BREEDER PROFILE
L-L-M-Dairy Marvin, Leon & Lyle Matthiae Ringle By Amy Ryan
Left to right: Robin Vercimak, Deion Matthiae, Lyle Matthiae, Megan Matthiae, Chase Matthiae, Rose & Leon Matthiae, Angie & Marvin Matthiae Their tie-stall barn holds 80 cows and their dry cow barn is loose housing. They own 340 and rent 250 acres to supply the forages and grain for their herd. The cows are fed primarily a haylage and corn silage ration along with grain and a top dress protein and mineral. The Matthiaes raise all youngstock between their home farm and a farm across the road from their operation. This facility, which they purchased in 2005, is used for heifer and steer housing. Most recently, they built a new calf barn with natural ventilation, individual pens he Matthiae family of L-L-M-Dairy has seen many successes in and a pasteurizer. Their calves are fed milk and a calf starter for recent years, including sale topping daughters, high genomic approximately eight weeks and are transitioned into group housing testing females and males and high producing cows on the county featuring freestalls with mats. level. However, family member Leon says that their success is They are then moved to the facility across the road from the main measured not through their awards or recognition, rather by hearing farm until two weeks prior to calving when they return to the home from happy customers who have purchased their genetics. farm. The heifer ration also consists of haylage and corn silage, which The current Matthiae farmstead in Ringle, Wisc., located is supplemented with high moisture corn when needed. approximately 10 miles east of Wausau, was purchased in 1964 by As previously mentioned, Leon and Lyle became more involved Marvin and his wife, Angie, and originally operated under the prefix in the day-to-day operation in 1980, but their interest and involvement Ange-Marv. In the 1970s, Marvin invested in some Registered in Registered Holsteins began before that time. During high school, Holsteins genetics through private purchases from area breeders and they were very active in their local FFA judging teams, which offered their herd has grown from there. L-L-M-Dairy was formed in 1980 them the opportunity to go to other farms in the area for judging when Marvin’s sons, Leon and Lyle joined the operation upon high practice. This fostered their interest in Junior Holstein activities and school graduation. led to the purchase of genetics from local herds in their area. The 96-cow Registered Holstein dairy is very much a family They focused on solid pedigreed individuals, with emphasis on owned and operated business. Along with still being very active on a both index and type. They have also followed this philosophy when daily basis on the farm, Marvin and Angie also handle the financial breeding their cows by using top bulls on the TPI list that have higher bookkeeping for the operation. All other duties on the farm are type. This particular philosophy has yielded tremendous results and handled mostly by Leon and Lyle with the help of one full-time hired has earned them the Progressive Genetics Award from Holstein man, Robin Vercimak, their brother-in-law. Leon and Lyle’s sons, Association USA for the last 19 years. Chase and Deion, also assist during the summer months, while This breeding philosophy produced L-L-M-Dairy Rudolph they have another neighbor who Pilgrim EX-92 2E EX-94MS helps out on the weekends when GMD DOM. Leon credits this needed. cow with having a significant Along with their 96 cows, impact on their herd and one that L-L-M-Dairy is home to 120 really got the Matthiaes more heifers, 10 young bulls (in waiting involved in merchandising their for A.I.) and 50 steers. According genetics. At 9-11, Pilgrim’s record the Leon, that number has 365 day record was 40,250 remained relatively consistent pounds of milk, 3.7 percent and through the years, and there is no 1499 pounds of fat, 3.0 percent change planned for the future. An and 1208 pounds of protein and impressive 96 percent of the herd she had a GTPI of +1905. She is homebred with a Rolling Herd served as an extensive flush cow Average of 25,000 pounds of and while some of her embryos milk, a 3.4 percent with 840 were sold domestically, most were pounds of fat and a 3.0 percent implanted and subsequently, half with 740 pounds of protein. of the herd currently traces back Their BAA is currently 104%. to Pilgrim. L-L-M-Dairy Rudolph Pilgrim EX-92 2E GMD DOM
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10–wisconsin HOLSTEIN news/January 2013