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A constant goal, changing tactics: The Krusenbaum dairy farm (1996–2005)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 December 2008

Joshua L. Posner ,
Gary G. Frank ,
Kenneth V. Nordlund  and
Ronald T. Schuler
Joshua L. Posner*
Affiliation:
Agronomy Department, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53707, USA.
Gary G. Frank
Affiliation:
Center for Dairy Profitability, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
Kenneth V. Nordlund
Affiliation:
School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
Ronald T. Schuler
Affiliation:
Biological Systems Engineering Department, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
*
*Corresponding author: JLPosner@wisc.edu
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Abstract

This case study documents the trajectory of a successful alternative dairy farm in southeastern Wisconsin. The 1990s were a difficult period for dairying and the Krusenbaum family entered this shifting field in 1990 with a 37-cow Holstein herd in a stanchion barn, 88 tillable hectares and a vision to gradually develop a biodynamic dairy. Low milk prices and the unrelenting workload associated with conventional dairying forced the family to look for alternative strategies. By 1995 they had converted all their land to 47 rotationally grazed paddocks, increased herd size to 70 cows and their annual net farm income had grown to a solid $54,000. The workload remained very heavy, and during the next few years they introduced a swing-16 milking parlor that approximately doubled their milking efficiency and allowed them to again increase herd size, implemented seasonal dairying and constructed an outwintering shed (1997) that greatly facilitated animal management during the winter. By 2002 the farming system had been, by and large, consolidated and by not focusing solely on milk production and crossbreeding with non-Holstein breeds, the herd benefited from improved reproductive vigor. They were then able to synchronize annual calving and the herd's maximum nutritional needs with the spring flush of their pastures, which resulted in lowered purchased feed costs per cow. By this time, annual milk production was fairly constant [around 7400 kg rolling herd average (RHA)], herd health was good and annual net farm income had grown to $75,600. In 2003, the farm became certified organic. With this change the value of the milk increased dramatically from $0.31 liter−1 to $0.45 liter−1 ($14.27–$20.24 per hundredweight), but feed costs climbed sharply due to the high cost of organic feed, as did labor costs due to the decision to train new farmers in grass-based dairying rather than simply hire employees. Due to very sound farm management, good money management and an entrepreneurial philosophy, this farm, by most performance standards, is now both highly profitable and environmentally sound and the families living on it have a good quality of life.

Keywords

management intensive grazingseasonal dairyingsubacute ruminal acidosis (SARA)mastitisorganic dairyingshare milkingcase study
Type
Preliminary Report
Information
Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems , Volume 24 , Issue 1 , March 2009 , pp. 8 - 18
Copyright
Copyright © 2009 Cambridge University Press

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