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DAIRY ST R
Volume 19, No. 7
rbST use in the hot seat again
Processors in Midwest pushed to ban tool By Jennifer Coyne jenn@dairystar.com
As of Jan. 1, 2018, most Midwest milk processors will not accept milk from dairy animals that have been treated with the synthetic growth hormone recombinant bovine somatotropin (rbST). Most announced this change in early May, notifying farms that rbST use must be discontinued by Dec. 1, 2017 in order to comply with the January deadline. “Because this is a condition of membership, it is a requirement for all of our members,” said AMPI Director of Public Affairs Sarah Schmidt. Customers have made it clear to processors that they will not accept uid milk for cheesemaking or other dairy product processing that has been treated with rbST. “We’ve been very active with our customers, highlighting the safety of milk with rbST,” Schmidt said. “Ultimately, it came down to customers working with their consumers; it’s denitely driven by public opinion.” Clint Fall, President of First District Association, agreed.
“The Midwest is the cheese basket of the United States, and if customers want rbSTfree cheese, it was only a matter of time before we had to do something.”
“All dairy, all the time”™
May 27, 2017
“This was denitely a dream of mine, and I’m so thankful it’s happening.” – Quinci Sherber
Dairy advocacy: A royal experience
12 named nalist for Princess Kay of the Milky Way By Jennifer Coyne jenn@dairystar.com
ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – On a dreary afternoon in May, a group of young ladies and their families beamed with joy and excitement. Dairy farmers and enthusiasts from across the state of Minnesota gathered on May 21 at the College of St. Benedict in St. Joseph, Minn., for the announcement of 12 women who will vie for the 64th Princess Kay of the Milky Way title. The banquet concluded a weekend-long leadership workshop, which brought more than 50 dairy princesses from across the state, including representatives from Iowa. “This was denitely a dream of mine, and I’m so thankful it’s happening,” Quinci Scherber said. Scherber, 23, daughter of John and Staci Scherber of Rogers, Minn., represents dairy farmers from Hennepin County. Growing up on her family’s farm and now attaining a dairy science degree, Scherber is eager to begin her time as a nalist and represent an industry that provided her with childhood memories and now a future career. “Living so close to the Twin Cities, it’s really important to me that people know that there are still farms in Hennepin County,” Scherber said. “Representing dairy farmers in this capacity is a joy – to share our life, the importance of milk, and to show that the
MARK KLAPHAKE/DAIRY STAR
Quinci Scherber and her dad, John, milk cows near Rogers, Minn., in Hennepin County. Scherber was selected as a 2017 Princess Kay of the Milky Way Finalist May 21 in St. Joseph, Minn.
dairy family lifestyle is still present.” Scherber’s father was in awe as his daughter was announced a nalist. “She does everything on the farm and she gets excited for the workload,” he said. “I’m pretty proud of Quinci for this accomplishment.” Also named 2017 nalists are Emily Annexstad, 19, daughter of Rolf and Jean Annexstad of St. Peter, representing Nicollet County; Anna Broll, 19, Turn to FINALISTS | Page 7
SARAH SCHMIDT, AMPI DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS
“The current oversupply of milk should not be blamed for this,” he said. “This was entirely consumer driven and our priority of maintaining current customers.” While First District Association has not previously recorded the exact number of patrons using rbST, Fall estimated less than 20 percent of the 916 members use the growth hormone. It is unknown just how many dairy farms will be impacted by this decision, but it is sending a strong message to the entire industry – a message that has many uneasy. “Farmers and co-ops are between a rock and a hard place – we have to choose between continuing to use an FDA-approved product or maintaining our customers,” said Chris Galen, National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF). “We’re working towards a more sustainable food supply, but with trends like this, you can argue we’re moving in the other direction.” This is not the rst time rbST has been under scrutiny. Turn to RBST | Page 6
MARK KLAPHAKE/DAIRY STAR
At a banquet on May 21 at the College of St. Benedict in St. Joseph, Minn., 12 young women from across the state of Minnesota were selected as nalist for the state’s official goodwill dairy ambassador, Princess Kay of the Milky Way.
Page 2 • Dairy Star • Saturday, May 27, 2017
DAIRY ST R www.dairystar.com
ISSN 020355 522 Sinclair Lewis Ave. Sauk Centre, MN 56378 Phone: (320) 352-6303 Fax: (320) 352-5647 Published by Dairy Star LLC
General Manager/Editor Mark Klaphake - mark.k@dairystar.com 320-352-6303 (ofďƒžce) 320-248-3196 (cell) 320-352-0062 (home) Ad Composition Nancy Powell 320-352-6303 nancy.p@dairystar.com Amanda Thooft 320-352-6303 amanda.t@dairystar.com Consultant Jerry Jennissen 320-346-2292 Editorial Staff Andrea Borgerding - Managing Editor (320) 352-6303 • andrea.b@dairystar.com Krista Kuzma - Assistant Editor (507) 259-8159 • krista.k@dairystar.com Ron Johnson (608) 874-4243 ron.j@dairystar.com Ruth Klossner (507) 240-0048 cowlady@centurylink.net Jennifer Coyne (320) 352-6303 jenn@dairystar.com Cassie Olson (715) 245-6848 cassie.o@dairystar.com Brittany Olson (320) 352-6303 brittany.o@dairystar.com
Advertising Sales Main Ofďƒžce: 320-352-6303 Fax: 320-352-5647 Deadline is 5 p.m. of the Friday the week before publication
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Deadlines The deadline for news and advertising in the Dairy Star is 5 p.m. Friday the week before publication. Subscriptions One year subscription $35.00, outside the U.S. $110.00. Send check along with mailing address to Dairy Star, 522 Sinclair Lewis Ave., Sauk Centre, MN 56378. Advertising Our ad takers have no authority to bind this newspaper and only publication of an advertisement shall constitute ďƒžnal acceptance of the advertiser's order. Letters Letters and articles of opinion are welcomed. Letters must be signed and include address and phone number. We reserve the right to edit lengthy letters. The views and opinions expressed by Dairy Star columnists and writers are not necessarily those of the Dairy Star LLC.
The Dairy Star is published semi-monthly by Dairy Star, LLC, 522 Sinclair Lewis Ave., Sauk Centre, MN 56378-1246. Periodicals Postage Paid at Sauk Centre, MN and additional mailing ofďƒžces. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Dairy Star, 522 Sinclair Lewis Ave., Sauk Centre, MN 56378-1246.
North America dealers. A glance at what’s inside
Dairy Proďƒžle brought to you by your
As a three-year grant study comes to an end for Dan and Crystal Ley, they welcomed fellow farmers to their 50-cow dairy near Richmond, Minn., on May 16 to learn about four options for cover cropping and which crop worked best in the given scenario – cereal rye, winter triticale, winter spelt and winter wheat. Learn about the affects of these cover crops on the farm’s economics, soil health and yield of production crops on pages 10-11 in ďƒžrst section. With May being ďƒžlled with graduations, we scouted out people who had gone to college before taking a leap into their By Mark Klaphake career as dairy farmers and joining the ownership of a dairy. We talked to both the younger and older generation on how they Editor worked together to make this change possible in this issue’s “Our side of the fenceâ€? feature. Read about their experiences on pages 13, 15-16 in ďƒžrst section. While some children grow up on a dairy farming with dreams of milking cows, Dustin Ebersviller wanted to own a zoo. After 17 years of growing his hobby, with African hoofstock and several species of deer, Ebersviller opened his exhibit to the public near his family’s dairy farm in Vergas, Minn. On pages 3-5 in second section, read about Ebersviller’s new venture and how many of his responsibilities on the dairy farm prepared him for owning a zoo. It’s been a wet spring for most dairy farmers across the Midwest, but Tim and Ross Blotz made the most of it on May 23 on their dairy farm near Dodgeville, Wis.; from morning chores to mending and building fences, the Blotz family had plenty to accomplish. Read about their busy day in our “Day in the lifeâ€? feature found on pages 16, 18-19 in second section. For the Tetzner family, summer means tourist season and more trafďƒžc to their onfarm creamery. Located one mile from the shores of Lake Superior, Tetzner’s Dairy has been processing milk from their 60 Holstein cows since 1976. In their store, they sell ice cream, ice cream sandwiches and milk. They also repackage cheese from local stores and sell local meat products. Read about how they manage their dairy and on-farm creamery on pages 4-5 in second section. Mike Rohe was the lucky winner of the annual Rock Pickers for a Day Contest sponsored by the Central Minnesota Credit Union and Dairy Star. His wife, Deb, had signed him up at the Freeport, Minn., branch of the credit union and was later told of his winnings live on-air with radio personality, Brad Mielke, on KASM radio in Albany, Minn. On May 12, nine people from the credit union and newspaper arrived to pick rock for four hours. Read on pages 28-29 in second section about how the day went and how many rocks the group picked.
Favorite quotes from this issue:
“I can get more done when I have too much to do than not enough. I just love to work. I’m a jack of all trades and a master of none.� – Phil Suess (Pages 8-9, Third Section)
“Over the past 10, 20 years we’ve been so focused and driven to do the best we can with our land, water and animals that we’ve forgotten how to open our barn doors and let others in to see what we are doing and why we are doing it.� – Amber Horn-Leiterman (Page 12, First Section)
32:
By the Numbers Average pregnancy rate at Truttmann Dairy, LLC (Pages
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Dairy Star • Saturday, May 27, 2017 • Page 3
It’s all inside...
FIRST SECTION
Richmond
St. Joseph
Rice
First Section: Pages 10 - 11 Kittson Roseau
First Section: Pages 1, 7
Third Section: Page 15
Field day demonstrates benets of cover crops
or n
Douglas Charles Mix
n nso
Lake
Moody
McCook Minnehaha
Hennepin Carver Scott
Brown Murray
Rock
Nobles
eu
Nicollet
Su
Redwood
Le
Lyon
Dakota Goodhue
r
Sibley
sey
Wright
McLeod
Renville
Yellow Medicine Lincoln
Meeker
Washinton
Chippewa
Rice
Wabasha
Cottonwood Watonwan Blue Earth Waseca Steele Dodge Olmsted Jackson
Martin
Faribault
Freeborn
Mower
Winona
Fillimore
Grand Meadow
Houston
Hutchinson
Suess juggles dairy and tackles four off-farm jobs Third Section: Pages 8 - 9
Ha
Da
vis
on
Sa nb
Miner
Brookings
Kandiyohi
Third Section: Page 11
go
Kingsbury
Deuel
Isanti
Dairy’s Star Youth: Kate Rechtzigel
isa
Hamlin
Kenyon
Anoka
Swift Lac Qui Parle
Codington
Benton
Stearns
Sherburne
Grant Clark
Mille Lacs
Morrison
Pope
Third Section: Pages 2 - 3
Pine
Douglas
Stevens
Schwabs run a small gift shop business, robotic dairy farm
Carlton
Crow Wing
Todd Grant
Gibbon
Aitkin
Ch
Roberts
Day
Big Sto Stone
Cass
Kanabec
Wilkin
Second Section: Pages 20 - 21 Marshall
THIRD SECTION
Pages 4 - 5 Tetzners operate on-farm creamery Pages 6 - 7 Stubrud to host 36th annual Jackson County dairy breakfast Pages 12 - 13 Kids Corner: The Sutter Family Page 14 Dairy breakfast a bright spot on cold, rainy day Page 10 Some Udder Stuff Page 16 Dairy Calendar Pages 17 - 23 Classieds
rse
Van Veldhuizen operation is the pilot farm for an automated milking system
Mid-American Hay Auction Results Pages 26 - 27 Crop and weather reports Pages 38 - 39 Dairy Recipes
Ottertail
Pipestone
Byrne returns to family dairy
Page 25
Becker
Clay
Rock Rapids
en
nom
Mah
Ra m
Norman
Itasca
Hubbard
Polk
Second Section: Pages 3 - 5
First Section: Pages 35, 37
Koochiching
Wadena
Ebersviller creates zoo alongside dairy
Kuechles host 10th annual Stearns County Breakfast on the Farm
St. Louis
Red Lake
Tra ve
Pages 22 - 23
Beltrami
Pennington
Vergas
Watkins
Schefers host school tour, educate about dairy
Lake of the Woods
Marshall
SECOND SECTION
Pages 6 - 7 Coulee Graziers host May pasture walk at Kling farm Pages 8 - 9 Famly Ties Pages 10 - 11 The “Mielke” Market Weekly Page 12 Dairy markets Page 13 Area hay auction results Pages 14 - 15 Dairying Around the World
12 named nalist for Princess Kay of the Milky Way
Clearwater
Pages 1, 5 rbST use in the hot seat again Pages 5, 9 Ag Insider Page 12 Industry promoting Undeniably Dairy Pages 18, 20 Repro Leaders: Truttmanns Page 22 The work of dairy checkoff Page 23 Celebrate June Dairy Month with breakfast on the farm Page 26 FSA News & Notes Page 27 The Transition Pen Page 28 Characteristics of high producing dairy herds in Minnesota Page 29 Visualizing dairy geography Page 30 Dear County Agent Guy Page 31 Pasture play Page 33 Dairy Good Life Page 36 Women in Jeans: Tracy Hartung
Turner
Bon Yankton Homme
Lincoln Clay
Union
Lyon
Osceola Dickinson Emmet
Sioux
O’Brien
Clay
Palo Alto
Kossuth
FROM OUR SIDE OF THE FENCE:
How has the addition of a younger generation beneted the dairy? Pages 13, 15-16
Plymouth
Shullsburg, Wis.
Zone 1
For additional stories from our other zone, log on to www.dairystar.com
Dairy Prole: Amber and Joe McComish Page 39
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Page 4 • Dairy Star • Saturday, May 27, 2017
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Dairy Star • Saturday, May 27, 2017 • Page 5
A closer look
Industry news addressed with help from your neighbors
by Jennifer Coyne
ConƟnued from RBST | Page 1
The naturally occurring growth hormone was rst researched in the 1930s, when dairy producers in Europe were looking for ways to increase milk production, according to a statement from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Nearly ve decades later, in the 1980s, researchers discovered a way to engineer a synthetic drug that simulated the effects of the natural growth hormone and produce it in mass quantities at a feasible cost for dairy producers across the world. In 1993, the FDA approved the product. “There’s more than 20 years of history with rbST use,” Galen said. “But from its inception, it’s been a source of controversy.”
something,” Schmidt said. Fall agreed. “Consumer demand, including customers that purchase milk, was enough reasoning for us to discontinue accepting rbST-treated milk,” he said. “It appears that most of the domestic industry has or is going rbST free, making it difcult, if not impossible, to do business.” However, dairy is not the only industry facing a demand for clean labels – with fewer and simpler ingredients – as seen in both the swine and poultry industries regarding antibiotic use. “A simple label is really appealing to people who don’t know,” Galen said. “If a word or term doesn’t sound familiar to them, it’s easier to say, ‘no.’” “The current Customers recognize this lack of knowledge and understanding, and oversupply of milk are catering to their consumers. For example, in 2016, Dannon should not be blamed pledged that all yogurt products would be made with no genetifor this. This was cally modied ingredients, including entirely consumer grains for animal feed. “It’s clearly a trend, and [rbST] is driven and our priority being swept up in the wave of companies on what they can say of maintaining current is not infocusing a product,” Galen said. To combat this growing movement, customers.” it is important for all in the industry to CLINT FALL, FIRST DISTRICT ASSOCIATION have a unied voice about the goodness of dairy and the management practices available for farmers. With the FDA’s approval of rbST “We need to stay united as an incame strong opposition from consumers. In 2000, several countries banned dustry and in our communications of the use of rbST including Canada, a positive dairy story,” Schmidt said. Japan, New Zealand, Australia, and “We care for our cows and the products countries within the European Union. we’re producing to share with families “[Those countries] set the stage to just like ours.” Amidst the positive messages beimpact our industry,” Schmidt said. A short time later, uid milk proces- ing told, a fear of the future’s unknown sors in the United States began bottling lingers as another management practice slips away. their product with rbST-free labels. “Safe science and technology are “At one time, customers thought not using rbST would bolster the overall critical for all industries,” Fall said. consumption of dairy in that bottled “How will this impact future innomilk category, but that hasn’t been vations to improve food safety and the case,” Galen said. “Using absence production, disease control and more? claims hasn’t helped anyone sell more We believe this is a step backwards for agriculture, and frankly, very frustratmilk.” That pressure trickled through the ing.” Galen agreed. industry, affecting yogurt and butter, “Once these tools are gone, we can’t and has now arrived at cheese procesbring them back,” he said. “There’s no sors. “The Midwest is the cheese basket sense in crying over spilled milk, but of the United States, and if customers how do we prevent another glass from want rbST-free cheese, it was only a tipping?” matter of time before we had to do
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Page 6 • Dairy Star • Saturday, May 27, 2017
Agriculture, dairy positively represented in legislative session Milk truck bill passes among others that signicantly impact the industry By Krista Kuzma
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the Minnesota Dairy Initiatives program, will continue at its current funding level, and the Minnesota Livestock Breeders Association will be maintained. There are two $1 million grants for value added processing, which includes both meat and milk. This amount increased from the previous $1.5 million in grants. Along with that, Livestock Investment Grants will continue with the amount being determined by the department, and each year there is a $550,000 grant for Second Harvest Heartland to buy milk for food shelves. Within the Clean Water Fund, farmer-led water counsels have been created to help voice the thoughts and concerns about water from an agricultural standpoint. “These farmer-led water counsels will allow us to take some of that money and use it for agriculture. It will allow us to do clean water practices on farms. Using that $100 million for farmers rather than just making a report that says our water isn’t clean … to me will be signicant,” Sjostrom said. Within the environmental bill, individual farmers can apply for an eight-month delay in their buffers along water ways, with the current law of abiding by Nov. 1 staying the same. “I think it’s reasonable. At least it gives people who are resisting this winter and next year’s growing season to plan for whatever they need to do. Most people are already compliant,” Sjostrom said. The city of Litcheld, Minn., will see improvements with $4 million from the bonding bill going toward its backup power generator. This will allow First District Association to continue with its plan to
ST. PAUL, Minn. – Despite efforts to nish the legislative session on time, Minnesota lawmakers didn’t meet their deadline of midnight on May 22 and reconvened for a special session the following day. Although efforts were rushed to nish, there were several bills that passed that will help agriculture. After passing in both the House and Senate, the Lucas Sjostrom governor signed Minnesota Milk the milk truck bill that increases milk truck weights by 10 percent for single-unit milk trucks. “It gives our milk truck drivers a lot more assurance,” said Lucas Sjostrom, Minnesota Milk Producers Association executive director. “I think this will help keep hauling costs down and will keep a lot of small milk truck drivers in business.” In the transportation bill, there is funding to update rural roads and bridges. “We haven’t had a transportation bill in eight years, so this will be a signicant upgrade for rural Minnesota,” Sjostrom said. In the tax bill, one segment includes a 40 percent reduction in “We haven’t had a school building bond levies on agricultural property. Sjostrom said this transportation bill in portion of the bill will make one of the most signicant impacts on rural eight years, so this will Minnesota. “For those who have one, that be a signicant upgrade will reduce your taxes signicantly for rural Minnesota.” on a levy, but it will also help a lot more schools pass their referendums LUCAS SJOSTROM, MINNESOTA MILK when farmers’ tax bills aren’t so PRODUCERS ASSOCATION high. I think that will have a really big affect on rural kids, not to men- expand its whey and cheese plants. “That’s huge for processing cation farmers’ taxes,” he said. Another portion of the tax bill pacity in the state of Minnesota,” included tax credits for new and be- Sjostrom said. Overall, there are aspects of ginning farmers – specied as anymany bills that are working in favor one who has begun farming in the past 10 years – in 2018 until tax year of Minnesota farmers. “Ag and dairy came out with a 2023. In the agriculture bill, the Dairy better tax position and better roads Development and Protability En- and bridges,” Sjostrom said. “I think hancement program, which includes it was a positive session.”
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Dairy Star • Saturday, May 27, 2017 • Page 7
ConƟnued from FINALISTS | Page 1
daughter of Dan and Kathie Broll of Chaska, representing Carver County; Shelby Campbell, 19, daughter of LeRoy Campbell and Donna Decker of Maple Lake, representing Wright County; Gina Holdvogt, 19, daughter of Alvin and Bernie Holdvogt of Freeport, representing Stearns County; Abby Hopp, 19, daughter of Doug and Heather Hopp of Chatfield, representing Fillmore County; Madelin Lindahl, 20, daughter of Kevin and Tara Lindahl of Lindstrom, representing Chisago County; Rebecca Schubert, 18, daughter of Jerome and Natalie Schubert of Rice, representing Benton County; Margaret Socha, 18, daughter of Michael and Donna Socha of Rogers, representing Wright County; Samantha Traxler, 18, daughter of Brian Pettis and Patty Traxler and Brian and
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Ashley Warren, of Meeker County, celebrates with her sister, Jill (Warren) Traut, who was named a Princess Kay nalist in 2007.
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Finalist for the 64th Princess Kay of the Milky Way are – (front, from leŌ) Ashley Warren, Meeker County; Abby Hopp, Fillmore County; Rebecca Schubert, Benton County; Shelby Campbell, Wright County, Quinci Scherber, Hennepin County and Margaret Socha, Wright County; (back, from leŌ) Anna Broll, Carver County; Jessaca Zuidema, Kandiyohi County; Emily Annexstad, Nicollet County; Gina Holdvogt, Stearns County; Samantha Traxler, Le Seuer County; and Madelin Lindahl, Chisago County. Heather Traxler of Cleveland, represent- sador. from this experience.” “I can still remember going to ing Le Sueur County; Ashley Warren, 19, As the banquet came to an end and daughter of John and Carol Warren of coronation for Jill, and she’s part of the attendees parted ways back to their Watkins, representing Meeker County; reason I’m here today,” Warren said. farms, 63rd Princess Kay of the Milky and Jessaca Zuidema, 19, daughter of “She’s helped me in so many ways – Way Haley Hinrichs reminded the young Jan and Jolene Zuidema of Blomkest, practicing my speech, preparing for ladies of the potential each of them posinterviews – and it took me a second to sess. representing Kandiyohi County. Throughout the course of the Min- believe that this is real, I made it.” “Every one of you has potential – Over the summer, Warren will par- whether that’s becoming Princess Kay, nesota State Fair, Aug. 24 to Sept. 4, the nalists will have their likeness carved ticipate in several county dairy princess owning your own farm or following events and also prepare for the Princess another dream,” Hinrichs said. “Never in a 90-pound block of butter. When Warren’s name was an- Kay of the Milky Way coronation, which stop working towards what you are nounced, she knew her parents would will be held in August on the eve of the capable of achieving.” have to make more room in the freezer opening day of the state fair. For the 2017 nalists, they will “Ashley and I share this experience, move forward with Hinrichs’ words in for not one, but two butterheads. In 2007, Warren’s sister, Jill (War- but she is her own person,” Traut said. mind as part of an unforgettable royal ren) Traut was also named a nalist for “She’s a people person and this is a good experience. the state’s ofcial goodwill dairy ambas- t for her. I’m excited to watch her learn
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Politics at play in omnibus negotiations Page 8 • Dairy Star • Saturday, May 27, 2017
Congress has passed a $1.1 trillion omnibus USDA leader plans Canadian trip spending bill and it was signed by President Trump. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue will visit This bill funds the government until the Canada in June. The Canadian dairy pricAg Insider end of September. There was hope the ing policy, which has caused heartburn omnibus bill would include help for dairy for U.S. dairy farmers, will be addressed. and cotton farmers. That fell apart late in the process. House Agriculture CommitSenate ag leaders seek action on Canatee Chairman Michael Conaway blames dian dairy policy Senate Democrats for political gamesSenate Agriculture Committee Chair manship. “It’s a classic example of what Pat Roberts and Ranking Member Debthe Senate does, in particular (Senate Agbie Stabenow have sent a letter to Agriculture Committee Ranking Member) riculture Secretary Sonny Perdue and Debbie Stabenow and (Vermont SenaTrade Representative Robert Lighthizer tor) Pat Leahy. They are reckless in the about dairy trade. In the letter, the lawway they treated cotton and dairy producmakers outline the recent changes to ers. I think they intended it to fail, and it Canada’s dairy pricing policies. “It is imBy Don Wick did.” This dust-up over dairy and cotton perative that we hold them accountable Columnist policy may linger into the debate over for policies that function as trade barriers the next farm bill. House Agriculture to U.S. products,” said Roberts and StaCommittee Ranking Member Collin Peterson joined benow in the joint letter. Conaway in pointing the nger at the Senate. Peterson said Senate negotiators sought additional baseline Klobuchar seeks improvements in the Farm Bill funding for agriculture without budget offsets. As the Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar said the process wore on, congressional leadership abandoned Trump Administration’s budget cuts are a big concern the entire concept. for agriculture. Klobuchar is also monitoring Farm Bill discussions. “We’ve worked hard to get ideas. Budget drama included dairy and cotton policy What’s come in clear, people like a lot of the comDuring Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue’s ponents in the last Farm Bill, but there are things that rst appearance before the House Agriculture Com- can be improved. The way crop insurances works can mittee, cotton and dairy policy got attention. Most improve and the dairy program, too.” agriculture groups agree that those two commodities need to see changes in the next farm program. A perspective on immigration Committee Chairman Mike Conaway used his time Approximately one-half of the workforce on U.S. during the hearing to again voice frustration over the dairy farms is immigrant labor. H2A visa programs recent budget negotiations. Conaway criticized Sen- are available in some seasonal jobs, but cows are ate Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Debbie milked year-round. As a result, the dairy workforce is Stabenow and Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy for not eligible for that guest worker program. Associated stabbing cotton farmers in the back by trying to add a Milk Producers, Incorporated public affairs director dairy assistance program during the nal days of the Sarah Schmidt cites a North Dakota dairy farm that work on the 2017 budget bill. has a special understanding of the immigration issue. “We do have a member who milked cows in the Netherlands, Canada and the United States. In each of
those experiences, she was able to work with a guest worker program that worked for dairy. In the United States, the program isn’t working very well. We want a program that’s effective and can be something that keeps the industry going. We don’t need any hiccups when it comes to working cows.” The National Milk Producers Federation, U.S. Dairy Export Council, International Dairy Foods Association and the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture were on Capitol Hill this month. During the congressional meetings, Schmidt said the immigration issue is connected to the No. 1 U.S. dairy customer, which is Mexico. “The second through ninth customers combined don’t even equal what we do in business with Mexico. It’s an important market for dairy products. We need to preserve our trade relationship with Mexico.” Grace period included in buffer language Adjustments were made in the buffer language within the Minnesota omnibus environment and natural resources bill. The original bill called for a twoyear delay for the implementation of the buffer law. Governor Mark Dayton said that was a non-starter and promised to veto any bill with that language. As a compromise, an eight-month grace period was included in the bill. Rather than a November 1 implementation date, this gives landowners until July 1, 2018 to come into compliance with buffers or the alternative practices. S/D report updates dairy numbers According to USDA’s supply/demand report, U.S. milk production is expected to total 216.9 billion pounds this year. That’s down slightly from the April forecast. The outlook for Class III milk prices was left unchanged. With stronger milk prices and moderate feed prices, 2018 milk production is expected to reach 222 billion pounds. For 2018, Class III milk prices are projected to be in a range of $16.40 to $17.40 per hundredweight. USDA is forecasting higher cheese and non-fat dry milk prices and lower butter and whey prices next year. Turn to AG INSIDER | Page 9
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ConƟnued from AG INSIDER | Page 8 April milk production rises Milk production in the 23 major dairy producing states totaled 17.2 billion pounds in April. That’s up 2 percent from April 2016. In Minnesota, cow numbers declined slightly, but milk production increased 2 percent. In South Dakota, milk output increased 3.8 percent. In Wisconsin, production rose 0.6 percent. Land O’Lakes begins year with an earnings uptick Land O’Lakes is reporting rst quarter net earnings of $110 million, up from $104 million in the same period last year. The dairy foods business performed well, due to improved margins for butter and cheese. Sales were also described as strong for the Land O’Lakes animal feed and crop inputs business. Undeniably Dairy The Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy has launched a new campaign to build consumer condence in dairy products. The campaign is called ‘Undeniably Dairy’ and will educate consumers about dairy foods and dairy farming. National Dairy Board Chair Amber Horn-Leiterman is excited about this multi-year project. “Now we have the means to open that barn door and really share what is undeniably
dairy and it gives us a way to reconnect with those consumers and reassure them that we can be trusted.” Urban Ag Day More than 1,400 third graders from public schools in Minneapolis and St. Paul had an opportunity to experience agriculture on May 9 and 10 at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. The Minnesota State Fair, Minnesota FFA and state commodity organizations worked together on the Urban Ag Day program. The students got a close-up look at dairy cattle and other animals. Farmers also spoke about modern farm production. Trivia challenge Congress approved the mandatory beef checkoff program in 1985. That answers our last trivia question. For this week’s trivia, what percentage of U.S. dairy farms are operated by multiple generations? We’ll have the answer in the next edition of Dairy Star. Don Wick is owner/broadcaster for the Red River Farm Network, based in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Wick has been recognized as the National Farm Broadcaster of the Year and served as president of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting. Don and his wife, Kolleen, have two adult sons, Tony and Sam, and ve grandchildren, Aiden, Piper, Adrienne, Aurora and Sterling.
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Heather Dose, of the USDA, hands out soil samples to aƩendees of the cover cropping eld day May 16 at Dan and Crystal Ley’s dairy farm near Richmond, Minn.
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RICHMOND, Minn. – Dan and Crystal Ley have always been stewards of the land, making management decisions that will further preserve the soil on their 321-acre dairy farm near Richmond, Minn. “For several years, we’ve practiced no till on our farm, and we cover crop all of our land over the winter,” Dan Ley said. On May 16, dairy farmers gathered at the Leys 50-cow dairy farm for a eld day, evaluating the economic feasibility and soil health benets of four late-fall planted cover crops. The Stearns County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) co-hosted the event with the Ley family. Three years ago, the Leys approached the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) in search
of ways to maximize their sustainability efforts. They enrolled in a study sponsored by MDA’s Sustainable Agriculture Demonstration Grant that evaluated the use of four cover cropping options – cereal rye, winter triticale, winter spelt and winter wheat. Each cover crop was planted on 75-foot strips of land after corn silage harvest in 2015. The 12-acre plot was alongside a 75-foot check strip. Data reviewed during the eld day was based on the 2016 harvest of the cover crops and a late-plant soybean crop. In the coming weeks, the Leys will harvest the winter cover crops for forage and plant corn. Throughout the three-year trial, the purpose was to answer three questions regarding cover cropping: Is there an economic advantage to planting in the fall and harvesting in the spring? Which crops do best? How Turn to FIELD DAY | Page 11
JENNIFER COYNE/DAIRY STAR
The cereal rye cover crop (right) surpassed neighboring cover crop winter triƟcale in growth and prots on the Leys’ 50-cow dairy farm.
Dairy Star • Saturday, May 27, 2017 • Page 11
ConƟnued from FIELD DAY | Page 10 can we measure the soil benets? With every crop examined for fertilizer use, yield and contributions to soil health, the questions were answered. Economically viable, but not for all In order to determine which crop performed the best, several factors were taken into consideration, including yield, nutrient values, fertilizer, and planting and harvesting costs. The production crop yield was also evaluated for impacts of the cover crop. With each number recorded, an economic value was given to the crop. “ We w a l k e d through each year and developed a framework of the results – what is the crop value and value of the land? What did we get in return?” JENNIFER COYNE/DAIRY STAR said Dan Martens, Uni- The cover crops developed roots that grew 3-plus feet versity of Minnesota below the topsoil. Extension. “The values of these cereal grains were driven by the rascenarios, and analyze your own results.” tion, whether that was for the lactating Cover crops uphold tenets of soil animals or heifers.” health Through each economic test, rye led Prior to the eld day, a large hole was in prots, but also in most cost scenarios, dug in the middle of the test plot – on the as well. edge of the rye and triticale strips – to “The more yield there was, the greater visually demonstrate the benets of cover the cost,” Martens said. “Hopefully, cropping on soil health. though, you have a greater value that’s Heather Dose, United States Degoing to cover the cost.” partment of Agriculture-Agricultural For the 2016 crops, rye resulted in Research Service, encouraged attendees a $7.07 net prot, while triticale, spelt to create small holes in their eld to learn and wheat were in the red with $50.36, more about the health and structure of $85.45 and $22.15, respectively. their land. However, Ley did not view the eco“Dig a little, learn a lot,” Heather nomic values of the latter crops as a loss. Dose said. “We can’t change the soil “Although the numbers are red, that’s composition, but we can improve it.” really not true,” Ley said. “We used that As there are visual advantages of feed for heifer hay, and probably gained cover crops atop the soil, the same is 10 acres for next year’s cash crop.” true beneath the ground as cover crops Martens agreed. maximize the four primary principals of “In reality, it’s not such a bad deal soil health. and we were able to accomplish other Disturb the soil as little as possible: things, like diminishing the effects of When the soil is disturbed, oxygen oversoil erosion and improving soil health activates the microbes and causes them to and water retention,” he said. consume organic matter at a rapid pace. Soil moisture, temperature and Keep plants growing throughout the infiltration rates were measured by year to feed the soil: If managed properly, Stearns County SWCD staff, and organic root structure from cover crops can extend composition was measured by James several feet below ground level. Schroepfer, of Ag Resource Consulting, In the Leys’ elds, the rye roots were Inc., to determine overall soil health of three-plus feet under the topsoil. each test strip. The result is added nutrients to the Within the test strips were two types soil, as well as a pathway for production of soil – the west side of the eld had crop roots to become established and more clay-like attributes, while the east easily nd moisture. side was coarse. Diversify as much as possible using All tests indicated a benet to cover crop rotation and cover crops: Corn and crops on overall soil health; however, soybeans are staples in the Midwest, under certain circumstances. however, there are other crops available Greener, lusher crops proved to for production during the off seasons, breakdown nutrients faster and provide Dose said. nutrients to the following production “You wouldn’t feel too good after crop, while a more lignied plant created eating donuts for every meal for 30 days,” long-term soil and water benets. Dose said. “Why would our soils act any “As a farmer, ask yourself if you different when they’re given the same need short-term or long-term results,” crop over and over again?” Schroepfer said. Keep the soil covered as much as Of the results that came from the tests possible: A protected soil reduces the loss strips, it was noted they are specic to the of essential soil nutrients in inclement Leys’ elds, and the economic benets weather. will vary from farm to farm. Based on the results of the grant study, “Economics was our top priority; and the expected results of the nal year, it’s what farmers want,” said Brad Wenz, Ley has plans to continue cover cropping Stearns County SWCD. “Take these ideas with winter rye after production crop home with you, test them in your own harvests.
Page 12 • Dairy Star • Saturday, May 27, 2017
Industry promoting Undeniably Dairy Dairy Management Inc. will launch new campaign June 1 By Krista Kuzma
krista.k@dairystar.com
Starting June 1, Kathy Skiba will be using her social media pages even more than she does now to promote her farm and the dairy industry. Although she will be doing it because of National June Dairy Month, she also wants to be part of Undeniably Dairy, the newest dairy community campaign that Dairy Management Inc. will launch June 1. “I think it’s going to be an exciting program for dairy farmers,” said Skiba, who milks 160 cows with her family on their dairy near North Branch, Minn. “It’s whole focus is to reintroduce people to dairy so we’re taking a whole new step back and saying we need to do this because consumers are one or two generations removed from understanding the dairy farm and where their food comes from.” During a media brieng on May 15, Barb O’Brien, president of Dairy Management Inc., and the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy, said this campaign doesn’t focus on just the dairy farmers, but rather incorporates all people involved in the dairy community – from cooperative leaders and manufacturers to retailers and industry representatives. “Farmers want to know that the rest
of the chain has their back,” O’Brien said. “It’s an industry wide, two-way campaign. Our ability to launch this effort comes because of the hard work of dairy farmers and the total dairy community.” Beth Engelmann, chief marketing and communications ofcer at Dairy Management, Inc., said it is an avenue the dairy community has not taken in the past. “Our objective is to really loudly and proudly, and in a consistent manner, engage with consumers in a way that we build trust and relevance over time,” Engelmann said about the multiyear, multi-media initiative. “It is not a generic campaign.” Speaking as a unied industry is important because consumers are receiving conicted information, Engelmann said. “People are beginning to ask – how much is too much from an environmental standpoint? how much is too much from a nutrition standpoint. Who better to answer these questions than the dairy industry and the leadership coming together in a unied way with a singular category idea,” she said. But the campaign will be managed in a uid manner. “We’re building something that is very nimble. We can evolve this in the moment. This is not an advertising campaign. This is truly a paid, owned, earned engagement campaign that we want to bring to life with the industry over the next three years, at a minimum,” Engelmann said. “We are really moving from responsiveness to
proactiveness …” The four pillars of the campaign focus on dairy products being responsibly produced, locally driven, nutrient-rich and a real enjoyment. The launch of the campaign on June 1 will include a nation-wide milk toast on social media. Locally, Midwest Dairy will be live on Facebook at 6 a.m. from the Krause family’s milking parlor in Buffalo, Minn. The campaign will also include partnerships with The Cooking Channel and Food Network along with relationships with 11 other food inuencers. On TV, there will be 15-, 30- and 60-second advertisement spots promoting Undeniably Dairy, and a pizza chain will feature the campaign logo on its pizza boxes. Ad banners will provide digital engagement along with video pieces and the website, Undeniablydairy.com, will provide dairy information. There will also be a number of on-farm events
across the country. “A lot will be going on in June. From there we will sustain. It’s important to know this is not a one-and-done campaign,” Engelmann said. Amber Horn-Leiterman, a Wisconsin dairy farmer and chair of the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board, is excited for the campaign. “Over the past 10, 20 years we’ve been so focused and driven to do the best we can with our land, water and animals that we’ve forgotten how to open our barn doors and let others in to see what we are doing and why we are doing it,” she said. Opening farms to consumers and sharing dairy stories will help farmers gain the trust of consumers, HornLeiterman said. “[The campaign] gives us a way to reconnect with the consumers and reassure them we can be trusted, and they can feel good about how their food is produced and the dairy farmers who produce it,” she said. Horn-Leiterman wants that to be the case no matter which farm milk is produced. “From my perspective, each of the 50 states has a dairy farmer and we all dairy differently. Sometimes that makes it harder to see what we have in common and what we can achieve if we’re all together and pulling in one direction. No matter how we manage our farms, it comes down to the quality product, we as dairy farmers are nally putting a name to it – that is undeniably dairy,” she said.
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Dairy Star • Saturday, May 27, 2017 • Page 13
How has the addition of a younger generation benefited the dairy? Wayne and Blake Bromenshenkel Sauk Centre, Minn.; Stearns County 60 cows Ridgewater College – dairy management, 2014 Describe your farm and the roles you both play. On our farm, we have dairy cows, steers, cropland and a custom grain roasting system. We raise corn, beans, alfalfa and oats on 320 acres. We are both able to do whatever job needs to be done. We work together on all the chores – milking cows, feeding calves and any other chores. Blake does most of the planting and combining, and Wayne does the spraying. Why did you decide to dairy farm? Blake: I have always had a passion for caring for and feeding animals along with doing eldwork. I have always wanted to come back to the farm. What prior work experience did you have before joining the dairy operation? Blake: I grew up on the farm working side by side with my family. I have milked cows for a neighbor, but that’s all I have ever done besides working on my family’s farm. What kind of information did you learn while in school or working elsewhere that you were able to bring to the dairy? Blake: A.I. breeding was one of the biggest things we improved, along with the importance of calf health for better future cows. What changes did you make on your dairy to bring in another person to the operation? Wayne: We increased steer numbers by keeping all own bull calves and buying calves from the neighbor. We used to raise 30 to 35 steers and now we are at 70. We have also increased our grain roasting business, because I doesn’t have to be home each night for milking. We have a portable unit and it allows more exibility with times to roast. Blake also got a Class A license. In the winter, he will help a snow removal business in Sauk Centre. How has the addition of a younger generation beneted the dairy? Wayne: He brought in some new ideas to better our farm. He does all the A.I. work, which should help with production. With him coming back into the operation it makes my schedule more exible for grain roasting and eldwork. What compromises have you each had to make in order to make this work? Blake: We haven’t had much for compromises since I grew up on the operation and when going to college I lived at home and drove back and forth. Wayne: One thing that Blake has really helped with is the breeding. He takes care of the breeding and tries to nd bulls with higher components with good strength.
Eric and Scott Hoese Mayer, Minn.; Carver County 130 milking cows Ridgewater College – dairy management, 2003 Describe your farm and the roles you both play. We have a diversied dairy and crop farm. Both Scott and Eric are involved in the day-to-day chores and milking. Eric emphasizes in herd management and accounting duties. Scott takes care of crops and equipment maintenance. Why did you decide to dairy farm? Eric: I enjoy working outside with the animals and being my own boss. What prior work experience did you have before joining the dairy operation? Eric: I always worked on the farm growing up, but my parents encouraged me to work off the farm so I would know what it’s like to work for someone else besides my dad. I worked one summer at a local golf course. What kind of information did you learn while in school or working elsewhere that you were able to bring to the dairy? Eric: When I was at Ridgewater College, I learned more about reproduction, herd health, nutrition, accounting and to network with other young dairy farmers. I still keep in touch with classmates and professors to stay up to date on new ideas and technology. What changes did you make on your dairy to bring in another person to the operation? Scott: We doubled our herd size, and built a compost barn and step up parlor. We sold all the steers to make room for more heifers. We added a TMR and rented more land. How has the addition of a younger generation beneted the dairy? Scott: We generated more income by increasing milk production and reproduction. Because of the compost barn, our longevity of the cows increased, therefore we were able to sell springing heifers ever year. Also, due to the increased income we were able to hire part-time help to allow us to have time off. What compromises have you each had to make in order to make this work? Scott: I had to be open to new ideas. Giving up control is never easy but over time Eric stepped up and started taking on more management responsibilities. Eric: I wanted to jump right in and change things, but Dad had to be convinced that change can be good. It took a while for my ideas to be implemented. In the long run, these changes turned out well. Turn to FENCE | Page 15
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Dairy Star • Saturday, May 27, 2017 • Page 15
How has the addition of a younger generation benefited the dairy?
Becky, Brittany, Greg, Garrett and Bernie Moorse Minneota, Minn. Lyon County 90 cows South Dakota State University – dairy production, 2012 Describe your farm and the roles you both play. Brittany: We are a multi-generational farm. We have a 90-cow herd consisting of registered Holsteins, Jerseys, Brown Swiss and a few crossbreds that we milk twice a day in a tiestall barn. We raise our youngstock. We also raise Holstein and beef feeders, have 15 beef cow/calf pairs, a dairy goat herd, 18 laying hens, and Mini Lop, Jersey, Wooly and Dutch rabbits. We farm 1,200 acres of corn, soybeans, alfalfa, oats and wheat. I am the main calf person, help milk and keep records. I also run our farm’s Facebook page. Greg and Becky: We live on a separate farm from the dairy. We have everything from calves to nishers. We have the heifers from after they are weaned and until they are ready to calve. Greg is in charge of feeding all the cattle. In the morning, he runs the feed wagon and helps nishing with the milking. Greg does eld work, most of the round baling and milks cows at night. He also assists with some of the goat birthing. Becky milks cows every morning and helps clean the barns. She helps their son, Garrett, with the goats. Becky runs errands, hauls and does anything she is asked. Bernie, Greg’s brother, lives on the dairy farm. He is there to help and do everything with the cows. His job is to A.I. the cows and be the night watch. He also does quite a bit of the planting. Why did you decide to dairy farm? Brittany: I’ve always had a deep passion for dairy farming. Both of my parents are from dairy families so you could say it’s in my blood. I couldn’t imagine my life without the cows. What prior work experience did you have before joining the dairy operation? Brittany: When I was in high school, I worked for the City of Minneota for the summer recreation program. When I was in college, I was a 4-H intern in Yellow Medicine County. After college, I’ve worked at the local paper, the Minneota Mascot, as production specialist, columnist and proofreader. What kind of information did you learn while in school or working elsewhere that you were able to bring to the dairy? Brittany: The biggest lesson was garbage in, garbage out. One of the images that had the biggest impact on me as a calf raiser was seeing the differences in a calf’s rumen development based on their diet. We also learned how to work with PCDart, and I brought the technology home for herd record keeping. What changes did you make on your dairy to bring in another person to the operation? Greg and Bernie’s brother decided to leave the farm. This left an opening for Brittany to take over calf care. How has the addition of a younger generation beneted the dairy? Our son, Garrett, had been doing quite a bit of the eld work since he was in high school. Garrett has stepped up in the mating of the cows. Greg and Becky’s other kids, Grant, Gared, Grady and Brooke, also help when they can. Grant has taken a job with a local elevator so he isn’t on the farm much. Gared and Grady are both in high school and are very active in sports and FFA, which keeps them busy. Brooke helps where she can. What compromises have you each had to make in order to make this work? Brittany: Working with family can be challenging, especially when everyone has the same stubborn attitude. Learning to listen to each other and know when to pick your battles is important. I’m the oldest of six, so nding a compromise is important. Greg and Becky: The younger generation is still young, which means they still like to go. The older generation doesn’t get away from home very much. Garrett only leaves in the summer while attending weekend goat shows. It’s hard for the older generation to give up some of the old ways of doing things. It is also hard to start treating the younger ones as adults and not as kids.
Jon and Michael Johnson (pictured from left, Jon, Michael holding Claira, 9 months, Sawyer, 4, and Margaret holding Levi, 3) Fountain, Minn.; Fillmore County 570 cows University of Wisconsin-River Falls – agriculture business, 2009 Describe your farm and the roles you both play. We milk 570 Holstein cows in southeast Minnesota near Fountain, Minn. Jon started here in 1978 and Mike joined full time in 2009. We raise all our own feed and replacements heifers. Mike is in charge of all the cows, heifers and employees. Jon does the feeding and oversees all agronomy functions. They both help each other when needed. Why did you decide to dairy farm? Michael: I initially went to college for something completely non-agriculture related. But after a year, I decided it was not for me. I wanted to work outdoors, work with animals, have the opportunity to be my own boss, be a part of a small community, and most importantly, have the opportunity to raise a family on a farm. What prior work experience did you have before joining the dairy operation? Michael: I worked for two dairy operations in college where I learned a great deal of information, both good and bad. I also had two excellent internships; one that focused on agronomy with Croplan Genetics and one that focused on cattle with ABS Global. What kind of information did you learn while in school or working elsewhere that you were able to bring to the dairy? Michael: One of my bosses was poor at delegating tasks and trusting his employees. I knew this was not the way I wanted to manage. I learned how to A.I. while working with ABS, which has been benecial. Being exposed to other businesses and different styles of farming is invaluable when you decide to return to a family farm. It is important for the younger generation to get off the farm and experience working for others before committing to returning to their home farm. What changes did you make on your dairy to bring in another person to the operation? Jon: The plan started in 1996 with hopes we would have a workable dairy and room to grow if the next generation would be interested. We built our freestall barn and changed our 40-cow tiestall barn into a double-8 parallel parlor and holding area. This idea came from Dave Kjome, extension agent from Rochester at the time. We have grown from within ever since. We had a sand hill on our farm, so we decided to try it for bedding and have used sand since. We also built a two-stage manure separation system in 2004. How has the addition of a younger generation beneted the dairy? Jon: The younger generation brings in a new view on dairy aspects to the farm. They make you rethink the reasoning behind our daily tasks. We have implemented technology since Mike has joined. Our CowManager system has been a tremendous help in breeding and cow health. Genomic testing is one of our latest investments. What compromises have you each had to make in order to make this work? Jon: We have been able to work together on most everything. We can discuss a situation and move forward without a problem. You have to let the next generation make their own decisions, right or wrong, and learn from them. The changes my generation has seen over the last 40 years will be minor to what the next generation will encounter. Mike: My dad has given me as much responsibility as I have wanted and too much at times. Being able to ask him questions and learn from him has been great. It has saved me from making mistakes. There have been times of frustration, but if one can step back and examine the situation from another’s point of view, it makes things easier. My dad always listened, but didn’t always agree to move forward on my idea. We value different things and work differently. Being able to communicate is by far the most important ingredient to make a succession successful.
Joe and Steve Hoffman New Ulm, Minn.; Brown County 135 cows South Dakota State University – dairy production, 2016 Describe your farm and the roles you both play. We milk 135 dairy cows, mostly Holsteins, but we also have Jersey and Brown Swiss. Most of the Jerseys are owned by our herdsman, Zach Novey. We have ve part-time employees that help with evening chores. We grow corn, soybeans, sweet corn and alfalfa. We farm as a family, which includes myself, Joe, 23, and Russell, 21. My wife, Kerry, is now employed full-time off the farm to help with insurance costs. Steve: At this time, I contribute daily to the labor on the farm. I milk weekday mornings and when needed on the weekends. I am also the main bookkeeper. We have a side business of selling sawdust and wood shavings for animal bedding, and I am the main delivery driver. It keeps me out of Zach and Joe’s way. Joe: I am co-herdsman with our long-time herdsman, Zach. I do the scheduling of our part-time employees and manage the manure, bedding, maintenance and calfcare. I also do our payroll. I am the assistant coach for the New Ulm Cathedral Boys’ and Girls’ Golf Team and our employees cover for me during the season. Why did you decide to dairy farm? Steven: When I was younger, I knew I liked working with cows. I enjoyed seeing them every day. I really like cows. When I was young and had to milk cows, it was comforting to me. What prior work experience did you have before joining the dairy operation? Steven: I did not work off the farm. During college, I came home most weekends to milk. My parents wanted me to work off the farm at one point, but I convinced them I just wanted to milk cows at home. What kind of information did you learn while in school or working elsewhere that you were able to bring to the dairy? Steven: I learned about genomics and have implemented the use of it on our farm. It’s slow going, but we are in the process. What changes did you make on your dairy to bring in another person to the operation? Joe: We really wanted to make our farm worth our son’s effort. We updated the milking parlor from a swing-12 to a double-12. We are in the process of looking at our options for expanding our herd by growing from within. How has the addition of a younger generation beneted the dairy? Joe: Just having their knowledge when it comes to computer technology is so helpful. They can sit at the computer and create spreadsheets in a matter of minutes; took me a lot longer. The younger generation isn’t afraid to use technology to manage the farm. What compromises have you each had to make in order to make this work? Steve: Compromise is key. I need to remember to compromise even if I am quite positive Joe’s ideas may not work. My wife has been very helpful with sitting us both down at the table and making us discuss our differences. I need to focus on compromising because Joe has a different philosophy on work than myself. He gets his work done, just differently than I would. I need to remember he is not a miniature version of me. Joe: Due to the economy in the dairy industry, I have had to compromise with not getting paid as much as I would like. I do help with the bookwork, so I know how tight our budget is. I have had to compromise on a timeline I have had in my head since I was about 15 years old. I wanted to buy into the farm at this time in my life, but now I will have to wait several years.
Turn to FENCE | Page 16
Page 16 • Dairy Star • Saturday, May 27, 2017
ConƟnued from FENCE | Page 15
Brad and Gabe Koll Sebeka, Minn.; Otter Tail County 300 cows University of Wisconsin-Farm and Industry Short Course, 2004 Describe your farm and the roles you both play. Brad is a rst generation farmer and Gabe is the second. We milk our 300-cow herd in a double-8 parallel parlor and farm a total of 800 acres, 640 of which we own, where we grow corn and alfalfa. Brad takes care of the nances of the farm, along with feeding the cows and hauling manure. Gabe is the main person in charge of the other day-to-day decisions about the herd – milking, calves and fresh cows. We have one part-time and four full-time employees. Why did you decide to dairy farm? Gabe: When I was done with high school, I didn’t know what I wanted to do. I liked the farm, but didn’t know if that’s the career route I wanted to take. That fall, I applied to the Farm and Industry Short Course. I gured it was only six months so if I didn’t like it I wouldn’t be there that long. But I really liked it. When I was gone, my brother, who was farming with my dad at the time, decided to leave the farm. If I didn’t come home, the farm would change drastically, so I made the choice to return to the farm the next spring after I received my diploma. What prior work experience did you have before joining the dairy operation? Gabe: I’ve always worked at home on the farm. I have never worked for anyone else. What kind of information did you learn while in school or working elsewhere that you were able to bring to the dairy? Gabe: I learned about a lot of things we had already been doing on the farm, but I never knew why we did them. There was a lot I learned about nutrition, especially heifer nutrition, calf care, reproduction and soils. It’s been awhile since I came home, so I can’t remember specic changes we made, but I know we made changes with the calves and nutrition. I also learned how to A.I. and sometimes use it on the farm, if necessary. What changes did you make on your dairy to bring in another person to the operation? Brad: In the spring of 2004, I had one son leave the farm and another son return to join the operation. At that point, I decided to make a change in management styles. With my rst son, we co-managed, which did not work. When Gabe returned, I decided I would shift the management to him over the course of two years. He is now in charge, and I am considered to be working for him. It has been successful this way. Over the years we have also added more cows along with more acres. How has the addition of a younger generation beneted the dairy? Brad: The younger generation is open to new and innovative ideas. They keep their eyes open to what works. Sometimes we old guys can get stuck in a rut. In the end, Gabe’s a better dairyman than I ever was. What compromises have you each had to make in order to make this work? Brad: I willingly gave up management to Gabe, but it was hard to give and sell the equity at a cut rate after working for it for so long. He understands the hard work that went into it, but it’s hard to accept that the equity is being handed to him. Gabe: I feel we actually work well together and have learned to stand behind each other’s decisions. We talk things through, but when it comes down to making a decision about something my dad is in charge of (feeding or hauling manure), he makes the nal call and I stand behind him. The same is true for me and when I make a decision about something I work with every day – we talk about it, I make the nal decision and my dad stands behind me.
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Jon and Lisa, and Tim and Emily Zweber Elko, Minn.; Scott County 110 cows Tim: University of Minnesota-Twin Cities – dairy production systems 2006 Emily: South Dakota State University – agricultural economics, 2004; University of Minnesota Humphrey Policy Fellow, 2007 Describe your farm and the roles you both play. Tim is in charge of feeding, cropping, maintenance, veterinary and breeding work. Emily manages calf care, milking and marketing. Jon is the general overall manager and does milking, feeding and cropping. Lisa does milking, livestock care, bookkeeping and marketing. Our farm is certied organic, and along with the dairy, we have direct-market meat business. Why did you decide to dairy farm? Tim: I’ve been farming my whole life and didn’t nd other occupations nearly as fun or challenging, so I went back to farming. Emily: I married into in, but I really enjoy it. What prior work experience did you have before joining the dairy operation? Tim: In high school I worked in cabinetry. I went to technical college for automotive technology and worked for two years as a tech before going to college for dairy production. Emily: After college, I worked for several state and national agricultural non-prots with an emphasis in education and promotion. I joined the farm full time in 2015. What kind of information did you learn while in school or working elsewhere that you were able to bring to the dairy? Tim: I learned many useful construction and fabrication skills as a cabinetmaker that have been useful for building livestock housing. Learning automotive repair trained me in electrical, refrigeration, mechanical and many other technical skills I use daily around our farm – either guring out why something isn’t working or how to keep it working. The degree in dairy production taught me a lot of veterinary skills, dairy business skills and the why’s and the how’s in farming. Emily: I took an interest in behavioral economics while in college. This interest and knowledge has helped our farm promote and market, not only our products, but also the industry as a whole. What changes did you make on your dairy to bring in another person to the operation? Jon and Lisa: When it was time to bring in the next generation we found our best option was to transition our farm and dairy herd to organic. This allowed us to receive a more stable pay price. We also increased our direct market meat business to add more income. How has the addition of a younger generation beneted the dairy? Jon and Lisa: The most obvious benet would be an increased labor force. It has also given both families the ability to get a break away from the farm a little easier. The younger generation also brings fresh ideas and perspectives to the farm that we may be missing. What compromises have you each had to make in order to make this work? Tim: I would have probably made riskier decisions related to expansion of business ventures without the checks of an older generation keeping me realistic. Jon: Including more people and ideas into the decision making process. We also have to take into account how the decisions we make are going to affect the future of the next generation’s farming career.
Dale and Mitchell Henkemeyer St. Augusta, Minn. Stearns County 47 cows Ridgewater College – dairy program, 2009 Describe your farm and the roles you both play. We have a 47-cow tie-stall barn and raise all our calves. We also nish out 20-25 steers each year. We have 210 tillable acres and we raise 100 acres of corn, 70 acres of alfalfa, 25 acres of oats and 15 acres of soybeans. Mitchell takes care of the dairy herd and I help him do chores. We work together on the crops. Why did you decide to dairy farm? Mitchell: I love cows most of the time. I also like the fact that we are producing milk and feeing the people. Being selfemployed is nice as well. What prior work experience did you have before joining the dairy operation? Mitchell: Since I was young I always loved cows. When I was 14-years old I started coming out and helping Dale. The only other work experience I have is when I worked at a local restaurant when I was in school. What kind of information did you learn while in school or working elsewhere that you were able to bring to the dairy? Mitchell: When I was in college I learned how to care for animals, genetics, breeding, feeding, shop skills and how to keep good records for business management. What changes did you make on your dairy to bring in another person to the operation? Dale: We are trying to keep the barn at full capacity, before Mitchell came back I would be down to 39 or 40 cows. We’ve also installed irrigation on 85 acres to insure a good feed supply. This is sandy soil and I’ve seen unbelievable crop failures here. How has the addition of a younger generation beneted the dairy? Dale: His optimism and energy of youth has enabled the dairy to continue. He came back and started AI the cows and has done a good job picking out good bulls with good type for our herd. I am 73 years old. You look at my age and you start losing strength and agility. What compromises have you each had to make in order to make this work? We simply have to work together. We split the milk check 50/50. Mitchell: I try to do what Dale has done; I’m more of a cautious dairy farmer. Sometime down the road I would like to build a calf facility. Dale: The only thing is letting go as you age. There is denitely less income, but I’m a frugal fool.
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Dairy Star • Saturday, May 27, 2017 • Page 17
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Page 18 • Dairy Star • Saturday, May 27, 2017
Repro Leaders
Truttmann Dairy, LLC uses activity monitors to catch heats, watch herd health
Dan Truttmann Truttmann Dairy, LLC Blanchardville, Wis. Green County 420 cows
What was your average pregnancy rate last year? 32 percent What is your voluntary waiting period for cows? 85 days. Ten to 11 months for heifers. What is your ďƒžrst-service conception rate? 52 percent What is your reproduction program? Do you use a synchronization program? We rely heavily on our activity monitors to do the work, and use minimal hormones. We only do a cleanup prostaglandin shot on cows that have had a retained placenta, and we don’t get many of those. CIDRs and synch programs are used on cystic cows and problem breeders, but our goal is to reduce the number of those over time by continuing to breed for better fertility and culling problem breeders. Cows that are 20 days past the start of the voluntary waiting period (105 DIM) get two lutalyse shots 24 hours apart and are bred off of their activity. Our Genex breeder, Lindsey Geddes, does a
RON JOHNSON/DAIRY STAR
Dan (right) and Dwight TruĆŠmann’s 420-cow herd maintains a pregnancy rate of 32 percent on their dairy, TruĆŠmann Farm, in Green County near Blanchardville, Wis. Dan is the ďƒžĹŒh generaĆ&#x;on on the family farm, which was established in 1899.
Turn to TRUTTMANN | Page 20
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Dairy Star • Saturday, May 27, 2017 • Page 19
“...setting our fresh cows up for...quality.” — Ben Post
CORNER POST FARM, Ben Post CHANDLER, MINNESOTA 50 cows 22,000M 90-150,000 SCC “We have been using Udder Comfort™ for almost 10 years for fresh cows and hard quarters. We like how well it works to soften and remove swelling, and no milk withhold,” say Ben and Wyatt Post of Corner Post Farm, Chandler, Minnesota. The Post family was Minnesota farm family of the year for Murray County in 2012. “We have tried other products that did not give us the results we see with Udder Comfort. It performs better than anything else,” Ben explains.
“With Udder Comfort, we are quickly removing the swelling and setting our fresh cows up for performance and quality. The benefits add up to a big impact in our small herd.”
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Keep the milk in the system 1.888.773.7153 1.613.652.9086 uddercomfort.com Call to locate a distributor near you. For external application to the udder only after milking, as an essential component of udder management. Always wash and dry teats thoroughly before milking.
Page 20 • Dairy Star • Saturday, May 27, 2017
ConƟnued from TRUTTMANN | Page 18 fantastic job getting the cows bred and is a stickler for details. She knows the cows well, and works calmly and quietly around the herd.
When tail chalking, we were breeding too soon, especially when using sexed semen. Also, focusing on cow health through disease prevention and good nutrition is our key to reproductive success. A good breeding program starts in late lactation by making sure the cow is in proper body condition and is walking well; thanks to good feet and leg structure and a good hoof trimming and foot bath protocol. A balanced dry-cow diet and pre-fresh diet ensures successful calving with few retained placentas, and the cows are able to get into a positive energy balance. Our good conception rate allows us to have a longer voluntary waiting period, giving cows more weeks to get ready for breeding.
How do you observe for heat? We have been using SCR rumination and activity monitors on collars for two years and rely solely on the system for heat detection. We were tail chalking, but are seeing better pregnancy rates since buying the SCR system. Lindsey gets an e-mail list every morning of cows to be bred and the ideal time to breed. She does her best to tailor her schedule to get here near the optimum time. She also uses the SCR app on her phone for updates as needed throughout the day.
Dwight and Dan TruƩmann usegroup pens with straw bedding for their calf raising program. An automaƟc system reduces labor and ensures calves are fed frequently. sire selection. Genex creates the mating for my herd, using bulls I choose based on pedigree and a type evaluation of the cows.
semen. Most cows are bred with sexed semen on the rst and second service, except in times of extreme heat.
How are cows and heifers bred? Do you have a different philosophy for breeding both? Heifers are custom raised from 5 months of age until they are pregnant, but the philosophy is the same: Keep them healthy so they show good heats and have high conception rates with minimal intervention needed. Heifers are bred exclusively with sexed
What do you do to settle hard breeders? We’ll use CIDRs on problem breeders and breed to beef for better conception. And, to make sure we don’t get daughters from problem breeders back in the herd. How many times do you try to breed a cow before you sell her? For rst-lactation cows, I
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Is there anything you have done or changed that brought about a signicant improvement in your reproductive program? The SCR activity monitoring has made a signicant impact on our reproduction success by helping us have accurate timing of insemination.
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try ve times if they are good producers with low cell counts. Most others we’ll stop at four services or 200 DIM. But, thankfully, we don’t get too many of those.
Tell us about your farm. My family has farmed here since 1899, and I am the fth generation to own and operate the dairy, which includes 400 acres owned and 400 rented. We have grown from 60 cows in the early 1990s to our current size, and have transitioned from Holsteins to crossbreds. We have been breeding to all Jerseys since 2012 and are happy with our decision to focus on developing a quality herd of high-genetic merit cows. My wife, Shelly, and I will have all three of our kids at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the fall, but we have a good crew to keep things running without them, including my brother, Doug, and father, Dwight.
www.albanychrysler.com
What is your breeding philosophy? How do you select bulls? What traits do you focus on? Does fertility play a role in bull selection? We use genomic tested sires in the top 10 percent for cheese merit, while being careful to avoid bulls with high SCS, negative DPR or a low Jersey Udder Index (JPI). I feel the cheese merit index and the JPI match the traits which are important for long-term protability. The indexes simplify
RON JOHNSON/DAIRY STAR
www.albanychrysler.com
How do you conrm pregnant or open cows? We pregnancy check every two weeks, using ultrasound on cows over 29 days and again at 80 to 90 days. Heifers are checked monthly, also with ultrasound.
Dairy Star • Saturday, May 27, 2017 • Page 21
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86,900
2013 JD 6125M, $ 125 hp., 243 hrs., #123591
6 JD 459 SILAGE SPECIAL, 2015, 2200 Bale Count, #137412.......................... $33,500 4 JD 459 SILAGE SPECIAL, 2013, #134718 ........................ $32,500 5 JD 468 SILAGE SPECIAL, 2012, 2215 Bale Count, #132115.......................... $31,900 6 JD 569 SILAGE SPECIAL, 2015, 750 Bale Count, #134962.......................... $44,500 10 JD 582 SILAGE SPECIAL, 2006 11436 Bale Count, #132056.......................... $18,500 10 NH BR7090, 2012, 7110 Bale Count, #133944.......................... $22,900 1 CIH RB564, 2008, 3080 Bale Count, #129522.......................... $23,000 SKID STEER LOADERS 12 JD 240, 2000, 1340 hrs., #138075.......................... $14,999 1 JD 315, 2014, 66 hrs., #113452.......................... $28,900 1 JD 315, 2014, 72 hrs., #113451.......................... $28,900 10 JD 320, 2007, 1577 hrs., #138120.......................... $19,800 13 JD 325, 2008, #138043.......................... $19,900 9 JD 318D, 2011, 389 hrs., #134073.......................... $30,900 9 JD 318D, 2013, 890 hrs., #135024.......................... $29,500 9 JD 318D, 2013, 945 hrs., #135025.......................... $29,500 8 JD 318E, 2015, 46 hrs., #134905.......................... $36,900 8 JD 318E, 2015, 478 hrs., #136780.......................... $33,500 8 JD 318E, 2015, 2200 hrs., #135979.......................... $26,500 8 JD 320D, 2013, 1020 hrs., #133492.......................... $32,900 8 JD 320E, 2015, 115 hrs., #130568.......................... $39,900 2 JD 320E, 2015, 178 hrs., #115882.......................... $38,465 4 JD 320E, 2014, 475 hrs., #135901.......................... $35,900 4 JD 320E, 2014, 601 hrs., #134794.......................... $34,900
JD 4995, 2009, 1450 hrs., #132150
82,500
$
10 JD 320E, 2014, 1026 hrs., #135139.......................... $34,900 6 JD 320E, 2015, 1591 hrs., #134169.......................... $30,900 5 JD 320E, 2014, 1813 hrs., #125994.......................... $28,900 10 JD 320E, 2015, 2290 hrs., #135972.......................... $26,900 8 JD 324E, 2016, 60 hrs., #137786.......................... $45,000 6 JD 324E, 2016, 295 hrs., #138222..........................$41,000 7 JD 326D, 2012, 210 hrs., #135673.......................... $40,500 7 JD 326D, 2012, 250 hrs., #135015.......................... $38,500 4 JD 326E, 2016, 108 hrs., #138239.......................... $46,000 9 JD 326E, 2016, 65 hrs., #126370.......................... $45,900 12 JD 326E, 2015, 136 hrs., #118578.......................... $44,900 6 JD 326E, 2014, 210 hrs., #131457.......................... $42,900 4 JD 326E, 2014, 860 hrs., #127652.......................... $37,500 2 JD 326E, 2014, 1951 hrs., #126744.......................... $29,900 11 JD 328E, 2014, 531 hrs., #127230.......................... $46,900 4 JD 332D, 2012, 612 hrs., #127231.......................... $46,000 11 JD 332E, 2015, 122 hrs., #135560.......................... $55,000 8 JD 332E, 2014, 1345 hrs., #132664.......................... $42,900 11 Bobcat S130, 2008, 252 hrs., #136868.......................... $27,300 7 Bobcat S185, 2008, 5666 hrs., #134431.......................... $18,900 WINDROWERS 2 JD 4995, 2009, 1450 hrs., #132150.......................... $82,500 5 JD W235, 2014, 584 hrs., #134973........................$145,000 6 JD W235, 2014, 865 hrs., #133186........................$139,000 8 JD W260, 2015, 417 hrs., #132464........................$162,000
JD 6140D, 2013, $ 140 hp., 378 hrs., #131138
62,500
Page 22 • Dairy Star • Saturday, May 27, 2017
OPENINGS AVAILABLE!
Feine-Est Heifer Farm has openings for 500 head of dairy replacement heifers from wet calves to springers.
‘12 Meyer MS 350 Spreader, Excellent Condition - $9,500
We are a family-run operation with 19 years of heifer raising experience in Rushford, MN. We believe that a strong herd starts with strong nutrition and attention to care. We keep meticulous records, well-ventilated barns and practice humanely. Excellent references available.
‘10 Kuhn Knight 8118 Slinger Spreader, going thru shop, new
hammers and bearings, nice shape
Call on price
W.H. Lien Inc.
N8974 Pole Grove Rd. • Hixton, WI
715-963-4211
Sales & Service of New & Used Farm Machine ry
FEINE-EST HEIFER FARM
FeineEstFarm@gmail.com
Glen (507) 429-4234 FOUNDER Marcie (507) 429-4235 NURSERY MANAGER Amber (507) 450-3021 CFO/RECORDS
Put the PLUS+ in your milk quality
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Consistent milking routine, better milking speed and better monitoring of milking points
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Your partners in dairy production We offer a complete range of products to our customers. We service what we sell to help keep your farm in top shape. Our goal is to make you more profitable and more efficient through innovative equipment, aftermarket solutions, scheduled maintenance and 24 hour emergency services.
www.delaval.com
Contact one of the following dealers to learn more: IOWA Kramer Bros. Monticello, IA 319-465-5931 Prairie Land Ag Supply Inc. Rock Valley, IA 712-476-9290 United-Suckow Dairy Supply West Union, IA 563-422-5355 Postville, IA 563-864-7417
WISCONSIN Advanced Dairy/Bob’s Dairy Supply Spring Valley, WI 715-772-3201 Ederer Dairy Supply Plain, WI 608-546-3713 Joe’s Refrigeration Inc. Withee, WI 715-229-2321 Mlsna Dairy Supply Inc. Cashton, WI 608-654-5106 Professional Dairy Services Waunakee, WI 608-849-5043
Mondovi Dairy Systems Inc. Mondovi, WI 715-926-5777 West Salem, WI 608-769-2113 The Scharine Group Inc. Whitewater, WI 800 472-2880 Mt Horeb, WI 800-872-3470 MINNESOTA & SOUTH DAKOTA D&D Ag Supply Pennock, MN 320-599-4466
East Central Dairy Supply Mora, MN 320-679-1029 Genex Farm Systems Melrose, MN 320-256-3276 Watertown, MN 605-886-7401 Sioux Falls, SD 800-284-0015 S&S Dairy System LLC St. Charles, MN 507-932-4288 Professional Dairy Systems Wadena, MN 218-632-5416
is a registered trademark of Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. and “DeLaval” is a registered trade/servicemark of DeLaval Holding AB © 2017 DeLaval Inc. DeLaval, 11100 North Congress Avenue, Kansas City, Missouri 64153-1296. www.delaval.com
The work of dairy checkoff
I’ve had a couple of experiences the last few weeks which reminded me of the important mission of your dairy checkoff. One experience was a trip to Washington, D.C., to sit in on a meeting of most of the commodity checkoff groups operating across the United States, representing products from soybeans to watermelons, and quite a few in between. The conversation reminded me of the huge responsibility we have to both farmers and consumers. One part of our discussion was focused on how a checkoff is sometimes misunderstood. Lawmakers often mistake the checkoff for an effort funded by By Lucas Lentsch taxpayers, rather than the farm- Midwest Dairy ers who produce the commod- Association CEO ity. We each have a charge to help legislators understand that farmers are the ones investing in the checkoff’s work to promote dairy products, educate consumers on nutrition and food safety, and research new dairy uses. By law, Midwest Dairy and other checkoff groups cannot lobby or take a position on policy, but we can help legislators understand the work of our checkoff organization. I encourage you to reach out to your elected federal lawmakers and explain how you’ve invested in the dairy checkoff. Another experience addresses our ongoing commitment to consumers on your behalf. We’re preparing a new strategic plan to guide us for the next few years – using input gathered from our dairy farmer board, project partners, our staff and stakeholders. In fact, Dairy Star was among those interviewed. The feedback clearly revealed that as Midwest Dairy, we are expected to build a bridge between consumers and dairy farm families. It’s easy to imagine farmers on one side of a table and consumers on the other. Those of us on the farmer side speak to each other easily, and we’re pretty good at talking at the other side (the consumer). But I wonder, could we do better if we walked around to the other side of the table and sat down with the consumer for a while?
C Consumers h have said id ffarmers are trustworthy. Trust gives farmers a unique opportunity to lead the food conversation... Consumers have said farmers are trustworthy. Trust gives farmers a unique opportunity to lead the food conversation, not just follow the work of brands that capitalize on the latest hot product trend. And the best way to lead a conversation just might be to reinvent ourselves; not necessarily bending to the whims of the consumer, but truly thinking about how we can give consumers dairy in whatever form they prefer. When the dairy checkoff began in 1984, there were certain expectations for the promotion, education and product research work which would ensue. But our industry and our consumers have changed. The money you invest in the dairy checkoff in 2017 will be spent differently than in 1984. There was a time when we may have thought we could educate our way into increased dairy consumption. That’s no longer the case. The consumer wants to know how choosing dairy benets their life. We need to meet the consumer where they are. The food conversation happening in our country and around the world is full of noise. As we look to the future, we’re thinking about where we haven’t yet been, and making sure we continue to speak the truth about dairy in a way that gives everyone the freedom to come home to dairy. Together, we can each do our part to join the conversation; not by shouting but by listening, then leading.
Celebrate June Dairy Month with breakfast on the farm
Dairy Star • Saturday, May 27, 2017 • Page 23
C L E A N R O TA R Y R A K I N G A C T I O N
West Central Dairy Days, June 2-23 West Central Dairy Days begins June 2 in Willmar, Minn. with the KWLM Open Mic Radio Show at 10:10 a.m. On June 8-9, Build-A-Burger at Cashwise from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. both days. On June 10, there will be a dairy farm open house at Youngren Dairy from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. A Prairie Winds Community Band Concert will be 7 p.m. on June 14 in Rice Park, Willmar. On June 16, there will be Movie in the Park at Robbins Island at 8 p.m. An ice cream social along with a free West Central Chorus Concert at the Willmar Community Activity Center at 7:30 p.m. on June 19. A dairy cattle show will be at the Kandiyohi County Fairgrounds from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on June 30. Clay County Breakfast on the Farm, June 3 The Clay County Breakfast on the Farm will be 7 a.m. to Noon at Kasin Farmers in Hawley, Minn. Menu includes pancakes, sausage, scrambled eggs with cheese, milk and coffee. Free parking with shuttle wagons. Cost is a free will offering. For more information, contact Keith or Lori Aakre, 218-937-5514 or 218979979-1609. Stearns County Breakfast on the Farm, June 3 The Stearns County Breakfast on the Farm will be 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Kuechle Dairy near Eden Valley, Minn. Free shuttle bus will be departing the Eden Valley Elementary School parking lot. Cost is $5 for adults, children 5 and under are free. Menu includes French toast, eggs, milk and juice. Activities include obstacle course, horse drawn wagon rides and other activities for children. For more information, contact Tara Meyer, tara.meyer15@gmail.com. Wabasha Family Night on the Farm, June 8 The Wabasha Family Night on the Farm will be 4:30 - 8:30 p.m. at a farm near Plainview, Minn. From Plainview go to the four-way stop and head east on County Road 8, which will turn into County Road 30. Look for signs. Parking is limited at the farm. Look for posters with bus information. Cost of the meal is $3. Activities include a petting zoo, history of milking, kids sand pile with prizes, kids pedal tractor and old and new tractor displays. For more information, contact Katie Brown, 507-951-2951.
A NEW WORLD DEMANDS PROROTOR™ ROTARY HAY RAKES.
New Holland ProRotor™ rotary hay rakes improve your forage quality by cleanly raking each Äeld and retaining more leaves. The secret is in the rotary raking action. Like a mechanical pitchfork, each tine arm uses Åexible tines to lift and carry the crop to the windrow. Unlike ground-engaging rakes, the long ProRotor tines don’t need to touch the soil, so there is less risk of contaminants being swept into the windrow. The gentle rotary action builds a well-shaped windrow without roping, and promotes continued drying after the hay is raked. That means you can rake earlier when the crop is at a higher moisture content for better leaf retention, resulting in higher forage quality. Prorotor has a narrow transport width for safety on the road. Learn more about this Prorotor at www.newholland. com/na 3114 3223 3226 DEUTSCHLAND INDUSTRIAL 13’ 9” 21’ 8” 23’ TO 25’ 7” NORM WORKING WIDTH
N E W W AY S T O D R Y H AY
T H E P R O F E S S I O N A L W AY
Morrison County Breakfast on the Farm, June 10 The Morrison County Breakfast on the Farm will be 7:30 - 11:30 a.m. at Roerview Dairy Farm near Upsala, Minn. Join in celebrating June Dairy Month by taking part in a fun morning of farm life, showcasing a wide array of activities. Breakfast includes pancakes, sausage, eggs, milk, coffee all available for free will donation. Morrison County Dairy Princesses will be handing out ice cream. Princess Kay of the Milky Way will be making an appearance also. Activities include farm tours, FFA petting zoo, and obstacle course. Shuttle buses will be at St. Mary’s Church and Upsala school parking lot. No parking on the farm. For more information, contact Kenneth Fellbaum, 320-630-8601. 10th annual Breakfast on the Farm at Royalwood Dairy, June 10 The 10th annual Breakfast on the Farm hosted by the Ode Family at Royalwood Dairy near Brandon, S.D. is 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Activities include farm tours, petting calves, meeting the milk cows, create Make N’Take crafts and sing with Phil Baker from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. General parking is located at Riveria Events Center, watch for signs. Limited handicap accessible parking is located at the farm, 48170 266th St. For more information, visit www.agunited.org. Taste of the Farm, June 13 The 11th annual Taste of the Farm event will be June 13 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Farmamerica, which is located at 7367 360th Avenue in Waseca. The event is free to attend. The event will feature: farm animals and farm equipment, live entertainment by The Moogican, games and activities for children, tram rides around Farmamerica. Free meal (serving until gone) including hamburgers and pork sandwiches. Parking is available on site. For more information, contact Ashley Harguth, 507-461-2098. Dodge County Dinner with a Farmer, June 15 The Dodge County Dinner with a Farmer will be 5-7 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Park in Kasson, Minn. Cost is $5 for burger baskets. Activities include petting zoo, tractors and free movie and popcorn at 7:30 p.m. Goodhue County Dairy Breakfast on the Farm, June 16 The Goodhue County Dairy Breakfast on the Farm will be 7-11 a.m. at the Dave and Ann Buck farm, 37298 180th Ave., Goodhue, Minn. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Ann Buck at 651-923-4274. Olmsted County Breakfast on the Farm, June 17 The Olmsted County Breakfast on the Farm will be 6:30 - 11:30 a.m. at the farm of Charlie and Carrie Sachs, 9019 Silver Creek Road NE, Eyota or 9 miles east of Rochester 4 miles northwest of Eyota. Cost is $7 for adults and $4 for children. Menu includes pancakes, sausage, cheese, milk, juice and coffee. Activities include petting zoo, tractor drawn wagon rides, educational displays and exhibits. Parking is available on site or bus rides from west lot of Century High School in Rochester. For more information, contact Ken Levos, 507-696-4013 or kdlevos@ hushmail.com. Wright County Breakfast on the Farm, June 17 The Wright County Breakfast on the Farm will be 7 a.m. - 1 p.m. at Goldview Farms in Waverly, Minn. Transportation will be available. Park at the Howard Lake Waverly-Winsted High School. Cost is $5 for adults, children 5 and under eat free. Menu is all-you-can-eat pancakes. Activities include petting zoo, machinery row, sand city and farm tours. For more information, visit www.breakfastonthefarm.org.
A NEW WORLD DEMANDS PROTED™ ROTARY TEDDERS.
A ProTed rotary tedder helps you make high-quality hay even in difÄcult weather conditions. Tedding “Åuffs” your crop and distributes it evenly to expose damp hay to sunlight and air, allowing the crop to dry quicker. This speeds drying time so you can bale before bad weather hits. If showers hit unexpectedly, use your ProTed tedder to spread damp hay for quick drying. Learn more about this Proted at www.newholland.com/na PROTED 3417 17’1”
TEDDING WIDTH
PROTED 3625 24’11”
PROTED 3836 36’1”
Dealers For Details...
Stop By One Of These EQUIPPED FOR A NEW WORLD™
A & C Farm Service
PAYNESVILLE, MN 888-365-1898
ADKINS EQUIPMENT INC. DETROIT LAKES, MN 218-847-4587
SCHLAUDERAFF IMPLEMENT LITCHFIELD, MN 320-693-7277
MELROSE IMPLEMENT INC. MODERN FARM EQUIPMENT MELROSE, MN 320-256-4253
SAUK CENTRE, MN 320-352-6543 PIERZ, MN 320-468-2161
© 2016 CNH Industrial America LLC. All rights reserved. “New Holland” is a trademark registered in the United States and many other countries, owned by or licensed to CNH Industrial N.V., its subsidiaries or afÀliates. “Equipped For A New World” is a trademark in the United States and many other countries, owned by or licensed to CNH Industrial N.V., its subsidiaries or afÀliates.
The next issue of the Dairy Star is published June 10th. Advertising and news deadline is Friday, June 2nd.
Page 24 • Dairy Star • Saturday, May 27, 2017
GO WHERE THE GRASS IS ALWAYS GREENER
Bobcat Skid-Steer Loaders Power to help you push through your toughest jobs. The world’s best selling skid-steer loader is the right machine for your dairy operation.
Bobcat Track Loaders
Soft, sandy, wet and muddy conditions are no match for the industry’s most powerful, comfortable, and versatile compact track loaders.
Performance and productivity you expect.
0% APR FOR UP TO 48 MONTHS* 0% APR FOR UP TO 48 MONTHS* OR in lieu of financing, rebates up to $2,600 USD*
OR in lieu of financing, rebates up to $3,500 USD*
Plus Receive additional rebates* on these new Bobcat® models: Plus Receive additional rebates* on these new Bobcat® models:
S740, S750, S770 and S850 Tier 4 skid-steer loaders
T590,T595 and T870 Tier 4 compact track loaders
AUTHORIZED BOBCAT DEALERS
IOWA
Reiser Implement, Inc. Waukon • 563-568-4526 JP Scherrman, Inc. Farley • 563-744-3393
MINNESOTA
Aldrich Tractor, Inc. Verndale • 218-445-5430 Bobcat of Mankato Mankato • 507-625-4511 Bobcat of Otter Tail County Fergus Falls • 218-739-4505
Bobcat of Rochester Rochester • 507-285-0753
Lano Equipment of Norwood Norwood Young America •952-467-2181
Farm-Rite Equipment, Inc. Dassel • 320-275-2737
Lund Implement Company Madison • 320-598-3150
Farm-Rite Equipment, Inc. St. Cloud • 320-240-2085
Miller Sellner Slayton Slayton • 507-836-8571
Farm-Rite Equipment, Inc. Willmar • 320-235-3672
Sanco Equipment Albert Lea • 507-373-4490
Lano Equipment, Inc. Anoka • 763-323-1720
Tri-State Bobcat Burnsville • 952-894-0894
Lano Equipment, Inc. Loretto • 763-472-8200
Tri-State Bobcat Little Canada • 651-407-3727
Lano Equipment, Inc. Shakopee • 952-445-6310
United Farmers Cooperative Lafayette • 507-228-8224
Visit Bobcat.com/Offers or stop by today for details. *Offer ends 6/30/2017. Available at participating and eligible dealers only. Offer may vary by product type, series, model and select units in dealer inventory. Offers available on new equipment in US and Canada only. Some restrictions apply. Length of contract may vary. Prior purchases not eligible. See dealer for details. Financing provided on approval of credit by authorized Bobcat finance providers to well-qualified buyers. Administrative fees may apply. Offer not available to government accounts, national accounts and municipal/utility bid customers. Non-commercial customers may not be eligible for low rate financing. Bobcat Company reserves the right to extend or discontinue any of these programs at any time without prior notice. Bobcat®, the Bobcat logo and the colors of the Bobcat machine are registered trademarks of Bobcat Company in the United States and various other countries.
SOUTH DAKOTA
Bobcat of Brookings, Inc. Brookings • 605-697-5544 Pfeifer’s Implement Sioux Falls • 605-338-6351
WISCONSIN
Bobcat of Janesville Janesville • 608-756-0000 Bobcat of Madison Madison • 608-221-3360 Tri-State Bobcat Hudson •715-531-0801
From destruction they rise
Dairy Star • Saturday, May 27, 2017 • Page 25
2017 NATIONAL RED & WHITE SALE JUNE 9TH, 2017 • 6 P.M.
DODGE COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS • KASSON, MN
80 HEAD SELL
THESE ALL SELL!!!
BRITTANY OLSON/DAIRY STAR
The Picknells – (from leŌ) Seth, Cory, Janelle, Kaden, Seth’s ancee, Bailey Hanson, and Jonah – are cleaning up their farm and rebuilding their barn aŌer an F3 tornado struck without warning. The tornado, which touched down mulƟple Ɵmes over the course of 60 miles, had wind speeds between 113 and 157 miles per hour.
Picknells survive F3 tornado during chore time By Brittany Olson
brittany.o@dairystar.com
PRAIRIE FARM, Wis. – Milking time was about to begin in 10 minutes, and the last feed cart was being lled when Kaden Picknell noticed the wind beginning to pick up. “We were lling the last cart with haylage, and everything happened right then and there,” Kaden said. “It was probably over and done in ve minutes, but it felt like a really long time.” Kaden, who lives on a 60-cow dairy farm with his parents, Cory and Janelle, and his brothers, Seth and Jonah, near Prairie Farm, Wis., survived a tornado when it struck their farm without warning on the evening of May 16. Jonah was still outside doing chores. When the skies turned dark and the wind began to thrash, he hurried to the barn. “The barn was the closest shelter we had,” Jonah said. Cory, too, knew something was deeply wrong. “The clouds were green, but there was no rotation,” Cory said. “The wind was roaring, and the power went out. When we saw trees down the road beginning to break, we knew what was happening.” Father and sons took shelter near a wall in the barn with the cows still outside, hanging on for their lives. “I was screaming, and I remember hearing my brother trying to calm me down,” Jonah said. “I remember hearing the tin ripping off the roof.” The minutes crept along like hours while the vortex took with it the barn roof, demolishing two of their three silos and causing severe damage to their shed, garage and house. “The walls began to wobble, and when the ceiling started to do the wave, we knew it was game over,” Seth said. The sound of the storm was unlike anything they’d heard before. “I don’t really even remember what it sounded like other than that it was really loud,” Kaden said. The family didn’t have time to take shelter in their house. “Sometimes we have the radio on in the barn, and when we turn it off sometimes we forget to turn it back on,” Cory said. “But how many times have we had tornado warnings and kept on doing chores because everything looked ne where we were? I don’t know if we would have had enough time anyway.” Miraculously, everyone and the cows survived the tornado, which was determined to be an F3 by the National
Weather Service with wind speeds from 113 to 157 miles per hour. Seth, who had just graduated from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls that weekend, said this was not the welcome home he wanted. “I’m still in shock. I don’t even know what to say,” Seth said. The tornado, which touched down multiple times and traveled over 60 miles from eastern Polk County to Rusk County before lifting into the sky for good, left signicant destruction in its wake on several dairy farms in its sights. “The silver lining to all of this is that, while the barn came down around us, we were unharmed,” Seth wrote in a Facebook post that went viral after the storm. “Others in the area were not so lucky.” Unfortunately, the storm claimed one life and left 25 more injured when it ripped through a trailer park between Chetek and Cameron, Wis. on the eastern side of Barron County. Minutes after the tornado passed through, neighbors began to show up in droves to help the Picknell family rise from the rubble. The cows were taken to Janelle’s parents, Julian and Janet Nelson, and neighbor Kevin Roske, who milks about 70 cows, took in all the Picknells’ calves from newborns on milk to six months old. “There were about 100 to 200 people here that rst night, and 300 people a few nights later. We were almost rubbing elbows,” Seth said. Kaden agreed the outpouring of love and support from the community has been overwhelming. “I was surprised at how many people showed up. It’s just crazy,” Kaden said. The decision to rebuild the barn took a matter of a few hours for Cory, while Janelle was still skeptical. “We already rebuilt the barn once when we bought this farm,” Janelle said. “I don’t think I can do it again.” For Cory, dairy farming is all he’s ever wanted. “It’s what I wanted to do, and I try to stay positive,” Cory said. Especially considering the lack of warning, and surviving a storm strong enough to lift the barn roof off its walls, the Picknell family is thankful to have a strong support network, let alone their lives. “Seeing a farm my dad built from nothing to what it is today, and to have it all taken away in a matter of minutes, is heartbreaking. We’re here and the cows are here, and that’s what’s important,” Seth said. “We can rebuild, but you can’t get people back.”
Milksource Redburst Alma-Red VG-88 3-00 2X 324 28380 3.7 2052 3.0 855 Selling just fresh and looks great and is a 4 year old for this year. Alma has been a very successful in the show ring. From a deep maternal line back to EX-97 Alicia.
Md-Maple-Lawn Honor-Red-ET VG-88
2-11 2X 315 24810 4.1 1018 3.4 849 Honor is a 4 year for this year and sells just fresh and is ready for your inspection. She was 1st Jr. to Maryland State Fair B&W Show 2015.
SL-Acres Timeforaction-Red
Timeforaction is recently fresh and looks great! Sired by Action she has a deep maternal line with eight generations of VG and EX dams.
A-L-H Gnsource 32128-Red-ET
This Addiction P sells and is bred to Answer-P and due in the fall. From a full pedigree, she is backed by eight EX dams with the grand dam being Apple herself.
SALE FORCE: Scott Courtney ............563-380-1318 Kevin Jorgensen ..........920-210-3992 Scott Culbertson .........507-923-1881 Nick Raggi ...................443-762-8338 Brandon Ferry .............608-335-8861
Overland-AJ GrafÀti-Red VG-85
Sired by Apple Jack and this is a Sr. 2 for this year. She was Nom All-American Fall Yearling in 2016. Her dam is a EX-93 Barbwire and then two more EX dams behind that.
Strans-Jen-D Tangle-Red-ET
This Armani sells just fresh as a Jr. 2 for this year. Her dam is Jen-D Devil TiffanyRed EX-95 herself. Also selling is Tiffany’s March ’17 Diamondback daughter.
Rollingriver Honolulu-Red
This beautiful heifer sells and is a summer yearling for 2017, a very special offering here! Her dam is VG-87 and the grand dam is VG-88.
A-L-H Genosource 32111-ET
This heifer is a full sister to heifer at right. She sells due to Lucky-PP in the fall. Both of these heifers also have embryo lots on the sale.
SALE SPONSOR:
Minnesota Red and White Association
Tracy Schaefer ....... 320-360-5188 Matt Timmer ......... 507-360-8199 John Schmitz ......... 320-420-2432
SCOTT & AMY COURTNEY
secourtney@hotmail.com 2564 Pole Line Rd • Ridgeway, IA 52165 563-387-0035 • 563-380-1318 cell • 563-387-0046 fax
Broadcasting Live
Page 26 • Dairy Star • Saturday, May 27, 2017
712-722-3626
I hope you were able to nd a window to get most, if not all, of your crops planted this spring. Some heavy rains, wind and severe weather made it a struggle in some parts of the state. As a reminder, current policy requires that producers annually le an accurate and timely acreage report for all crops and land uses to maintain eligibility in FSA FSA News & Notes and RMA programs. FSA uses the data to determine payment eligibility and to calculate losses for various disaster programs. Scheduling an appointment ensures your maps are ready and will save you time in the ofce. As you wrap up your planting activities, I encourage you to call your FSA ofce to schedule an appointment to complete your acreage report. We are off to a good start with producers coming in to certify and hope it continues through spraying and haying. Acreage reporting is required by July 15. Call By Ryan Brunn today to avoid the last-minute rush. Stearns Co. Exec. Dir. Prevented planting, failed acreage Prevented planting refers to acreage that cannot be planted because of ood, drought, or other natural disaster and must be reported to your FSA ofce within 15 calendar days after the end of the nal planting date for the crop.
SERVICE AFTER THE SALE
! oon sS End ry, Hur
Failed acreage is dened as a eld or a portion of a eld that fails due to weather conditions such as drought, excessive rain or cold temperatures. Producers who have a eld that will be destroyed and replanted to a different crop should report to FSA before the original crop is destroyed. For instance, if you had a failed corn eld that will be replanted to soybeans, it should be reported so FSA can verify the original crop.
TRUTH IS IN HE
!
.
F
O
ASK
O
Reporting Final Plant FSA Crop Deadline Date Wheat, Corn (grain), Barley, May 31 June 15 Oats Soybeans, Sunowers June 15 June 25 Corn (silage) June 5 June 20
E TH
T
ON YOUR NEW PATZ VERTICAL MIXER
Take advantage of the savings today! Get the QUALITY Patz is known for, along with the bonus of a free scale and power supply/cable when you purchase a new vertical mixer!
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Coming together The Transition Pen
By John & Laura Rosenhammer Father/Daughter Farming Duo Last week I became frustrated. The cows were always running out of feed each morning after milking. I had a sick calf. A cow had a stie injury and another had a nasty case of mastitis. Yet another cow had leucosis that wasn’t doing well, and my dad and I weren’t on the same page about selling heifers or what to do next for the cow with a hard quarter. Besides this, I worried about corn in the bin that needed to be sold and hay in the eld waiting to be cut and chopped, only to be put off by the endless rainy days. Plus, we are busy getting ready to host my brother’s graduation party, a farm tour, and I have a long list of wedding things to take care of. With all of this on my shoulders, I could feel my anger swelling. I was ready to lash out at whomever got in my way. I wanted to get it through my dad’s head that I was not interested in selling heifers this week because we were going to have to cull a few cows when we are no longer able to use rbST. I wanted to get it through my uncle’s head that having feed in front of the cows was not optional and to stop waiting for the price change and just sell the grain. But going around barking orders wasn’t going to change anything. Instead, I wrote down on our message board that we were going to have a meeting at 2 p.m., in two days to talk about selling grain, feeding cows and a few other subjects. I spent the rest of the day thinking about how I could address these topics in a way that would make my dad and uncle care about them as much as I did. It’s vital I remain unbiased; not taking sides because my dad and uncle are usually on different sides and I am the mediator. I made a list of resources I needed. I found my lessons on grain marketing, which explain why it decreases risk to have our corn priced by July 1. I printed out copies of our farm business management nancial records for them to review and ask questions about. I included an article on feeding cows and the negative effects of having an empty bunk. I typed up an agenda and printed a copy for all three of us. These were the easy steps. Now came the difcult part, sitting down with my dad and uncle and hoping we could all get along and nd solutions. To give you a better understanding, my dad is calm and not the type of guy who will argue. My uncle is the opposite. I’m in the middle. I can be calm, but I will stand up for myself and express my feelings rather than let things slide. Our differences in personality and thinking are what create friction, but also when used in the right situations, allow us to work together and achieve our goals. Sometimes our meetings have not gone well, and therefore, I am always looking to make improvements. We used to hold our meetings in our ofce, but I’ve learned they go better when we meet in an open area, rather than a cramped room. Having an agenda keeps the meeting on topic. Starting two hours before chores ensures the meet-
ing won’t exceed two hours. Giving at least two days notice allows each of us to gather our thoughts and contemplate each issue. Since I knew I was in an aggravated mood, I made sure I went to the gym before chores that morning, as getting an intense workout releases endorphins that help improve my mood and get my mind off my concerns. At 2 p.m., we all sat around the table in the barn, and after taking a few seconds to review the agenda, my dad and uncle quickly began discussing. We discussed our different options for making silage this year as we don’t think our alfalfa crop will yield well after the rst cutting. Then we discussed the remaining bushels of corn and soybeans in storage. I showed my dad and uncle my notes from class depicting the price averages each month, looked up current market prices and agreed to sell in the next few weeks. We talked about ways to bring in income to pay for our expenses that are due in the fall. Finally, we got to the topic of feeding cows. This is what I had been waiting for. Though we have visited this topic often, it’s clear little changes aren’t enough, and we
need to make a big change. First, I offered different ideas of when to mix the batches of TMR so the cows wouldn’t be waiting. My dad suggested increasing the nal batch of the day by 25 percent, rather than the current 10 percent, so there would be enough feed to push up each morning to last the cows until they get back from the parlor. This is especially important to me since feed needs to be available for the ones who don’t have a stall to lie in. Besides this, I feel running out of feed is having a negative impact. Time will tell if this change will make a positive impact, but I am overjoyed to have convinced my uncle to make a change. While not every discussion ended the way I’d hoped, I left the table feeling we were making progress and anxious to see what happens next. “Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success,” said Henry Ford. Laura Rosenhammer farms with her father, John, and uncle, Greg, on Roseview Dairy near Sleepy Eye, Minn. They milk 200 Holsteins and run 580 acres of cropland.
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Betty Berning bberning@umn.edu 320-203-6104 Rafael Bisinotto rbisinot@umn.edu 612-625-3130 Hugh Chester-Jones chest001@umn.edu (507) 835-3622 Gerard Cramer gcramer@umn.edu 612-625-8184 Marcia Endres miendres@umn.edu (612) 624-5391 Sandra Godden godde002@umn.edu 612-625-8177 Les Hansen hanse009@umn.edu 612-624-2277 Brad Heins hein0106@umn.edu (320) 589-1711 Kevin Janni kjanni@umn.edu (612) 625-3108 Karen Johnson ande9495@umn.edu 320-484-4334 Brenda Miller nels4220@umn.edu (320) 732-4435 Kota Minegishi kota@umn.edu 612-624-7455 Randy Pepin pepin019@umn.edu (320) 333-1369 Erin Royster royster@umn.edu Jim Salfer salfe001@umn.edu (320) 203-6093 M. Scott Wells mswells@umn.edu 612-625-3747 Emily Wilmes krek0033@umn.edu (320) 255-6169
www.extension.umn.edu/dairy
Characteristics of high producing dairy herds in Minnesota
We recently conducted a study to learn about housing and management practices in Minnesota dairy herds. My graduate student, Lee Kloeckner, visited 82 randomly selected freestall herds to collect on-farm observations and also summarized herd data from on-farm herd management software (DairyComp or PC-Dart) or DHIA and daily bulk tank records for one year. Herd sizes ranged from approximately 150 to 2100 cows. Following is a report on our comparative analysis between the top 25th percentile herds for daily energy-corrected milk (ECM) production per cow and the remaining 75th percentile herds. This type of analysis provides information that producers can use for benchmarking. It is important to Marcia Endres mention that protability is what will keep U of M Extension herds in business, not high milk production per se. But achieving high milk production per cow, as long as input costs are not too high, is one way to improve protability. Approximately 20 herds were in the top 25th percentile and their average daily ECM per cow was 102 pounds compared to 85 pounds for the remaining herds in the data set. Figure 1 shows the distribution of ECM production per cow. The lowest producing herd in the dataset averaged 65 pounds per cow per day. What was signicantly different between those top producing herds and the remaining herds? Our analysis showed that herd size was a factor. Top producing herds milked more cows (average size was 834 cows) compared to the remaining herds (average size was 540 cows). In addition, the top herds were more labor efcient and produced more pounds of milk per employee (1,592,959 vs. 1,323,233 pounds per employee). The least labor efcient herd in the dataset produced 652,089 pounds per employee. In terms of housing characteristics, we found that top herds had more close-up pen crossovers (average for top herds of 2.3 versus 1.4 for other herds) and close-up pen water troughs (2 versus 1.4), 71 percent of them housed their dry cows in tworow pens versus 30 percent for the remaining herds, and the stocking density in terms of cows per 100 stalls was higher (116 versus 109). In addition, 100 percent of the top herds used deep bedded stalls for close-up and fresh cows compared to 53 and 62 percent for the other herds, respectively. Most of the top farms used deep bedded sand. They also used deep beds for the high producing pen (89 percent of top herds versus 59 percent of remaining herds). Dry cow pen stall length was greater for top herds (98.3 inches) than remaining herds (91.4 inches). These housing characteristics have been shown to improve cow comfort. We also found that estimated average dry matter intake for the entire herd and the high producing pen was greater for the top producing herds than the remaining herds. It averaged 58
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Figure 1. Distribution of daily energy-correct milk production per cow in Minnesota herds and 62 pounds for the top herds compared to 54 and 56 pounds for the remaining herds, respectively. We did not nd a statistical difference in estimated feed efciency per cow. One feed additive that was different between the two herd categories was anionic salts which were used in 84 percent of the top herds and 57 percent of the remaining herds. There has been recent research indicating that although clinical milk fever is not as common as it used to be, we need to pay attention to subclinical hypocalcemia. Most of the top producing herds (85 percent) hired an employee as primary feeder compared to 57 percent of the remaining herds. Could this indicate that having a dedicated employee could result in more accurate mixing and delivery of the total mixed ration? All top herds were using a barrier type of silage plastic cover to improve forage quality. Time out of the pen for milking was 64.3 minutes per milking for the top herds compared to 76.1 minutes per milking for the remaining herds. Research has shown that increased resting time can result in more milk production per cow. It also has been shown that time away from the home pen for milking is a risk factor for lameness. We found that 95 percent of the top herds were milking cows three times per day compared to 58 percent of the remaining herds. Milking cows three times per day compared to two times per day has also been shown to increase milk production per cow. Other factors included use of bST (90 percent of top herds compared to 52 percent of the remaining herds were using it) and the use of a footbath (4.2 versus 3.1 times per week on average). Some of these ndings were expected but it is good to be able to show these differences using a randomly selected dataset of dairy farms in Minnesota. I will present the results of this study at the upcoming Four-State Dairy Nutrition and Management Conference in Dubuque, Iowa, June 14-15, 2017. Please check the conference website for the entire program, http://z. umn.edu/4state2017. Hope to see you there.
Visualizing dairy geography Canada’s recent milk price change revealed how closely dairy processors operate to their maximum capacity in the Upper Midwest. The change led one of the major processors to stop accepting milk from dairy farms in Wisconsin and Minnesota. With idle processing capacity present in the market, other processors would have been happy to take extra milk By Kota Minegishi from those farms. U of M Extension Thus, there is a market level vulnerability in the dairy supply chain and better risk management may be needed. Large processing plants can actively seek options to hedge market price risks through futures markets and long-term contracts, and dairy farmers may consider forward contracts to secure their marketing channels well in advance. Understanding dairy industry dynamics is important for strategic decision making. In this article, I share geographical data to help visualize regional trends in the dairy sector. Specically, let’s look at where milk inventory and dairy-sector jobs are growing or decreasing using data from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA, the Agricultural Census) and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS; the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW)) for each county. Figure 1 shows the change in milk cow inventory from 2007 to 2012. While slightly outdated, the Agricultural Census provides the most comprehensive and accurate accounts of milk cow inventory that were directly collected from dairy farmers. During 2007-12, the counties that saw an increase of 3,000 cows or more include Clark, Wis.; Juneau, Wis.; Jackson, Wis.; Fond du Lac, Wis.; Kewaunee, Wis.; Manitowoc, Wis.; Brown, Wis.; Meeker, Minn.; Morrison, Minn.; Sibley, Minn.; Stevens, Minn.; and Brookings, S.D. Counties that experienced a decrease of 3,000 head or more include Otter Tail, Minn.; Waupaca, Wis.; Dodge, Wis.; Chippewa, Wis.; Green, Wis.; Clayton, Iowa; Delaware, Iowa; Osceola, Iowa; Minnehaha, S.D.; and
Moody, S.D. The overall change at the state level was -14.9 percent in Iowa, -3.9 percent in Minnesota, -6.4 percent in North Dakota, -33.4 percent in South Dakota, and +1.9 percent in Wisconsin. For more recent data, Figure 2 maps the change in dairy farming employment between 2012 and 2015. The change in number of employees is also a good measure for understanding geographic dynamics in dairy activities. Counties that saw signicant dairy farming job growth are Oconto, Wis.; Shawano, Wis.; Clark, Wis.; Sauk, Wis.; Dunn, Wis.; and Winona, Minn., whereas Brown, Wis., had a signicant job loss. It should be noted that this data does not include many small to medium dairy farms, given that the QCEW is calculated from the state-level unemployment insurance (UI) administrative records. In addition, some data at the county level cannot be disclosed due to the BLS’s condentiality criteria and are hence missing. Nonetheless, it appears to capture the dynamics of the major dairy producers in a given area. In Figure 3, I repeated the same exercise as for Figure 2, but for the employment in dairy food manufacturing at the state level. States with signicant job growth in dairy food manufacturing are New York, Wisconsin, Indiana, Illinois, Georgia and Idaho. Oregon, Ohio, Missouri and Maryland lost jobs in this industry. The above information is all publicly available, and offers insight into the geography of the dairy industry. I have posted interactive maps at http://z. umn.edu/dairymaps where you can see the numbers for individual counties used in the maps shown in this article. The interactive maps show the data for all counties in the contiguous United States, so be sure to zoom in and click on a county of your interest. The website also contains geographic data on corn and soybean production and land rental rates, as well as the relative prevalence of Hispanic population, a key prospective labor pool for expanding dairy operations. If you know of any other interesting geographic dairy data to visualize on a map, please contact me or any of my colleagues in dairy extension at the University of Minnesota.
Dairy Star • Saturday, May 27, 2017 • Page 29
Figure 2
Figure 3
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Full of beans Page 30 • Dairy Star • Saturday, May 27, 2017
I was prowling the bookstore the other day when I stumbled across a section that dealt exclusively with celebrity cook books. Good grief. I had no idea so many famous people enjoyed eating. Less surprising, though, was the fact they were willing to pen tell-all books about their culinary passions, boosting their incomes and burnishing their bona des as regular people. This inspired me to share with you the following family recipe, which comes with a true tell-all story and absolutely no guarantees. You get what you pay for. My mom’s baked bean recipe is one of my favorites. This is because her beans saved my life the summer when I was 7. Our family was driving to our annual mid-summer potluck picnic and family reunion in a nearby
town. My seven siblings and I looked forward to this event all year. Not just because we got a daylong break from our dairy farm, but also because the picnic area was situated near a public swimming pool. Halfway through our 30-mile journey, our rickety ‘53 Chevy decided to die. Dad opened its hood and tried to effect repairs while Mom and us kids huddled anxiously in the car. As time passed, the aroma from Mom’s fried chicken and baked beans began to make us drool. We begged Mom to have a taste. “Just a smidgen,” we said. Mom soon relented. As cars whizzed past on the nearby highway, we laid waste to our family’s contribution to the potluck. Since there wasn’t any of Aunt Lois’s Jell-O salad or Cousin Edna’s rhubarb pie to ll me up, I compensated by consuming an
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extra-large portion of Mom’s baked beans. Dad eventually revived the car. Upon arriving at the picnic area, we tore off to join our cousins in the swimming pool. I raced to the pool Dear County Agent Guy and in my haste, mistakenly jumped into the deep end. Unfortunately, I didn’t know how to swim a stroke. Fortunately, the beans had already begun to ... produce their special magic. Not just a little magic, though. We’re talking volumes of By Jerry Nelson magic which, if capColumnist tured, could have inated the Goodyear blimp. Thanks to my gaseous nature, I bobbed back to the water’s surface like a bloated blonde cork. I deemed this nothing less than a miracle. My family, however, viewed it quite differently. On our way home that day, all they could do was complain about my windy condition. Several family members voted I be compelled to ride in the trunk. Now let’s get down to the business of Mom’s baked bean recipe. Begin by boiling or pressure cooking a couple of pounds of Great Northern White beans. These are a versatile legume. Uncooked, they are hard enough to be used as bullets. Figure on a cooking time of approximately three days. Thankfully, there are jars of pre-cooked beans available at most supermarkets. You can save a ton of work and worry by purchasing pre-cooked beans instead of cranking up your old pressure cooker. Start the beans a-simmering in a large pot. In a skillet, brown four (or more) strips of bacon that have been cut into bite-sized chunks. Toss the bacon into the beans. Using the same skillet, brown half (or more) of a chopped onion and toss that into the beans. I suppose you could skip the onion if you like, but that would constitute a sacrilege in my book. Now comes the tricky part. From here on out, nothing is exact. This is why every batch of beans is unique and somewhat of a surprise. Add ketchup to the bean/bacon/onion mixture. How much? I don’t know; I just stir in enough to make everything look nice and pink. Next comes a dollop of yellow mustard, a handful of brown sugar and a glug or so of dark molasses. Cover the beans and let them simmer until they become the same color as the pot liquor. Adjust things to suit your taste. For example, if the beans seem too bitter, add more brown sugar. If they are too sweet, add a little more mustard or ketchup. For a more robust avor, dump in additional molasses. Some tweaks might include adding a splash of liquid smoke or using ham or side pork instead of bacon. Purists (like me) go the extra mile by folding in the bacon drippings. So, there you go. If you try this recipe and it doesn’t turn out, don’t call me. And if it does turn out, just remember: riding in the trunk may not be fun, but these beans are denitely worth it. 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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Pasture play
I love the month of May. Everything emerges with life – grass grows green and lush, leaves slowly ease out of the trees, and the scent of tree blossoms ll the light, cool breeze. Life can’t get much better than when you are in the month of May. The pastures come alive this time of year. Cows are let out to romp and play like they are little calves again. Half of what makes pastures so special this time of year is their representation of freedom and outdoor enjoyment after a long, cold winter. I often think back to my cow pasture while growing up. My brothers, sister and I spent many, many hours out there playing games like wagon train and cowboys and Indians. We built tree swings in the giant, 100-year-old black willow trees our great-grandparents planted when they rst settled on the farm. The trees were easy to climb with low, large protruding trunks. Many times we had to scramble up those trees to let the herd of Holsteins pass. There were al- By Andrea Borgerding ways one or two cows that wanted to play rough with Asst. Editor us and came charging up without us noticing. There were ve or six of those large willows all planted in a row. Dad told us they were once part of a large circle of willow trees planted strategically to encircle the farm. To me, they looked like steadfast sentinels – reminding us kids to be respectful of our past and instilling in us hope for our farm’s future. Not long after all us kids moved away from the farm, the trees slowly deteriorated. The last one standing, and biggest one we played on the most, lay split down the middle with all of its wide trunks sprawled to the ground like a giant spider. That tree stayed like that for years until last summer. Last summer, the pasture became a bustle of activity when my younger brother declared the pasture the site for his wedding reception. With the wedding date set for late August, both my brothers and dad worked to clear the fallen trees. Within just a few weeks of the wedding, the pasture was mown short like a manicured lawn. All that was left of our beloved willow trees was a small fallen over trunk from one of the small willow trees that once ourished. The tree looked sad as it was blackened from catching re from a nearby brush pile. My dad requested to keep the tree out of respect for his ancestors in, ironically, the same year as our farm’s 125th anniversary. Somehow, perhaps with the determination that kept it alive all those years, new branches and leaves began to protrude so that by the day of the wedding, the tree no longer looked dead. Two days before the wedding, a large white tent was set up for the reception right on top of where our line of old willow trees once stood. Right behind the tent was our last willow tree – out of sight of the wedding guests. During dinner that evening, I presented a speech, as a representative of my family, to my brother and his new, lovely wife. As it turned out, I stood right on the spot where our beloved giant willow tree once stood. I couldn’t believe it. We came full circle. The place where my brother and I pushed each other on swings until the twine strings broke and we both went crashing to the ground, sending us rolling with laughter – became the same spot where he was beginning his new life. I tried to express this irony into the speech I presented – but alas, the majority of the guests did not understand how momentous it was for me and my brother. Those memories of our pasture play were only for us to cherish for that special moment. With all these wonderful memories I hold on to, I enjoy this month of May. I’m relishing the green grass, the blooming trees, the cows playing in the pasture – it’s a new beginning and an opportunity to take a fresh look at life.
Dairy Star • Saturday, May 27, 2017 • Page 31
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Page 32 • Dairy Star • Saturday, May 27, 2017
Sometimes I don’t know how we get everything done. Of course, on a farm you never truly get everything done, but at least you can check a few things off your list. While we were in the rush of planting this year, I didn’t think about all the things we needed to get done. I just kept moving forward to the next project and the next ďƒželd. I think I was puzzled by the entire ďƒ&#x;urry because this was the ďƒžrst year I was back in the thick of planting and it felt great. Before we had children old enough to drive tractors, I was the one prepping the ďƒželds ahead of Mark and the planter. Luckily, I got the bigger tractor with the cab while Mark ran his 4-row planter with a small tractor. Sometimes he would have to wear insulated coveralls, a stocking hat and gloves just to stay warm. You really wondered if we should have been out in the ďƒželds, but the
calendar said it was planting season. As the kids grew older, I was pushed out of the tractor and into the barn for chores and milking. Let’s face it, tractor driving is one of the top jobs. If I didn’t give the kids some fun jobs, why would they ever
W needed We d d to b be able bl to shift our daily priorities on a moment’s notice. want to come back when they are older? So, I’ve been out of the planting loop for almost a decade. Now that everyone is gone, boy did it feel good to be back in the saddle again. With me being back in the tractor again, it meant there were some adjustments to make. We
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needed to be able to shift our daily priorities on a moment’s notice. The truck had to always have enough fuel in the tank to make an emergency part run. There had to be enough treats in the freezer to keep us energized and awake as we bounced Just Thinking Out Loud across the ďƒželds. There also had to be enough eggs on hand for breakfast and a late supper of scrambled eggs before bed. Every morning Mark said, “What do you have on for today?â€? Every day I would answer, “Nothing set in stone.â€? I knew it didn’t By Natalie Schmitt pay to have anything Columnist scheduled to do during planting season. I was on-call for whatever needed to be done. It didn’t matter that I had laundry to do or a yard to mow or a garden to plant. These priorities could slip down the list a few pegs for a day or two. It felt like my daily priorities were constantly being reshufďƒ&#x;ed for another hand of 500. Our main priority was getting the crops planted, but Mark did make an exception. He put my garden ahead of his ďƒželds for a half hour. Since the equipment was parked next to my garden and ďƒželd ready, he ďƒžgured he would start off the season with the smallest ďƒželd on the farm. He backed the disk and drag down through the garden until he reached the strawberry patch. With my signal, he dropped the equipment, ďƒžred up the engine and worked up the soil in the garden. After a few more passes, the garden was ready to go, only I wasn’t ready to continue. It would be a couple of weeks before I could pick up where Mark left off. This gave the weeds a chance to sprout and grow. Before I could plant, I needed to knock back the weeds and smooth out the disk ruts. A neighbor gave Mark a tip on how he packed his garden. He took a heavy wooden pallet, tied bale strings together to make a hitch and connected it to a clevis on the back of a four-wheeler. This was the quickest and easiest way I’ve ever prepped the garden. I just drove around the garden dragging the pallet behind me. The pallet leveled off the soil and cleared out the weeds. Mother’s Day week I was able to ďƒžnish planting potatoes, peas and early beans. The weather had been feeling so nice and warm. Then it shifted and we’ve been cold, windy, wet and damp for the past week. At the start of this planting season, we were concerned with how the alfalfa ďƒželds survived the winter. We didn’t plow any ďƒželds down and the recent rains have helped the ďƒželds to ďƒžll out. It looks like we could be taking ďƒžrst crop within the next two weeks depending upon how the weather patterns set up. While we wait for the ďƒželds to dry, we’re working our way down our priority list of things to get done before the next rush. Natalie, Mark and his brother, Al, Schmitt farm together near Rice, Minn. They milk 100 registered Holsteins under the RALMA preďƒžx. Their four children are great help around the farm and are pushing Natalie out of several jobs. Therefore she is thankful to have something else to do. For questions or comments please e-mail Natalie at mnschmitt@jetup.net.
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Dairy Star • Saturday, May 27, 2017 • Page 33
Mix and Match: The magic heifers A great thing about dairy farming in the heart of Stearns County is that when your heifers magically escape from their pasture, there are lots of dairy farmers (current and retired) to help you catch them. We brought our heifers out to pasture a couple weeks ago. Two of the 10-acre pastures we rent are adjacent to each other – as in, they share a fence. We split a group of heifers and delivered half of the group to one pasture and half to the other. A week later, one of the landlords called and said the heifers in his pasture weren’t grazing at all. The heifers were just hanging out by the shared fence, looking at the heifers in the Dairy Good Life other pasture. This is our third summer grazing heifers in these pastures and the rst time we’ve had a group not take to grazing right away, but we gured they’d adjust and eventually start grazing. We gured wrong. On Saturday morning, our landlord called with the news no dairy farmer ever wants to hear: “Your heifers got out last night.” I stayed back to nish chores while Glen went to help round up the heifers. I tried not to let my imagination run wild with thoughts of 20-some heifers running rampant through the countryside. By Sadie Frericks The story Glen came back with wasn’t nearly as bad as I’d imagined, but strange nonetheless. Columnist Of all the heifers in the two pastures, only two were out. Those two heifers are Mix and Match. Mix and Match are twins. Mix had been in one of the pastures. Match had been in the other. The fences around both pastures were completely intact. There was no sign of where Mix and Match managed to Houdini themselves out of the pastures. Keep iin mind, these pastures are loccated right next to Interstate I also l ffound d myself lf iincredibly dibl 94, so the fences are Alcatraz grateful for the selfless nature quality. After Mix and Match magiof dairy farmers. cally escaped, under the cover oof darkness, they took off. T They were rst spotted on the other side of the section – a mile away – which required them to enter the city of Freeport, cross a busy highway, check out the baseball diamonds and visit the community center. The person who spotted them in the community center parking lot had the good sense to call the dairy farmers who live closest to town. Those dairy farmers knew Mix and Match weren’t theirs, but they walked them down the road to another farm. The retired dairy farmer who lived there had an open pen in his barn, so the dairy farmers opened the gate and Mix and Match walked right in. That’s where Glen found them on Saturday morning. He backed the trailer to the pen. Mix and Match calmly hopped in. Glen drove the heifers back to the pastures. This time, though, he put Mix and Match together in the same pasture. And since he had the trailer hooked up, Glen brought Sunny and Sommer – two of our dry cows – to the pastures to serve as babysitters for the heifers. Sunny went with one group; Sommer went with the other. On Sunday morning, our landlord called to say that all of the heifers were grazing contently. We’ll never know for sure if the heifers are content now because their babysitter showed them that grass is for eating or because Mix and Match are together again. Either way, we’re hoping they stay content and the rest of the grazing season is uneventful. As I reected on this outing, I found myself wondering about the bonds between cattle. We know groups of cows and heifers establish relationships and hierarchies. Do twins share a closer bond? I also found myself incredibly grateful for the seless nature of dairy farmers. It didn’t matter that Mix and Match weren’t theirs, the dairy farmers in Freeport took time from their busy schedules to usher Mix and Match to a safe location and then track down who they belonged to. Mix and Match are not spooky heifers, by any means, but I shudder to think about what might have happened if town folks with little to no knowledge of dairy cattle had tried to corral them. The situation could have been a lot worse. So, to the dairy farmers who helped Mix and Match and farmers everywhere who are always willing to lend a hand on a moment’s notice: Thank you. Sadie and her husband, Glen, milk 75 cows near Melrose, Minn. They have three children – Dan, 10, Monika, 7, and Daphne, 4. Sadie also writes a blog at www.dairygoodlife.com. She can be reached at sadiefrericks@gmail.com.
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Dairy Star • Saturday, May 27, 2017 • Page 35
A milestone reached, shared
MINNESOTA HOLSTEIN ASSOCIATION
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In conjunction with the Red & White National Convention
JENNIFER COYNE/DAIRY STAR
Kuechles host 10th annual Stearns County Breakfast on the Farm
nant, oversees the beef operation, and helps with milking. “I started here and love it,” Perry said. “I could never imagine beWATKINS, Minn. – For the ing anywhere else.” past 10 years, Stearns County dairy Becky manages all nancials farmers have worked tirelessly to on the farm and helps with calves, bring the communities a memora- eldwork and milking. Her husble on-farm experience to celebrate band, Rob, feeds, does mainteJune Dairy Month. nance work, and helps with the This year, the Kuechle family is eldwork. Together, the Haags use ready to be a part of that celebra- their work experience on the dairy tion – not as attendees, but as hosts. to teach their young children – CarOn June 3, the public is wel- men and Alex – about agriculture. come to Kuechle Dairy – a thirdBoth Rhonda and Brenda work generation farm near Watkins, together to manage the herd health. Minn. – for a pancake breakfast, In addition, Rhonda manages the farm tour, and fun and educational milking parlor and Brenda manactivities. ages the calves. “It’s something fun for us, and “We have a lot of people inwe hope people can look forward volved and all know our roles on to it,” said Margie Kuechle. the farm, but we’re still a small Margie and her husband, Art, business,” Rhonda said. “If we take purchased the farm in 1968, and a care of the cows, they take care of short time later, began milking two us. We’re hoping our breakfast cows. shows that.” Throughout the years, the KueThe Kuechles have been planchles grew their family and farm. ning for the June 3 event for more “With every kid that was born, than two years; they rst agreed to the mow cows we milked,” Art host the breakfast in March 2015. said. “We know the farmers who have it in the past, and now “We know farmers who it’s ourdone time to give back,” Perry have done it in the past, said. With help from a planning and now it’s our time to committee, the Kuechle family has spent the past several months give back.” preparing for the annual event. They have made small adjustPERRY KUECHLE, DAIRY FARMER ments to the farm site in preparaArt and Margie are still active tion for June 3. on the farm, but the dairy has since “We did things that had to get transitioned to four of their 10 chil- done already, but now we’re on a dren – Perry, Becky Haag, Brenda deadline,” Becky said. and Rhonda – who now milk 240 Of the expected 3,000 attendcows and run 850 acres of land. ees, many will be consumers – but Perry joined the operation after others will be fellow farmers intergraduating high school, and now ested to see the farm setup. oversees the cropping operation Throughout the morning, the with Art, raises the heifers from 6 Turn to KUECHLES | Page 37 months of age to 5 months pregBy Jennifer Coyne jenn@dairystar.com
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The Kuechle siblings – (from leŌ) Perry, Rhonda, Brenda and Becky Haag – will host the 10th annual Stearns County Breakfast on the Farm June 3. The Kuechles milk 240 cows near Watkins, Minn.
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Page 36 • Dairy Star • Saturday, May 27, 2017
Women In Jeans Tracey Hartung Elmdale, Minn. Morrison County 55 cows
Family: My husband, Brian, and I have ve children: Carter, 11, Madeline, 10, Trent, 8, Jacob, 5, and Bethany, 5 months. Tell us about your farm. We milk 55 cows and farm about 140 acres of corn and alfalfa. What is the busiest time of day for you? The busiest time of day is in the afternoon when the kids get home from school until they go to bed. There are a lot of things going on – the chores and milking then supper, baths and homework, etc. When you get a spare moment what do you do? I like to garden, bake and go jogging if I have time. Tell us about your most memorable experience working on the farm. One would have to be a few years ago when Brian and my uncle were working in the cow yard and the three oldest decided they wanted to play in the mud, which isn’t only mud. I was out hanging laundry and they came walking up to the house soaking wet and still pretty dirty after their dad had hosed them down because they were covered head to toe in cow yard mud. Good thing they weren’t in school at the time. It took a few days to get rid of the smell. What have you enjoyed most about dairy farming or your tie to the dairy industry? I love being able to be home with my family. It is a great lifestyle to raise a family. How do you stay connected with others in the industry? I read the dairy papers and magazines. We also have many friends in the industry as well.
In your opinion, what is the importance of women in today’s dairy industry and how have you seen that change over the years? Women have become a more prominent gure in farming operations over the years, taking on roles they wouldn’t normally have done in the past – everything from barn chores, eld work, decision-making, or even taking on roles in the industry such as being a nutritionist. 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 like to give a tour to either Ivanka or Melania Trump. It would be great to show them insight of the joys and struggles farmers endure. Hopefully, they could have a better idea of what it takes to feed America, to be a good voice for the American farmer. So many people are so far removed from farming and what it takes to feed America while trying to be protable.
FARM INFORMATION STATION Joe Gill • Farm Director
What is the best vacation you have ever taken? The best vacation we took was when we took the kids to the waterpark for a night a few years ago. It was a nice break and the kids had a blast.
Catch the Dairy Star’s Mark Klaphake with Joe Gill at 6:45 a.m. the 2nd & 4th Fridays of the month on KASM!
What are some words you like to live by? The happiest people don’t have the best of everything, they make the best of everything they have. Also, some how, some way God will provide.
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Dairy Star • Saturday, May 27, 2017 • Page 37
ConƟnued from KUECHLES | Page 35
Kuechle siblings hope to showcase the dairy’s advancements – from a double-12 herringbone parlor and maternity pen and calfwarming room that were built in 2013. “The maternity area has a separate milking system for the cows after calving,” Perry said. Rhonda agreed. “It also has a heating room, where calves are kept for 12 hours before moving to the hutches,” she said. This fall the Kuechles will build a calf facility in which calves will be raised in group pens. “We’ve seen how calves can grow when put in a more social environment,” Brenda said. “We went back and forth on what we
should do, but I think this setup will be the best for our calves. I’m excited to see how they’ll perform in the group setting.” By the end of the breakfast, the Kuechles want attendees to leave with newfound knowledge of the dairy industry and the products produced. “Everyone should be open to hosting the public,” Rhonda said. “Touring a farm is a good, honest perspective, and it’s better to come from us than for [the public] to see something on YouTube and not get the whole picture.” Becky agreed. “We’re surrounded by a generation that has a lot of interest in what farming is, and we need to give them a
JENNIFER COYNE/DAIRY STAR
The Kuechles – (from leŌ) Perry, Becky Haag, Rhonda, Brenda, Margie and Art – are excited to showcase their farm on June 3. In 1968, Art and Margie purchased the dairy and have conƟnued to expand it as their children become a part of the operaƟon.
JENNIFER COYNE/DAIRY STAR
The Kuechle siblings prepare a promoƟonal video that will be shown to visitors on their bus ride to the dairy breakfast.
good experience,” she said. At the same time, the Kuechle siblings will use the opportunity of hosting the 10th annual Stearns County Breakfast on the Farm as a way to say ‘thank you’ to their parents for their commitment to the family dairy. “This is a chance for us to share our farm with the public, and realize that none of this would be possible without Mom and Dad,” Brenda said.
10th annual Stearns County Breakfast on the Farm Time: 7:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Please park at the Eden Valley Elementary School. A free shuttle bus will take attendees to and from the dairy. For more information, visit: stearnsfarmbreakfast.com.
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13200 Co. Rd. 51 Bongards, MN 55368 (952) 466-5521 Fax (952) 466-5556 110 3rd Ave. NE Perham, MN 56573 (218) 346-4680 Fax (218) 346-4684
Phone 320-352-6511 Ask for Ralph or Steve
Large Selection of Used Self-Propelled Forage Harvesters 8600, 2015, 549 Hrs, RWA, Warranty .....$375,000 8600, 2016, 154 Hrs, RWA, Warranty .....$439,000 8600, 2016, 148 Hrs, RWA, Warranty .....$435,000 8100, 2015, 150 Hrs, RWA, Warranty .....$279,000 7780, 2013, 963 Hrs, RWA, Warranty .....$259,000 7780, 2014, 409 Hrs, RWA, Warranty .....$329,000 7780, 2014, 1048 Hrs, RWA, Warranty ...$299,000 7780, 2013, 1126 Hrs, RWA, Warranty ...$299,000 7580, 2013, 610 Hrs, RWA, Warranty .....$299,000 7180, 2015, 333 Hrs, RWA, Warrant .......$245,000 7950, 2012, 694 Hrs, RWA, Warranty .....$299,000 7850, 2008, 1600 Hrs, RWA, Warranty ...$210,000 7750, 2012, 1019 Hrs, RWA, Warranty ...$245,000 7550, 2010, 1344 Hrs, RWA....................$230,000 7550, 2008, 1359 Hrs, RWA..................$219,000 7550, 2012, 1825 Hrs, RWA..................$205,000 7450, 2009, 1550 Hrs, RWA..................$195,000 7350, 2010, 1100 Hrs, RWA..................$199,000 7350, 2009, 1025 Hrs, RWA..................$209,000 7800, 2007, 1885 Hrs, RWA..................$179,000 7700, 2007, 1570 Hrs, RWA..................$185,000 7500, 2003, 2406 Hrs, 2WD ..................$129,000 7500, 2005, 2423 Hrs, RWA..................$135,000 7400, 2004, 2918 Hrs, RWA..................$135,000
6950,1999, 3172 Hrs, 2WD .....................$69,000 6950, 1999, 2328 Hrs, RWA....................$89,000 6850, 1999, 3120 Hrs, RWA....................$85,000 6850, 1998, 3100 Hrs, 2WD ....................$78,500 6810, 1995, 3000 Hrs, RWA....................$69,500 6710, 1995, 2908 Hrs, RWA....................$68,500 5830, 1991, 4167 Hrs, RWA....................$37,500 5370, 1986, 4980 Hrs, RWA....................$43,900 Claas 970, 2008 3000 Hrs, RWA ..........$199,000 Claas 960, 2013 1312 Hrs, RWA ..........$275,000 Claas 890, 2002 2290 Hrs, RWA ..........$135,000 All hours listed are “cutter hours”.
$205,000
7550, 2012, 1825 Hrs, RWA, ProDrive, KP, AutoLube, 625HP
Call today for details on our Easy-Lease financing!
Page 38 • Dairy Star • Saturday, May 27, 2017
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Dairy Star • Saturday, May 27, 2017 • Page 39
sponsored by
Amber, Joe, Hunter, 4, and Killian, 2, McComish Shullsburg, Wis. Lafayette County 220 cows How did you get into farming? We co-own the farm with Joe’s father and mother, Tim and Kim McComish. We both grew up on dairy farms, but Amber worked here as a herdswoman, which is how we met. What are your thoughts and concerns about the dairy industry for the next year? We are most concerned about consumer education and farm transparency. We also hope the industry is able to bridge the gap between processors and farmers to nd common ground. What is the latest technology you implemented on your farm and the purpose for it? Genomic testing; we started using it to help us diversify because we are not planning to expand. We hope that genomic testing will help our farm excel even further. What is a management practice you changed in the past year that has beneted you? We had a barn re four years ago, so over time we have built the dairy back from the ground up, calves to cows. Tim does all of the eld work, and we have improved our practices in the ground to produce better feed, which results in better cows.
How do you retain a good working relationship with your employees? We try to pay a decent wage. We treat everyone who works for us as if they are family because, really, that’s what they are. People who work
for us usually work here for a very long time; there isn’t much turnover. When they need our help with something, we make sure we do what we can to provide it for them. Tell us about a skill you possess that makes dairy farming easier for you. For Joe, it is his mechanical brain. He can watch someone do something one time and be able to do it himself. For Amber, the ability to multitask and having a well-versed knowledge with the cows. She has a real eye for cow health and does well managing the herd. What do you enjoy most about dairy farming? There is always something different to do every day with the different seasons. For Amber, it is being with the cows as they are her passion. For Joe, it is xing equipment across the farm which is his passion. What advice would you give other dairy farmers? The job itself is changing a lot; you need to be wellrounded as a farmer in order to succeed. Keep an open mind to other farmers for suggestions. Learn from others who have navigated the ups and downs. What has been the best purchase you’ve ever made on your farm? We purchased ve new fans last year
which helped us to prevent milk from uctuating with the heat of summer. What has been your biggest accomplishment while dairy farming? Succeeding after the re. Before the re, our herd was producing 90 pounds per day. Once they got back to the farm after going elsewhere because of the re, they were only producing 80 pounds per day. Now, that average is up to 95 pounds, and our herd is showing its true potential. Getting back on our feet in the last few years has helped us to look forward rather than be frustrated about what happened. What are your plans for your dairy in the next year and ve years? Next year, we hope to gain prot and efciency. We would like to put in robots. We have excellent labor right now, but we might not have them 5-10 years down the road, so it is something we continue to consider. How do you or your family like to spend time when you are not doing chores? Both of our parents have cabins so spending summer days on the lake is what we like to do best. Otherwise, we are beer and cheese connoisseurs, so we are always trying new cheeses and brews that pop up around the area.
Star Blends is a full service feed manufacturing facility. We provide custom complete feeds, supplements and minerals. We utilize modern technology to produce your needed products on demand with the highest quality feeds at the best cost. We also offer a wide selection of commodities, ingredients and additives. We are focused on dairy, efficiently delivering to farms in Western Wisconsin. Give us a call, we’d be happy to discuss our commodities or custom products and services with you and your nutritionist.
1919 Riley Road Sparta, WI 54656 | 800.462.4125
Page 40 • Dairy Star • Saturday, May 27, 2017
LARGEST SELECTION OF NEW AND USED TMR MIXERS!!
Used Jaylor 3650,
Used Jaylor 2725,
Used Jaylor 31000,
Used Kuhn Knight VT168,
Used Patz V350,
Used Patz V420,
Used Patz V420,
Used Patz V615,
Used Patz V615,
Used Patz V615,
Used Patz V620,
Used Patz V950,
Used Penta 6020-SD,
Used Schuler 4510,
Used Supreme 600T,
Used Trioliet Solomix 1-900 ZK
#3305 - $11,900
Used Trioliet Solomix 2-1500 ZK, #3606 - $14,500
Used Valmetal VMIX 700,
Used Henke Kwikcutter 2209,
Used Knight 3030,
Used Knight 3042,
Used Knight 3450,
#3754 - $19,900
#3694 - $15,900
#3346 - $25,900
#3696 - $19,900
Used Trioliet Solomix 1200 ZK,
#3504 - $11,900
#3410 - $14,900
#3644 - $18,900
#1959 - $25,900
#3645 - $10,500
#3626 - $13,900
#3388 - $22,900
#3701 - $28,900
#3054 - $26,900
#3567 - $19,500
#2770 - $16,900
#3439 - $22,500
#3614 - $24,900
#2214 - $21,000
#3653 - $12,900
#3372 - $10,900
#3673 - $2,900
Used Knight Big Auggie 12, #3702 - $3,250
Salesmen: Tony Steinhart (608) 778-3491 or Joe Ryan (608) 778-2900
4116 Hwy. 80 S. Platteville, WI
Office: (608) 348-9401 or Toll Free: 1(888) BUY-PATZ www.steinhartsfarmservice.com
4116 Hwy. 80 S. Platteville, WI