Reliabank

the seed heads off; and will eat the thistles before they get too tall and woody. The sheep eat closer to the ground. The sheep are a Dorper/ Katahdin cross which are hair breeds and not wool breeds.

Matt said the pasture is planted with a mix of brome, Timothy, orchard grass, alfalfa and red clover. The variety helps ensure that there’s always something to eat in the pasture – some grasses do well in dry conditions and others do well when it’s wet. They will also bale some of the forage mix for use in the winter. Additionally, the couple rents land to grow corn, soybeans and oats. Their goal on the poultry side is simply to raise a really good and hardy laying hen. The chickens also fit into the sustainability formula: “We like to have the chickens around because the scratch up the manure, they eat flies and maggots,

The sheep and goats graze together.

OUR AG LENDERS KNOW

FARMING

Stop in, enjoy a cup of coffee and visit with an agag loanloan specialistspecialist today!today!

Sioux Falls | Colton | Estelline | Hartford | Hayti | Hazel | Humboldt | Tea | Watertown

and suck up different parasites that could harm the lambs,” said Marie. Over time, they want to become a full-fledged hatchery. Matt added, “Everything we have here is a work in progress.” New on the Mehlhaf farm this year are British White cows. The British White breed is a moderate sized cow that does very well on grass and forage. “We are excited to see how they do in our operation,” Marie said. Nearly everything ties back to forage and grass. “The grass is what really works for us. It suits our skills.”

Matt said the sheep have been profitable which has allowed them to invest in further developing the farm. Marie said, “We have the sheep to pay the bills and a few cows for our pride.” In addition to the sheep, goats, chickens and cattle, they also have pigs, guineas, ducks, geese, dogs and cats. Marie works fulltime on the farm. On top his farm duties, Matt also works for his dad and uncle, for neighboring farmers and at Menno Livestock Auction. He does lots of odd jobs – like if somebody needs an angry cow loaded or a bin cleaned out.

Matt and Marie met during their freshman year at South Dakota State University, but didn’t start dating until they were seniors in 2012. Their relationship got started at a wedding where Marie was a bridesmaid and Matt played the trumpet during the service. At the reception, some older ladies told Matt he needed a wife who was like his hard-working grandmother. He thought that sounded pretty good. “I was looking for a helpmate, somebody to work alongside me.” The ladies told him he’d never find someone like that.

“About that time Marie walked by,” he said. “I saw that she didn't have anybody to bother her at the wedding, so I thought I just as well do that.” Marie continued the story: “Matt asked me to dance. I didn't have anyone else to dance with, so it was better than standing by myself.” The antithesis of a Harlequin romance novel continued in the months ahead. Marie said, “On our first date, he took me to the implement dealerships. He’s a romantic guy.”