The Thumb Farmer - January 2016

What’s Inside:Top Individual Cow Records ..................................Pages 4, 6State & County Summary ..........................................Page 72015 Huron County Honored Members ...................Page 11Top 20 Herd Award Winners ....................................Page 12

A SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT TO

THE

JANUARY 12, 2016

1

michigansthumb.comTHUMB FARMER2 TUESday, JANUARY 12, 2016

TeVoortwis Dairy owners are passionate about farmingBy Rich haRpFor the Tribune

OLIVER TOWNSHIP — Cindy TeVoortwis first came to the U.S. when she was an exchange student in the 1990s. Her eight-week internship was spent in Kalamazoo while she studied for an agricul-tural degree. The two-month adventure opened her eyes to a whole new concept in farm-ing. It didn’t take long before she fell in love with America.

“When I saw the U.S., I said, ‘That’s for me,’” TeVoortwis said.

After the internship, she returned home to Winterswijk, Netherlands, which is about an hour’s drive east of Amsterdam.

She soon returned to the U.S. on a student visa. It was good for a year, and she was able to extend it another six months.

When she returned home, she found her parents ready to start a new life in America.

“I didn’t have to talk them into it,” she said.

The parents realized their 65-cow operation, shared with her uncle, was not going to sup-port themselves and their adult children. By 1998, her parents, Eli and Hanna TeVoortwis, had sold their share of the family farm to her uncle. Along with her parents and brother, Jur-gen, she journeyed to Bad Axe to start a new life, while siblings Danielle and Patrick opted to stay in the Netherlands.

The family had worked with a broker to locate them a place in this country. As chance would have it, that place was south of Bad Axe on Stein Road. They arrived in 1998, and began milking a 600-head herd the next year.

TeVoortwis admitted the first couple years were tough. The family had no history with the area and virtually no credit. But things started to improve in a hurry. In fact, by 2001, things began to look a lot better. They realized they were going to make it. As things turned out, they were going to make it big.

While sitting in her upstairs office overlooking the cows in the farm’s new barn, she said, “Right now, we’re milking 2,200

head.” She feels their milkable herd will max-out with near-ly 3,500 animals. The family feels the headaches created by legalities and permits needed to milk a larger herd would not be worth the effort.

In addition to the cows now being milked, the farm pos-sesses an additional 1,400 head in the heifer barn, and 600 more are in the pre-calf barn. These are all expected to deliv-er calves within three months. The TeVoortwis family believes in raising their animals from newborn until they are ready to milk.

“I truly enjoy seeing a little calf go through the entire pro-cess,” TeVoortwis said. “I can control everything about her.”

She went on to say if the calves are sold, she loses that control. But in actuality, the farm does not have enough land and buildings to allow growth of the calves until maturity. TeVoortwis Dairy has recently started shipping the majority to Missouri to be raised until they are ready to have their first calf.

Three months ago, the dairy began shipping about 90 calves per month to their Missouri contractor. They will return when they are 20 months old, after they have been bred. TeVoortwis said if it works out, they may continue the practice in the future.

Rich haRp/FoR the tRiBune

The majority of dairy cows are milked on a rotating carousel. It holds a maximum of 80 cows and, when operating at maximum capacity, will allow cows to be milked every six seconds.

See “farm” • 3

2

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Supporting the Dairy Industry one glass at a time!

Grand Champion Dairy, Victoria Gentner’s “Gallon of Milk”with Scott Main of Bay Port State Bank.

THUMB FARMER TUESday, JANUARY 12, 2016 3michigansthumb.com

FARM: It’s a family operationfrom 2

While talking about the pro-cess of raising cows from birth until adulthood, TeVoortwis was joined by her brother, Jur-gen.

The two began to discuss the new milking parlor, which is the newest innovation on the farm.

The new parlor was built and put into use in October.

“It was the next step for us,” Jurgen TeVoortwis said. “We could see labor challenges coming. We hope to make (this job) easier for the employees and the cows.”

He said the majority of the herd is milked in the new facili-ty on a moving carousel. About 200 head are still milked in the old parlor using the older style technology.

“Our cows that need a little bit more attention start in that barn,” he said.

He explained some of the

older cows don’t milk well on the carousel. Fresh cows also start in that barn.

His sister went on to say the carousel holds a maximum of 80 cows. They are milked three times per day.

“When we’re up to speed, we should have a cow being milked every six seconds,” she said.

She pointed out their 360-acre farm is strictly a dairy operation. That small amount of land would never allow them to grow enough food to sup-port their animals. Her figures show they would need 3,000 acres to grow the food needed to feed the herd. In particular, they would need 1,500 acres for corn silage and another 1,500 for hay.

As with any business, farm-ing has its challenges.


Cindy TeVoortwis and employee Maggie Deming discuss farm issues while in the new milking parlor. Deming is one of 30 employees working at the dairy.


Jurgen TeVoortwis checks out young calves on his daily rounds throughout the barns.

See “farm” • 15

3


Producer Name

Cow Barn Name

Cow Breed

Sire Reg/Eartag

Sire Short Name

Lactation Number

Age at Calving

Milk-305D Actual

Fat-305D Actual

Protein-305DActual $ Value

RENE DEKKER 5349 H 62816993 ALTATUFENUF 1 23 42277 1784 1257 $7,221ZWEMMER DAIRY FARM LLC 56103 H 1 26 29441 1656 930 $6,064DENIS BURKE 1478 H 1 21 28056 1589 967 $6,023

LAEDER DAIRY 6547 H 1 25 32969 1582 1099 $6,365GARY PROTZMAN 1409 H 1 24 37910 1198 1123 $5,603LAEDER DAIRY 6751 H 60317319 LUCIUS 1 25 40123 1174 1106 $5,503

GUCWA FARMS 678 J 1 23 15841 756 549 $3,107GUCWA FARMS 718 J 114114336 HEADLINE 1 25 16136 732 566 $3,102GUCWA FARMS 713 J 1 26 13755 742 513 $2,980

HIGHLAND DAIRY LLC. 506 H 2 34 35410 1720 1161 $6,828DENIS BURKE 1072 H 2 34 36456 1751 1071 $6,647HIGHLAND DAIRY LLC. 404 H 2 34 44270 1541 1235 $6,638

MESSING DAIRY 1404 H 135747713 MANIFOLD 2 33 35243 1432 1103 $6,052PETERSON DAIRY FARMS INC. 4636 H 2 35 38616 1365 1149 $6,031LAEDER DAIRY 6440 H 135774702 BRONCO 2 34 40698 1219 1187 $5,821

PAUL & KIETH LEIPPRANDT 3654 X 10034127 DANIEL 2 35 29670 1297 945 $5,336GUCWA FARMS 14 G 68026122 2 34 17980 1023 608 $3,838GUCWA FARMS 654 J 116279459 VIRGIL 1 31 15088 747 538 $3,058

Senior Two-Year Olds: 30-35 Months in herds over 1,000 head

2015 Top Individual Cows by Age & Herd SizeFor Year October 1, 2014 - September 30, 2015

Junior Two-Year Olds: Under 30 Months in herds over 1,000 head

Junior Two-Year Olds: Under 30 Months in herds between 200 & 1,000 head

Junior Two-Year Olds: Under 30 Months in herds under 200 head

Senior Two-Year Olds: 30 - 35 Months in herds between 200 & 1,000 head

Senior Two-Year Olds: 30 - 35 Months in herds under 200 head

Junior Three-Year Olds: 36-41 Months in herds over 1,000 head

Producer Name

Cow Barn Name

Cow Breed

Sire Reg/Eartag

Sire Short Name

Lactation Number

Age at Calving

Milk-305D Actual

Fat-305D Actual

Protein-305DActual $ Value

RENE DEKKER 5349 H 62816993 ALTATUFENUF 1 23 42277 1784 1257 $7,221ZWEMMER DAIRY FARM LLC 56103 H 1 26 29441 1656 930 $6,064DENIS BURKE 1478 H 1 21 28056 1589 967 $6,023

LAEDER DAIRY 6547 H 1 25 32969 1582 1099 $6,365GARY PROTZMAN 1409 H 1 24 37910 1198 1123 $5,603LAEDER DAIRY 6751 H 60317319 LUCIUS 1 25 40123 1174 1106 $5,503

GUCWA FARMS 678 J 1 23 15841 756 549 $3,107GUCWA FARMS 718 J 114114336 HEADLINE 1 25 16136 732 566 $3,102GUCWA FARMS 713 J 1 26 13755 742 513 $2,980

HIGHLAND DAIRY LLC. 506 H 2 34 35410 1720 1161 $6,828DENIS BURKE 1072 H 2 34 36456 1751 1071 $6,647HIGHLAND DAIRY LLC. 404 H 2 34 44270 1541 1235 $6,638

MESSING DAIRY 1404 H 135747713 MANIFOLD 2 33 35243 1432 1103 $6,052PETERSON DAIRY FARMS INC. 4636 H 2 35 38616 1365 1149 $6,031LAEDER DAIRY 6440 H 135774702 BRONCO 2 34 40698 1219 1187 $5,821

PAUL & KIETH LEIPPRANDT 3654 X 10034127 DANIEL 2 35 29670 1297 945 $5,336GUCWA FARMS 14 G 68026122 2 34 17980 1023 608 $3,838GUCWA FARMS 654 J 116279459 VIRGIL 1 31 15088 747 538 $3,058

Senior Two-Year Olds: 30-35 Months in herds over 1,000 head

2015 Top Individual Cows by Age & Herd SizeFor Year October 1, 2014 - September 30, 2015

Junior Two-Year Olds: Under 30 Months in herds over 1,000 head

Junior Two-Year Olds: Under 30 Months in herds between 200 & 1,000 head

Junior Two-Year Olds: Under 30 Months in herds under 200 head

Senior Two-Year Olds: 30 - 35 Months in herds between 200 & 1,000 head

Senior Two-Year Olds: 30 - 35 Months in herds under 200 head

Junior Three-Year Olds: 36-41 Months in herds over 1,000 headZWEMMER DAIRY FARM LLC 52790 H 2 38 39508 1977 1050 $7,070ZWEMMER DAIRY FARM LLC 52274 H 2 40 36803 1636 1215 $6,794ZWEMMER DAIRY FARM LLC 52858 H 2 37 34663 1663 1181 $6,761

GARY PROTZMAN 1893 H 64943902 TYRON 2 36 35879 1489 1090 $6,138GARY PROTZMAN 1615 H 60540162 HHF 2 40 38110 1344 1194 $6,110MIKE ZAGATA 2516 H 66382657 IMPRESSION 2 38 40317 1381 1087 $5,894

STARWARD FARMS LINZEE H 135774702 BRONCO 2 41 42211 1288 1311 $6,307GUCWA FARMS 342 J 2 37 15554 667 542 $2,897GUCWA FARMS 639 B 68100534 ZIPPER 2 37 14131 507 450 $2,304

ZWEMMER DAIRY FARM LLC 51658 H 2 42 32466 1819 1019 $6,654HIGHLAND DAIRY LLC. 15 H 3 47 39517 1654 1148 $6,647HIGHLAND DAIRY LLC. 230 H 2 43 40915 1583 1193 $6,616

GARY PROTZMAN 1455 H 62292990 ATOM 3 45 40598 1579 1294 $6,885MIKE ZAGATA 422 H 3 45 36292 1490 1148 $6,299LAEDER DAIRY 6292 X 91011 3 46 41499 1238 1271 $6,091

STARWARD FARMS RHODA H 61547476 MILLION 2 43 46563 1458 1178 $6,302GUCWA FARMS 585 J 114896953 FORBES 2 42 12570 521 420 $2,253

HIGHLAND DAIRY LLC. 889 H 3 55 39631 2156 1217 $7,911HIGHLAND DAIRY LLC. 4843 H 3 48 36919 1825 1120 $6,939DENIS BURKE 6476 H 3 50 41478 1795 1135 $6,911

LAEDER DAIRY 6120 H 3 52 40726 1586 1195 $6,629MIKE ZAGATA 2172 H 129069717 LC 4 55 37914 1573 1061 $6,237LAEDER DAIRY 6226 X 111103085 MECCA 3 48 34050 1478 1078 $6,084

WOLSCHLEGER DAIRY 79 X 131184495 SHARKY 3 56 27190 1343 940 $5,423

Junior Three-Year Olds: 36-41 Months in herds between 200 & 1,000 head

Junior Three-Year Olds: 36-41 Months in herds under 200 head

Senior Three-Year Olds: 42-47 Months in herds over 1,000 head

Senior Three-Year Olds: 42-47 Months in herds between 200 & 1,000 head

Senior Three-Year Olds: 42-47 Months in herds under 200 head

Four-Year Olds: 48-59 Months in herds over 1,000 head

Four-Year Olds: 48-59 Months in herds between 200 & 1,000 head

Four-Year Olds: 48-59 Months in herds under 200 head

ZWEMMER DAIRY FARM LLC 52790 H 2 38 39508 1977 1050 $7,070ZWEMMER DAIRY FARM LLC 52274 H 2 40 36803 1636 1215 $6,794ZWEMMER DAIRY FARM LLC 52858 H 2 37 34663 1663 1181 $6,761

















4

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ZWEMMER DAIRY FARM LLC 52790 H 2 38 39508 1977 1050 $7,070ZWEMMER DAIRY FARM LLC 52274 H 2 40 36803 1636 1215 $6,794ZWEMMER DAIRY FARM LLC 52858 H 2 37 34663 1663 1181 $6,761

















STARWARD FARMS SHARA W 138108935 REDBULL*RC 3 53 28598 1057 904 $4,711GUCWA FARMS 501 J 3 53 21402 914 760 $4,017

ZWEMMER DAIRY FARM LLC 36037 H 4 65 37311 2029 1141 $7,433ZWEMMER DAIRY FARM LLC 36996 H 4 62 36990 1707 1188 $6,872DENIS BURKE 5546 H 4 64 35439 1693 1189 $6,847

LAEDER DAIRY 4398 H 4 67 39319 1451 1152 $6,223MESSING DAIRY 1093 X 137302774 CHRISTIAN*RC 4 60 34215 1228 1010 $5,362KENNETH & AMY WEBER 2647 X 4 62 31078 1158 953 $5,059

JO - JO DAIRY 1109 X 10201207 SULTAN 4 62 23771 1177 828 $4,765GUCWA FARMS 1385 X 4 65 22757 1038 858 $4,550GUCWA FARMS 7339 J 4 67 18392 914 672 $3,779

ZWEMMER DAIRY FARM LLC 11862 H 61515299 DERRICK 6 89 39589 1775 1253 $7,193ZWEMMER DAIRY FARM LLC 10620 H 2296784 COOPER 7 101 41257 1723 1244 $7,056HIGHLAND DAIRY LLC. 15752 H 5 73 41642 1619 1273 $6,912

GARY PROTZMAN 11 H 17349617 MORTY 6 97 42563 1614 1265 $6,878MIKE ZAGATA 8412 H 6 88 42402 1359 1223 $6,217MESSING DAIRY 9823 J 7 101 26223 1093 932 $4,867

SCHOLTZ BRIAN & SHELLY 498 H 126853007 MARMAX 4 73 35840 1509 1174 $6,411GUCWA FARMS 370 X 193141 BRINKS 4 78 25445 967 768 $4,149GUCWA FARMS 100 J 6 91 19972 823 612 $3,419

Five-Year Olds: 60-72 Months in herds over 1,000 head

Five-Year Olds: 60-72 Months in herds between 200 & 1,000 head

Five-Year Olds: 60-72 Months in herds under 200 head

Six-Year Olds: 72 Months & over in herds over 1,000 head

Six-Year Olds: 72 Months & over in herds between 200 & 1,000 head

Six-Year Olds: 72 Months & over in herds under 200 head

STARWARD FARMS SHARA W 138108935 REDBULL*RC 3 53 28598 1057 904 $4,711GUCWA FARMS 501 J 3 53 21402 914 760 $4,017

ZWEMMER DAIRY FARM LLC 36037 H 4 65 37311 2029 1141 $7,433ZWEMMER DAIRY FARM LLC 36996 H 4 62 36990 1707 1188 $6,872DENIS BURKE 5546 H 4 64 35439 1693 1189 $6,847

LAEDER DAIRY 4398 H 4 67 39319 1451 1152 $6,223MESSING DAIRY 1093 X 137302774 CHRISTIAN*RC 4 60 34215 1228 1010 $5,362KENNETH & AMY WEBER 2647 X 4 62 31078 1158 953 $5,059

JO - JO DAIRY 1109 X 10201207 SULTAN 4 62 23771 1177 828 $4,765GUCWA FARMS 1385 X 4 65 22757 1038 858 $4,550GUCWA FARMS 7339 J 4 67 18392 914 672 $3,779

ZWEMMER DAIRY FARM LLC 11862 H 61515299 DERRICK 6 89 39589 1775 1253 $7,193ZWEMMER DAIRY FARM LLC 10620 H 2296784 COOPER 7 101 41257 1723 1244 $7,056HIGHLAND DAIRY LLC. 15752 H 5 73 41642 1619 1273 $6,912

GARY PROTZMAN 11 H 17349617 MORTY 6 97 42563 1614 1265 $6,878MIKE ZAGATA 8412 H 6 88 42402 1359 1223 $6,217MESSING DAIRY 9823 J 7 101 26223 1093 932 $4,867

SCHOLTZ BRIAN & SHELLY 498 H 126853007 MARMAX 4 73 35840 1509 1174 $6,411GUCWA FARMS 370 X 193141 BRINKS 4 78 25445 967 768 $4,149GUCWA FARMS 100 J 6 91 19972 823 612 $3,419

Five-Year Olds: 60-72 Months in herds over 1,000 head

Five-Year Olds: 60-72 Months in herds between 200 & 1,000 head

Five-Year Olds: 60-72 Months in herds under 200 head

Six-Year Olds: 72 Months & over in herds over 1,000 head

Six-Year Olds: 72 Months & over in herds between 200 & 1,000 head

Six-Year Olds: 72 Months & over in herds under 200 head

6

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Producer Name TownType of

Testing PlanCow Barn

NameCow

BreedSire

Reg/EartagLactation Number

MilkLifetime

FatLifetime

ProteinLifetime Value

ZWEMMER DAIRY FARM LLC ELKTON 2 8136 X 665650 9 271,858 11,632 8,914 $33,555ZWEMMER DAIRY FARM LLC ELKTON 2 10045 J 8 240,574 8,654 7,425 $25,720ZWEMMER DAIRY FARM LLC ELKTON 2 31615 X 8 236,239 10,242 7,345 $29,045ZWEMMER DAIRY FARM LLC ELKTON 2 31691 X 9 232,864 11,383 7,550 $31,697ZWEMMER DAIRY FARM LLC ELKTON 2 329 X 61398478 7 208,367 7,175 5,997 $21,157HIGHLAND DAIRY LLC. SEBEWAING 70 8777 X 6 196,451 6,107 5,231 $18,115ZWEMMER DAIRY FARM LLC ELKTON 2 10223 X 133844889 8 194,443 8,223 6,142 $23,560ZWEMMER DAIRY FARM LLC ELKTON 2 30647 X 9 189,547 9,979 6,450 $27,633MESSING DAIRY BAD AXE 2 9823 J 8 185,860 8,296 6,395 $23,978ZWEMMER DAIRY FARM LLC ELKTON 2 31554 J 9 183,801 9,015 6,242 $25,367ZWEMMER DAIRY FARM LLC ELKTON 2 11266 X 134650168 6 183,606 7,660 5,722 $21,945ZWEMMER DAIRY FARM LLC ELKTON 2 30528 X 9 182,139 8,818 5,827 $24,531WOLSCHLEGER DAIRY HARBOR BEACH 31 329 X 2296784 6 180,890 6,513 5,262 $19,031KENNETH & AMY WEBER UBLY 31 107 X 7 178,755 8,005 5,174 $22,141RENE DEKKER UBLY 31 2821 X 664195 6 176,454 7,832 4,941 $21,540KENNETH & AMY WEBER UBLY 31 2282 X 129249047 5 169,256 6,255 5,159 $18,388HIGHLAND DAIRY LLC. SEBEWAING 70 1597 X 6 167,801 6,977 5,399 $20,175RENE DEKKER UBLY 31 2903 X 111389227 5 166,989 6,780 5,360 $19,715ZWEMMER DAIRY FARM LLC ELKTON 2 11681 X 664195 7 166,196 6,803 5,251 $19,656GARY PROTZMAN CASEVILLE 31 681 E 7 165,898 7,627 5,992 $22,162ZWEMMER DAIRY FARM LLC ELKTON 2 32865 X 6 165,695 6,105 4,624 $17,535S & M DAIRY HARBOR BEACH 31 25 X 6 163,961 6,604 5,497 $19,478ZWEMMER DAIRY FARM LLC ELKTON 2 353 X 6 163,016 6,020 4,760 $17,492ZWEMMER DAIRY FARM LLC ELKTON 2 12952 X 131206940 6 162,805 5,669 4,592 $16,572ZWEMMER DAIRY FARM LLC ELKTON 2 3089 X 8 162,639 6,893 5,274 $19,875ZWEMMER DAIRY FARM LLC ELKTON 2 11533 X 7 161,959 7,624 5,334 $21,502MESSING DAIRY BAD AXE 2 75 J 113889095 8 160,379 9,399 5,720 $25,690

NON - HOLSTEINas of September 30, 2015

OVER 150,000# Lifetime Milk ProductionRanked by Lifetime Milk Production

Number of Herds

Average # Cows

Dollar Value

Pounds of Milk

Pounds of Fat

Pounds of Protein

State 507 317 $4,087 26,217 940 767

Huron 26 437 $3,733 25,951 787 757- $354 - 266 - 153 - 10

2015 State & County Summary

For year October 1, 2014 through September 30, 2015

Your Town. Your News.

Your Tribune.

7




NameCow

BreedSire


MilkLifetime

FatLifetime


ZWEMMER DAIRY FARM LLC ELKTON 2 8136 X 665650 9 271,858 11,632 8,914 $33,555ZWEMMER DAIRY FARM LLC ELKTON 2 10045 J 8 240,574 8,654 7,425 $25,720ZWEMMER DAIRY FARM LLC ELKTON 2 31615 X 8 236,239 10,242 7,345 $29,045ZWEMMER DAIRY FARM LLC ELKTON 2 31691 X 9 232,864 11,383 7,550 $31,697ZWEMMER DAIRY FARM LLC ELKTON 2 329 X 61398478 7 208,367 7,175 5,997 $21,157HIGHLAND DAIRY LLC. SEBEWAING 70 8777 X 6 196,451 6,107 5,231 $18,115ZWEMMER DAIRY FARM LLC ELKTON 2 10223 X 133844889 8 194,443 8,223 6,142 $23,560ZWEMMER DAIRY FARM LLC ELKTON 2 30647 X 9 189,547 9,979 6,450 $27,633MESSING DAIRY BAD AXE 2 9823 J 8 185,860 8,296 6,395 $23,978ZWEMMER DAIRY FARM LLC ELKTON 2 31554 J 9 183,801 9,015 6,242 $25,367ZWEMMER DAIRY FARM LLC ELKTON 2 11266 X 134650168 6 183,606 7,660 5,722 $21,945ZWEMMER DAIRY FARM LLC ELKTON 2 30528 X 9 182,139 8,818 5,827 $24,531WOLSCHLEGER DAIRY HARBOR BEACH 31 329 X 2296784 6 180,890 6,513 5,262 $19,031KENNETH & AMY WEBER UBLY 31 107 X 7 178,755 8,005 5,174 $22,141RENE DEKKER UBLY 31 2821 X 664195 6 176,454 7,832 4,941 $21,540KENNETH & AMY WEBER UBLY 31 2282 X 129249047 5 169,256 6,255 5,159 $18,388HIGHLAND DAIRY LLC. SEBEWAING 70 1597 X 6 167,801 6,977 5,399 $20,175RENE DEKKER UBLY 31 2903 X 111389227 5 166,989 6,780 5,360 $19,715ZWEMMER DAIRY FARM LLC ELKTON 2 11681 X 664195 7 166,196 6,803 5,251 $19,656GARY PROTZMAN CASEVILLE 31 681 E 7 165,898 7,627 5,992 $22,162ZWEMMER DAIRY FARM LLC ELKTON 2 32865 X 6 165,695 6,105 4,624 $17,535S & M DAIRY HARBOR BEACH 31 25 X 6 163,961 6,604 5,497 $19,478ZWEMMER DAIRY FARM LLC ELKTON 2 353 X 6 163,016 6,020 4,760 $17,492ZWEMMER DAIRY FARM LLC ELKTON 2 12952 X 131206940 6 162,805 5,669 4,592 $16,572ZWEMMER DAIRY FARM LLC ELKTON 2 3089 X 8 162,639 6,893 5,274 $19,875ZWEMMER DAIRY FARM LLC ELKTON 2 11533 X 7 161,959 7,624 5,334 $21,502MESSING DAIRY BAD AXE 2 75 J 113889095 8 160,379 9,399 5,720 $25,690

NON - HOLSTEINas of September 30, 2015




NameCow

BreedSire


MilkLifetime

FatLifetime


GARY PROTZMAN CASEVILLE 31 319 H 8 290,482 12,564 8,428 $35,046ZWEMMER DAIRY FARM LLC ELKTON 2 354 H 6 285,937 9,139 7,467 $26,755LAEDER DAIRY HARBOR BEACH 31 844 H 9 277,401 10,338 7,398 $29,262HIGHLAND DAIRY LLC. SEBEWAING 70 384 H 8 276,084 8,648 7,461 $25,707RENE DEKKER UBLY 31 7113 H 8 275,384 9,739 7,622 $28,205RENE DEKKER UBLY 31 1986 H 17089950 7 272,405 10,050 7,561 $28,813ZWEMMER DAIRY FARM LLC ELKTON 2 10620 H 2296784 7 269,731 10,233 7,751 $29,398ZWEMMER DAIRY FARM LLC ELKTON 2 9673 H 17099649 7 269,301 10,571 8,290 $30,661ZWEMMER DAIRY FARM LLC ELKTON 2 10121 H 124730902 7 269,169 9,202 6,818 $26,258HIGHLAND DAIRY LLC. SEBEWAING 70 5537 H 6 265,366 9,299 7,701 $27,352RENE DEKKER UBLY 31 393 H 8 265,086 10,821 8,046 $30,957HIGHLAND DAIRY LLC. SEBEWAING 70 11277 H 8 263,463 8,093 6,604 $23,674RENE DEKKER UBLY 31 2472 H 6 262,540 8,744 7,966 $26,431HIGHLAND DAIRY LLC. SEBEWAING 70 6280 H 7 261,655 9,583 6,871 $27,134ZWEMMER DAIRY FARM LLC ELKTON 2 8960 H 60728477 8 261,070 8,679 7,453 $25,781ZWEMMER DAIRY FARM LLC ELKTON 2 32163 H 6 260,949 9,587 6,998 $27,270GARY PROTZMAN CASEVILLE 31 11 H 17349617 7 260,469 10,957 8,150 $31,357RENE DEKKER UBLY 31 1892 H 17310469 9 260,460 10,620 7,837 $30,322ZWEMMER DAIRY FARM LLC ELKTON 2 9312 H 8 260,133 10,160 7,795 $29,295HIGHLAND DAIRY LLC. SEBEWAING 70 374 H 7 259,053 8,520 7,070 $25,059ZWEMMER DAIRY FARM LLC ELKTON 2 9066 H 132791638 8 257,179 9,032 7,547 $26,635LAEDER DAIRY HARBOR BEACH 31 400 H 7 257,053 9,716 7,157 $27,709ZWEMMER DAIRY FARM LLC ELKTON 2 33208 H 8 255,936 9,379 6,839 $26,671RENE DEKKER UBLY 31 2314 H 17089950 7 251,770 8,821 7,179 $25,820HIGHLAND DAIRY LLC. SEBEWAING 70 5322 H 7 251,405 9,237 7,446 $26,978HIGHLAND DAIRY LLC. SEBEWAING 70 6713 H 8 251,201 9,089 7,565 $26,781HIGHLAND DAIRY LLC. SEBEWAING 70 9266 H 7 250,277 8,708 7,077 $25,478

HOLSTEINas of September 30, 2015


8

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NORTHSTARATHOME.COM

Take time to think about three things to improve your farm businessBy phil DuRStMichigan State University Extension

At times, it seems that there are hundreds of things to think about. That can be paralyzing. Instead, focus your thoughts on three things.

The New Year is an opportu-nity to think about your busi-ness. But that is a broad pros-pect, and therefore, somewhat daunting. Michigan State Uni-versity Extension has a way to better define that; think about just three things. Let’s start with the first, think about one thing from the past year.

Think about one thing;• for which you are particu-

larly thankful

• that you accomplished• that you did not succeed at• that you believe you can

improveBy focusing on these things

it helps to define strengths and weaknesses in the past year. Defining strengths and weaknesses helps to direct the improvements that should be made and the areas that you can build on.

Next turn your attention to the year ahead and think about the next thing;

• you want to accomplish• you want to avoid• you will get more help with• you will do better

See “improve” • 13

9

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ZWEMMER DAIRY FARM LLC ELKTON 2 9976 H 128920633 8 249,207 8,391 7,277 $25,000MIKE ZAGATA SEBEWAING 20 8412 H 6 249,021 8,484 7,312 $25,234ZWEMMER DAIRY FARM LLC ELKTON 2 30650 H 7 248,859 8,048 6,352 $23,341HIGHLAND DAIRY LLC. SEBEWAING 70 381 H 7 247,133 9,383 7,565 $27,414ROBERT & VERONICA DALLAS HARBOR BEACH 31 848 H 6019124 9 246,611 8,447 6,581 $24,426ZWEMMER DAIRY FARM LLC ELKTON 2 10615 H 17231273 8 246,585 9,594 7,390 $27,692ZWEMMER DAIRY FARM LLC ELKTON 2 30561 H 6 245,916 8,444 6,570 $24,410ZWEMMER DAIRY FARM LLC ELKTON 2 10150 H 8 245,583 10,866 7,251 $30,278HIGHLAND DAIRY LLC. SEBEWAING 70 135 H 8 245,155 8,552 7,185 $25,257ZWEMMER DAIRY FARM LLC ELKTON 2 174 H 8 243,812 9,268 7,247 $26,853ZWEMMER DAIRY FARM LLC ELKTON 2 2077 H 6 243,175 7,620 6,590 $22,668HIGHLAND DAIRY LLC. SEBEWAING 70 509 H 7 242,816 8,540 6,959 $25,007ZWEMMER DAIRY FARM LLC ELKTON 2 30543 H 8 242,158 10,180 6,980 $28,541HIGHLAND DAIRY LLC. SEBEWAING 70 600 H 7 242,093 8,279 6,658 $24,148HIGHLAND DAIRY LLC. SEBEWAING 70 9844 H 7 241,660 9,840 7,519 $28,352ZWEMMER DAIRY FARM LLC ELKTON 2 1302 H 7 240,810 8,707 6,876 $25,284ZWEMMER DAIRY FARM LLC ELKTON 2 2556 H 7 240,209 9,434 7,117 $27,082HIGHLAND DAIRY LLC. SEBEWAING 70 6406 H 7 238,558 8,088 7,185 $24,270HIGHLAND DAIRY LLC. SEBEWAING 70 11408 H 8 238,482 9,459 7,159 $27,180KENNETH & AMY WEBER UBLY 31 245 H 7 237,957 10,277 7,439 $29,212HIGHLAND DAIRY LLC. SEBEWAING 70 97 H 8 237,452 7,711 6,315 $22,593HIGHLAND DAIRY LLC. SEBEWAING 70 9121 H 8 236,826 7,982 6,859 $23,718HIGHLAND DAIRY LLC. SEBEWAING 70 179 H 7 236,583 8,192 6,943 $24,252HIGHLAND DAIRY LLC. SEBEWAING 70 2386 H 6 236,151 7,591 6,313 $22,336HIGHLAND DAIRY LLC. SEBEWAING 70 9147 H 7 235,428 7,082 6,379 $21,312GARY PROTZMAN CASEVILLE 31 379 H 9 235,237 11,359 7,502 $31,595HIGHLAND DAIRY LLC. SEBEWAING 70 9495 H 8 235,022 8,577 5,932 $24,067MIKE ZAGATA SEBEWAING 20 1604 H 7 234,647 7,017 6,056 $20,851ZWEMMER DAIRY FARM LLC ELKTON 2 9441 H 133184370 9 234,563 6,773 5,854 $20,127ZWEMMER DAIRY FARM LLC ELKTON 2 51 H 8 234,187 7,664 6,378 $22,559HIGHLAND DAIRY LLC. SEBEWAING 70 9146 H 8 234,022 8,529 6,926 $24,960HIGHLAND DAIRY LLC. SEBEWAING 70 323 H 6 233,980 7,525 6,613 $22,497RENE DEKKER UBLY 31 751 H 8 233,841 9,884 7,544 $28,479KENNETH & AMY WEBER UBLY 31 830 H 8 233,661 10,994 7,383 $30,696

Do you have a story idea?

Email Editor Dave Shane at

[email protected]

10

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2015 Huron County Honored Members

EIGHTY-TWO YEAR MEMBER Ron Nugent

SIXTY-SEVEN YEAR MEMBER Paul & Keith Leipprandt

SIXTY-SIX YEAR MEMBER Gary & Michael Nugent

SIXTY-FOUR YEAR MEMBER Gary Protzman - Delcath Farms

SIXTY YEAR MEMBER Starward Farms

FIFTY-SEVEN YEAR MEMBER Darrin Lutz Farms Inc

FIFTY-FOUR YEAR MEMBER Henry & Mark Ziel - Zielland Farm

THIRTY-FIVE YEAR MEMBER Volmering Family Dairy

TWENTY YEAR MEMBER Messing Dairy

FIFTEEN YEAR MEMBERS Rene Dekker Brian Ingram

Wolschleger Dairy

TEN YEAR MEMBER Kim Clunis

2015 DHIA Board of Directors

Eric Sneller - President

Cassie Sneller - Vice President

Ashley Kennedy - Secretary

Nick Leipprandt - Treasurer

Bob Gucwa - Director

Vacant - Industry Representative

Marianne Buza - MSU Extension Dairy Educator / Representative

2015 DHI Information Specialists

Larry Lenz - Sebewaing

Duane Zimmerman - Decker

Marlin Zeist - Decker

Roger Sweeney - Owendale

News you can surf to...michigansthumb.com

11

1

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Breakfast on the Farm improves consumer trust in dairy farming

Breakfast on the Farm (BOTF) contin-ues to increase the trust consumers have in agriculture production systems. One of the goals of BOTF is to show consumers how modern farms work to give them a better appreciation of what farmers do to produce safe food, care for their animals and the environment. BOTF is a form of place-based education that provides the opportunity for consumers to experience the culture and setting of modern farm-ing in their communities.

Such educational tours put a face on the families who own the farms and this helps to create ties between participants, farmers, other industry professionals and volunteers. BOTF is an industry-wide program coordinated by Michigan State University Extension to help local producers and ag industry professionals educate consumers about modern agri-cultural practices.

During 2015, five dairy farms hosted BOTF events totaling 12,068 partici-pants and 1413 volunteers with an aver-age of 2700 participants and 285 volun-

teers per event.. The five events were hosted by Stakenas Farms in Mason County, Roto-Z Dairy Farm (Zwemmer family) in Sanilac County, Hood Farms Family Dairy in Van Buren County, Wheeler Dairy (Van Loon family) in Gratiot County and Pleasant View Dairy (Lewis family) in Hillsdale County.

Continued efforts with exit surveys show that participants indicate BOTF educational tours increase their level of trust in farmers in several areas. Com-paring consumer impressions about how farmers care for food-producing animals, the environment and safe-guarding milk before and after their tour show large shifts in their level of trust. Surveys were handed out as indi-viduals exited the tour and participants were asked to rate what their level of trust was on several topics before and after their tour. Since this was done as they left, their responses are an indica-tion of their perceived change in trust.

— MSU Extension

12

Thinking ahead about the future helps you to lay out some short-term goals to keep the operation moving forward. It also prompts you to seek help and to determine how to do something better. Thinking about the next thing doesn’t allow for status quo, it is about making positive change in the operation.

Lastly, the third thing to think about is the most important thing. What are the most impor-tant long-term goals for your business? Think about where the business needs to head. Think about the changes that have to take place in your busi-ness. These changes could be in facilities, size and scope of the business, personnel, or manage-ment.

As you think about the most important things, then:

• Define and write it down in a concise statement.

• Defend your goal. Why is it

important? What are the ben-efits? What are the costs?

• Spend time planning to implement it.

• Set dates to implement it. Make time to research it, talk about it, and to start it.

All too often we fail in one of two ways; either we fail to foresee what changes are most important or we fail because although we know what is most important, we never get around

to it. Either way, we waste time, effort and money on less pro-ductive things that do not accomplish what really needs to be done.

These three points can help one partner within a business explain it to other partners, including a spouse, parent or sibling. Completing these steps creates a timeframe to move it along. Something that is truly of great importance should be

accomplished in a reasonable timeframe.

Business operations, whether they are farms or downtown businesses, have to reflect, improve and change. That hap-pens when owners spend time

reflecting and planning for the business. Set time aside to start on this process and improve your operation.

This article was published by Michigan State University Exten-sion. For more information, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu. To contact an expert in your area, visit http://expert.msue.msu.edu, or call 888-MSUE4MI.

Call for a quote of our low rates 989-269-8292

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IMPROVEMENT: All operations have to reflect, improve and changefrom 9

13

Submitted to the Tribune

LANSING — NorthStar Cooperative Inc. has hired David Mageean of Stockbridge as a reproductive specialist. In this role, he will work in the Central Michigan area provid-ing heat detection and artifi-cial insemination (AI) breeding services based on producers’ genetics and production goals.

“David comes to NorthStar with a wealth of experience,” stated Team Leader Steve Reed. “He worked in various agricul-tural roles in Ireland for many years and spent the last two breeding seasons in New Zea-land. David has tremendous passion for what he does and works extremely hard for the producers he serves.”

Originally from Ireland, Mageean’s interest in agricul-ture began with his first job on a farm that raised both dairy and beef cows while he was still in school. Mageean began working as a herdsman in 1999 for a 350-cow dairy in North-ern Ireland, where he was actively involved in the day-to-day management of all aspects of the herd. After five years as a herdsman, Mageean worked in various roles with other farms and agricultural companies where he gained experience ranging from grass silage pro-duction to tillage work, corn planting and harvesting, and

machinery maintenance.Mageean began working for

reproductive and genetic com-

panies in Northern Ireland in 2009. In 2010, he completed a six-week training program in bovine fertility and reproduc-tion, becoming certified in artificial insemination. After six months as a relief techni-cian, Mageean began work-ing his own AI route servicing dairy producers in all aspects of heat detection and breeding.

During his time in New Zealand, Mageean worked for

Livestock Improvement Cor-poration for two breeding sea-sons. He bred cows seven days a week, averaging 370 insemi-nations a day during the 2014 season, with a total of 11,800 inseminations on 8,200 cows.

NorthStar Cooperative Inc. is a stock-based cooperative, owned by dairy and beef pro-ducers in Michigan, Indiana and Wisconsin. Originally formed in 1944 as an artifi-

cial insemination cooperative, it is now comprised of sales and service for Select Sires, Ag Products and Technologies, DHI Services and Antel Bio-Systems, an animal diagnostic testing center. Based in Lan-sing, NorthStar provides sales and service to producers, vet-erinarians and industry mem-bers across the U.S. For more information, visit www.north-starcooperative.com.

Bad Axe989-269-6449

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Cooperative hires new reproductive specialist

David Mageean of Stockbridge recently was hired as a reproductive specialist for NorthStar Cooperative. He will work in the Central Michigan area providing heat detection and artificial insemination (AI) breeding services based on producers’ genetics and production goals. (Submitted Photo)

Huron daily Tribune Because news happens more than once a week.

14

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“I think employees are No. 1,” Cindy TeVoortwis said.

Finding, training and keep-ing good help is a struggle. At the present time, the farm employs about 30 people, and she feels these are excellent employees.

“We have a really good base right now,” Cindy TeVoortwis said. “The majority is full time.”

She explained labor in the dairy business is their third biggest cost.

“Our first biggest cost is feed,” Jurgen TeVoortwis said. “Our second (largest cost) is all the other capital outlay.”

He went on to say most non-farmers do not understand the amount of money it takes to run an operation like this. For instance, their monthly elec-tric bill for the old barn aver-aged $12,000 per month. The new barn/parlor is larger but is much more energy efficient. He feels the electrical costs will be about the same.

Before going back to work, the siblings discussed the future of the business. They said the industry has come

a long way from the time of their grandparents. They know advances in technology will continue, and their opera-tion will become much more advanced and efficient in the future.

They feel technology will allow things to happen they can’t imagine today.

“We’re learning to do more with less,” Cindy TeVoortwis said. “We’re becoming very efficient with our water con-servation. We are maximizing the way we use and get rid of manure.”

She went on to say they are working very close with crop farmers to get rid of the large amount of manure produced by their herd. They are find-ing new ways to manage and use a product that has caused headaches in the past. She feels manure is becoming a true crop resource rather than a waste product.

Cindy TeVoortwis admits farming is a busy lifestyle. Yet, each member of the family has outside interests. In sum-mer, her brother races pickup trucks at a local track. She

raises horses and likes to ride when she has time.

“It’s a fun hobby,” she said.In addition, she is mom to

two small children.“It’s very rewarding,” she

said. Her parents like to return to

the Netherlands whenever they have a chance. Family there is very important to them, and they try to go back once or twice per year. They truly enjoy visit-ing their children and grand-children in Europe.

As far as their personal futures are concerned, both brother and sister feel they will be farmers forever. They understand it is a tough busi-ness, but it is in their blood.

“Dairy farming is a lifestyle,” Jurgen TeVoortwis said.

“We are dedicated to what we do,” Cindy TeVoortwis added. “We’re passionate about our cows.”

FARM: Siblings feel farming is in their bloodfrom 3


Cindy TeVoortwis talks to long-time employee Leo Gusa.

15

7211 E. Michigan Avenue • P.O. Box 619 • 989-453-4500 • www.coopelev.comBranches at: Akron, Bad Axe, Deckerville East, Deckerville West, Elkton,

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We Salute You!

16

Documents

The Thumb Farmer - January 2016