HER D
STORY
Providence Dairy
Sako and Wiekie Vandermeer White, South dakota
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ako and Wiekie Vandermeer have farmed in South Dakota for the past eight years. Before farming on their own, both were knowledgeable in the dairy farming lifestyle. Wiekie grew up on a dairy, and Sako worked on (and pretty much grew up on) a farm. Eight years ago they moved their farm and family, now totaling five daughters and one son ranging in age from 14 to one month, to eastern South Dakota because of lower cattle feed costs and a higher milk price. At that time, their herd totaled 500 milking cows. In 2006, they lengthened their hoop barn to accommodate more cows and two years ago added another 200 cows. In every aspect, consistency – keeping everything the same – has been key for the Vandermeers. For instance, a group of close-up cows come back to the farm together from a secondary location. That group of cows remains together through calving housed on a bedded pack with ample room for each individual. After calving, the whole group leaves the bedded pack together. As Sako explains, this consistency is beneficial. “It helps with their transition,” he notes. “We have less health issues. It’s been a long time since we have even had a DA. I think it also leads to a little more milk production.” A consistent breeding program has also yielded excellent results. Each sire summary, the Vandermeers choose 6-8 sires to use based on Lifetime Net Merit, feet and legs, udders, health traits and bull fertility. Sires available in GenChoice™ are chosen for the heifers, as about 80 percent of heifers are inseminated with GenChoice semen for the first services. Twenty percent are bred with GenChoice for two services. For cleanup, Angus semen is used on the milking cows and the heifers are housed with a beef bull. The resulting Angus cross calves are sold.
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HORI Z ONS
Gj A beautiful May morning in the barn at Providence Dairy (top). Elizabeth Radil conducts daily heat detection (left). She is assisted by Gary Landman (right).
Elizabeth Radil is the Genex Breeding Program Specialist who conducts daily walk and chalk heat detection and artificial insemination at the dairy. Gary Landman, a part-time Genex employee who also works on his family’s farm, fills in as needed. This breeding program has led to an outstanding 27% pregnancy rate. Sako and Wiekie attribute the high pregnancy rate to consistent service from Genex and their veterinarian, consistent good quality feed (they grow their own silage and purchase hay from one supplier) and the natural light supplied by their barn structure. With consistency given careful consideration, the Vandermeers strive to achieve decent results in all aspects of their operation. They don’t demand their herd be the best at anything, but they strive to perform well in all areas. This is what makes their farm successful and allows the family to create a balance between work and home.
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