Rooted deep in history St. Charles

It was there, as their father brokered a deal that helped re-establish trade relations with Cuba, that the brothers realized the importance of the next generation of farmers. “It was a life-changing experience that didn’t affect me until now, when I had my own kids.” Seth said. “We make the deals with the older generation but it’s the younger generation that we’re dealing with.” The brothers watched as their father introduced American farming techniques to Castro and other representatives. They discussed things like the importance of milk replacer. Today, Seth said, they use that experience to help kids in their own community. When today’s youth show an interest in farming, he said, he’s willing to help them get engaged in agriculture and work with animals. It could be a life-changing experience for a child, he said. “It gives a whole new meaning to life watching crops grow, or a calf being born and it grows into something great or watching my kids grow up on the farm.” Seth said. K-LER Cattle is the prime example of history running deep with tradition. For many years, the Kaehler family has built up their family’s now sixth generation family farm, along with their solar company. K-LER Cattle, located near St. Charles, consists of 150 cows and crop operations. Ralph and Mena Kaehler raised their two children, Seth and Cliff on the farm. “We feel blessed that the sixth generation is here, and we were able to grow both the farm and solar company.” Mena said. “They were able to leverage each other.” Seth is currently living on the farm with his wife, Shelby, and their two children Creed and Colt. Cliff and his wife, Bailee also have two children, Phenix and Devereux, who keep active with the solar company and helping on the family farm from time to time. With the sixth generation now growing up on the farm, there is no doubt their philosophy runs true: Built on tradition, focused on the future. The farm was originally homesteaded by wagon-makers from Winona. When the Kaehler’s bought the farm, they had hogs, draft horses and cattle. Ralph’s father, Don and uncle Rudy made it through the depression by using their Belgians as studs. Don won the stud colt class at the Minnesota State Fair with one of their Belgian studs, which he was extremely proud of. Another proud accomplishment the Kaehler family holds was having the largest Duroc herd in Minnesota, with 40 sows, 55 years ago.

PHOTO BY TAYLOR JERDE Creed (from left) Seth, Shelby, Colt, and Mena Kaehler stand in front of grazing “We feel heifers on Sept. 9 near St. Charles. The Kaehler’s have had a lot of success with their breeding program. blessed that the sixth generation is here, and we were able to grow both the farm and solar company.” - Mena Kaehler

Kaehler page 8

Ralph and Mena purchased the farm in 1992, using the Beginning Farmer Loan Program which can be used for farmers when they fi rst purchase a farm. Seth and Shelby then used that same program to purchase the farm. “We had always told the boys, if one of them wanted to raise their kids on the farm, they can.” Mena said. As time went on, their primary focus became cattle. Shorthorns were their breed of choice. Ralph imported a few Shorthorns from Europe and one of the main Shorthorn sires from Ireland. In 1996, Ralph exported Shorthorns and a few Simmentals to China after a Chinese delegation came to the United States to decide which producers they wanted to work with. Kaehler from page 7 “We felt very fortunate that they picked us, so we put together a plane-load of Shorthorns working with other Shorthorn breeders in the Midwest.” Mena recalled. “Ralph went to China later that spring to consult and because of that trip, Ralph got selected to go on the delegation with Jesse Ventura.” Serving on the delegation in China opened up many opportunities for Ralph and his family. They were then able to go to Cuba when Ventura opened the trade agreement. Ralph and his family pulled together two breeding beef, two dairy heifers, two sheep, two bison, two hogs, and two lambs to send to Cuba. They created many relationships and even introduced some important agricultural products to farmers in Cuba. As Cliff and Seth got older, they became heavily involved in showing and the Simmental Association. This began their transition from Shorthorn cattle to Simmental and Sim-Angus. “We really enjoyed the Simmental Junior Nationals, and the connections we made in the Simmental industry.” Seth said. “We really started focusing on breeding the show heifers with AI and doing some embryo transfers, but it was the junior association that really drove us into the Simmental industry.” K-LER Cattle is focused on the future, they strive to produce elite cattle with a specifi c look who are also productive. “They have to have phenotype and EPD’s to go along with it.” Seth said. The Kaehlers were able to turn their dreams

PHOTO BY TAYLOR JERDE Mena (from left) Shelby, Colt, Seth and Creed Kaehler pose Creed’s heifer, Frankie, in front of their farm sign on Sept. 9 near St. Charles. into realities in the showring. They recalled their favorite show heifer, K-LER Sweetness, as she won many shows for them and was a pasture favorite. Some of her biggest successes are winning the 4-H show along with the Junior and Open show in Denver. Her legacy continues to live on through generations of offspring all around the country. “She was a breed-changer.” Seth said. Family is at the core of K-LER farms and it takes a lot of people to continue the family farm. “When we were younger, my brother and I would help calve out cows, and my mom would take us to all the junior shows,” he said. “After college, my dad and I would work back and forth with chores, making sure everything got done. Shelby does all the bookwork, tracking, and expenses going in and out on the farm.” Seth continues to place importance on that family partnership today. “Family is growing up with your siblings, the relationships you have and work-

PHOTO BY EMMA LOU PHOTOGRAPHY Simmental and Simmental infl uenced cattle are the preferred breed of the Kaehler family. ing together,” he said. “Family means everything, without family we wouldn’t be where we’re at today.” Without family, he said, the farm would never be raising the sixth generation. Shelby agrees. “Blood, sweat, tears, and smiles.” Shelby said. Through the years, Shelby said, people have had to give up something to allow the next generation to farm. Seth agreed. “You have to learn to give up a little bit.” Shelby said. “The ribbons and banners will fade but being able to have the farm is key.” Seth said. They have also hired a full-time manager, Ryan Ihrke, on the farm to help minimize the stress on the family. “It’s a major relief having Ryan.” Seth said. “There’s too many ways of getting spread out too thin, so now we can do a lot of stuff better.” Shelby agreed. “Our kids are young yet, so having help allows us to enjoy it.” she said. Many family farm leaders agree communication and trust are important factors in successfully running a farm. The Kaehler family says it has helped them achieve what they have been able to do. “You are always developing; you’re always wanting to do the best,” Seth said. “Before, we weren’t breeding off numbers, and now we’re using the DNA to decide breeding styles. If you don’t change, you get left behind.” Each generation of Kaelers has relied on the ones before them, grateful for the openness and opportunity the predecessors have shown them. For Mena, it’s been important to keep the farm going. “Ralph and I feel really blessed that we have the opportunity to be able to pass the farm on and how our family dynamics are with the choices we made,” she said. “With the two businesses, it has been able to help both of them grow. Both boys picked their passions and were able to work together.”

Snowmobile Season

Call or stop in and see our selection! is Coming!