LOOK INSIDE FOR OUR
SPRING CALF & HEIFER
Special Edition!
DAIRY ST R
Volume 24, No. 3
March 26, 2022
“All dairy, all the time”™
WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH
A woman at the heart of change Sukalski reects on pursuing, promoting dairy By Jennifer Coyne jenn@dairystar.com
LE ROY, Minn. – Chris Sukalski is a dairy farmer through and through, having made it her life’s work to see that the industry – the people, the cows and the land – are well taken care of. “All of a sudden, it’s hit me. I’ve been farming for over 30 years,” Sukalski said. “When I rst came home in 1988, it was because my dad had decided to sell the cows and crop farm instead. My family would have been out of the dairy industry if I hadn’t made this my career.”
Sukalski and her brother, Scott Reiland, are co-owners of Reiland Farms, LLC in Mower and Fillmore counties. Sukalski manages the 500cow dairy on a farm she and her husband, Troy, bought in 2001 near Le Roy. Scott manages the agronomy and feeds the replacement heifers at the home farm near Spring Valley. After college, Sukalski worked in an ofce job at a dairy breed magazine for a couple years in Columbus, Ohio. “That really helped me appreciate the rewards of farming and being your own boss,” Sukalski said. “I’m thankful I had this opportunity.” After returning to the farm, Sukalski was quickly put in a leadership position, managing the herd and overseeing employees as the family grew the herd and Sukalski’s parents Turn to SUKALSKI | Page 6
KATE RECHTZIGEL /DAIRY STAR
Chris Sukalski is co-owner of Reiland Farms, LLC in Mower and Fillmore coun�es in Minnesota. Sukalski has been dairy farming for more than 30 years.
Promoting US dairy products in Dubai Levzow partakes in mission trip to help increase exports By Stacey Smart
stacey.s@dairystar.com
STACEY SMART/DAIRY STAR
The Levzow family – (from le�) Ken, Becky and Ralph – milk 150 registered Jerseys and Holsteins and farm 950 acres near Rio, Wisconsin. Becky went to Dubai last November with three other dairy farmers and staff from the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) to promote American dairy products.
RIO, Wis. – Becky Levzow had the experience of a lifetime in November 2021 when she visited the city of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. She was not there on vacation but traveled halfway around the world to help promote U.S. dairy products. The ve-day mission was packed with opportunities to shed light on the quality, diversity and abundance of American-made dairy foods. “It was an amazing and wonderful experience,” Levzow said. “Dubai is a place I never thought I’d see, and I was honored to go.” The trip was sponsored by Dairy Management Inc. and the United States Dairy Export Council. Levzow, three other dairy farmers – Larry Hancock, who milks 4,000 cows in Texas;
Marilyn Hershey, who milks 900 cows in Pennsylvania; and Alex Peterson, who milks 120 cows in Missouri – and USDEC staff made the 20-hour trip to Dubai. Local USDEC staff joined the group when they arrived. “We all come from family farms that practice sustainability, and this was a great opportunity for us to tell our story,” Levzow said. “It’s good for these countries to hear from farmers – who we are, what we are, what we do. We put a human face to our experience, and that goes far for our sales. I milk 150 cows, and Larry milks 4,000. But in the end, we all strive for quality and are devoted to animal care.” The trip’s goal was to increase dairy product exports into the Middle East by way of Dubai, a dynamic regional Turn to LEVZOW | Page 8
Page 2 • Dairy Star • Saturday, March 26, 2022
DAIRY ST R www.dairystar.com
ISSN 020355 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 Nancy Powell 320-352-6303 nancy.p@dairystar.com Editorial Staff Jennifer Coyne - Assistant Editor (320) 352-6303 • jenn@dairystar.com Danielle Nauman - Staff Writer (608) 487-1101 • danielle.n@dairystar.com Stacey Smart - Staff Writer (262) 442-6666 • stacey.s@dairystar.com Abby Wiedmeyer - Staff Writer 608-487-4812 • abby.w@dairystar.com Kate Rechtzigel - Staff Writer 507-696-9213 • kate.r@dairystar.com Grace Jeurissen - Staff Writer grace.j@star-pub.com • 320-352-6303 Maria Bichler - Copy Editor 320-352-6303 Consultant Jerry Jennissen 320-346-2292 Advertising Sales Main Ofce: 320-352-6303 Fax: 320-352-5647 Deadline is 5 p.m. of the Friday the week before publication Sales Manager - Joyce Frericks 320-352-6303 • joyce@dairystar.com Bob Leukam (Northern MN, East Central MN) 320-260-1248 (cell) bob.l@star-pub.com Mark Klaphake (Western MN) 320-352-6303 (ofce) 320-248-3196 (cell) Laura Seljan (National Advertising, SE MN) 507-250-2217 fax: 507-634-4413 laura.s@dairystar.com Jerry Nelson (SW MN, NW Iowa, South Dakota) 605-690-6260 jerry.n@dairystar.com Mike Schafer (Central, South Central MN) 320-894-7825 mike.s@dairystar.com Amanda Hoeer (Eastern Iowa) 320-250-2884 • amanda.h@dairystar.com Megan Stuessel (Western Wisconsin) 608-387-1202 • megan.s@dairystar.com Kati Kindschuh (Northeast WI and Upper MI) 920-979-5284 • kati.k@dairystar.com Deadlines The deadline for news and advertising in the Dairy Star is 5 p.m. Friday the week before publication. Subscriptions One year subscription $40.00, outside the U.S. $200.00. Send check along with mailing address to Dairy Star, 522 Sinclair Lewis Ave., Sauk Centre, MN 56378. Advertising Our ad takers have no authority to bind this newspaper and only publication of an advertisement shall constitute nal acceptance of the advertiser's order. Letters Letters and articles of opinion are welcomed. Letters must be signed and include address and phone number. We reserve the right to edit lengthy letters. The views and opinions expressed by Dairy Star columnists and writers are not necessarily those of the Dairy Star / Star Publications LLC.
The Dairy Star is published semi-monthly by Star Publications LLC, 522 Sinclair Lewis Ave., Sauk Centre, MN 56378-1246. Periodicals Postage Paid at Sauk Centre, MN and additional mailing ofces. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Dairy Star, 522 Sinclair Lewis Ave., Sauk Centre, MN 56378-1246.
North America dealers. NMPF board discusses modernization of federal orders
Dairy Prole brought to you by your
At its rst in-person meeting since March 2020, the National Milk Producers Federation board of directors focused on Federal Milk Marketing Order reform. “We may take the rest of the year to get this all done and get it right,” said Jim Mulhern, president and chief executive ofcer. If a collaborative attitude can be adopted, Mulhern said he is “condent that we’ll have a national federal order hearing proposal that reects the consensus of our membership and reects the needs of dairy producers across the country.” The federal orders have not been updated in over 20 years.
Thompson: House Ag Committee behind in farm bill review The current farm bill expires Sept. 30, 2023. “The 2018 farm bill was a pretty successful farm bill overall by all metrics, though we can’t seem to get the (United States Department of Agriculture) to come before the committee to share their perspective yet, but we’re pushing them hard,” said Glenn “G.T.” Thompson, ranking member, House Agriculture Committee. “We had more than 130 different eld hearings last time, and now, we’ve had two ofcial ones.” Thompson said while the committee is behind in oversight, there is optimism both sides can work together. “My travels show me Congress must support the farm safety net, coupled with reliable, timely disaster relief,” he said. Three factors inuence farm bill outcomes The Russell Group President Randy Russell said the farm bill is typically driven by three factors. It is the state of the farm economy when the bill is written, the budget situation and political dynamics. Russell said the farm economy is in good shape, but there is no new money for the next
farm bill. It is also an election this year, which could change leadership in the House. “House Democrats have a plus-ve seat advantage. If you look historically at what happens in the rst midterm election for the party in the White House, the vast majority of the time they lose seats in the rst midterm election,” Russell said. “Given there’s only six seats to overturn the House, there’s a good probability the House will ip and Republicans will be in control in January 2023. That would make Glenn “G.T.” Thompson House Agriculture Committee chairman.”
Ag Insider
By Don Wick Columnist
USDA plans trade trips During a speech at Commodity Classic, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said USDA is planning four trade missions this year. The rst trip will be to the United Kingdom in June. The Philippines, Kenya and Spain are also planned trade mission destinations. Another stopgap spending bill On a 68-31 vote, the U.S. Senate passed the House version of a $1.5 trillion omnibus spending package to keep the government funded through September. The bill provides
Turn to AG INSIDER | Page 5
VT 200 SERIES VERTICAL MAXX ® 320 - 760 cu. ft. mixing capacities
•
Twin-Auger Mixers
truck and trailer models
FAST , COMPLETE MIXING AND PROCESSING
Advanced auger design for superior feed movement and auger clean off
Efficient mixing chamber promotes a fast, complete mix
Front, side and rear discharge options offer maximum versatility
Lindell Sales & Service Cannon Falls, MN
Fluegge’s Ag Mora, MN
Werner Implement Vermillion, MN
Bodensteiner Implement Elkader, IA
Hammell Equipment &KDWŵHOG 01 Eitzen, MN
Northland Farm Systems Owatonna, MN
Anderson Bros. Edgeley, ND
J. P. Scherrman, Inc. Farley, IA
Lake Henry Implement Paynesville, MN
Duppong's, Inc. Glen Ullin, ND
Burco Sales Independence, IA
Minnesota Ag Group Plainview, MN
Enerbase Cooperative Minot, ND
Kunau Implement Preston, IA
Dairyland Supply Sauk Centre, MN
Roeder Brothers Inc. Bellevue, IA Maquoketa, IA
Engel Agri-Sales Sac City, IA Dee Implement of Waukon Waukon, IA
Adkins Equipment Detroit Lakes, MN Isaacson Sales & Service Lafayette, MN Blue Hilltop Lake Wilson, MN Schlauderaff Implement /LWFKŵHOG 01
INVEST IN QUALITY www.kuhn.com
Woller Equipment Swanville, MN
Kunau Implement DeWitt, IA
Visit your local KUHN livestock dealer today! ®
Feed off both incline or flat side for ultimate feeding flexibility
INVEST IN QUALITY ® www.kuhn.com
KuhnNorthAmerica.com KuhnNorthAmeric
Dairy Star • Saturday, March 26, 2022 • Page 3
Lake Benton, MN
Dinse focused on future in industry
Forest Lake, MN
First Section: Page 9
Rollingstone, MN
St. Paul, MN
Thompson joins hall of fame
Gibbs crowned 2022 Minnesota Jersey Queen
Christensen’s book reects on time in butter booth
First Section: Pages 12 - 13
Women in Dairy: Clarissa Duban
First Section: Pages 11, 13
First Section: Page 10
Starbuck, MN
Faribault, MN
Houston, MN
Thompsons receive MLBA Hall of Fame recognition
Daningers nd niche market with on-farm creamery
First Section: Pages 26 - 27
First Section: Pages 23, 25
Sauk Rapids MN
Nelson eclipses 800-mark in bowling league
First Section: Page 29
Parkers Prairie, MN
History of the Harts Third Section: Page 23
Second Section: Pages 20 - 21
FROM OUR SIDE OF THE FENCE:
For additional stories from our other zone, log on to www.dairystar.com
How are high input costs affecting your dairy? First Section: Pages 15 - 16
Zone 1
Zone 2
Columnists Ag Insiderr Pages 2, 5 First F Section n
From My Perspective Page 34 First Section
Something S to Ruminate On Page 37 First Fi Section
Dea County Dear Ag Agent Guy P Page 36 First Firs Section
Jus Thinking Just O Out Loud Page 38 F First ir Section
This is the front. We have what you need for what comes out the back.
Dairy Good Life Page 39 First Section
The “Mielke” Market Weekly Pages 8 - 9 Second Section
Why BUY from us? We SERVICE your tank too! o!
Hull, IA Watertown, SD
Hull, IA
(712) 439-2081
(712) 439-2081 Watertown, SD (605) 753-0300 (605) 753-0300 www.automatedwastesystems.com
www.automatedwastesystems.com
Page 4 • Dairy Star • Saturday, March 26, 2022
Sales with Service Since 1966
USED TRACTORS
Feed Handling Equipment
HOULE
Pasture Mat & Pac-Mat
Rubber Flooring
6150 ’20 350/287 hrs.................IN SOON 2388 ’98 4800/3300 hrs................ 39,500 1680 ’86 5300 hrs......................... 17,500 1666 ’93 3900 hrs......................... 19,500
3162 ’14 40’ draper head ............ 49,500 3020 ’11 30’ w/air reel ................. 30,000 (3) 1020 30’ heads ...........9,500 – 11,000 1020 25’ 3” cut ............................ 11,500 1020 20’ head ................................ 4,500 4412 ’20 cornhead ....................... 93,000 4408 ’20 cornhead ....................... 55,000
4408 ’17 chopping head ............ 61,500 3412 cornhead ............................. 23,500 3408 corn head ............................ 25,500 3406 heads .....................21,000 – 31,500 1063 corn head .............................. 7,500 1083 corn heads .......................... 10,900 Fantini 8row chopping head ...... 32,500
Bobcat T870 550 hrs Hi-flow....... 71,500 Case TR320 ’15 1650 hrs .............. 39,000
Case SV280 ’15 3200 hrs .............. 27,250 Case SV250 ’13 Cab AC................ 22,000
Krause 4850-18 dominator ......... 38,000 Krause 4850 15’ dominator ........ 27,500 Case IH 4800 24’ F.cult ................... 5,500 Tigermate II 34’ field cult ............ 29,500 Wilrich 20’ field cult w/3 bar ........ 1,150 Wilrich Quad 35ft. w/spike ........... 9,500 White 6182 12R Liq fert. ............ 15,000 White 6100 12R front fold .......... 11,500 Top Air 1600 gal. 80’ boom ....... 29,500 Demco 1250 gal. 90’ boom ......... 17,500 Parker 1048 cart red .................... 34,500 Brent 644 gravity boxes ..13,900 – 9,900 Parker 4800 gravity box ................ 4,900 Minnesota 400 wagon .................. 2,900
Meyer 3954 slinger spreader ...... 12,500 DC102 10ft disc mower cond ...... 12,500 DC133 13ft disc mower cond ...... 22,000 NH 1431 ’06 13 ft swivel hitch ... 12,500 H&S 7+4 16’ chopper box ............ 7,900 3 H&S 16’ twin auger boxes..4,800 each NH FP230 chopper w/hay hd ..... 13,500 NH BR7090 10k bales ................. 23,000 NH BR7090 ’08 5k bales ............. 19,500 NH BR780 11k bales .................... 13,500 JD 566 Baler 17k bales ............... 11,500 Bush Hog 2720 batwing.............. 12,500 Red Devil 8’ snow blower ............ 2,500
USED SKIDSTEERS
Manure Injection & Transfer
Alley Scrapers
Manure Cross Auger
USED EQUIPMENT
Double Chain Conveyors
ORGANIC WASTE SOLUTIONS
Manure Pumps
Conveyors & Cow Handling
Waterers
Ventilation & Cow Comfort
TMR Mixers
8230 ’14 2834/2076 hrs.............. 130,000 8120 ’12 2650/1910 hrs.............. 109,500 7240 ’18 900/720 hrs............ COMING IN 7240 ’16 1860/1430 hrs.............. 197,000 7230 ’13 3000/2450 hrs.............. 125,000
USED HEADS
Kraiburg & Weaverline Products
B.C. Parts
Farmall 100C Cab mfd ................. 49,500 Maxxum 125 ’13 5K hrs ............... 58,500 IH 1486 ’80 10k hrs ...................... 12,500 JD 5065E w/loader ....................IN SOON Case 550G dozer 6 way ............... 28,500
USED COMBINES
Manure Equipment
Barn Cleaners & Stalls
Steiger 400 3 pt. PTO ...............IN SOON Magnum 340 CVT ‘18 3k hrs ........Just In Magnum 310 ’15 3400 hrs .......IN SOON Magnum 290 ’14 3500 hrs ........ 140,000 Farmall JX80U w/loader ............. 38,500
SILO DOORS • LADDERS • CHUTES • MOTORS
FIE FI ELD’S Your Material Handling Source Trusted sales and service since 1966
Mt. Horeb, WI
View most of this equipment on our website - www.scherrmans.com
SCHERRMAN’S IMPLEMENT
Sales Service Installation
Hwy. 136 N - Dyersville 563-875-2426 888-466-9770
711 S Main - Monticello 319-465-3519 877-319-3519
goto¿elds.com
608-437-5561
Proven teat conditioning
PRE / POST
CLEAN UP AND REDUCE HYPERKERATOSIS
BR ROAD SPECTRU UM KIL LL
• 4XLA’s Lactic Acid softens hyperkeratosis tissue for easier clean-up • 4XLA’s AcidiÄed Sodium Chlorite reduces the formation of hyperkeratosis and improves skin healing. • 4XLA’s Glycerin conditions teats to better tolerate harsh weather conditions.
Now Available Through Your Chem-Star Dealers!
S. S.
ONE SHOT
High Performance Single-Cycle CIP Acid Detergent
BENEFITS
Reduces equipment wear & $ • replacement costs. • Reduces water, energy and
QUIC CK KIL LL
chemical use.
• Decreases cleaning time.
NO RE ESID DUA AL CON NTAM MINATIO ON TE EST T AND PROVEN N ADDITIONALLY SELLING: Aztec Gold
Udder Gold 5-Star • Udder Gold Teat Sealant
• Increases production capability.
LET OUR TEAM DO A COMPLETE WASH ANALYSIS
Compare and Save!
FOR MORE INFO - CONTACT ONE OF THESE DEALERS... Advanced Dairy Systems
Athman Dairy Inc.
Eastern Iowa Dairy Systems
9 State Rd. 29 • Spring Valley, WI 54767 105 3rd Ave. NW • Epworth, IA 52045 238 Main Street North • Pierz, MN 56364 (715) 772-3201 (563) 876-3087 (320) 468-2494 913 W. Main St. • Mondovi, WI 54755 Fuller’s Milker Center, Inc. (715) 926-5777 Bob’s Dairy Supply 423 U.S. 61 • Lancaster, WI 53813 967 West Ave. N • West Salem, WI 54669 540 E. County Rd. A • Dorchester, WI 54425 (608) 723-4634 (608) 633-6690 (715) 654-5252 278 W. Court St. • Richland Center, WI 53581 2195 Hwy. 23 • Mora, MN 55051 Professional Dairy Systems (715) 772-3201 1449 Homecrest Ave. • Wadena, MN 56482 Gorter’s Clay & Dairy Equipment 1400- 7th St. SE • Pipestone, MN 56164 (218) 632-5416 Anderson Dairy Systems, Inc. (507) 825-3271 1312 13 1/2 Ave. • Barron, WI 54812 (715) 537-3300
Lang’s Dairy Equipment, Inc.
2337 Millennium Rd. • Decorah, IA 52101 (563) 382-8722 1467 West 5th Street • Winona, MN 55987 (507) 452-5532
Leedstone
Leedstone
Tri-County Dairy Supply, Inc.
1720 Freitag Dr. • Menomonie, WI 54751 4107 N US HWY 51 • Janesville. WI 53545 (715) 231-8090 608-757-2697
Precision Dairy Equipment 24548 IA-13 • Elkader, IA 52043 (563) 245-2560
United Dairy Systems
210 N. Industrial Pkwy • West Union, IA 52175 (563) 422-5355
222 E Co Rd 173, Melrose, MN 56352 Redeker Dairy Equipment (320) 256-3303 W12287 Liner Rd. • Brandon, WI 53919 24260 Cty. Rd. 27 • Plainview, MN 55964 (920) 346-5576 (507) 534-3161
Dairy Star • Saturday, March 26, 2022 • Page 5
ConƟnued from AG INSIDER | Page 2 $13.6 billion in supplemental appropriations to address the crisis in Ukraine. Dairy groups seek ocean shipping reform There is a bipartisan action in Congress to address the delays in shipping agricultural products. The Ocean Shipping Reform Act is being praised by both the National Milk Producers Federation and the U.S. Dairy Export Council. “At a time when ocean carriers have been enjoying record prots, U.S. dairy producers have been bearing the brunt of the export supply chain crisis,” said Jim Mulhern, president and CEO of NMPF. USDEC President and CEO Krysta Harden agreed, saying concentration among the foreign-owned shipping industry has given U.S. dairy exporters “very little option other than to accept unwarranted fees and delays.” Both dairy leaders are urging lawmakers to take action and quickly pass this bill.
Statistics, consumer prices for groceries rose 1.4% in February and nearly 9% over the past year. The year-over-year increase was the largest since 1981. The index for dairy and related products jumped 2%, the largest monthly increase since April 2011. Moore announces retirement from AFBF American Farm Bureau Federation Executive Vice President Dale Moore announced his intent to retire in 2022 after four decades serving as an agricultural leader in Washington, D.C. Before joining the Farm Bureau staff in 2011, Moore spent time as the chief of staff at USDA, executive director of legislative affairs for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and as a legislative director for the House Agriculture Committee. AFBF President Zippy Duvall congratulated Moore on his work on behalf of farmers and ranchers throughout his career.
Farm organizations le complaint against John Deere The National Farmers Union, six state Farmers Union groups and FarmAction have led a complaint against John Deere with the Federal Trade Commission. This coalition is seeking an investigation into Deere’s restrictions on farm equipment repair. The right to repair complaint is described as a violation of antitrust and consumer protection laws.
Minnesota dairy farmer added to NMPF board The National Milk Producers Federation has four new board members. LeRoy, Minnesota, dairy farmer Chris Sukalski is representing Land O’Lakes. The other board members are Wisconsin’s Rob Byrne with Dairy Farmers of America; Maryland’s Andy Mason with Land O’Lakes and Illinois’ Frank Doll of Prairie Farms.
Action in both chambers for drought relief The Minnesota House has overwhelmingly passed a drought assistance bill that includes support for agriculture and Minnesota Department of Natural Resources projects. An agriculture-only version moved through the Minnesota Senate Agriculture Committee. It provides $6.5 million for livestock and specialty crop grants and $1.5 million in Rural Finance Authority drought assistance loans. State lawmakers and Gov. Tim Walz began the drought relief discussion late last summer with hopes of passage during a special session, but that never materialized.
PDCA recognizes Tande The Minnesota Purebred Dairy Cattle Association presented Larry Tande, of Medford, Minnesota, with its All-Breeds Distinguished Service Award. Tande is a past president of the Holstein Association USA and is an internationally known dairy cattle judge.
Fewer cows culled For the week ending Feb. 26, 65,200 dairy cows were culled. That is down 6,400 head, or nearly 9%, from one year ago. Since the start of 2022, over 596,000 dairy cows have been culled in the United States. That is down 20,400, or 3.5%, from the same period last year. Consumer dairy prices rise According to the Bureau of Labor
Trivia challenge Cold Stone Creamery is the Arizonabased company that customizes each order on a frozen granite slab. That answers our last trivia question. For this week’s trivia, what ice cream company is known for avors like Chunky Monkey, Phish Food and Cherry Garcia? We will have the answer in the next edition of Dairy Star. Don Wick is owner/broadcaster for the Red River Farm Network, based in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Wick has been recognized as the National Farm Broadcaster of the Year and served as president of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting. Don and his wife, Kolleen, have two adult sons, Tony and Sam, and ve grandchildren, Aiden, Piper, Adrienne, Aurora and Sterling.
Nutritious Forage That Makes The Cows Come Home &RQVLVWHQW (I´FLHQW *UHHQ A well-fed cow is a happy and better-producing cow. With a vertical sealed-storage silo system from Greenwood Silo, you can provide your cows with nutritious, high-quality feed all year long.
Consistent, perfectly fermented
feed from the bottom Environmentally friendly with no plastic or toxic runoff Cost-effective with minimal spoilage and superior feed (I´FLHQW ORZ PDLQWHQDQFH DQG featuring push-button operation
Call us today to plan your next silo!
715.267.1416 N10828 County Highway O Greenwood, WI 54437
www.greenwoodsilo.com/bestforage
Congratulations
to the eight young ladies crowned Stearns County Dairy Princesses. Eight girls (from left) Kalie Ritter, the daughter of Glen and Leslie Ritter of Avon, Sophia Schiffler, the daughter of John and Kristie Schiffler of Albany, Grace Woitalla, the daughter of Keith and Patty Woitalla of Holdingford, Kallie and Hailey Frericks the daughters of Steve and Tammy Frericks of Albany, Alex Christen, the daughter of Glen and Becky Christen of Sauk Centre, Makayla Breth, the daughter of Jerry and Tammy Breth of St. Anthony and Briana Maus, the daughter of Darrel and Lisa Maus of Freeport, were crowned Stearns County dairy princesses March 12 at the annual banquet which was held at the Freeport, Minn. Community Center. Christen was named Miss Congeniality during the contest and Kallie Frericks and Christen received scholarships. Ambassadors are Christina Fiedler, the daughter of James and Jennifer Holmberg of Upsala, Clara Pflueger, the daughter of Brian and Jessica Donabauer of Holdingford, Kera Pikula, the daughter of Josh and Lisa Pekula of Watkins, Bethany Gerads, the daughter of Tim and Karey Gerads of Albany, Marissa Hartung, the daughter of Mike and Nancy Hartung of Opole and Andreana Walz, the daughter of Greg and Sandy Walz of Richmond.
Page 6 • Dairy Star • Saturday, March 26, 2022
ConƟnued from SUKALSKI | Page 1
Willmar, MN • 320.231.1470
EXPANDING OR REMODELING YOUR LIVESTOCK OPERATION? LANGE AG SYSTEMS SPECIALIZES IN:
Ŷ NEW FACILITIES
_
NO JOB TOO BIG OR TOO SMALL
Ŷ RETROFITTING & REMODELING Ŷ TURNKEY PROJECTS Ŷ BARN DESIGN Ŷ INSTALLATION, MAINTENANCE & REPAIRS
ƋƵŝƉŵĞŶƚ tĞ KīĞƌ͗ ͻ sĞŶƟůĂƟŽŶ &ĂŶƐ ͻ sĞŶƟůĂƟŽŶ ŽŶƚƌŽůƐ ͻ WŽƐŝƟǀĞ WƌĞƐƐƵƌĞ dƵďĞƐ ͻ ƵƌƚĂŝŶ ^LJƐƚĞŵƐ ͻ DĂƩƌĞƐƐĞƐ ͻ tĂƚĞƌĞƌƐ ͻ ^ƚĂůů ƋƵŝƉŵĞŶƚ ͻ ,ĞĂĚůŽĐŬƐ ͻ DŝƐƟŶŐ ^LJƐƚĞŵƐ
Lange Ag Systems is proud to offer Grain Bags, Silage Bags & Bunker Covers from Up North Plastics and Feed Fresh Silage Covers & Custom Size Bunker Covers from Raven!
t ^ >> E t Θ h^ 'ͳ ' Θ < >>z Zz E '' Z^
www.LangeAgSystems.com " %
Barn Lighting, Sheds, Fans, Trenching, Irrigation, Homes & More!
Master Electrician, Owner Lic. #CA03435
E lectric Cell:
C
.M. ELEC E.A Bob Meyer TRI . B
We Offer the Following Agricultural Services:
!
Need an Electrician?
320-761-1042 Serving Central Minnesota
Hydraulic Doors
Hey! Tell the advertisers you saw their ad in the Dairy Star!
By the most trusted name in the industry Best Warranty in the Industry Zero Headroom Loss
KATE RECHTZIGEL /DAIRY STAR
Chris Sukalski pushes up feed at her dairy near Le Roy, Minnesota. Sukalski operates the dairy while her brother, ScoƩ Reiland, manages the agronomy porƟon of the farm and cares for the heifers at their other farm site near Spring Valley, Minnesota.
stepped back from day-to-day responsibilities. While there are certainly triumphs worth celebrating on the farm, some of Sukalski’s greatest achievements come from her involvement in her communities and the desire to promote her family’s livelihood. The need for such involvement was evident after Reiland Farms battled to expand in the late 1990s. “It was made painfully clear who was on your side and who were champions in that difcult time,” Sukalski said. “That experience made me realize we needed to be vocal and educate people if we were going to keep our industry healthy.” For nearly two decades, Sukalski has done just that. She has spent time on the Minnesota Dairy Promotion Council/ Midwest Dairy Association regional board and served at the national level
“I can’t say enough about other dairy farmers, other women dairy farmers. I always get along with another farmer; they are the humblest people I’ve ever met.” CHRIS SUKALSKI, DAIRY FARMER
855.368.9595
on the Dairy Management Inc. board. Sukalski actively supports her cooperative’s efforts in producing new dairy products and has been vocal about major industry partnerships to encourage dairy consumption. One of her greatest feats was being a part of the initiative to get milk on the children’s menus at McDonald’s. “I had little kids at the time, and I was frustrated with the pop being shoved down kids’ throats,” Sukalski said. “It became a project we pounced on, and we got staff from Dairy Checkoff (Program) working with the
corporate kitchens to make changes that were dairy friendly.” The latest checkoff partnership with Mayo Clinic is one Sukalski is eager to see get underway. “There are a lot of good people involved,” she said. “I’ve had the chance to attend national meetings with nutritionists and to see the quality of staff dairy has, mostly women; what a great presence. They will have a great impact on our behalf.” Sukalski enjoys promoting the dairy industry locally too. “This past fall, our cooperative introduced cheese at retail,” Sukalski said. “I was so excited that I bought it and was giving it away for Christmas and at fundraisers, anywhere I could.” She is often the one providing dairy products as part of a donation or gift to the various events she attends throughout the year. Yet, this dairy farmer knows her ability to promote dairy off the farm would not be possible without the support of her husband, Troy, and their children as well as her brother and his family. In the many decades Sukalski has dairy farmed, she has watched the industry evolve. While it was frustrating at times, it has been for the better, especially for women, she said. “Initially, when I rst came back and was really young, people would assume there was someone else to talk to. Dad always sent them to me,” Sukalski said. “I can’t say enough about other dairy farmers, other women dairy farmers. I always get along with another farmer; they are the humblest people I’ve ever met.” While dairying certainly has its trials, Sukalski is grateful for the life she and her family have created on the farm, and the dairy that has become a sustainable footprint in the community of southern Minnesota for years to come. “When the time comes, I want to be remembered as hard working, a good mother, good employer, good member of the community, good Christian,” Sukalski said. “An honest, good farmer.”
Dairy Star • Saturday, March 26, 2022 • Page 7
PULASKI WAREHOUSE, INC.
SEED DAYS March 28 - April 2
le Availab
IAL C E SP ICES PR
LIVE BROADCAST PGRIVIZEE WITH JAY CRUZ AWAYS
Your Complete Seed Dealer In Wisconsin
BETTER QUALITY... BETTER PRICES
Tues., March 29,11 am-1 pm
SEED REPS AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME Brunner Seed Corn & Soy Bean Specialist on Hand Tues., March 29 and Wed., March 30 10-2
A rep from will be on hand from Tues. 29th, Thurs 31st 10 - 2 to answer your questions on milk replacer
Alforex Rep on Hand Mon., March 28 and Fri., April 1 10-2 Stop in for Special Deals
5 OFF
$
Expires 4/2/22 Pulaski Warehouse
ROUND-UP READY SWEET CORN NOW AVAILABLE Anthem II RR Sweet Corn - 2,500 Seeds.. $63.99
Need Seed Fast? Direct Overnight Delivery Available!
Round Up Ready Seed Corn $218/bag
Daikon Deep Tillage Radishes $89.95/50 lbs.
80,000 kernals
Hybrid Sorghum Sudangrass
Bio-Gene
Soybeans
Soybeans
Conventional
Round-Up Ready
50 lb. bag
$23.00
$50.00/bag
50 lb. bag
140,000 seeds
$36.95
ALFALFA SEED DAYS SPECIAL
Big Deals On Milk Replacer This Week!
In Wisconsin, Upper Michigan and parts of Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois Brunner
80,000 kernals Elite Single Cross
ONION SETS Yellow, 32 lbs. .............................................. $31.95 White, 32 lbs. ................................................ $32.95 Red, 32 lbs. ................................................... $33.95 Super Sweet, 10 lbs. .................................... $29.95
Monty’s Plant and Soil Products Rep on hand for all your Monty’s solutions MARCH 28, 29, 30, 31 MON.-THUS. 10-2
BEE 99.3 & Frog Country 92.3
Starting at $114.95/bag
SPE PRI CIAL CES
OPEN POLLINATED CORN
Krug, 90 Day, 56 lbs. .................................... $92.95 Reids Type, 100 Day, 56 lbs. ........................ $92.95 Henry Moore, 110 Day, 56 lbs. ..................... $92.95 Boone County White 120 Day, 56 lbs. .......... $92.95
GRASSES
Each 50 lb. bag of MAX-LH, MAX-DR, Dura-Leaf Plus, Super C-318 Alfalfa Alforex 405 Brand (Above varieties only)
Reg. Price
Alforex Hi-Gest 360 Brand Alfalfa ................ A$K ! ! Alforex 460 Brand, 50 lbs. ............................ A$K ! ! Alforex 405 Brand, 50 lbs. ......................... $184.95 MAX-LH, leaf hopper, 50 lbs. ..................... $209.95 MAX-DR, 50 lbs. ......................................... $199.95 Dura-Leaf Plus, 50 lbs. .............................. $189.95 Super C-318, 50 lbs. ................................... $179.95 Hardy Northern, 50 lbs. .............................. $169.95
CLOVER SEED DAYS SPECIAL
Each 50 lb. bag of $ Magna-Red Red Clover Expires 4/2/22 Pulaski Warehouse (Above variety only)
5 OFF
Magna Red, 50 lbs. .................................... $169.95 Medium Red, 50 lbs. .................................. $159.95 Alsike Clover, 50 lbs. .................................. $159.95 Yellow Blossom Sweet, 50 lbs. .................. $124.95 Crimson Clover, 50 lbs. ................................ $99.95 Berseem Clover, 50 lbs. ............................. $129.95 Ladino Clover, 50 lbs. ................................. $199.95 White Dutch Clover, 50 lbs. ........................ $209.95 Balansa White Clover 50 lbs. ..................... $129.95
MISCELLANEOUS Hybrid Sorghum-Sudangrass, 50 lbs. ......... $36.95 BMR Sorghum-Sudangrass, 50 lbs. ............ $57.95 Wild Game Food Sorghum, 50 lbs. .............. $45.95 Dwarf Essex Rape, 50 lbs. ........................... $62.95 Japanese Millet, 50 lbs. ............................... $51.95 Pearl Millet, 50 lbs. ...................................... $83.95 Sunflower Black Oil, 1 lb. .............................. $3.95 Sunflower, Grey Stripe, 1 lb. ........................ $11.99 Austrian Winter Peas, 50 lbs. ...................... $45.95 Diakon Radishes-Tillage, 50 lbs. ................. $89.95 Hairy Vetch, 50 lbs. .................................... $125.95 Flax, 50 lbs. .................................................. $65.95 Buckwheat, 50 lbs. ...................................... $55.95
PLEASE CALL FOR A QUOTE ON NATIVE GRASSES, FORBS OR CONSERVATION MIXES
SEED DAYS SPECIAL
Each 50 lb. bag of Mor-Leaf Timothy Expires 4/2/22 Pulaski Warehouse (Above variety only)
$
5 OFF
Mor-Leaf Timothy, 50 lbs. .......................... $159.95 Climax Timothy, 50 lbs. .............................. $149.95 Orchard Grass (late), 50 lbs. ...................... $159.95 Orchard Grass, 50 lbs. ............................... $139.95 Smooth Bromegrass, 50 lbs. ..................... $209.95 Italian Ryegrass (Annual), 50 lbs. ............... $56.95 Tetraploid Annual Ryegrass, 50 lbs. ............ $46.95 Tetraploid Perennial Ryegrass, 50 lbs. ...... $129.95 Festulolium Perennial Ryegrass, 50 lbs. ... $129.95 Meadow Fescue 50 lbs. ............................. $199.95 Tall Fescue, 50 lbs. ..................................... $139.95 Switchgrass Cave-In-Rock, 1 lb. pls. .......... $15.99 Reeds Canarygrass (low alkaloid) 50 lbs. .. A$K ! !
HAY & PASTURE MIXES SEED DAYS SPECIAL
10 OFF
$
Expires 4/2/22 Pulaski Warehouse
Each 50 lb. bag of Hay & Pasture Mix or $5 OFF each 25 lb. bag
Alfalfa Forage Mix, 50 lbs. ......................... $189.95 Alfalfa Base Mix, 50 lbs. ............................ $189.95 Clover Base Mix, 50 lbs. ............................ $189.95 Horse Pasture Mix, 25 lbs. ........................... $99.95 Max Forage Extender Mix, 25 lbs. ............... $69.95 Wild Life Clover Mix, 50 lbs. ...................... $219.95 All of the above mixes are made with Dura-Leaf Plus Alfalfa, Magna-Red Red Clover and Mor-Leaf Timothy
TREFOIL Birdsfoot, 50 lbs. ........................................ $289.95
SPRING WHEAT Cert. Prevail, 50 lbs. ..................................... $18.95
BARLEY Cert. Lacey, 50 lbs. ....................................... $17.95 Uncert. Robust, 50 lbs. ................................. $16.95
SPRING TRITICALE Triticale, Spring, 50 lbs. ............................... $24.95
INOCULANTS Alfalfa - Clover, Treats 50 lbs. ....................................$7.95 Trefoil, Treats 50 lbs. ..................................................$8.95 Soybean Terra Max Dry, Treats 500 lbs. - 10 unit....$17.95 Soybean Terra Max Dry, Treats 2000 lbs. - 40 unit..$47.95 Cell-Tech Liq. Soybean, Treats 50 units...................$83.95
Huge Selection of Bulk Garden Seeds
LAWN GRASSES SEED DAYS SPECIAL Each 50 lb. bag of $
10 OFF
Expires 4/2/22 Pulaski Warehouse
Athletic, Sunny or Shady Lawn Seed
Athletic Lawn Mix, 50 lbs. ......................... $179.95 Sunny Lawn Mix, 50 lbs. ........................... $199.45 Shady Lawn Mix, 50 lbs. ........................... $189.95 Annual Ryegrass, 50 lbs. ............................ $46.95 Perennial Ryegrass, 50 lbs. ...................... $159.95 Creeping Red Fescue, 50 lbs. ................... $239.95 Kentucky Bluegrass, 50 lbs. ..................... $199.95 Turf Type Tall Fescue, 50 lbs. .................... $139.95 White Dutch Clover, 50 lbs. ....................... $209.95
LAWN & GARDEN FERTILIZER 22-0-5 Weed & Feed (Trimec) Formula $28.99 / 50 lb. bag. Covers 12,500 sq. ft 19-0-6 With (Dimension) Crabgrass Preventer
$27.99 / 50 lb. bag. Covers 12,500 sq. ft Lawn & Garden Lime, 50 lbs. ......................... $2.69 Pelletized Lawn & Garden Lime, 40 lbs. ........ $5.99 Pelletized Gypsum, 40 lbs. ............................. $7.99
SEED OATS Cert. Antigo, bu. - early................................. $12.95 Cert. Rushmore bu. - mid ............................. $12.95 Cert. Esker 2020, bu. - mid ........................... $12.95 Cert. Hayden, bu-mid - late .......................... $12.95 Uncert. Ogle, bu. - mid.................................. $11.95 Uncert. Jerry, bu. - mid................................. $12.95
SWEET CORN
Catalyst XR, bi-color, 66 day...................... 3,000 Kernel/$34.99 Northern Xtra-Sweet, 67 day..................... 3,000 Kernel/$27.99 X-tra Tender XTH2171, bi-color, 71 day .... 3,000 Kernel/$31.99 X-tra Tender XTH20173, bi-color, 73 day .. 3,000 Kernel/$32.99 Anthem XR, bi-color, 73 day.......................3,000 Kernel/$34.99 X-tra Tender XTH2475, bi-color, 75 day .... 3,000 Kernel/$32.99 Honey’N Pearl, bi-color, 76 day ................. 3,000 Kernel/$27.99 Golden Bantem, 80 day.............................. 3,000 Kernel/$10.99 Illini X-tra Sweet, 85 day........................... 3,000 Kernel/$24.99 Kandy Korn, 89 day.................................... 3,000 Kernel/$23.99 MANY OTHER BULK GARDEN SEEDS TO CHOOSE FROM: Peas, Beans, Carrots, Cantaloupe, Beets, Squash, Pumpkins, Watermelon, Radishes, Gourds, Ornamental Corn, Etc.
WILDLIFE FOOD PLOT SEED SEED DAYS SPECIAL
10 OFF
$
Expires 4/2/22 Pulaski Warehouse
Each 50 lb. bag of Wildlife Clover Mix (Above variety only)
Wildlife Clover Mix, 50 lbs. ........................ $219.95 Impact Forage Collards, 3 lb. ...................... $11.99 Hunter Brassica, 3 lb. .................................. $13.49 Winfred Brassica, 3 lb. ................................. $13.49 Graza Radish, 3 lb. ....................................... $19.99 Small Burnett, 3 lb. ...................................... $13.99 Chicory, 1 lb. .................................................. $7.95 Sugar Beets, 1 lb. .......................................... $5.95 Tonic Plantain, 1 lb. ....................................... $5.99 Rutabaga, 3 lb. ............................................. $13.99 Bar Kant Turnips, 3 lb. ................................. $11.99 Kale, 1 lb. ........................................................ $4.99 Dwarf Essex Rape, 50 lbs. ........................... $62.95 Turnips-Purple Top, 50 lbs. .......................... $99.95 Turnips, Seven Top, 50 lbs. ........................ $129.95 Widow Maker, 25 lbs. ................................. $109.95 Brassica Brunch, 25 lbs. ............................ $109.95 Wild Game Food Sorghum, 50 lbs. .............. $45.95 Buck Buffet, 25 lbs. ..................................... $16.95 Buck Forage Oats, 50 lbs. ............................ $36.95 Switchgrass RC Big Rock, 1 lb. pls. ............ $16.49 Switchgrass Cave-In - Rock 1 lb. pls. ......... $15.99
ROUND-UP READY BIO-GENE SOYBEANS
GREAT SELECTION!
140,000 seeds per unit BG 9100 E3 1.5 Maturity ...................... unit/$50.00 BG 9150 E3 1.5 Maturity ....................... unit/$50.00 Forage Field Peas, 40-10, 50 lbs. ................ $25.95 BG 9180 E3 1.8 Maturity ....................... unit/$50.00 50% Pea - 50% Oat Mix, 50 lbs. .................. $25.95 50% Pea - 50% Barley Mix, 50 lbs. ............. $25.95 ROUND-UP READY PRO-HARVEST SOYBEANS 50% Pea - 50% Tritcale, 50 lbs. ................... $25.95
PEAS & MIXTURES
GREAT SELECTION!
GARDEN PEAS
140,000 seeds per unit RR2Y and E3 varieties ................ starting at $51.00
Sugar Ann, 56 day, 50 lbs. ........................... $93.95 Little Marvel, 63 Day, 50 lbs. ....................... $84.95 CONVENTIONAL SOYBEANS Sugar Snap, 64 day, 50 lbs. ......................... $93.95 MN1410, 1.4, 50 lbs. ..................................... $23.00 Green Arrow, 68 Day, 50 lbs. ........................ $84.95 Viking 1518N, 1.5, 140,000 seeds per unit... $32.00 Oregon Giant, 69 Day, 50 lbs. ....................... $86.95
Seed Days Specials Good March 28 thru April 2, 2022
PULASKI WAREHOUSE, INC. 5777 Quarry Drive, Pulaski, WI 54162 • 920-822-3536 • Hrs.: M-F 8-5; Sat. 8-12
EXCELLENT SUPPLY OF
SEED CORN AND SOYBEANS AVAILABLE
PRICES AND AVAILABILITY SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. Conveniently Located: 2½ mi. South of Pulaski on Hwy. 32 or 2 mi. North of Hwy. 29 on Hwy. 32, then 1/2 mi. East of Hwy. 32 on Quarry Drive
137303
tatoes Seed Po n Sets o and Oni 3/28/22
Page 8 • Dairy Star • Saturday, March 26, 2022
ConƟnued from LEVZOW | Page 1
trade hub. The trip provided the Dubai market with direct dairy farmer contact and an opportunity to learn more about the people behind the products. “The markets want to know about sustainability, animal care and health, how we produce our products and what we do on our farms,” Levzow said. “USDEC is doing a lot to promote U.S. cheese, and this trip was a positive experience for the dairy industry. They’re not pushing just one product but all of the U.S.’s dairy export product potential.” Levzow and her husband, Ralph, and their son, Ken, milk 150 registered Jerseys and Holsteins and farm 950 acres on their fourth-generation farm near Rio. Their daughter and son-inlaw, Amanda and Ryan Seichter, who are full-time teachers, also help. In addition to her work on the farm, Levzow has been doing ultrasounds at a hospital in Madison for 40 years. The Levzows raise their steers for beef and run a cash grain business, selling corn and soybeans. “Our farm size was unique to the people in Dubai, as their farms are very large,” Levzow said. “For example, there’s a dairy outside of Dubai that milks 14,000 cows. We didn’t visit any farms on our trip, however, as that was not the focus of our mission.” USDEC works in Mexico, Central America, China, Japan, Southeast Asia, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South America, South Korea, the European Union, and the Middle East and North Africa region where Dubai is located. In 2020, the U.S. dairy export value grew to 20% in the MENA region, making it the seventh largest market for U.S. dairy exports. Mexico is No. 1 followed by Southeast Asia, Canada and China. Japan is also a growing market for the U.S.
“The United Arab Emirates imports 90% of its food, and Dubai is a concentrated area where we’ve made good inroads,” Levzow said. “It has a lot of buying power, and the MENA region is really receptive to dairy. They drink a lot of milk, eat a lot of ice cream and cheese, and use a lot of butter. Yogurt is also really big there with whole store sections devoted to yogurt of all kinds.” Highlights of the Dubai trip included a visit to the International Centre for Culinary Arts, an appearance at a cooking studio and stops at grocery stores carrying U.S. dairy products – specically the LuLu Hypermarket chain. The International Centre for Culinary Arts, a highly respected culinary school, is USDEC’s rst culinary partner. USDEC works with the ICCA to educate the next generation of chefs about U.S. cheese through a special program started in 2018. USDEC developed the curriculum in which students study the avors, versatility and history of U.S. cheeses. The USA Cheese Specialist Certication has 157 graduates thus far in the UAE and over 1,071 around the world. “The centre is putting graduating U.S. cheese ambassadors all over the world, giving this program a lot of reach,” Levzow said. “To me, this is a really good investment.” The young chefs come from wellknown restaurants and hotel chains worldwide and are handpicked to learn the culinary trade, Levzow said. She and her group sat in on a class, and the four farmers were part of a panel in which students asked them questions directly. “They were very hungry to learn and appreciative to have this experience,” Levzow said. “They asked us all kinds of questions, from what we feed our cows to which breed’s milk is best
for making cheese. It was a really nice dialogue.” The students also made various creations to be judged – from lavish cheese boards to fancy dairy-based desserts Levzow and the group tasted. Levzow’s favorite dish was a four-cheese Phyllo Dough appetizer with plum sauce. Her group also attended the graduation ceremony for the USA Cheese Specialists. Their time in Dubai also included a stop at a cooking studio to lm a segment that would be used on social media to share the U.S. dairy farming story. Levzow and Hancock starred in the show with TV personality Nicole Maftoum and master chef and dietitian Nikita Ghandi Patni from India. Levzow and Hancock talked about their farms while Ghandi Patni made a roasted pepper queso dip served over nachos. At the Lulu Hypermarket, Levzow witnessed Dubai’s passion for U.S. cheese, which could be found in six sections of the store. U.S. products account for 54% of the 300 items found in the dairy case and deli. The partnership between USDEC and LuLu began in 2018. Since then, the company’s usage has increased from 60 to 120 metric tons, for a $1 million jump in dairy product sales. “U.S. cheese is promoted heavily in the LuLu Hypermarket, and it’s amazing how many people are in this aisle every day trying and buying our cheese,” Levzow said. “The deli makes cheese boards, and there are tasting demos held throughout the store. The people in charge of demos are thoroughly educated on the cheeses before doing demos. We’re not just going in and dumping cheese and hoping people buy it.” Another Dubai customer is the Talabat online food delivery service.
“It’s a booming enterprise with 12,000 SKUs, and we’re talking with them about cheese options,” Levzow said. “They already carry Crystal Farms and Schreiber cheese.” The cost to get products to Dubai is a challenge, but USDEC staff have a marketing plan to facilitate trial and show value of importing U.S. dairy products. Products arrive primarily by air and must have between six and nine months of shelf life. An active candy making and dessert industry is a big consumer of dairy products like milk powder and butter. Butter exports to the region have increased 250%. Much of the cheese coming into the region is from New Zealand and Europe, but Levzow said the U.S. is making great strides. “We’re not going in to badmouth other cheeses,” she said. “We go in on our own merits and show them why they should buy our products. We offer quality and consistency, and we promote the versatility in U.S. cheese and the fact we can deliver.” The U.S. continues to work on penetrating the global market and moving more product internationally. Exports of U.S. dairy products are now 17% of U.S. sales, which Levzow said equates to 1 in 6 tankers of milk leaving the country. “Going on this mission really opened my eyes,” Levzow said. “We saw rsthand how our dairy promotion dollars are being spent to expand these markets, and I think it’s been spent very well the last few years. This is an investment we have to make if we’re going to continue with our level of milk production in this country. We can’t eat our way out of this. We have to nd markets that want our products to make more room on our shelves here.”
2016 Case IH Magnum 310 CVT 1,475 hours, 30 MPH, guidance loaded! $ 225,500
2009 Tubeline TLR5000AX inline round bale wrapper, self propelled, excellent condition $ 27,500
2019 Case SR160 with cab, heat, radio, hydraulic QT, cold start package $ 27,500
2020 Case SR210B with 1,910 hours, 2-speed, hydraulic QT, excellent rubber $ 34,500
2019 Kubota M6S-111 MFD, cab, power reverser, 660 hours, warranty $ 55,500
Better Built 6600 gal. tanker steerable front and rear axles, hydraulic suspension $ 27,500
Meyer 7500 Spreader from a small steer operation, 21.5L16.1 float tires, great shape! $ 24,500
New Holland FP240 with original knives, Metal Alert, 29P hay head, only ever used for hay $ 29,500
2021 New Holland 450 silage special 4x5 round baler with bale slice and net wrap $ 35,500
2017 Kuhn/Knight SL124 with 21.5L16.1 float tires, excellent condition $ 34,500
920-897-4035
Coleman, WI
www. beavermachineinc .com
WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH
Dairy Star • Saturday, March 26, 2022 • Page 9
Dinse focused on future in the industry Herdswoman connects with cows, co-workers at Minnesota dairy
She took it upon herself to ask fellow employees how she could communicate better with them. “They told me just to start speaking it, give it a try,” Dinse said. “One guy spoke Spanish and understood a By Jennifer Coyne lot of English. He helped me learn and jenn@dairystar.com pointed me in the right direction if I was explaining it in English but wantLAKE BENTON, Minn. – Even ed to say it in Spanish.” at 38 weeks pregnant, there is not Throughout that summer, Dinse much stopping Olivia Dinse from get- and her colleague created a trusted ting the job done. To an extent, she has working relationship. no choice; both cows and people rely “We built a friendship,” she said. on her, her expertise and her under- “He was like an adopted dad to me. standing. Even when I was back at school, we “I walk pens, diagnose cows, treat would grab dinner together. And now, cows,” Dinse said. “And, I do all the he asks how things are going and how translating here on the farm too.” I’m doing with the baby. I never would Dinse is the lead herdsperson at have gotten that if I didn’t ask.” Ash Grove Dairy where she and 14 After graduation four years ago, other employees manage the 1,100- Dinse came back to the farm as an ascow farm in Lincoln County near Lake sistant herdsperson. But when her suBenton. She is also the only employee pervisor found opportunity elsewhere, who speaks English as their primary the college graduate was faced with language. the task of leading and communicating The role is tting for the young with the dairy’s team. woman who has always strived for a Dinse quickly stepped up to the recareer in the industry. sponsibilities. “I’m different in that I didn’t grow Not only does she oversee all herd up on a farm, and I used to feel like I health, she also helps her co-workers was miles behind everybody because communicate with the dairy’s owner of that,” Dinse said. “I’ve worked more effectively. very hard to gain as much knowledge “It all fell on me, and I had to rise about the industry as I possibly could. to the challenge,” Dinse said. “My I’m a cow person. I love working with Spanish is not perfect, but my goal is animals, and I want to work with ani- to be uent one day. Right now, I get mals.” my point across so they understand me As an adolescent, Dinse worked for and I understand them.” a neighboring dairy farm in Wisconsin. One of the better ways Dinse has There, she helped milk and care for the created a mutual liking at Ash Grove young calves. Then, at South Dakota Dairy is to show an interest in her colState University, she was involved in leagues’ culture, beginning during her caring for the university’s herd and time as an intern. While the Latino took on internships that expanded her culture often has a greater respect for experience in dairy production. seniority, she was open and inviting While Dinse knew her career path about learning about others’ way of would take her to a farm, she did not life, and in turn, she gained respect, expect it to also create such a pas- said Dinse. sion of connecting with people. That “It was really taking the time to changed when she rst interned at Ash understand people’s backgrounds, Grove Dairy one summer. where they’ve been and their life sto“During that rst week of my in- ries,” she said. “They’ve opened that ternship, I walked onto the farm, and door for me, and it’s fascinating to hear they all were talking in Spanish,” all about these types of cultures.” Dinse said. “I thought, ‘I can’t speak Now, when Dinse communicates a lick of this. Am I going to be friends with new hires, she initiates conversawith anyone here?’” tion to grow their relationship on the farm right away. It is a tactic she has watched her superiors do too. “I approach things from a different angle,” said Dinse of the way she manages people. “I really try to see other people’s feelings and help them feel a part of the team. That’s big for us. Every person who works here is all very important.” Once a young Wisconsin girl dreaming of working on a farm, Dinse continues to pursue her passion for dairy cattle and the industry while developing a newfound drive to connect with people and being a leader on the farm. “I love working with cows, and I want to always be in a role on the farm, but I’m very passionate about working with my co-workers and working to bridge that cultural JERRY NELSON/DAIRY STAR Olivia Dinse speaks with Jorge Armando during gap,” Dinse said. “Someone milking at Ash Grove Dairy near Lake Benton, has to be the rst person to Minnesota. Dinse rst worked at the farm as an initiate those relationships. I intern and then came on full Ɵme aŌer college. think it should start with you.”
JERRY NELSON /DAIRY STAR
Olivia Dinse is the herdsperson at Ash Grove Dairy near Lake Benton, Minnesota. Dinse oversees the 1,100-cow dairy and works closely with the other employees.
“It provides us with good records.” What are some of the DHIA tests you use?
We use the somatic cell count, and most recently the pregnancy test. Which is your favorite test and why? They are all very handy. We like the readouts for the SCC, cows to breed, cows to check and heifer inventories. The pregnancy test results are very easy as well. How does testing with DHIA beneÀt your dairy operation? It provides us with good records, helps keep days in milk low and cows productive, and SCC readouts helps with cull cow decisions. Tell us about your farm. We milk in a 66-cow barn and have a Jersey and Holstein herd. We milk with the help of our older children. We rent 80 acres that is used mostly for silage and we buy our hay and grain. We raise our own heifers and sell our bull calves when weaned.
Dan & Bonnie Theisen
Theisen Dairy 85 milking cows • Watkins, MN Testingwith DHIA 18 years
DHIA: Now MORE than ever Sauk Centre, MN Buffalo, MN 763.682.1091 www.mndhia.org
Page 10 • Dairy Star • Saturday, March 26, 2022
PEOPLE MOVING PRODUCT
From grass to glass Daningers nd niche market with on-farm creamery By Grace Jeurissen grace.j@star-pub.com
FOREST LAKE, Minn. – At Autumnwood Farm, the milk travels 260-feet in an overhead pipe to get to its destination at the farm’s creamery. While dairy farming is nothing new to Pat and Sharlene Daninger, their on-farm processing plant for bottled milk has been moving product since Feb. 14, 2008. “That was a very stressful Valentine’s Day,” Pat said. “We stayed up all night bottling milk for our rst order, then I came in for a bowl of cereal. Once I nished eating, I went out to the barn to milk cows again.” The creamery now produces more than 2,500 bottles of milk in a day. The creamery provides milk to around 85 accounts. Sharlene said the connections they make with customers keep them coming back. “I think people really enjoy our milk, because it’s extra fresh,” she said. “They like to see the people behind our product.” Autumnwood Farm employs eight people from creamery bottling staff to delivery drivers. The employees at Autumnwood work hard to maintain a quality product and want to see the creamery succeed, said Pat. “We work with a lot of good people,” Pat said. “We become lifelong friends with our employees and partners. Many of them feel like family.” The glass milk bottles are reused. Each bottle is sanitized before being lled with milk again. The milk at Autumnwood Farm comes in several avors and variations. The Daningers said the most popular product sold off the Autumnwood Farm creamery is whole milk, which has a fat content of 3.5% or higher. Other variations of milk include skim, 1%, chocolate, strawberry, cappuccino, half and half and a whole non-homogenized cream line. They also produce the base mix for ice cream. The milk is collected in a holding tank. From there, milk goes through a separator and into the pasteurizer. In the pasteurizer, milk is pasteurized at 145 degrees. After 30 minutes in the pasteurizer, the milk is homogenized. From that point, milk runs through a two-stage plate cooler that brings the temperature to 35 degrees. Then, the milk is held before being bottled. “We have had customers come in and tell us how they used to not be milk drinkers,” Pat said. “Now, they drink our milk regularly.”
The Autumnwood Farm brand draws many consumers who are health conscious, Sharlene said. The Daningers said the businesses they sell to are supporters of quality products from local businesses. A partnership Autumnwood Farm has developed since starting is with Love Creamery, an ice cream shop from Duluth. To make sure the creamery could continue moving product and did not have to dump milk during the coronavirus pandemic, the owner of Love Creamery worked with the Daningers to get extra freezer space and increase the amount of ice cream mix purchased. Neighbors and the community were helpful when the Daningers rst started processing milk, Pat said. “We need our neighbors, and they need us,” Pat said. To get their name out into the community, Sharlene said they hosted Farm-City Day at their farm for six years straight. “After we rst started, we wanted to show the community what we were doing,” she said. “The night before the event we had a hailstorm go through the area, and we had a lot of clean-up work to do to get things ready.” Members of the Daningers’ church showed up the day of the event and pitched in to help get everything ready for Farm-City Day. Pat said the best advertisting they have is word of mouth. “People try the milk, enjoy it and tell their friends,” he said. Talk of the brand has gotten Autumnwood Farm milk into grocery stores, coffee shops, restaurants and their own farm store. During the pandemic Sharlene said they offered curbside pickup and gained a lot of new followers. “New customers, like many other people during the pandemic, were looking for places to get products,” she said. After many years of working out the quirks in their
GRACE JEURISSEN/DAIRY STAR
Pat and Sharlene Daninger dairy farm and operate an on-farm creamery near Forest Lake, Minnesota. Autumnwood Farm Creamery rst boƩled milk on ValenƟne’s Day in 2008. operation, the Daningers look at their business and smile. Pat said the change to bottling milk has been crucial to their success. “Initially, we needed to do something, because if we didn’t, we wouldn’t still be milking,” Pat said. The Daningers found the thought of quitting dairy farming unattractive, so the thought of on-farm processing was far more appealing and Sharlene said it has been gratifying. “(We took) something we knew nothing about, and now the option for the next generation is there,” she said. Now, Pat said, the Autumnwood Farm creamery is feeling growing pains as they need more cooler space to provide milk and ice cream mix to more businesses. “We want to continue serving our current customers while still being able to take on new ones,” he said.
FEED BUNKS GRACE JEURISSEN/DAIRY STAR
J-Bunks and H-Bunks available
Autumnwood Farm Creamery boƩles milk in glass March 21 in Forest Lake, Minnesota. The creamery lls around 2,500 boƩles on a daily basis.
for large and small animals
PTO GENERATORS
Super High Capacity Fence Line Bunk
Fence Line Feed Bunk
H- Feed Bunk
ALSO AVAILABLE:
• Cattle Slats • Cattle Guards • Holding Tanks • Bunker Silo
AL’S
CONCRETE PRODUCTS 1-800-982-9263
Serving Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin Since 1965
www.alsconcreteproducts.com
STANDARD FEATURES: 15KW to • 100% Copper Windings 150KW • Helical Gears for Smooth Operation • Full Power Receptacle • Square D Mainline Circuit Breakers • Large 3” Voltage Meter • Full Power Plug Included www.wincogen.com • Powder Coat Paint • Rodent Screens Model 50PTOC-3, 50 kw, 208 amps, • Lifting Eyes 1800 RPM, 540 input speed, 100 input hp
Les Kuehl
Repair Service
30+ Years Experience
YOUR CENTRAL MINNESOTA GOLIATH REPAIR SERVICE! • Sealed silo parts & service • All parts needed to service your • Best chains on the market Goliath Unloaders • Used and rebuilt unloaders Not afÀliated with the Harvestore brand • Stainless steel roofs • Stainless steel conveyor chains Call for early maintenance specials
320-760-2909
Eve. 320-762-1827 No Emergency Charges--Ever!
tfn
52 years in dairy goats
Dairy Star • Saturday, March 26, 2022 • Page 11
What is on your checklist for roasted soybeans? Energy Protein Amino acids Bypass protein
SERVICE Easy accessibility Quick loading times Quality and consistency
CHECK US OUT THE NEXT TIME YOU ARE LOOKING FOR ROASTED SOYBEANS. PHOTO SUBMITTED
Mary and Doug Thompson (center) are pictured with their daughters – (from leŌ) Emily and Anna – at the Minnesota Livestock Breeders’ AssociaƟon banquet March 10. Mary and Doug were inducted into the associaƟon’s hall of fame.
Thompsons receive MLBA Hall of Fame recognition By Kate Rechtzigel kate.r@dairystar.com
HOUSTON, Minn. − Tucked inside the valleys of southeastern Minnesota lies a dairy goat farm. Its owners are the 2022 Minnesota Livestock Breeders’ Association Hall of Fame inductees, Mary and Doug Thompson. “It’s really quite an honor, and we’re very proud to be recognized,” Mary said. “It’s really a big deal because we are only the second dairy goat breeders in the state to receive this kind of recognition.” The Thompsons milk 20 purebred French Alpine and Toggenburg dairy goats on their farm near Houston. The rst MLBA Hall of Fame inductees for dairy goats, Vincent and Christine Maefsky from Scandia, nominated the Thompsons. Throughout their 52-year farming career, Mary and Doug have been instrumental in re-establishing the Minnesota Dairy Goat Association. The Thompsons helped start the Minnesota State Fair Dairy Goat Show and the educational goat booth there, and have been
involved with numerous other dairy goat and agricultural boards. “We just really fell in love with breeding stock, and because we believe in good function, beautiful animals and high production, we sell our animals easily,” Mary said. The Thompsons founded their herd of purebred French Alpine goats in 1970 near Rice. “We started out with four milking goats, three kids and one buck,” Doug said. “It was just supposed to be a hobby.” In 1971, the Thompsons moved to Pennsylvania, and then in 1975, they moved back to Minnesota near Clearbrook. Doug worked for the Clearwater Soil and Water Conservation District, and Mary was a nurse. They raised their two daughters, Emily and Anna, while also raising dairy goats. “It got to be a lot of work,” Doug said of running the farm and having an offfarm job. “We probably didn’t achieve the level of care that we do now.” In 1987, they added the Toggenburg breed. “Anna just loved Toggenburgs and had to have a Toggenburg, so some good friends gave her one,” Mary said. In 2006, they relocated to Houston, where Mary continued to work as a nurse and Doug, by then retired, was full time
Starwood Rafters Uses Pole Sheds • Free Stalls Riding Arenas Pavilion Shelters Machinery Storage
Roasting, Inc.
Preferred By Bovines Everywhere
320-352-3326
Visit www.roastedbeans.com
Quality
Consistency
Keeping your cows
CLEAN, RELAXED & COMFORTABLE
Turn to THOMPSONS | Page 13
WHICH BARN IS BEST FOR YOUR HERD?
Birds just love this barn. The webs in these trusses are easy nest areas for birds. They also restrict air flow which leads to poor ventilation and moisture buildup in the building.
KLC Farms
The arched rafters create a more open barn allowing better ventilation. Also since there are no open webs in the trusses, there are no places for birds to nest.
HEAVY-DUTY, 48” ROTATING
COMFORT BRUSH Key Advantages: • Alleviates stress • Offers fly and parasite relief • Natural grooming alternative • Reduces unnecessary barn damage • Potential to increase production & profitability • 2-year warranty, 30-day money back guarantee
• Spans up to 72 ft. • Up to 12’ spacing depending on the load you desire • Bird nesting control • Better ventilation & visability • No feed alley post obstruction • Additional ceiling height
Starwood Rafters Lam-Ply Truss
ANOTHER QUALITY PRODUCT FROM STARWOOD RAFTERS
(507) 534-3855
STARWOOD RAFTERS, INC. 715-985-3117
W24141 Starwood Ln. • Independence, WI 54747 Website: www.starwoodrafters.com
888-525-5878
Kreofsky Ag Systems WWW.KBSCOMPANIES.COM
Page 12 • Dairy Star • Saturday, March 26, 2022
Thompson joins MLBA Hall of Fame
Recognition is for a lifetime of industry service By Grace Jeurissen grace.j@star-pub.com
STARBUCK, Minn. – Sometimes a very inconsequential event turns out to be very monumental. This was how Dave Thompson, a retired dairyman, started his acceptance speech for his induction into the Minnesota Livestock Breeders’ Association Hall of Fame March 10. Thompson and his wife, Dawn, milked 80 cows and farm 800 acres in Starbuck. For the last 88 years, the MLBA has inducted outstanding members of the livestock industry, and this year, Thompson was the 194th inductee to the organization’s hall of fame. “Getting recognized is something you don’t expect,” Thompson said. “It is nice to know people appreciate and recognize the things you have done over the years.” Thompson’s inconsequential event that preempted his success in the dairy industry was his freshman agriculture class. It was during this class that he was rst introduced to the concept of dairy cattle evaluation and judging. From his involvement in 4-H and FFA, his dairy judging career continued, and he be-
came involved in the University of Minnesota Dairy Cattle Judging Team. During Thompson’s time on the collegiate dairy judging team, he was the high individual in four breeds at national contests. In 1971, he received a National Dairy Shrine award as a senior in dairy science at the University of Minnesota. Thompson was a Meeker County extension agent for three years before returning to his family farm. He became involved in different aspects of the dairy industry by working with youth judging teams, the American Dairy Association and the Dairy Herd Improvement Association, among others. “Over the years, I’ve judged at over 30 county fairs and was the ofcial judge for the state fair FFA dairy judging contest for at least a half a dozen years,” Thompson said. In the 1980s, Thompson and Dawn were rst and second place, respectively, in the national Hoard’s Dairyman Cow Judging Contest which had more than 100,000 entries. This will be the 59th year Thompson has judged the contest. Being a dairy farmer, Thompson was always busy. “I used to tell non-farm people that I always work a 40-hour week,” Thompson said. “Then, I pause and say that usually gets me through Wednesday.” Thompson was involved in the Minnesota American Dairy Association for 20 years and served 10 years as the state ADA president from 1985-95. Turn to THOMPSON | Page 13
GRACE JEURISSEN/DAIRY STAR
Dave Thompson stands in his yard at his dairy farm March 17 near Starbuck, Minnesota. Thompson is a 2022 Minnesota Livestock Breeders’ AssociaƟon Hall of Fame inductee and reƟred dairy farmer.
TOUR 4 FARMS IN 1 DAY ON THE ARGALL SPRING FARM TOUR!
The way to dairy.
TM
LEARN ABOUT LELY AUTOMATION! Join us on Wednesday, March 30, 2022
Hop on the bus with your dairy peers, tour innovative automated dairies and learn from top dairy producers during the Argall Spring Farm Tour! TOUR AGENDA: 10:30 a.m. – Welcome and bus departure from Koning Maple Lane Event Center, N3051 WI-81, Monroe, WI 11:05 a.m.-11:45 a.m. – Tour Rieder Riedland Farms W5478 County Rd. Dr., Monroe, WI
The Leader in Feeders!
12:30 p.m.-1:15 p.m. – Tour Gunderson Family Farm 9726 N. Fork Creek Rd., Shannon, IL 2:15 p.m.-3:00 p.m. – Tour Wiegel Riverside Farms, 10035 Philippine Rd., South Wayne, WI 3:15 p.m.-3:45 p.m. – Tour Makos Village View Dairy, 1295 County Rd. C., Argyle, WI 4:00 p.m. – Bus returns to Koning Maple Lane Event Center, N3051 WI-81, Monroe, WI
LIMITED-OCCUPANCY EVENT
RSVP to reserve your complimentary seat on the bus. Act now – the bus is filling up fast! Scan the QR code with your smartphone or RSVP here: www.lely.com/springtour
RSVP to reserve your seat on the bus here:
Contact Your Local Dealer: Argall Dairy Systems, Inc.
Argall Dairy Systems, Inc. 171 Countryside Dr., Belleville, WI 53508 1415 Evergreen Rd., Platteville, WI, 53818 608-424-6110 www.argalldairy.com
If you have questions contact: Dan Bleifuss: 608-513- 6182 or Tanner Argall: 608-575-9878
ARROW FRONT® FEEDER WAGONS
N9060 State Hwy. 55 | Seymour, WI
www.lely.com 1-888-245-4684 7KH LQIRUPDWLRQ JLYHQ LQ WKLV SXEOLFDWLRQ LV SURYLGHG IRU LQIRUPDWLRQ SXUSRVHV RQO\ DQG GRHV QRW FRQVWLWXWH DQ RƪHU IRU VDOH &HUWDLQ SURGXFWV PD\ QRW EH DYDLODEOH LQ LQGLYLGXDO FRXQWULHV DQG SURGXFWV VXSSOLHG PD\ GLƪHU IURP WKRVH LOOXVWUDWHG 1R SDUW RI WKLV SXEOLFDWLRQ PD\ EH FRSLHG RU SXEOLVKHG E\ PHDQV RI SULQWLQJ SKRWRFRS\LQJ PLFURƬOP RU DQ\ RWKHU SURFHVV ZKDWVRHYHU ZLWKRXW SULRU SHUPLVVLRQ LQ ZULWLQJ E\ /HO\ +ROGLQJ % 9 $OWKRXJK WKH FRQWHQWV RI WKLV SXEOLFDWLRQ KDYH EHHQ FRPSLOHG ZLWK WKH JUHDWHVW SRVVLEOH FDUH /HO\ FDQQRW DFFHSW OLDELOLW\ IRU DQ\ GDPDJH WKDW PLJKW DULVH IURP HUURUV RU RPLVVLRQV LQ WKLV SXEOLFDWLRQ )RU PRUH LQIRUPDWLRQ RQ WKH ULJKW RQ H[FOXVLYH XVH SOHDVH UHIHU WR RXU WUDGHPDUN QRWLFH RQ ZZZ OHO\ FRP &RS\ULJKW /HO\ +ROGLQJ % 9 $OO ULJKWV UHVHUYHG B B86
Tesch Bros. Implement
FEEDER BUNKS AND PANELS
920-833-2500
teschbros@centurytel.net
Dairy Star • Saturday, March 26, 2022 • Page 13
“When you are dairy farming, you don’t own the cows. The cows own you.” DAVE THOMPSON, DAIRY FARMER
“The dairy industry was one of the rst commodities to realize the importance of advertising products,” Thompson said. “After dairy started pushing promotion, many commodities followed suit.” Thompson never missed a morning milking when he had a meeting with the ADA. He said he would usually get up at 4 a.m. to make sure milking was nished before driving to meetings. “When you are dairy farming, you don’t own the cows,” Thompson said. “The cows own you.” Thompson milked for more than 40 years and remembers the rst time he did chores by himself. “I started milking when I was 10, but I didn’t milk by myself until I was 12,” Thompson said. “I remember Dad
was busy in the eld, so I thought I may as well get started. I ended up doing all the milking by myself.” With years of milking cows and judging shows under his belt, Thompson developed an eye for choosing dairy cattle. “I like a cow that is functional, can live a long time and has some show appeal to them,” Thompson said. One of Thompson’s fondest memories was watching his ve daughters lead their Thompson Acres dairy cattle around the show ring and seeing them do well. Thompson’s herd had more than 50 cows classify as Excellent. His cows were one of the top 100 herds in the nation four times with a breed age average of 110.7% on his nal classication with 100% homebred animals. He received eight Progressive Breeders Registry awards from the Holstein Association. He also sold more than a dozen bulls to stud. While away at fairs, in the eld or at an ADA meeting, Thompson recalls plenty of occasions when he spent evenings xing equipment or solving problems at the farm after returning home. It’s just one of the challenges of farming. “It’s a jigsaw puzzle, and you can’t go to bed until you get it put together,” he said. With his herd now gone from the farm, Thompson continues to be involved in agriculture. Thompson houses a few heifers in the summertime, grows a large garden and serves on the Chippewa Valley Ethanol Company Board, currently in his ninth year as board chairman.
N FL O O R A
R
Thompson said one of his favorite events was the 10-year run of “Dairy Nite at the Dome.” This event happened at the former Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome and highlighted how important dairy is to athletes and the community. While in the ADA, Thompson helped facilitate the construction of the malt stand at the Minnesota State Fair in 1994. Thompson said the malt stand draws thousands of people to its front each year.
B
ConƟnued from THOMPSON | Page 12
RO
OVIN
www.dairystar.com
Repair vs. Replace
Electronic Dairy Board Repair Service
Specializing in: WestfaliaSurge, BouMatic, & DeLaval pulsators & Takeoffs, circuit boards, Mueller milk tank circuit boards.
608-225-3595
WE CAN DO ¾” WIDE GROOVES!
AND
G
Appleton, WI
Servicing Wisconsin, Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, Iowa, Illinois and Upper Michigan!
G
Grooving America’s dairies since 1992! www.PandDBarnFloorGrooving.com
GPS GUIDED EQUIPMENT
• Serving farmers for over 30 years with cost saving methods and 3D designs • Specialized in pit dredging & closures • Mass earthmoving for barns, feed pads and manure pits (920) 772-4435 hilltopexc.com
Call: (c) 406-590-7764
21475 W. Goodwin Rd. Reedsville, WI
www.circuitÀxer.wixsite.com/ boumaticboardrepair
Chippewa Farm Service
LLC
Customer Appreciation Days
Open House
Wed., April 6th & Thurs., April 7th 7 a.m. - 4 p.m.
LUNCH 11 A.M. BOTH DAYS
ConƟnued from THOMPSONS | Page 11
on the farm. In 2016, Mary retired and began working beside Doug each day. “Our daughters come and help on the weekends so that helps a lot,” Mary said. “Emily can also work remotely so she comes during kidding season, and we can get some sleep. It’s high-intensity labor and a big commitment just like if you had 200 cattle.” The Thompsons feed the 32 kids three times a day and milk twice a day with a 65-pound stainless steel bucket milker. They milked by hand until April 2021. “We should’ve started (milking with the machine) a lot earlier,” Doug said. Mary agreed. “It’s a lot easier with the yearlings because of their smaller teats,” she said. The Thompsons typically start kidding in February and usually sell all of their kids by June. They keep around 10 kids for replacements every year. “This is our most intense time,” Doug said. “If we didn’t sell our kids, we’d have a lot of goats really fast.” The Thompsons have done well at both local and national dairy goat shows, having both the national champion French Alpine in 2021 and the national champion Toggenburg in 2018. Because of this, most of the kids on the Thompsons’ farm are sold as breeding stock nationally and internationally. The Thompsons enjoy attending goat shows, traveling when they can and catching up with their gardening projects. “We try to leave when it’s less busy,” Doug said. Mary traveled to Nepal with friends in January 2020 to participate in goatrelated projects. The Thompsons are also University
of Minnesota Extension Master Gardeners; they have fruit trees, mushrooms and large vegetable and ower gardens on their farm. “It is really pretty during the summer,” Mary said. “We have lots of perennial beds and peonies.” They have been involved in Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms, USA for 13 years. “Young people from all over the world will come and stay with us,” Mary said. “We provide room and board, and they work four to six hours a day on our farm, mostly just to learn.” Over the years, the Thompsons have made good friends and connections with the participants in the WWOOF program. People from France, Japan, Belgium, New Zealand, Germany, Australia, Africa and across the United States have been on their farm. “Some of our best memories have been made that way, and it helps with chore time,” Mary said. “We’ve even been invited to some of their weddings and attended two, one in France and another in Japan.” The Thompsons are proud of the work they have done in the Minnesota and American dairy goat associations and are honored to receive MLBA Hall of Fame recognition. “It’s nding kindred spirits and other people who love the species,” Mary said. “I think back to when we started and dairy goats were kind of a laughing stock. People didn’t really take them seriously at all; there were no markets. So, it’s really an honor to receive this award and represent dairy goats.” In the future, the Thompsons look forward to transferring the farm to their daughters.
CELEBRATING 26 YEARS!
Stop in and take advantage of the 10% Parts Discounts. There will also be area representatives available to answer any questions.
Valmetal Vertical Mixer
Valmetal Nordic-215 Silo Unloader
New & Used Weaverline Feed Carts
Trioliet Mixers
Valmetal Agri-Chopper
www.chippewafarmservice.com 715-382-5400 16570 Co Hwy O • Chippewa Falls, WI 54729
CHIPPEWA FALLS FFA/FFA ALUMNI
PANCAKE BREAKFAST & Silent Auction
Sunday, April 10, 2022 • 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Columbus Association Hall (236 Pumphouse Rd. • Chippewa Falls, WI Adults: $8 • Children (5-12): $4 • Children under 5: Free
Menu: Pancakes, eggs, sausage, sweet rolls, milk, coffee and orange juice.
Page 14 • Dairy Star • Saturday, March 26, 2022
Holy Cow, It’s Spring! Are you ready?
New Equipment Installations
HYDRA-SPREAD Manufactured by
Steerable e Series Spreaderss
MANURE ALLEY SCRAPERS
Excellent maneuverability and control on all types of terrain.
Sizes Range From 285-550 Bu.
LIQUID MANURE TANKS, PUMPS AND AGITATORS • Universal skid steer mount • Tube steel construction • 5’-10’ widths available • Replacement tires, back drags ad parts available
Most Models In Stock.
12” Vertical Pumps and Lagoon Pumps AVAILABLE
Powerful PTO Pumps & Agitators To Handle Liquid Manure
Service & Installation Available. Parts On Hand.
SPREADERS Available in Sizes from 320-1520 Cu. Ft.
ou
ion .
ar g
Minnesota’s L If y
h
ing Dealer nd l Ha
ding and Man e e ur tF e es
Freestall Tilting Alley Scrapers
l
ut
so wwave a a e w.d barn, we hav y.com airylandsuppl
SAUK CENTRE, OFF I-94 ON THE CORNER OF HWY. 28 & 71 SOUTH
From Our Side Of The Fence
Dairyy Star • Saturday, March 26, 2022 • Page 15
Dairy farmers:
How are high input costs affecting your dairy? How have you coped during this period of farming? We have had more dialogue with suppliers to cover our costs as we move ahead. We are locking in good prices while also taking advantage of higher milk prices.
Jared Gustafson KC Dairies Elkton, South Dakota Brookings County 2,250 cows How are high input costs affecting your dairy? High feed costs are cutting into the positive effects of higher milk prices. The costs and availability of fertilizer are also increasing the demand for manure. Mike Schneider Sacred Heart, Minnesota Renville County 400 cows How are high input costs affecting your dairy? We raise our own feed, but the feed still isn’t free. So, we have adjusted the ration some. We purchased most of our 2022 cropping inputs in the summer and early fall of 2021. We even bought two years’ worth of bunker tarp in late 2021. What changes have you made or are you planning to make on your dairy to help offset high expenses? Organic soybeans are crazy high, so we cut all the roasted soybeans out of the diet. We sold the last half of our 2021 soybean crop and forward contracted 50% of the 2022 crop instead of feeding it. What is the best advice you’ve been given to work through these times of high input costs? Know your costs and make incremental sales. Don’t dwell on past marketing decisions (sold some grain too early, should have bought even more fuel earlier). How have you coped during this period of farming? Just trying to make the best decisions I can with the information I have available. How does this time compare to any others within your career? There is always uncertainty in farming. We are going to try and keep making smart decisions and keep moving forward. Tell us about your farm. I farm with my brother, Jimmy. Besides the cows, we raise corn, soybean, alfalfa, sweet corn and pea for Seneca in Glencoe and small grain for Albert Lea Seed on 1,500 organic acres.
How does this time compare to any others within your career? Volatility for input commodities and milk prices are at record highs. This has made it much more difcult for us to cover our costs and to protect our prot margins as we look ahead.
What changes have you made or are you planning to make on your dairy to help offset high expenses? We are watching our costs while maintaining high production and efciencies to offset the higher expenses. We are especially focusing on cow comfort.
Tell us about your farm. KC Dairies started in 2004 with 1,000 Holsteins. We have since gone through three expansions to reach our current size of 2,250 Holsteins. Our biggest strength is the good people who are on our team. We have a great team of employees who take immense pride in everything they do.
What is the best advice you’ve been given to work through these times of high input costs? Keep an eye on the margin. If there is a prot, take it. Practice good risk management. Ken and Linda Glisczinski New Prague, Minnesota Scott County 160 cows How are high input costs affecting your dairy? We’ve seen a huge increase in our expenses due to ination. With higher input costs and tighter margins, we look for new ways to improve our operation efciency. What changes have you made or are you planning to make on your dairy to help offset high expenses? High-quality forages are key in our current ration. Minimizing any excess shrink and spoilage can help extend feed inventories. Overall, monitoring our ration more closely. Controlling the amount of replacement heifers we have on hand versus what we need. We do not want to cull a cow that has paid for herself and is not done making money just to make room for a fresh heifer. We also monitor our soil health and fertility, with the use of our own manure, some cover crops, soil sampling and balanced fertilizer for what the soil needs.
How have you coped during this period of farming? Farming is like a long-term investment; you take the highs with the lows. How does this time compare to any others within your career? We’ve seen higher prices before, but nothing like this.
Tell us about your farm. We milk 160 cows in a step-up parlor with a compost bed pack. We mainly What is the best advice you’ve been given to work have Holsteins with some Red and Whites and Jerthrough these times of high input costs? Contract- seys. We raise our replacement heifers and run about ing can help minimize some price risks. We like to 400 acres of land which all goes into feed. lock in our fuel and fertilizer.
Star Blends has been helping Midwest farm families by providing, high-quality feed, dairy nutrition, and commodity contracting for more than 20 years. Our state of the art mill can accurately blend anything from a custom pre-mix to complete feed, VSHFL¿F WR \RXU IDUP¶V QHHGV 2XU H[SHULHQFHG VWDႇ DUH UHDG\ WR GHOLYHU WKH KLJKHVW TXDOLW\ IHHG DW DQ HFRQRPLFDO SULFH DVVLVW in balancing diets, or work with your private nutritionist or dairy consultant.
Feeding your animals like they’re our own Contact Star Blends at:
800-462-4125 or StarBlends.com
Turn to OUR SIDE | Page 16
Page 16 • Dairy Star • Saturday, March 26, 2022
ConƟnued from OUR SIDE | Page 15 Mark Sommers Waseca, Minnesota Waseca County 90 cows
Lucas Guese Crossroads Dairy Postville, Iowa Allamakee County 500 cows
How are high input costs affecting your dairy? We have bought or booked most of our fertilizer, chemical and fuel for the year. What changes have you made or are you planning to make on your dairy to help offset high expenses? We try to be as efcient as possible and feed as much of our own feedstuffs as we can. What is the best advice you’ve been given to work through these times of high input costs? Stay progressive. How have you coped during this period of farming? We plan and stay in touch with the banker. How does this time compare to any others within your career? In 2012, grain price and inputs were very high too. Tell us about your farm. I farm with my two sons, Matt and Brian. We farm 1,000 acres and plant corn, soybean, pea and alfalfa. My sons have a custom baling business. Gabe Koll Sebeka, Minnesota Ottertail County 60 cows
when there isn’t one. Every farm is different, and you need to do what is best for your operation.
How are high input costs affecting your dairy? With fertilizer, we have been doing soil sampling, so we don’t overdo what the elds need. On the livestock side of things, we are selective culling cows that maybe aren’t performing high enough. What changes have you made or are you planning to make on your dairy to help offset high expenses? We are using guidance systems in the planter and sprayers so we aren’t overlapping and wasting seed and chemicals. We are also looking at alternative bedding sources. What is the best advice you’ve been given to work through these times of high input costs? I don’t recall if I’ve been given good advice for a situation like this, but I can reect and give advice to others. Every year has its challenges, from nances to weather. You should only spend what you need. Don’t be looking for the golden goose
· High pressure hoses and couplers · Drag lines · Knife valves · Swivels · Replacement parts for any liquid manure tankers or spreaders ALWAYS IN STOCK: · Belts · Timken Bearings · Baldor Electric Motors · Pulleys · Sprockets · PTO Parts · Hydraulic Hoses— huge selection in stock (custom sizes available)
How have you coped during this period of farming? We have, in recent years, diversied our operation. This has helped cope with uctuating markets. We don’t have all of our eggs in one basket. How does this time compare to any others within your career? There has never been an easy year. Each year brings new challenges. We have had $4 fuel prices before, and that ended up being one of our most successful years. When fuel is $2, it means everything else isn’t worth as much either. Tell us about your farm. I farm with my mom and dad, and my wife has a job off the farm. My older two kids help, but my youngest two aren’t old enough yet. We run 900 acres of corn and alfalfa, milk 60 cows, raise 150 heifers and feed around 300 beef cows depending on what is available.
Your Specialists for ANY Liquid Manure Handling PARTS | SERVICE | REPAIR
How are high input costs affecting your dairy? The last couple years we have taken advantage of low interest rates and nanced most of our equipment purchases. This has allowed us to save some money to fall back on in times like these. The milk price has been good so that helps also. However, if milk drops, our savings won’t last too long. We hope for the best. With expenses this high, it can get to be a battle of trying to save money without losing more income because of your decisions. What changes have you made or are you planning to make on your dairy to help offset high expenses? We plan to tunnel vent our barns this year. This will be a big upfront cost but will help reduce heat stress and provide more fresh air to the cows year-round. The goal is to have healthier cows that are more efcient with lower expenses. Hopefully, with improved air quality, we will increase production as well. Also, we used to seed Roundup Ready Alfalfa, but due to the price and availability, we went back to conventional alfalfa this year. We do a lot of strip farming so Roundup Ready made it easy to spray our new seeding alfalfa without killing the corn beside it. This year, we’re saving money on seed and chemical, but the guy spraying is going to have to be much more careful so he doesn’t kill a bunch of corn. What is the best advice you’ve been given to work through these times of high input costs? Being more efcient is important with the economy we have today. How have you coped during this period of farming? Personally, my favorite way to cope is to have a cold one with friends as we solve the world’s problems. We obviously haven’t solved this one yet, but maybe this is the weekend.
How does this time compare to any others within your career? I haven’t been directly involved with the nances long enough to remember a time with prices this high. I’m sure we all remember the high fuel prices a few years back, but I don’t remember fertilizer jumping two to three times in one year. If corn and/or milk prices fall too far before expenses come back down, there may be some farms that don’t survive this. I hope we’re not one of them. Tell us about your farm. Our parents, Lyle and Barb Guese, took over my grandparents’ farm in the ‘70s. Growing up, we had a dairy herd along with a farrow-to-nish hog operation. The hogs left in the mid1990s as we all seemed to be more interested in cows. We decided it made more sense to build one big dairy rather than each have our own. In 1997, our parents and my brother, Brandon, started Crossroads Dairy and started construction on the barn we have now, a double-12 parallel parlor with a freestall barn. In February 1998, we started milking in the new facility. My brother Gerett and I bought into Crossroads Dairy a few years later but have always worked the farm. About seven years after we started in the barn, we added a second freestall barn to house dry cows, a calving area and more milk cows. Our parents retired a couple years ago, leaving the three of us as the only owners. Brandon is the herdsman. Gerett does the feed, crop and machinery stuff. I took over calf raising and the nances. We have seven full-or part-time employees including Brandon’s oldest son, Ryan, who likes to work with the cows as well.
Get your cows ready for Summer
with a Schurr Cow Brush Make sure that it’s Schurr
Heavy Duty, German Made
Keep It Cold! Sales • Installation • Service • Dairy Route Supplies • Bulk Milk Coolers • Internal bulk tank repairs • Service all models and makes of dairy equipment and bulk tanks
Call for Demo
Call for Details.
le before ANNUAL APRIL SPECIAL! Schedu 15% OFF Milk Tubing th eive April 11 to rect! 15% OFF Compressor-Check/ the discoun Condenser Cleaning Shipping available on all parts. Wholesale opportunities available. Custom galvanized gates available.
DEALER FOR
Norman N Borntrager, Owner
Cell: 319-330-2084
Tri-County Refrigeration Keep it Cold!
~Ice Machines ~Walk-ins~ Dairy Route Supplies~ Commercial Refrigeration ~Milking Equipment Repair ~ Bulk Milk Coolers ~Sales ~Installation ~Service
102480 Cty Rd N Colby, WI 54421
(715) 223-3211
641-737-2396
4351 March Ave. • Osage, IA
Fax: 641-737-2380
Dairy Star • Saturday, March 26, 2022 • Page 17
What’s right for you? Jamesway
Dura Chain Scraper Vertical Pump Prop Agitator Hammermills
Warehouse on Wheels
IF IT FITS IN OUR TRUCK, WE CAN DELIVER IT:
Give us a call the next time you need something delivered. We have a full line of dairy route supplies. Service for all three Farm Systems locations, Melrose, St. Peter & Brookings.
DeLaval VMS™ V300 Improve the productivity and longevity of your cows - all while reducing labor hours
• Up to 50% faster attachment time leading to shorter box times • Up to 99.8% attachment rate making startup and adding cows easier • Teat preparation for ultimate milk flow • Cow comfort design for all dairy cow breeds
Swinging Cow Brush & Mini Swinging Brush MSB Have you ever seen a cow smile?
Designed to improve cow health, comfort and welfare – and delivers even more!
Nutritional Supplements Bovine IgG B Calf’s Calf s Choice Total® HiCal
CF1000A Calf Feeders DeLaval calf feeder CF1000A features the most powerful computer available for calf feeding - the ALPRO® computer.
RumiLife® CAL24™ Nutritional Supplement
Push™
Calf Nutritional C Paste
NOW HIRING!
Service Technician Service Technician II WILLING Route Driver TO TRAIN!
BeneÄts include: Medical, Dental & 401K Match
Proudly serving you from Brookings, SD; St. Peter, MN; and Melrose, MN. 58 Interstate Drive N.W., Melrose, MN 56352 | 800-636-5581
Page 18 • Dairy Star • Saturday, March 26, 2022
Harvesting Quality Forages
Alfalfa baleage, corn silage increase milk production for Beckman Jeff Beckman Dennison, Minnesota Goodhue County 140 cows Describe your farm and facilities. My wife Cheryl and I farm with four of our kids, three are still in school. Our cows are milked in a double-6 parlor and housed in a freestall barn that is bedded with sand. We raise our own livestock, except the bull calves which are sold the rst week. We raise a
mix of corn, corn silage, soybean, alfalfa and canning peas for a place to spread manure on in the summer. What forages do you harvest? We raise 125 acres of alfalfa and 120 acres of corn silage. This year, we are going back to seeding our alfalfa with a nurse crop of oat, which we will use for dry cow and heifer feed. How many acres of crops do you raise? 400 acres.
Business Directory?
Describe the rations for your livestock. Our close-up dry cows are fed a mix of grass hay, corn silage and a DCAD mix with minerals. The breeding heifers, pregnant heifers and far-off dry cows are all on the same diet, due to space, of a total mixed ration that includes corn silage, alfalfa baleage (lower relative feed value) and minerals. The lactating group is all treated as one batch, due to barn layout, and that again is a mix of alfalfa baleage, corn silage, dry corn, protein, dry hay and canola.
LOG ON TO: www.dairystarbusinessdirectory.com
What quality and quantity do you harvest of each crop? We try for 3,200 tons of corn silage with the goal of NDFD30 of 55% or greater. Protein between 7%-9%. For the alfalfa, last year, we harvested around 900 silage bales that are wrapped, and the hope is that we are able to get 160 relative feed quality plus and 20% protein. The hay that is lower is used for the dry cows and heifers.
WHO WILL YOU FIND IN OUR
TO BE INCLUDED IN THE DAIRY STAR BUSINESS DIRECTORY CALL 320-352-6303
PHOTO SUBMITTED
Jeff Beckman milks 140 cows with his family near Dennison, Minnesota. A balanced diet of alfalfa baleage and corn silage allows him to achieve a higher milk produc�on.
Describe your harvesting techniques for alfalfa and corn silage. Our corn silage is harvested by a custom chopper and stacked in a pile. It is nished in a day, including covering with a Silostop plastic and second plastic on top of that. Then, it is covered with a green tarp to keep critters off and Turn to BECKMAN | Page 20
QUALITY USED EQUIPMENT PENDING
BRAINERD
2019 Kubota BX80 Series BX1880
54” mid mower, La344s loader $
APT, the new solution for mastitis, early lactation, and cow longevity
13,000
ALEXANDRIA
2019 Kubota SVL Series SVL95-2
Increase your profitability with our non-antibiotic treatment: increased milk | reduced SCC | persistence
ALEXANDRIA
2020 Bobcat T770 Track Loader
2015 Bobcat S510
Cab, Heat, A/C, JS ctrls., 18” Tracks $
58,900
ALEXANDRIA
2013 Kubota RTV1100
$
62,900
$
19,500
cab, heat, new door, 1427 hrs., single spd. bucket $
29,500
ALEXANDRIA
Cab/heat/AC, Camoplast tracks, new tires, 468 hrs., turn signal Cab, Heat, A/C, Power Tach, no bkt.
2019 Bobcat S770
Cab, heat, A/C, Power Tach, no bucket $
64,500
‘18 Kubota U35, 25 hp, 102 hrs., thumb, bucket, heat/AC, clean......................................... $49,900 ‘15 Kubota BX2370, 23hp, 475 hrs, 3 point, PTO, turf tires, grille guard, 60” deck, MFWD . $9,995 ‘17 Kubota BX2380, 23hp, 302 hrs, 3 point, PTO, turf tires, 60” deck, MFWD ....................$13,900 ‘17 Kubota L4600HST, 46hp, 230 hours, 3 point, PTO, R4 tires, front loader, MFWD ..... $25,900
(320) 763-4994
Contact:
Bill Lucas 440.223.8292
www.armentavet.com
ALEXANDRIA
www.alexpowerequipment.com
or email: bill.lucas@armentavet.com
Visit us at Central Plains Dairy Expo | Booth A1111
(952)-895-9918
www.qualityforklift.com
(218)-297-0991
(507) 338-7080
www.qualityequipmentmn.com
Dairy Star • Saturday, March 26, 2022 • Page 19
Unmatched Performance
The difference TridentPulsation™ can make in your parlor
Performance unmatched in the industry:
• Getting the liner slip out of your milking routine • Allowing you to say good riddance to liner crawl • Backwash – why do you want to continue dealing with that? • Claw vacuum stability that is best in class How it is different: TridentPulsation™ has multiple patented features providing superior performance. The liner is held fully open for consistent attach followed by a brief stimulation. A patented positive pressure fresh air system follows with a consistent liner action providing superior milking action regardless of liner type, liner age and vacuum level.
BONUS PERFORMANCE: 70% milk yield in 1st two minutes
TridentPulsation™ System 607-849-3880 • 607-759-1037
www.TridentPulsation.com
Trident@TridentPulsation.com
THE NO COMPROMISE FABRIC STRUCTURE DAIRY, MACHINERY & HAY STORAGE
Commercial Agri Buildings
WE ALSO SELL REPLACEMENT TARPS!
Single and Truss Arch available from 20’-120’ wide Flo-Coat® Galvanized Steel Tubing Supplied by Allied Tube & Conduit Heaviest gauge steel in the industry Pre-engineered truss buildings
NELSON’S AGRI STRUCTURES
Dean Nelson • Central and Northern Minnesota • Grove City, MN • 320-857-2633, Cell 320-699-3297
RIVERSIDE HOOP BARNS, INC.
US Hwy. 75 At IA/MN Stateline • Steen, MN • 507-392-2870 • Fred A. Tilstra & Sons
LAKESIDE HOOP STRUCTURES, LLC
Eastern Minnesota and Wisconsin • Harris, MN • 651-248-6302 • Craig Moline
ASK US ABOUT GOVERNMENT FUNDING FOR HAY STORAGE
“This is the missing piece...” •WI Farm Show, B4620 Oshkosh, Mar. 29-31 •Central Plains Dairy Expo AF110, Sioux Falls, SD Mar. 29-31 Sign up for a chance to win a gallon!
Want cows coming into milk ready to reach their potential? We have tools for all types of dairies. Herd managers tell us: “ Our SCC used to be over 300,000. We took home Udder ComfortTM samples from the 2017 Central Plains Expo, spraying fresh udders 2x/day for 3 to 5 days after calving. Within 6 months, counts were down by over 100,000 for premiums we never saw before. We had tried other products, but this one did the job.” - Spadgenske Dairy, MN, 350 cows, 75 lb, 190,000 SCC
Quality Udders Make Quality Milk
“ Udder Comfort makes sense, and the investment per fresh cow is minimal. This is the missing piece that helped us get the most out of all the things we do for comfort and quality. Our SCC was at 280,000. We couldn’t budge it. Adopting the fresh cow routine a few years with Udder Comfort, our SCC dropped like a rock to 178,000 and kept going. We were down to just 4 hospital cows, and we saw our production average move higher. This has been a real plus for our milk quality.”
1.888.773.7153 uddercomfort.com
Maximum Results Minimal Cost Call to locate a distributor near you.
- Modak Dairy, SD, 2400 cows, 96 lb, 170,000 SCC
“ Transition at calving is critical to a cow’s lactation. Udder Comfort is a tool to get her through it, bringing edema down and softening udders to milk faster and easier so cows get a healthier, faster start.” - Stempfle Holsteins, IA, 750 cows, 95 lb, 160,000 SCC
“ For over 10 years, we keep using Udder Comfort. It gets fresh cows off to a great start. Cows that start clean tend to stay clean. We spray every fresh udder 2x/day for 3 to 7 days after calving and see their SCCs come down much faster.” - Mystic Valley, WI, 480 cows, 31,616M, 100,000 SCC
For external application to the udder only, after milking, as an essential component of udder management. Wash and dry teats thoroughly before milking.
Page 20 • Dairy Star • Saturday, March 26, 2022
Con�nued from BECKMAN | Page 18
hold the plastic down. We cut the alfalfa with a steel roller Discbind, typically in a day or so and bale it with a silage baler. We aim to get a moisture at 48%-53% and wrap them inline in plastic the same day. What techniques do you use to store, manage and feed your forages? After baling the alfalfa as wet hay, we wrap it all as a baleage. Then, we will allow it to ferment for over four weeks, sample each row (eld) and make an inventory to decide which hay will be used for which group. Typically, we try to have enough corn silage for 14 months to allow it to ferment before starting to feed. The goal is to know what we have and work out a plan to make it to new crop, utilizing the best feed for the milking cows. By creating a plan, it makes it easier to plan feeding and make sure we have the inventory we need to make it to rst crop next year. Describe a challenge you overcame in reaching your forage quality goals. We struggled to get decent feed value and protein for years, but a friend told me that to make milk, you had to have great haylage. Yet, it’s a balancing act, because I don’t like to run over the eld and
not get much in quantity. So, we started being more particular about the seed we buy. We plant after peas. Before we plant, we lime the eld, cover it with manure and then till it under. We plant at 20 pounds per acre for a good stand, and after rst crop, we are on a 25-day harvest window. If it is too dry to plant after peas, we will plant in the spring with a nurse crop. How do quality forages play a part in the production goals for your herd? Both the alfalfa baleage and the corn silage are the key to milk production. The fact that we are able to grow our own alfalfa with a great feed value has allowed us to drop cottonseed from our mix and add less purchased protein. What are management or harvesting techniques you have changed that have made a notable difference in forage quality? In addition to cutting every 25 days after rst crop, we added these two products in the sprayer when we spray for bugs. Typically, we spray all our alfalfa seven days after harvesting, unless we see no activity of leafhoppers, which is rare. When we do spray for potato leafhoppers we add AgZyme, which is a soil bio-stimulant that increases microbial activ-
PHOTO SUBMITTED
Jeff Beckman harvests alfalfa on his farm last summer in Goodhue County near Dennison, Minnesota. Beckman cuts his alfalfa on 25-day intervals and aims for a moisture content of 48% to 53%.
ity to create a zone of better fertilizer efciency and uptake of nutrients to achieve a healthier soil prole along with a larger, healthier plant. And, we add Exceed, which are nano-sized brown sugar molecules that are immedi-
ately used by the plant and microbes to promote quicker regrowth and better feed quality. Since doing this, we have seen jumps of 20 to 30 points feed value and a point better protein. Cost is easy to justify due to the feed value
and an extra half to threequarters ton per acre. At rst, I didn’t believe it, but each year we have used it, we see the difference to the point I don’t do trials any more.
Does your milking equipment need maintenance? We service all dairy equipment! Give us a call to schedule a visit.
Effective drainage
1010 Hoeschler Dr. • Sparta, WI 54656
DAIRY EQUIPMENT INC. Celebrating over 40 Years in Business
Phone: 608-269-3830 Toll Free: 1-888-863-0227 Email: prestonde@prestonde.com
Professional design. Reasonable rates.
From Our Yard to Yours. AGRICULTURAL | RESIDENTIAL | LIGHT COMMERCIAL
Brad Herickhoff, Owner 320-351-4872 KEEP YOUR CASH! Amortize your depreciation.
Ask about leasing tile!
Decks | Barns | New Home Construction | Remodeling | Additions Industrial Buildings | Pole Sheds | Garages | So Much More! Traditional Values. Continuing Excellence.
320-243-7815
Paynesville, MN | BorkLumber.com
Dairy Star • Saturday, March 26, 2022 • Page 21
1.8% FINANCING FOR UP TO 60 MONTHS on Self-Propelled Forage Harvesters and Heads
JD 8800 2016, 2579 hrs., $ #175182
JD 8800 2017, 1521 hrs., $ #524820
JD 8700 2017, 2083 hrs., $ #186945
JD 8600 2018, 775 hrs., $ #270859
JD 8500 2016, 1452 hrs. $ #151485
JD 8300 2016, 370 hrs. $ #270227
304,900
379,900
355,000
295,000
325,500
329,900
Financing subject to pre-approval through JD Financial. Some restrictions apply. See dealer for details.
JD 8600 2016, 2079 hrs., $ #187538
289,000
JD 8300 2021, 52 hrs., #191810
409,000
$
Equipment and pictures added daily • Go to www.mmcjd.com
DISKS
JD 650, 1997, 32 ft, 3-Section Folding, #185256 ............................................$18,000 Summers DIAMOND DISK, 1996, 28 ft, 3-Section Folding, #532112 .........$13,000 JD 650, 1997, 32 ft, 3-Section Folding, #185256 ............................................$18,000 Krause 8200-28W, 2010, 28 ft, 3-Section Folding, 9”, #275204 ..................$22,900 JD 637, 2004, 22 ft, 3-Section Folding, 9”, #532098 .......................................$24,500 JD 637, 2010, 37 ft, 3-Section Folding, 9”, #191801 .......................................$25,900 Case IH RMX340, 2009, 35 ft, 3-Section Folding, 9”, #181151 .....................$29,400 JD 637, 2011, 42 ft, 5-Section Folding, 9”, #523980 .......................................$29,500 JD 2625, 2013, 33 ft, 3-Section Folding, 11”, #275921 ...................................$39,900 Wishek 862nt, 2014, 26 ft, #276355 ...........................................................$39,900 JD 2623, 2012, 40 ft, 5-Section Folding, 9”, #523876 .....................................$49,900 Degelman PRO-TILL 40, 2016, #191161 ...................................................$95,995
FIELD CULTIVATORS
Wil-Rich Quad 5, 47 ft, 5-Section Folding, #532076 ....................................$11,500 Case IH 4300, 2001, 38 ft, 3-Section Folding, #186653 ................................$11,995 JD 980, 1998, 44 ft, 3-Section Folding, #276171 ............................................$14,900 Wil-Rich Excel 42’, 1999, 42 ft, #276243 .....................................................$14,900 JD 2200, 2002, 34 ft, 3-Section Folding, #185898..........................................$19,000 Case IH TIGERMATE II, 2003, 50.5 ft, 5-Section Folding, #186586..............$19,000 Wil-Rich QUAD 5, 1998, 42 ft, 5-Section Folding, #191850 .........................$19,500 Case tigermate 2, 60 ft, 5-Section Folding, #532083..................................$21,900 Case IH TM14, 2005, 50.5 ft, 5-Section Folding, #187546 ............................$26,900 JD 2210, 2010, 65 ft, 5-Section Folding, #273967..........................................$32,900 Wil-Rich QUAD 5, 2012, 36 ft, 3-Section Folding, #531719 .........................$33,900 JD 2210, 2008, 42 ft, 5-Section Folding, #531703..........................................$39,900
PLANTERS
JD 7200, 1991, 16R30”, Vacuum, 1.6 Bushel Hopper, #275813.....................$12,900 Case IH 1200, 6R30”, Rigid, Vacuum, 1.6 Bushel Hopper, #531372 ...............$18,500 JD 7200, 1993, 12r30”, Wing Fold, Vacuum, 3.0 Bushel Hopper, #190107 ......$22,900 JD 1770, 1999, 16R30”, Flex Fold, Vacuum, 1.6 Bushel Hopper, #186432 .......$28,500 JD 1760, 2014, 12R30”, Wing Fold, Vacuum, 3.0 Bushel Hopper, #531820 .....$48,000
JD 1760, 2013, 12R30”, Rigid, Vacuum, 3.0 Bushel Hopper, #532115.............$49,500 JD 1765NT, 2017, 8R30”, Rigid, Vacuum, 3.0 Bushel Hopper, #186495 ..........$51,900 Case IH Early Riser 1240, 2011, 16R30”, Vacuum, Central Fill, #275290 ....$59,900 JD 1770NT, 2013, 24R30”, Flex Fold, Vacuum, 1.6 Bushel Hopper, #273978 ..$79,900 JD DB90, 2006, 36R30”, Flex Fold, Vacuum, Central Fill, #531337 ..................$89,900 JD DB60, 2009, 24R30”, Wing Fold, Vacuum, Central Fill, #532035 ................$95,500 JD 1790, 2012, 24R20”, Flex Fold, Vacuum, Central Fill, #532116 ............... $104,900 JD DB60, 2014, 24R30”, Flex Fold, Vacuum, Central Fill, #186455 ............... $185,900 JD 1775NT, 2015, 24R30”, Exact Emerge, Central Fill, #275625 ................. $224,900 JD 1775NT, 2020, 24R30”, Flex Fold, Vacuum, Central Fill, #186454 ........... $264,900 White 6700, 22”, Rigid, Vacuum, 1.6 Bushel Hopper, #186494 .....................$10,900 JD 1700, 2014, 4R30”, Rigid, Vacuum, Mini Hopper, #275821 ........................$17,900 JD 1720 CCS, 2010, 12R38”, Wing Fold, Vacuum, Central Fill, #276333..........$29,900 JD DR24, 2020, 24R30”, Exact Emerge, Central Fill, #274275 ...................... $319,900
SELF-PROPELLED FORAGE HARVESTERS
JD 6950, 2000, PRWD, 4622, hrs., 3153 cut. hd. hrs., #272295 ......................$54,900 JD 6850, 1998, No PRWD, 3841 hrs., 2790 cut. hd. hrs., #531752 ..................$66,000 JD 7550, 2008, PRWD, 7320 hrs., 2789 cut. hd. hrs., #275592 .................... $104,900 JD 7750, 2011, No PRWD, 4900 hrs., 3200 cut. hd. hrs., #191547 ............... $129,000 JD 7480, 2013, PRWD, 4866 hrs., 3695 cut. hd. hrs., #191845 .................... $134,000 JD 7980, 2015, PRWD, 2455 hrs., 1720 cut. hd. hrs., #527149 .................... $170,000 JD 7980, 2013, PRWD, 2114 hrs., 1413 cut. hd. hrs., #527155 .................... $175,000 JD 7580, 2014, PRWD, 2941 hrs., 1764 cut. hd. hrs., #182276 .................... $185,900 Claas 960, 2014, PRWD, 2812 hrs., 2200 cut. hd. hrs., #271035 ................. $189,900 JD 7780, 2013, PRWD, 3234 hrs., 2109 cut. hd. hrs., #274502 .................... $189,900 JD 7780, 2014, PRWD, 3035 hrs., 1973 cut. hd. hrs., #180600 .................... $190,400 NH FR850, 2013, 1485 cut. hd. hrs., #188806 ............................................ $228,000 JD 8400, 2015, PRWD, 2103 hrs., 1158cut. hd. hrs., #186943 ..................... $238,750 JD 8600, 2015, PRWD, 2125 hrs., 1262 cut. hd. hrs., #166134..................... $262,500 JD 8600, 2016, PRWD, 2079 hrs., 1230 cut. hd. hrs., #187538 .................... $289,000 JD 8500, 2016, PRWD, 1452 hrs., 862 cut. hd. hrs., #151485 ...................... $295,000 JD 8600, 2016, PRWD, 1807 hrs., 1088 cut. hd. hrs., #187536 .................... $300,000 JD 8800, 2016, PRWD, 2579 hrs., 1679 cut. hd. hrs., #175182 .................... $304,900 JD 8600, 2016, PRWD, 1482 hrs., 995 cut. hd. hrs., #144025 ...................... $315,000
JD 8700, 2016, PRWD, 1591 hrs., 1103 cut. hd. hrs., #525709 .................... $324,000 JD 8700, 2017, PRWD, 2083 hrs., 1237 cut. hd. hrs., #186945 .................... $325,500 JD 8300, 2016, PRWD, 370 hrs., 187 cut. hd. hrs., #270227 ........................ $329,900 JD 8600, 2018, PRWD, 1473 hrs., 660 cut. hd. hrs., #188792 ...................... $342,000 JD 8800, 2017, PRWD, 1521 hrs., 862 cut. hd. hrs., #524820 ...................... $355,000 JD 8700, 2018, PRWD, 1728 hrs., 991 cut. hd. hrs., #187542 ...................... $373,000 JD 8600, 2018, PRWD, 775 hrs., 381 cut. hd. hrs., #270859 ........................ $379,900 JD 8300, 2021, PRWD, 52 hrs., #191810 .................................................... $409,000 JD 9600, 2019, PRWD, 1200 hrs., 811 cut. hd. hrs., #532049 ...................... $409,900 JD 9600, 2019, PRWD, 821 hrs., 507 cut. hd. hrs., #186948 ........................ $424,500 CLAAS 960, 2021, PRWD, 95 hrs., 69 cut. hd. hrs., #275198 ....................... $629,900
SELF-PROPELLED SPRAYERS
ROGATOR 1184, 2010, 120-Foot, Stainless, 4610 hrs., #191681 ..................$53,500 JD 4920, 2006, 120-Foot, Stainless, 3688 hrs., #187626................................$71,000 ROGATOR RG1100, 2013, 90-Foot, Stainless, 3250 hrs., #191700 ..............$97,000 HAGIE STS12, 2012, 90-Foot, 4100 hrs., #276184..................................... $149,900 CASE IH PATRIOT 4430, 2012, 120-Foot, 2770 hrs., #531726................. $159,000 JD 4630, 2013, 80-Foot, Poly, 1030 hrs., #275374 ...................................... $159,900 JD R4030, 2016, 120-Foot, Stainless, 1866 hrs., #531624 .......................... $179,900 JD 4830, 2013, Stainless, 1415 hrs., #532100 ............................................. $180,000 JD R4038, 2016, 90-Foot, Stainless, 2400 hrs., #274783 ............................ $194,900 JD R4038, 2016, 120-Foot, : Stainless, 3038 hrs., #275257 ........................ $199,900 JD R4038, 2016, 90-Foot, Stainless, 2200 hrs., #275266 ............................ $219,900 JD R4038, 2017, 90-Foot, Stainless, 2190 hrs., #275254 ............................ $219,900 JD R4045, 2017, 120-Foot, Stainless, 2950 hrs., #275252 .......................... $229,900 JD R4038, 2018, 120-Foot, Stainless, 2065 hrs., #531886 .......................... $272,900 JD R4038, 2020, 120-Foot, Stainless, 683 hrs., #275047 ............................ $359,900 JD R4045, 2018, 120-Foot, Stainless, 1175 hrs., #275627 .......................... $364,900 JD R4045, 2019, 120-Foot, Stainless, 1575 hrs., #421298 .......................... $399,500 JD R4045, 2020, 120-Foot, Stainless, 1332 hrs., #275782 .......................... $399,900 JD R4038, 2021, 120-Foot, Stainless, 200 hrs., #191080 ............................ $429,000 JD R4038, 2021, 132-Foot, Stainless, 380 hrs.,#191034 ............................. $450,000 JD R4044, 2021, 132-Foot, Stainless, 367 hrs., #191061 ............................ $459,900 JD R4044, 2021, 132-Foot, Stainless, 261 hrs., #191079 ............................ $479,000
Locations throughout minnesota & western wisconsin! CALL TODAY! (320)365-1653 SEE OUR COMPLETE INVENTORY WITH PICTURES AND DESCRIPTIONS AT: www.mmcjd.com
Page 22 • Dairy Star • Saturday, March 26, 2022 Cleaning Drain Tiles, Manure Systems, Sewers and Frozen Lines
MATHER’S
MARCUS KRAHN
320-217-9607
Target Your Customers!
The Dairy Star is sent only to DAIRY FARMERS! If you would like to advertise in the DAIRY STAR, call 320-352-6303 for more information.
(Formerly Noah VanBeck)
No Sunday Calls (Emergency Only)
Do you have an upcoming auction? Advertise it in the Dairy Star - call 320-352-6303 for more information.
Self learning teat positions
User friendly interface
Access data from anywhere
Indexing allows multi-breed herd
DeLaval VMS™ milking system V300
The right fit for any-size dairy We’re here for your herd, even the largest of them. DeLaval continues to meet the demands of your large-herd dairies with the DeLaval VMS™ milking system V300.
Scan to view virtual tour now!
Take a look inside the barns that rely on DeLaval robots in their growing operations.
www.delaval.com
Contact one of the following dealers to learn more: IOWA Prairie Land Ag Supply Inc. Rock Valley, IA 712-476-9290 United Dairy Systems, Inc. West Union, IA 563-422-5355 WISCONSIN Advanced Dairy/Bob’s Dairy Supply Spring Valley, WI 715-772-3201 Ederer Dairy Supply Plain, WI 608-546-3713 DeLaval Dairy Service Kaukauna, WI 866-335-2825
Joe’s Refrigeration Inc. Withee, WI 715-229-2321 Mlsna Dairy Supply Inc. Cashton, WI 608-654-5106 Professional Dairy Services Arlington, WI 608-635-0267 Redeker Dairy Equipment Brandon, WI 920-346-5579 The Scharine Group Inc. Whitewater, WI 800 472-2880 Mt Horeb, WI 800-872-3470
MINNESOTA & SOUTH DAKOTA Advanced Dairy of Mora Mora, MN 320-679-1029 Farm Systems Melrose, MN 320-256-3276 Brookings, SD 800-636-5581 S&S Dairy System LLC St. Charles, MN 507-932-4288 Professional Dairy Systems Wadena, MN 218-632-5416
is a registered trademark of Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. and “DeLaval” is a registered trade/servicemark of DeLaval Holding AB © 2022 DeLaval Inc. DeLaval, 11100 North Congress Avenue, Kansas City, Missouri 64153-1296. Nothing in this document shall constitute a warranty or guaranty of performance. www.delaval.com
My drive to thrive
At some point in our lives, we have all done something that has made us feel uncomfortable. We questioned it – even doubted ourselves – but in doing so, we knew it would make us a better person. For some, maybe that was signing the land rental agreement, forming a partnership with parents and siblings, or making the purchase on that heifer with an incredibly deep pedigree. For me, it was becoming a member of the Holstein Foundation’s Young Dairy Leaders Institute Class 12. Last month, I attended a three-day conference in By Jennifer Coyne Fort Worth, Texas, where nearly every minute of the Staff Writer day was consumed with personal growth and leadership training while being surrounded by some of the most driven, young dairy professionals in North America. It was refreshing, humbling and awe-inspiring. Those who represent Class 12 speak volumes for the industry and its future. The group, overwhelmingly made up of women, serve as producers, researchers, lawyers, students, technicians and communicators like myself; you name the profession and it is represented in this class. There are individuals from every corner of the United States, and Canada and Puerto Rico too. One woman applied for the program to be a voice for her family’s long-standing history of dairy farming and the role they play in sustainable food production in Puerto Rico. Another woman is an independent dairy nutritionist who was looking to expand her network. Her mother is a former YDLI participant and created life-long connections through the program. One man currently makes maple syrup on the East Coast. He joined YDLI to garner the skills to be a better leader in his rural community. Yet another member was looking for the condence to take on a greater role in her family’s dairy farm. Others attended with support from their employers, while some have long dreamed of participating in the foundation’s leadership program. For me, I joined because of you. Not having grown up on a dairy farm, my life in the industry has been built by supporting, advocating and communicating for dairy farmers. I started working on a neighboring dairy farm when I was a teenager, I’ve been involved in the Minnesota dairy princess program and have spent the last seven years here with Dairy Star. This was a logical step in my career to continue investing in myself so I can better serve the industry and take on valuable roles within my own community. Throughout the course of the conference, we learned from renowned individuals on how to take our own skillsets and personalities to thrive in our work and homes, and be a voice for the dairy industry. Before our nal evening in Cowtown and a private dinner at Billy Bob’s Texas, we heard from one last presenter. Paul Vitale came to us via Zoom after being diagnosed with lung cancer a few days prior and set to start radiation soon after the conference. Vitale’s endearing way of speaking to our class, making us feel valued and capable, was unlike anything I’ve experienced; there was not a dry eye in the room by the end of his hours-long presentation. His message was simple surrounding how we can effectively handle change and be pivotal in changing the lives around us. He very poignantly said our impact isn’t where we’ve been or what we’ve done, but where we’re going and the lives we’ll inuence by exceeding the expectations and needs of others; it is the most seless thing we can do. Isn’t that the truth? Every day is our day to improve, being mindful of who we are, why we are here, what matters most and, consequently, what matters least. In the coming months, I’ll be working with a smaller group of YDLI classmates to stay on task with goals I want to accomplish in the year ahead to become a better leader in the workplace and in my community. My mission is to create meaning in my personal and professional life, knowing my actions made a positive impact in my family, community and dairy industry. By this time next year, I want to be able to say enthusiastically, “Yes,” to the question, “Am I a trusted source for guidance and one people look to in meeting their needs or the needs of others?” I’m eager to watch the year unfold in my drive to thrive.
Dairy Star • Saturday, March 26, 2022 • Page 23
Christensen’s book reects on time in butter booth
A story worth telling
By Jennifer Coyne jenn@dairystar.com
ST. PAUL, Minn. – Over the course of 50 years, Linda Christensen has carved the likeness of 550 young dairy women from 41,500 pounds of butter in her role as the famed butter sculptor at the Minnesota State Fair in St. Paul. As Christensen completed each butterhead, she heard stories of every kind about these women in the dairy industry all while creating her own story from the butter booth. “I realized I had a niche as the butterheads grew in popularity and tradition, and I would hear of the stories that happened to those butterheads once they left the booth,” Christensen. “The art isn’t necessarily the butter, it is the stories from those women.” PHOTO SUBMITTED Now retired from the cooler, “Princess Kay and Me” is a book wriƩ en by long-Ɵ me buƩ er sculptor Linda Christensen. Several former Princess Kays and Christensen published “Princess nalists are featured in the book. Kay and Me,” a book reecting on her time at the Minnesota State Fair, the dairy princesses she met over the Princess Kay program. Christensen journey to becoming the butter It also became a platform for years and the industry she came to also highlights several women and sculptor with the balance of the Christensen to connect her urban know. families who have rich histories stories I heard in the butter booth,” followers to rural living. The chapter book, dedicated in the program, some who are still Christensen said. “And, the whole “I went into this butter sculpting to Christensen’s daughters, walks farming today and others whose history of butter making. I couldn’t Turn to CHRISTENSEN readers through her journey to be- cows have long left the barn. leave any out. It’s been a wild dream coming the butter sculptor of the “I wanted to interweave my of mine.” | Page 25
T S E B
S E U L VA
TRACTORS JD 4020 2WD Platform, Consigned, 16.9-38 Tires JD 970 2WD Platform MF 4710, cab FWA, 931X Loader, 7’ Bucket, 550 Hrs MF 150 2WD, Platform, Gas, Turf Tires ‘17 NH T4.75, cab FWA, Loader, w/550 Hrs. COMBINES & HEADS ‘12 Gleaner S77 Combine, Duals, 1,694 Sep, 2416 E. Hrs ‘08 Gleaner 3000 630R Corn Head ‘10 Gleaner 9250-35 Draper Head Gleaner 8200-35 Flex Head, w/Orbit Reel, 2009 Gleaner 8200-35 Flex Head with Crary Air Reel Gleaner 313 pick-up header ‘08 Harvestec 4308C Cutter Corn Head, 8 row 30”, NH/Case IH mount SKIDS, TRACK LOADERS, & EXCAVATORS ‘00 Bobcat 341 Excavator, w/3’ Bucket, Cab With Heat ‘17 Bobcat T595 Track Loader, Cab, 15.7” Zig Zag susp. Tracks, 1,126 hrs. Bobcat Toolcat with 3,000 Hrs. ‘19 Mustang 608 Articulated Loader, 3-Spd., Power Attach, 3,125 Hrs. ‘16 Mustang 2600R Skid Steer, Cab w/Heat, 2-Speed, TILLAGE/FIELD CULTIVATORS DMI Tigermate 21.5’ Field Cultivator, with 5-bar spike tooth DMI Tigermate 32’ Field Cultivator with 3-bar coil tine Great Plains Turbo-Till 2400 with basket & harrow, New blades, approx 500 acres, ‘16 Sunflower 1436-29’ Disc, Like New Summers Superchisel 16-Shank with 3-Bar Coil Tine Wil-Rich 3400 Field Cultivator w/ 4-Bar WR Coil Tine, 28’6” ‘12 Wil-Rich 5800 Chisel Plow Wil-Rich 5800 Chisel Plow, 45’
HAY & FORAGE, STALK CHOPPERS ‘15 Massey Ferguson 1363 9’10” Mower Conditioner, Side Pull, Consigned Massey Ferguson 1329 3-pt Disc Mower (9’2”) ‘17 Massey Ferguson 1383 13’ Mower Conditioner, Draw Bar Swivel New Holland BR7070 Round Baler, 10,000 Bales, Crop Cutter New Holland RB460 Round Baler, 10,300 Bales, Roto Cutter ‘17 New Holland RB560 Round Baler, 1,176 Bales, Like New Vermeer 504 Pro Round Baler With Cutter. 11,500 Bales Krone V180 XC T Crop Cutter, 5,764 Bales ‘12 Krone BP4X4XC, 4x4, Large Square Baler, w/19,000 Bales H&S HDX 14 Wheel Rake ‘04 H&S BF14HC Hi-Cap Rake ‘18 H&S 16-Wheel Hi-Cap Rake John Deere 1470 Mower Conditioner, Side Pull ROW CROP, DRILLS & SPRAYERS Hardi Nav 550M Sprayer with 45’ Boom, 3-Section Controler Consigned ‘12 Hardi Navigator 4000, 90’ Boom,120” Axle, 5500 Rate Controller ‘14 Hardi Navigator 4000, 80’ Boom, Sus. Axle, 5500 Rate Controller ‘04 Hardi Navigator 1100, 90’ Boom, Sus. Axle CIH 5100 Grain Drill 12’ w/6” Spacing IH 5100 Grain Drill, 10’, w/Small Seeds Great Plains YP1225-24 Twin Row 30” Planter, Finger Pick-Up. 400 Gal LF White 8516 16-Row 30” Planter Central Fill, 600 Gal. Lq Fert. White 9816 Planter 16r30, 750 G LF, Yetter Clean Sweep Row Cleaners GRAIN CARTS & WAGONS Brent 410 Grain Cart, 18.4-26 diamond tires MANURE SPREADERS H&S 5126 Topshot Manure Spreader, 19Lx16.1 Tires ‘11 H&S 5126 Topshot Manure Spreader, 19Lx16.1 Tires GRAIN EQUIPMENT Good Selection Of Used Augers MISCELLANEOUS ‘20 Virnig 96” Hydraulic Angle Broom, New Brushes ‘20 Bush Hog BH 217 3-pt Rotary Cutter, like new Bush Hog TD-1500 Tri-Deck Finish Mower 15’ ‘20 Bush Hog HTDH5 3-pt Finish Mower w/Anti Scalp Roller, 15 Hrs Use Bush Hog 14815 15’ Batwing Rotary Cutter Massey Ferguson 2320 ,54” Mid-Mount Mower Deck Meyer 80” Skid Steer Mount Snowpusher (Has Rubber Edge)
38241 County 6 Blvd. Goodhue, MN 55027
(651) 923-4441
PARLOR STALLS
WEAVER Equipment, LLC. has been dedicated to providing dairy stalls and crowd gate solutions since 1994. Our current lineup includes various stall systems, flexible cabinet designs, CIP drawers and cabinets as well as several crowd gate options. Our focus continues to be to provide solid craftsmanship, designs, and services combined with obvious cow comfort features so every farmer has maximum uptime and production.
(800) 887-4634 • Lancaster, WI (608) 647-4488 • Richland Center fullersmilkercenter.com
Page 24 • Dairy Star • Saturday, March 26, 2022
NEW EQUIPMENT
#019135 LX Anderson RB200 Call For Price
#019598 LX Anderson IFX720 Call For Price
#017289 EY NH 560 Roll Belt Specialty Crop Baler Call For Price
#018990 EY NH 460 Roll Belt Round Baler Call For Price
#017783 LX Kuhn VB560 Round Baler Call For Price
#018944 RC CIH RB455 Round Baler Call For Price
#021469 RC Kuhn Merge Maxx 301 Merger Call For Price
#017791 LX Kuhn GF222T Tedder Call For Price
#022500 LX Walinga 7614 Grain Vac Call For Price
#018811
#019002 EY New Holland T6.160 Call For Price
#019585 LX Fendt 942 Vario Gen 6 Call For Price
#018054 LX Fendt 1050 Vario Call For Price
#019583 LX Fendt 828 Vario Call For Price
#017097
EY New Holland T8.410 Call For Price
#018415 LX CIH Farmall 100C Call For Price
#017204 NW CIH Farmall 75C Call For Price
#019050 NW CIH Farmall 75C Call For Price
#017672 LX Massey Ferguson 4710 Call For Price
#017587 NW Massey Ferguson 4707 Call For Price
#018979 LX Massey Ferguson GC1725 TLB Call For Price
#014621 RC Simplicity Legacy XL 33 $21,500
#015853 NW Bobcat S66 Skid Loader Call For Price
#018426 EY NH L320 Skid Loader Call For Price
#017975 NW Kuhn Knight 2054VB Push Spreader Call For Price
#019230 RC H&S 3243 Spreader Call For Price
#019447 RC H&S 3231 Spreader Call For Price
#021320 LX Rite Way F3-42 Roller Call For Price
#019778 LX Demco 300 Sprayer Call For Price
#019948 LX CIH 2150 Planter Call For Price
#020094 LX Kinze 3005 6 Row Planter Call For Price
#018198 LX CIH 2500 Ripper Call For Price
#021327 RC EZ Trail 870 Grain Cart Call For Price
#021685
#017606 NW Bobcat ZT3500 Zero Turn Call For Price
#018943 RC Taylor-Way 972RGDT72 Call For Price
#017698 LX Edney SB72 Snow Blower Call For Price
#019908 NW Bobcat 74” Snowblower Call For Price
#019776 LX Supreme 800T TMR Call For Price
#019723 LX Woods RT 72.40 Tiller Call For Price
LX EZ Trail 550 Cart Call For Price
LX CIH Maxxum 125 Call For Price
USED EQUIPMENT
#020872 LX Case 2290 Tractor $7,500
#018321 LX ‘14 Kuhn Knight 8124 Spreader $11,900
#020153 NW ’12 H&S 430 Spreader $15,000
#022405 NW ‘98 Vermeer 605L Round Baler $8,950
#021047 LX ‘94 NH 565 Small Square Baler $8,985
#019279 RC ‘14 Roto Grind 760 Bale Grinder $16,900
#022348 LX ‘14 NH 313 Discbine $26,900
#021307 EY H&S V10 10 Wheel Rake $3,450
#021308 EY New Holland 166 Inverter $4,950
#023174 NW ‘12 Hardi Ranger 2000 Sprayer $18,900
#021440 LX ‘15 Kuhn Krause 8210-30W Disc Call For Price
#019544 LX Glencoe FC3200 Field Cultivator $6,500
#016865 LX Landoll 20’ Stalk Chopper $3,500
#022529 LX ‘16 NH CR8.90 Combine $299,900
#021544 EY ‘99 JD9610 Combine $25,900
#021600 LX ‘97 CIH 1063 6 Row Corn Head $6,995
#018430 LX ‘13 MF 8200-30 Flex Head $19,985
#017407 LX ‘87 CIH 1020 Head $3,985
#019614 LX ‘15 Supreme 600T TMR $24,500
#019612 RC ‘09 Supreme 500S TMR $17,900
#018165 LX ’08 Supreme 500 TMR $17,900
#018535 LX ‘15 Kuhn Knight VT168 TMR $25,900
#021934 LX JCB 85Z Excavator $79,500
#016714 EY Kubota ZD326S Zero Turn Mower $8,900
#023172 LX ‘15 Fendt 933 Vario $189,000
#023173 LX ‘14 Fendt 828 Vario $169,000
#020515 LX ’13 CIH Magnum 315 $144,985
#018844 EY ‘12 NH FR9060 SP Chopper $125,000
#020655 RC H&S 770 16’ Chopper Box $5,985
#021176 RC ‘16 Kuhn RW1410 Wrapper $15,900
#021373 LX ‘15 NH 488 Haybine $13,500
#020156 EY ‘15 NH H7230 Discbine $17,900
#022053 LX ‘10 JD 956 MoCo $20,985
#019547 LX JD 2700 4 Bottom Plow $1,200
#018222 LX ‘90 J&M 350 Gravity Box $2,500
#021601 LX ‘09 CIH 3406 Corn Head $16,500
#018515 EY ‘15 Mack w/ Kuhn VTC1100 TMR $135,900
#018908 RC ‘16 CIH Optum 300 CVT $199,985
#016920 EY ‘18 Kubota BV5160R Round Baler $24,900
#019404 RC ’14 NH T9.530 Call For Price
WWW.STJOSEPHEQUIPMENT.COM
Dairy Star • Saturday, March 26, 2022 • Page 25
ConƟnued from CHRISTENSEN | Page 23
thing with the same attitude as a lot of people. You build a barn, ll it with cows, feed them hay and out comes milk,” Christensen said. “But what I learned, the stories of what it takes to be a dairy farmer, how involved the dairy community is with their local communities and how much support these princesses have, and the pride they have for their hometown. That’s dairy farming.” The book started coming to fruition around 2017. Throughout the years, Christensen would tell her daughters of her experience at the state fair, and they encouraged her to document that time in a way others could read about. In 2014, Christensen’s daughter, Jenny Rich, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. After 17 months of battling the disease, Jenny’s dying wish was for her mother to write a book about butter sculpting and take care of her small dog, Ursula. An excerpt from the book reads, “Ursula is resting her head on my foot even now as I sit here typing. The ability to fulll the promises I made to my daughter was her gift to me – something I can do in her memory.” To begin the novel, Christensen reached out to Midwest Dairy for assistance in connecting with past Princess Kays of the Milky Way and nalists. Christensen sent letters to some, asking if they had a story to tell or knew someone who did. She then sorted through the responses to create a list of individuals she felt best represented all the stories heard in the butter booth. She wanted to highlight those of the early 1970s and 1980s when women pursued careers off the farm to more current trends of women being prominently involved on their dairies and in the industry. “They were all quite thrilled to tell their stories,” Christensen said. “I couldn’t believe some
of the stories I was hearing. I realized what remarkable women they are.” Christensen then spent nearly two years interviewing the women. Those featured in the book include the Haler, Miron and Vander Kooi sisters, the Hupf family and many more. But then another family heartbreak came
“I was one of the few students going back to gurative art, not really knowing what I was going to do with it. I never thought I’d wind up being a butter sculptor.” LINDA CHRISTENSEN, ARTIST
about when Christensen’s mother passed away at 102 years old. The book was put on hold. “I dropped it, but I had friends and relatives who started prodding me to nish the book,” Christensen said. “I decided to get busy and nish it. Putting it together and making a narrative took quite a while, believe me.” She reconnected with a former sculpture student who put her in touch with a publisher. Of the stories the book depicts, not one stands out to Christensen. “Instead, I have a favorite thing,” she said. “It’s how much I have interacted with different people from all over the state and found out how much these butterheads mean to the families, the friends, the communities.” Christensen’s fame came from humble beginnings as an artist. She was married with children when she decided to pursue an education in
art.
“It just kept calling my name and I had to do it,” Christensen said. “I didn’t have any plans with what I was going to do. All I had was this romanticized idea of artists.” Christensen followed her interests and found a desire to create gurative art. “It was the crazy, wild ‘70s, people were standing on step ladders and pouring paint and saying gurative art didn’t have a place,” Christensen said. “I was one of the few students going back to gurative art, not really knowing what I was going to do with it. I never thought I’d wind up being a butter sculptor.” In addition to butter sculpting, the book also touches on Christensen’s other endeavors of teaching, creating greeting cards and writing poetry. The artist has now added author to her list of accomplishments and the feedback has been welcoming, said Christensen. Many of her readers are former high school classmates, acquaintances and those in her poetry clubs. “A lot of people my age remember farming, and I think there’s a little bit of grief for the loss of family farms in our country,” Christensen said. “But, Princess Kay is evidence that 97% of dairy farms are still family owned, and that part of the story is so appealing to people who didn’t realize that element is alive and well.” From the butter booth to the book, Christensen is appreciative of her journey in Minnesota’s dairy industry. “If you just surrender to where you love something, it takes you places you never thought of,” Christensen said. “I can’t say enough of how much gratitude I owe the dairy association for making my life an unbelievable journey. I don’t know where my life would be without these butter sculptures.”
PARLOR STALLS
FARM INFORMATION STATION Joe Gill • Farm Director
SERVING CENTRAL MINNESOTA FOR OVER 50 YEARS Catch the Dairy Star’s Mark Klaphake with Joe Gill at 6:45 a.m. the 2nd & 4th Fridays of the month on KASM!
PO Box 160, Albany, MN • (320) 845-2184 • Fax (320) 845-2187
tfn
• STALL SYSTEMS • CABINETS • CIP DRAWERS • CROWD GATE Jenny Toberman • Bagley, WI WEAVER PARLOR INSTALLED 2020
S I LV E R S TA R
DIRT BUCKETS • 1/4” steel • T1 Wear Plates • Bolt on reversible edge available • 20” high x 36” deep • 3/4”x 6 cut edge
Width Options: 72” • 78” • 84” 96”(available on order)
“Cows flow through the parlor well and I like that the parlor is run on air. The cabinets keep the electrical protected and out of the way, but can be easily accessible if needed. Fuller’s helped us develop our vision and provide us phenomenal service.”
ACTURED BY: MANUF
SILVER STAR METALS LLC
N15435 Frenchtown Ave. • Withee, WI
715-229-4879
Dealer Inquiries Welcome
FOR A LIST OF ALL OUR PRODUCTS VISIT:
www.silverstarmetals.net
(800) 887-4634 • Lancaster, WI (608) 647-4488 • Richland Center fullersmilkercenter.com
Page 26 • Dairy Star • Saturday, March 26, 2022
A chance to give back
Gibbs crowned 2022 Minnesota Jersey Queen By Kate Rechtzigel Kate.r@dairystar.com
ROLLINGSTONE, Minn. − Jamie Gibbs has always loved the Jersey breed, but Jersey cattle became even more special after her sister, Cora, was involved in an all-terrain vehicle accident in 2017. “When she got into the accident, I took her role on the farm, and it made me feel closer to her,” Gibbs said. “The Jerseys played a big part in that.” Gibbs is the 17-yearold daughter of Nathan and Bridget. She grew up on her family’s dairy farm where they milk 200 cows − 50 of which are Jerseys – in Winona County near Rollingstone. Gibbs was chosen as the 2022 Minnesota Jersey Queen at the Minnesota AllBreeds Convention March 12 in Willmar. “(At the banquet), I was super excited, but I was so nervous,” the high school junior said. “My teeth were
PHOTO SUBMITTED
Jamie Gibbs shows one of her Jerseys at the Delco Classic Jersey Show July 24, 2021 in Manchester, Iowa. Gibbs is excited to parƟcipate at area fairs this year as the 2022 Minnesota Jersey Queen.
chattering. It was a great experience, and I can’t wait to do more things for the Jersey breed.” Some of Gibbs’ favorite memories growing up were purchasing her seven dairy animals.
“I really like buying a new animal, getting to know it and working with it during the summer,” Gibbs said. Her favorite cow is a part of her herd and a Jersey, Ratliff Money Georgina. “She was the rst one
I bought and the rst cow I took to bigger shows, so she will always be special,” Gibbs said. “I love her.” Gibbs helps feed the calves, milk, and feeds and walks her show animals every day.
“Being with the cows and getting to travel with them has really grown my love for Jerseys,” Gibbs said. To Gibbs, the Jersey cows are an essential part of her family’s dairy herd. She said not only are they efcient cows and produce high-quality milk, but their stature compliments the Gibbses’ facilities. “They t into our free stalls nicely,” she said. Gibbs has shown at both the Minnesota State Fair and World Dairy Expo and was president of her 4-H club for two years and vice president for one. “These activities have really allowed me to get to know the breed more than just a love for it,” Gibbs said. “This year (as Jersey Queen) will be a fun opportunity for me to help myself grow, become more condent and meet new people.” Gibbs is looking forward to representing the breed this year with the Winona County Dairy princesses and at the Winona County Fair and Minnesota State Fair. “I’ve always looked up to the girls handing out the ribbons and banners at the Turn to GIBBS | Page 27
UPGRADE YOUR ON-FARM EQUIPMENT!
Proud Partner of the Midwestern Hoof Trimming School
Ask us how to get professional hoof trimmers involved with your on farm trimming program!
Call (920) 830-0277 Today!
AppletonSteel.com
ConƟnued from GIBBS | Page 26
Minnesota State Fair, so I’m really excited to be able to do that,” Gibbs said. Gibbs is also excited to talk with consumers this summer and share facts related to the breed such as milk quality and health. Gibbs hopes to attend the University of Minnesota for kinesiology and receive a doctorate degree in physical therapy. “I want to work at Mayo Clinic as a physical therapist,” Gibbs said. “Dairy is a big fad in physical therapy, so I hope to teach people they can still incorporate dairy into their diets and live a healthy lifestyle.” As for right now, Gibbs is looking forward to promoting the Jersey breed as PHOTO SUBMITTED the Minnesota Jersey Jamie Gibbs poses with Princess Kay of the Milky Queen. She will com- Way Anna Euerle, on March 12. Gibbs looks forpete for National Jersey ward to serving the Jersey breed this year and plans Queen and in the Prin- to parƟcipate in the Princess Kay of the Milky Way cess Kay of the Milky compeƟƟon in the future. Way competition. “This title gives me sociation who were able to help me a chance to give back to the breed,” and my family out, so I’m looking Gibbs said. “After my sister got forward to being able to give back as into her ATV accident, there were an advocate for the Jersey breed and a bunch of farmers in the Jersey as- the whole dairy industry.”
TOP PRICES PAID & CONTRACTING AVAILABLE Your Market For:
Holstein Steers • Fed Dairy Cows • Lean Dairy Cows Your local area buyer for MN, IA and WI.
Bruce Belter • 507-429-0359
Holstein Steers • Lean Cows • Bulls • Fed Cows
Tyrel Lembke • 877-300-9298 Long Prairie, MN Lean Cows • Bulls
Green Bay Dressed Beef
Dean Derricks • 920-655-4730 Green Bay, WI Holstein Steers • Fed Cows • Lean Cows
Chad McQuade • 605-668-4275 Yankton, SD Lean Cows • Bulls
Mike Baczwaski • 800-445-0042 Gibbon, NE Fed Cows • Lean Cows • Bulls
Long Prairie Buying Station
Cody Ritter • 320-293-5212 • 320-732-8358 Long Prairie, MN
Dairy Star • Saturday, March 26, 2022 • Page 27
$ Improving Your Bottom Line $ As a dairyman, are you looking to improve the way your fresh cows transition, take off, peak and breed back? Looking to improve rumen health, rumen function, overall health, digestion, feed efficiency, and YOUR BOTTOM LINE??? If so, then…
RECALIBRATE WITH RECAL The RECAL line of probioƟcs is NOT just another probioƟc on the market. RECAL is a probioƟc heavily weighted towards beƩer digesƟon and uƟlizaƟon, primarily FIBER DIGESTION. There are a lot of nutrients in your forages that can be uƟlized by improving digesƟon. RECAL is also a probioƟc that produces more B-vitamins in the rumen of that cow, mainly vitamin B12. B-vitamins are well known to aide in sƟmulaƟng appeƟte, stress, immune system, reproducƟon and also very important in rumen digesƟon.
Ephraim I. Martin - Sheridan, MI In January of 2021 I was seeing something that I didn’t like in my cows. The cows were performing well, 80# of milk 4.20% BF 3.20% Pro but I was seeing a fair amount of corn in the manure. My HMC was drier than I like it and a bit too coarse. I had been watching the adverƟsements from RECAL Microbials for someƟme and thought I’d call them. So, I called and talked to Jamie and he didn’t push anything, he just simply told me about their products and oīered me a thirty-day free trial. But Jamie said he wanted to come to my farm and take a look at my diet, not that he wanted to change my diet, just so he knew what kind of diet we are working with, take a look at my forages, cows and manure. So, I said when can you come. A few days later Jamie came to the farm. He did a very thorough evaluaƟon. He noƟced that I was mixing feed for more cows than I was milking. He checked the dry maƩers on my forages and noƟced that they were oī a fair amount and corrected them for me. We were walking the cows and Jamie was poinƟng things out in the manure. He looks at the manure very close. He noƟced that there was some inconsistency from pile to pile, a fair amount of undigested Įber and corn. Jamie then went on to tell me about the RECAL and the diīerence between the three diīerent products and how the free thirty-day trial works. At that point I decided I wanted to try the RECAL PLUS SS, what did I have to lose with the thirty-day free trial???? But Jamie told me that he wouldn’t start me on the RECAL at that Ɵme because of my dry maƩers being oī. What we needed to do was give the cows a week or two and see how they adjusted to the change in dry maƩer and then start the RECAL. Never do two things at once. So, we made the dry maƩer adjustments and waited two weeks to start to RECAL PLUS SS. In those two weeks I gained two pounds of milk, BF dipped a liƩle and I was mixing for the correct number of cows and all we did was adjust the dry maƩers on the forages, but the manure didn’t change. Then we started on the RECAL PLUS SS. Within three days I was seeing a diīerence in the manure, it was more consistent and creamier with less undigested Įber and corn. Within seven days I saw a lot less corn and Įber. Intakes stayed the same but milk was up three pounds while BF & PRO stayed the same but MUNS went to 13 and I pulled some protein out. I was seeing stronger heats too. Milk conƟnued to climb as Ɵme went on and was able to hold 90#-92# with 4.00% BF and 3.00%-3.20% PRO most of 2021. I had been feeding a toxin binder and yeast prior to feeding the RECAL but pulled them out aŌer seeing the results of the RECAL PLUS SS. I also started feeding the RECAL PLUS to my dry cows and I must say that the cows do transiƟon beƩer at freshening. They take oī beƩer, less issues, milk beƩer, peak higher, hold their peak longer and breed back beƩer. I also started feeding the RECAL CALF POWDER to my calves and I just don’t get sick calves anymore and the calves are so much livelier. I told Jamie I wish I would have started feeding the RECAL ten years sooner. Jamie will tell you that not every farm is the same and doesn’t see the same results. But with the deal he oīers what do you have to lose??? I for one am glad I called Jamie to Įnd out more about the RECAL. My family and I milk about 120 cows near Sheridan, MI.
Ephraim I. MarƟn • 989-291-3907
Go by what the cows say, they don’t lie!!! For less than $0.08/cow/day, you will see a diīerence CALL TODAY... IT’S ONLY COMMON SENSE!!! FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
RECAL Microbials, LLC • Jamie Troxel 330-601-2142 • www.GETRECAL.com
r We offe 30-day free trials.
Page 28 • Dairy Star • Saturday, March 26, 2022
The Most Trusted Mixer. The Most Valued Mix.
FOR YOUR NEXT MIXER...
INVEST IN YOUR MIX!
At 65% of operating costs, FEED isn’t PROFIT until it’s FED! Whether feeding dairy or beef, make every nutrient count. No herd is too large, no pen too small for accurate TMR delivery with Patz complete line of trailer, truck, and stationary vertical mixers. The rules have changed. Is your mixer ready for the recovery?
CONTACT US FOR MORE DETAILS: Patz Corporation ٚ Pound, WI ٚ 920-897-2251 ٚ www.patzcorp.com
New Patz 350, #5732
New Patz 615, #5750
Call
Call
New Patz 950, #5745
Call
New Patz V500 #5009
Call
New Patz 650, #5751
Call
Salesmen: Shawn Martin (608) 778-4554 or Joe Ryan (608) 778-2900
4116 Hwy. 80 S. Platteville, WI
Office: (608) 348-9401 or Toll Free: 1(888) BUY-Patz www.steinhartsfarmservice.com
4116 Hwy. 80 S. Platteville, WI
Dairy Star • Saturday, March 26, 2022 • Page 29
Women In Dairy Clarissa Duban Faribault, Minnesota Rice County 160 cows
Family: Fiancé, Chris Kuball, and almost 2-year-old daughter, Hallie. Tell us about your farm. I farm with my parents, Paul and Audrey, and my daughter, Hallie. Our cows are milked by two Lely A4 robots that we installed in a new facility in 2016. We raise our replacement heifers and most everything we grow is for feed, with some cash crop. My two brothers, Scott and Chad, help us make hay and silage when they are not at their full-time mechanic jobs. What is a typical day like for you on the dairy? I live in Morristown and commute to the farm every day with Hallie. My ancé, Chris, takes her with him on the weekends when he is not at his off-farm job and contract raising hogs, so that gives me a little more time to do things without chasing her around. On the farm, I do most of the herd management and robot tasks. Most of my time is spent in the barn and keeping things organized on the computer. What decision have you made in the last year that has beneted your farm? Nothing in the last year specically. We’ve spent the last ve years learning everything about the robots and listening to our nutritionist to get us to where we are now. Tell us about your most memorable experience working on the farm. Watching my daughter grow up on the farm like I did is the best. She loves the cows and keeps us all light hearted and laughing every day. What have you enjoyed most about dairy farming or your tie to the dairy industry? I just enjoy the cows and watching them perform to their full potential. What is your biggest accomplishment in your dairy career? Our biggest accomplishment is how far we have come with production. We were No. 6 in North America with Lely robots for fat- and proteincorrected milk per robot in 2021. We’ve been through a lot to get here.
What are things you do to promote your farm or the dairy industry? We let people interested in going robotic tour our barn and answer questions. I also work at the malt stand once a year. What advice would you give another woman in the dairy industry? My advice is to speak up and know you can do anything. When you get a spare moment, what do you do? In my spare time, I like to work on house projects and spend time with my friends. Right now, we are planning a wedding for September so we stay busy with those details.
NEW FIELD CULTIVATOR SWEEPS
RANCH EDITION PLATINUM STYLING LUXURY LEATHERETTE INTERIOR WARN® VRX-45 POWERSPORT WINCH BRUSH AND HEADLIGHT GUARDS
SPECIAL EDITION STYLING FACTORY INSTALLED WINCH SUN TOP AND CAST ALUMINUM WHEELS
WARN® VRX 45, the WARN logo and THE RED HOOK STRAP are registered trademarks of Warn Industries, Inc.
Del-Clay Farm Equipment 1003 210th Ave | Edgewood, IA 52042 www.delclay.com | 563-928-6445
KAWASAKI CARES: Read Owner’s Manual and all on-product warnings. Always wear a helmet, eye protection and proper apparel. ¥ơʽơɭ ɭǫƎơ ʠȥƎơɭ ʋǠơ ǫȥ˫ʠơȥƃơ ȶlj Ǝɭʠnjɽ ȶɭ ŔȍƃȶǠȶȍࡳ ƎǠơɭơ ʋȶ ʋǠơ ȟŔǫȥʋơȥŔȥƃơ ɽƃǠơƎʠȍơ ǫȥ ˊȶʠɭ ¶ˁȥơɭࢬɽ ¡ŔȥʠŔȍࡳ ©2021 Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A.
Fit Nicholas Clips A popular, long wearing design. These sweeps have a dimple to protect against premature bolt wear and have an extended nose for longer wear and better penetration. Constant width wings will cut the same width from new until they wear out. Made of quality boron steel that is heat treated for long life.
A&C Farm Service, Inc. Scan with camera to view videos, key features and more.
Jct. Hwys. 55 & 23 • Paynesville •
320-243-3736
www.acfarmservice.com
Page 30 • Dairy Star • Saturday, March 26, 2022
CPDF helps fund education, research By Jerry Nelson
jerry.n@dairystar.com
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The Central Plains Dairy Foundation continues to work toward its goal of funding educational and research opportunities to assist people involved with the dairy industry. CPDF can trace its roots back to a meeting of the board of directors of the Central Plains Dairy Association, the group that started the Central Plains Dairy Expo. “The Central Plains Dairy Association had always funded a few scholarships and grants,” said Deb Wehde, eld representative at Agropur and president of the CPDF board of directors. “We wanted to increase that effort, and Lon Tonneson, who with his wife, Kathy, ran the Central Plains Dairy Expo, suggested that we form a nonprot organization.” CPDF was established as an independent 501(c)(3) charitable organization in 2016. The foundation has since
awarded numerous grants and scholarships to nonprot organizations that address issues affecting the dairy industry. These issues include economic, community and workforce development along with efforts to promote the dairy industry. “We want to support dairy in the central region that includes North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa and Minnesota,” Wehde said. “Some of our efforts could reach as far as Wisconsin.” The foundation receives much of its funding from donations by corporate entities involved with the dairy industry. The foundation also raises funds via its annual Grazing on the Greens Golf Outing held each summer at Rocky Run Golf Course in Dell Rapids. Additional funds will be raised via a silent auction at the CPDE and through ticket sales for the beer garden. “We also welcome private donations,” Wehde said. “Any support at any level will be greatly appreciated.” CPDF has awarded scholarships and Dairy Innova-
Keep your cattle happy and healthy with a great TMR mix. A Supreme vertical mixer is powerful, thorough and accurate, providing the best TMR mix on the market. Unlike other mixers, a Supreme is built to last, providing exceptionally accurate mixes throughout its entire life. With proper care and maintenance, a Supreme will offer the same great mix from the first cow to the last – Guaranteed.
THE WORLD’S BEST TMR PROCESSOR
Mixer on hand: ‘21 NEW SUPREME 600T Stainless Steel Lined, Hard Surfaced Screws, Flat Dual Direction Conveyor, Digi-Star Scale
WE
CALL NOW
aupun
quipment Co., Inc. W7257 State Rd. 49 N9695 Frohling Lane Waupun, WI Watertown, WI 920-324-3597 920-261-5301 www.waupunequipment.com
“The Dealer That Offers A Choice”
tion Grants totaling up to $33,000 in one year. The size of individual awards can range from $500 to $10,000. Dr. Athena Ramos, assistant professor at University of Nebraska Medical Center, was a 2020 recipient of the Dairy Innovation Grant Program. Ramos organized a study titled “Community Welcoming and Integration in Rural South Dakota.” Ramos conducted surveys and interviewed immigrant agricultural workers and community leaders in the towns of Beresford, Viborg and Deb Wehde Centerville. That area saw an inux of large dairy operations over the past several years. After her study was completed, Ramos and her team made recommendations directed at helping immigrants feel more welcome and included in their communities. Some of her recommendations have been acted upon by the communities that were part of the study. Promotional efforts funded by the foundation include supporting Jason Mischel the Moo Booth at the Minnesota State Fair. Holly and Harriet, a pair of Holstein mascots, began working for the foundation last March. The bovine duo attends farm shows and other events where they hand out cheese and pose for photos. The foundation has also helped fund a study that will update the data surrounding the economic impact of the dairy industry. Northeast Iowa Community College in Calmar, Iowa, received foundation funding for an initiative that is looking into methods the dairy industry can use to achieve net zero sustainability. Jason Mischel, vice president of sales and milk procurement for Valley Queen Cheese Factory, is a member of the foundation’s board. “The Glacial Lakes Multicultural Center recently approached Valley Queen Cheese Factory for a donation,” Mischel said. “The center impressed on us how impactful they have been in the community. Many of those they have helped were dairy farm employees, and one of Valley Queen’s employees was volunteering at the center. It was very obvious to us that their services were valuable and needed, so Valley Queen made a donation and challenged the foundation to match it. They did.” Some of the services the Glacial Lakes Multicultural Center provides include interpreting for parent-teacher conferences and helping immigrants nd a doctor or a place to do their banking. “The foundation has also been making technical grants to public educational institutions,” Mischel said. “The foundation recently made a $1,000 grant to the Milbank School District to help support their (English as a second language) services. Valley Queen Cheese Factory matched the grant and Victory Farms, who is one of our patrons, followed suit. The foundation’s original $1,000 soon became $3,000. It’s nice to have partnerships like that. It reects well on our dairy producers. They saw the need and opened their wallets. Greg Moes is the lone dairy producer serving on the board of CPDF. Moes and his family operate Modak Dairy, a 2,500-cow dairy located in Goodwin. “I visit with a lot of other producers, and many of them say that one of the dairy industry’s biggest challenges is nding people who have technical skills,” Moes said. “We need to create more educational opportunities for the people we work with and make the kind of employees that we need.” With an eye toward that goal, Moes and his family have initiated a Producer Challenge. “Modak Dairy has pledged to contribute $500 per year for the next ve years to the foundation,” Moes said. “We are challenging other dairy producers to match that pledge. Those who meet the challenge will be honored by having their names listed on a barn-shaped board that will be on display at the Central Plains Dairy Expo. Our goal is to ll the barn.” Moes said the pledges to the foundation will help fund the expansion of such things as educational tours and dairy-oriented teaching opportunities. “Donating to the Central Plains Dairy Foundation means that we can help guide educational opportunities to t the needs of the dairy industry instead of letting someone else decide,” Moes said. Other members of the board of directors of the CPDF include Jody Kuper, Valley Queen Cheese Factory, retired; Lucas Lentsch, executive vice president of United Dairy Industry Association for Dairy Management Inc.; Paul Kostboth, owner of A1 Development; and Jamie Johnson, technical sales specialist for Balchem.
Dairy prole
Dairy Star • Saturday, March 26, 2022 • Page 31
along with myself. When my son is here, we get along well because we both enjoy farming.
Tom Olson Black River Falls, Wisconsin Jackson County 30 cows
What do you enjoy most about dairy farming? I like the independence and being outdoors. I could never work in an ofce or a factory. I also like the day-to-day challenges and that every day is different.
How did you get into farming? This was my uncle’s farm, and I always spent time with him when I was younger. I grew up in town but preferred to be on the farm. This farm has been in my family for 112 years.
What advice would you give other dairy farmers? You need to gure out your skill set and what size operation you can manage. It’s also good to diversify and raise steers or market grain if your land and cattle base are matched.
What are your thoughts and concerns about the dairy industry for the next year? I worry about the leaders in Washington, D.C., who do not see the farm crisis for what it is. The farms that we are losing today are bigger than the farms we were losing 40 years ago so we are losing more on a bigger scale.
What are your plans for your dairy in the next year and ve years? I don’t think too much is going to change in one year. Paul would like to eventually take over, and I hope he can. The question will be if stanchion barns will be allowed going forward. That will be a factor as well as dwindling milk markets.
What is a recent change you made on your farm and the reason for it? I built a 12-by-50 silo in 2016 for my high-moisture corn. I had used bags in the past. I learned the cost to dry, store and haul corn was too expensive. I paid for my silo in 13 months. Tell us about a skill you possess that makes dairy farming easier for you. I am good at troubleshooting and guring out an economical solution for things. What is the best decision you have made on your farm? Staying at the size I can manage on my own. My son, Paul, works at a welding shop and helps often, and that’s all the help I need.
What are three things on the farm that you cannot live without? My loader tractor, the silo unloader and the barn cleaner. Without those things, I couldn’t do this, and I would need a good chiropractor. What strategies do you use to withstand the volatile milk prices? I try to stay on top of everything. At this point in life, we have savings so we
don’t live hand-to-mouth anymore which is a blessing. This spring with high inputs, soil pH has always been key. Lime is the cheapest and helps make homemade fertilizer work. Dairy farmers are at an advantage that way. How do you maintain family relationships while also working together? I usually just have to get
USED EQUIPMENT FROM A NAME YOU CAN TRUST!
How do you or your family like to spend time when you are not doing chores? My wife, Linda, and I plan day trips to go get parts or run errands and then nd a cafe off the beaten path somewhere. Linda works as a registered nurse, and she likes to travel so sometimes she will go to Washington to see my sister or go on other trips with friends. I am the opposite; I don’t have much patience for traveling.
LD SERVICES, IN E I F H C. D& Darrin Herickhoff
CHECK OUT OUR LARGE SELECTION OF HAY EQUIPMENT AND TRACTORS!
USED TRACTORS
‘95 Ford 8670, MFD, 6950 Hours ................ $39,000 ‘62 Oliver 770 w/1610 Loader........................ $4,250 ‘49 Ferguson T0-20 ....................................... $2,250 ‘79 White 2-155 ........................................... $12,500
USED SKIDSTEERS
‘02 T-200, Glass Cab & Heater, 6000 Hrs .... $13,900 ‘20 S-76, Glass Cab with A/C, 2 Spd, 2900 Hrs.................................................... $42,900 ‘12 S-770, Glass Cab with A/C, 2 Spd, 6250 Hours................................................ $28,900 (3) S-650, Glass Cab with A/C, 2 Spd, 600 Hours & Up........................Starting at $28,500 ‘12 S-185, Glass Cab with A/C, 2000 Hrs .... $22,000 ‘96 753, Glass Cab & Heater, 4650 Hrs........ $10,500 ‘12 N-H L-218, Glass Cab & Heater, 1000 Hrs $25,000 ‘08 N-H L-170, 5000 Hrs ............................. $11,500
USED TILLAGE
‘08 W-R QX 60’ Cultivator w/Rolling Basket .. $29,500 ‘10 W-R QX2 50’ Cultivator w/Rolling Basket $28,500 Case I-H 4800, 28.5’ Cultivator, 3 Bar Harrrow $7,950 Case I-H 4800, 24.5’ Cultivator, 4 Bar Harrow . $4,500 1998 J-D 980, 44.5’, 3 Bar Harrow ................ $12,500 J-D 1000, 25.5’ Cultivator, 3 Bar Harrow ......... $1,700 ‘14 Krause 8310, 19’ Disk, 26” Blades, Never Used .................................................. $43,900
USED PLANTERS
‘03 White 8186, 16x30 ................................ $22,500 (2) ‘94 White 6100 12x30, Vertical Fold ..............................Starting at $10,500
320-760-0848
Many used & new skidloaders ON HAND
‘03 White 8106, 6x30, Dry Fert .................... $14,500 Case I-H 1200, 12x22 .................................. $11,900 J-D 7000, 4x36 Twin Row ............................. $2,500 J-D 8300, 13’ Drill, 7” sapcings ..................... $4,750 Parker 2620 Seed Tender............................. $17,500
USED HAY EQUIPMENT
‘15 N-H 316, 15’ Discbine............................ $22,900 ‘05 N-H 1431 13’ Discbine........................... $11,500 ‘06 Case I-H DCX131, 13’ Discbine.............. $13,900 Mac Don 4000, 9’ Mower Conditioner ........... $5,250 ‘95 J-D 1600A, 14’ MoCo .............................. $2,500 ‘05 N-H FP-240, Crop Pro, 3PN Cornhead, 29P Hayhead ............................................. $15,000 N-H FP-230, Crop Processor ....................... $10,900 N-H 790, 824 Cornhead, Hayhead ................. $7,950 ‘20 N-H 560 RD Baler, Twine & Netwrap...... $43,500 ‘15 N-H 450 RD Baler, Twine Only, Very Nice$21,500 ‘01 N-H 648 RD Baler, Twine & Netwrap...... $10,900 ‘15 H&S LW1000, Line Wrapper, 10320 Bales ............................................... $22,900 N-H 144 Invertor............................................ $2,500 ‘17 N-H H-6730, 6’8” Disc Mower ................. $5,250 ‘06 N-H 615, 6’8” Disc Mower ....................... $4,250 ‘18 M-F 1328, 7’10” Disc Mower ................... $6,950 ‘07 H&S HDX-17 Rake ................................. $12,500
Solid Manure Spreaders & Side Slingers • Liquid Manure Handling • Solid Manure Handling
USED MISC
‘08 Red Ball 1000 Gallon Sprayer, 60’ Boom $7,500 ‘96 Feterl 10x60 Auger................................... $2,250 Knight 2250 TMR .......................................... $5,950
952-467-2181
Unlimited Possibilities! CAMar19-1B-JO
Equipment of Norwood LANO A family business since 1946 with the Lanos: Jack, Paul, Bob and Andy
• Trucking • Pushing & Packing
www.dhfieldservices.com
Page 32 • Dairy Star • Saturday, March 26, 2022
www.extension.umn.edu/dairy
Milk fat tests above 4%: The new normal By Isaac J. Salfer
University of Minnesota
I can remember sitting in my dairy management class at the University of Minnesota in 2012 and learning that a good milk fat benchmark for a Holstein herd was 3.75%. This was backed up by historical milk market data, which saw average butterfat tests in the Upper Midwest hovering between 3.7% and 3.8% from 2000 to 2012. However, fast-forward 10 years and we have seen this number rapidly increase (see Figure 1), with 2021 recording an average milk fat of over 4% for the rst time. The trend is continuing into 2022 with an average bulk tank fat test of 4.25% in January, up 0.13% from last year’s January average. I fully expect that in a few years, I will be telling my class that a 4% milk fat test is on the low end of what a herd should expect. The improvement in average butterfat test coincided with increased consumer demand for high-fat dairy products, particularly butter, in recent years. One contributor to this is the changing public perception about saturated fat, particularly after the nowfamous book “The Big Fat Surprise: Why Butter, Meat and Cheese Belong,” by Nina Teicholz was published in 2014. This book was a critique of the previously long-held belief that saturated fats were the primary dietary risk factor for heart disease. The book showed how the science actually suggested that sugar intake was a much larger contributor. The increased demand for butter has been reected in increasing Class III milk prices over the past decade. I foresee this demand for butter continuing to rise as consumers gain further awareness of the health benets of butter compared to vegetable-based alternatives. While the strides we have made through the past decade have been amazing, it puts even more pressure on farmers to keep up the pace of improvement with the rapid improvement and capitalize on high premiums. To do this, we have to understand the factors that inuence milk fat production. Milk fat comes from two sources: either directly from fat present in the diet and body reserves (preformed fat), or from synthesis in the udder (de novo, meaning new, fat). Several milk testing and academic labs have the ability to use the composition of fat present within milk to determine the percentage of milk fat from each source. This information can be valuable to farmers and nutritionists when it comes to managing their nutrition program. Low concentrations of preformed fat (less than 30% of total fatty acids) indicate the dairy could benet from feeding supplemental fat, particularly saturated fat sources like palm fat, rumen-protected fat supplements or tallow. I do recognize that right now these sources are very expensive, with tallow prices being at an all-time high, so any supplemental fat feeding should be done in the context of income over feed costs. Several commercial products exist within feed mills that can provide excellent sources of rumen-protected fat. In particular, fatty acid products that are made up a blend of palmitic and stearic acid tend to be more digestible that products made up of a single fatty acid. De novo fatty acids should make up at least 23% of total fatty acids. Increasing the amount of de novo fatty acids is a cheaper approach to modifying milk fat because modication of de novo fat is heavily inuenced by rumen fermentation. The production of a specic fatty acid (trans-10, cis-12 C18:2) by rumen microbes leads to direct inhibition of milk fat synthesis in the udder. This fatty acid is increased in the rumen during times of low rumen pH and high rumen unsaturated fatty acid concentration. Factors such as high diet fermentability (through feeding highly digestible feeds), high unsaturated fatty acids, poor bunk management and poor feed consistency are all risk
factors for production of this fatty acid and therefore risk factors for decreased milk fat. Feeding management strategies that increase the number of visits a cow will make to the feed bunk can have major benets on de novo fat synthesis. Research has shown that increasing feeding frequency from one time to two times or more per day, pushing up feed seven to 12 times per day, reducing stocking density below 110%, and increasing bunk space to at least 24 inches per cow, and feeding at a consistent time each day all improve milk fat production substantially. Increasing the physically effective ber in a diet also increases milk fat, as long as feed intake isn’t reduced. I would suggest the incredible strides in milk fat are related to four main factors: – Improved forage quality and ber digestibility, which allows feeding higher ber diets without sacricing available energy for milk production. – Improved feed and bunk management to maximize cows’ time at the feed bunk. – Improved ration balancing, with a particular emphasis on feeding more forage. – Improved genetic selection for milk fat percentage, mainly due to utilization of the Net Merit $ selection index which puts heavy emphasis on milk fat and protein yield. In this current butter-loving market, it is important that we continue to focus on these strategies to continue to improve our herd’s butterfat test.
PHOTO SUBMITTED
Figure 1. Average yearly bulk tank bu�erfat test for the Upper Midwest Federal Milk Marke�ng Order. The graph demonstrates a rapid increase in milk fat percentage from 2010 to present, a�er a period of rela�ve stability from 2000 to 2010. Note that the increased value for January 2022 (Jan-22) is par�ally due to a seasonal effect because bu�erfat is always greatest in January. The average bu�erfat test was 4.25% in January of 2022, compared to 4.11% in January of 2021.
ARTICULATED TELESCOPIC HANDLERS
AVAILABLE AT: www.jcb.com
jcb.com/agriculture
A&C Farm Service, Inc. Jct. Hwys. 55 & 23 Paynesville
320-243-3736
JCB articulated telescopic handlers are versatile and productive machines, designed to move more material with greater ef½ciency. With articulated steering, telescopic reach, and compatibility with a huge range of attachments, JCB articulated telescopic handlers deliver all the bene½ts of a wheel loader and a telescopic handler in a single machine.
www.acfarmservice.com
Calf conversations By Colleen Carlson University of Minnesota
What happens when you gather three veterinarians and a feed nutritionist in a room with 38 members of dairy farm families? The answer is a very good conversation and exchange of educational information. The University of Minnesota and Minnesota Dairy Initiatives hosted an evening meeting in rural Scott County. Jim Salfer, extension educator, served as the moderator for this lively panel discussion around the issue of calf health and nutrition. Panelists – Denny Rossiter, DVM, Kind Veterinary Clinic; Joe Armstrong, DVM, extension educator; Matt Dodd, DVM, Diamond V; and Ellan Dufour, dairy research nutritionist, Hubbard Feeds – weighed in on current practices, pitfalls and best management practices for young calves. Get calves off to a healthy, fast start. To do this, have good calf protocols in place from day one. Steps should be taken to protect a calf’s immune system and support digestive health. Building a strong immune system with the rst 48 hours is key. Limit exposure to anything that could affect the immune system. Dip the navel with 7% iodine to protect the open wound. Dry the calf as quickly as possible and get it warmed up. Use clean, dry bedding that is not wet, muddy or moldy. Follow a consistent protocol for collecting and feeding colostrum. Collect colostrum within four hours of calving, and test the quality of the colostrum. Feed 4 quarts of colostrum within two hours, or approximately 10% of calf body weight. Provide a second feeding six to 12 hours later. Use a thermometer t to test temperature FFollowing ll i a consistent i ffeeding di from themilk rst calf fed to and cleaning protocol for the the last calf being fed. first 21 days is crucial to build Maintain a milk temperaof 102-105 degrees a strong calf immune system. ture F. Feed at consistent intervals t seven days per week. w Keep the hours between each feeding the same, whether you are feeding your calves two or three times per day. In cold weather, feed as quickly as you can. If the milk cools below 100 degrees, it can slow down the rate of passage with the potential to introduce pathogenic (harmful) bacteria. Ideally, we would wait 45 minutes after milk consumption before watering calves; this allows the esophageal groove to close. Keep bottles, pails and other tools clean and disinfected. Use a good detergent and disinfectant for washing and rinsing. Whenever possible, use a separate bucket for milk and a clean bucket for water. Keep feeding equipment and the housing environment clean. The more calves consume, the more they need to be cleaned up after. Calves are very curious; they explore with their noses and tongues. Calves are constantly licking the fence, their hair coat and bedding materials, ingesting bacteria. Keeping their environment clean can improve gut health and reduce the potential for disease. Following a consistent feeding and cleaning protocol for the rst 21 days is crucial to build a strong calf immune system.
Dairy Star • Saturday, March 26, 2022 • Page 33
Seven Oaks HD is an underground construction contractor specializing in Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) and Land Improvements
BENEFITS OF USING DIRECTIONAL DRILLING INSTALLATION INCLUDE:
Ŷ Continuation of Normal Operation Ŷ Avoidance of identi¿ed Infrastructure Installation Ŷ Maintain Integrity of Driveway, Roadways, Buildings, and Natural Features Ŷ Little to No Disturbance to Wetlands or Other Sensitives Areas Ŷ Many Unique Installation Capabilities Vs. Open Cutting/ Digging (Entering under Buildings or Tanks) Ŷ Minimal Site Restoration
PRODUCT INSTALLATION Ŷ Gas Lines Ŷ Power Wire/ Lines Ŷ Communication/ Fiber Optic Ŷ Water Lines/Water Mains Ŷ Drainage/ Tile Lines Ŷ Forced/ On Grade Sewer Ŷ Manure Transfer Lines
Land Improvements Drain Tile Design/ Installation Ditch Cleaning & Grading • Fenceline Clearing
Dana Adams, adam1744@umn.edu 320-204-2968
Brad Heins hein0106@umn.edu 320-589-1711
Joe Armstrong armst225@umn.edu 612.624.3610
Nathan Hulinsky huli0013@umn.edu 320-203-6104
Luciano Caixeta lcaixeta@umn.edu 612-625-3130
Kevin Janni kjanni@umn.edu 612-625-3108
Gerard Cramer gcramer@umn.edu 612-625-8184
Karen Johnson ande9495@umn.edu 320-484-4334
Marcia Endres miendres@umn.edu 612-624-5391
Emily Krekelberg krek0033@umn.edu 507-280-2863
Joleen Hadrich jhadrich@umn.edu 612-626-5620
Claire LaCanne lacanne@umn.edu 507-332-6109
Les Hansen hanse009@umn.edu 612-624-2277
Brenda Miller nels4220@umn.edu 320-732-4435
Erin Royster royster@umn.edu Isaac Salfer ijsalfer@umn.edu 320-296-1357 Jim Salfer salfe001@umn.edu 320-203-6093 Mike Schutz mschutz@umn.edu 612-624-1205 Emma Severns sever575@umn.edu 507-934-7828 Melissa Wison mlw@umn.edu 612-625-4276
Changing weather and higher inputs got you down? Using Drain Tile to manage excess moisture in the soil pro¿le is the foundation for increasing pro¿tability per acre. - Less compaction - Better soil Structure - Allows more days per year for ¿eld operations - More Yields with same or less inputs
Call Us to Discuss Your Project Now!
920-450-2844 Jon Lamers 920-378-5163 www.SevenOaksTeam.com Chad Van Asten
Page 34 • Dairy Star • Saturday, March 26, 2022
Prepare for planting season By Steve Frericks and Jerry Hurrle Farm Service Agency
A long, hard winter always adds to the excitement of spring. You can almost feel the excitement in the demeanor and the tone of voice producers use when they enter the ofce in early spring. Farmers are the eternal optimists. They must be, to place seed in the ground year after year with the hope and expectation their efforts will pay off with a benecial harvest. The staff at the Farm Service Agency thank you for your dedication to American agriculture. We wish you a safe, timely and productive spring planting season. Be proud of what you do. We certainly are. Farm Storage Facility Loan program Do you need to replace or upgrade your bulk milk storage tank? Do you need a hay storage shed? Have you been considering purchasing a semi-tractor to haul your own hay or grain? Do I have your attention? This program can help you. The FSFL program provides low-interest nancing for farming operations to build or upgrade storage and drying facilities, purchase portable (new or used) structures or commodity handling equipment, or to purchase storage and handling trucks. A variety of structures, handling equipment and trucks are eligible under this loan, including dryers, augers, trucks (new and used), grain trailers (hopper, live bottom, end dump), baggers, bale wrappers, hay wagons, grain carts, skidloaders, bulk tanks, hay barns, facilities for cold storage and many more items. Loans up to $100,000 can be secured by a promissory note/security agreement while loans exceeding $100,000 require additional security. Loans in excess of $50,000 require a minimum down payment of 15%. FSA also provides a microloan option to nance loans up to $50,000 with a minimum down payment of 5%. Producers do not need to demonstrate the lack of commercial credit availability to apply. Interest rates currently range from 1.5% to 2% based upon the term of the loan. Loans may range from three to 12 years. If there is construction required, which would include ground disturbance such as site preparation, an environmental review must be completed before actions are approved. Contact the local FSA ofce early in the planning process to determine what level of environmental review is required for a program application in order to assure timely completion. To learn more about the FSFL program, contact the local FSA county ofce or visit www.fsa.usda.gov/pricesupport. Applying for beginning farmer loans FSA assists beginning farmers to nance agricultural enterprises. Under these designated farm loan programs, FSA can provide nancing to eligible applicants through either direct or guaranteed loans. FSA denes a beginning farmer as a person who: – Has operated a farm for not more than 10 years. – Will materially and substantially participate in the operation of the farm. – Agrees to participate in a loan assessment, borrower training and nancial management program sponsored by FSA. – Does not own a farm in excess of 30% of the county’s average size farm. For more information, contact the local USDA Service Center or visit fsa.usda.gov. Submit loan requests for nancing early The farm loan team members in all counties are intently working on operating loans for spring 2022 and ask potential borrowers to submit their requests early so they can be processed in a timely manner. The farm loan team can help determine which loan programs are best for applicants. FSA offers a wide range of low-interest loans that can meet the nancial needs of any farm operation for just about any purpose. The traditional farm operating and farm ownership loans can help large and small farm operations take advantage of early purchasing discounts for spring inputs as well as expenses throughout the year. Microloans are a simplied loan program that will provide up to $50,000 for both farm ownership and operating expenses to eligible applicants. These loans, targeted to smaller and non-traditional operations, can be used for operating expenses, starting a new operation, or purchasing equipment and other needs associated with a farming operation. Loans to beginning farmers and members of underserved groups are a priority. Farm Service Agency is an Equal Opportunity Lender. Complaints about discrimination should be sent to: Secretary of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. 20250. Visit the Farm Service Agency Web site at: www.fsa.usda.gov/ for necessary application forms and updates on USDA programs.
Midwest Dairy launches DEAL class No. 2 Dairy Star • Saturday, March 26, 2022 • Page 35
The Dairy Experience and Agricultural Leadership Program had its rst meeting of 2022, where 13 of the 15 DEAL members met in the Dairy Block of downtown Denver, Colorado, in February. DEAL is an 18-month program that provides an opportunity for dairy farmers, ages 40 and younger, to gain a deeper understanding of the dairy checkoff, network with their peers and others in the industry and learn valuable skills. Skills include training By Jenna Finch and tools to help these farmers Midwest Dairy better engage with consumers and conduct media interviews so they can successfully tell their story. The 2022-23 class was hand-selected from applications across the Midwest Dairy region, including participants from Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Kansas, Nebraska and South Dakota. The DEAL Program is made up of three phases with in-person meetings and local assignments like meeting their local leadership and being a part of consumer events. The rst phase focused on diving into dairy checkoff as well as discovering each participant’s strengths and how to successfully use them within and outside the industry. We kicked off the meeting by learning more about each person’s color personality along with the characteristics and strengths of each color. Throughout the presentation, participants learned how to apply their color learning to leverage personal strengths, improve leadership and collaboration skills, and support their personal and professional well-being. By learning more about themselves, our DEAL class not
Th DEAL P The Program iis made d up of three phases with in-person meetings and local assignments like meeting their local leadership and being a part of consumer events. only develops condence in themselves but also better leverages their industry knowledge with consumers and peers. On the second day, Bob Lefebvre, vice president of agricultural affairs for Midwest Dairy, led a discussion about Midwest Dairy’s history, mission and strategic plan. We also heard from Bill Keating, senior director of industry image and relations for Dairy MAX, who shared more about dairying in Colorado and Dairy MAX. It was interesting to hear more about what other regional checkoffs are doing and gain a better understanding of how our industry varies in other states. Later, Angela Tuxhorn, senior manager of food safety and supply assurance with Leprino Foods, provided a presentation about Leprino Foods, which is headquartered in Denver. The group then ventured to Top Golf during the afternoon for an icebreaker activity. The group handled the single-digit weather with grace and had a lot of fun getting to know their new peers.
On the third and nal day, two speakers from Dairy Management Inc. joined our group. Kristiana Alexander, director of knowledge and insights for DMI, dove into consumer insights. Highlights included explaining the impacts of changing U.S. demographics and household composition as well as consumer needs and trends relating to food, beverage and nutrition. The group was also pleased to hear from Stan Erwine, senior vice president of farmer relations for DMI, as he spoke to the history and purpose of both dairy promotion and DMI. He also discussed DMI’s collaborative relationship with Midwest Dairy and how this relationship is so important to making the checkoff dollar go further. The group thoroughly enjoyed the content and conversations on
this day and felt they had a better understanding of dairy checkoff. DEAL members were asked to complete a survey following the rst meeting, and Midwest Dairy was pleased that phase one received a 9 out of 10 rating. One farmer commented, “I really enjoyed getting to know the teachers and other class participants. The materials discussed were very educational. The energy from the group was also fun, and I can’t wait to meet up again.” From a personal perspective, I am truly excited for the new DEAL farmers joining the program this year. Like many of the participants, I am also looking forward to our next phase, which will be held in Chicago and will focus on engaging with consumers.
IS YOUR BARN READY FOR THE HEAT OF SUMMER? Keep your cows and your crew cool with Schaefer Fans! Fiberglass Exhaust Fan with Cone
• Heavy-duty polyethylene cone with galvanized blades
• Provides superior performance and efficiency
• Designed for side-by-side installation
• Ideal for tunnel and cross-ventilation applications
Galvanized Panel Fans • Steel fans with many size options • Offers high airflow for cooling and ventilation • Perfect for inside livestock buildings, free-stall barns, feed lines, holding pens and more • Practical, competitive pricing
Let us know how we can help! CONTACT YOUR LEEDSTONE REP TODAY! Brock Zierden (Melrose, MN) 320.293.6192 bzierden@Leedstone.com
Paul Becker (Glencoe, MN) 320.510.0200 pbecker@Leedstone.com
Gregg Luebke (Plainview, MN) 507.696.5518 gluebke@Leedstone.com
800-597-2394 or 605-338-6351
5301 West 12th St., Sioux Falls, SD 5 www.pfeifersonline.com
Family & veterinarian owned since 1994. • Leedstone.com/your-dairy-equipment-center •
Mark Jurgenson (Menomonie, WI) 507.259.8047 mjurgenson@Leedstone.com
Hayloft 1.0
Page 36 • Dairy Star • Saturday, March 26, 2022
The mollycoddling of modern kids continues. Consider the following: – A Connecticut primary school has banned its students from playing the game of tag during recess. School ofcials cited the game’s “innate competitiveness” and “increased possibility of injury.” They also mentioned that the word “cooties” was often shouted during the game. – Many schools in the United Kingdom have abolished the game of conkers due to safety concerns. I don’t know much about conkers other than it involves a piece of string and a horse chestnut. How hazardous could that be? I might understand if the game also involved an actual horse. – A Delaware magistrate ruled that a local couple was guilty of “potential prospective child abuse” when authorities discovered their son, age 11, was walking the four blocks to and from his school. “Anything more than two blocks is excessive
and inhumane,” declared Judge Sylvia Snodgrass in her verdict. As punishment, the boy’s parents must carry their son to and from his grade school as he reclines on a sedan chair that’s been outtted with silky feather pillows. I totally made that last one up. But, you almost believed it, didn’t you? Today’s parents are responsible for this sorry state of affairs. They constantly strive to protect their youngsters from even the tiniest hint of discomfort. It’s gotten to the point where kids are all but hermetically sealed in custom-made Kevlar suits stuffed with foam rubber and equipped with GPS trackers. It’s a sign of the times when so-called interactive video games are heralded as the savior of kids’ health. Interactive video games enable users to virtually golf, bowl, play tennis, pick their noses, etc. You have to get up off the couch to do so, which
Sires that excel in multiple indicators of mastitis resistance are more likely to deliver genetic improvement. To avoid costly mastitis cases and save money, look for sires with the new Mastitis ResistantPRO designation. This new genetic tool leverages genomic evaluations for CDCB Mastitis Resistance, CDCB Somatic Cell Score and Zoetis Mastitis Resistance to deliver genetic improvement.
Holstein Mastitis ResistantPRO lineup averages
Jersey Mastitis ResistantPRO lineup averages
+2.8 MAST
+0.3 MAST
105 Z MAST
101 Z MAST
2.67 SCS
2.87 SCS
means video game addicts will no longer be easily identied by their super-muscular thumbs. More and more interactive video games are in the works. Might this eventually include such offerings as virtual senior prom, where gamers run the risk of being ditched by their virtual dates for a person who doesn’t have super muscular thumbs? Dear County Agent Guy There’s probably good money in the eld of interactive video game development. My choice for such a thing would be a 3D virtual reality experience called Hayloft 1.0. The beauty of Hayloft is that it would be powered entirely by the players, negating the By Jerry Nelson need for a rat’s nest of Columnist extension cords or the endless consumption of expensive batteries. The game console could be made mostly of wood, which is both renewable and recyclable. Two console styles, Gambrel and Gothic Arch, would be available. You could have any color console you want as long as it’s red or white. Hayloft comes preloaded with an assortment of hay and/or straw bales. The program is opensourced, which means users can recongure the bales into a convoluted maze of tunnels. Popular user-built add-ons include secret room and bottomless pit. The real fun begins once the tunnels are completed. Games such as hide and seek and tunnel tag can be played with other users. These games can be quite challenging due to Hayloft’s multidimensional interface. Bundled into Hayloft is a feature called barn cats. At some point, astute gamers may observe that the tummy of a certain barn cat has begun to swell. The feline gradually reaches the point where she looks like a furry, four-legged soccer ball. This component is known as mother cat. Gamers may notice one day that mother cat has suddenly become quite slim. All players must then search Hayloft until it’s discovered where mother cat has hidden her kittens. The player who succeeds in this quest earns the right to name the kittens. Extra points are awarded for correctly guessing each kitten’s gender. A standard element in Hayloft is hay rope. Hay rope is a vertical feature that dangles from the highest point in Hayloft, a place called the cupola. Gamers can employ hay rope however they see t, with the most popular use being a swing. This is accomplished by piling bales to a suitable height, then grabbing hay rope and leaping off the stack. Practicing one’s Tarzan yodel while swinging is highly recommended. Gamers often create a mound of loose straw at a spot opposite from their launching point. This is called the landing zone. Players may try to ascend hay rope to the cupola, a gravity-defying feat called climbing. Upon reaching the cupola, users have been known to gaze out at the sky and the surrounding countryside and imagine what it’s like to be a bird. At this point, the player transcends Hayloft and enters the next level. It’s called Daydream 2.0. Jerry is a recovering dairy farmer from Volga, South Dakota. He and his wife, Julie, have two grown sons and live on the farm where Jerry’s great-grandfather homesteaded over 110 years ago. Jerry currently works full time for the Dairy Star as a staff writer/ad salesman. Feel free to E-mail him at: jerry.n@dairystar.com.
We BUY, SELL, TRADE used dairy equipment and milk tanks WE SPECIALIZE IN USED DAIRY EQUIPMENT.
Milking machine equipment, bulk milk tanks and cooling equipment. Give us a call, we will be glad to help you with any of your milking machine or bulk tank needs.
We also BUY your used equipment and milk tanks. 12/21 CDCB/HA Genomic Evaluation. ®Your Success Our Passion. is a registered trademark of Select Sires Inc. TMMastitis ResistantPRO is a trademark of Select Sires Inc. 12/19 CDCB/HA Genomic Evaluation: All bulls, except YODER, qualify for semen export to Canada.
SALVAGE HOUSE
424 Third Street, Fullerton, NE 68638 • 800-844-5427
Developing a champion show heifer
Dairy Star • Saturday, March 26, 2022 • Page 37
For many youth and adults alike, spring and summer mean an occasional break from the daily routine to head to cattle shows and exhibit their best animals. It takes a well-grown, well-balanced heifer with a deep, open rib to stand near the top at most heifer shows. While pedigrees and genetics matter, most heifers aren’t just born to be champions. They are developed through months of hard work. While this column is specic to raising and feeding show animals, some of the same principles apply to all heifers.
Success starts at birth Sound management practices need to be implemented on day No. 1 to allow the animal to achieve its genetic potential. Maternity pens need to be clean and dry. One gallon of high-quality colostrum should be given as soon as possible after birth. Navels should be dipped with 7% tincture iodine. Accelerated milk or milk-replacer programs work well to maximize growth during the rst few months of age. A high-quality starter is offered free choice until 3 months of age. No hay is typically fed during this starter period as it will impede starter intake and rumen development. The volatile fatty acids produced from consuming calf starter are essential to rumen papillae development for maximum growth and performance. Clean, fresh water should be offered by 5 days of age to maximize starter digestion and intake. Continue development after weaning The goal in the post-weaning period is to continue building bone and lean muscle mass. Some equate this to training a well-conditioned athlete. Grain needs should be monitored based on body condition and individual heifer metabolism. To meet amino acid requirements, top dress with high-quality protein sources, which can include soybean meal, canola meal, blood meal and a variety of bypass soybean-based products.
In most cases, little or no silage will be fed to show heifers as it can limit rib development. Lots of hay is the key to the expression of the show heifer’s deep, open rib. The type of hay is as important as the ingredients in the grain mix. Hay must be clean and free of mold. Grass hay typically works best, although some mixtures with alfalfa may benet younger heifers. Keep in mind, high-quality grass can be highly digestible and increase body condition. Feeding straw as a primary forage source can work for weight loss situations. It is important to ensure proper mineral and vitamin fortication through this period. The best solution is to prevent the animal from getting too heavy by monitoring body condition and watching carbohydrate intakes and forage quality. Management considerations Keep all heifers clean and dry. Proper ventilation is critical throughout all stages of life. Fans to move air can yield better hair quality, but be mindful of drafts on younger animals. Keep pen group
Feeding straw as a primary forage source can work for weight loss situations. It is important to ensure proper mineral and vitamin fortification through this period. sizes small with less competition. Keeping heifers of similar age together will also help. Provide clean, accessible water continuously. Throughout the life of the calf and heifer, separating stress events, such as pen moves, weaning,
It is time to get started It’s not too early to pick out those show heifers and start to develop them to their genetic potential. Start clipping the long winter hair coats in March or April. For many, this has already happened as there have been a few days above 60 degrees. In season, keep body hair short and work with topline hair often. Wash heifers frequently to improve hair quality and increase the animal’s comfort level. Soap should only be used a couple times per week, and make sure it is completely rinsed out each time. No silver bullets will create the perfect show heifer. It takes sound management and a keen eye to customize the best feeding strategy for each heifer. While this will take some time and effort, it may result in a purple ribbon hanging above that heifer. Barry Visser is a nutritionist for Vita Plus.
6$8. &(175( 01
cheep, cheap Chick Days&Spring Savings Have Hatched!
3KRQH
ZZZ PPFMG FRP
Order your chicks between March 28th Get a & April 2nd:
2016, 862 Hrs, RWA, KP, Dual Header Drive, Harvest Lab and Guidance Ready
coupon
to use on a a future purchase of chick feed & supplies!
$
WIND AND RAIN MINERAL & CREEP FEED BOOKINGS AVAILABLE
BOLTS FENCING TILLAGE SPRING SALE APRIL 1st-16th
CONTACT: Ron 320-224-8812 or Jason 320-4 320-468-6433
Save
vaccinations and dehorning, will prevent setbacks in performance. Work with a veterinarian to develop a sound vaccination program for benets Something to Ruminate On at home as well as potential exposures at the shows. Exercise is critical for yearling heifers to develop lean muscle. It is also important for blood ow supplying nutrients to cells. Grass pastures are typically not ideal. If this is the only option, it is imBy Barry Visser portant to keep grass mowed short, and limit Nutritionist the amount of time a heifer can eat grass each day. Dirt lots offer an ideal exercise area with little chance to gain weight from grass intake.
Stock Up!
$
5 PER BAGG
on A Amplifier ® Max Milk Replacerr LITTLE ROCK, MN 320-584-5147
PIERZ, MN 320-468-2168
LASTRUP, MN 320-468-2543
BUCKMAN, MN 320-468-6433
FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK!
295,000
9600, 2019, 507 Hrs, RWA .............................................. $424,500 8800, 2016, 1607 Hrs, RWA ............................................ $304,900 8700, 2018, 715 Hrs, RWA .............................................. $373,000 8700, 2017, 1237 Hrs, RWA ............................................ $325,500 8600, 2018, 660 Hrs, RWA .............................................. $342,000 8600, 2016, 785 Hrs, RWA .............................................. $359,000 8600, 2016, 1127 Hrs, RWA ............................................ $289,000 8600, 2016, 928 Hrs, RWA .............................................. $300,000 8500, 2016, 862 Hrs, RWA .............................................. $295,000 8400, 2015, 1158 Hrs, RWA ............................................ $238,750 8300, 2021, 51 Hrs, RWA ................................................ $409,000 7480, 2013, 3695 Hrs, RWA ............................................ $134,000 7780, 2014, 1973 Hrs, RWA ............................................ $190,400 7750, 2011, 3200 Hrs, 2WD ............................................ $129,000 7580, 2014, 1764 Hrs, RWA ............................................ $185,900 New Holland FR850, 2013, 1500 Hrs, RWA................... $228,000 All hours listed are “cutter hours”.
Call today for details on our Easy-Lease ¿nancing! Other machines available for lease also. Subject to credit approval. Call for details.
Checking all the boxes Page 38 • Dairy Star • Saturday, March 26, 2022
I am discovering as I get older that I need to write things down. I need a list of groceries and notes on which store has the sales. I need to write a list of projects to get done, phone calls to make and cards to send out. It seems we are even developing lists to check off for the farm, reminders of steps that must be completed before we can move forward. It is a good start to the day when you can check off all of the boxes for a new arrival. We look forward to the arrival of every calf, but this one is very special. It is a legacy calf. Ever since her mother went over her heat date, we have been waiting through heartbreak for this anticipated joy as we start to check off the boxes. As a 4-H dairy family, each of the kids claimed a cow family as their own. Jonathon had
Baxter Flute, whose offspring funded his college education. Michael showed Crystal to three state fair championships, igniting a passion for developing amazing type and production cows. Katie babied all the Sugar Cookie calves as her own, which made them impossible to chase. Austin has developed a family line from his rst show heifer, Fluff, which still stand in the barn today. It only seemed appropriate that our daughters-inlaw would each adopt a cow as their very own. Libby claimed Cola, who is also a Baxter daughter. Cola stood in the corner stall of the cross walk and would always try to lick Libby as she walked by in search of sweet treats. For Christmas one year, Libby made an ornament out of a sele she took of herself and Cola in the barn, which we hang on the tree every year. Jonathan
PERFECT FEEDING
Maximize their health and productivity. Minimize your labor. With the Aranom feeding robot. The Aranom feeding robot mixes perfect feed batches for every group, keeping fresh consistent feed available to your cows 24/7, while reducing labor and room for error.
Automated feeding products are available from these trusted dealers: Zumbro Ag Solutions Zumbrota, MN (651) 380-2856 Dairyland Equipment of Menahga Menahga, MN (218) 564-4958 Current Defense & Supply Beresford, SD (605) 212-6005 Livestock Systems Charles City, IA (641) 220-0732 River Divide IBA Epworth, IA (563) 543-7710
Tri-County Dairy Supply Watertown, WI (608) 757-2697 Total Dairy Service, LLC Kewaunee, WI (920) 680-4441 B&R Dairy Equipment Winthrop, MN (507) 647-7000 Midwest Dairy Robotics Garretson, SD (507) 766-4846 Little L Farm Supply Hawkins, WI (715)609-9474
and Libby’s children giggle as they try to nd the ornament of their mom on our tree. Sara fell in love with Twix, who would Just Thinking Out Loud become only the second Ralma cow to score 94 points. Crystal was the rst. When Michael and Sara took their engagement photos at the farm, she had a picture taken of Twix in the dry lot. She printed an 8-by-10 laminated photo that hung above Twix’s stall By Natalie Schmitt when she came back Columnist in the barn. Twix had a heifer calf after her photo shoot, which Sara named Tic Tac. Every time they were back at the farm, Sara made a beeline to see her favorite cow and heifer. When it came time to breed Tic Tac, Michael and Sara decided to use a hot bull named Tropic. We scrambled to nd a unit to breed her on time for a spring show calf. We nally found a unit of sexed semen next door in Stearns County. Now we crossed our ngers and started counting days. As we walked Tic Tac through the show ring at the Stearns County Fair and District Holstein Show, we knew she had gone over on her heat days. She was pregnant, and Sara already had a name picked out for the calf. Five days later, Sara died.
As we walked Tic Tac through the show ring at the Stearns County Fair and District Holstein Show, we knew she had gone over on her heat days. She was pregnant. We have kept a close and special eye out for Tic Tac during her pregnancy. When the temperatures dropped in early March, we moved her into the maternity pen in the back of the barn as her time for calving closed in. As if on cue, just as Austin and Mark nished the evening milking and a couple of days past Michael’s birthday, Tic Tac delivered her calf. Mark came into the house with a huge smile on his face that night. He was able to check off all the boxes on his list. A live calf, check. A heifer calf, check. Cleaned, check. Milk in all four quarters, check. Calf drank, check. Named Tic Tok, check. Another step forward, check.
As their four children pursue dairy careers off the family farm, Natalie and Mark are starting a new adventure of milking registered Holsteins just because they like good cows on their farm north of Rice, Minnesota.
amsgalaxy.com 484-648-1365 info@amsgalaxyusa.com
MAKING MA KING COW COMFORT OUR PRIORITY
Curtain Systems
Ventilation Systems
Freestall Systems
67962 State Hwy 55, Watkins, MN 55389 • 320-764-5000
Headlocks www.norbco.com
We need livestock farmers
What is the true value of your farm? If your farm is like ours, you probably spent some time this winter analyzing the business of your farm. Where did you make money? Where did you spend money? How much of that money did you keep or reinvest? At the end of the day, what’s the value of your farm? And, again, if your farm is anything like ours, a rather large percentage of the dollars that came in went right back out – to your feed mill, your employees, your mechanic, your veterinarian, your lender Dairy Good Life and all of the others you do business with. This passing of money has a huge impact on our economy – especially our local economy, because most of us do our business close to home. According to calculations by the University of Minnesota Extension, a 200-cow dairy in Minnesota generates $1.6 million in economic activity each year. Remember, farming is one of the only businesses that creates new wealth. All other businesses are merely recycling those dollars. This economic impact was part of the discussion at a recent workshop I attended. The UniBy Sadie Frericks versity of Minnesota Extension held a series of Columnist Ag Horizons workshops in a half-dozen counties around the state. Farmers from all types of farms were invited to engage along with folks who work in lending, regulation and other ag businesses. I participated in the workshop in Stearns County. The economic impact numbers didn’t surprise me much. I’ve been sharing those numbers with anyone who will listen for several years now. What I did take home with me was the discussion our workshop group had about the non-monetary impact of livestock farms. Basically, the true value of dairy farms goes way beyond dollars. Our small towns need dairy farms, but so do our soils and our society. Animal agriculture benets our soils is multiple ways. The rst and most obvious – because we’re all trying to spread it right now – is manure. Manure helps us meet our crop nutrient needs without synthetic fertilizer. And adding manure to soil increases soil organic matter, which reduces soil density and compaction and increases soil aggregate stability, water inltration and water retention. Livestock farms help the soil because of their increased use of perennial crops – grass hay, alfalfa and pasture. Research data on perennial crop benets is somewhat lacking, but trials that incorporated perennial prairie strips into row cropping show perennial plants reduce soil erosion by 95% and reduce nutrient loss by 85%. It’s reasonable to assume that alfalfa, grasses and pasture do the same. We don’t always need science to prove what we have known for generations. Perennial forages are good for our land. Our society also needs livestock. An adage farmers like to toss around is, “Our most important crop is our kids.” There’s no better place to learn the importance of hard work, responsibility, and entrepreneurship than on a livestock farm. And wherever our farm kids’ futures take them, their contributions to their work will make the world better. The work ethic and skills they develop on our farms can’t be taught in schools. Livestock kids also learn the importance of community. They connect with each other through 4-H, FFA and breed associations. Those connections around cattle and livestock help create a culture of interdependence that continues throughout life. I’m preaching to the choir, writing this column for dairy farmers. What I, and you, and all other dairy farmers, really need to do is take this story to our fellow small business owners in town, to our elected leaders, and to our regulatory agencies. We need to share it with our kids. Do you talk with your kids about the economic, environmental and social importance of the work you do on your farm? And, we need to take it to heart. Livestock farmers play a critical role in weaving the fabric of rural communities. Our small towns will disappear without us. The work you and I do is essential. The true value of your farm is immeasurable. I recently heard a communications director speak about the importance of repetition when it comes to messaging. “Repeat, repeat, repeat,” she said. Each time we share the story of the value of animal agriculture, we’re planting a seed. You never know which of those seeds will sprout into understanding and belief. So, keep repeating to all who need to hear it: We need livestock farmers. Sadie and her husband, Glen, milk 100 cows near Melrose, Minnesota. They have three children – Dan, 15, Monika, 12, and Daphne, 9. Sadie also writes a blog at www.dairygoodlife.com. She can be reached at sadiefrericks@gmail.com.
Adjustable 13’ - 19’ Standard Adjustable 18’ - 24’ also available
Call for a FREE Catalog
Watertown, SD
1-800-658-3998
www.koehnmarketing.com
2012 GEA EL-48-6D-6100 $46,000
2018 Bazooka Farmstar T242448CT-HD - $125,000
Balzer 6350 Magnum $36,000
2010 Patz 420 $29,500
2011 Bazooka Farmstar 700 $16,500
Patz 500 Vertical TMR Mixer $21,000
Lots of Used Mixers • Variety of Manure Pumps and Tanks Used Manure Spreaders • All on Hand! 1660 Jordan West Rd., Decorah, IA
563-382-4484
VERTICAL TMRS LLC
www.brynsaas.com
EVERYTHING
SILO
The Best Service Crews, The Best Replacement Parts, The Best Service...
DRIVE-THRU ELECTRIC GATE SPRING LOADED GATE
Dairy Star • Saturday, March 26, 2022 • Page 39
That’s The Osakis Silo Advantage To You!!! It Makes “Cents” To Advertise In The Dairy Star Call 320-352-6303 to place your ad or mail to: Dairy Star, 522 Sinclair Lewis Ave., Sauk Centre, MN 56378.
320-808-3936 Call n A ytime
300 E Main St. Osakis, MN 320-859-5340
24 Hours 7 Days A Week
Visit us online at www.osakissilo.com
Page 40 • Dairy Star • Saturday, March 26, 2022
te s
NEW!
Ga
PS Parlors
GEA Magnum L
xin Indiv al Inde idu
g
on • Fast installati profile exit with a low d pi ra t lif l ca ti • Ver stall design stall s and adjustable ze si l al st e bl ta • Adjus centers dexing • Individual in choice of ates with your • Easily integr l milking contro uble configured as do be n ca ls al St • rough 80 (or single) 6 th over time and less service ce an en nt ai m • Low and of parlor it any current br of tr re to e bl A • pricing • Competitive
e nc Sup e erior Sequ
Everything you want in a parlor
r a quote!
ealer fo Ask your GEA d
The new GEA Magnum LPS low profile vertical lift parlor stalls are designed for quick installation and fast facility upgrades.
Your Local GEA Milking Equipment Dealers Advanced Dairy Solutions
Leedstone, Inc.
Monroe WestfaliaSurge
Central Ag Supply Inc Juneau, WI • 920-386-2611 Baraboo, WI • 608-356-8384
Preston Dairy Equipment Sparta, WI • 608-269-3830
Weston, WI • 715-298-6256
Centre Dairy Equipment Leedstone, Inc.Melrose, MN Sioux Dairy Equipment, Inc. J Gile Dairy Equipment Richland Center, WI Monroe, WI • 608-325-2772 and608-647-4488 Supply Inc. • 800-772-4770 Melrose, MN 320-256-3303 • 800-99a6-3303 Rock Valley, IA Cuba City, WI • (608) 744-2661 Sioux Dairy Equipment, Inc. Sauk Centre, MN 320-256-3303 •Glencoe, 800-996-3303 712-476-5608 • 800-962-4346 MN Centre Dairy• Equipment and SupplyGlencoe, Inc. Rock Valley, IA 320-352-5762 800-342-2697 MN 320-864-5575 • 877-864-5575 Colton, SD Service 800-944-1217 Kozlovsky Dairy Equipment Sauk Centre, MN • 800-962-4346 320-864-5575 • 877-864-5575 Edgerton, MN Chemical Sales712-476-5608 Kaukauna, WI •920-759-9223 Midwest Livestock Systems, Inc. 320-352-5762 • 800-342-2697 Colton, SD • Service 800-944-1217 Fuller’s Milker Center, LLC Plainview, MN • 800-548-5240 507-920-8626 Weston, WI • 715-298-6256 Menomonie, WI • 715-235-5144 Edgerton, MN: Chemical Sales EasternWI Iowa Dairy Systems Lancaster, • 800-887-4634 Menomonie, WI Owen, • 715.231.8090 WI • 715-229-4740 507-920-8626 Epworth, IA • 563-876-3087 Richland Center, WI • 608-647-4488 Central Ag Supply Inc. Stanley Schmitz, Inc. Pine Island, MN • 800-233-8937 Monroe WestfaliaSurge Juneau, WI • 920-386-2611 Sioux Falls, MN • 800-705-1447 Stanley Chilton, Schmitz,WI Inc• 920-849-4209 Fuller’s Milker Center, Inc. Midwest Livestock Systems, LLC Monroe, WI • 608-325-2772 Baraboo, WI • 608-356-8384 Beatrice, NE • 800-742-5748 Chilton, WI • 920-849-4209 Lancaster, WI • 800-887-4634 Zumbrota, MN • 800-233-8937 Tri-County Dairy Supply Tri-County Dairy Supply Kozlovsky Dairy Equipment Menomonie, WIEquipment • 715-235-5144 Preston Dairy Equipment Eastern Iowa Dairy Systems Janesville, WI • (608) 757-2697 J Gile Dairy Janesville, WI • 608-757-2697 Cuba SD City, WI • 608-744-2661 Renner, • 800-705-1447 Sparta, WI • (608) 269-3830 Epworth, IA • (563) 876-3087Kaukauna, WI • 920-759-9223