Way, Rebekka Paskewitz, serves as the Minnesota dairy community’s goodwill ambassador. Throughout the year, Princess Kay helps people understand the dedication of dairy farmers to wholesome and nutritious food, and the way milk is produced. Princess Kay does many school presentations, represents dairy farmers at the Fuel Up To Play 60 events that are held in conjunction with the Minnesota Vikings, and is very active during June Dairy Month sharing the importance of dairy farming and dairy foods.
Dairy Star • Saturday, February 9, 2019 • Page 23
How to make it in this dairy economy
Salfer gives tips for survival of small dairies By Jennifer Coyne jenn@dairystar.com
ROYALTON, Minn. – The landscape of the dairy industry is vastly different than what it was ve years ago. With the growing trend being more cows on fewer inputs, those farms that can turn a prot on a smaller scale are dwindling; but, that does not have to become the new standard. University of Minnesota E x t e n s i o n Jim Salfer specialist Jim U of M Extension Salfer shared ways in which smaller dairy farms can play a pivotal role in the future of the industry during his presentation, “Survival of the Small Dairy Farm”, at the annual Tour de Forage meeting Jan. 30 in Royalton, Minn. “Traditional dairy farms grow their own feed, might have some labor and in the long run have a lot of margin per cow because of family living costs,” Salfer said. “Those farms need to focus on their strategy to compete
JENNIFER COYNE/DAIRY STAR
Jim Salfer, University of Minnesota Extension specialist, speaks about opportuniƟes small dairy farms have to remain in the industry at the annual Tour de Forage meeƟng Jan. 30 in Royalton, Minn. with the high prot farms.” A farm’s strategy may include improved efforts in cow comfort, facility design and operations, but also niche markets such as local and valueadded products. “We have to start thinking about the possibilities and share our resources,” Salfer said. “We need to be more creative. We can’t just put our head down and work harder and make it.” Last year, Minnesota lost 300 dairy
farmers. However, the highest exit rate came decades ago when milkhouses became a part of barn design, said Salfer. “Every decade, we see herds drop as the average herd size doubles to make any money,” Salfer said. “What we’ve seen recently is not good or bad, and it’s not unprecedented.” Using FINBIN data from 201517, Salfer reviewed farm prots for dairies with 50 to 200 cows. High prot farms were consistent across
ve categories. They had a higher operating prot margin, had a higher percent asset turnover, produced higher valued milk, controlled assets better and could sell more milk per farm worker. “Despite these conditions, there were still some that made it,” said Salfer of the dataset. “There’s been margin compression with prot per hundredweight going down. But prot Turn to SURVIVAL | Page 25
Page 24 • Dairy Star • Saturday, February 9, 2019
Dairy Star • Saturday, February 9, 2019 • Page 25
ConƟnued from SURVIVAL | Page 23 per cow has remained fairly stable because farmers are getting a lot of milk per cow, and cost control is king.” It is important to note that more production is not the sole factor in creating a high prot farm, as farms across all prot points have become high producing. “I’m not saying production isn’t important, but we have to up the ante to play the game,” Salfer said. Currently, U.S. milk supply more than accommodates domestic consumption with ample cheese in storage and one day in a week’s worth of milk supply exported.
“We need to be more creative. We can’t just put our head down and work harder and make it.” JIM SALFER, UMN EXTENSION
Since the European Union’s quota abolishment a few years ago, the demand for U.S. dairy products is at greater risk. China has become a target for other exporters, and it was recently announced zero tariffs on EU dairy products entering Japan. As of now, there is a 30 percent tariff on U.S. dairy products to the Asian country. “My biggest concern is trade,” Salfer said. “We need to get it gured out or we’re going to be hurting in the long term.” Of all the ways high prot farms are operating, perhaps the most important indicator to look at is the asset turnover, said Salfer. These farms are likely increasing production per cow because of cow comfort, facilities and labor efciency. “Take Aldi grocery stores, for example,” Salfer said. “They’re small stores with few choices, so they’re constantly turning the shelves. Quick asset turnover will help make you money. That’s why we
run a parlor over 24 hours in a day.” Traditional farms must also be cautious of their investments and wisely decide where improvements can be made, such as towards cow comfort, feed storage, facility efciencies and even education. Likewise, these farms should be hesitant to invest in new milking systems and taking withdrawals from the business for family reasons, for example. “Be careful when you’re looking at toys, like a truck or tractor,” Salfer said. “Don’t buy these things just to avoid taxes.” Salfer also encourages these farms to stay focused on the opportunities and not remain tied up with the challenges. All dairies, regardless of size, have a market they cater to. Organic, grazing, on-farm processing and farm specialties, such as the sale of genetics, are becoming more common throughout the industry. One category that is catching the attention of consumers is local production. In the European Union, food is sold with the name of the grower and their location visible on the package. “Consumers want to buy food they know where it comes from and who produces it. They’ll pay a premium for that,” said Salfer, reminding the audience of the Wisconsin Cheese marketing campaign. As with others in business, dairy farmers must nd the tools that will benet their operations the most and understand those tools may not be the same from one farm to another. Farm owners should also evaluate the dairy’s management team, executive business plan, operating principles, adaptability, recordkeeping, communications, production practices and cost control, and strategic capital investments to nd their place in the industry. “Essentially, we need to prevent low margins and capture high margins where we can,” Salfer said. “But let’s also keep life in perspective. You are all smart and have ambition, and we’re doing better than a lot of places in other countries.”
MOSES Organic Farming Conference takes place Feb. 21-23 The 30th Annual MOSES Organic Farming Conference – the country’s largest conference about organic and sustainable agriculture – takes place Feb. 21-23, in La Crosse, Wis. The event brings together farmers and ag professionals in every aspect of organic and sustainable production, from small to large scale. The conference, organized by the Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES), features 60 workshops on topics in organic livestock and crop production, business planning, marketing, and more. Popular workshops include Soil Health for High Yields, Knock Down Barriers to Organic Transition, Silvopasture in Practice, and Finances in a Tough Farm Economy. The conference center’s two-oor exhibit hall includes more than 175 vendors, offering products, information, or services to help farmers succeed. Patagonia Workwear and Kubota Equipment are among the 14 new exhibitors this year. Admission to the hall comes with conference registration or as a stand-alone ticket good Thursday, Feb. 21 from 5 to 8 p.m. for admission to the hall, the conference bookstore, and opening night activities. See mosesorganic.org/conference for registration information, workshop descriptions, and more details. To request a conference guide with a mail-in registration form, call 715-778-5775. Farmers can dig more deeply into a farming topic at the all-day Organic University offered just prior to the MOSES Conference. This year’s classes are: – Advanced Organic Weed Management – Grow & Market Organic Mushrooms – Maximize Nutrition from Grazing & Forages – Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training – Reduce Risk in Your Farming Business – Soil: The Final Frontier – Specialty Cut Flowers – What it Takes to Grow Industrial Hemp – Wholesale Vegetable Production for Small to Mid-Scale Farms See the course descriptions at OrganicUniversity. org.
Page 26 • Dairy Star • Saturday, February 9, 2019
Updated deadlines for FSA programs, livestock losses I speak for all FSA employees when I say it is good to be back at work carrying out our mission of serving our area producers and ranchers. Because of the partial government shutdown, the United States Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency has announced several program deadline extensions. - Market Facilitation FSA News & Notes Program: Deadline has been moved to Thursday, Feb. 14. You must have Part D signed by this deadline to participate and receive benets. - Marketing Assistance Loans: If the loan matured on Dec. 31, 2018, the new settlement date has been extended to Feb. 14. Any By Ryan Brunn MAL that matured on Jan. Stearns Co. Exec. Dir. 31 needed to be paid in full by that date as there was no extension for those loans. - Emergency Assistance Livestock, Honey Bees and Farm-raised Fish Program: Notice of losses must be led by Feb. 14. - Livestock Indemnity Program: Notice of losses must be led by Feb. 14. - Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program: 2019 applications for coverage for those crops that were due during the partial government shutdown are now due Feb. 14. Applications for payment for 2018 covered losses are also due Feb. 14. - Tree Assistance Program: Notice of losses must be led by Feb. 14. - Acreage reporting: For those crops with an acreage reporting deadline that was within the partial government shutdown are now due Feb. 14. With the recent extreme cold weather we have experienced, I wanted to remind producers of the Livestock Indemnity Program and how FSA could possibly assist you in mitigating these losses. LIP provides assistance to eligible producers for livestock deaths in excess of normal mortality caused by adverse weather, disease and attacks by animals reintroduced into the wild by the federal government or protected by federal law. LIP compensates livestock owners and contract growers for livestock death losses in excess of normal mortality due to adverse weather, including losses due to hurricanes, oods, blizzards, wildres, extreme heat or extreme cold. For disease losses, FSA county committees can accept veterinarian certications that livestock deaths were directly related to adverse weather and unpreventable through good animal husbandry and management. For 2019 livestock losses, eligible livestock owners must le a notice of loss within 30 calendar days of when the loss is rst apparent. Participants must provide the proof of death documentation, copy of grower’s contact and proof of normal mortality documentation to a FSA ofce no later than 90 calendar days after the end of the calendar year in which the eligible loss condition occurred. If you suffered livestock losses during the recent extremely low temperatures, le a notice of loss with your county ofce as soon as possible. You should also start compiling your 2019 inventory records, keep detailed records of the losses you suffered and keep any receipts from rendering trucks, etc., that will help prove your losses. Additional information about LIP is available at a FSA ofce or online at http://www.fsa.usda. gov. 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.
Dairy Star • Saturday, February 9, 2019 • Page 27
The challenge of nding balance The Transition Pen
By John Rosenhammer & Laura Scholtz Father/Daughter Farming Duo Another frigid January has come and gone. By now I am sure all of us have slipped on the ice, gotten our wet gloves stuck to a frosty gate or door knob, cursed as the tractor tires start spinning as we attempted going uphill, bounced around in a skidloader trying to break loose frozen manure, and wondered why we do this job as we chip the ice off a frozen water fountain at least once. It certainly takes resilience to keep climbing out of bed each morning, feel the cold air sting our cheeks, and walk into the barn hoping our accomplishments today will lead to a better tomorrow. As I warm up with a mug of hot apple cider, I think of how lucky I was last January to escape the tundra for a few days and enjoy Hawaii with my husband, Chris. I am grateful we took advantage of our freedom before becoming parents. We rented a Jeep, drove along the coastline and all the way to the top of Mount Haleakala. Zip-lining, snorkeling, a dinner cruise, whale watching, walking along the beaches, watching sunsets, swimming, touring Pearl Harbor and simply enjoying the breath-taking paradise lled our days. Now, my days are spent trying to nd balance. Trying to balance motherhood and working is a challenge. Trying to balance being a wife and mother is a challenge. Trying to balance my mind between focusing on work and focusing on Morgan is a challenge. I am amazed how this little baby girl truly does run my schedule. One of my rst mornings back on the farm, my dad mentioned wanting to leave to attend a ceremony. I assured him I could handle things just ne on my own, and he left me a short to-do list. First, I checked on a slow fresh cow. I heard the ping of a DA through my stethoscope and called the vet. While I waited for the vet, I got several other tasks done. Finally, the vet came for surgery. As I assisted her, my babysitter texted me saying Morgan already guzzled all of the milk I had sent along. This meant the rest of my to-do list would have to wait. As soon as surgery was complete, I rushed to pick up Morgan and kept her content. Another time, I forgot to restock my diaper bag and had to run to the house and show my mom where I stashed my reserve supplies. In December, I had both Morgan and myself dressed and ready for a road trip. I paused to change her diaper before putting her in the car seat. In a rush, I took off my coat and laid her on it. She proceeded to sneeze, pee on my coat and poop all over her clothes before I could get a new diaper on. I now have a better understanding of why moms are always running late. Caring for a newborn around the clock is exhausting. Besides this, no one prepared me for mom brain. This state of mind is when you are so busy thinking about your baby’s needs that you cannot focus on the conversation at dinner, you cannot remember what your husband told you the day before, and your brain
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simply does not work as quickly as it did before you earned the title of mom. I admit I am having a difcult time accepting this as my new normal. Being able to think on my feet was one of my strengths, and I miss the condence it gave me. I feel like I cannot give dairy farming 100 percent effort because I simply do not have it in me right now. At my postpartum check-up, I discussed how my life had changed so quickly and dramatically with my doctor. She told me I must nd time for myself. I must do something simply because I want to. I must strive to do what makes me feel like me. I did not know how to take this. She assured me it was not a selsh action and an order. As a mom, I feel such guilt leaving Morgan with a sitter while I work because I love bonding with her. How can I leave her with someone so I can have fun? I absolutely love being a mom, yet even with a very content baby, it is no easy job. Incorporating my
hobbies of exercising, cooking, baking and going on adventures into my new lifestyle is something I am determined to do. I set up a sledding play date with a few of our friends and their children. At the end of the afternoon, I still had not ridden in the sled, as I had been busy taking care of Morgan. When someone offered to hold her while Chris pulled me around, I jumped at the chance. Screaming in the sled as he jumped drifts and spun circles made me feel like me again, seeking adventure and being active. Slowly, but surely, I am making progress on nding balance. “The act of balancing motherhood, and a career, and being a wife is something that I don’t think I’ll ever perfect, but I love the challenge of it.”– Kerri Walsh, professional beach volleyball player. Laura Scholtz farms with her father, John Rosenhammer, and uncle, Greg, on Roseview Dairy near Sleepy Eye, Minn. They milk 200 Holsteins and run 580 acres of cropland.
Page 28 • Dairy Star • Saturday, February 9, 2019
www.extension.umn.edu/dairy
Luciano Caixeta lcaixeta@umn.edu 612-625-3130
Managing dairy cattle in cold weather
Hugh Chester-Jones chest001@umn.edu 507-835-3622
In the last week of January, we experienced some of the coldest temperatures we have felt in a long time. Many schools and businesses closed their doors until the cold passed. What about you? Farmers do not get to take a snow or frigid weather day from caring for their livestock. As we look back on a couple of weeks ago, we need to think about what went well when keeping our animals safe and well-cared for during the storm and cold spell. We also need to see what we can do to prepare for the next time the thermometer takes a nose dive. Our cattle work to maintain a constant core body temperature of about 101 degrees Fahrenheit. During the winter months, this need for cattle to maintain their core body temperature becomes a challenge and can cause cold stress. By Karen Johnson Cold stress in cattle is when their body temperature drops because their body’s natural metabolic processes plus the heat provided by a heavy winter coat are not enough to keep them warm. If a cow has a dry, heavy winter coat, she can withstand temperatures below 18 degrees before feeling any cold stress. When cold stressed, cattle will change their behavior, such as seeking shelter to avoid the cold. With good body condition, a clean, dry coat, shelter, fresh water and good nutrition, dairy cattle can tolerate temperatures well below zero. Cattle have three factors that prepare them for winter: - Hair coat: Cattle can grow long, thick coats to provide insulation against cold weather. If cattle are not exposed to the cold such as in a warm tiestall barn, they acclimate to the temperature of their given environment. The hair coat needs to stay clean and dry to provide the best insulation protection for the cow. - Body condition: Heifers and dry cows tend to put on more weight in the winter months. Be sure to talk with your nutritionist ahead of time to make sure your heifers and dry cows have enough energy in their diet to help protect them from the cold weather. - Increase metabolic rate: Cows naturally adjust their metabolic rate to help produce more heat to help maintain
Gerard Cramer gcramer@umn.edu 612-625-8184 Marcia Endres miendres@umn.edu 612-624-5391 Sandra Godden godde002@umn.edu 612-625-8177 Joleen Hadrich jhadrich@umn.edu 612-626-5620 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 Claire LaCanne lacanne@umn.edu 507-332-6109 Brenda Miller nels4220@umn.edu 320-732-4435 Kota Minegishi kota@umn.edu 612-624-7455 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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their core body temperature. This need for energy takes these resources away from other body functions, such as milk production, if a higher energy diet is not provided. There are several things we can do to keep our cattle cared for during cold weather. - Shelter: Provide shelter for cattle to get them out of the elements. A wind break is one solution; however, providing a roof is ideal. Providing deep, clean, dry bedding is essential to help keep the animals warm. Remember that a clean dry hair coat provides signicantly better insulation than a dirty, wet hair coat. Also take time to evaluate your building for drafts that can create a problem. Look around doors, windows and curtains for areas that should be sealed. - Rations: Cows need more calories to keep themselves warm, especially cows with less than moderate body condition. Discuss with your nutritionist the ideal options for your herd and facilities. Consider sorting out thin cows or heifers in order to provide them more specialized care, such as a higher energy ration and less crowded, draft-free shelter. - Water: Be sure to be checking your waterer or water tanks regularly for frozen water. Frozen water or excessively cold water signicantly limits water and feed intake of our cattle. Cows can draw water at a rate of 3 to 5 gallons per minute, so the water supply and system need to keep up with demand. Cows prefer the temperature of the water to be between 40 and 65 degrees. Consider utilizing a thermometer to determine if tank heaters and waterer heating elements are in proper working order. - Herd health: Some cows are designed to handle the cold better than others. Keep a close eye on your herd to watch for additional signs of stress caused by cold weather. Older cows, cows with previous health issues and calves are the groups most susceptible to the cold weather. Also keep a close eye for potential frostbite to occur. Cows leaving the milking barn or parlor with wet teats or the ears of calves are two of the rst spots that get frostbite exposure. - Foot traction: Prevent the accumulation of ice as much as possible, especially on walking surfaces for both you and your animals. Consider rufng up the surface and adding sand or gravel for traction. Consider these suggestions to keep your herd safe and healthy this winter season.
The effect of hoof trimming technique on lameness Hoof trimming is an important component of a lameness control program. Hoof trimming is thought to prevent lameness by restoring a more upright foot angle, shortening dorsal wall length and excessive thickness of the sole at the toe, thereby distributing weight more evenly within the weight-bearing surface of each hoof and balancing weight bearing between the two hooves. Several hoof trimming techniques have been described; they can be split into categories based on how the technique leaves the angle of the sole relative to the bone in the leg. The majority of methods aim for a at sole whereby the inside and outside walls are trimmed to be level and perpendicular to the bone. This method is known as the functional trimming method. Others prefer to use hoof angle or sole reading methods to achieve appropriate length and thickness. Alternative trimming methods to the at trimming By Gerard Cramer method encourage a sloped sole whereby the outside hoof wall is higher than the inside hoof wall, known as the Kansas method. A majority of hoof trimmers use either one of these methods as a basis for their own personalized trimming techniques. From a survey of 44 hoof trimmers, 55 percent used the functional trimming, 17 percent used the white line method (a at, sole reading method), 12 percent used the Kansas method and 15 percent used a combination of methods. The most common trimming technique used in North America is the functional hoof trimming method. Originally advocated by Toussait-Raven, this method focuses on using a specic measurement to achieve proper dorsal wall length and toe thickness. An adaptation of the functional hoof trimming method involves increased modeling (the removal of horn from around the interdigital space) to the weight bearing hoof (outer hoof on back feet, inner hoof on front feet) to prevent excess pressure on the common sole ulcer site. However, there is little scientic evidence for the effectiveness of any hoof trimming techniques and adaptations in preventing lameness. We completed a study that compared the functional hoof trimming method to an adaptation with increased modeling of the weight bearing hoof on the development of a hoof horn lesion or a lameness event at mid-lactation. We visited three farms for one year and had a total of 1,562 cows in the study. Cows were trimmed at dry-off, and only those without a hoof horn lesion (white line disease, sole ulcer or thin sole) were enrolled in the study. The enrolled cows were randomly assigned to be trimmed with a LIT (42 millimeters) or BIG (18 millimeters) model (Figures 1, 2). In addition, all study cows were scored for locomotion before the dry-off trim and followed thereafter until they were trimmed again at mid-lactation (100 to 165 DIM). Overall, several things stood out from this study. First, relatively few cows (12 percent) developed hoof lesions over the course of the study. Second, there was no evidence of a difference between the two hoof trimming methods when assessing results across all cows. Interestingly, there appears to be an age related effect, as rst-lactation cows had half the risk of being identied as lame in their next lactation after being trimmed with the BIG model. Similarly, rst lactation cows were about one-third less likely to have a hoof horn lesion if trimmed with the BIG model. There was no evidence of a difference in the risk of lameness or the development of hoof lesions between BIG or LIT on cows in second or later lactations. Our results suggest that trimming 100 rst lactation cows with increased modeling of the weight bearing hoof will result in approximately ve fewer cows with hoof horn lesions than if they were trimmed with the LIT model. We have several theories about why we had different ndings in older cows, and we will be exploring some of those factors in future research. This study was funded by the AABP-HTA hoof health research grant through the AABP foundation and the University of Minnesota Population Systems signature program.
MDA requests value-added grant proposals
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is now accepting applications for the competitive AGRI Value-Added Grant Program. The MDA anticipates awarding up to $2.5 million in this round of proposals. The aim of the Value-Added Grant is to increase sales of Minnesota agricultural products by diversifying markets, increasing market access, and increasing food safety of value-added products through equipment purchases and facility improvements. New or established for-prot businesses can apply for funding to support start-up, expansion, and updates; develop the processing and aggregating capacity of farmers selling to institutions; and increase food safety. Grant funds reimburse up to 25 percent of the overall project cost. Funding under this round will come at two levels. Level 1 projects will have a maximum award of $200,000 and a minimum of $1,000. Level 2
projects will have a maximum award of $1,000,000 and a minimum of $200,001. Level 2 projects will be subject to Minnesota’s Prevailing Wage Requirements. Applications must be received no later than Friday, March 8, 2019 at 4 p.m. CST. Applications are available on the Value-Added Grant Program website and may be submitted online (preferred), by mail, or in-person. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Growth, Research, and Innovation (AGRI) Program supports the advancement of Minnesota’s agricultural and renewable energy industries. AGRI has made signicant economic impacts by supporting jobs, increasing productivity, improving efciency, and assisting in the development of agricultural products. For more information about all the grants available through this program, visit the MDA website www. mda.state.mn.us/grants/agri.
Dairy Star • Saturday, February 9, 2019 • Page 29
2 DAY EVENT
FARM & AG SHOW Friday, February 22 • 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Saturday, February 23 • 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. DUBUQUE COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS
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Presentations on cover crops, markets, soils, dairy health and more!
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AGRICULTURAL EXHIBITORS
Go to www.dbqfair.com for more info For questions on this event or if you are interested in being an exhibitor and/or sponsor, please contact Kevin at the Dubuque County Fairgrounds at (563) 588-1406
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We are pleased to announce that J. Gile Dairy Equipment has been awarded certification as a GEA ExpertCare® dealer. ExpertCare® dealerships undergo an extensive training program to perform a broad range of services for your milking operation, using the latest evaluation and analysis technology. Through continuous monitoring of Key Performance Indicators (KPls) that are related to milking or that influence the milking process, your ExpertCare dealer can identify variables impacting performance and make recommendations for improvements. They will work with veterinarians, nutritionists, herd consultants, and the milking staff to enhance and protect operational efficiency and milk quality on the dairy operations they service. “At GEA, we set the bar high when it comes to qualifying as an ExpertCare® dealer. J. Gile Dairy Equipment has spent the last few months tackling over 75 hours of technical training sessions and account management review to elevate the services their team provides to their customer base,” explains John Brooks, GEA Sales Manager for Dairy Farming Hygiene & Service (East). “Therefore, we can say with confidence that J. Gile is trained and certified to work with your dairy operation in a highly professional manner, and partner with you to meet your goals for future success - protecting your valuable milking investment.” As an ExpertCare® dealer, J. Gile Dairy Equipment is more proficient in optimal cow milking analysis, milk quality trouble-shooting, animal care and environmental evaluations, milking operator trainings, and equipment maintenance. “This is an accomplished milestone for J. Gile,” adds Brooks. “We are extremely proud to add their name to our list of valued GEA ExpertCare® dealers”.
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Page 30 • Dairy Star • Saturday, February 9, 2019
The land of pessimism
These days, with farm prices lower than the baseI became acquainted with an optimism-impaired ment of a privy, it is important to maintain a posi- farmer during my 18th winter, when I worked and tive attitude. At times such as these, you hear a lot lived with a downer dairyman and his equally dour of perky maxims like “When the going gets tough, wife. the tough eat lutesk,” or I felt like a stranger “Tough times don’t last, in a strange land when I rel lik like a stranger iin a tough people do, and boy do I ffelt ported for my new job. This they smell like it.” partially because the strange land when I reported was Optimism is an essendairy farm was so close to tial ingredient for being a for my new job. a major city that the glow farmer. Calamities such as of its lights illuminated the oods, re and drought – or nighttime sky with an eerie something really awful such as an extended visit by articial glow. It was like living beneath a neon cloud. your in-laws – can be endured with sufcient quantiI soon perceived a deep vein of negativity in my ties of optimism. And while upbeat aphorisms may new boss and his wife. Pessimism was the bedrock of help, it is difcult to deal with folks who somehow their belief system; their view was that it was not if manage to nd clouds of doom in the sunniest of the world would dump on you, but when. Every now skies. and then the world would do just that, fortifying their
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mindset. I had stumbled upon the land of pessimism and was in the service of its king. The boss’s doom-and-gloom attitude was difcult to bear as it went against my ingrained cheerful Dear County Agent Guy outlook. I could not understand why he was so downbeat. After all, he was nancially solvent and had a brand-new dairy facility. The story behind my being hired eventually emerged. Some months earlier, there had been a falling-out between the boss and his son. The By Jerry Nelson boss said that his son’s Columnist girlfriend had, as he put it, got herself pregnant. The son married his girlfriend so they could be a family. The newlyweds had nothing, so they moved into the son’s childhood bedroom. The son was young and full of fool-headed notions, said the boss. At the son’s urging, the boss built a new dairy barn and doubled their herd. One day, the boss decided his daughter-in-law was not pulling her weight. He told me – bragged, actually – how he had let her know, in no uncertain terms, that she had better get with the program. It did not matter she was 8 1/2 months pregnant. I could imagine the drama that unfolded when the young wife told her husband what had transpired. The tearful recounting of her father-in-law’s harsh words, how she had felt belittled. It was clear that the son must decide: Would he let anyone – even his own father – treat the mother of his unborn child in such a manner? The son made a choice. The young couple hurriedly stuffed their meager possessions into their car and moved to the city, where the son took a job at a factory. Their baby was born shortly thereafter. The boss said he had heard it was a boy. Even though the baby was more than 6 months old, the boss and his wife had not met their new grandson nor did they have any plans to do so. The boss summed up the narrative by saying, “I could tell right away that that little chickie was the kind of woman who would drive a wedge between a boy and his father.” I endured the oppressive negativity that entire gloomy winter. I nally could not stand it anymore and resigned my gofer this, shovel that position. The boss blasted me with one of his caustic sermonettes as he issued my nal paycheck. He said I was lazy and unreliable and would never amount to anything. He had known this, he said, right from the get-go. I did not say a word; I simply got into my car and drove away. As the neon sky faded in my rearview mirror, I knew I was already one of the boss’ many pessimism-reinforcing parables. Motoring toward home, I thought of Mom’s homemade bread and her warm, cheery kitchen. Our little dairy farm was not much, but we always looked on the bright side. Yes, times were often tough, but things would certainly get better someday. Hard work and an upbeat attitude can cure a host of ailments. Quitting that job opened doors to bigger and better prospects. Opportunities that would have never come my way had I remained in the land of pessimism. 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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Who took my colostrum?
Low colostrum yield has recently become a more common complaint from dairy farmers. While it is true that high quality colostrum replacers are readily available today, they are fairly expensive, and thus may be often fed at a dose that is less than optimal. When fed at adequate Veterinary Wisdom doses, the cost per calf is signicant, and farmers would rather use fresh or stored cow colostrum. There is anecdotal evidence that low energy dry cow diets, season of calving and possibly low energy dry cow diets may affect colostrum volume. There has been quite a bit of research published reBy Jim Bennett garding colostrum qualColumnist ity, but little has been published regarding colostrum quantity. In a study published in the January 2019 edition of the “Journal of Dairy Science”, the authors looked at Swedish Red and Swedish Holstein cows with planned 28-day and 56-day dry periods. Both breeds showed lower colostrum yields with the short dry periods. Average colostrum production for all cows in the short dry period group was 6.8 pounds versus 13.4 pounds in the long dry period group. The IgG content of colostrum was not tested, but the colostrum protein levels were higher in the short dry period group, which suggests that IgG levels may have been higher as well. So the amount of colostrum was dramatically reduced, but the quality was likely improved by a short dry period. An earlier study, also published in “The Journal of Dairy Science” examined colostrum yield in Jerseys (Gavin, et. al. 2018). This study looked at a variety of factors including, age at calving, male or female calf, dry period length, previous 305ME and milk produc-
Dairy Star • Saturday, February 9, 2019 • Page 31
tion, previous lactation length, gestation length and month of calving. The most signicant nding was the relationship between month of calving and colostrum yield. The overall colostrum yield was 14.5 pounds in June and only 5.5 pounds in December. That is more than 2.6 times more colostrum for June calving cows than December calving cows. Multiparous cows had a greater decline in colostrum between June and December (14.5 to 2.9 pounds) than rst lactation cows (14.3 to 9.24). The authors concluded that the seasonal effect of lower colostrum yield in the winter was due to reduced photoperiod during the month of calving and for the one-month period prior to calving. Length of dry period did also show to be correlated to colostrum volume; a cow having a 45-day dry period was 1.88 times more likely to have insufcient colostrum volume to feed one calf than a cow with a 75-day dry period. Little has been published regarding low energy dry cow diets and colostrum volume. A 2016 study (Mann, et. al) showed that cows fed at 100 percent of dietary requirements produced less colostrum than cows fed 125 percent or 150 percent of requirements, but the results were not statistically signicant. A sheep study showed that ewes fed 100 percent of NRC produced greater colostrum volume than ewes fed 60 or 140 percent of NRC (Swanson et. al. 2008). Anecdotal reports suggest that providing adequate metabolizable protein when feeding low energy close up diets may also increase colostrum volume. Interestingly, the January 2019 edition of JDS also contained a paper (Salfer), examining seasonality of milk, butterfat and protein production. Milk production was up to 7.25 pounds greater on average for milk produced in March, April, or May than milk produced in September, October or November. Fat and protein concentrations peaked in mid-winter and reached a minimum in July. There is some evidence in this paper to suggest that cows in regions with smaller change in photoperiod, e.g. Florida, have less seasonal variation in milk production and protein
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and fat percentages than cows in northern latitudes. Taken together, the Gavin and Salfer studies suggest that seasonality of milk production and seasonality of colostrum volume are both regulated by photoperiod. To sum it up, it looks pretty clear that there is a strong seasonality to volume of colostrum production, and it is due to changes in daylight. Shorter dry periods also appear to result in lower colostrum yields, so farms that have adopted shorter dry periods may see more winter calving cows with inadequate colostrum yield than farms with longer dry periods. Energy and protein levels in prepartum diets have not been proven to affect colostrum yield, but little research exists, so these dietary factors may still be important, too. One cannot easily change the amount of daylight experienced by dry cows on most farms, so the seasonality is something we may have to live with. Farmers who have adopted shorter dry periods might be able to increase colostrum production during the winter by increasing dry period length for winter calving cows. Bennett is one of four dairy veterinarians at Northern Valley Dairy Production Medicine Center in Plainview, Minn. He also consults on dairy farms in other states. He and his wife, Pam, have four children. Jim can be reached at bennettnvac@gmail.com with comments or questions.
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Page 32 • Dairy Star • Saturday, February 9, 2019
A different kind of meeting
After a long fall of chopping, combining and tilling, my brain started functioning again as it was time to zero in on the books for pre-tax meetings. I was not too worried about taxes this year, but I was worried about losing money. I always assumed other dairies were better than we were about controlling costs, and I wanted to know their secrets. I called my daughter, Kia, who gets on a lot of dairies because of her job; she is also on the board of Western Iowa Dairy Alliance, which is a group of dairy farmers and tradespeople who are together for lobbying and promotional purposes. I asked Kia if she thought we could get a group of dairymen together to share their cost cutting ideas. She said WIDA needed a winter meeting anyway, and she would run the idea past the other board members. They agreed it would be worth a try, so we did a round table type meeting a few weeks ago in Sheldon, Iowa.
There was no speaker at all; only a group of dairy producers, white poster board and a request to act as the facilitator to keep the discussion moving. My goal for any meeting I attend is to come away with one good idea to implement. I had no idea how this meeting would go. We had about 20 dairies represented, ranging in size from 60 to 3,000 cows. Kia put four posters on the wall that people could write on. First was what was the best cost cutting idea on their farm; second was what was the biggest challenge on their farm and it could not be milk price; third was what changes were made to increase income; and fourth was share your cost of feed per hundredweight and also share your milk hauling costs. Almost everyone came up to the front and wrote something on one or more of the posters. It soon became obvious that the No. 2 poster listing challenges
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was the most popular. Labor pay and supply topped the list. We decided that labor was the elephant in the room and we would leave that item for last so we made sure we covered the other good ideas. As we went through each line item idea, it be- Making Cents of Dairy came apparent to me that this meeting was different than any dairy meeting I have ever been to. The mood in the room was so genuine. We all wanted to help each other and were not afraid to share our problems and ideas. There was no pride left in any of us as we knew as an industry By Dave Vander Kooi we face many challenges. Columnist On the cost cutting poster, we were all looking to see if someone posted a blockbuster idea, but there were no blockbusters. Tied in with that was feed cost per cwt. of milk, and the three that shared and/or knew that cost were all between $6.49 and $6.52. We were hoping someone would put $5.62 or something so we could pick his brain as to how he did it. Two other ideas did surface that were not cost cutting, but helpful nonetheless. One dairyman uses an app on his phone for employee scheduling. All the managers and employees on the farm can view it from their own phones, so there are no misunderstandings about who should be working when. Another farmer carried a high deductible on his farm insurance policy, except he opted for dollar one glass coverage on all farm implements. It is amazing how many skid loader and manure spreader tractor windows get broke every year, and this way insurance paid for new glass and installation. There were many other good ideas shared at the meeting, and as I said earlier, we saved the elephant in the room until last. We took a ve-minute break and told the room if they had had enough discussion to feel free to leave. As people got up to stretch their legs, I was not sure how many would come back. After four minutes, I realized every single person had sat back down. Ready to begin again and still engaged. We decided to tackle the issue with the most tally marks: Labor. Everyone struggles with labor, nding it, keeping them and paying them fairly. We shared our pay scales and benet packages with each other, along with how we sourced labor. Then Johnny, a well-respected dairyman, started talking. Now Johnny is a cheerleader in a fullback’s body, a glass three-quarter full kind of guy. Johnny said we all need to greet every employee every day with a smile, ask them how things are going, and what can we do to help them get the work done efciently. If we do that and more for our employees, Johnny said our elephant problem will disappear. Everyone in the room knew Johnny was right, yet we all are thinking of walking in the barn and seeing the broken skid loader glass and wanting to blame somebody, anybody. I think the rest of us should hire Johnny to make a circuit to each of our dairies every day to cheer our employees on. At the end of the day, we did not accomplish much on the cost cutting side. We did accomplish a lot in terms of networking, sharing ideas and building up our spirits. I would recommend it to any group. Vander Kooi operates a 1,800-cow, 4,500 acre farm with his son, Joe, and daughter-in-law, Rita, near Worthington, Minn. Send him feedback at davevkooi@ icloud.com. Follow him on Instagram, @davevanderkooi.
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Bittersweet goodbyes
As I write this column in early February, we have said a temporary goodbye to the bone-chilling, face-cracking cold of the past week and have had a couple of balmy, above-freezing days to recover. We can scrape frozen manure off of free stall alleys and not have to wipe the dip off of cows’ teats for a few milkings. It feels great outside even if it is hazy and humid. There have been quite a few goodbyes in my life in the past few weeks. They have been bittersweet and difcult. First, our three college kids went back to the University of Minnesota in midJanuary to pursue their degrees in animal science and Come Full Dairy Circle ag communications and marketing. They returned to classes, club meetings, friend get-togethers and other fun and exciting endeavors. They were ready to return after about a month of family and farm on their holiday break from college. Their help was appreciated by everyone here on our farm, as there were a lot of calves to wean and move, pens to clean, cattle to bed, and daily chores to squeeze in around Christmas services and parties. The kids being at home to help was also timely, because it gave me precious time in the middle of several days to make a two-hour trip to Hastings to visit my mom and return in time for evening chores. By Jean Annexstad Without their help, I would not have been able to go Columnist nearly as often during the last few weeks. Our family said a sad goodbye to my 97-year-old mother, Margaret, Jan. 15, during her funeral service in Hastings. Up until that point, there were many recent visits to keep her company, watch over her health concerns and to begin the process of saying goodbye. All of the driving trips gave me a lot of time to think about my mom. She was not a farm girl. She was raised in the small town of Cleveland, Minn., and lived next to the butcher shop and meat market that her father ran. Her mother was a homemaker. My mom loved school and going swimming with friends in the area’s lakes. She attended the University of Minnesota and earned a degree in home economics. This was based on the St. Paul campus, where she met my father, a farm boy from south Washington County. They married during World War II and eventually made their home north of Hastings on a farm where they raised ve children. My mom learned a lot about farming in a baptism by re scenario. She moved to the farm on the condition they would not milk cows, as the story goes, but soon they had a small dairy herd. She did not milk; however, I remember she did clean up milkers and drive the tractor for baling on occasion. She mostly handled the egg business from candling to delivering the eggs from 2,000 laying hens. She also substitute taught in several area schools. Her favorite classes to teach were the ag and shop classes. My mom taught us to do our best. She was always inquisitive and was our family matriarch. She knew who was doing what, including the 11 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren she enjoyed keeping tabs on. I will miss her for many reasons. Who will ask me if we are baling hay in June? I will not be able to explain that we do not bale hay, we chop it and go into all of the details of that. Who will tell me not to work so hard? Who will always give me that little positivity pep talk I so often seem to need? Saying goodbye to matriarchs also is a part of dairy farming. Seeing cows get loaded on the truck for the last time is always bittersweet. This year, we sold several of the kids’ project cows. I was sad to see them go. These cows are the ones you form special relationships with, and the ones you take time to scratch on the head or watch as they head back up to the barn after milking. I like looking at the DHIA records of the special cows that leave and making note of their offspring that remain and the lifetime production records they made. They were a big part of our life, and it only seems tting to take stock of their contributions, much like we get together to talk about the memories of a loved one who has passed who has lived a long, full and productive life. It seems only human to review the good and noble parts of a life and the contributions that living being has made. It makes saying goodbye slightly less bittersweet, especially when the faith a person professed and lived their entire life means a reunion in heaven someday. Saying goodbye is difcult, but it is a part of life. Jean dairy farms with her husband, Rolf, and brother-in-law, Mike, and children Emily, Matthias and Leif. They farm near St. Peter, in Norseland, where she is still trying to t in with the Norwegians and Swedes. They milk 200 cows and farm 650 acres. She can be reached at jeanannexstad@gmail.com.
Dairy Star • Saturday, February 9, 2019 • Page 33
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Page 34 • Dairy Star • Saturday, February 9, 2019
A race through the polar vortex Marti completes ultramarathon in extreme cold By Danna Sabolik
danna.s@dairystar.com
NEW ULM, Minn. – Extreme conditions take on a whole new meaning when running the Arrowhead 135, an ultramarathon in northern Minnesota, on some of the coldest days of the year. Nathan Marti, large
PHOTO SUBMITTED
Nathan MarƟ wears KT tape on his nose and cheeks to prevent frostbite.
animal veterinarian and ultramarathon runner from New Ulm, Minn., ran and hiked the 135-mile race while pulling a sled weighted down with 40 pounds of supplies Jan. 28Jan. 30 in International Falls, Minn. This year was the third time Marti has nished the ultramarathon. The Arrowhead 135 takes place in one of the coldest areas in the lower 48 states. It is a race so tough, only 36 percent of entries nished this year. The temperature at the start of the race was 12 degrees below zero. Marti rst heard about the challenge six years ago. “[The Arrowhead] is not something you can just jump in to,” Marti said. “You have to prove that you can handle yourself in those conditions. So, I had to do some other winter races in the years before I was eligible.” Marti competed in the Frozen Otter race on a 64-mile trail in Wisconsin and also competed in Tuscobia, an 80mile winter race in Tuscobia, Wis. After learning from those races, Marti applied to take part in the Arrowhead 135 and raced the course for the rst time in 2016. When it comes to training for the Arrowhead, Marti focuses on testing his gear to make sure it performs how he
PHOTO SUBMITTED
Nathan MarƟ (front) pulls a sled lled with survival gear and food during the Arrowhead 135 Jan. 28 in InternaƟonal Falls, Minn. He is a large animal veterinarian in New Ulm, Minn. needs it to. “You have to go out on the coldest nights and test your gear to make sure the things you thought were going to work, will work,” he said. Marti said the Arrowhead is not as demanding as other ultramarathons. The Arrowhead features a slower pace. Participants hike a
portion of the course due to the hills of the woods and hauling their sleds. Marti said there are typically participants to match pace with for a few hours. This year, people dropped out early because of the cold weather. “I didn’t see anyone for eight hours at a time, and it’s just not fun to talk when it’s 25
degrees below zero anyway,” Marti said. Even the wildlife that usually populate the trail stayed hunkered down during the polar vortex. Marti said he only heard one bird the whole time and did not see anything. Turn to MARTI | Page 35
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The clothes Nathan MarƟ wore during the Arrowhead 135 are laid out. MarƟ nished the race at 3:45 a.m. Jan. 30 when the temperature was negaƟve 33 degrees Fahrenheit. Only 20 percent of parƟcipants completed the challenge.
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“The forecast actually called for it to be colder, so I had to strip layers at the start line,” Marti said. “You really don’t want to overheat, because if you start to sweat, your gear won’t work. The worst thing to do is get too hot.” Marti estimated the high temperature for the rst 24 hours of racing never broke zero degrees. The rst day had a bit of wind, as well. “Usually northern Minnesota doesn’t get the wind like we get in southern Minnesota, but it was pretty windy and colder than the past years,” Marti said. The rst check-in station was located at mile 36. Marti reached the station at 3:45 p.m. for a 30-minute break to eat, rell water and warm up.
“If I was at work I’d be in a cold barn just standing around, and I’d be colder. Out here I’m hauling this sled around, and I’m actually warmer.” NATHAN MARTI, DVM
By the time Marti reached the second checkpoint at 3:15 a.m. on Tuesday, the temperature had dipped to 23 degrees below zero. There, he ate 1,000 calories of food and charged his watch and headlamp so they would continue to work the next day. Then, he slept for one hour before bundling up again and heading into the cold. The temperature did not warm up on Tuesday, and the wind continued
to blast the trail. When Marti crossed the nish line near Tower, Minn., after being on the trail 44 hours and 50 minutes, it was 33 degrees below zero. Marti said the race is not as terrible as one might expect. “If I was at work I’d be in a cold barn just standing around, and I’d be colder,” he said. “Out here I’m hauling this sled around, and I’m actually warmer.” Another obstacle is the solitude. But, Marti said he is always busy assessing himself. “You think you’d get bored, but you don’t because you’re always thinking about what you need to do,” he said. “You’re always thinking about if your hands and feet are warm or if the air temp is going up or down.” There is also plenty of nature around to admire. “This is my favorite race,” Marti said of the scenery. “This is the one I’ve done every year since I heard about it.” Marti also competes in numerous ultramarathons around the country. For most races, acceptance is based on completed proof of qualications and a lottery system. He has been accepted to a race in Andorra, a small country between Spain and France in the Pyrenees mountains, for this summer and is waiting to hear if he earned a spot in a race in Greece. He is also planning to run the Zion 100 race in Utah in April. Dairy farmers may have thought they had it tough last week during the cold snap, but imagine running 135 miles in the woods during that weather. Only 20 percent of the people who began the race nished it, and Marti is proud to be a nisher of the race during a record-breaking cold winter.
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(877) 560-5181 | alforexseeds.com * Improved Hi-Gest® alfalfa leafiness, as documented by Alforex Seeds replicated trials at West Salem, WI and Woodland, CA, versus the following commercial alfalfa varieties: America’s Alfalfa Brand AmeriStand 427TQ, Croplan Brands LegenDairy XHD and Artesia Sunrise, Fertizona Brand Fertilac, S&W Brands SW6330, SW7410 and SW10 and W-L Brands WL 319HQ and WL 354HQ. ** The increased rate of fiber digestion, extent of digestion, and crude protein data was developed from replicated research and on-farm testing. During the 2015 growing season at West Salem, WI and Woodland, CA, the following commercial dormant, semi-dormant and non-dormant alfalfa varieties were compared head-to-head with Hi-Gest® alfalfa for rate of digestion, extent of digestion and percent crude protein: America’s Alfalfa Brand AmeriStand 427TQ, Croplan Brands LegenDairy XHD and Artesia Sunrise, Fertizona Brand Fertilac, S&W Seed Brands SW6330, SW7410 and SW10 and W-L Brands WL 319HQ and WL 354HQ. Also during the 2015 growing season, 32 on-farm Hi-Gest hay and silage samples were submitted to Rock River Laboratory, Inc., for forage analysis. The results for rate of digestion, extent of digestion and percent crude protein were averaged and compared to the 60-day and four-year running averages for alfalfa in the Rock River database which included approximately 1,700 alfalfa hay and 3,800 silage 60-day test results and 23,000 hay and 62,000 silage tests results in the four-year average.
Visit us at Corteva.com , Trademarks of DuPont, Dow AgroSciences, Pioneer and affiliated companies or their respective owners. © 2018 Alforex Seeds
Page 36 • Dairy Star • Saturday, February 9, 2019
Women In Dairy Hannah Molitor Rockville, Minn. Stearns County 300 cows Family: My dad, Joe, and uncle, Tom, are partners on the farm. I work as the herd manager. Tell us about your farm. We are an organic dairy and rotationally graze our cows. We grow about 300 acres of alfalfa and 200 acres of corn. The milk cows have roughly 300 acres of pasture for managed rotational grazing, and the heifers have 300 acres for continuous grazing. What’s the busiest time of day for you? Mornings are usually the busiest time for me. During morning chores, you will usually nd me in the milking parlor, breeding cows, working with fresh cows and calves, and setting pastures. I do oat around a bit, depending on the day and season for other chores, like mixing feed and feeding calves. When you get a spare moment what do you do? I enjoy keeping myself busy. When I’m not at the farm, I teach conrmation and do a little youth ministry at my home parish. I am also active on the Stearns County Farm Bureau board. Along with working on the farm, I also work for Minnesota Sustainable Farming Association as an education coordinator for Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship. Tell us about your most memorable experience working on the farm. There isn’t just one memory that sticks out like a sore thumb. When there is a handful of us sisters (there are eight of us total) and cousins working together, the shenanigans can get pretty real. What have you enjoyed most about dairy farming or your tie to the dairy industry? I think the people who are involved with the dairy
industry are so great. Working with the Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship, I have the privilege of working with dairy farmers who are all in different stages of their farming career. It’s really incredible how willing the master grazers are to teach the apprentices, and how eager the apprentices are to learn. How do you stay connected with others in the industry? I stay connected with others in dairy by engaging in local organizations, hosting and attending pasture eld days and county fair. Really, the list goes on and on. Who is someone in the industry who has inspired you? Why? My inspiration would be my grandpa. I have learned the value of hard work from my dad and uncle, through his legacy. 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 choose Nancy Pelosi. Although I do not agree with her political agenda, I think it’s important to share our agricultural story and nd a common ground.
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Dairy Star • Saturday, February 9, 2019 • Page 37
New year, new milk market
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Robert Pierce milks 30 cows on his LafayeĆŠe County dairy farm outside of Darlington, Wis. Shortly before Thanksgiving, Pierce learned he would be losing his milk market as of the ďƒžrst of the year, and struggled ďƒžnding a new home for his milk, largely because of the small size of his herd.
Lafayette County dairyman helps himself, neighbors By Danielle Nauman danielle.n@dairystar.com
DARLINGTON, Wis. – Thanksgiving did not bring good tiding for 16 farms in southwest Wisconsin. Those dairy producers received the dreaded notice that they were being dropped from the milk market with the Wisconsin Cheese Group as of Jan. 1. Included in this were 12 Amish farms, 11 of which had Grade A permits, and four non-Amish farms that were selling milk with Grade B permits. Robert Pierce was one of the affected dairy farmers. Pierce milks about 30 cows on his dairy outside Darlington, Wis. A problem-solver by nature, Pierce did not waste time in beginning a search for a new market, not only for himself but for his neighbors as well. “Two of us that were Grade B, including myself, are almost considered to be seasonal farms, and are too small, especially at this point of the year for most places to want to pick us up,� Pierce said. “The other farm bought more cattle to produce enough to get into a market, but that wasn’t an option for me.� Pierce began making calls, looking for a new market. He investigated options of buying a milk truck to create a route for the farms in question since hauling seemed to be a large part of the issue. During this time, the affected Amish producers decided to form their own cooperative to create a market for themselves. However, they were not willing to let non-Amish dairy producers join their newly-formed cooperative. A solution to the problem seemed to have been found early in December when an Illinois-based cheese plant said it was willing to add farms to its routes provided the farms could reach a production level of 700 pounds of milk per pick-up. That relief turned out to be short-
lived, as Pierce received another holiday surprise when the plant changed its production requirement to 1,500 pounds of milk per pick-up. Of the four non-Amish producers, Pierce was the only one excluded from pick-up with that creamery because of the production requirements. “Ironically, I had found a market for the others, but not for myself,â€? Pierce said. “So I started back on the phone. It’s not necessarily easy to reach people during the holidays.â€? After making many phone calls, Pierce had the fortune to connect with a DFA ďƒželd representative the Thursday before Christmas. Pierce learned that despite the small size of his herd, DFA would be willing to take his milk if he could obtain Grade A permitting, because they were already picking milk up within 2 miles of his farm. Pierce spent his holiday working on making the adjustments required in order to pass a Grade A inspection. “It wasn’t anything really big,â€? Pierce said of what he needed to do to obtain the Grade A permit. “It was just a few small maintenance-type things that got put aside and overlooked. I had to do some painting and tidying up, and update some hoses and ďƒžx a crack in the bulk tank lid.â€? When the ďƒžrst of the year rolled around, Pierce had not yet been inspected to receive his Grade A permit. He dumped his milk for the ďƒžrst nine days of the new year, which he estimates was about 2,800 pounds. In the week following the ďƒžrst load shipped to DFA, Pierce has had 10 more cows freshen, putting his pickups over the 1,500-pound mark. “It was a really stressful couple of months,â€? Pierce said. “Not knowing where you are going to go with your milk, wondering what your options are, waiting to ďƒžnd the right answer.â€? The third generation of his family to dairy farm, Pierce has kept his farm going by keeping his inputs simple and his cost of production low. “I’ve kept things simple,â€? he said. “I feed my cows for components as opposed to pushing for high production. I have older equipment. I do my own repairs and maintenance, and just make things work. I can’t imagine not milking cows.â€?
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Page 38 • Dairy Star • Saturday, February 9, 2019
Winter injury in alfalfa By Nathan Drewitz
University of Minnesota Extension
As I am writing this on Jan. 30 I believe the temperature outside is negative 35 degrees Fahrenheit with negative 50 degree wind chills or for those of you that prefer the metric system it was negative 37 degrees Celsius with negative 46 degrees Celsius wind chills. No matter how you sliced the ice it is really cold outside. Although we had snow on elds before we got the cold weather it does bring up concerns of alfalfa elds where snow was blown off and not as protected. For those elds, come this spring focus should be given on assessment of winter kill and injury. However, since we are still a few months away from assessment of those stands lets focus on some other factors that will inuence winter injury. There are multiple inuencing factors which are snow cover, temperatures, fall hardening, plant health, and soil fertility and moisture. Snow cover is typically the one that I hear the most about this time of year. It takes at least 4 inches of snow to adequately insulate the soil to prevent direct freezing damage to alfalfa. Even without this insulation layer alfalfa can stand temperatures between 5 and 15 degrees F depending on the variety planted and past management.
DAIRY STAR FILE PHOTO
A healthy alfalfa plant versus a plant affected by winter kill is shown. Mul�ple factors including snow cover, temperatures, fall hardening, plant health and soil fer�lity, and moisture all affect alfalfa plants.
Keep in mind the winter hardiness of the variety will directly determine how cold the plant taproot can handle before suffering winter damage. Plant health may be inuenced by the age of the stand, and previous pest and cutting management. Older stands are more likely to see winter injury as are alfalfa elds with
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previous unmanaged insect and pest issues during the growing season. For those stands during which an extra cutting may have been taken between approximately Sept. 1 and Oct. 15 may also be at greater risk if there was not enough time for carbohydrate accumulation. Also keep in mind that 6 inches of stubble left will directly
impact how much snow is retained on the eld. Soil pH, fertility, and moisture may also play into winter injury potential. Stands grown on well drained soils, with a pH above 6.6 and high fertility, particularly potassium, are less likely to see winter injury. Thinking specically in the Stearns, Benton, and Morrison area, we had a lot of rain to end the season that inuenced harvest of grains. This same rain may also play a very important role for alfalfa winter injury in this area come spring time. Especially on those poorly drained soils we may see a greater risk of winter injury due to that increased soil moisture. Winter injury will also be inuenced by what time alfalfa started going into dormancy. Once nighttime temperatures drop below 40 degrees F, the plant begins the process of hardening. During this process cells begin the process of removing water from the cell and binding the remaining water in the cell into compounds that will not freeze. Sugars will also accumulate within these cells to help further lower the freezing point of these cells 1 to 2 degrees F. If the timeframe for this process was not long enough this may lead to issues this spring. For more information on winter injury factors please visit the UMN Extension website or call the Benton County Extension Ofce at (320) 968-5081.
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Dairy Star • Saturday, February 9, 2019 • Page 39
with Mike Hess of Foley, Minn.
Mike Hess Foley, Minn. Benton County 90 cows How did you get into farming? I’ve been farming my whole life. What are your thoughts and concerns about the dairy industry for the next year? I hope it gets better. What is the latest technology you implemented on your farm and the purpose for it? I haven’t upgraded anything in 20 years on the dairy side. What is a management practice you changed in the past year that has beneted you? I watch the X’s and O’s a lot closer because the prices are so tight. I keep an eye on feed prices, and I breed the cows back sooner to increase days in milk. What cost-saving steps have you implemented during low milk prices? I do not spend money unless I have to. How do you retain a good working relationship with your employees? I treat them right and make them feel like they’re part of the farm.
DANNA SABOLIK/DAIRY STAR
Mike Hess (center) and his employees – (from leŌ) Jason Gapinski, Stephanie Ponsness and Tom Schesers – milk 90 cows on his dairy farm in Benton County near Foley, Minn.
Tell us about a skill you possess that makes dairy farming easier for you. I like working with numbers and analyzing the markets. What do you enjoy most about dairy farming? Being my own boss, working with great employees and not commuting to work.
What advice would you give other dairy farmers? Watch your numbers, and needs come before wants.
What has been your biggest accomplishment while dairy farming? That I’m still doing it after 25 years.
What has been the best purchase you’ve ever made on your farm? Twenty-ve years ago I put a manure pit in. It’s sure nice when it’s cold out, and I get to use the manure for the crops. Everything else takes money to buy it, but that makes me money.
What are your plans for your dairy in the next year and ve years? I’d like to grow my steer raising operation. I feed out 250 now, but I’d like to grow the beef raising side of the business. I
don’t want to expand the dairy if there’s already too much milk in the market. How do you or your family like to spend time when you are not doing chores? I like to go to the gym and lift weights or go out with friends.
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Page 40 • Dairy Star • Saturday, February 9, 2019
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