August 26, 2023 Dairy Star - 2nd section

Ayrshires are conduit for positivity, education

Raths family brings Minnesota State Fair showcase herd

By Amy Kyllo amy.k@star-pub.com

LAKE CITY, Minn. — Having the Minnesota State Fair showcase herd is not a small undertaking. Yet, for the Raths family, their attitude centers on the people they will touch.

“It’s hard to put it in words,” Heather Raths said. “You hear so much negativity toward the dairy industry that I just wanted them to see the positive part.”

Jason and Heather Raths, alongside their children Jonathan and Bella, have a total of 22 Ayrshire dairy animals, a part of which will be in this year’s showcase herd.

The family houses their heifers and cows at Dale and Renae Kackmann’s dairy farm near Lake City where Jason works full time as a herdsman. The Raths family rent Heather’s parents’ farm, where they raise their calves, but an absence of milking facilities curtails milking cows being on their farm. Heather works full time at the Mayo Clinic, helps with farm work and works as a tester for the Minnesota Dairy Herd Improvement Association.

When it comes to dairy promotion, Jason said he wants to connect consumers to the source of their food.

“For me, it’s just to show the people from the city where their food comes from,” he said. “Besides going to the grocery store and picking it off the shelves, you actually have to realize that people out there are getting the milk for it.”

Heather appreciates the opportunity the fair gives to her farm and her kids.

“We’re a young herd yet,” she said. “To get the kids involved and get them to ... be able to talk to the public about how much the animals mean to us, (that) means a lot to us.”

Bella is going into fth grade and said she is most looking forward to getting to answer questions from the public at the fair.

Heather bought their rst Ayrshire cow nearly 16 years ago as a surprise seventh anniversary gift to Jason. Jason had met an Ayrshire cow for the rst time when he and Heather were dating in college and said he wanted one someday. Their entire herd is descended from the cow Heather gifted him.

The Raths family was approached several years ago about whether they would be interested in being the showcase herd, and in March, the family began working with the state fair.

Heather said that one of the things that has surprised her the most was the outpouring of generosity toward their family. Even those outside the agriculture community have wanted to help.

“People have been very generous,” Heather said. “We had some friends who suggested we do an Amazon wish list. ... They don’t know animals very well, but they wanted to help us with something.”

The Raths were in charge of nding their own volunteers to care for the cows at the fair 24/7. Besides their immediate family, they have amassed eight or nine other volunteers to help.

Heather, who describes herself as Type A, has been working to prepare for all the details of the 14-day marathon.

The Raths family contacted dairies that have brought the showcase herd in the past for tips on do’s and don’ts of being the showcase herd.

Heather started with a list of 30 animals to consider and slowly narrowed it down. The Raths family is bringing 15 milk cows and a heifer and have backups chosen if an animal does not do well. Some of the animals are theirs and some come from their connections.

Jonathan

state fair showcase animals back to the barn Aug. 18

the

farm near Lake City, Minnesota. The Raths family were in charge of nding their own volunteers to care for the cows at the fair 24/7 and have amassed eight or nine volunteers to help besides their immediate family.

Heather has also been proactive to ensure cow health during the fair. She worked with their veterinarian to pack a veterinary box complete with protocols to use it, worked with their nutritionist prior and made sure that hoof trimming was done.

The Raths family had a busy schedule leading up to the state fair. The Friday before found them washing animals, Saturday was a clipping day, Sunday they went up to the state fairgrounds to get ready, Monday they were back at home doing more clipping and Tuesday they moved the animals to

the fair in preparation for the fair’s rst day Aug. 24.

The showcase herd will be part of milking exhibitions throughout the day in the milking parlor located at the Moo Booth in the Cattle Barn as well as hand milking exhibitions. The showcase herd will have cows being milked in ve parlor shifts plus two hand-milking demonstrations. Since the milkings are distributed throughout the day so

fairgoers have more opportunities to watch, the herd also has to be milked multiple times across the night.

Heather wants fairgoers to understand the dedication and animal husbandry on farms.

“I want them to realize we treat (our animals) well,” she said. “We love them for a reason, and I just want them to realize that they’re well taken care of.”

AMY KYLLO/DAIRY STAR

Bella (from le ), Heather, Jason and Jonathan Raths pause before washing their cow Aug. 18 at the Kackmann dairy farm near Lake City, Minnesota. The Raths, who are bringing the Minnesota State Fair showcase herd, house their cows — except for the calves — at Dale and Renae Kackmann’s dairy where Jason is a full- me herdsman.

AMY KYLLO/DAIRY STAR

Raths walks one of his family’s

at

Kackmann dairy

Iowa’s 70th dairy princess, alternate crowned Elsbernd, Fossum will represent industry

By Tiffany Klaphake

any.k@dairystar.com

DES MOINES, Iowa — Ashley Elsbernd has been serving as a role model her whole life, growing up the eldest of four children at her family’s farm. Now Elsbernd will have a new role to serve.

Elsbernd, the 19-year-old daughter of Peter and Kristi Elsbernd of Calmar, was crowned the 2023-24 Iowa Dairy Princess on the eve of the Iowa State Fair Aug. 9 at the fairgrounds in Des Moines. Elizabeth Fossum, 18, of Waterville was named Iowa Dairy Princess Alternate.

Beginning Sept. 1, Elsbernd, who represented Winneshiek County, will serve as the goodwill ambassador for Iowa’s dairy industry. She will attend events and visit classrooms across the state on behalf of Iowa’s dairy farmers.

“The biggest thing I am looking forward to over the next year is getting to meet so many new people,” Elsbernd said. “In this position, I will get to do so many different things. I also want to stand for what other little girls can be.”

During her reign, Elsbernd said she wants to share the message that women can serve in leadership positions on farms and be essential to a farm’s success.

“Ever since I was Winneshiek County Little Miss Squirt in 2014, I knew this

was a role I wanted to work toward,” Elsbernd said. … “Reaching this destination and receiving the title that carries so much responsibility, I hope to live up to all the great ladies that came before me as well as be a symbol for young girls out there looking for a goal to reach in their future.”

Through the judging process, the six young ladies competing were judged on their ability to answer essay questions, partake in interviews and advocate for the dairy industry.

“We also were able to sit down and have genuine conversations about the dairy industry,” Elsbernd said. “The dairy board does an amazing job at making it feel informal and formal at the same time.”

Elsbernd grew up on her parent’s 350-cow dairy and has been working at the farm this summer as an intern. Her main duties include calf management — feeding, bedding and vaccinating — as well as milking the cows in a double-12 parlor.

The new princess will begin her sophomore year this fall at University of Wisconsin-Platteville where she is majoring in dairy science and minoring in agribusiness.

“I am hoping to come back to our family’s dairy farm,” Elsbernd said. “I have always loved working with our animals — that and the fact that no day will ever be the same and that there will always be a new problem and you will al-

ways need to learn how to x it. I love having the chance to learn new things and keep educating myself.”

Also attending the University of Wisconsin-Platteville this fall is the new Iowa Dairy Princess Alternate Fossum.

Fossum is the daughter of Kevin and Julie Fossum. She grew up on her parent’s dairy farm near Waterville where they milk 220 cows. Her responsibilities on the farm include milking cows, feeding

calves and record keeping.

“I enjoyed growing up on a farm because it teaches you so many life lessons such as hard work and working with family,” Fossum said. Fossum, who represented Allamakee County, is looking to return to her family’s farm or work for a local agricultural business after she nishes college.

“During the contest, I enjoyed group interviews to hear everyone else’s answers and

perspective,” Fossum said.

As the Iowa Dairy Princess and Iowa Dairy Princess Alternate, Elsbernd and Fossum both said they are looking forward to sharing their knowledge and experience of growing up on a dairy farm with audiences across Iowa in the year ahead.

“I am looking forward to classroom visits and talking to consumers,” Fossum said. “I like sharing about the dairy industry.”

T & T HOOFCARE

PHOTO SUBMITTED Elizabeth Fossum (le ), the 2023-24 Iowa Dairy Princess Alternate, stands with Ashley Elsbernd, the 2023-24 Iowa Dairy Princess, at the Iowa Dairy Princess corona on Aug. 9 at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, Iowa. Elsbernd and Fossum will begin their reign Sept. 1.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture lowered its 2023 and 2024 milk production forecasts in the latest World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimate report, stating, “The cow inventory is lowered for both years based on the July 1 dairy cow inventory and heifer retention data provided in the recent cattle report as well as the average cow inventory data in the latest milk production report. Output per cow was reduced for 2023 but unchanged for 2024.”

2023 production and marketings were estimated at 227.9 and 226.9 billion pounds, respectively, down 500 million pounds on both from a month ago. If realized, production would be up 1.4 billion pounds, or 0.6%, from 2022.

2024 production and marketings were projected at 230.5 and 229.5 billion pounds, respectively, down 100 million pounds on both. If realized, 2024 production and marketings would be up 2.6 billion pounds, or 1.1%, from 2023.

The Class III milk price forecast was raised as expected with higher cheese prices more than offsetting lower whey. The 2023 average was projected at $16.90 per hundredweight, up 85 cents from last month’s estimate, and compares to $21.96 in 2022 and $17.08 in 2021. The 2024 average was projected at $16.55, up 60 cents from last month’s estimate.

The 2023 Class IV price forecast was raised due to higher butter and nonfat dry milk prices. The 2023 average was projected at $18.50, up 30 cents from a month ago, and compares to $24.47 in 2022 and $16.09 in 2021. The 2024 Class IV is expected to average $17.80, up 35 cents from last month’s estimate.

The 2023 cheese price is expected to average $1.7750 per pound, up a dime from last month’s estimate and compares to $2.1122 in 2022 and $1.6755 in 2021. The 2024 average was estimated at $1.7550, up 6.50 cents.

Butter is expected to average $2.4950 in 2023, up 6 cents from last month’s estimate, and compares to $2.8665 in 2022 and $1.7325 in 2021. The 2024 aver-

age was pegged at $2.43, up 8.50 cents from a month ago.

Nonfat dry milk is expected to average $1.1750 per pound in 2023, down from $1.6851 in 2022 and $1.2693 in 2021 and will fall to a $1.1250 average in 2024.

Dry whey’s 2023 average was projected at 32.50 cents per pound, down from 60.57 cents in 2022 and 57.44 cents in 2021. The 2024 average was projected at 30.50 cents per pound.

The U.S. corn outlook is for reduced supplies, lower domestic use, smaller exports and tighter ending stocks. Projected beginning stocks were raised 55 million bushels. Corn production was forecast at 15.1 billion bushels, up 10% from 2022 but down 209 million from the July projection and, if realized, would be the second highest on record behind 2016-17.

The season’s rst survey-based corn yield forecast, at 175.1 bushels per acre, is up 1.8 bushels from last year but 2.4 bushels lower than last month’s projection. Area harvested, forecast at 86.3 million acres, was unchanged from June but up 9% from a year ago. U.S. corn use was reduced 95 million bushels to 14.4 billion. Exports were cut 50 million bushels to 2.1 billion. Ending stocks were lowered 60 million bushels to 2.2 billion. The season-average corn price was raised 10 cents to $4.90 per bushel.

Higher beginning stocks and lower production and exports was the story on soybeans. Beginning stocks were raised on higher imports. Soybean production was forecast at 4.2 billion bushels, down 2%, or 95 million, on lower yields. Harvested area was forecast at 82.7 million acres, unchanged from July but down 4% from 2022. The survey-based soybean yield forecast of 50.9 bushels per acre is up 1.4 bushels from 2022 but down 1.1 bushels from last month. Soybean supplies are projected at 4.5 billion bushels, down 2% from last year. Soybean exports are down 25 million bushels, and ending stocks were forecast at 245 million bushels, down 55 million from last month. The season-average soybean price was forecast at $12.70 per bushel, up 30 cents from last month. Soybean meal was forecast at

$380 per short ton, up $5.

The latest Crop Progress report showed 65% of U.S. corn was in the dough stage, as of the week ending Aug. 13, 5% ahead of a year ago. 59% was rated good to excellent, up 2% from the previous week and down 2% from a year ago.

The report shows 78% of the soybeans were setting pods, up from 66% the previous week, 6% ahead of a year ago and 3% ahead of the average. 59% were rated good to excellent, up 5% from the previous week and 1% ahead of a year ago.

The week ending Aug. 5 saw 60,500 dairy cows go to slaughter, up 400 head from the previous week and 3,100, or 5.4%, more than a year ago. Year-to-date, 1,912,300 have been culled, up 104,400 head, or 5.8%, from a year ago. Dairy cows surpassed beef cow volume for the rst time since April.

StoneX said Aug. 14 that the high culling rate is due to “the impact of margins versus what beef prices offer dairy farmers. We are hearing reports of more farms closing their doors, and a $70 per cwt premium in cull cow prices is no doubt an impact on that decision. Total cattle slaughter in the U.S. continues to be weak with a contracted herd, meaning that dairy cows are a driving factor in lean beef production.”

Meanwhile, the latest Margin Watch from Chicagobased Commodity and Ingredient Hedging LLC said, “Dairy margins traded on either side of unchanged in the rst half of August as the complex beneted from a fall in corn and soybean meal futures. Spot milk prices have increased and in the Upper Midwest marked their highest level since October 2020. Weekly milk cow slaughter continues to track at or near 10-year highs, about 7% ahead of year-ago levels.”

The MW reported highlights from the WASDE’s milk production, cow numbers and export data and warned, “High butter prices continue to keep U.S. product off the world market while cheese exports rebounded compared to May. Mexico’s demand for milk powders has held steady. Through the rst half of the

year, total dairy export volume is 5% lower. Internationally, GDT demand appears to be waning for the largest importer of dairy products is reducing demand as China faces its own urry of economic uncertainty. This product must nd a home elsewhere and will continue to serve as a headwind to dairy product pricing.”

Recent rainfall and lack of exports have taken risk premium out of the feed market after a spike early last month, the MW said. The focus is “monitor forward opportunities to add margin coverage with exible price strategies and look to higher delta positions to secure feed needs throughout this crop year.”

CME block cheese topped $2 per pound Tuesday and closed Friday at $2.0275, up 3.75 cents on the week, as summer heat takes a toll on milk output and schools gear up to reopen. It was the seventh consecutive week of gain totaling 69.25 cents, highest CME price since March 28 and 20.75 cents above a year ago as traders awaited Monday’s July milk production report.

The barrels climbed to $1.85 per pound Tuesday, then dropped 8.50 cents Thursday, but closed Friday at $1.8075, 1.75 cents lower on the week, 8.75 cents below a year ago and 22 cents below the blocks. There were four cars of each sold on the week.

Milk offers and trading have dwindled, said Dairy Market News. Cheesemakers are running regular schedules on internally sourced milk or spot milk priced at or just above Class III. Cheese demand is generally steady, but cheese availability varies, and contacts say it is on “the snugger side.”

Cheese demand remains steady in the West but favoring blocks. Export demand is on the light end, most of it coming from south of the border. Sentiment is that the lighter export demand is moving more barrel cheese to the CME. Milk and cream volumes are tighter in the West, but cheesemakers have enough milk to run steady production which is keeping ahead of demand for most, DMN said.

CME butter climbed to $2.77 per pound Thursday, highest since Dec. 16, 2022, but closed Friday at $2.70, up a penny on the week, but 24 cents below a year ago, with 98 sales. Wednesday saw 49 loads exchange hands, biggest single-day volume since Nov. 3, 2004, when butter was only trading three times a week.

Central butter producers say cream is hard to nd and some are taking loads from Western states. Butter supplies are, and have been, somewhat snug, and producers and traders say availability has been on a downward trajectory. School district and seasonal retail ordering upticks have drained the butter supply.

Grade A nonfat dry milk sunk to $1.0850 per pound Wednesday, lowest since July 12, but closed at $1.1050, down a half-cent on the week and 41.50 cents below a year ago. There were 12 loads traded on the week.

Dry whey closed at 27 cents per pound, unchanged on the week but 18 cents below a year ago, with 16 sales put on the board at the CME.

Looking at dairy demand, the USDA reports that June cheese consumption was down 2% from June 2022, primarily due to exports being down 19%.

Butter disappearance, on the other hand, was up 20.1% from a year ago, thanks to domestic use being up 27.3%, fth month in a row, according to HighGround Dairy. Butter exports were down 60.5% and less than half of those a year ago.

Nonfat-skim milk powder usage was down 4% from a year ago, with domestic use down 14.6%, rst time since January, according to HGD, while exports were up 2%, thanks to big shipments to Mexico. HGD said, “Usually, domestic NFDM usage increases from May to June, so the 1.2% month-over-month loss was counter to the ve-year mean of plus 84.9%, likely due to manufacturers making big powder sales in June.”

Dry whey disappearance fell for the second time in 2023, driven by abysmal export sales, said HGD, down nearly 34% from June 2022. Domestic use however was up 28.4%.

Abundant powder offerings in Tuesday’s Global Dairy Trade auction resulted in the biggest drop in the weighted average since May 3, 2022. Down 7.4%, the drop follows a 4.3% decline Aug. 1, a 1% decline July 18 and a 3.3% decline July 4. Traders brought 74 million pounds of product to market, up from 71.9 million Aug. 1, and the most since Nov. 17, 2020. The average metric ton price fell to $2,875, down from $3,100 Aug. 1. Whole milk powder plunged 10.9%, following an 8% drop Aug. 1. Skim milk powder was down 5.2%, after a 1.4% decline. Anhydrous milkfat was down 5.3%, after a 0.5% slip, and GDT butter was down 3%, following a 0.7% loss Aug. 1. GDT cheddar saw the only gain, up 5.8%, after falling 1.4% last time.

StoneX said the GDT 80% butterfat butter price equates to $2.0086 per pound, down 6.2 cents from the Aug. 1 event, and compares to CME butter which

closed Friday at $2.70. GDT cheddar, at $1.8721, was up 9.9 cents, and compares to Friday’s CME block cheddar at a pricy $2.0275. GDT skim milk powder averaged $1.0583 per pound, down from $1.1130 (5.5 cents), and whole milk powder averaged $1.1558 per pound, down from $1.2993 (14.4 cents). CME Grade A nonfat dry milk closed Friday at $1.1050 per pound.

Analyst Dustin Winston said market share of North Asia, which includes China, was “back to being the largest purchaser. North Asia recovered this standing in the last auction. Southeast Asia volume once again fell from both last year and the last event. Total WMP sales this year are close to year-ago levels, but North Asia has taken a larger percentage this year indicating poor demand in SE Asia.”

The Aug. 15 Daily Dairy Report said, “Strong increases in Chinese milk production boosted the supply of fresh milk in China and reduced the need for imported milk powders. There were also signs of faltering overall milk powder consumption. Last week, the South China Morning Post reported that Chinese women may give birth to fewer than 8 million babies this year, down from 9.56 million last year and 40% fewer than in 2018.”

Speaking in the Aug. 21 Dairy Radio Now broadcast, StoneX broker Dave Kurzawski blamed sluggish purchases from China for the GDT’s downfall on powder, although its purchases were up a bit. He focused on the differences between the global cheese market and the U.S. market, and said a lot of cheese is being made and consumed on U.S. soil right now, so the loss of exports is not as big a factor. CME fresh cheddar is tight, he explained, and that’s what sets the price for 80%-85% of U.S. cheese. Production hick-ups, both at the farm and processor level, high cull rates, falling

ROERS WHITEWASHING & STEAM CLEANING

We’ll whitewash with the cows in the barn!

FLY CONTROL Pipeline, Windows and Light Bulbs cleaned at the end of job.

Call now to get on our summer and fall schedule!

40 Years of Experience

“The friendly people” CALL FOR FREE ESTIMATES

LIC#: 20122719

milk output and schools reopening resulted in almost a 70-cent rally on the blocks in seven weeks, he said.

Fonterra Cooperative reduced its 2023-24 season forecast farmgate milk price range Thursday from $6.25-$7.75 per kilograms of milk solids with a midpoint of $7 down to $6-$7.50 per kgMS with a midpoint of $6.75. Fonterra CEO Miles Hurrell said GDT prices have continued to fall since the co-op revised its milk price earlier this month, requiring the further reduction.

Back home, the Federal Milk Marketing Order pricing formula hearing took place Aug. 23 in Carmel, Indiana. The hearing considered and gathered evidence on proposed amendments to pricing formulas in U.S. market orders.

Cooperatives Working Together member cooperatives accepted 27 offers of export assistance this week that helped capture sales of 2.7 million pounds of American-type cheese. The product is going to customers in Asia, Middle East-North Africa and Oceania through November. CWT’s 2023 exports now total 31.1 million pounds of American-type cheeses, 809,000 pounds of butter, 24,000 pounds of anhydrous milkfat, 31.4 million pounds of whole milk powder and 5.9 million pounds of cream cheese. The products are going to 24 countries and are the equivalent of 580.8 million pounds of milk on a milkfat basis.

OBERHOLTZER AUCTIONS

Special Dairy & Breeding Bull Sale

Thursday, August 31st

Hay 10:00 a.m. • Cattle 11:00 a.m. Complete dispersal

26 Holstein tiestall cows including two red and whites and 3 dry cows. Current bulk tank average 60 lb milk, 225scc. Cows are let out everyday, not pushed for production. Includes several nice young cows! Also selling 7 bred heifers and 6 yearlings. Fancy heifers! Coming from Marvin Faude, Withee

Special Breeding Bull Sale

This sale will feature 15 bulls from Irvin Martin, Dorchester Holsteins. All bulls in this consignment will be sold with a 100% soundness guarantee! There will be a selection of polled, A2A2 and R&W bulls including some with EXTREME high milk and components!

Cliff: 320-815-8488 or Tim: 320-815-5103

Serving MN, WI, SD & IA

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” (Limestone, rock, block & concrete wall)

GUARENTEED BEST PRICING

SERVING IA, MN, WI, IL AND SD

CONTACT: 800-866-7327

PTO GENERATORS

STANDARD FEATURES:

• 100% Copper Windings

• Helical Gears for Smooth Operation

• Full Power Receptacle

• Square D Mainline Circuit Breakers

• Large 3” Voltage Meter

• Full Power Plug Included

• Powder Coat Paint

15KW to 150KW www.wincogen.com

A sample of individuals selling: Hurricane x Myles w/34,192M 5.0F A2A2!; Doc x Miller P w/30,331M, 5.4F! Registered; Done Right x Lynch w 4.5F 3.6P. R&W, Polled, A2A2 aAa 351; Norwin x Miller P w 35,595M, A2A2, aAa 156.

Other Jumper bulls: Polled, Red & White Radix son. 18 month old Jonah x Rex, red carrier, proven & polled, aAa 165, Fancy! 10 month old Holstein bull, Ice Cloud grandson out of EX93 2E Lightning. Dam calved 6 times in 6 years, over 30k milk! Fancy Swiss bull, Tremendous son, proven. Dam is registered and placed second at state fair!

2 registered Black Angus bulls sired by KF Power Chip 1926! Bull #147 born 5/6/22, dam is a SAV Thunderbird. Bull #140 born 4/17/22, dam is a Connealy Forward. Pair of outstanding Young bulls!

LABOR DAY SCHEDULE - THORP

Monday, Sept 4th Regular Sale * 5 P.M. Also SPECIAL COLORED FAT CATTLE SALE! Take advantage of these record high prices!! Receiving cattle 8 a.m.- 6 p.m. Trucking available.

Supply and demand still works. The reason talk is cheap... there’s so much more supply than demand! No herd dispersal today and dairy cows were lower. Most sold from $1,350-2,000. Top springing heifers $1,700-2,000. Open Holstein heifers $1.00- 1.45. Single birth Holstein heifer calves $60-165. Breeding bulls $1,050-1,700. Market bulls $102-123. Choice Holstein steers this week $145-165. Crossbreds up to $176. No real test on feeder cattle. Holstein feeder steers $125-175. Crossbreds up to $2.02. Holstein bull calves continue strong, $200370. Beef cross calves mostly $375-550. Several to $600. Butcher hogs $72-80. Sows $52-56. Boars $22. Sheep .55-1.60/lb. Billy goats up to $1.85/lb. 20% of market cows sold $99-113. Another 50% sold $76-97. 3x3x8 alfalfa $80-110. Rounds and squares grass mix hay $50-70. Smallish Rounds straw $27.50-35. Thanks again for your business, we really appreciate it!

SALEs SCHEDULE

Dairy & Hay sale EVERY Thursday starting with hay @ 10:00 followed by Dairy Cows @ 11:00 sharp, then bred heifers, open heifers and feeders followed by calves, market bulls, fat cattle and cull cows. Special feeder sale 2nd & 4th Thursday.

• Rodent Screens

• Lifting Eyes Model 50PTOC-3, 50 kw, 208 amps, 1800 RPM, 540 input speed, 100 input hp

WATCH OUR SALE ONLINE AT WWW.CATTLEUSA.COM

More than 100 years of dairying

Westenbergs earn century farm status as fth generation steps in

By Stacey Smart stacey.s@dairystar.com

WATERTOWN, Wis. –

Over the course of 113 years, four generations of Westenbergs have dairy farmed on the same property. Josh Westenberg is hoping to one day be the fth generation to call the farm his own. Currently farming with his parents, Scott and Deborah, the Westenbergs are proud to honor their past while looking toward the future on their organic dairy near Watertown.

“The farm is a lifestyle of responsibility and commitment,” Deborah said. “We feel so blessed.”

On Seed of Faith Westenberg Family Farm, the Westenbergs milk 45 cows and farm 250 acres. The idea for their farm name came from Matthew 17:20 in the Bible, which proclaims the power of having faith the size of a mustard seed.

In early August, the Westenbergs received the Century Farm Award at the Wisconsin State Fair. The whole family came to celebrate the recognition. Scott and Deborah were joined by Josh and his wife, Holley; their daughter Kimberly Wheeler, who is a dental assistant and her husband, Destin; and Scott’s mom, Phyllis.

“It was truly a blessing for Scott’s mom to be there,” Deborah said.

Scott was raised on the

farm that his great-grandfather bought in 1910 after emigrating from Germany in 1877. The farm was one of four he owned. At one point, he sold the farm to his daughter for a dollar and then bought it back later on. He eventually sold it to another daughter for a dollar – Scott’s great-aunt Minnie.

Becoming a century farm means a lot to Scott and his family.

“It highlights the history of my family’s farming heritage,” Scott said. “Someone always had cows here.”

Like the three generations preceding them, Scott and his son are continuing the dairying tradition.

“All of them were dairy farmers, and we’re still in dairy 113 years later,” Josh said.

After working construction and driving milk truck, an opportunity arose for Scott to buy the farm in 1997.

“That was my dream,” Scott said.

Josh’s wife, Holley, is a crop advisor and also helps on the farm. The Westenbergs are building up their herd and plan to be milking 50 cows in a few months.

“We’re getting numbers to the point where the farm is taking care of itself and then a little extra,” Josh said.

Cows are milked in a 35-stall stanchion barn and rotationally grazed on 50 acres. The Westenbergs are in the process of converting the stanchions to tiestalls and comfort

Feeds

stalls. Their colorful herd contains Holsteins, Jerseys, Brown Swiss, Fleckvieh, Ayrshire and crosses of these various breeds. The Westenbergs have taken a special liking to the Fleckvieh breed, appreciating its dual-

purpose dairy and beef qualities. They also like the higher components of Fleckviehs, which average 4.5% butterfat and 4% protein.

“The Fleckviehs are much better on grass and hold their condition extremely well,”

Josh said. “This is a good benet when having to pasture cows. They are a low input animal.”

Turn to WESTENBERGS | Page 9

STACEY SMART/DAIRY STAR

The Westenberg family – Sco (from le ), Deborah, and Josh – take a break with their cows on pasture Aug. 22 on their farm near Watertown, Wisconsin. The Westenbergs are organic dairy farmers who milk 45 cows and farm 250 acres.

The family is planning to put in a parlor and trying to do so as economically as possible. They bought a used right-angle double-4 parlor that has the potential to become a double-6.

“Our dream is the parlor and has been for years,” Deborah said.

The Westenbergs also have plans to update their loang barn this year. They want to convert the barn to sandbased freestalls and incorporate a calving/hospital bedded pack area.

“Right now, this barn has a dirt oor, which is a challenge to keep clean and dry,” Josh said. “We want something that is easier to clean and maintain and requires less labor.”

The farm has been certied organic since 2004, and milk is shipped to Westby Creamery. Milk price stability was the primary reason Scott chose to go organic.

“I always had organic farming in the back of my mind,” Scott said. “We receive a contract price or base price for the year. We’re always within 50 cents to a dollar of knowing our price for that whole year.”

It is a guarantee that Josh also appreciates.

“We’re not month to month with knowing our paycheck,” Josh said.

The Westenbergs average 60 to 70 pounds of milk per cow.

“We’re making that without extra inputs,” Josh said. “That’s important because it’s hard to source organic feed, and when you do nd it, the price can be high. Organic soybean is selling for $20 per bushel right now — it would be nuts for us to pay that. And you can’t even nd an organic protein pellet.”

As organic farmers, Josh said there is a lot to keep track of with crops and animals.

“We’ve gone a little more in depth with different practices, but we’re still learning,” Josh said. “I feel like we’ve been able to improve genetics.”

Up to two years ago, Josh worked off the farm full time while also helping his parents as much as possible. He held various jobs, including working for the township and doing concrete work.

“It wasn’t bad, but I like the farm,” Josh said. “Yeah, sometimes you work 16-hour days, but it’s worth it. You can set your own pace. I wouldn’t trade it for anything. It’s also a legacy thing with me being the fth generation.”

Now, both Scott and Deborah work off the farm.

“The biggest reason we work off the farm is to give the kids a chance to farm,” Deborah said.

Scott agreed.

“Josh really wants to be generation ve to own this farm,” he said. “So I told him, I’ll work off the farm, get the bills paid, and you stay here and see if you like it. I don’t want to force anyone into anything.”

A recent job change for Deborah will allow Scott to leave his off-farm job behind this summer and return to the farm full time.

Looking to the future, the Westenbergs would like to continue improving equipment, animals and genetics. Being better stewards of the land and working to improve crops such as corn are also goals of the family. In addition, they would like to acquire more land and be in a position to purchase less feed.

“If we can grow our feed here, it benets the environment,” Deborah said. “That’s not a requirement of being organic — it’s just something we’re trying to do.”

A focus to be sustainable and selfefcient are goals of the family as they carry on their legacy.

“As people of faith, we have perseverance to nish the race,” Deborah said. “There are denitely hard days, but you don’t give up; you keep going. Some of our gifts have been delayed, but our children love the farm, and that means everything to us.”

With someone to pass the farm onto, Seed of Faith Westenberg Family Farm has a shot of becoming a sesquicentennial farm. As the next generation steps into greater responsibility on this century farm, Josh — although not yet a dad — is already thinking about keeping the farm going for a sixth generation.

Special Dairy Sale

Monday, August 28

84 COWS coming from Bill and Dave Schafer

Bill and Dave Schafer are selling 84 cows from a closed herd with a rolling herd average of 19,083 pounds with 3.3% protein and 4.3% butterfat. The cows are in loose housing with a bedding pack and have been on DHIA. The Schafers milk twice a day and feed a total mixed ration.

The group includes five bred heifers and no calves — 24 cows are fresh to 75 days in milk; five are 75-120 DIM. 22 first lactation, 26 second lactation, 15 third lactation, 18 fourth lactation and above .The Schafers have been using A.I. for 41 years, including sires such as Jukebox, Slim Shady, Skyhigh, Piledriver, Landmine, Rory and Korbel. Their vaccination program includes Bovi-Shield Gold FP 5 L5 within 60 days after calving.

Bill and Dave started dairying east of Strathcona, Minnesota, in 1982. The Schafers said having the cows in loose housing was a great improvement in feet and legs and overall health of their cows.They are currently milking 73 cows: Holsteins, Brown Swiss and Milking Shorthorn.

STACEY SMART/DAIRY STAR

Cows head out to pasture Aug. 22 at Seed of Faith Westenberg Family Farm near Watertown, Wisconsin. The herd contains a variety of breeds, including Holstein, Jersey, Brown Swiss, Fleckvieh, Ayrshire and crosses of these various breeds.

“I always had organic farming in the back of my mind. We receive a contract price or base price for the year. We’re always within 50 cents to a dollar of knowing our price for that whole year.”

SCOTT WESTENBERG, DAIRY FARMER

Grain Markets

August 23, 2023

Other Oats Soybeans Corn

In early August, the U.S. government’s credit rating was dropped for only the 2nd time in the history of our nation. It is a sad day when the U.S. needs to rely on a thirdparty credit rating agency to dictate accountability for our country’s fiscal responsibility. In 2022, the U.S. government spent $6.3 trillion but only collected $4.9 trillion in revenue.

That means that 22% of U.S. spending had to be financed to be paid back at a later date. That equates to $4 billion per day of deficit spending with no end in sight to this insanity. Shame on all of us.

In my column I try to take the opportunity to share my Christian values and conservative beliefs because I feel so strongly that this is what our children deserve. It is hard for me to sit quietly and watch liberal social agendas and fiscal irresponsibility destroy America. Agriculture should not be exempt from this accountability. In my opinion most of the government payments that I and others have received has done little to help the longer-term sustainability of agriculture. Government spending helps short term profits but as these profits compete for land and encourage production everyone is back to square one fighting to stay viable. In the end nothing changes other than the cost of

doing business got inflated.

Now that I got that off my chest, let’s celebrate a stronger cheese market. Spot block cheddar traded back over $2.00 as supplies have tightened in the country. Barrel cheddar has been more readily available and seems content trading between $1.75-1.85. International markets have been trading in a narrow range with EU and NZ cheese trading near $1.90. Cheese trading volumes in the spot market have slowed following a trend of more active sessions.

Whey and nonfat dry milk prices continue to struggle as inventory remains elevated for U.S., EU, and NZ. Dry product sales are heavily influenced by China demand. At one point China buying patterns for whole milk powder provided a good indication of the health of the international dairy markets. Although this is less important today, the fact that whole milk powder markets are struggling says a lot about the health of international dairy product demand.

Butter prices remain elevated as domestic demand continues to keep inventories snug. With U.S. spot butter trading over $2.70, there will continue to be pressure for EU $2.28 and NZ $2.10 butter to firm, or U.S. to weaken at some point.

Milk, Feed & Grain Market Support

*Futures and options trading involve significant risk of loss and may not be suitable for everyone. Therefore, carefully consider whether such trading is suitable for you in

light of your financial condition. Past performance is not indicative of future results. DVi is an equal opportunity employer.

Joe Spader

Independent spirit

Wright’s Dairy Farm maintains autonomy in Rhode Island

By Jan Lefebvre jan.l@star-pub.com

NORTH SMITHFIELD, R.I. — Milk

from Wright’s Dairy Farm has never been processed by an off-farm facility.

The farm’s site near North Smitheld rst became a farmstead in 1896 and was established under the Wright’s Dairy Farm name by George Wright in 1914.

When the federal government in 1924 asked for voluntary adherence to its recommendation that all milk sold be pasteurized, George and his son, Ernest Wright, made a decision. They would buy the equipment to pasteurize and bottle their farm’s milk, maintaining control over it. Thus, they avoided having their milk processed and marketed through off-farm companies and co-ops.

Their decision is resonating through the farm and its descendants today.

“That decision has been the key to our existence here,” said Ellen Puccetti, great-granddaughter of George

Wright. “It really has insulated us from some of the later challenges. We are basically controlling things from start to nish, which is great, but you still have variables that play into that as well.”

Puccetti and two of her siblings, Jennifer Roberts and Clayton Wright, are the fourth generation to operate Wright’s Dairy Farm and its satellite businesses, with their other sibling, Elizabeth Dulude, remaining an owner but not part of the day-to-day operations. Members of the fth generation are now involved too. The site is the last existing dairy farm in Providence County, with the nearest dairy farms being about 30 miles away.

At the farm, 120 to 140 Holsteins are milked twice a day in a double-10 parallel parlor. Replacement heifers are raised onsite. Cows are housed in a freestall barn with open sides and fans where sand is the bedding of choice.

“We have a couple of local sources (for sand), and we just nd that it is the best for our animals,” Puccetti said. “We know

it’s a little higher on the cost side of things, but we don’t have a digester or any type of pumping systems where the sand is going to cause a problem, and we are eld stacking and spreading most of the manure, so it doesn’t cause a problem on the other end.”

Since the farm is in a suburban area, grazing is not an option, so cow comfort in the freestall barn is important.

“I had someone come out here to give a talk a few months back, and he walked through our barn and said if he died and came back as a cow, he would want to be a cow in our barn because the cows are so happy,” Puccetti said.

The Wrights grow corn on 125 acres and hay on 120 acres, about a third of the cropland owned by them and the rest rented. All crops go to feeding their animals. They buy grain and minerals to complete a total mixed ration.

“We’re pretty much in a residential area,” Puccetti said. “This is the hand and the cards that we were dealt, and we have invested quite a bit into this area. This is where our customer base is, and

HARD WORK DEMANDS A HARD-WORKING DIESEL.

Clayton Wright (from le ); his sister, Elizabeth Dulude; his mother, Claire Boudreault; and his sisters, Jennifer Roberts and Ellen Pucce , gather in September 2022 at the opening of their family’s creamery in Providence, Rhode Island. The siblings are the fourth genera on of the Wright family to own and operate Wright’s Dairy Farm where they process their own milk and operate a bakery and a retail store on-site near North Smitheld, Rhode Island.

our brand is recognized here, so we are making it work.

Today, Wright’s Dairy Farm has several businesses under its label.

On-site, there is the dairy that processes the farm’s milk, cream and proprietary ice cream mix; a commercial bakery; a trailer out of which Wright’s brand ice cream is sold; and a retail store

offering all the farm’s products. The ice cream mix is later made into the nal product and packaged at a separate site in the city of Providence 20 miles away. Wright’s Dairy Farm also sells ice cream at that site as well as at a second trailer located in the nearby town of Warren.

Wright family members have found their

niches and have grown various aspects of their business accordingly.

Puccetti’s husband, Steven, took over farm operations in the late 1980s from her father, Edward Wright, and has since passed them off to Puccetti’s brother, Clay-

PHOTO SUBMITTED

Con nued from WRIGHTS | Page 12 ton, but he still wakes up every morning to milk the cows. Puccetti’s daughter, Cathryn Kennedy, is head of food operations. Puccetti’s son-in-law, Jared Brong, is in charge of herd health and breeding. Brong’s wife (Puccetti’s daughter), Rachel Brong, has her own business as a dairy nutritionist but helps with that aspect at Wright’s Dairy Farm.

Puccetti’s sister, Jennifer Roberts, handles nances. Roberts’ daughter, Samantha, manages all digital systems for the business, and Roberts’ son, Benjamin, maintains grounds and helps where needed. Elizabeth Dulude’s daughter, Grace Dulude, is the bakery manager.

All these operations have grown the family’s enterprise to now employing around 140 workers, 80 of them full time and the rest part time or seasonal. Most of those employees are working at the satellite businesses instead of the farm itself.

“We are supporting a lot of other families besides our own family,” Puccetti said.

Milk and cream produced at the farm are sold directly to consumers at the onsite retail store, used in the bakery, and sold through a few wholesale accounts.

Customers can buy Wright’s brand milk in gallons, half gallons and quarts in whole, 2% and skim. However, they can also buy an array of avored milk. There is chocolate and strawberry milk and more.

“For us, our most popular is coffee milk,” Puccetti said. “That’s the Rhode Island state drink. It’s milk, and then we’re adding sweetened coffee syrup to it. It’s a sweet coffee avor.”

Seasonal milk avors include chai and maple.

“Maple milk is very quintessential New England,” Puccetti said. “A local sugar house delivers maple syrup, and we mix it with our milk. We have a big demographic of folks that like that maple avor in this area, so it sells very well in the spring and the fall.

The Wright family business has come a long way from the days when Puccetti’s great-grandfather and grandfather processed their milk and sold it by delivery.

“When my parents (Claire and Edward Wright) took over the operation in the 1970s, my grandfather had run a very successful home-delivery route, but my parents decided to change the model and open a retail store on the farm,” Puccetti said. “When they decided to do that, they could see that customers were coming, but they wanted to do more to entice them to come more regularly. That’s when they started adding cream pies and mufns and a couple different bakery items that my mother was really just making out of her kitchen at rst.”

The bakery demand grew.

“It became clear that it was doing pretty well, so we converted a small space in an on-farm location into a small bakery that my mom was running,” Puccetti said. “That’s when I came on the scene.”

Puccetti attended Johnson and Wales University in Providence, which offers a bachelor of science degree in baking and pastry arts.

“My interest fell in that bakery realm,” Puccetti said. “We hired some real bakers, and that’s when my brotherin-law, Paul, came on board. He was also a trained baker from Johnson and Wales.”

Puccetti later took classes in cake decorating.

“I really found that cake

decorating was my passion and felt it was something that would add value to the bakery, so I grew that aspect of ordered cakes, and Paul developed the bakery side of things. Thirty years later, here we are.”

The bakery is now the biggest aspect of Wright’s Dairy Farm’s satellite businesses. However, Puccetti said that growing the family enterprise was no cake walk.

“When my parents took over and changed that model, I was only a little kid at the time, but I denitely sensed that things were not easy,” Puccetti said. “We came from humble beginnings; our vacations, holidays and weekends didn’t look like everybody else’s. It was a long, slow process, and it was really touch and go for a long time, but we have nally come to the other side. Now, our passion, our purpose and our legacy is what we’re trying to fulll.”

Part of that passion includes advocacy for dairy farming and reaching out to consumers.

Customers visiting the farm can watch the cows being milked through the barn’s glass viewing windows. The family also welcomes consumers to observe the ice cream-making process at their site in Providence. Customers can also purchase Test Batch Club membership. The interactive club gives customers the chance to weigh in on future ice cream offerings. For 13 weeks beginning each January, members pick up trial ice cream pints of various avors and provide feedback. This past spring, the family also made a documentary called “From Cow to Cone,” which is available on YouTube.

As Puccetti reects on how large her family’s business has become, she said she most appreciates how they have managed to keep their dairy farm running and within the family.

“I’m grateful that we are farming this land in a very unfarmable area and still able to get past all of the odds and challenges that we’ve been dealt over the years.” Puccetti said. “I’m 60 now, and I’m denitely seeing (the farm) will go to that next generation, and we continue working hard to make that happen.”

The future at Wright’s Dairy farm looks bright.

“To be able to raise our family with the knowledge that they are providing food and they have this legacy behind them, that really makes me very proud,” Puccetti said.

PHOTO SUBMITTED

Jude and Lydia Brong, members of the sixth genera on of Wright family dairy farmers, play with a calf in June at Wright’s Dairy Farm near North Smitheld, Rhode Island. The farm has been in the family since 1896 and has con nuously processed its own milk on-site.

More than your typical busy day

Lingen Dairy juggles daily chores with ice cream truck business Aug. 17

By Jerry Nelson jerry.n@dairystar.com

BALATON, Minn. —

Summertime is a busy season for dairy farmers, but it was especially busy at Lingen Dairy Aug. 17.

Lingen Dairy is operated by Randy and Denice Lingen along with their son, Josh, and his wife, Sarah. The Lingens milk 350 cows in a robotic dairy facility near Balaton.

Caring for their dairy herd and raising the forages to feed it is more than enough to keep the Lingen family occupied. But for the past six years, they have also operated an ice cream and food truck business.

“There’s no typical day on a dairy farm, and there is

no typical day running a food business,” Josh said shortly after using his skid loader to clean heifer pens that had been ooded by a malfunctioning fountain. “Every day presents a new set of challenges.”

Josh wears a Bluetooth headset and is constantly talking on his phone as he juggles the responsibilities of running two separate and very demanding businesses.

“Dad does all of the feeding in the summer,” Josh said. “Mom takes care of all the bookkeeping.”

Two years ago, Josh and Sarah welcomed a son, Oliver.

“After Oliver was born, Sarah stepped away from her job as director of patient care services at the Avera Tyler Hospital to help with the food

and ice cream business,” Josh said.

Josh grabbed the mail from the farm’s mailbox and took it to the dairy barn’s breakroom where his father was grabbing a quick bite to eat.

“I wasn’t 100% behind it when Josh came up with the idea of starting an ice cream business,” Randy said. “But it makes sense. It’s a dairy producer selling his products to his consumers. I miss having Josh around to help, and we’ve

had to depend more on hired labor. The ice cream and food truck business has been good. We have to keep it going.”

Josh went to one of the robots to check on a fresh cow.

“I couldn’t operate the food business without the robots,” Josh said. “They make it possible for me to schedule things like breeding and herd health checks for days when I’m at home.”

Josh has not been at home much this summer. The Lingen

family operates two ice cream trucks, two ice cream trailers and one food truck. They have eight employees who help with the food business.

“We have served 100,000 people this summer,” Josh said as he carried crates of soft serve ice cream mix into one of his trucks. “We go through so much ice cream mix that Prairie Farms Dairy gave us our own label.”

Waterproof

JERRY NELSON/DAIRY STAR

Josh Lingen cleaned heifer pens that had been ooded by a malfunc oning fountain Aug. 17 on his family’s farm near Balaton, Minnesota. Josh and his family milk 350 cows.

JERRY NELSON/DAIRY STAR

Sarah and Josh Lingen and their son, Oliver, pose beside one of their ice cream trailers Aug. 17 on their farm near Balaton, Minnesota. The Lingen family has operated an ice cream and food truck business for the past six years.

Turn to LINGEN | Page 16

The Lingens serve food and ice cream at a variety of events including weddings, graduations, back-to-school events, county fairs and business appreciation days.

“We’ve served food in Fargo, (North Dakota), Minneapolis and central Iowa,” Josh said. “One of the more unusual events was the train derailment at Raymond, Minnesota, this spring. I got a call, and two hours later, I was serving smoked pulled pork to the recovery workers.”

The Lingens often get questions about dairy farming.

“I’m happy to educate our customers about what it’s like to operate a dairy farm,” Josh said. “We elded a surprising number of questions at an event that was held at the Land O’Lakes corporate headquarters in Minneapolis.”

As Josh and Sarah loaded

the ice cream truck, Josh took a phone call from one of his suppliers.

“There are a million moving parts to this thing,” Josh said. “There’s also a lot of risk involved. It’s a lot like dairy farming.”

Back at the Lingens’ house, Sarah went over a list of items they will need for their next couple of events while Oliver played with refrigerator magnets.

“The food business has become an integral part of our operation,” said Sarah, who grew up on a dairy farm. “It has been good but also challenging. This farm has been in the family for four generations, and we want to keep it going.”

His ice cream truck fully supplied, Josh motored toward that afternoon’s event, an

Turn

JERRY NELSON/DAIRY STAR

Josh Lingen takes a phone call as he checks on one of his ve robo c milking units Aug. 17 near Balaton, Minnesota. In addi on to their dairy farm, the Lingen family operates an ice cream and food truck business.

JERRY NELSON/DAIRY STAR

Josh Lingen carries crates of so serve ice cream mix into one of his ice cream trucks Aug. 17 near Balaton, Minnesota. He was preparing for an end-of-summer event that day at a day care in Brandon, South Dakota.

JERRY NELSON/DAIRY STAR

Kiley Griesse and her stepfather, Josh Lingen, serve ice cream Aug. 17 at an event held at a day care in Brandon, South Dakota. The event was held to celebrate the end of summer.

DAIRY CALENDAR

To create a forum for open dialogue and offer a rsthand look at the innovations used in dairy production, the Agricultural Community Engagement Twilight Meetings will be hosted by dairy farms in Washington, Rock, Polk and Wood counties.

A partnership between Professional Dairy Producers, Wisconsin Counties Association, the Wisconsin Towns Association and Pheasants Forever, ACE Twilight Meetings offer opportunities for community leaders, elected ofcials, educators, conservation specialists, dairy farmers and area community members to connect, network and learn together.

Each meeting will begin with a tour of the host dairy farm at 6 p.m., providing attendees a rsthand look at how animals are cared for, housed and fed as well as a look at the milking facilities, barns and technologies dairy producers use each day. Ice cream will be served at 7 p.m. with open dialogue about such community issues as water, conservation, roadways and transportation, educational opportunities and more. Meetings will conclude at 8:30 p.m.

The 2023 ACE Twilight Meeting host farms are:

— Aug. 28: Roden Echo Valley LLC, 5545 County Road Y, West Bend, Wisconsin. Hosted by Bob and Cindy Roden and family.

— Aug. 29: Larson Acres, 18218 W. State Road 59, Evansville, Wisconsin. Hosted by the Larson family.

— Aug. 30: Horse Creek Holsteins LLC, 2080 20th Ave., Star Prairie, Wisconsin. Hosted by Ted and Gretchen Johnson and Hans and Catherine Johnson.

— Aug. 31: Marti Farms, 6603 Grant Road, Vesper, Wisconsin. Hosted by Travis and Melissa Marti.

Research related to improving soil health and incorporating resilience in organic systems will be a key focus of this year’s University of Wisconsin Organic Agriculture Field Day, set for 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 31 at the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Arlington Agricultural Research Station.

Research at the station shows that integrating cover crops into the corn and soybean phases of rotations can help farmers build soil organic matter — a critical component of resilient, healthy soils — while reducing the need for tillage and cultivation in organic systems. With the increasing recognition of the value of soil health, these practices offer alternatives for farmers looking to reduce the need for soil disturbance within their organic grain systems.

The registration table will open at 9:15 a.m. A lunch will be available around noon. Registration can be found at https://ograin.cals.wisc.edu/ograin-events/2023-ograin-eld-days/.

A soil health workshop, Soil Solutions: Improving Farm Productivity through Healthy Soil, will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 7 at the West Central Research and Outreach Center in Morris, Minnesota. The event will feature a range of sessions, covering topics such as tillage, cover crops, planting green and soil erosion. Lunch is included.

The workshop, Thriving Roots: Women in Ag Field Day for Productive Soils, will be from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 8 at the West Central Research and Outreach Center in Morris, Minnesota. The objective of this eld day is to introduce women to soil health topics, including the benets and economics of cover crops, erosion’s effects on crop productivity, how different tillage implements move the soil to help crop growth, and University research being conducted to improve the health and productivity of the soil. There will be intentional networking time for women to ask questions, have lunch, meet other women in ag and discuss soil health strategies for their farm.

Con nued from LINGEN | Page 16

end-of-summer celebration at Building

Blocks day care in Brandon, South Dakota. As Josh crossed from Minnesota into South Dakota on Interstate 90, his truck was agged for a random Department of Transportation inspection. The stop cost Josh half an hour and a $200 ne for minor violations.

“That’s life for you,” Josh said. “It’s no different than dairy farming. Some days, everything goes like clockwork and some days nothing seems to go right.”

Arriving at the day care, Josh and his stepdaughter, Kiley Griesse, moved like a well-oiled machine to ready the ice cream truck for business. Within moments, they had their rst customers, 10-year-old Kinzley Wellnitz and her sister Kwinn.

As the girls tucked into their ice cream, Josh said, “I love this part of the job. Seeing the smiles on those girls’ faces was deeply rewarding. It’s worth every penny of that $200 ticket.”

JERRY NELSON/DAIRY STAR

Kinzley Wellnitz (le ) and her sister Kwinn were Josh Lingen’s rst customers Aug. 17 during an event at a day care in Brandon, South Dakota. The sisters were a ending the event with their parents, Cory and Kris n.

Frazee, MN Becker County

ANDREW INGVALSON

175 cows, 600 acres

We aren’t chopping yet, and it’s hard to say when we’ll start. The corn doesn’t have a milk line yet. It’s curling on the lighter ground and looks OK on the heavier ground. I finished all my third-crop hay last week. The crop was pretty good. We made baleage out of it. The soybeans are hanging in there even though it’s dry. There is a small amount of small grain in the area that is being done now.

New England, ND Hettinger County

ARIANN DOE

250 cows, 5,530 acres

We are still working on second-crop hay; we have just a little left. The barley is 3-3.5 feet tall and ready to go. We plan to straight cut it today (Aug. 22) or tomorrow. The oats are all swatted and drying before we combine. The corn looks really good; we have a wall of corn around the farm. The durum is taller than it’s been the last couple years. We will switch to that once we are done with the barley. A lot of barley and spring wheat are being harvested in the area. The neighbors did their canola.

Rice, MN Benton County

ALAN VANNURDEN

600 cows, 1,400 acres

The rain helped some; the corn started to green up again. We will be chopping after Labor Day. It’s starting to dent up in the irrigated fields. We like our corn at 68% to 70% moisture for our bunkers. The nonirrigated fields don’t have much of a cob. The third-crop hay on the irrigated fields was good. The hay on the other fields was maybe one-third of what it normally is. There are farmers near Royalton who have started doing their edible soybeans. They will start with potatoes near Rice next week or when it cools down a little bit.

Sleepy Eye, MN Brown County

BENJAMIN SEIFERT

350 cows, 450 acres

Some of the farmers in the area have started chopping because the corn is ready. Our corn really shot up after the rain and looks beautiful. It was at a standstill before that. It has been full tassel for about a week. We just did fourth-crop hay Aug. 17-18, and it turned out good because of the rain. It might have been better than second or third. We will try to get a fifth crop. The soybeans in the area are still green and look good.

Salem, SD McCook County

DENISE KURTH

40 cows, 250 acres

We received a soaking rain on Aug. 13, and there was water standing everywhere. The corn looks good, but the ears are small. It looks like we will be chopping silage by the end of the month. We are having trouble with spider mites in our soybeans, and there are grasshoppers everywhere. Our fourth crop of alfalfa will be cut this week, and it looks like we will get a second cutting of native grass. Milk production has suffered due to the extreme heat.

Goodhue, MN Goodhue County

CHARLIE DICKE

200 cows, 850 acres

The alfalfa we seeded after peas in early August is looking good as it has caught some rains. Our sweet corn is looking bad. About one third of the sweet corn will go to the canning company; we are going to drill a cover crop directly into the rest. In our area, there are farmers making fourthcrop hay. We plan to make fourth crop in early September and chop corn silage around Sept. 18.

Orange City, IA Sioux County

LANE HETTINGA

130 cows, 75 acres

We received only a trace of rain. The weather has been dry and fairly mild with some hot days mixed in. There are a few farmers in our area who are chopping corn that was damaged by hail. We think it will be two to three weeks before we start chopping our corn. Some of the early corn hybrids in our area have reached the dent stage. The soybeans look good except for some stressed soybeans in small pockets that have shallower soil.

Elroy, WI Juneau County

54 cows, 600 acres

We received 0.4 inches of rain and then 1.4 inches in another rainfall the next week. It was the nicest rainfall we’ve had all season; it came down nice and steady for a couple hours. The crop loss will be mitigated a little bit by that rain. Hay crop could use a lot more rain, especially the fourth crop trying to come. We are finishing up third crop now. We will probably start chopping corn in a couple weeks, and it is going to be all over the board as far as maturity. The no-till corn is very slow growing. It will be an interesting year. I bet it’s going to be better quality corn silage but not as much of it.

Anamosa, IA Jones County

DOUG FAIRBANKS

380 cows, 600 acres

We plan to start making earlage and then also chopping corn silage soon and to be done with both by Sept. 1. Within two weeks, we also will have hauled manure and drilled in cover crops on the corn silage/ earlage ground. A few farms in our area with light soil have already chopped corn. My county was declared a drought disaster area, so ten-year (Conservation Reserve Program land) has been opened up and can be hayed until Sept. 1. I do not have CRP, but I found some that I can make forage on.

Chilton, WI Calumet County

MITCHELL SCHAEFER

230 cows, 400 acres

Everything looks pretty nice and is greening up from the rain we had. Our corn grew a lot, and our hay looks good. The pastures are starting to grow again too. I can tell we’re still behind on precipitation though because our pond is pretty low. We probably won’t do fourth-crop hay until after Labor Day. Some of the farms in our area are done with fourth crop already.

Stratford,

WI Marathon County

MATT REDETZKE

250 cows, 450 acres

Cecil, WI Shawano County

100 cows.

1,400 acres

We were supposed to get some rain about two weeks ago, and it went around us. We are supposed to get some tomorrow (Aug. 24), so we are hopeful for that. All things considered, we are still doing OK. We finished up the oats around the Bonduel area. Some areas hit 41 bushels to the acre, which is pretty good for Wisconsin. We are about halfway through with fourthcrop hay. Getting it dry has been a challenge, so we are wrapping just about everything. The corn looks really good. The beans are seeing some white mold issues. Everything had fungicide, but, for some reason, it’s not working this year.

Cuba City, WI Grant County

TIM VOSBERG

140 cows, 380 acres

We had one rain event two weekends ago. That was a blessing. It was really nice, but we haven’t had any since, and there’s none in the forecast. I haven’t seen any corn chopped yet, but that’s coming soon. A lot of folks are done with fourth crop; we are not done yet. Maybe next week we’ll take ours off. Triticale went well; we had about 35 bushels to the acre but very little straw. The seeding underneath looked good. Dubuque not far from us had 5 inches of rain.

Harvard, IL McHenry County

300 cows, 1,100 acres

RAINFALL TOTALS 0” Last 2 Weeks Since April 1 14.3” RAINFALL TOTALS 1.8” Last 2 Weeks Since April 1 10.24” RAINFALL TOTALS 3.5” Last 2 Weeks Since April 1 10.95” RAINFALL TOTALS 2” Last 2 Weeks Since April 1 12.10” RAINFALL TOTALS 2.75” Last 2 Weeks Since April 1 11.95” RAINFALL TOTALS 1.1” Last 2 Weeks Since April 1 6.8” RAINFALL TOTALS 1” Last 2 Weeks Since April 1 8.40” RAINFALL TOTALS 0” Last 2 Weeks Since April 1 10.65”

Everything picked up with the rain we had, which was nice. The corn is still a wild card, but it looks good now. We finished fourthcrop hay Aug. 20 and got a lot better yields than third crop. A couple fields were better than second and third crop combined. The majority of fourth-crop hay is finished in our area.

SALE

DATES:

Tues., Aug 29 Feeder & Slaughter Cattle Sale with hay/straw, baby calves, feeder cattle, replacement cattle, goats, sheep, hogs, fat and slaughter cattle

Fri., Sept. 1 Dairy Sale - Noon

WUSSOW

ALAN AINGER

RICH HOUZNER

Blown away barely used

Schulze family loses new barn to July thunderstorm

By Jerry Nelson jerry.n@dairystar.com

HOLLAND, Minn. — The Schulze family will never forget July 1, 2011, because that was the day when a summer thunderstorm destroyed their new dairy barn on their farm near Holland.

Rod Schulze and his sons, Devin and Chris, had been using their all-steel, tunnel-ventilated freestall barn for just nine months when a severe storm tore through their area.

“We had recently doubled our herd by building the new barn,” Rod said. “Our new freestall facility was designed to house 320 head. We had 220 cows in it when the storm hit.”

The day had dawned hot and humid. Later that afternoon, the Schulzes saw an ominous storm cloud rolling in from the west.

“After we moved some tractors to prevent them from being damaged, we went to the garage and watched the storm,” Devin said. “Debris started ying. Old cottonwood trees were snapping like twigs.”

But, the storm was not yet over. The Schulzes could see that a second

storm front was rapidly approaching from the west.

“It was eerily calm between the rst and second wave as if we were in the eye of a hurricane,” Chris said. “I ran to the milking parlor and told our hired guys to hurry up and take shelter in our house. One of them outran me on the way to the house even though I had a head start.”

Rod, a rst responder with the Holland Fire Department, received an emergency call after the rst wave of the storm had passed.

“The emergency was only 2 miles away, and I was the closest rst responder,” Rod said. “I took off in my pickup and had gone only a short way when debris began to hit the vehicle. A wind gust smashed into the pickup and turned it 90 degrees. I found myself heading into the ditch, so I put the pickup into four-wheel drive and got out of there.”

Meanwhile Chris and Devin, along with the farm’s hired men, were rushing into the basement of the Schulzes’ farmhouse. Devin held his infant son in his arms.

“It turned completely black outside, and the wind just roared,” Devin said. “Right when we reached the basement, one of its windows blew in.”

Turn to SCHULZE | Page 21

JERRY NELSON/DAIRY STAR

Chris (from le ), Rod and Devin Schulze stand in their dairy barn July 25 near Holland, Minnesota. The barn was rebuilt a er being destroyed by a summer thunderstorm July 1, 2011.

Rod eventually got his pickup turned around and headed back to the dairy, navigating around debris and downed power poles.

“When I got back to the farm, it at rst didn’t dawn on me what had happened,” Rod said. “Then I looked across the yard and saw that our new dairy barn was gone.”

The 106- by 410-foot steel Ibeam structure lay in a twisted heap across the road, about 30 yards from where it had sat. There was not a scratch on the gravel roadway to indicate the barn’s passage. A nearby wind tower had recorded a peak wind gust of 168 mph.

“The free stalls were still there, but two of the three rows of headlocks were gone,” Chris said. “The cows had gotten loose and were running all over the place.”

It was not long before volunteers began to arrive and help the Schulzes.

“People just started coming with payloaders and other equipment,” Rod said. “Pipestone Livestock Auction Market brought out a portable corral so that we could keep the cows from running around, and Pizza Ranch brought out a bunch of pizzas. Rusty from Gorter’s Clay and Dairy Equipment checked out the milking parlor, which was somehow still functional. We were overwhelmed and didn’t know what to do or where to start. Somebody said, ‘Milk the cows,’ so that’s what we did.”

The Schulzes lost three cows during the storm and had to cull more than a dozen others that had been injured, but the challenge of their post-storm recovery had just begun.

“The weather was scorching hot, and there was no wind,” Rod said. “Without the barn, our cows didn’t have any shade, and we began to lose animals to heat stress. We rigged up a water wagon and hired local high school kids to continually spray water on the cows. The cows’ udders began to

get sunburned, so we had to apply sunblock to their udders.”

Devin said the heat caused schedule changes as well.

“Because it was so hot during the day, we had to do things like breeding and herd health checks at night,” Devin said. “We would start at 10 in the evening and work all through the night.”

The Schulzes wanted to get their barn rebuilt as soon as possible. One of their rst phone calls was to Doug DeRuyter, the contractor who had built the barn that the storm had ripped from its concrete and rebar roots.

“Doug did a terric job of reconstructing our barn,” Rod said. “He set aside other projects and gave us priority.”

By the end of September, the Schulzes’ barn was rebuilt and relled with cows.

However, the dairy barn was not the only structure at Schulze Dairy that was devastated by the storm.

“We lost some grain bins, and three of our machine sheds were severely damaged,” Chis said. “Our silage pile lost its cover, and our calf huts were blown all over the place. One hut was found 2 miles away. The tractors that we moved received more damage than if we had left them where they had been.”

The Schulzes said their farm sustained more than $1 million in damage during the storm.

Much has changed since that fateful July day. Schulze Dairy has grown to 750 head, and Rod has transitioned the operation to Devin and Chris. But, the memory of the storm still burns brightly in the Schulze family’s memory.

“We are thankful that nobody was hurt,” Rod said. “Above all, we are grateful for the help we received from the volunteers and the support we got from the community. We can never thank everybody enough. We will always remember what they did for us.”

PHOTO SUBMITTED

This photo was taken by a member of the Schulze family shortly a er a storm devastated their farm July 1, 2011, near Holland, Minnesota. The Schulzes lost three cows to the storm and had to cull more than a dozen others that were injured by ying debris.

“Without the barn, our cows didn’t have any shade, and we began to lose animals to heat stress. We rigged up a water wagon and hired local high school kids to continually spray water on the cows. The cows’ udders began to get sunburned, so we had to apply sunblock to their udders.”

ROD SCHULZE, DAIRY FARMER

Mid-American Auction Co.Hay sales starts at 12:30 p.m. and are the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the months of September through May.

For more information, contact Kevin Winter 320-352-3803, (c) 320-760-1593 or Al Wessel at 320-547-2206, (c) 320-760-2979

BUYING? SELLING? CHECK THE CLASSIFIEDS!

NOW Available in an Organic Formulation

CONTACT Ultra Concentrated Foot Bath Treatment r • •Dark Blue Co • M More •

FEEDER CATTLE AUCTION

Tuesday, August 29, 2023 at 11 a.m. • EXPECTING 200 HEAD! SPECIAL

CATTLE, BRED BEEF COW, AND BEEF BULL AUCTION

Tuesday September 5, 2023 at 11:oo am

• EXPECTING 600-800 HEAD!

DAIRY CATTLE AUCTION

Wednesday, August 30, 2023 at 11:00 am

COMPLETE RETIREMENT HERD DISPERSAL #1

55 Certi ed Organic Holstein, Jersey and Jersey Cross Dairy Cows. Herd includes (15) Holstein (15)Jersey (25)Jersey Cross. Tie stall milked, outside everyday, rotationally grazed. Avg. 60# 3.2BF 3.2P 190scc. Herd is on a 2x a year vaccination program. AI many years through Accelerated Genetics, with purebred Holstein and Jersey bulls used. 25-30 cows due Sept - Oct, with many cows recently fresh this spring and summer. Approx. 60% are in their 1st & 2nd lactation. Richard is currently sending milk to Organic Valley. This is a very nice quality herd. Coming from Richard Price, Stanley, WI. See pictures online.

COMPLETE RETIREMENT HERD DISPERSAL #2

TM

YOUR LOCAL DEALER: WA WAY AHEAD OF ITS TIME Y O

Elsbernd IBA, Inc. Calmar, IA • 563-419-6757

River Divide IBA Epworth, IA • 563-543-7710 Balzer IBA Owatonna, MN • 507-456-1617

Dairyland Equipment Menahga, MN • 218-564-4958

Miller IBA Dairy Supply Goodhue, MN • 507-273-1026

Pettit IBA Farm Supply Lewiston, MN • 507-269-5714

Zumbro Ag Solutions Zumbrota, MN • 651-380-2856

Central Valley Dairy Brandon, SD • 605-467-0812

Corona, SD • 608-432-5224 IBA Fahrney, Inc Monroe, WI • 608-325-4248

Innovative IBA Oconomowoc, WI • 608-347-4948

LakeView IBA Malone, WI

920-378-2924

24 Jersey & Jersey Cross Dairy Cows (19)Jersey (5)Jersey Crosses. Tie stall milked, rotationally grazed, supplemented with baleage. Many years AI breeding used, currently through Central Star, majority bred Angus. Tank averaging 4.5BF 3.6P 200scc. Vaccination program. Coming from Jody Stewart, Glen Flora, WI COMPLETE HERD DISPERSAL #3

26 Dairy Cows, herd includes Holstein, Swiss Cross, Jersey Cross, Lineback Cross, and a few Fleckveih Cross Cows. Currently rotationally grazed, with a grass based diet. 50#4.0BF 2.9P 200scc. Full vaccination program. Many young cows. Coming from Amos L Miller, Rice Lake

20 VERY FANCY FRESH 2&3 year old Jersey/Holstein Cross parlor/freestall cows! The EXTREMELY FANCY kind. Cows avg. 84# 5.2BF, 3.66P, scc 140. 2 and 3 year olds! All TOP cheese merit Jersey and Holstein bulls through Select Sires. Many A2A2 sires. Extensive vaccination program. Owner previously sold many top cows at Premier to very satis ed buyers! Reputation consignor! Coming from Kemper Dairy, Mauston, WI REPUTATION CONSIGNMENTS

12 Certi ed Organic Springing Cows. Holstein, Brown Swiss Cross, Short Horn Cross, Fleckveih Cross, cows milked in tie stall, rotationally grazed, and in the winter months accustomed to a bedded pack, full vaccination program. Coming from Kallemeyn Family Dairy, Pipestone Dairy

3 Dairy Cows (2) Registered Brown Swiss Cows (1) grade Holstein cow, fresh and short serviced, milking 8595# scc under 74! Tie Stall milked, housed in freestalls, headlock adapted. Sires include Wipeout & Triangle Acres. Vaccination program. Coming from Austin & Jenna Knapp SPRINGING HEIFERS

14 Registered Holstein Dairy Heifers, including (2) RED & WHITE (12) Black and White that are red carriers. Due September-October. Deep pedigrees, with many generations of VG & EX dams! Lots of 30,000# producers, with 4.2-5.0BF Sires include Unstopabull, Altitude, Moovin, and Chief. All sexed to Farnear Architect. Freestall and headlock adapted, vaccination program. ALSO SELLING registered dairy cow, fresh only 16 days, VG 88, 30,00# last lactation. Sired by Doorman, dam EX 92 Renegade w/over 30,000# next dams are 88 Talent, EX91 Stormatic, EX97 3E Sky Chief Alicia, EX 94 Starbuck. Internationally known pedigrees. Coming from Dream Prairie Holsteins

Always a great selection of dairy cattle at Premier Livestock and Auctions! DRIVE-INS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME! PLEASE HAVE IN BY 10:30 AM

SPECIAL ONE OWNER DAIRY CATTLE AUCTION

FRIDAY, September 1, 2023 at 11:00 am

COMPLETE HERD DISPERSAL

400 Holstein Dairy Cows and Heifers! 27,500# RHA tank avg. 85# 4.1BF 3.1P scc95. 30 REALLY FANCY Red & White Holsteins! Parlor/freestall. Extensive vaccination program. Extremely fancy dairy herd! Heifers are well grown & very sharp! Coming from Schmit Family Dairy, Rollingstone MN Pictures on our website. One owner auction, not accepting any additional consignments! More information on our website!

FALL ROUND UP SHEEP AND GOAT AUCTION

Thursday, September 28th at 10:00 am!

Accepting Sheep and Goats 5-8:30pm Wednesday evening. Have all sheep and goats in by 9:00am Thursday morning!

LISTED *** PRIVATE TREATY COMPLETE RETIREMENT HERD DISPERSAL- ELITE REGISTERED DAIRY COWS 50 HIGH QUALITY Registered Holstein Dairy Cows! Including (40)Dairy Cows (10)Springing Heifers. Tie stall milked, outside everyday, bunk fed. Cows sell on test, 70# 4.2BF 3.2P 120scc! BAA - 107.5. 45 years of TOP AI sires and service sires used, including Gold Chip, Soloman, Bradnick, Beamer, Select, Doorman, Analyst, Doc, Hanas, Hancock, Unix, Thunderstruck, Warrior, Eye Candy, Diamondback, Tattoo and more! Vet service through CWAS. Herd will be sold as a group. Cows can be viewed by appointment only! Call Rocky 715-721-0079 for your showing or any questions. $2450.00 each. Coming from Ro-Lex Registered Holsteins, Robert & Susan Miller, Vesper, WI

**JUST

2,600. Extreme top $4,000. Several trailer loads of fresh heifers avg $2,150-2,250. Other decent quality cows, $1,500-1,975. Top Holstein springing heifers $1,800-2,550. Sale avg Wednesday all cows and spr hfrs $2,075!!! Full market report on our website. Thank you for your business!

CERTIFIED ORGANIC Dairy herd!

Rolled-up grilled cheese

From Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin

8 slices white bread, crusts removed

8 slices medium cheddar cheese (about .75 ounces each)

Toothpicks

2-4 tablespoons butter, cubed and divided

Flatten bread slices to 1/4-inch thickness; top each with cheddar. Roll up tightly. Secure with toothpicks as needed. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook roll-ups, in batches, for 3-4 minutes, turning until sides are golden brown. Add remaining butter as necessary. Serve immediately.

Favorite mac and cheese

From Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin

2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni

2 cups fresh or frozen broccoli florets

1/2 cup chopped onion

3 tablespoons butter, cubed and divided 1/2 cup milk

1 to 2 teaspoons mustard

1/8 teaspoon pepper

1 container (16 ounces) Pine River sharp cheddar cold pack cheese

1/3 cup saltine cracker crumbs

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Cook macaroni according to package directions until al dente; drain. Meanwhile, arrange broccoli in a steamer basket. Place basket into a saucepan over 1 1/2 inches of water; bring to a boil. Cover and steam for 5-8 minutes or until broccoli is crisp-tender. Remove from the heat; keep warm. Sauté onion in 2 tablespoons butter in a large saucepan over medium-high heat for 3-5 minutes or until crisp-tender. Reduce heat to mediumlow. Gradually stir in milk, mustard and pepper. Bring to a gentle boil, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat. Gradually stir in cheddar until melted. Stir in macaroni and broccoli. Transfer macaroni mixture to a greased 2-quart baking dish. Melt remaining butter; toss with cracker crumbs. Sprinkle crumbs over top. Bake for 25-30 minutes until bubbly. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

Caramelized pineapple picks

From Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin

1 small fresh pineapple, peeled, cored and cut into 1-inch pieces

2 tablespoons butter, cubed

2 tablespoons brown sugar

16 ounces gouda cheese, cut into 1-inch pieces

Picks or toothpicks

Warm a large, nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Toast pineapple, in batches, for 2-3 minutes on each side or until brown. Set aside. Warm butter and brown sugar in the same pan over medium heat. Cook and stir for 2-3 minutes or until brown sugar is dissolved and mixture is slightly thickened. Add pineapple in batches; toss to coat. Remove from the heat. Cool pineapple and sauce slightly. Thread gouda and pineapple on picks; drizzle with remaining sauce.

Blue Hilltop, Inc.

HARVEST FASTER>>>

From Field to Farm

The Penta line of Dump Trailers are designed to get your crop from the field to your farm. Ranging in size from 1050 Cubic feet to 2475 Cubic feet there is one ready for you. Farmer focused features like better visibility in the box and the unique reverse tilt for better filling, all built as tough as you.

Farm Feeding

The best quality feed needs the best quality mix. Penta TMR Mixers are designed, tested and farm proven to deliver the best mix on the market. Our Hurricane Auger allows forage to circulate faster through the mix for quicker processing and mixing times.

From farm to field

The Penta (Hagedorn) line of Manure Spreaders allows you to make the best use of your organic nutrient resources. The Hagedorn Spreaders processes the manure finer with the best spread pattern. This lets your field make better use of this rich resource.

www.pentaequipment.com

USED SKIDSTEERS USED SKIDSTEERS

‘20 Mustang 3300V NXT2, ISO/JS ctrls, dsl, 3300 lift cap, C/H/A, 2 spd, Hydra Glide, 5,090 hrs - $36,500

MT52, 20HP dsl, tipping load 1600 lbs, standard auxiliary hyd, 411 hrs - $22,500 ‘22 Gehl RT215, ISO/ JS ctrls, dsl, square bar 17” tracks, 3000 lift cap at 50%, C/H/ air, 2 spd, Hydra Glide, 1,375 hrs. $53,500

‘10 Mustang MTL320, JS Ctrls, Dsl, 2976 Lift Cap, C/H/A, 2 Spd, 3,861 hrs .........$36,500 Mustang 3300V, JS Ctrls, Dsl, 3300 Lift Cap, C/H/A, 2 spd, Hydra Glide, 3,828 hrs$32,500

‘19 Mustang 2700V, ISO Ctrls, 72HP Dsl, 2700 Lift Cap, C/H/A, 2 Spd, Hydra Glide, 14 Pin, Back Up Camera, 200 hrs .......$61,500

‘14 Mustang 2200R, Case H Pattern Ctrls, Dsl, 2500 Lift Cap, C&H, 2 Spd, 6,295 hrs$18,700

‘14 Mustang 2200R, JS Ctrls, Dsl, 2200 Lift Capacity, C/H/A, 2 Spd, Hydra Glide, 1,475 hrs .......................................$35,900

‘21 Mustang 2200R, H/F Ctrls, Dsl, C/H/A, 2 Spd, Hydra Glide, 1,320 hrs ........$47,500

‘18 Mustang 1650RT, H/F Ctrls, Dsl, 2350

Lift Cap, C/H/A, 2 Spd, 975 hrs ......$50,900

‘16 Mustang 1650R ISO Pilot Ctrls, Dsl,1650

Lift Cap, C&H, 2 Spd, Hydra Glide, 695 hrs ...........................................$38,000

‘13

‘17 Gehl RT250, ISO/Dual H-Ctrls, Dsl, Camso Tracks HXD 450x86x58, Both Standard And Hi-Flow Hyd, 2 Spd, Hydra Glide, 295 hrs, Warranty Till 6-30-26 Or 1000 Hrs ........................................$48,500

‘22 Gehl R165, T-Bar Ctrls, Dsl, 1800 Lift Cap, C&H, 2 Spd, 3,410 hrs ...........$33,900

‘18 Gehl RT165, ISO JS Ctrls, Dsl, 1650

Cap, C/H/A, 2 Spd, 990 hrs ......$47,500

‘17 Gehl V270, ISO Ctrls, Dsl, 2700 Lift Cap, C&H, 2 Spd, 3,950 hrs .....$40,500

‘17 Gehl R220, H-Ctrl, Dsl, 2500 Lift Cap, C&H, 2 Spd, hrs ....................$33,500

‘15 Gehl R220 T-Bar Ctrls, New 72HP Yanmar Dsl Eng, 2500 Lift Cap, C&H, 2 spd, 4025 hrs ....................$37,000

‘22 Gehl R220 T-Bar H-Ctrls, 2500 Lift Cap, C&H, 2 spd, 3890 hrs ............$38,800

Gehl 4840, T-Bar Ctrls, Dsl, 1750 Lift Cap, No Door, Side Windows, Heat, 2 Spd, 4,450 hrs .......................................$19,500

‘17 Case SV340, ISO/H Pattern

Switchable Ctros, Dsl, 3406 Lift Cap, Aux

24.2 GPM, C/H/A, 2 Spd, 630 hrs . $51,500

‘19 Manitou 2200R, ISO Ctrls, Dsl, 2200

Lift Cap, C/H/A, 2 Spd, 50 hrs ........$57,500

‘19 Manitou 2200R, ISO Ctrls, 72HP Dsl, 2200 Lift Cap, C/H/A, 2 Spd, 50 hrs. .$57,500

NH L225, ISO/Hand Switchable Ctrls, Dsl, Standard And Hi-Flow Hyd, 2500 Lift Cap, C&H, 2 Spd, 2,460 hrs. ..................$29,800

‘20 Deere 332G, ISO/Dual H-Ctrls, Dsl, 3600 Lift Cap, C/H/A, 2 Spd, 975 hrs ..........................................$61,000

MANURE HANDLING

Kuhn Knight PS150, 500 bu vert beaters, new apron chains, new beater teeth .$35,500

Kuhn Knight SLC141, 4100 Gal .......$47,000

‘19 Hagedorn Hydra-Spread Extravert 5440, 540 bu, vert beater, hyd push, endgate, 4’ rock guard ..................................$46,000

‘14 Kuhn Knight 8124, 425/65-R22.5 tires, 2400 gals ..............................$13,900

‘16 Kuhn Knight PS160, 600 cu ft, vert beater, swing endgate, hyd apron drive ........ $45,500

MANURE HANDLING

Jamesway Vacu-Pump, 6” transfer pump, 11L-15 Tires, 540 PTO .......................$3,400

Houle 13, 1 3/8, 1000PTO, 13’ Depth .........................................$4,900

‘09 Kuhn Knight 8132, 425 Truck Tires, 3200 Gals .............................$25,500

Kuhn Knight 8132, Flotation Tires, 3200 Gal ........................................$16,250

‘12 NH Duratank 3400S, 49x19.0-20 Tires, 3400 Gal ...............................$16,500

‘16 Balzer 8RLS, 30’ ..........................$2,200

‘11 Balzer V6, 6’ Pump, 1 3/8 1000 PTO$5,500

USED TMRS/MIXERS

& FORAGE

NH Roll-Belt 560, 2800 bales ............$34,000

‘89 NH 311, Model 170 Thrower, Small Square Baler ......................................$6,500

‘19 McHale V6750, 4x5.5’ bales, surface wrap, auto wrap, bale kicker, cutter rotor, 900 bales .........................................$49,500

3 Point Wheel Rake ...............................$900

‘16 H&S BW1000, 11Lx15 Tires, 6’ Bales, 13,500 Bales On Counter ................ $24,900

Tubeline TL1700SR, Square Bale 3’x3’ Up to

7’ Long, Rd Bale 4’x4’ To 5’x6’, Twin Bale Wrap Stretchers ...............................$28,500

‘20 Tubeline Bale Boss I 3820, Square Bale Processor, 3 x 3 x 8 Bales ........$13,000

‘20 Kuhn Primor 4270M Bale Processor .......................................$24,000

‘03 Gehl 1085, Tandem Axle, Metal Stop, TR3038- 2 Row Corn Head, Chopper In Working Cond ....................................$4,900

Hiniker 4000 15’ Stalk Chopper, 1-3/8

1000PTO ............................................$5,500

JIFFY 920, Bale Processors, New Hammers .................................$12,900

WOODS S20ED, 20 Ft, Pull Type Hitch, 4 Rear Tire Option, Side Slice Knives ..............$8,500

NEW Penta Dump Box Sizes 40, 50, 60 Kuhn Disc Mowers - Models GMD240 and GMD280 Available

TRACTORS

hrs ..........................................$44,900

‘19 Artex SBX800, 800 cu ft, guillotine endgate, 88C apron chain, vert beater $57,700

TRACTORS

MISCELLANEOUS

‘20 Kioti K9 2400, CVT Dsl, Canopy, Hyd Dump, Frt & Rear Windshield, 72 hrs, 245 miles .....................................$16,900 Woods M5-4, 5’ Width, 3 point mount, Single Tail Wheel................$1,250

King Kutter L60-40-SC-FH, 540 RPM, 60” Rotary Brush Cutter, 3PT Hitch, 40HP$2,350 Cabelas RC2072 Slip Clutch, 3 pt mt, 6’ Width, Frt & Rear Chains, Single Tail Wheel, Made By Woods .................$2,900

Extreme 69” Brush Cutter, 11-20GMP .....................................$3,250

Virnig Pallet Forks .............................$650

‘18 Grouser Tracks, 18 Pads, Fits JD 320G or Loader with a 44.2” Whl base, All new bushings and pins ..........................$2,300 Grouser 12” Tracks, Fits Cat 246B ..$1,200 Tracks, Fits 2054, 10x16.5 Tires, Has Rubber Pads ..........................$ 1,000 Westendorf 4300, Brush Cutter .......$1,200 Black Max, 22” Blower fan, 76” Width, Hyd Drive with Skid Mts, 21-25 GPM Hyd Requirement ..................................$3,800

TMG Industrial RT120 tiller, 540 PTO, 48”, 3 Pt .........................................$2,800

Farm King F1663G, 74”, 3 pt, Hyd Rotation ..................................$3,000

Bobcat Grapple, 72” Dual Root .....$4,500 Westendorf TA29, 8’ bucket, 2 prong bale spear, 3” hydraulic lift & tilt cylinders, lifts up to 5000 lbs., mechanical self leveling, mount brackets are adjustable to fit different brands and models ..Call

NEW Artex Spreaders SB200, SB600, SB700, SBX800, SBX950

‘13 JD 5100E, 100HP, 12 F 12 R transmission w/power reverse, rear wiper, FWA 4x4, radio, 2 rear hyd rmts, air ride seat, buddy seat, 553 remote, U84 bkt, 1,359 hrs. - $55,000

‘06 Bobcat

Penta 1120HD, 2 Spd, Frt RH Corner Door, 14” Rubber Ext, Scale - $11,400

The LW1100 In-LineBale Wrapper features a new EFI engine for fuel savings, and an updated hydraulic system for faster wrapping!