Next-Generation Farmers

The Invisible Enemy: The Audacity and Faith of One Incredible Wisconsin Dairy Family

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 13:58:02 GMT

In the world of dairy farming, we often talk about the things we can see: the quality of the silage, the conformation of a heifer or the rising numbers on a milk check. But for the Den Hoed family in northern Wisconsin, the most defining battle of the last 17 years has been against an enemy that is entirely invisible. It is a story of a silent killer that nearly broke their business, but instead, forged a family legacy of unshakable faith and the grit to build something entirely new from the ground up.

The story of Den Hoed Dairy doesn’t begin in the cabin country of Wisconsin. It begins in the Yakima Valley of Washington, where Walt Den Hoed grew up milking cows alongside his father and brothers. By 2008, the operation had grown to 1,200 cows. But that year, a storm hit: Walt’s father passed away from cancer, and the family realized — too late — that no succession planning had been done.

In 2010, at age 40, Walt faced a crossroads. He could stay in the shadow of a fractured legacy, or he could take a leap of faith. With his wife, Denise, and their children, he looked at seven dairies across the Midwest. They eventually settled on a site in northern Wisconsin, arriving with nothing more than two tractors, a loader and a determination to start over.

“We didn’t bring any cows,” Walt recalls. “We bought everything here. We didn’t know then why the former owner had sold the farm. We found out soon enough.”

(Den Hoed Dairy)

The Silent Killer: 17 Years of Stray Voltage

What the Den Hoeds had unknowingly purchased was a stray voltage farm. Located precisely between two electrical substations, the earth beneath their feet was a conduit for balancing energy. For the cows, it was a living nightmare.

“It affects their liver,” Walt explains, his voice heavy with the memory of the struggle. “The cows wouldn’t drink.”

At their lowest point, the cows were only taking in 13 gallons of water a day.

“We were down to 44 pounds of milk on 3x milking,” says Colton Den Hoed. “They wouldn’t even let their milk down in the parlor; they’d get back to the stalls and just start dripping. It was like they were being suppressed from the inside out.”

The numbers were staggering and, for any other business, it would have been a death sentence. The farm carried a 44% cull rate and a 10% death rate. In the winter, production hovered at 60 lb.; in the summer, 75 lb. Compared to the 90 lb.-plus averages they had achieved in Washington, the Den Hoeds were merely surviving in a state of constant “IV tube” management.

“We were in the shed at 3 a.m. in -25°F-below weather, building little pens to warm up calves that were dying because the stray voltage prevents calcium transfer,” Denise says. “They couldn’t keep themselves warm. We were doing whatever it took to save them, but you can’t out-farm physics.”

(Den Hoed Dairy)

The Legacy Farmer Pivot: Permission to Dream Again

For years, the family lived in a survival bubble. The Den Hoeds say when you are buried in the daily trauma of losing animals and fighting a plummeting milk check, you stop dreaming. You focus on the next bill, the next IV bag and the next sunrise.

The turning point came a year and a half ago when the family connected with Legacy Farmer. They wanted a cold, hard audit of their operation. They were prepared for the criticism. In fact, they invited it.

“We wanted to find the holes,” says Jayce Den Hoed. “We wanted to know where we were failing. But they dug into our portfolio for two months and came back with something we didn’t expect. They told us, ‘You guys can’t get any more efficient. The only thing you’re doing wrong is milk production, and you can’t help that in this facility.’”

That revelation was the green light the family needed. The audit proved their do-it-all philosophy — hauling their own milk, harvesting 1,700 acres of their own feed and handling every equipment repair in-house — had created a foundation of extreme efficiency. If they could just get the cows onto clean ground, the sky was the limit.

“We had a day of depression when we saw the reality of the numbers needed to build new,” Colton says. “But we all came back to the table with the same vision. We knew we had the equity. We just needed the courage to jump.”

Building from Scratch: 6 Miles to Freedom

The Den Hoeds are currently in the middle of a massive transformation. Just 6 miles away from their current death trap, they are building a brand-new facility from scratch. The new dairy will feature a double-20 parallel parlor and a state-of-the-art feed center.

The goal is to move the milking herd, dry cows and close-ups to the new site by November. The original farm will be repurposed for heifers and calves, who seem better able to handle the environmental stress until they reach breeding age.

“The bank approval was a miracle,” Denise says. “We spent months putting together a portfolio — projections for years to come, profit and loss statements, every detail laid out. We had a three-hour meeting with the board, and within 90 days, we had the approval. Our lender actually grew up on a farm that was also plagued by stray voltage. She understood our heart because she had lived our pain.”

(Den Hoed Dairy)

The Next Generation: Wired for the Legacy

Perhaps the most compelling part of the Den Hoed story is the two young men standing alongside Walt. In an era where the average age of the American farmer is rising, Jayce and Colton bring that figure down considerably. They are hardworking, tech-savvy and deeply committed to the family brand.

Jayce, who bought his first 100 acres at age 18, even before he graduated high school, handles the crop inputs and the beef side of the business.

“I’ve always wanted to farm,” he says. “You teach your kids responsibility, and that’s missing in our culture today.”

Colton, who cares for the youngstock, has taken the Den Hoed story to the world through social media, where he has built a following of nearly 200,000 people. He documents the good, the bad and the muddy.

“I want to show people what we do. I’ve had kids from small towns come through the barn who have never seen a cow,” Colton says. “The disconnect is huge, and we’re trying to bridge it.”

The brothers haven’t always seen eye-to-eye — they admit to butting heads in their younger years — but the shared trauma of the stray voltage years and the shared vision of the new build have welded them together.

(Den Hoed Dairy)

A Culture of “Familia”

The Den Hoeds don’t just treat each other like family; they extend that culture to their team. When they moved to Wisconsin, they struggled to find help until they recruited from the local Hispanic community. Today, they have four employees who have been with them for years.

“We treat them like family,” Colton says. “We have dinners together. We bring them donuts. We know about their lives. It’s not just a number on a payroll; it’s a relationship. That morale is why they stay, even when the facility was a struggle to work in.”

This focus on people is the secret sauce of their efficiency. By hauling their own milk, they save nearly $1.10 per cwt. — a figure that adds up to hundreds of thousands of dollars annually.

“If we didn’t do it ourselves, we wouldn’t be here,” Walt says simply.

The Audacity of Faith

Woven through every conversation with the Den Hoeds is a profound sense of faith. In their barn, a sign reads “In God We Trust,” and it isn’t just for show.

“When we put that sign up, it felt like our problems got worse,” Walt says with a wry smile. “It was like Satan went to work harder. But it just made us pray harder. We stopped praying for God to ‘fix’ the farm and started praying for wisdom. And that’s when the pieces started falling into place.”

They see God’s hand in the timing of the Legacy Farmer audit, in the specific background of their lender and even in the naysayers who told them they would fail.

“You’re always going to have people who think you’re nuts,” Walt says. “But we’ve learned to manifest the positive. You don’t go forward unless you poke your head out of the shell. We’re taking a leap of faith because we believe this industry is worth it, and we believe our family is worth it.”

Looking Toward November

As the construction crews move dirt at the new site 6 miles away, the Den Hoeds are already seeing the cumulative wins. Their pregnancy rate has surged from 23% to nearly 50% after a shift in management protocols. Their days in milk have dropped from 215 to 160. Though these changes did not translate to a single extra pound at their current facility, the engine is being tuned for the big move.

“We need hope,” Denise says. “We were in that survival pool for so long we didn’t realize how depressed we were. We had actually stopped dreaming.”

But the dreams are back. In November, when the first trailer load of cows pulls into the clean parlor of the new facility, it won’t just be a move of livestock. It will be the culmination of 17 years of perseverance. It will be the moment the invisible enemy finally loses its grip.

As the rain falls over the Wisconsin cabin country, the Den Hoed family gathers for their daily lunch — a tradition that keeps them connected and grounded. They joke, they plan and they pray. They are a testament to the fact that the most valuable asset on any dairy isn’t the quota or the equipment — it’s the people who refuse to quit.

The Den Hoeds are no longer just surviving. They are building a legacy that will outlast the hardships and the stray voltage. They are proving that when you combine elite efficiency with an audacious faith, the cream always rises to the top.

1,500-lb. Carcasses the New Normal, Not the Exception

Wed, 18 Jun 2025 16:26:38 GMT

Today the entire beef industry — from producers to processors — is economically incentivized to produce heavier animals. Ty Lawrence, West Texas A&M University animal science professor and director of the BCRC, predicts that carcass weights will continue to increase, potentially reaching 1,500 lb. in the near future.

Lawrence was a keynote speaker during the 2025 Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) Symposium in Amarillo last week. He says the industry has already seen harvests of cattle approaching that weight, with some producers currently feeding cattle up to 2,300 lb.

“We can feed cattle today to much bigger weights and be more profitable than you’ve ever considered,” Lawrence says.

BIF attendee and Kansas beef producer Joe Epperly from Wamego, Kan., summarizes, “The most hard-hitting comment at BIF was Lawrence’s 1,500-lb. carcass prediction by the end of his career. The implications of that to genetic selection, cost of production and cow size are far ranging. It will be a challenge for producers in every segment to meet.”

More than 400 beef producers, breed association leaders and industry professionals participated in two and a half days of educational programming focused on beef industry profitability and sustainability.

Tuesday, June 10, the event kicked off with the Young Producer Symposium. Wednesday’s general session focused on “Beef Industry Profitability: Conflicting market signals and profit drivers in the beef value chain.” Thursday’s general session theme was “Sustainability: Improving our product through selection, applications of technology and data integration.”

Wednesday and Thursday afternoon technical breakout sessions focused on a range of beef-production and genetic-improvement topics.

Bradley Wolter, a symposium attendee from Aviston, Ill., says, “Larger carcasses will be a critical part of bridging the supply gap in the near term. Identifying genetic association with late-term mortality and morbidity requires further research and coordination on the part of breeding entities.”

He says the chasm remains between exponentially larger finished carcasses that optimize fixed packer costs verses a target of smaller cows for biological optimum on the ranch.

“More collaborative, holistic data analysis with integrated research is needed to avoid industry sub-optimization and ensure competitiveness on the world stage,” Wolter summarizes.

Scott Greiner, Virginia Tech professor and Extension animal scientist, agrees with Epperly and Walter saying the message that resonated with many in attendance was the continued emphasis on increasing carcass weights by the feedlot and packing sectors, and the impact it will have at the cow-calf sector as it relates to cow size and production costs.

“This trend is not new, but I think the way things were conveyed by several speakers in terms of the economics and market signals, sure seems like bigger is what will continue to be a primary emphasis,” Greiner says.

Ken Odde, 2025/26 BIF vice president from South Dakota, says: “Two of the real questions about feeding cattle this long [to 1500-lb carcass weight] is what happens to the carcass traits as you do that? What happens to feed efficiency?”

One of the sessions that stood out to Odde during the symposium was a presentation on a project at South Dakota State University in the Advancements in End Product Improvement breakout session — “Extended days on feed: Influences on growth performance, efficiency and carcass characteristics of steers and heifers of different proportions of Angus and Limousin genetics.”

Is the U.S. Behind?

“From conversations in the hallway, I learned that the U.S. beef industry is behind on methane research, and if we are going to compete in the global marketplace, we need to get a move on,” Epperly says. “Australian Angus will release a methane research EPD in 2025, and we have barely enough data in the U.S. to see differences. That Australian data includes a lot of American bulls, so we will have data whether some American breeders like it or not. The optics for some are unfavorable, but whatever we can do to keep the doors open for our product the better off we will be.”

Likewise, symposium speakers referenced the Brazilian beef industry and how it is poised for continued success and rapid growth given its bountiful resources, not the least of which is its people.

“You see it not only in its scaled adoption of AI, but through the numerous young geneticists who make up the audience,” Walter says. “The U.S. industry needs to continue to invest in its genetic improvement through both public and private partnerships to maintain a position of world leadership.”

Young Producer Focus

“The Young Producer Symposium opened with a message about ‘Standing on the shoulders of giants,’” says Elizabeth Dressler, a graduate student who attended the symposium. “This resonated with me as I thought about all the research and progress the beef industry has made over the years. I thought it was a great way to open the conference by paying respect to the work that has been done in the past, as we look into the future the rest of the conference.”

Wolter adds there’s an excitement among young people in the beef industry.

“These young leaders are creatively engaged with our consumers unlike the previous generation,” he says. “I believe that will only create more demand and opportunities for an industry despite some questions and uncertainties with how cattle interact with their environment.”

Tradition to Tech: How a Minnesota Couple is Modernizing Their Dairy

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 14:08:09 GMT

In an era where the fusion of traditional farming and technology is revolutionizing the agriculture industry, individuals like Megan and Tim Schrupp exemplify what it means to combine passion, community and innovation for a sustainable future. Nestled in the heart of Eden Valley, Minn., their operation, NexGen Dairy, is a beacon for modern dairy farming practices.

A Legacy of Dedication
The Schrupps’ farming journey started as part of Megan’s family farm. This duo represents the new wave of farmers, milking 1,200 Jersey and Jersey-cross cows along with 30 registered Guernsey cows from Tim’s family stock. Though farming wasn’t initially on the career trajectory for this young couple, as Tim ventured into construction and Megan aimed to be a meteorologist, they were eventually drawn back to their roots, driven by the potential they saw in modernizing their family operations and carrying on their legacies.

“My father always encouraged me to be a dairy veterinarian,” Megan says. She now smiles looking back and says, “He obviously saw my future path better than I did.”

Innovative Management
After practicing veterinary medicine in a clinic for a couple years, Megan came back to her home farm in 2014. Today, under her management, NexGen Dairy emphasizes employee excellence and sustainability. She actively leads efforts in hands-on cow health practices, which include pregnancy checks and surgeries, ensuring the best care through comprehensive in-house services like breeding and hoof care.

On the other hand, Tim brings his construction background expertise to enhance farm infrastructure, evidenced by the heifer barn the family built in 2016.

“Every year we seem to have a decent size building project,” he says. “We utilize summer help with high school students.”

Tim Schrupp’s background in construction gets put to use at the dairy as each year brings a new building project.

(Nexgen Dairy)

Community Leadership
Despite how busy farm life is, the couple is actively involved in the agricultural community, starting their journey with the Young Cooperator group through their milk processor, First District Association, in 2013. Their leadership was recognized as they were appointed chairs of the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) YC advisory board this past fall. The Schrupps’ passion for networking creates valuable learning opportunities and connections for themselves and others facing similar challenges across the industry.

“It’s good to be part of these kinds of networking opportunities,” Megan explains. “It’s nice to know others are also going through similar situations and challenges.”

Not only do they participate in initiatives such as “Dinner on the Dairy,” to engage with the public about their dairy farm life, but they also empower young enthusiasts through a heifer lease program, guiding children in county fairs and state competitions. The duo believes nurturing future generations helps create advocates for dairy farming in otherwise suburban environments.

“We have 14 kids at our local county fairs, state fair and some national shows with them,” Tim shares. “We try to help them with fitting and clipping animals, too.”

The couple work hard to help kids who otherwise wouldn’t get this experience and say if the urban kids show interest, it’s worth helping them out.

“Many of these kids live in the suburbs of the Twin Cities. If they go back and tell their friends how much they love cows, that is a good thing for our industry,” Megan says.

Megan Schrupp uses her past in veterinary medicine to lead the dairy’s health initiatives and implement new tools.

(Nexgen Dairy)

Embracing Technology
Technology forms the backbone of NexGen Dairy operations, with Megan leading data-driven decision- making processes framed by cutting-edge tools such as Alta CowWatch and Nedap collars. Their categorical approach to breeding optimizes herd health and productivity with a balanced plan using sexed semen and strategic sales of beef-on-dairy cross calves.

“In this day-and-age, making decisions is so crucial that we need to collect data that helps us make subjective decisions objective,” she says. “We need to dairy at the next level, and so we rely heavily on technology to bring us to that level.”

The herd’s focus is on both longevity and production with the top portion of the herd bred to sexed semen and the bottom portion to Angus. They breed just enough females to fill the pipeline of replacements and don’t want to raise any extra. The beef-on-dairy cross calves are sold within a few days of age, with a buyer who comes and picks them up when there is enough to fill the trailer.

“Beef cross calves usually leave anywhere from two to seven days,” Megan explains.

Sustainability and innovation can also been seen in the farm’s solar panels that were added in 2019.

At NexGen Dairy, Megan and Tim Schrupp are continuing their legacy while taking it to the next level.

(Nexgen Dairy)

Facing an Uncertain Future with Optimism
Despite the uncertainties that are facing the dairy industry today, the Schrupps continue to be steadfast in their overall mission. Their approach molds time-honored practices with new, cutting-edge technologies to help predict and capitalize on any emerging opportunities.

For Megan and Tim, dairying isn’t merely a profession, it’s a legacy that has continued and transformed with each passing generation.

“We both are grateful that we’ve been given this opportunity to actually run this farm,” Megan expresses. “It’s so hard if you are not in the industry to get where we are at, so I feel a big sense of gratitude that we’ve been given the opportunity.”

The Schrupps are not content with maintaining the status quo. They are pushing the envelope, continuously refining their processes, learning, growing and being inventive. They recognize the value of their team and seize each opportunity to propel their farm’s success further.

NexGen Dairy is more than just a dairy farm; it’s a progressive model of sustainability and innovation. Under their stewardship, the farm exemplifies how modern agricultural practices can coexist with a rich heritage. By fostering dedication, community involvement and technological advancements, they’ve set a meticulously blended blueprint for future success in dairy farming.

The Best Time to Start Your Retirement Plan

Mon, 09 Jun 2025 21:07:56 GMT

Farmers historically have struggled to invest money in anything other than their farm operation. However, by investing in retirement plans including an IRA, a farmer can more easily save up for retirement and make the transfer to the next generation much easier.

The power of compounding is the financial seventh wonder of the world. Based on your annual investment return, you can determine how quickly your investment will double by dividing it into 72. For example, if you average 3% on your money, it will take 24 years to double. However, if you can earn 8%, then it only takes nine years.

The younger you start to invest, even small sums, the more money you will have at retirement. Let’s compare the results of placing $10,000 into a retirement account at either age 20 or 40.

The farmer who does this at age 40 and then pulls the money out at age 70 will have $100,627. However, the farmer who starts at age 20 will have $469,016, and if they can earn 10%, will have $1,173,909.

The cost of maintaining a solo 401k plan is very inexpensive and married couples can set aside at least $14,000 into an IRA each year. The fees on those accounts are minimal and you can make sure to invest in low-cost ETFs or mutual funds. High-cost funds could quickly reduce your returns substantially.

Most of the earnings will result in the last 10 years, so the sooner you get started, the more funds you will accumulate.

Risk Protection Benefits
There’s another big reason to make this investment. Funds in a retirement plan are fully exempt from bankruptcy, and we all know farming can be a very risky business. The full exemption does not apply to IRAs, but the amount that is exempt is fairly large.

This amount gets updated every three years. On April 1, 2025, the exemption amount was raised from $1,512,350 to $1,711.975 through March 31, 2028.

Most farmers have IRAs less than this amount, so it’s likely they will have a full exclusion if bankruptcy was to occur. Amounts rolled over from a 401k plan or other retirement account, including earnings associated on that account, are fully exempt.

In some states, IRAs are fully exempt or at least partially exempt.

The bottom line is to invest in an IRA or retirement plan. I hope you never need the protection, but it is a good insurance policy.

Exploring Next-Generation Phenotyping that Drives Commercial Profitability

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 12:15:24 GMT

Traditional genetic improvement programs have been built on collecting phenotypic data such as birth, weaning, yearling and carcass weights.

“Those phenotypes have driven the industry’s increase in productivity — productivity on the rail and in the feedyard,” says Troy Rowan, University of Tennessee assistant professor of beef cattle genomics. “Commercial data is going to be more and more important. The seedstock producer has traditionally been our main collector of phenotypic records. We understand we need to measure things like disease resistance and fertility in the environments that matter to the commercial producers. So, we’ve got to integrate those commercial records. And there’s new technologies coming online that are going to help us get there easier and in a more consistent and accurate way.”

Rowan recently authored a white paper that examines industry research and results from the Imagine: AGI’s Beef Genetics Forum , which took place Sept. 25-26, 2024. Hosted by Angus Genetics Inc. the event was attended by professionals from academic, research, allied industry and ranching backgrounds.

“The big question the Angus Association wanted to ask their producers and folks from across the industry is, ‘What are we missing?’ and ‘What are the technologies and approaches that are going to allow us to work toward increasing profitability,’” Rowan explains.

One of the major themes of the paper is the numerous technological developments poised to affect phenotype collection. Examples include computer-vision technology and wearable sensors.

“By using these technologies to measure traits on continuous scales rather than the categorical scales we currently use for traits like hair shedding or foot angle, we can increase precision of phenotype measurements and consequently improve the quality of EPDs (expected progeny differences) over time,” Rowan says.

He also discusses the types of data most important and economically viable for the industry to pursue. Advancing terminal and maternal traits, health and other challenging areas of production will require data integration and more advanced tools.

“We should work on developing genetic selection tools that capture all elements of commercial profitability, continuing to improve yield and the eating experience of our end product while also making our cow herd more efficient, adapted and productive,” Rowan summarizes.

In the paper, Rowan says the greatest opportunities moving forward rely on capturing and leveraging commercial data throughout the value chain.

“This will require radical collaboration and coordination between industry partners,” he writes. “While individual data points from a commercial herd or a processing plant may not be individually valuable, capturing multiple sources of data in the aggregate will enable genetic evaluations to fill important gaps in their systems with high-quality tools.”

He says the efforts that leverage new technologies and integrate new data sources will require five main considerations:

Phenotypes are, and will always be, the backbones of genetic evaluation: While much of our forward-looking focus is on new and novel phenotypes measured by increasingly complex technologies, we still have far from complete reporting for our core economically relevant traits (ERTs). No amount of genomic testing can make up for a lack of phenotypic reporting. In the immediate term, the continued adoption of whole-herd reporting will improve genetic predictions and open opportunities to extract new phenotypes.
Standardization of phenotype collection, both by producers and via algorithms, will be essential. “From the inception of genetic evaluations, we have worked to standardize trait definitions and best practices for recording,” Rowan says. “This motivated the creation of the Beef Improvement Federation, which continues to publish best practices. Next-generation phenotyping technologies will have many more variables that can impact raw phenotypes, making the standardization of recording, processing and cleaning even more important.”
Seedstock producers may not be able to shoulder the full financial burden of phenotypic collection. “Seedstock producers have traditionally borne the full cost of phenotyping with the understanding that records will help increase the accuracy of EPDs for their animals,” he explains. “However, as we seek to measure more expensive phenotypes, the economics of phenotyping will become more difficult.”
Genetic evaluations will have to balance the deluge of new technology with the resulting payoff in EPD quality and utility. “Not every phenotype is worth measuring,” Rowan says. “As new technologies come online, genetic evaluations will need to consider the costs and return on investment carefully.”
Data sharing will be essential to leveraging the impact of phenotypic collection across industry segments. Economically important phenotypes can be collected at every step of the beef supply chain. From cow-calf operations to feedlots to processors to consumer feedback, data is constantly being collected. When we can tie this data back to an individual animal and its genetics, the possibilities of improving efficiency, animal well-being and consumer experience are limitless.

To hear more discussion about the white paper, you can listen to “The Angus Conversation” podcast: Genetic Innovation Requires Leadership and Data — The Phenotype Paradox in the Beef Industry.

Your Next Read: Unlocking Odde Ranch Success: How Profitability, Tech and Education Drive Innovation

An Incredible Bird's-Eye Look at the State of the Dairy Industry

Tue, 20 May 2025 15:13:13 GMT

Editor’s Note: This is one article in a series that is included in the 2025 Farm Journal’s State of the Dairy Industry report. The full 16-page report will appear in the May/June issues of Dairy Herd Management and Milk Business Quarterly and will be published in this space over the next several weeks. To download the full report for free click here.
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The dairy industry is undergoing rapid transformation and innovation at an unprecedented pace. As part of its ongoing efforts to understand these shifts, Farm Journal recently conducted a comprehensive survey involving 400 dairy producers across the U.S.

These producers, representing herds ranging from 100 to 20,000 cows, provided valuable insights into their current operations and future outlooks.

Technology Integration

In an era where technology permeates nearly every aspect of life, the dairy industry stands at the forefront of this transformative wave. The integration of technology is no longer just an option; it has become a crucial step toward creating a more efficient and sustainable dairy industry. From feeding systems to health monitoring devices, technology helps dairy farmers optimize operations and ensure animal welfare.

A recent survey highlights a significant shift in the adoption of technology within the dairy sector. Remarkably, two-thirds of dairies now use at least one form of feeding technology. These innovations are designed to streamline the feeding process, providing precise nutrient delivery to livestock and reducing waste. The result is a noticeable improvement in both efficiency and sustainability.

Diversifying Revenue Streams

In today’s changing economic landscape, many dairy producers are finding innovative ways to sustain and grow their businesses. The key to survival during these turbulent times seems to be diversification.

Farm Journal’s recent survey reveals approximately one-quarter of dairy producers have embraced alternative land or dairy add-on revenue streams. This shift underscores the industry’s agility and adaptability as producers look for various avenues to boost profitability.

One strategy gaining traction is the beef-on-dairy operation. An impressive three-quarters of operators are now involved in at least one beef-on-dairy practice, with breeding and raising being the most common methods. Though there has been a decline in the number of producers raising animals under their beef-on-dairy operations over the past year, there is a notable increase in the sale of branded beef products. This shift highlights the evolving dynamics within the industry as producers adapt to market demands.

Next-Gen Transfers

A significant concern facing the industry today is the impending wave of retirements among dairy operators, many of whom have not established formal succession plans. This situation is becoming increasingly urgent, with surveys indicating that a quarter of these operators intend to retire within the next five years.

Contrary to the retirement trend, there is also a strong movement toward growth and expansion within the industry. Almost half of the operators express a desire to expand their operations in the near future. Such ambition suggests confidence in the industry’s potential and reflects a proactive approach to ensuring a sustainable future. At the same time, an equivalent number of operators are planning to maintain their current herd sizes, indicating a focus on maximizing efficiency and resource management.

Sustainability Program Awareness

Farm Journal’s recent survey reveals an array of insights regarding current sustainability practices and the prevailing awareness surrounding them. While the inclination toward adopting sustainable practices is reassuring, a deficiency in program awareness raises concerns that need to be addressed.

Encouragingly, over half of survey respondents (63%) reported participating in at least one sustainable practice. This trend is indicative of a growing societal shift toward environmental responsibility. Interestingly, larger operations, particularly those with substantial herd sizes and extensive acreage, tend to embrace sustainability more comprehensively. This trend is most pronounced in the Western region.

Reality of Workforce Shortages

A recent survey highlights the growing dependency of the dairy industry on non-family labor. For many respondents, non-family members consist of at least 50% of their workforce. This shift is indicative of broader changes within the industry as traditional family-run farms adapt to meet growing demands. However, hiring and retaining workers continues to be significant challenges. With evolving labor-related aspects indicating enduring challenges, the industry must explore viable solutions to continue thriving.

Despite the adoption of new technologies, the challenges of hiring and retaining a reliable workforce remain. Farmers must continue to balance the integration of technology with human labor, ensuring that both aspects work in harmony to drive growth and productivity. These changes suggest a long-term shift in how labor is approached, maintaining traditional farming values while embracing modern advancements.

Optimistic Horizon

The dairy sector is witnessing renewed confidence, energized by innovative strategies and fueled by a younger generation of forward-thinking dairy operators ready to embrace change. Their willingness to adopt advanced technologies and improved herd management techniques is reshaping the landscape of dairy farming. By integrating strategic solutions, these operators are setting a new standard that promises to uplift the entire industry.

According to surveys, 44% of producers plan to expand their operations in the next five years. This drive to scale indicates a strong belief in the trajectory of the dairy industry and its ability to thrive amid changing global dynamics.

The 2025 Farm Journal State of the Dairy Industry Report is available for download here .

Don’t Ignore the Nudge: Why Listening Matters More Than You Think

Thu, 15 May 2025 14:43:08 GMT

Have you ever found yourself unsure of how to take a step forward? I clearly remember a day last summer when I was out of time. The procrastination needed to stop. I had an hour-long talk to prepare for and my mind was blank.

Of course, I realized this was not a good situation to be in. Sure, I had my topic and key points, but in my mind, it needed a dash of heart.

Then, my phone buzzed.

At first, I ignored it. I didn’t have time to get sidetracked. But I eventually checked it. It was Maddie, a young woman and friend who shared her vulnerable and powerful story with me a few years ago about her attempts at suicide.

Start the Conversation
She texted, “I know you’ve been so busy lately and I didn’t want to bother you. But I’ve been thinking about this all day and felt urged to share this story with you.”

Maddie had been speaking on her mental health journey in front of a group of farmers in Ohio. She didn’t know anyone at the event and admittedly, was a little nervous to share her story. When she arrived, a middle-aged man in work boots and overalls came right over to her and asked if he could help carry her things.

She politely said, “Sure, I’d love that.”

They got to talking as they carried in her tubs of stuff. Eventually they got to the reason she was in Ohio to speak.

This 250-lb. farmer then teared up and said, “I know why you are here. Ma’am, I just thought you should know that you’re the reason I’m here.”

Although the details of his story are not what matters here, he was contemplating suicide when he scrolled upon Maddie’s story on Facebook .

“For whatever reason, I saw your parents’ side of the story first,” he told her. “I decided that I didn’t want my wife and children to find me like that. I didn’t want to leave them like that.”

I messaged back to my friend and said, “Wow. I don’t know what else to say.”

She simply responded that she didn’t know what to say in that moment either. So, she hugged him hard and that was it.

“It was exceptionally hard to compose myself the rest of the day,” Maddie texted back. “Thank you, Jennifer. You took a chance on me and whether you know it or not, you saved a life, too. I was just a small part in it.”

‘Fine’ Doesn’t Cut It
Can I be honest that I felt completely uncomfortable when she said this? (And even more so sharing this with you.) But in that moment, I was reminded that the very best thing we can do in this world is listen to others. We think we need to say something back or have the right words, but we don’t.

People just want to be heard. They want to be known. They may not say it out loud, but as humans, one of our greatest needs is to be understood by someone.

We all have stories that need to be shared, and we need people to step in and listen to them. Listening is one of the most powerful healing tools.

Almost a year ago, I wrote about my friend Mary and how she takes the time to truly see people . She’s a busy lady and balances several jobs and volunteer opportunities. But she is never too busy to genuinely look you in the eye and ask you how you are doing. Mary doesn’t ask in a way that gives you any option except to say how you are really doing. ‘Fine’ doesn’t cut it with her.

I hope you don’t let ‘fine’ cut it in your life, either. Pay attention to the people you run into every day and the people you love who you don’t get to see very often. I’m thankful Maddie didn’t ignore the nudge to text me that day. She gave me just the dash of heart I needed.

Your Next Read: By Her Own Hand: A Farm Girl’s Miraculous Journey from Death to Hope

May is Mental Health Awareness Month . Millions of Americans live with mental health conditions. Whether by sharing your story, spreading awareness, or advocating for change, every action helps break the stigma and build a more supportive world for all.

Millennials and Protein Craze Boost Meat Sales to Record High

Thu, 27 Mar 2025 13:42:11 GMT

Despite the extreme inflationary pressure on income now, consumers continue to lean into their love for meat in 2024.

“2024 was the strongest year on record for meat, with growth for beef and chicken, pork, lamb had a really good year, bison, veal, you name it,” says Anne-Marie Roerink, owner of 210 Analytics, who conducted the 2024 Power of Meat study . “It was just an all-around fantastic year, and it really underscored that despite consumers having that pressure on income and being in the non-stop balancing act on what to spend their money on, meat won one big.”

How Did Meat Win?
When times are tough, people start to cook at home more often, Roerink says. A part of the dollar that came out of food service restaurants went into the retail grocery store space. She says part of the dollar might end up back at restaurants. But, that’s not a bad thing for the meat industry. The balance between retail and restaurants tends to be a good thing.

“For years, we worried about whether millennials were going to be meat and poultry consumers like the generations before them. The answer is a resounding yes,” Roerink says.

Millennials, especially the older half of this age group, are starting to come into their income potential.

“Many millennials now have children,” she adds. “And those children are starting to be the age where you think you go to the grocery store for the entire week, and about two days later, your pantry, fridge and freezer are empty.”

The retail meat industry sold 500 million more packages in 2024 than they did in 2023. Roerink says 62% of that 500 million-package growth was driven by millennials.

“That’s been a key finding for all of us,” she says. “Millennials do approach meat and poultry a little bit differently, so that’s going to mean more change in years to come.”

Another reason why the meat industry is doing so well is Americans’ massive focus on protein.

“If you walk around the store, from your mac and cheese to your Skippy peanut butter, protein call-outs are everywhere,” Roerink explains. “But at the same time, this is going hand in hand with some people saying, ‘I want fewer ingredients in the things that I buy. I want a more natural form of food.’ That combined focus on protein with more wholesome foods has really put meat and poultry back into driver’s seats as well.”

What Do Millennials Really Want?
Roerink says millennials are focused on convenience more than ever. This is largely attributed to their life stage – running around and balancing time between family and work like generations before them.

“They have more focus on sustainability and animal welfare,” she adds. “With their approach and values relative to meat and poultry, I think we’re going to see some different needs in terms of transparency. They truly do want to hear from the producers. They want to understand what kind of life the animal had, how you approach water management and everything else.”

She says it may sound crazy, but consumers do want to know how their food is produced. And if they don’t hear it from the producer, they may dream up their own descriptions, she points out.

“Often times when we think about our meat category, we use industry terms. We approach it from a scientific angle,” Roerink says. “This means nothing to consumers. They want to know more, but we need to speak in a language that makes sense to those consumers.”

Your Next Read: Consumer Meat Sales Are Higher Than Ever

An 11-Year Old's Idea Sparked An Idea That's Grown Into an Annual Toy Drive Giving Out 13,000 Toys Each Year

Tue, 24 Dec 2024 15:02:29 GMT

The season of giving for Reed Marcum doesn’t just happen during Christmas. For this 19-year, the season of giving is year-round.

“I came up with the idea back in 2016 when I realized that I wanted to help put another toy under someone’s tree that year,” says Marcum, who’s now a Pittsburg County, Oklahoma 4-H Ambassador.

At just 11 years-old, this 4-H member had an idea: Collect toys and give them out to children in his local community.

“He came home one day, he talked to me and his stepfather, and he said, ‘Mom, I want to help some kiddos in my class for Christmas,” remembers Angie Miller, Reed’s mother. “I said, ‘OK, what can we do?’ I told him he could do a little work, and he was like, ‘No, I want to give out toys.”

Reed Marcum at 11-Years-Old

(Angie Miller)

Started Out As a Small Idea
That first year, Reed’s small idea turned into a huge success, giving out around 5,000 toys at his stepfather’s law office. Little did this family know that was just the start of something grand.

“It was something we didn’t expect to do, especially have that much success and community reaction. They really loved it. We did not expect that,” Reed says.

J Michael Miller Toy Drive
What’s called the J Michael Miller Toy Drive has grown each year, even during COVID.

“What happened was COVID hit, and we had told Reed that it just can’t happen that year. And he said, ‘It can happen, Mom,’” Angie says.

And it did. With the help of the community, Reed moved the toy drive to Ragan’s Auto, a decision that helped this drive grow even more.

“He spoke with Mr. Ragan, and he told Reed we can do this. They moved all their cars out by noon that day. We moved in around 1:00, and we would set up all night long, and then we open the doors, they would start driving through,” Angie says.

The annual J. Michael Miller Toy Drive gave out 13,000 toys this year.

(SUNUP)

Within a couple years, they even outgrew that space. Last year, Reed moved his toy drive again, this time, to the McAlester Expo Center.

“We are orchestrating with the local Expo Center here in McAlester for people to come, and it’s just an amazing venue for what we’re doing here. And it’s an amazing process that we have to set up and do,” Reed says.

Biggest Toy Giveaway Yet
On Dec. 7,2024, Reed had his biggest giveaway yet.

“We collected a ton, but we were able to give out around 13,000 this year, that day,” Reed says.

What started as one small idea has brought generosity through toys that touched 13,000 lives this year alone.

“It’s a year-long process,” Angie says. “The entire year we’re looking for toys, collecting them and getting donations from people. But when the day gets near and close, it really starts to ramp up.”

Cars line up 3 to 4 miles long for the annual toy drive.

(Bryan Fuller)

Recipients Come From Surrounding States
Since 2016, this toy drive has given away more than 64,000 toys, an annual event that people wait in line for hours to receive. And as the event grows each year, lines of cars that now stretch three to four miles long, all with kids eager to receive toys that year.

“I was working the line this year, and we did see license plates from Texas and Arkansas. That’s normal,” says Greg Owen, Pittsburg County, Oklahoma 4-H educator. “I would ask the people in the line, ‘What was the experience like?’ And this year, I heard the comment ‘It was literally perfect.’”

Vital Volunteers
But for Reed, this wouldn’t be possible without volunteers, all 100 of them.

“They can help us move the toys from point A to point B when we’re holding them or in help, give the toys, help, walk the line, be dressed up in costumes to help entertain the kids, give out small items that go through the lines. The kids aren’t just sitting there bored,” Reed says.

Loss Turned Into Love
Reed’s toy drive has become a beloved experience attracting thousands of people from miles away. But this kid who has brought so much joy to others has also seen heartache along the way.

“He had the most difficult year of his life his junior year,” Angie says. “We were moving to Ragan’s that year, and on July 28, he lost his grandmother that he was extremely close to.”

Reed’s brother, Sergeant Miles Tarron

(SUNUP)

Not even four months later, Reed suffered another devastating loss, just weeks away from his toy drive in 2021.

“We were notified by soldiers that Reed’s brother had passed in the military,” Angie says. “I talked with Reed and I told him I didn’t think we can do the toy giveaway. And he said, ‘Mom, brother would want us to do the toy giveaway, so we’re going to do the toy giveaway.’”

And he did, with an entire community rallying around Reed as a way to give back to one of their own who had done so much.

“They helped us get it over to Ragan’s. We got it all set up. And then they just helped us all the way through it,” Angie says. “After that, Reed had already created the Hudson Strong Foundation for a little boy that had cancer. And they provided some help with the costs of the storage buildings. Then after his brother passed, Reed created the Sergeant Miles Tarron Foundation, and that supports his toy giveaway, his backpack giveaway and his silent auction. His brother always had a hand in supporting him and sending money. So, now the Sergeant Miles Tarron Foundation and the Hudson Strong Foundation support those storage buildings.”

Reed has nine storage buildings, all bursting with donated toys each year. But this success is also because of one lady Reed deeply admired: his 4-H leader, Miss Donna Curry.

“After he lost his brother, June 28, 2022, he lost Miss Donna Curry, who was like a second mother to him, who got him into 4-H, and she supported this project thoroughly,” Angie says.

Today, Reed doesn’t just give away toys. Miss Donna had another idea two years before she died: to give out pajamas, socks and undergarments to those in need.

“We named it Miss Donna’s Closet. And when they drive through the toy giveaway, they get the pajamas, they get socks, they get undergarments all through the toy line. They get snacks. And so when we lost Miss Donna, Reed promised at that point that he would carry her tradition on.”

Reed is Now Inspiring Others
Reed’s heart of service is always on display, and it’s now inspiring others.

“It’s literally the goal that we try to set for our 4-H members. We hope that they’ll develop a level of mastery in their project work, and for Reed, his project has been civic engagement,” Greg says. “And when they get to that point, we’ll hope we hope that they’ll utilize that to teach and impact others to follow in their footsteps, which is exactly what Reed has done.”

“That’s the best thing with 4-H; they always want you to strive to be the best version of yourself. And that’s something this project really does every year,” Reed says. “It’s not just staying the same or leveling out each year. It’s getting bigger and better than the last.”

True Gift of Giving
Reed’s one idea in 2016 continues to spread joy year-round, as it showcases the true gift of giving.

“Little 11-year-old Reed could never see such a thing happening, especially when I was so young and couldn’t even talk to a group of ten people, let alone do something like this. I never thought it would reach this,” Reed says.

“I always share this. That came from the idea of an 11-year-old child. That shows the impact of the 4-H program. That shows the impact of a student that wants to give, that wants to make a difference and wants to make a positive impact on their community,” Greg says.

Reed Accepts Donations Year-Round
In order to make the annual toy drive possible, Reed accepts donations year-round. If you’d like to contribute to the annual toy drive or Reed’s other service projects, you can donate here .

Your Next Reads:
The Ultimate Gift: Dairy Farmer Becomes Lifesaving Hero by Donating Both His Liver and Kidney

Iconic Holiday Road Trip Stop Returns to Its Georgia Pecan Farm Roots

From Raising Cattle to Now Reindeer, How One Family is Sharing the Magic Of Christmas On Their Farm

Next-Gen DVMs Share Their Best Practice Tips

Tue, 11 Jun 2024 20:23:31 GMT

The week of June 10, Farm Journal is celebrating the next generation of American agriculture. Our goal is to encourage you to plan for the future and cultivate multigenerational success through the transfer of skills and knowledge. Think tomorrow, act today to align your asset, resource and financial legacy.

Submitted by AABP

During the final session of each American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP) Recent Graduate Conference, the program committee has an opportunity to share some of their best-practice tips with attendees.

The following tips are from the 2024 conference in Knoxville, Tenn.

Dr. Nick Shen

The AABP 2024 emerging leader and program chair, Dr. Nick Shen, shared a few of the little things that make life easier in his solo mobile practice. For breeding soundness exam efficiency, Shen says once a bull is restrained, he measures the scrotum, then uses the probe and starts the ejaculator, trims the hair, takes a trich sample, collects the bull, assesses motility and gives an OK to let the bull out. While he is staining and storing the slide to look at morphology later, the next bull is restrained and ready to go.

Dr. Rachel O’Leary

Dr. Rachel O’Leary, co-dairy chair, gave some tips on “Hernia Repair for Dummies.” Assessing should be done in a stepwise fashion, first determining if a lump is a scrotal or umbilical hernia. It also needs to be known what age the animal is and the goal of the animal (breeding, beef, show animal). She recommends palpating then using ultrasound. If it’s a scrotal hernia, your choices are surgery or culling. For umbilical hernias, you can wrap, do surgery or cull. She suggests if the hernia is too big, not to attempt a fix, and it’s better to humanely euthanize.

Dr. Andy Harding

As the beef chair, Dr. Andy Harding says, “While we work on animals, we work for and with people.” He offers the four “Ps” of the C-word: communication. They are: be prompt, be practical, be polite and practice one’s skills. One of his suggestions for those wanting to improve their communication skills is to choose the communication you are uncomfortable with to practice on, whether that’s social media, public speaking or speaking another language like Spanish.

Dr. Ryan Wood

As the co-dairy chair, Dr. Ryan Wood tackled knowing your limits. “A work-life balance is balancing more than just work and a house,” Wood says. “It’s family, your personal needs, your community.” He says everyone needs a team whether it’s using AABP discussion groups, Facebook, email, classmates, colleagues or your workplace team. “Use these people,” he says. “Nobody knows everything, but everyone has their own strengths.” He also says it’s important to ask for help whether it’s properly restraining an animal, help with a new procedure or help with an outbreak. “We need to stay safe. We are expensive wranglers. Live to work another day. You can say no.”

I Am A Drover — Utah Beef Producers

Fri, 24 May 2024 14:34:28 GMT

For nearly two years the beef industry has been buzzing about the prospects of new harvest capacity planned or under construction that might provide new markets for cattle. None of that attention, however, was focused on Utah, where Henry Barlow was busy planning and constructing a new beef packing plant that opened at the end of last month.

Barlow’s background is not in the packing business but that has not deterred him. A general contractor with 35 years of experience working in Utah, Barlow has owned several businesses, including Hybar Windows and Doors and Rocky Mountain Concrete, a construction and excavation business.

He’s also owned multiple ranches and said he watched fellow ranchers wait anywhere from six to nine months to obtain harvest dates for cattle in Utah. Such delays are crippling to ranchers and feeders who have clients to serve.

“All the ranchers I know think about it and talk about (a packing plant) for the last 25 years saying somebody ought to do something,” Barlow says. “So, I sold one of my ranches and decided to be that guy.”

Utah Beef Producers’ new facility is designed to harvest up to 500 head per day, and Barlow says that will include a mix of cows and fed cattle. Once fully operational, the plant will employ 100 people. UTB will offer custom harvesting for local ranchers and feeders, but Barlow is also set to launch a branded beef product of his own, Horizon Heritage Farms, which will offer premium, locally sourced beef with complete traceability from farm to fork.

“Over 500,000 cattle leave the state every year to be fed out or slaughtered outside the state of Utah,” Barlow says. “But if you roll the clock back 60 years, we finished cattle in Utah and we need to do that again.”

With about 323,000 beef cows, Utah ranks 27^th nationally, but Barlow believes the Richfield location is well-suited for the new plant with less shipping costs to the west coast than many of the major packers. Salt Lake City is 160 miles north and Las Vegas is 280 miles to the southwest.

“We’ll be able to satisfy so many Utah ranchers that have had to either sell their cows or send them off as calves and not do a finished operation because they did not have an option like this,” he says.

While Barlow plans the new plant to benefit producers, he’s also working with his community and utilizing state-of-the-art technology to minimize any environmental impacts. Utah Beef Producers’ focus is on sustainability, and the implementation of innovative waste management practices. That will include converting processing waste into biochar, a soil enhancer with the potential to reduce environmental footprint.

Barlow believes Utah Beef will be the first packing plant in the U.S. to make biochar onsite, which he says reduces methane gas in animals by up to 45% when used as a feed supplement additive. Additionally, an onsite wastewater treatment facility will help them recycle water and save an estimated 8 million gallons of water per year.

“We have a tremendous opportunity to be a powerful example for good,” Barlow says. “And one of the ways is sustainability.”

When All Hell Broke Loose: Our PRRS Outbreak

Tue, 21 May 2024 14:52:35 GMT

She was nestled in the middle of the gestation barn, far away from the door. When she didn’t get up to eat that morning, Kyle Baade, owner of Baade Genetics in southeast Nebraska , didn’t think much of it. He thought the sow might have hurt a pad. The next day, three sows beside her didn’t get up to eat either, so he grabbed a thermometer. The four sows had temperatures ranging from 102 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit. Baade pulled blood and sent it in to be tested.

Meanwhile, all hell broke loose while he awaited the results.

Sows began aborting. Some even died. All Baade could think about – right, wrong or indifferent – was that he needed to move the sows from the gestation barn into the farrowing house.

“I thought if they did farrow early, and there was a chance the pigs were going to live, they sure weren’t going to do it in the gestation barn on slats. And, honestly, it was going to be easier to clean up on my part – to get deads out and clean up afterbirth,” Baade says.

But the effort didn’t help at all.

In a group of about 27 sows, 10 had just farrowed before the first sow went off feed. Of the additional sows left to farrow, five died. Some pigs were born alive, but sows wouldn’t lactate. They lost 100% of everything that farrowed within a couple of days after the first symptom was observed.

“The sows wouldn’t push farrowing. We had litters of 10 to 14 live pigs, but within three days, they’d all be dead. We thought the sows would be saved, if we got everything out. But that didn’t make a difference. They died, too,” Baade says.

Of the 18 sows that were recently bred for April litters, 11 maintained a pregnancy and farrowed litters. The litter sizes were essentially half as big as normal, he says, with about four to six pigs in a litter.

“I didn’t see any mummies, regardless of size. The pigs that were born were all normal and viable. We just had about half the numbers that we should have,” Baade says. “At 7 to 14 days of age, the pigs would look a little rough. The sows had no appetite. As time progressed, the pigs didn’t get any bigger for a week or two – just fuzzier haired.”

They took longer to bloom, but in terms of health, Baade says he didn’t notice any fallout aside from being a little bit fuzzy early on the sow. After they weaned the sows, the sows cycled like normal, too.

“The first 10 days were hell. After that, if you were a visitor showing up, you’d have no idea that we had any issues. You’d have no clue that we were taking skid loader buckets full of dead pigs to the compost pile,” he says. “I finally just quit counting.”

(Farm Journal)

_{On Dec. 15, a derecho windstorm caused some damage at Baade Genetics. Photo by Kyle Baade.}

The Results Are In

By the time they got lab results back, about two weeks after the break, the storm had died down a little, Baade says. The results pointed to porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) .

This was Baade’s first major disease break since he took over the herd from John Penner in 2013. Today, Baade Genetics is an 80-sow operation that primarily focuses on raising Hampshire, Yorkshire, Duroc and crossbred showpigs for youth in 4-H and FFA. They also run a small boar stud business and offer semen on select boars.

“From a biosecurity standpoint, Penner’s operation was top of the line,” Baade says. “In order to bring in new genetics onto the farm, pigs had to be labbed in (through cesarean section). Up until 2010, before we started our boar stud, we didn’t even have worms on the place. In 2000, the farm opened up. For us, the only thing we bring in is herd boars we buy whether from a show or a farm privately. We quarantine and do multiple bleeds to bring stuff in.”

Baade understands that most will hear “showpig” and think PRRS came on to the farm via foot or pig traffic. His best guess is that the disease came onto the farm via wind.

“There was a big derecho windstorm a few weeks before we broke with PRRS,” he says. “The only traffic we had within a month of our outbreak was a propane truck that maybe came once a week to deliver propane. Aside from daily living, a propane truck was only source within 100 yards of the facilities.”

(Farm Journal)

Regardless of where you want to point the finger, Baade says it doesn’t add up.

“I would have thought PRRS would have struck the hogs outside in the Cargill unit or something of that nature,” he says. “Or even a sow closer to the door if it could have blown in. That’s what doesn’t make any sense to me – why it was that one? However, I don’t know what other finger to point at beside wind.”

Of the eight to 10 litters that farrowed prior to the disease break, Baade says he never saw any symptoms. This is hard for him to understand to this day because their farrowing house is basically one building separated into three rooms with a walk-through door and a solid wall. It uses the same pit, flush-system-style manure handling.

In addition, he houses his herd boars in turnaround gestation crates next to the sows who got sick. Of the eight boars, four experienced clinical signs of loss of appetite, fever and swelling of their testicles – bigger than a basketball.

“Semen quality went down in terms of number of doses and viable, good sperm able to settle,” Baade explains. “Although the PCR samples on the semen that we collected never tested positive, the boars were unarguably sick. Looking at them, there’s no way that you could say that they didn’t catch it with the loss of appetite and the testicle swelling.”

He also finds it hard to believe they kept PRRS isolated to one area of their farm.

“The craziest thing to me is we’ve got a 20-foot hallway to our double-L nursery where we had November-born hogs when we broke in January. We never saw anything abnormal from a development standpoint on any of those. When we broke, we moved those hogs from the nursery to our finisher, which is a couple hundred yards north of that building and put them on the east side of the slatted finisher. Also, up in our finisher on the west side, we had our summer-born July and August hogs we were finishing out. We never saw a single symptom up there and never had a PRRS-positive test in our quarterly bleeds,” he describes.

How something could blow into an enclosed gestation barn and wreak the havoc it did baffles Baade to this day.

(Farm Journal)

_{An experience like this makes you do better, Baade says as he looks toward the next generation. Photo by Laura Baade.}

PRRS Doesn’t Care Who You Are

What did he learn from this devastating outbreak that took away his 2022 county fair pig crop?

“PRRS does not care whether you are a showpig producer. PRRS does not care whether you have two sows or 30,000,” Baade says.

When his farm broke, a commercial farm north of theirs broke with the same strain within 24 hours – seemingly at the same time.

“The worst part was that it felt like it was nothing I did. I hadn’t traipsed a bunch of people through our place. It was a slow time of year. The pig that showed first signs was as well-guarded as any pig on the place. It showed me that you can do everything right in your mind and it can still come out wrong,” Baade says.

Nonetheless, an experience like this makes you do better, he says. He’s been taking a long look at what he can do differently on his farm to prevent another PRRS outbreak.

“Not to make excuses, but because we are showpig-focused, we do have some on-farm visitors and customers that want to see the product they are buying. Whether that is herd boars for semen sales or a showpig that a family buys to compete with or a bred female from one of our online sales. To me, it’s a non-negotiable viewpoint that people still want to see what they are buying,” he says.

Because of this, they’ve stepped up their ability to present what they have to offer for sale by using a professional vendor with better equipment and skills to convey what they are offering.

Baade has also been weighing the decision to vaccinate or not.

“I’d have been more inclined if the test results that we got would have scientifically stated, ‘If I used this vaccine, I’d be 95% plus protected.’ When the professionals say we need those results to be effective and we don’t see those, that’s what makes it a gray area. If it’s not what the scientific data says it should be, how can they scientifically argue you need to do it?” he says.

Although he’s not sure if that’s the right mindset to have, it’s where he is at today.

“It’s hard to know what you don’t know,” Baade adds. “If we would have vaccinated, maybe we wouldn’t have seen symptoms. But I know what we saw was just as bad as a farm that was vaccinated.”

(Farm Journal)

_{Kyle and Laura Baade with their children (l to r) Betsy, Anders and Callan. Photo by Blue Skies Photography.}

Don’t Stop Talking

It was a depressing time in Baade’s life. He’s since learned that it helps to talk about what he went through as much as anything.

“My wife and I are more than willing to talk about it with anyone now; we have a tale to tell,” he says. “It sucked. We never want to relive that story. The scary thing for me is that I don’t necessarily know how to make sure we never relive that story except completely get out of raising hogs. And there is no way that is going to happen.”

Laura Baade, Kyle’s wife, admits it was hard on their marriage and put a strain on their family.

For example, Baade says it was hard to be out in the barn when pigs were dying. For days in a row, he would come inside, head down to the basement and watch NetFlix to pass the time during the day.

“I remember my wife asking, ‘Aren’t you going to do something?’ I was like, ‘What do you want me to do? Whether I haul deads now or in three hours is irrelevant as to what I accomplish the rest of the day.’ I just needed to let my mind churn a bit,” he says.

Baade later found out that a friend’s farm broke with PRRS in early December, just a month before Baade did. It wasn’t until Baade opened up about his outbreak that his friend finally opened up about his.

“We were able to talk about what we had seen, what we did and how we handled it. It helped a lot,” he says. “My best advice is to find someone to talk to. I don’t understand why as an industry we think it is so noble to hide our shortfalls. Everybody experiences the same problems and instead of potential growth, we limit the ability to re-direct because we think it’s only us and it’s not.”

The truth is PRRS is devastating. But Baade knows they weren’t the first farm to go through it, and they won’t be the last.

“It’s OK to not be ‘living the dream’ every day,” he says. “PRRS takes time to run its course. It will get better whether it’s because it runs its course and you keep chugging along doing what you’re doing, or whether you shift directions completely and get out. Life is going to move on, and it will all be fine, maybe even better.”

More from Farm Journal’s PORK:

Wind, PRRS and Pig Farm Biosecurity: Learn from Our Outbreak

Persistent PRRS Strains Pose Challenges for Pork Producers

PRRS Strain 1-4-4: The Most Dramatic Strain I’ve Seen, Yeske Says

Naïve or Not? The Never-Ending Dilemma of Sow Farm PRRS Status

PRRS: Deciphering the Mystery Disease

The Fight Isn’t Over

5 Ways PRRS Made Us Better

Researchers Look for Ways to Control PRRS Via the Microbiome

How Social Media Sensation NY Farm Girls Defied Odds to Expose the Truth About Farming

Wed, 10 Jan 2024 20:28:05 GMT

The NY Farm Girls have become a social media sensation. With nearly 645,000 followers on TikTok , along with more than 171,000 followers on Instagram and Facebook , the NY Farm Girls are taking all of social media by storm.

“Social media can reach millions of people by the touch of a button,” says Claudia Leubner. “It’s been really cool we’re able to reach this many eyes in the world to try to share dairy farmers are not evil people.”

NY Farm Girls consists of three sisters: Evelyn and Claudia Leubner, who are both in their early 20s, and their sister Jojo Leubner, who’s still in high school. In addition to the social media piece of the business, the girls are seeing significant growth on YouTube with 87,000 subscribers. Their goal is to simply share life on the farm.

“We are a fourth-generation dairy farm. It’s a partnership between my dad, his sister, his brother and our two cousins, and we’re over 100 years old now, says Evelyn.

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With a mix of dairy cattle, row crops, hay and an agritourism pumpkin farm, life on this New York farm is in constant motion. The busy schedule creates long hours of work, but it’s also allowed each of the girls to uncover their niche.

“I’ve always loved working with animals,” says Evelyn. “I actually went to SUNY Cobleskill for animal science, because of my love for animals, and I honestly thought I would never come back to the farm.”

While Evelyn didn’t plan on returning home, she lived in Georgia after college. That’s until she realized home is exactly where she wanted to be.

“I’m pretty much doing her checks, vaccinations help with the preg checks on Mondays,” says Evelyn. “Pretty much everything cows and some calves stuff, I’m your girl.”

Being born into the Leubner family means you’re also born into life on the farm. Each of the girls started on calf feeding duty since elementary school. From an early age, those farm chores also gave them a taste for what they did and did not want to do.

“After I fed calves for that long, I realized it’s not really something that I was too passionate about,” says Claudia.

Instead, Claudia found a better fit on the row crop side of the family business. After attending the University of Nebraska, Claudia came back with an even deeper love for grains.

‘I’m helping with planting season harvest season, everything in between. It’s been really fun to start to learn about our crop operation” she adds.

And Jojo? Well, as a high schooler, she still works on the farm part-time.

“She goes to school during the day, comes home and does chores every night,” says Evelyn. “She doesn’t really know what she wants to do yet, with her future, but she doesn’t have to yet.”

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While the sisters work together on the farm, it’s their collaboration on social media that’s helping plant new seeds of opportunity for their business.

“When you come up to upstate New York, you’re going to see a lot of lakes and hills,” says Evelyn. “All of our fields are full of rocks, but it’s just really beautiful up here. We’re definitely a lot more than New York City.”

Do you want to read more stories of inspiration? Find the entire list of “Grit with Grace” stories that showcase the heart of rural America.

The three sisters are working daily to showcase New York agriculture, with a focus on dairy. Each of the girls will be the first to tell you that they couldn’t do it alone, and social media has actually drawn them even closer.

“Having this relationship together and doing things like this, and we’ve always just become much bigger, stronger bonds together,” says Claudia.

“And we’re really good at holding each other accountable. Like if Claudia is slacking on something or I’m slacking on something, we let each other know and we don’t get offended anymore,” says Evelyn, with a smile.

“Not anymore,” Claudia jokes back.

The bond the NY Farm Girls trio has built came despite the harsh reality of social media.

“Sometimes it’s not even the extremists. It’s also other farmers or people you know in real life that are the ones that are sending negative comments to you,” Claudia says. “You kind of just have to brush it off, because we have an end goal in mind,”

“You kind of have to learn to ignore it,” adds Evelyn. “In the beginning when we started, we really took the comments to heart and impacted our mental health and kind of almost made us not want to do social media anymore.”

Even as they battled the comments and negativity that comes with social media, the sisters refused to quit, as their motivation was seeing constant social media posts plagued with misinformation.

“It’s a huge passion of ours to teach consumers about agriculture, because they’re the ones buying our products; we want them to trust us,” says Claudia.

“All those touchy subjects people don’t really want to talk about, we dive into all of that,” Evelyn adds.

Reaching the “Moveable Middle”

With a variety of skills and personalities, the girls no longer focus reaching those who are anti-dairy. Instead, they target what they call the “moveable middle.”

“We know these people don’t know where their food is coming from. They think it’s coming from the grocery store,” says Claudia. “So we want to be able to target them and share exactly where their milk is coming from that they’re buying.”

What they’re doing is working.

“I just did a post the other day on Facebook about how there’s no antibiotics in milk, ever. And it reached almost 500,000 people because of how many people shared that post,” says Evelyn.

Her post was part of an ongoing effort during the entire month of June, which is also known as June Dairy Month. To play off the dairy theme, the girls decided to do a series of videos busting dairy myths.

“When you hop online and you see the negative connotations with artificial insemination or antibiotics, you’re obviously going to believe that because at the surface level, it might seem bad to you. But once you go to the source and see how it’s actually done, you can feel a lot better about where your food is coming,” says Claudia.

While the NY Farm Girls brand has grown since they started on social media, the motivation hasn’t wavered.

“We just want to reach as many people as we can and teach them about agriculture,” says Evelyn. “It just really comes down to that.”

Meet NY Farm Girls’ Dad

Each one of the NY Farm Girls is very visible on social media, but a less familiar face on the farm is one that has been a constant stream of support behind the scenes.

“My dad is a great teacher and very patient. You need a lot of patience with me,” jokes Claudia. “He’s always been very supportive of what we want to do on the farm, in our business and everything.”

Maybe the reason their dad has been such a great teacher over the years is because farming is what Tim Leubner knew he was meant to do.

“I never left. I just loved it ever since I was a little kid,” says Tim. “I couldn’t wait to get out of school and go farm.”

While Tim was hesitant when the girls first launched into social media, his tone has evolved over the years. He has seen the power of social media, and the benefits of showing real life on the farm. But in the beginning, that hesitation was rooted in concern. As for a father, his biggest worry is always the safety of his three girls.

In years past, they were getting threats constantly [on social media],” says Tim. “It was like that for about a year or so, and there people were really going after them. That was kind of scary.”

From animal activists to other social media users, the threats have calmed down and the situation has improved.

Tim’s concerns have also subsided and now his addiction to the farm could be turning into a new addiction for social media.

“I constantly am making little videos here and there, and then I’ll send it to Claudia or Evelyn, and they’ll make a video. We’ll come up with different ideas that might work, and I have mostly good ideas,” Tim shares, with a smile.

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How NY Farm Girls Brand Continues to Grow

NY Farm Girls is a business that continues to grow. The girls even launched their own clothing line recently, adding another chapter to the story of the brand.

As Tim watched the NY Farm Girls business grow, he’s proud of the fact his daughters are strong and independent. The girls’ drive and determination didn’t happen by chance, they’re traits that are a product of how Evelyn, Claudia and Jojo were raised.

“Don’t ever tell like a kid they can’t do something,” says Tim. “Always tell them it’s possible and just give them confidence and let them go.”

In their 20s and late teens, the determination and confidence is paying off as the NY Farm Girls continue to gain followers and fans. The side business is also helping these fourth-generation farmers secure a future for their dairy farm.

“We had no idea it would take off like this,” says Evelyn. “We started it just to share pictures of cows and calves and maybe teach a little bit about farming. And it took us a while to grow.”

“We obviously didn’t think that it was going to get this big,” adds Claudia. “We are so thankful we’re able to reach the amount of people we do, because at the end of the day, it’s not really about your follower count or how many likes you get. It’s that you are getting that information out there.”

Closing in on 1 million followers and fans across all sites is no easy feat, it’s the product of hard work that’s required constant grit and grace.

Carving Out Convenience: Young Cattle Producer Serves Up Success With Vending Machine of Meat

Wed, 10 Jan 2024 20:25:13 GMT

Walk into the Green Grass Cattle Company & Mercantile in Weston, Mo., and you’re immediately greeted with a slice of nostalgia. From a recently acquired feed store, to a storefront featuring beef, home goods and apparel, it’s a family-run business with solid rural roots.

“I’m the fifth generation in my family to take this on,” says Tim Haer, when asked how long his family has been farming.

He may be a fifth-generation farmer, but he’s now part of what’s become first-generation beef business.

“Green Grass Cattle Company started two years ago,” says Haer.

When we caught up with Haer, he took us out to one of his family’s pastures.

(Farm Journal)

After the flood of 1993, the family sold their farm and cattle. Tim’s mom and dad then landed jobs off the farm, but still within agriculture. The family had some cattle, but after his dad retired, he was ready for a new family venture.

“He kind of approached us and said, ‘Hey, you guys want to make a run at this full time?’ And after that, we started adding back to the herd and increasing our numbers,” says Haer.

Intentional Decisions and Growth

It’s growth that hasn’t always happened by chance. While Haer says some of the relationships and business partnerships have been a fortunate find, the Haers are also intentional in everything they do.

“When we first started out, we were just selling sides of beef. We didn’t have a retail store. We had a small online presence. But we didn’t have an e-commerce site or anything,” he says.

But when the Covid-19 pandemic hit, just like many protein producers, the Haer saw demand for freezer beef catch fire, and that’s when the Haers knew it was time to dish out something new.

“We looked at that as an opportunity to start processing cattle at a USDA [inspected] facility, and then selling individual cuts of beef as well,” he says.

Serving Up a Story

And they did, opening up a storefront in Weston in September 2021. The family knew opening a new door would also serve as a way for the family to connect with consumers and share the story behind their beef.

“I think it’s really important to do that,” says Megan Haer-Schmidt, Tim’s younger sister, but also manager of New Deal Ag Solutions, the family’s newest business. “I think consumers care about it, too. The types of questions that we will get are often very detailed, and you can tell that people, you know, want to know that the food that they’re eating was raised by a local family, or that it was cared for.”

High-Quality Beef Starts with High-Quality Bulls

Differentiating their business has become Green Grass Cattle Company’s specialty, and Haer says it all starts with high-quality bulls. The family carefully selected the bulls for certain traits.

“We weren’t concerned about a lot of the other things that traditional producers are looking for. What we were looking for, were bulls that had high EPD (expected progeny differences) scores and ribeye size and marbling,” Haer explains.

The other trait the Haers wanted, were finding bulls that were extremely docile, and they seemed to hit the jackpot when they found black angus bulls from Connealy Angus in Whitman, Neb.

“We found great value in buying those, and it’s turned out to be a pretty successful venture for us,” says Haer.

A Wild Idea That Turned Wildly Successful

The deliberate decisions made at Green Grass Cattle Company are also ones that can be a bit different, especially when it comes to some of Tim’s off-the-wall ideas.

“Last year, I had a buddy of mine that moved to Germany and I was talking to him one evening, and he goes, ‘Man, you’re not going to believe this, but I get my bratwurst out of a vending machine that’s two blocks away from me.’”

With that, he had an idea: create their own vending machine full of meat.

“I researched the different machines that were available to see how I could make it work to sell not just brats, but ground beef and even steaks,” says Haer. “And I finally found a machine that I thought would work and accommodate our needs.”

(Farm Journal)

Haer didn’t just do some heavy research on the right set-up to service customers, but also the right location.

“Keith Bradley, co-owner of Made in KC , really believed in our idea. He’s really supported us through this whole venture,” says Haer. “And they’ve got a lot of runway. I think they have close to 15 stores in Kansas City.”

That idea, is a reality today, located inside Front Range Coffeehouse, which is one of Bradley’s businesses in the middle of Kansas City, and 40 miles from the Haer family’s farm.

“It’s just kind of taken off, and it’s been wildly successful,” says Haer.

Digesting the Data

With the vending machine being located 40 miles from the farm, Haer knew he needed a vending machine that was highly automated. And what the Haers landed on is a machine that allows Tim to constantly collect the data.

“In working with the distributor that sells the machines, we were able to find a card reader that actually provides a lot of telematics in real-time,” says Her.

Out of all the aggregated data, Haer says the most telling point may be how people will buy steak at any hour of the day. When the vending machine first launched, it was located outside the store, and Haer says people would buy steaks all times of the day and night, including 11 p.m.

“I didn’t know if the machine was going to be successful to start with. When people were buying, buying steaks that late at night, it just kind of validated all the assumptions that I had,” says Haer.

Loyal Customers, One Steak at a Time

The reviews of Green Grass Cattle Company tell the story best. They’ve carved out convenience, while attracting a loyal customer base across the Kansas City area.

“When we first opened up the doors to the store, we were answering questions we just kind of took for granted as knowledge that we had our whole lives,” he says. “We’re not just trying to provide locally raised beef to consumers, we also have an obligation now to educate them and make more of a connection with where our food comes from.”

Whether it’s buying a steak from this vending machine, or visiting the family’s store and mercantile, the Haers have not only carved out convenience, but also a niche.

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Carving Out Convenience: Young Cattle Producer Serves Up Success With Vending Machine of Meat

Intentional Decisions and Growth

Serving Up a Story

High-Quality Beef Starts with High-Quality Bulls

A Wild Idea That Turned Wildly Successful

Digesting the Data

Loyal Customers, One Steak at a Time