Breeder Profile: Stone-Front Farms, LLC

Breeder Profile

District 3: Stone-Front Farms

by Mara Budde

Twenty years ago Stone-Front Farm was featured as the District 3 Breeder Profile in the Wisconsin Holstein News. Between then and now, much has changed for the Buttles family. Over these years, the herd has grown to 1300 cows with much of that growth coming from within. And within those 20 years, Andy and Lyn Buttles have bred cows that work and wear in addition to placing sires in stud and breeding and developing All-Americans.

Today, Andy and Lyn Buttles along with their children, Christina, 14, and Kayla, 11, all play a part in the success of the dairy. Andy’s parents Elam and Barbara also remain involved and they have a great group of dedicated employees.

Before coming to Lancaster, the Buttles farmed in Waterford in Racine County beginning in the 1840s. Harvey Buttles settled on government land in Racine county just outside what is now the town of Waterford in 1942. His son Elijah married Nancy Beardsley. In 1913 Andy’s great grandfather Elam sold the grade herd to purchase a herd of Registered Holsteins.

Unfortunately, after tuberculosis hit the herd, these original animals were eradicated and the Buttles had to start over. That fall, 14 heifers and a bull were purchased from the Bielke family and after that the StoneFront herd remained closed until 1997. The All-Americans Stone-Front Prestige Angie EX-94, Stone-Front Iron Pasta EX-96, and Stone-Front Charles Lonna VG-89-CAN all trace back to these original purchases.

By 1997 the stall barn in Waterford had seen better days and with the urban area in Racine County expanding, the family decided it was time to move. Gary Finley knew of a farm that was for sale in Lancaster. The dairy had a double-seven parlor and a new 150-stall freestall barn. Andy notes that the Lancaster area was appealing because of the agricultural community and dairy infrastructure that was missing in the sprawling urban area of Racine County. That spring the herd was trucked across the state and over the next 24 years the herd grew under the care of the family and their employees.

“We rarely bought cows, but instead focused on internal growth,” Andy says. “The combination of our cows’ durable longevity with the great job our calf care people do always allowed us to build herd numbers rapidly.”

Parlor and barn capacity was increased over time to accommodate herd numbers. Cow care and comfort has always been a priority at StoneFront Farm. Even with a growing herd, the Buttles and their crew has always made sure each cow is treated right. Andy says that they really enjoy milking old cows and letting cows fully realize their genetic potential.

“The biggest change over the years hasn’t been what we do, but rather how do we do what we do for 1300 cows instead of 40,” Andy says. “We have found that the key to this is to hire really exceptional people. We are blessed to have an outstanding team of employees. They work very well together and also really like cows. Our dedicated employees deserve all of the credit for the farm’s success.”

Calves are managed by Becky Oglesby; Levi Martin serves as herd manager with herdsman Sam Chipahua and assistant herdsman Rodrigo Rodriguez.

Good genetics have always been important to the Buttles family. Household name, Stone-Front Iron Pasta EX-96, has a long history with Andy. She traces back to some of the original animals purchased by his family in 1923 and his first Registered Holstein, Stone-Front Raymond Marti-OC.

“Oddly enough, even though my dad had bred her, she was the only Registered Holstein that dad ever bought,” Andy says.

Marti was part of a group of heifers that Elam and Barbara sold to Lamkindland. Years later she was on a Lamkindland sale. They liked

Stone Front crew: employees - Rodrigo Rodriguez, Sam Chipahua, Levi Marin; the Buttles - Christina, Kayla, Andy and Lyn.