DAIRY ST R
EAA Grounds • 1001 Waukau Ave.•
March 22, 2025
A springtime tradition for 63 years
WPS Farm Show connects exhibitors, farmers
By Danielle Nauman danielle.n@dairystar.com
OSHKOSH, Wis. — For many agricultural enthusiasts, the Wisconsin Public Service Farm Show is an event they hold with great anticipation — a sure sign that spring is right around the corner.
This year marks the show’s 63rd anniversary, taking place April 1-3 at the Experimental Aircraft Association’s headquarters in Oshkosh.
“This is one of our signature events that we hold each year,” said Matthew Cullen, senior communications specialist for WPS. “It continues our legacy of helping farms of all kinds and sizes operate as efciently as possible, succeeding as they go on into the future.”
Each year, the show continues to grow and expand, Cullen said. This year, more than 400 exhibitors, hailing from 21 states across the U.S. and Canada and Denmark, will share their wares with show attendees; 66 of these exhibitors will be taking part for the rst time. By contrast, the rst show, held at the former Brown County Veter-
Visitors take in large machinery exhibits at the Wisconsin Public Service
sin. This year will feature over 400 exhibitors and marks the 63rd year the show
ans Memorial Arena in downtown Green Bay, hosted just 25 exhibitors.
“We’re always looking forward
to welcoming our returning exhibitors back,” Cullen said. “Welcoming new exhibitors is just as exciting.” Cullen
that over 20,000 people will travel to Oshkosh to take in the show.
expects
PHOTO COURTESY OF WPS FARM SHOW
Farm Show in 2024 in Oshkosh, Wiscon-
has been held.
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The
At the EAA grounds, exhibitors will ll four hangars and a number of outside exhibition areas and tents.
“We’re really excited to add a second exhibitor tent, making spots for more exhibitors to join us,” Cullen said. “The second tent allows us to feature dozens of other products and services. Prior to this year, we have only had one outdoor exhibitor tent.”
The sheer size of the show is not the only thing that makes it extraordinary; the vast scope of products and services on display is impressive as well, Cullen said.
“One of the things we pride ourselves on with the WPS Farm Show is that it encompasses all of agriculture,” Cullen said. “It really does offer something for all types of farms and every type of farmer, from small family farms to vegetable farms to the larger dairy farms we have here in Wisconsin.”
Products and services on hand range from robotic milkers to animal nutrition products, from precision planting technologies to irrigation systems to livestock feed mixers, Cullen said.
“Everyone can nd something to take back to their farm to help improve their operation or continue to maximize the efciencies of their farm,” Cullen said.
Kuhn North America has been exhibiting at the WPS Farm Show for many years, said Chuck Walker, a territory manager with the company.
“We keep attending because of the show’s growth and the amount
of interest we receive,” Walker said. “The show has a large number of attendees that come to discuss what we have to offer them, to improve their productivity and efciency.”
Walker credits the WPS Farm Show staff with creating an atmosphere that promotes growth and improvement.
“The support we get from the WPS staff is fantastic,” Walker said. “The work they put into the show is the reason for the increase not only in the number of exhibitors but also the number of people attending the show.”
Guests can meet with WPS agriculture service consultants at the WPS booth in Hangar A to seek advice on energy use on their farms.
“We can provide some suggestions and options that our customers can use to help improve energy efciency and manage energy costs on their farms,” Cullen said. “If they are planning an addition or looking to redo a building, we can work with them, ask them questions and help them understand what might be needed to provide energy to that building. It’s a good place to initiate those conversations.”
Throughout the week, the Wisconsin FFA Foundation will host a silent auction in Hangar B for the benet of agricultural education in Wisconsin’s schools. University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh nursing students will provide complimentary health screenings in Hangar C.
Children can compete in the kids’
& See See Us! Us!
pedal-pull tractor pull event, sponsored by FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative and Fox Valley Quality Control Lab, beginning at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 2. Weigh-in for the event begins at noon, with 14 different weight classes.
“That is a fun event, to see who can pull that tractor and sled the farthest down the runway,” Cullen said. “Our guests and staff all get into that and enjoy the excitement of watching the kids compete.”
No one who attends the show will go hungry, Cullen said. The ever-popular food tent features nonprot agricultural groups from around the state, offering a wide variety of beef, pork, dairy, bison and potato products for guests to enjoy for lunch.
“This really is a springtime tradition that benets both our exhibitors and our farmers,” Cullen said. “It’s in advance of the planting season, things are a bit slower, it’s easier for farmers to take some time away to come to the show and see the solutions, innovations and products that might be right for their farms.”
Beyond taking in aisle after aisle of products, services and equipment being presented by the exhibitors, the WPS Farm Show offers something for every member of the family, Cullen said.
The show is open from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 1, and Wednesday, April 2; and from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Thursday, April 3. Admission to the show is free, but there is a $5 fee to park on the EAA grounds in Oshkosh.
Visit with Dairy Star staff at the WPS Farm Show Booth #C5606
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Why is a ending the WPS Farm Show important to you?
Keith and Stephanie Abts (pictured with their children Maureen (from left), Theodore and Oliver) Coleman, Wisconsin Oconto County 300 cows, registered Holsteins and Guernseys
How long have you been attending the WPS Farm Show? We have been attending the WPS Farm Show every year since we were married — six years. We also have fond memories of attending as children and high school students.
How do you typically spend your time when you are attending the show? We both take a look before we attend the show to see which booths will be present. From there, we think about any improvements we want to make to the farm in the next year and make a point to see those distributors or products at the show. This allows us to maximize our time at the show between chores. We also make a point to see our current distributors at the show, a more laid-back atmosphere.
Why is attending the WPS Farm Show important to you? Attending the farm show is something we look forward to each year. It is a chance to get away from the farm for the day and spend time together as a family. Sometimes, family time is hard to come by, especially during the cropping season. In addition, the kids love seeing all the equipment. We also look forward to seeing and exploring new products for the farm. You never know what you will nd or see at the show.
What are you looking forward to most with this year’s show? We are looking forward to comparing, pricing and exploring ideas this year. This year in particular, we will be comparing brands of manure spreaders to see which will t our needs the best. Sometimes you can come across a new brand that is heavier built or more pricecompetitive for the size you need. Secondly, we will be looking into new ideas for a calf barn, both in design and layout.
What is one thing you implemented on your farm from the WPS Farm Show? Two things actually come to mind that we changed over the years as a result of the farm show. Both these products have had a huge impact on our protability and efciency. The rst one was comparing and up-sizing our portable mixer. Our old Patz 420 mixer was too small for our operation at the time. Many days, we were mixing four batches of feed per day on top of doing all the barn chores. Many times, mixing feed would go until 10:30 at night. While attending the farm show, we explored new sizes of mixers and determined a Patz 620 twin screw mixer would allow us to mix fewer batches, put fewer hours on the tractor and more effectively process our baleage bales. Secondly, we also checked out new stall mattresses for our barn that year. Many of our mattresses at that time were tired. We came across a new brand: Northbrook water beds. We had never heard of them prior to the show. We determined these mats were a great t for our barn and pocketbook. Later that summer, we installed these mats in our barn, and the cows responded well with the change, increasing production with fewer hock injuries.
Tell us about your farm and your plans for the dairy this year. We have been dairy farming our whole lives. Both of us come from dairy farm backgrounds. Keith has been farming for 21 years, since his graduation from high school. Stephanie has always been active in agriculture. After completing college, she became a dairy nutrition consultant for 12 years with Rio Creek Feed Mill out of Algoma and is still working part time. Upon our marriage, we merged our interest in dairy together, renting a 110-cow stanchion barn in New Franken. We farmed there for ve years. With no opportunity to grow or purchase that farm, we moved our herd to Coleman this fall. Here, we merged our cows with the retiring owners milking herd. This new farm has surely been a blessing to us, allowing us a future in this industry. The new farm is equipped with sand-bedded stalls, Patz feed bunk, a special needs barn and a double-8 parallel Surge parlor. We also raise all of our youngstock: 190 head of heifers and 120 head of nishing Holstein steers. We also run enough land, owned and rented, to furnish our herds’ needs, including corn, soybeans and oats for feed and chopped straw. Our plans for our farm this year include getting settled in and organizing our new farm. We also hope to add a new spreader to our equipment line-up.
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Why is a ending the WPS Farm Show important to you?
Dave and Kathleen Hafemeister (pictured with their children Alayna and Ethan)
Hustisford, Wisconsin Dodge County 135 Cows
How long have you been attending the WPS Farm Show? Dave and I have been attending the farm show annually since we got married in 2010. Some years, it is just the two of us, but if it works with our kids’ school schedule, we like to take them. They are 10 and 12 years old and both enjoy going to the show. They have come with us even in strollers and, later, a wagon.
How do you typically spend your time when you are attending the show? We try to walk through each building. We usually have one or two specic booths in mind that we want to visit and talk with a representative about their product or service. And, of course, the food tent is a planned visit too.
Why is attending the WPS Farm Show important to you? We want to keep up with changing technology and see new and improved ways to increase the efciency on our farm.
What are you looking forward to most with this year’s show? Dave would like to compare new skid loader models and brands, for a potential new purchase this year. I like to see if there are any new advancements in calf care.
What is one thing you implemented on your farm from the WPS Farm Show? About eight years ago, we went to the show to look at different kinds of barn cameras for around our farm and in our maternity pen. One of the booths was a local small business owner who specialized in barn cameras. We had them installed within a month or two and have been working with him since — a very good nd for us at the WPS Farm Show.
Tell us about your farm and your plans for the dairy this year. We are a family farm in Hustisford, Wisconsin. We milk about 130 Holsteins with two Lely A4 robotic milking machines we installed in 2014. Our big project planned for next month is upgrading to two Lely A5s.
Why
a ending the WPS Farm Show important to
Wisconsin Sheboygan County 75 cows
How long have you been attending the WPS Farm Show? 17 years.
How do you typically spend your time when you are attending the show? We start by walking around a few hangers, talking to vendors and any people we run into who we know. We usually enjoy lunch and ice cream in the food tent. We end our day by nishing walking around the hangers.
Why is attending the WPS Farm Show important to you? It is time to spend with family and learn new things for the farm.
What are you looking forward to most with this year’s show? Seeing new things that are out in the ag community while interacting with family and friends.
What is one thing you implemented on your farm from the WPS Farm Show? Using cameras in our dry cow barn to watch the cows without actually being outside.
Tell us about your farm and your plans for the dairy this year. My husband, Dale, and I, along with our youngest daughter, Megan, milk 75 cows with the help of one employee. We raise our own heifers for replacements. We grow our own crops for feed and bedding. We are looking into implementing a cow monitoring system to help with cow health. We are hoping to talk to vendors about this at this year’s show.
Stacy Limberg (pictured with daughter Megan Limberg) Plymouth,
Why is a ending the WPS Farm Show important
Jim Beyer Lancaster, Wisconsin
Grant County 120 cows
How long have you been attending the WPS Farm Show? I have been attending the show for more than 20 years, ever since I was in high school. I attend at least four different farm shows each year throughout Wisconsin.
How do you typically spend your time when you are attending the show? I enjoy learning new things and picking up new ideas for the farm, looking for things that would benet our operations.
Why is attending the WPS Farm Show important to you? I enjoy meeting new people every year. They change the show around every few years and make it interesting and new. I like seeing the machinery.
What are you looking forward to most with this year’s show? I am looking forward to seeing all the new innovations. We are looking more in-depth at some new pieces of equipment we are considering investing in.
What is one thing you implemented on your farm from the WPS Farm Show? We purchased some 2-way radios last year, and we have really liked those. They streamline communication on the farm; it works out better than trying to make calls. In the summertime, you can have issues with the phones getting overheated, but the radios do not have that issue.
Tell us about your farm and your plans for the dairy this year. I have worked in the maintenance department of Martin Dairy Farm near Lancaster for 10 years. They milk 120 cows and farm 980 acres. The cows are milked twice a day in a double-10 parlor and housed in a freestall barn. They ship 10,000 pounds of milk every other day. My employers are planning to put up a new grain bin this year.
A favorite event, close to home
Fritsch enjoys WPS Farm Show for 57 years
By Danielle Nauman danielle.n@dairystar.com
DE PERE, Wis. — The Wisconsin Public Service Farm Show has been a mainstay in Ron Fritsch’s life for 57 years, rst going to the show as a young boy with his father. Now, as an exhibitor, he is the second generation to represent his family’s business.
“The WPS Farm Show is very special; the people are wonderful, (and) it’s one of my favorite shows because of the people,” Fritsch said. “They do a nice job of keeping it a farm show, focused on agriculture, and they always have a great crowd attending.”
Fritsch is president of Fritsch Equipment and Services LLC, in De Pere, where he said half of their business is based on retailing and reselling, while the other half is in manufacturing. The business was established in its
earliest form when his father became a dealer for Hanson Silo Company in 1968.
Fritsch is the North American distributor for MayoSoft and Condon Engineering, both Irish companies, and a distributor for Woodchuck Bedding Spreaders. Fritsch said representing those entities encompasses the majority of his company’s retail business, with a variety of other products from manufacturers such as Faster; Stucchi USA, Walmetal, J&D Manufacturing Inc., and Agromatic Inc., making up the balance.
From a manufacturing and fabrication standpoint, Fritsch said one of their key products is a silage defacer, which they produce have marketed in 29 countiries.
“We have different equipment for pushing up feed and for scraping manure, for tractors and skid loader,” Fritsch said. “We have a power bedding groomer, designed for tractors and skid loaders that we have a patent on. We hold several patents. We also make grapple buckets for removing feed from bags. Most of our products are specialty. We build them so the big loaders don’t tear them apart. That’s a real important deal.”
Fritsch has a long history
Ron Fritsch (le ) and Joe Egan of MayoSo in Ireland chat at the Fritsch Equipment booth at World Dairy Expo Oct. 3, 2024, in Madison, Wisconsin. Egan will be a ending the Wisconsin Public Service Farm Show with Fritsch Equipment.
with the WPS Farm Show.
“We’ve been going to the show as long as I can remember,” Fritsch said. “I remember going to the (Brown County Veterans Memorial) Arena; my dad would take us to the show, and we would stay all day.”
That hands-on approach was prevalent throughout Fritsch’s childhood and laid the groundwork for the career he would grow into.
“Both my brother and I had a welder in our hands at a very young age,” Fritsch said. “Dad taught us, (and) when I
graduated, I went to tech college for machine shop. Dad was always xing things, so that machine shop came in handy.”
Turn to FRITSCH | Page 11
Servicing Northeastern Wisconsin and
PHOTO COURTESY OF FRITSCH EQUIPMENT AND SERVICES, LLC
In 1974, Fritsch began laying his career foundation in earnest. He purchased a lathe and milling machine and started making parts on the side while he continued working full time in a machine shop, helping his father, until he purchased the family business from him in 1984.
“It was a learning experience,” Fritsch said. “I was always making different things for my dad. He was always rebuilding, xing things.”
Attending farm shows is a standard part of running an agricultural equipment business, Fritsch said. In addition to the WPS Farm Show, he currently exhibits at ve other shows: the Fort Wayne Farm Show in Fort Wayne, Indiana; the National Farm Machinery Show in Louisville, Kentucky; the New York Farm Show in Syracuse, New York; Wisconsin Farm Technology Days; and World Dairy Expo in Madison. He attends other shows as support for vendors he works with. Of all the shows Fritsch has attended, WPS Farm Show remains a favorite.
Fritsch Equipment and Services displays many of their products in their
March 28, 2023, in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Ron Fritsch said the WPS Farm Show is among his favorites.
“You always like to be in your own neighborhood, but it’s really more than that,” Fritsch said. “It’s how it’s
“The WPS Farm Show is very special; the people are wonderful, (and) it’s one of my favorite shows because of the people. They do a nice job of keeping it a farm show, focused on agriculture, and they always have a great crowd attending.”
RON FRITSCH, FRITSCH EQUIPMENT AND SERVICES LLC
the
laid out — the EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) grounds is a beautiful facility. It’s what they do for everybody, how they treat people. The workers are eager to help you, driving the forklift, helping you do different and unique things so you can display your products properly.
It’s really nice.”
Fritsch puts great emphasis on working to make his booth interesting, exciting and engaging each year. It is an effort he hopes other
exhibitors duplicate to continue drawing people to farm shows.
“You need to show things that bring excitement,” Fritsch said. “Even if it’s something so big that most people wouldn’t buy it, they still want to see it, touch it, experience it. If you’re showing the same six tractors every year, that’s going to get old, and people will lose interest.”
Turn to FRITSCH | Page 12
PHOTO COURTESY OF FRITSCH EQUIPMENT AND SERVICES, LLC
indoor booth at the Wisconsin Public Service Farm Show
At the WPS Farm Show, Fritsch Equipment has two booths — a 30by 20-foot indoor booth completely covered with Mayo Mattresses and a 25- by 80-foot outdoor booth — to allow for the greatest product exposure. With two large booths, stafng is important, Fritsch said. Joining the Fritsch Equipment booth this year will be representatives of the companies they work with in Ireland and Pennsylvania.
“We’ll have our salesmen and manufacturer reps in the booth,” Fritsch said. “It gets really busy, and we want to be able to spend time talking
about new products (and) answering questions about older products.”
A new product Fritsch is anticipating sharing with farmers is a new self-loading lime spreader that spreads hydrated lime in lighter applications and can be used with either a tractor or skid steer.
The farm show culture is one Fritsch hopes to see continue for years to come.
“I used to exhibit in at more than 10 shows a year, several of them are no longer held,” Fritsch said. “We don’t get as many people as we used to; the farming community is getting smaller. Keeping things exciting, so people want to come, see and feel the equipment and enjoy the personal contact, that is how we can keep the shows from dying.”
For Farmers Who Believe in Better™
PHOTO COURTESY OF FRITSCH EQUIPMENT AND SERVICES, LLC
Fritsch Equipment and Services displays equipment at the 1987 Wisconsin Public Service Farm Show in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Ron Fritsch has been a ending the show for 57 years as a spectator and exhibitor.
Why is a ending the WPS Farm Show important to
Jerry Gimler
Hixton, Wisconsin Jackson County 20 cows
How long have you been attending the WPS Farm Show? I have been going for almost 50 years. I remember attending it when I was a kid.
How do you typically spend your time when you are attending the show? I enjoy looking at all the exhibits to see what is new in farming and gathering information about new technology.
Why is attending the WPS Farm Show important to you? It is a good place to learn new things. I get to see other farmers I have not seen in a while and also meet new people.
What are you looking forward to most with this year’s show? I am always interested in seeing what is new each year, wondering who will be there who I have not seen in a while and being able to catch up with them.
What is one thing you implemented on your farm from the WPS Farm Show? I have purchased my total mixed ration mixer and pellet stove from exhibitors who were at the show. I have also looked into different nutrition programs and feed companies along with barn lighting and ventilation.
Tell us about your farm and your plans for the dairy this year. I am currently renting the farm I am on right now and milking 20 cows. I own a variety of breeds: Holstein, Jersey, Brown Swiss and Ayrshire. I would like to expand my herd in the near future. I am currently working a full-time job as well as farming. I supply heifers for youth to show at the fairs. I chair the Northwest Protein Show that is put on each year.
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Country Clipper..............................................................C5716 Country Visions Cooperative .........................................B4644
ECHO Eqpt ....................................................................O3185
Edney Distributing Co Inc. .............................................B4545
Eisentraut Ag Services ..................................................B4508
Eldorado Trailer Sales, LLC ..........................................O4000
Ellingson Air Seeder Repair ........................................ST7130
Equipment Fenders LLC................................................C5597
Equity Cooperative Livestock Sales Association ...........B4621
EV Large Pest Control LLC ........................................ST7101
Exapta Solutions, Inc ...................................................ST7129
Extrutech Plastic Inc ......................................................C5613
Fabick Cat .....................................................................C5576
Fabra Dome...................................................................B4637
Fairchild Equipment .......................................................C5525
Farm Bureau..................................................................D6549
FARM Inc.......................................................................C5599
Farmers’ Implement.......................................................A3635
FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative .........................................D6608
Ferguson Enterprises/Ritchie Industries........................B4526
Fertilizer Dealer Supply .................................................A3583
Flagpole Farm ...............................................................B4664
Fly By Acres Ag Services LLC.......................................O6000
Fly By Acres Ag Services LLC & Direct Enterprises Inc ................................................ST7111
Focus on Energy ...........................................................A3503
Folske Electric Services ................................................O4045
Forage Storage Solutions, LLC ...................................NT0156
Foremost Farms USA, Cooperative ..............................B4627
Forest Construction Company .......................................C5589
Forward Farm Lines ......................................................D6635
Fox Cities Builders.........................................................C5523
Fox River Valley Ethanol ...............................................C5623
Fox Structures Inc .........................................................B4573
Fox Valley Brine ..........................................................NT0170
Fox Valley Technical College ........................................D6537
Fox Valley Truck ............................................................O3170
Foxland Incorporated.....................................................C5546
Foxworthy Supply, Inc ...................................................B4524
Frenchville Trailer Sales LLC ......................................NT0132
Fritsch Equipment and Services LLC ............................B4641
G.A. Miller Company LLC ............................................NT0134
GAT Supply Inc .............................................................D6522 GEA ..............................................................................D6552
GHX Seed ...................................................................ST7109
Gingerich Structures ....................................................NT0117
Glaus Industries, LLC ....................................................O5165
GLC Minerals.................................................................C5590
Granse Trio..................................................................ST7128
GreenStone Farm Credit Services ................................B4561 Grow Source..................................................................C5691
Gruett’s Inc ....................................................................C5729
GVD Feed Covers LLC..................................................D6550
Hansen Auction Group LLC...........................................C5603
Hansens Metalworks and Millwright Service .................O3169
Hartland Enterprising LLC .............................................A3613
Herc-U-Lift ...................................................................ST7125
Hixwood Metal LLC .......................................................A3564
Hoof-Zink EZ Liquid .....................................................ST7131
Hooper Law Office .........................................................D6560
Horst Welding/Tubeline/Reist Industries .....................ST7180
Hotsy Cleaning System Inc ...........................................C5621
Hydroclean Equipment Inc ............................................A3504
IBA .................................................................................A3513
J & D Manufacturing ......................................................B4505
J & J Sales LLC .............................................................B4601
Jaylor ............................................................................D6518
Jay-Mar Inc ....................................................................A3551
JB Dist. Co. Inc/Gillund Enterprises ..............................C5645
JK Trenching .................................................................A3567
Joe’s Auto Body Tractor LLC.........................................B4512
John M Ellsworth Co Inc ................................................B4628
Jordan Ag Supply Inc ....................................................D6666
JP Tank Inc....................................................................B4622
Kartechner Brothers LLC ...............................................A3554
KBM Construction Inc ....................................................C5624
Keller Inc........................................................................D6558
Kelly Manufacturing .......................................................B4536
Klink Equipment.............................................................C5502
Klink Hydraulics .............................................................C5501
Knowles Produce & Trading Co ....................................D6530
Komro Sales and Service ............................................ST7112
Krone America LLC .....................................................ST7135
KSI Supply Inc ...............................................................C5605
Kuhn North America Inc. ...............................................A3619
L & L Clearing LLC ......................................................ST7113
L & L Sales and Service Inc ..........................................B4529 La Crosse Seed .............................................................A3609
Lakeshore College.......................................................NT0102
Landoll Company, LLC ..................................................C5551
LeafFilter Gutter Protection .........................................NT0121
LED Wisconsin ............................................................ST7107
Leedstone, Inc ...............................................................B4611
Legacy Assurance Plan ...............................................ST7108
Legacy Seeds Inc ..........................................................D6586
Legacy Steel Buildings ..................................................C5557
Legend Brush Guards ...................................................C5719
Lely NA ..........................................................................D6614
LG Seeds.....................................................................NT0123 LMS Equipment ...........................................................ST7133
M. P. B.
NEW Lighting Solutions, LLC ........................................A3552
Nicolet National Bank ....................................................A3603
Norbco ...........................................................................C5583
North Central Irrigation Inc ............................................B4507
Northcentral Technical College - Agriculture Center of Excellence ..............................................................................A3585
Northeast Asphalt | A Walbec Group Company ............B4594
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College ........................A3607
Northern Minnesota Sales .............................................D6598
Northland Buildings .......................................................C5690
Nuhn Industries Ltd .....................................................NT0166
Nutrition Service Company ............................................B4604
Oak Ridge Foam & Coating Systems ..........................NT0109
O’Brien Hybrids .............................................................A3516
O’Connell Drainage by Legacy Equipment Co ..............B4656
Orbit Screens Inc ...........................................................O5103
O’Reilly Auto Parts ......................................................NT0108
Organic Waste Connections ..........................................C5607
Osseo Plastics & Supply Inc..........................................D6601
Outback Guidance .........................................................C5727
Oxbo Forage / H&S .......................................................A3527
Oxy-Blast Water Treatment System ..............................A3574
P&D Barn Floor Grooving ............................................NT0122
ParallelArmExchange.com ............................................B4659
Patz Corporation............................................................C5685
Peak 8 Solutions Inc ....................................................ST7122
Peak Ag Solutions .........................................................C5664
Penta Equipment ...........................................................A3550
Peshtigo National Bank .................................................C5514
Pheasants Forever, Wisconsin Farmers Union, Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance....................................................NT0118
Phil’s Pumping & Fab ....................................................O3370
Pinno Buildings LLC ......................................................C5655
Pioneer Seeds ...............................................................B4571
PiP Seeds ......................................................................B4592
Pipping Concrete Inc .....................................................A3566
PLM Paving and Concrete.............................................A3507
Pomp’s Tire ...................................................................C5538
Poseidon LLC ................................................................C5602
Prairie Hybrid Seeds......................................................A3580
Precision Grain Systems, Inc ......................................ST7104
Premier Gunite LLC .......................................................A3559
Premier Insurance Solutions .........................................D6585
Prinsco, Inc ....................................................................B4570
ProActive Solutions USA, LLC ......................................B4598
ProfitProAg ....................................................................B4578
ProFoamers, Inc ............................................................D6593
Promat Inc .....................................................................A3555
Pro-Stitch Closing Wheels .............................................C5658
Puck Enterprises ...........................................................D6545
Purple Wave Auction ...................................................NT0114
QuadraStep Hoof Care ..................................................C5669
Quality Craft Tools .........................................................C5571
Quality Hydro Inc ...........................................................D6572
Quality Truck Care Center, Inc ......................................O4010 R Braun Inc....................................................................O4037
Redfern Enterprises Inc ...............................................NT0106
Redmond Agriculture ...................................................NT0107
Renk Seed Co ...............................................................C5611
Riesterer & Schnell Inc ..................................................A3615
Roach & Associates LLC ...............................................B4589
Robert E. Lee & Associates, Inc. .................................NT0111
Roberts Irrigation Company Inc .....................................B4533
Rob-See-Co...................................................................C5509
Roll-O-Matic Curtains-DRI, Inc. .....................................B4513
Roots & Yield Co ...........................................................B4500
Roth Manufacturing Co., Inc ..........................................B4521
Roto Mix LLC .................................................................C5689
S.I. Distributing ..............................................................D6538
S.I. Feeders Div of Schoessow, Inc...............................B4534
Sadoff Iron & Metal Company .....................................NT0113
Safe-Trac Grooving .......................................................D6602
Sand County Equipment................................................C5510
Sand County Equipment/Lemken ..................................C5677
SANOVA Enterprises of WI, LLC ..................................A3591
Scandinavian Forestry Equipment.................................B4531
Schaefer Beef Consulting/Cow Corner..........................B4576
Schierl Tire and Service ................................................A3562
Schiferl Radiator, Welding & Fabrication LLC ...............C5665
Schmidt Exterior Cleaning .............................................B4580
Schraufnagel Imp Inc.....................................................D6625
Schultz’s Inter-State Ag, Inc. .........................................B4569
Schweitzer Spray Coatings, LLC ...................................D6546
SD Ellenbecker Inc ........................................................A3596
Security Financial Bank .................................................A3568
Select Container ............................................................A3580
COME SEE US AT WPS! WE ARE LOCATED IN HANGAR A, BOOTH #3566
Seneca Dairy .................................................................A3534
Seneca Foods Corporation..........................................NT0115
Sentry Dental Products..................................................B4618
Service Motor Company ...............................................D6658
Seven Oaks LLC ...........................................................C5637
Shivvers Mfg Inc ............................................................D6600
Short Lane Ag Supply..................................................NT0104
Shur Wrap .....................................................................A3534
Simon’s Specialty Cheese .............................................D6589
SkidLoaders Plus LLC ...................................................B4590
SKOV-SECCO...............................................................D6534
SMA, Inc ........................................................................C5600
smaXtec Inc ...................................................................D6571
Smith’s of Wisconsin .....................................................C5516
SnirtStopper...................................................................C5657
Soil Regeneration Unlimited/ New Solutions Ag ............B4616
Sparkle Wash Fox Valley ............................................ST7110
Transport Refrigeration Inc ............................................C5517
TriCal Superior Forage ..................................................D6583
Tri-County Overhead Door ............................................A3553
Trioliet Inc ......................................................................C5541
Truck Equipment ...........................................................B4502
Tuff Built/ASH Supplies .................................................O4065
Udder Comfort Inc .........................................................B4619
Udder Tech Inc ..............................................................A3589
United States Department of Agriculture .....................NT0110
University Wisconsin-Madison College of Agriculture & Life Sciences ............................................................D6561
Unverferth Manufacturing Company Inc ........................C5529
Uphill Creek Farm..........................................................O3260
UW-Oshkosh College of Nursing...................................C5742
UW-River Falls ..............................................................A3593
Valley Building Systems ................................................C5549
Valmetal Inc ...................................................................D6617
Vande Yacht Pump Installing Inc...................................C5625
Vanderloop Equipment Inc ............................................D6501
Vita Plus Corporation.....................................................B4583
Vorpahl Feeding Systems .............................................O5176
Walco USA Inc ..............................................................C5671
Wallenhorst Farms ......................................................NT0109
Walters Buildings ...........................................................C5636
WaterFurnace International ...........................................C5618
Watts Up Engineering LLC ..........................................ST7103
Waukesha Lime & Stone ...............................................B4595
Waupaca Machine & Repair ..........................................B4518
We Energies ..................................................................A3535
Wells Ag Sales LLC .....................................................ST7105
Werner Pest & Odor Control........................................NT0136
Wickenkamp Live Trap Mfg ...........................................A3517
Wieser Concrete ............................................................O6010
Wilson Trailer Company ................................................C5631
Wilvar Pole Building Repair Division .............................D6609
Winnebago County Land and Water Conservation Dept .......................................................D6544
Wisconsin Association of FFA .......................................B4528
Wisconsin Crop Improvement Association ....................B4587
Wisconsin Farm Center - DATCP ................................NT0120
Wisconsin Farm Drainage Inc .......................................B4636
Wisconsin Hereford Association ....................................A3570 Wisconsin
Directional Drilling & Land Improvement ent
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Using
Why is a ending the WPS Farm Show important to you?
How long have you been attending the WPS Farm Show? 15-plus years.
How do you typically spend your time when you are attending the show? We only go for one day, so we make sure we see the new technology and check out equipment we would not otherwise have a chance to sit in or see. Some of the businesses we only have the opportunity to see at the show, so it is a great chance to connect with everyone we only get the chance to see during the show.
Why is attending the WPS Farm Show important to you? It has become a tradition for us. The kids play hooky from school for the day. It is basically a farm kid day-cation. We like to see what other businesses are out there that can help us improve on the farm or nd places where we can cut down on expenses.
What are you looking forward to most with this year’s show? My husband will check out some prospective equipment purchases, of course. The kids will attempt to ll their pockets with all the candy. As for me, I’ll work on walking the baby out. Honestly, I just enjoy a day together, seeing the show and maybe enjoying some cheese curds in the process.
What is one thing you implemented on your farm from the WPS Farm Show? It’s pretty minor, really, but Quick-Hitches many years ago.
Tell us about your farm and your plans for the dairy this year. This year, we are looking forward to adding baby number ve to the roster for farm help here soon. As for the dairy side, we have no major plans. We made some major changes to the stanchion barn in 2022 — headlocks, moved the pipeline behind the cows — which has cut down on milking time. We have more time to focus on the custom side of things in the growing season, and in the winter, we enjoy a little more free time as a family. We plan to continue to grow on the custom baling and harvesting side of things again this year.
Kaitlyn and Bobby Hefter (pictured with thier children Quinn (from left), Colt, Naomi and Emmett) Byron, Wisconsin Fond du Lac, Wisconsin 85 cows
Why is a ending the WPS Farm Show important to you?
Theresa, Wisconsin Dodge County 180 cows
How long have you been attending the WPS Farm Show? I have attended every year I have been able to since I was a small child. I’m thrilled to be able to pass the tradition along and now bring my own kids every year.
How do you typically spend your time when you are attending the show? We usually try to walk every aisle in every hangar. I enjoy talking with many of our sales reps and getting as many free pens available as possible, stocking the farm for the year. Seeing the new things that are brought each year is a highlight for me. I end my day there with a grilled cheese and cheese fries from the food tent.
Why is attending the WPS Farm Show important to you? It is a priority for our farm to see all the new possibilities out there. I enjoy the networking opportunities provided there. It is also nice to get off the farm for a day.
What are you looking forward to most with this year’s show? The equipment is always a highlight for me.
What is one thing you implemented on your farm from the WPS Farm Show? We have rened our calf management practices after seeing setups there, specically group feeding milk calves.
Tell us about your farm and your plans for the dairy this year. Our multi-generational farm does dairy, beef and crops. I spend a majority of my time with our calves. I plan to continue improving our calf management practices, with an emphasis on barn renovations.
Josh Adelmeyer (pictured with Abe (from left), Etta and Elodie)
Why is a ending the WPS Farm Show important to you?
Adam and Cassi Faust
Chilton, Wisconsin
Calumet County 50 cows
How long have you been attending the WPS Farm Show? I have been attending the WPS Farm Show as long as I can remember, going back to when it was held in Green Bay.
How do you typically spend your time when you are attending the show? I typically split my time between networking with different vendors and with old friends I run into.
Why is attending the WPS Farm Show important to you? It seems like the show is one of the only opportunities for farmers to network in person in what has become a digital world.
What are you looking forward to most with this years show? I’m looking forward to seeing products and advances geared toward cow comfort.
What is one thing you implemented on your farm from the WPS Farm Show? We got Bergman speed hitches almost 30 years ago.
Tell us about your farm and your plans for the dairy this year. My wife and I operate our small family farm where we milk registered Holsteins. We are in the planning process to do some modernizing on our farm in the near future.
April 01-03
Build Your Foundation on High Fertility
by Ryan Sterry Regional Livestock Educator University of Wisconsin-Extension
UCLA’s John Wooden is known for his unparalleled run as men’s basketball coach, winning 10 national championships in a 12-year period. He is equally well known outside the sporting world for the Pyramid of Success™, his list of 25 personal traits and characteristics that lead to personal and team success.
Fricke’s Hierarchy of Reproduction Needs
Today, we can form our own pyramid of characteristics for high performing dairy herd reproductive management. During a recap of the 2024 Reproduction Roadshow, Dr. Paul Fricke, Dairy Cattle Reproduction Specialist for UW-Madison and Division of Extension, introduced his building blocks for top reproductive performance and how achieving each step opens more opportunities to use additional reproductive technologies.
Block 1: High 21-day pregnancy rates
This brings us to our rst building block: achieving high 21-day pregnancy rates. How you get there depends on your management style and environment.
For example, tools like Double Ovsynch have been proven to not only synchronize cows for Articial Insemination (AI) but can also be used to improve fertility. Likewise, more and more activity monitoring products are reaching the market, yet another tool in the toolbox to alert management to cows in estrus.
The key is your herd’s 21-day pregnancy rate must be the foundation.
Block 2: Genomic Testing
The next building block, genomic testing, is less benecial if the 21-day pregnancy rate isn’t solid.
Why? If cows are not becoming pregnant the negative hit becomes twofold. More cows will become reproductive culls, necessitating the need to raise more replacement heifers. At the same time, fewer heifer calves are being born simply because fewer cows become pregnant and calve in again. Your herd will quickly return to a cycle where every heifer calf stays, regardless of their genetic potential, because every one of them will be needed to make the milking string and maintain herd size.
Block 3: Sexed and beef semen
As we achieve greater reproductive success, more doors open to use these technologies. Through strategic use of sexed semen, you can determine which dam’s are most worthy of producing the next generation in your herd. Management gains more control over the number of heifer calves born annually, and some cows can be bred to beef for inventory management and to maximize the market value of nonretained calves. Cows on the lower end of genetic potential can become recipients of beef semen. Finding the right mix of sexed and beef semen for your herd is a different topic, but the point remains if fertility isn’t managed, there is no opportunity for management to make those breeding choices.
Block 4: Invitro Fertilization (IVF) and Embryo Transfer (ET)
Closely related to beef semen and sexed semen technology is the use of Invitro Fertilization (IVF) and Embryo Transfer (ET). Not only can we select which dam’s will produce replacements, but truly elite individuals can produce multiple offspring. Possibilities exist to produce full blooded beef calves in place of crossbred calves. Herds are experimenting today with using no conventional semen, achieving the pregnancies they need through a mix of sexed semen use, beef semen, and IVF / ET.
Block 5: Success
Having and using genomic and performance data to inform breeding decisions is necessary to reach the third block, optimizing the use of sexed and beef semen.
There is no reason today not to reach the pinnacle, with more tools available than ever before to improve fertility and submit cows for AI in a timely manner. When fertility is poor, fewer opportunities exist to use sexed semen, beef semen, or IVF and ET because the focus returns to “we just need to get cows pregnant.” Conventional semen again becomes the tool of choice to manage conception rates and for cost control. It’s easy to get caught up in the hype of what beef x dairy crossbred calves.
PYRAMID VISUAL CONCEPT: DR. PAUL FRICKE
Pyramid of characteris cs for high performing dairy herd reproduc ve management
Why
a ending the WPS Farm Show important
Erin and Alan Duescher (pictured with their son Levi)
Kewaunee, Wisconsin
Kewaunee County
65 cow
How long have you been attending the WPS Farm Show? I have been attending the WPS Farm Show on and off for the past 10 years.
How do you typically spend your time when you are attending the show? I love going around and looking at all the vendors and seeing the new technologies that are happening in agriculture.
Why is attending the WPS Farm Show important to you? Attending the show gives us a chance to get away from the farm and meet with others in the ag industry.
What are you looking forward to most with this years show? We love looking at all the booths and the new machinery.
What is one thing you implemented on your farm from the WPS Farm Show? We began using Bug Tussel for our rural internet service after talking to a representative at the show. It has been working great in our area.
Tell us about your farm and your plans for the dairy this year. We are a small dairy farm in Kewaunee County. I farm with my husband, Alan and his parents, David and Marlice. We milk around 65 cows and have 85 head of youngstock, including calves, springing heifers and steers. We farm around 200 acres, growing corn, alfalfa and wheat. We have a 7-year-old son, Levi, who is involved with 4-H and shows chickens and a calf in kiddie showmanship at our local fair. I have always loved farming, and how every day is not always the same.
Healthy cows: Nutrition recommendations for transition periods
By Jackie McCarville
Fresh cow diseases such as ketosis, milk fever displaced abomasum, retained placenta, metritis and mastitis can cost farmers anywhere from $150-700 per case or more, it is extremely important to pay attention to transition (both faroff and prefresh) and fresh cow diets. Not only are there costs associated with metabolic diseases, but there are also other factors that can cost a farmer extra money. Those things include lost milk production and longer days to cycle and get pregnant which increases her days in milk. However, we can manage some of these metabolic diseases by managing dry matter intake, nutrient needs, body condition score, and stress during this critical timeframe of the dry cow, transition, and fresh cow periods.
Diet composition
Minimizing the use of high potassium forages during the transition period, especially the close-up period to manage milk fever. Sometimes low potassium feeds aren’t available or are hard to source or still leave a high dietary cation anion difference (DCAD) diet. Most transition and fresh cow groups are smaller sized so can your mixer properly mix a TMR for these smaller groups? The consistency of the ration during this period is extremely important. There are some nutritional strategies used to reduce metabolic disorders during this period. Some of those practices include increasing metabolizable protein (MP), balancing for (DCAD), and controlling energy levels in the diet.
The following issues can be decreased with proper ration composition.
Ketosis
Ketosis is largely tied to negative energy balance and body condition score before and after calving. Too much energy during the dry cow and transition period can cause issues along with poor energy after calving. Keeping cows eating during the transition period is critical to keeping them healthy.
Milk fever
Feeding low potassium forages in the dry cow and transition can help prevent milk fever. However, the use of anionic products or phosphorus binding agents such as zeolite A and balancing the diet for DCAD might be necessary to help improve calcium metabolism. If balancing a diet for DCADs, it is important to monitor the animals to make sure the supplement is working. This can be done by checking the urine pH in these animals that have been fed DCAD supplement for at least 2 days. Feeding higher dietary magnesium levels can help during the prefresh period as it helps with calcium homeostasis. Appropriate levels of Vitamin D need to be fed also as it helps with calcium and phosphorus absorption.
Retained placenta
Retained placenta can be prevented by feeding a nutritionally balanced ration especially vitamins and minerals and maintaining proper body condition score during the dry and transition period. Deciencies and excesses of minerals can cause issues during this time.
Displaced abomasum
Displaced abomasum generally can be avoided by making small and gradual changes in rations between the transition, fresh, and lactating diets. Avoid overfeeding concentrates which can cause acidosis and provide proper ber levels.
Metritis
Metritis can be prevented by drying cows off at the proper body condition score (BCS), providing adequate bunk and resting space, a clean environment, and making a stress-free environment to optimize the animals’ eating capacity.
Negative energy balance and BCS
Cows that are carrying more BCS during late lactation tend to eat less during the critical dry cow period which can lead to loss of BCS and negative energy balance. When cattle don’t eat during this critical time, they use up their fat reserves to supply energy needed for maintenance and lactation.
Feed bunk management
Transition and fresh cows need a minimum of 30 inches of bunk space during the transition (21 days before calving) and fresh (21 days after calving) period to ensure all cows can eat at the same time. If you are using the standard (24 inch) headlocks, then understocking the pen is encouraged to allow for room to eat. Our
goal is to get the cows to eat the ration formulated by a nutritionist. Ideally these rations should be fed twice per day. However, that doesn’t always work so pushing up the feed frequently throughout the day will help the cattle eat fresh feed.
Stress
Ensure that transition cows have at least one stall per cow for housing allows cows to not have to compete for a place to rest. Deep loose bedded freestalls or a dry bedded pack are optimal for transition cows to allow them a comfortable place to lay without trouble getting up. Think about heat stress mitigation in the dry period too. Dry cattle can get heat stress just like milk cows. Finally, refrain from regrouping animals 2 to 7 days before calving to help avoid a dry matter intake drop.
Conclusion
Work with your nutritionist to gure out the best grouping strategies and diet formulations for your farm. The less health issues an animal has before or after calving, can help set that animal up for success during their lactation. Not only can it save the farmer money on vet bills, antibiotic costs, lost milk production; it can also help get those cows bred back sooner.
Reprinted with permission of UW Extension Dairy Team
USE RECYCLED MANURE SOLIDS
WITHOUT SACRIFICING COW HEALTH
What
Premium Protection
Reduce the threat of high SCC and lost milk quality premiums and deductions.
Avoid Mastitis
24/7 targeting of environmental pathogens to reduce risk of environmental mastitis.
Employee Productivity
Employees waste less time treating infected cows and retreating solids from intermittent bedding treatments
