“All
Representing Minnesota’s dairy industry
Finalists announced for 72nd Princess Kay of the Milky Way
By Tiffany Klaphake tiffany.k@dairystar.com
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Dozens of young women tuned into Facebook live May 18 to hear if their name would be called as one of the Top 10 nalists for the 72nd Princess Kay of the Milky Way.
Current Princess Kay, Rachel Visser, announced the Top 10 nalists during the virtual event on Princess Kay of the Milky Way’s Facebook page, where she gave a short description of each of the young women before revealing their names.
Janet Bremer, a dairy farmer from Hastings, is the Minnesota dairy princess coordinator.
“It gives me a lot of pride in knowing that we have such wonderful young women representing Minnesota’s dairy industry,” Bremer said. “(The Princess Kay program) goes past the borders of Minnesota as well. We get a lot of publicity from across the country and even outside of the country. The name Princess Kay of the Milky is an amazing promotion we have here to represent Minnesota’s dairy farmers.”
The nalists for the 72nd Princess Kay of the Milky Way are as follows: Natalie Clemenson of Zumbrota will represent Goodhue County. Her parents are Tiffany and Brian Clemenson.
Monica Evers of Kellogg will represent Wabasha County. Her parents are Tammy and Jerry Evers.
Paige Frenchick of Manannah will represent Meeker County. Her parents are Melissa Tessmer and Josh Frenchick.
Nicole Hauschildt of Zumbro Falls will represent Wabasha County. Her parents are Stephanie and Chad Domke.
Alexis Hoefs of New Prague will represent Le Sueur County. Her parents are Lisa and James Hoefs.
A life-saving donation
Bromenshenkel gives kidney to son
By Tiffany Klaphake
any.k@dairystar.com
SAUK CENTRE, Minn. — Fathers give a lot to their sons: guidance, security and an example to follow.
Wayne Bromenshenkel recently provided so much more when he donated one of his kidneys to his oldest son, Derek.
“I am very grateful,” Derek said.
“This was the end of my road otherwise. To nd out I had a donor in general was a huge relief, but it made it extra special because it was Dad.”
Derek is a software architect and comes to the family farm on a regular basis to help Wayne and his brother, Blake, who milk 60 cows and farm 670 acres near Sauk Centre.
Wayne donated a kidney to Derek April 17, giving him a second chance at life.
Turn to BROMENSHENKELS | Page 2
A state-wide path of destruc on
By Stacey Smart and Danielle Nauman
LOMIRA, Wis. — On the evening of May 15, Brenda Elsinger came up from the basement to nd her farm’s freestall barn destroyed. The tornado that hit Lomira just after 6 p.m. was rated EF1 with winds up to 95 mph.
“We’ve been here 36 years, and this dairy is my life,” Elsinger said. “We started with a stanchion barn and worked our tails off to get this herd built up and this facility humming. I just stood there, and it was all gone. … I was in shock. I lost something that was part of me.”
MARK KLAPHAKE/DAIRY STAR
The Bromenshenkel family — Wayne (front, from le ) and Derek; (back, from le ) and their wives, Pat and Heidi — gathers May 10 at the Bromenshenkel farm near Sauk Centre, Minnesota. Wayne donated a kidney to Derek, who was dignosed with polycysi c kidney disease.
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“I am going to get my son back,” Wayne’s wife, Pat, said. “When Derek was not here because he wasn’t feeling good and then was in the hospital, it wasn’t the same. Derek was missing for a while, but now we are whole again.”
Wayne and Derek are both home recovering from the successful surgery that took place at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester.
The day of the surgery, Derek, his wife, Heidi, Wayne and Pat, Blake and his wife, Kayla, and their sister, Kirsten Henrichs, were at the Mayo Clinic.
“You have two people you care about going in for surgery,” Heidi said. “They both need to come out of this successfully. We had a lot of people reaching out, saying they were praying for us. That helped ease our minds.”
Pat agreed.
“Anytime anybody asked what they could do, I said, ‘Pray,’” she said.
“I don’t need food or anything besides prayers. It’s my husband and my son in there. I need both of them to come out of there OK.”
The father and son were in separate rooms for surgery preparation, but once everything was ready, the seven Bromenshenkels were together in the same room for a few minutes.
“We hugged everyone and Dad and I were the last ones in the room and we just said, ‘See you in a few hours,’” Derek said.
Kirsten Henrichs (from le ), Blake and Wayne Bromenshenkel take a break during evening chores May 12 at the Bromenshenkel farm near Sauk Centre, Minnesota. The Bromenshenkels milk 60 cows and farm 670 acres.
Wayne’s surgery lasted two hours, while Derek’s surgery lasted seven.
“The doctor came up to me after (Wayne) was done and said, ‘He gave him a good one; it instantly started working when we put it in,’” Pat said.
During both surgeries, the family members received text message updates from the surgical team. Turn to BROMENSHENKELS | Page 5
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MARK KLAPHAKE/DAIRY STAR
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Henrichs has been helping Blake with chores while their dad recovers.
“When they said Wayne was done and it went well, it was a huge sigh of relief because if anything happened to him when he was donating a kidney, Derek would never get over that.,” Heidi said.
Once Derek was done, he was placed in the intensive care unit for close observation.
“The rst thing Derek asked when I was able to see him was, ‘How is Dad?’” Heidi said. “The rst thing Wayne asked Pat was, ‘How is Derek?’”
Wayne’s hospital room was on the same oor as Derek’s room and Wayne was able to visit his son in person.
“Seeing Dad walking around and doing well felt good,” Derek said. “I was very surprised to see him up and walking around 18 hours after the surgery.”
The day after the surgery, Wayne was cleared to go home.
“You can never give (Dad) anything without him trying to pay you back three times over,” Derek said. “When he left Rochester, I said to him, ‘You gave me something that I can’t pay you back for.’ He is very giving to anybody, not just his family.”
Derek was taken out of the intensive care unit after four days and stayed in Rochester for the next two weeks. Every other day, he was tested to check for signs of infection or rejection of his new kidney.
“Once I got out of the hospital, I could tell right away that I was better,” Derek said. “It was a slow transition backwards before. You don’t realize how far you have fallen until you ip the switch back to normal.”
On May 1, Derek was able to come home.
Wayne is taking it slow at the farm. In the meantime, Blake and Henrichs are taking care of the farm.
“I never had two weeks of vacation in my life, and now I have to take it easy for six weeks,” Wayne said. “All the help we have received has been tremendous.”
Going forward, Derek will have to get his blood checked locally once a week until August. Then he will go back to Rochester for a comprehensive evaluation to check for signs of infection or rejection. If everything goes well, Derek will go down to only having his blood checked once a month for
a year. Then he will only have to go in once a year to be checked.
“It feels surreal that this has happened,” Derek said. “This was as good of an outcome as it gets.”
Derek’s transplant journey started in 2016, when he was diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease.
I had cysts growing on my kidneys, and over time, they grew and as they got bigger, they lost their ability to function, Derek said.
At the point of their removal, Derek’s kidneys weighed 6 pounds each, far more than normal kidneys, which weigh 10-12 ounces each.
Over time, Derek’s energy level dropped, and his skin grew itchy from the urea buildup. The last two years, the symptoms worsened.
“I would wonder every month if they were going to put me on dialysis,” Derek said. “The goal was to not go on dialysis and get a kidney transplant. It was always on my mind.”
In October 2024, Derek was diagnosed with kidney failure and was approved as a candidate for a transplant and placed on the deceased donor list. The doctors also recommended that the Bromenshenkels reach out to family and friends to see if they could get a living donor.
“We sent out a blurb with our Christmas card (asking) if anyone would be interested in donating a kidney,” Derek said.
In December, Wayne was one of many people who signed up to get tested.
“He needed a kidney and I knew I was healthy enough,” Wayne said. “Mine was a perfect match.”
The match made for a smooth transfer from father to son.
“It was really nice knowing Dad was my match because it was easier for logistics,” Derek said. “There were a lot of things that needed to happen from the time we found a match until the surgery.”
After three months of testing, Wayne was approved to be the donor for Derek and surgery was scheduled.
“Had it been another month or two later in the process, I would have had to go on dialysis,” Derek said.
But Wayne was there for him as he always has been.
Mark Klaphake contributed to this article.
MARK KLAPHAKE/DAIRY STAR
Blake Bromenshenkel and his sister, Kirsten Henrichs, kneel next to cows May 12 at the Bromenshenkel farm near Sauk Centre, Minnesota.
Barron County Dairy Breakfast
April Klaphake of Sauk Centre will represent Stearns County. Her parents are Jennifer and Mark Klaphake.
Heidi Montag of Sauk Rapids will represent Benton County. Her parents are Christina and Brian Montag.
Lauren Stef of Sleepy Eye will represent Brown County. Her parents are Leah Sandbo and Tim Stef
Malorie Thorson of Waverly will represent Wright County. Her parents are Colette and Andrew Thorson.
Haylie Wielenberg of Long Prairie will represent Todd County. Her parents are Sarah Malana and Mike Wielenberg.
Each of the Top 10 nalists will have their likeness sculpted in butter during the 2025 Minnesota State Fair. Midwest Dairy sponsors the Princess Kay of the Milky Way program, which is funded by dairy farmers through their promotion checkoff.
Each spring, Minnesota’s county dairy princesses gather for the annual May Leadership Event. This year, it was held May 16-17 at the Delta Hotel in Minneapolis. Candidates participated in workshops, networking and educational workshops as well as candidate judging.
The May Leadership Event is for both the young women who choose to compete for Princess Kay of the Milky Way, as well as for those who would like to get experience in the judging process, or to participate in the sessions to gain knowledge.
Princess Kay Finalists: What does it mean to you to be named a Princess Kay of the Milky Way nalist?
“To me being a Princess Kay Finalist means that I can advocate for dairy farmers, like my parents, and I can share my love of the dairy community with others.”
- Heidi Montag
“I think it’s really special, because growing up as a little girl in Minnesota you look up to all the Princess Kay Finalists, all the Princess Kays and to nally be put in this role is something that’s hard to put words to. It’s a really big opportunity for me and a great way for me to give back to the dairy industry that has given a lot to me and helped me get to where I am today.”
- Alexis Hoefs
“It absolutely means the world to me; I have been going to the state fair since I was in seventh grade, and every year I have seen the Princess Kay nalists and I never thought I would actually be one. I’m really glad to represent the farmers of Minnesota, especially the ones in my county. I’ve seen the dedication and hard work they put in and it just means the world to me to be able to represent them.”
- Nicole Hauschildt
“It means more than the world to me. I have been going to almost every single Princess Kay coronation since I was about 3 years old. My mom has always brought me there, and she has supported my dreams so much with that because she knew I loved it. Being able to be a part of that with my mom too is just such a special memory because she is also my biggest mentor. It’s a once-in-alifetime experience that I’m very grateful for and I’m super excited to see where it leads.”
- Malorie Thorson
“It means so much to me to be named a Princess Kay nalist. Growing up in the suburbs of Prior Lake, I didn’t have much dairy experience, however, my rst step in the dairy parlor in 2019 changed my entire life. It
Heidi Montag
Alexis Hoefs
Nicole Hauschildt
Malorie
Paige Frenchick Monica Evers
led me to (South Dakota State University), where I majored in ag business with a dairy minor. That rst step completely changed my life, from not knowing anything about the dairy industry to now being named a nalist has absolutely meant the world to me and I am so happy and proud to be here.”
- Lauren Stef
“Being a Princess Kay nalist is an incredible honor that means so much to me. It represents more than just a crown or a sash; it’s a reection of the values I was raised with, the hard work of the dairy community and my deep passion for agriculture. Growing up in this industry has taught me the importance
of dedication, resilience and advocating for the people and animals behind the scenes. As a nalist, I have the opportunity to share those stories, build meaningful connections and serve as a role model for younger generations. It’s a chance to proudly represent not just my family and farm, but the entire dairy community across Minnesota. This experience reminds me that leadership is about listening, learning and lifting others up, and I’m honored to be a part of a tradition that celebrates those ideals.”
- Paige Frenchick
“It is the biggest honor I have ever been given to be named a Princess Kay nalist. I am grateful to be given the
opportunity to be an advocate for all the dairy farmers of Minnesota and to be a leader for women in agriculture. Both are such hard-working, passionate, and essential parts of our communities in which I have the privilege of voicing their stories and successes.”
- Monica Evers
“It is honestly a dream come true to be named a Princess Kay nalist. I have been dreaming of this since I was just a young girl. I love my duties as a dairy princess and can’t wait for all the new opportunities being a nalist will give me. My grandpa would talk about how I would get a butter head if I competed to be Princess Kay, and he would explain to me how
big they are. I hope that my grandpa is watching from heaven and that he is proud of me for fullling our dream.”
- Haylie Wielenberg
“To be named a Princess Kay nalist has instilled a new sense of pride, motivation and enjoyment about being a part of, and an advocate for, the dairy community. Becoming a nalist has been a goal of mine ever since I rst saw my mom’s butterhead in our freezer, and accomplishing that goal means a great deal to me. I now have a much better understanding of the signicance of being in this position to promote this hard-working community through my knowledge and personal experiences. I am
grateful and excited for all the opportunities and memories to come.”
- April Klaphake
“It is an honor to be named a Princess Kay of the Milky Way nalist. Being a nalist has been a dream of mine ever since I attended my rst coronation as a young girl. I am very excited to continue representing our hardworking dairy farmers this summer and the journey that lies ahead. Dairy has always been near and dear to my heart, so this is a dream come true and I am very grateful for this opportunity.”
- Natalie Clemenson
The Industry Leader In Agriculture Curtains
A Clark County dairy farm owned by James Weaver sits in ruins May 16 a er being hit by an EF2 tornado May 15 near Colby, Wisconsin. The tornado was one of 14 that have been conrmed to have hit areas of the state that day.
Elsinger and her husband, Jeff, farm with their son, Mike, near Lomira.
“Our whole lives basically were disrupted, but we just have to gure it out,” Elsinger said. “Challenge is part of life, and well, we got ourselves a challenge.”
The storm system that swept across Wisconsin May 15 left a trail of destruction, wreaking havoc on several Wisconsin dairy farms. In total, 14 tornadoes were conrmed by the National Weather Service as of May 20, in Clark, Dodge, St. Croix, Portage, Sauk, Marathon and Columbia Counties. In addition, hail that measured as much as 4 inches in diameter was documented in Eau Claire County. Signicant straight-line wind damage was also reported across the state.
Eight people and two dogs sought shelter in the basement of Elsinger’s house when the tornado warning was issued. The farm’s protocol during a tornado warning is to shut everything down and head to the basement. Three employees in the parlor and another cleaning the barn took cover with Elsinger and her family.
“You can never assume it’s not going to be you,” Elsinger said. “I’m very glad we followed the protocol and got there before the storm moved in.”
The farm did lose cattle in the wreckage, but Elsinger said it was minimal compared to what it could have been.
“Every loss of an animal is a hard loss; (it) is heartbreaking,” she said. “Out of the devastation, there were a lot of things that also went right to save what we had.”
Two calf hutches were blown into a nearby marsh. However, the two calves inside came walking out of the marsh — alive and well, Elsinger said.
As soon as the storm passed, hundreds of people swooped in to help the family pick up the pieces.
“The outpouring of support from the community and beyond was second to none,” Elsinger said. “To me, what happened here in the little town of Lomira that night was an absolute miracle. It was like something I could never explain. It’s all the little things. … what an amazing place to be.”
Cattle trailers lined their driveway, waiting to move animals, and a local bar came and served food all night to everyone who was helping.
“We had an amazing group of people,” Elsinger said. “It gives me goosebumps to talk about.”
The ferocious weather did not quench Elsinger’s spirit as she began thinking about how they could rebuild while moving cattle that evening.
“With every disaster, every problem, comes an opportunity,” Elsinger said. “We’ve been talking for months about improvements, doing things differently as far as cattle movement and efciency. Well, here’s the opportunity to do all that. You have to look for a silver lining. You have to look at the positives and not just focus on the negatives.”
One-third of the Elsingers’ barn is still standing.
“There’s some damage to that part,
but it’s usable,” Elsinger said. “We’re still milking every day.”
The family sent their 2-year-old cows offsite to three farms and have continued shufing animals since the disaster.
The Schwandt Family Farm, located southwest of the Dodge County city of Juneau, was also struck May 15 by an EF2 tornado, with wind speeds reaching 120 mph. One of the Schwandts’ two farms suffered signicant damage. Bob Schwandt was caught in the barn’s feed room but survived as the tornado went across his farm, causing a Harvestore silo to fall on top of the barn.
Schwandt’s nephew, Jeremy Nehls, is the farm’s assistant manager and was at the family’s other farm when the tornado arrived. From there, he witnessed the devastation occur to the farm where his uncle was.
“The wind was really blowing,” Nehls said. “I heard glass break, I shut the door, and the lights went on and off once, and then just went dark. I started running down the barn and all I heard was the crunching, everything just went over as I looked at one end of the barn as it went down. It was one scary moment right there.”
The farm’s heifer shed is also gone, the machine shed incurred damage, and the roof of the farm’s home and the garage were damaged. All 110 animals on the farm survived and have been moved to the family’s other farm and several nearby farms.
“We are still trying to get through this and hopefully, eventually, we’ll gure something out within the coming week or so,” Nehls said.
The farming community in Dodge County also rallied around the Schwandt family, providing assistance and support shortly after the storm cleared.
When asked how people can support them, Nehls said, “Pray for us.”
In Columbia County, near Randolph, Frank Behling and Mara Budde dealt with the wrath of straight-line winds that swept across their farm. Their dry cow barn went down, trapping nine cows underneath. With the help of family, neighbors and friends, Behling and Budde were able to free their cows.
“We are so grateful, all the cows were ne and are doing OK,” Budde said. “So many others had so much more damage. Ours was pretty minor in comparison.”
Another farmer was facing a similar situation 170 miles to the northwest, just outside Colby, in Clark County. There, an EF2 tornado, also with winds of 120 mph, decimated the farm of James Weaver.
Like the scenarios in Dodge County, the farming community rushed to help the Weaver family in the storm’s aftermath. Within a few hours, the cows were removed from Weaver’s farm and relocated to a nearby facility.
Elsinger said it is still hard to wrap her head around the events of May 15.
“We lost a building, but no human lives were lost, and that is the main thing,” she said. “Yes, we have a mess here, but we will rise from the rubble and be better than ever.”
PHOTO COURTESY OF TIM PETERSEN
SUPER SPECIALS
I really like their records. The pounds, fat and protein are really important to me. I also like the action sheets. They tell me when cows are going dry, when they are going to freshen, who needs to be bred and the low cows in our herd.
Which is your favorite and why? I really like all of them. I use all that information.
How does testing with DHIA bene t your dairy operation? DHIA helps me keep track of the cows records. The information tells me who is going to dry up, who has been vaccinated, who is going to freshen, there is so much and I use all of it. It just really helps our operation.
Tell us about your farm. I own the farm with my husband, Paul. Our son, Ben, also farms with us. Ben and I are the herdspersons, and Paul takes care all of the crops. He also takes care of the beef herd. We breed our lower end cows to beef bulls. We milk 260 cows in a double-eight parallel parlor. This is Paul’s home farm. Ben is the fourth generation of Glende’s on this farm. We have registered Holsteins.
In the markup of its budget reconciliation bill, the biggest point of contention is a $300 billion whack to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. House Agriculture Committee Chair Glenn “GT” Thompson made two points: SNAP is not working, and the farm safety net needs to be strengthened. “I assume my colleagues need reminding of contemporary farm bills, where farmers were stripped of billions in exchange for additional funds in nutrition or where nutrition saw a 1% decrease in the decit reduction exercise of 2014, yet farmers had to face an astonishing 25% cut.” In her opening statement, Ranking Member Angie Craig said the Republicans on the committee should be ashamed. “The instruction to this committee was to nd $230 billion in cuts to SNAP, but that wasn’t good enough for the extremists in your party, so tonight, you’re cutting more,” said the Minnesota lawmaker. “You know a traditional farm bill is not a priority for your leadership. If it were, we would’ve seen it on the House oor in the last session of Congress. The cut you are proposing to SNAP tonight would be the largest rollback of an anti-hunger program in our nation’s history.” The bill passed on a party-line 29-25 vote in the committee.
NMPF also backs a provision in the broader package to make the Section 199A tax deduction permanent for dairy cooperatives.
Farmers want “markets, not mailboxes”
By
Minnesota Congressman Brad Finstad wants Washington to take swift action to address the growing uncertainty in agriculture. Finstad, a farmer himself, emphasized that farmers are not seeking handouts but need stronger markets to support their operations. “Challenges on the market side, our inputs have continued to grow year-over-year. I don’t think I’ve seen a year in my farming life where a bag of corn is less expensive or fertilizer is less expensive.” He stressed the importance of stable markets for long-term farm viability, saying, “We want to farm for markets, not mailboxes.” Finstad is also frustrated with the repeated farm bill delays. “We’re living in extensions. Thanks be to God, the 2018 farm bill was pretty good because that’s what we’re living under now, under another extension. But it’s time for us to get our work done.”
“Do your work”
NMPF recognizes House action
The National Milk Producers Federation is praising the House Agriculture Committee’s reconciliation proposal for including key support for the dairy industry. NMPF President Gregg Doud says the bill provides critical investments that will create opportunities for dairy and offer long-term certainty for farmers. The package extends the Dairy Margin Coverage program through 2031, updates production history calculations and funds U.S. Department of Agriculture dairy plant cost surveys every two years. It also supports trade promotion, conservation, research and animal health efforts.
Jackie Glende
260 cows • Altura, Minnesota
Testing with DHIA at least 40 years
Nearly 100 farmers took time away from the planter this past week to bring their message to Congress. The National Farmers Union ‘Week of Action’ is focused on passing a 5-year farm bill; legislation strengthening the farm safety net; promoting voluntary conservation programs; and delivering support for farmers and consumers. Minnesota Farmers Union President Gary Wertish admits it may be a big lift in the current political environment. “We’ve gotten into more partisan politics, and you can blame both sides of the aisle,” Wertish said. “We really need to come back together and gure out how to get things done.”
Don Wick Columnist
Ag Insider
Labeling proposal criticized
The American Dairy Coalition has submitted comments to the Federal Register on the Food and Drug Administration’s proposed Healthy Labeling Rule. That rule calls for front-of-package labeling for saturated fat, sodium and added sugar. The dairy coalition said the rule discriminates against nutrient-dense natural foods, like real dairy products. The ADC said the front-of-package label will only confuse consumers and reduce consumption of nutritious products, like cheese and yogurt.
Milk output forecast to increase in ‘26
According to the May USDA supply and demand report, milk production is expected to be up in 2026, driven by a larger milk cow herd and slightly higher milk production on a per-cow basis. Dairy product prices are forecast to be lower for butter, nonfat dry milk, cheese and whey. The Class III milk is projected to increase in 2025 and drop off again in 2026.
Cattle market vulnerable to sharp correction
Cattle prices continue to push into record territory, but Van Ahn and Company Marketing Specialist Steve Witt warns the market may be nearing a tipping point: “Labor shortages are keeping the packing plants running at limited capacity.” Witt cited recent days when cattle slaughter was under 100,000 head “and at times, at peak capacity, they’re around 125,000–126,000 head, so the limited supply is denitely affecting the cutouts.” Risk management strategies are advised. Witt added that the biggest question going forward is how long consumers will continue to pay elevated prices.
Farm Aid coming to Minnesota
The 40th anniversary Farm Aid concert will be held in Minneapolis this fall. In a statement, Farm Aid founder Willie Nelson said they’re coming to Minnesota “to ght for a food system that works for all of us.” The all-star event will be held Sept. 20 at Huntington Bank Stadium on the University of Minnesota campus.
Mental health advocate to retire Minnesota Agricultural Mental Health Specialist Ted Matthews plans to retire at the end of June. Matthews has spent more than 30 years in this role. Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen said Matthew’s “impact on rural mental health in Minnesota can’t be overstated.”
Ibach joins Midwest Council on Agriculture
The Midwest Council on Agriculture has added Greg Ibach as a policy advisor. Ibach is a former USDA undersecretary for marketing and regulatory programs and former Nebraska agriculture director. Ibach joins MWCA founder and former House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson
Trivia challenge
The average American consumes 128 pounds of uid milk per year. That answers our last trivia question. For this week’s trivia, when is National Cheeseburger Day? 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.
Learning through fun
Blue View Dairy hosts fth graders for day camp
By Amy Kyllo amy.k@star-pub.com
CALEDONIA, Minn. —
As the sun shone May 8, over 200 fth graders descended on Blue View Dairy for a few hours of dairy education and fun.
“It’s extremely important for kids to actually get on the farm,” said fth- and sixthgrade teacher Theresa Von Arx. “It gets rid of some of those misconceptions people have about farms and gives people a better appreciation of what goes into how they get their dairy products that they enjoy every day. (Farming) is not easy. People have to be very committed and love doing this to be a dairy farmer.”
Von Arx, who teaches at St. Peter’s Catholic School in Hokah, is a former dairy farmer and Houston County dairy princess. She has been a teacher for 18 years.
Her class was part of the 204 students attending the 5th Grade Dairy Day Camp. The event, which is in its second year, is put on by the Houston County dairy farmers and the Houston County American Dairy Association. It has
been hosted both years by the Welscher family of Blue View Dairy near Caledonia. Joe Welscher milks 300 cows alongside his two brothers, Jay and Jim, and his two sons, Kyle and Brian.
The event was hosted in two sessions, with about 100 students in the morning and 100 in the afternoon.
Hope Turner, whose husband works on a Caledonia-area dairy, helped plan the event.
“Whenever you can get youth to know more about agriculture, specically dairy, it is fantastic,” she said. “Dairy gets a bad rap sometimes. We want kids to know that we care about our animals. We’re recyclers; we’re good to the environment. Dairy products are safe to consume and are good for us.”
Kids participated in seven activities: a presentation on dairy nutrition and the bovine rumen; a dairy-themed obstacle course; a tour of the dairy, feeding calves; experiencing the milking parlor; going on a hayride; and getting out of a dairy-themed escape trailer. Students also had a cheeseburger lunch in the farm shop.
“I hope that they can say they learned at least one thing,”
Turner said.
“Even if that one thing is that we have dairy farms in Houston County, and it is a fun place to be. That would be fantastic.”
Turner was assisted by 15-20 volunteers, including all three members of Houston County’s dairy royalty, FFA students and the Welscher fam-
ily. Joe led kids in their experience of the milk house and parlor. He said his favorite part of the day was watching the kids come and learn.
“I just love having them come here and see what it’s all about,” Welscher said. “There are a lot of adults too who don’t know where their (dairy products) come from.”
He said he hoped students learned from his station about the parlor set up, how milk is cooled, what temperature milk comes out and what temperature it needs to be cooled to, among others.
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AMY KYLLO/DAIRY STAR
Joe Welscher (center) watches a student put on a milking unit at the 5th Grade Dairy Day Camp May 8 at Blue View Dairy near Caledonia, Minnesota. The dairy milks 300 cows.
“I’m sure some of these have never seen a cow milked,” Welscher said.
Before the students arrived at 8:45 a.m., chores, scheduled breeding and a herd health check with the vet had been completed. Welscher said rain the week before the event gave them time to get their shop cleaned.
Previously, instead of the day camp, students were bussed to Iowa’s Dairy Center in Calmar, Iowa. However, the time and expense of bussing the kids caused the Houston County dairy community to make their own event.
“You don’t need to leave Houston County to nd a farm,” Turner said. “We felt like we could do more stations and more hands-on stuff if we did it ourselves.”
Fellow board member Heidi Waldenberger agreed.
“(Students) need to know that we have this going on in our county, versus sending them to a learning center,” she said.
Waldenberger said Blue View Dairy works perfectly for the event because it is set up in a circle.
“They’re such great hosts, we couldn’t do it without them,” she said.
AMY KYLLO/DAIRY STAR
A student leaps out of the escape trailer at the 5th Grade Dairy Day Camp May 8 at Blue View Dairy near Caledonia, Minnesota. The escape trailer’s theme was dairy cow health.
Turner agreed.
“The Welschers were very gracious to allow us to invade their farm,” she said.
One of the main activities for the students was a presentation on dairy nutrition and the rumen of cows called “Got Guts.”
“We asked our nutritionist (Mike Stemper) if he would be willing to (present), and he’s been phenomenal,” she said. “He’s just a big kid himself. Mike can just kill (it); he gets the kids so intrigued on nutrition.”
Amber Eide, who is a calf specialist, also helped operate the station.
Waldenberger planned the escape trailer. This activity had a cattle trailer lled with dairy information that provided clues for students to gure out the dairy-themed word that unlocked the padlock on the back gate. This year’s theme was cow health. She said the kids were even reading the poster on milk fever, which she did not expect.
“It’s fun for the kids to go through there and learn,” Waldenberger said. “I just hope that they learned that cows can get sick, but you can make them better.”
Von Arx said the escape trailer was one of her students’ favorite activities of the day.
Turner and Waldenberger hope to get the three schools in Houston County that are not participating in the event to come next year.
“I’m hoping now that we’ve reached some of the bigger schools this year, that they will spread the word about what they learned and how much fun they had,” Waldenberger said.
JUNE DAIRY MONTH 2025
ABBOTSFORD Sunday, June 1st 7am - 12pm
GRANTON Sunday, June 1st 7am - 12:30pm
NEILLSVILLE Sunday, June 8th 7am - 12pm
OWEN/WITHEE Saturday, June 14th 7am - 11am
LOYAL Sunday, June 15th 7am - 12:30pm
THORP Sunday, June 22nd 7am - 12:30pm
COLBY Sunday, June 22nd 7am - 12pm
GREENWOOD Sunday, June 29th 7am - 1pm
DeJong Dairy | 102218 Draper Rd., Dorchester, WI
Pancakes, maple syrup, sausages, variety of cheese, butter, applesauce, cookies, juice, coffee, milk & ice cream
Bussing to & from Abbotsford school. Handicap accessible
Schilling Farms | Luke & Stacy | W3514 Tree Rd., Granton, WI
Pancakes, sausage, special eggs, cheese curds, applesauce, juice, coffee, milk, ice cream, butter & maple syrup
Petting zoo, bussing to & from Granton High School, handicap parking available at the farm
Four Star Ag & Four Star Dairy | W4198 Pine Creek Rd., Neillsville, WI
Plain & blueberry pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage, applesauce, cheese curds, ice cream, juice, milk & coffee
WCCN Broadcasting, antique tractor display, bounce house, meet & pet the animals, Neills FFA painting. Explore the farm & equipment
Carl Vater Memorial Pavillion | 514 Division St., Withee, WI
Pancakes, deluxe scrambled eggs, sausage, cheese, fruit, beverages & fresh maple syrup from the FFA school forest
Co-Ed softball tournament, inflatable games, fun run, evening music & bingo
Hornland Farm | N6952 County Rd. K, Loyal, WI
Pancakes, sausage, scrambled eggs, cheese curds, applesauce, orange juice, coffee, milk, ice cream, butter & maple syrup
Field & close handicap parking, petting zoo, raffles, antique tractors, new special needs barn open
Bill & Bridget Ciolkosz Dairy Farm | N16329 Koser Ave., Thorp, WI
Pancakes, eggs, sausage, cheese curds & ice cream
Tour the 300 cow parlor & amazing calf raising facility. Many guest speakers, FFA speeches,
Verhoef Family Farm | 225703 Pecan Rd., Colby, WI
Pancakes, maple syrup, sausage, applesauce, cheese, cookies, milk, coffee & Culver’s ice cream
Face painting, petting zoo and bouncy house for the kids!
Phil & Eliza Ruzic Farm | N9031 Sidney Ave., Greenwood, WI
Potato & regular pancakes, eggs, sausage, cheese, cheese curds, applesauce, butter, juice, coffee, milk, water, soft serve ice cream & maple syrup Kiddie train rides, raffles, local crafters,
AMY KYLLO/DAIRY STAR
Mike Stemper teaches students at La Crescent-Hokah Public Schools about rumens and dairy nutri on at the 5th Grade Dairy Day Camp May 8 at Blue View Dairy near Caledonia, Minnesota. The program was called “Got Guts.”
from our side our side OF THE FENCE THE
What do you plant in your pastures?
Cyndy Nafzger R-DREAM FARM
Mineral Point, Wisconsin
Iowa County
35 cows
What do you plant in your pastures? I don’t plant anything. It is just pasture grass.
How many acres do you graze, and how many paddocks is that split into? We graze 85 acres of pasture on three separate paddocks: 40 for the milk cows, 40 for the heifers and dry cows and ve acres for the pre-fresh cows. I would like to divide each 40 acres into several different sections but don’t have the time and help to do so.
What kind of reel do you like? We use barbed wire fencing. We are four strands high to keep out and separate the paddocks.
What kind of watering system do you have? Mother Nature and there is a stream running through paddocks.
What are your management strategies for eliminating undesirable plants?
My son, Jarvie, cuts the pasture in early spring, March-April and late fall. We also knock down or cut off thistles as they begin to grow. Around the rst part of July, a neighbor comes to cut, rake and bale the pasture grass. We use this grassy hay to feed the heifers and dry cows in the winter.
How often do you rotate paddocks, and what are your pasture management practices? We only have around 15 head in the dry cow paddocks. If we notice the 35 milk cows could use more, we switch the animals around. I would say, depending upon how much rain we get, it happens a couple of times per year.
Explain your pasture fertility program. In the late fall, after the cows are done grazing for the year, we spread cow manure on the pasture.
Why are pastures benecial for your farm? Pastures have many benets. I believe cows need to have space to roam, run and eat as much as they want to. I noticed a big improvement in my cows as far as milk production, health, breeding heats, cow comfort and happiness. They are so delighted to be released from the barn, especially after several days of being cooped up. The cows stay healthier on pasture. They are not getting bored in a stall and ending up hurting themselves. The cows are social. They like to be with their friends. When I go to get them before milking time, they are usually in three separate groups. They are near each other but separate. They can stretch out and get lots of exercise. They have a creek for cooling off and getting a drink of water. It is so beautiful to walk down to the pasture and see them all grazing in the big open pasture. An additional benet is that they eat less of the total mixed ration, and that is a cost savings on feed.
Tell us about your farm. We raise and milk a herd of registered Ayrshire, Guernsey and Holstein cows and house animals for other people. My kids are involved in showing. My husband and I live three miles away from the farm we lease, but everyone is involved in the farm one way or another. Milking starts at 4:30 at both ends of the day. My middle son, Jarvie, helps in the morning with calf, heifer and dry cow feedings and handles all the breeding, heavy lifting and pasture management. He’s my right-hand man, and I found out I couldn’t do this without him. After morning chores, he either goes to work at another farm or attends college at Southwest Wisconsin Technical College, and I go back home
Justin Buck
Goodhue, Minnesota
Goodhue County
150 cows
What do you plant in your pastures? Red and white clover, perennial ryegrass, alfalfa and a mix of fescues.
How many acres do you graze, and how many paddocks is that split into? For the milking and dry cows, we have about eight acres of pasture broken into eight paddocks.
What kind of fencing system do you have? On the outside of the pastures, we have between one and four wires, depending on where it is located. Within the pastures, we break it up with a temporary fence made with a Gallagher reel and step-in posts.
What kind of watering system do you have? We don’t provide water in the pastures. We milk with robots and need them to go back to the barn for water, and then they get milked at that time.
What are your management strategies for eliminating undesirable plants? We mow the pastures after the cows graze them to help with weeds. Periodically, we renovate the pastures by growing corn or Sorghum-sudangrass for one year and then replanting for pasture again.
How often do you rotate paddocks, and what are your pasture management practices? We move the temporary fencing within the paddock two times per day in the spring and then once a day later in the year. Once we have completed the paddock, our goal is not to return to that paddock for 28-30 days.
Explain your pasture fertility program. When we are able to fertilize pasture, we put on calcium, phosphorus, potassium and micronutrients. We also do soil sampling occasionally when we renovate the pastures.
Why are pastures benecial for your farm? The majority of our land in pasture is highly erodible land, so it’s good to keep it covered to prevent erosion. The animals fertilize and harvest those acres on their own. We farm organically, so pasture is a very important part of that farming system.
Tell us about your farm. I farm with my parents, Dennis and Ruth; my brother, Austin; and my sister, Kaitlyn, who helps out part time. We currently milk 130 cows in two Lely robots. We raise all our own replacements along with the majority of our feed. We ship our milk to Organic Valley.
to work my full-time job remotely. At night, we let the springers and dry cows into the cow yard during milking time to clean up any leftover TMR. My daughter, Cyntanah, helps with evening chores unless she is involved in high school sports. If she is, Denny will help, or I will handle it on my own. Denny also handles the maintenance around our farm. Our weekends are spent at the farm, taking care of the extra things that need to be done like hauling manure, washing calf huts, cleaning sheds and feeding big bales of hay. Trapper, my oldest son, goes to school at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and will help out when he is home. It is a group effort. We have a great partnership with Dan and Bruce Dannenberg for our feed. Matt Hateld is our nutritionist. Our milk goes to Rolling Hills Dairy Producers Cooperative and is hauled by 2 Doe Trucking. We are grateful and thankful for Greg and Kathy James for leasing us the farm for our dairy, and we have other family and friends who help us.
Cheyenne Christianson
Chetek, Wisconsin
Barron County
70 milk cows, 10-12 nurse cows that feed all babies
What do you plant in your pastures? I like a diverse mix in the pastures. If we seed down a new stand, it will have red clover, orchard grass, timothy, perennial ryegrass and some alfalfa for drought tolerance. White clover and quack grass ll in on their own. The ryegrass doesn’t last long, but it is nice while it is there. We do not plant orchard grass in every pasture as it gets so far ahead in early spring and can be too dominant in our long rotations. We also grow some annuals. A few acres of Sorghum-sudangrass or Japanese millet can really help in a dry year. Fall oats planted in early August have given us super quality for late-fall grazing most years since 2000.
How many acres do you graze, and how many paddocks is that split into? We have about 165 acres we graze regularly for all livestock. We take the rst cut of hay off a bunch of that and add in more as needed. Some acres may get a second crop of hay before being added to the rotation. It depends a lot on the year and how much moisture we are getting.
What kind of reel do you like? We have mostly single hot wire with T-posts on perimeters and use poly wire to break it down from there. We use Premier reels as they have a strap on and make it easier for children to wind up poly. We use a combination of pigtail posts and steel posts with insulators on top. Premier poly wire has worked well, with some of our original poly still in use. We have always had a John Deere Gator for hauling posts, reels and water tanks around. Most elds are between 8-12 acres, so it’s easier to clip or bale hay when we need to. I started with a lot of small permanent paddocks, but it wasn’t exible enough, so I tore most of them back out. The key to good grazing is exibility.
What kind of watering system do you have? We have one-inch poly pipe over most of the farm so water can be available in every eld. There is a well across the road for water on that side. One-hundred fty-gallon water tanks work well, but we also have some 100- and 300-gallon tanks. We haul water in totes to one 40-acre pasture across another road we graze occasionally. It is mainly in hay, so we only graze it in a dry year or in the fall.
What are your management strategies for eliminating undesirable plants? We clip pastures that get too much ripe refusal, especially with orchard grass in late spring. Some of it always gets ahead and loses quality. If there is a lot of material after clipping, we will bale it up for bedding. We have some issues with Canada thistles on a few older stands, so we clip them once or twice a season to keep them from seeding out. Tilling some of those areas and planting annuals has also helped. We don’t have many other problems with undesirables.
How often do you rotate paddocks, and what are your pasture management practices? We rotate twice a day for all groups unless dry weather or cool temps in the fall slow growth. If pasture growth slows, we will supplement some hay to extend the rotation. We still move cows twice a day, but they get less pasture and a bale at night instead of all pasture. It is much better to let the grass grow more and feed some hay than blaze through and chew everything down. When and if we get more rain, it will regrow much faster if there is good residual left. Spring regrowth is faster if pastures are not grazed too hard in the previous fall.
Explain your pasture fertility program. We soil test every few years. I’m a big believer in balanced soil, so I have added calcium, sulfur, boron and traces such as copper, manganese and zinc. I want my cows to get their nutrition from the plant as much as possible. Bedding pack manure is our main source of fertility. We use several hundred round bales for bedding so we have a lot of organic material to feed soil biology and improve fertility. I use some rock phosphate and potassium sulfate on low elds. We have so many dry years in northern Wisconsin, it is hard to tell sometimes. Lack of water ends up being our biggest issue.
Why are pastures benecial for your farm? Grazing paid for our farm. We started intensive grazing in 1994, and it was the key to keeping our costs low and cows in great health. We were able to pay down debt fast because of that. It was a huge savings to not have to harvest all that feed and spread the manure for half the year. No vet bills or feed bills and cow longevity also help. We’ve had three cows get to 20 years old and a lot more to their
Derek Schmitz (pictured with his wife, Taylor)
Cold Spring, Minnesota Stearns County 75 cows
What do you plant in your pastures? I plant meadow fescue, orchard grass, tall fescue, perennial rye grass, festulolium, timothy, crusted wheat grass, white clover, red clover, birdsfoot trefoil, alfalfa, chickery, sweet clover and various native grasses. I like to focus on diversity.
How many acres do you graze, and how many paddocks is that split into? We have 203 acres, and I make new paddocks several times a day. We don’t have any interior fences. It’s all temporary interior fence. We make new paddocks 2-8 times a day.
What kind of fencing system do you have? We use automatic fence lifters. We use gear reels and non-gear reals with poly-wire with spring-top posts. I also have an energizer with a remote.
What kind of watering system do you have? We have dug water lines throughout the pasture that centers every 600 feet. We have portable at hose that runs to 30-gallon tanks as well.
What are your management strategies for eliminating non-desirable plants? Haying and high-density grazing. We haven’t found a plant the cows won’t eat.
How often do you rotate paddocks, and what are your pasture management practices? We move the cows 2-8 times a day, and our length between grazing is 35-90 days.
Explain your pasture fertility program. Whatever falls out the back end of the cow and what we spread manure from the yard out to the pastures. I have never gotten soil tests done. Why are pastures benecial for your farm? Cow health and the cost savings. I wouldn’t be farming without pasturing my cows. Equipment is expensive, and I wouldn’t have been able to get into farming otherwise. Anytime we start a tractor, it costs us money, so anything we can do to reduce that saves us time and money.
Tell us about your farm. It is just my wife and me and our four kids. We milk in a at parlor and we out winter everything. We are certied organic and ship our milk to Organic Valley. We raise our calves on nanny cows. We have found what works best for us is to get out of the way and let nature take its course.
teens. Grazing uses much less fuel, creates less wear on machinery and more. There is no comparison environmentally when it comes to grazing diverse pastures. Organic matter has improved immensely. Water soaks in, even in downpours. Soil tilth is incredible, and earthworms are everywhere. In extreme wet spells with multiple heavy rain events, if I see any water in a waterway, it’s clear. I do not want my farm contributing to the river pollution that ends up in the Gulf.
Tell us about your farm. My wife, Katy, has always worked with me on our farm, as have our children. We have 10 children, ve still at home. All have been very helpful in daily chores around the farm, from lling water tanks when young to moving poly wire, milking and some machine operation when older. I do most of the skid loader and tractor operations. Katy has raked virtually every acre of hay we have ever baled. Our older boys have done most of the pasture clipping with a 3-point disc mower. We have shipped our milk to Organic Valley since 1999 and got on the grass milk truck in 2014 when it started in our area. We stopped feeding grain in the late 1990s, so it was something I had been advocating for a long time. We milked in a tiestall barn most of these years but built two hoop barns for cow housing and feeding in 2007 and 2009. We remodeled the barn several years ago and put in a at parlor for milking.
The Delaval OptiDuo™ has the unique ability to adapt to di erent feed types and quantities. It can adjust it’s speed and change track where necessary to ensure your cows are always presented with the best feed.
Reaching 7 pounds of components
Hutjens shares about raising per-cow fat, protein production
By Amy Kyllo amy.k@star-pub.com
SIOUX FALLS, S.D.
Milk component yields reect genetics, feeding and management of the herd said Michael Hutjens, professor emeritus at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. They are also the basis of the dairy farm’s income.
Hutjens presented “To 7 Pounds and Beyond — Maximizing Milk Components for Protability,” at Central Plains Dairy Expo in Sioux Falls. He focused on how farmers can get per cow production to 7 pounds of components each day, regardless of overall milk yield. Hutjens focused on feeding and management knowledge.
“It is feasible,” Hutjens said. “You can do this with a 40-cow herd, you could do a 400-cow herd, and probably even a 4,000-cow herd.”
Hutjens said it is challenging to get 7 pounds of components per day if a herd is only milked twice a day. He
said once a herd starts reaching 75-80 pounds of milk, there are issues with leakage, cow comfort and somatic cell counts.
Using April prices, fat is worth $2.64 a pound, protein is $2.17 per pound and other solids are $0.31 per pound.
“All you dairy farmers, unless you’re from Southeastern states, are being paid for pounds of fat, pounds of protein,” Hutjens said. “That’s what writes the check.”
Hutjens said a farm can reach 7 pounds of solids several ways. They can do it if they have 100 pounds of milk with tests of 4% fat and 3% protein. They also can reach 7 pounds with 90 pounds of milk and tests of 4.5% fat and 3.2% protein. Or a herd with a 70 pounds per day average could also reach 7 pounds with tests of 5.6% fat and 4.3% protein.
“One hundred pounds of milk is going to get you there a lot faster than if you’re at 70,” Hutjens said.
Overall dry matter intake sustains milk yield. One way
to boost DMI is through feeding sugar. Sugar increases feed palatability and reduces sorting. It increases neutral detergent ber digestibility, leading to lower ll factors and an increased rate of passage. It also shortens the lag in rumen microbial growth compared to starch and pectin. Hutjens recommends 7% total sugar in a diet.
Feed efciency is important for components, Hutjens said. This connects milk yield with DMI. Other factors contributing to milk yield are body condition scores and transition management.
“There’s no question a fresh cow program is going to do some really neat things for you in terms of milk components,” Hutjens said.
Ventilation
A cow’s lactation curve and peak milk are set early in the lactation. Hutjens said farmers should look at the changes in milk that occur between the 2-week lactation mark and the 4-week lactation mark. Mature cows should peak in milk around 4-6 weeks.
“Milk yield sets the lactation curve,” Hutjens said. “(There are) additives that you really only have to feed for the rst 40 or 50 days, and then you aren’t going to need them anymore.”
He said this sets the milk curve high and it stays there over the lactation period.
Hutjens said it is important to optimize DMI early in lactation. A cow with high butterfat in the rst few weeks after calving is in a bad situation because she is using body reserves to produce that milk fat.
“You’re challenging the cow,” Hutjens said. “The last thing you might want her to do is take that extra energy and put it in the pail because she needs that energy to avoid ketosis and other energy needs.”
AMY KYLLO/DAIRY STAR
Michael Hutjens presents March 26 at Central Plains Dairy Expo in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Hutjens spoke about how producers can get their herds to produce 7 pounds of components per cow per day.
“I only use Udder Comfort!™ It works so well, I don’t have to look for anything else. I use it right after cows freshen, all over the udder and also on the belly. I can already tell it’s working when they come in for that second milking,” says Donna Honer of M&D Livestock, Kenyon, Minn., and herdsperson at the family farm. She has also used it on other dairies as an employee.
Visiting our booth at Central Plains Dairy Expo, we wondered: What does she like best about dairy? “The people! And the cows! It’s exciting to see new technology and be around people who care about making a good product and keeping healthy cows.” What does she like best about Udder Comfort? “The smell! And the way it alleviates discomfort after calving, especially in fresh heifers.”
She says she also “used Udder Comfort religiously” on the 350-cow organic dairy she worked on. “Being super diligent on mastitis detection, this is the big tool for that swelling in the udder.”
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Factors affecting milk butterfat levels include genetics, the season, stage of production, forage quality, the level of fat fed and rumen efciency, Hutjens said.
High oleic soybeans can be a good source of fat for cows, Hutjens said. These soybeans are rumenfriendly and, if raised on the farm, can reduce the amount of protein purchased in the diet. He said oleic soybeans can comprise as high as 10%15% of DMI.
“If you raise soybeans (already) and the (high oleic) seed is about the same price, no yield drag, that’s almost a no-brainer,” Hutjens said.
He said roasting soybeans increases rumen-ungradable protein compared to raw soybeans.
Hutjens said the milk protein to milk butterfat ratio should be at least 0.80. If the ratio is over 0.9, producers are losing out on fat potential. If it is below 0.75, producers are missing protein potential.
“These ratios, to me, are helpful to see if I’m missing (components),” Hutjens said.
Hutjens said producers should look at their milk records and circle any cows where butterfat is a full point lower than the herd average.
Looking towards the future, Hutjens expects protein to be more important than fat, he said.
“The world is wanting animal protein, beef, pork, turkey and dairy products,” Hutjens said.
Two-thirds of amino acids need-
ed for milk protein can be produced by rumen microbes, Hutjens said.
“Those rumen bacteria are your friends,” he said.
The rumen bacteria are economical protein sources with optimal levels of sugars, starches and protein compared to purchased protein sources, Hutjens said.
Hutjens said cows do not have a protein requirement, but they do have an amino acid intake requirement. He said farmers should ask their nutritionist whether their ration is being balanced using a rumen model, which considers all sources of amino acids.
The advantage of feeding rumenprotected amino acids such as lysine and methionine includes milk protein increase, milk yield increase and/ or milk butterfat increase, Hutjens said. Rumen-protected amino acids are amino acids that are protected in the rumen and go to the small intestine, where they can be used for milk production and other requirements. Hutjens recommends feeding a lysine to methionine ratio of 2.65:1.
Hutjens also encouraged producers to look at their energy efciency, component efciency, protein efciency, and milk yield to nd their way to 7 pounds of components.
“Look at your records of lactation, days in milk, and see if you (nd opportunities),” Hutjens said. “(Go home) and say, ‘We better get our nutritionist out and try and gure out what’s going on.’”
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Ederer Dairy Supply Plain, WI 608-546-3713
Finding right partners, projects in renewable energy
It is no secret that the dairy industry is facing increasing pressure to reduce our collective environmental footprint. Rather than ignoring the trends or waiting for regulations, we should learn, make changes and nd solutions that can benet our environment as well as our farms, communities, team members and bottom lines.
There is an ever-increasing number of opportunities for dairy producers to participate in renewable energy and renewable fuels projects. Just like any other business investment, each requires a careful review of how it will t into your operation, business plan and community before making a commitment.
in 2008 when we installed a methane digester at Pagel’s Ponderosa Dairy near Kewaunee, Wisconsin. In 2010, we also installed a digester system at our Dairy Dreams farm site near Casco, Wisconsin.
By JJ Pagel
In addition to being a part of Professional Dairy Producers’ Your Farm-Your Footprint sustainability initiative to learn how we can better manage our farm’s environmental footprint score, Pagel’s Ponderosa has a long history of working to do our best for our cows, land and people — including our neighbors. We began our journey with renewable energy
We’ve learned a number of lessons in the planning and management of projects, as well as how to communicate the benets with community members. One key outcome of installing the digesters was the reduction of odors. At our Pagel’s Ponderosa site, we also started collecting and drying the solids using the system so we could utilize the resulting product as bedding. These are just a couple of positive examples we share with the 7,500-10,000 people who tour our facilities each year.
Initially, the digesters at Pagel’s Ponderosa and Dairy’s Dreams used a genset to produce electricity that was sold to local utilities. By 2017, the electricity payments weren’t covering the costs to run the system, and there were signicant expenses to update equipment, so we switched to producing renewable natural gas. We now
partner with DTE Energy to clean and compress the gas, which is fed into a pipeline to enter the low-carbon fuel standard market.
At the Dairy Dreams site, we’ve installed a nutrient-recovery system that separates manure into three products: phosphorus-rich solids, nitrogen-heavy liquid and clean water. We’re able to apply a more nutrientdense fertilizer while hauling and applying less water. We are also re-using the clean water on the dairy to ush tanks, sprinklers and more.
When considering adopting new projects or practices on your dairy, understanding the nancial and facility investments is the rst step. There are other considerations as well:
— How will it affect our team? Will we need to hire more people to run the system? Will it require new skillsets and training?
— Will it make our operation more efcient? Or will it add to existing workloads?
— How will it impact the environment (water, air and soil quality)?
— How will it impact the cows? Will it improve cow comfort?
— How will it be viewed by our community members?
On-farm investors such as private equity rms and corporations are growing more interested in farmbased renewable energy ventures, and that behooves producers to undertake their due diligence. As farmers, we typically look for the best in everyone, so we need to proceed into new endeavors with a healthy skepticism. Knowing who is behind the proposed idea and their end game for the investment is critical. We’ve turned down opportunities for projects that promised annual lease agreements with payments over 20 years after realizing the project developer was putting together a portfolio of small projects they could package and later sell to private equity investors. That quick return would benet the developer but
May 27-29
June 3-5, 10-12, 17-19, 24-26
The Dairy Signal ® Online, noon - 1 p.m.
Visit www.pdpw.org to participate in live-streamed event. Audio/video recordings also available free.
June 18
Annual PDP® Community Blood Drive 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Professional Dairy Producers office 820 N. Main Street, Juneau, WI 53039
Visit www.pdpw.org to sign up for a time slot and for information about additional donor benefits.
could leave farmers with an uncertain future.
There are a number of resources available for those considering new opportunities. Start with a good law rm and take advantage of programming from organizations such as PDP, Farm Bureau, extension and more. Also, investing in civil engineers and professional grant writers early on in a project can pay off in expertise, time savings and efciency. Developing a good relationship with local and state regulatory agencies and keeping communications open is also important. Finally, talk to someone who has done it before. Tap into your networks to nd others in your state or around the country who have done something similar.
JJ Pagel of Kewaunee, Wisconsin, is a third-generation farmer who owns and operates Pagel’s Ponderosa Dairy with his sister, Jamie, and brother, Bryan. JJ attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison Farm and Industry Short Course and Cornell Dairy Executive Program. Today, the Pagel family milks just over 12,500 cows at ve sites and farms 15,000 acres. They have on-site processing for farmstead cheeses that are sold at Ron’s Wisconsin Cheese. For more information on PDP’s Your Farm-Your Footprint sustainability initiative, go to www.pdpw.org.
The Modern Ag Alliance unites farmers with a common goal: protect the future of American agriculture.
That means fighting for American farmers’ access to essential crop protection tools, like glyphosate, so they can continue running thriving, competitive farms.
When farmers face fewer weeds, lower costs, and higher yields, every American benefits from lower grocery bills.
Opening their farm again
Balzer family prepares to host breakfast
By Michelle Stangler
Staff Writer
OWATONNA, Minn. —
For at least ve years, Balzer Family Dairy has hosted an annual celebration to kick off June Dairy Month. This year, the family farm will once again host the Steele County Breakfast on the Farm, an event expected to draw over 1,000 visitors.
“(We are) opening the farm up to the public and area folks to whoever wants to come see the robots milk and see the baby calves,” said farmer owner Rick Balzer.
Balzer farm alongside his wife, Cathy, and their son, Scott, near Owatonna.
The event takes place June 7 from 8 a.m. to noon and features a menu of wafes, sausage, cheese, milk and coffee for breakfast. Free bus transportation is available from the Steele County Fairgrounds and the Medford Public School parking lot. On-farm parking is handicap only.
Balzer family –
house May 21 near
fast on the Farm June 7.
The farm will showcase its pair of Lely A4 robots that have been operating for about 10 years and are the only robotic milking units in the county, Rick said.
“(The public) are all fascinated about how the robot can put the teat cups on the cow and clean their udder,” Rick said.
Families attending will also enjoy many activities throughout the morning, from cow-themed bouncy houses to riding a kiddie train. Other activities include, crafts, the chance for kids to make butter, a corn pit, and a petting zoo with goats, cats, rabbits, pigs and puppies. Princess Kay of the Milky Way and
county dairy princesses will also be in attendance.
For the Balzers, this is one of the many times they will host people on their farm throughout the year. Most recently, 115 homeschool kids visited, along with the local chamber of commerce.
“We want to stay on good terms with these people who
ROOTED IN THE HEART OF OUR AGRICULTURAL
buy our products, so it’s nice to show them what goes into producing milk,” Cathy said.
She is most excited to see people interested in what the farm does, and for people to enjoy a morning outside on a farm.
“That shows there’s interest,” Cathy said. “I think that’s worth it. I like to visit with people, and I like to see everybody having a good time, especially the kids. They think it’s awesome with all the animals.”
While the family has hosted breakfast events for several years in the past, Rick said they still form new connections each time.
Rick said he uses everyday language when explaining on-farm practices.
“I show them the feed we feed our cows,” he said. “I call it my hot dish for the cows. It’s got everything in it. It’s got the haylage, the corn silage, the protein (and) a little bit of straw.”
Normal life comparisons help visitors understand how the Balzers use technology to monitor their cows’ health and well-being, such as tracking body condition and nutrition.
The
Sco (from le ), holding Brantley, Cathy and Rick – gathers in the Balzer
Owatonna, Minnesota. The Balzers will be hos ng the Steele County Break-
“I always tell the ladies that our barn — and most dairies — (the cows) have earrings. We got necklaces on them. We do the hair, and my son does the nails.”
Rick helps guests visualize the milk production of their cows by converting pounds of milk into gallons, which gives people a better sense of how much cows produce every day. He also shares a glimpse of what he may do every day, like his breeding program using A.I.
“They realize it’s not just the robots milking the cows, but there are a lot of things that go into this process,” Rick said.
Rick makes connections with visitors on a one-on-one or small-group basis. He said he encourages questions, which often guide his explanations.
With previous attendees of the breakfast, he said he often gets questions about the cows and why they do certain things. When asked about the cows, he said he always lets guests know they are well cared for.
“They got all the comfort in here,” he said. “They have fresh air coming in all the time in the barn. They’ve got nice soft beds. They have feed all day long.”
As the rst weekend of June approaches, the family is busy making preparations cleaning and beautifying the farm. On the day of the event, the family — including their other sons, Brandon, Ross and Reid — will be bright pink T-shirts, ready to welcome visitors, answer questions and share their passion for dairy farming.
June dairy month events
May 31
South Dakota Dairy Fest: Providence Dairy is hosting a day on the farm. The day starts at 10:30 a.m. with a tour of the South Dakota State University Dairy Plant, from there shuttles will be available to the dairy. At the dairy, visitors will be able to participate in various activities such as face painting, cheese making, corn hole, cow milking, kids coloring, music, bouncy houses and other kids’ games. There is also a free grilled cheese lunch and South Dakota State University ice cream provided. Providence Dairy is located at 19976 476th Ave., White, South Dakota.
June 1
LegenDAIRY VI: VanBedaf Dairy will host an open house from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visitors will see and hear about what goes on at the farm while riding along on one of the tour trailers. VanBedaf Dairy is located at 170 70th Ave. NE, Carrington, North Dakota.
June 7
Steel County Dairy Breakfast on the Farm: Hosted by Balzer Dairy. The meal, which is a wafe breakfast, is served from 8 a.m. to noon. There is a cost associated with the breakfast. Attendees will be able to participate in wagon rides, a petting zoo, a bounce house, a picture with a calf, view antique tractors and more. There will be a shuttle to and from the farm, leaving from Steel County Fairgrounds and Medford High School. There is only handicap parking available at the farm.
June 11
Western Iowa Dairy Alliance Open House: Skyline Dairy will be hosting an open house from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. The event has a free meal, educational exhibits, family-friendly activities and opportunities to enjoy dairy products.
Attendees also have the opportunity to tour the farm, learn about modern dairy practices and engage with experts to gain insights into dairy production, sustainability efforts, and the importance of dairy in the local economy. Skyline Dairy is located at 4253 Oriole Ave., Granville, Iowa.
June 13
Houston County Cheeseburger and Shake drive-thru: The Houston County American Dairy Association will be serving a cheeseburger, beans, chips, a cheese stick, chocolate milk and a vanilla shake at the Houston County Fairgrounds. This event is from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and is a drive-thru only. The fairgrounds are located at 119 Fair Days Ln., Caledonia, Minnesota.
June 14
Wright Carver Breakfast on the Farm: Hosted by Diers Corporation, the breakfast is from 7 a.m. to noon. The menu includes pancakes, sausage, coffee and milk. There will also be a tour of the dairy farm, petting zoo, farm machinery, farm technology and free samples available. Parking will be available from the Howard LakeWaverly-Winsted High School, 8700 County Rd. 6 SW, Howard Lake, Minnesota. Only handicap and volunteer parking will be available on the farm.
Meeker County Dinner on the Dairy: Hosted by CoJo Dairy, operated by Greg Jans and Joe Jans and families. Dinner will be served from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. The menu includes grilled cheese sandwiches, chips, cookies, milk and root beer oats. Attendees can meet the Meeker County dairy royalty, have fun with kids’ activities and visit vendors. CoJo Dairy is located at 51036 310th St., Grove City, Minnesota.
Contact
Your Local
Abts Equipment LLC
Wisconsin:
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
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
Kesler Farms LLC
“Happy calves and less headaches. Thanks Calf Star!”
“Out with the old and in with the new, updated the milk taxi this week. The old one was used when we bought it and was giving us enough grief with electrical issues plunge on a new one.”
cal D ormatio
Calf Star Dealer For More Information
Minnesota:
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:
Langs Dairy Equipment
Decorah (563) 382-8722
Precision Dairy Equipment
Elkader (563) 245-2560
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
Business planning grants open for Minnesota dairy farmers
Minnesota dairy farmers are encouraged to apply for the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s Dairy Business Planning Grants, a funding opportunity designed to support diary operations in planning for the future.
Eligible projects include hiring a qualied, independent third party to help create a business plan for your dairy operation. This can include plans to:
—Evaluate the feasibility of expanding your operation
—Plan for environmental upgrades
—Develop a farm transition or succession strategy
—Update feedlot permits
—Address other business planning needs
“Dairy farming comes with real challenges, and thoughtful planning is essential. We’re proud to offer Dairy Business Planning Grants to support Minnesota farmers as they look ahead to strengthen their operations. Their hard work brings fresh, high-quality dairy products to tables here in Minnesota and beyond,” said MDA Commissioner Thom Petersen.
The grant pays 50% of the cost to develop a business plan, up to $5,000. Producers are responsible for the remaining 50%. Applications will be funded on a rst come, rst served basis until June 1. The MDA has approximately $28,000 remaining to be used this scal year.
To see the full eligibility requirements and to apply, visit the Dairy Business Planning Grants web page. Questions at this program can be directed to Kami Schoenfeld at Kami. Schoenfeld@state.mn.us or call 651-201-6643.
Flavor of the Fair ofcially announced for 2025 Minnesota State Fair
The Minnesota State Fair typically sees more than 2 million fairgoers each year, and in 2025, all will have the opportunity to experience dairy in a new, fun way. For the ninth consecutive year, Midwest Dairy is excited to introduce a Flavor of the Fair ice cream treat, available at the Dairy Goodness Bar. This year’s Flavor of the Fair is Cookie Butter Cheesecake. What’s better than butter and cookies? Cookie butter, of course. This vanilla malt or sundae is covered in decadent cheesecake pieces, topped with cookie butter sauce and, you guessed it, a cookie.
“The Flavor of the Fair is a hit every year and brings a fresh buzz to the Dairy Goodness Bar,” said Brittney Arnold, Midwest Dairy Minnesota farmer relations manager. “It’s exciting to see fairgoers light up when they try something new made with real dairy. We’re proud to bring a fun twist to the fair while sharing the delicious goodness of dairy in a way people can remember. Farmers in Minnesota are passionate about this tradition, just like they are passionate about connecting with local communities.”
The Dairy Goodness Bar offers a variety of delicious dairy products, including famous malts, sundaes, and cones, as well as other dairy options such as milk, yogurt, Greek yogurt and cheese sticks. The building is open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Besides ice cream, you
can enjoy and learn about dairy in various ways during the 2025 Minnesota State Fair.
Fairgoers will have the opportunity to experience dairy in the livestock buildings and at the Milk Stand, owned by Minnesota’s dairy farm families. A beloved tradition at the fair since 1955, the all-you-can-drink Milk Stand offers visitors the chance to purchase a bottomless cup of either 2% white milk or 1% chocolate milk. The iconic butter head sculptures will also be on display, showcasing Princess Kay of the Milky Way, carved from 90 pounds of butter. These sculptures celebrate the legacy and pride of Minnesota’s dairy community, honoring young dairy ambassadors in a truly unique way. For generations, dairy has been a cornerstone of the fair, connecting families to the farmers who produce wholesome and nutritious products they enjoy every day.
“Dairy is one of the most versatile and enjoyable parts of the fair, and we’re thrilled to introduce a new Flavor of the Fair that highlights just how creative dairy can be,” said Corey Scott, Midwest Dairy CEO. “This fun, avorful addition is a perfect example of the innovation powered by dairy checkoff, helping us reimagine how people experience dairy. At the heart of it all is our mission to connect fairgoers with farmers and showcase the care, quality and passion they have for their cows and the products they produce — something that matters more than ever today.”
Minnesota Leopold Conservation Award seeks nominees Nominations are now being accepted for the 2025 Minnesota Leopold Conservation Award.
The award honors farmers, ranchers, and forestland owners who go above and beyond in their management of soil health, water quality and wildlife habitat on working land.
Sand County Foundation and national sponsor American Farmland Trust present Leopold Conservation Awards to private landowners in 28 states. In Minnesota, the $10,000 award is presented with the Minnesota Soil Health Coalition and Soil Regen. Given in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, the award recognizes landowners who inspire others to consider conservation opportunities on their land. In his inuential 1949 book, “A Sand County Almanac,” Leopold advocated for “a land ethic,” an ethical relationship between people and the land they own and manage.
Award nominations may be submitted on behalf of a landowner, or landowners may apply themselves. The nomination form can be found at www.sandcountyfoundation.org/ ApplyLCA.
The nomination deadline is July 1. Nominations must be emailed to MinnesotaLCA@ sandcountyfoundation.org.
Dairy calf rearing — what have we learned?
The topic of rearing options for preweaned dairy calves is on my mind this week. One of our Ph.D. students, Bianca da Costa, recently defended her dissertation on pre-weaned calf-rearing options for organic producers. Her dissertation project was funded by a U.S. Department of Agriculture Organic Agriculture Research Extension Initiative grant, with Brad Heins and me as co-principal investigators. We wanted to investigate how the most common option — individual calf housing — would be compared to pair, small groups of six calves or calves with their own dams.
Farmers and veterinarians are still concerned about the negative impacts of social contact on the health of preweaned dairy heifer calves. Therefore, individual housing is still the most common rearing option on dairy farms in the U.S.; however, this practice of cow-calf separation soon after birth and individual housing of calves is criticized by the public, especially consumers of organic products.
By Marcia Endres University of Minnesota
Calves are naturally motivated to socialize with their dams and other calves. This happens in beef cattle production, where calves are raised together with their dams until weaning. Raising calves in social environments allows them to perform natural behaviors, learn from each other and improve cognitive function and better endure stressful situations such as weaning. Social housing has the potential to improve the natural living and positive mental states of pre-weaned dairy calves. There are different ways in which social housing can be implemented on dairy farms. Calves can be housed in pairs, in groups or with cows, either their dams or nurse cows.
Interestingly, in a recent survey as part of Bianca’s project, we learned that 85% of organic dairy farmers were using some form of social housing for preweaned calves. We caution that the survey sample size was small and may not be representative of all organic dairies in the Midwest.
Some of the advantages of limiting maternal contact and physical interactions between calves are the reduction of disease transmission, easier calf health monitoring, better control of colostrum and milk feeding, the elimination of the distress caused by cow-calf separation during weaning and the increased availability of saleable milk. However, social housing may benet calf growth, cognitive development and the expression of natural behaviors.
Our study was conducted at the West Central Research and Outreach Center in Morris, Minnesota, with 350 heifer
2006 S-185, Glass Cab with A/C, 4750 Hours ..........$18,500.00 2014 S-450, Glass Cab & Heater, 1227
873, Glass Cab & Heater, 9139 Hours
463, 1534 Hours ...............................................$11,900.00
N-H C-237, Glass Cab with A/C, 2 Speed, 920 Hours ...............................................................$47,500.00 USED TILLAGE
2013 W-R 513 Soil Pro, 7 Shank, Harrow ...........$29,500.00 USED PLANTERS White 6700, 12x30, Verticle Fold ...........................$5,500.00 USED HAY EQUIPMENT
2022 N-H 313 Discbine, 13’ Cut ................................$36,500.00 2005 N-H 1431 Discbine, 13’ Cut ..............................$14,200.00
2020 N-H 210 Discbine, 10’ Cut ................................$24,900.00
2000 N-H 1465, 9’ Haybine .........................................$8,950.00 Case IH 8312, 12’ Discbine .........................................$8,950.00
2023 N-H 108M Discmower, 7’10” cut .......................$11,600.00
(2) 2013 N-H H-6740 Discmower, 7’10” cutStarting at $7,250.00
2002 N-H 616 Discmower, 7’10” Cut ...........................$5,250.00
(4) 2020 N-H 107M Discmower, 6’8” cut ....Starting at $8,750.00 J-D 350 6’ Sickle Mower ..............................................$1,500.00
calves distributed into four treatment groups until weaning at 9 weeks of age: outdoor individual housing (hutches), outdoor pair housing (a common fence around two hutches), group housing (six calves in outdoor super hutches), or with their dams (on a bedded pack in winter, and on pasture in summer).
Calves in the dam treatment were housed with their dam by themselves for three days before mixing in a group with other calf-dam pairs. We learned in a pilot study that, if we did not allow the dam and calf to be together for that amount of time by themselves, the dam and calf would not bond. The calves that were separated at birth from their dams were housed individually in indoor pens for three days, then were moved to their respective treatments of individual, pair or group. Calves separated from cows were offered 10 liters of whole organic pasteurized milk daily, whereas calves raised by their dams were kept in a full-time, whole-day cow-calf contact system, with the calves being separated from their dams only during milking time.
Our key measurements included transfer of passive immunity, growth, health scores and treatments and lying behavior (using leg-mounted sensors). Calves raised by their dams had higher serum total protein, which is an indicator of passive immune transfer (6.1 vs. 5.6 g/L average, dam vs. separated calves). Dam-raised calves also had greater growth (greater average daily gain; average of 2.5 pounds per day) than individual, pair and group-raised calves (average of 2.2 pounds per day), which were similar among themselves. With
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
high milk intake for all calves, growth was good across treatments. Dam-raised calves also had lower lying times before weaning as they had more space to move around, and depending on the season, they were brought to the parlor along with the cows. Overall, less than 0.005% of health evaluations resulted in high respiratory scores, and there were no differences among treatments. In contrast, soft stools were observed for 6.7%, 7.2%, 2.9% and 3.1% of health assessments conducted in dam, group, individual and pair-raised calves, respectively. Group and dam calves had softer stools, but we speculate that, for dam calves, it was because of greater milk intake, as treatment rates were not high for those calves (around 15%) but were higher for group-housed calves (around 33%).
In summary, all calves had excellent growth rates, and mortality was less than 1% overall, indicating all social housing options could be viable. For producers adopting dam-rearing systems, however, receiving a greater price for sold milk is important; there is a reduction of 30%-40% in total milk in the tank, as the calves can consume about 16 liters of milk from the dam per day.
Individual animal sensors can help detect dairy calf health issues and can be a useful tool, especially in group housing situations. This could help reduce treatment rates. Join us June 17-18 at the 2025 Precision Dairy Conference in Bloomington, Minnesota, (www.precisiondairy.org) for lively and interactive discussions and informative talks and producer panels on various dairy technologies.
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
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S-595, Glass Cab with A/C, 2 Speed, 239 Hours ...............................................................$39,500.00
2009 S-250, Glass Cab & Heater, 2 Speed, 2500 Hours .............................................................$25,900.00
2009 N-H FP-230, Crop Proc, 824 Cornhead, 27P hayhead...........................................................$19,900.00
2020 N-H 560 Rd Baler, Specialty Crop, 4000 Bales $46,500.00
1994 N-H 640 Rd Baler, Twine Only .........................$10,900.00
2022 N-H 3223 Rake .................................................$31,900.00
2005 H&S BC12HC, 12 Wheel Hi Cap Rake...............$8,950.00
2002 H&S V-10 Rake ..................................................$2,950.00
USED MISC
2010 W-R 20’ Stalk Chopper, Nice Shape ................$10,900.00 E-Z Flow 510 Grain Cart, Tarp, Lights .......................$11,900.00
Fighting fatigue in the eld
The 16-24 days of perpetual riding in the tractor — the onset of the growing season — are here. Farmers across the region are rushing to check the weather, get seeds in the ground and manage other springtime obligations, all while juggling an invisible load of stress. This uphill sprint, while necessary to get crops planted on time, can push even the most experienced producer a bit too far.
During this critical time of year, fatigue is more than just feeling tired; it is a real threat to both mental and physical health. Burnout can sneak up gradually or hit all at once, and when it does, it can leave farmers depleted, unfocused and more vulnerable to mistakes and accidents. Recognizing fatigue early and knowing how to respond can be a key layer of sustainability during an otherwise relentless season.
What does fatigue look like?
the demands of farming often mean these basics are sacriced. A simple but powerful adjustment is to pack meals and water the night before; aim for eight 8-ounce glasses of water and balanced meals that include protein, complex carbs and healthy fats.
It’s also worth reecting on how your body feels — head to toe — after a day in the eld. Small signs of physical wear can become big problems if ignored. Planning ahead can help you start each day with more resilience and focus.
By Dana Adams University of Minnesota
Every farmer knows that, once soil moisture and temperature hit the right mark, the clock starts ticking, and “it’s go time.” The days become a blur of sunrises and sunsets seen from the tractor cab, the hours lled with the hum of machinery and a growing mental checklist. When you nally pause, how do you feel?
It’s important to ask yourself that question — and go deeper than a quick, “I’m ne.” Fatigue can show up in many ways:
— Drowsiness;
— Apathy or irritability;
— Headaches or dizziness;
— Blurred vision;
— Slow reexes or decision-making.
If any of those symptoms sound familiar, it’s time to consider both shortterm relief and long-term prevention strategies. Mental health and physical stamina go hand-in-hand.
Short-term strategies to reset
Even in the thick of planting, there are ways to take quick action when fatigue starts to creep in. Here are a few practical steps farmers can take:
— Take a short walk: A few laps around the barn or stretching outside the cab helps circulation and gives your mind a break.
— Call a friend: A short check-in with a trusted person can bring a new perspective and a chuckle.
— Practice box breathing: Inhale for four seconds, hold for four, exhale for four and hold again for four. Repeat a few cycles to calm your nervous system.
These actions won’t erase exhaustion, but they can help you get grounded in the moment and prevent fatigue from escalating into burnout.
Building a fatigue-resistant routine
The real gains come from preparation and sustainable habits. That starts with two of the most overlooked but effective tools: proper nutrition and hydration.
Ask yourself: Are you drinking enough water and eating balanced meals? The advice hasn’t changed, but
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
When to see a doctor
If you constantly nd yourself telling people you’re exhausted, that may be a nudge to talk to your healthcare provider. Fatigue can be a symptom of underlying medical issues, including: — Heart disease;
— Digestive disorders;
— Musculoskeletal problems;
— Depression;
— Sleep disorders;
— Some cancers;
— Chronic conditions like diabetes.
A routine physical can uncover hidden issues, help manage medications and give you peace of mind. Don’t wait until you’re forced to see a doctor. Schedule a check-up as part of your preventive strategy.
Exchange more caffeine for sleep
Coffee might be a staple in the cab, but it can also mask deeper exhaustion. Drinking more than four cups of coffee a day may signal your body is running on empty. Rather than relying on caffeine, try focusing on paying off your sleep debt; that means prioritizing time to sleep, even if it is in short intervals.
Quality sleep is essential for safe decision-making, focus and overall mental wellness. If you can, consider power naps or shift rotations with others in your operation.
Don’t forget your team
Fatigue isn’t just personal; it affects everyone on the farm. If you have employees or family members working with you, consider these questions:
— Do we have a cap on maximum work hours?
— Are there required rest periods?
— Is anyone operating heavy machinery while visibly tired?
Fatigued workers can experience the same symptoms — impaired vision, slow reexes and poor concentration — all of which increase the risk of accidents. A good rule of thumb: Work in pairs when possible, especially during critical or high-risk tasks. A little accountability can go a long way.
A sustainable season
Spring planting will always be intense, but it doesn’t have to come at the cost of your health. Fatigue isn’t a weakness; it’s a biological signal that your body and mind need attention. By identifying symptoms early, adopting short resets and committing to longterm habits, you’ll not only get your crop in the ground but also make it through the season stronger and safer.
• Air compressors
• Waterer parts
• Parlor items
•
Kolb Dairy: a family farm rooted in innovation, resilience
Courtesy of Midwest Forage Association
Nested in the heart of farm country in central Minnesota, Kolb Dairy, Inc. is more than just a dairy operation — it’s a story of family, ingenuity and determination. Dave Kolb, president of the family-owned business, oversees a dynamic operation with 500 head of dairy cows, ~2,000 acres of crops and a legacy built on resilience. His approach to farming balances tradition with innovation all while steering the business from a wheelchair, a challenge he’s met head-on for more than three decades.
Kolb Dairy is owned and operated by Dave and his three brothers — Michael, Leon and Jason. Each brother brings a specialized skill set to the table: Michael handles dairy nutrition, feeding, maintenance and payroll; Leon manages freshening cows and calves up to 300 pounds; Jason runs the shop, oversees machinery maintenance and helps with crops. Dave manages the general business and crop operations, including grain marketing, rotation planting, and eld management.
The family involvement doesn’t stop there. Dave’s wife, Nicole, manages the books and supports their eldest daughter,
Alayna, who leads the dairy side of the farm. Their son Jakob recently joined the team and their youngest daughter Kaelynn, only 15, has been running grain carts and helping during harvest since she
was 11. Even Nicole’s father, Bob Lane, lends a hand during busy seasons, driving trucks and helping with eldwork. Dave’s crop management philosophy is deeply rooted in thoughtful, evidence-based
practices. They grow corn, soybeans, oats and alfalfa, with a rotation designed to feed the dairy herd and improve soil health.
A particularly inventive part of their rotation includes a
double-crop oats system. After harvesting oats for grain and baling straw. The Kolbs no-till a second oat crop into the same eld. This is harvested in late October or early November as forage. Not only does this provide a valuable feed for replacement heifers, but it also plays a crucial role in managing excess nitrogen from dairy manure — a challenge Dave turned into an opportunity.
“We used to struggle with white mold in our soybeans,” Dave explains. “Rather than rely on fungicides, we realized soaking up extra nitrogen with oats before planting soybeans dramatically reduced the problem. Oats are a luxury consumer of nitrogen, so they clean up that excess fertility, and our soybean health improved.”
This kind of practical innovation is a hallmark of Kolb Dairy. Dave doesn’t hold an agricultural degree, but his relentless research and collaboration with his agronomist consultant have helped shape a system tailored to their land and livestock.
Kolb Dairy manages its alfalfa stands with precision, establishing elds with a blend of low-lignin and conventional
PHOTO SUBMITTED
The Kolb family — Dave (front); (back, from le ) Nicole, Mike, Alayna, Jakob, Jason and Leon — gathers at their dairy farm near Paynesville, Minnesota. The Kolbs milk 500 cows at their family farm.
alfalfa varieties, along with a late-maturing orchardgrass and meadow fescue for added forage quality and standability. Seeding is done with a grain drill, and dwarf barley is used as a nurse crop — harvested early to feed young stock and support new alfalfa growth.
They take four cuttings a year, with a fth on elds planned for rotation. The majority is harvested as haylage and stored in bunkers or piles. The key to successful alfalfa management lies in soil health: “Make sure your pH and fertility are right. We grid sample a quarter of our acres every year so we’re always making data-driven decisions.”
The dairy cows, 98% Holsteins, are milked in a double 12 parlor and average ~90 pounds of milk/cow/day. The farm relies on a mix of corn silage, high-moisture corn, earlage and oats to maintain herd health. According to Dave, oats have made a noticeable difference in the cows’ wellbeing. “We rarely see a displaced abomasum now. The oats promote gut health and have improved our conception rates.”
Feeding operations are ne-tuned and handled by Michael, who works closely with a nutritionist. High-moisture corn is stored in stave silos and processed with a hammer mill, while earlage and dry corn round out the ration, depending on the season and availability.
Running a dairy farm in today’s volatile agricultural landscape is not for the faint of heart. Price uctuations are one of the biggest challenges Kolb Dairy has faced. “In 2022, we had a good year,” Dave says. “But in 2023, our income dropped by over $1,000,000. Imagine working a job at $25/hour and then being told you’ll now
make $13. That’s what is feels like.”
These swings force tough decisions and strategic planning, but the Kolbs push forward. Add to that the outbreak of avian u in their herd last year, and it’s clear they’ve weathered more than their fairy share of storms.
And then there’s Dave’s journey. After a car accident at age 20 left him in a wheelchair, he continued working on the farm — planting, spraying, managing operations. “It’s been a challenge,” he admits, “but I’ve been farming since I was a kid. I wasn’t going to stop.”
Dave also participates in local ag events like Tour de Forage and stays connected through organizations like MFA. “For me, it’s about getting good information. We’re always learning. You have to be.”
That mindset is what denes Kolb Dairy: a willingness to learn, adapt and evolve. Whether it’s experimenting with cover crops, tweaking feed rations, or testing seed blends, every decision on the farm is made with purpose.
As the next generation begins to take on more responsibility, Dave is optimistic. Alayna is already managing the dairy, Jakob is back on the farm and Kaelynn is developing a strong work ethic and love for agriculture.
“There’s pride in watching them take it on,” Dave says. “This farm has been in our family for a long time, and it’s good to see it continue.”
From its complex rotation strategies to its deeply rooted family ties, Kolb Dairy is more than a farm. It’s a living example of resilience, built on decades of hard work, smart management, and an unwavering commitment to doing things right.
PHOTO SUBMITTED
Alayna (le ) and Kaelynn Kolb sit with a calf at their family’s farm near Paynesville, Minnesota. Alayna is full- me on the farm and Kaelynn assists outside of school.
Spring has sprung
By Steve Frericks Stearns County FSA executive director
Ideal planting conditions kicked spring into high gear. Forages and pastures show visible growth daily. Fruit trees are blooming. Crop conditions are good. It is easy to be optimistic right now for good reason. Remember to record all your planting dates; this will help simplify the crop reporting process with the Farm Service Agency. We challenge you to attempt to accomplish the crop reporting process before the rst cutting of hay. History has proven we see a lot fewer mistakes from producers when it is fresh on their minds. This will also keep your crop insurance agent much happier. Call your local ofce for an appointment.
Tidbits from U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins’ announcement May 7, 2025:
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is putting farmers rst and reprioritizing customer service. USDA’s Emergency Commodity Assistance Program was the quickest, most effective rollout of emergency payments in the history of the program. To date, 487,177 farmers across 49 states have received over $7.3 billion in payments. To ensure total transpar-
ency, USDA updates the portal every Monday so the American people can track payment totals. President Trump and Secretary Rollins understand how important customer service is to the American people. That is why, in direct contrast to the Biden Administration, USDA stood up the ECAP program in three months as opposed to an average of 13 months, and in one case, 19 months it took to release ad hoc assistance programs under Secretary (Thomas) Vilsack. These unnecessary delays cause real harm on the farm.
Following several natural disasters that deeply impacted farms and ranches across the country, Secretary Rollins announced plans to expedite $21 billion in disaster assistance. Farmers receiving livestock relief for drought and wildre can expect to receive payments as early as the end of this month. While we aim to move all payments out expeditiously and cut timelines where possible, it is important to note that some elements of the Congressionally appropriated assistance are more specic and labor intensive and were also not statutorily required; therefore, they will take a bit more time.
Disaster assistance program timeline
Emergency livestock relief pro-
gram – drought/wildre
May 23 – Release to Federal Register for publication.
May 28 – Final rule on public display.
May 29 – Payment processing on Thursday night.
May 30 – County ofces sign and certify payments.
Supplemental Disaster Relief Program – previously indemnied loss
June 30 – Release to Federal Register for publication.
July 3 – Final rule on public display.
July 7 – SDRP signup begins.
Emergency Livestock Relief Program – ooding includes Commodity Loss Assistance program, Milk Loss Program – combined nal rule
Repair vs. Replace
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August 13 – Sent to Federal Register for publication.
August 15 – Final Rule on public display.
August 18 – ELRP ooding, CLA and MLP signup begins.
SDRP – uncovered loss
September 10 – Sent to Federal Register for publication.
September 12 – Final Rule on public display.
September 15 – SDRP signup targeted.
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
Transition milk
Dairy producers have long understood that providing calves with 3-5 quarts of high-quality colostrum as soon as possible after birth is critical for ensuring passive transfer of immunity and giving calves a strong start. After the rst 24 hours, many producers begin feeding milk replacer or whole milk.
Something to Ruminate On
However, research suggests there may be some benets of feeding colostrum or transition milk for a longer period — even after the critical 24-hour window has passed. While calves do not absorb additional antibodies after 24 hours of age, feeding transition milk can have localized benets within the gut, potentially reducing the incidence of illness, especially diarrhea, in calves.
By Barry Visser Nutritionist
What is transition milk?
Transition milk is commonly dened as the milk collected during the second through the fth post-calving milkings. This milk is an intermediate between colostrum and whole milk. The composition of transition milk can be highly variable; in general, it contains more solids relative to whole milk. According to researchers at the University of Minnesota, milk from the second milking can contain 30% more fat, 170% more protein, 15% more calcium, 458% more vitamin A and 406% more vitamin E than whole milk.
In addition to greater nutrient content, colostrum and transition milk contain bioactive compounds, growth factors and hormones that aid in the development of the gut microbiome. For example, levels of insulin and insulin-like growth factor 1 are greatly increased in milk from the second and third milkings as compared to whole milk. These hormones play key roles in stimulating villi, mucosal and submucosal development in the small intestine, leading to better nutrient absorption in young calves.
Performance results
Recent work conducted at Michigan State University showed that feeding transition milk to calves days 2 through 4 can increase preweaning daily gains in calves. Calves were provided with colostrum and then fed 2 quarts of transition milk three times per day for nine feedings prior to receiving milk replacer on day 5 of life. These heifer calves were compared to peers fed 2 quarts of milk replacer at each feeding after the colostrum feeding. Heifers fed transition milk achieved greater weaning weights (plus 6.6 pounds on average). Additionally, both this published study as well as a follow-up study found improvements in observational health scores and blood health markers when calves were fed transition milk.
The follow-up study also showed that transition
milk stimulates the development of the digestive tract through cell proliferation (increasing cell numbers), which ultimately increases small intestinal surface area and potential nutrient absorption. Calves not receiving transition milk may miss out on the opportunity for increased gut development and improved health.
Implementation strategies
If a producer is interested in feeding transition milk, they will need to weigh the benets, feasibility and economics of implementation. The farm will need a protocol to collect the milk during the second through fth post-calving milkings and to keep it separated from the other fresh or treated milk. The key to successful implementation will lie in how easily milkers can identify cows producing transition milk and in having an extra storage space specically for that milk. Colored leg bands may be an effective tool to differentiate cows producing transition milk from other cows in the group. Transition milk should ide-
ally be pasteurized to manage bacterial loads. When collecting transition milk is not feasible, an alternative option is supplementing milk replacer with colostrum replacer. In another MSU-published study, feeding a 50:50 blend of colostrum replacer and milk replacer achieved growth and health responses like those observed when feeding transition milk. Although this approach could be more appealing from a labor standpoint, it may be difcult to justify feeding 150 grams of relatively expensive colostrum replacer per feeding on top of the milk replacer cost for three days.
Feeding an adequate amount of clean, quality colostrum within the rst 24 hours of a calf’s life is the foundation for giving calves the best possible start. If it is logistically feasible to feed transition milk or supplement with colostrum replacer, producers have an opportunity to take their calves’ performance to the next level.
Barry Visser is a nutritionist for Vita Plus.
Play ball
Springtime has well and truly arrived, bringing with it numerous memories. There’s the aroma of new-mown grass, the sweaty palms and the heartin-your-throat sensation as you step up to the plate, the stinging disappointment of being cut off at rst, the dejected walk back to the dugout.
But enough about my high school dating experiences. Spring also marks the start of baseball season.
Baseball is a thoroughly American sport, although one can see similarities with the game of cricket. At least the average person can understand baseball. I have an Englishman friend who tried to explain cricket to me, an exercise in futility that wasted an hour of both our lives. Any game that can go on for days, involve breaks for tea and can still end in a tie isn’t for me.
about my tness as a father, but no one could have made me feel worse about it than I did. I still feel awful about that episode.
When our two sons were young, I tried to pass on the tradition of playing baseball by getting them involved with 4-H softball. This led to some interesting insights regarding natural abilities.
For instance, teaching the older boy to play catch should have given me a clue as to his athletic aptitudes. He seemed to have been blessed with very few such abilities and had to work hard just to master the simple act of catching a gently thrown softball.
Whenever the ball came his way, he became a blur of ailing limbs as the ball plopped onto the ground, untouched. I recalled how someone once advised me to toss the ball directly at the elder’s face, which he or she would instinctively protect.
So, I tossed a soft underhanded pitch directly at the lad’s face. Arms and legs ailed; the ball ew, unimpeded, until it bounced off the child’s beak.
A howl of pain lled the air and my wife, who had been watching, ran to the boy’s side. As she led him to the house, she delivered some choice words
Despite this and other setbacks, our eldest son gamely played softball with his 4-H club. His lack of athletic abilities usually landed him in right eld, which suited him just ne. As the game progressed in the far distance, he contented himself with observing the bugs that were in the grass. Only when the occasional ball rolled out his way was he startled out of his reverie. He eventually quit softball and began to focus his energies on all things electronic. He quickly mastered the art of taking computers apart, putting them back together and making them sing and dance. I like to think the time he spent observing bugs in right eld gave him some valuable insights regarding computer bugs. Plus, he now knows the importance of throwing the ball to home base when there’s a runner on third.
Our younger son was so much of a contrast to his brother that it made us wonder if they were even related.
The younger boy wanted to start playing 4-H softball at the same time as his brother, but was obviously much too young. At one particular softball practice, Larry, the team’s coach, decided to humor the little guy by letting him take a turn at bat. A mistake.
Larry lobbed a softball across the plate. Our youngest son connected solidly, rocketing the ball directly back at Larry. The ball connected solidly with a very sensitive area on Larry, who grunted, bent over and had to walk around for a while.
This was a harbinger of things to come. Our youngest son seemed to possess an easy, natural prowess for all things athletic. Softball eventually
became too tame for him, so he joined our local American Legion baseball team.
He often pestered me into playing catch with him on summer evenings. His goal was to become a pitcher, and he spent many hours honing his fastball.
This meant I had to catch said fastballs, which came at my face at speeds normally associated with artillery projectiles. The ball would boom into my old softball glove with the force of a sledgehammer, eliciting no small amount of pain. The expense of a catcher’s mitt suddenly didn’t seem quite so outrageous.
That boy grew up and is now an executive in the construction industry. He has to deal with a lot of different people from a lot of different backgrounds. I like to think the time he spent playing baseball helped him become a better team player.
Plus, he now knows the importance of wearing a cup — even if there’s just a little pipsqueak holding the bat.
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 great-grandfather homesteaded over 110 years ago. Feel free to email him at jerry.n@dairystar.com.
Helping farmers achieve success
In 2024, Midwest Dairy teamed up with Lasso to roll out a free grant-writing support program designed specically for on-farm projects. If you’re a dairy farmer with a solid idea, this could be your shot to bring it to life.
Lasso isn’t your average online tool. It’s been called a “grant writer in a box,” but really, it’s more like having an experienced partner who can nd funding, manage deadlines and make sure your application stands out. Think of the Lasso team as your behind-the-scenes crew, helping with everything from nding the right grant to writing it and keeping it on track.
By Mitch Schulte Vice President, Ag Affairs, Midwest Dairy
To get involved, you’ll need a project in mind, maybe even some vendors or installers lined up and the willingness to let others learn from your journey. In return, you’ll receive serious support and a genuine opportunity to secure grants that can propel your business forward, especially now that sustainable agriculture funding is more accessible than ever. The Lasso approach is hands-on and tailored to each farm, following a simple three-step process:
— Step 1, Discovery: Lasso meets one-on-one with producers to understand their farm operations, goals and proposed projects.
— Step 2, Grant Matching: Lasso then identies all relevant federal, state, regional and local funding opportunities, working with each producer to ensure they are eligible, competitive and ready for the selected grants.
— Step 3, Application: Lasso handles the full application process from start to nish, including coordinating stakeholders, collecting necessary information and writing a professional, high-quality proposal.
Just a few months into its launch, the grant program has already made a signicant impact, awarding more than $1 million to 10 dairy producers with two additional applications still under review. These grants help fund a diverse range of on-farm projects aimed at improving efciency, sustainability and business growth.
Funded initiatives include the development of valueadded dairy businesses, such as small-scale cheese production, infrastructure improvements for A2A2 milk handling
through enhanced cooling and storage systems, energy-saving upgrades like efcient lighting and ventilation and the adoption of labor-saving technologies, including robotic milking systems and automated feed pushers.
So far, projects have been awarded across three states, including Minnesota (4), Iowa (5) and North Dakota (1), and reect a wide spectrum of investment areas:
— Two projects focused on energy efciency improvements;
— Three centered on launching or expanding valueadded processing;
— Five aimed at integrating labor-saving technologies.
These early successes highlight the demand for grant support and the wide-ranging innovations taking place on Midwest dairy farms. Let’s examine what this support can accomplish.
Jill Nelson and her family, based in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, operate Olmar Farms, home to a hardworking herd of 130 Holsteins producing more than 11,000 pounds of milk daily. The Nelsons wanted to take the next step: launching Compass Rose Creamery, a farm-based business focused on artisan cheese, bottled milk and building a stronger connection with their local community.
The idea was strong, but the cost of setting up a creamery — and the risk of doing it before testing the market — stalled progress. Jill had pursued grants before but often ran into tight deadlines or didn’t have the time to follow through. Between running a busy farm, family responsibilities and everything else life threw her way, something always had to give.
That changed when Jill connected with Midwest Dairy and Lasso. Lasso helped Jill get ahead of the game. Instead of scrambling, she had time to prepare a strong application with a clear timeline. Together, they applied for the Dairy Business Builder grant, while Jill also pursued the Minnesota AGRI Value-Add grant independently. The result: Compass Rose Creamery secured both grants, totaling $100,000.
That money is now being used to outt their leased creamery with the equipment needed for small-batch cheese production. It’s not just about making cheese; it’s about testing the market, training their team and getting their brand in front of customers before committing to a full-scale facility. For Jill and her family, these grants were a game-changer. They’re launching a new arm of their farm, reducing risk and keeping control of their future. Most importantly, they’re doing it on their own terms, with help that
made the process manageable.
Beyond the nancial support, the grant program delivers meaningful strategic value to participating producers. Through the partnership with Lasso, farmers receive more than just application assistance — they gain a long-term approach to funding success. Lasso helps producers get organized, build personalized 12-month grant roadmaps and align their farm goals with current and future funding opportunities.
For many farmers new to the grant process, the program also serves as a valuable learning experience. Participants develop a clearer understanding of how to assess eligibility, gauge the competitiveness of their proposals and even combine multiple funding sources to support larger, more ambitious projects.
“Grants are a long process — to apply, to get approved, and to complete,” Jill said. “But, if you have a project that truly matters and benets your community, there’s likely a grant for it. My advice? Get help. The nished product we received from Lasso is just fantastic.”
Fellow Minnesotan Karen Grifn echoes the sentiment: “Having gone through the grant process both with and without Lasso, I can say I’d absolutely choose Lasso again. The support and accountability they provided kept us on track and made the entire process so much smoother.”
If you have an idea that could take your farm to the next level, now is the time. The support from Midwest Dairy is available. The funding is available. Stories like Compass Rose Creamery show it’s not just for “other farms.” It could be yours next.
I am passionate about farmer grant programs because I’ve seen rsthand how the right support at the right time can change everything for a farm family. It’s more than just paperwork; it’s a powerful tool that can help hardworking farmers bring big ideas to life. Whether that means expanding into new markets, investing in sustainable practices or building something their kids can one day take over, I believe these programs can make a signicant difference. I believe every farmer deserves a shot at that next level of success, and these programs open doors to make that happen. Helping others navigate that journey isn’t just a job; it’s a mission rooted in respect for the land, the work and the people behind it. I believe in the Midwest dairy farmer. Visit midwestdairy.com to learn more about how Midwest Dairy and Lasso are helping farmers like you secure grant funding and grow their business in tangible, practical ways.
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What a planting season
This has been a spring planting season for the books. So many changes. New directions. New ideas. New-used equipment. New crops. My head is spinning at the fact that we were able to get everything in the ground in a timely manner — maybe not on the perfect timetable, but we got it done.
It all started with handing off the baton in this farming relay race. After 50 spring planting seasons, Mark has handed the job to Austin. Over the past few springs, Austin has demonstrated how he would implement new growing strategies with reduced tillage and no-till options. Of course, he had to practice on the back 40 where no one would be able to see what he was up to, just in case things didn’t work out. His actions proved his commitment and allowed Mark the space to step aside, knowing the planter will keep moving back and forth across the elds.
Austin grabbed this chance and is running full speed ahead. He ended up buying a used 12-row
planter online from Iowa. While the snow was melting, Austin would slip over to the other place to work on his new “toys.” He was like a kid in the candy shop, going over every inch of the planter, inspecting, replacing and repairing. He would spend all his time between milkings working on prepping his corn planter and grain drill.
Due to our dry and very hot April and May, some of the large farmers were already done planting before we made it to the elds. This sense of being “behind” did create some nervousness and stress, but we had to keep reminding ourselves, “It’s still early on the calendar.”
Mark is used to prepping all the elds with a few rounds of tillage to work in the manure and disk down the corn stalks to create a perfect growing bed. Austin’s vision is to pull back on the tillage, to preserve the moisture in the ground and leave ground cover to suppress the weeds. Two different philosophies, but
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they have one common ground: to grow a protable crop using the latest research combined with the success of past practices. In other words, compromise. They agreed on which elds Mark should work just ahead of Austin’s planter. It was a choreographed dance across the elds, working the land just ahead of the planter to preserve moisture.
Following Austin’s lead of having the equipment eld ready ahead of the need, Mark started to prep the irrigation pivots. The elds have been terribly dry, and it was just a matter of time before they needed to start watering the alfalfa elds to generate a decent rst crop. Mark grabbed my aluminum ladder from the garage and headed off to the elds.
By Natalie Schmitt
He climbed the ladder to check out the end guns and drain plugs. Al was hauling the air compressor around in his gator to ll all the pivot tires with air. Things were shaping up to be ready when they needed to ip the switch.
After milking one night, Mark threw the ladder on the back of the 4-wheeler and scooted off to nish up his pivot project. He climbed the steps for his last inspection. Things were looking good. He just needed to pop over to the pivot point to check out the box, but he didn’t want to bump along the eld road, hanging on to the ladder. So, Mark set the ladder down on our eld road and took off for the middle of the eld to check the power box. By the time he got back to the road, he couldn’t nd the ladder. In a matter of minutes, someone driving down the road spotted the ladder and decided they really needed one, and ours was just what they wanted.
Austin wasn’t only changing the way things went into the ground. He was also changing what was going in the ground.
On Thursday, a semi-truck backed up to our machine shed to drop off a delivery. Using our Bobcat with a pallet fork and long ropes, we pulled six pallets of blueberry plants off the trailer and stored them out of the blazing sun. The weather forecast was calling for temperatures to soar to the 90s in the next few days. With no rain in the forecast and sandy soils underfoot, it was creating harsh growing conditions for any seed or plant. We also knew we had only ve days to get these 3,000 blueberry plants in the ground, regardless of the forecast.
Austin put the word out to anyone who would like a new experience and time outside. Families, friends and neighbors showed up for the next three days helping to plant the blueberry patch. From 3 years old to 70, there was a job for everyone, from digging holes to carrying potted plants to hauling water to every hole. In three days, every plant had its new growing space. Austin is taking the eld south of the driveway out of commodity production and introducing a new source of revenue. He had already explored how to siphon water off the main irrigation line to drip irrigation lines for his blueberry plants. Now we had to lay out the drip lines and install the emitters for each plant. On hands and knees, we crawled along the 3-acre patch, punching holes and attaching the emitters. That night, by the light of a full moon, Joelle and I nished installing the drip lines while the guys worked on the valves to move water to the new system.
Just after midnight, Austin threw the switch to start watering his new crop overnight. Luckily, everything worked. There were no kinks in the line, and only 80 plants needed to be watered by hand due to the wrong placement of emitters. It will be 2027 before the families who helped will be able to reap their reward of fresh blueberries, but they are still giddy from the excitement of doing something new and different as a community.
There are only a few acres of soybeans and cover crops to nish planting before we can close out Austin’s rst full planting season. I think this handoff has been pretty smooth, and the next leg is off and running in the right direction.
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.
Columnist
Just Thinking Out Loud
Three little dots
Two years ago, I was asked to coach the local FFA chapter’s dairy cattle evaluation and management team. I quickly agreed. Of all the activities I’ve coached and continue to coach, dairy judging ranks quite high.
The goal: Help them win the state contest and earn a trip to the National FFA Convention & Expo. Due to chapter policies, this would likely be the only way they could go to the national convention. The team had just placed sixth at the state convention and the students believed they could do better.
When I was a student, my school didn’t have an ag program, so I came into this role with zero knowledge of FFA and its contests. The kids helped me understand how the Career Development Event works. I helped the kids with placings strategies and oral reasons.
ity score would give them 20 more points — enough to place rst by three points. Correcting the individual Scantron error would give the team enough points to place rst by 43 points.
Updated scores were posted the next day. The missing team points were added, but the individual Scantron error points were not.
As the kids deduced, our team was now in rst place by three points. But the day after that, it was reported that another error had been found — this one on the answer key for the team activity. Once this new error was corrected, our team score dropped by two points and the now-second place team saw their score increase by two points. The placings switched again, putting our team back in second place.
Last year, they improved to second place. That nish earned them an opportunity to compete at a national FFA dairy judging contest in Pennsylvania last fall. They placed second there, too. They continued to improve this year, which led to team wins at the state fair, fall invitational and region contest. They entered the state contest last month with condence — and a healthy respect for the subjective nature of dairy judging contests.
By Sadie Frericks Columnist Dairy Good Life
At this point, we asked again about using the ofcial back-up placings form that each student lls out during the contest to correct the individual Scantron error. We were told again that the Scantron error would not be corrected.
When the contest was all said and done, the kids compared their placings. Three of the team members placed the classes almost the same; the fourth team member placed one class very differently. The only scores we didn’t have were reasons. But I wasn’t worried; this is the team that won the reasons portion of the Pennsylvania contest.
The kids took the stage for awards with their ngers crossed. Two of the team members placed rst and third individually in the contest. We all let our hopes soar, knowing that one of the other team member’s placings were nearly identical to the two who placed.
But then our chapter’s name was called for second place. We were stunned. The kids even forgot to step forward to receive their plaque. But then my brain resumed thinking and I told the kids, “Just hold tight. This doesn’t make sense. Maybe there was an error with the scoring.”
Sure enough. As soon as the scores were released at the end of the convention, the kids immediately found not one, but two errors with the scoring. The rst error was the omission of part of their team activity score. This error affected every team in the contest.
The second error was a Scantron bubbling error by the team member we had expected to score similarly to the two who had placed. And, unfortunately, the bubbling error was on the three-part class that requires placing by type, ranking by genetic merit and production records, and then combining type and records for an overall placing. Those three little dots on the wrong line of the Scantron were worth 65 points – enough for that student’s score to be dropped.
One of the kids on the team took action, got contact information for contest staff, and reported both errors within the hour.
The kids also quickly crunched the numbers. Adding the missing team activ-
The kids asked to appeal that decision on the grounds that (1) the published dairy cattle evaluation and management rules state that, “Computer scan sheets will be used for this CDE,” but do not specify that only scan sheets can be used to determine a student’s score. (2) The back-up placings form, which was turned in with the Scantron, shows the student’s intended placings. And (3), most of all, they felt that, since there had been so many other errors in the contest, it would be fair to reconcile Scantron scores with the placings forms.
Unfortunately, we were told that students cannot appeal decisions — only FFA advisers are allowed to appeal. I was shocked. Every other youth development organization that I’m familiar with — our independent school districts, the state high school league and 4-H — gives students the right to appeal. Can FFA honestly call itself a student-led organization if students have no ability to request a review of their situation or appeal a decision?
I can’t say that an appeal would change the outcome of the contest. I’m not even 100% clear what the appeal process is. Are student leaders asked to weigh in? Or is this another area where only advisors have a voice? I feel it’s wrong that these kids didn’t even get to have their situation reviewed.
There are times in organizations and societies when rules and their enforcement need to be interpreted. That’s why our country has separate rule-making, ruleexecuting and rule-interpreting branches. When one branch makes the rules, executes the rules and interprets the rules, there is no true justice, only the illusion of order.
I hesitated to share this story. Despite this situation, I do believe FFA provides incredible opportunities for youth. And I don’t want the kids I coach to be retaliated against. But if everyone succumbed to their fear of retaliation, no one would speak up. And if no one speaks up, nothing changes.
Ultimately, these kids did what they set out to do: become the best dairy cattle evaluation team in the state. I am incredibly proud of their commitment to improving and all that they accomplished.
New Patz