Volume 17: Issue 7 November 2015
BOTTOM LINE Sharing ideas, solutions, resources and experiences that help dairy producers succeed.
Martin Farms has the attitude Farm succession planning — see Page 3
Optimize farm taxes – see Page 9
Test cows’ genomes – see Page 11
Dairy executive training — see Page 13
Dairy farmers love what they do. But nobody ever said it was easy. Joe Martin takes the challenges of the job in stride. He keeps the perks of dairy farming at the top of his mind. “I love the independence,” he said. “I get to chart my own course.” Martin and his brother, Tom, run Martin Farms LLC in Edgerton, Wis. With a bit of help from family and three full-time employees, they crop about 540 acres and manage 230 cows. Tom handles all of the feeding and is the main crop field operator. Martin takes care of AI and baby calf work, manages employees, and assists his wife, Bonnie, with farm finances. The Martin family is intent on adopting modern technology and staying on the cutting edge of the business. “Obviously the dairy business is a profit-driven business, and we have to keep an eye on what’s profitable,” Martin said. “But we have learned there are many means to that end. We try to stay flexible.” Martin graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1985, earning a degree in dairy science. He turned down various job opportunities and
Joe Martin of Edgerton, Wis., encourages producers to tap into the knowledge base and resources provided.
came home to farm. “Our father was very engaging and encouraging,” Martin said. “He told me I could do whatever I chose, but that the option to join the family farm business was always available to me.” T h e M a r t i n b ro t h e rs
represent the third generation to farm on their current site since 1917. For most of the past 100 years, Martin families milked approximately 40 cows. During the mid ‘90s, the Martins modernized and began expanding. See ATTITUDE, on page 2
Professional Dairy Producers® I 1-800-947-7379 I www.pdpw.org