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DAIRY ST R “All dairy, all the time”™
Volume 22, No. 6
Reduce milk production but maintain cow numbers, capital Lormore offers three strategies for market demands By Jennifer Coyne jenn@dairystar.com
The novel coronavirus has caused mayhem throughout the dairy industry. For those who received notice from their cooperative or milk processor regarding the unprecedented need to reduce milk shipments, Dr. Michael Lormore, director of U.S. dairy cattle technical services at Zoetis, has offered strategies to reduce milk ows while maintaining a position for a successful re-entry into the market. “It’s rst important to recognize and understand the situation in the industry and what you’re personally up against,” Lormore said. “There is no perfect single answer for everybody.” If a dairy farm is faced with the need to decrease milk supply, there are three primary options that are the most effective when considering farm operations: transitioning from three-timesa-day milking to twice-a-day milking, extending the dry cow period and feeding calves whole milk longer. Limit milking frequency Extensive data has shown that increasing milking frequency from twice a day to three times a day results in an additional 7-8 pounds of milk per cow per day, Lormore said. “So, it’s reasonable to consider going from three-timesa-day milking to two times a day,” he said. “But, farmers have to understand this can’t happen without awareness to the challenges that come with it.” Depending on management strategies, a farm increasing milking frequency can increase production anywhere from 7-8 pounds of milk per cow per day; it is assumed the same will be lost when decreasing milking frequency. If a farm is requested to reduce production by 10% as
Turn to PRODUCTION | Page 5
May 9, 2020
A decade of growth
Sauer reects on years in industry, prepares for future By Jennifer Coyne jenn@dairystar.com
PIERZ, Minn. – It has been 10 years since Branden Sauer began his dairying career, and where he is today is almost unfathomable to the 30-year-old. “The rst day I woke up to a freshened heifer, and I knew that was the beginning of the next 40 years,” Sauer said. “Starting out was tough and looking back, I never thought I’d be this far.” Sauer milks 90 cows in Morrison County near Pierz. The cows are housed in a freestall barn and milked in a double-9 parallel parlor, which Sauer began using last month. Previously, the cows were housed at his family’s farm Turn to SAUER | Page 7
MARK KLAPHAKE/DAIRY STAR
Branden Sauer milks 90 cows in Morrison County near Pierz, Minnesota. The 30-year-old started farming a decade ago, and recently purchased a farm site with a freestall barn and parlor.
Farmers donate milk to those in need Sassy Cow Creamery, Marinette County dairies give back to community By Stacey Smart
stacey.s@dairystar.com
STACEY SMART/DAIRY STAR
Taylor (leŌ) and Faith Baerwolf stand next to the Kindness Cooler they helped create to help area families in need during the COVID-19 pandemic at Sassy Cow Creamery’s retail store near Columbus, Wisconsin. The milk in the refrigerator is free to the public.
COLUMBUS, Wis. – Dairy producers across the state are doing amazing things during the current crisis to ensure milk is not wasted and the hungry are fed. Sassy Cow Creamery in Columbus, a dairy farm that bottles its own milk and makes ice cream, is making sure its customers who have fallen on hard times never go without milk. The creamery has placed a refrigerator outside its retail store lled with fresh, cold milk that is free for the taking. “The Kindness Cooler, as we call it, serves our neighbors, friends and people in the community who are laid off from work, lost their jobs, have kids at home, etc.,” said James Baerwolf, one of the creamery’s owners. “This is an easy way for them to have access to milk.” Sassy Cow regularly works with food pantries and groups in the community, but the Kindness Cooler hits a little closer to home. The response Turn to DONATE | Page 6