"The future of dairy is data and managing that data."
That insightful quote from Dan Bolin was just one of many thoughtful ideas shared by five young dairy producers at the recent National Holstein Convention in Dubuque, Iowa. Bolin, a dairyman from Clarksville, Iowa, plans on expanding his family's 65-cow dairy to one with two robots and some 130 head.
When asked by moderator and Holstein Association CEO John Meyer for the biggest challenges faced by young producers, here would be the top three for the panelists:
"Getting everything done (work), paying off debt and ongoing learning as a new producer," said Ashley Abbott of Fort Edward, N.Y., who farms with her husband, Robert, on their JoyRide Farm in White Creek, N.Y. Ashley also serves as a herdsperson at Welcome Stock Farms in nearby Schuylerville.
"Business transition, volatility in milk prices and uncertainty in government rules," chimed in Bolin.
As for Jeff Brantmeier, who farms on his family's Hilrose Dairy in Sherwood, Wis., with his brother and father, "Labor, reproduction on cows and, of course, the weather." Brantmeier went on to note that it has been exceptionally wet in northeast Wisconsin this year. But overall, farmers always battle Mother Nature.
"Labor force, environmental rules and volatility in the market," said Diesel Hitt, who farms near Adams Center, N.Y., with his wife, Katie, and serves as the managing partner on a 600-cow dairy with his partners, Bill Morgan and Jon Gilbert.
For Brent Schuler of Fleetwood, Pa., who farms with his uncle and father on a 100-cow dairy, "Transition to a managing partner, farm efficiency and work-life balance." The panelists all agreed the latter was an issue for them. Schuler went on to add that, "Updating management practices and gathering agreement" can also be an issue on a multigenerational dairy farm.
In a follow up article, we will discuss the "Keys to Success" for these young producers.
