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25
C E L E B R A T I N G
2 5
Y E A R S
DAIRY ST R 25
Volume 25, No. 23
Addressing a shortage of rural veterinarians
“All dairy, all the time”™
January 27, 2024
Extricating his survival
UMN, SDSU collaborate for creative solutions
mand from those interested in pursuing veterinary medicine. Recently, however, universities have begun to add or expand programs. One reason the shortage is greater in rural areas, Molgaard said, By Jan Lefebvre is that incomes for rural jan.l@star-pub.com veterinarians are not as high as those with urban practices. Those pursuST. PAUL, Minn. ing a career in the pro— Across the United fession must be sure their States, there is a shortage income can justify the of veterinarians, espe- cost of veterinary school. cially in rural Dr. Russ America. The Daly, DVM, shortfall has extension vetbeen trending erinarian and for decades, professor in but universities the Veterinary are working and Biomedito address the cal Sciences problem. Department at “The supSouth Dakota ply of vet- Dr. Laura State Univere r i n a r i a n s Molgaard, DVM sity, said the has remained University of rural shortrelatively at, Minnesota ages vary. This whereas the can affect the demand has escalated,” availability of healthsaid Dr. Laura Mol- care services for large gaard, DVM, dean of animals, where shortages the College of Veterinary are greater. Medicine at the “For at University of least the last Minnesota. “It decade or so, is across the there’s been whole eld, a realization and in fact, the that veterimore specialnarians who ized the indipractice foodviduals, the animal or more dramatic mixed-animal the shortage Dr. Russ Daly, medicine in DVM becomes.” some parts of The prob- South Dakota State the area have lem is not due University had trouble to a lack of apnding new plicants. For veterinarians to come instance, the UMN re- into their practices,” ceived around 1,700 ap- Daly said. “Many solo plicants for 125 spots last veterinarians in small year. Instead, the prob- towns are reaching retirelem lies in the number ment age, and a smaller and sizes of programs available. Those have remained roughly the same Turn to VET SHORTAGE and do not meet the de| Page 6
AMY KYLLO/DAIRY STAR
Marshall and Alyssa Friese stand outside the barn Jan. 5 at Rodash-View near Wanamingo, Minnesota. Marshall recovered aŌer being crushed between a skid loader and the unloader of the mixer June 12, 2023, and is back working on the dairy farm.
Friese back on farm after being crushed between skid loader, mixer By Amy Kyllo
amy.k@star-pub.com
WA N A M I N G O , Minn. — Marshall Friese said he thought his life was over when he was pinned between the cab of his skid loader and the unloader of the mixer at his family’s farm near Wanamingo. The morning of June 12, 2023, started as usual with Marshall mixing feed. The mixer was backed into a large feed room, and Marshall was driving a skid loader to load hay. The particular skid loader tended
to creep forward and no longer had safety features. As he was loading, hay was blocking his view of the scale. As he had done in the past, Marshall leaned up and out of the skid loader part way to move the hay out of his sightline. “That day, (the skid loader) decided to creep forward,” Marshall said. “I don’t know if I thought I had time, or if it was revved up more than normal and just moved quicker.” When he was initially trapped, the skid loader was not fully extended so he had room to move. But this ran out as the skid loader creeped forward. Then, Marshall feared for his life as he heard a crunching sound. Turn to FRIESE | Page 2
PHOTO SUBMITTED
Alyssa and Marshall Friese smile at the hospital during the hospitalizaƟon for Marshall’s pseudoaneurysm in July 2023 at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. From June 2023 through September 2023, Marshall was admiƩed to the hospital six Ɵmes, where he spent a total of six weeks in surgeries and recovery.
Page 2 • Dairy Star • Saturday, January 27, 2024
DAIRY ST R www.dairystar.com
ISSN Print: 2834-619X • Online: 2834-6203
522 Sinclair Lewis Ave. Sauk Centre, MN 56378 Phone: 320-352-6303 Fax: 320-352-5647 Published by Star Publications LLC General Manager/Editor Mark Klaphake - mark.k@dairystar.com 320-352-6303 (ofce) 320-248-3196 (cell) 320-352-0062 (home) Ad Composition - 320-352-6303 Nancy Powell • nancy.p@dairystar.com Karen Knoblach • karen.k@star-pub.com Annika Gunderson • annika@star-pub.com Editorial Staff Maria Bichler - Assistant Editor maria.b@dairystar.com Stacey Smart - Assistant Editor 262-442-6666 • stacey.s@dairystar.com Danielle Nauman - Staff Writer 608-487-1101 • danielle.n@dairystar.com Abby Wiedmeyer - Staff Writer 608-487-4812 • abby.w@dairystar.com Tiffany Klaphake - Staff Writer 320-352-6303 • tiffany.k@dairystar.com Jan Lefebvre - Staff Writer jan.l@star-pub.com Amy Kyllo - Staff Writer amy.k@star-pub.com Emily Breth - Staff Writer emily.b@star-pub.com Consultant Jerry Jennissen 320-346-2292 Advertising Sales Main Ofce: 320-352-6303 Fax: 320-352-5647 Deadline is 5 p.m. of the Friday the week before publication Sales Manager - Joyce Frericks 320-352-6303 • joyce@saukherald.com National Sales Manager - Laura Seljan (National Advertising, SE MN) 507-250-2217 • fax: 507-634-4413 laura.s@dairystar.com Assistant Sales Manager - Kati Schafer (Northeast WI and Upper MI) 920-979-5284 • kati.s@dairystar.com Jerry Nelson (SW MN, NW Iowa, South Dakota) 605-690-6260 • jerry.n@dairystar.com Mike Schafer (Central, South Central MN) 320-894-7825 • mike.s@dairystar.com Megan Stuessel (Western Wisconsin) 608-387-1202 • megan.s@dairystar.com Julia Merten (Southeast MN and Northeast IA) 507-438-7739 • julia.m@star-pub.com Bob Leukam (Northern MN, East Central MN) 320-260-1248 (cell) bob.l@star-pub.com Mark Klaphake (Western MN) 320-352-6303 (ofce) • 320-248-3196 (cell) Deadlines The deadline for news and advertising in the Dairy Star is 5 p.m. Friday the week before publication. Subscriptions One year subscription $40.00, outside the U.S. $200.00. Send check along with mailing address to Dairy Star, 522 Sinclair Lewis Ave., Sauk Centre, MN 56378. Advertising Our ad takers have no authority to bind this newspaper and only publication of an advertisement shall constitute nal acceptance of the advertiser's order. Letters Letters and articles of opinion are welcomed. Letters must be signed and include address and phone number. We reserve the right to edit lengthy letters.
ConƟnued from FRIESE | Page 1 “Nobody ever checks on me when I’m doing chores,” Marshall said. “It would have been hours.” Marshall was able to extricate himself by kicking one side of the skid loader into reverse. Before getting himself help, Marshall got back in the skid loader and turned it off so that it would not spin in circles and strike the walls or mixer. Marshall’s family was milking 75 cows in the adjoining tiestall barn. “I couldn’t tell them what happened because I couldn’t talk,” Marshall said. “I could hardly breathe. ... Nothing would come out.” Complicating this was the fact that Marshall had no outward bleeding. Marshall’s mom, Becky, drove him to a clinic in Wanamingo then to Cannon Falls to get an X-ray for broken ribs. In the waiting room at Cannon Falls, still unable to speak and with hospital staff unaware of how serious his injury was, Marshall began to pass out, rst losing his sight then his hearing. Marshall was eventually air lifted to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. Marshall’s wife of less than three months, Alyssa, was working at Mayo Clinic when she heard news of an accident. At the time, she was told a skid loader bucket had fallen on Marshall. “It was all the feelings but nothing at the same time,” Alyssa said.
The ofcial diagnosis was a grade-5 lacerated liver — grade 5 being the most severe possible — but no broken ribs. After undergoing an embolization procedure to stop the internal bleeding from three blood vessels, Marshall spent four days in the intensive care unit. He followed this with another four days in the hospital before heading home. Before the accident, Marshall had worked full time on his family’s dairy
farm, Rodash-View, near Wanamingo, alongside his dad, David, mom and brother, Josh. In his absence, one of his close friends from childhood, Parker Erickson, mixed feed every day for ve months. “I didn’t really second guess it,” Erickson said. “I just gured he’s in need and needs help. And, if it was the other way around, he’d do the same.” Turn to FRIESE | Page 5
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The views and opinions expressed by Dairy Star columnists and writers are not necessarily those of the Dairy Star / Star Publications LLC.
The Dairy Star is published semi-monthly by Star Publications LLC, 522 Sinclair Lewis Ave., Sauk Centre, MN 56378-1246. Periodicals Postage Paid at Sauk Centre, MN and additional mailing ofces. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Dairy Star, 522 Sinclair Lewis Ave., Sauk Centre, MN 56378-1246. © 2023 Star Publications LLC
AMY KYLLO/DAIRY STAR
Marshall Friese sits in a skid loader Jan. 5 in the feed room at Rodash-View near Wanamingo, Minnesota. Friese was in this room loading the mixer with this skid loader when he leaned out to remove hay blocking his view of the scale. When the skid loader crept forward, he became crushed between the skid loader and the mixer.
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Lake Henry, MN
Understanding the milk carton shortage First Section: Pages 11 - 12
Hemmesch, Hopfer farm, serve as volunteer remen First Section: Pages 7 - 8
Lewison, MN
Driftless Area Ag Alliance hosts eld day Second Section: Pages 3 - 4
St. Cloud, MN
Raising healthy cows naturally Second Section: Page 8
Towner, ND
Hutchinson, MN
Rural psychologist discusses how changes in agriculture affect perspective Second Section: Page 15
Heyls receive ND commissioner’s award Third Section: Pages 2 - 3
FROM OUR SIDE OF THE FENCE: On-farm mechanics: Did you receive schooling in mechanics or are you self-taught? First Section: Pages 15 -16
Sioux Center, IA Top Performers: John Vander Waal First Section: Pages 18, 20
Ames, IA
Target areas for optimal health in goat operations Second Section: Page 9
Harmony, MN
Inside the Emblem Fillmore FFA Third Section: Pages 6 - 7
For additional stories from our other zone, log on to www.dairystar.com
Zone 1
Zone 2
Columnists Ag Insider Page 10 First F Section
Dea County Dear Ag Agent Guy P Page 36 First Firs Section
Something S to Ruminate On Page 37 Fi First Section
Ju Thinking Just Out Loud Page 38 First F Section
Dairy Good D Life Page 39 First Fir Section
The “Mielke” Market Weekly Pages 6 - 7 Second Section
Page 4 • Dairy Star • Saturday, January 27, 2024
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Dairy Star • Saturday, January 27, 2024 • Page 5
ConƟnued from FRIESE | Page 2
Erickson woke early to mix feed before going to work at his custom cattle hauling business or on his own beef and crop farm. In the evenings, he would mix again and visit with Alyssa when she needed someone to talk to after her shift at the hospital. “I just added a couple hours to the day,” Erickson said. “I’d do it all over again if I had to.” Marshall’s brother-inlaw also coordinated help so Marshall’s custom wrapping business could continue in his absence. The Frieses received other community support, including offers to help with chores and house cleaning and food and household supplies. “I truly never felt alone PHOTO SUBMITTED throughout the experience,” Marshall Friese drives combine Oct. 19, 2023, Alyssa said. one month aŌer his liver surgery at the Mayo From the day of the ac- Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Friese was able to cident on, the Frieses were in return to work on the dairy farm in November and out of the hospital for six 2023. admissions. Marshall accumulated about six weeks in rst 15 days post-injury, they drained the hospital. about 10 liters of uid from his body. One of these admissions was July Through the months, the drains 6, 2023. Alyssa was upstairs getting were often up-sized, replaced or put ready for her volleyball league when into a different place to drain pockets of she heard Marshall shout. uid. They drained uid from the liver Downstairs, the drain on Marshall’s area, the pleural cavity — where uid liver was lled with blood. would put pressure on Marshall’s lungs “(It) felt like somebody stabbed making it difcult to breath — and othme in the chest with a knife,” Marshall er areas of his body. said. On Sept. 19, 2023, Marshall had Alyssa grabbed a container to emp- surgery to remove the right lobe of his ty the drain, and they drove to the hos- liver and his gallbladder. Marshall has pital. They had driven a short distance not been admitted to the hospital since when Marshall said he needed an am- his post-surgery hospital stay. bulance. In October, Marshall was able to At the hospital, medical staff deter- drive combine for a friend, and in Nomined Marshall had a pseudoaneurysm. vember, he started working on the dairy To stop the bleeding, he underwent an- farm again. other embolization procedure. Marshall goes to the farm once a Alyssa said they were in and out of day. Marshall moves slower and does the hospital until Marshall could have not shovel or carry buckets but said he surgery on his liver. hopes to be close to normal by spring. “The second we would go back Marshall is mixing feed with the home, infection would start,” Alyssa same mixer and skid loader that caused said. the accident. Now however, he takes Marshall had multiple drains in time for safety precautions. the three months before surgery. These “I’d rather waste three minutes of drains helped remove the blood and my daily chores than six months of my bile as well as the decaying liver on the life,” Marshall said. right lobe from the laceration. In the
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To register for this Learn with Lely event, scan the QR code or visit www.lely.com/tour. Please note that times listed above account only for on-farm tours and not for traveling to and from the region. If you have any questions please contact Jordan Beyler at jbeyler@moe.lelycenter.com or 888-927-4450. The information given in this publication is provided for information purposes only and does not constitute an oƪer for sale. Certain products may not be available in individual countries and products supplied may diƪer from those illustrated. No part of this publication may be copied or published by means of printing, photocopying, microƬlm or any other process whatsoever without prior permission in writing by Lely Holding B.V. Although the contents of this publication have been compiled with the greatest possible care, Lely cannot accept liability for any damage that might arise from errors or omissions in this publication. For more information on the right on exclusive use please refer to our trademark notice on www.lely.com. Copyright © 2024 Lely Holding B.V. All rights reserved. 0918_0124_US
percentage of new veterinary graduates are familiar with small towns, rural areas and livestock in general.” This, in turn, affects how veterinary needs are met on livestock farms. “I have observed that veterinarians who are short on help have had to adjust their practices to serve existing clients only, to limit their geography, to limit the species they work on, etc.,” Daly said. “This means that currently practicing veterinarians are scrambling to serve the basic needs of their clients (and) are not able to expand their practices into things that might profoundly help their clients.” Molgaard said addressing the shortage of veterinarians in the Upper Midwest needs to include not just solutions that help recruit students interested in rural practices. Solutions also need to ensure there are excellent faculty available to meet educational needs. “In the veterinary faculty workforce, the shortage has doubled over the last 10 years, and that is not getting nearly enough attention,” Molgaard said. … “We need to think ahead and consider solutions for the future, not just the solutions for right now.” In Minnesota, meeting the need for qualied faculty is challenging because the licensing regulations and requirements are narrower than in other states. A bill in the state legislature aims to help solve that problem by broadening licensure rules. Last year, Molgaard and other industry leaders testied at the Minnesota Senate in support of the bill. The House plans to hear the bill this spring. Molgaard and her colleagues are hoping the public reaches out to legislators to voice their support of the bill. “Because of this critical workforce shortage of academic veterinary faculty, we need the exibility to hire qualied faculty,” Molgaard said. … “The current statute already allows our boarded specialist faculty to have an institutional license that allows them to practice within the connes of the university.” The bill, if passed, would allow other internationally trained veterinarians who are not boarded specialists to have an institutional license to practice within the connes of the UMN, Molgaard said. Having access to a larger hiring pool of candidates could help to ensure faculty positions are lled. “What we are looking for is the same exibility that other states have,” Molgaard said. “When we are so limited to hire qualied veterinary faculty, that makes it even harder for us to do our job to address the workforce shortages of veterinarians. … (The bill) is not controversial, but it is important. It is just a matter of updating the practice act.” To recruit and support veterinary students, the UMN and SDSU have begun a collaboration to allow 20 students to complete the rst two years of their doctorate program at SDSU and the last two years at the UMN. This raises the number of open seats each year in UMN’s program from 105 to 125 students. “That expansion is absolutely aimed at rural and large animal, and it’s working,” Molgaard said. Daly agreed. “The notable aspect of SDSU’s program is that it was designed from the start to be rural-forward — the curriculum starts with the assumption that students will be practicing in rural areas on livestock,” Daly said. “This is quite different from the vast majority of vet schools, especially the newer ones pop-
ping up, that predominantly cater to the student with companion animal/urban practice interests.” The collaboration ts into the UMN Veterinary Food Animal Scholars Track program, which has existed since 2012 and addresses rural shortages in veterinary medicine. The program aims to support students, from undergraduate studies to the completion of their doctorate. “The important thing about VetFAST is that the students — the applicants — know they have a spot in vet school early on in their undergraduate program, and they are committed foodanimal students,” Molgaard said. … “We know from our data that they go on to practice in food-animal (veterinary medicine).” Graduates of the UMN’s veterinary program become licensed for all animals. But data from both the UMN and the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges shows that about one-third of UMN veterinary graduates go into large-animal veterinary practice, which includes food animals, equines and mixed animals. The key to the program’s success, Molgaard said, is the assistance the students receive to complete their schooling and nance it. “They know there is a commitment to them, they know they have a seat waiting for them, and they can spend their energy while they are in undergraduate getting the experiences in food-animal (veterinary medicine),” Molgaard said. … “We provide the mentoring during veterinary school and all the hands-on experiences so that they are super qualied large-animal, food-animal veterinarians, and then they stay in the eld. We have that data.” Molgaard said the UMN is working to nd creative ways to increase nancial assistance options. One goal is to add more scholarships for students focused on large animals. Another is to broaden the scope for loan repayment programs that relieve some of the debt for graduates who opt to work in areas with higher shortages. “That is especially important for vets who want to go out and practice in rural areas where incomes are insufcient to manage the debt that veterinary students have to manage,” Molgaard said. In the meantime, getting young people to think about careers in rural veterinary medicine will help ensure that expanding programs are lled with quality students. “We can do more to reach out to youth already interested in rural areas and livestock, such as 4-H and FFA members,” Daly said. “Besides the familiarity and afnity toward animals, however, is the fact that veterinary school is a rigorous science-based education. Local public schools can encourage students’ interest in the sciences — biology, chemistry, physics — and demonstrate how those subjects can be used to be successful in a career that involves taking care of animals and rural communities.” The UMN reaches out to youth through various offerings such as its VetCamp, a hands-on session for students in grades six through 12 held on campus and in various communities. “We do outreach to young people to make sure they are thinking about the veterinary profession, including young people who haven’t thought about the profession before,” Molgaard said. “We show what (a career in veterinary medicine) has to offer, all the many great things about our profession.”
Dairy Star • Saturday, January 27, 2024 • Page 7
Pulling double duty Hopfer, Hemmesch farm, serve as volunteer remen By Mark Klaphake
mark.k@dairystar.com
LAKE HENRY, Minn. — Young dairy farmers Nick Hemmesch and Sam Hopfer have a lot in common. Both farm in the southern part of Stearns County. They also farm with family; Hopfer with his uncle, Tom, and Hemmesch with his parents, Randy and Debbie. Perhaps the most unique similarity between the two comes from time spent away from the farm. They are volunteer reghters on the Lake Henry Fire Department and have lockers stationed next to each other. Hopfer joined the department in 2019. “I graduated high school and had some free time, and I always considered it growing up,” Hopfer said. “The main thing that started it was when our barn burnt up in 2015. I thought it would be good to give back to the community.” Hemmesch has served on the department for one decade. “I wanted to join because
all my buddies were there,” Hemmesch said. “It’s kind of like having another family. If you can’t rely on the guy right behind you, you probably shouldn’t be there.” Hopfer had been intrigued with the notion of being a reghter since his youth. “When I was a kid, I always had my own reman outt,” the 24-year-old said. “When I played with my sisters, I would always be the reman.” Hopfer saw rsthand the unity and importance of the department during the re that took their 52-cow tiestall barn. Four departments arrived on scene in a time of need and battled the blaze for several hours. “Watching about 50 guys all work together on one task, I thought was pretty cool,” Hopfer said. 31-year-old Hemmesch milks 88 cows with his parents. Their farm’s location anks the re hall on its north and east. “I am very fortunate we have two or three people milking cows, so I can just tell them I have a re call and have to go, and they can ei-
MARK KLAPHAKE/DAIRY STAR
Nick Hemmesch (leŌ) and Sam Hopfer stand in the Lake Henry re staƟon Jan. 15 in Lake Henry, Minnesota. Both men are dairy farmers who also volunteer with the department.
ther nish or I will help out when I’m done,” Hemmesch said. Before joining the re department, both men had to put in many hours of training, including emergency medical responder, CPR and reghting. “When I rst started going through the training, I didn’t know if I’d be able to do this, but once I did get all
my training done, from there it was pretty simple,” Hopfer said. The department offers yearly courses to stay up to date on training, Hopfer said. “The reghting was a lot of physical things,” Hopfer said. “It helps to be in shape for that. Farming does help out, like climbing silos and stuff.” After the training phase,
the department’s continual learning involves a monthly meeting and drill. Although both would like to make every call and meeting, the daily unpredictability of farming prevents that, especially for Hemmesch, who also does hauling with a semi.
Turn to FIREMEN | Page 8
Page 8 • Dairy Star • Saturday, January 27, 2024
ConƟnued from FIREMEN | Page 7 “Sometimes I can be down by Mankato or up by Fergus Falls when I get a call and have to say I’m not going to make it, but if it’s still going on when I get home, I show up late,” Hemmesch said. “A great part of being with this department is that they know my background and where I’m coming from.” Since joining the department, which celebrated 100 years of existence in 2023, the pair of dairy farmers have responded to a variety of calls, from garage, grass and building res to car accidents and other emergency calls. “It’s a good feeling to know that I’m helping,” Hopfer said. “The worst thing about being on the department where you live and know everyone is that when we go to a call, normally, we know the person.” fer said. “You always have Hemmesch agreed. “The biggest thing is to prepare for the worst right probably car accidents,” he away. You get to the hall, put said. “You show up on peo- your stuff on, hop in the truck ple’s worst days, and you get and go.” Hemmesch said that as to try and make it better. They don’t know where they are or soon as he hears the descripwhat happened most of the tion of the call, his mind intime. We get to try and form stantly goes into motion. “You are planning what some clarity for them.” Though they are both you are going to be doing beyoung reghters on the fore you are even told,” Hem24-member team, they are mesch said. The Hopfer and Hemready to contribute to the immediate task when the pager mesch family names are not new to the department. Hopgoes off. “It’s denitely an adren- fer’s grandfather, Art, and alin rush most of the time, Hemmesch’s father are forespecially if it is a re,” Hop- mer members.
MARK KLAPHAKE/DAIRY STAR
Nick Hemmesch aƩaches a milking unit Jan. 23 on the farm he operates with his parents near Lake Henry, Minnesota. Hemmesch has been a volunteer reghter with the Lake Henry Fire Department for 10 years.
“If I wouldn’t be able to help people, then it would be useless,” Hopfer said. And, that is just one more similarity between these two dairy farmers and remen. “I really like to help the community I am involved in,” Hemmesch said. “A neighbor is never too far away.” MARK KLAPHAKE/DAIRY STAR
Sam Hopfer applies post dip during milking Jan. 23 on the farm he operates with his uncle near Lake Henry, Minnesota. Hopfer joined the Lake Henry Fire Department in 2019.
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Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has Deer farmers le lawsuit against state of Minneannounced a civil lawsuit against a Stearns County sota dairy farm. Evergreen Acres allegedly failed to pay The Minnesota Deer Farmers Association is suat least $3 million in wages and charged ing the state over its moratorium on new Ag Insider rent for substandard housing. In the lawdeer farms. The ban was put in place by suit, the attorney general’s ofce claims the legislature this past year to limit the the farm exploited the vulnerability of its spread of chronic wasting disease. The employees, which includes unauthorized lawsuit contends the state cannot directly workers from Mexico. link CWD in wild white-tailed deer with farm-raised deer or vice-versa. MDFA Ag groups le court brief to support President Scott Fier said the moratorium dairy project is interfering with preventing their conMinnesota Farm Bureau, Minnesota stitutional right to run their businesses. Milk Producers Association, Minnesota “The law is basically a death by a thouPork Producers Association and the Minsand cuts,” Fier said. “They keep implenesota State Cattlemen’s Association menting new rules and regulations every have led a friend of the court brief to year until we can hardly do commerce.” By Don Wick support a Winona County dairy farm. The With the new regulations, deer farms can Columnist district court upheld a county board decionly be sold one time and that sale must sion to deny a permit variance for Daley be to a family member. In a proactive Farm of Lewiston. This farm wants to expand the size step, Minnesota deer farm operators are breeding aniof its dairy herd. Farm Bureau and the three commod- mals that are resistant to CWD. ity groups contend all farms deserve a fair, unbiased process. Farm debt on the rise Ag lending activity has been restrained by smallLawmakers urge USDA to open DMC signup er loan sizes, according to the latest Federal Reserve A group of nine House Republicans, led by Min- Bank of Kansas City nance update. A survey of comnesota Congressman Brad Finstad, is asking the U.S. mercial bankers indicates agricultural lending activity Department of Agriculture to quickly open enrollment slowed at a fast rate over the past year. The number of for the 2024 Dairy Margin Coverage program. In a new loans was higher than a year ago, but the average letter to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack loan size when adjusted for ination was the lowest and Farm Service Agency Administrator Zach Duch- since 2017. The report said farm debt grew during the eneaux, the lawmakers said dairy farmers are facing third quarter. a difcult market environment and need the ability to select their DMC coverage level for this year. Dairy farm feedback sought on technology The University of Minnesota College of VeteriTime to get serious on the farm bill nary Medicine is seeking input from the dairy indusSenate Agriculture Committee Chair Debbie Sta- try regarding the use of precision technology. “We’re benow has outlined her plan to strengthen the safety trying to understand what dairy farmers are thinking net in the new farm bill. In the letter to her commit- about from a technology standpoint,” said Jim Saltee, Stabenow said farm programs must be targeted fer, Extension educator. “Between the medical comto active farmers and adjusted to provide more ex- munity and agriculture, they’re the two areas where ibility. Priorities also include providing assistance on technology is moving the fastest.” The survey results a timely basis and addressing the needs of emerging will help the University of Minnesota Extension serve farmers. To get the legislation wrapped up this spring, the needs of dairy farmers. the Michigan senator said it is time “to get serious.” AgCountry announces special $125M patronage Election-year dynamics dividend Combest, Sell & Associates managing partner AgCountry Farm Credit Services will distribTom Sell believes election-year politics could be ute a record $125 million patronage dividend to its good for the farm bill process. “People want to get member-owners. The AgCountry board has issued a something done,” Sell said. “That plays well for their 1% patronage dividend for the past ve years. Due to constituencies, particularly throughout rural Ameri- the success of this past year, the board has declared a ca.” The presidential campaign also ts into that dis- special secondary 50 basis point patronage dividend. cussion. “There’s been a lot of positive tension around The rst installment will be paid in March with the ag policy coming out of this Iowa caucus and that’ll second tentatively set for mid-year. benet us in the farm bill,” Sell said. Daudt to step down WIC funding sought Former Minnesota House Speaker Kurt Daudt The National Milk Producers Federation, In- will resign from the Legislature Feb. 11. That’s one ternational Dairy Foods Association and 10 other day before the 2024 legislative session begins. Daudt companies and trade groups have sent a letter to con- led the Republican majority from 2015-19. gressional leaders to show support for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, EPA ofcial to leave the agency and Children. The letter indicates there has been an The assistant administrator of the U.S. Environunexpected increase in WIC participation and addi- mental Protection Agency’s Ofce of Water, Radhika tional funding is necessary. The groups also highlight Fox, is leaving the agency at the end of February. Fox the nutritional benets of staples, like dairy products. has had a key role in the oversight of water issues, including the controversial Waters of the United States Court rules on undercover surveillance by activ- rule. ists A federal appeals court has reversed a lower court Trivia challenge ruling dealing with undercover video surveillance Domino’s is the No. 1 pizza chain in the United of livestock and poultry farms. Iowa passed this law States. That answers our last trivia question. For this three years ago, increasing the penalties for animal week’s trivia, what is the best-selling frozen pizza rights activists who use hidden camera video to docu- brand in the U.S.? We will have the answer in our ment the treatment of animals. A three-judge panel in next edition of Dairy Star. the St. Louis district ruled this law protects privacy Don Wick is owner/broadcaster for the Red River rights and prevents the theft of trade secrets. In a Farm Network of Grand Forks, North Dakota. Wick separate decision, the appeals court determined it is has been recognized as the National Farm Broadillegal to knowingly make false statements on job ap- caster of the Year and served as president of the Naplications to gain access to the business. That would tional Association of Farm Broadcasting. Don and include animal rights activists lying on their job ap- his wife, Kolleen, have two sons, Tony and Sam, and plication with a plan to hurt the farm. ve grandchildren, Aiden, Piper, Adrienne, Aurora and Sterling.
Dairy Star • Saturday, January 27, 2024 • Page 11
A CLOSER LOOK
Understanding the milk carton shortage
Incorrectly roasted soybeans?
Schools experience packaging disruptions on sporadic basis
Guess where your feed dollars are going?
By Stacey Smart
stacey.s@dairystar.com
Editor’s note: Dairy Star aims to provide our readers with a closer look into relevant topics to today’s dairy industry. Through this series, we intend to examine and educate on a variety of topics. If you have an idea for a topic to explore in a future issue, send Stacey an email. The half-pint milk carton is an important part of the meal tray at every school across America. More than 30 million children participate in school meals daily, including breakfast and lunch. School programs encompass about 8% of all uid milk sales in the country, which equates to 427 million gallons of milk, or 6.5 billion cartons. When a disruption in carton packaging occurred last fall, certain schools were unable to offer milk in its traditional form. California, the Pacic Northwest and central New York — and particularly urban areas in those regions — were hit the hardest. “Before Thanksgiving, national media was reporting this as a national shortage of cartons, but that is not what we saw then or today,” said Matt Herrick, senior vice president of public affairs and communications, International Dairy Foods Association. “The problem was sporadic and localized.” IDFA works closely with a group of 40 school milk processors throughout the country, but not every processor experienced this issue. A couple processors provide the majority of the volume, Herrick said, while smaller ones provide milk to their locality or region. “Larger processors can make adjustments quickly,” Herrick said. “It also depends on where they get their packaging from. Not all suppliers had an issue.” Pactiv Evergreen Inc. is the primary source for half-pint milk cartons, supplying more than twothirds of the market. According to a Nov. 10, 2023, article in Packaging Gateway, the May 2023 closure of Pactiv Evergreen’s paper mill in Canton, North Carolina, impacted output, and the company had trouble keeping up with demand. Last fall, Pactiv Evergreen began offering generic cartons to help ease the supply chain challenge. Rather than branding each carton with the individual processor brand, Pactiv Evergreen is offering three varieties of milk: nonfat white milk, nonfat avored and 1% avored. “That has helped build up ad-
ditional carton stock,” Herrick said. “Processors went from being very concerned to now having a few weeks of surplus. Initially, they didn’t have a surplus, and it was a day-by-day issue.” Processors with extra stock released inventory to other processors to help them weather short-term rough patches, and offering fewer varieties of milk helped processors build up stock over the holidays. “There are abundant supplies of milk in the country,” Herrick said. “This is not a dairy farmer or milk supply issue. It is not a milk processor issue or a school issue or a (U.S. Department of Agriculture) issue. This is strictly a packaging issue, a carton stock issue, and we’re encouraging schools to do everything they can to keep milk on the tray.” On Oct. 25, 2023, the USDA issued a memo stating that schools experiencing milk supply shortages could serve meals with an alternate form of uid milk or without uid milk. Herrick said the memo extended exibilities not previously available and removed constraints on schools and processors alike, allowing them to serve any type of milk in any size container. This was helpful in meeting milk demand. “Milk program requirements are very constraining, and this memo took those constraints away,” Herrick said. “Under the memo, you can serve milk in any form and in any variety. It could be whole, 2%, avored or unavored.” Some schools offered the beverage through a milk dispenser, while other schools offered milk in different-sized containers or cut back on the varieties of milk offered. Processors worked with schools to provide milk in different packaging such as 12-ounce plastic bottles as well as 1-gallon and half-gallon jugs which were poured into a cup. Provided by Diversied Foods and Gossner Foods, some schools switched to shelf-stable milk for a period of time. The milk arrived in aseptic packaging and was refrigerated that day. At other schools, milk was offered on fewer occasions and not available at every meal. Juice and water were offered instead, such as in upstate New York. “There is plenty of dairy production and school milk processors in this area, but the packaging shortage issue came suddenly for some of them, and they didn’t have as much time to prepare,” Herrick said. “When we heard about these situations, we tried to address it imTurn to CARTON SHORTAGE | Page 12
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Page 12 • Dairy Star • Saturday, January 27, 2024
Con�nued from CARTON SHORTAGE | Page 11
STOCK PHOTO
School programs encompass about 8% of all uid milk sales in the country, which equates to 427 million gallons of milk, or 6.5 billion cartons. When a disrup�on in carton packaging occurred last fall, certain schools in California, the Pacic Northwest and central New York were unable to offer the tradi�onal half-pint milk carton.
sue easing by late winter or early spring. “Hopefully, what we’ll see coming out of this is greater resilience in our supply chain,” Herrick said. “That’s an important lesson. We need resilience, and we need options. There are suppliers doing a
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needs before we have run out of inventory,” McGuire said. “That said, we keep substantial back-stock on hand to mitigate any supply issues. The paper half-pints are a very small percentage of our business, so we fortunately do not have a lot of exposure to this supply issue.” Herrick said lead times continue to be a challenge for the industry, but all signs point to the supply is-
★
supply chain issues.” Lamers Dairy supplies milk to 20 schools in the Appleton and Green Bay school districts of Wisconsin. McGuire said their carton supplier caught up with the backlog in production just after Thanksgiving. “Our supplier is still lagging a bit with their fulllment times, but they have been able to meet our
★
mediately. We tried to get milk on the tray every day to avoid going to juice, which is high in sugar, or water, which offers no nutrients.” The memo is in effect and will likely remain that way until the end of the school year, Herrick said. “School meal professionals don’t want kids just drinking water,” Herrick said. “They want kids drinking milk, and the schools want kids drinking milk. For many kids, these are the healthiest meals they’re going to get all day. Milk is seen as very important, and they did everything they could to ensure milk was on the tray.” Eric McGuire, business manager at Lamers Dairy near Appleton, Wisconsin, said consolidation in the industry is the primary reason for the carton shortage. “Fewer processors bottling milk means fewer suppliers, and when one of those suppliers has an issue, it affects the industry as a whole,” McGuire said. “Twenty years ago, there were 29 regulated bottling plants in Federal Order 30 (Upper Midwest). Today, there are nine.” Wisconsin is home to only three regulated plants. In addition, a handful of farmstead operations exist in the state. “The vast majority of the bottled milk in this order is processed by two co-ops,” McGuire said. “When there are only two major players left, there isn’t as great of a need for material suppliers, and we see limited exibility or response to
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ConƟnued from CARTON SHORTAGE | Page 12
good job at meeting demand for a number of years, but some customers are beginning to explore other options.” Other carton packaging suppliers include Elopak and Tetra Pak, which stepped up production capacity during the shortage. Herrick said Elopak has plans to expand carton production, which may help address shortages in the future. Potential new packaging suppliers are coming onto the scene as well. They are talking to processors and conducting pilot programs. “School milk is a very demandintense environment,” Herrick said. “We’re grateful for those packaging companies stepping up and excited for any new partnerships that might occur. We’ve urged our processors to have backup plans in place. We don’t know that this won’t happen again going forward. That’s why we’re trying to pair up processors with packaging providers so they continue to have options.” Herrick said margins in the dairy industry are tight across the supply chain, and school milk might be the tightest margin around. “It is a very difcult environment to operate in,” he said. “Any change in price by a 10th of a penny or even less, or change in ingredients, packaging or procurement has an immediate effect on the processor’s ability to meet demand and supply.” It is an issue that the IDFA con-
tinues to discuss with the USDA. Herrick said the department could offer a greater share in the reimbursable meal value to milk. Offering greater value to processors on that milk could ease the burden on the margin, which Herrick said is so tight that it might drive a small processor out of the school marketplace. “This is especially difcult in rural areas where there may be a processor just doing a few counties,” Herrick said. “In addition to fresh milk, which is the priority, we’re trying to make sure economies of scale work for everyone when it comes to shelf milk and aseptic milk, especially schools strapped in terms of budgets.” Herrick said the situation has eased considerably in the last few weeks, and as of Jan. 11, he was not aware of any schools going without milk. “I’m not aware of any shortages today, but that’s not to say it couldn’t happen next week or the week after,” Herrick said. “We’re not out of the woods yet by any means.” However, Herrick and the IDFA remain optimistic and heartened to see milk processors working in such a dedicated way with schools and other processors to ensure milk remains on every meal tray in the country. “That is everyone’s shared goal,” Herrick said. “Everyone understands how important that is.”
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Dairy Star • Saturday, January 27, 2024 • Page 15
from our side OF THE FENCE On-farm mechanics: Did you receive schooling in mechanics or are you self-taught? Darren Keranen Wolf Lake, Minnesota Becker County 135 cows
Ken Schrimpf Goodhue, Minnesota Goodhue County 550 cows Did you receive schooling in mechanics or are you self-taught? I learned from my high school ag mechanics and welding classes as well as my dad. What does your workspace look like? We have a 40- by 64-foot insulated shop, which is also where we park skid loaders, the payloader and a spreader in the winter — so, it's kind of a mess right now. Tell us about the monthly jobs you do. I take care of maintenance on tractors, skid loaders, gates or whatever needs to be done. What’s the most gratifying job you have done and how did you complete it? We rebuilt the cutterhead on our John Deere 7700 self-propelled chopper a few winters ago. We tore it apart, checked on new bearings, sprockets, seals and whatever needed replacing and put it back together. What are your most-used tools? Cordless tools — impact wrench, grinder and drill. What is the most unique x you have ever done? I converted a John Deere 716A chopper box into an all-metal atbed wagon for hauling bales and other stuff. I also converted our parlor garage door to open quickly for cows to exit. Tell us about the farm you work for. Schrimpf Family Farm LLC includes myself, my wife, Kristin, and son, Ross, along with 12 full- and part-time employees. Another son, Brett, helps part time also. Our cows are milked in a double-12 parallel parlor, originally built in 1969 and remodeled several times. We ship our milk to Dairy Farmers of America. We raise our replacements. Bull calves — which includes a lot of Angus crossbreds — are sold every week. We farm about 800 acres. We're lucky to have our 11 grandchildren — ages 5 to 6 months — nearby, anxious for skid loader and tractor rides, seeing newborn calves and looking for kittens.
Did you receive schooling in mechanics or are you selftaught? I am self-taught. My father, Arnold, and my brother, Andrew, taught me a lot. Andrew is in the farming industry too. The biggest challenge for me with being self-taught was condence. What does your workspace look like? We have a 30- by 40-foot shop; it is an organized mess. There are a lot of Milwaukee Tool tools in there, but nothing special otherwise. Tell us about the monthly jobs you do. The simple greasing and changing oil and the standard maintenance. The mixer tractor is the most common in the shop. It just gets a lot of hours, and it is an older tractor. What’s the most gratifying job you have done and how did you complete it? I would have to say pulling the motor on a skid loader and getting it back together. It worked like it is supposed to. We had to improvise a bit with tools, but we didn’t use any special tools. What are your most-used tools? My most used tools are my Milwaukee Tool cordless tools, like impacts, grease gun and angle head grinder. Just in general, anything Milwaukee Tool and cordless. What is the most unique x you have ever done? I changed out the torque amplier on my mixing tractor. It’s a big job and not very often does someone do it in their own shop. The biggest road block was wrapping my head around it and saying I’m going to do it. From there, it was all downhill. Just one bolt at a time, one step at a time, and that’s all it takes. Tell us about the farm you work for. I have one fulltime employee and some students who come and help at times. My milk is shipped to Bongards in Perham, Minnesota. We milk in a swing-15 parlor that I built myself. One of my boys, Matix, is getting old enough and is starting to pitch in quite a bit. My dad helps when he can, and Andrew and I do a lot of the crops together and share equipment. Landon and Dane, Andrew’s boys, help quite a bit as well.
Chris Feltmann Norwood Young America, Minnesota Carver County 185 cows Did you receive schooling in mechanics or are you selftaught? I am self-taught. I have had lots of trial and error and learning from mistakes or things that didn’t work. What does your workspace look like? We have a 40- by 60-foot heated shop. Tell us about the monthly jobs you do. Besides the daily chores, I also service, maintain and, of course, x as much of the farm’s equipment as I can. We have three skid loaders that seem to need the most frequent attention with oil changes and greasing. What’s the most gratifying job you have done and how did you complete it? I’m in the process to resurrect my wife’s grandpa’s Allis-Chalmers D15 that’s been sitting for a number of years. Then, I hope to get it painted after I get it running again. What are your most-used tools? A small hammer, medium hammer and big hammer. Besides that, I don’t really have anything specic. I use the torch and welder when needed and my cordless tools just as much as the old-fashioned wrenches. What is the most unique x you have ever done? I built a twin-row planter with the help from a couple friends about 10 years ago from a white splitrow planter. It worked perfect. Tell us about the farm you work for. At Feltmann Dairy Farms LLC, it is my two brothers, Corey and Chad, and my dad, Dennis, and I. We ship our milk to Land O’Lakes Inc. We milk 185 cows and house the herd in a freestall barn and some loose housing. We milk in a double 8-parlor.
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Page 16 • Dairy Star • Saturday, January 27, 2024
ConƟnued from OUR SIDE | Page 15 Alan Thiewes, pictured with son, Jaymes Goodwin, South Dakota Codington County 2,200 cows
feed. Our tractor and mixer wagon, feed truck and feed mill all need regular maintenance. I also maintain all of the eld equipment during the growing season and thaw out water fountains when it gets cold. What’s the most gratifying job you have done and how did you complete it? I pulled the cab off a payloader and installed a new transmission in the loader. A buddy of mine came over with his crane truck and helped. That was a very challenging and gratifying job.
Did you receive schooling in mechanics or are you self-taught? I am self-taught. My grandparents farmed, and I spent a lot of time tinkering with things at their place when I was growing up. I started working for MoDak Dairy Inc. when I was 15.
What are your most-used tools? Our Milwaukee Tool battery-powered impact wrenches. It seems like we are always getting at tires around here, and the impact wrenches are great for removing lug nuts. We keep spare tires for pretty much every piece of equipment.
What does your workspace look like? Our main shop is a 60- by 50-foot heated structure that was built in the 1980s. The feed shed and the dairy barn both have heated areas where I can work on things. I keep our service truck in the dairy barn’s heated area. Tell us about the monthly jobs you do. I do lots of oil changes. We have three payloaders that work every day along with several skid loaders, a eet of pickups and six utility vehicles. We also have three garden tractors that are used to haul bottle carts to our calf facilities. We have a semi-truck that is constantly hauling
Dan Miller Avoca, Wisconsin Iowa County 250 cows
What is the most unique x you have ever done? I have been using rebar to make replacement door handles for pickups. The plastic handles keep on breaking, so I will take the door apart, weld a piece of rebar bent into the shape of a handle to the clips inside the door and put it all back together. Tell us about the farm you work for. MoDak Dairy is a multigenerational family operation that is managed by brothers Jim and Greg Moes along with Greg’s wife, Julie, and Greg and Julie’s son, Jacob. We farm about 3,500 acres. The dairy herd is housed in a cross-ventilated barn that is bedded with sand. The cows are milked in a double-30 parallel parlor, and their milk is sold to Valley Queen Cheese. There are 40 families who work here. One of our employees has been with MoDak Dairy for over 35 years.
summer and again in the fall. Once we’re moved in the shop, we hope to have more of a schedule for maintaining equipment. What’s the most gratifying job you have done and how did you complete it? We bought a combine last fall, and we went through it this spring. We used my brother-in law’s shop since ours wasn’t built yet. We broke it down to see what it needed for maintenance. That’s the biggest project of recent, just digging into a combine. We’ve always hired the combining done, and we nally broke down and got our own this year. We picked up more acreage, and we could afford to do something last year while milk prices were decent.
Did you receive schooling in mechanics or are you self-taught? I am selftaught. I grew up on a farm. On a farm, you're always xing something. I’m fairly mechanically inclined with common sense, and in the old days, you could gure things out by calling the dealership for help. Nowadays, things are more complicated with technology. My son, being a younger generation, understands some things better.
What are your most-used tools? Wrenches, impacts and sockets. We don’t really have any fancy, exotic tools. We hope to collect more as time goes on now that we have space to use them.
What does your workspace look like? We built a shop this summer, which improved a lot of things. It is a 60- by 72-foot shop, and we’re still working on getting moved into it. Some things are under construction, but at least the outside of the building is done so we can close the doors and put a portable heater in there until we get the permanent heater installed. It used to be where we just worked in the driveway, so it is a lot better than it was. Tell us about the monthly jobs you do. Normal jobs like greasing, oil changes and stuff like that gets done on the skid loaders and tractors that we use for the total mixed ration monthly or every other month. The other equipment that is used for eldwork is more seasonal and gets done in the spring, partway through the
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What is the most unique x you have ever done? We had an old manure tanker we bought shortly after building the parlor. We needed to change out the pump, but the pump was attached to the old tanker. We cut off the front end and customized a whole new housing on the front for a new pump on the manure tanker. I’ve rigged a lot of things, but this was the most unique x that worked long term. It took creativity to line it up. We had help from a local shop, the same guy who does our custom chopping. Tell us about the farm you work for. We ship to Scenic Central Milk Producers. I take care of herd work, and my wife, Jody, takes care of the milking with the employees. We milk three times a day. My son and brother are here full time, helping with outside chores, youngstock, feeding and eldwork. My son is also involved with mechanics.
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Page 18 • Dairy Star • Saturday, January 27, 2024
TOP PERFORMERS John Vander Waal, of J & S Dairy | Sioux Center, Iowa | Sioux County | 250 cows
How many times a day do you milk, and what is your current herd average, butterfat and protein? Our cows are currently being milked an average of 2.8 times a day in our robotic milking system. The herd is producing 95 pounds of milk per head per day with 4.2% butterfat and 3.25% protein. Describe your housing and milking facility. We have a cross-ventilated barn. We milk with four Lely A4 robots and bed our free stalls with recycled manure solids. Our barn has room for all of our dry cows and calves. During the recent cold snap, we were able to maintain the temperature inside the barn at 36 degrees. Who is part of your farm team, and what are their roles? My wife, Sharon, is in charge of recordkeeping. Our eldest daughter, Pearl, is a registered nurse in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Our daughter, Krysta, feeds and cares for our calves. Our son, Craig, beds the cows and brings up fetch cows. Our youngest daughter, Dawn, is only 7 years old and is too
young to help much. What is your herd health program? We do pregnancy checks the rst week of every month. We dry off late-lactation cows once per week. We vaccinate at dry off and again when the cows are moved into the maternity pen. All of our heifers are given a magnet during their pre-breeding vaccinations. What does your dry cow and transition program consist of? We dry off our cows at 210-220 days in milk, and they calve at 280 days. About 20 days prior to calving, we move them into a maternity pen that has a bedding pack. After calving, the cows are moved into a fresh pen where they remain for three days. Our dry cow ration consists of grass hay, minerals and corn silage. We add a high-energy pellet along with extra vitamins and minerals to the ration that we feed to the close-up cattle. What is the composition of your ration, and how has that changed in recent years? Our ration contains alfalfa hay, haylage, corn si-
JERRY NELSON/DAIRY STAR
John Vander Waal uses the informaƟon gathered by his milking robots to monitor his dairy herd’s health and milk producƟon Jan. 16 on his farm near Sioux Center, Iowa. Vander Waal has used selecƟve geneƟcs to increase milking speed and milk components.
lage, water and a custom grain mix that we get from our local elevator. The only thing we have changed is buying
haylage from our neighbors instead of feeding all dry hay. We have found haylage to be very palatable. Adding hay-
lage to the ration has reduced milk production uctuations. Turn to TOP PERFORMERS | Page 20
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Page 20 • Dairy Star • Saturday, January 27, 2024
ConƟnued from TOP PERFORMERS | Page 18
Tell us about the forages you plant and detail your harvest strategies. We only have 110 acres, and we plant them all to silage corn. Our goal is to harvest our silage at 66% moisture.
What is your average somatic cell count and how does that affect your production? Our somatic cell count averages between 210,000 and 220,000. It has been somewhat lower, but we didn’t see much of a change in milk production. What change has created the biggest improvement in your herd average? The consistency of our forages has brought the biggest improvement. Adding haylage to our lactating ration has helped us get the cows dialed in. It’s a constant battle if your forages aren’t consistent. What technology do you use to monitor your herd? We use the information gathered by the robots and from the activity collars that all of our cows wear. What is your breeding program, and what role does genetics play in your production level? We have a voluntary waiting period of 60 days. Every month, we breed 15-20 cows to sexed semen, and the rest of the cows are bred to beef bulls. Virgin heifers are bred twice with sexed semen then switched to beef sires. Sharon monitors our herd closely. We will take a heifer off the sexed semen list if Sharon doesn’t think that the heifer’s mother was very good. Using sexed semen has enabled us to be more selective and produce replacement
JERRY NELSON/DAIRY STAR
JERRY NELSON/DAIRY STAR
The herd rests in free stalls bedded with recovered manure solids Jan. 16 at J & S Dairy near Sioux Center, Iowa. The temperature in the cross-venƟlated barn remains above freezing even during the deepest cold snaps.
animals from just the top 10%-15% of our herd. Because we milk with robots, we are interested in milking speed. Selective genetics has enabled us to increase milking speed by a full pound per minute. List three management strategies that have helped you attain your production and component level. The top of the list would be milking our cows with robots. The information that the robots gather has enabled us to make better decisions. Next is adding haylage to our ration, which has helped make our herd’s milk production and milk components more consistent. Third is genetics. We have started to pick out the sires ourselves
with an eye toward increasing fat and protein production. Tell us about your farm and your plans for the dairy in the next year. We built this dairy farm from a blank slate seven years ago. A lot of thought went into the planning, and things have worked out pretty well so far. There are very few items that we would change. Our plans include continuing to improve our herd’s milk production and its levels of milk components.
Krysta Vander Waal takes a break from calf care Jan. 16 on her parents’ farm near Sioux Center, Iowa. Vander Waal is in charge of calf care at J & S Dairy where they breed the top 1015% of their cows with sexed semen; the balance of the herd is serviced with beef sires.
Dairy Star • Saturday, January 27, 2024 • Page 21
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Page 22 • Dairy Star • Saturday, January 27, 2024
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Dairy Star • Saturday, January 27, 2024 • Page 23
Tractor creates family connection JI Case 2390 with handwritten maintenance records links Sheehan to grandpa
PHOTOS SUBMITTED
Jason Sheehan smiles by the delivery of a Case 2390 Sept. 19, 2022, at his dairy farm near Sunnyside, Washington. Sheehan found this tractor — the last Case purchased by his grandpa and uncles, Jimmy and Jerome, at the farm on which Jason grew up in Minnesota — and bought it.
By Amy Kyllo
amy.k@star-pub.com
SUNNYSIDE, Wash. — Looking around online has reunited Jason Sheehan with an old J.I. Case 2390 tractor that had been in his family. Jason, a Washington dairy farmer, grew up on a dairy farm south of Rochester near Simpson, Minnesota, with his grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins. Today, Jason is the owner of this tractor, which was the last Case tractor his grandpa and uncles, Jimmy and Jerome, bought. He is also the owner of its manual, which includes handwritten notes of servicing dating to May 22, 1984. “It’s fun for me to have it now,” Jason said. “I don’t think it’s ever going anywhere again.” When Jason saw the Case 2390 for sale in April 2020, he said he knew it was his
A Case 830 casts shadows Nov. 22, 2020, at a farm in southeast Minnesota. Jason Sheehan’s son, Andrew, found this tractor and bought it in December 2023, about 27 years aŌer it was traded out of the Sheehan family.
family’s tractor because of the black rock box and black toolbox on the tractor. He reached out to the salesman at the implement dealer in Wisconsin, where it was located, to inquire. Jason said the salesman was unconvinced the tractor was from the Sheehan family,
but at Jason’s insistence, the salesman tracked down the owner’s manual. Inside the back cover were the tell-tale service records. However, the tractor had already been sold to a man near St. Cloud, Minnesota. Turn to SHEEHAN | Page 25
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ConƟnued from SHEEHAN | Page 23 When Jason called him a month later, he said he would keep Jason in mind if he ever wanted to sell. In 2022, Jason told his wife, Karen, about the tractor. “She looked at me and says, ‘Why haven’t you bought the tractor?’” Jason said. “I said, ‘Did you just give me permission to buy a tractor?’ And she goes, ‘Well, that’s something that you’re never going to nd again, and if you want to buy it, go ahead and buy it.’” When Jason called the man again, he was ready to sell. The tractor was delivered to Jason’s farm Sept. 19, 2022, about 10 years after the tractor had been originally traded off the Minnesota farm. Jason said the handwriting in the manual is the “coolest part” of owning the tractor. “It’s a connection to family,” Jason said. “I’m probably one of the few people that has his handwriting.” Jason said he spent a lot of time with Grandpa James Sheehan, who passed in the 1990s. James was an Army mechanic during World War II. The veteran performed much of the farm’s equipment maintenance after his service. “Grandpa was very detailed all the time,” Jason said. “When he would service a tractor, change the engine oil, or change the transmission oil or whatever else, he would always take the operator’s manual, and he would write in one of either the front or back cover whatever service he did and the date and how many hours (was) on it.” Jason moved to Washington in 2002. He and his wife have taken over her family’s farm near Sunnyside. They milk 3,800 cows in two parlors about 1 mile apart. Their cows are housed in free stalls and an open lot. Jason and Karen and a team of 43 employees care for the herd. Jason and his family also farm 2,000 acres, including 90 acres of wine grapes and 60 acres of cherries. “A lot of the things I learned from Grandpa I do the same thing here,” Jason said. “You continue with all the things ... that you learn at a young age.” Jason uses the tractor to seed hay. He installed autosteer to make the tractor easier to use. “As I’m driving it, I always think that my grandpa, who never saw autosteer or GPS or any of that stuff,” Jason said. ... “He would probably get such a kick out of it, that these tractors are steering themselves.” The Case 2390 had just a 1,000 horsepower power take-off, so originally, it was used by the Sheehans for tillage and to apply anhydrous and liquid manure. Jason’s grandpa always bought Case tractors. Jerome said the rst Case tractor in the Sheehan family was purchased in 1936. “He just liked the Case, and they always seem to be cheaper than the rest of them,” Jerome said. In December 2023, another family tractor found its way back to the Sheehan family. This tractor was purchased by Jason’s 15-year-old son Andrew. “He’s probably way too much like me,” Jason said. The newest return is a Case 830 that was originally purchased in 1969 before being traded in 1996. During a visit to Minnesota at Thanksgiving, Jason, Andrew and other family members visited Hammell Equipment Inc. in Chateld, Minnesota. The Sheehan family has been doing business with the dealer for many years. While there, Andrew asked Dan Nosbisch — who has worked with their family — about the Case 830. From records in their ling cabinet, Nosbisch was able to identify whom it had been sold to 27 years earlier. By chance, the Sheehans were close to this man’s farm, and Andrew asked if they could drive past. They inched by the farm slowly to see if they could spot anything. They saw nothing, so Andrew suggested they pay the man a visit.
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Dairy Star • Saturday, January 27, 2024 • Page 25
The man still owned the tractor. In fact, he had tried to start it the day before. During the time the Sheehans had owned the tractor — over two and a half decades prior — the cab had rattled, so Grandpa Sheehan put hoses from the milkers between the cab and tractor to keep it from vibrating. “(The owner) still had that slid in there,” Jason said. “It looked identical to how I remember it.” The man was not willing to sell initially, but when Andrew called him back in midDecember, he agreed. “It’s hard enough to nd a family tractor,” Jason said. “I’m surprised how we found two.” PHOTO SUBMITTED
HandwriƩen maintenance records line the inside cover of the owner’s manual of Jason Sheehan’s Case 2390 tractor. Sheehan said the coolest part of owning the tractor is having the manual with handwriƩen notes from his grandpa.
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Page 26 • Dairy Star • Saturday, January 27, 2024
Her favorite place to be
Nielsen fullls dream to farm while managing two herds
Nielsen and Mary Ann live on farm A, the home farm, where she milks 65 cows with six units. She typLAKE MILLS, Wis. ically gets help from her dad — Every morning, Mada- or a part-time high school lyn Nielsen walks down the student. Five miles away at stairs of her second-story farm B, a hired hand milks apartment in her grandma’s 80 cows. red brick house to start the At farm A, cows are workday with her dog, Reed, milked and housed in a at her side. The 22-year-old 65-stall tiestall barn with has a lot of responsibility access to pasture, where on the farm, but she could they spend nights in nice not imagine doing anything weather. At farm B, cows else. are housed in sand-bedded “I’ve known I wanted to free stalls and milked in a be a farmer ever since I was 52-stall stanchion barn. 3 years old and saw a cow Keeping somatic cell give birth,” Nielsen said. count low is a focus for the Nielsen farms with her Nielsens, who won a milk dad, Christopher, and her quality award from Dairy grandma, Mary Ann. The Farmers of America last Nielsens milk 145 cows year and have had a SCC as and farm 530 acres near low as 32,000. Lake Mills. Nielsen milks “We make sure cows are mornings and nights, feeds clean and that we keep evcalves, does herd records, erything clean to produce gives vaccinations, treats quality milk,” Nielsen said. sick animals and more. “We also test milk from Nielsen manages two fresh or treated cows before herds, splitting her duties we ship it.” between the two — farm A Mary Ann and her late and farm B — named after husband, Robert, purchased the county road on which farm B in 1963. They renteach is located. By Stacey Smart
stacey.s@dairystar.com
STACEY SMART/DAIRY STAR
Madalyn Nielsen poses with a favorite Brown Swiss cow Jan. 11 in the Ɵestall barn on her family’s farm near Lake Mills, Wisconsin. Nielsen began buying Brown Swiss six years ago and now owns 12 head.
ed farm A before buying it in 1976. They relocated to farm A but continued to milk cows at both places. Mary Ann owns both farms as well as half the cattle, while Nielsen’s dad owns the other half of the herd. “Dad and I would like this farm to be ours eventu-
ally,” Nielsen said. Nielsen owns 12 registered Brown Swiss which are housed at farm A. The Holstein, Red and White and Jersey herd owned by her dad and grandma is split between the farms. “I love the Swiss,” said Nielsen, who bought her
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rst animal about six years ago. “Swiss have a stubborn and sassy personality — kind of like me. They are a challenge, but I like a challenge. The calves are hard to raise, but the cows are hardy and rarely get sick.” Turn to NIELSEN | Page 27
Dairy Star • Saturday, January 27, 2024 • Page 27
ConƟnued from NIELSEN | Page 26
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The Nielsen family — Mary Ann (from leŌ), Madalyn and Christopher — pauses for a photo Jan. 11 on their farm near Lake Mills, Wisconsin. The Nielsens milk 145 cows in two herds and farm 530 acres.
Nielsen started working on her grandma’s farm when she was 13 by caring for calves and, later, milking cows. When her aunt Nancy passed away, Nielsen took over naming the calves and managing their records. Nielsen is responsible for the health of all cows and calves. She is present at every herd check and works with the farm’s nutritionist and veterinarian to make improvements. “I work with our vet, Dr. Jen Brase of Cattle Creek Veterinary Clinic, a lot,” Nielsen said. “I ask her stuff all the time, and she’s helped me gain a lot of knowledge.” Calf care is a priority for Nielsen, whose intuition keeps her on top of health issues. “I just know if they’re not feeling good,” she said. “I don’t want to lose any calves, and I’m a critic with calf care from the moment a calf is born.” All calves are raised at farm A in outdoor hutches. Nielsen has about 20 calves on milk. She cares for all newborns, including those born at farm B, ensuring they are promptly fed colostrum and receive preventative treatments. Nielsen also cleans barns, beds calf hutches, does daily herd health checks and helps with eldwork. Nielsen attended the University of Wisconsin Farm and Industry Short Course and was a member of the last class to graduate from the Madison campus in 2022. Nielsen said her heart is at home with the cows, and during her rst semester, she made the 45-minute drive back and forth each day, milking cows before and after classes. “I just had to be here,” Nielsen said. “I don’t want to be away from the farm. When I’m not here, I feel like I’m missing something or that I could be doing something better.” Nielsen has certicates in dairy farm management, management of soils and crops, and foundation of farm and agribusiness management. She is also certied to breed cattle. “I want to start breeding our cows, but I need a little more training,” she said. “I put what I learned toward our farm and continue to learn more each day.” Promoting wellness and identifying the rst signs of ketosis,
milk fever or pneumonia are skills Nielsen learned in the short course that have proven of value in managing the herd. “I brought a lot of that back and do all the treating of calves and heifers,” Nielsen said. “My dad helps with bigger heifers and cows.” Nielsen makes culling and purchasing decisions, while her grandma and uncle make nancial decisions. “I always want to do more things on the farm and would like to start getting into the nancial aspects too,” Nielsen said. Nielsen is accustomed to being a leader. She served as president of her high school FFA chapter and received the American FFA Degree. She was a member of the track team and mentored younger students as well. Nielsen’s short-term goal is to switch to an electronic program for storing all animal records. She would also like to build a dedicated dry cow and maternity pen at farm A with a goal to move all cows to this location. Two farms create twice the challenges, and Nielsen is hoping to consolidate the herds. “It’s challenging to have two farms,” she said. “We have two of everything. It’s a lot of money and maintenance. I have to be in both places, and sometimes I’m just running around all day. It would be nice to have everything in one spot.” She has also considered adding a freestall barn and milking parlor at farm A. “I love the tiestall barn, but it might be easier on my knees,” Nielsen said. “I would retrot the parlor into the barn. I would also like to get a few really nice cows and sell embryos to earn a little more income beyond milking.” Currently, other revenue streams for the farm are cash crops and steers. Nielsen is hands-on, tackling all chores as she fullls her lifelong dream of being a dairy farmer. “Even though it’s a hard business, farming is something I would love to do forever,” Nielsen said. “I love cows so much and have great connections with my animals. I wouldn’t want to do anything else.”
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Dairy Star • Saturday, January 27, 2024 • Page 29
women
IN DAIRY
Tell us about your family and farm. My husband, Mark, and I moved onto this farm Nov. 1, 1987. Today, with this farm, the farm across the road and my husband’s parents’ farm, we have around 300 acres. We raised our two kids, Nicole and Travis, on this farm. Mark and I have managed all three farms pretty much by ourselves. The kids helped in the summertime. What is a typical day like for you on the dairy? I get up at 4:15 a.m. and head to the barn. I get the cows up and clean the alley. While my husband cleans, I get the milking stuff ready and start milking. I do the milking and then head across the road to feed and clean over there. Mark and I each have our chores, and when one needs help, we always are there to help each other. When all the animals are fed and cleaned, we head in for breakfast. Every day can be different depending on what needs to be done besides the normal chores. In the spring, I head out to get the elds ready to plant, and in the summer, I cut hay and chop. I love doing yard work. I also take care of the bookwork. What decision have you made in the last year that has beneted your farm? We built a shed across the road on the farm there. We were able to bring our heifers home from Mark’s parents’ place. Now we don’t have to run over there every day to feed. Instead, we only go there for eldwork. Mark still goes over to check on his mom. Tell us about your most memorable experience working on the farm. The most memorable day for me was the day we drove two and a half hours to my uncle’s. He had purchased a Brown Swiss heifer calf for me. We brought her home in the back of our vehicle. We also have hosted a wed-
Cherrie Frost
Withee, Wisconsin Clark County 55 cows
ding, my parents’ memorial services, graduations and 31 years of family reunions on the farm. What have you enjoyed most about dairy farming or your tie to the dairy industry? I love working with the animals and that every day is different. I love watching the animals grazing and watching a new life being born. I love working in the elds and seeing the crops grow. I love being our own boss and raising our kids here. What is your biggest accomplishment in your dairy career? The biggest accomplishment is that my husband and I have been farming together for over 37 years, and that even with all the highs and lows, we are still here. We enjoy working with the animals, even though it takes us longer because we are getting older. What are things you do to promote your farm or the dairy industry? We host a reunion every year for family and friends. This year will be 32 years. Everyone enjoys coming and learning about what we do, and if they want, they get to milk a cow. Our family sometimes brings friends with who want to come and see the farm. What advice would you give another woman in the dairy industry? Always make a little time for yourself. Remember that times do get tough, but always remember the good times outweigh the bad. What is a challenge in the dairy industry you have faced and how did you overcome it? They keep taking medications away from us that we rely on to treat our animals when needed. We feel like we are always trying to nd different medications that will work.
DANIELLE NAUMAN/DAIRY STAR
Cherrie Frost stands with a favorite cow Jan. 22 on her dairy farm near Withee, Wisconsin. Frost and her husband milk 55 cows in Clark County.
When you get a spare moment, what do you do? We like to go dancing and listen to live bands. In the winter, I love reading and baking. During the summer, I love yard work.
We also love going to our oldest grandson’s football, basketball and baseball games. Spending time with family, friends and our grandkids is always special.
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www.extension.umn.edu/dairy
Improving parasite resistance in dairy cattle Parasites remain a major prob- selection in resistance to horn ies. lem on dairies. There are ways to Researchers categorized the number categorize parasites, for example of horn ies on the body of Holstein internal versus external parasites. cows utilizing a 5-point scale that One of the most well-known exter- ranked animals from low to high y nal parasites on the dairy farm is the infestation. They found interesting horn y, which is not only results. a nuisance to cattle but also First, there is an opporto farm workers. Research tunity to select animals that from the 1980s suggests are more horn y resistant. over $700 million in estiAbout 25% of the variation mated economic losses for in the number of horn ies North American cattle due in the study was due to geto the horn y (this gure netics. This is approximateincludes beef cattle). ly equivalent to the amount Horn y infestation is By Isaac Haagen of variation for production especially relevant to pas- University of traits, such as fat and protured cattle. Therefore, it Minnesota tein yield, that is attributed is no surprise that the horn to genetics. Second, coat y is commonly cited as a frustra- color made a difference. White hair tion to organic dairy producers coat was associated with a reduced who are required to graze cattle for y load. While I am not advocating parts of the year. Researchers from for a herd of mostly white Holsteins, Ohio State University surveyed 23 it is fascinating that ies appear to organic dairy producers about the be more attracted to black hair coats. herd health challenges they faced. The above study was an early Perhaps a little surprising, ies were exercise that demonstrated a potenthe second most commonly noted tial method to reduce horn y infeshealth concern following mastitis tation in dairy cattle. However, it is and on par with lameness as a per- clear that more detailed information ceived challenge. and strategies are needed. Previous research suggests progResearchers at Pennsylvania ress could be made through genetic State University, as well as research-
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ers at University of Minnesota, will start evaluating strategies to reduce parasites in organic dairy cattle starting this year. The new project will address the knowledge gaps we have on the impacts of parasite infestation in organic dairy cattle. For instance, reductions in animal health and performance due to parasites specic to organic dairies will be looked at. These data will be collected not only for mature cows but also youngstock. In addition, if you are an organic dairy producer, be on the lookout for how you can par-
ticipate in this study. We will be recruiting organic dairy producers for participation and will have ways for producers to contribute parasite data that can help us tackle this issue. In conclusion, parasites remain a challenge for many dairy producers, particularly organic dairy producers and those that pasture dairy animals. However, we are actively working on not only categorizing the extent of the problem but also on identifying potential solutions. Stay tuned for more information.
Dana Adams, adam1744@umn.edu 320-204-2968
Brad Heins hein0106@umn.edu 320-589-1711
Isaac Salfer ijsalfer@umn.edu 320-296-1357
Joe Armstrong armst225@umn.edu 612.624.3610
Nathan Hulinsky huli0013@umn.edu 320-203-6104
Jim Salfer salfe001@umn.edu 320-203-6093
Luciano Caixeta lcaixeta@umn.edu 612-625-3130
Karen Johnson ande9495@umn.edu 320-484-4334
Mike Schutz mschutz@umn.edu 612-624-1205
Gerard Cramer gcramer@umn.edu 612-625-8184
Emily Krekelberg krek0033@umn.edu 507-280-2863
Melissa Wilson mlw@umn.edu 612-625-4276
Marcia Endres miendres@umn.edu 612-624-5391
Claire LaCanne lacanne@umn.edu 507-332-6109
Isaac Haagen hagge041@umn.edu 612-624-7455
Les Hansen hanse009@umn.edu 612-624-2277
Brenda Miller nels4220@umn.edu 320-732-4435
Michael Boland boland@umn.edu 612-625-3013
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Dairy Star • Saturday, January 27, 2024 • Page 31
Dairy trade issues have been in ment with the European Union called the news in the latter months of 2023. the Canada-European Union CompreA United States-Mexico-Canada hensive Economic and Trade AgreeAgreement dispute panel found that ment. Canada’s dairy tariff-rate quotas were As part of that agreement, Canada not in violation of the trade agree- recognized geographical indications ment. with regard to certain foods, including While the history of the well-known cheeses such as program has its roots before Camembert de Normandie, the original North American Comte, feta and Roquefort. Free Trade Agreement in These names have similar 1994, and beyond the scope protections that are used for of this short article, the realwines, such as Champagne, ity is that U.S.-branded dairy or alcoholic spirits, such as products will continue to bourbon whiskey, or foods, have a harder time nding a such as Vidalia onions. home on store shelves in re- By Michael Boland Canadian dairy procestail supermarkets in Canada. University of sors cannot use these exact Dairy farmers in Canada, Minnesota words but can use phrases whose production costs are such as Greek-styled instead higher than many U.S. dairy farm- of feta or Italian-styled instead of ers, have a reason to be thankful, Parmigiano-Reggiano. Canadian imwhile U.S. dairy farmers are likely ports of such EU cheeses have almost not happy. Many U.S. dairy stake- doubled since 2017. holders were optimistic that the TRQ While the headlines of these trade program would be revised, especially disputes get attention, they can someafter a similar panel in 2022 had ruled times be misleading in the big picture. that the TRQ program was not living For example, a state like California or up to the USMCA terms by favor- Wisconsin produces more milk than ing Canadian dairy processors using the entire Canadian dairy industry, milk from Canadian farmers. In a nut- most of which is centered in Quebec, shell, Canada’s program seeks to keep and the U.S. is a leading volume exhigher valued consumer dairy prod- porter of cheese to Canada. ucts produced in Canada using milk The U.S. uses a TRQ program in from Canadian dairy farmers, and its its beet and cane sugar industry, as do imports of dairy products from the other countries. They can be complex United States tends to be lower val- to administer, and it is difcult to unued cheeses. derstand the exact economic value This is not the only trade issue the being gained or lost. This is because U.S. dairy industry has with Canada. the economic models used to analyze In 2017, Canada signed an agree- them have moving parts. One draw-
back of the Canadian dairy TRQ programs is that retail supermarket chains and grocers, food distributors and restaurant chains must buy from Canadian dairy processors and cannot buy direct from dairy processors in the U.S., for example, to create their own store brands. It is unclear whether the TRQ program has affected the dairy structure in the U.S. For example, Canadian dairy cooperative Agropur owns dairy processing plants in the U.S. They have made major investments in upgrading and expanding these plants. Similarly, Saputo Inc. has expanded its footprint in the U.S. with new investments. Irish processors such as Glanbia have investments in the U.S. Are these investments being made because the dairy industry in their countries is too small with too high of production costs relative to the United States, and so, the cheese and other dairy products needed in Canada is manufactured in the U.S. by Canadian rms and exported to Canada? Trade works in many ways. As a philosophy, the United States has always been committed to lowering trade barriers and creating greater competition because our farmers tend to be lower cost. Critics of geographic indications suggest that they are confusing to consumers because most may not know what a Dutch Gouda tastes like relative to a Wisconsinproduced Gouda. In addition, such labeling may create local food markets when that same quality food could have been priced elsewhere at a low-
er cost and sold in that market. Such local markets also result in higher land prices since a xed input, such as land, is the residual claimant on income, and it becomes difcult for new farmers to enter production agriculture. In addition, creation of local markets may result in higher food prices in that region independent of the rest of the country. Finally, most consumers do not know the notion of a trademark relative to a geographic indication or certication mark. Supporters of these programs note that the EU chooses to maintain smaller farms in western European countries because it cannot afford to have a rural to urban migration. This could result in lack of jobs, higher housing prices and lack of suitable housing. There is a desire to maintain a domestic agricultural economy due to uncertainty caused by relationships between countries, such as the U.S. and the rest of the world, and a desire to maintain small farms. An economist might argue that there are other ways to do this, such as direct cash payments to farmers to allow them to live in such areas, but these may not be politically appealing. Geographic indications may be as much a cultural issue as it is a political-economy issue, which makes it difcult to solve. The EU now allows other countries to apply for such geographic certication marks for use within the EU, and Idaho potato farmers and Columbian coffee growers have done so too.
It’s back… actually never really left Staphylococcus aureus has been a notorious contagious mastitis pathogen that has plagued the dairy industry for more than 50 years. Overall prevalence has been reduced significantly, but it continues to be a threat to nearly every dairy herd. – Dr Allen Britten, Udder Health Systems. Presentation at the 2004 NMC Annual Meeting
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Page 32 • Dairy Star • Saturday, January 27, 2024
DAIRY PROFILE Bob Gierok of Independence, Wisconsin | Trempealeau County | 50 cows
How did you get into farming? I grew up with it. I bought this farm from my dad in 1995. I have seven brothers and one sister. My older brother was going to farm here, but he found a different place close by, so the opportunity showed up for me to take this place over.
neighbors. They just wanted to see it get done.
What are the most signicant ways your farm has changed since you started farming? Dairy farming in general has changed so much since I started. The spread of pay between milk plants has gotten wider. At the beginning of my career, everyone paid within 20-30 cents of each other and everyone needed milk. Now, no one wants milk, and there is as much as a $6 per hundredweight gap of pay between dairies.
What are three things on the farm that you cannot live without? The skid loader, because we do so many jobs with it. I often tell my kids that we are going to have a skid loader appreciation day where we do everything the skid loader normally does but by hand as a reminder to take care of the skid loader by greasing and maintaining it regularly. The second thing I couldn’t live without is our milking units. We use Surge one-touch machines, and they tell me everything I need to know. It’s so helpful being able to keep an eye on milk weights. Finally, my dog, Patches, because he is my best friend. He’s the rst thing I see when I go out in the morning and the last thing I see before I go in for the night.
What was a challenge you faced in your dairy farming career and how did you overcome it? We had a barn re in 2016 and had to determine whether to build back or not. We lost all of our hay and facilities, and the industry was in a good place at that time. We overcame it by milking our cows at the neighbor’s farm. We ended up building a new tiestall barn. We salvaged the barn cleaner chain and purchased a lot of used equipment to get back up and running. A lot of the neighbors helped to rebuild. It’s funny now to think that all the neighboring dairy farmers took what little time they had between chores to do more work and help me rebuild. Especially on the day we hung the rafters, it was surreal to see all my neighbors swinging around up there. It allowed me to really see the heart of my
What is the best decision you have made on your farm? Marrying my wife and having kids. There is a 10-year gap between my wife and I, and she works off the farm. We have four kids.
What are your thoughts and concerns about the dairy industry for the next year? Having a plant to process my milk. There are so many small creameries closing down and more farms selling out all the time. Then, the milk haulers have to go farther between farms to haul the milk, and the plants have less patrons. Turn to DAIRY PROFILE | Page 33
ABBY WIEDMEYER/DAIRY STAR
Bob Gierok stands in his milkhouse Jan. 17 on his farm near Independence, Wisconsin. Gierok milks 50 cows in a Ɵestall barn in Trempealeau County.
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Dairy Star • Saturday, January 27, 2024 • Page 33
ConƟnued from DAIRY PROFILE | Page 32
ABBY WIEDMEYER/DAIRY STAR
ABBY WIEDMEYER/DAIRY STAR
Bob Gierok Ɵes cows up Jan. 17 on his farm near Independence, Wisconsin. Gierok milks in a barn that was rebuilt aŌer a re in 2016.
Cows eat hay Jan. 17 at Bob Gierok’s farm near Independence, Wisconsin. Gierok ships his milk to Associated Milk Producers Inc. in Blair, Wisconsin.
What strategies do you use to withstand the volatile milk prices? We put things off if we can, and we just x what we have.
good because the kids have started to they paid $4 per acre for that 40-acre begin chores without me having to tell parcel. them to. What are your plans for your dairy What do you nd most rewarding in the next year and ve years? To about dairy farming? The kids getting survive. We have no plans to expand at involved and nding what they like all. I don’t want to milk any more cows about farming. My oldest girl, Hannah, than I already am. has started doing the records, and my son, Albin, has started to learn milking. How do you or your family like to spend time when you are not doing Tell us something special about your chores? We try to get away for vacafarm. This year will mark the 150th tion when we can. We went to Mount year the farm has been in my family. Rushmore a while back, and it was inThere are 40 acres that were home- teresting to see how different the land steaded, and the abstract shows that is out there.
How do you maintain family relationships while also working together? My kids help me a lot, and we just try to communicate. We’re doing pretty
Life lessons learned at a young age
When I was 8 years old, I was re- ing. He would have to get up shortly afquired to get up shortly after 5 a.m. to ter 4 a.m. and help for about 2.5 hours. do chores on my parents 52-cow dairy He chose Monday. He also works operation. most Saturdays. Plus, he I didn’t necessarily like has the chores that go with it all the time, but it was an raising a small herd of faintestablished rule for all 11 of ing goats at our home. This us kids. For me, it was tough combined with his involveto get out of a bed that earment in football, basketly and make my trek to the ball and track leads to full barn, especially on the bitter weeks. cold days. But I can see that the In my late teens, the eartraits I listed above are bely rise didn’t get any easier. ing absorbed by him. I enjoyed nightlife, play- By Mark Klaphake There have been several Editor ing softball and spending times when Mason’s friends time with friends too much. wanted him to come over Getting home at 1 a.m. and and he said he can’t until he awaking in a short four hours later was is done farming. This past fall, we were challenging. at an afternoon football game. Mason Besides morning chores, my sib- looked at me after the third quarter and lings and I were required to help with told me that we had to leave; he had chores after school and then again after chores to do. supper and on the weekends. Christmas and New Year’s Day We were really busy and would both landed on Mondays last year. Inoften sandwich 5-6 hours of chores stead of trying to get those days off, around school. Mason met the work head on. In retrospect, it taught me a lot. He didn’t gripe at all. He went to I learned discipline, work ethic, bed early and caught up with sleep with toughness, time management and team- a nap the next day. work; after all, at most times, there Mason enjoys his job because of the were eight to 10 of us working together. freedom he has and the variety of work Even though there were times I he partakes in. My wife and I enjoy it didn’t want to do chores, there was no because of the continued maturity and option. The work had to be done. condence it’s brought out in Mason. Fast forward to my family and our He likes telling his friends what he three children. has to do on the farm and that he can’t Last year, my middle child, come over until he nishes chores. He 15-year-old Mason, started working for is disciplined, and his work ethic is terone of his uncles. ric. During the summer, he helped There are probably many kids who with milking, fed calves, picked rock, dread the early morning alarm clock stacked bales and did other necessary and the demands of farm chores every jobs on the farm. day. They would rather be doing someThe experience has helped him thing else. develop into an even better kid than I But looking back at my childhood, thought he was. and now watching my son, I rmly He doesn’t complain about the believe the routine of a dairy farm enwork and takes on his job with an ea- grains extremely desirable traits in the gerness I admire. person carrying out the work. Those When school started in September, traits will benet a person at any point Mason was asked to choose one day a in their life, both tomorrow and well week where he could help in the morn- into the future.
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Mother Nature has made it clear again who is in charge. Our No. 1 question in the ofce right now is about the Dairy Margin Coverage program. When is the 2024 sign-up? We, too, are asking that question and will relay the message just as soon as we are given the green light and the program information. We, like you, are hoping this program rolls out soon. The Agriculture Risk and Price Loss Coverage programs are open. We highly encourage you to sign up as soon as possible. The deadline to apply is March 15, but we encourage you to avoid any long lines closer to the deadline. Jan. 30 is the nal date to apply for Livestock Forage Disaster Program FP for 2023 losses, if you were in an eligible county. During these tough weather conditions, Farm Service Agency staff wish you: water fountains that are not frozen, tractors that do not jell up, healthy livestock with the weather extremes and grain that stays in good condition. Did you know FSA’s Farm Storage Facility Loans can help you with your storage and handling needs? During harvest, were you thinking about what needs you might have to make your storage and handling more efcient? Could you use a truck, grain cart, sugar beet cart, auger or another piece of equipment to meet your handling needs? Do you need additional storage? Are interest rates at your local lender holding you back from making that purchase? Then why don’t you give our FSFL program a chance to help you: — Acquire new or used storage and handling trucks. — Acquire portable or permanently afxed storage and handling equipment. — Acquire new storage facilities. A variety of structures, handling equipment and trucks are eligible under this loan, including new and used dryers, augers, trucks, semi tractors, grain trailers (hopper, live bottom and end dump), baggers, bale wrappers, grain carts, chopper boxes, gravity boxes, sugar beet carts, forklifts and skid loaders, bulk milk tanks, propane tanks, hay sheds, facilities for cold storage, storage, drying and handling facilities, and many more. Contact the FSA ofce early in your planning process to determine what level of environmental review is required for your application so that it can be completed in a timely manner. The Livestock Indemnity Program provides assistance for livestock deaths in excess of normal mortality caused by adverse eligible weather, disease and attacks by animals reintroduced into the wild by the federal government or protected by federal law. For disease losses, FSA county committees can accept veterinarian certications that livestock deaths were directly related to adverse weather and unpreventable through good animal husbandry and management. Pneumonia (stand-alone) is not an eligible loss condition. For 2023 livestock losses, you must le a notice and provide the following supporting documentation to the FSA ofce no later than 60 calendar days after the end of the calendar year in which the eligible loss condition occurred. — Proof of death documentation. — Copy of grower’s contracts. — Proof of normal mortality documentation. — Livestock beginning inventory documentation. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has established normal mortality rates for each type and weight range of eligible livestock, i.e. adult beef cow = 1.5% and non-adult beef cattle = 5%. These established percentages reect losses that are considered expected or typical under normal conditions. In addition to ling a notice of loss, you must submit the application for payment by March 1. For more information, contact a USDA Service Center or visit fsa.usda.gov. Farm Service Agency is an equal opportunity lender. Complaints about discrimination should be sent to: Secretary of Agriculture, Washington, D.C., 20250. Visit www.fsa.usda.gov for application forms and updates on USDA programs.
Midwest Dairy’s Class 3 of DEAL announced Dairy Star • Saturday, January 27, 2024 • Page 35
Midwest Dairy is eager to welcome Class 3 of the Dairy Experience and Leadership program as we kick off the new year. Offering opportunities like DEAL to young people within the industry is important to checkoff as we are committed to creating dairy advocates and developing the next generation of dairy leaders. The DEAL program is an 18-month, three-phase program created by Midwest Dairy that provides young dairy farmers in the Midwest region with a better understanding of the dairy checkoff and other opportunities to grow within the industry and in leadership skills. In 2024, we welcome the program’s third class and will continue to give these emerging dairy leaders the skills and opportunities to share their dairy farming stories with others, build trust and drive demand in dairy. 2024-25 class includes By Jenna Finch The 17 participants from Illinois, Ag affairs manager, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Midwest Dairy Missouri and Nebraska. Class 3 will meet for the rst time in late February in Nashville, Tennessee, as Phase 1 of the program commences. The theme for Phase 1 is, “Who am I? And, who is Midwest Dairy/dairy checkoff?” This meeting will include personality training, specically coloring training, allowing participants to discover their personality color. Through the presentation, they will quickly learn to apply their color learning to leverage their strengths, improve their leadership and collaboration skills, and support their personal and professional well-being. The group will also discuss dairy checkoff with presentations from Midwest Dairy and The Dairy Alliance. Additionally, six farmers will give a presentation to share about themselves and their farms. We look forward to hearing from a new partner, The Dairy Alliance, and how they work to build trust and sales for dairy. I have worked closely with the DEAL classes, and each year, it is fun to see relationships blossom and grow among participants. I am most excited about the networking opportunities that will take place. This class offers diversity, and the farmers will have much to learn from each other. It is gratifying to see the evolution of the friendships made throughout our DEAL program because it’s not every day that these farmers have a chance to meet with other like-minded peers. I’m also looking forward to providing farmers with professional development opportunities they can take home to help them grow as leaders within their community. I am passionate about sharing more about how the dairy checkoff can help farmers share their stories locally to build trust. Dairy farmers have an incredible story to share, and it is important we help provide them
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with resources to help them do just that. Every class, the DEAL program excels and grows, and Class 3 is no exception. This year, Midwest Dairy is excited to partner with The Dairy Alliance, the dairy checkoff organization for dairy farmers in Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. This partnership will allow other young dairy farmers in those states to participate in our DEAL program alongside Midwest Dairy’s participants. This partnership also allows dairy farmers from Midwest Dairy’s region to learn from and network with dairy farmers from other parts of the country. Currently, one farmer from Kentucky is signed up to join Class 3.
“We are eager to partner with Midwest Dairy on this leadership opportunity for farmers across the Southeast,” said Farrah Newberry, vice president of agriculture and environmental affairs at The Dairy Alliance. “This program has proven successful in building leaders that support local communities and serve as advocates for agriculture.” Midwest Dairy is ready to welcome these participants to DEAL Class 3 and extends thanks to all those participants from previous classes for their support. We will continue sharing more about Class 3’s adventures and learning as the year unfolds. To learn more about the DEAL program, visit www. midwestdairy.com/DEAL.
Editorial disclaimer: The views expressed by our columnists are the opinions and thoughts of the author and do not reect the opinions and views of Dairy Star staff and ownership.
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Farmstead wineries Page 36 • Dairy Star • Saturday, January 27, 2024
Farmstead wineries have become quite common. I have nothing against such businesses and am actually quite familiar with the ne art of on-farm winemaking. I was an early bloomer, having brewed up my rst batch of vino when I was 12. That was the year when I heard about an intriguing fungus known as yeast. I had learned in science class that this seemingly innocuous microbe is the driving force behind the fermentation process and was, by inference, responsible for such things as hangovers and many of the funnier scenes in the movie “National Lampoon’s Animal House.” That summer, I decided to test this process by conducting an extracurricular scientic experiment. My rst step was to enlist the assistance of my two younger brothers. After scrounging around in the kitchen, we were able to assemble a rudimentary winemaking kit that consisted of an empty quart-
sized pop bottle, a can of frozen grape juice concentrate (purple), sugar and a packet of dry yeast. And a balloon. You can’t make wine without a balloon. We hauled our winemaking kit to the haymow of our dairy barn. In the hushed sanctuary of the straw bales, we poured the thawed grape juice concentrate into the pop bottle. There was debate regarding how much sugar to add. It was nally decided that if a little was good, then a lot must be better. We added the purloined yeast, shook the bottle to mix the concoction and capped it with the balloon. We checked on the progress of the soda bottle daily. The balloon grew at an alarming rate as the yeast performed its mysterious alchemy. The bottle soon looked as though it had sprouted a latex basketball. My brothers wanted to conduct a taste test almost immediately, but I said no, that we would guzzle no
wine before its time. I told them that we would have to age the wine quite a while, perhaps as long as a week. A few days later, the three of us sat on a straw bale and, with great anticipation, un-ballooned our very rst bottle of vino. A fragrance slightly reminiscent of bread dough wafted on the air. I allowed my youngest brother the honor Dear County Agent Guy of taking the rst swig. It’s hard to describe the bittersweetness of that magical moment. The sweet part was watching my brother’s expression as he took a big pull on the bottle. The wine’s taste prole was denitely the bitter end of the deal. Our wine was so acidic that it could By Jerry Nelson have dissolved an entire Columnist plowshare. I swore off wine from then on. This changed some years later when my wife and I, and our two then-preteen sons, voyaged to the West Coast to visit my wife’s uncle and aunt. Doris and Jim lived in the midst of wine country, and it was they who suggested that we go on a wine tour. This turned out to be the highlight of our trip. We had spent the two previous days in Los Angeles, doing the Disneyland thing with a couple of tired and whiny kids, rubbernecking at the tall buildings, battling the trafc and generally behaving like Midwestern tourists. It was a pleasant change when we retreated to the relativity sparsely populated hinterlands where the sky was blue instead of yellowish-brown and we no longer had to chew the air in order to breathe. Central California boasts numerous wineries, some of which are situated by the roadside like incredibly upscale lemonade stands. As one might imagine, winetasting tours are a hugely popular recreational activity even though they require the services of a designated driver. The sommelier at one of the rst wineries we visited instructed me regarding the proper method for evaluating wine. “You must take your time and swirl, sniff and sip,” she said. “Don’t gulp it down and exclaim, ‘Wow. That’ll put hair on your chest.’ And gargling before swallowing is denitely a nono.” After we had stopped at half a dozen wineries and sampled two or three wines at each, I was starting to get the hang of things. It was exceedingly pleasant to stroll through those Old World-style buildings, savoring the balmy Mediterranean climate and discussing how this wine has a fruity bouquet or that one has an oaken nish. It was enough to make me feel tanned and sophisticated, not at all like the pallid and clueless Midwestern tourist that I was. Yet something about the ambiance didn’t seem quite right. I buttonholed one of the vineyard’s employees and said, “Excuse me, but I need something to sit on. Would you happen to have any straw bales?” Jerry Nelson is a recovering dairy farmer from Volga, South Dakota. He and his wife, Julie, have two sons and live on the farm where Jerry’s great-grandfather homesteaded over 110 years ago. Jerry works for Dairy Star as a staff writer and ad salesman. Feel free to email him at jerry.n@dairystar.com.
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Dairy Star • Saturday, January 27, 2024 • Page 37
High oleic soybeans have been and alter rumen fermentation, leading around for more than 10 years, most- to milk fat depression. ly in the eastern United States. More While conventional and high oleic recently, they have worked their way soybeans have similar protein and fat into the Midwest market, catching the content, they differ in their fatty acid attention of the dairy industry. proles. In conventional soybeans, High oleic soybeans were devel- less than 25% of the fat is comprised oped for the food indus- Something to Ruminate On of oleic acid and the retry because the oil has a mainder is comprised higher concentration of mostly of linoleic acid. oleic fatty acid and lowIn high oleic soybeans, er concentration of linthe percentage of oleic oleic fatty acid, a polyacid is closer to 75% unsaturated fatty acid, and less than 10% is linleading to longer shelf oleic acid. This higher life and fryer oil life. concentration of oleic In more recent years, fatty acids is much more researchers have recrumen-friendly, reducognized these soybeans ing the risk of milk fat with more oleic fatty depression. By Barry Visser acid can also increase Research on feedNutritionist dairy cow milk fat proing high oleic soybeans duction. to dairy cows has been Whole soybeans and their byprod- conducted at Penn State University, ucts serve as an excellent source of Michigan State University and the essential nutrients to dairy cows. De- University of Wisconsin. A PSU study pending on how they are processed, comparing normal to high oleic ground soybeans can provide high-quality roasted soybeans showed higher milk protein and energy from fat. Roasted fat concentration and higher fat yield. soybeans have traditionally been used A MSU study comparing increasing as an economical source of rumen- levels of roasted high oleic soybeans degradable protein, bypass protein showed overall higher milk yields and fat, allowing producers to utilize and increased fat and protein yields. a homegrown feed in some cases. The UW study showed an increase in Historically, producers have had milk fat percentages for mature cows to limit the amount of roasted conven- when feeding whole, raw high oleic tional soybeans they can feed because soybeans versus conventional whole, their high levels of PUFA can be det- raw soybeans. rimental to rumen microbes. PUFA The return on investment with can disrupt normal rumen function high oleic soybeans will vary by
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farm, depending on feeding rates, current feed ingredients and feeding strategies. Feeding rates range from 3-8 pounds per cow per day of high oleic roasted ground soybeans. The opportunity to feed a homegrown protein source is certainly attractive to farms with surplus land base. In addition, there are opportunities to further reduce purchase feed costs from conventional soybean meal, bypass protein and bypass fat sources. Herd performance goals include increases in milk fat percentages and yields. High oleic soybeans are expected to be comparable to normal soybeans in terms of seed costs with no difference in yields or protein and fat concentrations. In a few areas, producers raising high oleic soybeans have been able to contract for a premium over conventional soybeans. Like any new technology, there are limitations. Maturity options may be a challenge for northern locations
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with 1.9 as the lowest maturity rating currently available. Growers of high oleic soybeans may also experience limited seed and elevator options. High oleic beans need to be stored separately from conventional soybeans; anyone wishing to grow them to sell must be near an elevator that is contracted to specically receive high oleic soybeans. Weed control can also be a challenge with limited herbicide options. Future varieties will soon be available with traits that allow for controlling the weed populations. If land base and logistics allow, raising and feeding high oleic roasted soybeans can be an option to reduce purchased feed costs while having a positive impact on milk component yields. Work with your agronomist and nutritionist to determine if high oleic soybeans t in your operation. Barry Visser is a nutritionist for Vita Plus.
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Christmas wish Page 38 • Dairy Star • Saturday, January 27, 2024
All I wanted for Christmas was to create memories with Mark. I told Mark all I wanted were 12 gifts. I would like for him to plan a date each month for the year. It could be a movie night, cards with friends, a lunch break or exploring interesting sites in the area. I would even fudge to include seed corn meetings or cooperative dinners if he was pressed for ideas and time. Deep down, I imagined heart-pumping, breath-taking events. I even longed for quiet time to just be together without interruptions. I have been scheduling our social calendar around life on the farm for way too long, and I wanted to share this job with him. I suggested we see a movie in town. I don’t remember the last movie we saw together in a theater, but our rst date was a movie. I thought this would be a good way to start my 12 gifts of Christmas. We agreed to see, “The Boys in the Boat.” I read the book a few years ago and knew Mark would be captivated by the story. We were set to go when Mark had another idea. We had sold six bred heifers to a farmer in northeast
Iowa with the intent of delivering them ourselves. The blizzard that roared across Kansas, Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin delayed our original trip. When the weather and roads were nally cleared, Mark saw his chance to make a road trip. We couldn’t miss two evening chores in a row, so we decided to postpone the movie date and make it a road trip adventure. It was a blustery, windy day when we loaded the heifers in our bumper hitch trailer. Luckily, they were packed in tightly, and they had their long winter coats on. They would be able to handle the four-hour trip snuggled together. Mark checked the oil in the engine and air in all the tires, including the trailer spare. There was one slightly bad tire on the trailer, and he wanted to be prepared. He threw the oor jack and tools in the truck bed, just in case. I packed a tote with insulated coveralls, extra gloves, hats and blankets just in case too. As we merged onto Highway 10 and four lanes of trafc, we soon realized we would not be traveling in the left lane. With a fully loaded trailer behind us, we were
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not going to reach the maximum speed limit. The northwest tailwind helped to propel us down the road, but it wasn’t going to help us come to a quick stop. Our fourhour trip would stretch out to a six-hour road trip, with a few bumps in the road. We made it around the Twin Cities and were Just Thinking Out Loud heading south on Interstate 35. It was a good trip. We were nding our rhythm on the road with snacks and conversations. Then, there was a bump-bumpbump. The road was clear. We didn’t hit anything, but that was not a good sound. Mark eased to a stop on the side of the road. He quickly discovered the problem. By Natalie Schmitt The right rear tire on the trailer had lost its face/ Columnist tread. What remained was wrapped around the hub. This wasn’t even the bad tire. Luckily, we were only a few miles away from an exit. We limped slowly down the edge of the road with ashers blinking. Mark pulled into a gas station and tried to park where the building could be a windbreak. He wiggled into the insulated coveralls and grabbed his tools as he set about to changing the tire. I called a friend in the area to nd out where would be a good place to pick up a new spare tire. We still had the bad tire on the trailer, and we didn’t want to be caught without a spare. As the sun was setting, we nally made it to our nal destination. It was probably one of the quickest stops we have ever made. They needed to get to milking, and we needed to get back on the road. We had a long drive ahead of us, and the winds were swirling the snow across the highways. With our load removed, we were curious of how the trailer was going to handle the road conditions. We made it to Mason City, Iowa, for a quick dinner to-go from Culver’s. This date was meeting my wish. We were enjoying time together without interruptions and dinner to boot. It was a nice time to relax and breathe. As we made our way northward, we were making better time despite the headwinds. We settled in for the rest of our trip when the real entertainment kicked in. We noticed a bunch of snowplows on the roads around Owatonna. That was strange. The snow had subsided, and there was nothing to plow. Then, suddenly, the truck slipped and jerked me awake. Mark kept us moving in the right direction, but we had no idea what had happened. As we approached an exit, a semi decided we were traveling too slow and started to pass us on the left. That is when our hearts stopped. The draft of the semi blocking the headwinds shifted the trailer away from our truck, and then, we hit black ice. All I could see were the exit sign and road markers barreling straight toward my side of the truck. Just as we were about to slide down the embankment and into the signs, Mark gained control and steered us out of danger. Now we realized why the trucks were out. It wasn’t to plow but to put down salt at the exit areas of the interstate where ice had formed. Eventually, our breathing calmed, and our heart beats returned to normal. I was so glad Mark decided he would continue driving. I don’t think I would have been able to keep us from sliding off the edge of the road. We nally made it home, 11 hours after we started. Mark’s rst Christmas gift to me was lled with heartpounding adventures, dinner and uninterrupted time together. He might be getting the hang of this. I can’t wait to see what he comes up with next month. As their four children pursue dairy careers off the family farm, Natalie and Mark Schmitt started an adventure of milking registered Holsteins just because they like good cows on their farm north of Rice, Minnesota.
Real, not perfect If you drive into our yard right now, it looks like a hay auction and an equipment dealership got together and had a baby. We always buy several loads of hay during the winter, but because
Dairy Good Life
By Sadie Frericks Columnist the drought this summer severely curtailed the growth of our crops and our pasture, we’ve been buying extra. We couldn’t unload the last couple loads out by our feed storage area because of the mud caused by the Christmas rain, so there’s a load or two worth of hay bales sitting in our yard. Equipment is scattered throughout the yard because everything with an engine needs to be parked close to an outlet — extension cords only reach so far. But plugging them in wasn’t even enough last week; because it’s the warmest room on the farm, the milkhouse became a battery warmer. We have three groups of heifers crowded into two bays of the heifer shed because the water line supplying one of the waterers is frozen. Our yard is far from the pristine white that makes winter so beautiful. It looks more like an almost-burnt marshmallow. This week’s south wind dusted our yard with the neighbors’ topsoil. In the past, for all of these reasons, I would have insisted that our farm look perfect. But, I have been embracing the mantra, “Real, not perfect.” My house will never look like something out of a magazine because we work hard and play hard, and that’s hard on a house. Our farm is not always picturesque, either, because it’s a real, working farm. So, when our co-op’s government relations team asked if we would host a visit for the Minnesota Senate Agriculture Committee, I embraced all of our real-ness and said yes. With the next session of the Minnesota Legislature starting Feb. 12, I gured it could be good for lawmakers to see “real, not perfect.” I’m so glad I did. We had a great visit. The entire committee wasn’t able to attend, which was probably good, as there’s not a lot of room in the front of our barn. We did have Sens. Aric Putnam (the committee’s chair), Torrey Westrom, Robert Kupec, and Gene
Dornink. They were joined by several ag committee staff and a couple folks from our co-op’s government relations team. Plus, Dan, Monika, and Daphne opted out of their rst couple hours of school so they could meet the senators. We all had great conversations. The senators and staff asked excellent questions about our farm. But, to me, the most important question they asked was: What can the state of Minnesota do to help small and mid-size dairy farms be successful? I didn’t have specic ideas to share, but I did say that anything that makes our jobs easier would be welcome. In the past 18 years, we have increased the number of cows we milk from 40 to 100. The hours we can work in a day are maxed out. We don’t have a separate human relations department or accounting department. The more time we can spend working with our cows and not doing paperwork, the better. Likewise, our land base and our facilities are maxed out. Increasing our output hasn’t been enough to offset rising prices. Our annual farm business analysis shows that our prot per cow continues to decline. If Minnesota truly wants to keep smaller dairy farms in business, we’ll have to think outside the box to come up with solutions. Why should we? Because small and mid-size dairy farms are part of the backbone of Minnesota’s rural economies. We generate millions of dollars of economic activity in our communities. We also play an important role in workforce development. We provide work experiences for our children and part-time jobs for high school and college students. Young people who don’t live on farms but work on farms during their youth are more likely to pursue agriculture-related careers. How would you answer the senators’ question? No policy solution will likely be perfect, but perhaps the state can nd real, meaningful ways to support dairy farms. If you have ideas on how the state can preserve dairy farms in Minnesota, the committee genuinely wants to hear them. I encourage you to contact a member of the committee or the committee’s staff. Even better, make plans to attend a lobby day at the Capitol. Minnesota Milk’s Dairy Day at the Capitol is March 7. Other organizations, including Minnesota Farm Bureau and Minnesota Farmers Union, will hold lobby days as well. Sadie Frericks and her husband, Glen, milk 100 cows near Melrose, Minnesota. They have three children: Dan, Monika, and Daphne. Sadie also writes a blog at www.dairygoodlife.com. She can be reached at sadiefrericks@ gmail.com.
Dairy Star • Saturday, January 27, 2024 • Page 39
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