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Page 2 • Dairy Star • Saturday, April 12, 2014

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/Sales Mark Klaphake - mark.k@dairystar.com 320-352-6303 (ofce) 320-248-3196 (cell) 320-352-0062 (home) Ad Composition Janell Westerman 320-352-6303 janell.w@dairystar.com Nancy Middendorf 320-352-6303 nancy.m@dairystar.com Consultant Jerry Jennissen 320-346-2292 President Dave Simpkins 320-352-6577 davesimpkins@saukherald.com Staff Writers Krista Kuzma - Assistant Editor 507-259-8159 • krista.k@dairystar.com Andrea Borgerding Assistant Editor/ Online Editor 320-352-6303 • andrea.b@dairystar.com Melissa Mussman (320) 429-1084 • missy@dairystar.com Ron Johnson 608-874-4243 ron.j@dairystar.com Ruth Klossner 507-240-0048 cowlady@centurylink.net Kelli Boylen 563-880-1753 • boylenover@yahoo.com Jenna Lisowe • 920-604-2093 jenna.lisowe@my.uwrf.edu

Dairy Prole brought to you by your

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Bruce Heydmann Zumbrota, Minn.; Goodhue County 65 cows How did you get into farming? I took over my dad and grandpa’s farm. This is the farm that has been in my family for over a century. We celebrated our Century Farm status at least 15 years ago. My ancestors bought it when they emigrated from Germany.

What do you enjoy most about dairy farming? I like everything, but I especially like milking cows. It’s my relaxing time.

What has been the best purchase you’ve ever made on your farm? The best purchase was in the early 1990s, when we bought our rst front-wheel assist tractor with a cab. It made working in the elds a lot easier.

What has been your biggest accomplishment while dairy farming? How did you achieve this? The biggest accomplishment has been breeding cows that have scored Excellent. I don’t know how many. I follow a breeding philosophy that keeps a balance of type and production, but I put an emphasis on udders.

What are your plans for your dairy in the next ve years? I plan to stay the same.

What is your favorite dairy product? I like ice cream. I’m not fussy about the avor. String cheese is also a good snack.

What is your favorite tool? My pliers because I can use it for so many things – fencing and xing, etc.

Tell us about a skill you possess that makes dairy farming easier for you. I’m good at managing cows. I spend so much time in the barn.

If you could have a celebrity help you with chores for a day who would it be and why? I would have Charles Barkley come to my farm. He recently said he would never visit North Dakota. Even though this is not North Dakota, I’m sure he wouldn’t want to visit this part of Minnesota. I would like to show him around. It would be fun to educate him.

How do you or your family like to spend time when you are not doing chores? There isn’t a whole lot of time to do other things, but I like to go to cow sales and shows. It allows me to meet other people in the business.

Tell us about your farm. My wife, Cherie, and I have three adult children: Molly, Nikki and Phil. Phil is a carpenter and tter, but he helps me when he can. We farm about 300 acres and bale a lot of small squares. In emergencies, everyone is on call to unload the bales. My dad got into registered cows in the late 40s and we continue that today.

Advertising Sales Main Ofce: 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 (West and South Central MN) 320-352-6303 (ofce) 320-248-3196 (cell) Laura Seljan (National Advertising, SE MN, West Central WI) 507-250-2217 (cell) fax: 507-634-4413 laura.s@dairystar.com Jerry Nelson (SW MN, NW Iowa, South Dakota) 605-690-6260 (cell) jerry.n@dairystar.com Lori Young (Central MN) 612-597-2998 • lori.y@dairystar.com Lori Menke (Eastern Iowa, Southern WI) 563-608-6477 • lori.m@dairystar.com Linda Lynch (Central WI) 608-387-1202 • linda.l@dairystar.com Deadlines The deadline for news and advertising in the Dairy Star is 5 p.m. Friday the week before publication.

Subscriptions One year subscription $28.00, 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 ofces.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Dairy Star, 522 Sinclair Lewis Ave., Sauk Centre, MN 56378-1246.

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Van’s Implement

Dave’s Repair

ICON Ag & Turf

Arnold’s of Kimball Kimball, MN

Pipestone, MN Thief River Falls, MN Winger, MN

Lindell Sales & Service Cannon Falls, MN

Isaacson Sales & Service

Sauk Centre, MN

Northland Dairy Supply

Arnold’s of Mankato

Hull, IA

Paullina, IA

Eagle Bend, MN

Beck Implement Elgin, MN

Arnold’s of Glencoe Glencoe, MN

Hills, MN

Lafayette, MN Mankato, MN

Fluegge’s Ag Mora, MN

Northland Farm Systems Owatonna, MN

Titan Machinery

Dairyland Supply Miller Sellner Slayton, MN

Arnold’s of St. Martin St. Martin, MN

Woller Equipment Swanville, MN

Arnold’s of Willmar Willmar, MN

Jaycox Implement Worthington, MN

Schuneman Equipment Brookings, SD Watertown, SD

Noteboom Implement Chamberlain, SD Corsica, SD Parkston, SD

Pfeifer Implement Sioux Falls, SD

Mark's Machinery Yankton, SD

Dairy Star • Saturday, April 12, 2014 • Page 3

It’s all inside...

Indiana dairyman became a spokesman for cows on pasture

Dahlberg takes second mission trip to Haiti

Pages 14 - 15, Second Section

Pages 35, 37

Schutz sons are fth generation on Stearns County dairy

Sjostrom leads breakout session at Women’s Ag Leadership Conference

Pages 1, 8-9

Pages 10-11 Third Section

Wolbeck, Wiechmans use cost share dollars for feedlot regulations

Repeal of business-tobusiness taxes lauded by all

One-on-One with Joel Oppriecht Page 13 Third Section

Pages 1, 5

Friendshuh Farms’ production driven by quality feeds, employees, housing

Pages 10-11

Pages 20, 22-23

Vorwerks busy making maple syrum

Hauschildt’s Brown Swiss cow scores EX94 Page 8 Second Section

Pages 36-37

Grehl crowned 2014 South Dakota Dairy Princess Pages 6 - 7, 9 Third section

Sauk Centre

Freeport

Eden Valley St. Paul Hitchcock

Pages 16-18 Third Section

Hendels humbled by recent induction into MLBA Hall of Fame

Zumbrota

Pages 3-4 Second Section

Caledonia

Chaseburg

Contents FIRST SECTION Page 9 Dairy Letters Pages 12, 15 MARL class VII graduates 30, including two dairy farmers Pages 16, 18 From Our Side of the Fence Page 25 Ag academy goes beyond the classroom Page 26 FSA News & Notes Page 28 Cattle handling techniques are important to dairy farmers Page 29 Know your margin Page 31 On the Mark Pages 38-39 Colostrum, early vaccination vital to healthy calf start SECOND SECTION Page 6 Mailbox prices higher fth month in a row Page 7 Dairy in the Suburbs Page 10 The “Mielke” Market Weekly Page 11 Dairy Markets

Pages 16-17 Second Section

Ellsworth

Gibbon Chaska

What’s in a farm name?

A day in the life of the Stiller family

Clear Lake

Page 12 Iowa hay auction results Page 19 Crop and Weather Reports Page 20 Economy doing well, MN, WI co-op leaders told Page 23 Mid-American hay Auction Results Pages 24-26 DHIA results Page 28 The Last Word Page 29 On The Lighter Side Page 30 Dairy Recipes THIRD SECTION Pages 3 - 4 Worms family shares automated calf feeder experience Page 14 Dairy Calendar Page 15 Vilsack announces increased opportunity for producers as part of new Farm Bill Page 20 Students receive National DHIA Scholarships Pages 23 - 30 Classieds

Marion Dairy’s Star Youth: Danielle Hoff Page 9 Second Section

Columnists Ag Insider Pages 6-7

The Next Generation Page 33

Veterinary Wisdom Page 34

Getting Kerry’d Away Page 27

Just Thinking Out Loud Page 32

Dear County Agent Guy Page 30

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Page 4 • Dairy Star • Saturday, April 12, 2014

USED EQUIPMENT SAUK CENTRE TRACTORS

NH T8040, 305 HP, 1875 hrs., front susp., front duals, front/rear weights, all new rubber, auto guidance.$159,500 NEW! NH T7.200, Super Steer, FWA, power shift ............................... In Stock T5.115, cab, FWA, loader ........... In Stock Ford 6600, recent new eng., ldr. ... $5,800 Ford 1900, 4 WD, compact, 27 HP, 12 spd. transmission.................. $5,500

ED D SPE INCREASED SPEED AND DURABILITY NOW THAT’S SMART. Two new center-pivot Discbine® disc mower-conditioner models—13’and 16’3”models—use larger discs to speed through tough crop conditions and the new, best-in-class WideDry™ 125-inch-wide conditioning system is 22% wider than previous models for more uniform conditioning and faster drydown. The smartest feature of all? The peace-of-mind protection you get with the exclusive three-year MowMax™ II cutterbar warranty.

Take advantage of CASH DISCOUNTS plus 3.5% for 60 months OAC

PRECISION FROM THE FACTORY NEW Speedrower® SP windrowers now feature integrated IntelliSteer™ Auto Guidance that is fully installed and tested at the New Holland plant in Grand Island, Nebraska. Both windrower steering and the guidance system are controlled completely with hydraulics so there’s no delay in response due to wires, electronics or steering linkages that slow other windrow ers. To top it all off, one screen controls the windrower functions and Auto Guidance.

A CLEAR-CUT ADVANTAGE. The New Holland MowMax™ disc cutterbar delivers superior cutting and superior protection – real advantages when it’s time to make hay. Disc modules are individually sealed gear cases connected to independent alloy drive shafts for smooth, trouble-free mowing. For further protection, the ShockPRO™ disc drive hubs absorb the shock of the fi eld impact before damage to drive components can occur – making MowMax a safe choice for you. Stop by and learn more about the wide selection of Discbine® disc mowerconditioner models and their SMART protection warranty.

© 2013 CNH America LLC. New Holland is a registered trademark of CNH America LLC.

SAUK CENTRE, MN

320-352-6543 • Hwy. 71 South

PIERZ, MN

320-468-2161 • Hwy. 27 West

Store Hours: Monday-Friday 8-5, Saturday Seasonal

FARM RAISED.

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Remove Stones the Easy Way Versatile, Durable, Ef f icient

Sauk Centre, MN • 320-352-6543 Pierz, MN • 320-468-2161

• Designed to collect stones from approx. 1” to 12”.

• Working width of 17’ provides for a one-man operation.

• Wide low-pressure tires reduce compaction in the field.

• Adjustable depth control wheels are designed to follow the contours of uneven fields.

• Unique hydraulic dumping system allows easy discharge directly into a dump trailer or truck.

• Transport width of 8.5’ for convenient and safe road transportation.

• Operates with a low tractor power requirement.

• 20% larger hopper design.

PIERZ

TRACTORS

Ford 6600, 2 WD, loader, dual power ................................. $7,800 Ford 4000 .................................... $4,200 Ford Genesis 8670, FWA, 145 HP, 540/ 1000 PTO, 4 remotes, 18.4x42 $57,500 NH Boomer 3045, FWA, cab, CVT trans., AC, rear remote, loader, 1000 hrs. $31,500 CIH 5220, ROPS, FWA, loader, 80 HP ....................................... $27,500 NH T8020, Super steer, FWA, SKID LOADERS New L218, cab, heat, AC ............ In Stock duals F/R, 1250 hrs., clean ....$126,000 NEW! T8.330, front suspension, 50 KPH AUGERS trans., deluxe cab ..................... In Stock WE SELL WESTFIELD AUGERS NEW! T6.160, cab, FWA ......... In Stock Farm King 8x51, PTO drive .......... $2,500 T5.115, cab, FWA, loader......... In Stock Mayrath 8x61, elect., 10 HP motor $2,900 T4.115, cab, FWA,LDloader ........ In Stock SO Westfield MK 13x111 w/”flex” hopper SKID LOADERS option, like new, consigned ...... $28,500 Bobcat S185, cab, heat, new tires $15,800 CONSIGNED NH L175, cab/heat/AC, 2 spd.

DMI 527B, disc gang. 5 shank, disc SOLD leveler, used less than 1000 acres $17,900 hydro, new tires........................ $22,500 NH LS180,cab/heat, 2 spd., DMI SG130, 15’ primary tillage crumbler, hitch for 527 DMI ripper............. $2,950 clean ........................................ $16,900 Wilrich 3400 FC, 36’, 4 bar coil harrow $9,500 JD 320, cab, heat, AC, 850 hrs., 2007 model .............................. $21,400 Flexicoil 17’ coil packer, 1-1/2” double coils .................... $6,900 Kinze 2100 mounted 12-30, JD corn meters, in-furrow, liquid fert., Sunco row cleaners ............................... $7,500 IH 706 gas, cozy cab, 2 remotes, BALERS 18.4x34 ...................................... $5,000 NH BB940, 3x3, applicator, TILLAGE single axle ................................ $39,500 Glenco F551B disc chisel, 9 shank, NH BR7070, net, twine, XS, 4x6 . $24,800 mulch bar ................................... $9,900 NH BR740A, roto cut, twine/net, JD 2700 6 btm, coulters, wide pickup .............................. $24,500 in furrow..................................... $4,500 NH 565 sq. baler, w/72 thrower .... $6,500 2) JD 3710 10 btm., 2013 models, JD 327 w/30 thrower .................... $5,500 hyd. vari-width ......................... $48,900 HAY TOOLS Salford 8214 14 btm. plow, NH HW365, SP discbine, 18’ head, 2012 model .............................. $53,500 turf tires, low hours .................. $78,000 Salford 12 btm. plow .................. In Stock NH 1411 10’ discbine................. $12,800 New - Salford 7206, 6 btm., NH 1431, 13’ discbine, LD on-land, coulters ...................... In Stock drawbar swivel SO ......................... $19,800 Salford 9809, 9 shank disc ripper In Stock NH 1431, 13’ discbine, drawbar New - Salford 9811 19’ HD swivel hitch .............................. $18,500 disc ripper ................................ In Stock NH 1465, 9’, stub guards ........... $10,800 Salford 9813,13 shank disc ripper .....Call NH 1465, 9’ .................................. $9,800 Disc blade sharpener, NH 499 12’ swing, 540 PTO ......... $6,700 all diameter blades ..................... $2,500 MacDon 4000, 9’ sickle................ $7,900 HAY H&S 10-wheel V-rake .................. $3,500 NH BB940A, tandem axle, rotocut, FORAGE LD preservative, nice balerSO ..................$59,500 NH FP240, processor, tandems, NH 654 RB, 4x6, twine, std. pickup, 3 RN ......................................... $39,500 crowder wheels, low bales................ $7,900 Gehl 750 chopper......................... $1,450 NH BR7060, 4x5, roto cut, twine/net $24,900 Miller 5200, 16’, right hand discharge, NH 1431, 13’ discbine, drawbar swivel, 12 ton tandem ............................ $7,800 low acres .................................. $19,900 NH 27 blower ................................... $350 NH BR740A, roto cut, twine/net.. $17,900 SPREADERS NH 1475, 14’ HS head, low acres, Gehl 1410 (NH 195), 410 bu. shedded, like new..................... $17,900 upper beater, endgate ................. $7,500 NH 1431 13’ discbine, drawbar swivel hitch .............................. $22,900 Gehl 1410, 410 bu., upper beater, endgate, double apron, hyd. drive .......... $10,900 Pro Ag 1400 bale hiker, auto load/unload TILLAGE up to 18 round bales, consgined $22,000 New Salford 7206 plow, 6 bottom, FORAGE on land, coulters ...................... In Stock CIH FHX300, tandems, processsor, JD 635, 25-1/2’, cushion gang, 3 row CH, HH, clean..........................Just In new blades ............................... $22,900 Gehl 700 TR3038, HH ........................ $1,950 MISCELLANEOUS Gehl 1065, TR3038, HA1000 HH ....... $6,500 Loftness 3 point flail mower ............. $450 NH FX25, RWA, 10’ hay head, RI 450, non-row sensitive head, will separate.....Call NH 918H 3 point flail mower ........ $2,450 WE SELL REINKE CENTER PIVOT IRRIGATION Sauk Centre, MN 320-352-6543 Pierz, MN 320-468-2161 Store Hours: Monday-Friday 8-5, Saturday Seasonal

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It’s How You Grow

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Reinke® irrigation systems are made to last, especially the Electrogator II™. We made the original electric-drive center pivot system even better by updating it with the needs to today’s producers in mind.

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As your Reinke dealer, we stand behind every product we sell, and you should expect nothing less than top-notch service, quality, and value.

Sauk Centre, MN 320-352-6543 Pierz, MN 320-468-2161

www.reinke.com

Dairy Star • Saturday, April 12, 2014 • Page 13

One of the herd.

Ever wonder why a Bobcat® loader is painted white?

It’s because our loaders have a long heritage as a dairyman’s machine. We still help dairy farms stay efficient and profitable, making ugly chores go quick and easy in heated, air-conditioned comfort.

Next to the bull, it’s the most important thing to build your herd. And we still think black and white looks pretty sharp in your barn.

Bobcat.com/Herd41 Bobcat® and the Bobcat logo are registered trademarks of Bobcat Company in the United States and various other countries. ©2014 Bobcat Company. All Rights Reserved. | 0214049

Authorized Bobcat Dealers

IOWA

Farm-Rite Equipment, Inc.

Swede’s Service Center

Farley

320-275-2737 • 888-679-4857

507-872-6206

www.jpscherrman.com

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Thermo King Sales & Service

Waukon

Lano Equipment, Inc.

507-377-1631

www.reiserimpl.com

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Bobcat of Brookings, Inc.

Shakopee

605-697-5544

J. P. Scherrman, Inc. 563-744-3393

Reiser Implement, Inc. 563-568-4526

Aldrich Tractor, Inc. Verndale

Dassel

Willmar

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Anoka (Ramsey)

763-479-8200 • 888-479-4342

218-445-5430

952-445-6310 • 877-753-6100

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Alex Power Equipment

Lano Equipment of Norwood

Minneota

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Albert Lea

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Pfeifer Implement Sioux Falls

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Norwood Young America

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Bobcat of Mankato

Long Prairie Machinery, Inc.

Peterson Implement, Inc.

507-625-4511

320-732-3715

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www.longprairiemachinery.com

715-672-4385 • 888-715-4802

Bobcat of Otter Tail County

Lund Implement Company

715-538-4381 • 877-604-5912

218-739-4505 • 877-852-3288

320-598-3150

320-763-4994

Mankato

Fergus Falls

952-467-2181

Long Prairie

Madison

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www.lundimplement.com

Bobcat of Rochester

Miller Sellner Slayton

507-285-0753

507-836-8571 • 800-658-2462

Stewartville

www.bobcatofrochester.com

Slayton

www.millersellner.com

605-338-6351• 800-597-2394 www.pfeifersonline.com

WISCONSIN Durand

Whitehall

www.petersonimplement.com

From Our Side Of The Fence

A) Both: What years and chapters were/are you in?

B) Both: What were some of the activities you were/are involved in?

C) Older generation: Why was it important for you to be involved in FFA? What do you hope your son/daughter gains from being in FFA? D) Younger generation: Tell us about your most memorable experience in FFA. E) Both: How has your FFA involvement inuenced your life?

F) Tell us about your farm and plans for your dairy this year.

Rolf and Emily Annexstad St. Peter, Minn.

Nicollet County 200 cows A) Rolf: I was a member of the St. Peter FFA Chapter from 1975 to 1979.

Emily: My chapter is the South Central Ag Science Academy and I have been in it since 2012.

B) Rolf: I was involved in Dairy Judging, Dairy Foods, and Speaking and Parliamentary Procedure contests. Emily: I have been involved in Career Development Events such as Dairy Foods Judging, Dairy Judging and Prepared Public Speaking. I have also helped with other chapter activities such as petting zoos for community and school events, fundraising and I am currently the chapter historian.

C) Rolf: Involvement in FFA was important to gain leadership skills.

D) Emily: So far my most memorable experience in FFA has been teaching Kindergarteners about dairy and agriculture last spring. We brought animals, including a calf, and a tractor to the St. Peter South Elementary School. The kids loved it and it was fun to see how enthusiastic they were to learn more about agriculture.

E) Rolf: The leadership skills I gained have been useful in every organization in which I have been involved. Emily: By participating in FFA, I have learned not only about agriculture, but also how to share my knowledge of agriculture with others. FFA has also taught me leadership skills, and I am looking forward to learning more about leadership when I attend the FFA Washington Leadership Conference this summer.

F) I farm with my wife, Jean, and brother, Mike. We milk 200 cows and raise corn, alfalfa and canning peas. This year we hope to nalize plans for long-term manure storage and upgrading some of our facilities.

Caleb, Al and Jared Wickenhauser Cologne, Minn.

Carver County 68 cows A) Al: I participated in the Norwood Young America FFA Chapter from my freshman year till my senior year in high school. Caleb: I joined the Norwood Young America FFA Chapter when I was a freshman in 2012. Jared: I have been in the Norwood Young America FFA since my freshman year.

B) Al: I participated in cow clipping, the corn drive and the dairy products team. Caleb: I judge anything our advisor, Mr. Mesik, asks me to. But I mostly judge soils, which is my main area of interest. Jared: I participate in the corn drive, dairy cattle judging team, dairy foods team, general livestock judging team and soils.

C) Al: I want them to be able to learn about leadership and responsibility. I also think it is a great opportunity to develop their speaking skills.

D) Caleb: I have only been in FFA for two years now so I haven’t done a whole lot. But I was a part of our annual corn drive. We broke the record for the most corn collected and the most money raised. Jared: My most memorable FFA moment was going to the national convention. It was a lot of fun. We got to tour a 3,000-cow dairy farm.

E) Al: FFA has taught me to be committed to what you are doing. Caleb: FFA has taught me many things such as leadership skills and responsibilities. A team can’t do well if everyone doesn’t do their job and pull their weight. Jared: FFA has taught me to be a better leader and lead by example. It has also shown me how to be a better member of the local community.

F) Our family milks 68 cows on our farm. We recently remodeled our heifer shed. We raise corn, oats and alfalfa for the cows.

Page 16 • Dairy Star • Saturday, April 12, 2014

How has FFA involvement inuenced your life?

Victor and Morgan Uphoff Melrose, Minn.

Stearns County 50 cows A) Victor: I was a member of the Melrose FFA Chapter from 1981-83. Morgan: I have been a member of the Melrose FFA Chapter from 2010 to 2014.

B) Victor: Dairy judging.

Morgan: Dairy judging and farm management.

C) It was important to me because we had a great ag instructor, Tom Sedgeman, who was also our FFA Advisor. Taking part in FFA competitions was a great way to use what we learned in the classroom. Morgan has gained many leadership skills and people skills by participating in FFA. D) My most memorable experience was when I attended the 86th National FFA Convention and Expo in Louisville, Ky. I met so many people, and we had the opportunity to tour Hunter’s Honey Farm and the Louisville Slugger Factory.

E) Victor: Attending meetings and learning parliamentary procedure has been very helpful as I serve on several boards in the community. Morgan: FFA has greatly inuenced my life. I have developed many leadership skills and how to run meetings as current president of the chapter. I have had the opportunity to meet many people and have made many friends. FFA competitions have increased my knowledge of agriculture. I have chosen to pursue a career in agriculture because of my involvement in FFA. F) We milk 50 cows and farm 230 acres. We have no changes planned for our operation until we need to transition to the next generation.

Tyler and Jim Kappers Spring Valley, Minn.

Fillmore County 50 cows A) Jim: I was in the Spring Valley chapter and involved for four years in high school and a few years after from 1973 to 1979. Tyler: I am in the Spring Valley-Wykoff chapter. I am a sophomore and have been in FFA since seventh grade. This is my fourth year in FFA. B) Jim: I was involved in dairy judging and served on the chapter ofcer team for two years as sentinel and vice president. I was also involved in parliamentary procedure and I attended the state convention four times along with the national convention two times.

Tyler: This past year I have served as the assistant ofcer in my chapter and was elected to be treasurer for the upcoming year. I am involved in Farm Business Management and I have shown at the state fair for the past two years. I’ve been to the state convention.

C) I wanted to be in it because it was a good student organization where I could learn valuable skills. I hope Tyler learns leadership and responsibility.

D) The best experience I’ve had so far in FFA was last year at state fair. I showed my cow in the FFA show. Since I’m one of the only dairy students in my chapter, I stalled with my 4-H friends. It was a good time.

E) Jim: FFA gave me condence from my public speaking and the many interactions I had with other people in FFA or agricultural organizations. Tyler: I feel like FFA is another step into agriculture after 4-H. It has opened my eyes to career opportunities in agriculture beyond just farming. I’ve also been able to see how passionate other people can be about agriculture.

F) Jim and our older son, Ryan, run the farm. Jim’s wife, Janet, works off the farm.

Ryan’s wife, Molly, also works off the farm as an agriculture teacher. Tyler helps on the farm when he can, helping where ever he is needed – feeding cows, feeding calves, milking or eldwork. The farm has 350 acres to grow alfalfa, corn and soybeans. This year we plan to put more stalls in the tiestall barn and go to state and local shows. Although we had a few Jerseys in our herd, we plan to concentrate more on our Holsteins in the future.

Dairy Star • Saturday, April 12, 2014 • Page 19

“Even at $10 per animal, we figure a 15-to-1 ROI...”

— Jan Sas

Jan Sas details his protocol like this: FIRST CALF HEIFERS: “Spray daily with 3 to 4 evenly-distributed vertical sprays on every quarter, starting 3 to 4 days pre-calving; continue 2x/day for 3 days post-calving.”

JAN SAS, NEW WORLD DAIRY, INC. — 1000 cows St. David’s, Newfoundland, Canada RHA 25,600 lbs (3x) 3.8 f 3.24 p; SCC 175,000 At New World Dairy, Inc., St. David’s, Newfoundland, Jan Sas reports SCC was lowered by 100,000 in his milking herd of close to 1000 cows after they shifted their priorities from using Udder Comfort™ occasionally and reactively on hard quarters to using Udder Comfort routinely and proactively on all cattle pre- and post-calving.

“Reduced swelling in the mammary system at an increased time interval leads to increased production for the complete lactation based on improved peak milk,” Jan Sas explains. “This is the biggest benefit of helping these animals get off to such a good start.

“In addition to the 75% decrease in rate of new infections alongside lower SCC, we bank on an 8% milk increase on our 2-year-olds due to improved peak milk yield. On a 20,000-lb heifer, we’re looking at 1500 to 1600 pounds more milk yield per lactation...

MULTI-LACTATION COWS: “Spray daily with 3 to 4 evenly-distributed vertical sprays on every quarter, starting 5 to 6 days pre-calving; continue 2x/day for 5 days post-calving.”

“All, simply by doing the pre- and postfresh protocol we developed (above).

“Cost varies a bit, but one 500-ml bottle of Udder Comfort spray covers pre- and post-calving use on 4 head.

“Even at $10 per animal, we figure a 15-to-1 return on investment (ROI) when using the average California milk price to convert the gains we see with our protocol on our dairy.”

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For external application to the udder only after milking, as an essential component of udder management. Always wash and dry teats thoroughly before milking.

Dairy Star • Saturday, April 12, 2014 • Page 21

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JD 8760, 6498 hrs, ‘92........................... 59,500 JD 8870, 5346 hrs, ‘94...........................$77,000 JD 9100, 4053 hrs, ‘97...........................$78,000 JD 9200, 5175 hrs, ‘97...........................$87,500 Case 9390, 6450 hrs, ‘98.......................$87,900 Case STX325, 1660 hrs, ‘05.................$138,900 Case IH STX450HD, 3010 hrs, ‘05.......$154,000 JD 9220, 2675 hrs, ‘04.........................$152,500 JD 9230, 1000 hrs, ‘10.........................$215,000 JD 9300 , 3750 hrs, ‘99........................$110,000 JD 9330, 721 hrs, ‘11...........................$255,000 JD 9360R, 622 hrs, ‘12.........................$265,000 JD 9430, 3121 hrs, ‘08.........................$201,900 JD 9430, 2050 hrs, ‘11.........................$227,500 JD 9520T, 4839 hrs, ‘02.......................$141,900 JD 9520T, 3250 hrs, ‘03.......................$158,500 JD 9520, 3918 hrs, ‘03.........................$159,000 JD 9520, 3022 hrs, ‘04.........................$166,000 JD 9530 , 2035 hrs, ‘09........................$215,000 JD 9530T, 2000 hrs, ‘08.......................$259,000 JD 9530T, 1247 hrs, ‘09.......................$275,000 JD 9620, 4160 hrs, ‘05.........................$169,000 JD 9630, 1436 hrs, ‘11.........................$249,000 JD 9630, 913 hrs, ‘11...........................$272,000 JD 9630T, 2000 hrs, ‘08.......................$264,900 JD 9460R, 720 hrs, ‘13.........................$290,000 JD 9460R, 178 hrs, ‘12.........................$315,000 JD 9510R, 719 hrs, ‘12.........................$295,900 JD 9510RT, 132 hrs, ‘13.......................$339,000 JD 9510RT, 330 hrs, ‘13.......................$343,000 JD 9560R, 900 hrs, ‘12.........................$315,000 JD 9560R, 559 hrs, ‘12.........................$335,000 JD 9560RT, 554 hrs, ‘12.......................$345,000 JD 9560RT, 263 hrs, ‘12.......................$361,000 JD 9560RT, 45 hrs, ‘13.........................$375,000 $

ROW CROP TRACTORS

JD 7410 , 6230 hrs, ‘97..........................$52,900 JD 4555, 2wd, 4745 hrs, ‘89..................$47,900 JD 4955, MFWD, 8060 hrs, ‘90..............$52,900 JD 8400T, 8169 hrs, ‘98.........................$59,900 JD 7320, 4850 hrs, ‘05...........................$64,000 JD 7800, 2wd, 7866 hrs, ‘93..................$51,900 JD 7130S, MFWD, 5348 hrs, ‘08............$64,900 JD 7210 , 3441 hrs, ‘00..........................$55,900 JD 8100, MFWD, 5839 hrs, ‘97..............$83,500 JD 8300, 4200 hrs, ‘97...........................$86,900 JD 7630, MFWD, 3260 hrs, ‘07............$116,900 JD 7820, MFWD, 3036 hrs, ‘05............$116,900 JD 7430, MFWD, w/ldr, 2700 hrs, ‘08. .$117,000

2 2 2 7 7 1 8 7 9 8 9 6 5 8 5 8 8 5 5 3 9 6 3 3 6 8 1 4 3 11 8 5 9 5 6 8 3 7 1 5 6 3 1 8 3 6 7 6

JD 7430, MFWD, w/ldr, 805 hrs, ‘10. . . .$139,000 JD 7130, MFWD, w/ldr, 336 hrs, ‘12. . . .$109,000 JD 8120, MFWD, 3206 hrs, ‘03............$118,000 JD 8320 , 6220 hrs, ‘03........................$118,900 JD 8130, MFWD, 3648 hrs, ‘07............$133,000 JD 8130, MFWD, 2300 hrs, ‘08............$108,803 JD 6170R, MFWD, IVT, 203 hrs, ‘13.....$162,900 JD 6190R, MFWD, 500 hrs, ‘12............$136,900 JD 6190R, MFWD, 213 hrs, ‘13............$145,000 JD 6210R, MFWD, 378 hrs, ‘12............$141,000 JD 7830, MFWD, 1200 hrs, ‘08............$150,000 JD 7930, MFWD, 3469 hrs, ‘08............$143,000 JD 8330, IVT, ILS, 3979 hrs, ‘06...........$154,900 JD 7200R, MFWD, 477 hrs, ‘12............$159,900 JD 7200R, MFWD, 150 hrs, ‘13............$160,000 JD 7200R, MFWD, 256 hrs, ‘12............$163,500 JD 7215R, MFWD, IVT, 134 hrs, ‘13.....$179,000 JD 7230R, MFWD, 150 hrs, ‘13............$172,500 JD 7230R, MFWD, IVT, 150 hrs, ‘13.....$177,750 JD 7230R, MFWD, IVT, 350 hrs, ‘12.....$188,000 JD 8230, MFWD, 2193 hrs, ‘08............$154,000 JD 8230, MFWD, IVT, 2055 hrs, ‘07.....$158,500 JD 8420, MFWD, 4700 hrs, ‘04............$144,900 JD 8430T, 3050 hrs, ‘07.......................$169,000 JD 8430, MFWD, 3788 hrs, ‘09............$186,000 JD 8235R, MFWD, 615 hrs, ‘12............$199,000 JD 8235R, MFWD, IVT, ILS, 200 hrs, ‘13.$210,000 JD 8235R, MFWD, ILS, 142 hrs, ‘13. . . .$220,000 JD 8245R, 650 hrs, ‘10.........................$195,000 JD 8260R, MFWD, 199 hrs, ‘12............$191,500 JD 8260R, MFWD, 87 hrs, ‘12..............$194,000 JD 8260R, MFWD, 221 hrs, ‘12............$197,000 JD 8270R, MFWD, 1350 hrs, ‘10..........$174,000 JD 8285R, MFWD, 1050 hrs, ‘11..........$227,000 JD 8285R, MFWD, 302 hrs, ‘13............$231,000 JD 8285R, MFWD, 843 hrs, ‘12............$233,900 JD 8295RT, 1350 hrs, ‘10.....................$212,000 JD 8310R, MFWD, ILS, IVT, 179 hrs, ‘12 $244,000 JD 8310R, MFWD, ILS, IVT, 319 hrs, ‘13 $248,000 JD 8310RT, 129 hrs, ‘13.......................$245,000 JD 8310RT, 247 hrs, ‘13.......................$269,000 JD 8320R, IVT, ILS, 2653 hrs, ‘10........$195,000 JD 8335R, MFWD, IVT, ILS, 300 hrs, ‘13 $260,000 JD 8335R, MFWD IVT, 182 hrs, ‘12......$261,900 JD 8335R, MFWD, IVT, ILS, 364 hrs, ‘13 $270,000 JD 8345R, MFWD, IVT, ILS, 852 hrs, ‘10 $265,000 JD 8360RT, IVT, 500 hrs, ‘12................$285,900 JD 8360RT, IVT, 285 hrs, ‘13................$301,000 PLANTERS

5 JD 1710, 12R30, ‘97...............................$20,000 4 Case 1220, 6R30, ‘13.............................$35,000

8 9 7 4 3 1 5 9 2 3 5 8 2 7 8 2 9 4 6 8 7 7 8 3 6 7

JD 1750, 6R30, 3 bu, ‘14........................$37,900 JD 1750, 8R30, 3 bu, ‘12........................$37,500 JD 1780, 12/23, 3 bu, ‘98.......................$35,900 JD 1780, 24R20, ‘97...............................$39,500 JD 1780, 24R22......................................$46,000 Kinze 3600, 16R30, 2 bu, ‘05.................$49,500 Moore 24R22, 1.6 bu, ‘03.......................$54,900 JD 1770, 12R30, 3 bu, ‘02......................$49,000 JD 1770, 16R30, CCS, ‘13....................$118,500 JD 1770, 24R30, CCS, ‘04......................$82,000 JD 1790, 16R30/31R15, ‘03...................$69,900 JD 1760, 12R30, 3 bu, ‘13......................$73,900 JD 1760, 13R30, 3 bu, ‘11......................$73,999 JD 1720, 24R22, 3 bu, ‘01......................$47,900 JD 1720, 16R30, CCS, ‘13....................$110,900 JD 1770NT, 12R30, 3 bu, ‘11.................$95,000 JD 1770NT, 16R30, CCS/PROS, ‘13.....$132,000 JD 1770NT, 16R30, CCS/PROS, ‘12.....$135,000 JD 1770NT, 24R30, CCS, ‘08...............$145,000 JD 1770NT, 24R30, CCS, ‘13...............$185,000 White 8500-C, 24R22, CCS, ‘12...........$136,900 JD DB44, 24R22, CCS, ‘13...................$204,900 JD DB44, 24R22, CCS, ‘13...................$205,000 JD DB88, 48R22, CCS, ‘11...................$255,000 JD DB66, 36R22, CCS, ‘08...................$184,000 JD DB66, 36R22, CCS, ‘11...................$192,900

6 3 8 9 8 6 10 2 5 4 1 6 3 1 9 8 8 8 8 4 9 5 5

JD 980, FC, 26’, 3-bar, ‘94......................$21,000 JD 980, FC, 44.5’, ‘01..............................$22,000 JD 985, FC, 49.6’, 3-bar, ‘95...................$20,900 Sunflower 5035, 28’, FC, ‘05..................$25,000 Case TIgerMate 200, 50.5’, 5-sec, ‘10. . .$59,000 JD 2200, FC, 54.5’, 3-bar, ‘03.................$42,900 JD 2210, FC, 27.6’, 3-bar, ‘08.................$34,900 JD 2210, FC, 44.6’, 4-bar, ‘05.................$42,500 JD 2210, FC, 44.5’, 2-bar, ‘07.................$47,900 JD 2210, FC, 45.6’, 5-sec, ‘13.................$64,000 JD 2210, FC, 46.6’, 5-sec, ‘11.................$76,900 JD 2210, FC, 47.5’, 4-bar, ‘12.................$77,000 JD 2210, FC, 49.5’, 4-bar, ‘05.................$46,000 JD 2210, FC, 54.5’, 3-bar, ‘06.................$49,500 JD 2210, FC, 41.6’ , 3-sec, ‘13................$59,000 JD 2210, FC, 55.5’, 5-sec, ‘13.................$89,000 JD 2210, FC, 58’, 4-bar, ‘12....................$74,900 JD 2210, FC, 60.5’, 4-bar, ‘12.................$83,000 JD 2210, FC, 60.6’, 5-sec, ‘13.................$86,900 JD 726, mulch finisher, 30’ 9””, ‘97........$32,000 JD 2310, mulch finisher, 33.9’, ‘12.........$67,500 JD 2310, mulch finisher, 39.9’, ‘13.........$94,000 JD 2310, mulch finisher, 45.9’, ‘13.......$107,000

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Page 24 • Dairy Star • Saturday, April 12, 2014

EED ED SP

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Know your margin

What is your margin of milk price minus feed cost? While this is an extremely important number, most dairy producers only have a vague idea of what their margin is. Granted, it is not something that we calculate every day and it keeps changing with every monthly milk pricing. But knowing your margin of income over feed cost is a major component to the dairy provision in the new farm bill. How much margin should you insure? How do you determine how much margin protection you should sign up for, if at all?

Let’s compute an example: For this example, we will use a 100-cow milking herd that raises its heifers. For a 100-cow herd, we have 80 cows milking that currently cost us $7 per head per day to feed. We also have 20 dry cows that cost us $2 per head per day to feed and there are 100 calves and heifers ranging in age from less than one month to 24 months of

By Jim Paulson Extension Educator age. Feed costs for heifers vary with age but we will use $2 per head per day to feed on the average for all the youngstock.

This gives us a total cost per day for feed for all of our animals of $800 per day. If the cows are milking an average of 80 pounds per day, they are producing 6400 pounds of milk per day or 64 cwt. This gives a feed cost of $12.50 per cwt of milk produced. If your margin is milk price minus feed cost, what does that leave you for a margin to pay your other expenses? Most producers are somewhat surprised at how high the feed cost is when dry cows and heifers are included. Even if you think you can feed your dry cows for less, maybe even at $1 per head per day, your feed cost will still be $11.25 per cwt of milk.

As we look at the margin protection plan in the farm bill, we see where this comes into the future of our price support system. The old milk pricing support plan has changed. No longer will there be a minimum price level, no MILC plan, no export enhancement. You will need to make several decisions: • Do I want to participate in this program? Y/N • If yes, at what level of margin do I feel comfortable with? ($4 to $8) • What percent of my production do I want to protect? (25 to 90 percent) Take a look at the following table:

Table 1. Premiums are a cost per cwt.

Dairy Star • Saturday, April 12, 2014 • Page 29

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For our example, this farm milks 100 cows per year and produces 2.5 million pounds. There is a cost advantage for the rst 4 million pounds of a farms production. This 4 million pound cost break applies to the whole farm’s production for a milk production permit, not the number of operators or farm partners. There is also a margin protection cost advantage up to $6 and a 25 percent cost reduction for all producers for 2014 and 2015. This is an incentive for all producers to try the new margin protection plan for their farm. You will be about at the 4 million pound level if you milk 150 cows averaging 22,000 pounds per cow per year.

To participate in the margin protection program, you will need to sign up at the FSA ofce in your county and pay a $100 annual program fee before September 30, 2014. I encourage you to give serious consideration to doing this. It would appear that there is an advantage to signing up for the higher percentage coverage for your production at the dollar level you are comfortable with.

Since the year 2000, we have observed three-year cycles in the milk price, with the lowest margins in 2009 and 2012. The old milk pricing program clearly did not do enough to protect farmer’s income. The cycles would indicate that 2015 could be another difcult year. For this reason, it would seem prudent to have some margin protection in place. If the milk price cycle is low again in 2015, you will have the opportunity to evaluate how well the amount of coverage works for you at a lesser cost than in subsequent years.

I am sure there will be more information coming from the FSA ofces as we get closer, but this will provide you with information to begin your planning process.

P BARN PEO O O H PL DAIRY, E H MACHINERY & HAY STORAGE

E

Margin Protection Program Premiums Margin First 4 Million First 4 Million More Than Level Pounds Pounds 4 Million Covered 2014-2015 After 2015 Pounds $4.00 Free Free Free $4.50 $0.0075 $0.010 $0.020 $5.00 $0.0187 $0.025 $0.040 $5.50 $0.0300 $0.040 $0.100 $6.00 $0.0412 $0.055 $0.155 $6.50 $0.0675 $0.090 $0.290 $7.00 $0.1627 $0.217 $0.830 $7.50 $0.2250 $0.300 $1.060 $8.00 $0.4750 $0.475 $1.360 Premiums will be xed for ve years at the amounts shown in the tables, but will be discounted by 25% in 2014 and 2015 for volumes up to 4 million pounds.

T

Source: National Milk Producers Federation.

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Many mishaps remind farmers to be careful

Dairy Star • Saturday, April 12, 2014 • Page 31

With spring making its grand and much anticipated arrival this week, many farmers are pondering when they will hit the elds.

It’s no different in my On the Mark family. I have ve brothers and a brother-in-law who milk cows and they can’t wait to dig, plant and start the season.

With the commencement of spring eldwork coming shortly, this is a time when farm families need to be extremely careful.

I know from personal

By Mark Klaphake experience that living on Editor a farm has its perks, but it can also be quite dangerous, both in the eld and around the yard.

Below is a list, in no particular order, of some of the worst mishaps that happened on our home farm and the farms my brothers operate now.

1) Two of my sisters were riding the same bike on our eld road at our parents’ farm. This was an older bike that had fenders on both the front and the back. My younger sister, Linda, sat on the back fender while my oldest sister, JoAnn, pedaled.

Somehow, Linda got her toes caught in the chain.

It took her little toe off and severed the next littlest.

JoAnn had to carry Linda the rest of the way home.

My parents brought Linda to the hospital to salvage the other toe. JoAnn was sent back to nd the little toe, but never found it.

2) A hired hand for one of my brothers did not unhook the power take off from the tractor before driving away from a grain auger. The PTO still had the transport pin in. When the tractor started moving forward, the auger tires quit sliding and caught, tipping the auger onto the steering wheel and fender of the open station tractor. Unbelievably, the auger

didn’t hit the driver who was still on the seat. square bales and didn’t see a car coming up quick3) My sister, Mary, was steering the grinder ly behind him. He turned into the eld approach, mixer auger into the feed room when one of the pushing the car into the ditch as well. tires of the mixer started to roll up the back of her 7) Another hired hand for one of my brothleg, breaking it. ers was bringing up silage boxes and was driving 4) A couple of my siblings and I went to pick a little too fast on the eld road and subsequently up my brother, Jim, at his tipped the box over on its new farm to go to church. side. know ffrom personall We waited in the house for I k 8) JoAnn received a him. When he didn’t show experience that living on a broken leg from a cow and up, I ran to the garage to Ron was kicked square in get him. I literally clothes- farm has its perks, but it can the eye while walking belined myself on the way also be quite dangerous. hind the cows.

– running into the wires 9) My brother, Jim, that were strung across for lost his grip near the top of clothing; – it left me with a concussion and a bro- a 40-foot silo and fell down the chute only to land ken collarbone. I don’t remember a thing until half- on a pile of silage and be ne. way through mass. I only discovered my broken 10) My nephew, Brandon, broke his arm when collarbone when I couldn’t lift a bale of hay during it was squished between cows. He was switching chores that night. cows in and out of the barn on the dairy he operates 5) My brother, Ron, was driving tractor on the with his dad, Brian. small square baler with atbed hayracks where There are all sorts of mishaps that can happen the bales are stacked behind. The tractor had an at any time on a dairy farm. Although some can’t be attached loader that Ron drove into a powerline prevented, others can be, if we slow down and think post. The impact sent the two stackers (my brother, through what we are doing.

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Boiling dairy farmers

Do you remember that high school biology lesson about amphibians and ambient temperature? My science teacher explained it something like this: If you drop a frog into a pot of boiling water, the frog will immediately jump out. But if you put that same frog in a pot of cold water and set the pot over low heat, the frog will happily stay in the pot, even as the water gets hotter and hotter.

Eventually the frog will be boiled to death.

My science teacher used the boiled frog story The Next Generation during the lesson on cold blooded animals and how their body temperature matches the temperature of their surroundings. The premise of the boiled frog story is that amphibians and other cold blooded animals don't notice gradual changes in temperature.

Experiments done by scientists in the 1800s provided the basis for the story, but modern biologists have found aws in those experiments. Frogs won't allow themselves to be boiled to death.

Dairy farmers, however, will.

How many times do we nd ourselves in situations that we wouldn't willingly jump into, because the situation was the result of gradual change that

By Sadie Frericks we just kept accepting?

Columnist/Writer I don't think most dairy farmers say to themselves, "Let's nd ourselves 10 more cows so we can switch them in and out of the barn for milking."

Nor do they think, "You know, we don't have enough to do, so we'll buy a dozen bull calves to feed out."

No sane dairy farmer makes decisions like those. But when you add one switch cow at a time and one bull calf at a time, soon you're milking 10 extra cows and feeding 10 extra calves, and you wonder why you're going crazy.

That's how it happens around here, at least.

I can't really complain about the switch cows, though, because we've been switching cows for a couple years now. And we did take the winter off from switching. But now it doesn't make sense to sell the extras or dry them off early, because we'll be putting the cows out to pasture soon. It's just that taking care of switch cows living on a bedded pack is so much more work than taking care of switch cows living in the pasture.

The 10 extra bull calves were another story.

When the cows started calving again after our winter break, they delivered ve bull calves for every one heifer calf. Since we only had a few heifer calves, Glen thought we should keep the bull calves for a while. We had gallons of fresh cow milk available to feed them. I agreed that it made more sense to feed the milk than dump it down the drain.

So we kept a couple bull calves and then a couple more and so on. We did sell three, but that hardly put a dent in the numbers. Before long, we were bottle feeding a dozen bull calves. We ran out of room for them inside, so Glen made a pen for some of them in the shed.

In the past, we kept bull calves for two or three weeks before selling them.

Then we started selling them to a farmer who picked them up at two or three days old. Now, we have month-old and two-month-old bull calves. Discussions ensued about when and where to sell them. Soon we were talking about castrating and vaccinating and dehorning and raising them to 300 pounds, because we were told they would sell best as feeder calves.

We need W d to remember b to And that's when the water startbalance the financial ed to feel a little hot, at least to well-being of our farm with me.

By this time, we didn't have any our own well-being. more fresh cows, so we were hanging onto a couple of do-notbreed cows with milk quality issues, just so their milk could be fed to the bull calves. So we were milking extra switch cows to feed extra bull calves. And all of this was adding up to well over an extra hour of work each day.

Keeping the bull calves long enough to make good use of our fresh cow milk was a good idea. Really, the only input we had, besides a little straw for bedding and some grain, was the time it took for us to feed them. But, if we started castrating and such, there would be a much larger investment of our time and energy.

Feeding them to 300 pounds would require additional feed.

Finally, during one of our discussions about when and where to sell the bull calves, so we could get the most money possible for them, I put it this way: Well, what's the value of an hour of sleep? How do we factor that in? If we weren't feeding these calves, we would get done with chores an hour earlier and get to bed an hour earlier. (Or, more likely, we'd use that hour to do something else that needed to be done, and still only get to bed late, but at least we'd have the option of being done.)

We sold most of the bull calves and the cull cows a week later. Chores take less time. We get to bed earlier. I don't feel like I'm going crazy anymore.

We need to remember to balance the nancial well-being of our farm with our own well-being. After all, money is only money. We don't need more than enough.

I'm going to try hard to remember that next time – before the water starts to heat up.

Sadie and her husband, Glen, milk 75 cows near Melrose, Minn. They have three children – Dan, 7, Monika, 5, and Daphne, 1. Sadie also writes a blog at www.dairygoodlife.com. She can be reached at gsfrericks@meltel.net.

Dairy Star • Saturday, April 12, 2014 • Page 33

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Amanda Hartung Freeport, Minn.; Stearns County 76 cows Family: Husband, Randy. Children: Trevin (13), Abraham (10), Ethan (5), and Marissa (3).

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What’s the busiest time of day for you? We don’t have trouble staying busy all day, but with the kids, the evenings are usually a little crazy. We make supper, do homework, and as much housework as needed in a short period of time.

How much time do you spend doing farmwork compared to housework? Most of the time it is 80 percent farmwork and 20 percent housework, but in the crop times there is much less housework.

What do you do in your freetime and why? We enjoy spending our time with our family. We make Sunday our family day to visit others, watch a movie together, play a game, or go sledding in the winter or to the lake in the summer.

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What’s the best thing about farming? I love the exibility and being able to be outside whenever it is nice out.

When you look back on your life, what do you want to be remembered for? I want to be remembered for being a good parent and friend.

Do you have any ideas that could make farming easier for you and all farming women? We built a calf barn three years ago. It made our working conditions nicer and it is more comfortable for our younger cattle.

Tell us your most memorable experience while dairy farming. There are memorable moments being made every night during chores. I cherish the little moments of the kids biking through the barn and the jokes played while doing chores. Farming is a great way to raise a family and teach children great values.

One other great experience we had while dairying was the opportunity to attend the National Milk Producers convention in 2009 through First District Association. It was a great to see other farmers in different parts of the country having some different concerns and some of the same concerns.

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