“All dairy, all the time”™
Partnership, barn developed to last Czechs,
SARAH MIDDENDORF/DAIRY STAR
Jim Czech (from le ), Rodney Ellio and David Ellio gather Feb. 7 at County Line Dairy near Watertown, South Dakota. The Czech and Ellio families have a partnership opera ng County Line Dairy.
Elliotts build 100-stall rotary parlor
By Sarah Middendorf sarah.m@star-pub.com
WATERTOWN, S.D.
—
Near the Hamlin and Codington county lines, two families have come together to build a new dairy farm aptly named County Line Dairy. The barn includes a 100-stall rotary parlor which they started milking in Dec. 26, 2024, near Watertown.
County Line Dairy is operated by two families, the Czechs — Jim and Angela along with their three sons, Theo, Sam and Andrew — and the Elliotts — David and his dad, Rodney.
A farm love story
Dahls’ romance began with online match 15 years ago
By Amy Kyllo amy.k@star-pub.com
RUSHFORD, Minn. —
After a conversation-lled rst date to a Minnesota Twins game in July 2010, Steph Dahl felt good about her date, Josh.
“On my way home, I was like, ‘Oh yeah, I could see myself spending the rest of my life with him,’” she said. “I knew what I wanted. … I had a feeling that he was the one, like I could totally marry him.”
Marriage, three kids and nearly 15 years together have
proven her intuition correct.
The Dahls dairy farm together near Rushford with Josh’s brother, Jon, and three employees. They milk 300 cows and farm 500 acres.
The couple’s story started with each of the now spouses looking for love on FarmersOnly.com. Though Steph did not grow up on a farm she had hobby farmed with her rst husband of 10 years before he passed away in a farming accident. When she was ready to date, FarmersOnly.com was the only online dating she tried.
“I’d never been on a dating website ever in my life,”
Steph said. “When I found out about this one, I was like, ‘Yep, that’s what I want, because I knew I wanted a farmer.’”
For Josh, rarely leaving the farm meant online dating was a good option to meet people. The couple matched quickly. Josh had been on the platform a few months and Steph less than a month before they connected in May 2010.
The only complication was Steph was living four hours north of Josh in Pine City. Soon, Steph was driving down for weekends to help Josh farm.
“It wasn’t like we really went on dates,” Steph said.
Turn to DAHLS | Page 2
“There’s a great sense of accomplishment … getting them in and seeing the parlor going,” David Elliott said. “Seeing how the cows interact in the barn (and) getting the barn full of cows is always a rewarding feeling.”
The dairy is milking 2,500 cows with hopes to be up to 4,200 by June.
The process started when the Czech family received their permit on the land for 5,000 cows.
During that time Elliott said Valley Queen Cheese was looking for more farmers due to their expansion, which interested Rodney. Rodney had seen that the Czech family had received the permit and approached them about potentially having a partnership dairy on the site.
Turn to COUNTY LINE | Page 7
PHOTO SUBMITTED
Josh and Steph Dahl pause with one of their favorite cows on their farm near Rushford, Minnesota. The Dahls, who milk 300 cows, met on FarmersOnly.com almost 15 years ago.
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“My favorite memory is milking cows with him, riding in the tractor with him, feeding calves with him, just doing farm stuff. … We were just happy to be together. … The farm was our date.”
Well over a decade later, the pair are still farming together. Josh is in charge of day-to-day herd health, reproduction and milking. He also does eldwork. Steph and the children feed calves and do calf health and help with eldwork in the summer. Steph also homeschools the children.
The couple banter that part of the success of their marriage is buying Steph more Brown Swiss cows. The Dahls milk predominantly Holsteins as well as some Red & Whites, Brown Swiss, Jerseys, Milking Shorthorns, and Brown Swiss crossbreds. Last summer, when Steph was going through some health challenges, the couple said they joked that buying cows was going to solve those health issues.
“We bought a lot (of cows and heifers)” Steph said. “Finally, he said, ‘You know what? The medicine is going to have to kick in. I can’t buy you any more.’”
Steph appreciates Josh and his approach to life.
“He’s just got such a huge heart for me, for our kids, such a love of
farming and the animals,” she said.
“He’s really passionate about what he does. … It’s not just a job, every animal is special to him.”
Josh said he realized shortly after they met, that Steph’s commitment to living on a farm meant she could be the one.
“Her enthusiasm for wanting to be on a farm was obviously pretty big (for me),” he said. “It’s hard to nd someone who understands that you just can’t go at the drop of a hat and wants to be around the animals.”
once a year to a concert at a local county fair.
“My favorite memory is milking cows with him, riding in the tractor with him, feeding calves with him, just doing farm stuff. … We were just happy to be together. … The farm was our date.”
STEPH DAHL, DAIRY FARMER
It is her kindness that Josh appreciates the most.
“She makes everyone who she knows feel like they are the most important person,” he said.
The Dahls try to get away from the farm and go camping with family twice a year. As far as spending time alone together, they said it is usually a trip to Fleet Farm or going on a date
WORLDWIDE LEADER IN
and
Looking to the future of the farm, the Dahls are content. They recently nished some facility updates and like the place their farm is in. They hope to continue farming, and they dream eventually their children will take over the farm since their children have indicated interest in doing so.
l t h
“We’re hoping and praying that they still want to farm here when they’re old enough,” Steph said.
The couple said they work well together on the farm, and in life.
“We’re both pretty easy going,” Steph said. “We think a lot alike when it comes to the farm and what we want the future to look like.”
Josh agreed.
“We don’t get too high, we don’t get too low,” he said. “We stay pretty steady.”
TECHNOLOGY
Maquoka, IA
In Stock, Available to Install on Your Farm
“We began looking at a bottle washer to keep bottles cleaner and eliminate an extra job. After seeing the option to purchase the bottle washer and pasteurizer combination, we started to look at its benefits. Once we calculated what we would save by not buying bags of milk replacers, it was an easy decision to add the pasteurizer. Since installing the new system of the bottle washer and pasteurizer combination the calves drink better and are healthier.”
“Green and Gold,” from the heart
Independent lm a dream come true for Michigan brothers
By Danielle Nauman danielle.n@dairystar.com
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Dairy farming and the Green Bay Packers are synonymous with Wisconsin, an essence that is at the heart of the recently released independent lm “Green and Gold,” which chronicles a fourth-generation dairy farmer on the verge of losing the family farm.
The lm was created by brothers Anders and Davin Lindwall, who brought the story to life. Anders directed the lm and Davin produced it.
“Our grandfather was a dairy farmer in Stevenson, Michigan, near Menominee,” Anders Lindwall said. “The dairy closed after his death, but the land was still cropped for a neighbor’s dairy farm. We grew up with cousins who were dairy farmers and involved in FFA.”
The pair make their living creating commercials for businesses, but the allure of lmmaking has always called them, so they returned to their Upper Peninsula roots to look for inspiration.
“A general principle of lmmaking is to look close to home to create things that are meaningful to you,” Lindwall said. “We were surprised at how little the farming community is represented in lm, for how important and prominent it is in our lives.”
T.
) and director
Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. The lm chronicles the story of a Wisconsin dairy farmer on the verge of losing his fourthgenera on family farm.
The project began to grow when one of their commercial clients inquired about what other projects they were working on. When they shared the premise of what was at that time called, “God Loves the Green Bay Packers,” their client was intrigued and backed the project, providing start-up capital for the Lindwalls.
In the lm, the main character is facing the foreclosure of his farm. He makes a deal with the banker: if the Packers can bring home the Lombardi Trophy, his loan will be extended.
“Movies are high-risk investments; nine out of 10 lose money,” Lindwall said. “We brought the Packers into the
story to help expand the viability of the audience.”
The lm pays homage to Wisconsin’s nearly universal love of the Packers. Even the franchise itself has become involved.
“Once the Packers caught the vision, they went all in,” Lindwall said. “It was like an out-of-body experience.”
The Packers, along with their corporate partners, came to appreciate the project for its wholesome nature.
“‘Green and Gold’ portrays the story of Packers fans’ devotion to legacy and community,” said Justin Wolf, director of the Packers corporate sales and activations. “It’s a must-see; we are
proud to be part of a story celebrating supporting one another and showcasing the critical role that family farms play across our great state of Wisconsin, and beyond.”
With multiple pieces of the puzzle beginning to fall in place, the Lindwalls turned their thoughts towards preparing for production. Davin’s wife suggested that actor Craig T. Nelson was a perfect choice for the role of Buck, the main character in the story.
“Our casting directors kind of laughed us out of the room when we said we wanted Craig,” Lindwall said.
Stop in for lunch and some amazing discounts!
PHOTO COURTESY OF GREEN AND GOLD LLC
Actor Craig
Nelson (le
Anders Lindwall discuss a scene during the lming of “Green and Gold” near
BUNKER SILOS
The cast and crew of the independent lm “Green and Gold” work to set up a scene among a herd of beef cows near Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. The movie was lmed primarily in Door County, with scenes shot in Appleton and at Lambeau Field in Green Bay.
“At that point, we were just shing for anything we could get. Craig literally called us the next day after he read the script and said he wanted to do this lm with us. He’s been the best, so gracious to us as rst-time lmmakers.”
The story appealed to Nelson on several levels.
“The story felt personal,” Nelson said in a press release. “I felt a real connection to it because the Nelson family farm has been a working farm in South Dakota since the Civil War; and my wife’s family were also farmers.”
Nelson’s character is a quintessential Wisconsin dairy farmer, a man who names his cows after legendary Packers players while facing a bevy of issues that are part of the everyday landscape for many in the state’s ever-changing dairy industry.
“There’s some Hollywood fun, like plowing elds with horses and milking cows by hand —Buck’s friends nicknamed him ‘Horse and Buggy,’” Lindwall said. “It’s not a documentary on dairy farming, it’s just about the person Buck is, doing things as old-school as he can. There are a lot of authentic moments dairy farmers can relate to, especially the parts about family.”
The movie, lmed entirely in Wisconsin, touches on many of the complex and difcult social issues facing the dairy farm community in rural America, Lindwall said.
“I think that is a unique component, sharing that vulnerability,” Lindwall said. “A lot of people wouldn’t think the dairy industry, lled with people that are so salt of the earth, would have such an alarming rate of suicide.”
As the Lindwalls moved into the
marketing and distribution phase of their project, the Culver’s restaurant franchise signed on to support the project.
“There aren’t a lot of brands that are more general population brands that have the farming attachment that Culver’s does with their Thank You Farmers Project,” Lindwall said. “We were thrilled when they signed on after telling us they loved the lm — that it represented everything they believe in.”
Culver’s dedication to rural communities, supporting agricultural education by donating millions of dollars, impressed the Lindwalls so much that at the end of the movie, there is a QR code to make a donation to support the Thank You Farmers Project.
As the brothers prepared to release “Green and Gold,” their original goals were small: hoping the lm would appear in maybe 100 theaters throughout Wisconsin.
“Our distributor sent out a screener link, nationwide, nearly 1,000 theaters across the country signed up to take it and 100 theaters in Canada expressed interest,” Lindwall said. “My jaw dropped; I nearly fell out of my chair when they sent me the list.”
The experience of living out their dream and making a lm that hits close to home, has been one Lindwall said he and his brother will cherish forever.
“The farmers we grew up around and knew, they were an important part of our lives, and we wanted to share that story,” Lindwall said. “We’re so proud of this lm, even if it’s the only one we ever get to do — it has been bigger and has already had so much more impact than we ever could have imagined.”
The barn design started about two years ago. The partners were able to start construction in fall 2023. By spring 2024, they were pouring concrete and by December it was habitable. Elliott said it will be another two months to completely nish everything in the barn.
“We’re 95% of the way home with it,” Elliott said.
The barn houses both milking and dry cows. Calves are shipped to a facility in Kansas and return to the home farm when conrmed pregnant.
The barn is 500- by 1,000feet with tunnel ventilation and sand-bedded stalls. There are 16 pens in all, including the maternity pen. They also have an additional eight individual pens for calving. They have two milk silos, which hold 60,000 gallons of milk each and a sand-settling lane.
Many fans are utilized in the barn, from stir fans above the cows to fans on the back wall to pull air through the barn. There also is a thermostat on the curtains that will adjust them based on the temperature.
“The build went very good,” Elliott said. “(There was) great weather for it. (It was a) late fall, which always helps.”
Next to the entrance and exit to the rotary is a veterinary deck. This allows employees to administer medicine while the cows are on the rotary. There also is a screen above the rotary to allow the employees to know which stall the cows are in.
Elliott said there is a twolane alley for receiving into the holding area and a return from the rotary, which enhances the ow of cattle on and off the rotary parlor.
“They can ow off the rotary way faster than they would in our other barns,” Elliott said. “They can be back in their pens in 20 minutes.”
Additionally, the barn has a ush system. These are located on one end of each pen and the holding areas. This system ushes water to clean the alleys and saves on labor.
“You can ush with the cows in the pen, which is very nice,” Elliott said. “(The ush)
keeps (manure) from building up.”
The dairy has roughly 1012 employees on-site per day.
“Everything was designed with labor efciency in mind and (we) tried to eliminate ow issues where people have to walk excessively,” Elliott said.
Though the building process was relatively smooth, there were a few challenges in construction of the barn Elliot said, such as the wait time for the silos and the rotary.
“We were pretty happy with getting it online before the end of 2024,” Elliott said.
When they started, they brought 600 cows from the
Czech family’s Drumgoon Dairy to County Line Dairy and have been bringing animals into the new barn every week since.
A majority of the current milking cows were housed and milked at Drumgoon Dairy. The partnership also have been purchasing animals to grow the herd.
Elliott said the rst 2-3 days of milking they had to encourage the cows to go on the rotary, but it has been getting better since.
They can milk about 400 cows an hour but are working up to do 500 cows an hour. The ultimate goal is to be able to
milk 600 cows an hour.
“Getting the cows to go on, that is the challenge,” Elliott said. “The pace in which they go on, it takes time.”
Both families have put in work to accomplish what they have with the dairy.
“It denitely doesn’t happen without a lot of people making a lot of effort,” Elliott said. “A majority goes to my dad and Jim Czech. ... There was a lot of reward in getting it done and … they started two years ago really as acquaintances. … They’ve worked very hard together and worked very well together to build a partnership between our two families.”
SARAH MIDDENDORF/DAIRY STAR
Cows ride the rotary parlor Feb. 7 at County Line Dairy near Watertown, South Dakota. The rotary parlor has 100 stalls.
From dairy barn to hardcourt
Sabolik holds two positions of leadership
By Mark Klaphake mark.k@dairystar.com
KENSINGTON, Minn.
Greg Sabolik guides two teams.
Every morning, Sabolik gathers with his staff in the connes of a tunnel-ventilated freestall barn. There, they talk about the plans and challenges for the day at his 600cow Douglas County dairy farm, Bred & Butter Dairy.
By 3 p.m., from November to March, ve days a week, Sabolik meets with a far younger, less experienced team: a group of teenage boys. Sabolik oversees drills and talks plays and strategy on the hardcourt at West Central Area Secondary School in Barrett.
Sabolik owns the farm in addition to being an assistant boy’s basketball coach for the West Central Knights.
“It’s challenging because coaching takes a lot of time and so does dairying,” Sabolik said. “I have a really, really solid group of employees, and this wouldn’t be possible without them.”
Sabolik, who played high school basketball in the 1990s, was not looking to add more to his schedule, but when an opportunity presented itself, he could not say no.
“Our varsity coach decided to step away,” he said. “Our junior varsity coach had been coaching for the past 12 years and is a friend of mine. I encouraged him to take the (head coaching) position, and he did. I told him I will play whatever role to be helpful for this program. He called me and asked me to coach ninth grade.”
Sabolik’s twin sons, Jack and Ben, can be seen playing for the Knights. Ben plays for his dad on the C-squad team and also plays on the junior varsity team and Jack plays on the varsity team which his dad also assists with.
“They are my kids at the end of the day,” Sabolik said. “I am going to hold them to a very high standard because that is the way we are wired. You want your kids to learn all these values to be upstanding citizens that value honesty, integrity and hard work.”
Ever since his sons start-
ed Saturday morning drills in third grade, Sabolik has been coaching on the sidelines.
“It is really healthy for the family life,” Sabolik said. “You don’t have all the memories they have of you from the barn and working yourself to death. Those outsidethe-farm, unique memories are the ones your kids will remember. I really enjoy coach-
ing my kids, but I also want to help my community. This year has been very rewarding.”
The winter season is long, and traveling on cold, bitter days has its challenges, Sabolik said. But, the rewards are far greater. Sabolik has fond memories that will last a lifetime. Just last year, Jack and Ben sunk buzzer beaters at a
tournament in Fargo, North Dakota.
“It was a team effort, but it was pretty special to see my kids have success from the values I taught them,” Sabolik said. “There is a special group of boys here. They are good kids that work. They
MARK KLAPHAKE/DAIRY STAR
Greg Sabolik stands with his two sons, Ben (le ) and Jack before a West Central Area basketball game Jan. 30 in Barre , Minnesota. Greg is the C-squad coach for the Knights and also owns a 600-cow dairy farm.
Turn to SABOLIK | Page 9
are like my own kids because I spend so much time with them.”
On practice days, Sabolik arrives home around 6 p.m. On game days, he arrives much later and has a hard time leaving the basketball thoughts on the court.
“I am wound pretty tight from the game, and I have to be up by 5 or 6 a.m. and have to get everything done by 2:30 p.m. so I can leave again,” Sabolik said. “There is no better hobby than helping young men and women become stronger individuals with a passion for a game that I love. It teaches you a lot about life.”
In a typical season, the team plays around 30 games.
“At the varsity level, I never realized how much time coaches put into it between game plans, watching lm and practice plans,” he said. “They are dedicated to it. It’s astonishing. It’s a whole new animal with the intensity and time commitment.”
Sabolik started coaching elementary teams more than 20 years ago. When his sons came through the program, he progressed with them as they grew.
Although the days are full and long, Sabolik hopes he can leave an impression on the players he has an opportunity to work with.
“There is nothing better than to see these young men put into action what we are trying to teach them,” Sabolik said. “We all have that one teacher or coach when we were in high school that really made a difference in our lives. If you can come close to being that person for just a
few kids, there is nothing better than that.”
Sabolik said he is grateful to his parents, who set an example for him.
“I have been blessed,” he said. “I had great teachers and coaches. It is human nature to try and pay that forward.”
Ben (le ) and Jack watch a free-throw a empt during their basketball game Jan. 30 against
in
, Minnesota. Both boys got varsity minutes in the game.
(below) Greg Sabolik signals in a play to his team during their C-squad game against Sauk Centre Jan. 30 in Barre , Minnesota. Sabolik started coach C-squad in November 2024.
MARK KLAPHAKE/DAIRY STAR
Sauk Centre
Barre
What are some of the DHIA tests you use?
In addition to production and SCC, we use the milk pregnancy test, MUN, Johne’s and Leukosis.
Which is your favorite and why? The production and SCC.
How do you use them within your dairy? We use the production and SCC reports for culling decisions and use the fat, protein, and MUN reports to evaluate feed ration changes.
How long have you been using the DHIA pregnancy test? We have been using the milk pregnancy test for about two years.
What do you like about the DHIA Pregnancy Tests? It’s nice to be able to do the pregnancy test without any extra time or labor.
How does testing with DHIA bene t your dairy operation? We use the information to improve production and ensure milk quality. Our negative test results for Johne’s and Leukosis helps us market show and breeding stock. The milk pregnancy test provides timely information for reproductive management between vet herd health checks.
Tell us about your farm. I farm with my wife, Barb, and two youngest sons Benjamin and Daniel. We milk 85 cows. The boys plan to take over the farm in the near future. We raise farm 560 acres and corn, oats, alfalfa and grass.
DHIA: Now MORE than ever
Legislature addresses permitting reform
The permitting bill passed on a party-line vote in the House Environment and Natural Resources Committee and will now go to the Workforce, Labor and Economic Development Committee. The bill would tighten the window for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to rule on permit applications and help speed up the process. Minnesota AgriGrowth Council Executive Director Darin Broten said a streamlined MPCA permitting process is a priority for the state’s ag industry. However, Department of Natural Resources regulations also need attention. “We have farmers in this state who have been waiting for three years to get to the rst phase of a DNR water appropriation permit,” stressed Broten. “Permitting reform is important across the entire state and it also should be a priority at the DNR.”
By Don Wick Columnist Ag Insider
Agriculture) most recent farm sector income forecast has shown a $41 billion decrease in net farm income, down 25% from 2022,” testied Duvall. “Despite lower prices, 2024 payments out of the farm bill going to farmers are projected to be the lowest since 1982.” National Farmers Union President Rob Larew echoed those thoughts: “We cannot afford a third extension of the 2018 farm bill; this farm bill should include strengthening the farm safety net and providing farmers with robust risk management tools, investing in voluntary, incentive-based conservation programs, supporting the next generation of farmers, and keeping the farm bill coalition together.”
Senate conrms Rollins
Farmers to benet from reciprocal tariffs, says Trump
President Donald Trump announced new reciprocal tariffs, saying they will help farmers compete on a fairer playing eld. “I think the farmers are going to be helped by this very much because product is being dumped into our country and our farmers are getting hurt very badly,” Trump said. “The last administration hated our farmers at a level that I’ve never seen before.” Trump also expressed condence in the overall economic impact. “We know the jobs are going to be produced at levels that we haven’t seen before, and we think that the prices for some things, many things, could ultimately go down.”
Senate ag committee hears calls for stronger farm safety net
In the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee hearing on the farm economy, American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall spoke about the need for an updated farm bill to help farmers during tough economic times.
“The USDA’s (U.S. Department of
The Senate voted 72-28 to conrm Brooke Rollins as the new agriculture secretary. Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman praised the decision, saying “America’s farmers, ranchers and foresters need a leader at USDA who will be an advocate for their livelihoods in rural America and be a strong voice to address the pressing needs of our agriculture community; Brooke Rollins is that person.” Senate Majority Leader John Thune outlined her priorities. “First, getting disaster and economic aid out the door and into the hands of farmers; second, getting the bird u and other animal disease outbreaks under control,” said Thune. “Third, getting the farm bill done, and nally, revitalizing the U.S. Department of Agriculture to focus on its core mission and put America and American agriculture rst.”
A new turn in H5N1 saga
A new strain of avian inuenza has been identied in dairy cattle. USDA reports genome sequencing of a milk sample from Nevada has conrmed the new strain of the virus.
This new case
been found in wild birds this past winter and fall.
Supply/demand report updated
In February’s World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report, USDA forecast 2024 milk production at 225.9 billion pounds. That’s up slightly from the previous report. Due to lower-than-expected cow numbers, USDA lowered its 2025 forecast to 226.9 billion pounds. The overall Class III milk price forecast is down from this past year.
Dairy exports decline
U.S. dairy exports declined slightly this past year, but it was a record year for cheese exports. U.S. cheese exports rose 17% over the past year and topped the 1-billion-pound mark for the rst time in history. U.S. suppliers set records in Mexico, Central America, South America and the Caribbean.
House committee passes milk bill
The House Committee on Education and the Workforce passed the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act with a bipartisan 24-10 vote. This proposal would end the ban on whole milk and 2% milk from school menus. School milk consumption has declined since this ban took effect more than 10 years ago. The National Milk Producers Federation and International Dairy Foods Association praised the passage of this bill.
Ofcer team in place for Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy
Dairy Farmers of America President and CEO Dennis Rodenbaugh is the new chair of the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy. Brad Anderson of California Dairies is the new vice chair. Associated Milk Producers Inc. President and Chief Executive Ofcer Sheryl Meshke is the treasurer, and Schreiber Foods President/CEO Ron Danford is secretary. The executive committee rounds out with Heather Anfang of Land O’Lakes and Joe Digilio of Michi-
gan Milk Producers Association.
A game changer for hay production
John Deere has launched the Weave Automation Baler. “The weaving is done by the baler itself, and you don’t have to do it in the tractor.” Kaylene Ballesteros, Deere’s go-to-market manager for hay and forage, said the Weave Automation Baler is designed to make the baling process easier. “We have the ability to look at the bale chamber and see how it’s lled. The baler uses technology to adjust the weaving automatically.” With AutoTrack sensors, the baler can operate with minimal learning, allowing operators to focus on driving straight over the windrow.
New small square baler on the market
AGCO has introduced the new Massey Ferguson SB 1436DB small square baler. It produces two rows of bales per eld pass, reducing labor, equipment and fuel costs while increasing productivity.
A reappointment to the board of animal health
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has reappointed Dr. Jessica Koppien-Fox to the board of animal health. Koppien-Fox is a veterinarian with the Marshall Animal Clinic.
Trivia challenge
There are 13 essential vitamins and nutrients in milk. That answers our last trivia question. For this week’s trivia, in what year did National FFA Week begin? We’ll have the answer in our next edition of the Dairy Star.
Don Wick is owner/broadcaster for the Red River Farm Network of 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 sons, Tony and Sam, and ve grandchildren, Aiden, Piper, Adrienne, Aurora and Sterling.
Dairy meets hustle, bustle of St. Paul
Producers gather at state capital to advocate with lawmakers
By Emily Breth emily.b@star-pub.com
ST. PAUL, Minn. — As dairy farmers traded their barn clothes for dress clothes, they were welcomed to St. Paul for the Minnesota Milk Producers Association’s annual Dairy Day at the Capitol, a day of learning, meetings and discussion about Minnesota dairy concerns, laws and regulations.
Among these dairy farmers was Dean Smith, a new board member with MMPA. Smith owns and operates D&D Dairy, milking about 1,200 cows near Rushford with his brothers, Greg and Randy.
“I’ll be a pro voice for dairy and ag in general to see what other options are out there and talk to different farms,” Smith said. “The board members are from all over the state, so it’s not just my area.”
Lucas Sjostrom, MMPA executive director, led one group of dairy advocates. Sjostrom grew up on a dairy farm, attended the University of Minnesota and has been active in dairy promotion and dairy policy for more than 15 years.
“We need to be here in this setting once a year at least and many others,” Sjostrom said. “I come back
throughout the year. Dairy is an important part of Minnesota agriculture, so if we’re not here in person, that’s not seen.”
While several MMPA groups met with various state representatives and senators, Smith and Sjostrom had the opportunity to meet with Reps. Krista Knudsen, Mike Wiener, Shane Mekeland, Tom O’Driscoll and Greg Davids, and Sen. Nick Frentz.
The discussion and MMPA’s priorities consisted of better workplace management, the Dairy Assistance,
Brian & Eileen Hoefler
Hoefler Dairy • New Vienna, IA
Purchased December 2017
thing right now is the earned sick and safe time law.”
Sjostrom said the law can be challenging for farmers to comply with it. MMPA is advocating to get farmers exempt from the law. MMPA is also working on protecting dairy farmers from the proposed Family and Medical Leave Act due to the law’s additional paperwork and cost to farms. Dairy farmers present at the capitol gave voice to challenges and concerns these new laws and regulations could have on them.
“It’s just important to remind legislators that we’re here and remind them that sometimes when they write a law or an agency writes a rule, it can affect us in ways that they don’t see,” Sjostrom said. “By having a presence here, we become their rst phone call before they do something.”
Smith agreed.
Investment and Relief Initiative program for Dairy Margin Coverage rebates, the future of the farm bill, feedlot rules and regulations, infrastructure investments, and agriculture research and education funding.
“Another thing is telling people what the current state of dairy is,” Sjostrom said. “We have some profitability ahead, but reminding them that it’s very easy for us, as a commodity business, to go from a prot to a loss if they add new taxes and fees.”
“(It’s important) just to get to know your representatives, see if you can make any connections and at least make your voice heard a little bit,” Smith said. “I didn’t quite realize how you have to lobby for everything you try to get.”
Smith said it is important for those connections to be made, even if they are not with a representative for someone’s district because many people share concerns and issues throughout the industry.
“I think (our attendance at the Capitol will) have some impact,” Smith said. “Lucas Sjostrom is a good voice out there to lobby for dairy. We have to keep trying because that’s the way it works.”
FL SELF-LOADING
for straw, sawdust etc.
FEATURES:
• 3-in-1 – The BOBMAN bedding machines scrape the slats, sweep the stalls and spread an even layer of bedding all in only one pass!
• Reduces the time taken to clean out the stalls or the milking cubicles
• Can help to reduce somatic cell count & prevent mastitis
• Time and labor saving
• Save on the amount of bedding materials used
• Clean and dry cow resting surface
“Cleaning freestalls was a dreaded chore before, but now with the BOBMAN everyone wants to do them. It has helped us to save time, reduce labor, and have cleaner stalls. The support from Wille’s has been excellent as well.”
Funding for environmental projects, mainly digesters, to provide better opportunities for farms and funding for agriculture education for kindergarten through 12th grade was also a part of the discussion throughout the day.
“We dictate our policy based on what our members told us,” Sjostrom said. “Our members have been telling us with phone calls and emails what their problems are and what their opportunities are. The biggest
Making the effort to educate lawmakers is well worth the effort Sjostrom said.
“As we heard in one meeting, stopping things before they start is probably the biggest thing we do— translating how an idea will impact our farm,” he said. “Rather than always trying to invent something new, most of the time we’re stopping something new from happening.”
included be er workplace management, the Dairy Assistance, Investment and Relief Ini a ve program for Dairy Margin Coverage rebates, the future of the farm bill, feedlot rules and regula ons, infrastructure investments, and agriculture research and educa on funding.
PHOTO SUBMITTED
Dairy farmer Dean Smith (le ) talks with Sen. Nick Frentz Feb. 5 during Dairy Day at the Capitol at the Senate building in St. Paul, Minnesota. Dean Smith is a new board member with Minnesota Milk Producers Associa on and owns and operates D&D Dairy with his brothers, Greg and Randy.
PHOTO SUBMITTED
Ken Herbranson (front, from le ), Ben Hernandez, Tom Walsh, Emily Mollenhauer, Taylor and Bob Dombeck, Jill Dauenhauer, Rick Smith and Anthony Anderson; (back, from le ) Sen. Jordan Rasmusson, Vernon Quall and Jacob Twohey gather Feb. 5 in St. Paul, Minnesota. The discussion and MMPA’s priories
Minnesota to begin testing raw cow milk for H5N1
Information from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture
Beginning the week of Feb. 24, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, working with state government and industry partners, will begin sampling and testing raw cow’s milk for the H5N1 u virus to identify where the virus is present, monitor trends and prevent its spread to unaffected dairy herds and poultry ocks around the state.
“H5N1 is an emerging disease in dairy cattle, and conducting disease surveillance supports the state’s ability to effectively respond to outbreaks and limit the potential impact on the livestock and poultry industries, as well as on public health,” said MDA Commissioner Thom Petersen.
There is no concern for the safety of the public milk supply, as all milk sold in stores is pasteurized to kill bacteria and viruses, and pasteurization has been shown to effectively eliminate active H5N1 virus present in milk.
People and pets should not consume unpasteurized, raw milk, raw
milk cheeses, or raw or undercooked meat from animals with suspected or conrmed H5N1 virus infection. All raw dairy products may contain harmful bacteria, parasites or viruses which can cause illness.
The MDA will order the testing of raw milk samples already collected from each of Minnesota’s approximately 1,600 dairy farms on a monthly basis. These routinely collected bulk milk samples, which are taken before the pasteurization process, will be sub-sampled by industry labs and sent for H5N1 testing to the Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Lab at the University of Minnesota.
When a sample analysis shows the presence of inuenza virus, the Minnesota Board of Animal Health will be notied to collect an additional verication sample to conrm the presence of the H5N1 virus on the identied farm. All non-negative samples will also be forwarded to the National Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in Ames, Iowa, for further conrmation and genetic typing. The BAH will also initiate a farm quarantine and disease investigation. Any farm where H5N1 is con-
rmed will be quarantined for a minimum of 30 days, during which no livestock, poultry, cats, manure, waste milk or carcasses can leave the farm without a movement permit from the BAH.
Milk from healthy animals can still be sold for pasteurization, as usual.
Before lifting the quarantine, a farm must have three consecutive negative bulk milk tank tests taken at least seven days apart, and complete management and biosecurity plans for preventing the spread of the virus. Case managers will help farms work through this process.
When H5N1 is conrmed in a herd, the Minnesota Department of Health will request a list of people on the farm who were exposed to the infected herd. MDH workers will contact these individuals to give them the option to enroll in human health monitoring.
Human cases of H5N1 are rare, and to date, no human cases have been found in Minnesota.
“Although we understand that people may be concerned about getting sick with H5N1, the risk to the
general public remains low at this time,” said Dr. Ruth Lyneld, state epidemiologist and medical director at MDH. “People most at risk are those who have direct contact with infected or potentially infected animals and their environments.”
Symptoms of H5N1 in people can include red, itchy, watery eyes and/or cough, sore throat and a fever.
This testing plan is part of the National Milk Testing Strategy announced in December 2024 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, which requires sampling and testing of all raw cow milk for H5N1.
The MDA is working with the federal agency on funding for the testing.
USDA-APHIS is providing nancial support to help dairy producers enhance biosecurity on their farms and follow the necessary response protocols if H5N1 is conrmed in their herd.
Anyone with questions about the testing plan can visit the MDA website.
from our side our side OF THE
What is the best technology you have implemented?
Bryton Miller Kellogg, Minnesota Wabasha County 80 milk cows
Throughout the U.S. dairy industry, what technology has made the biggest impact?
Any and all equipment that automates stuff.
What technology have you recently added to your farm? We added a Lely A5 milking robot.
What is the best technology you have implemented? Of all the technology that we have added, from alley scrapers to GPS in tractors, the Lely milking robot would have to be the best investment. We were struggling with the long hours of milking in a stanchion barn that was worn out. With the robot, we saved a little bit of time, but you are way more exible with your time. Someone still has to show up every morning and night to collect fetch cows, breed cows, look for sick ones and do cleanup, but with a robot, you are able to nish chopping that last eld of corn or hang out with family longer because the robot is milking 24/7. You also don’t have to worry about the robot doing a no-show or calling in sick every milking.
What factors do you consider when deciding if a technology is right for your operation? One factor I consider is what is the cost of the technology and how will it benet me. Some benets I consider are saved time, better work environment and cow/human health.
What technology(s) are you currently researching or looking into? The technology we are looking into is still the milking robot. There is so much we are still learning about it. It can tell us about everything you need to know about a cow; we just have to be able to read the reports and learn what each one means.
What advances will technology make during your career? I’ve been working on a dairy farm since I was big enough to walk. I could never have imagined they could invent something that was able to milk a cow by itself or a tractor that could drive itself. The options are endless, and we’re doing our best to keep up with the times.
Tell us about your family and farm. My wife and I got married in 2023. Morgan helps with farm chores when she isn't working for Romsdahl Companies, designing hog barns. We milk our 80 cows with a Lely A5 milking robot and farm around 140 acres of owned and rented ground. The main crops we grow are corn and hay. All are used for feed.
Scott Krueger Arlington Minnesota Sibley County 100 cows
Throughout the U.S. dairy industry, what technology has made the biggest impact? Precision ag in general, everything from agronomy to monitoring your herd.
What technology have you recently added to your farm? DairyComp. It is so much nicer to be able to put everything in on your phone live, so you don’t have to remember anything. It is nice to have access to your herd's information at your ngertips.
What is the best technology you have implemented? Several years ago, we added security cameras to our maternity barn, which led to eventually installing them all over the farm. They were added to the maternity barn to avoid having to trek to the barn in the middle of the night, especially in weather like today, to see if anyone had calved, was calving and or needed help calving. Now, it is nice to not have to second guess if you shut a gate somewhere; you can just pull up the camera on your phone and look from wherever you are. You can also make sure the employees are on time and working while you are away from the farm.
What factors do you consider when deciding if a technology is right for your operation? Cost efciency. Everything has to pay for itself somehow, whether that’s in time saved or extra income.
What technology(s) are you currently researching or looking into? We are currently looking into SenseHub activity monitoring tags. We hope this will allow us to catch more natural heats, which would result in using fewer synchronization shots, saving us money in the long run.
What advances will technology make during your career? The possibilities are endless. You don’t know what someone will dream up tomorrow.
Tell us about your family and farm. I milk 100 Holsteins with my 21-year-old daughter, Montana. Our other daughter, Madison, is a vet tech. Our oldest son, Mausten, is a junior who helps out wherever needed and is our primary A.I. tech while attending both high school and Ridgewater as postsecondary enrollment options and also tends to his ock of 65 laying hens. We also have a 13-year-old son, Murdock, who is very curious as to why we do things the way we do. He helps out whenever he is not dancing competitively. My wife, Stephanie, manages the local Dairy Queen in Glencoe and manages the books here at home. My father, who is “retired,” also still feeds calves twice daily and helps out wherever he is needed.
Jeff Lindo (pictured with his wife, Amber, and their children Sophie, Drew, Lillie and Jacob)
Almelund, Minnesota
Chisago County
40 cows
Throughout the U.S. dairy industry, what technology has made the biggest impact? As far as technology, the biggest impact on the industry has been robots. The biggest impact on our farm has been genetics.
What technology have you recently added to your farm? We use sexed semen. We get heifers when we want them, and we use beef on the rest.
What is the best technology you have implemented? The cell phone, so we can stay in contact while on the farm (which is both good and bad at times), and the track skid steer. We have wet ground in our area, so it has made it possible to accomplish tasks when it’s too wet for other equipment.
What factors do you consider when deciding if a technology is right for your operation? The cost of it, and what the return potentials would be for that certain technology.
What technology(s) are you currently researching or looking into? We are not looking into any new technology at the moment.
What advances will technology make during your career? The crop technology will increase yields. The production possibilities in cattle will also increase.
Tell us about your family and farm. We have a three-generation farm. My wife, Amber, and I farm with our four kids — Sophie, 16; Drew, 15; Lillie, 12; and Jacob, 8 — and my dad, Lowell. We have 350 acres of crops (corn, beans and hay). We milk 40 cows three times per day. We also have a small beef herd and raise around 100 steers.
Benjamin Seifert
Sleepy Eye, Minnesota
Brown County 220 cows
Throughout the U.S. dairy industry, what technology has made the biggest impact? In the history of the dairy industry, I would say the early milking claw/machine has made the biggest impact. That technology helped farmers go from only being able to milk a handful of cows by hand to milking as many cows as they wanted. So many different technologies have piggybacked off it, from different styles to, nowadays, full robotics. Articial Insemination is another huge technology because we can use bulls with the traits we choose and not have the safety risk of keeping bulls around. Sexed semen has helped farmers choose what cows they want to have daughters out of and has helped dairies expand faster from within their own herd.
What technology have you recently added to your farm? We recently installed and began using four AMS Galaxy Merlin M2G milking robots on our farm in August 2024. Along with the addition of the robots, we added Amilk collars for each cow to communicate with the robots and the Fullsense computer program, which monitors heats, rumination, etc. We have apps on our phones to access the management computer and robots, so we can have all the information and the ability to view and possibly x “errors” from anywhere we have cell phone or internet service.
What is the best technology you have implemented? Although we’ve only been using them for about six months now, the collars have really helped with catching
more cows in heat. If a cow pops up on the computer as possibly being in heat, we can pull up her activity chart and see how active she is and if it aligns with previous spikes in activity. It also shows what time of day she started getting more active and goes back to normal, so we can breed the cow accordingly.
What factors do you consider when deciding if a technology is right for your operation? With dairy margins as low as they are, we have to put a strong consideration on the cost of the technology and how fast it will pay itself off. Hiring extra labor isn’t getting any cheaper, and it is not easier to nd good help, so we have really been trying hard to implement more technology to become more efcient and get more of the work done ourselves.
What technology(s) are you currently researching or looking into? We are still deep into learning more and ne-tuning all the new technology we just added, so we’re not looking too seriously into much more on the dairy end right now. We may throw around the possibility of researching a baby calf feeder at some point, but we’ll see how our new normal goes for the immediate future.
What advances will technology make during your career? I think technology will keep getting better and better. Robotics will continue to become huge in the dairy industry as labor continues to be an issue and companies continue to evolve on how robotics can be used in different areas and settings to stretch how much each person can do in a day. Farmers and engineers need to keep an open mind because the possibilities are endless, and you never know which technology could make a real difference on your farm. The “wheels are always turning.”
Tell us about your family and farm. My dad, Steven, brother, Jonathan and I milk about 220 Holstein cows on four robots and raise our replacement heifers. We farm about 450 acres of mostly corn and alfalfa. My wife, Elizabeth, and I have two daughters. We recently bought a neighbor’s farm place and are happy to be living next door to the dairy. We raised a handful of steers, 20 turkeys, our dog Elsa and a truckload of cats this past year.
Throughout the U.S. dairy industry, what technology has made the biggest impact? Off the top of my head, I think the biggest impact has been from the advancement in genetics and genetic testing and using that data to advance herd performance at a rapid pace through selective breeding.
What technology have you recently added to your farm? One piece of tech we have added recently would be temperature tracking and fan controls in the barns relayed to an app on our phones. With the extremes in temperatures in the summers and especially this winter, we can control airow and temps with the touch of a button.
What is the best technology you have implemented? Overall, I think it is the genetic advancements and testing I mentioned before. We can get a better cow at a more rapid pace, breeding our healthiest, most fertile, most productive cows back to the best bulls in those similar regards and letting the lesser genetics get bred to beef. We can see it fairly easily today with a signicantly lower cull rate, much
better conception and butterfat and protein components within even the last ve years, and it keeps improving. It sounds like the industry as a whole has enjoyed the benets of a more efcient healthier cow through genetic advancement. What factors do you consider when deciding if a technology is right for your operation? Simply put, it has to have a return on investment. If we can see a clear return on the technology, be it efciency or protability, it makes the decision pretty easy.
What technology(s) are you currently researching or looking into? Right now, we are trying to gure out a way to implement high oleic soybeans into the ration with their reputation for increased components.
What advances will technology make during your career? I think plant and cow genetics will continue to improve and become more efcient, as well as the use of fertilizer and manure on the ground as the state of agriculture demands we get more out of less. There will also be continued analysis of and direction from the trends in the ever-increasing supply of data across the industry.
Tell us about your family and farm. The farm consists of David and Sara Jane and their sons, Jesse and Paul, with around 20 full-time employees at the moment. They are in the process of transitioning to the next generation, but David and Sara Jane still very much enjoy being involved in the daily management and tasks on the dairy. The dairy started in 1990 with 24 cows on the current site and about 60 cows a couple of miles over at David's parent's farm. The herd went through the rst expansion around 1999-2000, eventually growing to the current number of milking cows today, with plans to keep improving and building in the future.
Dave Brutscher (pictured with his wife, Sara Jane)
Daystar Dairy Little Falls, Minnesota Morrison County 850 cows
OptiDuo™ remixes feed and then repositions it evenly along the feed bunk. This leads to less sorting and a more even distribution of feed, which means less stress for low ranked animals.
With DeLaval VMS V300, it all revolves around you, which is why we have developed the V300 to be the world’s most exible milking robot–so that it works for you and not the other way around. Whether your operation is small or large, the VMS V300 can help you farm your way.
How many times a day do you milk, and what is your current herd average, butterfat and protein? We milk two times a day. Our current herd average is 26,666 pounds of milk, 1,269 pounds of butterfat and 882 pounds of protein, with tests of 4.8% butterfat and 3.3% protein.
Describe your housing and milking facility. The cows are housed in a loose housing barn built in 2020. They are also fed in this building. It is cleaned and bedded with fresh straw every day in winter. In spring, summer and fall, the cows choose to go outside more, and they are free to go to the feedlot or pastures whenever they wish. The barn is only cleaned as needed during the spring, summer and fall seasons because they are outside so much. The cows are milked in a very simple at 6-cow parlor built in 1982.
Who is part of your farm team, and what are your roles? Jim: Milking, deciding day-to-day tasks, eldwork and hauling manure. When we have breakdowns, he gets to be on the phone trying to arrange to get things xed and up and running again. Marilyn: (Jim’s wife) Feeding calves and making sure they are healthy, helping in the morning by loading feed and feeding all the animals, assisting with milking when needed and taking care of all the bookwork. She is also on duty for any
TOP PERFORMERS
cleanup. Peter: (Jim and Marilyn’s son) Milking, making all the breeding decisions including heat detection and selecting bulls for A.I. breeding. He loads the total mixed ration and feeding and cleans the sheds to keep the animals comfortable and dry.
What is your herd health program? We have monthly herd checks. We check for pregnancy, dehorn calves and assess any
other health concerns we have with the cows. We try to use the cow’s natural cycle for breeding and limit the use of chemical hormones.
What does your dry cow and transition program consist of? The cows are dried off two months before calving for their yearly holiday. They are treated with Tomorrow dry tubes at dry off. They are housed and
fed separately from the milking cows. They also have access to pastures during this time. When they freshen, the ladies are moved back into the milking herd.
What is the composition of your ration, and how has that changed in recent years? Our ration consists of dry alfalfa, haylage, corn silage and a grain mix. All forages are tested, and
the grain mix is prepared by our nutritionist, Jerry Schroden, who works at Gilman Coop. He has been our trusted nutritionist for many years. The newest change we’ve made is purchasing a TMR in late December. Before that, we used a Kelly Ryan feeder wagon, what we fondly referred to as our “poor man’s TMR.” It worked very well, and now we are looking forward to the benets of a real TMR.
Tell us about the forages you plant and detail your harvest strategies. We plant corn for silage and alfalfa. We work with an agronomist to keep the soil healthy and harvest the best crops we can. We rely on custom harvesters to bring in the crop when it is at its peak quality. We store all corn silage and haylage in bags. We make some dry hay but also purchase dry alfalfa hay as needed. We purchase all of our corn and concentrates from Gilman Coop.
What is your average somatic cell count and how does that affect your production? Our average somatic cell count is 143,000. The healthier the cow, the better they will produce. Everything we do as far as feeding and keeping them clean plays
Jim, Marilyn and Peter Schumer of Schumer Family Farm
St. Stephen, Minnesota | Stearns County | 82 Cows
MARK KLAPHAKE/DAIRY STAR
Jim, Marilyn and Peter Schumer stand near their farm sign Feb. 14 on their dairy near St. Stephen, Minnesota. The Schumers milk 82 cows.
HIGHEST QUALITY SHAVINGS
“Then and now... best thing we could have done!”
“We started using Udder ComfortTM 15 years ago. It was the best thing we could have done to make a tremendous difference. People try to get us to use other products, but they don’t ever stand up to the results with Udder Comfort,” says third generation dairywoman Michelle Hasheider-Burianek of Elm Farms in southern Illinois.
“We use this routinely on our fresh cows when they calve in, they are separated after going through the robot, and we apply the Udder Comfort at the head gates.
“We do this for 2 to 3 days; heifers 4 to 5 days. Udders milk out nice and evenly, and we save money by shipping more milk with less need for treatment,” she says.
“If we see a hard quarter or a conductivity spike, we grease her up with Udder Comfort. Any animal in the sick pen also gets it,” Michelle explains.
“Our kids are really involved in showing, and they enjoy it. So, we also use Udder Comfort on our show cows. I’ll even use it on a swollen hock, it’s that good,” she adds.
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Generations of success with Udder Comfort: Michelle Hasheider-Burianek and daughter Teagan (left and right)
Michelle Hasheider-Burianek
into the outcome. The somatic cell goes
and down depending on the weather.
What change has created the biggest improvement in your herd average? Building the loose housing barn in 2020, because the cows now can be indoors when the weather is cold. They used to be outdoors yearround. Genetics have played a big role as well, having a big impact on milk production and components.
What technology do you use to monitor your herd? None. We have a small herd of 82 cows and can interact and keep an eye on each cow daily. Peter really enjoys the cows and can remember every detail about every cow and heifer on the farm. Rarely does he have to look up anything on paper copies. He is our technology.
What is your breeding program, and what role does genetics play in your production level? Peter loves the genetic part of improving the cows and is always looking to make the next generation better. He works very closely with our A.I. technician, Grant, from Select Sires on selecting bulls that best t each cow. Recently, we started using gender sorted semen on all our heifers and our top-end cows.
List three management strategies that have helped you attain your production and component levels. First, we are very hands-on; we can detect heat and any other problems with the
cows and address them quickly. Also, we keep them clean and dry. Second, we focus on quality feed. Third, we focus on good genetics.
Tell us about your farm and your plans for the dairy in the next year. Our farm has been in the Schumer family since 1867. We keep things as simple and conservative as possible for the nancial health of the farm. We can’t always afford the most progressive thing out there, but we do the best we can with what we have. We try to make some improvements each year depending on the price of milk. Our next goal is to put in a new parlor; Peter is researching that
now. The parlor we have does the job, but it is very slow and is getting worn out. Peter is our youngest son and loves the cows and the farm, so we are very thankful to have the next generation to keep it going. We have four other children — Melinda, Luke, Paul and John — who all have their own careers but have appreciated growing up on the farm and love coming home to it. We also have 18 grandchildren who all love to come to the farm and help. We are grateful that we can give them that opportunity. We have lots of help from our kids and grandkids when things get busy or when things go wrong. It is a comforting feeling to have family.
MARK KLAPHAKE/DAIRY
Cows eat TMR in a loose housing barn Feb. 14 near St. Stephen, Minnesota. The Schumers built the facility in 2020. Before that me, the Schumers cows were outside all the me.
(below) Peter Schumer studies a bull book on Hilltop Dairy near St. Stephen, Minnesota. Peter works closely with their A.I. technician for selec ng bulls.
STAR
1790 2014, #583560
1795 2023, 700 Est. Acres, #573347
1790 2013, 18,500 Est. Acres, #591922
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JD 7200 1989, #579856 .................................................................
JD 7200 1995, #585624 .................................................................
White 8800 2013, 11,000 Est. Acres, #589902...............................
Feed your way
DAIRY Heart
Duane Alberts
Alberts, Brothers LLC
Pine Island, Minnesota
Dodge County
Number of cows: 600
How many years have you dairy farmed? Kids who grow up on dairy farms as I did start farming at a very early age. There was never a shortage of age-appropriate tasks and responsibilities available as long as I had time to do them. I learned early on that some jobs around the farm are more important than others, and caring for the calves and cows was the ultimate responsibility. I think I can claim to have started farming at age 10, and I’ve been farming for 60 years.
How has your farm evolved since you started? I grew up on a 60-cow dairy, and my uncle, who lived on the homeplace, also milked 60 cows. The two farms shared machinery. In addition, we did some custom eldwork such as lling silos and providing a haying crew for some close neighbors. Our cow numbers grew slowly with several stanchion barn additions until, in 1980, our family built a double-8 Germania parlor. The parlor instigated a giant leap in labor efciency. With it came liquid manure instead of solid, bunker silos for feed instead of upright and drive-through feeding of cows grouped according to stage of lactation. Improvements in the efcient handling of milk, feed and manure continue to be made on our farm as well as many others.
Why is dairy farming the career for you? There are many challenges in owning and operating a dairy farm, such as weather, pricing and labor. These challenges are offset by the sense of accomplishment I get from having a full tank of milk to sell at the end of the day, watching a pen of young newborn calves grow into mature milk cows or seeing my daughter show a novice calf at the county fair.
What is a highlight of your career? Making a management change and witnessing a positive outcome. The most recent is in the last few years, seeing our registered Holstein cow families gradually increase butterfat yield of 4% to 5%, and a few of them now producing 6% butterfat milk. It is exciting to see improvements in genetics and feeding yield such a positive outcome.
What keeps you motivated? Go to any dairy tradeshow or dairy farm tour, and you will see different ways of doing things. Dairying is an occupation/industry that is always changing and always in a state of ux. Inevitably, you will come across ideas you will want to take home and try, or you will see things that you’ve already tried. I think I can say that all dairymen and dairywomen are motivated by the desire to do it better.
What advice do you have for younger dairy farmers? It is always dangerous to give advice because what worked well years ago may not work well today, and what is working well today may not work well in the future. But I will say it is imperative for young dairy farmers to stay educated about their industry. Watch for opportunities and carefully identify and navigate the challenges.
What is the best decision you have made? The best decision I’ve made was to be in partnership with family members. The capital requirements, labor requirements and expertise requirements make partnerships essential, with each family member contributing in his or her own special way.
Looking back, what would you do differently? In farming, there are always things that we could have done differently. I don’t think it is very helpful to look back. Always look forward.
Merle Pearson Clarkeld, Minnesota Yellow Medicine County 49 cows
How many years have you dairy farmed? I’ve dairy farmed my entire life. I will be 86 years old in June.
How has your farm evolved since you started? When I was a kid, my mom and I milked 24 cows by hand every day; now I have a pipeline milker. Back then, milk was $2.75 per hundred pounds and you could buy heifers for about $275 a piece.
Why is dairy farming the career for you? I was just born and raised doing it, and I’ve known my whole life that that’s what I’m going to do.
What is a highlight of your career? I’ve made really good friends over the years; a lot of people check in on me and bring me food and baked goods. I have chickens, and instead of paying for eggs people bring me cookies or bread in exchange for eggs.
What keeps you motivated? I have to do something all day every day; I can’t just sit around. I do this and it keeps me busy and out of trouble.
What advice do you have for younger dairy farmers? You have to get help. It doesn’t matter what kind of help but it’s tough out there and starting out now is impossible if you can’t rely on someone to help you. Ask for help and take it.
What is the best decisiaon you have made? I rented this farm for four years before I bought it. When it came time to buy it, I didn’t have any money, but I had been renting it, so the guy knew me and my down payment was a handshake.
Looking back, what would you do differently? I wouldn’t do anything differently, as long as the Lord lets me be a dairy farmer that’s what I’ll do.
MOBILE CALF FEEDING
Abts Equipment LLC
New Franken (920) 866-2485
Gillett (920) 866-2485
Argall Dairy Systems, Inc.
Belleville (608) 424-6110
Platteville (608) 348-3385
Fuller’s Milker Center LLC
Lancaster (608) 723-4634
Wisconsin:
Richland Center (608) 723-4634
Gehring Sales & Service, Inc.
Rubicon (262) 673-4920
Joe’s Refrigeration, Inc.
Withee (715) 229-2321
Leedstone, Inc.
Menomonie (866) 467-4717
Midwest Livestock Systems Menomonie (715) 235-5144
Redeker Dairy Equipment Brandon (920) 960-9260
The Scharine Group Inc. Whitewater (608) 883-2880
Tri-County Dairy Supply Inc.
Janesville (608) 757-2697 Iowa:
Decorah (563) 382-8722
Gorter’s Clay & Dairy Equipment, Inc.
Pipestone (507) 825-3271
Leedstone, Inc.
Melrose (888) 267-2697
Glencoe (877) 864-5575 Plainview (800) 548-5240
Midwest Livestock Systems Zumbrota (507) 732-4673
South Dakota:
Midwest Livestock Systems
Renner (605) 274-3656
John Donnay Kimball, Minnesota
Stearns County 45 cows
How many years have you dairy farmed? 39 years.
How has your farm evolved since you started? My dad started this farm in 1965. It is not his home farm, but it was nearby. I am the second generation, and my daughter, Anna, who farms full time with me, is the third generation. We have always milked a barn full of cows, which has always been around 40. There are tie stalls and stanchions in the barn. We were certied organic in 2005. I didn’t want to expand in cow numbers, so to help diversify, we decided to go organic. The rotational grazing works well for us and the cows.
Why is dairy farming the career for you? I watched my dad farm, and it was what I wanted to do. I was born to be a dairy farmer; it’s in my blood. There are many reasons, like having your own schedule and being with family every day.
What is a highlight of your career? Raising four children on the farm and giving them the same values that I was raised with, values like having a strong work ethic and having respect for the land, animals and the people around us. Being home every day on the farm, I also got to see my family every day and spend more time with them than I would have otherwise.
What keeps you motivated? Seeing the farm continue. We are in the process of transitioning our farm to our youngest daughter, Anna. My son, Matt, comes out and helps in the winter, too. With his job, he is laid off during the wintertime. What advice do you have for younger dairy farmers? Faith, family and farming. Remember to keep your faith and family involved in the farm. With the farm, keep your debt within reach at all times and pay your mortgage down as fast as you can.
What is the best decision you have made? Being certied organic and starting rotational grazing as it is better for the cattle, the land, my family and the environment.
Looking back, what would you do differently? I would have invested in more land and taken more time to go on vacations.
Contact us to learn more about our
Greg Radermacher Brooten, Minnesota
Stearns County
300 cows
How many years have you dairy farmed? We have dairy farmed for 47 years.
How has your farm evolved since you started? I bought the farm in 1977 and started milking 10 cows while keeping my job at the fertilizer plant in town. In 1980, we expanded to 24 cows, and in 1983, we added 10 Jerseys and internally expanded from there to 38 cows, trying to keep the barn full yearround. In 2000, our son, Aaron, graduated from Ridgewater College and wanted to farm. In 2002, we built a compost barn and doubled the herd. By 2009, we were milking 110 cows and badly needed to upgrade the facilities or quit. In 2011, we moved the cows into a 145-cow, tunnel-vented, sand-bedded freestall barn with a double-12 parabone parlor on Aaron’s farm 1.5 miles down the road. All the heifers continue to be raised on our original homestead. By 2021, we were milking about 200 cows, and in 2022, we added another 90 stalls; we put in four Lely robots and are now milking 250. We have been using sexed semen on the top 50% of the cows and beef on the other 50%. We have also been MAPPing our cows since the middle 1980s. In 2023, we started a transition plan.
Why is dairy farming the career for you? I grew up on a dairy farm and also worked for other farmers. After working other jobs for eight years, I felt that dairy farming would be a good career and a good place to raise a family and be my own boss.
What is a highlight of your career? Everything I have accomplished could not have been done without my family and wife of almost 50 years, Audrey. We have been blessed to raise and see our ve children grow up with strong work ethics and become responsible adults with successful careers and families, with an added bonus of now working with the third generation.
What keeps you motivated? Trying to improve efciency and genetics in the herd to improve production, as well as managing manure to increase crop yields and seeing the results.
What advice do you have for younger dairy farms? Focus on putting God and your family rst and the cows second. These have to be top priorities, no matter how many cows you milk.
What is the best decision you have made? In 1983, watching what was happening in the dairy industry going to component pricing, we bought the Jersey cows to improve our components. We now have 75% Jerseys and 25% Holsteins.
Looking back, what would you do differently? There are always things you might have or could have done differently, but we made a decision on what we wanted/needed, prayed and trusted we made the right decision and moved forward.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
February 25 - 27
The Dairy Signal ®
Online, noon - 1 p.m., CT
Visit www.pdpw.org to participate in live-streamed event. Audio/video recordings also available free.
February 26 - 27
Financial Literacy for Dairy ®
(Level 2, concluding session)
PDP Headquarters - Juneau, Wis.
Visit www.pdpw.org for details.
March 4 - 6; 18 - 20; 25 - 27
The Dairy Signal ®
Online, noon - 1 p.m., CT
Visit www.pdpw.org to participate in live-streamed event. Audio/video recordings also available free.
March 11 - 12
Cornerstone Dairy Academy ®
Alliant Energy Center - Madison, Wis.
Visit www.pdpw.org for details.
BOTTOM LINE DAIRY’S Track, understand the right numbers
As dairy farmers and business owners, we are often told that a key to success is to “know our numbers.”
That sounds nice, but it’s a little too simple for today’s complex dairy industry. We are surrounded by numbers: milk production and animal health data, crop yields and input costs, feed rations and inventory updates, labor costs and much more. I think the key isn’t merely knowing our numbers but understanding which numbers are the most important and setting up a system to track and make decisions based on them.
member to take on some of the day-today work or shifting workloads across family members or employees.
There is no one-size-ts-all answer to setting up a nancial system that works for each dairy and dairy team. On our dairy, we’ve set up an in-house process that includes data from DairyComp, QuickBooks and our own spreadsheets. Others may choose to work with accountants and consultants who suit your team’s time availability and skillsets.
Brady Weiland PDP
The need to focus on the numbers that matter was driven home to me several years ago when I participated in Financial Literacy for Dairy, a course developed by Professional Dairy Producers. A generation or two ago, it was assumed that farmers who worked hard and cared for their land and animals could typically earn a living for their families. That isn’t the case today. We need to understand how to manage risk and costs in every aspect of our organizations.
For a dairy owner or manager, the rst step is making a commitment to work on the business, not just in the business. That can be a challenge for those of us who love working with animals and enjoy the day-to-day tasks on the farm. Making time for the management tasks may require promoting another team
There are so many variables in our business, from feed costs and interest rates to milk prices and more. We’ve been able to generate cash-ow projections so we understand the difference between $15, $18 or $20 milk prices on our bottom line. If we can lock in a $2 to $3 margin, that’s better than breaking even or a negative margin. The same is true for interest rates; we can now project the impact of rates going up and make decisions accordingly.
Establishing key performance indicators, specic goals with metrics, has been key to keeping everything in check. By using KPIs, we can track metrics such as pounds of fat and protein produced per day per cow, pregnancy rates, feed efciency on a cost-per-day basis and more. Knowing these numbers enables us to have in-depth discussions on what factors can drive improvement.
We conduct monthly meetings with the family management team, which includes me, my brother and our parents. Our family team also meets quarterly with a team of advisors consisting of our nutritionist, veterinarian, business consultant, lender and tax accountant to review nancial statements and KPIs.
When we get busy with daily tasks, particularly during planting and harvesting season, it’s easy to forget about the big picture and inuences on our bottom line such as the weather, exports and other market trends. Through PDP’s The Dairy Signal webinar program, I’ve found a group of economists I follow to stay on top of news that might impact the commodity world and our farm.
Our dairy has evolved and grown over the past 10 years, from milking 350 cows at one farm to adding another nearby farm and now milking about 1,200 cows. We have 18 employees across both locations. Knowing our numbers isn’t just a good thing to do; it is absolutely critical for locking in protable milk production so we can grow our balance sheet for expansion and sustainable success.
Brady Weiland of Columbus, Wis., is the fth generation to own and operate Weiland Dairy LLC, with his parents, brother and eight employees. Brady and his brother also own and operate High Gear Holsteins LLC and employ an additional nine employees on that dairy. As dairy manager, Brady oversees the two 600-cow herds.
IN DAIRY women
Tell us about your family and farm. We moved to America from the Netherlands in 2004 and started the farm in 2006 with 120 cows. We have three kids: Ian, 17; Lisa, 14; and Heidi, 12. My husband Gurben’s brother and sister-in-law joined the farm, and we’ve expanded a couple of times. Six years ago, we changed from a milking parlor to robots.
What is a typical day like for you on the dairy? It depends on the day. I feed calves in the morning and twice a week in the afternoon and work with my sister-in-law to feed the rest of the week. I am in charge of bookkeeping and payroll and help out in the barn when needed.
What decision have you made in the last year that has beneted your farm? We hired a nancial advisor. We have a more in-depth view of the farm nancials.
Tell us about your most memorable experience working on the farm. The switch from milking parlor to robots. We had come to a point where we could not get reliable help anymore. With the switch to robots, we haven’t hired anybody new for the last six years. The employees we have now have been with us all that time.
What have you enjoyed most about dairy farming or your tie to the dairy industry? We love the freedom and being outside.
What is your biggest accomplishment in your dairy career? Keeping calves happy and healthy. There was a period of time when we had sick calves all the time. It was depressing,
Julie ten Hoeve Waverly, Iowa Butler County 650 cows
and I had a hard time enjoying the work. We were able to build a new calf barn with lots of changes, and the calves have been healthy. We are thankful we can raise healthy replacement heifers.
What are things you do to promote your farm or the dairy industry? We have had groups tour the farm. In the near future, we will have a group of students from my daughter’s school come and visit the farm.
What advice would you give another woman in the dairy industry? In the Netherlands, the dairy farmers wear coveralls over their normal clothes in the barn. We still do that here. Only the coveralls get dirty, and it saves you loads of laundry, time and frustration. On the serious side, depend on God. When things go well, know all blessings come from Him. When things get tough, keep that communication with Him alive. He is with you.
What is a challenge in the dairy industry you have faced and how did you overcome it? Dealing with unreliable employees. We were feeling stressed out. Our bank saw the challenge, and together, we were able to put in our robots.
When you get a spare moment, what do you do? I am privileged to be a stay-at-home mom; I realize I have it easy compared to other dairy moms. I enjoy making homemade food like yogurt, bread and sourdough. I have a big garden in the summer that keeps us fed all winter. But I love a good book, and we take the time to go on vacation with the kids once a year.
Cows got the itch? Lice identication, management
See cows getting the itch? Lice is a very common winter and early spring season pest in cattle. Populations decrease in spring once cattle start to shed heavy winter coats. During the winter, cattle are challenged by weather, nutrition, gestational status, immune response and overall health, providing an opportunity for a growing lice population. Sucking and biting lice are the two most common species that infest cattle. Biting and sucking lice can reduce the performance of the animal by lowering body condition and decreasing feed efciency, milk production and overall animal health.
By Karen Johnson University of Minnesota
It is common for herds to have some level of lice infestation at any given time, and mixed infestations of both biting and sucking lice are common. Certain animals in the herd can act as a reservoir host that transfers the infestation from season to season. Lice can easily spread due to close contact with other cattle through feeding, transporting and contact with fences, equipment or other items that cattle use for scratching.
Adult lice are small (1/16-1/8
inch), have no wings and are at-bodied. Lice have modied legs that are used to grasp the hairs of their host. Biting lice feed on the skin, hair, secretions or raw esh around wounds on the outside of the animal. Biting lice tend to feed alone and will quickly hide when disturbed. Sucking lice pierce the skin and feed on blood. Generally, sucking lice move slower and tend to feed in clusters with others. Lice prefer to spend their entire life cycle on cattle. Their life cycle includes three phases: egg, nymph and adult. Female lice lay their eggs at the base of cattle hair, about one per day for up to 35 days. It takes about one week for eggs to hatch into a nymph. It takes another three weeks to mature from a nymph to an adult.
Lice irritate cattle through their movement and feeding on the animal’s body. Signs of infestation are cattle that begin excess licking and scratching on posts, water troughs, fences and any other stationary object. Scratching then leads to hair loss and raw spots. Large infestations can lead to reduced body condition scores
M
‘50 Farmall Cub, white demostrator ......................$3,500 ‘68 Oliver 1750, Loader, Cab ................................$8,900 USED SKIDSTEERS
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(3) S-76, Glass Cab with A/C, 2 Speed, 680 Hrs and up ................................Starting at $42,500
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(3) S-185, Glass Cab with A/C, 2000 Hrs and up ..............................Starting at $18,500 ‘92 7753, Glass Cab and Heater, 3600 Hrs ........$10,500 USED TILLAGE W-R 3400, 34’, 4 Bar Spring Tooth Harrow ..........$6,900 W-R 2500, 28’, 4 Bar Spring Tooth Harrow ..........$5,500 W-R 2500, 24.5’, 4 Bar Spring Tooth Harrow .......$3,600 Case I-H 4300, 25’ ................................................$7,500 ‘91 DMI Tigermate, 24.5’, 3 Bar Spring Tooth Harrow .....................................................$6,950 2013 W-R 513 Soil Pro, 7 Shank, Harrow ..........$29,500 2008 W-R 957, 9 Shank, Harrow ........................$12,900 Pepin Spike Harrow, 5 Section .............................$2,500 USED PLANTERS
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and blood loss that causes anemia.
Close inspection should be used to determine the level of lice infestations. Upon close inspection, lice can be seen by parting the hair. To determine the severity of the infestation, count and record the number and species of lice found per square inch of the hide. The economic threshold to treat lice is 10 or more lice per square inch of the hide, checked in ve different locations on the face, neck, back and tailhead.
Lice infestations tend to be easy to control if you know what type of lice are affecting your herd. There are both pour-on and injectable treatment options available. Pour-on formulations are effective against biting and sucking lice. Injectable formulations are effective primarily against sucking lice. Work with your veterinarian if you have had signicant lice populations year after year. Alternating products with different active ingredients will provide better control of the lice population.
When purchasing a product to
Dana Adams adam1744@umn.edu 320-204-2968
Luciano Caixeta lcaixeta@umn.edu 612-625-3130
Gerard Cramer gcramer@umn.edu 612-625-8184
Marcia Endres miendres@umn.edu 612-624-5391
Brad Heins hein0106@umn.edu 320-589-1711
Nathan Hulinsky huli0013@umn.edu 320-203-6104
Karen Johnson ande9495@umn.edu 320-484-4334
Emily Krekelberg krek0033@umn.edu 507-280-2863
Claire LaCanne lacanne@umn.edu 507-332-6109
Brenda Miller nels4220@umn.edu 320-732-4435
control lice, be sure to read and follow the label. Specic details are included, which are related but not limited to parasiticide mode of action/active ingredients, parasites that the product controls (i.e. biting and/ or sucking lice), dosage and how to apply and meat and milk withholding times. On the market, there are several parasiticides such as doramectin, eprinomectin, ivermectin or moxidectin that provide single-dose lice control. Other products may require multiple applications based on the mode of action used to break the life cycle of lice. A nal note: When applying the product, make sure to treat the entire group to try to prevent reservoir hosts.
If you are noticing initial signs of discomfort, do some close inspections on your cows to see if they meet the economic threshold of 10 or more lice per square inch to treat. A simple application of several pour-on and injectable treatment options is available to ensure lice don’t become a problem in your herd.
Isaac Salfer ijsalfer@umn.edu 320-296-1357
Jim Salfer salfe001@umn.edu 320-203-6093
Mike Schutz mschutz@umn.edu 612-624-1205
Melissa Wilson mlw@umn.edu 612-625-4276
Isaac Haagen hagge041@umn.edu 612-624-7455
Michael Boland boland@umn.edu 612-625-3013
Sabrina Florentino slpore@umn.edu 507-441-1765
Scott Wells wells023@umn.edu 612-625-8166
Erin Cortus ecortus@umn.edu 612-625-8288
Melissa Runck mkrunck@umn.edu 507-836-1143
Grazing cover crops in dairy systems
Hopefully, by this time, you are at least aware of the importance of soil health. If you are familiar with the principles of keeping the ground covered, increasing biodiversity, keeping a root in the soil at all times, minimizing disturbance and integrating livestock, then let’s dive in.
Assuming we have been planting cover crops, notilling and increasing the diversity of our crop rotations or cover crop mixes, why go to the extra length of grazing cover crops? Even on our dairy farms, integrating crops and livestock can seem like a foreign concept. Our cropping and dairy cattle production are often two separate systems that only interact when the total mixed ration is placed in front of the cow and the manure hauled to the eld.
By Sabrina Florentino University of Minnesota
corn crop residues for two months before hay feeding led to 1,3822,357 pounds per cow of hay savings for the season compared to cows in a dry lot. Additionally, a South Dakota study of a corn, soybean, rye and cover crop rotation found that integrating cover crop grazing increased farm protability by $17.23 per acre in the rst year and $43.61 per acre in the second year. Of course, there are any number of variables in your specic farm’s context that can alter the degree of protability of grazing cover crops.
We are sourcing experts
nd those hard to nd items including:
• Electric motors
• Fan parts (blades, bearings, belts and pulleys)
• Gearboxes
• Submersible pumps
• PPE - hoof trimming and maintenance
• Camlock fittings
• Hose & Tubing
• Push to connect fittings
• Air compressors
• Waterer parts
• Parlor items
So, why consider grazing cover crops? Until livestock are integrated back into the cropping rotation, soil health is not fully optimized. Hauling stored manure to the eld does not have the same impact as a grazing animal assisting directly in nutrient cycling in the soil. When grazing livestock are managed properly on crop elds, their manure, hoof impact and grazing of plants stimulate soil biology, improving nutrient cycling and, in turn, water inltration. Cover crop grazing studies have shown that Soil Organic Carbon, microbial biomass carbon and potassium concentrations are greater when grazing cover crops compared to not grazing cover crops. Additionally, researchers found that increased SOC was associated with decreased soil bulk density and increased water-stable soil aggregates. These factors possibly translate to minimizing soil erosion and increasing water inltration.
Conversely, it is not hard to nd studies that demonstrate detrimental cover crop grazing impacts on soil health. However, these studies often do not detail how the livestock were managed and how much cover crop biomass was removed by grazing livestock. This gap in detailing which livestock management methods were used casts doubt on any conclusions about livestock impact.
Economically, cover crops are a feedstuff opportunity. If cattle are already being grazed on perennial pastures, cover crops can extend the grazing season in either direction. The savings acquired from grazing cover crops instead of using stored feed can cover the expenses of planting the cover crop. The fencing and labor costs of grazing cover crops can be traded for the manure hauling and forage harvesting costs of housing cattle in a dry lot.
As one example, a study showed that utilizing winter grazing of stockpiled grass-legume mixtures or even
In an upper Midwest dairy system, late summer corn silage harvest affords an opportunity to plant a diverse cover crop mix. Depending on weather conditions and cover crop species selected, this timing should allow for adequate cover crop growth to graze cattle in the spring. Utilizing small grains in your cropping rotation can provide an even larger window for cover crop planting, growth and fall grazing after small grain harvest. Cover crop mixes often provide more than adequate nutrition for our dairy heifers, steers or dry cows. Initially, supplementation of dry hay may be needed when turning heifers or cows out onto high protein cover crops to prevent digestive upset. Visit the University of Minnesota extension website or the Midwest Cover Crop Council selector tool for more information about cover crop species’ nutritional value and agronomic properties.
There are many benets to grazing cover crops, yet concerns remain. For example, what if grazing cover crops on cropland will decrease subsequent cash crop yields? There is potential that livestock can have detrimental effects on the soil or subsequent cash crop if they are not managed properly. The same soil health principles should be applied to grazing livestock. Minimize disturbance by taking livestock off the eld if conditions are too wet or keep them moving to a new paddock at least once a day. Maximize soil cover by controlling how much of the cover crop stand the cattle eat. Do not overgraze.
Other concerns may be that grazing leads to greater water pollution and runoff. However, keep in mind that grazing the above-ground biomass affects the below-ground root structure of cover crops. As long as cover crops are not over-grazed, this root structure and soil cover should remain in place to prevent erosion and water pollution.
Whether grazing cattle for increased soil health benets or to ll gaps in the forage chain, consider what opportunities are available for increasing farm resiliency and protability.
National Mastitis Council knows there is a real problem with the damage caused by milking machines. They teach a class on how to score teats which is renewed yearly. Their score sheet shows how bad the damage is and helps explain swollen, damaged teat ends and slow milking quarters all leads to mastitis. TridentPulsation™ doesn’t have to score teat ends. The pulsation is turbo charged to close the liner off below the teat end and massage the teat length. The only pulsator that does away with the normal damage done by conventional pulsator. TridentPulsation™ is the only system to lower SCC and lower cull rates. Get serious and fix the problem –not score it!
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Typical teat damage caused by your milking system
Scholarships available through Midwest Dairy
Attention, students: Midwest Dairy is excited to announce scholarship opportunities available for the 2025-2026 academic year. High school seniors, undergraduates and graduate students who reside in the Midwest Dairy region are encouraged to apply. Detailed information and the applications can be found at www.MidwestDairy.com/scholarships.
Providing scholarship opportunities is a key commitment for Midwest Dairy farmers. This initiative aligns with our mission to foster dairy advocates and develop the next generation of dairy leaders. These scholarships recognize students who are passionate about advancing the dairy community and ensuring its success.
As a Farmer Relations Manager covering Iowa, I have witnessed rsthand the positive impact these funds have on students in our state and beyond. Having grown up on a dairy farm and received this scholarship myself, I understand how impactful this scholarship program is. It’s truly an honor to celebrate the achievements of these emerging dairy leaders through this initiative.
Scholarship eligibility and award amounts vary by state and region, with application deadlines ranging from March 1-15. For questions related to the application or eligibility requirements, please contact your local Farmer Relations Manager.
Below is information about scholarship opportunities in each state:
— Illinois: Five $1,000 scholarships are available. The online application process must be complet-
ed by March 1, 2025.
— Iowa: Eleven $1,000 scholarships are available. The online application process must be completed by March 1, 2025.
— Minnesota: More than $3,000 in scholarships are available at the University of Minnesota College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences in St. Paul, Minnesota, and two $1,200 scholarships are available at the University of MinnesotaCrookston.
— Missouri and Kansas: Two $1,000 and eight $500 scholarships are available. The online application process must be completed by March 15, 2025.
— Nebraska: One $1,500, two $1,000 and three $500 scholarships are available. The online application process must be completed by March 1, 2025.
National Dairy Promotion and Research Board Undergraduate Scholarship Program
By Mariah Busta
Up to 11 $2,500 scholarships are available to eligible undergraduate students (rising sophomore through senior) enrolled in a college or university program emphasizing dairy. Scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement, an interest in a career in a dairy-related discipline and demonstrated leadership, initiative and integrity. Candidates must complete an application form, submit a transcript of all college courses and write a short statement describing their career aspirations, dairy-related activities and work experiences.
National Dairy Shrine Scholarships
— North Dakota: One $1,000 scholarship is available through North Dakota State University in Fargo, North Dakota.
— Ozarks: Four $750 scholarships are available. The online application process must be completed by March 15, 2025.
— South Dakota: Scholarships are available annually to students studying at the South Dakota State University in Brookings, South Dakota.
Interested in more dairy scholarship opportunities? Dairy Management Inc. offers checkoff-funded scholarships at the national level listed below.
Eleven scholarship opportunities are provided to encourage college and university students to pursue careers in dairy- or food-related majors. These major areas can include Dairy Science, Animal Science, Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Communications, Agricultural Education, General Education and Food and Nutrition. Awards are based on experience, ability and interests in dairy/product marketing. Co-sponsored with DMI. Application deadline is April 15.
Midwest Dairy, along with the farmers we proudly represent, values this scholarship program. I encourage all eligible students to take advantage of this opportunity and apply.
Building up community
As a child, my dad would often go for a drive on Sunday afternoons. Sometimes, he’d go alone, but oftentimes, he’d take my mom and sometimes us kids too. Whenever I went with him, my main goal was hoping he’d stop at a gas station at some point and buy me a treat. My favorite was always chocolate milk.
We’d take winding country roads, checking the crops, stopping at implement dealers and auction lots, and generally getting our full purview of the crop status and more.
The one thing I never liked about the drives was the peer pressure that sometimes transpired from what we saw. It does not matter how much you excel as a farmer; there is someone who can do something better, faster or earlier. Someone will have planted their corn at some crazy early juncture. Someone will have somehow gotten four cuttings of hay into what feels like 50 days. Someone will have their corn out and their cover crops planted before you nish chopping.
As a reporter, so many people are suffering from peer pressure when I show up. They are worried I’ll judge them for one of their perceived faults. It is so common for a farmer to talk apologetically to me about how one of their on-farm systems is not the current popular crème de crème system. My response is always that, if it works for them, there’s no reason to change.
When I walk on a farm, I’m not there to nd fault. I’m not there to nd the buildup of manure in the corner of the barn, the one cow that’s dirty or the imperfect protocol. I’m there to celebrate the great work being done. Notable farms aren’t awless, and excellence is usually
undramatic consistency over long periods of time.
Within the peer pressure, I encounter in the farming community is the pressure to downplay accomplishments. It is time to stop doing that. It is time to own our successes and celebrate the good we have accomplished.
Of course, no one likes a know-itall braggart, but there’s a big difference between bragging and graciously, calmly explaining what success has looked like for you.
Sometimes, I encounter farmers where it’s a ght for me to get them to even open up about their story and their success. They’re afraid the local mean girls club that likes to tear others down to feel better about themselves is going to call them proud.
that they are doing the best they can for their farm. They should certainly try to persuade others to join them if they feel there is worth to what they are doing. However, what our community has to stop is drawing up battle lines around management and size. No more looking down on the other side’s faults. No more division.
By Amy Kyllo Staff Writer
This has to stop. It is time for neighbors and communities to celebrate what’s laudable and practice the good old phrase my grandma used to say: “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” We accomplish nothing by tearing our communities apart.
All farms do not need to look the same to be doing excellent work. I walk onto farms of every imaginable size and management style, from organic to conventional and from two cows to over 1,000 cows and every size in between. Each has strengths and each has the same goal of farming with excellence.
Every farmer should be convinced in their mind
Sometimes, farming can feel like high school when it comes to peer pressure. Thinking back to those Sunday drives, what I was really encountering when I felt peer pressure was the rmlycemented idea in everyone’s mind that he who is earliest wins. There is of course a grain of truth to this. Weather waits for no one; the calendar doesn’t lie, cows like consistency and, if you don’t harvest within a certain window, your quality will tank.
Yet, there seems to be little celebration of farmers who are just plain, ordinarily consistent with a balance of quality. The coffee shop doesn’t buzz with average, good farming.
We are a small community. I know we can do better. I know we can learn from each other. I know we can encourage each other toward excellence and forget about whether or not we were the rst in the eld or the barn. Most of all, I know we can celebrate victories big and small, because a victory for a dairy farmer is a victory for all of us.
Dairy Challenge highlights future dairy leaders
With this month’s column, I’m straying from my typical themes of feeding and nutrition to highlight some of the best and brightest students from across the Midwest who represent the future of the dairy industry.
Last week, South Dakota State University hosted more than 120 students from 14 universities for the Midwest Regional Dairy Challenge. The event was supported by nearly 100 volunteers, including dairy producers, industry professionals and university staff and faculty, many of whom are Dairy Challenge alumni.
During this multiday event, students work in teams to apply theories and knowledge from the classroom to a real-world dairy.
Something to Ruminate On
By Barry Visser Nutritionist
Dairy Challenge started in 2002 with the rst competition held at Michigan State University. Since then, more than 8,000 collegiate students have participated in the North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge. The program has seen tremendous interest and growth, and it now encompasses four regional competitions across the country in preparation for the national contest in April.
At the national contest, teams of four students from the same university compete against other university teams. In contrast, for the regional competitions, participants are assigned to teams to work with students from different universities. Often, these students are meeting for the rst time. While this can be challenging, it also is great for building crucial team development and communication skills needed once students enter the workforce.
This year’s host farm was MoDak Dairy near Watertown, South Dakota. We send a huge thank you to the Moes Family for opening their door to all these students. This also included sharing with participants the farm layout, herd health records, performance data, nancial information and feed analysis and rations.
Students arrived at SDSU in Brookings, South Dakota, Wednesday evening and were split into their respective teams. Each team was assigned a mentor who served as a resource throughout the contest, not just for their respective team but for others who may need assistance. Additional roaming mentors were available as resources throughout the event as well.
On Thursday morning, students loaded buses and headed to MoDak Dairy. Each team strategized how to divide responsibilities and which areas to focus on while at the dairy. For the next couple of hours, students observed and took measurements across all aspects of the dairy, including the feed center, milking parlor, maternity area and dairy calf, heifer and cow barns. The on-farm time concluded with a question-and-answer session with owners and managers from MoDak Dairy.
Buses returned to the SDSU campus, and students had another opportunity to ask questions of the dairy. Teams used the next several hours to prepare PowerPoint presentations and submit them by 6 p.m. Simultaneously, a panel of 20 judges was tasked to prepare a nal presentation with its key ndings and recommendations. Judges represented ve primary areas of expertise: nancial, nutrition, reproduction, herd health (veterinarian) and management (dairy producer).
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Friday was presentation day. There were four rooms with ve judges in each room. Teams had 20 minutes to present their ndings and answer questions. Upon completion of scoring, the teams received feedback from the judges. The day concluded with the judges’ presentations and awards for the top teams.
As a representative for MoDak Dairy, I was able to see several of the presentations. It is remarkable how a composite team of students from multiple universities with a wide range of skills and personalities could come together and deliver very professional presentations. Not all teams agreed on the top priorities and biggest opportunities for the dairy, but each did a great job of justifying their recommendations, including partial budgets.
These students represent the best and brightest across the Midwest and the future of our dairy industry. Many will seek employment in the industry and a high percentage will return to production agriculture and become managers and owners of progressive dairy operations.
Thank you to the SDSU coaches, Dr. Maristela Rovai and Lynn Boadwine, for their hospitality and efforts, along with all the Dairy Challenge committee members, judges, coaches and volunteers. I also want to recognize the students for taking the time to participate and stretch their skills. They are the future of our industry.
Barry Visser is a nutritionist for Vita Plus.
CAPTURE GENETIC TRENDS
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About 120 college students convene for the Midwest Dairy Challenge at MoDak Dairy near Watertown, South Dakota. Since its incep on in 2002, the Midwest Regional Dairy Challenge has had more than 8,000 students par cipate.
Advice from journalist, dairy farmer
Some years ago, an email from a 13-year-old dairy farm girl from Central Minnesota landed in my inbox. She said she wanted to be a journalist and was wondering if I could give her some advice.
come a journalist other than self-training, but here are some notions I’ve gleaned over the course of my checkered writing career.
My initial reaction was that she should contact an actual journalist. I didn’t consider what I do to be journalism, just a form of goong off with the computer. But, after writing a column every week for nearly three decades, I must reluctantly concede I’m a member of the Fourth Estate.
By Jerry Nelson Columnist
This silly writing thing began when our area was suffering through a spate of wet weather. Frustrated by the miserable eld conditions, I wrote a spoof letter to Mel Kloster, my county extension agent, asking if he could recommend a way to get rid of the ducks and powerboats that had infested my corn eld. Mel encouraged me to publish the letter, so I submitted it to our local weekly newspaper, the Volga Tribune.
I was shocked the rst time I saw my words in print. “Doesn’t the newspaper industry have any standards?” I wondered. “Shouldn’t journalists be required to be licensed or at least pass a test?” Apparently not.
Emboldened by this discovery, I embarked on an effort to self-syndicate. That was how I learned that journalists have a lot in common with dairy farmers.
For one thing, both dairy farmers and freelance journalists are at the mercy of the market. Many people, upon learning that you’re a writer, assume your income is roughly the same as Stephen King’s. Not by a long shot.
For example, I once submitted some sample columns to a newspaper located quite a distance away. I called its editor to see what he thought.
“You’re good,” he said. “In fact, you’re better than the guy we have now, but he does it for free.”
The implication seemed to be that I would need to underbid free. I told the editor no thanks; as a farmer, I already had ample opportunities to lose money.
I entered into journalism with no training save for what I may have accidentally retained from my high school English classes, and that was precious little since I absolutely hated school. For me, school was an undeserved punishment I was forced to endure, not unlike a prison sentence handed down to a wrongfully convicted young guy. All I wanted to do was farm! And of what use is an education for a farmer?
There must be easier ways to be-
There are six simple rules for becoming a better writer. The rst three are: read, read, read. The second three are: write, write, write.
Read anything and everything. Read novels and short stories, cerebral columns and fantastic ction, and don’t forget the comic strips. Deep insights regarding the human condition can be extracted from the likes of Pearls Before Swine.
Read things that make you laugh or cry, stuff written by people you disagree with and articles from authors you admire. Read essays that will expand your vocabulary. Be sure to consume judicious amounts of poetry.
Write a little something every day, even if it’s just in a private journal. Make every email the best it can be. Stretch yourself and question every aspect of your craft. Always ask: Could I use a better word or phrase here? Think of your writing vocabulary as a set of Snap-on tools: You start out with a basic kit and add to it continually throughout your life.
Once you’ve gained condence in your writing — after it has passed muster with friends and family — submit it for publication. Be prepared for rejection. Bear in mind, this rejection may not be your fault. Perhaps the editor was simply in a bad mood that day. Maybe he or she had stubbed their big toe, had a ght with their spouse or was looking for writing that could be obtained for free.
And, once you are published on a regular basis, be prepared for criticism. Good writers often push boundaries, and there are people who can’t be happy unless they are angry about something. You might simply happen to be their latest target.
Nearly nothing beats the thrill of seeing your words in print and knowing that any number of people could be reading them and are thinking, “Wow, this is pretty good!”
The only thing that might be better is receiving a letter from a young person who wants to know how you got started and is asking for advice.
Jerry Nelson is a recovering dairy farmer from Volga, South Dakota. He and his wife, Julie, have two sons and live on the farm where Jerry’s greatgrandfather homesteaded over 110 years ago. Feel free to email him at jerry.n@dairystar.com.
Being prepared
By Steve Frericks Stearns County FSA executive director
Farming is about being prepared. We had warm conditions three weeks ago. Were you prepared to get all your pen-pack manure hauled? Now the bitter cold is upon us., are you prepared by having your livestock pens properly bedded and your water systems insulated properly? You are working through tax preparation efforts. Were you best prepared throughout the year? Did you take advantage of all the U.S. Department of Agriculture program opportunities available this year? Are there aspects of our programs that you did not understand?
The staff at the Farm Service Agency can help with some of these questions. I am not sure if we are willing to help haul manure or x a water fountain in the bitter cold, but we certainly will provide you with the most current program information we have available at this time.
Please note the deadlines for our current program signups:
— The Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage enrollment period for the 2025 crop year is Jan. 21 through April 15.
— The Dairy Margin Coverage enrollment period for the 2025 program year is Jan. 29 through March 31.
We invite you to call your ofce and set up an appointment. This will help us better assist you during your ofce visit. We know your time is valuable. This will help us expedite the signup process. Ask our team about all the options for conducting your business.
Farm records and other changes
If you are making any changes to your farming operation (land sold/purchased, renting new land or dropping land) please notify FSA immediately after these changes occur. Updating your records now will save you time when signing up for ARC/PLC,
reporting your acres and ensuring maps are ready. FSA is not notied by the county recorder’s ofce of these sales. In addition, notify FSA if your bank account has changed.
Livestock reminder
It is really cold. This is a reminder for all livestock producers of the importance of keeping good records throughout the year. It becomes essential to have inventory and loss records when applying for our Livestock Indemnity Program due to eligible adverse weather events. LIP provides disaster assistance to livestock owners who experience livestock deaths in excess of normal mortality caused by eligible events for the 2025 calendar year.
Farm stress
We know there is a lot of stress in the ag community right now. If you recognize this stress in your family members or friends, do not hesitate to seek appropriate help. The Minnesota Farm and Rural Helpline is a free, condential service that provides support for people struggling with stress, anxiety, depression or suicidal thoughts related to farming and rural life. The helpline is available 24/7 and can be reached by calling (833) 600-2670, texting FARMSTRESS to (898) 211 or emailing farmstress@state.mn.us.
Applying for FSA direct loans
The FSA offers direct farm ownership and direct farm operating loans to producers who want to establish, maintain or strengthen their farm or ranch. Direct loans are processed, approved and serviced by FSA loan ofcers.
Direct farm operating loans can be used to purchase livestock and feed, farm equipment, fuel, farm chemicals and insurance, and it can help with other costs including family living expenses. Operating loans can also be used to nance minor improvements or repairs to buildings and renance
some farm-related debts, excluding real estate. Direct farm ownership loans can be used to purchase farmland, enlarge an existing farm, construct and repair buildings and make farm improvements. The maximum loan amount for direct farm ownership loans is $600,000, and the maximum loan amount for direct operating loans is $400,000. A down payment is not required. Repayment terms vary depending on the type of loan, collateral and producer’s ability to repay the loan. Operating loans are normally repaid within seven years, and farm ownership loans are not to exceed 40 years. We cannot stress enough that, if you need FSA direct loan assistance, please reach out sooner than later. Many people are seeing cash ow and balance sheets that are less than ideal. Getting on the list will help ensure you receive the best service available.
Please contact your local FSA ofce for more information or to apply for a direct farm ownership or operating loan.
Farm Loan Program - February 2025
5.125% - Farm Operating Loans, Direct 5.500% - Farm Ownership Loans, Direct 3.500% - Farm Ownership, Joint Financing
1.500% - Farm Ownership Loans, Beginning Farmer Down Payment
Farm Storage Facility Loan Program - February 2025
4.375% - Farm Storage Facility Loans, 3-Year 4.500% - Farm Storage Facility Loans, 5-Year 4.500% - Farm Storage Facility Loans, 7-Year 4.625% - Farm Storage Facility Loans, 10-Year 4.750% - Farm Storage Facility Loans, 12-Year
Farm Service Agency is an equal opportunity lender. Complaints about discrimination should be sent to: Secretary of Agriculture, Washington, D.C., 20250. Visit www.fsa.usda.gov for application forms and updates on USDA programs
The end is near?
“Prepare. The end of the world is coming.” We’ve heard the doomsday news cried out over the centuries. Remember 12/31/1999? Yet, we are still plugging away, and the earth is still spinning on its axis. I hope that is the case with my doomsday prediction. Based on what has been implied over the years, I gure the world will stop spinning Feb. 28 or soon thereafter once the inertia of motion stops completely. The reason? There will not be a single Schmitt home to milk cows.
There has never been a time when at least one Schmitt was in the barn milking cows. We couldn’t all be together to celebrate a whole event because someone always had to get back home at milking time. I don’t know if wisdom has nally caught up with our age, but we hope to discover that time will keep moving even if we’re not in the barn.
Ever since Michael and Rachel announced their
engagement this past summer, I’ve been preparing for a Madison wedding road trip. My rst call was to a former milker. Darren has helped us off and on over the years when we needed an extra hand. I remember when his parents “kicked him out” of their conversion when he said he wanted to milk cows. He was a shy 14-year-old, but his gentle demeanor made him a perfect t to help milk our cows. He has lled in during times of sickness and injuries and has helped cover for a quick trip getaway, too. He just slips right into the routine without missing a beat. It helps that we haven’t changed the routine in the last 25 years, either. He and Anna will take good care of the cows.
We couldn’t just leave all the jobs to our two milkers. We don’t even run with a crew of two on an everyday basis. Fortunately, our neighbor, who retired from milking, can handle the machinery and feedings. If something breaks, he’ll know just who to call or
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even how to x it himself. But, if we do this right, he shouldn’t need to x anything.
This past month, with the extended cold weather, I swear everything will be xed and in tip-top shape for our work crew because it has already been broken. We’ve replaced milk receiver probes and pumps, drilled holes in the Harvestor to replace an auger and replaced belts and sprockets on the feed conveyor. I asked Austin the other day if there was anything else that could break. He hoped not.
When I get ready to go visit my family in Illinois, I have a routine. The house has to be cleaned. Laundry done. Dishes washed. I have packed the freezer with meals and plenty of cookies to keep Mark from starving while I’m gone. I rush and rush to get things done, but why? In case something happens to me on my trip, at least it looks like I was ready. It is kind of like remembering to put on clean underwear in case you’re in an accident.
I’m trying to gure out what we can do before we leave to help out the help. Unfortunately, there aren’t quite as many jobs that can be done ahead of time. We can’t pre-mix enough feed for our time away. We can’t leave enough milk for the calves to drink at their own leisure. Of course, this is where a robotic calf feeder would be helpful. What we can do is have all the equipment greased and in tip-top condition. All the sheds and domes can have extra bedding to eliminate a job for our helpers.
Since it has only been Schmitts doing the jobs on this farm for over 90 years, I will have to get Mark and Austin to write down procedures and routines for feeding, milking and cleaning the barn. There won’t be anyone here who has grown up doing these jobs and just knows how. I have a supply of clipboards to hang in the feed room, the milk house and the old barn so everyone can “see” what to do and how to do things.
Who knows, maybe this can be the rst step in a new direction for our farm, proof that the world won’t stop spinning if we’re not milking cows, a chance for a new direction. I just wish there were more clipboards hanging around with directions on how to make that work.
Now, we need to keep everyone healthy and let go of the rest. Only God is going to keep the March Madness Tournament storms at bay. Here’s to taking a leap of faith that this is just the beginning and not the end.
As their four children pursue dairy careers off the family farm, Natalie and Mark Schmitt started an adventure of milking registered Holsteins just because they like good cows on their farm north of Rice, Minnesota.
By Natalie Schmitt Columnist
Commitment to cows, community
VanBedaf Dairy honored with National Beef Quality Assurance Award
By Tiffany Klaphake tiffany.k@dairystar.com
CARRINGTON, N.D. — VanBedaf Dairy was recently recognized on a national stage for taking an extra step in cow care and in their community.
VanBedaf Dairy was awarded the 2025 National Beef Quality Assurance Dairy Award in early February. Piet van Bedaf has been farming full time since 2015 and is in a partnership with his parents, Conny and Corne, at their 1,650-cow dairy near Carrington. Piet’s brother, Dries, also helps out on the farm.
“It was always my plan to come back to the farm after college,” van Bedaf said.
Van Bedaf and his wife, Taryn, went to San Antonio, Texas, to receive their award from the National Cattleman’s Beef Association during Cattle Con.
“We won the dairy farm portion of the award, which was very exciting,” van Bedaf said.
The National Cattleman’s Beef Association has ve categories for their beef quality awards: cow-calf; feed yard; marketers, as in sales barns; educator; and dairy operations.
“We were able to meet the people that won the other awards and were very honored to have been in the same room with those people because they had some really good operations,” van Bedaf said.
The van Bedafs were nominated by Lisa Pederson, a North Dakota State University Extension livestock specialist. The van Bedafs were nominated because of their diligent employee training and community outreach.
“She thought we had a good chance at winning the award,” van Bedaf said. “We were hesitant because it is a beef quality award and you don’t always think of beef quality on a dairy farm.”
Even though the van Bedafs do not nish out their beef calves, they qualify because their beef calves and cull cows enter the food supply.
At VanBedaf Dairy, cows are milked in a double-24 parallel parlor and all replacements are raised onsite. Heifers are genomic tested and results are used to determine breeding decisions, van Bedaf said. The top 80% of the heifers are bred with sorted Holstein semen and the bottom 20% are bred to beef. For the cows, the top 40% are bred with sorted Holstein semen and the bottom 60% are bred to beef. The beef calves are sold at 2-8 days old and the Holsteins remain on the farm for their lifespan.
All employees at VanBedaf Dairy receive training, work with a mentor within their area for one month and sign a mandatory letter of commitment to treat animals as humanely as possible.
“We have protocols for everything on our farm from vaccinations to par-
Piet van Bedaf and his wife, Taryn, hold up the award they received Feb. 4 at Ca le Con in San Antonio, Texas. VanBedaf Dairy was selected for its commitment to cow care and community outreach.
lor management,” van Bedaf said. “It’s all on paper, but we feel it is best to learn from someone that’s actually doing it and can show them in person.”
Van Bedaf’s mother, Conny, sister, Maartje, and brother-in-law, Casey, own and operate Cows and Co Creamery, 3 miles from VanBedaf Dairy.
About 1% of milk from VanBedaf Dairy goes to Cows and Co Creamery where it is made into gelato, Gouda cheese, cheddar cheese curds, European-style drinkable yogurt, and A2A2 white and chocolate milk. The rest of the milk from the dairy is shipped to Bongards. The creamery is situated on an old dairy farm and the original milk house is used as an on-farm store. Cows and Co Creamery also has a retail location in Fargo, delivers to more than 10 cities in North Dakota, and ships Gouda cheese and gelato nationwide.
Van Bedaf shows the world what happens on their farm through his YouTube channel, Piet Van Bedaf — ND Dairy Farmer.
“I post a video once a week, on Wednesdays,” van Bedaf said. “I have been doing that for the past couple of years, (showing) different things I do around the farm, from crops to cows to calves.”
The van Bedaf farm and family are involved with their community by hosting regular tours of their dairy farm throughout the year. The farm opens its doors to the general public, export buyers, university classes and elementary classes, van Bedaf said. The farm hosts a tour group almost weekly. Every other year, the farm hosts an open house the rst Sunday in June. This year the open house will be June 1.
“We feel it is important to give tours because consumers are getting further and further removed from agriculture and people are asking more and more questions about where their food comes from and how the cows are being treated,” van Bedaf said. “We feel the best way to answer those questions is by bringing people out to our farm so they can see for themselves. (Then) they can make those decisions for themselves versus (us) just telling them this is how cows are taken care of.”
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