All photos: Abby Bauer
Connecting the dots with manure The owners of Five Star Dairy strive to be better than average — and that includes manure management on their Wisconsin farm. by Abby Bauer | Managing Editor
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ne only has to spend a few minutes with dairyman Lee Jensen to realize that his mind is always moving. He is continually crunching numbers and considering options, looking for the next opportunity to benefit his cows, his fields, and the farm’s bottom line. This is especially true when it comes to the manure management on Jensen’s dairy operation near Elk Mound, Wis. From anaerobic digestion to a bedding dryer, his commitment to not only removing manure but making 10 | Journal of Nutrient Management | February 2020
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it a useful byproduct has led him down several paths that have proven successful on his family’s farm.
Cows at the core Jensen grew up on a registered Holstein farm in the northwestern part of the state, which was started by his grandfather and later run by his dad and uncle. Jensen began farming full time after graduating from high school and took over the operation with his cousin Jim in 1989. Jensen’s wife, Jean, is a veterinarian, and she was also jofnm.com
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