August 24, 2019 - Zone 1

Page 1

Sign up for our New Newsletter

Dairy St r Milk Break

Email andrea.b@dairystar.com to sign up.

DAIRY ST R “All dairy, all the time”™

Volume 21, No. 13

August 24, 2019

Kyllo crowned 66th Princess Kay of the Milky Way

New dairy royalty comes from Olmsted County By Sherry Newell Contributing Writer

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Amy Kyllo, a 19-year-old college student from a dairy farm near Byron, was crowned Princess Kay of the Milky Way Aug. 21 at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds in Falcon Heights, Minn. “It’s going to be wonderful,” said Kyllo, whose parents, Paul and Susan Kyllo, milk 95 cows and farm 400 acres near Byron, Minn. “It is such a privilege to represent my family and Minnesota farmers. I can’t begin to explain how thankful I am for this opportunity.”

DANNA SABOLIK/DAIRY STAR

Amy Kyllo of Byron, Minn., reacts to being crowned the 66th Princess Kay of the Milky Way on Aug. 21 at the Minnesota State Fair Bandshell in St. Paul, Minn. Elizabeth Krienke of Lester Prairie, Minn. (leŌ) and BriƩney Tiede of Le Center, Minn. (right) rounded out the top three.

Kyllo was also named Miss Congeniality from among the 10 Princess Kay nalists, all of whom will have their likenesses sculpted in butter during the state fair. She represented Olmsted County in the competition. Elizabeth Krienke, 19, daughter of Kraig and Rachelle Krienke of Lester Prairie in McLeod County, and Brittney Tiede, 18, daughter of Lloyd and Diane Tiede of Le Center in LeSueur County, were runners-up to Kyllo. Krienke was also one of three winners of $1,000 scholarships from Midwest Dairy Association, which sponsors the princess program. Rachel Paskewitz, 19, daughter of Alan and Vicki Paskewitz of Browerville in Todd County, Turn to PRINCESS KAY | PAGE 10

Dreier’s love of Forward thinking keeps dairy lasts on Czech farming

Carver County hosts showcase in memory of former 4-Her By Kate Rechtzigel Staff intern

NORWOOD YOUNG AMERICA, Minn. – Derek Dreier was devoted to the dairy project in Carver County– from showing and judging dairy cattle, to working with kids, and coaching the dairy quiz bowl team. “Derek had a love for 4-H, animals and dairy cattle judging,” said Derek’s dad, Larry Dreier said. “He always said his perfect job was to work with animals.” Larry and his wife, Debbie, milk 300 cows near Norwood Young America, Minn. Derek passed away June 24, 2017 to melanoma cancer at the age of 28, but his legacy in Carver County’s dairy community Derek Dreier lives on. Larry and his wife, Debbie, with the help of a family friends, Suzanne Honebrink, Carley Vinkemeier, Christine Leonard, Kristen Karels, Jeff Vinkemeier, Dale Schmidt and Chris Hedtke, dedicated the Carver County Dairy Youth Scholars scholarship program to their son. This program Turn to DREIER | Page 5

New Heights Dairy host of Benton County eld day By Jennifer Coyne jenn@dairystar.com

RICE, Minn. – When Brent Czech considers the progress he has made as a dairy farmer, it is not solely his work or one part of management that has propelled his business. Rather, Czech’s 1,800-cow dairy is built on the foundation of teamwork and opportunity with the industry’s tools. “I want to give people access to the farm and a chance to learn and see what we are doing,”

JENNIFER COYNE/DAIRY STAR

Myron (leŌ) and Brent Czech stand outside one of the freestall barns at Brent’s New Heights Dairy Aug. 12 in Rice, Minn. Brent hosted the Benton County Dairy and Forage Field Day where aƩendees learned about his dairy and forage management. Czech said. “To best do that, I want you to hear from the best people we work with.” Czech hosted the Benton County Dairy and Forage Field

Day Aug. 12 on his New Heights Dairy in Rice, Minn.

Turn to CZECHS | Page 6

Page 2 • Dairy Star • Saturday, August 24, 2019

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 (ofďƒžce) 320-248-3196 (cell) 320-352-0062 (home) Ad Composition Nancy Powell 320-352-6303 nancy.p@dairystar.com Amanda Thooft 320-352-6303 amanda.t@dairystar.com Consultant Jerry Jennissen 320-346-2292 Editorial Staff Andrea Borgerding - Associate Editor (320) 352-6303 • andrea.b@dairystar.com Krista Kuzma - Assistant Editor (507) 259-8159 • krista.k@dairystar.com Jennifer Coyne - Assistant Editor (320) 352-6303 • jenn@dairystar.com Ruth Klossner (507) 240-0048 cowlady@centurylink.net Danielle Nauman (608) 487-1101 danielle.n@dairystar.com Danna Sabolik - Staff Writer (320) 352-6303 • danna.s@dairystar.com Maria Bichler - Copy Editor (320) 352-6303

A glance at what’s inside As summer winds down, college students are wrapping up internships before heading back to school. We talked with dairy students who had summer employment on dairy farms. Read about what they learned and what they could bring back to their own home dairies and more on pages 15 and 16 in ďƒžrst section. August also means state fair time for Iowans. It is a time of year the Demmer family does not miss in order to show animals from their farm near Peosta, Iowa. This year, the Iowa State Fair was exceptionally special for the Demmers as they received The Way We Live award for their dedication to agriculture and strong Iowa farm values. Read about the family on pages 4-5 in Second section. This issue’s “Dairying in tough timesâ€? feature is about Alex Zilka, who milks 81 cows in a tiestall barn near Randall, Minn. After moving to his current site from Pierz, Minn., the young dairyman started milking his herd three times a day. Although the new schedule can be tiresome, it helps Zilka put more milk in the tank and more money on each milk check. Read about how Zilka is trying to make it through low prices on pages 12-13 in ďƒžrst section. Jim and Jean Reisinger are also trying to navigate the unsteady dairy economy. One way they have been adding income to the farm is by logging timber on their dairy near Spring Green, Wis. Most of the trees on Reisingers’ wooded land are oak. Although trees can only be harvested every 25 years, the venture has helped the couple stay out of debt. Read more about their logging side business on pages 34-35 in ďƒžrst section. Bruce and Julie Buddenberg milk 310 cows and are in the process of transitioning the farm to their son, Chanse. They spent Aug. 13 doing daily farm chores along with getting caught up on other small projects. Read about the family in our “A day in the lifeâ€? feature on pages 16, 18-19 in second section. Wisconsin cheesemakers hauled home numerous awards from this year’s American Cheese Society competition at the beginning of August. The state’s cheesemakers took home 28 percent of the awards, including 13 going to Klondike Cheese Company of Monroe, Wis. Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese in Waterloo, Wis., also took home many awards and was a top 20 ďƒžnalist at the competition. Read about many more of the state’s winners on pages 23, 25 in ďƒžrst section.

Advertising Sales Main Ofďƒžce: 320-352-6303 Fax: 320-352-5647 Deadline is 5 p.m. of the Friday the week before publication Sales Manager - Jeff Weyer (Northern MN, East Central MN) 320-260-8505 (cell) jeff.w@dairystar.com Mark Klaphake (Western MN) 320-352-6303 (ofďƒžce) 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 Hoeďƒ&#x;er (Eastern Iowa) 320-250-2884 • amanda.h@dairystar.com Megan Stuessel (Western Wisconsin) 608-387-1202 • megan.s@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 ďƒžnal 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 ofďƒžces. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Dairy Star, 522 Sinclair Lewis Ave., Sauk Centre, MN 56378-1246.

HIGH CAPACITY, UNIFORM SPREADING VertiSpread ÂŽ Vertical Beaters

PSC PROSPREAD COMMERCIAL BOX SPREADERS ÂŽ

• Multiple discharge options* for consistent, even spreading • Heavy-duty undercarriage and frame provide durability for heavy loads • Optional scale system allows monitoring of nutrient application AccuSpreadŽ Spinner Discharge

610, 710 and 810 heaped cu. ft. capacities • truck & trailer models *Horizontal Beaters, Vertical Beaters and Spinner Discharge

INVEST IN N QUALITY ÂŽ

KuhnNorthAmerica.com

Lindell Sales & Service Cannon Falls, MN

Schlauderaff Implement /LWFKĹľHOG 01

Pfeifer Implement Sioux Falls, SD

J. P. Scherrman, Inc. )DUOH\ ,$

Hammell Equipment &KDWĹľHOG 01 (LW]HQ 01 Harmony, MN 5XVKIRUG 01

Fluegge’s Ag Mora, MN

Burco Sales ,QGHSHQGHQFH ,$

Northland Farm Systems Owatonna, MN

Mark's Machinery :DJQHU 6' <DQNWRQ 6'

Adkins Equipment 'HWURLW /DNHV 01

Lake Henry Implement 3D\QHVYLOOH 01

Isaacson Sales & Service /DID\HWWH 01

Minnesota Ag Group - Plainview 3ODLQYLHZ 01

Blue Hilltop /DNH :LOVRQ 01

Dairyland Supply 6DXN &HQWUH 01

Roeder Bros. %HOOHYXH ,$ Mid-State Equipment 'H:LWW ,$ Mark's Tractor & Implement 'XPRQW ,$ Bodensteiner Implement (ONDGHU ,$

Visit your local KUHN Knight dealer today!

Ag Land Implement 1HZ +DPSWRQ ,$ Kunau Implement 3UHVWRQ ,$ Gordy’s Repair & Implement 6WDF\YLOOH ,$ Dee Implement of Waukon :DXNRQ ,$

Dairy Star • Saturday, August 24, 2019 • Page 3

It’s all inside... Minnesota

Columnists Ag Insider

Pages 8-9 First Section

FSA News & Notes

Page 26 First Section

Dear County Agent Guy

Morris

Hain speaks about animal welfare at WCROC organic day

Page 30 First Section

Second Section: Pages 6- 7

Something to Ruminate On

Rice

Waconia

New Heights Dairy Carver County hosts Derek Dreier Showcase host of Benton County eld day First Section: Pages 1, 5

First Section: Pages 1, 6-7

Page 31 First Section

Just Thinking Out Loud Page 32 First Section

Randall

Dairy Good Life

First Section: Pages 12 - 13

Zilka milks more frequently to turn a prot

Richmond

Spring Hill

First Section: Pages 23, 25

First Section: Pages 34 - 35

Holthauses reect on Wuertzes partake in history of century farm family tradition

Page 33 First Section

The “Mielke” Market Weekly

Pages 10 - 11 Second Section

Litcheld

First District under new leadership First Section: Pages 37 - 38

Hayeld

Dodge County Dairy Princesses are sixth generation farmers Third Section: Pages 2 - 3

South Dakota

Stewartville

From Our Side of the Fence

First Section: Pages 15 - 16

Iowa

Zone 1

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

Big Stone City

Crop and Weather Reports Second Section: Pages 26 - 27

Des Moines

Hammerand, Palmer crowned Iowa Waverly dairy royalty Women in Dairy: Second Section: Pam Arnold Pages 8 - 9

First Section: Page 36

Des Moines

Demmers receive Iowa State Fair’s “The Way We Live” award Second Section: Pages 4 - 5

Curtains mean cow comfort No matter the weather outside, GEA keeps your cows comfortable, healthy and productive inside. Comfortable cows are the most productive. Just like you, they perform their best when they are cool, calm and content. GEA’s industry-leading curtains and fan systems can be integrated with automation technology to

provide ideal barn temperature, air quality and humidity levels. With our total ventilation solutions, your cows will breathe easier — and so will you. Contact your GEA barn equipment dealer today.

Page 4 • Dairy Star • Saturday, August 24, 2019

USED EQUIPMENT FROM A NAME YOU CAN TRUST!

ANNUAL CUSTOMER APPRECIATION DINNER

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28TH • 5 P.M.

TARTER & SPANIER ON SALE Clearance prices on all In stock RED colored Tarter feeder panels and all Spanier feeder panels & gates.

SPANIER DELUXE HEAD CHUTE

USED TRACTORS

‘13 NH T9.615, 833 hrs, Auto Steer, Cab Suspension ......................................... $235,000 ‘07 NH T7050, MFD, 980 Hours ..................... $80,000 ‘17 NH T4.100, Cab, Loader, MFD, 1100 Hrs . $48,900 ‘70 Ford 8000, Loader, Diesel .......................... $8,500 ‘95 Ford 7740SLE, MFD, ............................... $18,500 ‘14 Versatile 310, MFD, 189 Hours .............. $144,900 ‘77 White 2-135, Cab, 9100 Hours................... $7,500 ‘63 Oliver 550, Loader...................................... $5,500 ‘71 AC 190XT Series 3, Hi Crop, Diesel .......... $14,000 ‘71 AC 180, Diesel............................................ $6,000 ‘55 IH 300 Utility .............................................. $2,750 JD 410B Tractor Loader Backhoe ..................... $9,450

3,799!!

$

IF WE WON T LAY ON IT, WHY WOULD WE EXPECT OUR COWS TO LAY ON IT?

50 REBATE

$

on our A3100DS Miraco Livestock fountain.

CALL FOR PRICES ON OUR

25 REBATE

$

LARGE INVENTORY OF

STRAW BEDDING AS LOW AS $3.89 EA.

on all other Miraco fountains

T-POSTS

CHECK OUT OUR LARGE SELECTION OF HAY EQUIPMENT AND TRACTORS!

- WHILE SUPPIES LAST

USED SKIDSTEERS

Ag-Bag Rentals HAY CUTTING

‘11 T-650, Glass Cab with A/C, 4800 Hours .........$29,700 ‘00 864, Glass Cab & Heater, 4350 Hours ............$20,000 ‘12 S-770, Glass Cab with A/C, 2 Sd, 4600 Hrs ...$28,900 (4) S-650, Glass Cab with A/C, 2 Speed, 3000 Hours & up ............................. Starting at $18,000 (4) S-590, Glass Cab with A/C, 2 Speed, 800 Hours & Up ............................... Starting at $19,500 ‘09 S-205, Glass Cab with A/C, 5600 Hrs, 2 Spd .$15,500 ‘16 N-H L-228, Glass Cab with A/C, 2 Spd, 1250 Hrs ............................................................$29,900 ‘96 N-H L-865, Needs engine work ........................$6,950 ‘95 N-H LX-665, Glass Cab & Heater ...................$11,500 ‘01 Gehl 7600, 4720 Hours ..................................$10,950 Warrior Log Spliter ................................................$1,999

PARTS

tires, baler twine, hydraulic hoses and hay preservative to keep you up and running during hay season.

499

$

Yellow Jacket and Wasp Trap

ADDITIVES & TREATMENTS

Reserve your Machine Today!

WE HAVE YOUR TWINE & NET WRAP!

8

$

99

6-Pk. Total Reach Microfiber Cloth

®

899

$

Med., LG, XL Disposable Nitrile Gloves

USED HAY EQUIPMENT

‘02 N-H 1431, 13’ Discbine ............................ $13,500 ‘98 J-D 946, 13’ MoCo ..................................... $9,500 MF 1339, 9’ Disc mower conditioner ............... $8,950

SILO COVERS • PLASTIC WRAP • BUNKER COVERS

Gilman Co-op Creamery

FEED & FARM SUPPLY STORE

Gilman, MN 320-387-2770

Case IH 1190, 9’ Haybine ................................. $3,500 (2) NH FP-240, Crop Pro...............Starting at $19,000 ‘04 H&S 860 Forage Blower ............................. $4,500 ‘02 NH BB-940 Large Square, Packer Cutter .. $29,500 ‘13 NH BR-7090, Crop Spec, 11000 Bales, Netwrap ....................................................... $19,900 ‘14 NH BR-7070, Silage Special, Net & Twine $19,500 ‘00 NH 688 Rd Baler, Twine Only ..................... $6,950 ‘98 NH 664 Rd Baler, Netwrap & Twine ............ $7,500 NH 678 Rd Baler, Twine Only ........................... $9,950 (2) ‘02 NH 648 Rd Baler, Twine OnlyStarting at $9,500 ‘12 JD 568 Rd Baler, Netwrap & Twine .......... $27,500 ‘91 JD 335 Rd Baler ......................................... $6,500 JD 410 Rd Baler ............................................... $2,500 ‘95 NH 565 Baler w/72 Thrower ....................... $7,950 ‘12 H&S AR-1261, 12 Wheel Rake ................... $4,950

USED TILLAGE

‘14 W-R QX2, 60’, 3 Bar Harrow w/Rolling Baskets $39,900 ‘03 W-R XL 30-39’, 4 Bar HD Harrow .....................$26,000 Case IH 4300, 28.5’, 3 Bar Spring Tine Harrow.........$5,950 ‘12 W-R 513 Soil Pro, 11 Shk, Folding Frame .........$39,500 ‘14 W-R 513 Soil Pro, 9 Shank ...............................$38,500 ‘07 Case IH 730C Disc Ripper, Lead Shks, Levers...$22,500 ‘97 J-D 3710, 8 Bottom, Onland Hitch ......................$9,500

USED MISC.

‘11 H&S TS-5120 Spreader......................... $9,750.00 ‘12 N-H 185 Spreader ............................... $10,500.00 ‘17 H&S S3127 Spreader .......................... $10,500.00 ‘08 Red Ball 1000 Gallon Sprayer, 60’ Boom ... $9,950 704 UNI with 2-combines and chopper units ... $6,500 ‘08 Geringhoff 18x22 Cornhead, JD Mounts .. $49,500

Equipment of Norwood LANO A family business since 1946 with the Lanos: Jack, Paul, Bob and Andy

Open M-F 7:30-7, Sat. 7:30-5, Sun. 8:30-1 Good service - fair prices - every day

952-467-2181

WWW.GILMANCREAMERY.COM

BI-WEEKLY NEW FROM

Many used & new skidloaders ON HAND

FOOTBATH

KlingonBlue

™

LONG-ACTING FOOTBATH Helps improve hoof health and enhance digital dermis...to promote cow mobility, comfort and overall productivity.

Less Copper Sulphate for Disposal Available in 6.5 gal. concentrated pails

Average Cost/Lost-Profit per case of Digital Dermatitis is $275 OR

MORE!

Stays on Hooves for 2 weeks!

• No Formaldehyde • Anti-biotic Free • Proven to Work • Extended Contact Time • Anti-bacterial and Anti-fungal Properties

FOR MORE INFO - CONTACT ONE OF THESE DEALERS... Advanced Dairy Systems

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

Anderson Dairy Systems, Inc. 1312 13 1/2 Ave. • Barron, WI 54812 (715) 537-3300

Athman Dairy Inc.

D&D Ag Supply

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

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

Champion Milking Systems

East Central Dairy Supply

23218 350th Street • Albany, MN 56307 (320) 845-4156

2195 Hwy. 23 • Mora, MN 55051 (320) 679-1029

Eastern Iowa Dairy Systems 105 3rd Ave. NW • Epworth, IA 52045 (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

Lang’s Dairy Equipment, Inc. 2337 Millennium Rd. • Decorah, IA 52101 (563) 382-8722

Leedstone

24260 Cty. Rd. 27 • Plainview, MN 55964 (507) 534-3161

Leedstone

2545 80th Ave • Woodville, WI 54028 (715) 698-4370

Professional Dairy Systems

1449 Homecrest Ave. • Wadena, MN 56482 (218) 632-5416

Tri-County Dairy Supply, Inc.

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

United Suckow Dairy

12687 Hwy 18 & 52 • Postville, IA 52162 (563) 864-7417 210 N. Industrial Pkwy • West Union, IA 52175 (563) 422-5355

Dairy Star • Saturday, August 24, 2019 • Page 5

TRUST THE EXPERTS

ConƟnued from DREIER | Page 1

At Famo Feeds, we strive to provide the best support for your operation and work to accommodate your specific needs.

From calf to cow and everything in between! KATE RECHTZIGEL/DAIRY STAR

Carver County Dairy Youth Scholars are recognized during the open class dairy show Aug. 9 at the Carver County Fair in Waconia, Minn. was designed to recognize youth who have excelled in the dairy industry from grades 6-13 with the Carver County Dairy Youth Scholars scholarship. The top 10 individuals for the showcase were announced Aug. 9 during the open class dairy show. “A year after his passing, Chris Hedtke approached us and said he really wanted to make this showcase in memory of Derek,” Debbie said. “The two were close friends, having shown at both the county and state fairs together for many years.” Derek was diagnosed with melanoma cancer in 2012, at 23 years old. Doctors detected a mole on the back of his neck, behind his ear and removed it. “Three surgeries later, Derek was cancer free,” Debbie said. The young man continued enjoying life. The next year he got his dream job working at SeaWorld in San Antonio, Texas. But 12 months later, Derek became sick and the doctors realized the cancer had spread throughout his body. “The brain tumors just got more severe. They kept getting larger and quicker. The doctors couldn’t stop the growth of them,” said Larry of his son’s diagnosis. Derek went into treatment, but died two years later. “We miss him a lot,” Larry said. “But, we continue living off of strong Christian values.” Derek had a reserved personality but there was no doubt he was an animal-loving person, his dad said. “He was a special kid who loved working for his dad and neighborhood farms,” Debbie said. Growing up, Derek participated in many dairy cattle shows. “He often did really well, even picking out his own cows, convincing me to buy a registered Jersey cow and start a herd,” Larry said. Even in Derek’s toughest times, he showed dedication to the dairy industry. “Up until the end he was very devoted,” Debbie said. “He attended nationals in Louisville, Ky., with his dairy quiz bowl team that November even though he was very sick.” Larry agreed. “He was very competitive, whether it be with showing or the dairy bowl team,” he said. Derek’s dedication inspired the Dreiers to donate a sum of his memorial money towards the 4-H Federation to supplement members attending the state fair. Then, Hedtke wanted to do something in memory of Derek at the local level. The inaugural Carver County Dairy Youth Scholars awarded contestants scholarship money based on a weighted point system for participation in 4-H and FFA, answering three essay questions, involvement in their local and dairy communities and

knowledge of the dairy industry. Bonus points were awarded based on placement in showmanship and state fair line-up during the 4-H dairy show, which took place earlier at the fair, with a total of 100 possible points. “[The bonus points are] kind of an extra boost if the contestants aren’t doing well in the essay question or if they don’t participate in dairy judging or quiz bowl,” Vinkemeier said. The winning applicant of this showcase received $450, with second place getting $400, breaking down by $25 increments to 10th place. “Participants were rewarded and encouraged to expand their dairy pride within the project,” Vinkemeier said. “Most of these funds will go towards dairy shows, purchasing a dairy animal, bringing agriculture programs to their school, or going to college for agriculture or dairy.” The winner of this year’s showcase was Emily Leonard. Then, Cadee Vinkemeier, Anna Karels, Wyatt Tesch, Britney Smith, Audrey Kamps, Andrew Hedtke, Isabela Karels, Samantha Schoenbauer and Jessica Tober placed second through 10th place, respectively. “This recognition really reminds me of how much my life has been impacted by dairy,” said Leonard, the daughter of Tim and Amy Leonard. “I would’ve never gotten to have all of these amazing experiences without cows. It really means a lot.” Leonard has been showing since she was 5, making this her 15th year of showing dairy cattle. “My mom was showing before that and I have two nieces interested, so I’m really excited for them,” Leonard said. Leonard is currently a student at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities studying biology with hopes of going into the veterinary eld. “I plan on putting the showcase money right into tuition,” Leonard said. In Carver County, the dairy project originally wanted to be a part of a ribbon auction at the fair to reward the kids for their hard earned projects. But, a ribbon auction was never formed. “We decided to create a scholarship program to bring more kids into the project,” Vinkemeier said. “We hope that this helps us increase the number of dairy shown at the fair.” After having a calf corner dedicated to Derek, the Dreiers are excited to continue seeing Derek’s legacy in dairy continue. “Derek would’ve enjoyed it. This is something that was always right up his alley,” Larry said. Debbie agreed. “He had a love for the people he worked with in 4-H, FFA and fairs,” she said. “He would’ve been honored to know that this was done for him.”

FEED THEM FAMO! • Milk Replacers • Starter Feeds • Protein Concentrates • Premixes • Minerals • Animal Health Products • Lick Tubs

320-836-2145 or 800-450-2145

Check out our newly redesigned website to ½nd a Famo Feeds dealer near you!

www.famofeeds.com

THE

SUMMER HEAT IS ON? Cow comfort is the key to success! Now is the time to check, clean and replace existing cooling systems and/or design a cooling solution to alleviate heat stress. CALL FOR A DISTRIBUTOR NEAR YOU

1.800.779.3267 MADE IN THE

WITH GLOBAL MATERIALS

CROSS • NATURAL • TUNNEL

VENTILATION SOLUTIONS Circulation Fans | Exhaust Fans | Evaporative Cooling Misting Systems | Heaters | Controls

A BRAND OF PINNACLE CLIMATE1.800.779.3267 TECHNOLOGIES

www.schaeferventilation.com www.schaeferventilation.com

Page 6 • Dairy Star • Saturday, August 24, 2019

ConĆ&#x;nued from CZECHS | Page 1

Willmar, MN • 320.231.1470

EXPANDING OR REMODELING YOUR LIVESTOCK OPERATION? LANGE AG SYSTEMS SPECIALIZES IN:

Ĺś NEW FACILITIES

_

NO JOB TOO BIG OR TOO SMALL

Ĺś RETROFITTING & REMODELING Ĺś TURNKEY PROJECTS Ĺś BARN DESIGN Ĺś INSTALLATION, MAINTENANCE & REPAIRS

Ć‹ĆľĹ?ƉžĞŜƚ tÄž KÄŤÄžĆŒÍ— Íť sĞŜĆ&#x;ĹŻÄ‚Ć&#x;ŽŜ &Ä‚ĹśĆ? Íť sĞŜĆ&#x;ĹŻÄ‚Ć&#x;ŽŜ ŽŜĆšĆŒŽůĆ? Íť WĹ˝Ć?Ĺ?Ć&#x;ǀĞ WĆŒÄžĆ?Ć?ĆľĆŒÄž dĆľÄ?ÄžĆ? Íť ĆľĆŒĆšÄ‚Ĺ?Ĺś ^LJĆ?ƚĞžĆ? Íť DÄ‚ĆŠĆŒÄžĆ?Ć?ÄžĆ? Íť tÄ‚ĆšÄžĆŒÄžĆŒĆ? Íť ^ƚĂůů Ć‹ĆľĹ?ƉžĞŜƚ Íť ,ĞĂĚůŽÄ?ĹŹĆ? Íť DĹ?Ć?Ć&#x;ĹśĹ? ^LJĆ?ƚĞžĆ?

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^ 'Íł ' Θ < >>z Zz E '' Z^

www.LangeAgSystems.com " %

Barn Lighting, Sheds, Fans, Trenching, Irrigation, Homes & More!

Master Electrician, Owner Lic. #CA03435

C

.M. ELEC E.A Bob Meyer TRI . B

We Offer the Following Agricultural Services:

!

Need an Electrician?

Agri-Placement Services, Inc.

A RELIABLE WORKFORCE!

• Guaranteed Placements Entry level – management

E lectric

• E-verifiable • Visa Recruitment

H-2A seasonal • TN professional

• Leadership

Cell:

Bilingual (Spanish) Training • I-9 Reviews Regulatory Compliance

Serving Central Minnesota

www.agri-placement.com (315) 986-4738

320-761-1042

R E A C H I N G T H E U N K N O W N S TA R T S W I T H

K N O W IN G H O W FA R Y O U C A N R E A C H. C237 and C245’s In-Stock with EH or Hand/Foot Controls

JENNIFER COYNE/DAIRY STAR

Brent Czech welcomes guests to his dairy farm Aug. 12 in Rice, Minn. Czech milks 1,800 cows in Benton County. Crossbreeding heightens purebred traits Since Czech began dairy farming, he has focused his breeding strategies to bring out the best traits in his cows, regardless of breed. The herd’s foundation is built on Holsteins, but then incorporates Jerseys and Montbeliarde in a three-way cross to maximize health, reproduction and production traits. Previously, it was a herd of mixed crossbreeds. “When we put a dollar amount to production, reproduction and health data, there was a clear winner – the Monte sire with a Ho-Jo dam,� said Shane Boettcher, key client and reproductive specialist with Select Sires. New Heights Dairy has followed this breeding strategy for the past four years, paying particular attention to not selecting positive stature Holsteins. In every selection, Czech chooses the top 1-2% of bulls in each breed based on net merit. “Brent is breeding with a commercial mindset, knowing reproduction and health traits are important for cows to stay in the herd,� Boettcher said. “Data suggests crossbreds outperform purebred cattle. They have a higher dollar value for every trait, and that’s important in today’s economy.� Currently, Czech’s herd has an 80-pound tank average per cow per day with 4.2% butterfat and 3.3% protein. Recently, the Rice dairy farmer has decided to improve his crossbreeding strategy by breeding Holstein to Jersey, and then a Holstein-Jersey crossbred to a Holstein sire before introducing the Montbeliarde in the third mating.

“Breeds are improving all the time and Brent wants to take advantage of those genetic advancements,â€? said Chris Sigurdson, general manager at Select Sires. “Because he’s using the best genetics by breed, it’s going to be tough to go wrong.â€? Hay in a day Czech runs 500 acres of alfalfa he cuts for haylage. In understanding the hay-making process and using a low lignin alfalfa, Czech optimizes his ďƒželds for a higher quality forage and more tonnage – all of which is done in the essence of time. A couple years ago, Czech planted HarvXtra low lignin alfalfa to extend stand longevity and reduce cuttings while at the same time increasing tonnage without losing quality. “This farm needs every ounce of forage on the acres they have,â€? said Isaac Popp, Centra Sota crop advisor. The crop has extended cutting to about every 30 days. In cutting alfalfa, Czech is looking for a haylage crop that has 60-65% moisture. When the crop is cut, the plant is at 8085% moisture. “A study shows we can take moisture out of a plant at 11-13% every two hours,â€? said Nathan Drewitz, University of Minnesota Extension Educator. “Knowing that, Czech can have his crop in ďƒžve hours.â€? Czech uses a merger, front mower and rear mower to collect the haylage. The width of the swath is 80% that of the mower, Drewitz said.

Turn to CZECHS | Page 7

A NE W W O RL D DEM A ND S NE W HOL L A ND. Whatever job you face, take it to another level in a 200 Series Compact Track Loader. Reach higher and dump farther with Super BoomÂŽ, designed to go beyond what was thought possible. With tracks for increased stability and one of the widest cabs available, you can handle long workdays with maximum comfort in even the most challenging terrain. Learn more at www.newholland.com

.PEFSO 'BSN &RVJQNFOU *OD UI 4U 4BVL $FOUSF ./ XXTR X N FN SOGBSNFRVJQNFOU DPNPI ER SAUK SA UK C CENTRE, ENTR EN TRE EPEM MN PIERZ, PIER ERZ Z M MN N 320-468-2161 320-352-6543 • Hwy. 71 South • Hwy. 27 West BA33-1B-JW

WWW.MODERNFARMEQUIPMENT.COM

Š2018 CNH Industrial America LLC. All rights reserved. “New Hollandâ€? is a trademark registered in the United States and many other countries, owned by or licensed to CNH Industrial N.V., its subsidiaries or afďŹ liates. “Equipped For A New Worldâ€? is a trademark in the United States and many other countries, owned by or licensed to CNH Industrial N.V., its subsidiaries or afďŹ liates.

JENNIFER COYNE/DAIRY STAR

A manure separaĆ&#x;ng system separates liquids from the manure solids before the waste enters the lagoon at Brent Czech’s dairy farm in Rice, Minn.

Dairy Star • Saturday, August 24, 2019 • Page 7

ConƟnued from CZECHS | Page 6

Ask about the new “smart“ features! JENNIFER COYNE/DAIRY STAR

Shane BoeƩcher, with Select Sires, explains the crossbreeding strategy of New Heights Dairy Aug. 12 in Rice, Minn. Brent Czech uses a three-way cross to bring out the best traits in each breed. Then, the dairy farmer packs the haylage in bunkers, putting it up quickly and feeding it out just as fast. Manure, sand coexist with separation system In 2007, Czech converted the existing barns from bedded packs to sand-bedded freestalls. At the same time, he also installed a gravity-ow sand lane. Last December, the dairy farmer built a manure separation system to further eliminate sand in the lagoon and equipment. “It’s a really good system,” said Ryan Stuckmayer, the dairy’s operations manager. “Before, sand was building up in the pipes in the barns and now it’s clear.” Two pumps feed manure and sand waste from the barn, pumping roughly 2,000 gallons per minute. “That’s fast enough to keep the sand suspended,” Stuckmayer said. “We lose very little. The best sand settles within the rst 50 feet.” Large particles of sand are collected and dried for a couple months before being reused. The remaining manure travels through the separation system. There, slope screens separate the solids. Then, the solids and excess manure are placed in a discharge tank, agitated and pumped to the rst lagoon. As the solids settle, the remaining liquid gravity ows into the second lagoon. The ume uses the wastewater collected during the separation process. “This whole process probably goes through about 20 loads a week, and we’re recollecting 90% of the sand,” Stuckmayer said.

Risk management protects dairy The purpose of having a risk management strategy for prices is to protect feed input and milk output, said Mark Rothschild. Rothschild, manager of dairy risk at Commodity and Ingredient Hedging, LLC, works closely with Czech in making the best decisions for his dairy given the market conditions. “Brent has high components and high milk ow, so we want to expand on those strengths,” Rothschild said. “But, we also have to be careful those strengths don’t become weaknesses.” As takers of the market, dairy farmers can use forward contracting, locking in prices on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, or using government programs such as Dairy Margin Coverage or Dairy Revenue Protection. “You have to become a setter and control your bottom line,” Rothschild said. “We need to eliminate hope from our businesses.” Dairies should know what their margin of milk price over feed cost is and then develop a plan that best protects that in order to capture protability on a grander scale. Czech purchased the farm in 2006 following college graduation. With the assistance of family, employees and industry professionals, he has since doubled the lactating herd at this site, improved cow comfort and made the dairy more efcient. He has also built another dairy farm in Foley, Minn. And with that same core group of people, Czech has his sites set on the future of the industry.

GEA Automated Calf Feeders Healthy feeding of calves with less labor Customized, individual feeding is the key to success in modern calf management. With the rugged, programmable DairyFeed J-V600Smart or J-V640Smart automated calf feeding station, you can automate individual calf feeding, and record and monitor every calf from the very day it is born…helping you raise healthier calves with less labor. Spend your valuable time managing your calves, not simply feeding them. Ask about the new CalfApp and CalfCLoud tools today!

“One of the biggest benefits to us of having the automatic calf feeder has been being able to eliminate a person bottle feeding 90-100 calves twice a day. We are also able to wean the calves earlier and still produce larger calves at weaning since switching to the automatic calf feeder. Additionally, we have received great support from Fuller’s Milker Center.” Hardscrabble Farms LLC Jerry Volenec Owner • Mike Spink Herdsman Montfort, WI • Calf Feeder installed April 2017

1-800-887-4634 (608) 723-4634

MIDWEST PUMPING II LLC

18 yrs experience • Looking to expand! • Set up for pumping long distances • Tanks & Hose System Available • No till & chisel applicators available.

Call 563-920-1273

Page 8 • Dairy Star • Saturday, August 24, 2019

USDA adjusts milk production estimate In the August supply/demand report, USDA fore- Trudeau government offers trade mitigation casted 2019 milk production at just under 218 bilOver the next eight years, the Canadian governlion pounds. That’s down 300 million pounds from ment will pay its dairy farmers an equivalent of $1.3 the July forecast. The 2020 milk production was es- billion. The payments are trade-related compensation. timated at 221.4 billion pounds, down 400 million The assistance is based on the size of each dairy farmpounds from the most recent S/D report. ers’ production quota. With its participaAg Insider USDA expects cow numbers to decline tion in the new version of the Trans-Paand slower growth in milk production per cic Partnership, Canada agreed to allow cow. The all-milk price for 2019 is promore dairy imports while maintaining jected to be at $18.30 per hundredweight, its supply management program. When up ten cents from the last forecast. The making the announcement, Canadian 2020 price projection was put at $18.80, Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bidown a nickel from the July estimate. beau said the Trudeau government would make no other market access concessions MN dairy farmers have incentive for that would impact the dairy industry. DMC enrollment The Dairy Margin Coverage ProWalz cabinet featured at Farmfest gram is one tool available for dairy farmMinnesota Agriculture Commisers in challenging times. Associated Milk sioner Thom Petersen was joined on the By Don Wick Producers Incorporated board chairman Farmfest stage with his colleagues in the Columnist Steve Schlangen said Minnesota dairy Walz Administration. “To have the revfarmers have an added incentive to sign enue commissioner here, the MNDOT up. “In the state, we have a rebate program if you sign commissioner, PCA, DNR, Commerce; at times, they up for ve years at any level, you can get the rebate,” have more to do with agriculture than the ag comhe said. “It helps pay for the premium. Depending on missioner does,” Petersen said. The panel discussed a how many people sign up and how much production variety of topics, ranging from taxes to the high cost is enrolled, it may be more money depending on what of healthcare. Water was also a big issue. “Water isis left of the $8 million the Minnesota Agriculture sues frustrate farmers the most,” Petersen said. “They Department has for this.” Schlangen said the former are working on a project and will have DNR do this, Margin Protection Program left a bad taste. “It wasn’t PCA is doing this, BWSR is doing this, MDA is doing what we had hoped for at all. It turned out to be what this, NRCS is doing this, Soil and Water is doing this it is. Looking forward, the DMC is much better, espe- and farmers will need to get answers from about six cially on the rst ve million pounds of milk per farm. different agencies.” It’s really good for the small family farms and rural communities.” DMC enrollment ends on September Watch GDUs 30. The late crop, coupled with concerns of an early frost, could shorten the growing season for silage Optimism for USMCA corn. Mycogen Seeds commercial agronomist Jon During the House Agriculture Committee Listen- Erickson said farmers should closely watch Growing Session at Farmfest, Chairman Collin Peterson ing Degree Units. “Harvest usually begins 40-45 days was asked about the opportunities for trade. “I’ve after mid-silk. Keep a calendar that lists 30 days afdone what I can to get others to support the U.S.- ter silking by eld, which will help monitor developMexico-Canada Agreement,” Peterson said. “I’ve had ment until harvest.” Erickson said silage corn should some success. We have a ways to go, but I think it’s be harvested at the correct moisture. “We recommend going to pass.” harvesting at 65-70 percent whole plant moisture to preserve silage quality. If farmers can end up with

Au t o Te a t Sanitizing Sys t e m

CT

S LI D E R

Calf Teat Sanitizing Made Easy! • Compatible with GEA, Lely, DeLaval feeders • Sanitizes nipple after each calf • Adjustable spray time, open & closing speed • One controller per 2 stall feeder • Door can be programmed to stay open when training • Field tested over 8 years

good ber digestibility, a nutritionist can add starch to get a good ration.” Cargill launches dairy calculator Cargill has launched a new, online calculator to quickly and conveniently analyze dairy farmers’ milk component efciency. Cargill said most of the dairy industry is paid on pounds of milk fat and protein components shipped from the dairy. At the same time, feed costs are the highest variable expense for a dairy herd. Calculating component efciency gives a good snapshot of how efciently cows are converting feed into milk components. Fischer goes from ag committee to AFPC Effective September 1, Dr. Bart Fischer will join Joe Outlaw as the co-director of the Agricultural and Food Policy Center at Texas A&M University. Fischer is now House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Mike Conaway’s deputy staff director. Fischer has also been the committee’s chief economist since 2011 when the committee was chaired by Oklahoma Congressman Frank Lucas. Fischer had an instrumental role in the development of the 2014 and 2018 farm bills. MacNaughton to return to Toronto Canada’s ambassador to the United States will resign at the end of this month. David MacNaughton has been the ambassador since March of 2016 and had an instrumental role in the USMCA trade negotiations. Canada’s deputy U.S. ambassador, Kirsten Hillman, will become the acting ambassador. Trivia challenge On a per capita basis, West Virginia leads the nation in pizza consumption. That answers our last trivia question. How many slices of pizza does the average American eat per year? We’ll 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.

THE LEADER IN LED LIGHTING

LED Wall Packs /Flood Lights

ScrewIn

Metal Strip Lights

CBM LIGHTS ARE:

+ Virtually free of stray voltage + Fully Programmable +Dimmable + DLC approved for rebates on vapor tight units

+ Warranteed for a minimum + Manufactured in of 5 years on drivers and chips North America + Assembled units are U ULL CALL US FOR A FREE listed and approved CONSULTATION

RICHARD PEDERSON Pederson Sales

220 Schendel St, Box 145 • Blomkest, MN 56216 320.905.3725 (c) • 320.995.6403 (h) (MN, NE, MT, IA, SD, ND)

PORTABLE WELDING

- SILO UNLOADER REPAIR Sales, Service, Rental

Brian Leix • Leix Farms Inc. • Montfort, WI • Installed Spring ‘16

of manure handling and feeding equipment

“A big reason why we installed the CT Slider right away when we installed the automatic calf feeders is the sliding door. We really like how it prevents calves from sucking after they are finished drinking. We also like how the nipple is sanitized after each calf, keeping the main feeding area clean. Additionally, it has been very low maintenance, and I would definitely install the CT Slider again if I had to do it over.”

Paul’s Welding & Repair St. Martin, MN

320-548-3300 • Cell 320-249-1498

Dairy Star • Saturday, August 24, 2019 • Page 9

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Great things happening at Minnesota Milk Producers Association

Aaron Vogt, Sauk Centre, Minn. Minnesota Milk Education Chair The Minnesota Milk board of directors concluded our summer meeting and wanted to thank the editor for your coverage of our Summer Escape golf tournament and farm tours. We thank those who attended. It seemed like everyone had a good time! At our recent board meeting, we set the stage for our 2019 Minnesota Milk Dairy Conference and Expo. We are scheduled to join our meeting for the ďƒžrst time ever with two other dairy-related organizations. We also have the Johnny Holm Band returning for their second year. Save the dates for Dec. 3 and 4 at Treasure Island Resort and Casino near Red Wing, Minn. Next year, in December 2020, we’ll be returning to the convention to St. Cloud, Minn. We are also electing directors to new districts this year with two new seats available. One is in New District 1: Becker, Clay, Clearwater, Kittson, Mahnomen, Marshall, Norman, Otter Tail, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, Roseau, Todd, Wadena and Wilkin counties, and the other in New District 5: Carver, Dakota, Goodhue, Hennepin, LeSueur, Rice, Scott, Wabasha and Wright counties. Contact any director or staff if you’re interested in running for our board. Soon, we will announce our speaker lineup, our major award winners, and plans for a March 2020 trip to San Diego. Stay tuned for ads in the Dairy Star, or to sign up for our email newsletter by emailing mmpa@mnmilk.org. It comes out every Friday. Our resolutions process and communication with legislators, both of which help set our policy for the next year, also begins now. These actions lead us to create programs like the DAIRI program, which many Minnesota farms are beneďƒžtting from this month. To get involved, send us an email as mentioned or call 763-355-9697.

DHIA: Now MORE than ever One case of mastitis in the first 30 days of lactation costs dairy producers $444* THE HIDDEN COSTS ADD UP:

lower milk production, premature culling, and reduced reproductive efficiency. Finding high SCC cows early and often gives you the information you need to manage SCC on your dairy. * The cost of clinical mastitis in the first 30 days of lactation: An economic modeling tool� (E.RollinaK.C.DhuyvetterbM.W.Overton, 2015)

Minnesota Dairy Herd Improvement Association 307 Brighton Avenue South Buffalo, MN 55313 1.800.827.3442 www.mndhia.org

GEA manure transfer systems are built farm tough You farm tough and so do our pumps. Our complete range of manure transfer systems is able to agitate and pump material quickly and reliably from any type of storage.

Scissors Gates

Your Local GEA Manure Equipment Dealer Field’s 1310 Springdale Street Mount Horeb, WI. 53572 IQVQƂGNFU EQO

What is on your checklist for roasted soybeans? Energy Protein Amino acids Bypass protein

SERVICE Easy accessibility Quick loading times Quality and consistency

CHECK US OUT THE NEXT TIME YOU ARE LOOKING FOR ROASTED SOYBEANS.

KLC Farms Roasting, Inc.

Preferred By Bovines Everywhere

1-877-738-2326 Visit www.roastedbeans.com

Quality

Consistency

Convenience and Space EfďŹ ciency: • Optional hinges allow gate to rotate on post, providing wider openings • Lift-assist gas springs • Integrated latch locks the gate in closed position • 3-bar (36â€? high) Lifting if i Scissors i Gate up and d out off way

Call for FREE EQUIPMENT GUIDES on our Entire Product Line!

866-543-5166

info@sturdybuiltmfg.net 260 S. Muddy Creek Rd. Denver, PA 17517

Page 10 • Dairy Star • Saturday, August 24, 2019

2014 Kuhn Knight 8124

2013 Used Kuhn Knight 8141

1,000 PTO, New hammers, gone thru shop, very good shape $21,000

1,000 PTO, Very good condition, Call for details $39,000

W.H. Lien Inc.

N8974 Pole Grove Rd. • Hixton, WI

715-963-4211

PROTECT AGAINST SLIPS & FALLS • • • •

Traction in all directions Reduce animal stress Aids in heat detection Cost effective & practical

Sales & Service of New & Used Farm Machine ry

We offer grooving & scarifying

BEST FOOTING CONCRETE GROOVING

Strum, WI

ConƟnued from PRINCESS KAY | Page 1

715-579-0531

CALL TODAY!

www.bestfootingconcretegrooving.com

Lindell Sales & Service 37236 County 56 Blvd., Cannon Falls, MN

651-258-4311 • Mark’s Cell 651-764-4084

We carry... HOULE

The next issue of the Dairy Star is published Sept. 14th.

0% 48 FOR

MONTHS O S

SKIDS & TRACKS Offer expires 9.30.2019

CONTACT YOUR LOCAL MUSTANG BY MANITOU DEALER TODAY!

Northland Farm Systems Owatonna, MN

Lake Henry Implement Lake Henry, MN

PLUS 2 YR / 2,000 HR Full Machine Extended Coverage

YOUR STABLE WORKHORSE

DANNA SABOLIK/DAIRY STAR

Amy Kyllo is congratulated by her parents, Paul and Susan Kyllo, aŌer being crowned the 66th Princess Kay of the Milky Way Aug. 21 at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds in St. Paul, Minn. and Grace Jeurissen, 18, daughter of Rick and Mindy Jeurissen of Lester Prairie in McLeod County, also received scholarships. Kyllo has spent the past summer at home on the dairy, helping her parents and one of her older sisters Carolyn, who farms full-time with her family. “It’ll be a huge hole to ll,” said Paul, knowing his daughter was about to begin 12 days of promoting dairy at the state fair. Susan Kyllo is condent her daughter will do a great job as Princess Kay. “She legitimately loves people, so I think she’ll be very good at telling the farm story,” Susan said. The new Princess Kay said she looks forward to doing just that. “I’m so thankful I will be able to tell people why I believe milk and dairy farming is so important,” she said. “Our biggest challenge is that many people have never had the privilege of meeting a dairy farmer,” she said. “I want to build a bridge for them; bring us together.” Kyllo said she is most looking forward to school visits because of the impact she believes can be made with them. Kyllo is not the rst in her family to promote dairy or wear a crown. Her three older sisters, Rachel, Carolyn and Annette, all served as Olmsted County Dairy Princesses. Annette was also a Princess Kay of the Milky Way Finalist in 2016. However, Kyllo is

the rst Princess Kay from Olmsted County since 1987 when another Byron woman, Amy Polikowsky, wore the crown. The new princess takes over for Rebekka Paskewitz, who, in her farewell speech at the coronation, shared her experiences ranging from receiving a

marriage proposal during a visit to a long-term care facility, to helping a child understand a princess can wear glasses and braces. Paskewitz said her journey has taken her to 45 counties and more than 7,800 miles. Her most popular social media post received more than 15,000 views. Each of the other

nine 2019 nalists for Princess Kay are helping the newly crowned Princess Kay promote dairy during several days of the fair. Princess Kay’s butter sculpture is the rst butter sculpture to be carved and for the rst time in 2019, her sculpture was a two-day affair.

DANNA SABOLIK/DAIRY STAR

Ava Honer (leŌ) and her aunt Roxie Matsen wear t-shirts supporƟng nalist Donna Honer for the Princess Kay coronaƟon Aug. 21 at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds.

DANNA SABOLIK/DAIRY STAR

Outgoing Princess Kay Rebekka Paskewitz (leŌ) delivers a farewell speech while nalists listen during coronaƟon Aug. 21 at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds.

Start preparing for corn silage harvest

Consider moisture, nutrient content to capture quality crop By Jennifer Coyne jenn@dairystar.com

This year’s growing season has been anything but normal for many in the Upper Midwest, but as corn silage harvest approaches there is still opportunity to reap a high quality feedstuff. “We need to be ready when the crop is ready,” said Jon Erickson, a commercial agronomist for Mycogen Seeds. “We need to pay attention to detail and make a plan to put up the best crop possible in order to mitigate the pains we’ve had this year.” As late planting and bouts of cooler, wet weather have caused great variation within elds and across states, the days leading to harvest will be critical. Farmers should watch growing degree units, corn development post silking, and moisture level within the crop to determine the best time to begin harvest. “What I’m seeing from the residual spring plant is a lot of variation with crop stage,” Erickson said. “A lot of it is going to boil down to planting dates, but if we have some good growing degree days, we might have a better year than we rst anticipated.” Erickson uses the Growing Degree Day support tool from the Midwestern Regional Climate Center to help guide farm decisions on corn silage harvest. For example, he estimated the harvest date of a 95-day corn variety planted June 1 near Duelm, Minn. The average silking date was Aug. 8. “After silking, there’s about 30-35 days before we need to start looking at the crop to understand moisture content and think about harvest,” Erickson said. By Sept. 13, the example crop would be ready for a second evaluation and ideally ready for harvest seven days later. Theoretically, this would come a few weeks before the anticipated Oct. 9 freeze. “This tool could bring peace of mind that maybe things will be alright this fall,” Erickson said. “It helps us be more accurate in knowing when harvest is ready, especially when we’re working with variable planting dates and late harvest concerns.” Timely rains and heat were welcomed in early August, which helped boost the crops. “As we’ve moved along this summer, it’s been warmer and the crops are catching up,” Erickson said. “That will help the crop be ready for harvest, which will let it pack better, ferment better and have an overall better quality forage.” However, because of the planting season, many farmers may be dealing with elds of variable maturity. “In some cases, it was ideal planting with all corn planted in the same week, but for others it took six weeks to get all the acres in,” Matthew Lippert said. “Overall, it’ll be a late harvest, and we want a late frost to accompany that.” Lippert is the dairy specialist for the University of Wisconsin in Wood

County and surrounding area. He is also a member of the UW Dairy Team as a feed and nutrition leader. The most important factor to consider when harvesting is moisture content of the crop. Erickson suggests chopping corn silage at 65-70% moisture. For elds of various maturities, that may mean chopping some on the high end of the suggested moisture content so when the eld is complete, the last of the crop is at 65% moisture. “The longer we can hold off and let the crop develop without running into frost, the better,” Lippert said. “We need to avoid putting the crop up above 30% dry matter otherwise we’ll see seepage and a loss of the very best nutrients.” Erickson agreed. “If [the crop] goes in at the wrong moisture, it’s going to go out in poor shape, too,” he said.

To evaluate current crop condiƟons and potenƟal harvest dates using the Midwestern Regional Climate Center’s Growing Degree Day decision support tool, visit: hƩps:// mrcc.illinois.edu/U2U/gdd/. While harvesting at the proper moisture content, it may leave the forage with an adequate neutral detergent ber digestibility but lacking in starch. “If the ears are not developed, there will be less energy in the feed. It will come down to the stover,” Erickson said. “But, it’s easier to add starch than ber to balance the ration.” Lippert agreed. “Like alfalfa harvest, you can either take it at the bud or rst bloom,” he said. “Nutritionally, you might get more desirable sugars in the diet when you take it earlier. You never know until you test it.” Adding an inoculant to the immature plant will help stabilize the pH levels and make it more usable at the time of feed out, Lippert said. Lippert also suggested farmers do a burn down test and review current forage inventories before harvest to determine how and when the corn silage will be best used on the dairy. Across the Upper Midwest, many dairy farmers are coming up short on feed – between little haylage inventory from last year, alfalfa winterkill and late planting of corn silage. “Nationally, cover crop acres are up 30% according to a recent USDA report,” Lippert said. “We’re going to be seeing a lot of those cover crops used as forage and combining it with corn silage this fall.” Millet, sorghum-sudangrass and oats are good forage alternatives. And, fall oats will provide higher digestible ber and the tonnage a ration may need, Lippert said. With the many unknowns of fall lingering, the best farmers can do is be prepared – have the equipment ready to run, labor lined up and a plan in place for an efcient harvest. “There’s not much we can do with Mother Nature,” Erickson said. “We have to pay attention to the details to eliminate the problems this season could cause. Most importantly, we have to be ready to go when the crop is ready for the silo or bunker.”

Dairy Star • Saturday, August 24, 2019 • Page 11

Grain Bins Sukup grain bins were designed with the operator in mind and it shows in the many features standard on every Sukup Bin. From our patented anchor brackets to our extra-strong roofs; quality, strength and innovation have made Sukup Bins a top choice across the countryside and Sukup the world’s fastest growing bin company.

Call us today to see how we can find a bin fit for your operation!

Cheaper is NOT Better Do you know how much chemical you should be using? Are you using too much or too little cleaning chemicals? Are you getting a bigger quantity to save money but compromising the strength and quality of that product by exceeding the expiration date?

Centre Dairy has quality GEA chemicals that can be brought right to your dairy, along with all your other milkhouse supplies. Also, ask about the general maintenance services provided by the trained route staff at Centre Dairy!

Centre Dairy route customers receive a service discount!

You can continue to dump chemical at your dairy or call Centre Dairy about a wash analysis. Jon Stein 320-352-5762 • 1-800-342-2697 Henning Area 218-849-0211

DAIRY EQUIPMENT CENTRE AND SUPPLY INC.

40625 State Hwy. 28 • Just West of Hwy. 71 • Sauk Centre, MN

Page 12 • Dairy Star • Saturday, August 24, 2019

DAIRYING IN TOUGH TIMES

Zilka milks more frequently to turn a prot By Jennifer Coyne jenn@dairystar.com

Editor’s note: In this series, “Dairying in tough times,” Dairy Star is catching up with dairy farmers who began milking cows in the last ve years. These farmers are sharing how they have been able to weather the market conditions and why they see promise in today’s changing industry. RANDALL, Minn. – In Alex Zilka’s time dairy farming, he has rarely only milked twice in a day; and when he did, he saw the consequences on herd health, production and his bottom line. “It doesn’t cost anything

to milk three times a day,” Zilka said. “Yeah, you don’t sleep much, but the bills are paid.” Every eight hours, Zilka milks 81 cows in a tiestall barn in Morrison County near Randall, Minn. He takes care of the midnight and morning shifts, while part-time help milks in the evenings. The young dairyman moved to the rented farm site last August after rst beginning his dairying career in Pierz, Minn. When Zilka relocated, he briey milked twice a day. “Milking twice was easier, but this barn has smaller stalls, so I needed to take stress off the animals where I could,” Zilka said. “Cows are built to

JENNIFER COYNE/DAIRY STAR

Alex Zilka milks 81 cows on a rented farm site in Morrison County near Randall, Minn. Since Zilka began dairy farming in October 2014, he has kept up with milking three Ɵmes a day to turn a prot in the industry.

JENNIFER COYNE/DAIRY STAR

New drink cups are installed in the Ɵestall barn at Alex Zilka’s farm near Randall, Minn.

produce milk, not store it. A 3X schedule stimulates better production, and the cows are more content when they don’t have all that milk in them.” This schedule also has worked as a prot station for Zilka, who is getting about 80 pounds of milk per cow per

day. “When I rst started, I was pretty gung-ho about milking cows and would go wherever to do that,” he said. “But, it got really ugly with $13 milk. I chewed up equity and had nothing left but to get more milk out of my cows.”

Zilka has also looked elsewhere within his herd to improve comfort and health in order to turn a prot. He feeds a total mixed ration to the lactating herd, and top dresses the fresh and high Turn to ZILKA | Page 13

A WINNING COMBINATION... PROVIDING THE ULTIMATE IN COW COMFORT THE INDUSTRY’S MOST PROVEN MATTRESS SOLUTIONS PASTURE MAT™ enjoyed by over 3 million cows worldwide

COWCOON - THE HYBRID COW STALL • utilizes a flexible polyethylene tube across the bottom portion of the stall loop that acts as a shock absorbe • reduces stress on the cow while continuing to ensure proper positioning

PACK MAT all the benefits of deep bedding while using up to 70% less sand

COMFORT MAT™ the undisputed best foam mattress on the market

Please contact us to learn more or to locate your nearest dealer. 1.888.337.6265 | sales@promatinc.com www.Promatinc.com

facebook.com/promatinc

@Promat_inc

Dairy Star • Saturday, August 24, 2019 • Page 13

ConĆ&#x;nued from ZILKA | Page 12

JENNIFER COYNE/DAIRY STAR

Alex Zilka greases equipment Aug. 15 at his dairy farm near Randall, Minn. Zilka gets help from his family to complete hay harvest. producing cows. “It’s so important to keep feed in front of the cows at all times,â€? Zilka said. He sells his bull calves, but raises his replacements. The young calves are housed in super huts in groups of ďƒžve and given milk with a group feeder. “I wanted to take the idea of automated calf feeders and make it work here,â€? Zilka said. “This has been a lot less labor for me and I’ve seen a lot of positive effects in the calves. For one, they’re less sick with scours.â€? Since Zilka began farming, he has always experimented with different management techniques to better his dairy, including cutting meadow grass for bedding and brieďƒ&#x;y milking the herd four times in 24 hours. The meadow grass worked well as an inexpensive bedding alternative over the winter. But milking four times was difďƒžcult to schedule amongst other farm responsibilities, and Zilka ended up seeing a spike in his somatic cell count. “I don’t have a norm; I’m not stuck doing only certain practices,â€?Zilka said. “I talk with college friends and buddies around here. They’re all successful farmers, so what I’m getting is good information.â€? Zilka has always looked towards friends and family for advice in his dairy venture, but it has become more commonplace with the herd’s relocation. Both Zilka’s dad and uncle are in the area and are available to help with ďƒželdwork. Likewise, Zilka’s parents also help with daycare when needed for his two young children – Cora, 3, and Eddison, 1. Zilka’s wife, Brook, works evenings as a certiďƒžed nursing assistant at the St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud, Minn. He also has a strong relationship with the owner of the farm site and retired dairyman, Rick Lundgren. “I’ve greatly appreciated Rick’s help,â€? Zilka said. “He doesn’t have to be here when things go wrong, but he’s does and we get things back to working. He said he’s been in my shoes and knows what it’s like to do it alone.â€? Zilka brieďƒ&#x;y saw the highs of 2014 when he ďƒžrst began milking cows, but most of his career has been surrounded by depressed prices. With the installment of the Dairy Margin Coverage program, Zilka hopes it will create a better bottom for his business. “I immediately signed up,â€? he said. “It kind of gives you a bottom to know what you can buy and what you have to get by with.â€? Every month, Zilka reviews his ďƒžnances. “I don’t like to do it because I know it’s bad, but you have to know how bad it is and how you’re going to get by,â€? he said. Right now, the dairy farmer’s newest piece of equipment is his hay chopper. Everything else was purchased used and is maintained to working order. “I’ve got the bare knuckles on this farm, nothing fancy, but it handles the cattle well,â€? Zilka said. “Sometimes, it gets frustrating always patching and welding equipment, but I have to keep going and do what I have to do to pay the bills.â€? Despite the challenges Zilka has had to overcome, he remains cautiously optimistic about his future in the industry. This fall, he plans to put up a pile of corn silage. Right now, the crop is stored in bags. He also wants to take on more of the herd’s haying needs. When the markets allow, Zilka would also like to purchase the farm site and land, and put up a freestall barn and parlor. “This is fun,â€? Zilka said. “But, I’m not going to dig myself in a hole for it, either.â€?

You have a farm. We have a solution. *($ )DUP 7HFKQRORJLHV KDV DOZD\V PDGH LWV PDUN E\ GHYHORSLQJ HIĂ€FLHQW DQG long-lasting free stall manure cleaner systems. Whatever your barn condition is we have the solution to meet your highest expectations. 16°, Straight or V-Shape Scrapers. Adapted for rubber mats or concrete alleys. Pulled by galvanized or stainless steel cable, nylon rope, 1/2’’, 7/8’’ or pintle chains or hydraulically operated. ,W FDQ EH Ă RRU PRXQWHG VWDQGDUG RU GHHS JURRYH JXLGHG RU LQVWDOOHG ZLWK DQ XQGHU Ă RRU FKDQQHO )RU DOOH\ OHQJWKV XS WR ¡ DQG EHWZHHQ ¡¡ DQG ¡¡ ZLGH <RX have a farm. We have a solution.

A comprehensive line of products for free stall manure cleaning

3115 320th St. • Hull, IA 712-439-2081 3516 9th Ave SW • Watertown, SD 605-753-0300

Adults - $15 ($13 Advance) Children $9 ($7 Advance) 3 & under Free

Page 14 • Dairy Star • Saturday, August 24, 2019

SB B Series Seeriess

BALE

PROCESSORS NEW

This is, quite simply, the most advanced, best-built manure spreader you’re ever going to see. Now, do you need one this tough? Well, that all depends on how often you like to buy them.

PRODUCT!

Available in sizes 300-700 cu. ft.

Any Bale, Any Condition! Flat, Frozen, Wet, Hard or Soft, no problem, no matter what condition

SBX Series

La rg

If y

ou

h

Manufactured by

HYDRA-SPREAD

ion .

ing Dealer

Minnesota’s

ding and Man e e ur tF s e e

nd l Ha

®

Available In Sizes From 350 Cu. Ft. To 1,660 Cu Ft.

• Bale Ejection Door • Easy Maintenance Access • Adjustable Hay Opening • Heavy Duty Bale Lift

Artex A t SSpreader d with ith cyclone clone l beaters.

ProPush 2054

Penta 4430

l

ut

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

Side-Discharge Spreader Designed to Suit your Needs

Lagoon Pumps Simple, rugged, reliable manure tanks. These non-steering tanks have less moving parts, therefore there is less maintenance. These tanks are the workhorse of the manure industry.

Sizes Range From 285-550 Bu.

Manure Tanks

Th 600T Pull The P ll T Type TMR has h a maximum payload of 14,000 lbs, struck capacity of 549 ft³ or 641 ft³ with tub extension, and requires 100 horse power

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

Dairy Star • Saturday, August 24, 2019 • Page 15

From Our Side Of The Fence Students: What was your summer internship experience?

Abigail Grimm Ridgewater College in Willmar, Minn., second year studying dairy management and agribusiness Milaca, Minn. Mille Lacs County Tell us about the farm you interned at. This summer I interned on a 1,300-cow Jersey Farm called, Broumley Dairy, in Hico, Texas. I assisted in helping the herdsmen, feed baby calves and much more. What was your title at the dairy and main duties? On the farm, they didn’t really give me one task throughout the summer. They moved me around to learn many different aspects of the farm. I helped assist the herdsmen with taking care of cows, checking pregnancies, drying off and sorting cows, and working with fresh cows to make sure the colostrum was cooled quickly. I was able to help with displaced abomasum and prolapse surgeries. I also got to work with the baby calves, feeding, weaning and vaccinating them. My favorite part was working with the baby calves and watching them grow up. What was the most valuable part of this internship? One of the most valuable things I learned at Broumley Dairy was to always work hard at making sure every animal is well cared for each day. I learned to always try harder to learn something new each day. What was the greatest challenge you experienced as part of your internship? My greatest challenge was to travel over 1,200 miles away from home to work on a farm. Being there showed me there are so many different opportunities around the world. I enjoyed meeting many new people in the beautiful state of Texas. Tell us about your career goals and how this internship will help fulďƒžll them. Currently, I am attending Ridgewater College in Willmar, Minn., for dairy management for two years. After that, I plan to enroll in the agribusiness course that is also offered there. I also plan to take a palpation and ultrasound class through the college to advance my knowledge about the reproductive tract. I also plan on continuing to build up my herd of registered Jersey cattle. I am always open to new possibilities and am willing to jump at the chance to further my career within the dairy industry. What is one think you learned during your internship that you want to take back to your home farm? Explain. I learned many things during my internship in Texas, but one of the biggest things I learned is to communicate with others workers. Being able to talk with your co-workers makes a big impact on how they work and making sure the job is done correctly. What advice do you have for anyone exploring an internship? Don’t be afraid to go away from the home farm and try something new. There is always something to learn on a different farm to be able to bring back to your home farm. Tell us about your home farm. I actually did not come from a farm. I found my way into agriculture by working at a local dairy farm. The farm is located in Princeton, Minn., where they have 45 milking Jerseys and Holsteins. I was able to gain skills and ďƒžnd my way into the dairy community by working at Brickton Genetics.

Ashley Maus South Dakota State University, junior, dairy production and dairy manufacturing Freeport, Minn. Stearns County Tell us about the farm you interned at. This summer I had the privilege of working at Nosbush Dairy in Fairfax, Minn. The farm has 750 cows in a freestall barn and they are milked in a double-16 parlor. What was your title at the dairy and your main duties? I worked as a herdsman on the farm. Work on the farm varied by day, but some of the things I got to help with include: ďƒžnding cows, doing health checks, sorting cows, administering medications and vaccinations to the cows, helping with pregnancy checks, scraping stalls, taking care of fresh cows, feeding calves, covering and uncovering feed in the bunkers, and assisting with other tasks around the farm. What was the most valuable part of this internship? This internship has allowed me to see a different perspective. I grew up on a small farm and being able to experience working on a farm that is larger in size has allowed me to see how much both farms are the same and different. We may have different goals or strategies for doing things, but all in all we want to provide the best possible care for the animals and continue to produce high quality milk for consumers. What was the greatest challenge you experienced as part of your internship? Explain. My biggest challenge was ďƒžnding things to do in the afternoons to stay busy. As herdsmen, we took care of cows that needed attention in the morning. This left my afternoons to do other things around the farm. I found it challenging, because it was not my family’s farm and I did not know what was considered a priority for them. Tell us about your career goals and how this internship will help fulďƒžll them. I am currently undecided in what I want to do in my future, but I know I want to work in the dairy community. I took this internship so I would have experience in the dairy ďƒželd that was not on my own farm. This experience allowed me to take care of the cows as if they were my own. I was able to assess them for their needs, like I might do in the future. What is one thing you learned during your internship that you want to take back to your home farm? I have learned how to do health checks at Nosbush Dairy. I was then able to treat the animal based on the farm’s protocols. I can take my experience in caring for those animals and administering medications back to my farm. What advice do you have for anyone exploring an internship? Take every opportunity you can to try something new. Personally, I learn more by doing things hands on verses reading about them in a textbook. The things you experience in an internship will help you apply what you have learned in the classroom. Internships also help you determine whether that career path is a good ďƒžt for you. Tell us about your home farm. My family milks 60 cows in a tiestall barn near Freeport, Minn. We raise our replacements and grow oats, alfalfa and corn on 215 acres of land.

Judd Saemrow Northeast Iowa Community College, second year, dairy science major Waterville, Minn. Le Sueur County Tell us about the farm where you interned. I Interned at Wolf Creek Dairy, which is located near Dundas, Minn. They are milking around 415 Holstein cows three times a day. They have a sawdust bedded freestall barn and milk in a double-8 herringbone parlor. Calves and heifers are custom raised and all their crops are custom hired. What was your title at the dairy and list your main duties? My title on the farm was barn manager. My main duties were bringing cows to parlor, scraping the pens, milking, treating sick cows on the shift I was working, watching for signs of and assisting with calving, feeding calves, and helping with the weekly herd check. What was the most valuable part of this internship? Every aspect of my internship was valuable. I was able to get off the home farm and out of the routine of how we did things, and experience how somebody else farms. What was the greatest challenge you experienced as part of your internship? The greatest challenge I faced was the last week of my internship. The owners and the assistant herdsman were gone on a family vacation, meaning my duties increased. I had to make my own decisions on how to treat sick cows. Along with the added responsibility of this, I trained in a new barn manager. Tell us about your career goals and how this internship will help fulďƒžll them. My future goal is to return to my family farm and become a part owner. This internship helped me get the feel of how I think an employer should treat employees. It also gave me the opportunity to learn new techniques and philosophies about what to do in certain situations. What is one thing you learned during your internship that you want to take back to your home farm? One thing I learned is that even with all the commotion happening on a dairy farm, there is always time to keep things tidy and clean, and ready to represent the dairy industry to the public What advice do you have for anyone exploring an internship? My advice would be to get out of your comfort zone and try something different than what you already know. Tell us about your home farm. My home farm is located near Waterville, Minn. We are milking around 700 Holsteins three times a day a day in a double-12 parallel parlor. We use separated manure solids in our freestalls. We also raise our own replacement heifers, farm about 2,000 acres and custom raise turkeys for Jenni-O.

Turn to OUR SIDE | Page 16

Trusted People. Trusted Feed. 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 SUH PL[ WR FRPSOHWH IHHG VSHFL¿F WR \RXU IDUPœV QHHGV 2XU H[SHULHQFHG VWDႇ DUH UHDG\ WR GHOLYHU WKH KLJKHVW TXDOLW\ IHHG at an economical price, assist in balancing diets, or work with your private nutritionist or dairy consultant. Contact Star Blends at: 800-462-4125 or StarBlends.com

Page 16 • Dairy Star • Saturday, August 24, 2019

ConƟnued from OUR SIDE | Page 15

Chandler Kurth Junior at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, studying animal science with an emphasis in dairy production Stewart, Minn. Renville County Tell us about the farm you interned at. I interned at Riverview LLP. I had the privilege of working at Louriston Dairy near Murdock, Minn. Louriston dairy is home to 8,500 lactating cows that are milked in a 106-stall rotary parlor. There are also 1,000 dry cows in the barn, totaling roughly 9,500 cows under one roof. The barn is a cross-ventilated barn, with recycled manure for bedding. Calves and heifers are raised off site. What was your title at the dairy and your main duties? At Louriston, I had a very exible schedule and had the ability to work in whatever area of the farm I wanted to learn from. Almost every week I was doing something different which allowed me to get the most from the learning experience. My work included rotations between hoof trimming, maternity, mastitis and treatment, and breeding. What was the most valuable part of this internship? The most valuable part of my internship was seeing dairy farming on a larger scale. I am happy knowing I now have more knowledge of dairy farming in a different way than what I grew up with. I feel I am a more rounded individual with more overall knowledge of dairy production because of the large herd experience I gained this summer. What was the greatest challenge you experienced as part of your internship? The rst few weeks on the farm were challenging because of the language barrier between myself and the Hispanics who work on the farm. The majority of the people who I worked with were Hispanics, so at some points I was struggling to understand and learn from them. However, because of this, I learned more Spanish throughout the summer. Tell us about your career goals and how this internship will help fulll them. My ultimate career goal is to have a farm of my own one day. I am not sure which size farm I would like, but I know I will be able to be exible with anything because I worked at Louriston and have my own farm experience. I may also want to do some dairy consulting in the future. I denitely learned skills for a role like this, such as diagnosing cow illnesses, observing procedures, and working with the employees and management on the farm. What is one thing you learned during your internship that you want to take back to your home farm? One thing I learned to take back to my own farm is my ability to breed cows. On our smaller farm, I did not have much chance to practice breeding cows, but my breeding rotation at Louriston allowed me to practice enough to breed our animals at home. What advice do you have for anyone exploring an internship? My best advice to anyone looking for an internship is to embrace and enjoy every moment. Not every day will be a fun or exciting one, but the best way to get through these days is to enjoy the time that you have. The learning experiences are valuable in every situation. Additionally, enjoy your environment and the people around you. Make the most of it; 10 weeks of your life goes by faster than you think. Tell us about your home farm. I grew up on my family’s 85-cow dairy, KurthHaven Farms, in Stewart, Minn. My grandpa started the farm and my parents took over in 2016. We milk Registered Holsteins in a tiestall barn two times per day. Additionally, we raise our own heifers and run about 700 acres of land. My cousins and myself show some of our animals at the county and state levels.

Sign up for our Newsletter

Dairy St r Milk Break Email andrea.b@dairystar.com

Combine Yield monitors • Yield mapping • Built in GPS

Find ou!t More

Auto Steer Guidance Packages • New and used equipment • Great trade in deals available • Solutions for most makes and models Call Justin

218-631-6045 www.infrontag.com

Amelia Manderfeld University Wisconsin-River Falls Dairy science management major, animal science minor Faribault, Minn. Rice County Tell us about the farm you interned at. I interned at Scholze Family Farm in Humbird Wis. They have a 600-head herd, but are looking to expand to 1,000. They are crossing everything from Holstein to Jersey because they want better components and feed efciency. Anything that is third lactation or higher is bred to a commercial beef bull and anything less than three lactations is bred to sexed Jersey semen. Cows are only bred three times and follow a strict double ovsynch program. The herd produces about 90 pounds of milk per cow, per day, and is milked three times a day in a double-10 swing parlor. I nd how they prep their cows to be unique. The teats are wiped with a fresh towel, and then the teats are dipped. After that, each teat is stripped 3-4 times and then wiped again with a new towel. The milking unit is wiped with a towel before attaching it to the animal. What was your title at the dairy and list your main duties? I was never given an ofcial title, but I would say assistant manager. My main duties consisted of feeding calves every afternoon and some weekends where I would do the morning feeding as well. I also watched the calving pen throughout the day and helped calve cows in and care for that calf once it was born. I also updated and made new standardized operating procedures since Scholze Family Farm is making big changes, especially on calf feeding protocols. They are now using different techniques and new formulas. These SOPs ranged from how to work with a down cow to how to properly care for a newborn calf in different climates. What was the most valuable part of this internship? Making connections in an environment where I knew no one. This internship really forced me to get out of my comfort zone, do things I normally wouldn’t do and make my own name in this community that knew nothing about me before I came to intern there. What was the greatest challenge you experienced as part of your internship? Working with people who are not always easy to work with. I learned when to keep my mouth shut and when I could voice my opinion. Every farm has their ways and sometimes it is hard for farms to listen to other people’s ideas when they are set in their ways. Tell us about your career goals and how this internship will help fulll them. I am not exactly sure what I want for my future career. I know I want to work with genetics and bulls. I nd them entertaining, and they are the future to the next generation in the dairy industry. Many people nd bulls intimidating, but I nd them beautiful and fun to work with. They may be dangerous to work with at times, but if you respect them they will typically respect you. I know this because I interned at ABS Global in 2018, and I loved it there. My internship this year at Scholze Family Farm did make me realize I would like to be a manager. I like managing and training people. I trained individuals on how to feed calves, give vaccinations, calve cows in, etc. What is one thing you learned during your internship that you want to take back to your home farm? How to remain calm in a time when things get out of hand. Remaining calm when working with animals or people is better than acting up and losing control. People and animals are more willing to work with someone who is calm. Also understanding that mistakes happen and nobody is perfect. Calmly explain the mistake to the individual, have them x it so they fully understand what should have been done differently. Being patient and calm is the key to success in many cases. What advice do you have for anyone exploring an internship? Believe in yourself. Be condent and be true. Also look at more than one internship as you may nd another one that better suits you. I strongly suggest doing more than one internship and have them be two different things. I wanted to go back to my old internship from last year at ABS, but they they thought it would be in my best interest to get more experience elsewhere. That way I can be a more rounded individual. Tell us about your home farm. I grew up on a farm with 115 milking cows, about 120 youngstock and 250 acres in Faribault, Minn. We milk about 60% Milking Shorthorns and 40% Holsteins in a double-sided double step up parlor. We milk two times a day around 5 a.m. and 5 p.m. My mom and brother do the calf chores and help my dad when needed. My mom is also a vet, so she helps with the farm’s health care. My uncle, who is my dad’s third partner, does the feeding when he comes home from his mechanic job in town. He also is our personal mechanic and helps when he can. My grandma, Betty, at the age of 81, still insists on washing down the milking parlor. She also loves helping watch pens when my dad is cleaning the heifer shed and helping whenever we need it. I help when I come home from college.

Wood

Shavings BULK

OR

BAG

S&S Wood Products

35335 Green Street | Independence, WI 54747

800-234-5893 | 715-985-3122

COW SAVER! Cows Can Be Safe On Concrete

HELP!

Call Smith’s before I break my leg or something!

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

REFERENCES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

Smith’s of Wisconsin

Serving the Midwest over 30 yrs.

1-800-525-9364

Dairy Star • Saturday, August 24, 2019 • Page 17

What’s right for you? DeLaval Parlor P500

DeLaval VMS™ V300

The dairy industry’s only parallel parlor with three cow-Åow control options and no sequence gates in the Åoor. DeLaval P500 features newly developed synchronized milking process with these patented technologies:

• DeLaval SynchroArc™ • DeLaval SynchroSweep™ • DeLaval SynchroControl™ • DeLaval InService™ All-Inclusive (ISAI)

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

Big John Bedding Separator

Dura Chain Scraper Vertical Pump Prop Agitator Hammermills

Proven again and again to achieve 36-39.4% dry matter

Moov Feed Pusher BY

SEPARATOR

FEATURES

• SMART control panel technology • Automatic weight control arms • New HD basket with screen • Reduce bedding costs • Increase liquid storage capacity • Environmentally friendly • Readily available bedding materials on a daily basis

The Moov feed pushing robot is a fully automatic robot so there is no need for wires or steel strips set into the floor.

Diamond Mats

Genuine Augers Augers, screens and parts

z Absorbs shocks 25 times more than concrete to improve the comfort and performance of your cattle z Anti-skid surface signiðcantly reduces injury. z Easy to clean and does not absorb liquid or promote the developmentof bacteria

Proudly serving you from Brookings, SD; Montgomery, MN; and Melrose, MN. 58 Interstate Drive N.W., Melrose, MN 56352 | 800-636-5581

Page 18 • Dairy Star • Saturday, August 24, 2019

Repro Leaders

Activity, rumination collars help Dubans get cows pregnant faster Paul, Audrey and Clarissa Duban Du-Ayr Dairy Faribault, Minn. Rice County 165 cows What was your pregnancy rate average last year? 31% What was your voluntary waiting period for cows? For heifers? For cows, 60-80 days in milk based on production. For heifers, 13-15 months based on size and breed. What is your rst service conception rate? 61% What is your reproduction program? Do you use a synchronization program? We breed off mostly natural heats and give a shot of prostaglandin if no heats by 80 days in milk. We rarely have to synch them. How do you observe for heat? SCR activity/rumination collars and we watch while we’re in the barn. How do you conrm pregnant or open cows? All by milk sample through DHIA and in between tests. Turn to DUBANS | Page 20

KATE RECHTZIGEL/DAIRY STAR

Audrey (leŌ), Paul and Clarissa Duban milk 165 cows on their dairy, Du-Ayr Dairy, in Rice County near Faribault, Minn. Their herd’s average pregnancy rate last year was 31%.

We carry one of the largest selections in the area FLY CONTROL PRODUCTS • POUR ON • DUST BAGS • CATTLE BACK RUBBERS • SPRAYS • TRAPS • BAIT • FLY CONTROL • STRIPS IF WE DON’T HAVE IT - WE CAN ORDER IT! READY TO USE AND CONCENTRATES IN MUTLTIPLE SIZES

FRESH FLOOR STOCK AND VARIETY OF PROTEIN TUBS FOR ALL ANIMALS

• Small square hay bales • Chopped straw and bagged shavings • Round Bale Feeders and Water Tanks

!

Fall is Around the Corner..

PLEASE BE SAFE

During the Fall Harvest Season

FOR YOUR SILAGE NEEDS

Let Farmer’s Co-op Creamery Help!

ry We Car nd s g a a

Ag B Covers Bunker

WE ALSO STOCK

• Twine (sisal and plastic) • Crop Preservatives (liquid and dry)

EVERYDAY DAIRY & FARM PRODUCTS

Fresh cheese and butter, farm fresh eggs, meats, pizza and ice cream!

on t s e For

• Free Standing Gates • Assorted Gates • 20’ Continuous Panels

BULK HYDRAULIC FLUID 15-40 Oil

SKID STEER ATTACHMENTS Grapple buckets, bale spears, rock buckets etc.

FARMERS CO-OP CREAMERY

WE OFFER

Corn Drying & Corn Storage

Weigh Scales ALWAYS WELCOMING NEW PATRONS!

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

Dairy Star • Saturday, August 24, 2019 • Page 19

ATTENTION FARMERS... Are rocks, re-rod or holes showing in your bunker silo?

WE CAN RESTORE YOUR BUNKER TO LIKE NEW CONDITION! BUNKER SILO RESTORATION/REPAIR WITH JETCRETE Approximately 1” of steel reinforced material added to bunker walls.

• High pressure water blasting of walls for excellent bonding. • 6 gage heavy duty wire mesh installed • Jetcrete -phnuematically applied concrete.

SILO RELINING WITH “JETCRETE”

BARN WALL & BASEMENT RESTORATION WITH “JETCRETE” B (Limestone, rock, block & concrete wall)

GUARENTEED BEST PRICING

SERVING IA, MN, WI, IL AND SD CONTACT:

800-866-7327

“... our best results with Udder Comfort.” — Janny Wilbourn

KLEINE DAIRY FARM, CEDAR LAKE, INDIANA The Kleine Family, since 1917 110 cows, 87 lbs/cow/day, SCC 110,000 “Udder Comfort™ is the best. We’ve been using it for 6 years on fresh cows and first-calf heifers for the first few days after calving to reduce the swelling,” says Janny (Kleine) Wilbourn. She milks and helps with herd health at her family’s Kleine Dairy Farm, Cedar Lake, Indiana. They milk 110 cows producing 87 pounds/cow/day of high quality milk, mostly Holsteins, along with Janny’s registered Brown Swiss. Seeing opportunities and challenges for her generation, Janny finds value in doing Ag Awareness events and being part of organizations like Dairy Girl Network, where she says, “it feels so good to learn, vent, and be reassured we can get through things together.” On udder management challenges and cow comfort she says: “We have our best results with Udder Comfort.”

“I love how it works and the way it smells. We tried other brands, but after using this one, Udder Comfort is all we ever use now. It is a big help in being proactive with our fresh cows and in our management of udder health.”

Quality Udders Make Quality Milk

Keep the milk in the system 1.888.773.7153 1.613.652.9086 uddercomfort.com Call to locate a distributor near you. For external application to the udder only after milking, as an essential component of udder management. Always wash and dry teats thoroughly before milking.

Page 20 • Dairy Star • Saturday, August 24, 2019

ConƟnued from DUBANS | Page 18 What is your breeding philosophy? How do you select bulls? What traits do you focus on? Does fertility play a role in bull selection? We look for good feet and legs, good milk, higher component percentage and teat placement. We always use bulls with a positive daughter pregnancy rate. How are cows and heifers bred? Do you have a different philosophy for breeding both? All are A.I. bred.

What do you do to settle hard breeders? We use a high conception bull or a beef bull. How many times do you try to breed a cow before you sell her? Up to six times depending on production and if she’s a barn favorite. Is there anything you have done or changed that brought about a signicant improvement in your reproductive program? SCR collars and changed our dry cow nutrition program so they can get off to a

fast start right away after freshening. Tell us about your farm. DuAyr Dairy is a family owned and operated farm established in 1992. We milk our mixed herd of Holsteins, Jerseys and Ayrshires with two Lely A4 robots that were installed in 2016 in a new, natural ventilation freestall barn. We raise all our own replacements.

KATE RECHTZIGEL/DAIRY STAR

Paul Duban checks the computer for his herd’s acƟvity data.

KATE RECHTZIGEL/DAIRY STAR

The Duban family’s mixed herd of Ayrshires, Holsteins and Jerseys eat feed in the new roboƟc, freestall facility the family built in 2016.

KATE RECHTZIGEL/DAIRY STAR

This cow represents the type of animal the Dubans try to breed. Traits include good feet and legs, good milk, high component average and teat placement.

SMARTPHONE FARMING

SM

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 Shawn: 320-345-1445 Bob:320-894-0433 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.

Dairy Star • Saturday, August 24, 2019 • Page 21

See our complete inventory with pictures and descriptions at at:

www.mmcjd.com

Visit one of our 17 locations in Central Minnesota!

LOW RATE FINANCING AVAILABLE

CALL TODAY! (320)365-1653 (1) = GLENCOE 4561 Hwy. 212

(2) = HOWARD LAKE

JD S660, 2014, PRWD, Duals, 670 hrs., 381 Sep Hrs., #142203

239,500

78412 Co. Rd. 20

(4) = ST. CLOUD 1035 35th Ave. NE

(5) = GLENWOOD 1710 N. Franklin

(6) = SAUK CENTRE 1140 Centre St.

(7) = ALEXANDRIA 320-763-4220 5005 Co. Rd. 82 SE

(8) = PAYNESVILLE 725 Lake Ave. S.

(9) = PRINCETON

3708 Baptist Church Rd.

(10) = LITTLE FALLS 16069 Hwy. 27 E.

(11) = WADENA 62505 US Hwy. 10

(12) = AITKIN 1120 2nd St. NW

(13) = BAXTER 7045 Foley Rd.

(14) = ELBOW LAKE 110 2nd St. NE

(15) = MORRIS 23604 State Hwy. 9

(16) = BENSON 380 Atlantic Ave.

(17) = MADISON 516 1st St. E

JD S680, 2015, 1723 hrs. 1235 Sep $ Hrs., #144329

JD S670, 2017, 2WD, Duals, 770 hrs., 496 Sep Hrs., #146349

299,500

178,000

$

5845 Keats Ave. SW

(3) = STEWART

JD S660, 2012, 1342 hrs., 1025 Sep Hrs., #155239

$

$

JD S670, 2014, 1646 hrs., 1265 Sep Hrs., #155388

210,000

$

Over 1200 items with pictures updated daily • Go to www.mmcjd.com COMBINES 4 JD S660, ‘16, 2WD, Dls, 635 hrs., 473 Sep.,#143510 .....$249,500 4 JD S670, ‘15, PRWD, Dls, 1307 hrs., 1014 Sep, #143718 ..$234,900 4 JD 9870 STS, ‘08, Corn/Bean, PRWD, Duals, Chopper, Yield Monitor, 3200 hrs., #160885.................................$101,900 4 JD 9570 STS, ‘11, Corn/Bean, 2WD, Duals, 1333 hrs., 971 Sep Hrs., #154420 .................................$139,500 2 JD S670, ‘12, PRWD, Dls, 2295 hrs., 1834 Sep, #143860 ..$149,500 2 JD S660, ‘13, PRWD, Dls 986 hrs., 688 Sep., #154698 ...$209,500 10 JD 9770 STS, ‘09, 2WD, Duals, 2153 hrs., 1649 Sep Hrs., #144243 ........................................................................$117,900 10 JD 9400, ‘97, 2WD, 4412 hrs., 2855 Sep Hrs., #161326...$28,500 10 Pickett Twin Master, ‘14, #159226 ..............................$148,500 10 JD 7720, ‘80, Corn/Bean, 2WD, #160022........................$13,900 17 JD 9660 STS, ‘05, Corn/Bean, 2WD, Duals, 3538 hrs., 2331 Sep, #151601..........................................................$64,900 17 JD 9660 STS, ‘04, 2WD, Dls, 3731 hrs., 2670 Sep., #150873 $64,900 17 JD S680, ‘13, PRWD, Dls, 1426 hrs., 1013 Sep, #144322.$214,900 17 JD S660, ‘15 Corn/Bean, 2WD, Duals, Chopper, Yield Monitor, 786 hrs., 545 Sep, #157075 ...................$229,500 17 JD S770, ‘18, Corn/Bean, 2WD, Duals, Chopper, Yield Monitor, 304 hrs., 228 Sep, #156063....................$329,500 17 JD S660, ‘12, 1342 hrs., 1025 Sep., #155239 ...............$178,000 7 JD S680, ‘12, Corn/Bean, 2WD, Duals, Yield Monitor, 2267 hrs., 1529 Sep, #152167 ......................................$149,500 7 JD 9650 STS, ‘02, Corn/Bean, PRWD, Duals, Chopper, Yield Monitor, 5002 hrs., 3459 Sep, #161213 ..................$44,900 7 JD S670, 2013, 2WD, Dls, 1456 hrs., 998 Sep, #145812 ..$189,500 7 JD S780, ‘18, Corn/Bean, PRWD, Duals, Chopper, Yield Monitor, 385 hrs., 268 Sep, #159539....................$421,900 7 JD 6620, ‘81, 4500 hrs., 4500 Sep, #156979 ....................$8,500 7 JD 9400, ‘89, 6762 hrs., 4175 Sep, #156978 ...................$18,995 7 JD 9600, ‘90, 6778 hrs., 4605 Sep, #155273 ....................29,500 6 JD S670, ‘14, PRWD, Dls, 1897 hrs., 1260 Sep, #153514$192,900 6 JD S660, ‘14, PRWD, Duals, 672 hrs., 381 Sep, #142203 ...$239,500 15 JD S680, ‘16, PRWD, Duals, 988 hrs, 718 Sep, #148150....$294,000 15 JD S680, ’13, PRWD, 1952 hrs.,1384 Sep, #161210 ......$190,900 15 JD S680, ‘16, PRWD, Dls, 1325 hrs., 989 Sep, #157714 .$246,750 15 JD S780, ‘18, PRWD, 326 hrs.,241 Sep, #157785 ..........$430,000 15 JD S680, ’14, PRWD, dls, 1703 hrs., 1341 Sep, #156460$205,500 15 JD S660, ‘14, 1048 hrs., #155345..................................$189,500 15 JD 9660 STS, ‘05, 3435 hrs., 2551 Sep, #155302 ............$56,750 16 JD S680, ’15, PRWD, 1724 hrs., 1235 Sep, #144329......$189,500 16 JD S680, ‘15, PRWD, 1235 hrs., 859 Sep, #144326........$259,500 16 JD S680, ‘15, PRWD, Dls, 1770 hrs., 1133 Sep, #144328$239,500 16 JD S670, ‘14, PRWD, Dls, 1333 hrs., 979 Sep, #151692 .$209,500 16 JD S670, ‘17, 2WD, Dls, 257 hrs., 186 Sep, #146346 .......$349,500 16 JD 9870 STS, ‘10, 2WD, Dls, 3000 hrs., 2400 Sep, #161419$99,500 16 JD 9550, ‘02, 2WD, 3472 hrs., 2478 Sep, #161185.............$43,900 16 JD S780, ‘18, PRWD, Duals, 346 hrs., 235 Sep, #157910 ..$425,000 16 JD S780, ‘18, PRWD, Duals, 400 hrs., 283 Sep, #157911 .$420,000 16 JD S680, ‘14, PRWD, Duals, 1781 hrs., #159509..............$187,400 16 JD S780, ‘18, PRWD, Duals, 337 hrs., 279 Sep, #154461 ..$425,000 16 JD S780, ‘18, PRWD, Duals, 401 hrs., 327 Sep, #154560 ..$425,250 5 JD S660, ‘13, PRWD, Dls, 1230 hrs., 811 Sep, #151693 ....$199,500 5 JD S660, ‘14, PRWD, Dls, 986 hrs., 769 Sep, #155826 ......$230,500 5 JD S680, ‘17, PRWD, Duals, 902 hrs., 580 Sep, #146345....$329,500

189,500

JD S680, 2014, $ 1839 hrs., 1248 Sep Hrs., #147716

5 JD S680, ‘14, PRWD, Duals, 1854 hrs., 1248 Sep, #147716... $209,500 5 JD 9450, ‘01, 2WD, 2855 hrs., 1938 Sep, #161067 ............... $51,000 5 JD S680, ‘14, PRWD, Dls, 1796 hrs., 1212 Sep, #158103 ....$219,500 11 JD S670, ‘14, PRWD, Duals, 1756 hrs., 1218 Sep, #144313 . $167,000 11 JD S670, ‘17, 2WD, Duals, 772 hrs., 496 Sep, #146349.......$234,900 8 JD 9770 STS, ‘08, PRWD, Dls, 2570 hrs.,1508 Sep., #146342 $114,900 8 JD S670, ‘16, 2WD, Duals, 530 hrs., 372 Sep, #148148 .......$279,500 8 JD S670, ‘14, PRWD, Duals, 1650 hrs., 1265 Sep, #155388 $210,000 8 JD S780, ‘18, , PRWD, Duals, 336 hrs., 259 Sep, #153997 ..$439,500 14 JD S670, ‘14, PRWD, Dls, 966 hrs., 435 Sep, #144312 ........$239,500 14 JD S690, ‘14, PRWD, Duals, 1899 hrs., 1422 Sep, #153332 $194,000 14 Case IH 2388, ‘98, PRWD, 3562 hrs., 2736 Sep, #161428 ... $36,000 14 JD 9750 STS, ‘00, 7685 hrs., 5021 Sep, #155851 ................ $39,500 14 JD S770, ‘18, 244 hrs., 190 Sep, #155380 .........................$389,500 3 JD 9870 STS, ‘08, PRWD, Dls, 2662 hrs., 1842 hrs., #143756$117,900 3 JD S680, ‘13, PRWD, Duals, 1318 hrs., 967 Sep, #140845..$176,000 3 JD S690, 14, PRWD, Duals, 1732 hrs., 1303 Sep, #145222.#224,900 3 JD S680, 17, PRWD, Duals, 731 hrs., 515 Sep, #153999.....$360,000 3 JD S680, 12, PRWD, Duals, 2300 hrs., 1680 Sep, #154637 .$184,000 COMBINE PLATFORMS 4 JD 620F, 2012, 20’, #152753................................................ $23,900 4 JD 635F, 2008, 35’, #150767................................................ $18,900 10 JD 635F, 2005, 35’, #151340 ................................................ $13,500 10 JD 920F, 1991, 20’, #161327 ...................................................$4,500 17 JD 635F, 2012, 35’, #144268 ................................................ $18,900 17 JD 640FD, 2014, 40’, #151563 ............................................. $72,500 17 JD 635F, 2010, 35’, #157461................................................ $22,600 17 JD 630F, 2014, #155241 ...................................................... $31,000 7 JD 635F, 2006, 35’, #140683................................................ $11,900 7 JD 930F, 2001, 30’, #151145 ...................................................$9,750 7 JD 635F, 2009, #156903 ...................................................... $20,900 7 JD 625F, 2008, #155436 ...................................................... $19,900 6 JD 625F, 2012, 25’, #142196 ................................................ $23,900 6 JD 635F, 2010, 35’, #148646 ................................................ $21,900 6 JD 635FD, 2015, #156278 ................................................... $64,900 1 JD 635F, 2013, #155656 ...................................................... $28,900 1 JD 630F, 2006, 30’, #143427 ................................................ $21,500 1 JD 635F, 2012, 35’, #143927................................................ $18,900 1 JD 635F, ‘08, 35’, #145292................................................... $14,900 15 JD 635F, 35’, #153335 .......................................................... $27,500 15 JD 635F, 2004, 35’, #150449 ................................................ $12,900 15 JD 635F, 2011, 35’, #146353 ................................................ $24,500 15 JD 635F, 2011, 35’, #147914................................................ $23,650 15 JD 630F, 2012, 30’, #161484................................................ $22,400 15 JD 635F, 2013, #155556 ...................................................... $27,500 15 JD 635F, 2012, #155219 ..................................................... $23,500 15 JD 635F, 2012, #155553 ...................................................... $24,200 16 JD 640FD, 2014, 40’, #144272 ............................................. $64,900 16 JD 630F, 2004, 30’, #157864................................................ $11,000 16 JD 645FD, 2017, 45’, #154190............................................. $89,500 5 JD 635F, 2010, 35’, #142787................................................ $21,900 5 JD 630F, 2004, 30’, #151382................................................ $11,000 5 JD 635F, 2011, 35’, #152874 ................................................ $21,900 5 JD 635FD, 2015, 35’, #150552............................................. $64,900 5 JD 635F, 2009, #156161 ...................................................... $18,500 5 JD 625F, 2014, #155236 ...................................................... $25,900 5 JD 630F, 2014, 30’, #154411................................................ $33,900

209,500

JD S690, 2013, 1318 hrs.,967 Sep $ Hrs., #140845

5 JD 635F, 2010, #155411 ...................................................... $21,500 5 JD 635F, 2011, 35’, #153865 ................................................ $22,900 5 JD 640FD, 2013, 40’, #153979............................................. $58,500 11 JD 640FD, 2015, 40’, #150113 ............................................. $69,500 8 JD 635FD, 2014, 35’, #145209 ............................................. $59,500 8 JD 630F, 2017, #155371 ...................................................... $38,900 8 JD 630F, 2018, #155260 ...................................................... $40,900 8 JD 630F, 2018, #155372...................................................... $39,900 14 JD 635F, 2014, 35’, #153334 ................................................ $35,425 14 Case IH 1020-30F, 2004, 30’, #161430 .............................. $10,900 14 JD 635F, 2009, 35’, #161084................................................ $18,900 14 JD 640FD, 2014, 40’, #144274 ...........................................$$64,900 3 JD 640FD, 2015, 40’, #150115............................................. $69,500 3 JD 630F, 2004, 30’, #159502 ...................................................$9,900 CORN & ROW CROP HEADERS 4 JD 1293, 1996, #156056 .....................................................$17,500 2 JD 608C, 2013, 8R30, StalkMaster, #149199 ......................$54,500 10 JD 606C, 2013, 6R30, StalkMaster, #151339 .......................$45,900 10 JD 643, 6R30, #154149.........................................................$6,500 17 JD 606C, 2013, 6R30; StalkMaster, #132993 .......................$35,900 17 JD 612C StalkMaster, 2011, 12R30, #151602 .................$46,325 17 JD 608C, 2011, 8R30, StalkMaster, #145585 .......................$44,500 17 JD 608C StalkMaster, 2009, 8R30, #158323 ...................$29,900 17 JD 608C, 2014, 8R30; StalkMaster, #154118 .......................$62,000 7 JD 893, 1995, 8R30, #146709..............................................$15,900 6 JD 1291, 2005, 12R22, #152339 .........................................$15,900 6 JD 608C, 2013, 8R30, #150550 ...........................................$56,000 6 JD 618C, 2013, #157033 .................................................. $109,500 6 JD 608C, 2014, 8R30, StalkMaster, #153953 .......................$62,000 1 JD 608C, 2009, 8R30, StalkMaster, #143428 .......................$35,900 1 JD 612C, 2013, 12R30, StalkMaster, #151998 .....................$52,800 15 JD 612C, 2014, 12R30, StalkMaster, #151308 .....................$83,500 15 JD 606C, 2013, 6R30, StalkMaster, #161186 .......................$45,900 15 JD 612C StalkMaster, 2008, 12R22, #158816 ................$43,900 15 JD 612C, 2013, #155555.....................................................$54,500 9 JD 708C, 2018, 8R30, StalkMaster, #143017 .......................$82,900 16 JD 612C, 2009, 12R30, #144257..........................................$41,900 16 JD 618C, 2013, 18R22, StalkMaster, #157585 .................. $109,500 16 JD 612C, 2017, 12R30, StalkMaster, #154189 .....................$99,500 5 JD 608C, 2012, 8R30, StalkMaster, #148141 .......................$49,500 5 JD 608C, 2016, #156127 .....................................................$72,500 5 JD 618C, 2013, #156664.................................................. $109,500 5 Geringhoff RD800B, ‘06, 8R30, StalkMaster, #154532 ...$16,500 11 JD 608C, 2012, 8R30, StalkMaster, #143875 .......................$49,500 11 JD 893, 2001, 8R30, #150723..............................................$14,985 11 JD 612C, 2015, 12R0, StalkMaster, #145281 .......................$82,900 8 JD 612C, 2013, 12R22, StalkMaster, #151723 .....................$77,500 8 JD 712C, 2018, 12R22, StalkMaster, #158176 .................. $123,900 8 JD 708C, 2018, 8R30, StalkMaster, #154389 .......................$83,900 8 JD 608C, 2016, #155387 .....................................................$72,500 8 JD 612C, 2014, 12R22, StalkMaster, #153843 .....................$87,500 8 JD 708C, 2018, #155386 .....................................................$84,900 14 JD 608C, 2011, 8R30, StalkMaster, #149076 .......................$45,900 14 Case IH 1083, 1994, 8R30, #161429 ................................... $5,900 14 JD 1293, 2000, 12R30, #161163 ........................................$19,500 14 JD 618C, 2014, 18R22, StalkMaster, #160535 .................. $116,900 3 JD 618C, 2014, 18R22, StalkMaster, #154665 .....................$95,900

176,000

JD S780, 2018, $ 337 hrs., 279 Sep Hrs., #154461

425,000

Page 22 • Dairy Star • Saturday, August 24, 2019

Midwest Grooving We’re groovin’ for your cows’ safety

Barn alleys, freestalls, barn yards, holding areas specializing in diamond pattern and diagonal grooves

DAVE VANDEN BOSCH

M G

Protecting your investment

Owner/Operator Kaukauna, WI

920-450-7246

midwestgrooving.com midwestgrooving@gmail.com

www.panningbrothers.com

Used Parts • Replacement Parts

FREE NATIONWIDE PARTS LOCATING We Buy Salvage Tractors 25060 651 Ave., Gibbon, MN Toll Free: 1-800-635-0993

See you at World Dairy Expo Catch us at booths EH 30113315 as we share our latest innovations with you. Join us on our Tech Tour and two Knowledge Nooks.

Technology Tour Wednesday, October 2nd

Knowledge Nook Session

Showcasing two VMS V300 farms and PR3100 HD Rotary farm with TSR Teat Spray Robot

Tuesday, October 1 at 11:30am Growing your Business

Knowledge Nook Session

Nearly 17,000 dairy operations enrolled in DMC Program The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced that producers of nearly 17,000 dairy operations have signed up for the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program since signup opened June 17. Producers interested in 2019 coverage must sign up before Sept. 20, 2019. DMC offers protection to dairy producers when the difference between the all-milk price and the average feed cost (the margin) falls below a certain dollar amount selected by the producer. “We’re encouraged by the number of dairy producers who have signed up for this new program, but we are hopeful that we will get more folks in the door,” said Bill Northey, USDA’s Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation. “At this point in the signup process, we are well ahead of the number of producers covered at this time last year under the previous safety net program, with more producers enrolling every day. As we move into the homestretch, we expect more producers across the country to get coverage through DMC and our team at FSA is really going above and beyond to make sure we get the word out there, the returns this year

“At this point in the signup process, we are well ahead of the number of producers covered at this time last year under the previous safety net program [...].” BILL NORTHEY, USDA’S UNDER SECRETARY

to-date should speak for themselves.” In June, when the DMC signup was announced, Secretary Perdue said, “For many smaller dairies, the choice is probably a no-brainer as the retroactive coverage through January has already assured them that the 2019 payments will exceed the required premiums.” To date, more than 60 percent of dairies with established production histories have enrolled in the program. Wisconsin has seen the most participants with more than 4,832 dairy operations, followed by Minnesota (1,865), New York (1,779), Pennsylvania (1,511) and Michigan (702). USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) began issuing program payments to producers on July 11. DMC provides coverage retroactive to Jan. 1, 2019. The producers who have signed up to date will receive more than $219.7 million in payments for January through June, when the income over feed cost margin was $8.63 per hundredweight (cwt.), triggering the sixth payment for eligible dairy producers who purchased the $9 and $9.50 levels of coverage under DMC. To view weekly enrollment, production and payment reports (posted each Monday at 2 p.m. Eastern), visit FSA’s DMC webpage.

Saturday, October 5 at 10:30am 360° Interactive Virtual Facility Tours

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-Suckow Dairy Supply West Union, IA 563-422-5355 Postville, IA 563-864-7417

WISCONSIN Advanced Dairy/Bob’s Dairy Supply Spring Valley, WI 715-772-3201 Ederer Dairy Supply Plain, WI 608-546-3713 Joe’s Refrigeration Inc. Withee, WI 715-229-2321 Mlsna Dairy Supply Inc. Cashton, WI 608-654-5106 Professional Dairy Services Waunakee, WI 608-849-5043

Mondovi Dairy Systems Inc. Mondovi, WI 715-926-5777 West Salem, WI 608-769-2113 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, MN 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

is a registered trademark of Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. and “DeLaval” is a registered trade/servicemark of DeLaval Holding AB © 2019 DeLaval Inc. DeLaval, 11100 North Congress Avenue, Kansas City, Missouri 64153-1296. www.delaval.com

DAIRY STAR

E-EDITION FREE www.dairystar.com

Dairy Star • Saturday, August 24, 2019 • Page 23

Dairy continues with family

Holthauses reect on history of century farm By Danna Sabolik

danna.s@dairystar.com

RICHMOND, Minn. – Jeremy Holthaus is the fourth generation of Holthauses to be dairy farming on the land where his great-grandfather rst established a farm. This year, the Holthaus family is celebrating 110 years of farming near Richmond, Minn. Jeremy has been running the farm site as an owner for the last four years. He currently milks 60 cows and runs 200 acres. Johann and Gertrude Holthaus purchased the farm site in 1909 in what was rumored to be a farm switch with a neighbor. “That’s the story we were told, but when I look into it, I can’t nd any neighbors to corroborate it,” said Fred Holthaus, Jeremy’s father. “That sort of thing happened a lot back in those days, though, so I don’t doubt it.” Johann farmed until 1934, when his son, Joseph, and wife, Louise, began renting and took on the day-to-day duties. Joseph and Louise purchased the farm in 1963. Then, Joseph and Louise raised 10 children on the farm, instilling in them the value of a job well done, and also the importance of play and family ca-

DANNA SABOLIK/DAIRY STAR

Jeremy (leŌ) and Fred Holthaus are proud to be celebraƟng 110 years of dairy farming near Richmond, Minn. Jeremy is the current owner of the dairy and the fourth generaƟon to farm. maraderie. “There was 10 of us growing up, and it was just as much fun as it was work,” Fred said. “We had chores, but we always played, too.”

Twine, Net Wrap and Acid Available!

Fred remembers his father buying the rst tractor for the farm, a Farmall H. In 1967, when he was in high school, Fred’s father suffered a heart

attack and met an untimely death. Being the oldest boy on the farm at the time, Fred assumed most of the reTurn to HOLTHAUSES | Page 25

Out of Sight,Out of Mind

MANURE STORAGE (2) Demco 650 grain cart, ‘12, green & black - $18,500

Various Sizes of Used Demco Boxes Available

CIH MX240, 4800 hrs., new motor, new tires - $64,000

WE HAVE A GREAT SUPPLY OF SITREX RAKES!

USED TRACTORS

CIH 8910, FWA, 1600 hrs. ..................Coming In CIH 8920, full guidance, 3600 hrs.......... $72,000 CIH 8930, FWA, low hours ..................Coming In CIH 7220, 2WD, 2300 hrs, 18.4x42 ....... $71,000 CIH 7230, 3500 hrs., new rubber, nice... $71,000 CIH 7130, FWA....................................... $48,000 CIH 7120, 2WD ...................................Coming In IH 1486, 5,000 hrs., ............................Coming In IH 966 no cab .......................................... $9,500 IH 656 dsl., exc. shape............................. $7,500 JD 7200R, FWA, 280 hrs...................... $139,500

TILLAGE

CIH Tigermate II, 28’ .............................. $18,000 CIH Tigermate II, 30’ .............................. $21,000 CIH 4800, 28’ & 26’ ................................. $8,500 CIH 4800, 28’ w/IH mulcher..................... $8,500 CIH 3900 disc, 25’ ................................. $15,000 CIH 496, 21’, non cusion ....................... $11,500 CIH 530B ripper w/lead shanks .............. $17,000 CIH 530B w/lead shank .......................... $13,000 CIH 530C ripper ..................................... $23,000 White 445, 9 shank .................................. $6,500 DMI 530B w/lead shank ........................ $15,500

HAYING & FORAGE EQUIP.

Sitrex QR12 rake .......................................... New Many sizes of rakes available H&S XL 16’ silage box ............................. $4,000

GRAVITY BOXES

VARIOUS SIZES OF GRAVITY BOXES ON HAND Demco 450 .............................................. $9,500 Demco 365, red & black .......................... $5,500 2) Demco 365, red & white ...................... $3,800 Unverferth 430 ......................................... $9,500 All sizes of used Demco gravity boxes avail.

MISCELLANEOUS

Midsota 5510 & F610 rock trailers........ In Stock Midsota F8216 rock trailer - Call New Midsota Rock Wagons .................On Hand All Sizes of Sitrex Rakes.........................On Hand We have a large selection of snowblowers in stock! WE HAVE A LARGE SUPPLY OF NET WRAP ON HAND

NEW MANDAKO LAND ROLLERS IN STOCK

FARM OYL PRODUCTS AVAILABLE

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

WWW.GREENWALDFARMCENTER.COM

UNDERBARN SLATTED FLOOR MANURE STORAGE SYSTEM

Also Available:

x Bunker Silos x Feed bunks x Grain Storage x Water Tanks x Cattle Guards x Foot Baths

1-800-325-8456 LIKE US ON FACEBOOK!

Visit us on the web: www.wieserconcrete.com

Page 24 • Dairy Star • Saturday, August 24, 2019

REAL WORLD COMPACT EXCAVATORS

COMPACT TRACK LOADERS

SKID-STEER LOADERS

Pick one of the following offers to save on your next compact excavator:

Pick one of the following offers to save on your next compact track loader:

Pick one of the following offers to save on your next skid-steer loader:

• Cash rebates up to $15,000 USD* + free standard warranty • 0% for 60 months* + free standard warranty

• Lease as low as $539 USD* + 3-year / 3,000-hour full warranty*

IOWA

Bobcat of Cedar Rapids Cedar Rapids • 319-393-2830 Bobcat of Quad Cities Davenport • 563-381-1200 Bryan Heavy Equipment Oelwein • 319-352-6467 JP Scherrman, Inc. Farley • 563-744-3393 Reiser Implement, Inc. Waukon • 563-568-4526

SOUTH DAKOTA

Bobcat of Brookings, Inc. Brookings • 605-697-5544 Pfeifer’s Implement Sioux Falls • 605-338-6351

• Cash rebates up to $10,000 USD* + free standard warranty

• Cash rebates up to $3,000 USD* + free standard warranty

• 0% for 60 months* + free standard warranty

• 0% for 60 months* + free standard warranty

• Lease as low as $699 USD* + 3-year / 3,000-hour full warranty*

• Lease as low as $429 USD* + 3-year / 3,000-hour full warranty*

AUTHORIZED BOBCAT DEALERS

MINNESOTA

Aldrich Tractor, Inc. Verndale • 218-445-5430 Alex Power Equipment Alexandria • 320-763-4994 Bobcat of Mankato Mankato • 507-625-4511 Bobcat of Otter Tail County Fergus Falls • 218-739-4505 Bobcat of Rochester Rochester • 507-285-0753 Farm-Rite Equipment, Inc. Dassel • 320-275-2737 Farm-Rite Equipment, Inc. St. Cloud • 320-240-2085

Farm-Rite Equipment, Inc. Willmar • 320-235-3672 Lano Equipment, Inc. Anoka • 763-323-1720 Lano Equipment, Inc. Loretto • 763-472-8200 Lano Equipment, Inc. Shakopee • 952-445-6310 Lano Equipment of Norwood Norwood Young America • 952-467-2181 Lund Implement Company Madison • 320-598-3150 Miller Sellner Slayton Slayton • 507-836-8571 Sanco Equipment Albert Lea • 507-373-4490

Visit Bobcat.com/Offers or stop by today for details. *Offer ends 09/30/2019. Available at participating and eligible dealers only. Offer may vary by product type, series, model and select units in dealer’s current inventory. Must take delivery from dealer stock by 09/30/2019. Offers available on new equipment in US and Canada only. Some restrictions apply. Length of contract may vary. Prior purchases not eligible. See dealer for details. Financing provided on approval of credit by authorized Bobcat finance providers to well-qualified buyers. Administrative fees may apply. Offer not available to government accounts, national accounts and municipal/utility bid customers. Non-commercial customers may not be eligible for low rate financing. Bobcat Company reserves the right to extend or discontinue any of these programs at any time without prior notice. Bobcat®, the Bobcat logo and the colors of the Bobcat machine are registered trademarks of Bobcat Company in the United States and various other countries.

Tri-State Bobcat Burnsville • 952-894-0894 Tri-State Bobcat Little Canada • 651-407-3727

WISCONSIN

Bobcat of Janesville Janesville • 608-756-0000 Carter & Gruenewald Co., Inc. Juda • 608-934-5201 Komro Sales & Service Durand • 715-672-4263 Komro Sales & Service Whitehall • 715-538-1495 Tri-State Bobcat Hudson • 715-531-0801

Dairy Star • Saturday, August 24, 2019 • Page 25

ConƟnued from HOLTHAUSES | Page 23 sponsibilities with his mother. “Right away, Mom sold the chickens and sheep, so we just had the hogs and 18 dairy cows,” Fred said. Because Fred’s father had only owned the farm for four short years, a lot of unnished projects, updates and debt were passed on to Fred. “I think I was 12 years old when I realized I wanted to farm,” Fred said. “But, I think every 12-year-old wants to farm and as you get older you realize what it really takes.” Fred relied on the support of family when he was given the farm responsibilities. “I had no coaching; no one to ask my questions to,” he said. “I had the support of my family – and I still do. Other than that, I was on my own.” In 1971, Fred purchased the farm. One of his main goals was increasing the herd’s production. In the early 1980s, he expanded his herd from 18 to 43, installed a new

PHOTO SUBMITTED

This picture is of the Holthauses’ farm in 1966, one year before Fred began farming with his mother. The Holthaus family is celebraƟng 110 years of owning the farm this year.

the year. “But, I think every age for Fred married 12-year-old wants to his wife Sharon in 1973, and they raised farm and as you get six children together on the farm. older you realize what it “We had a lot of chores and responreally takes.” sibility, but we also had a lot of fun,” Jeremy said. In 2010, Fred was diagnosed with late-stage esophageal cancer. Due to his

FRED HOLTHAUS, DAIRY FARMER

barn cleaner, well and silo, and was awarded the county’s highest increase in herd aver-

illness, Jeremy returned home to help with the farm work. Jeremy was the second youngest boy, but no one else wanted to farm. “I didn’t really want to milk cows at rst either; you know it’s what you grow up with, but it grows on you and now I enjoy it,” Jeremy said. “I knew if I was going to farm, this was my way in.” He realizes it takes a lot of determination to be a young

farmer in today’s climate. “I really admire the people who are able to start from the ground up – with nothing,” Jeremy said. “That takes a lot of grit.” After realizing dairy farming was something he wanted to do, he bought the farm from his parents and assumed full ownership in 2015. “Farming is tough. Some days the only thing that keeps me here is that I know I don’t

want to be working for anyone else,” Jeremy said. Jeremy is considering upgrading his tiestall barn to a freestall barn and potentially installing robots. But as of now, those are dreams. Jeremy is glad his father is still around to help when needed and offer advice as he manages the dairy farm. “I enjoy life and I’m proud to be here,” Fred said. “Farming is tough, but I’m proud that I have built this for my family.” Still a farmer at heart, Fred spends his retirement days tending to his garden and backyard chickens. “I love to garden,” he said. “I have a salsa garden with a variety of tomatoes and peppers. I keep track of it all in a book so I know which varieties to plant next year.” He also spends a lot of time on the farm with Jeremy and other children who all live in the area. “Everyone has a Richmond address and one has an Albany [, Minn.,] address,” Fred said. “I’m proud of that. I think family is important, and it’s nice my children and grandchildren think so, too.” A family built on a promise of love and farming, the Holthauses have endured ups and downs of lifetimes and economies over the last 110 years, with one thing constant: each other.

Page 26 • Dairy Star • Saturday, August 24, 2019

USDA, SCORE join forces to nd mentors If you are a farmer or rancher, or have agricultural or business experience, join us in supporting the next generation and in investing in your local community. Your experiences and knowledge as FSA News & Notes a business owner, agricultural professional, or farmer can provide vital support to the community you live in. USDA is collaborating with SCORE – www. score.org – the nation’s largest network of volunteer, expert business By Ryan Brunn mentors in an effort to Stearns Co. Exec. Dir. expand the eld of available agricultural mentors and provide free business mentoring to farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural and rural business owners. SCORE is currently looking for volunteers with experience in an agriculture-related eld who would like to become a part of an extended eld of volunteers. The organization’s Orientation and Mentoring Certication program provides volunteers with everything needed to be a successful volunteer. Training includes background about SCORE’s mission and services as well as guidance on how to be a business mentor, including enhancement of listening, interviewing and problem-solving skills. Current SCORE volunteer mentors have backgrounds in nance, accounting, marketing, operations, and business and nancial planning. The mentors provide local expertise and free oneon-one business mentoring to new and existing farmers and business owners. Together they work through the process of starting up or maintaining agricultural and rural businesses. No matter what stage a business is in, SCORE volunteer mentors can help in developing business plans, navigating nancing and legal issues, identifying new markets, and other topics, in order to help their clients succeed. FSA invites you to learn more and sign up to become a mentor today at https://newfarmers. usda.gov/mentorship. As a reminder, enrollment for the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) for 2019 ends Sept. 20, 2019. If you have not yet made your decision, please contact your local FSA ofce and set up and appointment to complete your 2019 enrollment soon. Farm Service Agency is an Equal Opportunity Lender. Complaints about discrimination should be sent to: Secretary of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. 20250. Visit the Farm Service Agency Web site at: www.fsa.usda.gov/ for necessary application forms and updates on USDA programs.

Les Kuehl

Repair Service

30+ Years Experience

YOUR CENTRAL MINNESOTA GOLIATH REPAIR SERVICE! • Sealed silo parts & service • All parts needed to service your • Best chains on the market Goliath Unloaders • Used and rebuilt unloaders Not afÀliated with the Harvestore brand • Stainless steel roofs • Stainless steel conveyor chains Call for early maintenance specials

320-760-2909

Eve. 320-762-1827 No Emergency Charges--Ever!

tfn

Dairy Star • Saturday, August 24, 2019 • Page 27

Checkoff makes the grade in boosting school milk sales

In support of checkoff’s mission to safeguard dairy in school nutrition programs, Midwest Dairy has been investing time, resources and energy into work with key school districts across the region to implement dairy-based programs that increase dairy sales and consumption in schools. As a result, many students across the Midwest will be welcomed by new dairyfocused meal programs and foodservice delivery methods in their elementary, middle and high schools. Midwest Dairy has awarded eight equipment grants to By Julie Mattson school districts in Illinois, KanOstrow, MS, RD, sas, Minnesota, Missouri, NeFAND braska, North Dakota and South VP, Dairy ExperiDakota, for implementation in ence–Wellness, the 2019-2020 school year. The Midwest Dairy grants will support school nutrition programs including graband-go and second chance breakfasts, after-school supper, and coffee bars. Additionally, equipment grant funding will support new menu offerings, such as yogurt-based smoothies and parfaits, pizza, and hot chocolate milk. In one district, a new bulk milk dispenser will allow students to serve themselves 8-ounce portions of cold milk while decreasing carton and liquid waste. The goal of Midwest Dairy’s grant program is to expand dairy offerings throughout the entire school district so as many schools as possible can improve access to school meals and dairy. The grants awarded this year build on the success of Midwest Dairy’s grant support of schools during last school year. In 2018-2019, Midwest Dairy awarded 53 equipment grants to 31 districts. Plans to provide additional grants to targeted districts this school year are underway. To maximize the return on checkoff investment, Midwest Dairy takes a strategic approach in targeting which school districts to fund. Staff works closely with school nutrition directors across the

10-state region to analyze milk sales per student as and dairy farmers, alike. Milk, cheese and yogurt all well as milk sales per meal, then determine the spe- contribute to a meal’s eligibility for reimbursement. ciďƒžc schools with opportunities to increasing milk An 8-ounce serving of milk counts as a milk compoconsumption. From here, they rank the top districts nent while 2 ounces of cheese or 4 ounces of yogurt within each state that demonstrate the strongest po- is considered a meat alternative due to dairy’s protein contribution. tential for increasing dairy Students certainly sales. beneďƒžt as well because By providing students The goal of Midwest Dairy’s milk, cheese and yogurt additional opportunities grant program is to expand provide essential nutrition, throughout the school day which is key to healthy and to purchase meals as well dairy offerings throughout as enhancing dairy options the entire school district [...]. academic performance, not to mention they love these to appeal to students’ taste new dairy foods. What’s preferences, both meal parmore, today’s school stuticipation and dairy sales dent is tomorrow’s dairy lover. The eating habits are projected to increase. With one in six students facing food insecuri- being formed at this young age are more likely to ty, providing increased access to nutritious school last into adulthood, which helps build a loyal dairy meals is an important win for the school districts consumer base for years to come.

We have the right hut to fit your needs from the Mini Dome to the Mega Hut.

M INI D OME for smaller breeds or goats

W ARM C LIMATE H UT super ventilated

C ONVERTIBLE H UT for indoor or outdoor use

H IGH D OOR P OLY D OME for use with fence panels

O NE -P IECE H UNTING B LIND a completely customizable do-it-yourself blind

P OLY D OME the Nursery that ingnited an industry

M EGA H UT Expandable for large animals

P OLY S QUARE has multiple feeder options

All PolyDome shelters are made from high-impact UV stabilized polyethylene making them light enough to move easily, yet sturdy enough to withstand the elements.

& 91-03" t% 0.& the aordable backyard observatory

Now you can sit inside a true observatory sheltered from the wind and annoying neighbor's porch lights. Made from virtually indestructible, UV stabilized polethylene.

"TL GPS PVS DPNQMFUF DBUBMPHT GPS "HSJDVMUVSBM 1SPEVDUT "RVBDVMUVSF &YQMPSBt%PNF PS )VOUJOH #MJOET

Blue Hilltop, Inc. Your Mixer, Spreader, Hay Processor Headquarters We carry:

www.rotomix.com LLC

Dana Berreau

507-879-3593 / 800-821-7092 Box 116, Lake Wilson, MN 56151

Buyers & Feeders of damaged corn, soybeans, screenings, wet, hot, dry, ďŹ re and silo corn. Trucks available. Z BAR FEED YARDS - -

Hydrostatic & Hydraulic Repair

• Repair & Sales • Troubleshooting • Hose Assemblies

• Design • Service Calls • Cylinders

Skidsteer Attachments For Sale www.stoens.com

16084 State Hwy. 29 • Glenwood, MN 56334

320-634-4360

Toll Free 866-634-4360

Many other farm products available. Visit www.polydome.com for more.

1-800-328-7659 • AG VENTURE FEED & SEED Watkins, MN • 320-764-9910 • LINDELL SALES & SERVICE Cannon Falls, MN • 651-258-4311 • MCINTOSH DAIRY McIntosh, MN • 218-563-3740 • ADKINS EQUIPMENT Detroit Lakes, MN • 218-847-2079 • GALEN FICK Boyden, IA • 712-439-1359 • INWOOD HATCHERY Inwood, IA • 712-753-4736

• DAIRYLAND SUPPLY Sauk Centre, MN • 1-800-338-6455 • STEARNS VETERINARY OUTLET Melrose, MN • 1-800-996-3303 • FLOODWOOD FARM & FEED Floodwood, MN • 218-476-2233 • GERTKEN’S SALES Richmond, MN • 320-597-2207 • TESKE FARM SERVICE Avon, MN • 320-356-7211 • BJERGA FEED Motley, MN • 218-352-6383 or 6379

www.polydome.com • FARMERS CO-OP OF LAFAYETTE Lafayette, MN • 507-228-8224 • SIOUX NATION VET SUPPLY Marshall, MN • 507-532-3716 • FEDERATED CO-OPS Princeton, MN • 763-389-1567 • NEW ULM FEED STORE New Ulm, MN • 507-359-7500 • PIERZ CO-OP Pierz, MN • 320-468-6655 (Randy) • MICHAEL MACK Watertown, SD • 605-881-0365

• GORTER’S CLAY & DAIRY EQUIPMENT, INC. Pipestone, MN • 507-825-3271 • STEVE’S FEED Sleepy Eye, MN • 507-794-3831 • ROBERT FAUST Strawberry Point, IA • 563-933-6561 • SE MN SILO EQUIPMENT St. Charles, MN • 507-932-4560 • SHELDON FARMERS MARKET Sheldon, IA • 712-324-3721

Page 28 • Dairy Star • Saturday, August 24, 2019

Luciano Caixeta lcaixeta@umn.edu 612-625-3130 Hugh Chester-Jones chest001@umn.edu 507-835-3622

www.extension.umn.edu/dairy

Crossbreds more feed efcient than Holsteins By Brittany Shonka-Martin, Brad Heins, Amy Hazel, Les Hansen

Gerard Cramer gcramer@umn.edu 612-625-8184 Marcia Endres miendres@umn.edu 612-624-5391 Sandra Godden godde002@umn.edu 612-625-8177 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 Claire LaCanne lacanne@umn.edu 507-332-6109 Brenda Miller nels4220@umn.edu 320-732-4435 Kota Minegishi kota@umn.edu 612-624-7455 Erin Royster royster@umn.edu Jim Salfer salfe001@umn.edu 320-203-6093 Mike Schutz mschutz@umn.edu 612-624-1205 M. Scott Wells mswells@umn.edu 612-625-3747 Emily Wilmes krek0033@umn.edu 320-255-6169

University of Minnesota

Interest in crossbreeding is at an all-time high among commercial dairy producers internationally. Generally speaking, however, circumstances have changed regarding the historical superiority of pure Holsteins compared to crossbreds for protability. Changes in milk pricing towards fat and protein content in milk, reduction of fertility, health and survival of Holstein cows, and increase in inbreeding have all contributed to an increased number of crossbred dairy cows in the United States. The University of Minnesota began crossbreeding in the early 2000s. The initial crossbreds were Jersey × Holstein and Montbéliarde × Holstein and, subsequently, three-breed crossbreds of those breeds. The Jersey breed was later replaced with the Viking Red breed for an ongoing three-breed rotational system of Holstein, Montbéliarde and Viking Red (ProCross). Little research has been conducted on the feed intake and feed efciency of crossbred versus purebred cows. Collecting data for feed intake of individual cows is costly because of the specialized labor and equipment required. Early feed intake research at the University of Minnesota found Jersey × Holstein crossbred cows and Montbéliarde × Holstein crossbred cows consumed the same or less dry matter intake compared with Holstein cows but did not differ in fat or protein production. Typically, feed cost accounts for more than one-half of expenses for dairy cattle production. Therefore, in our study we wanted to compare ProCross crossbred cows with Holstein cows for dry matter intake, production, feed efciency and income over feed cost during the rst 150 days of lactation. Three-breed (Montbéliarde, Viking Red, Holstein) rotational crossbred (ProCross) cows (n=106) were compared to Holstein cows (n=97) for feed intake, production and body traits during the rst 150 days of rst lactation. Cows calved in the University of Minnesota-St. Paul campus herd from September 2014 to April 2017. A total mixed ration was fed twice daily and feed refusals were weighed once daily. All cows were individually fed the same TMR on an ad libitum (free choice) basis. Body weight was recorded twice weekly, and body condition score was evaluated once weekly. Table 1 shows the results of ProCross crossbreds versus Holsteins for the rst 150 days in milk. Crossbred cows consumed less dry matter during the rst 150 days of lactation than Holstein cows in both rst and later lactations. Fat plus protein production was not different for crossbred and Holstein cows, but all crossbred groups were numerically higher. Crossbred cows had higher body condition scores (BCS) than Holstein cows during the rst 150 days of lactation. However, body weight was not different

between crossbred cows and Holstein cows. Both rst lactation, and second and third lactation crossbred cows had higher energy corrected milk per unit of dry matter intake (ECM/DMI) than Holstein cows. First lactation crossbred cows had higher income over feed cost for the rst 150 days in milk than rst lactation Holstein cows. The $50 advantage of rst lactation crossbred cows over Holstein cows is the equivalent of $0.34/day, with $0.06/day from more fat plus protein production and $0.28/day from lower feed costs than Holstein cows. Second and third lactation crossbred cows also had higher income over feed cost than second and third lactation Holstein cows. The $88 difference is the equivalent of $0.60/day, with $0.14/day from more fat plus protein production and $0.46/day from lower feed cost than Holstein cows. The income over feed cost ignores longevity, fertility and health of cows. Crossbred livestock usually have an advantage over purebreds for fertility and health, and lower cost for fertility and health disorders. This would be in addition to their advantage for income over feed cost. Table 1. Results of ProCross crossbreds versus Holsteins for the rst 150 days in milk. ProCross Holstein Difference First lactation Number of cows 63 60 Dry matter intake (lb./d) 42.1 44.2 -2.1* Dry matter intake (150 d total) 6,188 6,499 -311* Body weight (lb.) 1,239 1,226 +13 Body condition score 3.46 3.20 +0.26 * Fat + protein (lb.) 730 725 +5 ECM per unit of DMI 1.773 1.704 0.069* Income over feed cost ($) 875 825 +50 Second and third lactation Number of cows 43 37 Dry matter intake (lb./d) 50.4 53.9 -3.5* Dry matter intake (150 d total) 7,408 7,919 -511* Body weight (lb.) 1,402 1,420 -18 Body condition score 3.25 3.06 +0.19 * Fat + protein (lb.) 981 972 +9 ECM per unit of DMI 2.006 1.894 0.112* Income over feed cost ($) 1,296 1,208 +88 * Signicant difference of crossbreds from pure Holsteins (JDS 102:871-882, 3661-3673, 2019).

LET US HELP YOU COMPLETE ALL OF YOUR FALL PROJECTS RITCHIE WATERERS & HEATERS

JAMESWAY SILO UNLOADERS & TJ’S FENCING - FIBERGLASS FENCING & GATES MANURE HANDLING EQUIPMENT

(507) 534-3855 WWW.KBSCOMPANIES.COM

CALF-TEL INDOOR CALF PENS

Dairy Star • Saturday, August 24, 2019 • Page 29

Start planning for winter teat skin care

In the Upper Midwest, winter temperatures and wind can wreak havoc on exposed skin, and cows’ teat skin is no exception. In fact, teat skin is especially susceptible to winter insult and injury due to anatomy and exposure to moisture in the environment and around the milking process. Farms that use recycled bedding like sand By Erin Royster or manure solids, University of MN which typically have higher moisture levels, are especially at risk for teat skin condition issues during the winter. There are many tools and strategies to help keep teat skin in good shape throughout winter and each dairy should design a winter teat care plan specic to the dairy’s needs. The least effective plan is no plan at all. Many dairies get caught halfway into winter before realizing they should have implemented preventive practices earlier in the season. The primary concern in winter is moisture on the teat skin freezing after milking and causing frostbite. However, skin chapping and cracking, while less severe, can cause discomfort during milking and increase the risk of mastitis. Chapped skin is an ideal environment for bacteria to grow and thrive. These bacteria can then migrate through the teat canal and cause mastitis. Just like the skin on people’s hands and face during the winter, cow’s teat skin needs a little extra care. Very few dairies can guarantee no cows will be exposed to freezing temperatures for 30 minutes after milking. Short of that, implementing a winter teat dip plan can help reduce the risk and keep teats healthy. While each dairy will need a customized plan that addresses their particular risk factors, there are general guidelines for winter teat skin care. First, evaluate teat skin condition before the cold weather arrives. This has two purposes: It gives you a chance to address any skin condition issues before the winter challenge and it sets a benchmark for skin condition so you can monitor changes going forward. For some dairies, it makes sense to use an exfoliating teat dip at the beginning

PHOTOS SUBMITTED

These photos demonstrate levels of dry and chapped teats – (from leŌ) chapped, mild cracking started; dry, chapped teat skin; and severely dry and cracking teat skin. of winter to clean up any rough skin before bad weather hits. Some dairies rotate in an exfoliating dip regularly to keep teat skin smooth and healthy. The second thing to consider is when to increase the level of skin conditioners in your post-dip for the winter months. For most dairies in the Midwest, this should be a regularly scheduled event to help keep teat skin in good condition throughout the winter. However, adding these conditioning agents changes the properties of the dip, so it is important to work with a reputable teat dip company to determine the right type and level that will work best on your farm. Did you know there are different skin conditioners that work in different ways? There are humectants, emollients and superfatting agents. Having a high percentage of just one type of conditioner may not be as effective as a lower percentage of several types combined. Third, know when to use a true winter dip (low freezing point) in extreme cold when frostbite is a concern. It is hard to set a rule of thumb that applies to all dairies because each facility has different levels of exposure. Even within one barn, some pens may experience a higher risk than others. The best practice in extremely cold temperatures is to use a dip with a very low freezing point, wait 20 to 30 seconds, and then blot any excess dip off the end of the teat to prevent freezing. It is not a good idea to stop dipping altogether, as even a thin lm of milk left on the teat can freeze. Dry, powder dips are not recommended as they are not adequately ger-

VERTICAL LIFT SKID STEERS & COMPACT TRACK LOADERS

11’2” bucket hinge height

RADIAL LIFT

micidal. Some dairy producers balk at the cost of added emollients or specialized winter dips, but consider the cost of a case of mastitis, which is estimated to be $200 to $800. Winter dip does not have to prevent many new cases to be well worth the investment. Put dip changes on the calendar to help you remember when to implement them. Work with your representative from a reputable dip chemical company to formulate a plan and ensure you have the supplies ready when needed. Monitoring teat condition throughout winter can also help you catch any problems early. While a good teat dip strategy can go a long way towards maintaining teat condition through winter, it is worth noting some other important preventive practices: Evaluate where in your facility cows get the most exposure to cold wind, and do what you can to pro-

tect them. Do not forget about the walk to and from the parlor and the holding pen. Make sure side wall curtains are functioning as expected. Fresh cows are most susceptible to frostbite, so do not house them in the coldest, windiest location during winter. Keep bedding clean and dry. Minimize wet or muddy areas that cows have to walk through. Ensure the milking system is functioning properly to minimize risk of teat damage. One last note is some teat dips are not temperature stable, meaning they will separate when the temperature drops below a certain point. If that happens and no one notices, you may end up dipping teats with a very caustic substance. Know the proper storage conditions for your dip. And remember, the old saying, “Prior preparation prevents poor performance” is key to maintaining teat skin condition through the winter.

The new DeLaval VMS V300 milking robot ™

99.8% Attachment rate

Up to

7500 lbs milk per day

Up to

50% faster attachment time

10

%

Higher capacity

10’5” bucket hinge height

WHEEL OR TRACK UNITS

Call for a Demo today

WOLLER EQUIPMENT, INC. 320-573-2341 • www.wollerequipment.com 1 Mile NE of Upsala on Hwy. 238

Plain, WI (608) 546-3713

Waunakee, WI (608) 849-5043

www.delaval.com is a registered trademark of Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. and “DeLaval” is a registered trade/servicemark of DeLaval Holding AB © 2018 DeLaval Inc. DeLaval, 11100 North Congress Avenue, Kansas City, Missouri 64153-1296. All facts and figures are the result of more than two years of data collection from more than 20 test and pilot farms, actual results may vary and are not guaranteed. www.delaval.com

Page 30 • Dairy Star • Saturday, August 24, 2019

Fair season fun

Attending a fair has always incited a feeling of The days are hot, the nights are warm and every cow has her own personal cloud of ies. This must excitement tinged with nausea for me. When I was a mean that it’s fair season. kid, this was due to my twin addictions to gut-churnI don’t know why the word “fair” is used to de- ing carnival rides and mass quantities of anything that scribe those loud and large was fried and served on a farm-based gatherings, but stick. As an adult, this feelI have a theory. We farm- A ing is due to stage fright. Attending di a ffair i h has always l ers tend to be taciturn and For several years, I we also tend to understate incited a feeling of excitement gave short talks on the Centhings. These two factors tinged with nausea for me. tennial Stage at the South are what lead to fairs being Dakota State Fair. Sherwin called fairs. and Pam Linton, country At some long-ago late musicians extraordinaire, summer gathering of farmers, one of the attendees pe- asked me to speak as a part of their effort to highlight rused the audacious produce and commented, “Those homegrown talent. tomatoes look pretty fair.” This random observation Sherwin and Pam have come to feel like family made by some random ancestor is how the fair got its to my wife and me. They are the good kind of family; name. the kind who never shows up on your doorstep in the

BODENSTEINER IMPLEMENT CO. www.bodimp.com

DISCOUNTED PRICING! #48851 2008 JD 7930 MFWD, DUALS $112,000 CRE

#45413 2016 JD 8600 FORAGE HARVESTER, 1422 HRS, $297,000 DEC

#46366 2015 JD 8600 FORAGE HARVESTER, 1239 HRS, $279,900 WAU

#47706 2016 JD S680 544/399, ROW

#49125 2018 JD S780 455/305 HRS. WARRANTY , $375,000 NH

#48051 2008 NH FP240 PULL-TYPE 8’ HAY HEAD, $17,500 DYE

#48327 2011 NH FP240 PULL-TYPE 7’ HAYHEAD, 3R CORN HEAD $25,900 DYE

#44259 2014 JD 8295R PS, W/ILS, MFWD $169,000 MON

#49008 2014 JD 6150R 748 HRS, $104,000 NH

#43705 2017 JD S680 373/213 HRS, WARRANTY $349,000 DEC

#41389 2011 OXBO 330 HAY MERGER $79,500 DYE

#43745 2016 JD 569 PREMIUM, 100 BALES $47,500 DEC

#48171 2013 CHALLENGER MT655D MFWD $115,000 ELK

#919436E 2018 JD L331 LARGE SQ. BALER $129,900 DYE

#48727 2012 BRENT 1194 WAGON, TARP $43,400 CRE

#48162 2016 JD S660 300/232 HRS, $283,000 ELK

For complete info on all our used equipment log on to bodimp.com Elkader (ELK) ........563-245-2470 Clermont (CLE) ......563-423-5206 Cresco (CRE) .......... 563-547-2152 Decorah (DEC) ....... 563-382-2961 Dyersville (DYE) ..... 563-875-2724

Monticello (MON) ...319-465-3515 New Hampton (NH)...641-394-3061 Oelwein (OEL) ......... 319-283-4371 Rowley (ROW) ........ 319-938-2222 Waukon (WAU) ......563-568-3463

middle of the night, asking if they can crash on your couch and then hits you up for a loan in the morning. The kind of family who introduces you to the crowd with such gusto that the audience greets you with Dear County Agent Guy great enthusiasm. A fair is one of the few places where a person doesn’t feel the least bit silly about walking around and gnawing messily on a food substance that has been skewered upon a piece of wood. Having an excellent gustatory experience at a fair often means By Jerry Nelson coming home with slivColumnist ers in your gums. We do some things at a fair we wouldn’t even consider in real life. I believe this is all part of the fair ambiance. This basically means you aren’t the same person at a fair who you are at home. There are numerous things at the fair that fortify this attitude. For instance, where else can you stroll around and, without any effort whatsoever, catch up on the latest trends in tattoos and body metal? Where else can you watch a head get carved from butter while munching on fried cheese curds and sipping a glass of ice-cold chocolate milk? Where else can you achieve this dairy foods trifecta? A fair is an excellent place to people watch. People watching is similar to bird watching except you don’t have to get up really early or use binoculars. My wife and I are homebodies, so sitting on a bench at a fair and watching people walk past is high entertainment for us. We make a game of trying to guess passersby’s stories. For instance, that bedraggled guy who’s pulling a plastic wagon that contains a pair of squalling, cotton candy-coated preschoolers is probably a husband and a dad. The guy’s 1,000-yard stare is saying, “As soon as I nd my wife, I’m going to hand off the kids and go to the Beer Garden and sit there and soak up the ambiance until I can’t move!” That teenage couple strolling around and holding hands are on their rst major outing together. They’re still in the phase where they make goo-goo eyes at each other, then have to look away in joyful embarrassment. Spending an entire day together at the fair will be a stress test for their relationship. If they’re still speaking to each other after consuming enough junk food to founder an elephant and riding the Scrambler until they feel like hamsters that have fallen into a salad spinner, their bond will be cemented. My wife and I never fail to have a nice time at the fair. I somehow manage to get through my talks without embarrassing myself too much. We always enjoy some exotic food (usually on a stick) and meet nice folks whom we would not have met if we had stayed at home and watched TV. My only fair-related disappointment is that my wife won’t fully embrace the fair ambiance by getting a tattoo. Not even a temporary one! Maybe next year. Afterwards, during our drive home, I will always ask my wife if she had fun. And she will inevitably reply, “Oh, it was fair.” Jerry is a recovering dairy farmer from Volga, S.D. He and his wife, Julie, have two grown sons and live on the farm where Jerry’s great-grandfather homesteaded over 110 years ago. Jerry currently works full time for the Dairy Star as a staff writer/ad salesman. Feel free to E-mail him at: jerry.n@ dairystar.com.

I E LD SE RVICES, I NC. D&H FDarrin Herickhoff 320-760-0848 Helping Your Crops Thrive…“The

• Liquid Manure Handling • Solid Manure Handling • Trucking • Pushing & Packing www.dhfieldservices.com

Natural Way”

Maximize corn silage packing density Achieving a tight pack and attaining a high density are extremely important aspects of harvesting and storing silage. Reaching goals of high density are important for two main reasons. First, density and dry matter (DM) content determine the porosity of Something to Ruminate On the silage, which affects the rate at which air can enter the silage during storage and feed out. Secondly, thorough packing increases the amount of forage that can t into a silo. Higher densities generally reduce the annual cost of storage per ton of forage by increasing the amount of crop entering the silo and reducing crop By Barry Visser losses during storage. Nutritionist Ruppel (1992) measured the DM losses in alfalfa silage in bunker silos and developed an equation to relate these losses to the density of the ensiled forage (Table 1). Researchers recommend a minimum packing density of 14 pounds per cubic foot of DM. Many well-managed forage programs achieve well above these numbers with goals of 16 to 18 pounds per cubic foot.

Dairy Star • Saturday, August 24, 2019 • Page 31

Feeding Flexibility & Durability in One Mixer 9 Different Sizes to choose from 175 cu. ft. - 1,300 cu. ft.

STAINLESS STEEL CONVEYORS 5 YR. OR 5,000 LOAD WARRANTY ON MIXING TUBS, AUGER,, FLOOR AND FRAME.

Go to www.cloverdaletmr.com for more information.

10 14 15 16 18 22

DM loss at 180 days (% of DM ensiled) 20.2 16.8 15.9 15.1 13.4 10.0

Factors affecting forage density In the process of silo lling, as forage is added to the silo, the weight of the material begins to force oxygen out of the forage mass. Gravity compacts forage naturally in deep silos, particularly in upright silos where density increases dramatically from top to bottom. Some natural compaction occurs in deep horizontal silos, but mechanical packing is required to achieve adequate density and limit excess air inltration. Initial layer thickness, average packing tractor weight, packing time per ton of forage delivered and DM content all impact forage density. Producers can control several factors to achieve higher densities to minimize DM and nutrient losses during ensiling, storage, and feed out. Here is a list of several key items to focus on during forage harvest: – Number of pack tractors: Adding an additional packing tractor as delivery rate increases can help keep packing time in the optimum range of 1 to 3 minutes per ton of fresh forage. – Pack tractor weight: Filling the tires with uid and adding weight to the front or side of the tractor or threepoint hitch can increase pack tractor weight. Some farms have found value in pulling a packing wheel or device behind that pack tractor. – Keep pack tractors on the pile: Pack tractors need to stay on the pile when at all possible. They do no good when circling the pad off the silage. Tractors also need to be moving and not idle. – Forage delivery rate: Reducing the forage delivery rate is somewhat difcult to accomplish, as very few dairy producers or custom choppers are inclined to slow the harvest rate so additional packing can be accomplished. University of Wisconsin researchers suggest the ll rate (tons per hour) not exceed pounds of tractor weight divided by 800. For example, if the packing tractor weighs 40,000 pounds, the rate should not exceed 50 tons per hour. (40,000 ÷ 800 = 50). – Silo lling methods: Incoming forage should be spread in thin layers (6 to 10 inches). In a properly packed bunker silo, the tires of the packing tractor should pass over the entire surface before the next forage layer is distributed. – Filling silo to greater depths: Greater silo depths will increase density, but consider the practical limits and safety concerns, which relate to both lling and feedout. – Other factors: Forage maturity or DM content, grainto-stover ratio, chop length, optimal corn silage processor, storage unit and – in the case of bags – machine operators all have a huge inuence on nal densities achieved. Now is a great time to explore improvements to forage density as you prepare for this upcoming harvest season. Finally, be safe. Corn silage harvest brings an increase in machinery trafc and long hours. As always, make safety your top goal this corn silage season. Barry Visser is a nutritionist for Vita Plus.

Gorter’s Clay & Dairy Equipment of MN, Inc. Pipestone, MN 507-825-3271

Isaacson Sales & Service, Inc. Lafayette, MN 507-228-8270 888-228-8270

Ross Equipment Co., Inc. Lonsdale, MN 800-645-7677 507-744-2525

Hartung Sales & Service, Inc. Freeport, MN 320-836-2697

Brynsaas Sales & Service, Inc.

“This is our first Cloverdale, but we have owned several other vertical mixers. It used to take 5 hours to mix before and now we can feed in 1-1/2 hours.” - Steve, Julia and Colleen Berscheit, Sleepy Eye, MN

Table 1. DM loss as inuenced by silage density. (Ruppel, 1992) Density (lb. DM/ft3)

Contact your local dealer to learn more!

I F A

Roller-Grinder

More milk less feed with uniform Àne-grind Solid cast rolls All belt-electric drive Single or double mills USA & International sales Replacement rolls available for most mills Used mills and tumble mixers on hand Hammer Mills

Phone: (319) 634-3849 • Toll Free: (800) 426-0261 web: www.ifamill.com • email: ifamill@netins.net

Decorah, IA www.brynsaas.com 563-382-4484

Anibas Silo & Equipment

Arkansaw, WI 715-285-5317 DEALERS STOCK REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR OTHER BRAND MIXERS

We BUY, SELL, TRADE used dairy equipment and milk tanks WE SPECIALIZE IN USED DAIRY EQUIPMENT.

Milking machine equipment, bulk milk tanks and cooling equipment. Give us a call, we will be glad to help you with any of your milking machine or bulk tank needs.

We also BUY your used equipment and milk tanks.

SALVAGE HOUSE

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

HARVEST FASTER >>>>

715.387.3414 HSMFGCO.COM OM M

Page 32 • Dairy Star • Saturday, August 24, 2019

Season shift

Have you noticed them yet? The subtle changes as the seasons start to shift? The apples turning from green to a glow of red? A ush of red tomatoes hanging from the tomato cage supports? The summer owers on their last hurrah and fall mums and asters waiting for their turn to bloom? The soybean elds starting to turn from deep green to shades of yellow as they ripen? The bottom leaves and stalks of the corn shifting as it reaches maturity? How about the return of kids and cows from the county fairs? All subtle reminders the summer is coming to a close and fall is waiting in the wings. The morning song has a new tune in the air as the seasons start to shift. The sweet spring songs of the robin and wrens have been replaced by the trumpet blast of southward bound Canada geese and the squawking of lanky sand hill cranes. From dark hidden corners of the barn, underneath the pile of lime bags, the crickets start to chirp. The blue martins no longer scold me when I work in the garden a bit too

close to their house. The barn swallow chicks have left their perch on the barn fence or else the cats found a quick snack. I enjoyed seeing the chubby uffy drops of chocolate divinity sitting on the wooden neck board as we switched cows through the old barn. They couldn’t y yet but would awkwardly try to utter to another perch away from danger, apping their wings as hard as they could to move a few feet for safety. The nests are empty as the little ones have grown up and own the coop. All sorts of critters have been making their home around our area this summer. I don’t think we live that far “up north” but the variety of animals we have prowling around our area suggests otherwise. A timber wolf was spotted in the woods just west of our place this spring. The shers have moved into the neighborhood snacking on squirrels. That might explain why every acorn sprouted into tiny trees across my yard. The neighbor kid put out trail cameras around our swamp and corn elds to catch sight of a black bear

PROGRESSIVE GENETICS for Modern Dairies

Identifying genetics that excel in progressive commercial conditions 47% Production Efficiency | 24% Health | 14% Fertility & Fitness 10% Milking Ability | 5% Calving Ability

1HO13849 OBVIOUS

1HO15005 WHISTLE

1HO15009 FURIOUS

ICC$™

NEW

1HO13855 LIVIUS 1HO13814 WHISKERS

+1235 +1228

1HO12996 KANZO

ICC$™ 1HO13813 BUZZARD NEW

+1175

1HO15005 WHISTLE

+1174

+1218

1HO15057 FRENZY

+1170

1HO13849 OBVIOUS

+1201

1HO13805 AVALINO

+1168

1HO13862 BOUNTY

+1200

1HO13844 GAMECHANGER +1165

1HO13895 MAMBA

+1198

1HO11955 BEYOND

+1162

1HO13857 LOWBOY

+1190

1HO15009 FURIOUS

+1158

NEW

For the complete lineup, download the GENEX Dairy Bull Search App. 888.333.1783 // www.genex.coop

© 2019 Genex Cooperative. All rights reserved.

A-21579-19

CDCB/8-19, HA-USA/8-19, IB-M/USA/8-19, HA-M/USA/8-19, CDN/8-19, GENEX/8-19.

that has been roaming through our neighborhood. Our neighbor, Ernie, spotted him outside his living room window the other day. At rst he thought it might be a large black calf that got away from the boys but that idea quickly went out the door when the creature stood up on his hind legs and started snacking at the Just Thinking Out Loud bird feeder. Other neighbors have seen the bear around their places, too. Apparently it went right by our house one night. Good thing I’m a sound sleeper. I didn’t have a clue. He walked by the silage bags and across the hay elds in search of food or fun. I’m glad he didn’t nd enough of By Natalie Schmitt either at our place. Columnist The only critters having fun at our place are the raccoons. I can hear them laughing their heads off at us. Mark planted sweet corn on the corner of a eld, just under the outside edge of the pivot. We have been driving by the patch all summer with chopper boxes hauling haylage down from the 40. We would watch as the corn tasseled, the ears silked and husks grew plumper with sweet juicy kernels. One night after chores, Austin and Mark thought they should put some sweet options with deadly results out for any four legged bandits who thought they could help themselves to the sweet corn. They were a day too late. The raccoons had been watching the corn mature just as we had and snuck in the night before. They must have brought the whole family including second and third cousins. They cleaned the entire patch out of every big rst ear of corn. They left barren stalks and second smaller cobs intact. Ugh! Well at least we would be able to salvage the second ears in a couple days. Nope, they got them the day before we went out to clean out the patch. The only saving grace was Mark took his corn planter and planted six rows in my garden. Either the raccoons didn’t nd the garden patch or else the purple martins’ scolding them kept them at bay. Probably the most obvious sign summer is coming to a close is when the show box is nally stored away for another season. Hopefully someone cleaned it out of wet wash clothes, empty spray cans, buried ribbons and half eaten fair treats. Our show box is buried under feed pans in the back corner of the granary, silently waiting for the next generation to grow big enough to lead a novice calf in the ring. Pam Hendel posted on Facebook about the family show box her grandfather built. It has been hauling show supplies, dreams and hopes for over 40 years to their county fair. It reminded me of our show boxes. The one I built with my brother for our beef steers. We branded it with our Dowell Kid mark to match our dad and uncle’s Dowell Brothers brand. Mark made his rst show box out of an old wooden sewing machine box and homemade lid. It was the perfect size when our kids started showing in the novice calf classes. When the kids and show string got bigger, so did the show box. One of my favorite pictures is of the crew (Mark, Jonathon, Michael, Katie, Austin and Andrew) surrounding their handy work. There were hooks on the inside wall to hold show halters. A sliding basket shelf allowed them to nd things at the bottom of the box. The box was big enough to hold hoses, wash gear, extra clothes and of course food. A show box holds more than just feed, supplies and extra clothes though. A show box holds memories and dreams like an old cedar hope chest passed down through the family. Oh, the stories that box could tell of summer romances and broken hearts. Of dreams fullled or damped. Tears of joy and tears of loss. Laughter, jokes and pranks. Endless card games with no clear rules. The show box is the meeting place for everyone. What parent hasn’t told their kids to meet them at the show box. As the kids return from the Minnesota State Fair, this season shift will be complete as we move into the next season of our lives but the memories will be safely stored in the show box for another year. Natalie, Mark and his brother Al, farm together near Rice, Minn. They milk 100 registered Holsteins under the RALMA prex. Their four children are grown up and all involved in agriculture with hopes of someone returning to the farm. For questions or comments, please e-mail Natalie at mnschmitt@jetup.net

Dairy Star • Saturday, August 24, 2019 • Page 33

The rest of the stories

Thank you all for the kindness and concern you shared after my last column. I truly appreciate all of your caring words and gestures. I am also surprised by how many other dairy farmers shared their stories of close calls or actual physical harm from encounters with fresh cows. We talk a lot about how dangerous dairy bulls are, but I don’t think we recognize the danger potential in cows – especially fresh cows. My encounter has certainly changed my attitude. At times, it’s difcult to not be completely paranoid. Most of the time I keep my feelings Dairy Good Life tempered to worry or concern or alertness. And I will allow those feelings to remain. Concern and alertness are character traits that keep farmers and their families safe. These feelings are hard to grapple with. I trusted our cows. I trusted them to be gentle with our kids. Heck, I’ve raised every one of our cows alongside our kids. But now that trust has been tarnished. It feels unfair that the actions of just one cow have changed my relationship with all of our cows. And, to answer the most asked question: Yes, we still have Goldsh. She is denitely on a watch list, but she was not an aggressive cow before the attack and has not shown any signs of aggression since. I believe her proBy Sadie Frericks tective maternal instincts took over when she perceived Columnist me as a threat. And, thankfully, my instincts kicked in, as well, and got me out of the situation. Most of my injuries are healing well. I haven’t been able to do everything I’d like yet, but I was able to make it to our county fair. Blue ribbon bunnies I wrote earlier this year about Monika and Daphne’s venture into the 4-H rabbit project. We ended up with two live bunnies out of a litter of 11. I’m not entirely sure what went wrong with the bunnies that didn’t make it, but they provided for some good discussions about neonatal mortality, especially in small mammals. The two live bunnies grew at record bunny pace. The mama rabbit milked like a cow and with only two to feed, it didn’t take long before we were worried about them being too heavy for their class at the fair. The bunnies ended up being perfectly-sized market rabbits, and Monika earned a blue ribbon. Daphne got a Cloverbud rabbit trophy for her efforts. We brought the bunnies home from the fair and discussions ensued about the bunnies’ fate. New Zealand rabbits are raised for their meat, but Monika and Daphne really don’t like that idea. Glen and Dan are hankering for rabbit. So apparently, my vote will break the tie. I guess this isn’t the rest of the story, because there’s more to come. To be continued…

712-722-3626

SERVICE AFTER THE SALE

WE GREW UP ON

THE FARM

Champion chickens There was never a question about the fate of Dan’s market chickens. They’re already chilling in our freezer. We’ll be eating champion chickens for another year. I’m telling you, market chickens are the best tasting 4-H project. Dan accomplished his goal of winning the market chicken class again at our county fair. He also earned blue ribbons with his breeding pen and egg production pens, but fell short of earning a state fair trip with any of his chickens. I’m sure he’ll take the lessons he learned this year, apply them to next year’s project, and try again. State fair bound Chickens weren’t Dan’s ticket to the state fair this year, but, happily, he earned trips with two of his heifers, Maybelline and Gallium. I happened to be leading Gallium in state fair line up, so I got to see the excitement wash over Dan when the judge pulled Maybelline into line right next to Gallium. Dan decided to take Maybelline to the state fair, I think because of the bond between them. Dan showed Maybelline as a spring calf last year. Ever since, she’s been a true pet. Whenever Dan walks into the heifer yard, Maybelline walks up to him for some loving. This means that 20 years after I met a blond-haired, blue-eyed boy from a dairy farm in Stearns County at the Great Minnesota Get Together, I’ll be watching another blondhaired, blue-eyed boy from a dairy farm in Stearns County show his favorite heifer at the Minnesota State Fair. When the elder Stearns County dairy boy was a 4-Her, he showed Holsteins at the state fair. When I was a 4-Her, I showed a Milking Shorthorn at the state fair. Maybelline is a Holstein-Milking Shorthorn Cross. It’s kind of crazy the way things work out. Sadie and her husband, Glen, milk 100 cows near Melrose, Minn. They have three children – Dan, 11, Monika, 8, and Daphne, 5. Sadie also writes a blog at www.dairygoodlife.com. She can be reached at sadiefrericks@gmail.com.

New Construction or Remodeling

SINCE 1859, GEHL HAS CREATED INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR EQUIPMENT OWNERS AND USERS. Today, Gehl carries the tradition forward with a complete line of skid loaders, track ORDGHUV DQG DUWLFXODWHG ORDGHUV GHVLJQHG ZLWK SURGXFWLYLW\ DQG HI¿FLHQF\ LQ PLQG Plus a full line of EDGE attachments are available to add more versatility around WKH MREVLWH ZLWK \RXU *HKO HTXLSPHQW

M

\

T S CHOOSE G E N U I N E

Give us a call!

™

P A R T S

FOR YOUR GEHL EQUIPMENT

CALL YOUR LOCAL GEHL DEALER TODAY!

A&C Farm Service, Inc. Jct. Hwys. 55 & 23 • Paynesville

Paynesville, MN 320-243-7815

www.borklumber.com Sales@BorkLumber.com

320-243-3736 www.acfarmservice.com ZZZ JHKO FRP

Page 34 • Dairy Star • Saturday, August 24, 2019

Driving Grandpa’s combine

Wuertzes partake in family tradition By Danna Sabolik

danna.s@dairystar.com

SPRING HILL, Minn. – While it is common to see farmers harvesting oats this time of year, it is rare to see it done with a 1955 pull-behind combine. The Wuertz family hauled a relic machine of the Minneapolis Moline variety out of the shed this summer and decided to give it a spin Aug. 8 on a 27-acre oat eld south of their farm near Spring Hill, Minn. “I think it was in the shed for more than 30 years without use,” Peter Wuertz said. “Grandpa bought it new and we used it for a long time.” Peter and Lisa Wuertz and their

“It’s nice for the kids to do this with their grandpa, the way he did growing up.” PETER WUERTZ, DAIRY FARMER

children, Paul, Luke and Brooke, milk 60 cows and grow corn, soybeans, oats and alfalfa on 434 acres. The combining event was a family affair, with Peter’s father, Tom, his uncle, Jim, and his sister, Laura, in attendance for the event. “It’s nice for the kids to do this

DANNA SABOLIK/DAIRY STAR

The Wuertz family – (from leŌ) Luke, Brooke, Jim, Lisa, Peter, Paul and Tom – stand around a 1955 pull-behind combine Aug. 8 near their dairy and crop farm in Spring Hill, Minn. The family combined and baled 27 acres of oats using the older equipment.

with their grandpa, the way he did it growing up,” Peter said. Not knowing if this opportunity will come again, the children were excited to have a chance to take the rig out for a spin.

Expert Sales & Service

Of course, there were minor hiccups and the old machinery needed encouragement now and then, but Tom was ready and able to provide his mechanical expertise. The family has a special con-

nection with the brand of farming equipment. Peter’s grandfather, Paul Wuertz, purchased a 1939 R Moline as a young farmer. His neighbors Turn to WUERTZES | Page 35

Southwest S D Dairy S Systems

Up to 5% Increase

milk and components

915 S. Ma Main ain St., Cuba City, WI 53807

608-744-2661

www.jgiledairyequipment.com giledairyequipment.com

915 S. Main St., Cuba City, WI 53807

Phone: 608-744-2661 www.jgiledairyequipment.com

Dairy Star • Saturday, August 24, 2019 • Page 35

ConƟnued from WUERTZES | Page 34

BERGMAN Automatic AGRi-Speed HITCH 1

2

3

E A SY a s 1 - 2 - 3 • Fast, reliable, safe • Easily pulls more than the D.O.T. allows on the highway • Available for pick-ups, choppers, tractors, wagons, etc.

Simple drawbar mount Easy to operate day or night PTO compatible Increases efÀciency, only need 1 person

Gilman Co-op Creamery FEED & FARM SUPPLY STORE

www.bergmanmfg.com Gilman, MN • 320-387-2770

DANNA SABOLIK/DAIRY STAR

Paul Wuertz pulls a Minneapolis Moline small baler behind the tractor Aug. 8 near Spring Hill, Minn.

teased him he would go broke buying the gas for it. Paul was a talented inventor who designed and patented a hydraulic loader for his 39 R tractor, and also designed and patented the tensioning system for the square baler used by the Minneapolis Moline company. The company would bring prototypes to the farm for Paul to test and use. He would ne tune them and get everything working well, then send them back to the company. Paul later bought additional Moline tractors and other equipment to farm with them. Today, the Wuertzes have 30 tractors, including several frontwheel assist tractors and a fourwheel drive, the G4 combine, the

small square baler and some tillage equipment. The tractors range from 1936 to 1970 models. Peter remembers driving the combine and hoping for a crosswind when he woke up in the morning. That way he would not have to wear a hooded sweatshirt in the hot weather to keep the dust out of his eyes and face. When Peter teased his 16-yearold daughter, Brooke, about the crosswind and needing a sweatshirt, her response was, “Yeah, Dad, that was like 100 years ago.” One hundred years ago, last week. The Wuertzes have plenty of fond memories of the old Minneapolis Moline tractors, and a family legacy to last lifetimes.

Mastitis managment Prevention Mastitis is caused by bacteria. Bacteria gets shoved up the teat canal as your liner rolls/pinches up against the teat canal in the rest phase. Cornell University published a study in the Journal of Dairy Science proving that fact. Graeme Mein, Doug Reinemann and Norm Schurring documented this stating milk is “pumped back up into the udder cistern by the closing liner” Conventional system had 16X more new IMI than CoPulsation!

CoPulsation™ pulsation systems eliminate the upward rolling pinch preventing the forcible shoving of bacteria. Put a finger in your working liner and feel that pinch. Interested in learning more? – Try our demo unit and feel the real difference!

CoPulsation™ Milking System 607-849-3880

Twitter @CoPulsation

www.CoPulsation.com www.Facebook.com/CoPulsation www.Youtube.com/CoPulsation

TOP PRICES PAID & CONTRACTING AVAILABLE Your Market For:

DANNA SABOLIK/DAIRY STAR

Brooke Wuertz pulls a 1955 Minneapolis Moline combine behind a tractor Aug. 8 on her family’s farm near Spring Hill. The equipment has been in her family for four generaƟons.

Holstein Steers • Fed Dairy Cows • Lean Dairy Cows Your local area buyer for MN, IA and WI.

Bruce Belter • 507-429-0359

Holstein Steers • Lean Cows • Bulls • Fed Cows

Tyrel Lembke • 877-300-9298 Long Prairie, MN Lean Cows • Bulls

Sign up for our New Newsletter

Dairy St r Milk Break Email andrea.b@dairystar.com

Green Bay Dressed Beef

Dean Derricks • 920-655-4730 Green Bay, WI Holstein Steers • Fed Cows • Lean Cows

Chad McQuade • 605-668-4275 Yankton, SD Lean Cows • Bulls

Mike Baczwaski • 800-445-0042 Gibbon, NE Fed Cows • Lean Cows • Bulls

Long Prairie Buying Station

Cody Ritter • 320-293-5212 • 320-732-8358 Long Prairie, MN

CA-May19-1B-JW

• • • •

Page 36 • Dairy Star • Saturday, August 24, 2019

Women In Dairy Pam Arnold Waverly, Iowa Bremer County 50 cows Family: My husband, John; dog, Shadow; cats, Pugsley, Pretty Girl and Lil Abner. Tell us about your farm. I am the second generation on our 160-acre farm. We milk 50 registered Guernsey and Brown Swiss cows. We grow about 60 acres of corn; the rest is hay and pasture. Our cows are housed in a tiestall barn in the winter and are pastured April through November. What’s the busiest time of day for you? Chore time morning and night. When you get a spare moment what do you do? Weed my garden and ower beds. Nothing soothes my soul like pulling a weed out by its roots! Tell us about your most memorable experience working on the farm. We have had some memorable moments in the show ring, but looking back on a lifetime spent dairy farming, it’s getting the crops in and harvested every year. Also, having one more heifer calf from that favorite old cow is memorable. What have you enjoyed most about dairy farming or your tie to the dairy industry? Registered cattle have given us the opportunity to meet people from all around the United States and the world. We like to keep in touch with them. Showing cattle from the time I could walk has given me lifelong friendships. How do you stay connected with others in the industry? Social media and by phone. Who is someone in the industry who has inspired you? Why? There are so many! My top three are my father, Herb Walther; Frank Sivesind from Prairie Moon Guernseys of Waukon, Iowa; and my dear friend Bernita Gable of Snider’s Homestead Farm in Pennsylvania. Their dedication to the Guernsey breed inspires me every day. If you could give a tour of your farm to a prominent woman in today’s society, who would it be and why? I would not want a woman who would not walk the farmyard to look at youngstock or across the pasture to look at cows, so I choose Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds. She milked a cow and showed in the celebrity steer show at the Iowa State Fair. Now that’s my kind of woman!

FARM INFORMATION STATION Joe Gill • Farm Director

What is the best vacation you’ve ever taken? Explain. We have never had a vacation that did not involve cattle! We took a micro-vacation to this year’s Iowa State Fair to watch a young man show one of our Brown Swiss calves. It was a great day. The heifer placed rst place in the open show and was later rst in the youth show.

SERVING CENTRAL MINNESOTA FOR OVER 50 YEARS Catch the Dairy Star’s Mark Klaphake with Joe Gill at 6:45 a.m. the 2nd & 4th Fridays of the month on KASM!

PO Box 160, Albany, MN • (320) 845-2184 • Fax (320) 845-2187

tfn

McHale V660 Round Baler

BOTH NEW & IN STOCK!

What are some words you like to live by? Respect the people who value your worth, forgive the ones who don’t, and then move on.

WHICH BARN IS BEST FOR YOUR HERD? Fusion (Vario) Round Baler 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.

Starwood Rafters Uses

Cloverdale Mixers IN STOCK

Artex A rrttex S SB B 600 & SB400 Manure Spreaders In STOCK

Call Us At (715) 223-3361 Or visit us on-line at www.cloverdaleequip.com N13835 County Rd. E - Curtiss, WI 54422

Pole Sheds • Free Stalls Riding Arenas Pavilion Shelters Machinery Storage

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

First District under new leadership

Dairy Star • Saturday, August 24, 2019 • Page 37

Have your waterer needs changed? If you can’t provide 30-50 gallons of water per cow per day, come see us about a properly sized waterer.

AG-BAG RENTALS

FLY CONTROL

We also have Ag Bags, Bunker Covers, Bale Wrap and Twine

Heat Stressed Cows

7 Units to Rent

WE STOCK:

ThermoCAD

Forage Innoculants

JENNIFER COYNE/DAIRY STAR

Bob Human is the newly appointed CEO of First District Associaďż˝on, of Litchďƒželd, Minn. Human began in this role July 1.

Huffman embraces role as CEO of cooperative By Jennifer Coyne jenn@dairystar.com

LITCHFIELD, Minn. – A Missouri man has found his place in Minnesota’s dairy industry. Bob Huffman is the newly appointed CEO of First District Association in Litchďƒželd, Minn. He joined the cooperative July 1, following the retirement of long-time leader Clint Fall. “I admire the organization – the strength, credibility, longevity,â€? Huffman said. “To be a part of that is an incredible opportunity.â€? Huffman comes to First District with more than 20 years of experience in the dairy manufacturing industry, most of which was spent with Dairy Farmers of America. He began his career on the ground and worked through various roles in production and quality before leading the Monett, Mo., plant. “I was plant manager for a period of time, and then went into a regional role where I oversaw all the protein and powder plants west of Kansas City, Kan., to California,â€? Huffman said. Before coming to Minnesota, Huffman served as vice president of manufacturing in the powder division of DFA. “I never pictured myself in a top role like this,â€? Huffman said. “As every year has gone by and I’ve grown and matured in my career, and got to work with member producers a lot more, it’s become apparent this is something I’ve had an aspiration for.â€? Huffman and his wife, Jennifer, moved north with their two younger children – Cole, 12, and Mckenzie, 8 – and are calling Litchďƒželd their new home. The Huffmans’ eldest daughter, Kaylee, 19, is a student at Missouri State University in Springďƒželd, Mo. “We are really outdoors people; we love the lakes, and love to hunt and ďƒžsh,â€? Huffman said. “We like hobby farming, and my son is really interested in getting involved in 4-H and

FFA.â€? In Huffman’s role as CEO, he will maintain and build relationships with First District’s producer members, and continue to lead the company down a path that is proďƒžtable and sustainable. “I’ve had a lot of face-to-face time with producers, and fully understand my responsibility and accountability to them. That’s where my passion has really gotten stronger than I ever thought it could,â€? Huffman said. “There is something about serving farmers and making sure you can do absolutely everything possible for them that continues to be rewarding for me.â€? The leadership experience, business acumen and knowledge of dairy processing have prepared him for this position. “When you’re in dairy, it doesn’t seem to matter what role you’re in. The skill sets come together,â€? Huffman said. “Whether you’re balancing milk or developing markets, understanding the economics, or the composition of the products, it all prepares you for a role like this.â€? Throughout Huffman’s career, he has enjoyed working with people and problem solving to ďƒžnd an avenue where an organization can support itself in the long run. “Working with people is my favorite,â€? Huffman said. “I really enjoy a strong team and having people who are smarter than I am bringing it to the table and making it happen.â€? First District’s reputable board of directors and past leadership appealed to Huffman. “To come to an organization that has a good successor behind me and a really good team here, that doesn’t always happen,â€? he said. “For me, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity ‌ to be a part of the strongest cooperative, in my opinion, in the Upper Midwest.â€? Historically, the cooperative has made strategic decisions to maintain a marketplace for its producer members and invest in the future of the company. As Huffman is welcomed to the organization, he is overseeing the plant’s largest expansion project to date. While joining First District amidst the greatest changes to the company, Huffman said the transition has been seamless. Turn to HUFFMAN | Page 38

8’ • 9’ •10’ Sizes

A FIVE STAR SOLUTION

CORN BURN DOWN DAY - Wed., Sept. 11 • 10-2p.m. 9361 Creamery Dr., Buckman • 468-6433 9 Hwy. 27, Lastrup • 468-2543 Hwy. 25, Little Rock • 584-5147 14395 Hwy. 25, Pierz • 468-2168

6$8. &(175( 01 ZZZ PPFMG FRP

8700, 2017, 549 Hrs, RWA ..$389,000 8600, 2016, 785 Hrs, RWA ..$359,000 8500, 2017, 92 Hrs, RWA ....$395,000 8500, 2016, 665 Hrs, RWA ..$329,000 8500, 2016, 588 Hrs, RWA . $315,000 8500, 2016, 900 Hrs, RWA ..$287,000 7850, 2009, 1175 Hrs, RWA $137,900 7780, 2014, 1301 Hrs, RWA $239,000 7750, 2011, 2020 Hrs, RWA $175,000

3KRQH $VN IRU 5DOSK RU 6WHYH

7550, 2012, 1825 Hrs, RWA $169,500 7550, 2008, 1442 Hrs, RWA $132,900 7700, 2007, 1570 Hrs, RWA $169,500 6710, 1993, 4006 Hrs, RWA ..$54,000 5820, 1982, 4037 Hrs, 2WD ..$24,500 5460, 1978, 4542 Hrs, RWA. .$16,500 Claas 890, 2002, 2290 Hrs .. $96,000 NH FR9090, 2008,1998 Hrs $139,000 Krone 1100, 2011, 1461 Hrs $132,900 Steel Deal Pricing

All hours listed are “cutter hours�.

7850

2009, 1175 Hrs, RWA, Duals, High Arch Spout, Dohrman Inoculate System, 3 Speed, Autolube, Kernel Processor, Autotrac Ready

$137,900

@™™ à Šd@Ăž {ŠĂ’ dmĂ @Â?™Ö Š¤ ŠÍĂ’ @Ă–ĂžÂ? m@Ă–m |¤@¤ZÂ?¤Â„y $âÂ?oĂ” ÂĄA\Â?Â’ÂŚoĂ˜ AĂťA’›AR›o }ÂŤĂ” ›oAĂ˜o AÂ›Ă˜ÂŤĂ‚ 0Ă­R™o\â ⍠\Ă”ofÂ’â AŸŸĂ”ÂŤĂťA›Â A›› }ÂŤĂ” foâAÂ’Â›Ă˜Ă‚

Page 38 • Dairy Star • Saturday, August 24, 2019

ConƟnued from HUFFMAN | Page 37 The trials he has encountered have been industry wide. “We’ve all been through it; fourplus years of extremely low milk prices and what that has done to the industry as a whole, especially on the producer side,” Huffman said. “We’re starting to see some light, but the hit all of our farmers have had to weather through is denitely the biggest challenge we have to get through and overcome as best we can.” In Huffman’s short time with the cooperative, he has begun establishing relationships with producer members to come to an understanding of what their struggles and opportunities might be. “Farmer engagement is highly important,” Huffman said. “It’s hard with the lows in the last few years, but there’s no better bottle of energy to really get you going than to have face time and really feel that passion they have for dairy with them.” As Huffman creates a name for himself, he has grand goals in mind. He wants to build a network of cooperatives that work together and with industry organizations to protect dairies in Minnesota and the Upper Midwest. For First District, specically, Huffman wants to build on what is already established. “[The cooperative] is in very good shape and they’ve positioned themselves well,” he said. “Now, it’s sustaining and building the capabilities so our producers’ kids and grandkids have a market for their milk and a strong cooperative to be partnered with.” Being the leader and face of a cooperative is a large responsibility, but one Huffman is eager to develop as he plants roots in Minnesota.

Dairy delights at the 2019 Minnesota State Fair Food, friends and fun are annually abundant at the Minnesota State Fair – just like bottomless milk, creamy malts and avorful cheese. This year, visitors to the fair have a variety of ways to celebrate the dairy tradition and can partake in all the Undeniably Dairy fun, including a visit to the Dairy Goodness Bar to enjoy the winner of Midwest Dairy’s fth annual “Flavor of the Fair” contest: Birthday Batter Blast malt or sundae. They can also make avor suggestions for next year while watching the 66th Princess Kay of the Milky Way and the nine nalists have their likenesses carved in butter. Also, not to be missed is the All-You-Can-Drink Milk Stand, owned by Minnesota’s dairy farm families. Celebrating its 65th year at the fair, visitors to the All-You-CanDrink Milk Stand can purchase a bottomless cup of 2 percent white or lowfat chocolate milk for just $2. Guests can also join other dairy devotees for the 35th Annual Milk Run 5K early on the rst Sunday of the fair. Minnesota’s Icon, Princess Kay Beginning on Thursday, Aug. 22, the 2019 Princess Kay of the Milky Way and each of the nine Princess Kay nalists will have their likenesses carved in butter. Princess Kay’s likeness will be carved over two days, on Thursday, Aug. 22, and Friday, Aug. 23, with one of the nine nalists’ likenesses carved each day of the fair through Sunday, Sept. 1, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Dairy Building (1694 Judson Avenue). Princess Kay and the nalists will share

YOur

FOragE Harvester

HeaDquarters! ‘12 New Holland FR9040, 2WD, 6R corn head, 1556 eng. hrs., 1087 cutting hrs., KP.....$154,500 ‘03 John Deere 7200, 4WD, 4R corn head, 2701 eng. hrs., 1802 cutting hrs., KP....$105,000 ‘04 New Holland FX30, 4WD, 6R corn head, 2358 eng. hrs., 1754 cutting hrs., KP.........$89,500

ReNt • leasE • Buy

‘97 Claas Jaguar 840, 2WD, corn head, 2879 hrs., KP ..$69,500

Lease is available anywhere in the USA upon approval Rent only available within 60 miles of Sioux Center, IA

‘16 Krone 16 Big M 420 SP Mower, 1245 hrs., 901 cutting hrs., (2 available) .....................$159,500

‘02 JD 6850, 4WD, 8R Kemper 360 corn hd., 2808 eng. hrs., 2109 cutting hrs., KP.........$92,500 ‘11 New Holland FR9060, 4WD, 8R corn head, 1805 eng. hrs., 1305 cutting hrs., KP.....$149,500 ‘08 New Holland FR9060, 4WD, 1907 eng. hrs., 1389 cutting hrs., KP, 8R corn head.............$142,500 ‘08 New Holland FR9050, 4WD, 8R corn head, ..................$149,500 ‘10 Krone Big X 1000, 1600 cutting hrs., 12R corn head ..................$142,500

‘10 New Holland FR9060, 4WD, 8R corn head, 2836 eng. hrs., 2016 cutting hrs .............$155,000 ‘12 John Deere 7350, 4WD, KP, 2279 hrs., 1601 cutting hrs., Kemper 6R corn head...$154,500 John Deere 7450, 8R Kemper corn head, 1992 eng. hrs., 1275 cutting hrs, KP......$137,500

3764 US 75 AVE Sioux Center, IA 51250 1-712-722-2180 www.glOBal-EquipMeNt.COM

their dairy stories and answer questions from the crowd as they sit for artist Linda Christensen inside the 40-degree, rotating sculpting booth. They will also appear in Midwest Dairy’s educational area across from the butter sculptures, bringing dairy to life with fair-goers by sharing stories and answering questions about farmers’ commitment to health, animal care and the environment. Princess Kay and the nalists will also provide family activities and games at the Christensen Farm Stage near the FFA Miracle of Birth Center (Judson and Clough) at 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Aug. 24, 26, 27, 30, 31 and Sept. 1. Fair-goers can follow the Princess Kay coronation live and see updates from the Fair on Twitter, @MidwestDairy and with the hashtag #MNPrincessKay, as well as on Princess Kay’s Facebook page. All-You-Can-Drink Milk The Best Value at the Fair – Fairgoers seeking their ll of fresh, cold, 2 percent white or low-fat chocolate milk can do so for just $2 per cup at the AllYou-Can-Drink Milk Stand, which will celebrate its 65th year in 2019. The allyou-can drink tradition began in 1955 when the stand was a tent on Machinery Hill, charging a dime for a bottomless cup of white milk. It later moved to its current location on the corner of Judson and Clough (kitty-corner from the Coliseum), and following a rebuild of the stand in 2004, chocolate milk was added to the menu. It is the only food

PHOTO SUBMITTED

Visit the Dairy Goodness Bar during the Minnesota State Fair to enjoy the winner of Midwest Dairy’s Ōh annual “Flavor of the Fair” contest, Birthday BaƩer Blast malt or sundae. or drink item offered at the fair as an unlimited item. 35th Annual Milk Run Runners will be behind the starting line when the 35th annual State Fair Milk Walk/Run 5K kicks off this year on Sunday morning, Aug. 25, (7:45 a.m.; on West Dan Patch south of the West End Market). Midwest Dairy is sponsoring the event again this year, with Kemps providing the free chocolate milk to runners as they cross the nish line. All runners will also receive a coupon for a complimentary treat from the Dairy Goodness Bar, courtesy of Minnesota’s dairy farmers. Princess Kay of the Milky Way will give the signal for the race to begin.

Dairy prole

Dairy Star • Saturday, August 24, 2019 • Page 39

with Jimmy Bloome of Unity, Wis. What advice would you give other dairy farmers? Be willing to think outside the box. Take my farm for example: We have been conventional dairy farmers since the start. I wanted to try grazing and eventually hope to transition to organic, something that is uncommon in this area. Whether it is your practices or even row cropping, there are many ways to get nutrients in the ground and get your crops off in the fall. You don’t need to do things the way the neighbor does.

How did you get into farming? Our family bought the farm in 1989. At rst, we started with hogs. When the price of hogs fell, we sold out at some point in the 1990s. After that, we were a beef farm and then custom raised heifers. In 2000, we decided to start milking instead of selling our heifers. We formed an LLC in 2012, and I nally bought the farm Jan. 1, 2019. I’ve always stuck with the farm and have always enjoyed it. I did take some time off the farm in between where I attended the UW-Madison Short Course, worked in construction, concrete and welding, but eventually, I gravitated back to the farm. What are your thoughts and concerns about the dairy industry for the next year? Obviously milk price is the big picture. I think we need to nd a way to control the market; not necessarily a quota but something. I feel like we are on the cusp of agriculture blowing up; as soon as the milk price improves, everyone will want more cows, and we will be back to where we were. What is the latest technology you implemented on your farm and the purpose for it? It might not be a new technology, but intensive grazing has been the latest. We improved the trails, have run water throughout our pastures; it is the latest and greatest for me at least. What is a management practice you changed in the past year that has beneted you? Again, intensive grazing. We are on 120 acres of low ground that we have struggled to plant and harvest for a long time. Essentially, we are at the bottom of a geological bowl where

What has been the best purchase you’ve ever made on your farm? Grazing equipment. I really enjoy and love having it.

CASSIE OLSON/DAIRY STAR

Jimmy Bloome milks 85 cows on his farm in Marathon County near Unity, Wis. row crops have always been a struggle. Instead of ghting it, I decided to seed it all down with a pasture mix.

having set hours. As long as they ll out the schedule and the schedule is full, I am happy.

What cost-saving steps have you implemented during the low milk price? Rotational grazing has solved a lot of my issues on the farm. I do not have much for feed storage and have limited labor. Adding grazing has been a huge cost saving in that regard. Every animal on my farm has access to pasture, which leads to a huge cut in feed, labor and fuel costs.

Tell us about a skill you possess that makes dairy farming easier for you. Working off the farm for some time has been the biggest help for me. Having the ability to build or x anything in a pinch is exceptionally benecial. I am denitely mechanically inclined.

How do you retain a good working relationship with your employee(s)? I have a lot of part-time employees, which makes communication the key. I let them pick their schedules rather than

What do you enjoy most about dairy farming? Working with animals and the land, but also the challenge. Farming keeps me sharp and tests my skills. I am constantly problem solving, and I love being challenged. It is a humbling career and keeps me in check. Dairy farming makes the good days a lot better.

What has been your biggest accomplishment while dairy farming? Transitioning from conventional to rotational grazing. I may have gone at it too fast; one year was a bit much, but it’s gone decent and has been a huge accomplishment for me. What are your plans for your dairy in the next year and ve years? In the near future, I hope to become certied organic and continue grazing. In ve years, I hope to transition all the animals to seasonal calving – preferably sooner rather than later. How do you or your family like to spend time when you are not doing chores? I enjoy spending time outdoors with my wife, Candice, and our three children, Elsa, 6, James Jr., 5, and Jaxtin, 3. The boys like shing, and I enjoy hunting.

Page 40 • Dairy Star • Saturday, August 24, 2019

• Process a wider variety of ingredients! • Reduce mix time! • Produce a thorough, consistent TMR! • Minimize feed waste - stretch your hay further! • Discharge fast with superior cleanout! • 140 - 1,580 cu. ft. mixing capacities. • Stationary, trailer & truck mount available. Patent Pending Multi-Angle Top Vortex™ Screw Featuring a multi-angle top and cupped flighting, the Vortex™ Screw mixes quickly without compromising feed quality. (Shown with optional RAPTOR™ knives.)

SEEING IS BELIEVING! Ask Steinhart’s Farm Service for more Information!

Put Proven Performers to WORK for your operation! Proven Performers You Can Count On!

Vertical Mixers • Silo Unloaders Conveyors • Choppers Gutter Cleaner SmartClean™ Scraper Systems Pumps & Agitators

Salesmen: Shawn Martin (608) 778-4554 or Joe Ryan (608) 778-2900

4116 Hwy. 80 S. Platteville, WI

OfďŹ ce: (608) 348-9401 or Toll Free: 1(888) BUY-Patz www.steinhartsfarmservice.com

4116 Hwy. 80 S. Platteville, WI

Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.