THE GREAT
See pages 24 and 25 of this section for details!
December 7, 2024
“All dairy, all the time”™
Volume 26, No. 20
Educating via social media
Megan DairyGirl brings the farm to the phone By Dan Wacker
dan.w@dairystar.com
NEW VIENNA, Iowa — In a day and age where the public is disconnected from food production, there are tools to bridge the gap and put dairy farms in the pocket of consumers. Megan McAllister, known on social media as Megan DairyGirl, is helping to educate the public about life on the farm by utilizing social media to reach people from all walks of life. Across three platforms — TikTok, Facebook and Instagram — Megan DairyGirl proles have nearly 600,000 followers as McAllister seeks to educate the public on daily life on a dairy farm.
Megan and her husband, Ted, in partnership with Ted’s brother, Rob, milk 280 cows at McAllister Family Dairy in a double-12 parallel parlor. The Holstein and Jersey herd has an average daily production of 100 pounds of milk, with tests of 4.5% butterfat and 3.3% protein. McAllister got her start in the dairy industry on her family’s farm, Kregel Farms, near Guttenberg. After earning a dairy science degree from Iowa State University, she entered the workforce at the Northeast Iowa Dairy & Agriculture Foundation where she worked for seven years. Like many in her age group, McAllister was on social media, and like nearly a billion others in 2020, she
downloaded TikTok. “I started poking around a little bit and found that there was an agriculture community on TikTok,” McAllister said. “There was a lot of farming content, some livestock content, but I didn’t see any dairy content.” With established creators on other platforms, TikTok was a way to reach a different audience. “There were established, original dairy farm content all-stars on other apps, and they’re fabulous at what they do,” McAllister said. “I just wasn’t seeing them on this app. So, I decided to make a couple of videos and if they opped, or it’s a negative experience, I don’t need it. But the videos took off and people came back with good, genuine questions.” Turn to MCALLISTER | Page 2
DAN WACKER/DAIRY STAR
Megan McAllister stands in her calf barn Nov. 19 on her farm near New Vienna, Iowa. McAllister has garnered a following on social media with her Megan DairyGirl proles as she educates people on daily life on a dairy farm.
InvesƟng in the future Gathjes build new robot barn By Sarah Middendorf sarah.m@star-pub.com
MARK KLAPHAKE/DAIRY STAR
The Gathje family — Denise (from leŌ), ScoƩ, Gregory, Jonathon and Joe — gather in the barn Nov. 23 on their farm near Richmond, Minnesota. The Gathjes milk 70 cows in a freestall barn with one robot.
RICHMOND, Minn. — March is full of anniversaries for dairy farmers Scott and Denise Gathje. On March 1, 1995, they started dairy farming. On March 4, they began milking their cows in a new robotic barn. The Gathjes were milking their cows in a 58-stall tiestall barn. They now milk 70 cows in a freestall barn with one DeLaval robotic milking unit. They also farm 180 acres. “I enjoy the cows being comfortable and not forcing them to go outside and come back in,” Denise said. The transition from the old barn to the new went well.
“I was amazed the rst day as the cows kept coming in to be milked,” Scott said. “I thought, ‘Oh man they are going to be coming in and kicking and everything.’ I don’t think there was one milker kicked off the whole day.” They started by bringing 38 cows in the rst day and then another six after the original cows adjusted. From there on, the cows went to the new barn as they calved. “We had a lot of rst calf heifers at that time and they transitioned wonderfully,” Denise said. The Gathjes have taken their time learning the information provided by the robot. “It’s a learning process,” Denise said. “You can’t learn all of that at one time. I still like eyes on the animal.” Turn to GATHJES | Page 6
Page 2 • Dairy Star • Saturday, December 7, 2024
DAIRY ST R
ConƟnued from MCALLISTER | Page 1
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 Cheyenne Middendorf • cheyenne@star-pub.com Nadiia Griepentrog • nadiia@star-pub.com Editorial Staff Stacey Smart - Assistant Editor 262-442-6666 • stacey.s@dairystar.com Danielle Nauman - Staff Writer 608-487-1101 • danielle.n@dairystar.com Dan Wacker - Staff Writer 608-487-3858 • dan.w@dairystar.com Tiffany Klaphake - Staff Writer 320-352-6303 • tiffany.k@dairystar.com Amy Kyllo - Staff Writer amy.k@star-pub.com Emily Breth - Staff Writer emily.b@star-pub.com Sarah Middendorf - Staff Writer sarah.m@star-pub.com
DAN WACKER/DAIRY STAR
Megan McAllister feeds grain Nov. 19 on her farm near New Vienna, Iowa. McAllister, along with her husband, Ted, and brother-in-law, Rob, milk 280 Holsteins and Jerseys at McAllister Family Dairy.
McAllister saw an opportunity to educate and enlighten demographics such people who are 2-3 generations removed from farming, or people from all walks of life who have not set foot on a dairy farm. “We can talk about everything
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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.
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from hormones to antibiotics, to calf care to milk quality, to treating sick animals, the weather impacting cows, the list goes on,” McAllister said. “It’s all important, but I think it also helps people to connect to the farm. I don’t want to be a robot
spewing out facts, but maybe when a follower sees something misleading or they aren’t sure about it, they feel like they can trust someone on our side of the industry.” Building trust with her followership has created a symbiotic relationship. When pressed for content ideas, McAllister utilizes her followers to see what they have questions about by looking through comments on posts. “Every day is the same for us, but different,” McAllister said. “It’s establishing what we’re doing that day; are we tagging calves, are we dry treating cows, is the hoof trimmer here, there’s so many opportunities to capture content. We get so many good, genuine questions on our videos that it helps us continue to help educate.” Negative comments also come with the territory. “I enjoy taking a negative comment and making it a learning opportunity,” McAllister said. “It’s been awesome to see our followers sticking up for us on negative comments with facts they learned. I actually made a difference, so it’s
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Winona, MN
Hope Lutheran High School starts FFA program First Section: Pages 8 - 9
Lester Prairie, MN
Siblings given 2024 National Outstanding Young Farmer award Second Section: Pages 3 - 4
Waverly, MN
Wright County operation gains sesquicentennial status First Section: Pages 26 - 27
Waynesboro, GA
Dairying Across America Second Section: Pages 10 - 11
Atkins, IA
Lyons, NE
Wildwood Acres focuses on genetics, family Second Section: Page 18
Atkins Raw Milk Dairy provides connection, transparency Second Section: Pages 26 - 27
FROM OUR SIDE OF THE FENCE: How did you modify your old barn and what is its new use? First Section: Pages 15, 16, 18
Plainview, MN
Millers named Wabasha County Farm Family of the Year First Section: Pages 29, 32
Rice, MN
Schmitt kids continue to work in agriculture Second Section: Pages 14 - 15
Lakeville, MN
Kids Corner: The Thomas Family Third Section: Pages 10 - 11
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
Veterinary Wisdom Page 37 First Section
From the F Zwe Zweber Farm P Page 38 Firs Section First
The “Mielke” Market Weekly Pages 8 - 9 Second Section
Country Cooking Co Page 30 Second S Section
Page 4 • Dairy Star • Saturday, December 7, 2024
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Dairy Star • Saturday, December 7, 2024 • Page 5
ConƟnued from MCALLISTER | Page 2
pretty incredible to have done that just by using my phone.” As her TikTok account was picking up steam, she nearly lost it all. Her account was reported to TikTok and was suspended. In order to bring her account back, she led an appeal. “There was no guarantee I was going to get my account back after it was suspended,” McAllister said. “Everything that I had worked on for two years was potentially gone.” It was then that she realized that if she was going to continue to advocate for the dairy industry, she needed to diversify the platforms she was on. This led to the expansion of the Megan DairyGirl brand as she created accounts on Facebook and Instagram to partner with her growing TikTok. The expanded brand allows her to reach more people from around the world. Currently, the Megan DairyGirl proles reach 3 million people every month. “There’s never been a time in history where you could reach so many people so quickly,” McAllister said. “The world lives live now. It’s fascinating that you can post a video one night and wake up and see it take off.” McAllister and other
DAN WACKER/DAIRY STAR
(LeŌ) Megan McAllister stands in the parlor that was the backdrop of one of her most viral posts Nov. 19 near New Vienna, Iowa. Her video of how to milk a cow earned over 24 million views on TikTok. (Below) Megan McAllister loads a barrel of milk replacer Nov. 19 on her farm near New Vienna, Iowa. McAllister has more than 600,000 followers across three social media plaƞorms as she advocates for the dairy industry.
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everyone can do it so differently and that’s so beautiful and awesome. So, if somebody’s passionate about sharing what they do, just do it because it could be totally different than the way somebody else does it, and different isn’t bad.”
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Page 6 • Dairy Star • Saturday, December 7, 2024
ConƟnued from GATHJES | Page 1
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Cows lounge in stalls Nov. 23 on the Gathje’s farm near Richmond, Minnesota. The stalls are bedded with maƩresses topped with sawdust once a day. Scott and Denise were assisted in building their new barn by their kids. Two of their six kids, Joe and Jonathon, who have full-time jobs off the farm but live at home, were especially instrumental in design and execution of the building project and on-farm operations. “We poured a lot of cement, did all the gates, did wall insulation, (and) Jonathon and I pulled all the fans,” Joe said. “They are used fans out of a chicken barn. A lot of the square tubing used to make the gates we pulled out of a chicken barn.” The barn is a guided ow system. It is 72 feet by 186 feet with 19 fans on the north wall. There is a feed alley and curtain on the south side. There are three rows of stalls with mattresses, which are bedded once a day with sawdust.
Manure is handled by a JOZ BarnE automatic manure scraper. Manure is pushed to the reception pit in the barn and then ows to the lagoon. When deciding on a location for the barn the Gathje family said they wanted to make sure it was near the necessities. “The place that we put the building is close to our lagoon, it’s also close to our feed, which is still in silos, and our stationary (total mixed ration) mixer,” Scott said. “I am feeding with a feed cart twice a day. We wanted to keep all that stuff in tact so that wouldn’t be a big change.” Building the new barn was a priority Scott and Denise said so they can continue dairy farming for years to come. Turn to GATHJES | Page 7
MARK KLAPHAKE/DAIRY STAR
A cow is milked in a roboƟc milking unit Nov. 23 on the Gathje’s farm near Richmond, Minnesota. The family milked the cows for the rst Ɵme in the new barn March 4.
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ConƟnued from GATHJES | Page 6 “It denitely makes me feel like I can do this a lot longer,” Scott said. The couple’s journey to a new barn with a robot was sparked by a course put on by Minnesota Dairy Initiative. They worked with MDI to put a team together and launched the planning process. “I really wanted the guided ow for both animal and human safety,” Denise said. To start construction for the new barn, the Gathjes had to move a corn bin, their dry cows and 70 feet of their 100-foot pole shed. This process started in March 2023, but the poles for the new barn were not in the ground until July 31, 2023. “A lot of planning went into it,” Scott said. “We didn’t just plunk things into the ground according to a blueprint. In the end, things work really well down there.” After the shell of the building was up, they dug the reception pit inside the barn. They started with a track skid loader until it got stuck, then rented a mini excavator to nish. They did the plumbing for the robots and waterers themselves. “We decided to just tackle it,” Scott said. “We learned how to plumb. We had a MARK KLAPHAKE/DAIRY STAR good teacher that came and helped us.” A cow walks through the guided ow system Nov. 23 on the The cement walls and ooring were Gathje’s farm near Richmond, Minnesota. The Gathjes wanted nished Dec. 22, 2023. The Gathjes said the guided ow system for animal and human safety. they put in many hours and late nights to make the barn a reality. “(The boys) have done a pile of work on the robotic milking unit. Fresh cows are watched closely for the rst month to ensure they are getting milked barn,” Scott said. Since having the robots, the Gathjes have had about three times a day. Even though buildings come and go, traditions more exibility with chore times. “The cows aren’t on your schedule anymore, stay the same for the Gathje family. “It was denitely pretty cool to be there to help they’re on their schedule,” Scott said. “Sometimes that makes it a little hard for us to accommodate their milk the rst cow,” Jonathon said. “When we milked schedule, but it’s easy to walk away and do what you in the tiestall barn, we’d come home from work or school (and) talk in the middle alley in the old barn. need to do.” The Gathjes are still utilizing their old barn. As It’s still the same, we will sit down in the ofce in the animals calve, they are milked in the old barn with a new barn and talk about whatever. It’s kind of nice bucket until they are ready to move to the new barn. that that still happens.” Once brought into the new barn, they are sent to the
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Page 8 • Dairy Star • Saturday, December 7, 2024
A new chapter in their ag journey
Hope Lutheran High School starts FFA program By Amy Kyllo
amy.k@star-pub.com
WINONA, Minn. — Hope Lutheran High School in Winona has done something few other parochial schools have accomplished: started their own FFA chapter. The high school, which is afliated with the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, has an enrollment of about 78. The school received notice from the Minnesota FFA Association in April that their chapter had been recognized on the state level, and in July, they received national recognition. “From there, it’s been a whirlwind,” said Deb Ellinghuysen, the new chapter’s FFA adviser. Already this fall, the chapter has had state-qualifying teams in the Dairy Cattle Evaluation and Management Career Development Event and the Livestock Evaluation CDE, and the chapter has attended the National FFA Convention & Expo. In January, their Poultry Evaluation CDE team will compete. Starting the chapter has been a group effort from students, parents and school staff.
Two of the current ofcers, seniors Kalli Tveten and Mallory Olson, were part of founding the chapter. Tveten, who grew up on a beef and crop farm, shows her grandparents’ dairy cows and works every day after school on Ross and Tiffany Nelson’s organic dairy farm. Similarly, Olson grew up on her family’s 150-cow organic dairy where they milk with robotic milking units. Like Tveten, Olson is also out every day helping on the farm. Tveten is serving as president of the new chapter and Olson is secretary. For the two rural students, choosing a parochial high school came with a sacrice. “I really wanted to stay with our classmates in our Lutheran school,” Tveten said. “The one fallback was there was no ag class at the time, and there was no FFA.” By the second semester of their freshman year, there was an agriculture class offered, and now, their own FFA chapter as well. “It’s not impossible to start something from the ground up,” Tveten said. “You just have to ask for help and the right people.”
AMY KYLLO/DAIRY STAR
Mallory Olson (from leŌ), Deb Ellinghuysen and Kalli Tveten gather Nov. 14 at Hope Lutheran High School in Winona. Tveten and Olson helped a new FFA chapter begin at their parochial high school this fall. Besides Tveten and Olson, chapter vice president Carter Lorch and his mom, Karen, were key in starting the chapter, as well as Katie Ketchum, a former state FFA president hailing from Lewiston-Altura High School. The parents of the chapter members were also important. “We would not be where we are if we didn’t have help
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ConƟnued from HOPE FFA | Page 8
PHOTO SUBMITTED
Members of Hope Lutheran FFA — Kalli Tveten (front, from leŌ), Lyza Tveten, Bentley Hinkley; (middle, from leŌ) Owen Sauer, Chase Hinkley, Carter Lorch, Audrey Lorch, Mallory Olson and Gavin Brouwer; (back, from leŌ) Jayden Seng and Gavin Olson — gather this fall for an FFA event at the University of Minnesota in St. Paul, Minnesota. The new Hope Lutheran High School FFA chapter has 19 members. Hope Lutheran High School is a blend of rural and non-rural students. Ellinghuysen said she hopes starting an FFA chapter will have a positive effect on enrollment. “(We’re) trying to get more of the rural kids to come down to Hope to have a faith-based education instead of going (to a public school),” she said. Tveten said the lack of ag offerings at the school affected her. “It was kind of one of the things where, if you want me to come to school here, we’re going to have to get this started,” Tveten said. Olson said she has enjoyed expanding her knowledge of agriculture through their classes. “You get the diversity,” she said. “It sparks interest in different areas that you didn’t know existed.” One of the challenges in starting an FFA chapter was balancing the interests of their members, Ellinghuysen said. “It’s kind of split,” Ellinghuysen said. “Some are more into mechanics and welding. Some are more into general livestock, some into poultry, some into dairy. So, we’re trying to nd our way through to make everybody happy and attain their goals.” To establish a chapter, they had to submit a constitution as well as a program of activities, which is updated each fall. So far, they have had a petting zoo for the students at St. Martin’s Lutheran School and attended CDE contests and FFA National Convention & Expo. They recently completed a holiday fundraiser making and selling wreaths working
with FFA mom and dairy farmer, Emily Tweten, who owns Hearty Sol. Next semester, they are planning to sell farm-direct Florida strawberries in March. In April, they will have their rst spring banquet. Ellinghuysen said she would like to expand their volunteer activities. Several parochial opportunities could be included, like the annual Thanksgiving dinner, sh fries during Lent, and Hope Lutheran High School’s auction, where students offer service time for bid. Getting the new chapter started has kept the ofcers busy. Tveten said it was November before she had a full week of school not interrupted by FFA activities. “It’s taken a lot of time and a lot of hard work and dedication,” Tveten said. “This comes with some frustration from both yourself and teachers. … It takes a lot of work, and it’s a lot of work outside of school.” In the future, Ellinghuysen would like to retire. Not a teacher by trade, she spent four and half decades working in the dairy industry before joining the high school — 41 years with ABS Global and four years as a herdswoman. “I would like to be able to hand it off to someone who would be a full-time teacher for ag and science that would be able to take it places I can’t,” she said. For Tveten and Olson, they said they are focusing on handing off a healthy chapter as they nish their high school careers. “We’ve accomplished it and we’re nally here,” Tveten said. “Now it’s just a matter of … leaving it in a good place.”
PHOTO SUBMITTED
Emerson Tweten (from leŌ), Ireland Elsing and Marissa Bernau help students at the peƫng zoo Hope Lutheran FFA put on this fall at St. MarƟn’s Lutheran School in Winona, Minnesota. Other acƟviƟes and events for the chapter include selling wreaths at Christmas, selling strawberries in March and a spring banquet.
Page 10 • Dairy Star • Saturday, December 7, 2024
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Trump to impose tariffs on Canada, Mexico
In addition to China, President-elect Donald Anderson, Hansen to co-chair House Ag ComTrump is now calling for tariffs on Canadian and mittee Mexican imports. Trump said he would impose With the 67-67 divide in the Minnesota House, a 25% tariff on all products coming into the U.S. all committees will be split evenly between the from Canada and Mexico, starting on his rst day Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party and Republican on the job. On Truth Social, Trump said, “This members. Republican Paul Anderson and DFLer tariff will remain in effect until such Rick Hansen will co-chair the AgriculAg Insider time as drugs, in particular fentanyl, ture Finance and Policy Committee. Anand all illegal aliens stop this invaderson farms in Starbuck and has been in sion of our country.” President Biden the legislature since 2008. Hansen repis asking Trump to rethink his threat resents South St. Paul. He grew up on a of additional tariffs on Mexico and farm near Albert Lea and worked at the Canada. Biden said these two neighMinnesota Department of Agriculture boring countries are our closest allies, from 1998 to 2005. Hansen is now presiand additional tariffs would be coundent of a small business and owns a farm terproductive. in southern Minnesota. Canadian dairy policy under scruRecord dairy consumption tiny Americans consumed a record By Don Wick Canadian Agriculture Minister amount of dairy products in 2023, with Columnist Lawrence MacAulay expects the butter and cheese consumption at hisTrump administration to focus on its toric highs. USDA reports per capita bilateral beef trade and dairy supply management consumption of dairy products reached 661 pounds system. MacAulay said trade relations were an is- per person in 2023, an increase of 7 pounds per persue during Trump’s rst term but were resolved son over the previous year and matching the record with the passage of the United States-Mexico-Can- set in 2021. U.S. cheese consumption totaled 42.3 ada Agreement. pounds per person and butter consumption was 6.5 pounds. Both were record highs. Yogurt sales were USDA cabinet nominee announced up, while uid milk and ice cream sales declined. Texas native Brooke Rollins is the agriculture secretary nominee. President-elect Donald Trump November hay prices reported made the announcement Saturday after speculaAccording to the Hay Market Demand and tion surfaced Friday that former Georgia Senator Price Report for the Upper Midwest, prime alfalfa Kelly Loefer was the pick. Rollins is the presi- hay averaged $171 per ton for large squares. That is dent and CEO of the America First Policy Institute. down from $237 one year ago. The price for large She grew up on a farm, graduated with a degree in rounds is averaging $112 per ton, which is nearly agricultural development at Texas A&M University half the price seen one year ago. Grade 1 hay is and was a White House policy advisor in Trump’s valued at $115 per ton for large squares, down from rst term. When making the announcement, Trump $213 per ton one year ago. said Rollins would “spearhead the effort to protect American farmers.” Dairy heifers bring top dollar Compared to most years, Long Prairie LiveBringing White House experience to USDA stock is seeing bigger cattle runs this fall. “Marketwise, prices are good; buyers, sellers, Agriculture secretary nominee Brooke Rollins led President Trump’s Domestic Policy Coun- you got a pretty nice selection — I’d say the quality cil and has White House experience with domestic is excellent,” owner Brad Thelen said. Beef-on-dairy genetics and sexed semen are and global environmental issues. Policy Solutions President Jay Truitt appreciates her international resulting in tight dairy heifer supplies. Thelen has been seeing top dollar for springing dairy heifers. credentials. “That was during the same timeframe that they were going through the Paris Accords, etcetera, et- YoBark introduced A new dairy product is coming to a supermarcetera, etcetera,” said Truitt. “She was probably one of the lawyers that would look through what they ket near you. General Mills and Midwest Dairy could legally do and not legally do; that was her partnered to create YoBark, a refrigerated snack job in the past, and now she’ll be doing it from the that combines the creaminess of yogurt with the crunchy texture of granola. Dairy Management Inc. department of agriculture.” Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been a vocal critic has been working with General Mills on this conof modern farming practices and wants to crack cept since 2021. down on how food is produced. Truitt believes Rollins will be able to stand up to Kennedy’s inuence. Farm broadcasters recognized Jerry Groskreutz of KDHL Radio, Faribault, “I think one of the things she’ll bring to the table is making sure everyone stays in their lane,” he was named the Minnesota Farmers Union Ag Comsaid. “I like the idea that Mr. Kennedy is going to municator of the Year. The award was presented have to see her before he can see anybody else, and during the MFU convention in Minneapolis. Meanwhile, the Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation recthat’s a good thing.” ognized Browneld Ag News farm broadcaster Mark Dorenkamp as its Ag Communicator of the Craig seeks ranking member post Minnesota Representative Angie Craig wants Year during the MFBF awards program. to be the lead Democrat on the House Agriculture Committee. Craig sent a letter to her fellow Dem- Trivia challenge The rumen is the rst compartment of a cow’s ocrats on the committee, making her case to take over the leadership role. Georgia Congressman Da- stomach. That answers our last trivia question. For vid Scott is now in that role, but has had health this week’s trivia, what is the last compartment of a issues. Scott has also faced scrutiny over his effec- cow’s stomach called? We’ll have the answer in our tiveness in leading the Democratic caucus in the ag next edition of the Dairy Star. Don Wick is owner/broadcaster for the Red River committee. Congressman Jim Costa has also announced his intentions to seek the ranking mem- Farm Network of Grand Forks, North Dakota. Wick ber role when the next session convenes in January. has been recognized as the National Farm BroadMinnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar will be the caster of the Year and served as president of the Naranking member on the Senate Agriculture Com- tional Association of Farm Broadcasting. Don and mittee. Klobuchar is succeeding Michigan Senator his wife, Kolleen, have two sons, Tony and Sam, and ve grandchildren, Aiden, Piper, Adrienne, Aurora Debbie Stabenow, who is retiring. and Sterling.
Dairy Star • Saturday, December 7, 2024 • Page 11
A CLOSER LOOK
Making the most of beef-on-dairy Embryos improve conception rates, calf value
“These cows cannot have any health events in the rst 60 days of lactation,” Elsinger said. “Cows that get metritis, for example, are not candidates.” Elsinger uses SimVitro HerdFlex embryos by Simplot Animal Sciences, a division of the J.R. Simplot Company. Simplot provides full-beef embryos to By Stacey Smart dairy farms through a partnership with stacey.s@dairystar.com Select Sires Inc. Embryos are created from a full-beef sire and a full-beef dam to deliver a calf that adds value through LOMIRA, Wis. — For the past six improved feed efciency, rate of gain, years, Elsinger Farms has utilized beef ribeye area and marbling. semen to manage dairy heifer invento“Dairy farmers are using beef emries. Over the past 18 months, the farm bryos for a variety of reasons, and the has expanded its beef-on-dairy probenets to each differ on gram to include beef embryos. what their goals are,” said Today, more than half of the Jeremy Howard, senior sales herd is mated to produce beef and marketing manager at calves. Simplot Animal Sciences. “Our primary reason for “From selling a day-old calf using embryos is to settle to selling an animal hanging cows that are hard to breed on the rail, dairy farmers are back,” Brenda Elsinger said. capturing the value of beef “We’re hoping this is a way of embryos all the way through keeping our girls in the herd a Jeremy Howard the management system.” Simplot Animal little bit longer.” Simplot collects ovaSciences Elsinger and her husband, ries from Black Angus feJeff, farm with their son, Mike, males that come through their processas well as a team of employees near Loing facility to be harvested for beef. mira. Candidates for embryos include The ovaries are aspirated and run rst-lactation animals beyond a third through the in vitro fertilization process service; second- and third-lactation animals past their second service; and Turn to A CLOSER LOOK | Page 12 cherry-picked fourth-lactation cows.
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Page 12 • Dairy Star • Saturday, December 7, 2024
ConƟnued from A CLOSER LOOK | Page 11
where they are paired with high-dollar, high-terminal indexing beef bulls from Select Sires. The embryos are then frozen for later use. Howard said most collection occurs in the West and is from a western-type beef cow, which is a moderate-sized female weighing 1,200 pounds or less. The embryo calves are turning out to be a short and stocky animal, but they are born weighing around 80 pounds, Elsinger said. The embryos are mated specically for use in dairy cows with emphasis placed on calving ease. The rst beef embryo calves produced through Simplot’s partnership with Select Sires were born in Minnesota around 2018. Select Sires is Simplot’s exclusive distributor in the U.S. Howard said Simplot works with either the dairy’s technicians or the co-op’s technicians to train them how to do embryo transfer. Eric Gudex, an A.I. technician with Select Sires, has been putting in beef embryos since April 2023. “It’s not a huge part of what I do, but it is a piece of the pie,” Gudex said. “I probably put in 75-100 beef embryos per month.” About 90% of those embryos are Angus. Gudex is putting the embryos into Holsteins, and Elsinger is one of his customers. Like Elsinger, a few of his customers are using
PHOTO SUBMITTED
A Black Angus bull calf stands on a bed of straw Dec. 2 at Elsinger Farms near Lomira, Wisconsin. The calf is the result of a full-beef embryo, and Brenda Elsinger said these calves are shorter and stockier with bigger frames than dairy beef crossbred calves. the embryos on repeat breeders to improve a cow’s chances of getting pregnant. “Their value is getting that repeat cow bred, and the added gravy on top would be the value of that calf,” Howard said. Several of Gudex’s customers are nishing these beef cattle while another is selling them as wet calves and earning about $100 extra per calf. For another one of Gudex’s customers, beef embryos are
an experiment to stay ahead of the curve. Jersey breeders are seeing the greatest difference in price for a straight beef calf versus a dairy-beef cross. Keeping in mind that pricing is regionspecic, Howard said a JerseyAngus or Jersey-Charolais cross is bringing $300-$500 for a day-old calf whereas straight beef calves from a Jersey cow are bringing $800-$850. This could be even higher in an
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eastern market, Howard said. Holstein crossbred calves are selling in the $800 range to as high as $1,000. “(In the current beef-ondairy calf market) it’s probably not as advantageous for a Holstein breeder to use beef embryos,” Howard said. “Most breeders retain these animals throughout the system and see that value in increased feed efciency.” The market outlook for
beef cattle is promising, Howard said, with prices projected to remain high into 2026. “The beef herd is not really rebuilding yet, and that has a major impact on those prices,” he said. “The dairy heifer shortage is another factor. I have heard we have at least 2-3 more years of seeing increased prices for calves.” Howard is seeing Holstein breeders use beef embryos primarily on repeat breeders and to improve conception rates during times of heat stress. He said there are dairies seeing a 10%-15% increase in reproductive rates when using beef embryos instead of semen during heat stress. “One herd’s conception rate was high enough that they adopted this practice across the herd in the summer to maximize value,” Howard said. When creating embryos for use in Jerseys, Simplot uses high-indexing sires that have a low birth weight and high calving ease. When looking at birth weight in beef cows, Howard said if the Expected Progeny Difference is a negative number, such as -12, that would be considered a smaller birth weight than 0. On calving ease direct, if it is 0 versus 14, the 14 is going to be much higher in calving ease than the 0. Turn to A CLOSER LOOK | Page 13
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Dairy Star • Saturday, December 7, 2024 • Page 13
ConƟnued from A CLOSER LOOK | Page 12
PHOTO SUBMITTED
Brenda Elsinger and Eric Gudex review possible embryo transfer recipient candidates at Elsinger Farms near Lomira, Wisconsin. For the past 18 months, Elsinger has been using beef embryos to seƩle repeat breeders in the hopes of keeping cows in the herd longer. “We use some bulls that are 14 or 15 for calving ease direct and negative 3 and 4 on birthweights for Jerseys, so they’re going to be much smaller calves,” Howard said. “These would be considered heifer bulls in the beef industry. For Holsteins, we can go with a little higher birthweight EPDs.” Simplot can customize the breed composition of the embryos via the sire used if a volume requirement is met. Howard said for example they have a customer who specically wants SimAngus embryos. Elsinger’s use of embryos is limited, with only a couple of embryo calves born per month. Some months, a halfdozen embryo calves are born. The embryos Elsinger uses are sired by Black Angus and Red Angus bulls. “We are focusing primarily on bulls that sire low birthweight and good feed conversion, as well as good carcass quality,” Gudex said. The price differential in raising straight beef cattle versus crossbreds is something Elsinger said will be seen by her daughter who nishes several head of beef cattle per month. Beef animals are raised to a certain age at Elsinger’s farm before moving onto pasture at her daughter’s place. The rst group of straight beef went to pasture the week before Thanksgiving. “That will be the telltale sign, to
see if it will be more protable on my daughter’s end,” Elsinger said. “That’s when we’ll nd out what the nished product is going to look like versus a crossbred. We saw a difference in the rst group that went out. They were shorter and stockier with a lot bigger frames. They were wide, not tall. This winter, we’ll see if they excel in hardiness, too.” When considering if beef embryos are right for a dairy operation, Gudex said farmers need to know what their end goal is and how they plan to capitalize. He said the farm should have a solid reproduction program to start with. “Most farmers probably benet the most when looking to nish these animals themselves,” Gudex said. “The daily gain and cost to nish should be more efcient with a full-blood beef versus a crossbreed. The problem in the Midwest may be trying to nd packers, as that is a small part of our world here.” Elsinger feels cows are sticking around a little longer since using beef embryos, however, she said they are not far enough into the process to know for sure if a cow would have stayed or not. “We’re hoping that with the extra effort we’re putting into keeping her around, it will make a difference,” she said.
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Dairy Star • Saturday, December 7, 2024 • Page 15
from our side OF THE FENCE
How did you modify your old barn and what is its new use? The Saehr Family (pictured is Holly Saehr) Pierz, Minnesota Morrison County 190 cows
Alan Miller Theilman, Minnesota Wabasha County 250 cows
Tell us about your old barn. The original barn was a tiestall barn built in the 1930s. It had a hay mow and we cleaned it by hand until 1974, when Donny and Delores put in a barn cleaner.
Tell us about your old barn. It is a tiestall barn with 36 stalls. It was built in the 1850s. My grandpa, Eugene, bought the farm in the 1960s, and in the 1970s, he added to the barn and doubled the size.
How many generations milked in the barn, and what years were the barn in use? My grandpa and grandma, Carl and Alvina, used it from 1930-1955; then my parents, Donny and Delores, used it from 1955-1993. Amy and I took over in 1993 and we used it until 2012. Our children, Randy and Holly, helped in that barn until 2012.
How many generations milked in the barn, and what years were the barn in use? The barn had multiple owners before our family owned the farm. My grandpa and my dad milked in there until around 1997 when the parlor was built. The maximum number of cows they milked in it was around 90.
How is the barn used now, and what are your plans with the structure? We use it as a calf barn. It has 36 individual pens with a raised ceiling with 11 wall fans and two air tubes, one 14 inches and the other 18 inches. It also has two ridge cap inlets and nine overhead fans. The individual pens are raised by straps and old silo unloader motors. We drive through with the skid loader and push all the bedding out every two weeks. How did you decide what to do with your barn? We were looking for a way to make feeding calves easier and more efcient and wanted all the calves in one area. We also wanted to raise our calves in a more comfortable environment. We contemplated an automatic calf feeder, but we decided to go with individual pens. We talked to a lot of people about ventilation to see if it was even possible to use the structure. What work went into modifying the barn? In 2017, we raised and redid the ceiling, tore out the tie stalls, repoured concrete and did the ventilation. What did you build to replace the barn? We built a 180-cow slatted freestall barn that we bed with chopped straw, bean straw or meadow bedding. We also put in a double-12 parallel parlor. Tell us about your farm. Currently, the whole family, Amy, Darrel, Randy and Holly, is involved with the farm. Darrel manages the breeding, scraping, bedding, crop work, our mechanic work in the shop and manages the 4,000 pigs with Randy. Randy takes care of all the feeding and managing the crop inventory. He also does crop work and helps load the pigs. He also helps with some breeding. Amy manages all the cattle bookwork, milking, calves, vet work, cooking, cleaning and the billing. Holly milks morning and night and takes care of calf records, dehorning and vaccinations. She also helps Darrel and Randy with eld work, breeding, vet work and records, works for Darrel in the shop, and helps with loading and unloading pigs at both sites. Everyone works together to keep the farm running.
How is the barn used now, and what are your plans with the structure? We raise our calves in it. In the future, the barn is going to get used regardless. We've tossed around the idea of doing group housing in it with an auto feeder. But we haven't done any research on it. It's just been an idea. How did you decide what to do with your barn? Originally, we used it because my dad, Bill, needed a place to put calves. We later switched to plastic pen dividers versus the plywood we had been using because of disease, specically crypto. We got the idea for the plastic dividers from an ag professional who visited our farm. He told us that KBS Companies had a product, and suggested we go look at it. The product is a half-inch sheet, 4 by 8 foot glass board. We were able to cut a divider, a door, and then a nose guard out of one sheet. It worked out really well. What work went into modifying the barn? All the tie stall dividers are still there. My dad originally had plywood pens built after he quit using it as a milking barn. Each stall was an individual pen. It was like that for a long time. However, it was leading to some problems because the wood harbored disease. Around 10 years ago we ripped out all those plywood pens, put in a new barn cleaner, and then made plastic pens for the calves that could be removed so you can power wash them and clean them better that way. The panels are held together by zip ties. We can just cut the zip ties, pull everything out, clean it, and start over. What did you build to replace the barn? We built a double-8 herringbone parlor in 1997 for milking that we still use. The herd is housed in free stalls. Tell us about your farm. My grandpa moved here in 1962. I am the third generation. I farm with my dad and three employees. We ship most of the milk to Plainview Milk Products, and then we make some into cheese. It is mostly used for cheese curds for our brand, Little Red Dairy, which we started six years ago. We farm 500 owned and rented acres, which go for feed. Turn to OUR SIDE OF THE FENCE | Page 16
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Page 16 • Dairy Star • Saturday, December 7, 2024
ConƟnued from OUR SIDE OF THE FENCE | Page 15 Andrew Ingvalson Frazee, Minnesota Becker County 200 cows Tell us about your old barn. I do not know much of the history of the barn since it was here be-fore my dad, Lee, bought the farm. It was an old 40-stall stanchion barn that Dad converted into a parlor and freestall barn when he started milking in it. I was young when he did that. I think his reasoning was the barn was here and he didn’t want to do a tiestall or stanchion. He wanted a parlor and he only wanted to milk about 50 cows. The barn worked so they transitioned it. How many generations milked in the barn, and what years were the barn in use? My dad was the rst generation from our family to milk in the old barn. There were at least two generations that milked in the barn from the family my dad bought the farm from. How is the barn used now, and what are your plans with the structure? The barn is now used as a set of free stalls for our breeding heifers. I kind of liked the red barn and for what it cost me to x it up, I couldn’t have built something for 40 heifers. I wanted to keep the free stalls so that the heifers would get used to the setup and transition easier after calving. How did you decide what to do with your barn? It was just trial and error. Once I decided I was not going to build a new barn, it wasn’t that much of a challenge. We just had to jack it up, knock the walls out, and put new walls up. I had the Amish help me do it. What work went into modifying the barn? I knocked out the walls, repoured the concrete and added some curtains. I did that two years ago and it works well. I mean I wouldn’t build it that way, but it was here so I made it work. We worked on it as we had time. We started in the fall and worked on it for a month or two, and then the following fall, we put the tin on it. I just put in the new posts and wall and made it so we could get airow.
Trevor Kral Hanska, Minnesota Brown County 80 cows Tell us about your old barn. The rst barn was a 20-stall stanchion barn that my grandpa, Harry, milked in. That barn fell apart and got replaced with our old 40-stall tiestall barn built in 1987 by my dad, Scott. How many generations milked in the barn, and what years were the barn in use? My grandpa was the only generation that milked in the old barn. I do not know what year he started but he quit in 1976. My dad and I have both milked in our current barn which is now a double-6 parallel parlor. How is the barn used now, and what are your plans with the structure? The barn is our main milking barn. In future years I am hoping to be able to double the size of the parlor. I have no intentions of increasing the number of cows we milk at the farm, just to increase efciency. How did you decide what to do with your barn? For the freestall barn and parlor, we looked at other barns. Mainly local folks and did a little bit of internet research to determine the size and dimensions we wanted to go with. Some different things that stuck out while we were looking included how clean the free stalls could be kept and the amount of labor needed for sand bedding verse straw bedding. What work went into modifying the barn? In 1987 the 40-stall barn was built and it stayed up until 2004. There were a few years we didn’t have cows before 2004 when Dad bought back into them and we started again and we put the parlor in. It is kind of homemade, we did most of it ourselves. Then, the back half of the barn collapsed in 2021 from snow. The parlor is connected to the freestall barn now because of that. There is very little left of the old barn now besides the parlor that thankfully did not collapse.
What did you build to replace the barn? It was kind of a long process. We had expanded and had cows out on a pack and then we built a pack barn and I really didn’t like that, so we transitioned that into free stalls and put in a pit. So over a period of time we just grew. When we moved out of the old barn, we switched to a new barn we built, keeping the setup of free stalls and a parlor.
What did you build to replace the barn? Once the back of the barn collapsed, we extended the freestall barn to be connected to the parlor. We also eliminated our bedding pack. My dad had kind of an older style freestall barn that we did around 2007. Then, I updated it and made it what it is today in 2017.
Tell us about your farm. I milk in a double-10 parlor and cows are housed in a freestall barn. We ship our milk to Bongards. I am the only owner of the farm since I took over in 2009. My dad will help out here and there. I have one full-time employee and a couple of part-time guys. I grow mainly corn and alfalfa. Once in a while, I will plant soybeans for a rotation. My wife, Jo-lie, and I have three daughters — Liv, Gabrielle and Mia — and a boy due in January.
Turn to OUR SIDE OF THE FENCE | Page 18
Tell us about your farm. I ship my milk to Bongards Creamery. I grow all of my own silage for the cattle and most of the hay. I buy some dry hay for the heifers. For dairy operations I have two part time employees that have been here for many years. For eld work and other odds and ends jobs my grandpa; dad; mom, Kristine; and brothers — Blake and Kevin — are all involved.
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Dairy Star • Saturday, December 7, 2024 • Page 17
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Page 18 • Dairy Star • Saturday, December 7, 2024
ConƟnued from OUR SIDE OF THE FENCE| Page 16
Heather and Brandon Moore (Pictured with Cassidy, Palmer, Sutton, Cooper and Tucker.) Maquoketa, Iowa Jackson County 35 cows
with milking. We were also expecting our fth child. We had cut the herd from 50 cows to 35 cows to help with the labor required to run all the enterprises. Brandon came up with the idea to price out a used Lely robot. We extended the milk house into a robot room where the cows come from sand lots to use the robot. It has been trial and error to come up with a way to keep the cows and the robot warm in the Iowa winter. The rst year with the robot was the winter of 2022-2023. About 60 days post-startup, we shut the robot down for a few days and returned to milking in the tie stall. Last winter, we outwintered the cows with a bedded pack, but it was not really the best t. This year, we are adding a door to the side of the barn and adding a lean-to to keep the cows under the roof from the robot to tiestall. We have portioned off the back half of the tie stall for cow bedding, and the front will still be heated for kidding and calf pens.
Tell us about your old barn. We built a low-cost tiestall in 2014 to begin milking cows. It is a pole barn structure and has 50 comfort stalls. We purchased a used pipeline and used bulk tank. When we began building, we chose this type of structure so it would be easy to retrot as our dairy grew or changed. We have always been diversied, so we thought it could become housing for other live-stock or would lend itself well to another ag use if dairying didn’t work out. How many generations milked in the barn, and what years were the barn in use? Despite not being rst-generation farmers, we are on a rst-generation farm. Brandon is the rst dairy farmer in his family. We purchased our farm in 2011 without a milking facility and opted to nd an initial lowcost way to begin milking cows. How is the barn used now, and what are your plans with the structure? Our barn has many uses. Two years ago, we stopped using the barn for milking. We installed a furnace that we purchased from a house that was torn down, installed it, and keep the barn set around 45 degrees. We have large stalls, so we made them into kidding stalls for our son’s goat herd and move our calves from outdoor huts into the barn in the winter. In the summer, the barn gets used for show animals and bedding packs. This summer, we let cows use a portion of it as free stalls to stay under the fans. We did some small retrots this winter so that we can again house cows. That will include hanging a curtain so that we are still able to heat a portion of the barn for kidding pens.
What did you build to replace the barn? For this year, we are keeping the comfort stalls and making minimal changes to the cow stall area, which will be comprised of approximately 36 stalls. We are working to rebuild our herd numbers to around 50 cows, so we don’t want to make permanent changes that may not work for us as we grow our herd. With our business and dairy business evolving, we are constantly looking for ways to improve and make better use of our facilities. Tell us about your farm. My husband, Brandon, and I established our rst-generation farm in 2011, adding the dairy cows in 2014. Our farm labor force now includes ourselves and our ve children, Tucker, 14, Cassidy, 11, Cooper, 8, Sutton, 5, and Palmer 1, and occasional part-time high school labor. We have approximately 35 registered Holstein cows, custom cattle yards, laying hens, hogs, and a small herd of dairy goats for my son to show. We ship 80% of our milk to Brewster Cheese Company in Stockton, Illinois, and 20% is made into cheese curds, cheddar and Colby cheese at our own Moore Family Farms Creamery in Maquoketa.
How did you decide what to do with your barn? A lot of trial and error, based on the needs of our farm business. We do not have a lot of outbuildings for our farm, so we spend a lot of time being creative in meeting the needs of our people and animals. What work went into modifying the barn? We began milking cows in 2014 in the tiestall barn. As start-up farmers with start-up payments, 2015 and 2016 were pretty difcult. In 2017, we decided to open a local food shop in our hometown to sell cheese that we were having custom-made from our milk. By 2022, we had outgrown two store locations and renovated a 4,600 square-foot store, opened a second shop (and have outgrown that), opened a meat locker, and were in the midst of opening our own creamery. During that time, the neighbor kid who was milking for us had graduated, and I was doing most of the milking alone, in addition to running the stores. Brandon was working full time, custom feeding cattle and helping
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Dairy Star • Saturday, December 7, 2024 • Page 19
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“We started using Udder ComfortTM 15 years ago. It was the best thing we could have done to make a tremendous difference. People try to get us to use other products, but they don’t ever stand up to the results with Udder Comfort,” says third generation dairywoman Michelle Hasheider-Burianek of Elm Farms in southern Illinois. “We use this routinely on our fresh cows when they calve in, they are separated after going through the robot, and we apply the Udder Comfort at the head gates.
“We do this for 2 to 3 days; heifers 4 to 5 days. Udders milk out nice and evenly, and we save money by shipping more milk with less need for treatment,” she says. “If we see a hard quarter or a conductivity spike, we grease her up with Udder Comfort. Any animal in the sick pen also gets it,” Michelle explains. “Our kids are really involved in showing, and they enjoy it. So, we also use Udder Comfort on our show cows. I’ll even use it on a swollen hock, it’s that good,” she adds.
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Page 20 • Dairy Star • Saturday, December 7, 2024
TOP PERFORMERS The Koester family, Koester Dairy Inc. Dakota, Illinois | Stephenson County | 400 cows
Koesters focus on genetics to achieve high production
What is your herd health program? We conduct herd health with our veterinarian, Dr. Abe Trone of Lena Veterinary Clinic, every Monday morning. We follow a consistent vaccination program in which animals are usually given one vaccine at a time. Heifers receive Bovi-Shield, SRP and Ultrabac at 8 months and 12 months of age. Lactating cows get BoviShield and Endovac after they freshen. Cows receive Vira Shield at dry off and SRP and Endovac during the dry period.
How many times a day do you milk, and what is your current herd average, butterfat and protein? We milk three times a day. Our current herd average is 35,493 pounds of milk, 1,595 pounds of butterfat and 1,135 pounds protein, with tests of 4.5% butterfat and 3.2% protein. Describe your housing and milking facility. All cows are housed in a 6-row, sand-bedded freestall barn and milked in a double-12 parallel parlor. Cows are housed in two groups: 2-year-olds and fresh cows in one group and cows in their second lactation and higher in another group. All cows receive the same ration. Heifers reside in a separate barn on a bedded pack until 8 months of age before moving to sand-bedded free stalls. Who is part of your farm team, and what are their roles? Dan and Amber Koester farm with their children — Lance, Kyle, Brent and Bria — as well as Lance’s wife, Cynthia, and several employees. Dan is the herdsman and Amber helps with calves and babysits the grand-
STACEY SMART/DAIRY STAR
The Koester family — Brent (from leŌ), Cynthia, Lance, Kyle and Dan — gather in the freestall barn Nov. 21 at Koester Dairy near Dakota, Illinois. The Koesters milk 400 cows with a herd average of 35,493 pounds of milk, 1,595 pounds of buƩerfat and 1,135 pounds of protein. Not pictured are Dan’s wife, Amber, and their daughter, Bria. children. Lance manages crops and mixes feed; Kyle is also a herdsman, on the milking crew and manages the farm business; Brent helps with calves, milk-
ing and crops; Bria helps with calves and milking; and Cynthia is on the milking crew. The farm’s employees include Caleb Heck, Dan Cary, Tito Hurtado,
Dan Ziegler and Casie Mawanda, who help with milking and crops.
What does your dry cow and transition program consist of? Cows are dry for 7 weeks and housed in the freestall barn where they are fed a straw-based, dietary cation-anion difference diet. They start in the far-off dry cow pen and move to the closeup pen 3-4 weeks before calving. When cows are close to calving, they move to the calving pen, which features a bedded pack. They enter the milk cow group 24 hours post-calving.
Turn to TOP PERFORMERS | Page 23
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Dairy Star • Saturday, December 7, 2024 • Page 21
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Page 22 • Dairy Star • Saturday, December 7, 2024
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Dairy Star • Saturday, December 7, 2024 • Page 23
ConƟnued from TOP PERFORMERS | Page 20 What is the composition of your ration, and how has that changed in recent years? Our milk cow ration consists of corn silage, haylage, ground corn, gluten pellets, bean meal, cottonseed, protein mix and molasses. We feed once a day and push up feed about 10 times a day. We have not really changed our ration other than to make minor adjustments as needed. Tell us about the forages you plant and detail your harvest strategies. We farm around 1,000 acres and plant haylage and brown midrib corn silage. We do ve cuttings of alfalfa, which we harvest every four weeks on a 28-day cutting schedule. We keep an alfalfa stand for three years. We do all our own harvesting except for chopping corn silage, which we hire a custom operator for. After we take off corn silage, we double-crop rye on a portion of acres to chop for heifer feed and come back with soybeans. This has worked well for us and yields 65 bushels of beans per acre. What is your average somatic cell count and how does that affect your production? Our somatic cell count averages between 100,000-150,000 throughout the year. We strive to maintain a low cell count, but with higher production, it can be more challenging. We look at SCC and mastitis resistance when picking bulls. Our goal is to use bulls that are under 2.80 for SCC. What change has created the biggest improvement in your herd average? We have been over 30,000 pounds of milk for a long time, and our production has been pretty consistent for the past 10 years. We have seen the biggest change in production through an increase in components, specically butterfat percent. Years ago, our butterfat was at 3.7%-3.8%. Today, it is 4.5%. A lot of that increase is due to genetics. Every bull we pick has
STACEY SMART/DAIRY STAR
Cows stand in the milking parlor Nov. 21 at Koester Dairy near Dakota, Illinois. The registered, 100% homebred herd is milked three Ɵmes a day in a double-12 parallel parlor. high components; some are extremely high for components. What technology do you use to monitor your herd? We installed the SenseHub activity monitoring system two years ago, which provides health and reproduction alerts. All cows and breeding-age heifers wear a SenseHub ear tag. The system has helped improve reproduction and helps us identify health issues sooner. What is your breeding program, and what role does genetics play in your production level? Our goal is to keep increasing the genetic level of our herd. All our animals are genomically tested, and we use this data for matings, ushing and merchandising decisions. We use the top bulls and had our rst animal hit +3000 for Type Production Index a few years ago. Today, we probably have 70-
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80 animals at that level. We try to focus on making cows with a balance of production, type and health traits. Our current herd favorite, K-Star Renegade Affect-ET, is a perfect example of this. As a 3-year-old, she made 53,320 pounds of milk, 2,678 pounds of butterfat and 1,720 pounds of protein in 365 days, with tests of 5.0% butterfat and 3.2% protein. She scored Excellent 91 with a 93-point mammary system in her second lactation. Her grandson, K-Star-FS Alcatraz-ET, was recently released at Select Sires. We have more than 20 daughters out of Affect with more to come. We do a lot of embryo transfer work, especially on two families that are high in components. We breed for average to above-average stature with enough strength, width and capacity to maintain production.
List three management strategies that have helped you attain your production and component level. Quality forages, cow comfort and genetics. We work with our nutritionist, Gerrit DeBruin, quite a bit to ensure we produce the highest quality forages and feed the highest quality ration. He has been with us since we built our new facility 15 years ago. One thing we’ve changed over the years is to look more at amino acids. To ensure cow comfort, we built our freestall barn with 50-inch-wide stalls that we bed with sand. We installed rubber belting by the feed bunk, which provides nice traction and allows cows to stand on rubber when eating. We also have rubber ooring in the parlor for added comfort for cows while being milked. In the barn, there are fans over the headlocks and on the outside rows as well as above the stalls. We also have sprinklers that run on timers. In addition, we place a lot of emphasis on genetics. When choosing sires, we pick bulls that are over 3200 for Genomic TPI and at least 1.5 for type and udders with an acceptable daughter pregnancy rate. We use high-genomic bulls, and sometimes we use pre-released semen in our in vitro fertilization program. Tell us about your farm and your plans for the dairy in the next year. Koester Dairy is home to K-Star Registered Holsteins — a 100% homebred herd. Dan is the third generation on the farm, which has been in our family for many years. We ship our milk to Klondike Cheese Company in Monroe, Wisconsin. We have won the Herd of Excellence award eight times and the Progressive Genetics Herd award 33 times. We sell about 100 young dairy cows every year to other dairy producers. In the next year, we plan to continue improving and keeping our cows healthy and producing well. Each day is a new challenge, and we try to do the best we can.
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Page 24 • Dairy Star • Saturday, December 7, 2024
+
DAIRY ST R
THE GREAT
2024 Grand Prize Drawing Will Be Held Wednesday, December 11, 2024 ADULT “GRAND” PRIZE
THE WINNERS WILL BE POSTED ON WWW.DAIRYSTAR.COM, MILK BREAK NEWSLETTER AND ON FACEBOOK.
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17 & UNDER “GRAND” PRIZE
GIVEAWAYS
2) HEIFER CALVES!
FOR ADULTS LEADING UP TO GRAND PRIZE DRAWINGS G Calf o rand Priz e wn and J ed by Bri come ill Nelso an n sf Farm rom Olm ar s in Eye, M Sleepy inn.
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SUNKIST ROMPEN LAYLA-RED Born: September 11, 2023 Sire: Terra-Linda Rocket-ET Dam: Olmar Helix Sansi
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GIVEAWAY WINNERS SO FAR: DAY 1: Lee Martinek DAY 2: Harlan Selander DAY 3: Tom Meyer DAY 4: Pam Geier DAY 5: Jason Raths DAY 6: Jennifer Schmelzer
REGISTER FREE AT ANY OF THE PARTICIPATING BUSINESSES FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN!
Dairy Star • Saturday, December 7, 2024 • Page 25
REGISTER AT THESE PARTICIPATING BUSINESSES:
WISCONSIN BARRON COUNTY • Equity Livestock, Barron Barron • 715-537-5618
BROWN COUNTY • Cornette Farm Supply Greenleaf • 920-864-7891 CALUMET COUNTY • D&D Equipment Chilton • 920-849-9304 • Gruett’s Potter • 920-853-3516 • Stanley Schmitz Chilton • 920-849-4209 CHIPPEWA COUNTY • Chippewa Farm Service, LLC Chippewa Falls • 715-382-5400 • Chippewa Valley Dairy Supply Stanley • 715-644-2350 CLARK COUNTY • Cherokee Garage Colby • 715-223-2374 • Cloverdale Equipment Curtiss • 715-223-3361 • Northern Lakes Vet Supply Abbotsford • 715-223-4700 • Silver Star Metals Withee • 715-229-4879 COLUMBIA COUNTY • Equity Livestock, Arlington Arlington • 608-635-4376 DODGE COUNTY • Central Ag Supply Juneau • 920-386-2611 • Equity Livestock, Lomira Lomira • 920-269-7150 • Knowles Produce & Trading Lomira • 920-583-3747 • Schraufnagel Implement Lomira • 920-269-4307 • Waupun Equipment Waupun • 920-324-3597 Watertown • 920-261-5301 DUNN COUNTY • Leedstone Menomonie • 866-467-4717 • MAC Contractors Menomonie • 715-232-8228 • Midwest Livestock Systems Menomonie • 715-235-5144 EAU CLAIRE COUNTY • Equity Livestock, Altoona Eau Claire • 715-835-3104 FOND DU LAC • Eden Equipment Eden • 920-477-5292 • Redeker Dairy Brandon • 920-346-5576 GRANT COUNTY • Dickeyville Feed Dickeyville • 608-568-7982 GREEN COUNTY • Equity Livestock, Monroe Monroe • 608-328-8344 • Lely Center Monroe Monroe • 888-927-4450 • Monroe WestfaliaSurge/Koehn, Inc. Monroe • 608-325-2772 • Top Notch Feed & Pet Supply New Glarus • 608-527-3333 JACKSON COUNTY • W.H. Lien, Inc. Hixton • 715-963-4211 JEFFERSON COUNTY • Equity Livestock, Johnson Creek Johnson Creek • 920-699-3588
LAFAYETTE COUNTY • Center Hill Veterinary Clinic Darlington • 608-776-4083 • Darlington Feed LLC Darlington • 608-776-3862 • J Gile Cuba City • 608-744-2661 • Scott Implement Platteville • 608-348-6565 MANITOWOC COUNTY • Equity Livestock, Reedsville Reedsville • 920-754-4361 • Miller Implement St. Nazianz • 920-773-2800 MARATHON COUNTY • Brubacker Ag Equipment, LLC Edgar • 715-613-7308 • Equity Coop Stratford Stratford • 715-687-4101 MONROE COUNTY • Equity Livestock, Sparta Sparta • 608-269-3104 • Leedstone Sparta • 608-269-3830 OCONTO COUNTY • Beaver Machine Coleman • 920-897-4035 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY • Midwest Livestock Systems, LLC Kaukauna • 920-759-9223 PEPIN COUNTY • Anibas Silo & Repair Arkansaw • 715-285-5317 PIERCE COUNTY • Ag Partners Ellsworth • 715-273-5066 RICHLAND COUNTY • Equity Livestock, Richland Center Richland Center • 608-647-6151 ROCK COUNTY • Complete Feed Sharon • 262-736-3333 • Tri-County Dairy Supply Janesville • 608-757-2697 SAUK COUNTY • Central Ag Supply Baraboo • 608-356-8384 SHAWNO COUNTY • Equity Livestock, Bonduel Bonduel • 715-758-2125 • P&D Sales & Service Pulaski • 715-758-2585 • Pulaski Warehouse Pulaski • 920-822-3536 TREMPEALEAU COUNTY • Centerville Coop Trempealeau • 608-539-3311 VERNON COUNTY • Koon Kreek Feeds Coon Valley • 608-452-3838
IOWA ALLAMAKEECOUNTY
• Equity Livestock, Waukon Waukon • 563-568-4501 • Farmers Union Coop Postville • 563-864-7234 DUBUQUE COUNTY • Eastern Iowa Dairy Epworth • 563-876-3087 • New Vienna Ag Automation New Vienna • 563-921-2896 • Rexco Equipment Farley • 563-744-3393 • Roeder Implement Dubuque • 563-557-1184 • Scherrmann’s Implement Dyersville • 563-875-2426
• Skip Breitbach Feeds Sherrill • 563-552-2393 • Ungs Shopping Center (IAS) Luxemburg • 563-853-2455 CLAYTON COUNTY • Windridge Implement Elkader • 563-245-2636 HOWARD COUNTY • Farmers Win Co-op Cresco West • 563-547-3660 • Windridge Implement Cresco • 563-547-3688 WINNESHIEK COUNTY • Brynsaas Sales & Service Decorah • 563-382-4484 • Farmers Union Coop Fort Atkinson • 563-534-7216 Ossian • 563-532-9381 • Farmers Win Coop Ridgeway • 563-737-2244 • Franzen Sales & Service Fort Atkinson • 563-534-2724 • Lang’s Dairy Service Decorah • 563-382-8722 • Windridge Implement Decorah • 563-382-3614
MINNESOTA DAKOTA COUNTY • Werner Implement Vermillion • 651-437-4435
GOODHUE COUNTY • Ag Partners Cannon Falls • 507-263-4651 Goodhue • 651-923-4496 Pine Island • 507-356-8313 • Central Livestock Zumbrota • 507-732-7305 • Finnesgard Trucking Goodhue • 651-923-4861 • Midwest Livestock Systems, LLC Zumbrota • 507-732-4673 • Midwest Machinery Cannon Falls • 507-263-4238 Wanamingo • 507-824-2256 • Stockman’s Supply Zumbrota • 507-732-7860 • Zumbrota Stockman’s Supply Zumbrota • 507-732-7860 HOUSTON COUNTY • Farmers Win Co-op Caledonia • 507-725-3306 Houston • 507-896-3147 • Hammell Equipment Eitzen • 507-495-3326 • Midwest Machinery Caledonia • 507-725-7000 WABASHA COUNTY • Ag Partners Plainview • 507-534-2531 Lake City • 651-345-3328 • Beck Implement Elgin • 507-876-2122 • Leedstone Plainview • 800-548-2540 • Midwest Machinery Plainview • 507-534-3116 • Wingert Sales & Service Plainview • 507-534-2285 WINONA COUNTY • Ag Partners Lewiston • 507-523-2188 • Elba Co-op Creamery Elba • 507-796-6571 • Kalmes Implement Altura • 507-796-6741 • Lang’s Dairy Equipment Lewiston • 507-452-5532 • Lewiston Sales Lewiston • 507-523-2112 • Midwest Machinery St. Charles • 507-932-4030 • Minnwest Bank Lewiston • 507-523-2161
To view a complete list of participating businesses, log on to www.dairystar.com
*Enter as often as you like. One entry per store visit, please. Winners must be 18 years or older and a Grade A or B dairy farmer for adult prize, or 17 years or younger and a son or daughter of a Grade A or B dairy farmer for heifer calf. Winners must also live in the Dairy Star circulation area to be eligible and are responsible for transport of animal.
Page 26 • Dairy Star • Saturday, December 7, 2024
Six generations keep farm in family
Wright County operation gains sesquicentennial status By Tiffany Klaphake tiffany.k@dairystar.com
WAVERLY, Minn. — For 150 years every generation at Diers Corporation has faced unique challenges, and each has passed the family farm onto the next generation. Colette (Diers) Thorson and her husband, Andy, are the fth generation to milk cows at the Wright County dairy farm that was settled in 1874. Their daughters, Mikayla, Malorie and Victoria, help on the farm when they are not at school. Malorie is attending South Dakota State University studying dairy production with plans of returning to the home farm as the sixth generation. Colette’s parents, Gary and Linda Diers, live on the farm in a house built in 1890. “A lot of credit needs to be given to all the generations before us,” Andy said. “Dairy farming is a tough business and they made it through a lot. You have to be willing to get through the tough times to enjoy the good times. They persevered through a lot to continue on the farm.” Colette and Andy milk 250
cows in a double-12 parabone parlor and farm 900 acres. Gary, at 82 years old, helps on the farm as he can. Over the years, he farmed with several of his brothers and some of Colette’s siblings helped on the farm at different stages too. Colette said when she was growing up, they nished steers, raised beef, raised hogs from farrow to nish, and raised sheep and dairy cattle as well. “Each of the uncles had their own entity on the farm,” she said. Hermann Diers settled the farm after serving in the Civil War, claiming his 140 acres through the Homestead Act. Edward Diers took over the farm from Hermann. Roland took over the farm from Edward, at the age of 12, when his dad died by suicide during the Great Depression. Gary and his brothers took over the farm from Roland, and in 1969, they reorganized the business as Diers Corporation. History in the early years is limited, but the family has cow production records back to the 1920s and 1930s. The records show the family milked 27 cows in 1925 until the Great Depression.
TIFFANY KLAPHAKE/DAIRY STAR
The Thorson family — Andy (from leŌ), Mikalya, Victoria, Malorie and ColeƩe — stand Nov. 27 near their century old barn at their farm near Waverly, Minnesota. The farm has been in ColeƩe’s family since 1874. “That blows my mind that we had that many cows back then,” Colette said. “During the Great Depression they had to sell some cows. The story goes that they lived off one cow for a while after my greatgrandpa committed suicide.” The barn that was built in 1920 still stands today and is used as a calf barn. The Diers family were early adaptors and
installed a single-3 parlor in the 1950s. The freestall barn was built in the 1960s and is still used today. A new parlor — a double-3 surge parlor— was installed in 1974. Then the parlor was remodeled in 2013 to be a double-12 which is used today. “My dad taught me to make the best of what you have,” Colette said. “I appre-
ciate what my dad taught me, making use of everything we have in the best, most efcient way.” Today, Colette uses the century-old dairy barn and an old hog barn as calf barns. “That is my best calf barn,” Colette said. “It is so well ventilated and so it works great.” Turn to THORSON | Page 27
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TIFFANY KLAPHAKE/DAIRY STAR
Malorie (from leŌ), ColeƩe and Andy Thorson each hold a farm photo Nov. 27 at their farm near Waverly, Minnesota. The Thorsons milk 250 cows. While Colette is a fth-generation right after college and she and Andy dairy farmer, Andy did not grow up on a have been farming with Colette’s pardairy farm and is a generation removed ents ever since. Now, Andy and Colette from the farm. He grew up in central are starting to incorporate Malorie, the Wisconsin surrounded by dairy farms, next generation, into their decisionbut both of his parents had jobs in town. making process. “We are doing what we need to do “I knew from a young age that I wanted to farm,” Andy said. “I was in but we want to wait to see what the fu4-H and helped at farms in the area. I ture holds before we make any major spent as much time as I could at my decisions,” Colette said. “We need to involve the next generation in any and aunt and uncle’s dairy farm.” Andy and Colette met in college all major decisions.” Andy agreed. at the University of Wisconsin-River “It’s amazing how life goes so Falls. While dating, a position at Colette’s family’s farm became available quickly,” he said. “It feels like yesto continue work done by her sister, who terday Colette and I were making dewas going on maternity leave. Andy de- cisions with Colette’s dad and uncle about transition. All of sudden, now cided to try it, and he never left. Colette had set her sights on tak- we are at a point where the decisions ing over the farm while she was in high we are making today are about the next school. Before coming back to the farm generation.” full time her dad encouraged her to try pursuing something else rst. “I knew I wanted to take over the farm, but my dad told me to go to college,” Colette said. “I did, and my senior year of college I went to work at a dairy farm and I realized I missed it terribly. I didn’t want to go back TIFFANY KLAPHAKE/DAIRY STAR to school. I wantA NaƟ onal Honor Roll award is displayed Nov. 27 at Diers ed to stay working on the farm.” CorporaƟon near Waverly, Minnesota. The award is from Colette came 1927 when ColeƩe’s great-grandpa, Ed Diers, milked 25-27 back to the farm cows in the 1920s.
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Page 28 • Dairy Star • Saturday, December 7, 2024
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Dairy Star • Saturday, December 7, 2024 • Page 29
Perseverance to dairy Millers named Wabasha County Farm Family of the Year By Amy Kyllo
amy.k@star-pub.com
PLAINVIEW, Minn. — For John and Kris Miller, who started their dairy farm from scratch, being named Wabasha County Farm Family of the Year is an honor they identify as one of their proudest moments of farming. The Millers, alongside their son, Thomas, and his wife, Bailey, dairy farm near Plainview. They milk 380 cows and farm 700 acres of owned and rented land, growing corn, alfalfa and canning peas. “(Farming) it’s a disease,” Miller said. “I worked off the farm for a few years after high school, I went to college, ... and I enjoyed the work I was doing, but all the while, something was missing. ... I had to do it. ... Some people can cure
or live with it and other people just have to go with it.” Miller grew up on a dairy farm near Conception, but his own farm is a legacy he started in 1991 on a rented farm with 28 cows he purchased from his dad. “It was frustrating at times,” Miller said. “My friends that were farming were all farming with their dad. ... There were a lot of times I felt like I was out and I was totally alone. I didn’t have the backup. I felt every mistake I made severely.” The feedback from those around them was also not positive Kris said. “We had a lot of people tell us, ‘You’ll never make it,’” she said. Miller agreed. “(We) never got a lot of moral support,” he said. After their rst four years, the Millers had increased their cow numbers to almost 50.
AMY KYLLO/DAIRY STAR
Kris and John Miller gather Aug. 2 on their dairy farm near Plainview, Minnesota. The Millers were named the Wabasha County Farm Family of the Year.
AMY KYLLO/DAIRY STAR
John Miller looks at data on the farm computer Aug. 2 at his dairy farm near Plainview, Minnesota. Miller started dairy farming in the early 1990s.
They moved to the farm they live at now and increased their herd to 75-80. In 2000 they purchased the rst 80 acres of their farm and several years later bought 160 more acres. They built a freestall barn in the early 2000s and at the same time, they increased their herd to about 150-180. They built a double-10 herringbone parlor in 2002-2003. Since then, their herd numbers have grown from within. The Millers said the biggest challenge they have faced has been nancial. “There were a couple of times I just didn’t know if it was going to work,” Miller said. “2009 was probably the worst. ... We had to sit down and think, do we really want to keep doing this?” The Millers said their banker worked on their behalf. “I remember asking him one time, ‘So why do you
keep doing this for me?’” Miller said. “He goes, ‘I see what you do. You work hard. You get your work done. ... You’re not on vacation. You’re not driving fancy pickups. As long as you keep trying, I’ll keep trying too.’” Miller said having that type of support made a difference. “It’s things like that, that just make you work harder,” Miller said. “Having that feeling — that people think you aren’t going to make it or don’t have what it takes — drives you.” One of the highlights of the Millers’ farming career was receiving the Outstanding Conservationists Award in 2012 by the Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts. Turn to MILLERS | Page 32
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www.extension.umn.edu/dairy
Farming with family
Ninety-four percent of Minnesota the farm. Keep in mind that there is a dairy farms are family-owned and op- balance between making everyone feel erated. It is a great blessing that dairy heard and appreciated, in addition to acfarmers get the opportunity to knowledging the history of the work with their loved ones and farm. pass the years of hard work Some farms that have been onto the next generation. most successful in transitionHowever, farming with ing to the next generation have family is challenging, as percreated space within the mansonal feelings and livelihood agement of the farm for the needs cloud the business deincoming generation to take cisions on the farm. It is hard on ownership of a part of the to get out of the daily routine farm. For example, the incomof farming. But it is impor- By Karen Johnson ing generation can make all the tant for the future of the busi- University of decisions related to the crops ness to look forward and plan, Minnesota or youngstock management. In whether you have an heir comaddition, these farms have also ing back to the farm or decide to sell out made an effort to include the incoming your dairy business. generation when meeting with the bankHere are some ideas we must think er, accountant, etc. that help manage the through to navigate the conversations business aspects of the farm. around the farm planning process. Many Farm families often have conict of these ideas need some degree of self- over what they expect the other person reection before translating into a full to do versus what they intend to do. conversation with family and business Having continual discussions on evpartners. eryone’s expectations for management Do you have someone in your farm responsibilities and ownership can help business who would like to take on more with transparency. It is important that responsibility? If so, it is important to everyone is clear about what they expect make sure they have the skills and know- from each other in their business. Be how to be successful. Families should sure to write down these expectations to be open to listening to everyone’s ideas. help keep everyone accountable moving Open conversations provide opportuni- forward. Please write these items down ties to vet the interests and skills of the as a living document that will change as person who wants to be more active on your business changes.
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The vision and goals for the farm need to combine everyone’s wishes and desire for the farm on sensible, common ground. We must recognize that everyone involved wants the farm to succeed. Respect and trust are necessary to nd common ground. Think about the alternatives of your present scenario. What would happen if you decided to expand the dairy? Would you have enough money to keep the farm going? Is the farm bringing in enough income to support everyone involved? If not, what options do you have? Please note that these decisions can’t happen overnight. They need time for additional discussion and research to take place to see if the idea is nancially feasible for the long-term goal of the family farm. As you begin thinking about the future of your dairy, take time to break away from the daily chores for some self-reection. What are your personal interests? Do your expectations and vision for the farm match that of others on the farm? Don’t know? Have a conversation that asks hard questions. Are you thinking about the future of your farm and how you would like to get there on your own? Ask for help. There are several organizations, such as the Minnesota Dairy Initiative, extension, farm business management or other related
organizations in your state that can help you navigate your farm planning process. Be open to discovering and understanding your wishes rst before having open and honest conversations about the future of your farm with family and business partners. Save the date: If your farm is looking for ideas on how to keep the farm moving forward, check out the Minnesota “Women in Dairy” event. This event is planned for Thursday, Feb. 13, starting at 6:30 p.m. with a social at the Crow River Winery in Hutchinson, Minnesota. This year’s keynote speaker is Katy Schultz from Fox Lake, Wisconsin. Katy owns Tri-Fecta Farms with her siblings and best friends, Kari and Nick. Currently she is the on-farm manager for “everything with a heartbeat” — livestock, employees and public relations. The family’s farm consists of dairy, cash crops and an on-farm beef market. As a passionate keynote speaker, Katy will share her story about the good, the bad and the manure piles of farming with family. The “Women in Dairy” event is open to anyone. Final details for this program will be shared in early January. All details of this program are developed in partnership between the University of Minnesota Extension and Minnesota Dairy Initiative.
Dana Adams Nathan Hulinsky adam1744@umn.edu huli0013@umn.edu 320-204-2968 320-203-6104
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Here’s how to do it: directly impacts ration consistency Place a cup of fresh manure in a and nutrient balance. Regular testing 6-8 mesh size screen or colander. helps farmers adjust feed quantities Wash the manure under running and maintain optimal rations. Frequent water, removing digested material untesting is especially critical for silage til the water runs clear. stored in varying conditions, such as Examine the residue for undigested hay silage from multiple elds stored feed particles. Whole grains or seeds in bags. Aim to test hay silage mois- suggest inadequate feed processing or ture weekly and corn silage monthly. poor digestion. Large forage particles Adjust rations when moisture levels (over 1/2 inch) indicate insufcient efdeviate by more than 4% from expect- fective ber intake or rapid rumen feed ed values. Use tools like a microwave, passage. Also, look for mucin casts, Koster tester or food dehydrator to which are tissue fragments from the measure forage moisture levels. large intestine. These suggest inammation or chronic acidosis. TMR particle size and eating behavior Monitor cud chewing Observing the bunk after feeding Healthy cows chew their cud as provides valuable insights into feed part of the rumination process, which mixing and cow behavior. Check for maintains rumen function and ber consistency along the bunk. Uneven digestion. Typically, at least 50% of distribution of ingredients or clumps cows lying down in the barn should be of poorly processed hay indicates mix- actively chewing cud. Lower percenting issues. Watch cows as they eat. ages may indicate suboptimal ber inSorting behavior — where cows sift take or feeding practices. through feed to consume grain while leaving forage — can lead to imbal- Track milk components anced nutrition. Milk composition provides anTo evaluate sorting, use a Penn other valuable indicator of ration perState shaker box to measure TMR par- formance. Many Holstein herds now ticle size. Sample the feed at delivery, average about 4% milk fat. A drop in a few hours after feeding and again milk fat often signals acidosis or inbefore the next feeding. A difference sufcient ber digestion. Large rapid of more than 10% in particle size dis- changes in milk protein can also inditribution over time suggests signicant cate dietary imbalances that need to be sorting. To minimize sorting: addressed. — Process hay so particles are 1-2 inches long. Body condition and locomotion — Ensure the TMR contains scores enough moisture to bind ingredients. Evaluate body condition scores — Add liquid feed binders, push across different lactation stages to up feed more frequently or offer mul- ensure cows are maintaining optimal tiple daily feedings. body condition. Additionally, assess A simple trick to assess additive locomotion scores to identify early distribution is to mix colorful candies signs of lameness, which can impact like jellybeans with feed additives or feeding behavior and milk production. minerals. If the candies aren’t evenly distributed, adjustments in mixing are Putting it all together needed. Using these tools and observations regularly can improve your underManure scoring and analysis standing of how well your rations are Manure provides clues about ru- working. Listening to what the cows men health, feed digestibility and nu- are “saying” through their behavior, trient absorption. Pay attention to its manure and production metrics helps color, consistency and content. identify and address problems early. Color: Dark brown is typical for Incorporating small changes — cows on TMR diets. Unusual colors such as routine forage moisture testing, may indicate health issues. For in- adjusting TMR processing or using a stance, red or dark black manure may shaker box — can have a signicant suggest the presence of blood, while impact on herd health and productivmucus can indicate intestinal inam- ity. These minimal-cost practices emmation or acidosis. power farmers to create more consisConsistency: Manure consisten- tent and effective feeding programs, cy reects ber intake and digestion. ultimately improving both animal welScore manure on a scale of 1 to 5. A fare and protability. score of 3 — porridge-like, stacking
Dairy Star • Saturday, December 7, 2024 • Page 31
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Page 32 • Dairy Star • Saturday, December 7, 2024
ConƟnued from MILLERS | Page 29
AMY KYLLO/DAIRY STAR
John Miller sprays the deck of the parlor Aug. 2 during milking at his dairy farm near Plainview, Minnesota. The Millers milk 380 cows.
Miller learned conservation from his dad. To prevent soil erosion, one of the rst things Miller did on his current farm was to plan contour strips. He also uses cover crops. “It’s just the right thing to do,” Miller said. “It was my dad who always says you never really own the land. You’re just given the right to run it for a while. So, I’d like to leave it in as good or better shape for the next generation than what I found (it).” The family has begun the process of transitioning the farm to Thomas. Their other children, Haley, and her husband, Jake, and Joe and Nick, work off the farm but help as they are able. “We asked a lot, a lot of questions,” Miller said. “It was a drawn-out process. ... we still have a long way to go, but we
met with lawyers and accountants on how to transfer stuff, looking at tax liabilities and stuff like that and just overall risk. ... (We) talked a lot with the other kids about how things might look.” The farm is going to be made into a limited liability company in the new year and they plan to begin the process of signing over some assets. As time goes on, they will slowly transition responsibility and ownership. “There’s a lot of emotions that go along with it,” Miller said. The Millers expressed that transitioning is both difcult and good considering they were not sure a few years ago whether another generation would join the farm. “I still feel like I got a lot of things I want to accomplish in life,” Miller said.
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Dairy Star • Saturday, December 7, 2024 • Page 33
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A midnight rendezvous Nothing wakes a person up faster in the middle of the night than hearing the words, “The cows are out.” One night earlier this fall, just after midnight, our 5-month-old daughter woke us up wanting to be fed. Jason and I could tell right away that something was amiss outside since the cows and baby calves were bellowing like crazy. I got up and fed the baby while still half asleep, and Jason, also half asleep, grabbed a ashlight and went outside to see what was going on. After several minutes, Jason came back in and reported exactly what we feared to be true. A pen of 25 heifers got out, and now they were all over the yard. Jason got the side-by-side out of the shed while I nished feeding our baby. Then, I slipped on a pair of shoes and joined Jason on the side-by-side. The rendezvous was underway. We quickly found one group of heifers near the barn, which caused the cows and baby calves to alert us in the rst place. We have a series of gates that connect all the heifer pens and the barn. The animals that were out belonged in the pen at the bottom end of the series of pens and were currently at the top next to the barn. Thankfully, it was easy enough to open the gate and let them in, and then, one by one, open the other gates to get them back in their appropriate pen. However, that was only eight heifers; now we had to nd the remaining 17. We drove around for several minutes and found one heifer in the dry cow pasture. Again, we were able to open the gates and, without too much difculty, get her back in the correct pen.
We set out again, this time searching the south side So, we turned around and went the other way, north of the corral. We soon found a group of 10 heifers in a of our driveway. We drove half a mile and could see meadow just south of the gate the heifers had somehow some heifers running around in our neighbor’s yard. managed to open themselves. Using the headlights This neighbor is also a farmer. He used to dairy farm, from the side-by-side, we rounded up but now he raises steers and crops. We the heifers and chased them back into the decided to call him and let him know pen with the open gate. We made sure to we were going to be running around his close the gate and made sure there were yard trying to get our heifers back. Mind not any other gates open. you, it is now just shy of 1 a.m. It took a Then the real search began. We minute for him to realize what we were drove around the yard in pitch-black trying to say, as it was the middle of the darkness, checking in any building with night, but then he said he would come out and help us. Jason and the neighbor an open door. Jason and I were both getjumped on a couple of four-wheelers, ting that sinking feeling that the remainand I used the truck to block off the road. ing six heifers were not in our yard. We drove to almost the bottom of the driveAfter a few minutes, we got them out of By Tiffany Klaphake the yard and onto the road and were able way and then got out to check for tracks. Staff Writer to walk them back up into our yard. With Sure enough, numerous hoof prints were the momentum of them trotting down the going down the driveway. We had more questions than answers when we got to the bottom of road and up our driveway, we had to open the gate by the driveway, as the road we live on is tar, so we were the barn to chase them in since the gate to their pen has not able to tell which way the heifers went. Our track- an open meadow next to it. Once inside the pen, we ing system was not going to help anymore. We drove again just had to open the series of gates to get them up to the house and switched from driving our side-by- back into their correct pen. Whew. Mission accomside to Jason’s truck since it had much brighter head- plished. lights. We thanked the neighbor for his help and laughed We had a 50/50 shot. Did the cattle go to the north about the ordeal for a couple of minutes and then said or to the south? We decided to try to the south, as there good night. When Jason and I got back in the house, we is an alfalfa eld just on the other side of the meadow said a prayer that all the animals were back home safe where we found the second batch of heifers. No luck. and sound and for having helpful neighbors.
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A season of togetherness As we step into the holiday season and I wrap up a month of fun and engaging Princess Kay appearances, I am reminded of the countless blessings in life. Coming home for Thanksgiving to join the family around the table is a special time and one that I look forward to each year. Sharing what we are all thankful for allowed me to take a step back and reect on the opportunities the past month has held. On Nov. 8, I was excited to join 30 MinneOn the Road with sota 4-H members at the Princess Kay rst-ever 4-H Agriculture Education Leader Exchange. I presented to the group on how to advocate for Agriculture, and we put these skills into practice by creating a mock social media post. Following this, we engaged in two different activities to explore new, creative ways to By Rachel Visser consume three servings 71st Princess Kay of the Milky Way of dairy each day and understand sustainability on dairy farms. This was a fun event to interact with the youth who are taking advantage of the opportunities presented to them and engaging in many of the same activities I did not too many years ago. There is no doubt that the future is bright for the upcoming generation of agricultural leaders. Toward the end of the month, I was able to attend both the annual meeting of the Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation and the Minnesota Farmers Union Annual Convention. At the Farm Bureau banquet, I spent the evening with members from across Minnesota, and I had meaningful conversations with new and familiar faces. I was also able to speak on the importance and value of being a part of a team in agriculture. When I think about agriculture and the effect we have on the world around us, teamwork — along with dedication, hard work and determination — is what truly sets our community apart. On the farm, I can often be found doing chores with my sisters, and no matter what, we try to do just about everything together. Just as my sisters and I make up a team in the barn, I see the same sense of teamwork on every single farm, no matter what is being produced. By being engaged in agriculture, we are redening the word “teamwork” and serving as an example for the rest of the world as a community that truly works together to reach common goals. The following day, at the Minnesota Farmers Union Annual Convention, I spent the rst part of the morning in the childcare area, where I read a story and explored dairy products and dairy farming with the kids through a dairy coloring book. Following this, I joined members for a delicious meal and wonderful conversations and spoke on the perspective we share by being involved in agriculture. As a community rooted in agriculture, we share the perspective of knowing the work that happens on the farm, understanding the dedication that is put into raising livestock or growing crops, and the vital role we play in our economy. Whether we are educating the next generation of agriculture advocates, getting involved in various organizations or being the hands that work every
Dairy Star • Saturday, December 7, 2024 • Page 35
day to produce food, fuel and ber for the entire world, we all play an important role and have a unique perspective to share. As I head back to school to wrap up classes and prepare for the Christmas season, I am excited for what the month has ahead and am beyond thankful for this season of giving and time spent with friends and family. I am beyond grateful for this opportunity to represent Minnesota’s dedicated dairy farmers and am so excited for what the rest of the year has in store.
Princess Kay of the Milky Way, Rachel Visser, serves as the Minnesota dairy community’s goodwill ambassador. Rachel grew up in Hutchinson, Minnesota working on a neighboring dairy farm. She attends the University of Minnesota double majoring in Agricultural Food and Business Management and Agricultural Communications and Marketing. Her favorite dairy food is cheese sticks. Her parents are Barry and Shannon Visser. Princess Kay is active doing school visits and events representing dairy farmers, and sharing the importance of dairy farming and dairy foods at appearances across Minnesota.
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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Finding my roots Page 36 • Dairy Star • Saturday, December 7, 2024
We all have ancestors. They may not be the ones we might have chosen, but there they are, and there’s nothing we can do about it. Used to be that having a notorious forebear was the sort of thing a person tried to hide. These days, having an ancestor who was a shameful scalawag seems to be a point of pride. Just my luck that all my ancestors were good folk. Why couldn’t I have even one rap-scallion progenitor? Nothing so villainous as a Lex Luthor — perhaps something more along the lines of a Robin Hood. My distant ancestors didn’t leave me much other than their DNA. You’d think they would have been more thoughtful. For instance, it would have been nice if they had bequeathed me a vast expanse of highly productive farmland. At the very least, they could have left me a treasure I could have used to nance my farming habit until the money ran out. Sadly, no one in my family ever acquired the knack for inheriting land. Perhaps this is something that can be corrected by future geneticists. Our eldest son, Paul, took an interest in tracing his roots. His research into the ancient and ancestral was greatly assisted by Ancestry.com. But technology can by no means do it all, which is why Paul and I spent an afternoon with my mother exploring the branches of her family tree. We climbed way out onto some tiny little twigs, such as my mother’s cousin’s husband’s sisters. On my side of the family, Paul has been able to trace his ancestry as far back as 1821. This adds up to four greats for him, as in great-great-great-greatgrandmother. Quite a mouthful. My side is entirely Norwegian, so we ran across some sturdy Norsk names such as Sigurd, Kjersti
and Astrid. We were also directed to places on the some dusty and forgotten vault in Old Europe holds map that have unpronounceable names and include a bejeweled Faberge egg with her name on it. strange Nordic vowels like the letter “o” with a For some, my wife being German and me being slash through it, and an “a” and “e” smushed to- Norwegian would mean that we have a mixed margether. I have enough problems with the alphabet riage. But we could actually be somewhat related without adding any weird symbols. due to the fact that the Vikings once controlled a After studying a map of whence my ancestors territory that stretched from North America to the came, I concluded the best I could Arabian Peninsula. hope for is that some long-lost rela- Dear County Agent Guy We’re talking about the Vikings tive might be able to hook me up to a of a thousand years ago, obviously. direct source of lutesk. I would deem The Vikings we have nowadays don’t seem to be able to control a territory that a wondrous development while the size of a football eld for an afmy wife, who nds lutesk abhorrent, ternoon. would deem it grounds for divorce. My wife’s family tree also has a I already knew a bit about my huge number of branches. We Norgreat-grandfather, Henry. We have a wegians, it seems, weren’t the only photo of Henry and his wife, Betsy, ones who liked to have lots of kids. with their brood of 13 children. AcIn fact, the tree Paul has discovered cording to the “record hints” gizmo has grown to include more than 400 on Ancestry.com, Henry was already By Jerry Nelson individuals. counted as a citizen of Dakota TerriColumnist This cyber family tree looks so tory in the 1880 census. very neat and tidy on the computer There was nothing here in 1880: no roads, no trees, and the arrival of screen. But each set of dates reprethe railroad was still just a rumor. Yet somehow, ap- sents an entire lifetime. Each symbolizes decades parently by sheer force of will, Henry and Betsy of joy and sorrow, births and deaths, hellos and were able to carve out a farm and create a family goodbyes, thousands of sunrises and sunsets. from the desolate prairie. Everyone wonders where they came from, and We were also able to trace my wife’s ancestry it’s so cool that Paul has undertaken this project. I back to the early 19th century. Her side is German, just hope he lets me know if he ever nds a relative so pronouncing many of their names means making who owns a lutesk factory. Jerry Nelson is a recovering dairy farmer from sounds similar to that of someone who is clearing Volga, South Dakota. He and his wife, Julie, have two their throat. One of the “record hints” on her side mentioned sons and live on the farm where Jerry’s great-grandPrussia. Now we’re talking. Maybe my wife is ac- father homesteaded over 110 years ago. Feel free to tually a duchess, perhaps even a czarina. Maybe email him at jerry.n@dairystar.com.
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Colostrum tips, tricks
As we move into winter, I like to review tocin statistically improved the colostrum colostrum practices on farms to help pro- yield. There was no increase in volume for ducers prepare for cold weather challenges mature cows given oxytocin. There was no that can exacerbate neonatal calf health effect on the concentration of IgG in any challenges. Thanks to Dr. Sandra Godden’s group when oxytocin was used. There was research at the University of Minnesota, we also no benet to giving 1 mL of oxytocin to either mature cows or fresh can rely on the “5 basic Q’s” of colostrum: quickness, Veterinary Wisdom heifers. This data suggest the new experience of calving and quality, quantity, squeaky colostrum collection for heifers clean and quantify. may be sufciently stressful to Quickness limit milk let-down and colosBest practice is to feed trum yield. colostrum within two hours Quality of birth, though four hours Historically, we have reccould be used on farms. I ommended using 22% on a would say quickness also Brix refractometer for a cutapplies to colostrum collecoff. Research shows that this tion of the dam. Research correlates to approximately 50 suggests the best immunogram/liter IgG. If you feed four globulin G concentrations quarts of 22%, it should be apare attained when the fresh By Megan cow is milked within 30 proximately 200 g IgG total. Weisenbeck minutes of calving. HowevHowever, recent research has er, within the rst two hours Veterinary Wisdom suggested that feeding levels higher than 22% are benecial of calving can also perform well. The downside to waiting longer for both short-term and long-term. I now reccolostrum collection is that, as the cow pro- ommend feeding a Brix of 24% or higher duces more milk volume, she will dilute IgG to all replacement heifers. However, there is research suggesting that there are no sigconcentrations to some degree. One tip I recently read: consider using nicant benets to feeding more than 300 g 2 milliliters of oxytocin in fresh heifers to total of IgG. If the number is under 24%, I improve colostrum yield. Recent research often use an app to calculate the amount of by Cornell University and the University of colostrum replacer needed to raise the numBern, Switzerland, evaluated the routine use ber to 24%. Both Alta and the Saskatoon of oxytocin on colostrum yield on a com- Colostrum Company have free apps that are mercial dairy farm. All animals included in easy to use on a cellphone or tablet. the study were Holsteins and experienced Quantity Feed 1 gallon for rst feeding — connormal calving. Fresh heifers and mature cows were included in the study. Cows in sider less for really small calves or Jersey the treatment group were given either 1 or breeds, as 10% of body weight is another 2 mL of oxytocin about 45 seconds prior to recommendation. The Dairy Calf and Heifer milking unit attachment. Cows in the con- Association recommends 3 quarts of colostrol group were not given any oxytocin or trum for every 60 pounds of body weight. other injection (placebo) before unit attach- Some farms I work with also feed a second ment. The volume of colostrum and IgG feeding of colostrum 8-12 hours after the rst feeding. Feeding by bottle or tube feedconcentrations were then measured. Results showed that treating primipa- er both work well as long as the calf conrous cows (fresh heifers) with 2 mL of oxy- sumes the entire volume. Also, make sure
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Dairy Star • Saturday, December 7, 2024 • Page 37
those tube feeders are not so rough that they will dam-age the calf’s esophagus. Squeaky clean This measurement depends on whether you pasteurize colostrum or not. I do recommend the use of a colostrum pasteurizer to reduce contamination and human errors in colostrum collection. DCHA recommends a standard plate count of less than 50,000 cfu/ mL for fresh colostrum and less than 20,000 cfu/mL for pasteurized colostrum. They also recommend that coliform levels (think E. coli-type bacteria) be less than 5,000 cfu/mL for fresh colostrum and less than 100 cfu/ mL for pasteurized colostrum. Re-member, bacteria colonies essentially bind the antibodies in the colostrum and can prevent absorption of antibodies. Common areas of contamination include poor udder hygiene of fresh cows, dirty bottles or colostrum tube feeders, and dirty colostrum collection buckets, especially if those buckets sit lled in the parlor for more than 20 minutes. Quantify Measure serum total protein in calves 24 hours to 7 days old, ideally 12 or more a month. I would recommend using a different test if you are feeding a lot of colostrum replacer, as the serum total protein test will not be accurate for calves fed colostrum replacer. Typically, I recommend an IgG radial immunodiffusion test, which we can run on the same blood sample type. I have included the newest serum total protein goals from
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DCHA below for reference. I mentioned the short-term and longterm effects of colostrum above. Those benets are really signicant. One study followed animals from 3-450 days of life and collected reproduction data and milk performance as a rst lactation animal. Higher initial serum total protein concentrations (think 6.0 g/dL and higher) were associated with the following factors: — Reduced age at rst estrus, A.I., time to pregnancy, and calving by 16, 18, 25, and 25 days, respectively. That is up to 25 days less on feed. — Positively correlated with milk production and increased total milk yield and yield of energy-corrected milk by about 708 lbs (1,558 kg) and 522 lbs (1,149 kg) during rst lactation. Specically, increased preweaning average daily gain was correlated with increased energy-corrected milk at 305 days in milk by 342 lbs (754 kg) in the rst lactation. If you have more colostrum questions or would like references, please contact me. Happy colostrum harvesting. Megan Weisenbeck is one of six veterinarians at Northern Valley Livestock Services in Plainview, MN. She practices primarily dairy production medicine in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Megan can be reached at meganweisenbeck.dvm@gmail.com.
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Treasure hunting Page 38 • Dairy Star • Saturday, December 7, 2024
I listened to a book recently about an eccentric art dealer who thought he was going to die of cancer. So, he put together a chest full of treasures like gold coins and precious stones and hid it in the Rocky Mountains. The book is called “Chasing the Thrill” by Daniel Barbarisi, which is very similar to the memoir the art dealer Forrest Fenn wrote, which contained the poem and clues to nd his hidden treasure, called “The Thrill of the Chase.” Fenn managed to beat cancer and spent years overseeing the hunt for the treasure he had hidden, giving small hints here and there to help people avoid getting in dangerous situations while searching. The author began writing the book after looking for the treasure with his friend. They never do
nd the treasure over the years the author works on the book, but it pulls him into an interesting world of people he interviews and goes searching with. Some of the characters and situations he describes reminded me a lot of farming. At rst, the people searching for the treasure sound so hopeful. They have the clues all gured out and they just need to comb through the region they think the clues indicate a few more times to nd it. Farming is often like that, where, at rst, it seems like you’ve got a new venture or system nearly all gured out. Everything is running smoothly. You are not where you want to be quite yet, but it seems like you are sure to get there soon, and it will be great. As the book goes on, the mood changes. The
author and his friend come up with what they think are original and brilliant solutions to the clues but continue to nd nothing when they go out searching. The people he interviews are less condent they will nd the treasure, too, and some people question whether Forrest Fenn even hid a treasure at all. They think maybe they have all been searching in vain for some- From the Zweber Farm thing that does not exist or maybe did once but has been found and the nder did not tell a soul they found it. It’s easy to understand their frustration. If you have been looking for something for years and seem to be no closer to nding it, By Tim Zweber you’ve felt that frustration. Protability in Farmer & Columnist farming ventures can be that way. Elusive. Lately, many of our farm’s business ventures have felt like a treasure hunt that may have no treasure to be found. Ination seems to have increased the price of all our inputs, but what we’ve been getting paid for our products has fallen short of keeping up. The hunt ends with the discovery of the treasure a decade after the announcement of its existence by a guy that no one in the community of hard-core treasure hunters had ever heard of. He wasn’t even from a state near the mountains it was hidden in. It turned out that all those who had lost hope and blamed Fenn for running a con were wrong. They just weren’t looking in the right spot. The guy who found it said he did nothing fancy to nd the location of the treasure. He didn’t look for complicated answers like many people did. Instead, he read the memoir of the man who hid the treasure and did his best to understand him and think like him. It worked out well. I believe I saw on the internet that the treasure was auctioned off for $1.3 million. I think there’s a bit of wisdom to be taken from that book for us in agriculture. Understand your customer and what they truly value if you want to nd where they hide their treasures. Until next time, keep living the dream — unless your dream was to nd that treasure in the Rocky Mountains, in which case, it has been found, and you’ll have to come up with a new dream. Tim Zweber farms with his wife, Emily, their three children and his parents, Jon and Lisa, near Elko, Minnesota.
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Our presence in the Advent season Nazareth was a small village of Galilee with a small population of less than ve hundred. To many, it was of little to no importance and not much happened. It was small, poor and unassuming. It escaped the noise and activity of the big city. Mary, born in Nazareth, would have had a disposition that reected the village in which she grew up, as our external environments directly affect our internal environments. As dairy farmers, we can testify to
The NexGen: Adventures of two dairy daughters
By Megan Schrupp & Ellen Stenger Columnists this. The non-stop demands of milking, feeding, market trends, employees, breakdowns, projects and, not to mention, family commitments, make dairy farming one of the most demanding and stressful occupations. Add in all the extra demands of the cold winter and holidays, and we have set ourselves up for another season that sends us running and leaves us exhausted after it has again own on by. In reection of the impending Christmas season, we are again challenging ourselves with the act of being present. As the world around us is spinning into a frenzy, Advent is inviting us to slow down. Sounds simple, but it is much more difcult than one would think. Presence is an acquired skill we tend to forget about. One that takes practice — a lot of practice. Being present is the act of being joyful in whatever you are doing, grateful that you are able to do the task, and fully appreciating the moment and the task itself. The hard part is being fully engaged in the current moment, without distraction, and without dwelling on the past and planning or worrying about the future. On the farm, there are many things coming at us all at once, and
it can quickly become overwhelming. Sometimes we can feel a lack of control, with res arising that need to quickly be put out. Focusing on the present moment and specic tasks at hand frees us from anxiety and helps us develop a sense of appreciation and gratitude for what is going well for us right now in this moment. Here are a few easy strategies that will allow you to practice some presence this year and develop a sense of solace and gratitude that the Advent season is suggesting. First, we suggest monotasking. Focus on one task at a time. Focus on completing that task to the best of your ability. When we do two things at once, we oftentimes do both tasks half as well. Leave the phone behind. During the day, Megan intentionally leaves her phone in the ofce or vet room. The constant dinging and ringing are notorious for interrupting focus and distracting from completing the task at hand. It can be difcult, as we increasingly rely on our phones for everything from cow records and health data to communication within our team. But moments of silence can give time for contemplation, gratitude and observation. If you can’t leave the phone behind, turn off the notications on your apps. Do we all need to know exactly when an email has arrived? We certainly don’t need to know the moment a post is liked on Facebook, a message is received or a post is shared on social media. Silence the buzzing, dinging and ringing to return some peace and quiet to our lives. Set time limits. There’s also a great feature on our phones called time limit. Set a limit of 30 minutes for your social media apps. You will be shocked to nd how quickly that time passes by and how often and quickly you hit the limit. Or, if you are feeling more ambitious, take a break from social media altogether for a set period of a few days, weeks or months. When you prioritize your presence, you are gifting yourself a more balanced, grateful and fullling life, one that this Advent is inviting us all to enjoy this Christmas season. Megan Schrupp and Ellen Stenger are sisters and co-owners of both NexGen Dairy and NexGen Market in Eden Valley, Minnesota. They can be reached at Nexgendairy@gmail.com.
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