Duane observes the performance of strong cow families. “I can look at most of my cows and hope they have a heifer calf,” he says. “Before I took over the dairy here, I had bought some good cows, did some flushing and got a lot of heifers from that work.” Duane added that nearly every cow in the barn traces back to cows that other Holstein breeders would recognize as being from strong cow families. As Duane makes day-to-day management decisions for the farm, he appreciates his father’s hard work in building a high-quality herd. “We like a cow to stay around until she’s seven, eight or nine years old,” says Duane. “The biggest thing is getting her bred back quickly and keeping her udders healthy.” Both Amos and Duane manage herd reproduction, with Duane making most
of the mating decisions. At one time, Duane bred most of the herd based on heat observation, but has found that a synchronization program has resulted in a more consistent pregnancy rate. In addition to managing the herd, Duane handles crop work for the farm. He believes that a forage-based diet is important for cow health and production. “A big part of what I push to the cows is forage,” says Duane. “I feed about 60 percent forage and 40 percent concentrate.” To ensure optimum nutrients in crops, Duane works with an agronomist for soil testing and seeks advice on soil amendments. Primary crops are corn and beans, which are part of a TMR (total mixed ration). Duane also grows triticale, which is preserved as haylage, and completes the ration
with ground roasted soybeans and a TMR supplement. Like others in the business, Duane admits that dairy farming is challenging, and realizes the importance of staying abreast of the current dairy situation. “I consider this to be a conventional dairy,” he says. “We aren’t really attached to a niche market or direct market.” However, Duane is open-minded and prepared to make necessary changes to remain profitable. To supplement his income, Duane is on the sales team for a company that makes steel-framed, fabric-covered structures. Duane will be the first to admit that this year has been challenging for farmers, but he remains optimistic. “If you do it right, the cows do well without even trying,” he says, “and that’s when it’s fun.” l VOLUME 23 | ISSUE 4 | mafc.com | 5
