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DAIRY ST R
Volume 23, No. 15
September 25, 2021
“All dairy, all the time”™
Ziemers measure growth through efciency, not size Activity monitoring, no tilling, breed diversification give family an edge By Stacey Smart
stacey.s@dairystar.com
CEDARBURG, Wis. – Reproductive efciency and labor savings are big benets Paul Ziemer and his family are seeing from the cow monitoring system they installed nearly two years ago. Their wireless monitoring solution features an automatic sort gate that makes it easy to identify and separate cows for breeding, medical treatments and other tasks. “Our farm was only the second one in the country to install the SenseHub system in conjunction with an automated sorting gate,” Ziemer said. “The auto sort gate is not common for a farm this size.” The technology the family added called, SenseHub, is one way the Ziemers, who milk 120 cows and farm 250 acres near Cedarburg, are getting ahead. Switching to no-till farming is another. These dairy farmers have also experimented with other breeds to gain better components and hardier health traits. Growing more efcient, rather than larger, is how the Ziemers like to farm. “When suburbia is crouching in on you, there’s not a lot of land available,” Ziemer said. “That’s why we’re not expanding. Instead, we’re always looking to get more efcient.” Ziemer farms with his parents, James and Sharon. The Ziemers are fortunate to have two veterinarians in
SUBMITTED PHOTO
The Ziemer family – (from leŌ) Paul, KaƟe holding Elijah, Sharon, James, Becky and Jenny – milks 120 cows and farms 250 acres near Cedarburg, Wisconsin. the family who also help out on the farm and offer medical advice when needed. Ziemer’s older sister, Becky, works at Country Vet in Rubicon, and his younger sister, Jenny, works at Mayville Animal Clinic in Mayville. “My sisters are denitely my consultants,” Ziemer
said. “They’re good at advising, and they’ve taught me a lot. If I’m wondering what I should I do about a certain cow or what antibiotics I should give, I ask them.” Ziemer’s wife, Katie, works for the Sand County Foundation as a soil conservationist and also helps with Turn to ZIEMER | Page 6
Sustainability is the end game for Rosenow Cowsmo Compost flourishes for over 20 years By Danielle Nauman danielle.n@dairystar.com
WAUMANDEE, Wis. – Farming among the rolling hills and bluffs of western Wisconsin’s Buffalo County can create challenges for farmers striving to reach goals of both environmental and economic sustainability. John and Nettie Rosenow have spent the last 20 years working on doing precisely that. “We wanted to be in the business of milking cows, not crop farming,” said John Rosenow of the cow-centered focus of Rosenholm Dairy. “We have DANIELLE NAUMAN/DAIRY STAR John Rosenow explains how the composƟng process works at Rosenholm Dairy and Cowsmo tried to minimize our cropping Compost. Rosenow and his wife Neƫe milk 600 cows on their farm near Waumandee, Wiscon- experience and maximize our cow experience. We try to buy sin. as much of our commodities as
we can and then grow our forages on about 800 acres, using 100% no-till farming practices.” The Rosenows milk 600 cows in a double-9 parlor on their dairy farm near Waumandee. In addition to the dairy operation, the Rosenows have created a separate business, Cowsmo Compost, producing and marketing organic compost and potting soil. As the composting business has grown, Rosenow spends most of his time marketing and overseeing that endeavor, while Nettie has taken over the majority of the herd management tasks. The Rosenows hosted a Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation Leaders of Turn to ROSENOW | Page 7
Page 2 • Dairy Star • Saturday, September 25, 2021
DAIRY ST R www.dairystar.com
ISSN 020355 522 Sinclair Lewis Ave. Sauk Centre, MN 56378 Phone: (320) 352-6303 Fax: (320) 352-5647 Published by Dairy Star LLC General Manager/Editor Mark Klaphake - mark.k@dairystar.com 320-352-6303 (ofce) 320-248-3196 (cell) 320-352-0062 (home) Ad Composition Nancy Powell 320-352-6303 nancy.p@dairystar.com Consultant Jerry Jennissen 320-346-2292 Editorial Staff Krista Kuzma - Editor/Wisconsin (507) 259-8159 • krista.k@dairystar.com Jennifer Coyne - Assistant Editor (320) 352-6303 • jenn@dairystar.com Danielle Nauman (608) 487-1101 danielle.n@dairystar.com Stacey Smart - Staff Writer (262) 442-6666 • stacey.s@dairystar.com Abby Wiedmeyer - Staff Writer 608-487-4812 • abby.w@dairystar.com Maria Bichler - Copy Editor 320-352-6303 Advertising Sales Main Ofce: 320-352-6303 Fax: 320-352-5647 Deadline is 5 p.m. of the Friday the week before publication Sales Manager - Joyce Frericks 320-352-6303 • joyce@dairystar.com Bob Leukam (Northern MN, East Central MN) 320-260-1248 (cell) bob.l@star-pub.com Mark Klaphake (Western MN) 320-352-6303 (ofce) 320-248-3196 (cell) Laura Seljan (National Advertising, SE MN) 507-250-2217 fax: 507-634-4413 laura.s@dairystar.com Jerry Nelson (SW MN, NW Iowa, South Dakota) 605-690-6260 jerry.n@dairystar.com Mike Schafer (Central, South Central MN) 320-894-7825 mike.s@dairystar.com Amanda Hoeer (Eastern Iowa) 320-250-2884 • amanda.h@dairystar.com Megan Stuessel (Western Wisconsin) 608-387-1202 • megan.s@dairystar.com Kati Kindschuh (Northeast WI and Upper MI) 920-979-5284 • kati.k@dairystar.com Deadlines The deadline for news and advertising in the Dairy Star is 5 p.m. Friday the week before publication. Subscriptions One year subscription $35.00, outside the U.S. $110.00. Send check along with mailing address to Dairy Star, 522 Sinclair Lewis Ave., Sauk Centre, MN 56378. Advertising Our ad takers have no authority to bind this newspaper and only publication of an advertisement shall constitute nal acceptance of the advertiser's order. Letters Letters and articles of opinion are welcomed. Letters must be signed and include address and phone number. We reserve the right to edit lengthy letters. The views and opinions expressed by Dairy Star columnists and writers are not necessarily those of the Dairy Star LLC.
The Dairy Star is published semi-monthly by Dairy Star, LLC, 522 Sinclair Lewis Ave., Sauk Centre, MN 56378-1246. Periodicals Postage Paid at Sauk Centre, MN and additional mailing ofces. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Dairy Star, 522 Sinclair Lewis Ave., Sauk Centre, MN 56378-1246.
Dairy Prole brought to you by your Senate committee reviews According to New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, federal milk marketing orders are confusing and an outdated pricing system. Gillibrand chaired a subcommittee hearing that considered the dairy market. Agriculture Committee Ranking Member John Boozman voiced concern about the steady decline in the number of dairy farms. Boozman also warned against using the budget reconciliation bill to change tax and policies. Dairy price forecast updated USDA has raised its dairy export forecast for 2021 and 2022. USDA World Agricultural Outlook Board Chairman Mark Jekanowski credits the demand for butter, skim milk powder, cheese and whey. That has inuenced the dairy price outlook. “The all-milk price forecast for 2021 was raised 20 cents per cwt. to $18.15 per cwt. and for 2022, we raised the all-milk forecast by 55 cents per cwt. to $18.40 per cwt. If realized, it leads to a slight increase year-over-year of about 25 cents per cwt. for 2022 compared to 2021.” Stepped-up basis not included in budget reconciliation The House Ways and Means Committee has approved the budget reconciliation rules for the Budget Committee. This language does not include changes to stepped-up basis as had been feared by many in agriculture. House Agriculture Committee Chair David Scott released a statement, saying this decision will allow farmers and ranchers to pass on their operation from one generation to another and protect them from signicant tax increases.
North America dealers. federal orders reform
Immigration reform proposal rejected The Senate parliamentarian has ruled against a Democratic plan to include its immigration reform proposal into the $3.5 trillion budget reconciliation bill. The proposal would have provided 8 million green cards and giving immigrants, including agricultural workers, a path to citizenship.
Ag Insider
Port challenges Hurricane Ida and the damage By Don Wick at the Port of New Orleans is the latest hurdle for the shipping busiColumnist ness. For this past year, agricultural exporters have faced problems trying to secure shipping container space on ocean vessels. Foreign-owned and operated ocean carriers are opting to return empty containers to China rather than allowing time for them to be loaded. More than 70% of containers leaving the West Coast ports are empty. National Milk Producers Federation President and CEO Jim Mulhern said, “Ocean carriers are abusing a unique situation created by the pandemic and the lack of sufcient regulatory action to enforce reasonable shipping practices.” NMPF and other ag groups are working together trying to convince the Biden Administration and Congress to address these unfair trading practices.
Turn to AG INSIDER | Page 5
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Dairy Star • Saturday, September 25, 2021 • Page 3
It’s all inside... Columnists Sparta
Knutsons rent cabins as a way to diversify
Iron
n Barron
Rusk
Flo
ren
Price
Oneida
M
Forest
ar
Menominee
in
et
Lincoln Taylor
Pierce
Viroqua
Advice for young dairy farmers Second Section: Pages 3 - 4
Jackson
or
O Adams
Monroe La Crosse
Juneau
Vernon
Richland
Waushara
o ag Calumet
eb
inn
W
Green Lake Fond Du Lac
Columbia Dodge
Sauk
d
Wa
for
Dane
Grant
Tea Rose adds to her resume
Lafayette Green
Second Section: Pages 14 - 15
Jo Daviess S
Carroll
Racine
Rock
on
ens
h tep
Jefferson Waukesha
Walworth
ago
neb
Win
on e
Iowa
First Section: Pages 8 - 9
Ogle
Whiteside
Kane
Lee
Cedarburg Rock Island
Second Section: Pages 3 - 5
rson
Five producers win free Luke Bryan tickets
Mercer
Hen de
Marshall
For additional stories from our other zone, log on to www.dairystar.com
Kewaunee and Door county farmers collaborate to help community, environment
McHenry
DeKalb
Zone 2
Kenosha
Casco
Bo
aw Cr
Darlington
Do
g uta
shi
Page 33 First Section
ie am Brown
Wood
tte
Second Section: Pages 6 - 7
Pages 10 - 11 Second Section
Shawano Portage Waupaca
ue
Buffalo
Trempealeau
Kids Corner: The Metzlers
Oconto
Clark
Eau Claire Pepin
Viroqua
The “Mielke” Market Weekly
Menominee
Marathon
ng ton S he O bo Milwaukee zauk M yg ee an anito w
Dunn
rq
St. Croix
Just Thinking Out Loud
te
Langlade
Chippewa
Ma
Page 31 First Section
Zone 1
ce
un ee
Polk
Sawyer
Delta
Dickinson
Vilas
wa
Burnett
Something to Ruminate On
Dairy Good Life
Ashland
ur
First Section: Pages 1, 7
Page 30 First Section
Page 32 First Section
First Section: Pages 10 - 11
Wa sh b
Ramblings from the Ridge
Cowsmo Compost flourishes for over 20 years
Hildebrandts make statement through cows, cheese, crops
First Section: Page 39
Bayfield
Douglas
Waumandee
Hutisford
Dairy Profile: Don and Dave Hall
First Section: Pages 12 - 13
Farmer and Columnist Page 27 First Section
Tomah
Ke
Pages 2, 8 First Section
oc
Ag Insider
ren
War
FROM OUR SIDE OF THE FENCE:
When did you start and how far along are you on corn silage harvest? First Section: Pages 15 - 16
Ziemers measure growth through efficiency, not size First Section: Pages 1, 6
Page 4 • Dairy Star • Saturday, September 25, 2021
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Dairy Star • Saturday, September 25, 2021 • Page 5
ConƟnued from AG INSIDER | Page 2 China seeks membership in TPP China has ofcially turned in its application to join the Trans-Pacic Partnership. If realized, China would be the largest country participating in the trade deal. Canada, Mexico, Australia and Japan are a few of the other members of the TPP. The United States was part of the planning for this trade agreement, but President Trump pulled the United States out of the deal in 2017.
Former EPA ofcial moves to EWG John Reeder has joined the Environmental Working Group as its vice president for federal affairs. For the past four years, Reeder taught at American University’s School of Public Affairs. Before that, he spent more than 30 years at the Environmental Protection Agency. Reeder is a graduate of the University of Minnesota and its Humphrey School of Public Affairs.
Checkoff vote Due to the pandemic, USDA extended the beef checkoff referendum petition drive until Sunday, Oct. 3. The original deadline was in July. The national beef checkoff rate is $1 per head sold. That money is invested in promotion, research and market development. Dairy farmers also pay into the beef checkoff program.
Hicken family to receive FFA VIP award Jeff Hicken, who served the past 15 years as the Wisconsin State FFA advisor and agricultural education consultant with the Department of Public Instruction, will posthumously receive the National FFA VIP Citation at the National FFA Convention. Hicken passed away unexpectantly in midJune. The National FFA Convention will take place Oct. 27-30 in Indianapolis.
Farm income forecast The Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute is projecting signicant increases in farm income this year. Strong commodity prices and government payments will help net farm income to reach the highest level since 2013. FAPRI is also forecasting a drop in farm income in 2022. Merger vote expected Pending a review and approval by the Farm Credit Administration, AgCountry Farm Credit Services and Farm Credit Services of North Dakota will go before the stockholders for a merger vote. AgCountry FCS is based in Fargo, North Dakota, and has members in North Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin. If approved, the merger will take effect Jan. 1. AFBF names new chief economist As of Oct. 4, Dr. Roger Cryan will take over as the new chief economist for the American Farm Bureau Federation. For the past nine years, Cryan was the director of the economics division for the dairy program at USDA. Cryan previously served in a similar role at the National Milk Producers Federation.
Excellence in ag nalists announced The nalists have been named for the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Excellence in Ag Award. This recognition is for agriculturalists who do not derive the majority of their income from farming. The nalists are Stephanie Abts of Manitowoc County, Julie Sweney of Dodge County, Julie Wadzinski of Barron County and Kellie Zahn of Shawano County. Abts is a dairy nutritionist. Sweney is a communications director for a dairy cooperative. Wadzinski is an ag instructor and Zahn is an ag agent. Trivia challenge More than 650 companies will be part of the World Dairy Expo trade show this year. That answers our last trivia question. For this week’s trivia, who is the CEO of the U.S. Dairy Export Council? 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.
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Page 6 • Dairy Star • Saturday, September 25, 2021
ConƟnued from ZIEMER | Page 1
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Cows wear collars with a neck tag for monitoring acƟvity and ruminaƟon. The farm averages 1.6 services per concepƟon and has shortened its calving interval by a minimum of one month. night milking and other farm chores as much as she can while caring for their 8-month-old son, Elijah, at the same time. Ziemer came back to the farm in 2013 after graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville with a double major in animal science and crop science with an emphasis on dairy. Ziemer is the fth generation on the farm which has been in his family since 1881. The herd has grown slightly since his return, climbing from 100 cows to 120, but the Ziemers measure growth in other ways. Their system for activity and rumination sensing has done wonders for the farm’s reproduction program. “It’s a great system,” Ziemer said. “We’ve noticed a huge improvement in reproductive efciency. We now average 1.6 services per conception and have shortened up our calving interval by a month or more. The auto sort gate helps ensure we catch all the cows for breeding. Our semen salesman is probably not a big fan of the system because we buy a lot less semen now.” All cows and heifers breeding age and up wear collars with a neck tag for monitoring activity and rumination. Instead of having their own network, the Ziemers’ data is stored in the cloud. A controller in the freestall barn gathers information from the collars and sends it to the cloud. Another controller on the sort gate pulls data from the cloud, and by reading numbers, it knows which cows to sort. Ziemer can program in commands if he needs to sort out cows beyond what the system is recommending. For example, if he needs to give a cow a prostaglandin shot, he can have her sorted as well. “Its accuracy is pretty darn good,” Ziemer said. “Any screwups are usually because of operator error and are not the system’s fault.” Cows are milked twice a day in a double-8 herringbone parlor with Ziemer and his mom on the morning crew, and Ziemer’s mom and a hired hand on the evening shift. The sort gate has proven to be a labor-saving feature giving the Ziemers several hours back per week. “We don’t have to search through cows to nd the ones we need,” Ziemer said. “The system does the sorting for you, and the sort pen lls automatically. Whoever is milking doesn’t have to worry about sorting cows or nding sick animals. There’s a pen of cattle waiting for you when you’re done.” Ziemer said the layout was easy to set up since the parlor had a return lane and catch gate already in place. The design made sense for the Ziemers who do not have headlocks in the freestall barn but rather have a treatment stall outside the parlor. The gate sorts during both morning and evening milkings. About 10 cows t in the sort pen and are transferred to the treatment stall when needed. A col-
lar reader above the gate and sensor eyes on the front, middle and back of the gate detect tags and keeps track of cow movement. The gate opens and closes automatically. “For Monday night herd health checks, we used to run cows down the palpation rail,” Ziemer said. “Now, we don’t have to chase every cow through. It might only be 10 or 20 cows, and one person can do it by themselves.” The gate sorts out cows in heat, sick cows and other cows the Ziemers select. “The system catches sick cows before you would know they’re sick,” Ziemer said. “Otherwise you wouldn’t know until they’re really sick. It’s hard to quantify how much that saves, but it’s denitely a bonus. Once the sick cows are in the sort pen, you’re going to take care of them.” Ziemer uses an app on his phone to keep tabs on the system. He and his wife monitor the data, with Ziemer in charge of sick cows and cows in heat, while Katie handles scheduling. “It’s denitely worth the labor savings,” Ziemer said. “The system doesn’t screw up; people screw up. It’s a really good management tool. I refer to it as the silent herdsman.” The Ziemers strive for efciency in the elds as well as the barn and began transitioning into no- till cropping practices in 2015. Today, nearly all acres are no till. “No till saves a lot of time,” Ziemer said. “We switched to no till after buying better manure injectors that cause minimal disturbance. If I spread in the fall, you won’t even know I was there once spring comes. You can no till right into it.” Another area in which Ziemer found efciencies was in diversifying the herd. Ziemer was attracted to the longevity, health traits, and higher components of the Ayrshire breed and bought three Ayrshires in 2012. He now has a dozen. “It’s a fun, little project herd,” he said. “Genetic improvement has been slow but steady. I went from rst-lactation animals giving 14,000 pounds of milk when I started with Ayrshires to heifers now milking 16,000 to 17,000 pounds. Mature cows give around 20,000 pounds of milk.” The Ziemers have added color to their Holstein herd with Guernsey and Jersey breeds as well. The Guernseys came from the farm where Katie grew up in Hartford, and the Jerseys belong to Jenny. The Ziemers show at the Wisconsin State Fair and World Dairy Expo. This year, two of Ziemer’s Ayrshires will be making the trek to Madison. In the future, Ziemer would like to check out value-added options such as selling cheese made from their farm’s milk. But for now, the Ziemers are satised with the improvements they have made and the efciencies that have resulted.
Dairy Star • Saturday, September 25, 2021 • Page 7
ConƟnued from ROSENOW | Page 1
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Poƫng soil made from a compost blend is bagged into totes for wholesale. the Land tour Sept. 10. A barn re in 1989 caused the Rosenows to take a serious look at their dairy operation, and determine if and how they might proceed in the dairy industry. Moving forward, the Rosenows built a naturally-ventilated freestall barn in 1990, with a manual ush system, which was the rst curtain sidewall barn in the Midwest. “We are a CAFO, with about 1,100 animal units, so our 800 acres wouldn’t take the nutrients,” said Rosenow of how Cowsmo Compost came to be. “Our options were to sell the manure or to rent more land. We didn’t want to rent a whole lot of land, so we needed to nd a market for manure.” Rosenow said he started dabbling in composting after building the new barn, becoming serious about his efforts, building a compost pad and purchasing a compost turner in 1997. In the 24 years since beginning to market compost in earnest, business has slowly grown and ourished to the point where Rosenow is unable to fully meet demand, he said. The product is sold in 20 states and four foreign countries. The Rosenows have developed a second product, an organic potting soil, which they are selling primarily to organic vegetable growers. To help meet the growing demand, Rosenow has begun working with two other farmers to make compost for the business. “All of the solid manure created here from 1,100 head is sold as compost,” Rosenow said. “It is a year-round business.” The management practices used on Rosenholm Dairy all work symbiotically with each other to meet the end goals of sustainability, both environmental and economic. Both the freestall barns and the parlor are cleaned by use of manual ush systems, which Rosenow said works well down to about 15 degrees Fahrenheit. The parlor is ushed reusing the water used for cooling milk and washing the parlor equipment. Water recycled using a system of three plastic-lined lagoons, which hold about 6 million gallons of water, is used to ush the alleys in their freestall barns. “We keep reusing the water,” said Rosenow of the farm’s water conservation efforts. “The process we use for the lagoon water is important because we are able to separate it. We have to keep the water clean; it can’t become slimy or problematic. If it gets so it won’t go through the screens of our separator, then we have major problems.” Keeping the water clean and reus-
able is accomplished through the use of an aerobic system. This system also helps eliminate odor from the lagoon water. Rosenow noted that every time the barn is ushed and water passes through the ne-screen separator, air is added to the system, helping to keep the water clean. “We have to have clean water in order to ush and separate,” Rosenow said. “We do everything in our power to do that.” Water from the lagoon system is also used to irrigate their elds, through a system of underground pipes. The freestalls are bedded daily with sawdust, which is primarily obtained as a byproduct from a local furniture factory. The sawdust adds carbon to the compost mixture. The barn allies are ushed using water from the lagoons, using about 2,200 gallons of water to ush each alley. After the ush, water and debris are collected in a tank with an agitator and pump. From the tank, it is pumped to the separator, which has no moving parts and is made of stainless steel and plastic. Manure comes through the separator at about 70% moisture. Freshly separated manure is blended with a pile of dry manure to obtain a moisture level of approximately 60%, where it sits on what Rosenow calls a weeping pad until it is hauled to the compost pad. “We have learned over the years what moisture level we need to make the best compost we can,” Rosenow said. “The compost is turned typically about three times a week.” According to Rosenow, the composting process is achieved because of the bugs in the manure from the cow’s digestive system. “If they have oxygen, they will consume the carbon,” Rosenow said. “In that process they give off heat and carbon dioxide. Every time we turn the compost, we are releasing the heat and the carbon dioxide into the air and reintroducing oxygen back in; the turner takes in the inside and moves it to the outside. It will only compost about the top 6 to 8 inches, and as you turn it, you will eventually get the whole thing composted.” Rosenow takes an honest approach at marketing Cowsmo Compost, pricing the product to cover his margins and be protable. “I have found that people will buy your product because of performance rather than appearance,” Rosenow said. “I tell people that I am not a very good salesperson, so I had better have a good product to sell. And, I really believe that we do have a very good product.”
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Page 8 • Dairy Star • Saturday, September 25, 2021
Improving water quality at core of Peninsula Pride Farms
Kewaunee, Door county farmers collaborate to help community, environment By Stacey Smart
stacey.s@dairystar.com
CASCO, Wis. – In 2016, a group of farmers on the DoorKewaunee Peninsula did something not commonly done. They recognized they played a central role in the prevention of contaminated groundwater in the area and
took ownership of the problem. Committed to doing the right thing for their community, they began implementing practices to improve water quality and soil health. Within four years, this group of farmers, known as Peninsula Pride Farms, quadrupled the number of acres in cover crops and no-till farming. PHOTO SUBMITTED
Jamie PaƩon, senior outreach specialist for UW-Extension Nutrient and Pest Management Program, stands in the soil pit demonstraƟng the soil structure as she talks about soil prole performance, biological acƟviƟes and organic maƩer during a eld day Aug. 17 at Double Dutch Dairy near Cedar Grove, Wisconsin.
STACEY SMART/DAIRY STAR
Don Niles, president and co-founder of Peninsula Pride Farms, stands next to a eld of corn planted on a wheat cover crop in a shallow bedrock eld where no manure applicaƟons are permiƩed. Niles milks 3,000 cows at Dairy Dreams near Casco, Wisconsin.
“We’re working extremely hard to come up with creative and effective groundwater protection practices,” said Don Niles, president of PPF and one of the group’s founders. “We knew we had to do something about the water quality issues we were facing. The biggest users of land here are dairies and cows, and as farmers, we found ourselves distracted by nger pointing. So
we asked, what practices can we come up with to protect groundwater?” Formed in 2017, the group is made up of 52 farms from Kewaunee and southern Door counties, representing over half the cows in the area. The smallest farm has 40 cows and the largest has 8,000 cows. Niles, a former veterinarian, milks 3,000 cows near Casco at Dairy Dreams – a
farm formed in partnership in 2001 between Niles and the late John Pagel. “(PPF) contains the full spectrum of farms from large to small and also includes some crop farmers and an orchard or two,” Niles said. The group has come a long way in a short time. In 2016, 3,864 acres were no tilled. As of last year, that number rose to 12,284 acres. The use of cover crops also spiked, jumping from 4,189 acres in 2016 to 18,653 in 2020. There was a 50% increase in reported conservation practices implemented by PPF last year compared to when they rst started. Many farmers integrate multiple conservation practices, resulting in even greater soil and water quality outcomes. “Our coordinated use of these practices to improve soil health and ground water quality in an entire watershed, with an aim of directly affecting ground water, is unique,” Niles said. With more than one cow per acre, Kewaunee has the most cows per square mile of any county in the state. The region also contains sensitive areas of shallow bedrock, meaning anything people do on the surface has an impact because there is not a lot of barrier between soil and
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ConƟnued from PPF | Page 8 groundwater. Since its creation, PPF has more than doubled the amount of manure that goes through a methane digester in areas with shallow soils (2 to 5 feet). “This is a big deal because digesters provide tremendous pathogen reduction to manure before it is applied to elds,” Niles said. “Digesters reduce coliforms by 1,000 times, which allows that manure to be safely spread on shallow or sensitive ground. Therefore, a 3,000-cow farm with a digester is spreading the same amount of coliforms as a farm with three cows and no digester.” State regulations in the area have become stricter in recent years, and as a result, no manure can be applied on elds with less than 2 feet of soil. Furthermore, restrictive spreading measurements are in place for areas with 2 to 5 feet of soil. The organization is exible, providing a menu of cost-share options to its members and letting each farmer decide what practice is of the greatest value to him or her. Cost sharing is provided for cover crops, harvestable buffers, split nitrogen applications, low-disturbance manure applications and testing depth to bedrock – a good tool for determining the most sensitive areas. “Every farmer, eld and situation is different, so you have to pick what works for you,” Niles said. “Paperwork is minimal. The farmer just tells us which practice(s) they’re doing on how many acres. It’s as simple as that. We’re working synergistically with our county departments, and they are thrilled about these programs.” The adoption of cover crops has been met with positive feedback from the community. “Cover crops create healthier soil and help reduce runoff which in turn benets groundwater,” Niles said. “After harvesting corn, we quickly establish a cover crop. Then in winter, the eld is green.
In spring, when the snow melts, you see a green eld instead of a brown one. It’s a conscious practice change – people are seeing it, and they like it.” Sinkholes are another problem the counties’ residents struggle with. “Surface cracks in bedrock are direct conduits to groundwater, and there’s a number of sinkholes in this region,” Niles said. To alleviate this problem, PPF members put in harvestable buffer strips around sinkholes, which offer about 100 feet for growing wheat or alfalfa. The grassy waterway acts as a buffer or barrier to soak up nutrients from potential runoff. Members get together once a month to share their experiences during events known as Conservation Conversations. Meeting at various farms allows them to see rsthand what others are trying. “We’re working collaboratively, sharing openly and focusing on continuous improvement,” Niles said. “Those are our key goals. We work together so each farmer doesn’t have to make the same mistakes.” At Dairy Dreams, Niles is planting green, doing split applications of nitrogen, planting cover crops, no tilling and performing sink hole mitigation. Conservation Conversations and other meetings held by Peninsula Pride Farms are open to the public. “The people in our county have shown great interest in what we’re doing and how things are looking different,” Niles said. “Some of our most vocal critics are now saying, ‘This is good stuff you’re doing.’” Ensuring their neighbors have clean, healthy water to drink is important. This year, the group is helping fund testing of 600 private wells in Kewaunee County. The two-part project began in July with 300 wells, and 300 more will be tested in November to look for nutrient levels at different times of the year. Wells were tested for nitrates and coliforms, among
PHOTO SUBMITTED
Barry Bubolz, USDA-NRCS area Great Lakes RestoraƟon IniƟaƟve coordinator, uses a rainfall simulator to demonstrate how the ow of water travels through the soil of no-Ɵll management samples during a eld day Aug. 17 at Double Dutch Dairy near Cedar Grove, Wisconsin. other contaminants. Niles said the results of July’s tests showed that Kewaunee County’s coliform levels match the state average. “No farmer wants to cause even one person to become ill, and we go to great lengths to keep that from happening,” Niles said. “There were more issues with well water prior to the formation of Peninsula Pride Farms.” Data of gastrointestinal illness is collected annually by the county, which then traces where the illness is coming from. According to Cindy Kinnard, public health director for Kewaunee County, very few, if any, of those cases are related to water.
“We do a full investigation on these illnesses, and well water consumption has not been proven to be the cause of infection,” Kinnard said. Proactive about nding and implementing solutions for improving both ground and surface water quality in an area dealing with decades of water quality issues, PPF has made great advances and is committed to continuous improvement. “We believe our two counties can have clean, healthy water and a thriving agricultural community at the same time,” Niles said. “That’s our vision. We never sit still and are enthusiastically doing our part to improve water quality in our area.”
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Hildebrandts make statement through cows, cheese, crops By Stacey Smart
stacey.s@dairystar.com
HUSTISFORD, Wis. – From cheese to cash crops, Hildebrandt Family Farms has its hands in multiple markets. The family-oriented dairy operation strives for growth and protability with each endeavor while keeping their business small enough for the work to be done by family. “We are a true family-run operation,” said Ty Hildebrandt, who farms with his brother, Brett, his cousin, Jared, and his father, Roger. “We’re diversied but spread thin, however, we like to be the ones in the barn getting our hands dirty and doing the work.” The Hildebrandts milk 93 cows and farm 1,400 acres near Hustisford. The family always trims back to milking 80 cows for wintertime so every cow has a spot in the barn. When the weather is nice, cows spend time on pasture. The farm was started in 1960 by the Hildebrandts’ grandparents, Gene and Millie. In 1984, Roger and his brother, Alvin (“Al”), bought in. In 2013, Jared, Ty, and Brett each bought 10% of the farm. “Taking ownership of the farm meant the decisions we make now affect our bottom line as well,” Ty said. “We’ve never been paid hourly – we’ve always been on salary. Instead of paying ourselves more, we stick it back into the operation by purchasing a newer tractor or a cow with a strong pedigree, etc. That’s how we increase value.” Brett and Roger milk in the tiestall/stanchion barn, Ty feeds and switches cows, and Jared takes care of steers and heifers. Each has his niche on the farm but overlap duties when necessary to get work done in a timely fashion. Recently, Jared, Ty and Brett bought Al’s percentage of the farm. “He’s 70 years old, and still helps feed calves and sells cheese,” Ty said. “But he’s at an age where he wants to start slowing down.” At the center of the Hildebrandts’ success is a registered herd of black and white, and red and white Holsteins known for their high type and performance. The
STACEY SMART/DAIRY STAR
Ty Hildebrandt and his family milk 93 cows and farm 1,400 acres near HusƟsford, Wisconsin. source of the farm’s Prairie Pure Cheese, the Hildebrandt herd is also shown and marketed extensively. The farm has a rolling herd average of 25,253 pounds milk, 4.06% fat, and 3.22% protein and a BAA of 109.8. A portion of the farm’s milk is used to make cheese sold under the Prairie Pure Cheese label. Once a month, one load of milk, or two days’ worth, equaling 13,000 pounds is picked up to make the cheese at one of four plants throughout Wisconsin. Known for making a killer grilled cheese sandwich, Prairie Pure Cheese was featured in a sandwich voted one of the best in America. Made with milk solely from the cows at Hildebrandt Family Farms, Prairie Pure Cheese is promoted as ‘A Little Slice of Heaven.’ The cheese is available in the following avors – Butterkäse, Gouda, Swiss, Cheddar, Blue, and Feta. Butterkäse is a creamy, brick-style cheese great for snacking, melting on sandwiches and burgers or for cooking. It comes in 6-pound, 1-pound, and 1/2-pound packages as well as slices. Feta is available in regular and tomato basil varieties and comes in 8-ounce blocks and 4-ounce crumbles. “Butterkäse is our best seller,” Ty said. Gayle’s Best Grilled Cheese Ever – a restaurant in Chicago – is their No.1 customer. Makers of specialty grilled cheese sandwiches prepared exclusively with Prairie Pure Cheese, Gayle’s received an award for having one of the top 25
grilled cheese sandwiches in the U.S. Prairie Pure Cheese was started in 2003 by nutritionist, Brian Gerloff, with the help of three Illinois farms. Gerloff became the Hildebrandts’ nutritionist in 2011 and two years later, asked if the family would like to be a part of Prairie Pure Cheese after two of the original farms dropped out. In 2014, the Hildebrandts became part owners of the company. Registered cows that enjoy ample time on pasture combined with the local popularity of the Hildebrandt family made the farm appealing to partner with as the dairy behind Prairie Pure Cheese. Gerloff delivers cheese to the Hildebrandts once a week. Locally, their cheese is sold at gas stations and farmers markets in Oconomowoc, Watertown and Hartford. Prairie Pure Cheese is also sold at farmers’ markets in Illinois. The family is looking forward to growing cheese sales in the future. Starting an on-farm restaurant or on-farm store are potential goals of Hildebrandts’. Selling into more restaurants as well as grocery stores are additional possibilities. “My dad wants to put up a sign in the yard so people know they can buy cheese here,” Ty said. “We could sell it from the house. It’s an idea we’re tossing around but haven’t put into motion yet.” On the crop side of things, the Hildebrandts do a lot of cash cropping and grow corn, soybeans, winter wheat, oats, alfalfa and grass. Excess crops are sold to local markets and other farmers. The family makes 10,000 small bales of hay – the majority of which are sold to other farms, primarily horse farms. The Hildebrandts also do over 1,000 big bales annually. Another side income for the family comes from selling quarters of beef from the steers they raise. Close family ties knit Hildebrandt Family Farms together, and the farm is fortunate to have a long list of helpers. Ty’s mom, Fay, is a teacher’s aid who works with autistic children and helps on the farm STACEY SMART/DAIRY STAR in the summer. Ty’s wife, Ellen, Milk from the Hildebrandts’ farm is used to make cheese in a variety works for Orthopedic Associates of of avors including BuƩerkäse, Gouda, Swiss, Cheddar, Blue and Feta, Wisconsin as a surgery technologist which are sold under the Prairie Pure Cheese label in Wisconsin and Turn to HILDEBRANDT | Page 11 Illinois.
Dairy Star • Saturday, September 25, 2021 • Page 11
ConƟnued from HILDEBRANDT | Page 10
What is on your checklist for roasted soybeans? Energy Protein Amino acids Bypass protein STACEY SMART/DAIRY STAR
The Hildebrandts’ registered Holstein herd of Black and White and Red and White caƩle spends a lot of Ɵme on pasture when the weather is nice. and helps on the farm as well as driving the baler during summer. Ellen is a city girl who met Ty at the Dodge County Fair in 2018 during a barn party after the family won the Holstein Futurity. In addition, Brett’s girlfriend, Taylor Leach, offers a helping hand along with Jared’s daughters, Ari and Tia; Al’s son, Jason; Jason’s son, Trey; and the Hildebrandts’ cousin, Ryan. “We take pride in that it’s pretty much always family helping us out,” Ty said. The Hildebrandts’ love for showing quality cattle takes them to their county fair, district show, state Holstein show, state fair, and World Dairy Expo each year. At this year’s state fair, the
Hildebrandts took home the following honors: senior champion and grand champion Holstein, intermediate champion of the Red and White show, reserve grand champion Red and White, premier breeder and premier exhibitor, and overall production leader. The farm has been home to 13 junior and open show all-American nominations. No matter what the future holds at Hildebrandt Family Farms pertaining to its cattle, cheese, crops or beef, Ty emphasized the importance of family running the show now and for years to come. “We don’t want to hire a bunch of people to do the work,” he said. “We like to do it ourselves.”
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A dairy farm retreat ABBY WIEDMEYER/DAIRY STAR
Moose Lodge is one of three cabins for rent at Grapevine Log Cabins near Sparta, Wisconsin. The Knutsons manage the cabins in addiƟon to operaƟng a 47-cow dairy.
Knutsons rent cabins as a way to diversify By Abby Wiedmeyer stacey.s@dairystar.com
SPARTA, Wis. – Glenn and Patricia Knutson carry on two traditions on their farm near Sparta. They milk 47 cows in a tiestall barn and diversify by renting three log cabins on their
farm. “People really like the quiet,” Patricia said. “They never want to leave.” The Knutsons’ farm is approximately 280 acres, 60 of which are woods. The cabins, known as Grapevine Log Cabins, sit on the edge of the woods and include a mile-long trail that guests can hike. Glenn’s father bought the farm in 1968, when Glenn was Turn to KNUTSON | Page 13
ABBY WIEDMEYER/DAIRY STAR
The Knutsons – (from leŌ) Cody, Selina, Patricia and Glenn – own and operate Grapevine Log Cabins near Sparts, Wisconsin. The rst cabin was built by Glenn’s father in 1999.
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Dairy Star • Saturday, September 25, 2021 • Page 13
ConƟnued from KNUTSON | Page 12
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ABBY WIEDMEYER/DAIRY STAR
Guests at Grapevine Log Cabins have a view of the Knutsons’ farm yard and cows on pasture. 11 years old. The rst cabin was built in 1999 with the idea to rent it out to people. The next year he built another cabin, and another one the following year. The cabins are made of Amish-cut wood, and adorned with Glenn’s mother’s original quilts and wall hangings. The one-room style with a loft above makes for a cozy stay. Some visitors check in and never leave their cabin. “We’ve had probably a dozen or more people who have come back three or four times,” Glenn said. Originally, local people found the cabins from the on-farm store Glenn’s mother built to sell her homemade quilts. People can now book cabins from the website or on Airbnb. They attract a variety of guests, including international visitors. Patricia remembers one group who was traveling all summer. They began their stay in Grapevine Log Cabins and liked it so much they stayed on their way home, too. “When they asked their kids, in 4,000 miles, what was their favorite part, they answered, the farm,” Patricia said. The cabins sit near the dairy barn, which guests have the option to explore. “We had one guy come out and stay, and spend a lot of time in the barn with me,” Glenn said. “By the end of the weekend, he was almost convinced he wanted to be a farmer himself. Then he saw how little sleep we got and decided against it.” Since the dairy’s beginning, Glenn has sold the cows and re-started a few times, but he always resorts back to milking. Now that his son, Cody, is involved, the cows are here to stay. This is made possible in large part because of the income from the cabins. “Without the cabins, there’s no way we’d be able to support two families,” Glenn said. Cody joined the farming operation in 2011. He and his wife, Selina, live in the house on the farm, a stone’s throw from the cabins and the dairy barn. They are both active in the daily chores on the dairy. They have three children, Jeara, 8; Raylan, 4; and Brailey, 3. Their niece, Kaia, 12, is also active on the dairy. Patricia works off the farm at the local school and runs the cabins. She is
quick to credit Glenn, Cody and Selina for the work they do to keep the dairy farm going. Patricia is not afraid to help throw bales or unload corn but insists the others take the credit for the farm. When it comes to managing the cows, Glenn prefers to keep things simple. “We make the crops, we feed them what we got and we get the milk we get,” he said. “The records are in my head.” Cody agrees with this management style and believes there is too much technology on a lot of dairy farms today. In past years, Glenn used to be more involved in genetics and registering animals but has since stopped registering the animals. The cost was not worth it to him. “To me, a cow is a cow,” Glenn said. When the Knutsons need a break for themselves, they usually do not venture too far from home. They like to go to tractor pulls and other local events, so they do not have to have someone else milk for them. With a retreat right out their back door, it is easy to see why they prefer to stay home.
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Glenn’s mother’s quilts and wall hangings are used as decor in the cabins.
Page 14 • Dairy Star • Saturday, September 25, 2021
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From Our Side Of The Fence Clayton Wohlk Almena, Wisconsin Barron County • 59 cows
Describe corn silage harvest on your farm. We grow 40 acres of corn for silage. We have switched away from the silagespecic varieties to regular grain corns, just longer maturity than our combine corn. This year, we grew a 92-day NK and an 87-day from Croplan. My dad runs the chopper, a JD 3950 pulled by a JD 7330. We have a 2-row Kemper-style head from Horning MFG on it. My brother or I do the load hauling with two 18-foot boxes and one 16-foot box, with two other older boxes available for breakdowns. We also use Agrispeed hitches. We pretty much get chores done in the morning and then get out to the eld, and most days we quit chopping for the day when night chores roll around.
Dairy y Star • Saturday, September 25, 2021 • Page 15
Dairy farmers: What is your progress on corn silage harvest?
make about four 8-foot by 200-foot bags of corn silage. Our silage bags, along with the haylage bags, are just on a dirt pad that gets leveled off as needed with a bulldozer. We apply Silage Savor, a propionic acid at the bagger at a rate of 1 pound per pound of dry matter.
the cows.
What is a management practice you changed that has improved your corn silage? We quit using silage specic hybrids for silage and went back to normal grain corns. We get a lot more starch in the silage, and it seems to be more palatable for
What is your favorite part about chopping corn silage? The rst day and the last few loads; there is a lot of excitement starting and getting everything rolling along good, but after a week of chopping corn, it is really nice When did you start and how far along are you on corn to get nished. silage harvest? We are planning on starting Sept. 18. We are one of the last ones to start around us, with a handful Tell us about your farm. Our dairy farm is now being of farmers done. operated by the fourth generation. We crop about 400 acres and we milk a barn full of 59 cows in a tiestall, What challenges did you encounter during the grow- with all of the youngstock and dry cows on site with a ing season or while harvesting? We denitely had a few steers as well. Milking cows and dry cows are fed shortage of moisture through the growing season, but had outside and on pasture in the summer. Heifers are raised some timely rains and only had a couple days where the in a monoslope bedded pack barn. We also do a little bit plants showed drought stress. We had plenty of heat, so I of ag tourism with sunowers in August and pumpkins think our yield will stay fairly close to normal. and fall décor in September and October. We grow all of our crops with a no-till and cover crop system, and have had great success with yield and quality for over 20 years with it. Describe your storage. Our silage is stored in bags. We Tom Steffen St. Cloud, Wisconsin Fond du Lac County • 57 cows
upright silo. We ll a 16- by 60- foot silo and also put 20 feet in an 18- by 60-foot silo. We do not use any inoculants.
Describe corn silage harvest on your farm. My dad and I harvested 13 acres of LG5499 corn silage. We harvest it with our own equipment – a pull type chopper and forage wagons.
What is a management practice you changed that has improved your corn silage? Harvesting at the correct moisture – we try to be very proactive on that. We harvest corn silage at about 65% moisture. We really watch moisture because if the corn gets too dry, it’s not going to keep well or ferment well.
When did you start and how far along are you on corn silage harvest? We started Sept. 15 and nished in a day and a half.
What is your favorite part about chopping corn siWhat challenges did you encounter during the grow- lage? My favorite part is putting it in the silo. ing season or while harvesting? We didn’t encounter any challenges this year. We had ample rain, but no ood- Tell us about your farm. I am the third generation on ing. During June, July and August, we received 24 inches the 350 acre-farm that my wife, Sharon, and I own and of rain. It was a warm summer and a wet year, but we operate. My dad, Earl, helps with harvesting. We milk have well-drained soils, and growth was good. 57 cows in a tiestall barn and grow alfalfa, corn, wheat and soybeans. Describe your storage. We store our corn silage in an
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Chris Feltmann Norwood Young America, Minnesota Carver County 250 cows Describe corn silage harvest on your farm. We plan to harvest 125140 acres. We use Pioneer P1272Q BMR, P1185Q and P0688Q. Our family does it with help from neighbors and friends. When did you start and how far along are you on corn silage harvest? We started chopping Sept. 13. As of Sept. 19, we were about three-fourths done. Weather permitting, we should be done in one or two more days. What challenges did you encounter during the growing season or while harvesting? We had inadequate moisture throughout the summer. Describe your storage. We ll three silos; an 18-by-50, 18-by-80 and 20-by-70. We also do two bunkers, and are in our rst year of doing a 1,000- to 1,200-ton pile. We cover those with plastic and tires. Usually when we get done it’s close to 3,000 ton. We use an Inoculant, Pioneer Buchneri 11C33. What is a management practice you changed that has improved your corn silage? The use of fungicide and BMR corn silage has made a big difference. What is your favorite part about chopping corn silage? When it’s done and done right. The right moisture and the way it is put up are important factors. Tell us about your farm. I farm with my two brothers, Chad and Corey, and dad, Dennis. My mom, Lynette, does the bookkeeping. My wife, Heather, helps with chores and other farming when she can. We have two part-time employees who help with chores.
Turn to OUR SIDE | Page 16
Page 16 • Dairy Star • Saturday, September 25, 2021
ConƟnued from OUR SIDE | Page 15
Ryan and Sarah Urbanek Cashton, Wisconsin LaCrosse County • 60 cows Describe corn silage harvest on your farm. We planted 15 acres of Federal Hybrids corn with maturity rating from 97 to 102 days. Everyone is involved with corn silage harvest. When did you start and how far along are you on corn silage harvest? We started Sept. 13 and nished Sept. 18. What challenges did you encounter during the growing season or while harvesting? The gathering chain on the corn head broke during harvest. Describe your storage. We had an abundant harvest of corn silage. Our silo is 16 feet wide by 65 feet tall. This year, we also put up a corn silage bag for the rst time in the farm’s history. Our bag is 9 feet wide by 75 feet long. We use Accel Ensile by Accelerated Genetics for an inoculant. What is a management practice you changed that has improved your corn silage? We changed to Bt corn because of root worm issues. What is your favorite part about chopping corn silage? The satisfaction of putting up quality feed for the cows. Tell us about your farm. My parents and I, along with my wife, Sarah, milk 60 cows and raise corn, alfalfa and oats on 240 acres. I work full-time on the farm and part-time at FedEx. My wife works part-time in town and operates a side business. We plan to continue farming in the future.
Jeffrey Smidel Luxemburg, Wisconsin Kewaunee County • 240 cows
Describe corn silage harvest on your farm. This year, we planted 296 acres of silage corn consisting two-thirds of Prairie Estates GeDescribe your storage. Our silage bunnetics with the varieties 3668 and 3612, and ker is 100 by 200 feet and our inoculant a third of Enogen, with the variety E109R3. will probably be Silo King. We use a vaSince my dad started farming on his own in por barrier and then rolls of Up North 1976, we always have our corn silage cusplastic bunker cover for covering. When tom harvested. For the past decade or so, our it comes time to cover the bunker, we custom harvester has been Ducat Custom. have to round up as many people as we It usually takes them three to four days depending on can to cover it, which usually consists of the people tonnage per acre. They are a nice, steady, careful crew. who hunt on our property and any friends of my daughters, nieces and brother rope into helping. When did you start and how far along are you on corn silage harvest? We did not start our corn silage What is a management practice you changed that harvest yet. We stay in contact with our custom har- has improved your corn silage? We started usvester to see how far along they are in the planting ing vapor barrier when they came out with it. Usseason before we start planting our corn. We won’t ing a vapor barrier besides the plastic bunker cover start planting until they are almost done planting their makes a big difference in keeping spoilage down. corn and their other customers’ corn. This year, we started planting May 22, and I thought it was a little What is your favorite part about chopping corn siearly, but we still put in a longer day corn. We don’t lage? The smell of fresh corn silage. want to have it too dry at harvest since we have to wait for them to chop their corn and their other custom- Tell us about your farm. We have a 240-cow dairy ers’ corn. Our latest moisture test was at 73%. We will farm. We raise all our own youngstock, and we also probably start chopping around the week of Sept. 21. raise 60 head of dairy/beef steers a year. We operate just over 600 acres. The farm consists of a partnership What challenges did you encounter during the between me and my brothers, Jim and Jason, and my growing season or while harvesting? During the dad, Leonard. growing season, we had a short drought through Eric Wedemeier (picture not available) Oakdale, Wisconsin Monroe County • 310 cows
Describe your storage. We do 14-foot bags. We do not use inoculants because they’re too expensive. We asked
Describe corn silage harvest on your farm. We do about 200 acres of corn silage. This year we planted Rob-N-See and Brovont varieties. We have it custom harvested. When did you start and how far along are you on corn silage harvest? We started Friday (9/10) evening, and we quit at about 11 Sunday night when it started to sprinkle. There was no chopping Monday. Then Tuesday afternoon, we tried to coordinate schedules. My neighbor wanted to rent my bagger. We went and chopped my neighbor’s with my bagger because they still had about eight loads to put in the silo on this farm. That allowed us to transport
our bagger to our other farm. We nished but we will probably look at selling some heifers. there Sept. 14 close to midnight. What is a management practice you changed What challenges did you encounter that has improved your corn silage? I switched during the growing season or while some varieties and we fertilized differently this harvesting? During harvest, the rain de- year. I bought a new corn planter which helped me lay was the challenge. During the growing get a better stand. season we kind of wondered if we were going to get enough rain or not. We ended What is your favorite part about chopping corn up with survivable amounts. Some people silage? It’s exciting to get started but it’s nice to get only seven miles from here (the way the done. And it’s nice to get to see the custom chopping crow ies) had probably three times the crew again, too. They’re fun to work with and they amount of rain we got this growing sea- let our kids tag along. son. Tell us about your farm. We operate as an LLC Describe your storage. We lled ve 12- by 250- with my parents. We milk 260 cows twice a day. We foot bags, one 10- by 250-foot bag, and three 10- run about 700 acres and raise all of our own replaceby 200-foot bags. At our other farm where we raise ments. We grow corn, alfalfa, rye and a little bit of heifers, we lled a 14- by 50-foot silo, and a 10- by wheat. 200-foot bag. We have been raising way too many heifers for too many years, and we are not ready yet,
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Describe corn silage harvest on your farm. We harvested What is a management practice you changed that has 180 acres of BMR corn. improved your corn silage? Being on top of the moisture content of the feed going into harvest. Monitoring the When did you start and how far along are you on corn moisture level of our corn silage a little bit better and getsilage harvest? We started the morning of Sept. 11 and ting everything lined up perfectly instead of saying close nished Sept. 14. enough. We have everything custom done so we have to get everything lined up. What challenges did you encounter during the growing season or while harvesting? It’s still a little wet, but we’re What is your favorite part about chopping corn silage? rolling anyway because with the black tar it is drying super Being done. fast. One struggle we had was getting some corn in the bagger because it was wet. A challenge we had during the Tell us about your farm. It’s a two-man operation. We growing season was the storm in August. BMR corn does have ve farms, and we are totally self-sufcient except for not stand well after a storm and that slowed the harvest buying beans. We used to raise everything, and we didn’t down. We would have been done earlier if it wasn’t for have to buy any feed. We keep labor to a bare minimum that. and that’s why we survive.
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Dairy Star • Saturday, September 25, 2021 • Page 17
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Page 18 • Dairy Star • Saturday, September 25, 2021
Harvesting Quality Forages
Winschers rely on variety of forages to feed cows Shawn Winscher Royalton, Minnesota Morrison County 130 cows Describe your farm and facilities. We have a parlor and house the cows in free stalls and loose housing. What forages do you harvest? We grow an alfalfa/grass mix, Italian ryegrass and red clover, meadow hay, corn including corn silage, earlage and grain. How many acres of crops do you raise? We raise 120 acres of alfalfa/ grass, 20 acres of ryegrass and red clover, 50 acres of meadow hay and 200 acres of corn. I seed down about 60 acres of triticale in the fall and harvest late in spring followed by early day maturity corn, sudangrass or sorghum. Our feed inventory determines which one I pick on a yearly basis. Describe the rations for your livestock. The ration for the milk cows is a 72% forage diet. For the dry cows and heifers, their mix is the same with the exception of mineral. Depending on the forages I have on hand, their diet consists of grass hay and corn silage, or forage sorghum and corn silage, or straw and corn silage. What quality and quantity do you harvest of each crop? Here are a few
MARK KLAPHAKE/DAIRY STAR
The Winschers – (from le�) Seth, Shawn and Sarah – milk 130 cows near Royalton, Minnesota. The Winschers plant tri�cale, sorghum sudan and forage sorghum as different forage op�ons for the animals on their farm.
Turn to FORAGE | Page 20
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“Comfort matters... start clean... stay clean.” — Mitch Breunig
MYSTIC VALLEY DAIRY LLC, SAUK CITY, WISCONSIN, 450 Registered Holsteins Mitch, Jacquie, Allie, Lauren, and Brayden Breunig, BAA 105.8 RHA 32,746M 4.02F 1318F 3.17P 1038P, Cheese yield 3524, SCC 98-113,000 “Comfort matters. For 10 years, we have been using Udder Comfort™ because it gets fresh cows off to a great start. Cows that start clean tend to stay clean throughout the lactation. So, we spray every fresh udder 2x/day for 3 to 7 days after calving and see their SCCs come down much faster,” says Mitch Breunig, Mystic Valley Dairy, Sauk City, Wisconsin, home to Jenny-Lou Holsteins, founded by his parents Jeanette and Louis. From balanced breeding and a focus on longevity came the legacy of Toystory. A goal today is high component, low SCC milk, shipping at least 7.5 lbs combined fat and protein. The 450-cow freestall herd averages over 110 lbs/cow/day with RHA over 1300 of fat, over 1000 of protein and records to 55,000 with more than 60 past 150,000M lifetime.
Quality Udders Make Quality Milk
Maximum Results Minimal Cost 1.888.773.7153 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, September 25, 2021
ConƟnued from FORAGE | Page 18 examples: Triticale is one cutting which will give me the same amount as three cuttings of hay. It will test 19% protein with a relative feed value of 175. Sorghum sudangrass will yield like corn silage; it will test 14% protein and 130 RFV. Italian ryegrass and red clover is an annual mix, but I will get three cuttings. It yields like hay with 24% protein and 180 RFV. It costs me $18 an acre in seed for our forage sorghum and $11 an acre in sorghum sudan. Describe your harvesting techniques for alfalfa and corn silage. I like the hay-ina-day concept. We use the haybine, tedder, rotary rake and sometimes the merger. We also use a pull-type chopper. Either I chop, or my dad, Mike, does.
My son, Seth, and a few neighbors haul and unload. My hay cutting intervals are 35 days. We do not grow pure alfalfa. When harvesting corn silage, I use a self-propelled chopper. What techniques do you use to store, manage and feed your forages? We have silos and ag bags. This year, I did use preservatives. Describe a challenge you overcame in reaching your forage quality goals. The biggest challenge was making good quality hay. We started doing hay-in-a-day and that was the best decision. How do quality forages play a part in the production goals for your herd? Harvesting good quality feed has made a
MARK KLAPHAKE/DAIRY STAR
Shawn Winscher looks at the leaves of his forage sorghum while walking through the eld Sept. 20 near Winscher’s farm in Royalton, Minnesota. The Winschers feed their sorghum sudan and forage sorghum to their milking herd. huge impact on animal health and our concentrate bill. On the average, I put 8.5 pounds of dry corn and 6.5 pounds of concentrate per cow into a ration.
What management or harvesting techniques have you changed that have made a notable difference in forage quality? Hay-in-a-day. I start cutting hay at 8 a.m. Seth will start tedding at 10 a.m. and by
1 p.m. we are chopping. The biggest challenge is getting it all chopped before it’s too dry. The hay is laying on the ground for less than six hours.
Target Your Customers! MARK KLAPHAKE/DAIRY STAR
Seth Winscher stands in a eld of sorghum sudan Sept. 20 on Winscher Farms near Royalton, Minnesota. The Winchers plan to harvest the crop in early October when it’s 10 to 12 feet tall.
The Dairy Star is sent only to DAIRY FARMERS!
If you would like to advertise in the DAIRY STAR, call 320-352-6303 for more information.
Dairy Star • Saturday, September 25, 2021 • Page 21
LOW-RATE FINANCING AVAILABLE
JD S670, 2289 hrs.,1453 $ sep, #176660
199,500
JD 7290R 2013, 4660 hrs., $ #180765
149,900
Financing subject to pre-approval through JD Financial. Some restrictions apply. See dealer for details.
JD 8370R 2019, 275 hrs. $ #184016
JD S690, 2016, 1767 hrs.,1248 $ sep, #176733
JD, S770, 2018, 2203 hrs., 1587 $ sep, #181147
JD 8360RT 2013, 3267 hrs., $ #186425
JD S670, 2016, 2295 hrs., 1453 $ sep hrs., #176660
JD S790, 2018, 1535 hrs., 1058 $ sep hrs., # 179097
349,000
179,000
250,000
199,500
245,000
315,400
Equipment and pictures added daily • Go to www.mmcjd.com
ARTICULATED 4WD TRACTORS
3 17 3 16 8 17
JD 9630, 2011, Power Shift, Duals, 4100 hrs., #187532 ........................... $155,000 JD 9420R, 2019, Power Shift, Duals, 750 hrs., #182465........................... $309,000 JD 9560R, 2013, Power Shift, Duals, 4411 hrs., #187533......................... $195,000 JD 9570R, 2017, Power Shift, Duals, 2582 hrs., #187597 ........................ $279,000 JD 9570R, 2020, Power Shift, Duals, 878 hrs., #184050........................... $425,400 JD 9620R, 2019, Power Shift, Duals, 1130 hrs., #169236 ........................ $374,900
5 10 14 10 9 10 9 16 4 15 1 5 17 1 17 2 8 5 7 7 17 3 16 14
Case IH 2388, 2000, Corn/Bean, PRWD, 4648 hrs., 3265 sep hrs., #187528$32,900 JD 6620, 1987, Corn/Bean, 2WD, 3903 hrs., #177388 ............................... $12,500 JD 9500, 1991, Corn/Bean, 2WD; Duals, 6736 hrs., 5000 sep hrs, #18545 $22,400 JD 9600, 1996, Corn/Bean, PRWD, 4718 hrs., 3171 sep hrs., #175562 ..... $24,900 JD 9610, 1998, Corn/Bean; 2WD, 3535 hrs., 2241 sep hrs., #185640 ....... $34,500 JD 9570 STS, 2009, Corn/Bean; 2WD, 984 hrs., 1936 sep hrs., #187628 .. $79,900 JD 9650 STS, 2001, Corn/Bean, 2WD, 3455 hrs., 2388 sep hrs., #186401 $49,500 JD 9660 STS, 2004, Corn/Bean, PRWD, 3661 hrs., 2827 sep hrs., #187695$69,900 JD 9670 STS, 2009, Corn/Bean, 2WD, 2210 hrs., 1263 sep hrs., #185612$110,400 JD 9770 STS, 2009, Corn/Bean, PRWD, 3583 hrs., 2613 sep hrs., #187624$86,900 JD 9770 STS, 2009, Corn/Bean, PRWD, 2480 hrs., 1900 sep hrs., #187706$109,000 JD 9770 STS, 2010, Corn/Bean, 2WD, 1900 hrs., 1500 sep hrs., #187712$118,000 JD 9870 STS, 2008, Corn/Bean, 2WD, 3773 hrs., 2931 sep hrs., #187630 $78,500 JD 9870 STS, 2008, Corn/Bean, PRWD, 3105 hrs., 2500 sep hrs., #175945$99,900 NH CR8090, 2012, Corn/Bean, PRWD, 2405 hrs., 1810 sep hrs., #183218$136,500 JD S670, 2016, Corn/Bean, PRWD, 2295 hrs.,1453 sep hrs., #176660 .... $199,500 JD S670, 2017, Corn/Bean, PRWD, 790 hrs., 536 sep hrs., #187073........ $323,000 JD S680, 2013, Corn/Bean, PRWD, 2914 hrs., 1904 sep hrs., #161858 ... $129,500 JD S680, 2014, Corn/Bean, PRWD, 2967 hrs., 2063 sep hrs.,#182070 ... $144,900 JD S680, 2014, Corn/Bean, 2WD, 2068 hrs., 1658 sep hrs., #172017...... $145,900 JD S680, 2014, Corn/Bean, 2WD, 2362 hrs., 1703 sep hrs., #178114...... $147,900 JD S680, 2012, Corn/Bean, PRWD, 2365 hrs., 1642 sep hrs.,#176788 ... $149,500 JD S680, 2014, Corn/Bean, PRWD, 2651 hrs., 2023 sep hrs., #186952 ... $155,500 JD S680, 2013, Corn/Bean, PRWD, 1992 hrs., 1300 sep hrs., #174756 ... $159,900
COMBINES
1 3 3 3 16 16 5 17 11 1 15 4 16 16 3 14
JD S680, 2013, Corn/Bean, PRWD, 2736 hrs., 1800 sep hrs., #176089 ... $169,900 JD S690, 2012, Corn/Bean, PRWD, 1983 hrs., 1530 sep hrs., #171923 ... $179,000 JD S690, 2016, Corn/Bean, PRWD; Duals; Chopper, 2118 hrs., #176735 $219,500 JD S690, 2016, Corn/Bean, PRWD, 1772 hrs., 1248 sep hrs., #176733 ... $250,000 JD S770, 2018, Corn/Bean, PRWD, 2207 hrs., 1587 sep hrs., #181147 ... $245,000 JD S780, 2018, Corn/Bean, PRWD, 1185 hrs., 800 sep hrs., #175318...... $319,500 JD S780, 2018, Corn/Bean, PRWD, 1102 hrs., 755 sep hrs., #183533...... $355,000 JD S780, 2018, Corn/Bean, PRWD, 1031 hrs., 690 sep hrs.,#177549 ...... $364,400 JD S780, 2019, Corn/Bean, PRWD, 903 hrs., 653 sep hrs., #171103........ $385,000 JD S780, 2019, Corn/Bean, PRWD, 498 hrs., 294 sep hrs., #169509........ $409,500 JD S780, 2020, Corn/Bean, PRWD, 528 hrs., 397 sep hrs., #183792 ........ $425,400 JD S780, 2020, Corn/Bean, PRWD, 569 hrs., 373 sep hrs., #181757........ $429,900 JD S780, 2020, Corn/Bean, PRWD, 747 hrs., 556 sep hrs., #187111........ $435,900 JD S780, 2020, Corn/Bean, PRWD, 394 hrs., 226 sep hrs., #182068........ $509,900 JD S790, 2018, Corn/Bean, PRWD, 1535 hrs., 1058 sep hrs., #179097 ... $315,400 JD S790, 2019, Corn/Bean, PRWD, 970 hrs., 683 sep hrs., #171378........ $389,500
16 8 7 7 2 1 6 2 10 14 11 1 2 7 9
Summers 26F C, 2007, 20 ft, Rigid, #183968 ............................................ $29,900 Summers DC2840, 2013, 41 ft, 3-Section Folding, #187264 ................... $49,500 JD 714, 2003, Mulch Tiller, 16 ft, Rigid, #185613 ........................................ $15,900 JD 510, 1997, #185840 ...................................................................................$9,750 JD 512, 2008, #187681 ................................................................................ $22,900 Case IH 875, 2014, #185837 ....................................................................... $49,900 JD 2700, 2004, #172537 .............................................................................. $13,900 JD 2700, 2007, #187705 .............................................................................. $14,500 JD 2700, 2009, #178024 .............................................................................. $21,500 JD 2730, 2015, #182531 .............................................................................. $74,000 JD 2730, 2019, #168106 .............................................................................. $89,500 JD 2730, 2020, #180777 .............................................................................. $98,900 Kuhn Krause 4855 Dominator, 2016, #181415...................................... $54,900 Wil-Rich Soil-Pro 513, 2013, #187552 ..................................................... $32,750 Wil-Rich V957DDR, #178113 ........................................................................$9,900
TILLAGE
17 3 7 16 13 15 8 15 4 5 11 6 8 15 11 4 8 7 14 10 16 14 6 7 1 16 16 1 1 1 1 5
ROW CROP TRACTORS
JD 4455, 1991, Cab, 2WD, Power Shift, Duals, 9199 hrs., #181329 ........... $45,000 JD 4640, 1978, Cab, 2WD, Power Shift, Duals, 16619 hrs., #185165 ......... $18,000 IH 5088, 1982, Cab, 2WD, 8510 hrs., #186374 ........................................... $18,500 JD 8300, 1996, Cab, MFWD, Power Shift, Duals, #187192 ....................$54,500 JD 6145M, 2020, Cab, MFWD, Partial Power Shift, 167 hrs., #168299 .... $124,900 JD 6145M, 2020, Cab, MFWD, Power Shift, 175 hrs., #183626 ................ $143,400 JD 6175R, 2020, Cab, MFWD, Power Shift,3 hrs., #185002 ...................... $169,900 JD 6175R, 2020, Cab, MFWD, IVT, 977 hrs., #185014............................... $182,500 JD 7210R, 2019, Cab, MFWD, e23, 649 hrs., #177177 ............................. $195,000 JD 7290R, 2013, Cab, MFWD, Power Shift, 4661 hrs., #180765............... $149,900 JD 7R 210, 2020, Cab, MFWD, IVT, 875 hrs., #187032 ............................. $191,000 JD 7R 210, 2020, Cab, MFWD, IVT, 402 hrs., #187031.............................. $202,000 JD 7R 210, 2020, Cab, MFWD, IVT, Display, 810 hrs., #187033 ................ $202,000 JD 8245R, 2020, Cab, MFWD, Power Shift, 686 hrs., #183102................. $243,900 JD 8245R, 2020, Cab, MFWD w/ Suspension, IVT, 703 hrs., #183745 ..... $252,500 JD 8270R, 2020, Cab, MFWD, Power Shift, 827 hrs., #175591................. $239,000 JD 8285R, 2013, Cab, MFWD, IVT, 4800 hrs., #187023 ............................ $139,000 JD 8320R, 2019, Cab, MFWD w/ Suspension, IVT, 814 hrs., #171962 .... $279,900 JD 8345R, 2020, Cab, MFWD w/ Suspension, IVT, 518 hrs., #176092 ..... $309,900 JD 8360R, 2013, Cab, MFWD w/ Suspension, IVT, 2900 hrs., #185431 ... $202,900 JD 8370R, 2019, Cab, MFWD w/ Suspension, IVT, 1121 hrs., #187556 ... $299,000 JD 8370R, 2019, Cab, MFWD w/ Suspension, IVT, 275 hrs., #184016 ..... $349,000 JD 8R 250, 2020, Cab, MFWD w/ Suspension, IVT, 533 hrs., #186300 .... $269,500 JD 8R 310, 2020, Cab, MFWD w/ Suspension, IVT, 572 hrs., #185992 .... $319,500 JD 8R 340, 2020, Cab, MFWD w/ Suspension, IVT, 300 hrs., #186617 .... $347,600 JD 8R 370, 2020, Cab, MFWD w/ Suspension, IVT, 945 hrs., #185281 .... $342,500 JD 8R 370, 2020, Cab, MFWD w/ Suspension, IVT, 980 hrs., #185280 .... $344,900 JD 8R 370, 2020, Cab, MFWD w/ Suspension, IVT, 300 hrs., #186623 .... $368,500 JD 8R 370, 2020, Cab, MFWD w/ Suspension, IVT, 300 hrs., #186626 .... $368,500 JD 8R 370, 2020, Cab; MFWD w/ Suspension, IVT, 300 hrs., #186628 .... $371,800 JD 8R 410, 2020, Cab, MFWD w/ Suspension, e23, 300 hrs., #186633 ... $388,500 Case IH MX200, 1999, Cab, MFWD, Power Shift, 9360 hrs., #186519....... $48,500
Visit one of our 17 locations in Central Minnesota! CALL TODAY! (320)365-1653 (7) = ALEXANDRIA (9) = PRINCETON (12) = AITKIN (14) = ELBOW LAKE (16) = BENSON (4) = ST. CLOUD (1) = GLENCOE
4561 Hwy. 212
1035 35th Ave. NE
(3) = STEWART
78412 Co. Rd. 20
3708 Baptist Church Rd.
1120 2nd St. NW
110 2nd St. NE
380 Atlantic Ave.
(15) = MORRIS (17) = MADISON (10) = LITTLE FALLS (13) = BAXTER (8) = PAYNESVILLE 16069 Hwy. 27 E. 23604 State Hwy. 9 516 1st St. E 7045 Foley Rd. 725 Lake Ave. S. (6) = SAUK CENTRE (11) = WADENA SEE OUR COMPLETE INVENTORY WITH PICTURES
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AND DESCRIPTIONS AT: www.mmcjd.com
Page 22 • Dairy Star • Saturday, September 25, 2021
Could a retrofit be the right fit for you?
Retrofitting a dairy barn with a new DeLaval parlor milking system P500 has been a popular choice to make upgrades more affordable compared to building new.
Find out today! SCAN HERE
Connect with a DeLaval representative today to see if a retrofit is the right fit for you.
www.delaval.com
Contact one of the following dealers to learn more: IOWA Kramer Bros. Monticello, IA 319-465-5931 Prairie Land Ag Supply Inc. Rock Valley, IA 712-476-9290 United Dairy Systems, Inc. West Union, IA 563-422-5355 WISCONSIN Advanced Dairy/Bob’s Dairy Supply Spring Valley, WI 715-772-3201 Ederer Dairy Supply Plain, WI 608-546-3713
DeLaval Dairy Service Kaukauna, WI 866-335-2825 Joe’s Refrigeration Inc. Withee, WI 715-229-2321 Mlsna Dairy Supply Inc. Cashton, WI 608-654-5106 Professional Dairy Services Arlington, WI 608-635-0267 Redeker Dairy Equipment Brandon, WI 920-346-5579 The Scharine Group Inc. Whitewater, WI 800 472-2880 Mt Horeb, WI 800-872-3470
MINNESOTA & SOUTH DAKOTA Advanced Dairy of Mora Mora, MN 320-679-1029 Farm Systems Melrose, MN 320-256-3276 Brookings, SD 800-636-5581 S&S Dairy System LLC St. Charles, MN 507-932-4288 Professional Dairy Systems Wadena, MN 218-632-5416
is a registered trademark of Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. and “DeLaval” is a registered trade/servicemark of DeLaval Holding AB © 2021 DeLaval Inc. DeLaval, 11100 North Congress Avenue, Kansas City, Missouri 64153-1296. Nothing in this document shall constitute a warranty or guaranty of performance. www.delaval.com
My story: farming and writing
I have always wanted to be a writer. I can still remember my rst notebook: a green Five Star spiral with a little pocket in the front. I believe I was around 7 years old, and I wrote whatever nonsense came to mind. Since then, I have always kept journals, but never really took my writing that seriously. I just wrote because it felt good to do so, not necessarily to share it with anyone. After all, aside from older siblings looking to antagonize me, who would really want to read it? The desire to farm By Abby Wiedmeyer Columnist came later. I did not grow up in a farming family, so I did not know a lot about it. However, our family lived outside of town, and there was a dairy farm down the road from us. This farm rented the land behind our house, and I used to watch as they would work all summer long into the night. All I could think about was how dedicated these people were. A huge respect was born from watching our neighbors. I wondered if I would ever be able to consider myself in the same league as these people. Fast forward almost a decade. I had gone to the University of Wisconsin -Madison Farm and Industry Short Course, completed an internship where I learned to milk and got rst-hand experience at living on a farm. And, I was married to a true farmer. We lived in a little house with our two little kids, right down the hill from the 400cow dairy my husband had worked for when we met. At the time, my husband was running a hoof-trimming business, and had decreased his hours at the farm. We were both bored. The desire to farm had never really left me, and all my husband had ever wanted to do was milk cows. We decided to go for it. In 2010 we moved to our rst farm. We moved around a few times in the following ve years, trying to nd the perfect place for us. We went from employees on the rst farm, to prospective partners on a different farm, to renters with our own cows on the next farm, to farm-owners where we are today. We had a couple more kids along the way as well. We spent our rst ve years at this farm “earning our stripes” as my friend calls it. We were in the trenches of farming and parenting, with four kids under 8, 80 cows, a slew of youngstock and original (unreliable) equipment. The amount of time I spent behind a shovel, beside a cow, covered in manure or on the verge of tears was plenty. I won’t deny I questioned my ability and desire to be a farmer more than a few times. Sometimes I would think of my life before cows and wonder what was so bad about it. But then I would see a sunrise come up over the barn and the sight took my breath away. Or I would come out to the barn at the crack of dawn and see a brand-new calf in the maternity pen, licked clean and sleeping. Then my 2 year old would recognize her favorite cow from across the barn, and my oldest would help me milk while we quizzed each other about who knew more Harry Potter trivia. All these moments, plus a million more, carried me through the hard work. Just when life was really getting good – the youngest was heading to school, we were able to remodel enough to make chores go faster and I was writing a column for the local newspaper – milk prices stayed too low for too long. By 2018, all the equity we had worked for was gone. We could not afford to feed our cows anymore, so we sold them. My husband and I both got off-farm jobs, and I quit writing my column. We kept the youngstock back, even though we were not sure if we would ever milk again. We scratched and clawed, and did everything we could to keep the farm and the animals we had left. People kept telling us that there was life after cows. We looked, but we didn’t nd it. I had no idea what I was wishing for when I looked out that window at 12 years old and wished to be a farmer. I didn’t realize how much my soul would change when I earned a place among these hard-working people. I didn’t know that when it truly became my identity, I would be empty without it. We ended up breeding those youngstock, bringing home a handful of animals that had been re-homed instead of sold and started shipping milk again. We are on a much smaller scale, and we both still work off the farm, but at the end of the day, we are farmers again. Starting with this issue, I get to be a writer, too, as Dairy Star’s new western Wisconsin reporter. Now that you know my story, I would love to hear yours. You can email me at abby.w@dairystar.com.
Dairy Star • Saturday, September 25, 2021 • Page 23
Getting their showing careers started early
DANIELLE NAUMAN/DAIRY STAR
ParƟcipants and visitors of the LiƩle Britches Show pause for a photo Sept. 17 at the Vernon County Fair in Viroqua, Wisconsin. This year celebrated the 30th year of the program with 85 parƟcipants.
Vernon County Fair Little Britches Show celebrates 30 years By Danielle Nauman danielle.n@dairystar.com
VIROQUA, Wis. – Lunchtime on the third Friday of September can only mean one thing in Vernon County: the youngest of dairy enthusiasts are getting ready to take center stage at the Vernon County Fair and take part in the long-standing tradition of the Little Britches Dairy Show. This year marked the 30th anniversary of the show, and 85 kids age 8 and younger participated by leading a calf
into the show ring and sharing a little about themselves and their calf with Gail Klinkner, who heads up the committee that organizes the event. “My mom, Judy Wubbenhorst, had the idea to start the Little Britches Show back in 1990,” Klinkner said. “She thought it would be a fun way to include the kids too young in 4-H in the fair.” That rst year of the Little Britches Show, there were 15 youth, including Klinkner, who paraded their calves through the show ring. Over the years, the event has had as many as 100 participants and each year there is a standing-room-only crowd on hand to watch the littlest showmen. While no one has ever kept an ofcial tally of how many kids have taken Turn to LITTLE BRITCHES | Page 25
USED EQUIPMENT FROM A NAME YOU CAN TRUST!
CHECK OUT OUR LARGE SELECTION OF HAY EQUIPMENT AND TRACTORS!
USED TRACTORS
‘54 J-D 40, Restored...................................... $4,900 ‘49 Ferguson T0-20 ....................................... $2,250 ‘71 Ford 3000, Diesel, Side mount sickle mower ......................................................... $6,900 A-C D-17........................................................ $4,400
USED SKIDSTEERS
‘08 5600, glass cab w/A/C, HI Flow Aux, 1885 hrs ...................................................... $22,500 ‘21 T-66, glass cab w/A/C, 2 spd, 50 hrs ....... $55,000 ‘11 T-650, glass cab w/A/C, 2 spd, 5000 hrs . $26,500 ‘12 S-770, glass cab w/A/C, 2 spd, 5500 hrs . $28,500 (2) S-650, glass cab w/A/C, 2 spd, 4100 hrs & up ............................Starting at $28,500 (2) S-550, glass cab w/A/C, 2 spd, 150 hrs & up ..............................Starting at $24,900 ‘19 S-450, Glass Cab w/A/C, 1100 hours....... $27,300 (2) S-185, Glass Cab w/A/C, 1700 hrs & up ................................ Starting at $19,750 ‘18 JCB 270, Glass Cab w/A/C, 825 hours ..... $45,900 ‘04 Gehl 4640, 1400 hours ............................ $18,900 ‘99 NH LS-190, glass cab & heater, 2 spd, 4800 hrs ...................................................... $16,500
USED TILLAGE
‘08 WR QX 60’ Cultivator w/Rolling Basket.. $29,500 ‘15 WR QX2 50’ Cultivator w/Rolling Basket $38,900 ‘12 WR QX2 50’ Cultivator w/5 Bar Spike Harrow ................................ $27,900 ‘10 WR QX2 50’ Cultivator w/Rolling Basket $28,500 Case IH 4800, 28.5’ Cultivator, 3 Bar Harrrow $7,950 ‘98 JD 980, 44.5’, 3 Bar Harrow .................. $12,500 JD 1000, 25.5’ Cultivator, 3 Bar Harrow ........ $1,700
Many used & new skidloaders ON HAND
DANIELLE NAUMAN/DAIRY STAR
Alice in Dairyland Julia Nunes (second from leŌ) welcomes the standing-roomonly crowd to the LiƩle Britches Show Sept. 17 at the Vernon County Fair in Viroqua, Wisconsin. Nunes stands with royalty – (from leŌ) Vernon County Dairy Ambassador Harlee Harbaugh, Wisconsin Fairest of the Fair Cayley Vande Berg, Vernon County Junior Fairest of the Fair Jenna Harrington and Vernon County Fairest of the Fair Courtney Moser.
MIDWEST PUMPING II LLC
‘12 W-R 513 Soil Pro, 11 Shank, Folding Frame ............................................ $39,500 ‘11 Krause 4850-18 Disk Ripper .................. $24,500 ‘14 Krause 8310, 19’ Disk, 26” Blades, Never Used ................................................ $43,900 JD 910, 5x24 Ripper ...................................... $6,950 Pepin WDT-500, 5 Sectoin Spike Harrow ...... $2,850 Ford/Glencoe 10 Shank Chisel Plow ............. $1,550
USED PLANTERS
‘03 White 8186, 16x30 ................................ $24,500 (2) ‘94 White 6100 12x30, Vertical Fold ..............................Starting at $10,500 ‘17 G-G YP825A, 8x30 Twin Row, 270 Acres Only .......................................... $31,500
USED HAY EQUIPMENT
‘15 NH 316, 15’ Discbine ............................. $22,900 ‘09 NH H-7230, 10’ Discbine ....................... $16,500 NH 492, 9’ Haybine, Very nice shape ............. $6,950 ‘07 NH 617 Disc Mower, 6’ 8” Cut ................. $5,000 NI 5407 6’8” Disc Mower .............................. $3,250 ‘05 NH FP-240, Crop Pro, 3PN Cornhead, 29P Hayhead ............................................. $15,000 NH FP-230, Crop Processor ........................ $10,900 NH 790, 824 Cornhead, Hayhead................... $7,950 ‘00 NH 658 RD Baler, Netwrap & Twine ....... $13,900 ‘96 NH 644 Rd Baler, Twine Only ................... $8,950 ‘19 H&S LW1100, Line Wrapper, 1995 Bales $26,900 ‘16 H&S RTG2 Tedder.................................... $1,950 NH 144 Invertor ............................................. $2,500
Over 20 yrs experience • Looking to expand! • Set up for pumping long distances • Tanks & Hose System Available • No till applicator and John Deere mapping
USED MISC
‘08 Red Ball 1000 Gallon Sprayer, 60’ Boom $7,500 ‘16 N-H 195 Spreader .................................. $14,500 Hinker 1700, 15’ Stalkchopper ...................... $6,100 ‘96 Feterl 10x60 Auger................................... $2,250
Equipment of Norwood LANO A family business since 1946 with the Lanos: Jack, Paul, Bob and Andy 952-467-2181
Call 563-920-1273
Page 24 • Dairy Star • Saturday, September 25, 2021
Smart ID Technology
Semi-Automatic Cleaning
Pasteurizing Option
EL-AN Drive
Smart Mix Technology
Remote Control
Contact Your Local Calf Star Dealer For More Information
Wisconsin:
Abts Equipment LLC New Franken (920) 866-2485 Gillett (920) 866-2485 Argall Dairy Systems, Inc. Belleville (608) 424-6110 Platteville (608) 348-3385
Midwest Livestock Systems Menomonie (715) 235-5144 Redeker Dairy Equipment Brandon (920) 960-9260 The Scharine Group Inc. Whitewater (608) 883-2880
Gehring Sales & Service, Inc. Tri-County Dairy Supply Inc. Rubicon (262) 673-4920 Janesville (608) 757-2697 Joe’s Refrigeration, Inc. Iowa: Withee (715) 229-2321 Langs Dairy Equipment Decorah (563) 382-8722 Leedstone, Inc. Menomonie (866) 467-4717 Precision Dairy Equipment Elkader (563) 245-2560
Minnesota:
Gorter’s Clay & Dairy Equipment, Inc. Pipestone (507) 825-3271 Leedstone, Inc. Melrose (888) 267-2697 Glencoe (877) 864-5575 Plainview (800) 548-5240 Midwest Livestock Systems Zumbrota (507) 732-4673
South Dakota:
Midwest Livestock Systems Renner (605) 274-3656
Dairy Star • Saturday, September 25, 2021 • Page 25
ConƟnued from LITTLE BRITCHES | Page 23
their rst steps in the county fair show ring during the Little Britches Show, Klinkner estimates that the average number of kids each year is about 70 to 80. “It started with those rst 15 kids, and then grew to about 25 to 30 for a couple of years,” Klinkner said. “We had several years that were around 100, and then have always had about 70 to 85 the last ve years or so.” Klinkner, who milks 55 cows with her husband Rob and their ve children near Viroqua, started helping out her mother with planning and organizing the event as an older dairy youth. In 2001, she began serving as the emcee for
the event, interviewing each participant on the microphone. In 2007, she became the main organizer, leading a committee of youth supporters in procuring donations for goody bags and prizes for the youth. This year, each participant was awarded a shirt, a rosette and a backpack lled with cheese, milk, yogurt and a variety of other prizes. They received their prizes from a bevy of dairy industry royalty after telling the crowd about their calves and what they enjoy doing at the fair. While the event had its beginnings rooted in the younger brothers and sisters of the dairy DANIELLE NAUMAN/DAIRY STAR
ParƟcipants for the 30th annual LiƩle Britches Show await their turn to share about their calves Sept. 17 at the Vernon County Fair in Viroqua, Wisconsin.
DANIELLE NAUMAN/DAIRY STAR
Gail Klinkner (leŌ) interviews her son, Rylan, while her daughter, Rubi, looks on. Klinkner has been involved with the LiƩle Britches program since showing in the rst one in 1990. Today, she heads the commiƩee that plans the event and serves as the emcee.
project members in the county, it has grown in scope and is open to any child to sign up, regardless of whether or not they live on a farm. The youngsters can either lead a calf that is already being exhibited at the fair, or the calves can be brought in and taken back home the day of the show. Jarred Huber is a grain farmer near Viroqua, and he and his wife, Laci, signed their 3-year-old son, Brant, up. They worked with Rudrud Farms, a neighboring dairy farm, to borrow a calf to take to the fair for
Brant to show. “We both grew up as avid livestock exhibitors, and we both showed here at the fair,” Huber said. “We wanted Brant to be able to start showing as early as possible, and this is a great opportunity for that.” Harlee Harbaugh, the 2021 Vernon County Dairy Ambassador, started her showing career as a Little Britches showman at the age of 3 and has been showing dairy cattle ever since. This year, she was on hand to help present awards to the participants, after compet-
ing in the 4-H dairy show earlier in the day. Harbaugh appreciates that as an older member of the dairy project, she has the opportunity to help younger kids experience showing dairy cattle. “Showing in the Little Britches Show was a great experience, the highlight of the fair for me and a memory that I’ll always love,” Harbaugh said. “It was always very exciting for me to get to show my calf. Now, I am a 4-H exhibitor here at the fair and I still love doing it.”
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Page 26 • Dairy Star • Saturday, September 25, 2021
ELAP funding available for drought-impacted farmers By Steve Frericks
County Executive Director Stearns County FSA Office
The sights and smells of fall are upon us. My favorite time of the year. In most cases, harvest is the reward for all your dedicated hard work from the growing season. Many area producers were affected by recent storm activity. Our hearts go out to those affected. This adds to an already stressful year. FSA is reporting these events and working with emergency ofcials to identify if the county can qualify for any additional emergency assistance. The month of September at FSA means we are preparing for the fall payment cycle. We will begin pushing out eligible program payments in early October. With this in mind, if you have changed banks or have new accounts, please notify FSA so we can get the correct routing information for your direct deposit. If you have purchased land, FSA needs to know this. Often landowners believe that FSA is notied of land transactions at the local county courthouse, This is not the case. FSA will need a copy of the recorded deed to make updates for current ownership. Please stay safe as you harvest what is left of this crop and proud of what you have accomplished. USDA expands assistance to cover feed transportation costs for drought-impacted ranchers in Minnesota In response to the severe drought conditions in the West and Great Plains, the United States Department of Agriculture announced its plans to help cover the cost of transporting feed for livestock that rely on grazing. USDA is updating the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish Program to immediately cover feed transportation costs for drought impacted ranchers. USDA’s Farm Service Agency will provide more details and tools to help Minnesota ranchers get ready to apply at their local USDA Service Center at fsa.usda.gov/ elap. ELAP provides nancial assistance to eligible producers of livestock, honeybees and farm-raised sh for losses due to disease, certain adverse weather events or loss conditions as determined by the Secretary of Agriculture. ELAP already covers the cost of hauling water during drought, and this change will expand the program beginning in 2021 to cover feed transportation costs where grazing and hay resources have been depleted. This includes places where: Drought intensity is D2 for eight consecutive weeks as indicated by the U.S. Drought Monitor; Drought intensity is D3 or greater; or USDA has determined a shortage of local or regional feed availability. Cost share assistance will also be made available to cover eligible cost of treating hay or feed to prevent the spread of invasive pests like re ants. Under the revised policy for feed transportation cost assistance, eligible ranchers will be reimbursed 60% of feed transportation costs above what would have been incurred in a normal year. Producers qualifying as underserved will be reimbursed for 90% of the feed transportation cost above what would have been incurred in a normal year. A national cost formula, as established by USDA, will be used to determine reimbursement costs which will not include the rst 25 miles and distances exceeding 1,000 transportation miles. The calculation will also exclude the normal cost to transport hay or feed if the producer normally purchases some feed. For 2021, the initial cost formula of $6.60 per mile will be used (before the percentage is applied), but may be adjusted on a state or regional basis. To be eligible for ELAP assistance, livestock must be intended for grazing and producers must have incurred feed transportation costs on or after Jan. 1, 2021. Although producers will self-certify losses and expenses to FSA, producers are encouraged to maintain good records and retain receipts and related documentation in the event these documents are requested for review by the local FSA County Committee. The deadline to le an application for payment for the 2021 program year is Jan. 31, 2022. More information on this expansion to ELAP is forthcoming. In the meantime, more information is available at fsa.usda.gov/elap or by contacting a local USDA Service Center. 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.
Ready for autumn We nished chopping hay Sept. 2, closed up the bunker and headed right into corn silage. After taking off the outside rows, Duane decided it was too wet. Looking around the neighboring dairy farms, they were chopping, but they didn’t use fungicide. We had a helicopter swooping and spraying our elds to try to ease the stress of the drought on the corn in early August. This worked to keep it living just a little longer and ll out more, and it allowed us to get us off the farm for a few days to let it dry down further. Taking me off the By Tina Hinchley farm is often a challenge. Farmer & Columnist I have a hard time putting all the work on Anna, and there was added work coming up with many animals in the prefresh group due soon. I really didn’t want to leave. Anna insisted that we get a mini vacation now, before she and Kevin start hunting. Anna gave Duane ideas about where to go, and we were packed up and on the road heading up north on our excursion right after lunch. We ended up in Green Bay for the evening on our way through Door County to see Washington Island. Heading north, we noticed some of the trees were starting to turn to red, orange and yellow. The colors of fall remind us that we will be seeing the radiant changes soon on our maple trees at our farm, and winter is waiting once the leaves have fallen. Cold mornings make it much harder to head out to the barn, but this cool morning motivated us to get to where we wanted to go. We took the ferry over and drove around the island, stopping to view the historical sites until it was time to check into a bed and breakfast. It was a charming old farmstead with a very comfy bed and no TV, which was great. We each brought books to read. It was quiet and serene – just what we needed. As the sun was rising in the morning, we ven-
Dairy Star • Saturday, September 25, 2021 • Page 27
tough with drought and the depression. Duane’s last visit there was with his father many years ago, and he wanted to see if we could nd some headstones in the cemetery. He remembered the stories, but it was hard to remember what cemetery it was. Duane remembered an old school house with steel siding nearby, but it could have been taken down years ago. There were three in close proximity to the farmstead. We looked for well over two hours, and even spoke to a neighbor that was outside with her husband, to ask if she knew the Hinchleys. She said her father and aunts who lived in the house were still alive, and she would ask them. She pointed the way to go, and I nally said it was time to head home. As we drove slowly home past the neighbor-
ing dairy farms, we noticed many had all their corn chopped. We knew we would be harvesting feed over the next week, and everything was ready to head out to the eld the next morning. I came home feeling revitalized. It was a very good get away, not too far to drive. I think this might have been the perfect trip. It put me in the mood to bake a pumpkin pie. I am now ready for autumn to arrive. Tina Hinchley, and her husband, Duane, daughter Anna, milk 240 registered Holsteins with robots. They also farm 2300 acres of crops near Cambridge, Wisconsin. The Hinchley’s have been hosting farm tour for over 25 years.
E Every site i was a new adventure to see what the park had in store for us to find. tured into the main house to make wafes and headed back to catch the ferry before the line got too long. On the way up, I saw some of the Wisconsin State Parks that had waterfalls. Anna told us to look up waterfalls on our phone: Only in your State, Wisconsin Scenic Waterfalls. A loop to see seven waterfalls. This gave us plenty of places to stop and hike. The parks have paths, bridges, and even some cabins nearby to see and hear the water falling over the rocks. Every site was a new adventure to see what the park had in store for us to nd. We walked on the paths to see the falls hidden in the woods, surrounded by trees, owing over rocks that have been rounded by the years of the river owing over them. Everywhere we went, the water was so clean and the parks were set up for guests to enjoy outdoor activities. State parks were some of the busiest places people headed to during the pandemic. They provided fresh air, hiking, biking, beautiful sights and a place to spend time with each other. As we continued up the loop, without planning ahead, we needed to nd a hotel for the night. We ended up in Iron Mountain, Michigan. Sleeping in was the thing to do the next morning before getting the free breakfast and nishing the loop of the waterfalls on our way back home. We ventured over to Waupaca to stop at the Hinchley Homestead where Duane’s father grew up. The house, barn and sheds are still standing, and it all looks really good and well taken care of. I took some photos as we drove down the road, over the creek where his father and uncle Frank used to swim and sh. We drove slowly by, and observed the sandy elds and roadsides where they had to graze their cattle when times were
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Page 28 • Dairy Star • Saturday, September 25, 2021 Dana Adams, adam1744@umn.edu 320-204-2968 Joe Armstrong armst225@umn.edu 612.624.3610 Luciano Caixeta lcaixeta@umn.edu 612-625-3130 Gerard Cramer gcramer@umn.edu 612-625-8184 Marcia Endres miendres@umn.edu 612-624-5391 Joleen Hadrich jhadrich@umn.edu 612-626-5620 Les Hansen hanse009@umn.edu 612-624-2277 Brad Heins hein0106@umn.edu 320-589-1711 Nathan Hulinsky huli0013@umn.edu 320-203-6104 Kevin Janni kjanni@umn.edu 612-625-3108 Karen Johnson ande9495@umn.edu 320-484-4334 Emily Krekelberg krek0033@umn.edu 507-280-2863 Claire LaCanne lacanne@umn.edu 507-332-6109 Brenda Miller nels4220@umn.edu 320-732-4435 Erin Royster royster@umn.edu Isaac Salfer ijsalfer@umn.edu 320-296-1357 Jim Salfer salfe001@umn.edu 320-203-6093 Mike Schutz mschutz@umn.edu 612-624-1205 Emma Severns sever575@umn.edu 507-934-7828 Melissa Wison mlw@umn.edu 612-625-4276
www.extension.umn.edu/dairy
Late season alfalfa considerations By Claire LaCanne
University of Minnesota
There is a good chance you are already done with silage harvest for the year due to early maturation in much of the state. Now you might be turning your mind to the rest of harvest. It is also a good time of year to think about your alfalfa and setting yourself up for success next season. You will want to consider whether or not you should take a cutting, and you will want to think about fertility, too. This year’s drought conditions in much of Minnesota have resulted in decreased forage yields for many farmers. Taking a fall alfalfa harvest may be an opportunity to increase both the quality and quantity of your forage inventory. But as we come up on the end of our typical alfalfa cutting window, you will want to think about whether harvesting fall alfalfa is the best option for your operation. Late season alfalfa management decisions often come down to balancing a need for forage versus optimizing stand health and winter survival. If you are wanting to harvest, when should you take your last cutting of the year to ensure good winter survival and yield potential for the following year? The timing of harvest, especially in the fall, can maintain or deplete root reserves critical for winter survival. In Minnesota, cutting is not recommended between Sept. 1 and Oct. 15 because this critical harvest period is needed for carbohydrate accumulation. These calendar dates are not necessarily the hard and fast deadline, because the growing season is lengthening in general, with killing freezes coming later. Critical harvest period dates will also vary depending on how far north you are located, but regardless, it is crucial that nal harvest occurs four to six weeks before the average date of the rst killing frost/freeze. Cutting during the critical harvest period interferes with the accumulation of carbohydrate reserves because energy is expended for new growth at the expense of building winter reserves. It is also recommended to maintain a minimum of 6 inches of standing growth or stubble to serve as a snow catchment for insulation to protect against winter injury. Also keep in mind that stands under three years of age are more tolerant of fall cuttings than older stands where root and crown diseases are setting in. While not a controllable factor, droughty fall conditions also reduce the storage of root reserves, so you will want to keep that in mind while thinking through these
decisions, especially this year. If your forage stores can afford for you not to cut, your alfalfa’s winter hardiness should be maximized with hearty growth next spring. Having biomass out there will hold snow for extra moisture and insulation, as well as provide more reliable erosion control. Root heaving should be minimized and ice damage may be reduced. One risk of leaving your stand over the winter is that having a larger amount of vegetative matter out there could encourage alfalfa weevils the following spring. Minimizing the amount of alfalfa stubble in the fall has been shown to reduce injury from alfalfa weevils. It is important to stay on top of fertility because stressed plants are weaker and don’t efciently synthesize carbohydrates for winter storage. As far as fertility goes, alfalfa growers in Minnesota often apply potassium fertilizer twice each year: once during the growing season and once in the fall to promote overwintering. However, research by the University of Minnesota indicates that a second, fall potassium application has no effect on alfalfa’s winter hardiness. This research shows no difference between spring alfalfa stands that received a fall potassium application and those that did not. Two likely reasons are that 1) modern alfalfa varieties have been bred for greater winter hardiness, so they don’t need as much potassium for overwintering as past varieties and 2) previous research showing a benet from fall potassium application was likely done on soils with much lower potassium levels than we have today. University of Minnesota researchers recommend testing your soil and applying potash once during the growing season at recommended rates. The university also provides an alfalfa calculator to help farmers pick optimal phosphorus and potassium application rates, which you can nd at: https://z.umn. edu/AlfalfaCalculator. Looking ahead to next spring, it is recommended to closely assess stand health in the spring, regardless of how you decide to manage your alfalfa this fall and regardless of winter conditions. Remember that winter injury may not be immediately obvious. You might be able to tell if there is slow or uneven spring growth, or it could go undetected until after the rst cut. In the spring, you will want to perform stem counts and monitor regrowth to assess overall stand health and production potential. For more information on assessing your forages, visit: https:// extension.umn.edu/forages/growing-forages.
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Dairy Star • Saturday, September 25, 2021 • Page 29
How much can I overstock? By Jim Salfer
University of Minnesota
A common saying in the dairy industry is, “When milk prices are high, I want to milk more cows. When milk prices are low, I need to milk more cows.” This often means overcrowding the pens. Some farms achieve high milk production and have healthy cows with pens containing 40% more cows than stalls. Other farms have challenges if cows are overcrowded more than 10%. Cows have certain biological needs that must be met for them to be productive and stay healthy, so it is important to provide good animal welfare conditions. Here are some questions to ponder when evaluating increasing stocking density. Are transition cows never overcrowded? A fresh cow pen allows cows to recover and not have to compete with the more aggressive cows for stalls or bunk space. Cows that had greater lying and ruminating activity during the week before calving had greater feed intake and milk yield during the rst two weeks after calving. Providing 30 to 36 inches of bunk space and 80% to 100% freestall capacity for transition cows will help them get off to a good start.
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Are cows allowed to achieve their desired time budget? Table 1 shows the time budget of high producing cows. Several research studies show that cows desire 12-14 hours of lying time and will give up eating time to achieve lying time. Cows ate faster to achieve the longer lying times which could affect components and increase the risk of acidosis. Rest and rumination are important for cow welfare. Ninety percent of rumination should happen when cows are lying down. Rick Grant proposed that each additional one hour of resting time translates into two to three more pounds of milk per cow daily.
MILKING—ASTRONAUTS
The Dieball Family (Dieball Dairy) near Green Isle, MN, started milking with Astronauts in N November of 2018 (A4 milking robots, Jun Juno feed pusher, Luna cow brushes). "W "We've achieved everything we were ho hoping for, plus a lot more! And the co cows love them. If the robots leave th the farm, the cows will be leaving right be behind them."
Are all stalls comfortable? To achieve the desired lying time, all cows need access to high quality beds. Cows require well designed stalls with a soft lying surface. The percent of hock lesions, swollen legs, injuries and the number of broken freestalls can help determine if your beds are adequate. Are all stalls high quality and desirable to use? West side stalls in North to South directional barns often don’t get used on summer afternoons. If stalls are too small, a cow lying in a stall may occupy part of a neighboring stall with her legs, head or back, which would prevent another cow from lying down in the vacant stall.
FEEDING—VECTOR SYSTEM
Are rst lactation cows separated from older cows? Heifers are smaller than the mature lactating cows and everything about the milking experience is new. This makes it difcult for them to compete for bunk and bed space with mature cows. Research showed a 10% to 15% improvement in milk yield and a nearly 20% increase in resting activity when rst-calf heifers were grouped separately from older cows.
The Rolf Family (Golden Sunrise Dairy, Inc.) near Mcintosh, MN, started Vector feeding in late 2019 (A4 milking robots, Vector feeding system, Collector cleaners, Luna cow brushes).
Is adequate high-quality bunk space available? Recommendations are that lactating cows have access to 24 inches of bunk space. This is seldom achieved with overstocking. Less bunk space can be partially compensated for with excellent feed management. Three-row pens have less bunk space per stall than two-row pens. Some barns have areas of the barn with man passes, crossovers and other areas where bunk space is unusable.
“With heifers and milk cows under one roof, the Vector allows us to feed an unlimited number of rations with an unlimited number of ingredients. It also gives the cows a consistent mix, and we all know cows love consistency!”
Is feed management excellent? This can partially compensate for less bunk space. Here are some musts with overstocking at the feed bunk. Feed must be delivered to each pen within the same 15-minute window each day, especially if feeding for low refusals. Feed must be kept pushed up and be available for 24 hours. Rations must be consistently mixed and not easily sorted. Cows may eat faster with fewer but larger meals if they are overcrowded. This increases the risk of subclinical acidosis that can have a detrimental effect on milk components. Feed should also be uniformly delivered along the entire length of the bunk and feed must be available along the entire bunk for the entire day. No part of the bunk should ever be out of feed.
CLEANING—DISCOVERY COLLECTOR
The Kerfeld Family (Kerfeld Dairy) near Melrose, MN, started cleaning their barn with the Collector in January of 2020 (Collector cleaners, Luna cow brushes).
Is hoof care excellent? An excellent hoof health program is even more important if your barn is overstocked. Is heat abatement excellent? Increased animal density means increased heat production. Heat abatement in the holding area and throughout the freestall barn will increase cow comfort. It will also help keep cows from bunching in the barn. Is time away from the pen and in headlocks kept at three hours or less per day? With more cows in the pen, access to the bunk and beds for as many hours as possible is important so cows can meet their time budget needs. Submissive cows will suffer if time away from the pen is too long. The answer to how much overcrowding is optimal depends on facility design and management. The more the above criteria that are met, the more likely overstocking will not affect productivity and animal welfare. Table 1. Time budget for lactation dairy cows
Activity Lying/resting Eating Social interactions Ruminating Drinking Milking (outside pen)
Time needed, hours per day 12 to14 3 to 5 (9-14 meals/day) 2 to 3 7 to10 0.5 2.5 to 3.5
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You might be a farmkid if… Page 30 • Dairy Star • Saturday, September 25, 2021
It popped in my head as I was standing in the kitchen, whipping up the last breakfast for the chopping crew, and two boys burst through the door to give me the update on chopping and their whereabouts. I was smirking to myself, thinking about their peers indoors at school on this beautiful fall day, and here they are getting ready to cover the bunker. These kids are nuts. They knew exactly the level of ‘fun’ they were going to have by taking the ‘stay home and help’ option today. Dane was the only one out of the ve boys who opted for school. He doesn’t enjoy being behind on anything, and prefers advanced warning to absences if he can help it. So, I’m standing at the stove and I hear Jeff Foxworthy’s voice in my head, chuckling, saying ‘you might be a farmkid if….’. So
I grabbed my pen. I would bet some of these may t your children as well. You might be a farmkid if…. …skipping school to help nish chopping corn silage, shovel screenings, hold down multiple layers of plastic, and throw hundreds of tires sounds like a vacation. …you are pumped that your seventeenth birthday falls during corn silage so you can spend your day in the tractor hauling loads (Julie!). …a ride in the chopper with Ray Baby or in the silage truck with Uncle Peter is far better than a ride at the fair. …your schedule of life revolves around chopping hay, chopping corn, bow season, high moisture corn,
and gun season, and somewhere in there you squeeze in football and schoolwork. …you willingly pack the pile because from that vantage point you can spy deer behind the Ramblings from the Ridge house and way down by the woods. …you get free time at school and use it to draw detailed pictures of farm equipment, which you then use to educate your teacher on how it works. …you get excited at the rst sounds of the By Jacqui Davison silage trucks ‘comin’ in Columnist hot!’ …you are four years old and elated to discover that some of the letters in your very own name are on the side of the silage trucks. …you can recite the ‘number names’ of every tractor and truck on the chopping crew at whim, but if asked what you did at school today, you draw a complete blank. …you easily memorize the order of trucks dumping on the pile and report if someone falls out of rotation from your station in the sandbox. …you know your mother will tell you 500 times a day to be safe. …you know that it makes your mom awfully happy when you tell her that all the men on the crew said thanks for the food that you had to deliver. …you know who is driving the silage trucks by the sound of the Jake brake and the speed at which they enter and leave the driveway. …the excitement of the poop boat arriving ranks up there with Easter and Christmas. …getting the latest Tractor House magazine is used as a bribe to get through the grocery store without incident. …you draw such anatomically correct pictures of animals at age four that it causes some nonfarm human’s eyebrows to raise in a concerned manner that says ‘she may know way too much for her age.’ …your modes of transportation on the farm seem to get more horsepower as you age: bikes, lawnmowers, the Ghost, the 200. (At any given moment all modes are being used to move boys from point A to point B). …when asked what you did this summer, your instant response is ‘learned how to drive the skid steer to help Peter’. …when told the neighbor’s heifers are here for a visit and we need to go chase them, you hop on your lawnmowers and throw dust. Think of pint-sized versions of Bo and Luke Duke on Cub Cadets instead of in a Dodge Charger. …you have to inspect all of your clothing for manure and grease stains before wearing it in public. …you proudly wear a shirt that says ‘Born to Farm, Forced to go to School’ once a week, every single week of the school year. Jacqui and her family milk 800 cows and run 1,200 acres of crops in the northeastern corner of Vernon County, Wisconsin. Her children, Ira (14), Dane (12), Henry (7) and Cora (4), help her on the farm while her husband, Keith, works on a grain farm. If she’s not in the barn, she’s probably in the kitchen, trailing after little ones, or sharing her passion of reading with someone. Her life is best described as organized chaos – and if it wasn’t, she’d be bored.
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Maximizing starch digestibility in HMSC
Dairy Star • Saturday, September 25, 2021 • Page 31
Many producers have completed corn silage harvest and some may be near to or already harvesting high moisture shell corn. If you plan to incorporate HMSC into your feeding strategy, the following three factors can help you Something to Ruminate On get the most from this high-value feed.
Processing, particle size Like corn grain, processing HMSC increases surface area so that microbial digestion can take place. The ideal particle size for HMSC is interdependent on moisBy Barry Visser ture and storage time, Nutritionist which we’ll discuss next. A mean particle size of 1,200 to 1,500 microns is recommended for HMSC at 30% moisture. The drier the HMSC, the ner the grind needs to be. The two most common HMSC processing methods available are hammer mills and roller mills. In a hammer mill, particle size is determined mostly by screen hole size. The screen prevents the ground feed from leaving the grinding chamber until it reaches a given size. In a roller mill, feed passes between rolls, and is sheared and compressed to reduce the particle size. Both systems will do a great job of processing HMSC if they are set up properly and receive regular maintenance. Roller mills can handle high moisture levels a little better; a hammer mill is more effective at reducing particle size if moisture levels are lower than ideal. Our 2021 growing season has generated signicant variation in kernel size and moisture in areas impacted by the drought. More frequent adjustments may be needed to achieve desired HMSC particle size.
For example, HMSC ensiled at 24% moisture will have less proteolytic lactic-acid bacteria (LAB). Thus, it will take longer for prolamin proteins to degrade and degradation will occur to a lesser extent. If it is also coarsely processed (greater than 2,000 microns), starch digestion will be very slow and the potential for excessive fecal starch will be high. In contrast, HMSC ensiled at 35% moisture may ferment very rapidly with a robust growth of LAB and, if nely processed (less than 1,000 microns), may result in excessively fast ruminal starch digestion. This may lead to rumen acidosis or decreased milk component production.
Moisture The University of Wisconsin recommends targeting 28% to 32% moisture for HMSC. Storage structures may dictate your target value. For optimum starch digestibility, a little too wet is better than too dry. If you will start feeding HMSC immediately after harvest, you may want to consider segregating twoor three-months’ worth of HMSC with slightly higher moisture. This will provide a more immediate source of highly digestibly starch. Success at low moisture values is often dependent on the degree of processing and the integrity of the storage unit. In a perfectly maintained, oxygen-limiting unit with a bottom unloader, 20% to 25% moisture may be acceptable, but is still a little on the dry side.
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Storage time Allowing adequate storage time for wet corn is the greatest supporter of starch availability. Prolaminzein proteins encapsulate corn starch and act as a barrier to digestion. Over time, protease enzymes (produced by proteolytic bacteria) break down this protein matrix, making starch more available. The wetter the corn source, the quicker this process occurs and the sooner the feed will reach its full starch digestibility potential.
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The most important thing to remember is there is no such thing as a universal HMSC. The digestion of HMSC is dynamic, dependent on processing, and especially dependent on the intensity of LAB growth and length of storage. HMSC may feed poorly in the fall, feed well in the spring and become excessively digestible in the rumen the following summer. Because the digestibility of HMSC is a moving target, having enough carryover in your inventory will help you reduce this variation. Harvesting at the desired moisture and reducing particle size will also help you maximize starch digestibility of your feeds. Barry Visser is a nutritionist for Vita Plus.
™ ® Trademarks of Corteva Agriscience and its affiliated companies. © 2021 Corteva.
On the run
Page 32 • Dairy Star • Saturday, September 25, 2021
The skies have nally opened, and rains have started to revive dry lawns and restore moisture to alfalfa plants after a fourth cutting. What a welcomed sight. However, it does come at a cost. It seems August weather can be like a drunken giant trying to quietly tip-toe across the landscape while trying to avoid tripping over lakes and rivers. He is neither quiet nor delicate, while he leaves a trail of destruction behind. Low pressure systems sweeping up from the south and high pressure systems hurling down from the north collide in our region creating quite a stir. On the last Saturday morning in August, we watched as ominous clouds churned in the west-southwest sky moving in our direction. As the clouds brewed a darker color the closer they came, I could see light behind the storm and thought “Is that all there is to this storm? What a wimp.” The dark clouds passed over and little did I realize the light behind the storm was actually a wall of water and wind. This was not going to be a wimpy storm. Watching from my kitchen window, I could see a dark animal running around by the domes. It looked like our dog Bailey. As I opened the front door to call the dog to the house, the skies opened. Rain and hail pelted the ground. Surely the dog will nd a
dry place in one of the open sheds. Once again Mark found himself stranded in the machine shed as the fury of the storm echoed throughout the metal building. He kept watching, studying the sky for a sign of danger. He knew the safest place during the heart of the storm was going to be under one of the big tractors, and he was ready to move. As quickly as the storm hit, it dissipated and we emerged to start looking for damage. The buildings and vehicles looked OK. I called for Bailey, and she met us by the calf domes. Then we started to recognize the potential damage. One of the calf domes ew 30 feet across the yard. We found two calves wandering in the area and put them back in their own domes. Then I started to do a head count. We were still short one calf. I realized what I thought was the dog running around by the domes was actually a week-old black calf. As the winds and rains hit, it pushed this little girl eastward toward the corn eld next to the barn. Once she found shelter from the storm in the corn rows, she started walking. We found her little toe tracks in the mud heading south. Or was it a fawn track? There are so many deer in the area. We couldn’t tell what we were looking at but it was the only clue
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we had as to where this calf could possibly have gone. Mark tracked her all the way to the well and then back north again. She somehow crossed our driveway heading north but didn’t want to come in the open yard. She apparently liked hiding in the tangled corn stalks. All afternoon we walked Just Thinking Out Loud and searched. I purposely withheld the evening milk from the remaining calves. I hoped their bawling would call her home. As the sun was setting, I relented and fed the calves, worried about our missing little one being all alone and lost in the eld. Another round of rain was forecasted for the evening. This poor little one was goBy Natalie Schmitt ing to get stranded out in another storm. We all went to Columnist bed with heavy hearts. As we started milking the next morning, Brenda called and said the missing calf was in her yard. Sure enough, it was our missing girl. We got her home. I put extra straw in her dome and gave her a warm bottle of milk. What a relief. We don’t know how she made it a mile north of the farm, across a busy tar road while avoiding a fall in a swollen water way in the middle of a dark and stormy night. We did know she was going to need a special name. Eleven years earlier in August we had an even bigger storm go through our farm yard knocking down large elm trees. We didn’t lose any calves in the corn eld that time but a couple of domes did land in the eld like the Wizard of Oz house. We were in the middle of calving in ET calves from Goldwyn Carly at that time. Two were even born during the storm. We named them Cyclone, Chaos, Confusion, Commotion, Church and Chapel. So this little black calf was going to have to have a special name to mark her event. Katie started throwing out song titles as name suggestions. Born to Run. Runaway. Fly Away. All were good ideas but not quite the right one. Then she found it. The right name/song. Since this calf traces back to our Chickadee cow family, it needed to have a bird connection. She pleaded to name her Freebird, a classic country rock song by Lynryd Skynyrd. Perfect. During our search we discovered the extent of the storm damage to the elds. Mark surveyed the damage of twisted corn stalks and shredded leaves. He took mental notes of which varieties he was going to avoid on his next seed order. The damage meant harvest plans had to be switched and accelerated before too much moisture was lost in the feed value. Fields of silage corn seem to have withstood the winds but grain corn elds struggled to stay upright. Harvest elds were going to have to be ip-opped. Since we’re not back up to full capacity, we don’t need to chop as much silage as we grow. We are fortunate enough to have a large dairy neighbor who is always looking for feed closer to home. Brent came in with a chopping crew and semi dump trucks. They cleaned out 50 acres of downed corn in ve hours. Mark spent 40 hours over the next week chopping silage to ll two bags and two silos from 30 acres. We will have more than enough feed supplies for the number of cattle we have on hand for the coming year. Now we wait to see how the silage corn matures and dries down for grain harvest. It won’t be a record-breaking year, but it should still have strong yields. One of the best things about the early induced corn silage season is we can Take It On the Run to Expo! As their four children pursue dairy careers off the family farm, Natalie and Mark are starting a new adventure of milking registered Holsteins just because they like good cows on their farm north of Rice, Minnesota.
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Help in time of need
One of the characteristics you hear over and over about rural Americans – and especially members of the dairy community – is our inclination to help each other in times of need. Sometimes our needs are small; sometimes our needs are large. Sometimes help comes from those we know and love; sometimes help comes from complete strangers. During the 4-H livestock encampment of the Minnesota State Fair, Monika found herself in need Dairy Good Life of help. I was there as one of our county’s chaperones and doing my best to help her, but even I was at a loss for solutions. On Friday evening, the night before the show, Monika took her heifer, Debut, out for a walk, to get Debut’s wiggles out after being cooped up for several days at the fair. Dozens of other 4-Hers had the same idea and the area between the cattle barn and the coliseum looked like a mini-show. Unfortunately for Monika, Debut wanted nothing more than to go back to the straw pack in the barn. Debut has never loved being on the halter, but I’ve By Sadie Frericks never seen a heifer so downright ornery. And I’ve Columnist never seen Monika’s condence dissolve so quickly. She knew Debut needed to walk well during the show to keep from breaking in the loin; she also had high hopes for showmanship, her favorite class. At that moment, it looked like neither of those was going to go well – and I didn’t know what else to do to help Monika. In the next moment, help arrived in the form of an angel named Ashley. Monika didn’t know Ashley; I only knew who Ashley was because she and her family show at the same youth show our kids do. “Here, let me help,” Ashley said. I held Ashley’s heifer while she helped Monika and Debut around the makeshift ring. After a couple minutes, Ashley told Monika that she’d be right back. Ashley put her heifer away, came back, and helped Monika with Debut for over an hour. With awe, I watched this unlikely pair: This was Ashley’s last year of showing in 4-H at the state fair; it was Monika’s rst. Ashley comes from one of the larger farms in Minnesota; Monika comes from one of the smaller. Ashley had a registered Red and White heifer; Monika had a crossbred. But, as they worked together, their differences were irrelevant. Ashley’s calm encouragement slowly helped Monika’s condence return. At the show the next morning, Ashley was there again for Monika. I’m not sure how she knew it was time for Monika’s class, but I guess angels just know when we need them. “You’ve got this,” Ashley reminded Monika. Monika and Debut made it through Debut’s class. Debut was no less ornery than the night before, but Monika’s condence held up. They nished better than Monika’s goal of getting a blue ribbon. Following her class, Monika asked, for the rst time ever, if she absolutely had to go back out for showmanship. I told her that showmanship likely wouldn’t go very well, but she needed to go out anyway. Indeed, showmanship did not go well at all. As much as I think Monika knew in her head that it wouldn’t go well, in her heart she had held onto the hope that somehow it would go better than she expected. As Monika walked out of the ring, she looked crushed. But, again, Ashley was there. She wrapped her arm around Monika and walked with her all the way back to her stall. I’m not sure what Ashley said, if anything – or maybe it was just her presence – but Monika looked like she had been lifted up. I thanked Ashley for all of her help, and I hope that my words adequately conveyed the magnitude of my gratitude. What a gift that I was there to witness Ashley’s selessness. Monika thanked Ashley in her own way. After Monika was notied she had earned a spot in the Rising Stars of the Minnesota 4-H Dairy Showcase, I asked her which two guests she was going to bring to the showcase brunch. “Me and Dan?” I suggested. “No, not Dan. I’m going to ask Ashley,” she replied without hesitation. Ashley accepted Monika’s invitation and joined us for brunch. As Monika and Ashley sat there together, all dressed up, smiling and chatting, I couldn’t help but marvel again at the unlikeliness of their new friendship. Sometimes help shows up in the ways we least expect. P.S. Little did we know at the time, our family would end up needing a lot more help before the state fair was over. To be continued… Sadie and her husband, Glen, milk 100 cows near Melrose, Minnesota. They have three children – Dan, 13, Monika, 11, and Daphne, 7. Sadie also writes a blog at www.dairygoodlife.com. She can be reached at sadiefrericks@gmail.com.
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Page 34 • Dairy Star • Saturday, September 25, 2021
Farming from ve hours away
Holst continues managing home herd while at college By Krista Kuzma
krista.k@dairystar.com
KELLOGG, Minn. – While Ashley Holst has enjoyed her experience as a student at South Dakota State University, it has come with adjustments. “Now that I’m in college, I get homesick,” said the 19-year-old sophomore. She misses her family, but almost equally misses the cows on her family’s 140-cow dairy near Kellogg, Minneso-
ta. To remedy this, Holst keeps up with the farm as much as she can by texting and calling with her family, watching the barn cameras from her phone, looking at records online and scheduling cow management meetings on weekends when she is home. “I felt bad I was leaving everyone and leaving my cows. I’ve always been there for them,” Holst said. “I just up and left, and didn’t like how it felt for me, so I decided it needed to change. I had to keep doing what I could do from
SAMANTHA SCHOENBAUER/SDSU THE COLLEGIAN
Ashley Holst stands in the dairy barn at South Dakota State University where she is a sophomore studying dairy producƟon and animal science. Holst uses cameras, online records and frequent phone calls to family to keep up with her home 140-cow dairy near Kellogg, Minnesota.
PHOTO SUBMITTED
Ashley Holst and her dad, Jary, check over their family’s dairy herd on their farm near Kellogg, Minnesota.
afar.” Holst takes on the role of herdsperson for the herd, which is owned by her parents, Jary and Celene, along with her brother, Jacob. Other family members – Jacob’s wife, Brittany; her brother, Isaac, and his wife, Courtney, along
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Cows are captured in a screenshot image from the camera Holst checks while she is away from her home dairy and studying at school at South Dakota State University in Brookings, South Dakota. feel like I’m at home even though I’m ve hours away.” She rst began checking the cameras while in high school. “I would check the dry cows,” she said. “If we had a cow calving, I would text my dad.” Although Holst did chores while growing up on the farm, she took on more responsibility starting March 2020. “When COVID-19 hit, that’s when I took over everything,” Holst said. “We started calving our beef cattle so my dad got really busy. So, he just let me run freely with the milking cows and learn what was going on. That summer, I really took off and started doing a lot more by myself and asking questions instead of asking for directions.” Her duties have included daily milking, vaccinating, reproduction synchronization scheduling, choosing bulls for mating and drying off cows among other tasks. “My thing is the cows,” Holst said. “I love working in the calf barn but the cows are where I nd myself at home. I work a lot with animal health. Everything I do is about the cows’ health and keeping it going through their lactations.” On a regular basis, Holst will check over the farm’s DairyComp 305 online. When the nutritionist, A.I. technician or herd mating specialist has a question, they text or call Holst. “They really get it and know I want to stay up to date and help as much as possible,” she said. “I haven’t missed a sire selection or mating process yet. Our (herd mating specialist) always texts me if I’ll be home on the weekends and adjusts her schedule.” At SDSU, Holst is double majoring in dairy production and animal science, and will apply for veterinary school after graduation. Her plan to become a large animal veterinarian came about the same time she took over herdsperson responsibilities on her family’s farm. For a school project, Holst spent a day job shadowing her family’s vet, Dr. Megan Weisenbeck. “I couldn’t get in with an ag engineer and that’s what I was dead set on doing,” she said. “So, I went to job shadow a vet, and I fell in love with
the job that day. There was no turning back.” Her eyes were opened to more of a veterinarian’s typical routine than what she was used to them doing on her farm. “My farm its always surgeries or running through dehorning,” Holst said. “That day, we started with preg checks. My farm doesn’t do preg checks because we use DHIA samples.” Holst also helped Weisenbeck with calf care calls, taking blood samples and making diagnoses from those samples, among other jobs. “I never even knew that was truly part of the vet’s job,” Holst said. “I just fell in love with all of it – the numbers, the science behind all of it.” Since then, Weisenbeck and her colleague, Dr. Portia Seckerson, have become mentors to Holst, providing information and talking through ideas. Holst is excited how her education will help further her skills. After becoming a vet, Holst also wants to continue working with her family’s farm. “I’m going to have the access and the knowledge to know how to do a lot of vet work so we can do it ourselves,” Holst said. “It will be a lot quicker to do the whole process myself from start to nish.” And, she wants to incorporate new management such as ultrasounding. Working on her own dairy while also working with dairy clients through her vet practice will help her bring reallife experience to her job. “I’ll be able to see the issues the farmers are having, and I’ll be able to see those hands on and not have to hear about them,” Holst said. “I might be dealing with that same issue and I can try the same protocols I’m telling my clients.” Plus, she loves working on her family’s dairy. “The dairy has always been a part of me,” Holst said. “That was our family time – being together on the farm.” She hopes by being a vet someday, she can also keep her family’s dairy thriving into the future. “I just hope to improve it,” she said. “I learn about all these opportunities I can bring home to the farm.”
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Page 36 • Dairy Star • Saturday, September 25, 2021
Women In Dairy
Christine Bender Watertown, Wisconsin Dodge County 800 cows Family: I farm with my mom and dad, Peter and Cindy McFarland, as well as my husband, Robb, and our 1-year-old daughter, Annabelle. Tell us about your farm. McFarlandale Dairy was established in 1852, and I am the sixth generation. We used to have our own dairy store on the farm where they bottled milk and had a delivery route in Watertown. Today, we milk about 800 cows and run about 1,200 acres. We have a great team of employees and allied industry partners who help us provide excellent cow comfort and care. What’s the busiest time of day for you? The morning is always the busiest time of the day. I love to get up early and tidy my house, and then get a ton of stuff done at the dairy, usually starting with checking fresh cows and taking care of the animals. That is always our top priority. When you get a spare moment what do you do? I love to workout and take care of my body. I work really hard and believe self-care is very important. I regularly visit a chiropractor, get massages and enjoy getting my nails done as a little treat.
Tell us about your most memorable experience working on the farm. I can’t think of one moment that was the most memorable, but I’ve learned dairy farming is full of challenges. When I rst came back to the farm, I despised all the challenges. I let it get to me. After ve years on the farm, I’ve learned to embrace the hard; it’s what makes us better. I’ve learned to view problems as opportunities and changing my mind shift has helped me overcome them that much easier. What have you enjoyed most about dairy farming or your tie to the dairy industry? I enjoy caring for the animals rst and foremost. Growing up on my family’s dairy farm has instilled a strong work ethic and passion for dairy. It is a bonus that I get to work alongside my family, although it’s not always easy. Now that we have a daughter, I really enjoy being able to bring her with me to the farm every day, and my mom devotes a lot of her time to caring for her. She regularly brings her out to visit my dad and I while we are working, and I know she makes all of our days better. How do you stay connected with others in the industry? Although it’s not always easy to get off the farm, I value the importance of being able to attend various conferences and meetings. I love talking to other people in my shoes and hearing about what they are doing. I always learn so much just by talking to fellow dairymen and women.
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Who is someone in the industry who has inspired you? My mom and grandma. They both have and had very active roles in the dairy. When I was growing up, I remember my grandma always fed all the calves and did all the accounting. As an adult, I can now appreciate the fact that she not only did that but also took care of the household and raised four children. My mom was raised on a farm and always knew she wanted to marry a farmer. She taught elementary education for a while until she had my brother and then returned to the farm full time. She milked the cows and was responsible for animal health. I could never quite understand how she could do it all. She’s an amazing woman. If you could give a tour of your farm to a prominent woman in today’s society, who would it be and why? I can’t think of one prominent woman
today that I’d like to give a tour to. We take a lot of pride in what we do, and I love to tell others about it. Our doors are always open, and I try to post on our farm Facebook page as much as possible to help inform others of what we are doing. I think it’s important in general that we keep our barn doors open and don’t be afraid to share your story. Now, more than ever, consumers want to know where their food comes from and how it was raised. What is the best vacation you’ve ever taken? Honestly, any vacation is the best vacation. It is so important to take time off and get away from the farm. It not only is good for your mental health but allows others the opportunity to step up and grow. What are some words you like to live by? Work hard, play hard.
MDI is available to help existing and potential dairy producers succeed through team-based on-farm education, resources, and networking. Your Team Can Assist With… • Estate planning/farm transfer • Milk production/quality • Calf & heifer performance/growth • Feed management/nutrition • Reproduction • Herd health • Financials • Grant opportunities • Farm/family communication • Expansion/facility improvements • Forage production • Transitioning to Organic
“The MDI program has been essential to the growth and development of our dairy farm over the years. The team meetings, resources and ideas we get from agriculture professionals help us to ensure that we’re making the right choices for our farm!” -Dairy Producer, McLeod County
Does your milking equipment need maintenance? We service all dairy equipment! Give us a call to schedule a visit.
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Dairy Star • Saturday, September 25, 2021 • Page 37
Take actions for safe, healthy harvest Skjolaas, Wege outline tips for on-farm safety By Krista Kuzma
krista.k@dairystar.com
In light of National Farm Safety and Health Week Sept. 20-25, the Professional Dairy Producers featured a Dairy Signal webinar called “Farm Safety and Maintenance Tune-Up.” Cheryl Skjolaas, senior outreach specialist with the University of Wisconsin Center for Agricultural Safety and Health, talked mostly about harvest and road safety. Justin Wege, ag mechanics instructor/tractor safety program lead, department chair for ag mechanics, outdoor power equipment, and farm business production management with Fox Valley Technical College, focused on preventative maintenance. “Take actions to make sure it is a safe and healthy harvest season,” Skjolaas said. When it comes to harvest safety, Skjolaas said to rst look at the operator’s manual of the equipment used. “While you may have been working in this industry and operating equipment for a long time … for every piece of equipment you need to know where the controls are and what switches do,” Skjolaas said. If a person does not have a lot of time to read the manual from cover to cover, Skjolaas said to focus on the
safety section of the book. “The operator’s manual is going to have some really important key messages for you to review,” she said. “Keep the manuals on hand and make sure everyone knows where they are.” Another key point is to train operators and review the hazards of the equipment. “You may be bringing in a lot of people to run equipment – family members, neighbors or hiring people on a temporary basis,” Skjolaas said. “They may not understand what the hazards are. Go through them together and what you can do to prevent them.” Skjolaas suggested having a check list for equipment. Another important point about harvest safety is to not take shortcuts. “We’re really creative sometimes about how we can get things done … but it doesn’t mean it’s the right thing or the good thing to do,” Skjolaas said. For road safety, Skjolaas said the rst thing to do is check the lighting and marking: make sure the slow moving vehicle emblem is clean and bright; have amber retroreective strips in the front and red ones in the back; make sure headlights and all other white lamps are only forward facing; and make sure to have a turn signal. “It’s not just about added cost, but it’s an added prevention to help you to increase your visibility to your neighbors and the people you care for,” Skjolaas said. Other road safety points Skjolaas said are important is knowing the vehicle, weight and road rules. “There are differences between im-
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“It starts with a daily walk around,” he said. “Fires and accidents around harvest time – some of that is related to not performing that preventative maintenance inspection on a daily basis. We’re in a hurry … Sometimes that 5-minute walk around can save us major breakdowns at this important time of the year.” When performing a quick check, Wege said to look at the uids. “They are a vital part of our equipment running,” he said. Also check general wear of the equipment such as tire condition, if pieces are missing or had been taken off for repair and not replaced. Chains and belts should be tight. “So they don’t start a re or something that can create a re,” Wege said. The overall condition of the cab is also important to look at. Are the windows clear enough to see out of? Are the SMV signs visible? Are ashers and other lights working? Keeping a record of what type of maintenance has been done is a good way to keep it done on a schedule. It does not have to be formal. Wege suggested a white board in a shop, writing it in the operator’s manual or in a notebook. Daily upkeep could be the difference between keeping the harvest on schedule or delaying it. “Sometimes spending money and time upfront is the key to not being broke down at this time of year,” he said. “This time of year, dealerships are very short on personnel. If you can prevent something major from happening on your own, let’s try to do that.”
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plements of husbandry and the trucks we’re using, and different road authorities and regulations for weights,” Skjolaas said. “Just be sure you know those and go out there in a legal vehicle.” Skjolaas also reminded people that it is illegal for anyone to block the road besides law enforcement. “Follow the rules of the road and share the road,” Skjolaas said. “You have the responsibility to warn the motorist if you’re going to turn. Use signal lights or hand signals. Even with older equipment, there are a lot of new lighting and marking materials. There are lights that can be connected with magnets or temporarily secured to be switched between equipment.” Also, if debris, such as mud or manure, is left on the road from the elds, farmers need to take care of it. “As a farmer you have the responsibility to clean up the road,” Skjolaas said. Mental health is also important. “When things seem to be going wrong, take that break,” Skjolaas said. And the No. 1 safety tip Skjolaas likes to remind people is to make sure power is off before xing or doing maintenance on equipment. “Lock it out, take the key out,” she said. “Use those features that lock that equipment up. If it’s something that is tied to electrical, make sure the power or any stored energy is out of that system before you work on it. There are a lot of different gears, chains and mechanisms. We don’t have the reaction time.” Wege talked about preventative maintenance.
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Page 38 • Dairy Star • Saturday, September 25, 2021
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Dairy Star • Saturday, September 25, 2021 • Page 39
Don and Dave Hall Tomah, Wisconsin Monroe County 200 cows How did you get into farming? Our dad farmed, and we just kind of took over. Dad set us up so we could have a nice operation to work with. He didn’t really give us anything, but he did give us a good opportunity. Not everybody gets that. Now Don’s two sons are involved and we have one employee. What are your thoughts and concerns about the dairy industry for the next year? We worry about how prices have gone for everything, and that is if you can get it. Supplies are hard to get, and equipment is almost impossible to get. We bought a chopper last December, and we still have not received it. We bought a feed mixer recently, and we are not supposed to get it until next August. What is the latest technology you implemented on your farm and the purpose for it? A robotic feed pusher. It gets the feed pushed in at night when we are not here. We have it set for every hour at night. We can denitely tell when it doesn’t work because there is a lot of feed left over.
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The crew at Dave and Don Hall’s dairy farm includes (from leŌ) Don Hall, Dave Hall, Cody Hall, Connor VonHaden and Jacob Hall. Dave and Don milk 200 cows in Monroe County near Tomah, Wisconsin. What is a management practice you changed in the past year that has benetted you? We hired another person to have as an extra hand. He does what we do – a little bit of everything. What cost-saving steps do you implement during low milk prices? We try to keep up on equipment purchases every year, but when milk prices are low, we don’t purchase equipment. We make it last another year.
How do you retain a good working relationship with your employee(s)? We are good to work for. We communicate with them and try to be exible. Tell us about a skill you possess that makes dairy farming easier for you. We are used to long working hours. We all do our thing: Dave is the breeder, and Don does the feeding. We all do a little bit of everything.
What do you enjoy most about dairy farming? Being our own boss and harvesting crops. What advice would you give other dairy farmers? Don’t get in debt too far. We were always told if you can’t pay for it, don’t buy it. The only time we ever had to borrow money was when we built the parlor. And then we had it paid back fairly soon. The farm has been in the family over 150 years and that helps a lot. We just took our turn and will hopefully get it to the next generation to let them take their turn.
What has been the best purchase you’ve ever made on your farm? The parlor. If we were not milking in this parlor today, we probably would not be milking at all. We had a stanchion barn before, and we were milking 90 cows down there. At the time it was a big step. We thought maybe we would put a parlor inside the old barn and build a freestall barn behind it, but dad said, “If you’re going to do something, do it right.” So, we moved everything up here and that was the best thing we ever did. What has been your biggest accomplishment while dairy farming? Being able to remain protable all these years. We think it is an accomplishment to get a sixth generation involved. What are your plans for your dairy in the next year and ve years? In the next year, we will maintain what we are doing. In the next ve years, we do not see expansion. We will continue to involve the next generation. If we did not have them, it would change our decisions. How do you or your family like to spend time when you are not doing chores? We have season tickets for the Packers, so we go to one game a year.
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Page 40 • Dairy Star • Saturday, September 25, 2021
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