May 8, 2021 Dairy Star - 1st section - 2 star by Dairy Star

Seniors! CELEBRATING OUR

Pages 8 - 9 of the Second Section!

DAIRY ST R

Volume 23, No. 6

Dairy groups unveil Class III Plus proposal Plan would create pricing reform for FMMO By Jennifer coyne

krista.k@dairystar.com

Four Midwest dairy farmer organizations are proposing a change to the Federal Milk Marketing Order pricing formula. In a press conference April 27, the Dairy Business Association, Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative, Minnesota Milk Producers Association and Nebraska State Dairy Association unveiled the Class III Plus – a reform proposal for FMMO, specically targeting uid milk pricing. “We’re tying the ultimate price of Class I to what the price of Class III is, with Class III becoming the primary mover of Class I,” said John Holevoet, director of government affairs at DBA. “Both class prices will still exist but in a linear relationship that is more predictable and stable.” The proposal would revise how Class I is calculated in the FMMO formula. In short, the Class I skim milk price would be calculated as the Class III skim milk price plus the Class I skim milk price adjuster. Using the average of the monthly differences between the higher of Class III and Class IV skim milk prices plus the Class III skim milk price during the prior 36 months of August through July will result in the adjuster. It is intended for the United States Department of Agriculture to publish a revised adjuster each September for the upcoming year. To facilitate a quick move toward revenue-neutrality after the pandemic, the Class I skim milk price adjuster will not be lower than $0.36 per hundredweight for 2021-25. The proposal would also replace advanced pricing with announced prices. This shift may reduce the likelihood of depooling and negative producer price differentials. “The pandemic brought to light what could happen with milk prices. It discovered areas that needed improvement,” said Wisconsin dairy farmer and DBA President Amy Penterman. “Hopefully this will level Turn to PRICING | Page 5

“All dairy, all the time”™

May 8, 2021

Nothing stands in his way

Faust farms with spina bida, two prosthetic legs By Stacey Smart

stacey.s@dairystar.com

CHILTON, Wis. – Dairy farmer Adam Faust has never lived a life without challenges. Born with spina bida, Faust wore braces on his feet as a child and has issues with walking and balance. To complicate matters, he also has two prosthetic legs after losing both limbs from the knee down within seven years. Because of the spina bida, Faust has limited feeling in his legs, which makes walking on prosthetics even more challenging. Despite the burdens piled on Faust over time, including two near-death experiences, he never lost his drive to farm. Faust milks 70 registered Holsteins and farms 200 acres near Chilton. He is a second-generation farmer, who purchased Faust Farms from his parents in 2016. The year prior, he and his father gutted the tiestall barn and put in longer and wider stalls, manger tile and a DeLaval carrier rail to make milking easier for Faust. “You never carry a unit with this system,” Faust said. “You don’t have to physically pick anything up. You slide the unit in and all around the barn on the track. It saves on shoulders as well as knees. Carrying heavy units across a gutter is very hard on knees. To me, this is the only way to milk, short of robots.”

STACEY SMART/DAIRY STAR

Adam Faust milks 70 cows and farms 200 acres near Chilton, Wisconsin. Faust was born with spina bida which causes weakness in his legs and problems with walking and balance. He also has two prostheƟc legs aŌer losing both limbs from the knee down. The track begins in the milkhouse and runs around the barn, extending into every stall. Faust’s system includes eight milking units featuring Wi-Fi capabilities to record milk weights and other information. Faust also installed rubber ooring throughout the tiestall

barn, restructured and strengthened the building, put in an air intake system and added 72-inch fans to pull a 12 mph wind. “I’m prone to falling, so the rubber oor is nice,” Faust said. “It’s far superior to concrete.” Faust received a grant from AgrAbility for the carrier rail. DeLaval has an agreement with AgrAbility, offering a discount to farmers who wish to install the technology. Faust has been a member of AgrAbility since 2010 – an organization whose purpose is to assist farmers who have disabilities so they can keep farming. AgrAbility is a national program, and each state has its STACEY SMART/DAIRY STAR own version feaManger Ɵle was added to the Ɵestall barn when it was remodeled in 2015 at Faust Farms near Chilton, Wisconsin. To make feeding easier and safer for Faust, he uses a custom feed cart featuring a Turn to FAUST | plaƞorm for riding which he got from AgrAbility in 2011. Page 6

Page 2 • Dairy Star • Saturday, May 8, 2021

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 Dairy Star LLC General Manager/Editor Mark Klaphake - mark.k@dairystar.com 320-352-6303 (ofce) 320-248-3196 (cell) 320-352-0062 (home) Ad Composition Nancy Powell 320-352-6303 nancy.p@dairystar.com Consultant Jerry Jennissen 320-346-2292 Editorial Staff Krista Kuzma - Editor/Wisconsin (507) 259-8159 • krista.k@dairystar.com Andrea Borgerding - Associate Editor (320) 352-6303 • andrea.b@dairystar.com Jennifer Coyne - Assistant Editor (320) 352-6303 • jenn@dairystar.com Danielle Nauman (608) 487-1101 danielle.n@dairystar.com Stacey Smart - Staff Writer (262) 442-6666 • stacey.s@dairystar.com Maria Bichler - Copy Editor 320-352-6303 Advertising Sales Main Ofce: 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 (ofce) 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 Hoeer (Eastern Iowa) 320-250-2884 • amanda.h@dairystar.com Julie Barnes (SE WI and Northern IL) julie.b@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 $35.00, outside the U.S. $110.00. 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 LLC.

The Dairy Star is published semi-monthly by Dairy Star, LLC, 522 Sinclair Lewis Ave., Sauk Centre, MN 56378-1246. Periodicals Postage Paid at Sauk Centre, MN and additional mailing ofces. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Dairy Star, 522 Sinclair Lewis Ave., Sauk Centre, MN 56378-1246.

A glance at what’s inside

Celebrate your senior

Pomp and circumstance will soon be playing as students don their cap and gown. Yes, it is graduation season once again. To honor high school seniors who live or work on dairy farms, we will feature them in Celebrating Seniors on pages 8-9 in second section starting this issue and going through June. Dairy Star started the feature last year when COVID-19 caused shut downs of schools, events and most of the world’s normalcy. Students missed gatherings for milestones and took to coming together in online platforms rather than in person. To recognize these students especially with unprecedented circumstances, Dairy Star dedicated a few pages of the paper to these graduating individuals. These students provide necessary labor for dairy farms while gaining valuable life skills in the process. Please take a moment to read about these seniors, who help keep our area dairy farms running. Congratulations to the graduating class of 2021! If you know of a graduating senior who lives or works on a dairy farm in our coverage area, please send their name and phone number or email to Krista at krista.k@ dairystar.com. We will continue to feature these students through our June issues.

GF 1012 SERIES

28’6” - 35’5” working widths

Rotary Tedders •

Mounted and Trailed

)$67 81,)250 &523 '5<,1* $1' ',675,%87,21 KuhnNorthAmerica com KuhnNorthAmerica.com

6PDOO 'LDPHWHU 5RWDUV HIğFLHQW +HDGODQG /LIW &RQWURO TXLFNO\ OLIW DOO URWRUV XS ZKHQ WXUQLQJ RQ KHDGODQGV ĠXIğQJ DFWLRQ DW DOO VSHHGV

6LPSOH WR 2SHUDWH K\GUDXOLF IROGLQJ DQG HDV\ DGMXVWPHQWV

([FOXVLYH 'LJL'ULYH ® &RXSOHUV ORZ PDLQWHQDQFH PHFKDQLVPV IRU ORQJ OLIH

Farmers’ Implement Allenton

Komro Sales & Service Durand

Lindstrom Equipment Mondovi

Gibbsville Implement Waldo

D & D Farm Supply Arcadia

Eron Equipment Junction City

East Side Farm Equipment Monroe

Carl F. Statz & Sons Waunakee

Cherokee Garage Colby

Luxemburg Motor Co. Luxemburg

Frontier Ag & Turf New Richmond

A.C. McCartney Durand, IL

Beaver Machine Coleman

Riesterer & Schnell Marion

Steinhart Farm Service Platteville

Peabudy's North Pecatonica, IL

Kalscheur Implement Cross Plains

Lulich Implement Mason

Gruett’s Inc. Potter

Visit your local Wisconsin KUHN Hay and Forage Dealer today! INVEST IN QUALITY www.kuhn.com

Dairy Star • Saturday, May 8, 2021 • Page 3

It’s all inside... Columnists

Kaukauna

First Section: Page 36

First Section: Pages 12 - 13

First Section: Page 39

Buffalo

Come Full Circle

Page 33 First Section

Bangor

Petersons participate in Adopt-a-Cow program

The “Mielke” Market Weekly

Second Section: Pages 20-21

Vernon

O Waushara

Green Lake Fond Du Lac

Second Section: Pages 6 - 7

Zone 2

Carroll

First Section: Pages 15 - 16

Whiteside

eba

n Win

Racine Kenosha

Chilton

Faust farms with spina bida, two prosthetic legs First Section: Pages 1, 6-7

McHenry

Ogle

Kane

Lee

Madison Rock Island Mercer

Hen ders

For additional stories from our other zone, log on to www.dairystar.com

Walworth

DeKalb

FROM OUR SIDE OF THE FENCE: What was the most challenging part of this past year as a mom and farmer?

ens

h tep

Rock

Jo Daviess

Rossards establish Laughing Goat Dairy

Jefferson Waukesha

Dane

Lafayette Green

Cuba City

Do or

o ag Calumet

nn Wi

Columbia Dodge

Sauk

Iowa

Grant

Page 26 Second Section

Zone 1

ie am Brown

for

Richland

Country Cooking

Oconto

g uta

Adams Juneau

Shawano

Wood

Monroe La Crosse

Pages 10 - 11 Second Section

Menominee

Portage Waupaca Jackson

Langlade

Marathon

Clark

Eau Claire

aun ee

First Section: Pages 25 - 26

Pepin

Ke w

Pierce

Lincoln

Forest

Menominee

ton S he bo Milwaukee Ozauk M yg ee an anito wo c

Stark purchases family farm

Wa sh

Wisconsin Dells

Dunn

Oneida

Taylor

Chippewa

ren

ett e

Page 32 First Section

St. Croix

Price

Delta

Dickinson

Vilas

Rusk

Barron

Page 31 First Section

Iron

ing

ur Polk

Dairy Prole: Mike Van Rossum

Flo

Sawyer

Trempealeau

Veterinary Wisdom

Burnett

Second Section: Pages 4 - 5

Ashland

Second generation poised to take over at Erickson Dairy Farm

Page 30 First Section

From the Zweber Farm

Steffens Dairy a treasure to mom, sons

Bayeld

Douglas

Bear Creek

Wa s

Ramblings from the Ridge

Seymour

Women in Dairy: Heather Noskowiak

Farmer and Columnist Page 27 First Section

Bryant

Pages 8-9 First Section

Ma r

Ag Insider

GoodSport puts milk on the sports drink map

First Section: Pages 22 - 23

re War

COMPLETE MANURE EXPERTS Hull, IA Watertown, SD

(712) 439-2081 (605) 753-0300

www.automatedwastesystems.com

Page 4 • Dairy Star • Saturday, May 8, 2021

“Big decrease in freestall injuries” Unverferth 6500

CIH 5300

WE ARE YOUR DEALER FOR:

Sitrex Side Rakes

Ross Leix

Montfort ,WI Installed Fall 2020

FWA, cab, 4100 hrs. $32,000

Mandako Land Rollers

HAYING & FORAGE EQUIP.

USED TRACTORS

CIH 8940 Magnum, FWA..................Coming In CIH 8920 Magnum, FWA, 3,900 hrs ... $75,000 IH 1586, 5165 hrs. ............................. $20,000 IH 3088 .............................................. $19,000 IH 986 ................................................ $20,000

“We replaced our old worn-out steel freestall loops with the Torrena stalls and noticed a big decrease in freestall injuries. The Torrena stalls were also easy to install. We really like them and plan to add more in our barn!”

JD 2955

grain drill w/grass $11,000

$15,000

(2) H&S XL 16’ silage boxes ...........$2,600 ea. Sitrex QR12, QR10, QRS rakes ................ New Many sizes of rakes available All Sizes of Sitrex Rakes .....................On Hand

GRAVITY BOXES

TILLAGE

Brent Grain cart.................................... $9,500 J&M 385 gravity box............................ $6,500 Demco 365 .......................................... $6,500 Many Used Gravity Boxes - Demco, J&M, Brent

CIH RMX 370, 27’ disc....................... $28,000 CIH RMX340, 27’ ............................... $25,000 CIH Tigermate 200, 32’ ...................... $27,000 CIH 4800 26’ ﬁeld cultivator................. $7,500 CIH 7500, 4-bottom plow..................... $5,000 CIH 527B ripper ................................. $13,000 DMI 530 Ecolo-Tiger .......................... $12,000 DMI Tigermate, 26’ .............................. $9,500 JD 714, 9-shank disc chisel ................. $9,500 Glencoe 4450 13-shank, disc chisel ... $10,500

MISCELLANEOUS

NH 680 manure spreader ..................... $5,500 NH 185 spreader ................................ $11,500 Hagedorn 275 spreader ..................... $14,000 CIH 5300 grain drill w/grass .............. $10,900 Midsota 5510 & F610 rock trailers .... In Stock Midsota F8216 rock trailer ........................ Call New Red Devil & Agro Trend Snowblowers

GREENWALD FARM CENTER Greenwald, MN • 320-987-3177

WWW.GREENWALDFARMCENTER.COM

S. S.

Effective for Alternative Bedding!

Dual Germicide-Barrier Teat Dip That checks ALL the boxes (Fast & Long Lasting Kill)

Primary Germicide / Chlorine Dioxide - Fast Kill (6 Log / 15 Seconds)

Secondary Germicide / Heptanoic Acid - Kills for hours

Great Color Marking — Very Low Drip Rates

DIP more Cows/gal. HIGHER ROI

Advanced Dairy Solutions

Bob’s Dairy Supply

540 E. County Rd. A • Dorchester, WI 54425 278 W. Court St. • Richland Center, WI 53581 (715) 654-5252 (608) 647-4488

Athman Dairy Inc.

238 Main Street North • Pierz, MN 56364 (320) 468-2494

Pure 3000 Chlorine Dioxide Technology

A HIGHLY EFFECTIVE WATER INJECTION SYSTEM W

BENEFITS

Reduces equipment wear & $ • replacement costs. • Reduces water, energy and

chemical use.

• Decreases cleaning time.

Compare and Save!

East Central Dairy Supply 2195 Hwy. 23 • Mora, MN 55051 (320) 679-1029

Professional Dairy Systems Eastern Iowa Dairy Systems Anderson Dairy Systems, Inc. 1449 Homecrest Ave. • Wadena, MN 56482 105 3rd Ave. NW • Epworth, IA 52045 1312 13 1/2 Ave. • Barron, WI 54812 (715) 537-3300

CLEAN IT UP WITH

LET OUR TEAM DO A COMPLETE WASH ANALYSIS

Removes

IRON, MANGANESE and SULFUR in water!

REDUCES:

• Respiratory • Crypto Issues • Salmonella • Scours • E-coli

HIGHLY EFFECTIVE AGAINST: • Prototheca • Staph Aureus • Mycoplasma • Pseudomonas

FOR MORE INFO - CONTACT ONE OF THESE DEALERS...

Advanced Dairy Systems

9 State Rd. 29 • Spring Valley, WI 54767 (715) 772-3201

High Performance Single-Cycle CIP Acid Detergent

• Increases production capability.

Excellent Skin Conditioners rs Less Tacky (No Sticky Build-Up Left Behind) & Quick Dry Time

ONE SHOT

Dirty Water?

(218) 632-5416

D&D Ag Supply

133 Atlantic Ave. NE • Pennock, MN 56279 (320) 599-4466

(563) 876-3087

Fuller’s Milker Center, Inc. 423 U.S. 61 • Lancaster, WI 53813 (608) 723-4634

Gorter’s Clay & Dairy Equipment 1400- 7th St. SE • Pipestone, MN 56164 (507) 825-3271

Tri-County Dairy Supply, Inc.

4107 N US HWY 51 • Janesville. WI 53545 608-757-2697

Precision Dairy Equipment 24548 IA-13 • Elkader, IA 52043 (563) 245-2560

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

222 E Co Rd 173, Melrose, MN 56352 (320) 256-3303 24260 Cty. Rd. 27 • Plainview, MN 55964 (507) 534-3161

Leedstone

1720 Freitag Dr. • Menomonie, WI 54751 (715) 231-8090

United Dairy Systems

210 N. Industrial Pkwy • West Union, IA 52175 (563) 422-5355

Dairy Star • Saturday, May 8, 2021 • Page 5

ConƟnued from PRICING | Page 1 out the playing eld to not experience that again. This would be a sensible change that will last for decades.” Class III Plus was announced ve days after National Milk Producers Federation requested an emergency hearing with the USDA regarding their own proposal to the order. NMPF’s proposal aims to reform the Class I uid milk price mover by adjusting the value every two years based on market conditions of the prior 24 months. The current mover of $0.74 per cwt would remain the oor. In a press release, NMPF stated the current Class I mover contributed to disorderly marketing conditions that cost dairy farmers more than $725

“This is not only a short-term x but goes into future generations. Ultimately, we need to eliminate volatility moving forward.” JOHN HOLEVOET, DBA

million in lost income. The proposed change – which had not yet been entirely unveiled at the time of this writing – is said to help recoup the lost revenue and ensure farmers and processors are protected from future signicant price disruptions. The Midwest dairy group representatives said their proposal offers longer-term solutions than the one presented by NMPF. “We should be making changes that leave us with a better system overall. Class III Plus does that,” said Kris Bousquet, executive director of NSDA. “We owe it to farmers, processors and customers to get it right.” With NMPF’s hearing request on the table, the four Midwest dairy groups are in a better position to present their proposal for reform. “We are a baseline position and want to look at this issue and others, regardless of timing on a hearing,”

Holevoet said. “Now because of NMPF’s proposal, we might be moving forward with a hearing sooner than we anticipated. Ultimately, the issues at the core of our proposal are important and need to be addressed whether that happens in the near or long term.” While the proposal was developed by dairy organizations in only two of the nation’s FMMOs, research and conversation have proven the plan would be effective in all orders. “Our proposal does a good job at eliminating negative PPDs and volatility in the milk price,” Bousquet said. “I’m proud of how this proposal does that and we’ll champion that moving forward.” Lucas Sjostrom agreed. “We believe our proposal does not create an advantage or disadvantage overall between classes,” said the executive director for MMPA. “Our goal is to nd something that works best for the nation’s federal milk marketing orders. We want something that’s good for processors, consumers and dairy farmers.” As the dairy groups wait for conrmation on the hearing, the proposal is being further discussed with dairy farmers across the nation, and organizations are opening up those lines of conversation with lawmakers. “This is the rst unveiling of Class III Plus,” Sjostrom said of the press conference. “But we’ve talked about the principal of this proposal from coast to coast.” Holevoet agreed. “Those conversations are ongoing, today and well into the future,” he said. “We’ll continue to monitor if and when an ofcial request is made to the USDA for a hearing. Then, we’ll decide if and when to engage. All that work lies ahead of us.” With the possibility of FMMO reform on the horizon, Penterman encourages all to understand the implications of the current system and what will create effective change. “We’re not going to get it perfect, but we’re going to poke holes and try to perfect it,” she said. “This is not only a short-term x but goes into future generations. Ultimately, we need to eliminate volatility moving forward.”

GET READY FOR SPRING!

Spring Tillage IN STOCK

Summers 2510 DT .................$21,500 Summers VRT Renegade.. $102,500

Spring Manure IN STOCK Artex SBX800 • Artex SB600 Artex SB200 • Fliegl ADS100 Hoosierland Hydra-Push 1300

Hay Equipment IN STOCK 3) McHale V6 750 3) McHale V660 McHale F5500

New Anderson New Hybrid X & RB200 New Anderson 800 HS individual wrapper for sq. & round Call Us At (715) 223-3361

Or visit us on-line at www.cloverdaleequip.com N13835 County Rd. E - Curtiss, WI 54422

MOTOR REPAIR

We Sell and Service Generators! Each WINCO PTO generator is designed using the highest quality components and the best workmanship available.

USED GENERATORS

Honda 4500W gas generator ................. $1,100 Niagra 15 KW w/powershaft ...................... $900

WE HAVE HANSON SILO REPLACEMENT PARTS AVAILABLE!

WE STOCK FRACTIONAL TO 10 HP SINGLE AND 3-PHASE MOTORS!

Marathon 10 HP ......................... $650 Baldor 7.5 HP ............................. $550 Century 7.5 ................................. $600

105 County Rd. 10 Albany, MN

320-845-4690

NEW, UPDATE, OR REMODEL?

BEFORE

• quick • dependable • nearly 40 years experience

AFTER

WE CAN DO THAT!

AFTER

Pleasant Dutch Dairy. Willow Lake, SD •

Remodeled a double 20 herringbone parlor to a Turner parallel double-32 with vertical lift. Added new Dematron DM 55s, 4” milk line, 2 receivers, Mueller plate cooler, Anderson Flow Meter, and three GEA XeTherms with a storage tank.

SIOUX FALLS, SD MENOMONIE, WI ZUMBROTA, MN 800-705-1447 715-235-5144 800-233-8937 Celebrating 50 years in business! www.midwestlivestock.com

Page 6 • Dairy Star • Saturday, May 8, 2021

ConƟnued from FAUST | 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 Don’t let your cows fall! Get your concrete scabbled and prevent an accident!

Smith’s of Wisconsin

Serving the Midwest over 30 yrs. REFERENCES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

1-800-525-9364

Scabbling makes grooves in your concrete 2” wide and 3/16” deep so your cows ALWAYS have traction.

Repair vs. Replace

Electronic Dairy Board Repair Service

Specializing in: WestfaliaSurge, BouMatic, & DeLaval pulsators & Takeoffs, circuit boards, Mueller milk tank circuit boards. Call: (c) 406-590-7764

www.circuitÀxer.wixsite.com/ boumaticboardrepair

Veterinarian Chutes

STACEY SMART/DAIRY STAR

Cows at Faust Farms are milked with units featuring Wi-Fi capabiliƟes to record milk weights and other informaƟon. The units work with a carrier rail and are aƩached to hooks that slide around the barn and into each stall to eliminate heavy liŌing. turing university and nonprot components working together. AgrAbility of Wisconsin is a partnership between the University of Wisconsin Extension and Easter Seals Wisconsin. “Easter Seals does a lot of the leg work,” Faust said. “Rural rehab counselors go out to farms and watch someone work to gure out their needs. After watching me work, they determined I needed a better way to get around so AgrAbility got me a utility vehicle in 2011. They also watched how I fed cows with a wheelbarrow and worked with a company to build a custom feed cart for me.” AgrAbility felt that a walk-behind cart was not safe, so they worked with a feed cart company to put a platform on the cart, allowing Faust to feed with the push of a button while riding. “I’ve had the feed cart since 2011, and it works excellent,” said Faust, who also has a custom-made automated bedding cart. In 2013, Faust faced his rst amputation. After being sick for a week with what he thought was the u, Faust discovered he had diabetes. The diagnosis came on the same day he lost his left leg. He was 33 years old. Faust had dropped a grate on his foot, causing a bone infection that was exasperated by off-the-chart blood sugar levels. “I was so sick I didn’t care if I

lived,” Faust said. “My pancreas decided to quit because my blood sugar went through the roof. I was in a coma for a couple days, and they weren’t sure if I was going to wake up. I was on massive antibiotics for several days.” Strong-willed and determined, Faust plowed through rehab in a week, which was two weeks quicker than doctors anticipated. Faust healed fast and got his prosthetic leg the following month. “I gured out how to walk, move around and get down steps,” said Faust, who does not believe in limitations. “A couple months later, I was milking cows.” But after his second amputation in 2020, Faust could do nothing on the farm for four months and was told he would never milk again in a tiestall barn. This forced Faust to hire help. Adam’s wife, Cassi, a medical lab technician, does all the milking on weekends. “Even milking with one prosthetic was tough, especially when crossing the gutter,” Faust said. “That’s why I’m looking at putting robots in.” Last April was a hard month for Faust. First, his machine shed started on re when a round baler went up in ames. Shortly thereafter, Faust conTurn to FAUST | Page 7

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.

• Manual & Hydraulic Vet Chutes

Starwood Rafters Uses

• Quad Gate Vet Chutes

Pole Sheds • Free Stalls Riding Arenas Pavilion Shelters Machinery Storage

• Beef Vet Chutes • Standard 4-Bar Chutes • Individual Head Gates • Cattle Sweeps Beef Vet Chutes • Customized Cattle Sweeps

Request

FREE EQUIPMENT GUIDES on our Entire Product Line!

Call 866-543-5116 sales@sturdybuiltmfg.net

260 S. Muddy Creek Rd. Denver, PA 17517

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.

• 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

STARWOOD RAFTERS, INC. 715-985-3117

W24141 Starwood Ln. • Independence, WI 54747 Website: www.starwoodrafters.com

888-525-5878

Dairy Star • Saturday, May 8, 2021 • Page 7

ConƟnued from FAUST | Page 6

tracted a rare esh-eating disease known as necrotizing fasciitis. When Faust reached the hospital, the infection was moving at an inch per hour. “The doctors told me that in 24 hours, I would’ve been dead,” Faust said. Faust banged his foot on a skidloader which gave the fasciitis an opportunity to attack. “I didn’t have to go through rehab after the second amputation, but I was on antibiotics for months,” Faust said. “It took four months to get my preliminary leg.” Currently using a cane to get around, Faust received his permanent prosthetic a couple weeks ago and is looking forward to becoming more mobile with the new leg. “One prosthetic was easy compared to two,” he said. Faust is gearing up for an expansion and has plans drawn up for a 125-stall robotic milking barn he hopes to be in by the end of this year. He started planning for robots before losing his second foot. “Robots have been the goal for a long time,” Faust said. “Plans and permits are in place, and we’ll start construction as soon as the bank gives me the green light. I’m going to start with two robots, but I’ll

STACEY SMART/DAIRY STAR

This carrier rail was installed in 2015 to make milking easier for Faust. The track begins in the milkhouse and runs around the barn, extending into every stall. Faust received a grant from AgrAbility to help with the purchase of the rail which eliminates the need to carry units. have space for three.” Faust plans to have 130 cows milking at startup. “With more cows, I’ll need more tons of feed per acre,” Faust said. “I plan to keep my acreage the same but just manage it differently. We’ve been completely no till since 1996 and also plant a lot of cover crops. We get really high yields. This is a forage-focused

farm. I don’t like feeding grain. Cows are healthier and make a lot of milk when consuming high-quality forages. We plant HarvXtra alfalfa and BMR corn silage – both of which give us super high ber digestibility levels. This year, I’m also going to add triticale to the mix.” Although he no longer milks, Faust is able to do ev-

erything else, including feeding, cleaning and eldwork. “You learn to adapt,” Faust said. “I learned to do things a little different over the years. If it doesn’t work to do it the way everyone else does it, I can usually gure out a new way.” Faust is creative, concocting inventions that allow him to do things people with two regular legs can do without

thinking. He made a step and connected it to a string, allowing him to get up and down the steps of his two biggest tractors. Faust has the will; therefore, he always nds a way to accomplish what he needs to. Active off the farm as well, Faust serves as president of Calumet County Dairy Promotions and vice chair of Packerland Milk. Faust is also on AgrAbility’s advisory council and does speaking events from Madison to Portland, Maine. Presenting on assistive technology available to farmers, Faust also shares his personal experiences with the audience. Faust would describe himself as headstrong – a characteristic that has helped him persevere through hardship. Blessed with a never-giveup attitude, Faust is a ghter. Where others might fold, Faust meets his challenges head on and refuses to let any disability prevent him from doing what he loves. Even two prosthetic legs will not stop him from farming. “I’ve always had challenges,” Faust said. “But I’ve never considered myself handicapped. I don’t let stuff stand in my way.”

Work smarter Not harder

Inline Round and Square Bale Wrapper

Hybrid X

Contact your local dealer for more information: Northland Farm Systems Owatonna, MN 507-451-3131

Woller Equipment Swanville, MN 320-573-2341

Olson’s Custom Farm Service Sebeka, MN • 218-837-5749

Cloverdale Equipment Curtiss, WI • 715-223-3361

Roeder Implement Dubuque, IA • 563-557-1184

Reiser Implement Waukon, IA • 563-568-4526

Schlauderaff Implement Litchfield, MN •20-693-7277 Beaver Machine Coleman, WI • 920-897-4035 Farmers Implement Store Mineral Point, WI 608-987-3331

Simpson’s Tractor, Inc Richland Center, WI 608-647-6343 Helmuth Repair Kalona, IA 319-656-2894

Page 8 • Dairy Star • Saturday, May 8, 2021

TEFAP to replace Farmers to Families Food Box Program The Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Nebraska State Dairy Association have put together Program will replace the United States Depart- the Class III Plus plan. This proposal ties the Class ment of Agriculture Farmers to Families Food Box I skim milk price to the Class III skim milk plus the Program. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said addition of a 36-cent adjuster. TEFAP will be more efcient, and there Ag Insider Labeling bill introduced were disparities in administrative costs A bill has been reintroduced in the with the old program. In response to the Senate to prevent plant-based products news, American Farm Bureau Federafrom being labeled as dairy foods. The tion President Zippy Duvall said he was Dairy Pride Act would force the Food surprised, because the need is there. and Drug Administration to enforce The USDA also said it will implement its existing standards. The National a Dairy Donation Program to facilitate Milk Producers Federation said imitathe donation of dairy products to nontion dairy products, like almond or oatprot organizations. based beverages, have led to consumer confusion. Lawmakers ask for the return of USDA’s food box program Environment will be a part of trade A group of 22 lawmakers is askBy Don Wick discussions ing Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack Columnist The Biden administration will use to reconsider his decision to cancel the trade policy to enhance environmental Farmers to Families Food Box Program. The program provided fresh produce, dairy protections worldwide. U.S. Trade Representative and meat products during the pandemic. This co- Katherine Tai spoke at the Center for American alition said it also supports American farmers and Progress, saying the U.S. must be a leader in the issues of climate change and energy efciency. The ranchers. U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement does not acknowledge climate change but does include the Federal orders emergency hearing sought The National Milk Producers Federation is most comprehensive environmental standards in seeking an emergency USDA hearing on federal any trade agreement. Tai pledged to strictly enforce milk marketing orders. The effort is designed to the standards within the USMCA. spread the risk fairly between dairy farmers and processors. The proposal would change the current WOTUS debate includes a promise from EPA uid milk pricing formula by adding 74 cents per administrator EPA Administrator Michael Regan promises hundredweight to the monthly average price for agriculture will be at the table when the Biden adClass III or Class IV milk. This rate would be reministration reviews the Waters of the U.S. rule. “I viewed every two years. pledge to engage with our agricultural community; I pledge to work with USDA and Secretary VilClass III Plus proposed Midwest dairy groups have delivered their own sack,” Regan said. “We are going to set up a strucproposal for Federal Milk Marketing Order reform. tured stakeholder engagement where we actually sit The Minnesota Milk Producers Association, Edge and listen to those who are impacted by regulations Dairy Cooperative, Dairy Business Association and and come to a conclusion on the best way to move

forward.” Regan made his comments during an appearance before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. PPP reduces demand for traditional loans The Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City is reporting a drop in the number of farm operating loans during the rst quarter. The total volume of non-real estate loans was down 10% from last year. The report said the Paycheck Protection Program likely displaced a portion of the typical demand for nancing. Discrimination lawsuit led against COVID-19 assistance package There are two separate discrimination lawsuits that have been led against USDA. Both lawsuits claim the agriculture department is discriminating against white farmers in its interpretation of a socially disadvantaged farmer. Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller led the rst case in a class-action lawsuit. The other case was led by ve farmers, including Adam Faust, who is a dairy farmer from Chilton, Wisconsin. USDA’s debt forgiveness plan is offering 120% in relief from direct and guaranteed loans for socially disadvantaged farmers. AG’s ofce settles manure spill cases Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul has reached a $242,000 settlement with K&D Manure Handling, its owner, Kevin Hintz, and Wild Rose Dairy. Wild Rose Dairy and K&D Manure Handling were accused of causing a manure spills in Vernon County in 2017 and 2019. There is another manure spill alleged in La Crosse County in 2019. A dramatic increase in earnings for Land O’Lakes A positive farm economy is reected in the Turn to AG INSIDER | Page 9

MARK YOUR CALENDAR! PRECISION DAIRY CONFERENCE BLOOMINGTON, MN JUNE 22-23

2021

got room in your tank? We Finance/Lease Dairy Cattle!

EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION UNTIL MAY 31ST Preregistration Required for both In-person & Virtual Attendance

Due to limited capacity, there will not be at the door registration this year. FOR MORE INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION VISIT OUR WEBSITE

PRECISIONDAIRY.UMN.EDU

• • • •

Increase your production and your proÛts Free up capital for other needs Avoid complicated bank loan processing Lease will be personalized to your operation

Sunshine Heifers

Your leader in dairy cattle Ànancing/leasing!

Contact: 602-768-6678

Dairy Star • Saturday, May 8, 2021 • Page 9

ConƟnued from AG INSIDER | Page 8

Land O’Lakes rst quarter nancial report. The Minnesota-based cooperative had net earnings of $136 million, up from $37 million in 2020. The agriculture division was boosted by rising grain prices and strong performance by WinField United. Dairy foods earnings were helped by strong retail sales. Land O’Lakes also enjoyed sales growth in its livestock feed business. State fair is a go The Wisconsin State Fair will be held in person this year with increased health and safety protocols. The Wisconsin State Fair Park Board made the announcement. The state fair will take place Aug. 5-15. WFBF adds Sonnentag, Viney to staff The Wisconsin Farm Bureau has selected Cassie Sonnentag as its new director of media relations and out-

reach. Marian Viney is the WFBF public relations coordinator. Sonnentag previously worked as a regional reporter for Dairy Star. Viney was an editor for Agri-View. Trivia challenge The average dairy cow produces 200,000 glasses of milk in her lifetime. That answers our last trivia question. For this week’s trivia, how many times does the average cow chew her cud per minute? 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.

Build a better milk check

“It is vastly superior for genomics compared to anything else we have seen.” What are some of the DHIA tests you use?

We do the standard tests; somatic cell count, butterfat and protein. In the past we’ve done Leukosis.

Why did you decide to use Dart and how long have you been using it on your dairy? We were on the program pretty early. I think it was when we started genomic testing, so about 2010. We switched because I was frustrated with the previous software’s inability to handle 840 ID numbers and embryo transfers in a reasonable manner. What do you like about the Dart Program? It is vastly superior for genomics compared to anything else we have seen. It is much better handling embryo transfer data; the ease of making reports and editing reports. But, the big one is genomics. We can download our genomic data through DRMS. We just click a button and we get all our updated genomics downloaded right in. If you do anything with genetics it is vastly superior. The ease is great and you don’t have to memorize your commands. We also like the money corrected milk. It’s nice for culling. Instead of looking at milk pounds you look at money corrected milk; the value of the milk she sold that day. Tell us about your farm. I farm here with my brothers David and LeRoy Nosbush. The farm was started by our parents in 1955. We crop around 1,400 acres and we milk our cows in a double-16 parallel.

KLC Farms Roasting, Inc.

Preferred By Bovines Everywhere

1-877-738-2326

his brothers Leroy (left) and David.

Nosbush Dairy LLP 900 cows • Fairfax, Minnesota 45 plus years testing with DHIA

307 Brighton Avenue South Buffalo, MN 55313 763.682.1091 www.mndhia.org

DHIA: Now MORE than ever

Building Protein and Butterfat is Our Specialty Make KLC Farms Roasted Soybeans the cornerstone of your components.

Brad Nosbush (middle) pictured with

The TORENNA Advantage ®

- Cow Comfort Without the Hang Ups!

Visit www.roastedbeans.com

Quality

Consistency

More Capacity • More Strength • More Productivity

RT • RTX SERIES FORAGE BOXES Front Unload • Front & Rear Unload

BeneÞts:

Meyer offers the widest range of forage boxes in the industry including front discharge, rear discharge or front & rear. Meyer forage boxes are designed for wagon, trailer chassis or truck mount applications to meet the needs of your operation. Fast – Stable – Safe unloading of your product!

Franzen Sales & Service 2724 State Highway 24 • Fort Atkinson, IA

(563) 534-2724

www.franzensales.com

• Provides maximum comfort and safety • Encourages increased resting periods • Possible higher milk production per cow • Flexibility to easily rise and settle • Reduced kicking - less bedding is kicked out of the stall • Prevents painful cow injuries

Floating Neck Rail Bracket

Page 10 • Dairy Star • Saturday, May 8, 2021

WHO WILL YOU FIND IN OUR

Business Directory?

Puzzle pieces t together for Thompson expansion

LOG ON TO: www.dairystar.com TO BE INCLUDED IN THE DAIRY STAR BUSINESS DIRECTORY CALL 320-352-6303

LOOKING TO SELL YOUR PROPERTY?

I CAN HELP! CALL TODAY!

Sam Schrauth

Cell: 920.948.5015 Office: 920.923.4433

sam@adashunjones.com

Here Today. Gone Tomorrow. Give Classifieds a try.

55” Panel Fans

NEW High Pressure Fog Ring Now Available

• The highest air Àow in a circulation fan - 33,900 CFM. • Cast aluminum blades have a lifetime warranty. • Totally enclosed maintenance free, high ef¿ciency motors have a full two year warranty. Model VP CA:

Belt Drive, 1 HP, 115/230 volt, 9.6/4.8 amps single phase one speed 587 rpm

133 Atlantic Ave. NE • Pennock, MN

320-599-4466

KRISTA KUZMA/DAIRY STAR

Mitch (le�) and Cliﬀ Thompson stand in the freestall barn at the farm they recently bought to expand their dairy, Thompson Family Dairy, near Lewiston, Minnesota. The Thompsons now milk 800 cows on two farm sites.

One farm family leaving Winona County meant opportunity for another By Krista Kuzma

krista.k@dairystar.com

LEWISTON, Minn. – More pieces of the Thompson Family Farm puzzle have t in place. “I’m very optimistic for the future,” Cliff Thompson said. “It’s really awesome to see and know that Thompson Family Dairy is not dying. People say in dairying you’re either growing or dying. We’re growing. This piece of the puzzle fell in place.” The Thompsons – Cliff and his wife, Cindy, along with their son and daughter-in-law, Mitch and Hilary – bought a neighboring dairy farm April 8, expanding their dairy to milking 800 cows on two farm sites near Lewiston; however, the acquisition came at the loss of neighboring dairy farmers and friends, Parker and Katherine Byington, moving out of state. “They were the best neighbors you could ask for,” Mitch said. “It’s a double-edged sword because I really hate to see great neighbors leave, but it’s a good opportunity for us.” Likewise, the Byingtons enjoyed having the Thompsons as their neighbors before they moved West with over 200 of their cows to pursue buying a larger dairy farm closer to family. “We have enjoyed doing business with the Thompsons from the moment we arrived to Lewiston,” said Parker Byington about his family who moved to the area from Washington in 2015. “They were extremely good to us not only in a business way but in a neighbor way. They took care of us.” Expansion has been on the Thompsons’ minds since Mitch started his dairy farming career on the family farm after graduating from high school in 2004. Their original dairy site sits in a valley without much room to add on to buildings or build new ones. “We’ve always talked about having more cows,” Mitch said. “But we had to gure out how do we get more and how can we feasibly afford to do it with needing to build a different facility somewhere else to house more cows and more land to do it.” So, when the Byingtons approached the Thompsons in December 2020 about buying their dairy, it made the pieces of the Thompsons’ dairy expansion puzzle fall into place. “At rst we asked if we could do it or should we do it,” Mitch said But it did not take long for the family to be on board. “It was almost like how do you not do it,” Cliff said. “You wouldn’t want to drive by the rest of your life and say we should have bought it.” Mitch agreed.

“When this opportunity came up, it answered our land question, our permitting question, our cow question. Everything was answered in purchasing this,” he said. “We could expand with a signature and just take over.” The friends and neighbors worked together from December until April 8 to make the transition seamless. The location of the Thompsons’ new dairy made it a great addition to their farm. “You can see my house from the end of the freestall barn,” Mitch said. “And I drove by it every day (before we bought it) to get to our other dairy.” The farm sits in between the family’s two other farm sites. One is where they raise heifers where Mitch and Hilary live. The other, where Cliff and Cindy live, is home to their original milking site with a freestall barn and double-8 parallel parlor for milking cows. Cows will be freshened and bred at the new dairy and then will move to the original Thompson dairy site once conrmed pregnant and through most of the dry period. Before the Thompsons bought the dairy, they were already managing the land through their custom business, Thompson Family Harvesting, which they created as another revenue source after Mitch joined the farm. “Now everything we run is basically one big block,” Mitch said. The close proximity of the two dairies is partly what would have made expansion difcult if the Byingtons had stayed. They, too, had thoughts of expansion. “If we would have expanded, it would have put tight pressure in that area for feed and land,” Byington said “Instead of two families trying to eek it out, I think one family will do very well and be successful with the resources in the area.” Plus, the Byingtons knew the Thompsons would likely continue dairying into future generations. “The likelihood that one of my kids is going to want to farm is pretty high,” Mitch said about his three children, Dylan, 10, Sophia, 8, and Cullen, 5. Plus, there are many nieces and nephews who spend a lot of time at the Thompsons’ dairy and may be interested as well. “Given we weren’t from the area and had other goals, it made sense to bow out and surrender the land and rent in order for one farm to successfully continue,” Byington said. Perhaps one of the biggest underlying reasons both the Thompsons and Byingtons were holding out on expanding was the 1,500-animal unit cap in Winona County, which has been a topic of heated debate in the area for many years. “Winona County should take a harder look at what the animal unit cap really means,” Byington said. “The county is part of a national and global dairy market that depends on competition or producing milk at a low cost Turn to THOMPSON | Page 11

Dairy Star • Saturday, May 8, 2021 • Page 11

ConƟnued from THOMPSON | Page 10 in order to produce it, and by not allowing the larger farms to grow does not mean that you’re supporting or fostering the survival of the smaller farms.” While the Byingtons said they received a lot of attention for leaving, they also felt like they had the opportunity to choose another place to continue their dairying dream because they did not have several generations tied to the land. “The people who are most negatively affected in that (animal unit cap) rule is not us,” Byington said. “It is the multigeneration dairy farms in Winona County that know that land for several generations, would like to continue it and are not able to. Those families are not going to choose to move their farms to another state or county. They will simply sell the cows and be done. That is a loss for those families, tradition, the heritage of dairying, and it’s an even greater loss for Winona County.” Byington said his family would have looked more closely at a future in Winona County if they would have been able to add more cows to their dairy, which has reached the animal unit cap. “The silent stories are the dairies that have had to sell out or deny family members from returning to the farm because they’re not able to expand,” Byington said. “Many 300-, 400-cow dairies sold since we’ve been here. It’s an issue Winona County should own. It’s the No. 2 dairy county in the state, and they’re not acting like it or giving the dairies in the county the positive attention they should get.” While the Byingtons did not get to continue their farming future in the county, the Thompsons are happy to take the opportunity to buy another dairy for the future of their farm. “It means a lot to be able to expand,” Cliff said. “I get kind of emotional. This is my legacy.”

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Cover crop rebate would pay dividends LASA shows environmental changes for Wisconsin’s water quality As a dairy farmer in Lafayette County, I take our soil A focus on environmental stewardship is ubiquitous in 2021. Governments, companies and farmers alike are seeking ways to address the changing climate. With so many buzzwords and new, sophisticated ideas being oated, it’s important to remember that often the answers are right in front of us. Cover cropping — an oldie but a goodie — is a well-known way to build healthy soil, keep it from eroding and sequester carbon. Farmers can begin cover cropping relatively easily and it immediately pays dividends for the soil and environment. But even with current U.S. Department of Agriculture programs that incentivize the practice, cover crops are still only planted on about 6% of acres. We can do better. Wisconsin’s neighboring states of Iowa and Illinois have started reimbursing farmers’ crop insurance premiums by $5 for every acre planted in cover crops. This crop insurance rebate program has been popular in both states. It’s time Wisconsin followed suit. Recognizing the potential of such a program, a coalition of agricultural and environmental groups have endorsed the idea. The groups, which include Clean Water, the Dairy Business Association, The Nature Conservancy in Wisconsin and WI Land+Water, recently presented a detailed list of water quality initiatives they would like to see the state implement. They recommend that the state invest $500,000 per year in a crop insurance rebate program. The timing of the request is no coincidence. Right now, the Wisconsin state budget is being drawn up. With water quality and environmental stewardship at the top of the list of concerns for Wisconsinites, an investment in a proven practice that replicates programs that are working in neighboring states should be a no-brainer. Incentives work, and this would be a small price to pay for huge environmental benets. Amy Penterman, dairy farmer near Thorp, Wisconsin, and president of the Dairy Business Association

health and water quality seriously. I am honored to be the president of the Lafayette Ag Stewardship Alliance, a farmerled watershed conservation group that started in 2017. Our nonprot group has grown to 27 livestock and crop farmers who represent 47,000 acres and 23,000 dairy animals, beef cattle and pigs. As we all celebrate Earth Day, I nd it rewarding to lead a group of well-rounded and diverse members who are thinking beyond just their own bottom line. They are taking innovative action to protect the environment for their neighbors while also learning how to do so in a way that is nancially sustainable. We owe much of our success to organizations and agencies that assist us in our mission, including the Department of Natural Resources and UW-Madison Discovery Farms at the state level and the Natural Resources Conservation Service on the federal level. Of particular importance is the opportunity to partner with The Nature Conservancy, a global organization, as well as other local businesses. Since the beginning, we have made signicant progress each year. Our main priority has been water quality. Over the past couple of years, we have been part of helped pay for the Southwest Wisconsin Groundwater and Geology study, also known as SWIGG, to test hundreds of wells in a threecounty area in southwestern Wisconsin. Scientic research by the state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, UW-Madison and TNC shows that our members are signicantly reducing the chances of harmful runoff into streams and lakes. Data shows, for example, that the farmers using reduced tillage potentially are reducing phosphorus runoff by 53% and soil erosion by 59%. As a group, we formed around the idea that Lafayette County can be a community where farmers and friends of agriculture work together to protect and improve our water quality and environment. We are making incredible progress and remain as committed as ever to this vision, on Earth Day and every day. Jim Winn, Lafayette Ag Stewardship Alliance president and dairy farmer in Lafayette County, Wisconsin

keep ‘em cool

Help your animals stay cool when the heat is on! Stand Strong™ for Ruminants + is an everyday natural feed additive that helps cattle: • Overcome heat stress • Maintain consistent feed intake • Provide comfort during heat challenges • Stimulate water intake to manage high temperatures • Increase ﬁber breakdown and gain

1-800-533-5306 RalcoAgriculture.com/ComfortYourCows-DS

Page 12 • Dairy Star • Saturday, May 8, 2021

Evolving with the times

Steffens Dairy a treasure to mom, sons By Stacey Smart

stacey.s@dairystar.com

SEYMOUR, Wis. – Lorraine Steffens never thought twice about continuing to farm after the death of her husband, Joe, in 2004. Holding onto what they built together was important to this dairywoman whose love for the farm kept her strong during a difcult time. “I wanted to keep the farm going,” Lorraine said. “That was never a question. My husband and I put our whole life into this farm, and I would’ve

hated to see it break apart. We worked too hard to get here, and I wasn’t ready to give that up.” Lorraine’s sons, Steve and Dan, shared their mom’s passion for the farm and were committed to seeing it survive and prosper. After losing their dad to a brain tumor, the brothers pulled double duty for 10 years – helping run the farm in addition to working fulltime jobs. Dan worked at Arn’s Cabinets in Little Chute, and

STACEY SMART/DAIRY STAR

Lorraine Steﬀens and her sons – (from le�) Dan and Steve – milk 120 cows and farm 290 acres near Seymour, Wisconsin. The trio has been farming together since 2004 when Lorraine’s husband, Joe, passed away.

STACEY SMART/DAIRY STAR

The Steﬀens family uses this original dairy barn to house youngstock a�er building a robo�c barn in 2016. Cows are milked with two Lely robots.

Steve worked at Independent Printing in DePere. “I always liked farming,” Steve said. “When Dad was sick, I started doing more farm work. Dan and I knew at some

™

I N E G E N U

Dan agreed. “We had the farm built up and land acquired,” Dan said. “You would hate to see it all Turn to STEFFENS | Page 13

CALL YOUR LOCAL GEHL DEALER TODAY!

2 YFUELAL MRACHINE S P A R T

point either our jobs would have to go or the farm would, and it wasn’t going to be the farm. I hate to see farms going out. I don’t want to be a part of that.”

MINNESOTA

E X T E N DAEGDE

A&C Farm Service Inc. Paynesville, MN

COVER

OUR 2,000 HOU

Mid-Central Equipment Henning, MN Northland Farm Systems Inc. Owatonna, MN

WISCONSIN

Lindstrom Equipment Mondovi & Menomonie,WI Luxemburg Motor Company Luxemburg, WI

SOUTH DAKOTA

Lake County International Madison, SD w w. www. ww w ge gehl h .com .c co om m

EXTRA SKID AND TRACK LOADER COVERAGE COMES STANDARD Since 1973, Gehl has pushed skid loader innovation forward. Today, Gehl continues the tradition with a complete line of skid loaders and track loaders designed with productivity and efficiency in mind. Purchase a new Gehl Skid or Track Loader and receive an included 2 year / 2,000 hr XPRT total (full machine) extended coverage plan. Don’t wait, visit your closest Gehl dealer.

IOWA

Baumler Implement West Union, IA Mark’s Tractor & Implement Osage, IA • Dumont, IA Reiser Implement Waukon, IA

Dairy Star • Saturday, May 8, 2021 • Page 13

Con�nued from STEFFENS | Page 12

Dairy Cattle Reproductive Management Course SDSU Extension is exploring a Dairy Cattle Reproductive Management Course designed for Spanish- and/or English-speaking employees. Technicians are frequently taught the skill of breeding, but not the factors that inﬂuence reproductive success. Therefore, the course is targeted toward individuals wanting to increase their reproductive knowledge to bring back to the farm. To help determine the need and development of the course, we are requesting you complete a survey. Scan the QR code or visit the link below. Contact:

Olivia Amundson SDSU Extension Cow/Calf Field Specialist 605-782-3290 | olivia.amundson@sdstate.edu Robin Salverson SDSU Extension Cow/Calf Field Specialist 605-374-4177 | robin.salverson@sdstate.edu

STACEY SMART/DAIRY STAR

Lorraine Steﬀens interacts with one of the cows April 27 at Steﬀens Dairy near Seymour, Wisconsin. fall apart.” Lorraine did all the milking in the farm’s 64-stall tiestall barn, and the trio kept the farm running with no outside help. Steve worked rotating shifts of days and nights at the print shop, and both he and Dan used their vacation days to get work done on the farm. “It was stressful going to work and seeing guys cutting hay because I knew we should be doing that,” Steve said. Balancing work on the farm with their full-time jobs became an exhausting juggling act. “We worked a lot,” Steve said. “We did as much as we could on the weekends, and we chopped at night.” In 2014, Lorraine, Steve and Dan formed an LLC. This was the same year Dan quit his job so he could focus his energies on the farm. Steve followed suit in 2015, ending a 20-year career in the printing industry to join his brother and mom on the farm full time. Lorraine and her sons made an investment in the farm’s future in 2016 when they built a new barn, doubled their herd size and put in two Lely robots. “The tiestall barn was in desper-

“I like working with cattle – I always have. It’s what keeps me going. I prefer to be out in the barn instead of in the house.” ȃ LORRAINE STEFFENS, DAIRY FARMER

ate need of repair,” Lorraine said. “We were either going to have to put a lot of time and money into it or do something different. Because we were so interested in farming, it was a good time to go with a new setup. At rst, we thought of doing a parlor but then decided to go with robots.” The Steffens family milks 120 cows and farms 290 acres of mostly corn and alfalfa near Seymour. They also built a manure pit and put in a TMR mixer when the new barn was built. The tiestall barn remains in use as a home for youngstock after the family transformed the stalls into calf pens. “Robots have been working out well for us,” Lorraine said. “This is a totally different way of milking cows, but I feel we made the right choice. We

like it.” Cow comfort accelerated from the new accommodations. “Sand bedding is the biggest benet,” Dan said. “Also, the barn’s controlled environment ensures cows don’t overheat in the summer or get too cold in the winter. The barn stays a lot more consistent throughout the year.” Lorraine does the farm’s bookwork and yard work, helps with cleaning and scraping crosswalks and orchestrates breedings with the A.I. technician. Dan feeds cows and calves and does repairs. Steve cleans, beds, and does calibration and maintenance on the robots along with other odds and ends. Both Steve and Dan do eldwork and treat sick animals. All three partners look at data from the robots, but Dan is the primary manager of the information. “I like working with cattle – I always have,” Lorraine said. “It’s what keeps me going. I prefer to be out in the barn instead of in the house. I nd beauty in a piece of machinery, a eld of hay, a cow – the little things that some people might not even think about.” Steve and Dan gravitate toward new technology and new ideas, which at times might be at odds with what Lorraine nds necessary. “We sometimes do things differently than my dad would have,” Steve said. “For example, he did wide-row farming, and now we do narrow-row. We’re always evolving and trying to nd ways to do things better and more efciently. If you’re not trying to get better and move ahead, you’re probably falling behind. You have to keep pushing forward.” Dan agreed. “We’re trying to do more with less,” Dan said. “We farm the same number of acres but are getting more feed and better quality.” Last summer, Steffens Dairy put up bunkers to increase feed capacity and store all forages on the feed pad. In 2019, the Steffens family hosted the Outagamie County Breakfast on the Farm. They have also done Cow College tours through Fox Valley Technical College, which helps local farmers acquire new ideas. Lorraine dedicated her life to the farm Joe bought in 1971 and is happy her sons chose the farm as well. This mother-son team has farmed together for 17 years and look forward to many more years in business. “Too many farms are going out of business, so it’s nice to keep one going if possible,” Lorraine said.

https://dairycattlereproductivemanagement. questionpro.com/

SDSU Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer in accordance with the nondiscrimination policies of South Dakota State University, the South Dakota Board of Regents and the United States Department of Agriculture. Learn more at extension.sdstate.edu. MC-02120

Hay Season

Supplies! Gilly has the Hay Supplies you Need!

The new way to treat hay.

No acid. No bacteria. Hay Guard allows hay producers and contractors to bale their hay up to 25% moisture. This allows for greener and more nutritious hay.University research proves that Hay Guard improves milk production and keeps hay from heating. Hay Guard is proven safe for all livestock, including horses.

WE CARRY NET WRAP & TWINE! EXCLUSIVE DEALER OF

Automatic AGR GRi-i-Speed Speed HITCH

• One person operation - eliminate the need for a second hand for hook-ups • Simple drawbar mount • PTO compatible • Fast, reliable, few moving parts

Give us a call!

Gilman Co-op Creamery FEED & FARM SUPPLY STORE

We ship anywhere!

• SAFER - Doesn’t require climbing on or off tractor • Meets or exceed D.O.T requirements • Available for pick-ups, choppers, tractors, wagons, etc.

Gilman, MN 320-387-2770

Open M-F 7:30-7, Sat. 7:30-5, Sun. 8:30-1

Good service - fair prices - every day

WWW.GILMANCREAMERY.COM

Page 14 • Dairy Star • Saturday, May 8, 2021

Vertical Mixers With More Management Versatility

OPTIONAL

SILAGE EXTENSIONS Quality Built To Last Longer • Process bales of hay, straw, cornstalks in the mixer as 1st step in mixing a TMR with other ingredients • Mix all pre-processed feedstuffs for feedlot Ànishing rations • Mix all the ration combinations in-between • No other mixing concept covers such a wide range of feedstuffs

La rg

Minnesota’s If y

ion .

ing Dealer

RESERVE YOURS TODAY!

ding and Man e e ur tF s e e

nd l Ha

Can be used for haylage too!

TMR Mixers

so wwave a w.da barn, we have y.com airylandsuppl

MANURE ALLEY SCRAPERS

SAVE TIME & MONEY!

SUPERCART CONVEYORS

BEDDING CHOPPER • All Poly & Wooden Conveyors

• Taper Board Feeders

• All Poly Conversions for bottom unloader

• Universal skid steer mount • Tube steel construction • 5’-10’ widths available • Replacement tires, back drags ad parts available

SAUK CENTRE, OFF I-94 ON THE CORNER OF HWY. 28 & 71 SOUTH

From Our Side Of The Fence

Dairy Star • Saturday, May 8, 2021 • Page 15

What is the most rewarding part about being a mother? Lisa Madden New London, Wisconsin Waupaca County 400 cows

Describe a typical day for you. I get up between 5:30 and 6 a.m. and get the kids off to school. I then go to the barn and start checking for fresh cows and newborn calves. I take care of all calves in the morning – feeding, giving colostrum and vaccines, dehorning, etc. I handle all calvings, fresh cows with issues and post-fresh cows – taking temperatures and administering medications if needed. I also manage overall herd health and give vaccines. I take care of feeding heifer barns and do anything else on the agenda, like cleaning bed packs or barns, pitching calf stalls, washing and sanitizing hutches, and taking care of the lawn. During eldwork season, I do most of the chisel plowing and disking. During harvest, I run my own feed trailer for our farm, and my husband, Dan, runs the silage truck. In spring, I help with manure hauling. I did not grow up on a farm. My husband is a great teacher, and he and I work well as a team. After chores, I come inside and hang out with the kids, make dinner, do laundry and dishes. What was the most challenging part of this past year as a mom and farmer? We have three children: Neveah, 18, Jaylynn, 15, and Brayson, 11. It was kind of nice during the pandemic because they were home with us. Working as many hours as we do, the challenging part was staying on top of the kids’ schoolwork. I tried to keep them engaged during the day and not bored, and that was kind of tricky. Our kids are resilient. They give us a lot of space and understand that what we do is important, but that doesn’t mean we don’t think they’re more important. The children come rst. Whether it’s sports, FFA, showing cattle, baseball or a family vacation, we’ll call the help in to get it done if need be. I feel torn sometimes on the farm. My husband and the farm need my help, but my children need my help too. They need nurturing, and I need to be there for them. My children are wonderful, forgiving people. What are lessons from the farm you try to instill in your children? Hard work pays off. Listening is learning. Be hands-on to understand something, and don’t give up. If we try our hearts out and something doesn’t work out, don’t be disappointed. As long as we keep trying, we can’t feel bad about it. We try to put our best foot forward and hope it all works out. You also have to know how to be a good loser. Sometimes things don’t work out well. You have to say, I tried, I did my best, and this is what happened. There are other things to do. You have to keep moving forward. Who has been your mentor? What did he or she teach you? My husband has been teaching me things I don’t understand. He is informational and I’ve learned a lot from him. Also, my friend, Valerie, who is a vet, has been a wonderful mentor to me. Both she and Dan are always giving me that boost. It’s great to have a good support system. I enjoy working side by side with my husband. He’s a person to learn from, and I respect him. He’s here to help me and be my guide. I’ve come outside to the farm and he’s started helping more inside with cooking, doing laundry and running the kids around. What is the most rewarding part about being a mother? Watching my kids grow into the person they are. A friend told me my kids are always helpful, good human beings, and that means a lot. I want them to grow and be prosperous, successful people. Watching them develop and turn into genuinely good people is rewarding for me. It lets me know they do listen. Tell us about your farm. Dan and I farm with his parents, Dan and Brenda. We milk 400 cows three times a day in a Germania double-8 parlor and run 650 acres. We raise our youngstock up to 11 months before sending to a heifer raiser until they are bred. Madden Dairy Farms was started in 1942 by Dan’s grandparents, Clair and Ethel Madden. Dan’s parents took over in 1983, and Dan and I took over in 2017. We work closely with family and strive to do the work ourselves.

Rose Peterson pictured with daughters, Callie (left) and Letty Monroe, Wisconsin Green County 360 cows Describe a typical day for you. Every day is different, but my primary position is a calf feeder and stayat-home mom. I wake up around 4 a.m. to have some alone time before things get going for the day. My husband, Dan, goes outside to make sure everyone is here and everything is rolling without any problems. Once he does a few chores himself, he comes back in and has breakfast with the girls while I go out at 5:45 a.m. to feed calves. (We denitely tag- team our morning chores.) I feed roughly 80 calves at any given time. Dan and the girls come out about an hour later after having breakfast. From there, the kids and I nish up any other duties that need to be done on the farm before we head back home to do housework like laundry, dishes, meals and groceries, along with parts runs and art projects, etc. Once 3 p.m. rolls around, we head back outside to do chores all over again. My girls are with me every night during evening chores. My kids go to a sitter twice a week so I can do other farm duties that are a little bit more difcult to do with them around, like dehorning calves, administering vaccinations, doing weekly herd checks and working cattle. I also pitch in on milking when someone needs a night off or if we are short-handed with eldwork. What was the most challenging part of this past year as a mom and farmer? I have two girls – Callie, 3.5, and Letty, 2. I would say the most challenging part this past year of being a mother was adjusting to the kids’ sleep cycle, school and when my 1-year-old began to walk. All of these challenges affect my schedule on when I wake up, go out to do chores or come back to nish chores up. With my 2-year-old being such a go-getter, a lot of things needed to be adjusted for safety on the farm. As for the farm, the most challenging part was nding new ways to treat and care for the cattle with new bugs/viruses going around (always a moving target), just like us humans and the COVID-19 crisis. What are lessons from the farm you try to instill in your children? A hard work ethic, responsibility and to always have a happy heart. Who has been your mentor? What did he or she teach you? I would say my biggest mentor would have been my dad. Though he passed away 1.5 years ago at a young age from frontotemporal dementia, he was my biggest mentor. He taught me everything I need to know about farming – from milking cows and feeding calves to treating sick animals, working hard, driving farm equipment, having responsibility and working from dawn to dusk. I hope to teach my daughters all these same aspects throughout their life. What is the most rewarding part about being a mother? The most rewarding part about being a mother is watching my kids grow, and have love and passion for the farm and its animals. When people come over, my girls always want to show them their animals. One of my favorite things at the end of the day is cuddling and watching cartoons with them to unwind from a long day. Tell us about your farm. My husband and I are the third generation on this farm, and we are in partnership with my in-laws. Our farm is located south of Monroe, and we milk around 360 crossbred cows that are a mix of Holstein, Norwegian Red and Jersey. We have been using a three-way cross for 10 years and have a quite colorful herd. We farm around 1,000 acres that are split between alfalfa and corn that is used for feed. We do have our fun little animals as well like dogs, cats, pigs and goats. This farm and I would not be what we are today without our amazing employees and partnership with the in-laws. Turn to OUR SIDE | Page 16

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

Page 16 • Dairy Star • Saturday, May 8, 2021

ConƟnued from OUR SIDE | Page 15 Anne Borgschatz Plainview, Minnesota Wabasha County 180 cows Describe a typical day for you. A typical day starts around 5 a.m. I review homework, make sure the kids are up and moving, do a few household chores, start a load of laundry and load breakfast dishes into the dishwasher. My oldest is out the door by 6:30 a.m., and my youngest gets on the bus at 7:30 a.m. I eat breakfast and take some time for devotions and then head out the door to feed calves around 8 a.m. I am usually back in from chores around 9:30. Two days a week I work as a bookkeeper for a local meat processing plant from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. On the days I am not there, I do farm ofce work, barn work, yard work or house work during that time. After school and evenings are reserved for kids’ activities (sports, piano lessons, etc.) and board meetings. I try to have supper on the table by 6 p.m. if there is not an activity or meeting going on. I am back out the door for calf chores again at 8 p.m. My goal is to wrap up the day by 9:30 or 10 p.m. What was the most challenging part of this past year as a mom and farmer? The most challenging part about being a mom this past year was keeping the kids motivated and optimistic. I have a senior and an eighth grader. Many of the things they had looked forward to during their last year were canceled or changed beyond the point of recognition. Even the things that were mostly normal were a little bit harder. The most challenging thing about being a farmer this past year is adjusting to the turnaround time and price increases on everyday parts and supplies. What are lessons from the farm you try to instill in your children? Be the best steward of everything that has been entrusted to you. Who has been your mentor? What did he or she teach you? There have been so many people who have been kind to me and taken me under their wings in the 15 years we have been farming; too many to choose just one. Because I didn’t grow up dairying, I had to start from scratch. Just about everyone I dealt with taught me something. What is the most rewarding part about being a mother? The most rewarding part of being a mother is watching my children grow into humble, hardworking, responsible and caring adults. Tell us about your farm. We are a fth-generation conventional dairy farm, milking 180 cows twice daily in a double-9 herringbone parlor. We raise our replacements and grow most of our feed. We own a small grains seed company, Zabel Seeds, in partnership with my husband’s cousin and family. Our dairy tool design and manufacturing company, Easy B-Z Manufacturing Company, is the original portable calf restraint company.

Target Your Customers!

Describe a typical day for you. I’m in the barn about 5:30 a.m. My husband and I milk the cows in a small swing-over parlor that we built about 10 years ago. I feed the calves while he cleans up, then we go in for breakfast. I usually do the housework, dishes, laundry and whatever else. I feed calves again at noon, then we have lunch. I don’t do much of the feeding of the cows. I’ll be doing some of the eldwork this summer. My husband would rather do cows than tractors, and I love the elds so this works for us. But, a lot of the eldwork we hire custom operators. We rotationally graze in the summer, and my husband does almost all of the feeding of silage and big bales through the winter months. We do chores again at 4:30 p.m., then the day’s work is about done. Without teenagers in the house anymore, we don’t have all the evening activities like concerts, sports or FFA. What was the most challenging part of this past year as a mom and farmer? The challenging part of this year is that I hate having an empty nest. We spent all those years with kids underfoot and then all of a sudden they’re gone, and I miss them more than I should, I suppose. What are lessons from the farm you try to instill in your children? I hope I instilled a great understanding of needing to work for a living. I hope they understand that stuff isn’t what makes life fullling, but it is people and a job done well. Who has been your mentor? What did he or she teach you? My parents were my mentors. They milked cows most of their adult lives until my dad got cancer. He sold the cows and had a small beef herd for a few years. They worked harder than anyone I ever knew before or since. What is the most rewarding part about being a mother? The rewards of motherhood are so much vaster than I can write. I loved every second from the rst morning sickness to today, when my grown daughter stopped by to get a gallon of fresh milk from the tank for her family. I was never the mom who looked forward to school starting again in the fall so that I could have some peace and quiet. I loved the noisy house. But now that they’re all grown up, I’m so proud I raised four children who are working jobs and contributing to society by paying taxes and being involved in things that improve the world and help those around them. Tell us about your farm. My husband and I own CloverKey Ayrshires. We milk about 60 registered Ayrshires on 120 acres of permanent rotational pasture with 90 acres of cropland not contiguous. We show and sell registered Ayrshires in Wisconsin and some out of state. Our youngest daughter is in college at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, and she will be home again for the summer to help with shows and the day-to-day running of the farm.

Advertise Online at www.dairystar.com If you would like to advertise, call 320-352-6303 for more information.

¾ New Silos & Rebuilt Silos w/new staves door frames & doors ¾ Replasters are hand plastered ¾ Complete Silo Repair & Service ¾ Sales & service on all brands of feeding equipment including ValMetal, Jamesway, Van Dale, Hanson & Laidig Bottom unloaders ¾ Jamesway/ValMetal manure equipment 4 & 6 wheel tanks, lagoon pumps, transfer pumps, alley scrapers, stationary, mobile & vertical mixers ¾ Electric Motor Repair drop off station ¾ Metal Culvert Sales

MIDWEST ALKOTA

18297 LINCOLN RD. • FAYETTE, IA 563-425-3219 Doug Kiel

MIDWEST ALKOTA

103 5TH ST. • GRUNDY CENTER, IA 319-215-2138 Taylor Appel

SERVING NE IOWA & SW WI

CENTRAL IOWA

Now selling Chlor-clean detergent, one step cleaner and disinfectant, reduce the risk of infection CALL TODAY

We service all brands

dly made ou

Visit our website for a complete list of available equipment www.jameswayfarmeq.com www.valmetal.com

Describe a typical day for you. I’m up for chores between 4:30 and 5 a.m. to feed bottle babies and make sure everything is running smoothly. Then, I run home for a quick breakfast and back to nish at the calf barn. Once nished with the babies, I go to the ofce and take care of any e-mails, faxes or scanning. Then I go home to make lunch quick for myself and my husband, see him for a few minutes then back to the calf barn and ofce to nish out the day. What was the most challenging part of this past year as a mom and farmer? The most challenging things I faced as a mom would be dealing with changes from the pandemic. Will we be able to get the groceries we needed like everyone else and would school ever reopen? Do we dare let our children come with to the grocery store? It was hard to listen to the news about all the pandemic has done to our economy. The farming challenges were retaining a healthy workforce and keeping up with and worrying about milk prices. These are an everyday worry, but during a pandemic, the stress of it all was even worse. What are lessons from the farm you try to instill in your children? The lessons we try to instill in our children are that you get what you earn in life. No one deserves or is entitled to anything. Show respect to everyone. Treat others how you would want to be treated. Who has been your mentor? What did he or she teach you? My mother-in-law is my mentor, teaching me the ins and outs of the farm, being with the animals and the ofce work. What is the most rewarding part about being a mother? The most rewarding part of being a mother is being blessed to be one. Watching our kids doing their best at each thing they do and achieving the goals they set for themselves. Our kids always come rst, and they know if they need anything, big or small, we are there for them. Tell us about your farm. Brandner Dairy is a family-owned farm since 1979. We milk approximately 1,300 cows three times a day through our DeLeval double-18 parallel parlor. Our replacement heifers are raised on our farm, going through automatic feeder pens followed by group transition pens and then to our freestyle heifer facility. Our eldwork is done inhouse, which includes manure hauling and cropping approximately 4,000 acres.

DO YOU HAVE AN UPCOMING AUCTION? Advertise It In The

DAIRY ST★R

Call (320) 352-6303 6303 for more information.

Esgate Rd., Anamosa Silo 8827 Maquoketa, IA 563-652-5125 Repair, LLC

Sherry Brandner Medford, Wisconsin Taylor County 1,300 cows

Janet Hetke Ladysmith, Wisconsin Rusk County 60 cows

Wood

Shavings BULK

BAG

S&S Wood Products

35335 Green Street | Independence, WI 54747

800-234-5893 | 715-985-3122

for your chance to win a $100 Gift CertiÄcate or Farm Systems Apparel! $

Scheduled Service

Warehouse on Wheels

Cooling Automation

Delpro

Rotary Parlors

Give us a call the next time you need something delivered. We have a full line of dairy route supplies.

IF IT FITS IN OUR TRUCK, WE CAN DELIVER IT:

Jamesway

FAN

Robotics/VMS

Three Locations to Serve You!

Now is the time to look at your complete operation and set up a scheduled preventative care and repair.

Not only do you get peace of mind knowing that your equipment will be ready to work when you need it, but you also get an extra set of eyes monitoring your equipment looking to maximize eѝciencies. With programs for all your manure & milking equipment, we have something to oќer everybody. Call to schedule your service.

Providing service from all 3 locations, Melrose, St. Peter & Brookings.

DeLaval VMS™ V300

A SYSTEM APPROACH

• Contributes to Improved Farm Proﬁtability • Contributes to More Milk per Labor Hour • Contributes to Healthier Cows • Contributes to Highest Milk Quality

Jamesway

Plate Coolers

Find this cow!

9 of 24

Dairy Star • Saturday, May 8, 2021 • Page 17

for your chance to win a $ 100 Gift CertiÄcate or Farm Systems Apparel!

**One entry per customer** • Winner will be notiÄed Cow must be identical to cow on this form (size may vary).

Q. On which product is the cow located?

Dura Cha Chain h i S Scraper Vertical Pump Prop Agitator Hammermills

• Eѝcient Cooling • Reliable milk quality • Cost-saving investment • Designed for optimum eѝciency

WE ARE HIRING!

Name: Phone: Address:

Drop oɈ/mail/email your entries to: 58 Interstate Drive N.W. Melrose, MN 56352 or hand oќ to your service tech DAIRY ST R melrose.farmsystems1@gmail.com

Let us know you saw our ad in the Dairy Star! 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, May 8, 2021

Breeding Focus

Genetic testing guides decisions at Sandhill Dairy Sandhill Dairy Perham, Minnesota Ottertail County 350 cows Describe your facilities and list your breeding management team. We are milking in a double-10 parallel parlor three times a day. Heifers are kept at three facilities. Breeding-age heifers are kept in an indoor facility. Bob Dombeck oversees heifer breeding, and Deanna Harmann and Devin Meyer breed the cows. What is your reproduction program? Do you use a synchronization program? How do you get animals pregnant? We have a 70-day voluntary waiting period. We were using a doubleovsynch program but are in the process of switching to SCR heat detection. If they are not bred by 100 days in milk, then they will be started on ovsynch. They are bred until pregnant or made a do-not-breed at 250 days in milk. What are the top traits you look for in breeding your dairy herd and how has this changed since you started farming? We started genetic testing in 2011. We then started picking sires for genetic values, cheese merit and daughter pregnancy rate to bring good

MARK KLAPHAKE/DAIRY STAR

The breeding crew at Sandhill Dairy includes (from leŌ) Bob Dombeck, Deanna Hartmann and Devin Meyer. The dairy milks 350 cows near Perham, Minnesota.

Turn to SANDHILL | Page 20

BUY DIRECT FROM THE MANUFACTURER AND SAVE! Elevated Dual Rail Suspended Freestalls

LEGEND SOFT BED MAT

• Simple low maintenance • No thin top cover to break down and tear • Specialized urethane foam underlay which does not pack over time like crumb ﬁlled beds • Fully molded and reinforced top mat for stability and added hygiene • Simple and fast installation • 5 year warranty

• Provides superior lunge area • Fully adjustable • No stall mounts in the concrete or sand • Installation labor savings • Much stronger than our competitors beam systems • Head to head and single row options available • Stall system stays high and dry, resulting in longer life • Compare the weight of this system, heaviest available on the market today

Brisket Board Clamps Available

ALL STEEL COW TRAINERS NOW IN STOCK One Piece Polythylene Construction

Complete Line Of Ritchie Watering Fountains • Top Quality Materials • Smart Design • Built to Last COMPLETE WATERER PARTS ON HAND

Fresh Water On Demand 24 Hours a Day

Heaviest, Strongest, Custom Cattle Gate on the Market!

LEGEND GROOVED ROLL

• Proven for extreme durability • 5mm stainless cable inlay • Guaranteed NEVER to stretch • Grooved top for traction • Can be used with automatic & skid steer scrapers • 10 year warranty

We Ship Anywhere! CS-60 Comfort Stall

Heaviest In The Industry

We Carry A Complete Line Of Stall & Stanchion Clamps At Low Prices. CALL FOR THE ONES YOU NEED!

Poly Square Calf Huts

5’ Wide x 6’6” long

AUTO RELEASE PANELS

UNMATCHED BY ANY OF OUR COMPETITORS.

THE HEAVIEST BUILT IN THE DAIRY INDUSTRY.

HIGH COMFORT MAT • Non absorbent keeping cows safe from germs and bacteria. • Provides anti slip surface reducing risk of serious injuries. • Improves udder and joint health. • Easy to clean • A 48”W x 72”L mat can be trimmed all the way down to 42”W x 66”L.

Diagonal Feed Thru Panel Made to Order

Freudenthal MANUFACTURING 715-748-4132 • 1-800-688-0104 • W. 6322 CTH O • MEDFORD, WI 5445

Visit our website: www.freudenthalmfg.com

Dairy Star • Saturday, May 8, 2021 • Page 19

Dairy Equipment By

505 West Main Street Marshall, MN 56258

Phone: 806-346-2362 :HVW 0DLQ 6WUHHW

alan@stuhrenterprises.com

The Stuhr Transition-Nutrition Solution

Specializing In: • Hot Dipped Galvanized Gating • Fiberglass Gates • Crowd Gates • Parlor Stalls • Free Stalls • Parlor Floors• Parlor Remodels

www.stormsweldingmfg.com 952-466-3343 • 513 W. Lake St., Cologne, MN

Both research and practical on-farm application demonstrate the consistent results producers see when feeding ANION BOOSTER™ and GLUCOSE BOOSTER™ in the pre-fresh and the early fresh cows. The Stuhr Transition- Nutrition Solution is proven at the University and on the dairy to provide a palatable source of anions and an effective source of glucose precursors to help prevent Hypocalcemia and Ketosis.

For More Information go to: stuhrenterprises.com

“We can do all in our fresh groups without slowing throughput.” — Britney Hill

FOUR HILLS DAIRY, BRISTOL, VERMONT, The Hill Family, Britney Hill, herd manager 2300 cows, 84 lbs/cow/day, SCC avg. 130,000

“We’ve been using Udder Comfort™ a long time. Now, with the new Udder Comfort Battery-Operated Backpack Sprayer, we are able to use it quickly and easily on all animals in our fresh groups daily,” says Britney Hill, herd manager and part of the next generation operating Four Hills Dairy, Bristol, Vermont, milking 2300 cows, calving 10 animals a day, and applying Udder Comfort to fresh groups in the parlor for 5 days. They also love it for their award-winning show cows. “With the new Udder Comfort Battery-Operated Backpack, we can do all in our fresh groups without slowing parlor throughput,” says Britney. “It is more efficient than the previous manual sprayer. Without the pump arm in the way, it’s less bulky, easier to maneuver. “It’s convenient, and the battery charge lasts. Using Udder Comfort on all of our fresh animals makes them more comfortable. Our fresh heifers adjust to milking much faster and with better letdown. Using this year-round for fresh cows, keeps our SCC around 130,000.”

Quality Udders Make Quality Milk

Maximum Results Minimal Cost uddercomfort.com 1.888.773.7153 Works with our Yellow Spray and our NEW Backpack Sprayer Mix. See video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNChT2olsjg

Page 20 • Dairy Star • Saturday, May 8, 2021

ConƟnued from SANDHILL | Page 18 reproduction qualities back into the herd. We use high-quality bulls in the heifers and do embryo transfer in lower genetics animals. We have started to use sexed semen in all embryo transfers. All of the embryo transfer work is done by us. The top half of cows get sexed semen and the bottom half of cows get beef; all heifers get sexed semen. Now, we have a strong genetic milking herd. What are certain traits you try to avoid? Low daughter pregnancy rate and big animals. Describe the ideal cow for your herd. Strong, healthy, medium-framed animals. What roles does genetics have in reaching the goals of your farm? Everything is based off of genetic scores. What percentage of your herd is bred to sexed, conventional and beef semen? All heifers are bred to sexed semen. Half of the higher cows get sexed semen, and the lower half are bred to beef which is a combination of sexed and conventional. What is your conception rate? How does this differ with different types of semen? Our conception rate is 32%; 30% for sexed semen, 30% for sexed beef semen and 38% for conventional beef semen. What is the greatest lesson you have learned through your breeding program? Using all of the genetic information has greatly improved our herd and made us more efcient.

MARK KLAPHAKE/DAIRY STAR

This cow exemplies the type of animal Sandhill Dairy strives to breed. The dairy tries to breed for strong, healthy, medium framed animals. What is the age of your heifers at rst service? 14 months. How does your heifer inventory affect your breeding program? Our breeding program dictates our heifer inventory. We need approximately 12

heifers a month to keep up with culling. Our average age in the milking herd is 5, but right now, we have cows at 8 years old. Tell us about your farm. We milk 350 cows and raise our heifers. We farm

about 2,000 acres of corn, soybeans, alfalfa, and light and dark red kidney beans. I (Bob) work in partnership with my father, Mark, brother, Steve, and brother-in-law, Jeremy Lachowitzer.

¿Como se dice?

SPANISH CORNER SPONSORED BY:

Have you ever wondered ‘How do I say that in Spanish?’. Below are a few common phrases heard around the dairy, along with how to say them in Spanish.

› Push the feed please.

Empuje la comida por favor.

Exhaust Fans Recirculating Fans Chimneys 5RRI 9HQWV

Ehm-poo-heh lah koh-mee-dah pohr-fah-bohr.

› Wash the water troughs please. Lave los bebederos por favor.

Lah-beh lohs beh-beh-deh-rohs pohr-fah-bohr.

› Clean the alley please.

Limpie el callejón (pasillo) por favor. Leem-pyeh ehl kah-yeh-hohn pohr-fah-bohr.

Have a phrase you want to learn?

:H KDYH \RXU YHQWLODWLRQ VROXWLRQV &DOO XV WRGD\

United Dairy Systems :HVW 8QLRQ ,$

Submit your request to Jorge.

Jorge Delgado Talent Development Expert jdelgado@alltech.com

www.alltech.com/dairy-on-farm-support

Dairy Star • Saturday, May 8, 2021 • Page 21

Financing subject to pre-approval through JD Financial. Some restrictions apply. See dealer for details.

Low-Rate Financing Available

JD 569, 2014, ##179194 17919 1944

JD 460M, 2018, #164359

25,900

Hardi Nav4000, $ 2013, #179001

24,000

JD 1760, 2011, #182209

43,900

Demco RM600, $ 2014 #181336

17,900

CIH LBX331, $ 2002, #181560

20,900

42,500

Hardi Commander $ 1200, 2002, #181150

17,500

Top Air TA1200, $ 2011, #179435

44,900

Equipment and pictures added daily • Go to www.mmcjd.com AIR DRILLS AND SEEDERS

6 CIH SDX 40/adx2230 2007, 40’, 7.5” Spacing, Double Shoot, #180891 .......$53,900 4 4 2 17 17 1 9 9 16 14 14

FIELD CULTIVATORS

Sunflower 5035 2016, 24’, 3-Section Folding, C-Shank, #177191...............$28,900 JD 2210 2012, 32’, 3-Section Folding, C-Shank, #173629 ...............................$35,900 CIH Tigermate 255 2018, 55’, 5-Section Folding, C-Shank, #181416 .........$94,900 CIH TIGER MATE 2004, 40.5’, 5-Section Folding, C-Shank, #177257.............$19,900 CIH 4300 30’, 3-Section Folding, C-Shank, #181148 .........................................$8,500 JD 2210 2006, 57’, 5-Section Folding, C-Shank, #181942 ...............................$32,500 CIH 4800 28’, 3-Section Folding, C-Shank, #182692 .........................................$5,900 JD 960 1989, 38’, 3-Section Folding, C-Shank, #180045....................................$4,000 JD 2210 2009, 50’, 5-Section Folding, #182258 ...............................................$42,500 JD 960 1989, 42’, 5-Section Folding, C-Shank, #165959....................................$5,900 Elmers 6400 1991, 41’, 3-Section Folding, S-Tine, #178092 ..........................$10,900

LARGE SQUARE BALERS

2 JD L330 2016, 7,000 bale count, #179376 .......................................................$89,900 1 CIH LBX331 2002, 53,000 bale count, #181560 ..............................................$20,900 10 10 17 7 6 8

MOWER CONDITIONERS

NH H7230 2015, #176984 ................................................................................$22,400 JD 946 2012, #182272 .......................................................................................$17,900 Hesston 1372 2010, #178648 .........................................................................$17,400 JD 635 2009, #173285 .......................................................................................$14,900 JD 956 2015, #180948 .......................................................................................$35,900 NH H7550 2014, #167351 ................................................................................$19,900

DRAWN PLANTERS

4 JD 1770NT CCS 2006, 16 Row, 30” Spacing, Flex Fold, Vacuum, Central Fill System, #181880................................................................................$55,900 17 JD 1790 2003, 16/32 Row, 15/30” Spacing, Flex Fold, Vacuum, Central Fill System, #181335................................................................................$62,900 6 White 6100 1995, 6 Row, 30” Spacing, Rigid, Plate, #181144 .........................$7,900 9 JD 1770 1997, 16 Row, 30” Spacing, Flex Fold, Vacuum, 3.0 Bu. Hopper, #180078 ...............................................................................................................$19,500 16 JD DB66 2017, 36 Row, 22” Spacing, Wing Fold, Exact Emerge, Central Fill System, Row Command, Elect. Drive, #175194 .............................................................$349,500 16 JD 1760 2011, 12 Row, 30” Spacing, Wing Fold, Vacuum, 3.0 Bu. Hopper, #182209 .....................................................................................$42,500 5 JD 1775NT 2021, 16 Row, 30” Spacing, Flex Fold, Exact Emerge, Central Fill System, Row Command, Elect. Drive, #174940 .............................$199,500 5 JD DB44 2013, 24 Row, 22” Spacing, Flex Fold, Vacuum, Central Fill System, Row Command, #179347 .................................................................................$159,900

INTEGRAL PLANTERS

6 JD 7300 24 Row, 22” Spacing, Wing Fold, Vacuum, 1.6 Bu. Hopper, #182009$17,500 6 JD 1720 2006, 16 Row, 30” Spacing, Wing Fold, Vacuum, 3.0 Bu. Hopper, #181587 ...............................................................................................................$24,400

5 JD 7300 1989, 12 Row, 30” Spacing, Wing Fold, Vacuum, 1.6 Bu. Hopper, #180958 .................................................................................................................$9,000 3 JD 7300 1992, 12 Row, 30” Spacing, Wing Fold, Vacuum, 1.6 Bu. Hopper, #175563 .........................................................................................9,900 10 17 1 16 5 14 3 3 3

PULL-TYPE SPRAYERS

Hardi NAVIGATOR 1000 2007, #169543 ......................................................$11,900 Top Air TA1200 2005, #180618.......................................................................$12,500 Hardi NAV550 2005, #179504 ..........................................................................$9,500 Hardi Navigator 4000 #180889 ...................................................................$15,000 Hardi Commander Plus 1200 2002, #181150 ...........................................$17,500 Redball 132’ walking tandems, #176938.........................................................$12,900 Top Air TA2400 2011, #179435.......................................................................$44,900 Top Air TA1100 2004, #182369.........................................................................$7,900 Hardi Navigator 4000 2013, #179001 .........................................................$24,000

ROUND BALERS

4 JD 560M 2019, Mega Wide Pickup, Both Twine and Surface Wrap, 1000 PTO, 5’ Bale Width, 2,100 bale count, #179000 .........................................$45,500 2 NH BR7060 2011, Mega Wide Pickup, Surface Wrap Only, 540 PTO, 4’ Bale Width, Precut Knives, 7,300 bale count, #169262 ....................$23,900 2 JD 569 2012, Mega Wide Pickup, Both Twine and Surface Wrap, 1000 PTO, 5’ Bale Width, 3,300 bale count, #173254...........................................................$38,400 2 NH 664 1998, Twine Only, 540 PTO, 5’ Bale Width, #171161.............................$3,950 10 JD 569 Silage Special 2015, Mega Wide Pickup, Both Twine and Surface Wrap, 540 PTO, 5’ Bale Width, 3,300 bale count, #178210............................................$41,500 10 NH BR770A 2006, Twine Only, 540 PTO, 5’ Bale Width, 11,500 bale count, #182463 .................................................................................................................$8,400 10 JD 569 2016, Mega Wide Pickup, Both Twine and Surface Wrap, 1000 PTO, 5’ Bale Width, 9,800 bale count, #181002...........................................................$31,400 10 JD 854 Silage Special 2013, Mega Wide Pickup, Both Twine and Surface Wrap, 1000 PTO, 5’ Bale Width, Precut Knives, 6,000 bale count, #181465..................$27,900 10 JD 560M 2018, Mega Wide Pickup, Surface Wrap Only, 1000 PTO, 5’ Bale Width, 7,600 bale count, #181057...........................................................$41,500 17 JD 569 2014, Mega Wide Pickup, Both Twine and Surface Wrap, 1000 PTO, 5’ Bale Width, 15560 bale count, #179194..........................................................$25,900 6 JD 460M 2018, Mega Wide Pickup, Both Twine and Surface Wrap, 1000 PTO, 4’ Bale Width, Precut Knives, 6,400 bale count, #164359 ...................................$43,900 6 JD 459 Silage Special 2017, Mega Wide Pickup, Surface Wrap Only, 4’ Bale Width, 3,800 bale count, #177855 ..................................................................................$35,900 6 JD 569 Silage Special 2013, Mega Wide Pickup, Surface Wrap Only, 1000 PTO, 5’ Bale Width, 9,540 bale count, #177861...........................................................$29,400 6 NH Rollbelt 460 2015, Mega Wide Pickup, Both Twine and Surface Wrap, 540 PTO, 4’ Bale Width, 9,000 bale count, #178946............................................$20,900 6 JD 560M 2019, Mega Wide Pickup, Surface Wrap Only, 1000 PTO, 5’ Bale Width, 7,200 bale count, #179188 ..................................................................................$42,400

6 Claas 480RC 2017, Mega Wide Pickup, Surface Wrap Only, 540 PTO, 4’ Bale Width, Precut Knives, 5165 bale count, #179187 ...........................................................$31,500 6 JD 567 2002, Mega Wide Pickup, Twine Only, 540 PTO, 5’ Bale Width, 8,312 bale count, #179041 ..................................................................................$11,900 6 JD 568 2010, Mega Wide Pickup, Both Twine and Surface Wrap, 1000 PTO, 5’ Bale Width, 12,200 bale count, #181866.........................................................$25,400 6 JD 569 2016, Mega Wide Pickup, Surface Wrap Only, 1000 PTO, 5’ Bale Width, 5,085 bale count, #180947 ..................................................................................$42,400 6 JD 566 1998, 540 PTO, 5’ Bale Width, 14,000 bale count, #181621 ...................$9,400 6 Krone Comprima V180XC T 2016, Mega Wide Pickup, Both Twine and Surface Wrap, 1000 PTO, 4’ Bale Width, Precut Knives, 7,450 bale count, #182694 ...............................................................................................................$43,900 5 JD 568 2008, Mega Wide Pickup, Both Twine and Surface Wrap, 1000 PTO, 5’ Bale Width, 13,500 bale count, #176786.........................................................$21,900 5 JD 569 2013, Mega Wide Pickup, Both Twine and Surface Wrap, 1000 PTO, 5’ Bale Width, 18,000 bale count, #172972.........................................................$30,900 11 NH BR780 2003, Twine Only, 540 PTO, 5’ Bale Width, #169873 ........................$6,900 3 Vermeer 605F 1980, Twine Only, 1000 PTO, 5’ Bale Width, #168368 ..............$2,400

Visit one of our 17 locations in Central Minnesota! CALL (7) = ALEXANDRIA (9) = PRINCETON (12) = AITKIN (4) = ST. CLOUD (1) = GLENCOE 4561 Hwy. 212

1035 35th Ave. NE

(2) = HOWARD LAKE (5) = GLENWOOD 5845 Keats Ave. SW

1710 N. Franklin

(3) = STEWART

(6) = SAUK CENTRE

78412 Co. Rd. 20

1140 Centre St.

320-763-4220 5005 Co. Rd. 82 SE

3708 Baptist Church Rd.

(8) = PAYNESVILLE

16069 Hwy. 27 E.

725 Lake Ave. S.

1120 2nd St. NW

(10) = LITTLE FALLS (13) = BAXTER (11) = WADENA 62505 US Hwy. 10

7045 Foley Rd.

UTILITY TRACTORS

4 JD 5075M 2019, Standard, Power Reverser, MFWD, 540/1000 PTO, Mid Tire Width, 145 hrs., #177178 ................................................................................................$42,900 4 JD 5075E 2020, Standard, Cab, Power Reverser, MFWD, 540 PTO, Mid Tire Width, 36 hrs., #165329 .........................................................................$44,900 4 JD 5075E 2020, Standard, Cab, Power Reverser, MFWD, 540 PTO, Mid Tire Width, Loader, 61 hrs., #165325......................................................................................$51,900 4 JD 5075E 2020, Standard, Cab, Power Reverser, MFWD, 540 PTO, Mid Tire Width, Loader, 50 hrs., #163203......................................................................................$51,900 4 JD 5115M 2019, Standard, Cab, Power Reverser, MFWD, 540/1000 PTO, Mid Tire Width, Loader, 351 hrs., #159205 ..........................................................$79,500 10 JD 5100E 2019, Standard, Cab, Power Reverser, MFWD, 540 PTO, Mid Tire Width, 163 hrs., #182552 .......................................................$55,000 10 JD 5090E/Loader 2019, Standard, Cab, Power Reverser, MFWD, 540 PTO, Mid Tire Width, Loader, 60 hrs., #155533 ............................................................$59,500 7 AC D17 1958, Standard, Syncro; 2WD, 540 PTO, Narrow Tire Width, 5,994 hrs., #171331 .................................................................................................................$2,995 7 Kubota M5-111 2018, Standard, Cab, Power Reverser, MFWD, 540 PTO, Mid Tire Width, Loader, 1,740 hrs., #182142 .......................................................$48,900 7 Kubota M135 2013, Standard, Cab, Power Reverser, MFWD, 540/1000 PTO, Mid Tire Width, Loader, #179442 .........................................................................$38,900 6 JD 5075M/Loader 2019, Standard, Cab, Partial Power Shift; MFWD, 540/1000 PTO, Mid Tire Width, Loader, 147 hrs., #156690.................................$71,900 11 JD 6105R 2013, Standard, Cab, Power Reverser, MFWD, 540/1000 PTO, Mid Tire Width, Loader, 1,800 hrs., #182294 .......................................................$73,900 11 JD 5075M 2019, Standard, Power Reverser, MFWD, 540/1000 PTO, Mid Tire Width, 103 hrs., #156813.......................................................................$42,900

TODAY! (320)365-1653 (14) = ELBOW LAKE

(16) = BENSON

(15) = MORRIS

(17) = MADISON

110 2nd St. NE

23604 State Hwy. 9

380 Atlantic Ave. 516 1st St. E

SEE OUR COMPLETE INVENTORY WITH PICTURES AND DESCRIPTIONS AT: www.mmcjd.com

Page 22 • Dairy Star • Saturday, May 8, 2021

Dairy industry enters hydration market

Start planning for tomorrow, today. 0

% FINANCING FOR UP

72 MONTHS*

3 MONTH DEFERRAL ON CONTRACTS UP TO 60 MONTHS*

PHOTO SUBMITTED

GoodSport is a new, all-natural sports drink made with milk permeate. The drink was developed in partnership with the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Center for Dairy Research.

GoodSport puts milk on the sports drink map By Stacey Smart

stacey.s@dairystar.com

SCAN ME

www.delaval.com

Contact one of the following dealers to learn more: IOWA Kramer Bros. Monticello, IA 319-465-5931 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 D&D Ag Supply Pennock, MN 320-599-4466 East Central Dairy Supply Mora, MN 320-679-1029 Farm Systems Melrose, MN 320-256-3276 Watertown, SD 605-886-7401 Sioux Falls, SD 800-284-0015 S&S Dairy System LLC St. Charles, MN 507-932-4288 Professional Dairy Systems Wadena, MN 218-632-5416

*0% interest for up to 72 months, DeLaval equipment only and restrictions may apply, on approved credit and minimum deal amount of $25,000 is required to qualify. Lease option may include a residual to be paid in order to obtain full ownership at the end of the term. Subject to special conditions’ that may cease at any time. Accrued interest invoices are capped at 4 months, effective Jan 1st 2021. is a registered trademark of Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. and “DeLaval” is a registered trade/servicemark of DeLaval Holding AB © 2021 DeLaval Inc. DeLaval, 11100 North Congress Avenue, Kansas City, Missouri 64153-1296. www.delaval.com

MADISON, Wis. – Few athletes reach for milk when playing sports or working out. But dairy could soon be on the minds of many as the go-to source for thirst-quenching refreshment and hydration – thanks to a new product called GoodSport. Using dairy as its base, this revolutionary product is the rst of its kind to enter the sports hydration industry. For the rst time ever, a dairy product will directly compete with drinks like Gatorade and Powerade. “GoodSport is an all-natural sports drink made from the goodness of milk,” said entrepreneur Michelle McBride. “It provides truly effective hydration that is backed by science and is the only drink in the sports hydration industry that contains dairy.” GoodSport’s primary ingredient is milk permeate, which is captured from the ultraltering of milk. “Ultraltration leaves you with a clear, thirstquenching liquid packed with milk’s essential electrolytes, vitamins and carbohydrates but not the protein and fat,” McBride said. “It’s ideal for making an effective sports drink.” The idea for GoodSport came about when McBride was searching for a healthier drink option for her son to consume during baseball games. “Every time he went to a game, he was offered a sports drink lled with articial ingredients and too much sugar,” McBride said. “I’d bring him chocolate milk as a healthier option for after games, but it wasn’t very tting to use before or during a game. The protein in milk is slow to digest and can cause gastric discomfort during a workout.” McBride was inspired to create a hydrating beverage without the articial ingredients found in leading sports drinks. Milk turned out to be the perfect partner for McBride. Filled with electrolytes, milk is scientically shown to be more hydrating than traditional sports drinks and water. To bring her idea to life, McBride partnered with the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Center for Dairy Research. Offering scientic expertise in dairy research, technical support and education, the CDR assists dairy food and beverage companies with new product development. K.J. Burrington, CDR’s dairy ingredients, beverages and cultured products coordinator at the time, worked with McBride to formulate a sports drink made with dairy. “No company had ever asked us for help in that area before,” Burrington said. Burrington determined milk permeate was the magic ingredient for McBride’s beverage. “Permeate is thirst quenching and has the right texture,” she said. Turn to GOODSPORTS | Page 23

Dairy Star • Saturday, May 8, 2021 • Page 23

ConƟnued from GOODSPORTS | Page 22

Providing the proper sensory experience was important, and milk permeate was up to the task. Plain milk would not provide the appearance, avor, texture or sensory experience compatible with typical sports hydration drinks. “Michelle started off with something based from milk, but the texture and mouthfeel wasn’t typical of a sports drink,” Burrington said. “When you develop a beverage with milk, it’s milky looking and has a thicker mouthfeel. I knew milk permeate was the way to go.” A number of companies ultralter milk, but the resulting permeate is not used in food applications very often; therefore, Burrington knew there would be plenty available for McBride. Working with companies to rescue and upcycle their permeate for use in GoodSport contributes to the sustainability of the dairy industry. “When we ultraltered the milk at CDR, we made a toast because I knew right then and there that we could do it,” said McBride, who does not have a dairy background. “It was a tear-shed moment. From there, it was a process of guring out the specics and science behind turning it into a delicious and shelf-stable drink. There were a lot of failed attempts before we got to the right formula – but we did it.” From start to nish, GoodSport took 4.5 years to develop. “GoodSport contains a combination of electrolytes, including calcium, magnesium

PHOTO COURTESY OF CENTER FOR DAIRY RESEARCH

Entrepreneur Michelle McBride (center) is pictured with K.J. Burrington (leŌ) and Vic Grassman (right) at the Center for Dairy Research at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2018. McBride used the center’s experƟse in dairy ingredients and beverages when formulaƟng her new sports drink, GoodSport. and phosphorus as well as other vitamins – all of which are naturally occurring in milk permeate,” Burrington said. “Other sports drinks have to add these nutrients. GoodSport contains all-natural avors and colors and no added sugar, which is something many consumers are looking for.” Burrington said the goal of her work is to ensure value-added uses for every component of milk, including co-products like permeate ingredients. “We’re using milk permeate in a completely new beverage space now,” Burrington said. “In the end, this does provide a return to dairy farmers. Moving dairy into a whole new

category where it wasn’t before is a big deal.” McBride describes GoodSport as delicious and addicting. “GoodSport is exactly what you would expect from a sports drink,” McBride said. “It’s light and clear with a great balance of sweet and tart. It was specically formulated to taste great when you are hot and sweaty.” Burrington agreed. “GoodSport is a very light and refreshing drink,” she said. “It’s also very nutritious from a hydration standpoint and from every standpoint, making it a great drink for anybody of any age.”

When tested against water and other commercial isotonic drinks in a study by Penn State University, GoodSport was found to be more hydrating, keeping subjects hydrated for more than two hours. “The study found the combination of electrolytes and carbohydrates in milk permeate to be very effective at hydrating at the cellular level,” McBride said. “GoodSport promotes the body’s ability to retain and hold more uid, which provides superior hydration.” Unlocking the natural hydrating power of milk, GoodSport has over three times the electrolytes of leading sports drinks and 33% less sugar.

MAXIMIZE YOUR COOLING POWER! Add High Pressure Fog to your 50”, 55”, or 60” Panel Fan

“We don’t add any sugar,” McBride said. “GoodSport contains only the sugar from milk. In addition, it’s the only sports drink that provides calcium.” McBride said it was truly a gift to be able to work with the CDR. “I continue to work with Susan Larson and Kristin Houck, who are a tremendous help with ongoing testing,” McBride said. “And Vic Grassman and the TURBO program at CDR continue to provide insightful info that helps us as we’re moving forward.” GoodSport is lactose-free and shelf stable, and available in four avors – citrus, fruit punch, lemon lime and wild berry. GoodSport hit the marketplace in February and is sold on Amazon and GoodSport. com, and will also be found on retail shelves in the Midwest this summer. “Consumer reaction to GoodSport has been great so far, and we’ve had a tremendously enthusiastic response from farmers,” McBride said. GoodSport is the rst product McBride developed. Filling a void in the sports hydration industry, GoodSport’s future looks promising. “Athletes no longer have to choose between natural ingredients or effective hydration,” McBride said. “Now they can have both. GoodSport could be a great opportunity for the dairy industry.”

Visit your local J&D dealer: DURAND, WI Komro Sales & Service 715-672-4263

FREEPORT, MN

Variable Speed • No VFD Required!

Dairyland Equipment 218-564-4958

MENOMONIE, WI

Arnzen Construction 320-836-2284

Lindstrom Farm Systems 715-231-3168

FREEPORT, MN

PENNOCK, MN

GILMAN, MN

ROCK VALLEY, IA

Hartung Sales & Service 320-386-2697

•

MENAHAGA, MN

Gilman Coop Creamery 320-387-2770

D&D Ag Supply & Construction 320-599-4466

Prairie Land Ag Supply 712-476-9290

SAUK CENTRE, MN JANESVILLE, WI Dairyland Supply

Add to PM Panel Fan or Belt Drive Panel Fan

Tri-County Dairy Supply 608-757-2697

320-352-3987 800-338-6455

Fuller’s Milker Center 608-723-4634 800-887-4634

Equipment 608-269-3830

SPARTA, WI LANCASTER, WI Preston Dairy

WHITEWATER, WI MARSHFIELD, WI The Scharine Group

www.jdmfg.com Family Owned & Operated in Eau Claire, Wisconsin

Podevels Farm Service 608-883-2880 715-384-6193 800-742-5748 WITHEE, WI Hoover Silo Repair MELROSE, MN 715-229-2527 Farm Systems 320-256-3276

Page 24 • Dairy Star • Saturday, May 8, 2021

Instant Cool Your Milk Paul Mueller Company’s HiPerChill™ 5 package chiller works in unison with a Mueller® Accu-Therm® plate cooler to instant cool your milk before it enters your milk cooler, ensuring the highest quality product from your robotic dairy. With digital capacity control, the HiPerChill 5 lets your cows milk at their own pace while you benefit from greater energy savings.

HiPerChill™ 5 Package Chiller

Advanced Dairy Solutions Richland Center, WI

Redeker Dairy Equipment Brandon, WI

United Dairy Systems West Union, IA

Central Ag Supply Juneau, WI; Baraboo, WI

Seehafer Refrigeration, Inc. Marshfield, WI; Sparta, WI

Gorter’s Clay & Dairy Equipment Pipestone, MN

Ederer’s Dairy Supply Plain, WI; Blanchardville, WI; Dodgeville, WI

Stanley Schmitz Inc. Chilton, WI

Leedstone Melrose, MN; Glencoe, MN; Plainview, MN; Menomonie, WI

J. Gile Dairy Equipment, Inc. Cuba City, WI Monroe Westfalia Surge Monroe, WI Professional Dairy Services Arlington, WI 1-800-MUELLER | PAULMUELLER.COM

Total Dairy Services Kewaunee, WI Tri-County Dairy Supply Janesville, WI Fuller’s Milker Center Lancaster, WI Eastern Iowa Dairy Systems Epworth, IA Sioux Dairy Equipment Rock Valley, IA; Colton, SD

Midwest Livestock Systems Zumbrota, MN; Menomonie, WI; Sioux Falls, SD S&S Dairy Systems St. Charles, MN Glencoe Co-Op Assn. Glencoe, MN

Dairy Star • Saturday, May 8, 2021 • Page 25

Excited for the future

Stark purchases family farm, has ideas to diversify By Danielle Nauman danielle.n@dairystar.com

WISCONSIN DELLS, Wis. – Emily Stark grew up milking cows alongside her family and came to the decision that dairy farming was her calling in life. In 2014, her family made the move from their Indiana dairy farm to their current farm in Sauk County near Wisconsin Dells. “One of the biggest advantages to moving up here is that there are so many more options for marketing your milk than there are in Indiana,” Emily said of her family’s move to Wisconsin. “Ironically, in Indiana, we were with Foremost, and our milk was shipped up here to Reedsburg.” Emily said her parents encouraged each of their children to leave the farm, seek post-secondary education and decide what direction their lives should take. After spending two years at North Dakota State University and two years at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, Emily decided to join her father on the farm in earnest. At the time, they were milking about 100 cows. Turn to STARK | Page 26

DANIELLE NAUMAN/DAIRY STAR

Emily and Jason Stark milk 50 cows on their dairy farm near Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. Emily took over the farm from her parents in 2019 and nalized the purchase in January 2020. She and Jason were married a month later, and he has since joined her in operaƟng the farm.

get to the next level with JOURDAIN. North America’s Jourdain Distributor

YOUR SOURCE FOR THE HIGHEST QUALITY

» » » »

Dealer Inquiries Welcome

HEADLOCKS FREE STALLS GATES & PANELS DLS CURTAINS

Midwest USA Sales: Todd Burkhalter Cell: 608.343.8936 DLS Office: Komoka, Ontario Toll-Free: 1.800.361.2303 Web: www.dlsbarnsolutions.ca

@dairylanesystemsUSA

Page 26 • Dairy Star • Saturday, May 8, 2021

ConƟnued from STARK | Page 25 In 2019, she began seeking nancing through the Farm Service Agency, setting the ball in motion to purchase part of the land and take over the dairy herd from her parents. Following the purchase of the farm, Emily reduced the herd to 35 cows. “When I would tell people I was buying the farm from Mom and Dad, I would tell them I didn’t know if I was crazy or stupid,” Emily said. “But I did know it was something I wanted to try, and the nice thing was I never felt pressured by my parents to take over. It was completely my choice and my decision.” Shortly after beginning the process to purchase the farm, Emily was introduced to her future husband, Jason. Jason was not dissuaded by Emily’s career goals and moved to Wisconsin to pursue the relationship. The couple was married about a month after Emily closed on the farm. “His parents had a dairy farm when he was younger, so he kind of knew what he was getting into,” Emily said. The Starks are now milking about 50 cows with plans to expand to 60 in the next few months. When they rst married, Jason worked off the farm for a grain and beef farmer, and Emily did the majority of the farm work. “It was hard for me to be gone to work knowing the workload she had here on the farm,” Jason said. “I still struggle sometimes when I am out in the elds and she is here shouldering the brunt of barn chores, but she truly loves working with the cows.” Jason left that job to join Emily full time on the farm at the beginning of this year, allowing to increase the herd. “Everything just seems to take a little longer to do than you think it will,” Emily said. “When you are sorting for herd health or the hoof trimmer, it is kind of challenging trying to do that on your own.” The greatest challenges Emily has faced as a beginning dairy farmer are the nancial ones. “There are a lot more challenges, nancially, than you think there will be or can really plan for,” Emily said. “But you just have to dig in and decide that you are going to make the best of it. I thought I was getting in at the beginning of the upswing. And then right after I bought the farm, the pandemic hit, and we ended up with prices lower than we ever thought imaginable.” To help create a better price for their milk market, the Starks participate in the Cows First program through Scenic Central. Their milk is used at Meister Cheese to produce cheese for the Chipotle restaurant brand which adds a premium to the value of their milk. “We have basically always used the management practices that they require, so it only made sense to get the extra value from doing it,” Emily said. Another challenge Emily has encountered has been locating labor, but she has dealt with that issue by remaining small. “Finding help is hard enough, but then if you do nd it, it seems like there goes any extra prot we might have made by having help,” Emily said. In her mind, the benets of dairy farming and being her own boss far outweigh the challenges. “I really like getting to do my own thing,” Emily said. “I would never make it working in an ofce-type job.” Besides slowly expanding their herd, Emily has other ideas for the future of their small dairy farm. “My dream would be to process our own milk and make ice cream, especially with being this close to the Dells,” Emily said, referring to the high volume of tourism in the area. “The trick is being able to get to that point nancially to make the investment.” Because their milk is sold for cheese production, Emily said she focuses on breeding cows for high components. The cows are typically bred using A.I., while she sources bulls, particularly Red and White Holsteins, to service the heifers. While she loves the farm and cannot imagine herself doing anything else in life, Emily makes it a priority to have a life away from the farm. “After we got married, Jason and I realized that although we had both grown up farming, we had grown up farming very differently,” Emily said. She said each had grown up in families with different expectations of nding time away from the farm. One pitfall of dairy farming together, Emily said, is nding time away from the farm. “I try to be of the mindset that farming is not my entire life,” Emily said. “I need to make time for myself and for family and friends.”

Bark, bark, the birds are back

Dairy Star • Saturday, May 8, 2021 • Page 27

I take notice when I see the rst of our killdeer return in early spring. Killdeer have brown upper feathers and white undersides with black bands around the eyes and chest and little white eyebrows. I cannot tell the females from the males as they look alike. They have long black beaks and legs, and are fast runners. Their call is usually what I hear rst before I even see them. The male bird will claim nesting territory before nding its mate. The lonely male will stand and make its call. It is a two-note call, and he can call for hours. After he has found his mate, she will lay eggs in a small divot in the ground, usualBy Tina Hinchley Farmer & Columnist ly in our driveway. These four small eggs are camouaged with brown speckles that blend in with all the stones around the eggs. If we can locate the nest, we usually put larger stones around it to protect the eggs from getting run over. Both the female and male incubate the eggs. If we get close to the killdeer nest, the birds will pretend to be injured, calling to us to come to them and move away from their eggs or chicks. But most often, we don’t locate the nest and simply notice when the little chicks have hatched and are running around like little uffy pompoms on legs that are too long. These chicks are precocial; they can move around and feed themselves shortly after birth. They run around for about a month before they can start to y, lling up on small insects and beetles. These birds return every summer, and last year’s hatch came with them. We have over ve birds nesting in the eld road going back to the trees. I haven’t found any of their nests this spring, but I know I am somewhere near when I see them perform their broken wing act. The next bird I take notice of is the migration of the Canadian geese and sandhill cranes. They y so high up I am always amazed I can hear them. We usually have pairs of cranes that nest near our wheat

waiting until they hatch. Around two weeks later, the blind naked chicks hatch, demanding to be fed around 40 times a day. At about two weeks, they are already big enough to leave the nest. As a typical farm, we also have our starlings. These are some naughty birds that will steal nests and even lay their eggs in another bird’s nest to have them raise them as their own. They are not welcome here, but they are unaware we don’t like them because we feed them when we feed the cows. Starlings eat the corn right from the cow feed and drink from the waterers. Starlings are also smart and can mimic other bird calls and songs. In the evening, they roost in the loang shed above our heifers. Before the sun goes down, they are singing songs of other birds, and it sounds amazing. Yesterday, I noticed the barn swallows had returned. Actually, Gimly, our Jack Russell terrier, ob-

served they were back. He is a bird dog and tries to catch anything that ies with feathers. The barn swallows have been uttering in the barns trying to locate their mud nest from last year to clean it up and make repairs. These birds are swooping around our barnyard to catch insects to eat. They y fast and furious back and forth. Gimly barks when they y over the yard. He stalks them, waiting for a low ying victim. His chasing and barking will continue all day long. I know they are teasing him. It will not be long, and we will see their uffy-headed chicks begging for food with their mouths wide open, seeming to scream, “Me rst.” Tina Hinchley, and her husband, Duane, daughter Anna, milk 240 registered Holsteins with robots. They also farm 2300 acres of crops near Cambridge, Wisconsin. The Hinchley’s have been hosting farm tour for over 25 years.

POW!

THE POWER OF PERFORMANCE IS IN YOUR HANDS

R bi h Robins have returned, d and d the early morning call they make as the sun is rising is my welcome sign that spring has arrived. elds where they manage to eat their ll of the tender shoots while waiting for their chicks to hatch. Both male and female cranes will incubate their two eggs, and the chicks will follow their parents shortly after hatching. Robins have returned, and the early morning call they make as the sun is rising is my welcome sign that spring has arrived. With the dew in the morning grass, the robins can be seen pulling up worms for breakfast. They hop around nding material to build their nests. Grass, twigs and a little mud to hold it all together, working as a team to get their family a place to hatch. The mother will lay three to ve blue eggs in the nest and then begins the dedicated process of

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!

INTRODUCING MAGNIVA® FORAGE INOCULANTS Drive herd health and performance to the next level with plentiful, high-quality, clean feed and magnify the value of your silage quality.

Take control at MAGNIVA.COM/NORTHAMERICA www.lallemandanimalnutrition.com

tfn

Page 28 • Dairy Star • Saturday, May 8, 2021 Dana Adams, adam1744@umn.edu 320-204-2968 Joe Armstrong armst225@umn.edu 612.624.3610 Luciano Caixeta lcaixeta@umn.edu 612-625-3130

www.extension.umn.edu/dairy

Water: A critical resource to a dairy operation

Gerard Cramer gcramer@umn.edu 612-625-8184 Marcia Endres miendres@umn.edu 612-624-5391

Water is a critical resource for a dairy operation. By managing your water use, you can provide the water needed for each task without wasting either water or money. The biggest water uses on dairy operations include: drinking water for lactating cows and youngstock; cleaning milking equipment and the milking center; and sprinklers or misters for cooling cows in hot weather. Other water uses can include water needed for worker lunchrooms and restrooms, truck washes, and on-site washing of cow towels and employee coveralls. By Kevin Janni Daily water usage can vary. Normal aniUniversity of MN mal consumption levels are listed in Table 1. Animal drinking water intakes can easily double during hot weather. Sprinkler systems use more water as they run more in hot weather. Water usage for cleaning milking systems and equipment depends on parlor and equipment size. Equipment suppliers should be able to provide an estimate of the water requirements for cleaning. Water usage among dairy operations can vary by as much as three times. An unpublished study of ve dairy operations reported water usage, for all water uses on the dairy operations, ranged from 80 to 240 gallons per lactating cow per day. A Minnesota study found water usage just in the milking center ranged from 2.5 to 9.5 gallons per cow per day on dairy operations with between 41 and 130 cows. One factor in varying water usage is the amount used to wash milking center walls and oors after each milking session. Water systems need to be sized based on both demand and usage. Water demand is the rate of water used per minute and is measured in gallons per minute. Demand like usage varies. Water systems need to be sized to supply the maximum demand in gallons per minute, which commonly occurs in the summer when the animals are drinking, sprinkler systems are operating, and milking equipment and pipelines are being cleaned all at the same time. Your water source needs to be able to provide both the maximum demand and the maximum daily usage day in and day out. Most dairy operations use groundwater and extract it with well pumps. Groundwater resources are not unlimited. Minnesota’s water resources are managed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources under state statutes. The statute requires the DNR to manage the state’s water resources to meet long-range seasonal requirements for competing uses. Water use permits are required for all users withdrawing more than 10,000 gallons of water per day or 1 million gallons per year. Most dairy operations use more than 1 million gallons of water per year and need a DNR Water Appropriation Permit.

Joleen Hadrich jhadrich@umn.edu 612-626-5620 Les Hansen hanse009@umn.edu 612-624-2277 Brad Heins hein0106@umn.edu 320-589-1711 Nathan Hulinsky huli0013@umn.edu 320-203-6104 Kevin Janni kjanni@umn.edu 612-625-3108 Karen Johnson ande9495@umn.edu 320-484-4334 Emily Krekelberg krek0033@umn.edu 507-280-2863 Claire LaCanne lacanne@umn.edu 507-332-6109 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 Melissa Wison mlw@umn.edu 612-625-4276

Spiro-Mix TMR & Trailer Mixers • Spiro p reel and auger g provide true end-to-end mixing • Stainless steel in critical areas • Optional p hayy knives to process hay and straw

ale Dell for r Ca iesest yoInurqucliros !! me oer elcal Wde

Powered Feed Carts • Stainless steel feed box • Heavy-duty drive

Conveyors

Belt

Bottom & Top Delivery

E. Rissler Mfg. LLC

All Poly & Treated Wood

2794 Brumbaugh Road, New Enterprise, PA 16664 • 814-766-2246 all: Brubacker Ag Equipment, LLC Curtis, WI Podevels Sales & Service MarshÀeld, WI

Or C

Reinke Sales Green Bay, WI

Using water for multiple purposes meets a dairy operation’s water needs while conserving the water resource. Most dairy operations use cool well water in a plate cooler to pre-cool freshly harvested milk. The slightly warmed water is stored and used to provide cows and youngstock with fresh drinking water. Water is used for cleaning. Milking equipment and pipelines are rinsed with cold water before being cleaned and sanitized with hot water and chemicals. The used hot water and a nal rinse before milking starts can be collected and stored before being used to wash down milking parlor and holding area oors after milking is completed. The rst cold water rinse after milking, which contains residual milk, is not recommended for oor washing in the parlor or holding area. Some dairy farms use recycled wastewater to ush freestall barn alleys and cross-gutters. This recycled water goes through multiple stages to reduce solids content before being used again to ush either manure alleys or cross-gutters in barns with sand lanes. A leaky water faucet that drips at the rate of one drop per second can waste up to 3,000 gallons of water per year. Excessive washing and rinsing can also waste water. Many dairy farms use water sprinkler systems or misters during hot weather to help cows manage heat stress. Water that does not land on the cows or evaporate may land on the manure alley or holding area oor and end up in the manure handling system. Poorly designed and managed sprinkler systems can waste water and add water to the manure storage system. A study in Wisconsin monitored energy consumption by well pumps on two dairy operations. A 1,750-head dairy farm used two 20 horsepower single-speed well pumps. The second operation, a 2,100-head dairy farm, used two 20 horsepower variable frequency drive-operated well pumps. Electrical energy used by the well pumps was monitored for three days on each farm. The study reported that the dairy using the variable speed drive saved 11.4 kilowatts of well pumping power, typically running at 40% to 60% of the overall horsepower, when compared to the dairy using single-speed well pumping. Animals Calves (1 to 1.5 gal. per 100 lb.)

Usage (gallon/head daily) 6-10

Heifers

10-15

Milking cows

35-50

Dry cows

Sprinkler system

20-30 10-20

Table 1. Normal drinking water requirements. Drinking water intake can easily double during hot weather (MWPS-7, 2013)

New concepts of subclinical hypocalcemia

Dairy Star • Saturday, May 8, 2021 • Page 29

Keeping Families on the Farm™

By Luciano Caixeta University of Minnesota

The daily calcium requirements almost triple when dairy cows transition from late gestation to early lactation. For instance, non-lactating cows require 21 grams of Ca to ensure normal bodily function whereas dairy cows producing 110 pounds of milk a day require an additional 55 g of Ca daily. Hence, adequate physiological adaptations are necessary to overcome this substantial increment in Ca demand in order to maintain normal bodily function and support health and production. A small percentage of cows (<5%), especially second and greater lactation cows, cannot adapt to this increase in Ca demand and develop clinical hypocalcemia (i.e., milk fever). In contrast, between 30% and 70% of the cows have a decreased blood Ca concentration without the presence of clinical signs around parturition (also known as subclinical hypocalcemia, SCH). Traditionally, blood Ca concentrations below the SCH diagnostic threshold (<8 mg/dL) within the rst day after calving have been considered as an undesirable trait because of its negative association with post calving outcomes. However, recent reports have shown that cows with low blood Ca concentration within 12 hours of calving are the cows with greatest milk production in early lactation. These reports also suggest that the negative post calving outcomes are more associated with the persistency of the low blood Ca concentrations rather than the lowest Ca concentration post calving. For example, dairy cows that have low blood Ca concentration in the rst day after calving and normal Ca concentration afterward had no difference in the risk of diseases and herd removal, similar reproductive performance and increased early lactation milk production when compared to cows with normal blood Ca concentration. On the other hand, dairy cows that continued to have low blood Ca concentration on days two and three after calving had increased risk of experiencing disease or being removed from the herd, decreased reproductive performance and similar milk production than cows with normal blood Ca concentration. Taken together, these ndings suggest that cows with a transient SCH are mounting an effective physiological response to the sudden increase in blood Ca requirement whereas cows with persistence SCH are not. A third type of SCH is the delayed SCH. In these cases, cows have normal blood Ca concentration levels in the rst two days after calving but decreased blood Ca concentration around four days in milk. These cows have increased risk to experience disease events, increased risk of removal from the herd and the lowest milk production among all groups. No physiological explanation for this late onset of SCH has being described yet; however, decreased dry matter intake because of another underlying metabolic or infectious disease has been suggested as a potential reason for these ndings. Taken together, results from recent reports suggest that combining the severity and duration of low blood Ca concentrations after calving might be a better parameter than checking the blood Ca concentration with a single sample within 24 hours of calving. Diagnosing SCH based on a single sample collected soon after calving is not a reliable strategy to identify cows with increased disease risk. Thus, measuring blood calcium concentration at day two after calving can be an alternative solution to identify cows that are unable to adapt to the new physiological state in the future. Nonetheless, more research is needed to investigate the feasibility of such management strategy.

SICK OF HANDLING BARN MANURE? Let the Discovery Collector 120 do it for you!

Ì¿Ã > >ÕÌ >Ìi` L>À y À V i> } >V ip« V } Õ« Ì i > ÕÀi vÀ L>À y ÀÃ > ` ` Ã« Ã } Ì ÌÃ «À «iÀ « >Vi° i> iÀ y ÀÃ] V i> iÀ ÛiÃ] i> Ì iÀ iÀ`t

(GCVWTGUt$GPGƂVU

• Front & rear sprayers

» Front—loosens manure » Rear—minimizes slipperiness U V } ÃÌ>Ì p>ÕÌ >ÌiÃ Ü>ÌiÀ L>} Àiw U 6>VÕÕ p i>ÛiÃ y ÀÃ V i> iÀ Ì > ÃVÀ>«iÀÃ • Built-in sensors—auto-navigation U ,i Ìi «À }À> }pV ÌÀ Ì Ì À Õ} Þ ÕÀ « i U -µÕ>Ài vÀ Ì Ü Ì À Õ `i` L>V pV i> Ã Ì i V À iÀÃ • Empties itself—into cross-pits or any manure storage area in barn U 6iÀÃ>Ì ipÜ À Ã Õ Ì « i y À ÃÌÞ iÃt

And your cows will like it too! Let the Lely Discovery Collector do your dirty work for you!

THE NO COMPROMISE FABRIC STRUCTURE

It’s a robotic vacuum for your barn!

DAIRY, MACHINERY & HAY STORAGE

Commercial Agri Buildings

WE ALSO SELL REPLACEMENTTARPS!

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

LANGE CONSTRUCTION & CONCRETE Duke Lange • Swanville, MN • 320-290-0859

LAKESIDE HOOP STRUCTURES, LLC

Eastern Minnesota and Wisconsin • Harris, MN • 651-248-6302 • Craig Moline ASK US ABOUT GOVERNMENT FUNDING FOR HAY STORAGE

CONTACT YOUR LEEDSTONE REP TODAY! Melrose, MN Jake—320.761.9630 jmoline@Leedstone.com

Plainview, MN Gregg—507.696.5518 gluebke@Leedstone.com

Glencoe, MN Paul—320.510.0200 pbecker@Leedstone.com

Menomonie, WI Mark—507.259.8047 mjurgenson@Leedstone.com

for the lastest news on Lely and more, with Leedstone! Leedstone.com/your-dairy-equipment-center •

• Family and veterinarian owned since 1994

Roller coaster Page 30 • Dairy Star • Saturday, May 8, 2021

Five months ago, a doctor looked at my husband the stronger enemy within them. From a spousal standand I and spat out those forbidden, detested, ugly words point, some of the hardest parts are having no way to that no one ever wants to hear: “Keith has cancer.” help them with some of the side effects and having no On Jan. 5, we entered into a world lled with scans, control over what is happening. I’m getting better at foscans, more scans and then cusing on things I can control appointments to talk about in my corner of the world to Each h and d every one off you the scans. Following a month E help myself stay stable in this of hurrying off to appoint- reading this no doubt has your sea of uncertainty. Keith and ments, things slowed down to I have many conversations allot time for chemotherapy. own roller coaster ride about things we wouldn’t The words I want to use to happening in your life. have talked about months describe chemotherapy, this ago. And, I walk the ne cancer-killing weaponry, canline of becoming a nagging not be printed here. Anyone wife by asking, far too much, who has had someone close to them go through it, or “How are you feeling?” who themselves has challenged the cancer beast with We Midwestern folk are often heard, in situations chemo as their artillery, will understand my thoughts. like these, saying, “It could be worse.” As aggravating It is miserable to watch someone you love so much suf- as that statement has a tendency to be, it’s often true. fer through the side effects of something meant to kill The chemo Keith is getting doesn’t make him lose his

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

+2.7 MAST

+0.6 MAST

105 Z MAST

104 Z MAST

2.69 SCS

2.90 SCS

hair (Some of our kids have never seen him without a beard). The nausea medications given along with the chemo do their job, and he can usually hide how miserable he feels. He has a terric attitude, a strong and determined spirit, and a sense of humor I have never ap- Ramblings from the Ridge preciated more. He forces himself to eat meals even when the chemo makes all things taste like tin foil and he has no appetite. He has said himself that, “It could be much worse. It’s not my kids or my wife. And I could be a much weaker human, but I’m not.” It could be cold outside, but it’s starting to By Jacqui Davison stay warmer. His cocktail Columnist of chemotherapy drugs causes neuropathy, where your ngers and toes get extra cold. For a guy who likes – and needs – to be working with his hands, constantly having painful, cold, tingly ngers is a mental and physical frustration. He tries to keep at work as much as he can: planting corn and puttering on tractors. Though, as most farmers know, being frustrated about not being able to work is almost physically painful. I have been riding a roller coaster for the past ve months. I did not buy a ticket for this ride; I was placed here without advanced warning. This ride does not have seat belts, only poor signage along the route. There is no voice shouting over an intercom telling me what’s around the next bend. There are high spots, sudden plunges and sharp 90-degree turns. But, I am not alone on this ride, and that’s what makes it much more tolerable. I have friends and family, who are beyond incredible, on this ride with me. They point out things along the tracks that I may be missing; nd things to steer my focus. They are there when there are tears and to listen to my fears. They let me scream and yell, and evoke the laughter we all need. They sit in the seats surrounding me to cushion the falls and to grab onto to me and pull me back to the high, level tracks. They assure me this ride won’t last forever, and we may get seat belts eventually. I’m not sure when I’ll get the OK to get out of my seat, but I do know I will walk with shaky, unsure legs for a while. I also know those people who have been on the roller coaster with me will always hold a special, irreplaceable place in my heart. Each and every one of you reading this no doubt has your own roller coaster ride happening in your life. Everyone has their something. There is no scale saying my problems are bigger than yours. There is no comparing. There is life, and this is all part of it. I do not write this to compare. I write this to be honest, to let you know it is OK to feel burdened by your something. This thing called life can be full of real and rough stuff. I struggle with this daily, because some days my burden feels very, very heavy. This is the ride we have been put on, and we will make the best of it. Deep in my soul, I know Keith will be OK. There are bright spots around the corners; if our eyes are open, we will nd them, and they will help shine light on the dark spots. There are many great humans in our world who truly care, and that makes my heart quite literally swell with love. My sincere hope is if you are on your own roller coaster ride of life, you have a strong safety net of loved ones surrounding you – cushioning your falls, carrying you on. Jacqui and her family milk 800 cows and run 1,200 acres of crops in the northeastern corner of Vernon County, Wisconsin. Her children, Ira (14), Dane (12), Henry (7) and Cora (4), help her on the farm while her husband, Keith, works on a grain farm. If she’s not in the barn, she’s probably in the kitchen, trailing after little ones, or sharing her passion of reading with someone. Her life is best described as organized chaos – and if it wasn’t, she’d be bored.

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. 04/21 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.

We also BUY your used equipment and milk tanks.

SALVAGE HOUSE

424 Third Street, Fullerton, NE 68638 • 800-844-5427

Super facts about Minnesota’s super cows

Dairy Star • Saturday, May 8, 2021 • Page 31

By Jim Bennett

Columnist, Veterinary Wisdom

Minnesota DHIA published a list of the 64 top cows ranked by total lifetime pounds of fat and protein combined for 2020. These are truly super cows because they produce a lot, and they have stayed in the herd for many lactations. In the table below are the top six cows. Cow 8302, owned by Pater Dairy, has produced 26,070 pounds of fat and protein, and 401,152 pounds of energy corrected milk. That is 13 tons of fat and protein. 400,000 pounds of milk is eight semi-tanker loads or two tankers per teat. Remarkable. Farm Pater Larcrest GarLin Stelling Selke Hollerman

Cow

Age, months 8302 126 Crimson 154 8251 137 Lark 115 973 112 27G 145

LactaƟons 9 6 9 7 8 9

Fat and Protein 26,070 lbs. 25,543 lbs. 25,521 lbs. 23,848 lbs. 23,346 lbs. 23,064 lbs.

ECM 401,152 37,385 387,305 35,934 360,935 357,890

How much milk did they produce per day? Below is a table showing the top six cows ranked by total pounds of ECM produced per day in milk. The next column is total pounds of ECM per day of life going all the way back to birth. HydePark’s 3887 produced 134 pounds of ECM for every one of her 2,412 days in milk over eight lactations. She is truly a super cow. Farm

Cow

Hyde-Park Stelling Pater Hyde-Park GarLin Hinckley

3897 Orpha 8302 3876 11555 2113

Age, months 112 110 126 117 102 114

LactaƟons 8 7 9 8 7 8

ECM/ DIM 134 127 126 124 124 122

the average cow. Consider the cows with the most days in milk in the table below. Gruber’s Susie has produced milk for 3,846 days without needing a replacement and has produced over 300,000 of milk in that time. She is a super money maker. Farm

Cow

DIM

Age, months LactaƟons

ECM

Gruber

Susie

3,846

166

306,983

Crystal View 1018

3,813

160

325,023

HunsƟnger

188

3,793

156

320,058

Larcrest

Crimson

3,758

154

374,385

Redalen

Kash

3,646

158

298,580

Wendt

788

3,523

151

311,637

How does one get, or make, a super cow? Surely there are a lot of factors; however, top-quality animal care to animals has to be one of the most signicant. One-third of the cows on this list reside in herds owned by clients of our veterinary practice, so I can say that with some authority. I am pretty sure top quality cow care is the standard on the rest of these farms as well. Super cows have super owners. Thank you all for taking such great care of your animals. Bennett is one of four dairy veterinarians at Northern Valley Dairy Production Medicine Center in Plainview, Minnesota. He also consults on dairy farms in other states. He and his wife, Pam, have four children. Jim can be reached at bennettnvac@gmail.com with comments or questions.

ECM/Day ECM 95 95 105 88 100 88

322,106 317,755 401,152 312,533 309,278 306,186

To be a super cow, many of these cows had to be reproductively efcient. The table below is the top six cows ranked by lowest days in milk per lactation and shows total pounds of ECM and ECM per productive day. Swenson’s 2112 has averaged 289 days over 10 lactations, and the next ve cows’ average days are only a few days longer. These are reproductive super cows. Farm

Cow

Swenson GarLin Keiand Frendshuh Fjelmar Pater

2112 10845 215reg 5M1564 948 8325

Age, months 131 120 119 120 125 127

LactaƟons 10 9 9 9 10 10

DIM/ LactaƟon 289 290 290 291 292 294

ECM 304,080 302,230 277,374 238,671 309,935 328,305

ECM/ DIM 105 116 106 91 106 112

How about milk per lactation? Here are the top six cows ranked by ECM by lactation. Larcrest’s Crimson produced 62,398 pounds of ECM per lactation for six lactations. Farm

Cow

LactaƟons

Crimson

Age, months 154

Larcrest Valley Acres Stellling GarLin Friendshuh Stelling

ECM

ECM/ LactaƟon 62,398

63 Lark 11524 3J170 Venice

113 115 102 131 100

5 7 6 7 6

57,836 51,336 51,259 50,126 49,123

289,179 359,354 307,556 350,881 294,739

374,385

There are some other breeds on the list too. Here all the other breeds ranked by total pounds of fat and protein. GarLin’s 10340 produced over 20,000 of fat and protein combined. There is even a Jersey: Co-Jo Dairy’s 162. Even small cows can be super cows. Farm

Cow

Breed

LactaƟons

Crossbred

Age, months 124

GarLin Valley Acres Co-Jo Dairy Valley Acres

10340 10336 162 11065

Crossbred Jersey Crossbred

123 130 107

9 8 8

Fat and Protein 20,619 lbs. 19,896 lbs. 19,850 lbs. 18,497 lbs.

Super cows are super money makers. They produce many tons of product over their lifetimes, and they require far fewer replacements over that time period than

EVERYTHING

SILO

1st crop of hay will be ahead of schedule. Call to schedule your spring projects today! The Best Service Crews, The Best Replacement Parts, The Best Service...

That’s The Osakis Silo Advantage To You!!!

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

Fixing what is broken Page 32 • Dairy Star • Saturday, May 8, 2021

It’s been one of those weeks at our farm. No, it’s taking logs, which could be burned for heat, and conbeen one of those years or maybe a decade or pos- verting them to lumber. He happens to be a landscaper sibly a century where there is always something in and lets me borrow his excavator when it’s not doneed of repair. Really, it’s more like a whole bunch ing something important for his business. This week, of somethings are perpetually broken. My skidloader it wasn’t busy for him so I’m busy using it before it recently broke, and the tile needs to do some landscaplines have been broken for ing, probably for the rest of The top thing hi on the h fi fix-it i lilist at the summer. After two years quite a while. I saw a joke Th going around the internet our farm has been drain tile. of the wettest weather I’ve the other week pertaining ever experienced, we’re xto this concept of the nevering the new problems creending x-it list. ated by the insane amount Crop farmers: “Run on Sunday, x on Monday.” of water as well as old ones that were exposed by the Livestock farmers: “There’s a 50% chance I nd ultimate drain tile stress test. Last year, we got many something broken any day of the week but 100% on problems xed. And, this year is cleanup of all the a holiday.” ones we missed on the initial attempt to dry areas out. Dairy farmers: “What day is it?” There were a few areas where I xed two or three The top thing on the x-it list at our farm has been obvious problems of water on top of the ground and drain tile. I share a mutual enjoyment with a friend of missed a few smaller ones. The problem was that in

some areas of the pastures and elds, the tile isn’t very deep due to the clay being close to the surface. That’s not a problem normally, but when it never stops raining, cows can step very deep in the soil and the manure spreader can sink almost as deep. The tile got crushed in a number From the Zweber Farm of places. I’ve been told my great-grandfather was the rst person in the county to install drain tile in his elds. I believe this based on the number of repairs I’ve had to do to aging clay tiles that are quickly approaching an age where, were they huBy Tim Zweber man, they would be reFarmer Columnist ceiving a letter from the president commending them on reaching centenarian status. It’s always an adventure when I start digging up a drain tile hole or geyser. I might nd clay tile. I might nd concrete tile. I might nd plastic tile. I might nd all three in the same place. Years of repair and replacement, some of which was done quickly with what was available, have led to some head scratching moments of wondering how this mess occurred and how to remedy it. The answer is obviously to just connect it all together and make sure it’s all running downhill, but the tricky part comes with the wondering whether I’m working on the same line 30 feet away or if I’ve dug just past where another line joins in, or maybe I found another parallel line. Belle Plaine Block and Tile have been added to my phone’s speed dial to get that one adapter or wye needed that never seems to be on hand so I’m not making quick xes I’ll have to dig up again 10 years later. My wife likes to say that I always have something I should be doing when I say we can do another thing. In the world of dairy farming, or at least the way I do it for better or worse, there’s always something to do. The never-ending list makes it easy to stay out of trouble as well as other people’s business. If you ever nd yourself lacking in things to do, stop by my farm. I guarantee there is something you can x for me. Until next month, keep living the dream and repairing the things that break along the way. Tim Zweber farms with his wife Emily, their 3 children and his parents Jon and Lisa by Elko, Minnesota.

Tell the advertisers you saw their ad in the Dairy Star!

THIS IS OUR MARK. It matters to us because it fuels our farms and our families. It brings our dairy to tables around the world. Our mark stands for all the things that bring us together and make us stronger.

Get to know us at dfamilk.com

Self-Propelled Bale Unroller Feed Round Bales the EASY way!

• Joystick operated steering • Electric start Honda engine • Reversible feed rolls • Works with wet or dry bales

Charles Krause | Krause Holsteins | Buffalo, Minn.

Free brochure! 1-800-436-5623

Photographs with memories

Pictures surround us these days. They are on our screens, phones, papers, magazines and hanging on our walls. It wasn’t always so, at least not to the extent it is now. I have always liked to look at old photos of family, of old farming practices and especially of cows. Maybe some of you have the same preferences. In the or any of the seasons, photos remind us of the Come Full Dairy Circle spring, beauty that surrounds us. Popping up on screens lately are colorful tulip and daffodil photos. Flowers are not my talent, so I appreciate the dedication of good gardening friends and their willingness to document their pretty owers and landscapes on a screen. Farms and rural areas are especially good subject matter for photographs. When I was a young journalist, I spent many days with a Nikon SLR camera on someone’s dairy farm, setting up photos and trying to decide if Kodachrome or Ektachrome was the best choice of lm, loading cameras, attaching ashes, worrying By Jean Annexstad about F stops and shutter speeds, and whether the shot would be too grainy for a good reprint in a magazine. Columnist The dairy farmers who were my subjects were always patient as I worked. Then as the lm was processed, I waited to see if I had made good decisions. Sometimes they turned out well, while other times the photos were disappointing. Today, of course, photos are digital, instant and easier to edit. The problem now, at least for me, is how to organize and nd the ones I want to see again. Very few are ever printed, and many photos are not very often revisited. When it comes to explaining how things used to be on our farm to our kids, it is great if there is a photo to show them. “Here’s how the tiestall barn looked before we turned it into a holding pen for the parlor,” for example. We don’t seem to have a lot of farming methods of a few decades ago, so a lot is left to words and the imagination. Taking some shots of everyday things on the farm seems like a good idea. My brothers-in-law, Mike and Eric, do a great job of this. Mike keeps a digital camera handy. When there is something noteworthy going on, or if he is climbing up on a bunker silo or another high place, he takes good perspective shots of our farm and the activities on it. Eric likes to take farming shots, snowy landscapes and close-ups of plants and owers. These photos are great additions to walls and the yearly family calendar. One thing we do have from my husband’s family is old photos of farming from the 1900s through the 1950s. They are reprinted and captioned in a scrapbook put together by my mother-in-law for us to keep. They show how grain was threshed, how the farmers dressed, and what machinery and cars looked like. I wonder sometimes who the photographer was and why they placed such importance on taking these pictures. Did they know what a treasure they were creating? Today, dairy friends take and post shots of new facilities going up on their farms, detailing the transformation on an almost daily basis. What a great idea to have a record that is easily accessed and shows each step along the way. It is interesting to follow along with the progress being made. Pictures of families taken by amateur and professional photographers are also great to have. I like to take out our old ones and see how people have changed or how their early personalities show through on old photos. Sometimes, the spur-ofthe moment shots can reveal a lot. But the carefully-posed, gorgeous background shots are great too. I admire my rural photographer friends who are creative and take beautiful, artsy cow and people photos. Keep up the great work. Their work enhances calendars, blogs and articles I read. Many know of the ne work of Ruth Klossner, for one example, who takes and posts thousands of photos at the Minnesota State Fair 4-H shows, auctions and other cow-related events. We plan to have some family photos done soon incorporating our Red and White cow family. Alba, the cow family matriarch, is due to calve any day, and her favorite thing is to escape fences and tour around the farm. (Rolf suggested she could just as well calve in the calf barn so we don’t have to move her calf, as she likes to visit there.) I will let you know how it all turns out and if we ever have all three kids home at the same time the photographer can come. Jean dairy farms with her husband, Rolf, and brother-in-law, Mike, and children Emily, Matthias and Leif. They farm near St. Peter, Minnesota, in Norseland, where she is still trying to t in with the Norwegians and Swedes. They milk 200 cows and farm 650 acres. She can be reached at jeanannexstad@ gmail.com.

Does your milking equipment need maintenance? We service all dairy equipment! Give us a call to schedule a visit. 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

Dairy Star • Saturday, May 8, 2021 • Page 33

Heavy Duty Poly Hay feeder

Fence Line Feeders Cattle Master Series 3 Squeeze Chute

HD Hay Saver

IN STOCK

Goat and Sheep Feeders

Tarter Gates IN STOCK

715-644-2350 715-644Chippewa Valley Dairy Supply

6053 CTY. HWY. G • STANLEY, WI 54768 • Andrew Zimmerman

FLY SEASON IS COMING!

HYDRATION & ENERGY SUPPORT TO COMBAT STRESS

We have ﬂy control additives for mixes, minerals and milk replacers! ®

WIND & RAIN FLY CONTROL with Altosid

Book HYDRO-LAC LAC by May 15th, 2021 and receive up to $

5 Off Per Bag!

Prevents the breeding of horn ﬂies in the manure of treated cattle.

ATTACHMENTS

Book by May 15th and take and invoice by June 15th: 1-39 bags - $1/bag off ($3 total) 40-79 bags - $2/bag off ($4 total) 80+ bags - $3/bag off ($5 total)

Check us out before you buy!

Contact Sunrise Ag in Little Rock at 320-584-5147 or Chuck Nelson (320-221-5652) with questions and to book Hydro-Lac!

WE HAVE ZERO-TURN MOWERS! (Pierz Location)

REPAIR Hwy 25 • Pierz • 468-2168

A full time electric motor repairman is now on site Monday-Friday, 8-5 in Pierz!

LITTLE ROCK, MN 320-584-5147

PIERZ, MN 320-468-2168

LASTRUP, MN 320-468-2543

BUCKMAN, MN 320-468-6433

Page 34 • Dairy Star • Saturday, May 8, 2021

A plan for ownership

Dalquists use contract for deed to transition farm By Jennifer Coyne jenn@dairystar.com

RANDALL, Minn. – Whether milking cows, xing fence line or planting his spring crop, Michael Dalquist is working toward farm ownership; a quest he began one year ago. “We wrote out the pros and cons of coming back here to dairy farm, and we did a lot of praying,” Michael said. “It was a big decision. But, since high school, I have always wanted to do this.” Michael and his wife, Cora, milk 30 cows on their organic dairy farm in Morrison County near Randall. The Dalquists are in the process of purchasing the farm from Michael’s parents, Dale and Kathy. Michael and Cora returned to the farm in 2019, and a year later, June 2020, the couple entered into a contract for deed agreement with Dale and Kathy, which is a 28-year contract to purchase the farm site and most of the land. “The way we’re set up, the contract for deed is not a huge monthly payment, but there is always an option to pay more,” Michael said. Before the agreement was set in stone, the Dalquists also included the herd of milking cows and machinery. However, before both parties signed, they agreed to have Michael and Cora

JENNIFER COYNE/DAIRY STAR

Michael and Cora Dalquist and their daughters – (from leŌ) ChrisƟna, 2, and Elsie, 3 – milk 30 cows on their organic dairy farm near Randall, Minnesota. The Dalquists are taking over Michael’s family farm through a contract for deed arrangement.

Turn to DALQUIST | Page 35

You Know Farming, AND SO DO WE. Specializing in Custom-Designed Agricultural Facilities Since 1970. Big or Small, We Design/Build Them All. Designers

| Construction Managers | Builders

400 Brickl Road | West Salem, WI 54669-0125

Toll Free: (800) 658-9030 | Web: BricklBros.com

Dairy Star • Saturday, May 8, 2021 • Page 35

ConƟnued from DALQUIST | Page 34

SERVICES: • Diesel Repair on Medium/ Heavy Duty Trucks & Trailers • Farm/Ag Equipment • DOT Inspections • Resurfacing Flywheels • Custom Fabrication • Hydraulic Hoses (made in minutes!)

FREE

Pickup/delivery within 20 mile radius

N5756 County Road D • Fond du Lac, WI

920.906.9840 • 920.933.3813 WWW.JTLREPAIR.COM JENNIFER COYNE/DAIRY STAR

The Dalquists – (from leŌ) Michael, Cora, Elsie and Kathy, holding ChrisƟna – talk about the farm dynamics on their dairy April 19 near Randall, Minnesota. purchase those entities separately. “This way I can own the cows,” Michael said. “I already own half. Within two years, I’ll have all the cows and then can work on buying the machinery.” The Dalquists’ days begin around 5 a.m. when Michael heads to the barn for milking and other chores. After breakfast, he works on projects around the farm and home, and spends time with his daughters, Elsie and Christina. By 3:30 p.m., barn chores resume with the help of Dale and Kathy. “I do the vast majority of the work, but Dad and Mom come over once a day for afternoon chores,” Michael said. “Dad does a lot of the eldwork too.” The Dalquists milk in a 30-stall tiestall barn. “Not too long after I took over, I bought automatic takeoffs,” Michael said. “It’s easier but it’s also been an adjustment.” When Michael and Cora met, they pursued another agriculture business with Cora’s family in central North Dakota.

While it was always Michael’s intentions to farm the land he grew up on, the couple could not justify the decision at the time. “We really had a hard time envisioning enough income to feed two families here,” Cora said. “We joined my family’s seed-cleaning business and became part owners.” Then, three years ago, the Dalquists re-evaluated their long-term goals after Dale’s health began to decline. “It was a lot of physical labor,” said Michael of his father milking cows. “There were two summers in a row he got pretty knocked out.” After discussing the possibility of returning home and developing a plan that would allow the farm to nancially support two families, Michael and Cora and their young family relocated. “This farm has been in the family for generations,” Michael said. “We didn’t want that to dry out.” Kathy agreed. “We were doing all right, but we were getting to the point that it was Turn to DALQUIST | Page 38

FIBERGLASS FENCING • GATES • FREESTALLS • FEED RAIL • FEED LOTS PATENT PENDING

New additive in our paint now prevents & protects against the growth of mold & mildew.

Fiberglass freestalls offer a heightened level of comfort which can lead to an increase in milk production!

NEW PRODUCTS:

• All Solid Rail Fencing has a 20 year UV coating to prevent slivers, Colors available • Show Fencing & Pasture fencing • Cattle Panels & Continuous Fencing • 1’’ & 1-1/4 Electric Fence Post UV Protected •13% Chrome Post for Head Locks & Feed Rail • Guard Rail and Fiberglass posts. • Lifetime warranty on our ﬁberglass products from rusting and rotting

Ventilation for Calves

ATTENTION:

DAIRY/POULTRY FARMERS PREMIUM BEDDING FOR SALE • Wood Shavings • Sunﬂower Hulls • Mixed Loads

• Kiln Dried to Optimum Moisture Levels • Interested or Just Inquiring

Contact: Dylan: 320-894-5511 or Brady: 507-514-0401

D&D Ventures

Grove City, MN

“I love using the 1-1/4” ﬁberglass rods for putting up electric fences. Using the swivel connectors for bracing corners is fast, super easy, economical, and doesn’t require expensive machinery to make it this easy! Makes for a nice looking and solid fence!” Jordan Meyer, Caledonia, MN Electric Fence Post

“I chose TJ Fencing’s products after seeing them at Burnham Lumber because of how competitively priced they are. I love how lightweight and ﬂexible the ﬁberglass freestalls are, and the gates won’t rust which is a big plus!“ - Jack Weigel South Wayne, WI

“The fencing looks great, is easy to maintain, it lasts forever and the people are great to work with!” - Stempﬂe Holsteins, Maynard, IA

Hwy. 76 • Harpers Ferry, IA

563-586-2023

www.tjsfencingcompany.com Email: tjfence@acegroup.cc

FAMILY OWNED FOR OVER 30 YEARS!

Page 36 • Dairy Star • Saturday, May 8, 2021

Women In Dairy Heather Noskowiak Bryant, Wisconsin Langlade County 125 cows Family: I have been married for 18 years to my husband, Chris, who works on the road all week with Northeast Asphalt. We have three kids. Braeden, 16, is a sophomore at Antigo High School and stays active with basketball, football and 4-H. He made the 4-H shooting sports team for Wisconsin to shoot at nationals in Nebraska in June. Allison, 14, is also at the high school and is in eighth grade. She would rather be on the farm than be involved in sports. She has her rst bred-andowned Holstein heifer that will be 1 year in June, and she also purchased a Jersey. She plans to show both plus others at our county fair and show those two at state fair. And Aylah, 8, is the youngest and is in second grade. She loves to entertain everyone and sing and dance. I have been employed with CentralStar Cooperative for the last 20 years as a DHI specialist. Tell us about your farm. My grandparents owned the farm, and then they sold it to my parents and my uncle. We milk 101 cows in tie stalls three times a day. We put up a dry cow and springer facility in 2005, a weaned calf barn in 2010 and a greenhouse for the calves in 1997. We have three employees who milk. My dad takes care of all the feeding, and my uncle takes care of the herd health and calves. I live next door to the farm and ll in whenever and wherever I am needed. Braeden likes to help whenever there is a tractor involved. We grow corn and alfalfa to be used for silage. We purchase baled hay, straw and high moisture corn. We use a TMR to make sure they are getting everything they need. What is the busiest time of day for you? The busiest time of day for me is mornings. If I’m not helping on the farm, I have a farm I need to be at early in the morning, sometimes as early as 1:30 a.m. I also need to get the kids’ things ready for school and lunches ready before I go to work. Thankfully, my parents live down the road to help if needed. When you get a spare moment, what do you do? In my spare time, which isn’t a lot, I love to work with my owers. I started renishing furniture and crafting last summer. I love nding new pieces of furniture to makeover and love going to the ea markets. Tell us about your most memorable experience working on the farm. My most memorable memories on the farm were fair time. As crazy and hectic as it was, I was always excited to showcase animals from our farm and see my farm friends. And now to see my kids getting those same experiences is the best thing in the world.

What have you enjoyed most about dairy farming or your tie to the dairy industry? I have been a DHI specialist for 20 years. I have 27 dairy farms I test every month. I love my job. I love going to the different farms and talking to each of the producers about their families, the herd and other stuff going on. How do you stay connected with others in the industry? I stay connected in the industry through meetings I have to attend for work. I am also the dairy chairman for Langlade County 4-H so I try to come up with dairy related things for the youth. Who is someone in the industry who has inspired you? There is not just one person who has inspired me. Instead, many dairy farmers have inspired me. They work 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They are some of the hardest working people I know and are usually the rst ones to help. They care about their families, the cows, their neighbors and the land. If you could give a tour of your farm to a prominent woman in today’s society, who would it be? If I could give any prominent woman a tour of our farm, it would have to be the rst lady. Our nation needs dairy farmers. I have seen so many lose their family farm due to high costs and low milk prices and some because of retirement. Dairy farmers don’t get the recognition they deserve, and I would like for our government to do more for them to protect them from the low milk prices and work with other countries to get our products to them. What is the best vacation you have ever taken? The best vacation I took was probably this last spring. My daughters and I went to Florida with my mom and dad for a week. It was nice to get away from the cold and snow in the frozen north woods of Wisconsin. What are some words you like to live by? You never know what will happen tomorrow, so live for today. Be a better version of yourself.

Are you looking for up-to-date information on the dairy industry? Subscribe to the

INTRODUCING 2 ALL-NEW FEED MIXERS. Increased Capacity, with a lower loading Height. It's Compact. It's Economical. It's an NDEco. A perfect t for your Dairy.

U550D 580 ft³ 87" Height

U700D 705 ft³ 99" Height

DAIRY ST R For features from the barn, markets, columnists, proﬁles, opinions from your neighbors and timely dairy information.

ONLY $35.00 FOR A 1-YEAR SUBSCRIPTION Clip & Mail With Payment To: DAIRY STAR 522 Sinclair Lewis Ave. • Sauk Centre, MN 56378 Name Address City

We've recently expanded our dealer network to better serve dairies in the Midwest:

www.NDEco.com | 888.336.3127 @NDEcoTMR

Lindstrom Equipment, WI - 715.231.3168 Podevels Farm Service, WI - 715-384-6193 Northland Farm Systems, MN - 507.451.3131 Far West Equipment, ND - 701.260.4959

State

Zip

A Gift From The Dairy Star is currently sent out free to all registered dairy farmers in the state of Minnesota, Iowa, South Dakota, North Dakota, Wisconsin, UP Michigan and northern Illinois.

Dairy Star • Saturday, May 8, 2021 • Page 37

Attention Dairy/Poultry Farmers: We have Corn Cobs for Premium Bedding & Feed Fiber • Ground sized to your needs • Cobs dried & clean

Exremely Absorbant!

Other protein and ﬁber sources available!

GIVE RANDY A CALL TODAY

320-523-5120

www.beavercreektransport.com

3KRQH

ZZZ PPFMG FRP

2019, 481 Hrs, RWA, 900R42 Tires, Harvest Lab and Guidance Ready, Active Header Control, Dual Header Drive

499,500

9800, 2019, 481 Hrs, RWA ..................................... $499,500 8800, 2018, 1064 Hrs, RWA ................................... $369,000 8800, 2016, 1607 Hrs, RWA ................................... $304,900 8700, 2017, 924 Hrs, RWA ..................................... $351,900 8600, 2016, 785 Hrs, RWA ..................................... $359,000 8600, 2017, 849 Hrs, RWA ..................................... $329,000 8600, 2015, 1197 Hrs, RWA ................................... $262,500 8600, 2015, 1531 Hrs, RWA ................................... $236,400 8500, 2017, 103 Hrs, RWA ..................................... $429,000 8500, 2016, 862 Hrs, RWA .................................... $315,000 8300, 2017, 350 Hrs, RWA ..................................... $336,400 8100, 2016, 519 Hrs, RWA ..................................... $241,900 7980, 2013, 1921 Hrs, RWA ................................... $185,900 7780, 2014, 1270 Hrs, RWA ................................... $212,400 7580, 2014, 1764 Hrs, RWA ................................... $185,900 7350, 2012, 1271 Hrs, RWA ................................... $179,000 6710, 1993, 4050 Hrs, RWA ......................................$49,400

Bring out the best in yorur investment

Dennis Thyen

46310 164th Street Watertown, SD 57201 605.881.0647

6$8. &(175( 01

Dealer Inquiries Welcome!

All hours listed are “cutter hours”.

Call today for details on our Easy-Lease financing!

Other machines available for lease also. Subject to credit approval. Call for details.

Email: ddthyen@gmail.com

SMARTPHONE FARMING

Alma Pro

Automatic Calf Feeder

MilkShuttle

Automatic Milk Transport & Pasteurizer

FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF DAIRY FARMERS.

We offer 21st century whole-barn solutions through Smartphone Farming. Put your farm operation literally at your ﬁngertips: control milking, calf feeding, cleaning, etc. all from your phone, tablet or PC. AMS GALAXY USA is committed to supporting our customers — from small family farms to large-herd operations — with efﬁcient, affordable, reliable and cow-friendly automatic milking systems, specialized stress-free calf feeding systems, and other automation solutions for dairy farms. For more information, contact your Authorized Dealer or AMS Galaxy USA:

MIDWEST DAIRY ROBOTICS 1DWH /D[ mwdrobotics@yahoo.com AMS GALAXY USA Kutztown, PA 484-648-1365

AMSGalaxyUSA.com ROBOTIC MILKING. AUTOMATIC CALF FEEDING. ROBOTIC BEDDING. ROBOTIC FEED PUSHING. TOTAL FARM AUTOMATION.

Page 38 • Dairy Star • Saturday, May 8, 2021

ConƟnued from DALQUIST | Page 35 more than we could handle,” she said. “We didn’t want to tell him to come home but it worked out. When they decided to milk cows, oh, it was so great.” Before the contract for deed was drafted, the young couple received the milk check. The arrangement has allowed Michael and Cora to make management decisions for the future of their farming enterprise. For example, Michael makes all breeding decisions on the farm, even though he does not own all the cows.

“We didn’t want to tell him to come home but it worked out. When they decided to milk cows, oh, it was so great.” KATHY DALQUIST, DAIRY FARMER

“My breeding goals for cattle are to incorporate all A2A2 genetics and polled as much as I can,” Michael said. “That all takes time, so I started buying sexed semen.” When a transaction is made for an animal owned by Dale and Kathy, the senior Dalquists receive the prots. Revenue from calves is all recouped by Dale and Kathy, whereas cull cows receive a set price and the junior Dalquists receive anything above that amount. To create an effective contract, the Dalquists worked with a nancial consultant and attorney. “When Dale took over from his dad, it wasn’t exactly a shake-of-your-

JENNIFER COYNE/DAIRY STAR

Michael Dalquist pushes up feed for his 30-cow herd April 19 at his farm near Randall, Minnesota. Dalquist has purchased half of the herd from his parents. hand deal, but there was a lot less to it,” Kathy said. “This was more work than we expected. But, it’s what you have to do to protect yourself from this and that.” Michael agreed. “Dad wanted to offer a good deal, but we had to be practical,” he said. “Neither party wants to rip the other

one off. We have a lot of trust.” That strong, understanding relationship is what the Dalquists credit to their relatively smooth transition. Not only has it allowed one generation to step back, but it has also allowed a generation to create the best dairy business they envision for their family. In time, Michael plans to expand

the dairy to provide more income on less labor and accomplish his high school dream of owning his family’s dairy farm. “I like being my own boss because no one tells me how to run my day or what decisions to make,” Michael said. “If things go wrong, it’s my fault. If things go right, it’s my fault.”

Are you giving your calves and animals the love and attention they need?

At Foreston Creamery we can help!

COW/CALF

ASSORTED FEEDS

COW/CALF/BEEF

Munson 39% • Calf 36% Calf, chicken, hog, Foreston’s Calf Starter horse, sheep, rabbit, Munson Intense Calf Foreston’s Calf Grower 16% dog, cat, bird seed Famo 40/14 • 38% Dairy 16% Dairy • Milk Replacers

MINERALS

Famo Free Choice • 16% • Range • Lactation ADM Horse, sheep, or Goat mineral Purina Wind & Rain BB 8 Perfomrance • 3-1 and 1-1...and more

BEEF MINERALS: ADM • Famo

LICK TUBS

Famo 30% & 18% • Mintrate Horse, Sheep, Goat Flax Lic

on t s e For

FARMERS CO-OP CREAMERY

YOUR ONESTOP SHOP CO-OP!

MEETING YOUR ANIMAL FEED NEEDS & MORE! FORES T ON, MN • 320-294-57 11 • M-F 8-5PM • S AT 8-NOON WWW.FORES TONCREAMERY.COM

THERE IS STILL TIME FOR BABY CHICK ORDERS! We have feed and programs to help your babies grow.

CHICKENS (broilers & layers)

DUCKS • PHEASANTS • GEESE TURKEYS • GUINEAS

CHICKEN FEED

Foreston egg mash 20% and 18% starter • organic

Dairy prole

Dairy Star • Saturday, May 8, 2021 • Page 39