R E P R O D U C T I V E
M A N A G E M E N T
EXCELLENCE
KLIEBENSTEIN FARMS
IN REPRODUCTION
Darlington, Wisconsin
< 5OO COWS Award Winners
PLAT I N UM
G Morgan and Nate Kliebenstein own and manage a 116-cow herd in southwest Wisconsin.
T
ucked in a valley between the rolling hills and winding roads of southwest Wisconsin is Kliebenstein Farms owned by Nate and Morgan Kliebenstein. At first glance, one can imagine the farm’s progression over time. There’s a white stanchion barn, which each generation before expanded section by section. Then, there’s a freestall barn constructed in 2008. A double-8 parabone parlor was retro-fitted inside the former stanchion barn and later expanded to a double-10. Higher up the hill is a second freestall barn, built in 2014, to house breeding age and pregnant heifers as well as dry cows and bedded packs for calving. While the progression of farm buildings tells of a history similar to many other family farms, the story of how Nate and Morgan came to be the owners is unique. While Nate’s father previously farmed at the location, Nate aspired to be a lawyer. In 2004, he graduated from college with a bachelor’s degree in political science. It was then he re-evaluated his future and instead of going to law school decided dairy farming was his true calling.
In the meantime, his father had retired and dispersed the milking herd. Nate, however, was able to purchase the family’s 116-head of youngstock. The farm had also been listed for sale, but luckily had not yet sold. Instead the majority of the land had been enrolled in a 15-year CREP (Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program) meaning it cannot be farmed until 2017. Morgan grew up on a dairy farm in Iowa. After attending Iowa State University, she joined Genex as a Dairy Procurement Specialist. It’s a job that keeps her on the road and in an office much of the time. Then, Morgan and Nate met on an online dating site for farmers, a story previously highlighted in popular agriculture press, and got married. Today Morgan tries to balance her role at Genex and on the farm; she enjoys the opportunity to make the first mating recommendation for their heifers and favorite cows in addition to ordering all the semen and maintaining the herd's registry status with Holstein Association. Raising their daughter, Evelyn, in this agricultural environment is important to the couple too.
In the Know
For 2014, Kliebenstein Farms averaged a 35% pregnancy rate, 56% first service conception rate and 96% of the herd pregnant by 150 days in milk (DIM). It’s a level of success that earned Nate and Morgan the platinum Excellence in Reproduction Award. When asked how they attained such a high repro level, they put it simply: we have healthy cows, and we know our cows.
“I feel having a small herd helps us,” explains Nate. “I walk through the barn, and I know which cows are pregnant and which aren’t. I am a big proponent of really knowing the cows.”
G O LD
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HOLMESVILLE DAIRY
Argyle, Wisconsin
H O R I Z O N S
S I LVER
Morgan agrees. As she points at Nate’s head, she adds, “A lot of the success is attributed to what is up there.” Genetics also play a role. “We don’t use any negative Sire Conception Rate bulls,” says Morgan, “though we will use some bulls that don’t yet have a Sire Conception Rate or PregCheck™ evaluation. Additionally, we look at health traits, udders, Protein and pedigree variety. We are big proponents of the new Ideal Commercial Cow index, as we feel it very closely follows our breeding strategies”
How it Works
Even more impressive than their reproduction figures is the fact they were achieved primarily from observing natural heats. Over the course of the year, less than 10% of the cows even required Lutalyse®. As Morgan explains, “We have a voluntary wait period of 60 DIM. We wait for natural heats and monitor heats before the 60 days. Dakota Bockenhauer, a Genex Reproductive Technician of two years, walks the herd daily applying Reveal™ and observing signs of estrus.” The occasional cow that does not show heat by or shortly after 60 days is given Lutalyse. Cows are pregnancy checked at 30 days since last heat. If open, the cow is given Lutalyse. If cystic, she is enrolled in Ovsynch. In addition to knowing the cows, Nate notes other factors that contribute to their success, “First, we don’t push our cows. We milk twice a day with an 80 lb average goal. Second, communication is key. It takes good communication between Genex, us and our employees.” Now, maintaining – if not improving upon – their good reproduction results is their goal. Of course, that’s because they recognize the many benefits of strong reproduction. One of which is clearly evident. “We are at that lovely state of being able to voluntarily cull,” shares Morgan.
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H O N O RA B LE MENTI O N
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©2015 CRI