Dairy Star

Hands-on learning A student from the veterinary school at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities collects a blood sample July 17 at Yorek Dairy Farm LLC.near Sobieski, Minnesota. In all, the students visit the farm three times to collect information that will be used in a presentation during the final visit summarizing cow comfort, health and nutrition. At the Yorek farm, the total herd of 1,100 cows is milked in a double-16 parallel parlor. #DairyStar #dairyfarming #education

Haying while the sun shines Tom Oberhaus makes small square bales July 12 at Cozy Nook Farm near Waukesha, Wisconsin. Oberhaus made about 400 bales of second-crop hay off the 7-acre field to sell for horse hay. Cozy Nook Farm is owned and operated by Oberhaus and his wife, Joan, their son, Charlie, and Dan and Britanny Gerrits. The partners milk 75 cows and farm 250 acres. #DairyStar #dairyfarming #familyfarm

Tools in hand Charis Moody works in the freestall barn July 11 at her family farm near Geddes, South Dakota. Charis and her father, Steve Moody, and her five siblings — Elise, Chesed, Selah, Salas and Kallen — work on the farm together. They milk 120 cows in a double-5 herringbone parlor and farm 320 acres of alfalfa, corn for silage and grass hay. #DairyStar #dairyfarming #dairybarn #photography

Heading home for milking Holstein cows on Gary Stankowski’s dairy farm head to the barn May 31 for the afternoon milking near Mosinee, Wisconsin. Stankowski milks 65 cows and farms 300 acres, 150 of which are owned. Stankowski enjoys crafting tools that make his job easier, including a rail that allows round bales to easily unroll in his barn. Click to see our inaugural photo issue! #DairyStar #dairyfarming #dairyindustry #photography

Open the door and they will come; Laveau hosts breakfast on the farm Doreen Laveau gives a milking demonstration June 29 during the breakfast on the farm event at the Laveau farm near Wrenshall, Minnesota. The Laveaus milk 52 cows. Click to read the full story; #DairyStar #dairyfarming #JuneDairyMonth

125 years of processing; Plainview Milk Products Co-Op looks to a future of growth Becky Pearson holds a commemorative butter crock June 25 at Plainview Milk Products Cooperative in Plainview, Minnesota. Pearson is the general manager/controller at the cooperative. #DairyStar #dairyprocessing #dairyproducts

Welcome Hannah Ullom to the team! We are so excited to welcome our newest sales representative in Western, Wisconsin, Hannah. She has a love for dairy farming, and brings energy and excitement to our sales team. We know our customers will enjoy her personality too! Hannah will serve customers in Western Wisconsin, sharing the stories of dairy farmers featured in our print publication. If you need anything advertising, she's your gal! We can't wait to see how you flourish at Dairy Star! Welcome Hannah! #newhire #sales #dairyfarming #printpublication

FORAGE PROFILE Tauers value consistent, fresh feed with timely delivery David, Angie, Ruby and Adam Tauer. Emily Ludewig Hanska, Minnesota | Brown County | 250 cows Emily Ludewig, Angie Tauer and David Tauer pause June 24 on the Tauer family’s dairy farm near Hanska, Minnesota. The Tauers milk 250 cows. #DairyStar #dairyfarming #forage

A perfect fit; Paynes transition to robots through barn addition The Payne family — Brent (from left), Tammy and Daryl — take a break June 26 on their farm near Sullivan, Wisconsin. The Paynes, who milk around 200 cows, began milking their herd with robotic milking units in November 2023. By creating an addition to the barn, the Paynes made room for four DeLaval VMS V300 robotic milking units. They added two matching buildings onto the ends of their freestall barn — one on the left side and one on the right side — to house the robots. “We made it fit into our barn that was there, and by adding robots on the end, we only lost two stalls on each side of the barn to make our fetch pens,” Daryl Payne said. “Removing the alley that led to the parlor was the only other modification we needed to make.” Daryl and his wife, Tammy, farm with their son, Brent, at Payne Farms near Sullivan. The Paynes, who milk around 200 cows and farm 650 acres, began milking with robots in November 2023. “It takes time for some cows to adjust, but things are going fairly smooth,” Daryl said. “We’re starting to see more of an increase in milk production now.” Click to read the full story; #DairyStar #dairyfarming #robotics #technology #progressivefarming

Making the most of the journey; Thompson elected as Wisconsin Association of FFA President. Jescey Thompson stands by one of his show cows June 30 at his family’s farm near Ettrick, Wisconsin. Thompson grew up showing dairy cattle. Click to read the full story; National FFA Organization Wisconsin FFA Foundation #DairyStar #dairyyouth #FFA