Fall 2011 Dairy - AAG Landmark Feeds

Fall2011
2010
Fall
Free copy
OPPORTUNITIES
FOR
IMPROVEMENT
Keep Connected with Your Return on Investment
Reports: Twinairview Holsteins Ltd., Narfa Farms Ltd., Bulrush Holsteins,
Wild Rose Holsteins and Steinmann Dairy Farm Inc.
Lindsay Bridge, B.S.A.
Dairy Business Manager
Western Region
Landmark Feeds
Target Areas of Improvement and
MAXIMIZE YOUR RETURN
ON INVESTMENT
Producer’s have asked us about rising commodity prices and to help them find solutions that will reduce their costs
while helping them to maximize both cow health and milk income.
In this edition, we will be discussing our findings on supporting
the cow’s immune system. We will also share with you how we select
Rumen Modifiers that create a consistent benefit and further, how
we model this advantage to bring the maximum benefit to the producer.
NEWTON Assesses the Real Impact
of Rumen Modifiers
A rumen modifier (RM) is an ingredient that changes the rumen
environment and thus shifts the rumen bacteria and protozoa populations. These changes influence the outputs from the rumen and can
significantly impact ration costs. How much can it impact ration cost?
With NEWTON, we are seeing some combinations of RM’s saving ration
costs of >$1.00 per cow per day. Keep in mind that a year ago,
the benefit may have been half of that, but with ever increasing
commodity prices the benefit of RM’s as a tool to help manage your
cost per cow per day is increasing.
on marketing and weak on actual benefits. Thanks to NEWTON,
Landmark Feeds takes into account the benefit a rumen modifier
provides when designing a ration. We also offer advice on how to
maximize her performance by reducing the cow’s stress, and improving
her immune system.
Note that no two situations are the same and your Landmark Feeds
advisor can help you better evaluate your options in light of your
personal needs and circumstances.
Selecting the Right Additives for Cow Health,
Performance and Profitability
Many different feed additives are marketed as Rumen Modifiers,
or claim to help your cow’s immune system. It can be confusing to
distinguish those that truly work and those which are merely strong
IN THIS ISSUE
Your comments
are always welcome!
2
Send them to Kim Kaminsky
By mail: Box 27, Otterburne
(Manitoba) R0A 1G0
By e-mail: [email protected]
By fax:
204 433-7003
2
Editorial
14 Narfa Farms Ltd.
3
Interaction of Stress, Immunology,
Environment, and Management
on Cow Health and Performance
16 Bulrush Holsteins
6
Maximizing the Advantages
of Nutritional Rumen Modifiers
Choosing the Right Combinations
8 of Health and PerformanceEnhancing Feed Ingredients
Holsteins Ltd.
11 Twinairview
(Twinairview Holsteins and Twinpark
Holsteins)
18 Wild Rose Holsteins
20 Steinmann Dairy Farm Inc.
22 New representative: Lane Wilms
23 Renown ad
24 Optivia
Bryan Van Gorp, D.V.M.
Dairy Specialist
Shur-Gain Central Region
Interaction of Stress,
Immunology, Environment,
and Management
on Cow Health and Performance
Animal health and well being and the role of immune suppression
are hot topics in the dairy industry. They all play an important
role in the animals’ overall productivity and longevity. This area
is difficult to understand because the interactions are numerous
and complex. However, it is certainly an area with huge benefits
and rewards if we can raise livestock better and in a more
sustainable way in the future.
We can start the discussion with some examples of known interactions.
We do know that environmental inadequacies can weaken/challenge
an animal’s defense system:
• dirty cows housed in a dirty environment have more
environmental mastitis;
• inadequate ventilation increases the incidence of pneumonia;
• inadequate bedding and/or poor stall design increase
lameness, etc.
Review of Stress and Immunology
Cortisol (often referred to as the ’stress’ hormone) is a powerful
immune suppressant. In fact cortisone is given to people with organ
transplants or autoimmune diseases to prevent unwanted immune
responses. In cattle, injecting Dexamethasone (cortisone) has been
shown to increase the incidence and severity of respiratory disease,
and can induce clinical coccidiosis. It is also responsible for the onset
of parturition and so it spikes at the start of parturition. This spike
along with other hormonal changes associated with the calving
process is what causes most of the immune suppression associated
with calving. Jesse Goff (Iowa State University) reports a 25-40%
decrease in both innate and acquired immunity during the transition
period. Concurrent metabolic diseases such as milk fever or ketosis
will exacerbate immune suppression resulting in a decline closer
to 60-80%. Research consistently shows both neutrophil and
lymphocyte function is significantly reduced in animals with retained
placenta, metritis, milk fever, or ketosis. Cows with clinical milk fever
3
have 3-4 times the increase in cortisol levels that occur normally
at parturition. Dystocia, heat stress, twins, overcrowding, inadequate
time budget, and pen movements are other factors that contribute
to increased cortisone levels.
Impact on Dry Matter Intake and Cow Performance
Pen moves, overcrowding, heat stress, and inadequate bunk space
also have an indirect impact on immunity via decreased dry matter
intake. We know that dry matter intake (DMI) influences cow
performance but DMI may also have significant impact on health
and immune function. An example of this would be cows that develop
metritis or ketosis can be predicted based on decreased DMI 7 to
14 days before calving (Figure 1). While it is clear this relationship
exists, it is not clear whether it is the decrease in nutrient intakes
or the predisposing stressors which caused the decrease in DMI that
are the primary cause of the disease. Reduced DMI also directly
predisposes the cow to increased metabolic disease through
decreased nutrient intake which increases the mobilization of fat
and decreases calcium supply contributing to ketosis and milk fever.
Other transition cow diseases such as retained placenta (a failure of
the cow’s immune system to reject the placenta as foreign material
after calving) and metritis (failure of the immune system to clean up
the inevitable contamination that occurs during calving) are likely
a result of this suppressed immune system.
Reducing Avoidable Stress
There are unavoidable natural events that stress an animal such
as calving but these can usually be handled. Remember, stress is
cumulative and any single or even a couple of stressors will likely be
compensated for by the animal. When we keep adding additional
stressors and maintain them over long periods of time, eventually
there is a break down. So when we add extra pen moves along with
a poor environment, inadequate bunk space, poor hygiene, shot
programs, heat stress, excessive vaccinating, pre existing conditions
such as lameness and a restrictive time budget, eventually the cow
simply can not compensate and we see disease. This is an example
of how improving animal welfare improves health and performance
and therefore improves sustainability.
Nutrition: How to Enhance Immune Function
There are numerous nutritional deficiencies that are known to
decrease immune function. Most important among these would be
inadequate energy and protein. Various vitamins, minerals and trace
minerals can also be important. However, there is little to no evidence
that feeding levels in excess of required amounts actually improves
immune function. In fact there is evidence that feeding excess
amounts of some nutrients, for example vitamin E or selenium can
have a negative impact and several nutrients such as copper and
selenium are toxic at higher levels. Another area of recent interest
4
is in oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is an imbalance between
the production and manifestation of reactive oxygen species and a
biological system’s ability to readily detoxify the reactive intermediates
or to repair the resulting damage. Disturbances in the normal redox
state of tissues can cause toxic effects through the production of
peroxides and free radicals that damage all components of the cell,
including proteins, lipids, and DNA. As an example, iron is a pro-oxidant
and levels in excess of 800 ppm in the diet and 2 ppm in the water
may increase oxidative stress and reduce immune cell function.
The question is how do we evaluate oxidative stress and does adding
anti-oxidants have a negative impact on cows without abnormal oxidative stress? Nutritional imbalances such as acidosis can also depress
immune function and lead to increases in mastitis and liver abscesses.
Immune system activation has multiple unintended consequences on
what would seem to be unrelated areas of performance. Cows with a
case of clinical mastitis around or shortly after breeding have lower
pregnancy rates. We know that past diseases such as pneumonia
can create organ damage that will decrease future performance.
James Roth (Iowa State University) showed that some diseases are
themselves immune suppressive. IBR, BVD and coccidiosis including
subclinical coccidiosis are all immune suppressive. Too many
vaccinations given together can result in not only failure to respond
to the vaccine but may even cause disease. In fact, the modified live
vaccines for IBR and BVD can depress immune function.
It is well documented in other species (swine and poultry) that
activation of the immune system slows growth rate. However, there
is little direct research in dairy cattle, but it would be reasonable to
assume that similar impacts occur. In humans, suffering from severe
infection, fever, and increased white blood count, the resting energy
expenditure is increased by 40%. This lasted for 3 weeks and these
patients lost 13% of their total body protein. If we extrapolate this
situation to the cow, this means she will increase her energy demand
by 4 Mcal/day which would support about 12 lb of milk. A peripar‑
turient cow or a cow with very high milk production that is already
in negative energy and protein balance likely can not meet this added
demand. In addition, the conditions that cause activation of the
immune system such as lack of bedding, over crowding, poor hygiene,
poor ventilation, increased pathogen load leads to lower DMI and will
not support optimum performance.
Management: You Can Make a Difference
Management decisions can also interact with these other factors to
impact health and performance. We know that increased heterosis
(crossbreeding) will increase longevity, reproductive performance,
and decrease neonatal mortality. Alex Bach (Barcelona) showed
that herds of similar genetics cattle fed the same diet had about
50% variation in milk production due to other management factors.
We see some herds with similar genetics and feeding programs with
Disease does not always equal vaccination deficiency! A given level
of immunity can always be overcome if the animal is stressed
enough and/or the level of exposure is great enough. It is also
important to remember that the presence of a pathogen does not
necessarily mean disease. A recent NAHMS survey showed that
24.7% of milk filters and 13.7% of all cows cultured were positive
for Salmonella, yet most of these farms did not show clinical signs
of the disease. We know that nearly every farm has BVD, Pasteurella,
and mastitis pathogens present, yet most herds do not have
continuous problems. These become clinically important when
the stress load lowers the immune function, and/or the facilities and
management are inadequate. It is the accumulation of these insults
that overwhelm the immune system leading to clinical signs
of the disease(s). Health and disease are in a constant balancing
act with the cow trying to maintain health and homeostasis. Our role
is to try to tip the scale in the cows favor by advocating for better
management, environments, and less stress.
A
20
16
DMI (kg/d)
Longevity can and often is related to various health issues. The four
main reasons cows leave the herd are udder health, reproductive
failure, lameness, and transition cow failures. All four of these
problems go back to the interaction of stress, immunology,
environment and management on cow health. On the other hand there
are some herds where longevity is determined by the number of
heifers coming through the system. If they have a fixed herd size
and a heifer is going to come into the herd a cow has to leave. That cow
may or may not have a health issue.
Figure 1:
Arithmetic mean (± SE) daily DMI (kg/d; A) and feeding time (min/d; B)
of healthy (n = 23), mildly metritic (n = 27), and severely metritic
(n = 12) Holstein dairy cows from 13 d before until 21 d after calving.
12
8
4
0
-13 -11 -9 -7 -5 -3 -1 1 3
5
7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21
5
7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21
B
250
Feeding time (min/d)
consistently less than 25% involuntary turnover rates while others
will average well over 40%. Some herds will maintain cell counts
of below 200,000 and others struggle to maintain 400,000.
200
150
100
50
0
-13 -11 -9 -7 -5 -3
-1 1 3
Day relative to calving
Healthy
Mildly Metritic
Severely Metritic
Huzzey et al (2007)
Your Landmark Feeds Nutrition Advisor Can Help You to Improve Your Situation
When your Landmark Feeds advisor visits you at the farm, during the tour of the barn, he can target the areas that
will bring you the most benefits in terms of performance; by reducing factors of stress for the cow and improving
immunology, environment and management. Don’t hesitate to tell him about your observations or any
questions regarding these key elements. Together you will turn them into opportunities for a better profitability.
5
Andrée Bourgeois, Agr
Director, Polygastric Technical Services
Ruminant Group
Shur-Gain Eastern Region
Douglas F. Waterman, Ph.D.
Director,
Dairy Technology Application
Nutreco Canada Agresearch
n
a
v
d
a
e
h
t
g
n
i
Maximiz
of Nutritional Rumen
You are all aware that the cost of feed ingredients is high
right now. However, behind every situation there are always
opportunities. The high price of corn mainly forces every one of
us to think in a different way and consider alternatives. Cows
have been fed corn for a long time. Corn provides a lot of energy
to the diet and cows do milk very well on a corn based diet.
But is this the only solution? Are there alternatives?
LANDMARK FEEDS’S GREATEST INNOVATIONS:
NEWTON AND POTENTIAL DIGESTIBILITY ANALYSIS
In the dairy industry we are privileged in a sense that the cow can
digest and transform almost anything into milk. As a ruminant she
can digest by-products and fiber that humans can not. The key to
maximizing this incredible ability is having the potential to understand
the nutrition that each of these ingredients is actually providing in
conjunction with ingredient digestibility and the utilization of Rumen
Modifiers (RM). Landmark Feeds has developed a Nutritional model
called NEWTON, the first software in the world with capability of taking
into account whole plant digestibility and the benefit provided by key
RM’s. NEWTON evaluates every ingredient the cow will eat to make sure
she has the total nutrition required to support her level of production.
GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR FORAGES
How significant is the ability to incorporate PD? We formulated rations
to evaluate the impact of a 10 point decrease in PD for corn silage.
The lower PD impacted the overall feed cost by $0.80 per cow per day.
It is clear that the digestibility of your forages is critical to the cost
of your ration and ultimately production.
WHAT ARE THE SOME OF THE FACTORS AFFECTING
POTENTIAL DIGESTIBILITY?
Growing season temperature
• Cold temperatures increase the growth of plant fiber
thus reducing digestion
• Warm temperatures slow the growth of fiber thus enhancing digestion
• Growing Degree Days
Maturity
• The more mature the forage the less digestible
Plant genetics
Silage Fermentation
• High forage pH decreases digestibility
• Heat damage
Dry matter intake, the less time a feed stays in the rumen
the less digestible it is.
Particle size of the grains and forages in the diet affect
the rate of digestion.
Frequency
The process starts with your forages, the grain you are using and
the protein byproducts. Forages are a large part of the cow’s diet and
in order to improve our evaluation of your forages we have developed
a proprietary analysis called “Potential Digestibility”. Potential Figure 1: Histogram of POTENTIAL DIGESTIBILITY
Digestibility (PD) is an analysis that is done on fermented forages
200
and dry hay and is used to predict what your cows will actually be able
to digest from your forages and therefore better account for the energy
150
provided to the cow. We know that the digestibility of forage can vary
a lot, and is affected by many factors. Figure 1 depicts the corn silage
100
harvested in 2010. You can see the degree of variation from 67%
digestibility (meaning 33% of the plant is not digested) up to 85%
50
digestible. These differences will have a huge impact on the amount
of grain fed to your cows and the cost of the overall diet. Standard
industry forage analysis does not look at whole plant digestibility,
0
67.5
70.0
72.5
75.0
77.5
80.0
although some labs are looking at Invitro “True Digestibility” and fiber
Potential Digestibility
digestibility (NDF-d).
6
82.5
85.0
ntages
Modifiers
There are a lot of factors that affect digestibility as you can see. Take
the time to look at your laboratory analysis report to see what your
forage potential digestibility results are. However, once you have your
forages and feedstuffs, is there anything else you can do to impact
how they are digested? The answer is yes and the solution lies in
a category of feed additives known as Rumen Modifiers.
There have been a lot of innovations in dairy nutrition over the years
and we now have a better understanding of the nutritional impact of
some of these additives in dairy cows. Traditionally these additives
were put in the ration without considering their nutritional benefit. This
approach increased the cost per cow per day of feed and an increase
in milk production was expected to cover the additional cost of the
additive. We are using a nutrition model that takes into consideration
the nutritional benefit of some nutritional additives. This model is
called NEWTON. NEWTON captures the nutritional contribution of key
“Rumen Modifiers” and best cost formulates your diet. Depending on
the Rumen Modifier used in formulating your ration, they will impact
the amount of escape protein, fiber digestion and/or the level of
volatile fatty acids (VFA) that are produced, thus replacing the amount
of energy and protein sources needed to meet your cow’s nutritional
requirements. Before we model a RM benefit we vigorously test it
to ensure we understand the benefit it provides and that the RM
consistently delivers that benefit. We conducted studies on over
100 different rumen modifiers in rumen fluid to understand their
benefit and evaluate the consistency of the response. The 7 rumen
modifiers that we are confident in and have modeled are:
•R
M104 (Proprietary)
•R
umensin (Monensin Sodium)
•B
otanicals
• F ermenten
• V egetable Oil
• Y east
• P RO-DMS (Proprietary)
One important note is that the supplier of these RM’s and their quality
control is very important. There are many companies that supply these
products, but if they lack good quality control then we cannot recommend them as their product will not deliver a consistent benefit.
WHAT IMPACT DOES INCORPORATING AN RM
INTO NEWTON HAVE?
For this article we formulated rations to illustrate the cost advantages
of incorporating Rumen Modifiers in the diet. Table 1 shows the benefit
of using certain rumen modifiers in dairy rations. Assuming the cost
of the ration with no rumen modifier at a zero value, the cost saving
by including certain Rumen Modifiers is listed on a cost per cow per
day and concentrate cost per cow per day basis.
Table 1: Benefit of Feeding Rumen Modifier in High Price Market
RM 104
Rumensin
RM104 &
Rumensin
Yeast
Savings on feeding cost/cow/day of using rumen modifiers $
-0.35
-0.65
-1.01
0.03
Savings on concentrate cost/cow/day using rumen modifiers $
-0.43
-0.86
-1.28
0.03
As an example, if you are using RM104 & Rumensin, this could save
you well over a dollar on concentrate cost per cow per day. The cost
savings will vary from farm to farm depending on the digestibility
of your forages, average milk production, days in milk, etc. Ask
your Landmark Feeds sales representatives to help you evaluate
your options and potential savings by utilizing NEWTON in conjunction
with proven rumen modifiers.
Take home message: NEWTON combines the digestibility
of your forages and the nutritional contribution from rumen
modifiers to meet your cow’s nutritional requirements in the
most cost effective way.
7
Aimie Sarson
Research Scientist
Nutreco Canada Agresearch
Douglas F. Waterman, Ph.D.
Director, Dairy Technology Application
Nutreco Canada Agresearch
Choosing the Right Combinations of
Health and Performa
Enhancing Feed Ingre
Alternatives to Medicated Therapies?
Promoting animal health and eliminating disease risk, whilst minimizing
the use of antibiotic therapies has become a major focus of livestock
production. Concerns for human health related to in-feed antibiotics
are rising, and alternatives to medicated therapies are essential to the
future of animal agriculture. As a means to promote animal health
while maintaining or enhancing production, nutritional modifications
and feed additives are excellent resources to reduce the use of antibiotics.
Impact of Nutrition on Immune Response
It is now generally accepted that nutrition plays a critical role in
regulating the immune response. In order to employ dietary changes
to promote the health of an animal, it is important to understand
the predominant environmental challenges that impact animal health.
In dairy cattle, there are both environmental stressors such as
disease-causing agents, and metabolic challenges associated with
calving and milk production that can accelerate poor health throughout the production cycle. In addition, exposure to bacteria and viruses
during a physically demanding and stressful phase of a dairy cow’s
life cycle can lead to more severe illness and production losses.
Feed Additive Products: the Importance
of Understanding Their Mode of Action
Choosing the correct combinations of health- and performanceenhancing feed ingredients can be a daunting task. There are a number
of similar feed additive products with competing claims on health
benefits and performance. However, it is difficult to discern consistency
regarding the advertised modes of action and/or quality assessment.
In order to better understand the efficacy of these products and
whether they should be combined with additional technologies,
it is important to understand the modes of action for each of the active
ingredients within these products. Examples of such dietary additives,
including flow agents and Mannanoligosaccharide (MOS) products,
claim to promote health and reduce the risk of disease while
8
maintaining or enhancing performance, yet the formulation and
manufacturing process can greatly affect the outcome of including
such ingredients in a ration.
Flow Agents Commonly Included
in Animal Rations
Flow agents, which are typically composed of inert, inorganic silicate
clays, are commonly included in animal rations to absorb moisture
from feedstuffs and prevent caking under humid storage conditions.
However, these ingredients are also excellent binders for mycotoxins
harboured in crops harvested and stored under damp conditions.
Inorganic binders are classified according to their physical structure,
where bentonites and smectites consist of layered sheets of molecules whereas zeolites are 3-dimensional structures, each containing
pores that bind mycotoxins. The bound toxins are then eliminated
in the faeces, thus preventing any deleterious effects on the cow.
Mycotoxin Damage in the Dairy Cow
Mycotoxins are generally considered immune suppressors, such
that cows having ingested mycotoxins show signs of general body
discomfort and decreased production. Mycotoxins work by damaging
the intestinal lining, disrupting the protective barrier maintained
by the animal to prevent the entry of disease-causing agents into
the body. The cellular damage triggers an energy costly inflammatory
response, distracting the immune system from accurately managing
insult by other pathogens. Moreover, cell damage impairs nutrient
absorption which also negatively affects animal performance. The
structure of silicates partly determines affinity for different types
of mycotoxins, but most silicate binders are effective towards
aspergillus species and some fusarium species toxins. Small chemical
manipulations of the structure of the silicates can enhance or impair
their binding efficacy. Some toxins, particularly vomitoxin, are not
easily treated with silicate binders, and remain a challenge in the feed
industry. Although flow agents/toxin-binders can be marketed
anceedients
as immune-enhancing additives, in fact, their action on the immune
system is indirect. Their true mode of action is through toxin binding
and elimination, whereby toxins can no longer elicit a negative effect
on the animal tissue and immune capacity.
Yeast Supplements, also Registered as
β-Glucan and Mannanoligosaccharide (MOS)
In addition to flow agents, yeast supplements are prominent feed
additives in both ruminant and monogastric diets. Yeast supplements
come in many forms including live yeast, dehydrated whole yeast, and
yeast cell wall; in some cases yeast additives are further classified
and registered by the percent β-glucan and mannanoligosaccharide
(MOS). Yeast can be processed in a variety of ways, which ultimately
affects the capacity to modulate the health of an animal. The yeast
cell wall is composed of insoluble MOS fractions and soluble β-glucan
fractions which have different modes of action in the digestive
and immune systems. When feeding whole yeast (either live or
dehydrated) the animal’s digestive system degrades and fractionates
these components before they can elicit a health benefit. Yeast-based
products that include live or dehydrated brewers yeast do not always
disclose or guarantee β-glucan or MOS content.
Effects of β-Glucan and MOS on Immune System
Since these are the two active ingredients for promoting health,
it is difficult to assess relative efficacy in terms of immune enhancing
capacity of these products. Additives containing yeast cell walls
extracted from the enzymatic-, water- or temperature-regulated lysis,
are partially degraded and more concentrated, making both β-glucans
and MOS more easily accessible for the animal. Dietary β-glucans
have been shown to be directly immune-stimulatory, where activation
is initiated in the intestinal epithelium. Specifically, β-glucan
is recognized by receptors of the immune system, in the same way
a disease pathogen is recognized, stimulating an immune response,
and essentially “turning on” the immune system. This stimulation
is suggested to make the animal more prepared to handle infection,
by reducing lag time for combating infections. However, the caveat
is the energy requirement for stimulating the immune system; in the
absence of disease threat, immune system activation could be costly
for performance gains.
9
Impact of β-Glucan on Cow Performance
Nonetheless, many published studies indicate equivalent or greater
performance in animals fed β-glucan sources, indicating this active
ingredient is not inhibiting overall performance to a noticeable degree.
Since β-glucans are highly soluble carbohydrates, it is likely that
they do not survive the rumen bacteria of dairy cows, rendering them
ineffective as immune enhancers. Much of the work that has been
done with β-glucans suggests that the effects may be reduced
or non-existent in ruminants. In pre-ruminant calves β-glucans can
survive digestion to stimulate the immune system at the site of
the intestinal lining, as observed in monogastric species. Immune
stimulation is especially important in young animals, since the
strength and accuracy of the immune system is not fully developed
until the first few weeks of life.
MOS are Effective Antimicrobials
in Ruminants
In contrast to β-glucans, mannanoligosaccharides (MOS) are effective
antimicrobials in both ruminants and monogastrics. Rather than
a direct immune system stimulus, MOS interferes with pathogen
colonization by binding receptors on the surface of intestinal
pathogens, thereby blocking pathogen adhesion to the lining of the
gastrointestinal tract. Although MOS products are often defined as
“prebiotics”, this is an inaccurate description. MOS indirectly enhance
microflora composition by binding to the pathogen, and limiting
colonization. In contrast, a “true prebiotic” provides nutrients for beneficial
microflora, in order to promote a robust population of bacteria
that can compete with and exclude pathogenic bacteria from the gut.
This prebiotic function is usually seen with other soluble carbohydrates
such fructo-oligosaccharides and lactose, however, the effect of
rumen fermentation is unclear, and the application of these products
is questionable in dairy cattle. Based on the modes of action of
the bioactives in yeast additives, these products should be promoted
for their health promoting capacity. However, the quality and composition
of the product, as well as age and species of the animal are essential
in defining efficacy of the feed additive.
In Conclusion
In the same way that we understand how nutritional modifications lead
to improved production, it is essential to understand the mechanisms
by which dietary ingredients affect immune status and animal health.
By determining the mode of action of ingredients or products, we can
begin to tailor the nutritional program to combat factors that influence
the long term health of the animal. Further defining the relationship
between health and nutrition will allow us to better design comprehensive nutritional programs that promote fast and accurate immune
responses to disease-causing agents, while maintaining or enhancing
performance.
The power of research within your reach
10
AT A GLANCE, FALL 2011
Special:
DOUBLE FARM
REPORT
Twinairview Holsteins Ltd.
(Twinairview Holsteins and Twinpark Holsteins)
(See the next page)
Doubling Up for Success
Twinship
Twinairview and Twinpark Holsteins—two farms as connected as any
two businesses can be, practically joined at the hip. It’s a combo
that works for everyone.
What Does a Double Farm Look Like?
Well, that all depends. For Twinairview and Twinpark Holsteins. it’s 110
cows in milk at each of its locations and a staff of seven part-time employees and, of course, the full-timers.
The Original Farm
The 160 acres of the original Twinairview Holsteins was acquired by
John Andres in 1942. In 1968, Ron, John’s son, and Ron's wife, Cheryl,
bought the 30 cows and 310 acres of land that was now the farm.
Next in line were Ron and Cheryl’s sons, Michael and Chad, who, with
their parents, incorporated the family business that by then boasted
115 cows and 1,200 acres. The shape of things to come was shifting
into focus.
Quantity and Quality
At Twinairview/Twinpark, good things come in big packages and
quantity rhymes with quality. The figures speak for themselves. Herd
classification at Twinairview is 1 EX 3E, 2 EX, 46 VG, 65 GP, 2 G. Twinpark’s
is pretty impressive too: 2 EX, 19 VG, 62 GP, 24 G. The official production
average isn’t too shabby either—Twinairview: 9,925 L, with 4.2%
butterfat and 3.2% protein; and Twinpark: 8,923 kg, with 3.78% butterfat
and 3.3% protein.
Seeing Big
In 2010 the family decided to expand the operation and a second barn
was built to form the Twinpark herd. The result: Twinairview-Twinpark,
a two-pronged operation in which each of the “twins” is managed
separately (Twinairview Holsteins is managed by Michael and
Twinpark Holsteins is managed by Chad) but share the same owners,
equipment, and labor. The transition went smoothly. The owners
are proud of how well the change was managed by their families
and the staff.
Working in Tandem
In farming, as in all other walks of life, team work is important. Michael
and Chad, like their father before them, are teaching their children well,
and so are their wives, Kim and Michelle. Chores are a family event,
with even the littlest ones eager to get in on the act. In fact, Michael and
Kim's children (Dana, Lydia, Carl and Ryan) and Chad and Michelle's
(Ty and Callie) have all found different ways of helping out on a daily
basis. As they say, many hands make light work. And it’s quality family
time too. Kim and Michelle are both involved in raising young stock
and Cheryl looks after the bookkeeping.
Ron & Cheryl
Michelle, Callie, Ty and Chad
Kim and Michael (back)
Lydia, Dana, Carl and Ryan (front)
11
Twinairview Holsteins Ltd.
(Twinairview Holsteins and Twinpark Holsteins)
4-H, Past and Present
Michael and Chad were raised on the family farm, so, naturally, agriculture is a way of life for them. But not all farmers’ sons decide to be
farmers. In Michael and Chad’s case, the 4-H Club made the difference.
As Michael explains, “4-H brought out my interest in dairy cattle.”
For his part, Chad is quick to point out that 4-H was a major factor in
his decision to farm. Dana, Michael and Kim’s oldest daughter, age 11,
has finished her third year of 4-H. And the distinctions are already
starting to pour in: first Junior member for Dairy judging. Their second
daughter, Lydia, age 7, begins 4-H next year.
Education One of the Keys
Michael, Kim and Michelle have degrees in agriculture and Chad has an
agricultural diploma. They’re aware of the value of their formal training
and will be the first to say that education has helped them in all aspects
of farming and continues to do so. And, they add, it’s given them the
opportunity to develop valuable contacts in the industry. They also
know that, as the saying goes, if you don’t use it, you lose it! It’s called
lifelong learning. The Andres take their role as teachers to the next
generation seriously. They’ve hosted many school tours over the years
and always enjoy the children and their questions.
Self-Sufficiency Matters...
Ron has always been the kind of guy who likes to tinker. Truth be told,
he considers himself a jack of all trades, master of none. But Ron
is probably only being humble—his sons have managed to pick up lots
of know-how from him. This helps keep things going on the farm
and leads to savings in time and money.
...but Cooperation and Collaboration Count Too
Michael describes the dairy industry as “one big happy family.” One of
the perks of being part of this extended clan is “travelling and being
accepted with open arms.” Chad sees the industry as “a close-knit
group that enjoys sharing information to make everybody a better
producer. We pull together to produce a wholesome product that
improves the health of people everywhere.”
Twinairview Holsteins
And Speaking of Family
Twinairview and Twinpark Holsteins is an operation whose roots reach
back several generations. Chad and Michael are the third generation of
operator/owners, and Michael and Kim are raising the fourth generation of Andres on the farm purchased by John Andres. As for Chad
and Michelle, their children are the sixth generation on a Century
Farm, which has been in Cheryl’s family since 1905. Family also
means fun. Michelle spends her winters teaching CanSkate and
figure skating, and Kim is an avid gardener. Michael and Kim are
especially fond of baseball in summer and snowmobiling in winter.
But the best pastime of all, at least from Chad and Michelle’s
perspective, is watching the Green Bay Packers win a game!
What the Future Holds
There’s never a dull moment on the farm. Blink and today is gone
and you’re already into a future that you thought was years away!
The Boy Scouts got it right—you have to be prepared! The family’s
goals for the farm? “We’d like to stay as a profitable family farm with
our children involved. The demand for dairy products will continue
to grow, and Canada will continue to be a leader in ensuring a safe food
supply, so the future looks good. We can’t possibly imagine wanting
to do anything else but farm.”
Where Does Landmark Feeds Fit In?
Well, everywhere. Curt Bossuyt is not only the farm’s dairy feed
advisor, but brother-in-law to Michael and Chad too; he is married
to their sister Pamela. Their second advisor is Derek Reimer, a friend
and neighbor who’s always willing to help. Both are considered
knowledgeable, competent, and first out of the gate when it comes
to suggesting improvements. Ditto for Landmark Feeds, which
the Andres say has always had a quality product and provided
good service.
Twinairview Damion Gladstone
Twinpark Holsteins
New Exciting Opportunities
“Having a dairy farm within the family has certainly benefited me in my job at Landmark Feeds. It keeps me well rooted
in the dairy industry and peaks my interest in cattle. The Andres are a no-nonsense, hard working family that always seems
to get the work done. They remain visible in the industry and somehow make time to get to most dairy related extension
events. The addition of the new barn has created new, exciting opportunities that give each brother a chance to manage
their own barn while enabling the spouses and kids to be more involved in the farm. I am privileged to be part of the family
and thankful for their support in my job.”
12
Curt Bossuyt
Special:
DOUBLE FARM
REPORT
We Produce a Pure, Wholesome
Product That Improves the Health
of People Everywhere.
Farm profile
TWINAIRVIEW Holsteins Ltd.
Owners: Ron, Cheryl, Michael and Chad Andres
Twinairview Holsteins,
Steinbach, Manitoba
Managed by: Michael Andres
Herd size: 240
Cows in milk: 110
Production average: 9,925 L
Average annual components:
4.2% BF − 3.2% P
BCA: 209-221-208
Herd classification:
1 EX 3E, 2 EX, 46 VG, 65 GP, 2 G
Available land: 1,200 acres
Twinpark Holsteins,
Steinbach, Manitoba
Managed by: Chad Andres
Herd size: 185
Cows in milk: 110
Production average: 8,923 kg
Average annual components:
3.78% BF − 3.3% P
BCA: 198-190-198
Herd classification:
2 EX, 19 VG, 62 GP, 24 G
Available land: 1,200 acres
Service center: Landmark Feeds (Otterburne)
Dairy Nutrition Advisors: Curt Bossuyt and Derek Reimer
13
AT A GLANCE, FALL 2011
Narfa Farms Ltd.
A Farming Legacy with Deep Roots
The Past...
Had Icelandic immigrant Magnus Narfason looked into a crystal ball
in 1897, he would have seen a proud line of farming descendants:
Erlendur and Gudmundur, founders of one of the longest running fluid
milk shipping families in Manitoba; and Cliff who, with wife Shelley,
purchased Oli’s shares in 1997. And, as they say, the rest is history.
The Present
Cliff and Shelley’s Holstein operation is managed by their son-in-law,
Jason Porteous, a 16-year veteran of Narfa Farms Ltd., which has
140 head of Holstein cattle and 50 cows in milk on a 640-acre property
with an extra 140 acres leased. Barley takes up 100 to 150 acres
and 500 acres are in hayfield.
The Employees
Narfa Farms Ltd. has two full-time employees and the equivalent of
1.5 part-time workers. Shelley, the business’s financial coordinator,
bookkeeper and payroll clerk, is the number-cruncher in the family.
Some Stats
The farm’s herd is classified 13 EX, 30 VG and 20 GP. Its official average
production is 10,500 kg, with 3.55% butterfat and 3.3% protein.
In the last 15 years, Narfa Farms has bred one All-American, one
reserve All-American and one HM All-American.
Up Close and Personal
Cliff and Shelley have four children (Krista, Amber, Tanis and Dustin)
and six grandchildren (Austin, Melissa, Avery, Logan, Taylor and Callie).
When Cliff and Shelley aren’t busy with the family or the farm, you just
might find them on a cruise ship bound for... who knows where!
On the Rink
True to his Icelandic roots, Cliff doesn’t mind the frozen kind of water
either, especially when it’s a rink. Both Cliff and Shelley are very
actively involved in curling. In fact, Cliff has won one Manitoba Farmers
Curling Championship and Shelley has competed in nine Manitoba
Scotties Tournament of Hearts championships. When asked if there
was any other profession he might have wanted, Cliff doesn’t think
twice before answering: “Basketball or curling analyst.”
14
It’s All in the Genes
Cliff comes by his love of Holsteins naturally. When he was very young,
he started helping his dad with the cows. He soon realized he liked
the breeding part of the Holstein industry.
Giving Back
Cliff was a member of the 4-H Club for 12 years and a leader for another
12. For her part, Shelley is the Executive Director of the Icelandic Festival
of Manitoba and a member of the board of the Westshore Foundation.
Here Comes the Judge
Cliff enjoys sharing his expertise, and what better way than by sitting
on judging panels for events such as the Provincial 4-H show and WCC.
Cliff has extensive experience judging in Canada as well as in the USA,
Chile and Australia.
Sources of Pride
Cliff glows when he talks about the two Master Breeder Awards that
he and his father earned under the NARFA prefix from Holstein Canada.
Now Cliff’s sights are set on a third Master Breeder Shield.
Advice at Its Best
Lindsay Bridge is Narfa’s dairy nutrition advisor. Cliff has nothing
but praise for him: “Lindsay has been very friendly and obliging in his
relationship with us. We don’t make too many ration changes
but we’re kept well informed through his visits. We wouldn’t hesitate
to recommend him to a friend.”
Feed Mill
Narfa Farms is supplied by Landmark Feeds’ Otterburne mill. The
family was introduced to Landmark Feeds by former mill owner
Ron Arnason many years ago and wouldn’t even consider switching.
As Cliff explains, “We’ve always been happy with its approach to
feeding cows and calves. Optivia calfstarter and Optivia milk
replacer are products that really set Landmark Feeds apart from other
feed companies. And the staff is always very friendly and helpful.
If there are any problems, they get on it immediately.” Sounds like
a win-win situation.
Narfa Farms Ltd.
Krista and Jason (back)
and Logan, Melissa, Avery, Austin (front)
Oli and Clifford.
Clifford and Shelley.
“Had Icelandic immigrant Magnus Narfason looked
into a crystal ball in 1897, he would have seen
a proud line of farming descendants.”
Farm profile
Narfa Farms Ltd., Gimli, Manitoba
Owners: Clifford and Shelley Narfason
Herd size: 140
Cows in milk: 50
Production average: 10,500 kg
Average annual components: 3.55% BF − 3.3% P
Feed Management: barley 100 to 150 acres and hayfield 500 acres
Herd classification: 13 EX, 30 VG and 20 GP
Available land: 640-acre property with an extra 140 acres
leased
Service center: Landmark Feeds (Otterburne)
Dairy Nutrition Advisor: Lindsay Bridge
A Family with a Promising Future
“I have enjoyed the years working with Cliff and Jason at Narfa Farms. They run a first class operation, keep things simple
but make everything work extremely well. Whether it is selling hay or showing cattle there is always lots going on
at Narfa Farms. Cliff and Jason treat everyone at Landmark Feeds with courtesy, all the way from the order desk to
the truck drivers and this just makes it more enjoyable to work alongside with Narfa Farms. ”
Lindsay Bridge
15
AT A GLANCE, FALL 2011
Bulrush Holsteins
A Farming Legacy with Deep Roots
Move Forward or Lag Behind
If you stand still for too long, you’re bound to seize up! But that’s
something that doesn’t even remotely apply to the Pletts, whose story
is one of constant growth and development.
Ownership
Leo and Betty Plett started their agri-business in 1965. Their son
Trenis and his wife, Charlene, bought half of the operation in 1995.
At the time, the farm had 35 cows in milk. A mere year later, they
milked 45 cows. 1997-98 saw an expansion to 65 cows. In 2010, eight
more stalls were added, bringing the herd total to 160 head and 80
cows in milk.
16
Employees
You can’t do it all alone. Farming, like so many other occupations,
is a matter of tight teamwork. Bulrush Holsteins has one full time
employee and three part-time ones, including Trenis’ brother Kris,
who was hired in 2000 to get the show cows ready, does milking
and other chores as needed.
Charlene
Behind every great man is a great woman. Charlene provides her
husband with ongoing support and encouragement and keeps those
hunger pangs away. She’s a part-time hairdresser and full-time mother.
The Farm Today
The Pletts own 100 acres, rent 100 acres, and pasture 20 acres,
producing hay, oats, and other forage. Herd classification is 4 ME,
4 EX, 41 VG, and 38 GP. Official annual production is 10,725 kg,
with 3.6% butterfat and 3.2% protein, and BCA is 229-216-222.
Off the Farm
Trenis has always kept busy. He played hockey for 20 years and has
been a hockey referee for the past 15. One of his favourite pastimes
is watching his boys play hockey. The case could be made that,
what with reffing and cheering, the rink is practically a home away
from home!
The Family and Continuity
Trenis and Charlene’s four boys (Cody, age 15; Drayson, age 12; Griffin,
age 6; and Kayden, age 4) truly have farming in their genes. Will they
take over the family farm some day? Obviously, their parents would
like to think so, and the boys say they would like to, but of course it’s
really too early to tell. If they opt for that particular career, they’ll have
a very solid foundation to build on. In the meantime, they help with
chores according to their age.
The Profession
When asked what he likes most about farming, Trenis’ response is
“milking cows and being able to book my own days off.” Had he ever
thought of another line of work? “If I hadn’t been a farmer, I might have
been a mechanic.” There’s no doubt in his mind that there will always
be a future in farming: “As long as we have a quota system, we should
still be able to milk cows.” And since it looks as if the quota system
is here to stay, the forecast is sunny.
Results
The pursuit of quality is also passed down from generation to generation. Leo set an example for his son, who has the same concern
for going beyond personal bests and achieving more and more all
the time. For example, at the Manitoba Spring Show, they placed first
for junior yearling and reserve junior champion. One of their main
sources of pride is selling a cow that was an HM All-American
and Reserve All-American age cow.
Input
Landmark Feeds and dairy feed advisor Derek Reimer pull it all
together. Feed delivery is always right on schedule and whenever
there’s a problem that needs fixing, the Pletts can count on them.
Derek has been a good friend of the family for years. What the owners
like in particular is that “he’s not scared to say what he thinks.”
And that’s something that goes a long way.
Bulrush Holsteins
Leo and Betty.
Kris.
Trenis and Charlene.
“As long as we have
a quota system, we should
still be able to milk cows.”
Cody, Kayden, Griffin and Drayson.
Farm profile
Bulrush Holsteins, Blumenort, Manitoba
Owners: Leo & Betty and Trenis & Charlene Plett
Herd size: 160
Cows in milk: 80
Production average: 10,725 kg
Average annual components: 3.6% BF − 3.2% P
BCA: 229-216-222
Classification: 4 ME, 4 EX, 41 VG and 38 GP
Available land: own 100 acres, rent 100 acres
and pasture 20 acres
Service center: Landmark Feeds (Otterburne)
Dairy Nutrition Advisor: Derek Reimer
25 Years of Great Partnership
“Working with Leo, Trenis and Kris at Bulrush Holsteins has been a pleasure. The pride they take in good type and show
cattle as well as keeping the cows spotless in the barn has always made my vist very enjoyable. They have always
enjoyed showing cattle and take extreme pride in breeding and then selling the 2006 reserve All-American age cow.
I call the guys at Bulrush more like friends than customers and wish them success in the up coming years in the
show ring. They have done business with Landmark Feeds for over 25 years and we look forward to another 25 years.”
Derek Reimer
17
AT A GLANCE, FALL 2011
Wild Rose Holsteins
From Windmills and Tulips
to Dairy Cows and Cropland
Distant Horizons
It takes guts to leave your homeland, especially when it’s as beautiful
as Holland. But that’s exactly what Arjan and Gerie Yzerman did, pulled
up roots and started a whole new life in Alberta, where beauty is
defined in terms of vast stretches of grain fields and blue sky as far as
the eye can see.
Starting Point
In 1996, Arjan and his brother, mother and father left the Netherlands
for Canada. Arjan’s wife, Gerie, joined them a year later. They farmed
together and, seven years later, bought the farm down the road from
the first one, D&A Dairies Ltd. Both farms operate separately but share
combining and foraging duties. Arjan’s parents live midway between
the farms and his dad still helps out.
Making a Dream Come True
Even as a young boy, Arjan always wanted to be a farmer. His father
had a small dairy farm in Holland, but expansion was out of the
question. For a while, Arjan tried drilling wells for a living, but soon
realized that it really wasn’t for him. His eureka moment came when
he worked in Nova Scotia for a year. That settled it. Canada was truly
his land of opportunity, and he and his family began looking for farm
properties in Ontario before deciding on Alberta, a place where goals
are limited only by the size of producers’ imaginations... and how
willing they are to work very hard.
Making It Happen
Wild Rose Holsteins is any dairy farmer’s dream: a 600-head herd
with 280 cows in milk and a sprawling 1,120 acres of cropland for corn,
barley for grain, canola, alfalfa, grass and oats. Annual production
is an average of 32 L with 3.9% butterfat and 3.2% protein. BCA
is 214-201-208. It has one full-time and two part-time employees.
And Gerie does her fair share too, helping out with milking, tending
the garden, and driving the old grain truck, on top of working
as a florist one to two days a week.
18
The Nitty Gritty of Farming
The boys (Stan, age 10; Lukas, age 8; and Will, age 5) help to scrape
the stalls, round up the cows, and spray them after milking. Before
you know it, young Noah (6 months old) will be tagging along with his
brothers. The boys’ interest in what their father does may develop
into a career for them, but only time will tell. The two oldest have 4-H
calves. “This spring, it was really nice to see them working with
the calves,” says Arjan.
A Profession with Clear Advantages
Farming is a demanding profession, but Arjan wouldn’t have it any
other way. He enjoys being his own boss and thrives on the variety
that comes with running a dairy operation. He wears many hats:
electrician, mechanic, and field worker. As his wife puts it, “he has the
skill set to do a lot of the stuff that has to be taken care of, from fixing
machinery to welding to treating and breeding cows. He doesn’t make
a big deal out of it. If something needs to be done, he just does it!”
Apart from the odd kick from a cow, life on the farm is good, and so is
the family’s downtime. Arjan is involved with the church and has been
on the church council, he loves skiing and speed skating. In the
summer, the family gets out its camping gear and heads for the wilds.
Past, Present, and Future
The Yzermans aren’t given to bragging, but they feel that they’ve
“built up a nice farm and accomplished the goals set for it.” They point
out that in Holland they milked 40 to 50 cows, and now they’re up
to 280. They “still want to grow the farm slowly if the opportunity
presents itself, in five years, when the boys are older and maybe
getting more involved.” They believe in a bright future for farming.
Feed Suppliers
The Yzerman success story wouldn’t be complete without mentioning
Landmark Feeds and dairy feed advisor Charles Leclair. The family has
been with both for a long time and is very happy with the arrangement.
In Arjan’s words, “we get along well and things are going good.”
Wild Rose Holsteins
Lukas, Arjan, Stan, Gerie, Noah and Will.
“We still want to grow the farm slowly
if the opportunity presents itself, in five years, when
the boys are older and maybe getting more involved.”
Farm profile
Wild Rose Holsteins, Blackfalds, Alberta
Owners: Arjan and Gerie Yzerman
Herd size: 600
Cows in milk: 280
Production average: 32 L
Average annual components: 3.9% BF − 3.2% P
BCA: 214-201-208
Feed Management: 230 acres corn, 320 acres of barley
for grain, 100 acres of canola, 220 acres
of alfafa, 100 acres grass and 150 acres of oats
Available land: 1,120 acres
Service center: Landmark Feeds (Strathmore)
Dairy Nutrition Advisor: C harles Leclair
Dedication Plus
“Arjan and Gerie have been very good customers for the last six years. Every year they spend a great deal of effort
in improving their farm by adding facilities and storage for forage. Arjan is a very pleasant individual to do business
with, he always has a smart comment to make and keeps business meetings very informal. Gerie does a fantastic job with
the yard and all her flower gardens. It is one of the most beautiful yards I have the pleasure to visit on a regular basis.
I certainly wish them the most success in the future and hope to continue our relationship for many years to come.”
Charles Leclair
19
AT A GLANCE, FALL 2011
Steinmann Dairy Farm Inc.
A Farmstead That Looks Great
and Gets Results
The Call of the Prairies
Picture this: verdant meadows backlit by the Swiss Alps. But the
Steinmanns had even broader horizons in sight. Fast-forward to 1996,
when Walter, Mathilda and Martin left Europe bound for Manitoba.
Farming in Canada
The family owned a dairy farm in Switzerland before pulling up roots,
so transplanting their know-how to Canadian soil wasn’t that great
a stretch for them. It was simply a matter of scale. They rolled up
their sleeves and did what they do best—worked hard and well,
creating conditions for high-quality milk production.
Outcomes
Their resolve, talent and resourcefulness have certainly paid off.
Their immaculately groomed 560-acre spread could make the cover
of any farming journal. The Holstein operation combines beauty
and efficiency. Steinmann Dairy Farm Inc. offers first-class
accommodations for the 140-head herd with 75 cows in milk.
Performance
The herd seems to know it’s got a good thing going, earning a
classification of 2 VG, 35 GP, 22 G and 15 NC, and officially producing
an average of 11,060 kg milk containing 3.7% butterfat and 3.1%
protein. BCA is 246-245-239.
Cropland
Alfalfa (160 acres), corn (40 acres), barley (180 acres), canola
(80 acres), and wheat (80 acres) are grown on-farm. Fieldwork
certainly keeps Martin busy. In fact, one of the things that attracts him
to farming is “seeing things grow.” That and being around animals.
Truly Hands-On
The farm has no employees, so Walter and Martin tend to just about
everything. That includes constructing most of the farm buildings
themselves. Their most recent project was a barn for 120 cows. And
that suits Martin to a tee. He has experience in construction and likes
building, fixing and renovating. The perfect profile for a farmer. If ever
he had to give up farming, he says that he’d still find a way to work with
farm or construction equipment.
20
20
Mathilda
Make no mistake. Mathilda is up with the dawn too, feeding the calves,
looking after the immense garden, and mowing the lawn to the tune
of 50 hours per season. She’s the woman who brings it all together
to give the grounds and buildings the tidy spanking-clean look that
the Steinmanns take such pride in.
Loving the Profession
Martin grew up on a dairy farm and wanted to be a farmer as far back
as he can remember. He feels that he has the required skill set: he’s
quiet, patient and has a keen sense of observation. These qualities are
exactly what’s needed to raise livestock. When asked about why
he loves farming so much, his answer is immediate: “Every day is
different. It never gets boring and I can be my own boss. You wear
a lot of different hats when you’re a farmer: mechanic, carpenter,
accountant, vet, and that’s not counting day-to-day chores and tasks.”
Goals
The Steinmanns look forward to every new day with its surprises and
challenges. But they also have long term goals. For example, they’d
like to gradually expand to 100-120 cows in milk, and the drawing
board is always out for new construction projects. They feel confident
about the future. As they see it, “there’ll always be a demand for highquality foods purchased close to the consumer.” Nowadays people
want freshness, flavor and food safety and, if possible, food from just
down the road. The Steinmanns can certainly deliver the goods.
Always There to Help
The family acknowledges that their feed supplier, Landmark Feeds,
and their feed advisor, Curt Bossuyt, get the job done too. They
describe Curt as “very helpful and knowledgeable, not only with feeding,
but also with management and herd health.” Landmark Feeds was
recommended to them by other dairy farmers. It’s always a good sign
when your peers are not afraid to give a supplier their endorsement.
Landmark Feeds has proven reliable and capable of providing service
the Steinmanns can depend on. And those are qualities that any
serious feed supplier has to have.
Steinmann Dairy Farm Inc.
Mathilda, Walter and Martin.
“The farm has no employees, so Walter and Martin
tend to just about everything. That includes constructing
most of the farm buildings themselves.”
Farm profile
Steinmann Dairy Farm Inc., Clandeboye, Manitoba
Owners: Walter, Mathilda and Martin Steinmann
Type of breed: Holstein
Herd size: 140
Cows in milk: 75
Production average: 11,060 kg
Average annual components: 3.7% BF − 3.1% P
BCA: 246-245-239
Herd classification: 2 VG, 35 GP, 22 G and 15 NC
Available land: 560 acres
Service center: Landmark Feeds (Otterburne)
Dairy Nutrition Advisor: Curt Bossuyt
Definitely Hands-On
“When I drive into the yard at Steinmann Dairy, I’m always impressed by how clean and well kept the farm is. What I find
even more impressive is the ingenuity and ambition this family has, as most of the buildings they designed and built
themselves. This includes the new freestall facility which I visited under various stages of its construction. I was amazed
at the fact the new barn was built right over the still functioning tiestall which was removed after the cattle moved
to the freestalls. The Steinmanns are ambitious, hard-working people with a bright future ahead in the dairy industry.
Good luck in the new barn and thanks for your valued business.”
Curt Bossuyt
21
WELCOME ABOARD!
Landmark Feeds is proud to introduce you to Lane Wilms, the newest member
of our team of representatives. Lane, a third-generation dairy man, brings with
him years of experience in farming (manager of a 40-cow dairy operation
from 1981 to 1994) and sales (in the feed business in western Saskatchewan
and Alberta since 1989). Lane will be working in both southwest Saskatchewan
and southeast Alberta. His favourite pastimes are travelling and hanging out
with family. We’re happy he’s decided to join our extended family too!
Best wishes for every success, Lane.
Lane Wilms
representative
22
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