6

I am glad to hear so many producers are locking in seed, fertilizers and other inputs, especially for corn production. Identify your input sources, because, as you know, we may experience shortages. And if you lock in your seed supply and other inputs, it’s important to lock in prices with those costs in mind.

GRA IN S

6

Tenacity, transition and technology. Experience, data and DIY. At Stensland Dairy, Larch-wood, Iowa, success doesn’t happen magically.

No, a magic bullet hasn’t brought brothers Jason Stensland and Justin Stensland their solid position in dairy farming. It started two generations before them with their grandfather, Art Stensland, continued with their parents, Doug and Mona Stensland, and now they are investing themselves into the operation.

In 2003, Justin and Jason re-started the dairy side of the operation, which had ended in the mid-1990s when Art retired. The twins were 17 years old, by the way. Today, the three predecessors remain active in the operation, while recognizing the sons’ leading role.

“I got out of the picture so they could make decisions in their space,” Doug says. “I actually work for them now.”

The generations are working together to create a clear estate and farm transition plan, so Justin and Jason have options to purchase. Each of the boys are married and have children. Justin and his wife, Chelsea, have a 10-year-old, seven-year-old, two-year-old, and one is on the way. Jason and his wife, Paige, have one child who is a little over a year old. Four genera-tions are part of the farm family, so the forecast for Stenslands’ agricultural future, looks favorable.

The 170-head milking herd is a mix of Holstein-Jersey cross and Holstein cows, heavier toward Holstein. They try to stay with similar-sized cows. With dry cows, their tally comes up to 200 head.

But when they started dairying in ’03, most of the equipment was out of the barn. Their dairy kicko� happened with 30 cows. They kept their own replacements, purchased cows, and gradually grew to 200 head in �ve to six years, milking two times daily. They employed two full-time people, and spent four to �ve hours milking. “It was pretty labor intensive,” Justin says. And something had to change.

Robotic MilkingThree and a half years ago, the brothers installed three Lely Astronaut robotic milkers.“The

biggest reason why we did this, is for labor,” Jason says. “You can ask anybody; it’s hard to �nd help these days.”

On AgWeb, a September article examines the labor shortage faced by dairy producers nationally. And National Milk Producers Federation studied the immigrant labor issue in 2009.

Fortunately, the bene�ts of moving to robotic milking extend beyond labor availability concerns, straight to big data. Justin and Jason appreciate the data derived from the system. It tracks rumination, activity and temperature. Every time a cow is milked, it monitors the temperature.

“All the information is incredible. You can’t use it all,” Jason says. As for robot upkeep, they maintain the robots themselves, as much as possible, and keep

many parts on hand.“The robots are in operation 24 hours a day,” Justin says. “The cows are running through

them all the time. And we’re averaging about 2.9 times a day milking, decided by the cows.” They feed pellets at the milkers, so it is a feed-driven milking process.

Production ChangePreviously, the dairy farm was organic, but because milking with robotics and organic do

not mesh well, Justin and Jason opted to move to the conventional milking system. “Robotics and organics are di�cult, in terms of rules, and getting the cows on pasture

enough. Economics dictates,” Jason explains. “I was a little more reluctant,” Doug says. “ But they’ve got to do what’s going to work. That’s

the direction they took, and the management is a lot easier. We will keep raising organic crops.”

“We kept with our �eld rep, Roger Nelson, right through the change. It’s been positive for us,” he adds.

The Stenslands work with the NForganics program and Field Representative Tim Boortz for certi�ed organic grain marketing. “That turned the other way when we started having grain to sell through NForgan-ics, rather than purchase,” Justin says.

The Dairy RationsFeed ration palatability ranks as particularly critical with dairy robotics. The vertical total

mixed ration wagon delivers feed, and producers need to be able to entice that animal into the robot. There’s a �ne line between true TMR, Stenslands explain, and what goes into the robot.

“There are dynamics in feeding that you have to play with,” Jason says. Nutritionists are gaining knowledge to a point where they know how to adjust rations well. “When we were organic, we were using a di�erent approach. It’s harder on the organic side.

Now that we’re conventional, it is easier. Everything improved on that part of it, and we are not having as many challenges.”

BeddingSand wears out robotic milkers at a rapid pace, so they transitioned from sand bedding to waterbeds,” Jason explains.

The Stenslands moved to a lagoon system to handle manure more e�ciently, and they also didn’t want to separate the sand. Waterbeds o�ered a comfortable solution for the herd.

They’re installing a sprinkler system and manure scrapers to keep the barn clean, and simplify, as well. Cleanliness leads to quality.

Milk Quality “We focus on protocols,” Justin says. “We keep the hairs singed on the udders and �anks.

For the waterbeds, we scrape them o�, and keep them nice and bedded up and dry.”Again, with the robotic milkers, they catch some cows that �are up with mastitis more

quickly, and strictly follow herd health and protocol to see the cow recover. Cows suspicious for high bacteria, they pasteurize the milk and feed it to the calves.

National Farmers sta� has their backs on quality, too. “Roger’s good about being on top of bacteria counts, and helping us manage that end,” Justin says.

And the ladies thrive with the easy life. So Stenslands try to keep the stress level down on the cows.

Hoof CareHoof care is always important to dairymen, but for the

robotic milking system, the Stenslands have changed their system to do-it-yourself, on a turntable system. The cow walks into a chute and you tie her in on a side so you can get to the hooves.

“If the cows have a sore foot, they don’t like going into the robot, so the hoof-trimming is just another protocol we do ourselves on the farm,” Jason says.

DIYOn the operation, the whole family pitches in to help

wherever needed, but each person has a speci�c role. Justin maintains the robots, and focuses on scraping and barn cleaning with the help of their parents. He also zeroes in on raising the youngstock.

Jason covers dairy herd feeding, tends to hoof care and oversees all of the �eldwork. Art pitches in on the �eld work, along with those hired to combine and plant crops. Doug and their Grandpa Art rent land to them. This year they raised 260

acres of corn, 70 acres of soybeans and 270 acres of hay. Small grains take up 155 acres and 240 acres is dedicated to pasture.

Mona works with the calves, and handles the accounting for the dairy. “Right now, I have 25 bottle calves,” she says. She bottle feeds them individually for about �ve days, and uses group housing in a barn with separate pens. The pens hold �ve to six calves. For eight weeks they are fed in that group. The Stenslands also raise all their own heifers.

When it comes to breeding, they use arti�cial insemination exclusively. Doug covers that, because he previously worked in the dairy genetics �eld providing that service to other dairy operations. That was during the time when the operation was focused solely on grain.

With AI and robotics, they use computer monitors, and all the AI work is guided through the computer. “I do the determination, then I go out and load the gun and do it,” Doug says.

For the cows’ genetics, they cull out the cows that have more trouble than others in terms of health, breeding or calving. For genetic herd improvement, they look at strength in the cow and balance, longevity, calving ease, health and strong feet, legs and udders. Calving ease ranks at the top.

“Trying to get a lot of extra milk is not the biggest focus, but you don’t want to go backward,” Doug explains. “You want a good �t for operation.”

Doug spearheads the herd health with Mona. The veterinarian visits every three weeks to pregnancy check the cows, but they handle the rest of the cow healthcare. DIY saves dollars.

But in marketing, they count on the assistance of others. Stenslands say they appreciate National Farmers marketing, as well. They know their service representative works hard for them.

“It is really great to have these young men working with us,” says Nelson, who services Stenslands northwest Iowa farm. “They are using and embracing the newest technology available today for the dairy industry. Jason and Justin, along with their parents, Doug and Mona, are one of the hardest working family operations I know.”

The Stenslands like working with the same organization for marketing organic grain and conventional milk. “I think it gives us an advantage, marketing with National Farmers, and part of that is, there are more opportunities. We get more marketing power,” Jason says.

Tenacity, transition and technology. Experience, data and DIY. At Stensland Dairy, Larch-wood, Iowa, success doesn’t happen magically.

No, a magic bullet hasn’t brought brothers Jason Stensland and Justin Stensland their solid position in dairy farming. It started two generations before them with their grandfather, Art Stensland, continued with their parents, Doug and Mona Stensland, and now they are investing themselves into the operation.

In 2003, Justin and Jason re-started the dairy side of the operation, which had ended in the mid-1990s when Art retired. The twins were 17 years old, by the way. Today, the three predecessors remain active in the operation, while recognizing the sons’ leading role.

“I got out of the picture so they could make decisions in their space,” Doug says. “I actually work for them now.”

The generations are working together to create a clear estate and farm transition plan, so Justin and Jason have options to purchase. Each of the boys are married and have children. Justin and his wife, Chelsea, have a 10-year-old, seven-year-old, two-year-old, and one is on the way. Jason and his wife, Paige, have one child who is a little over a year old. Four genera-tions are part of the farm family, so the forecast for Stenslands’ agricultural future, looks favorable.

The 170-head milking herd is a mix of Holstein-Jersey cross and Holstein cows, heavier toward Holstein. They try to stay with similar-sized cows. With dry cows, their tally comes up to 200 head.

But when they started dairying in ’03, most of the equipment was out of the barn. Their dairy kicko� happened with 30 cows. They kept their own replacements, purchased cows, and gradually grew to 200 head in �ve to six years, milking two times daily. They employed two full-time people, and spent four to �ve hours milking. “It was pretty labor intensive,” Justin says. And something had to change.

Robotic MilkingThree and a half years ago, the brothers installed three Lely Astronaut robotic milkers.“The

biggest reason why we did this, is for labor,” Jason says. “You can ask anybody; it’s hard to �nd help these days.”

On AgWeb, a September article examines the labor shortage faced by dairy producers nationally. And National Milk Producers Federation studied the immigrant labor issue in 2009.

Fortunately, the bene�ts of moving to robotic milking extend beyond labor availability concerns, straight to big data. Justin and Jason appreciate the data derived from the system. It tracks rumination, activity and temperature. Every time a cow is milked, it monitors the temperature.

“All the information is incredible. You can’t use it all,” Jason says. As for robot upkeep, they maintain the robots themselves, as much as possible, and keep

many parts on hand.“The robots are in operation 24 hours a day,” Justin says. “The cows are running through

them all the time. And we’re averaging about 2.9 times a day milking, decided by the cows.” They feed pellets at the milkers, so it is a feed-driven milking process.

Production ChangePreviously, the dairy farm was organic, but because milking with robotics and organic do

not mesh well, Justin and Jason opted to move to the conventional milking system. “Robotics and organics are di�cult, in terms of rules, and getting the cows on pasture

enough. Economics dictates,” Jason explains. “I was a little more reluctant,” Doug says. “ But they’ve got to do what’s going to work. That’s

the direction they took, and the management is a lot easier. We will keep raising organic crops.”

“We kept with our �eld rep, Roger Nelson, right through the change. It’s been positive for us,” he adds.

The Stenslands work with the NForganics program and Field Representative Tim Boortz for certi�ed organic grain marketing. “That turned the other way when we started having grain to sell through NForgan-ics, rather than purchase,” Justin says.

The Dairy RationsFeed ration palatability ranks as particularly critical with dairy robotics. The vertical total

mixed ration wagon delivers feed, and producers need to be able to entice that animal into the robot. There’s a �ne line between true TMR, Stenslands explain, and what goes into the robot.

“There are dynamics in feeding that you have to play with,” Jason says. Nutritionists are gaining knowledge to a point where they know how to adjust rations well. “When we were organic, we were using a di�erent approach. It’s harder on the organic side.

Now that we’re conventional, it is easier. Everything improved on that part of it, and we are not having as many challenges.”

BeddingSand wears out robotic milkers at a rapid pace, so they transitioned from sand bedding to waterbeds,” Jason explains.

The Stenslands moved to a lagoon system to handle manure more e�ciently, and they also didn’t want to separate the sand. Waterbeds o�ered a comfortable solution for the herd.

They’re installing a sprinkler system and manure scrapers to keep the barn clean, and simplify, as well. Cleanliness leads to quality.

Milk Quality “We focus on protocols,” Justin says. “We keep the hairs singed on the udders and �anks.

For the waterbeds, we scrape them o�, and keep them nice and bedded up and dry.”Again, with the robotic milkers, they catch some cows that �are up with mastitis more

quickly, and strictly follow herd health and protocol to see the cow recover. Cows suspicious for high bacteria, they pasteurize the milk and feed it to the calves.

National Farmers sta� has their backs on quality, too. “Roger’s good about being on top of bacteria counts, and helping us manage that end,” Justin says.

And the ladies thrive with the easy life. So Stenslands try to keep the stress level down on the cows.

Hoof CareHoof care is always important to dairymen, but for the

robotic milking system, the Stenslands have changed their system to do-it-yourself, on a turntable system. The cow walks into a chute and you tie her in on a side so you can get to the hooves.

“If the cows have a sore foot, they don’t like going into the robot, so the hoof-trimming is just another protocol we do ourselves on the farm,” Jason says.

DIYOn the operation, the whole family pitches in to help

wherever needed, but each person has a speci�c role. Justin maintains the robots, and focuses on scraping and barn cleaning with the help of their parents. He also zeroes in on raising the youngstock.

Jason covers dairy herd feeding, tends to hoof care and oversees all of the �eldwork. Art pitches in on the �eld work, along with those hired to combine and plant crops. Doug and their Grandpa Art rent land to them. This year they raised 260

acres of corn, 70 acres of soybeans and 270 acres of hay. Small grains take up 155 acres and 240 acres is dedicated to pasture.

Mona works with the calves, and handles the accounting for the dairy. “Right now, I have 25 bottle calves,” she says. She bottle feeds them individually for about �ve days, and uses group housing in a barn with separate pens. The pens hold �ve to six calves. For eight weeks they are fed in that group. The Stenslands also raise all their own heifers.

When it comes to breeding, they use arti�cial insemination exclusively. Doug covers that, because he previously worked in the dairy genetics �eld providing that service to other dairy operations. That was during the time when the operation was focused solely on grain.

With AI and robotics, they use computer monitors, and all the AI work is guided through the computer. “I do the determination, then I go out and load the gun and do it,” Doug says.

For the cows’ genetics, they cull out the cows that have more trouble than others in terms of health, breeding or calving. For genetic herd improvement, they look at strength in the cow and balance, longevity, calving ease, health and strong feet, legs and udders. Calving ease ranks at the top.

“Trying to get a lot of extra milk is not the biggest focus, but you don’t want to go backward,” Doug explains. “You want a good �t for operation.”

Doug spearheads the herd health with Mona. The veterinarian visits every three weeks to pregnancy check the cows, but they handle the rest of the cow healthcare. DIY saves dollars.

But in marketing, they count on the assistance of others. Stenslands say they appreciate National Farmers marketing, as well. They know their service representative works hard for them.

“It is really great to have these young men working with us,” says Nelson, who services Stenslands northwest Iowa farm. “They are using and embracing the newest technology available today for the dairy industry. Jason and Justin, along with their parents, Doug and Mona, are one of the hardest working family operations I know.”

The Stenslands like working with the same organization for marketing organic grain and conventional milk. “I think it gives us an advantage, marketing with National Farmers, and part of that is, there are more opportunities. We get more marketing power,” Jason says.

“The robots are in operation 24 hours a day,” Justin says. “The cows are running through them all the time. And we’re averaging about 2.9 times a day milking, decided by the cows.” —Justin Stensland

“The robots are in operation 24 hours a day,” Justin says. “The cows are running through them all the time. And we’re averaging about 2.9 times a day milking, decided by the cows.” —Justin Stensland

“I think it gives us an advantage, marketing with National Farmers, and part of that is, there are more opportunities. We get more marketing power.” — Jason Stensland

“I think it gives us an advantage, marketing with National Farmers, and part of that is, there are more opportunities. We get more marketing power.” — Jason Stensland

MILK TECHSTENSLAND

Doug Stensland checks his list of cows who need to be taken to the robotic milker. Typically, however, cows go to the robot an adequate amount on their own.

Doug Stensland checks his list of cows who need to be taken to the robotic milker. Typically, however, cows go to the robot an adequate amount on their own.

(l to r) The Lely company gives a cow statue to each operation that purchases robotic milkers. Second photo, the robotic milkers are self-serve stations. Third photo the cows use the milkers 24 hours a day. Fourth photo, Mona Stensland cares for the calves in a group housing barn.(l to r) The Lely company gives a cow statue to each operation that purchases robotic milkers. Second photo, the robotic milkers are self-serve stations. Third photo the cows use the milkers 24 hours a day. Fourth photo, Mona Stensland cares for the calves in a group housing barn.

Justin (seated) and Jason (standing) discuss dairy data

Tenacity, transition and technology. Experience, data and DIY. At Stensland Dairy, Larch-wood, Iowa, success doesn’t happen magically.

No, a magic bullet hasn’t brought brothers Jason Stensland and Justin Stensland their solid position in dairy farming. It started two generations before them with their grandfather, Art Stensland, continued with their parents, Doug and Mona Stensland, and now they are investing themselves into the operation.

In 2003, Justin and Jason re-started the dairy side of the operation, which had ended in the mid-1990s when Art retired. The twins were 17 years old, by the way. Today, the three predecessors remain active in the operation, while recognizing the sons’ leading role.

“I got out of the picture so they could make decisions in their space,” Doug says. “I actually work for them now.”

The generations are working together to create a clear estate and farm transition plan, so Justin and Jason have options to purchase. Each of the boys are married and have children. Justin and his wife, Chelsea, have a 10-year-old, seven-year-old, two-year-old, and one is on the way. Jason and his wife, Paige, have one child who is a little over a year old. Four genera-tions are part of the farm family, so the forecast for Stenslands’ agricultural future, looks favorable.

The 170-head milking herd is a mix of Holstein-Jersey cross and Holstein cows, heavier toward Holstein. They try to stay with similar-sized cows. With dry cows, their tally comes up to 200 head.

But when they started dairying in ’03, most of the equipment was out of the barn. Their dairy kicko� happened with 30 cows. They kept their own replacements, purchased cows, and gradually grew to 200 head in �ve to six years, milking two times daily. They employed two full-time people, and spent four to �ve hours milking. “It was pretty labor intensive,” Justin says. And something had to change.

Robotic MilkingThree and a half years ago, the brothers installed three Lely Astronaut robotic milkers.“The

biggest reason why we did this, is for labor,” Jason says. “You can ask anybody; it’s hard to �nd help these days.”

On AgWeb, a September article examines the labor shortage faced by dairy producers nationally. And National Milk Producers Federation studied the immigrant labor issue in 2009.

Fortunately, the bene�ts of moving to robotic milking extend beyond labor availability concerns, straight to big data. Justin and Jason appreciate the data derived from the system. It tracks rumination, activity and temperature. Every time a cow is milked, it monitors the temperature.

“All the information is incredible. You can’t use it all,” Jason says. As for robot upkeep, they maintain the robots themselves, as much as possible, and keep

many parts on hand.“The robots are in operation 24 hours a day,” Justin says. “The cows are running through

them all the time. And we’re averaging about 2.9 times a day milking, decided by the cows.” They feed pellets at the milkers, so it is a feed-driven milking process.

Production ChangePreviously, the dairy farm was organic, but because milking with robotics and organic do

not mesh well, Justin and Jason opted to move to the conventional milking system. “Robotics and organics are di�cult, in terms of rules, and getting the cows on pasture

enough. Economics dictates,” Jason explains. “I was a little more reluctant,” Doug says. “ But they’ve got to do what’s going to work. That’s

the direction they took, and the management is a lot easier. We will keep raising organic crops.”

“We kept with our �eld rep, Roger Nelson, right through the change. It’s been positive for us,” he adds.

The Stenslands work with the NForganics program and Field Representative Tim Boortz for certi�ed organic grain marketing. “That turned the other way when we started having grain to sell through NForgan-ics, rather than purchase,” Justin says.

The Dairy RationsFeed ration palatability ranks as particularly critical with dairy robotics. The vertical total

mixed ration wagon delivers feed, and producers need to be able to entice that animal into the robot. There’s a �ne line between true TMR, Stenslands explain, and what goes into the robot.

“There are dynamics in feeding that you have to play with,” Jason says. Nutritionists are gaining knowledge to a point where they know how to adjust rations well. “When we were organic, we were using a di�erent approach. It’s harder on the organic side.

Now that we’re conventional, it is easier. Everything improved on that part of it, and we are not having as many challenges.”

BeddingSand wears out robotic milkers at a rapid pace, so they transitioned from sand bedding to waterbeds,” Jason explains.

The Stenslands moved to a lagoon system to handle manure more e�ciently, and they also didn’t want to separate the sand. Waterbeds o�ered a comfortable solution for the herd.

They’re installing a sprinkler system and manure scrapers to keep the barn clean, and simplify, as well. Cleanliness leads to quality.

Milk Quality “We focus on protocols,” Justin says. “We keep the hairs singed on the udders and �anks.

For the waterbeds, we scrape them o�, and keep them nice and bedded up and dry.”Again, with the robotic milkers, they catch some cows that �are up with mastitis more

quickly, and strictly follow herd health and protocol to see the cow recover. Cows suspicious for high bacteria, they pasteurize the milk and feed it to the calves.

National Farmers sta� has their backs on quality, too. “Roger’s good about being on top of bacteria counts, and helping us manage that end,” Justin says.

And the ladies thrive with the easy life. So Stenslands try to keep the stress level down on the cows.

Hoof CareHoof care is always important to dairymen, but for the

robotic milking system, the Stenslands have changed their system to do-it-yourself, on a turntable system. The cow walks into a chute and you tie her in on a side so you can get to the hooves.

“If the cows have a sore foot, they don’t like going into the robot, so the hoof-trimming is just another protocol we do ourselves on the farm,” Jason says.

DIYOn the operation, the whole family pitches in to help

wherever needed, but each person has a speci�c role. Justin maintains the robots, and focuses on scraping and barn cleaning with the help of their parents. He also zeroes in on raising the youngstock.

Jason covers dairy herd feeding, tends to hoof care and oversees all of the �eldwork. Art pitches in on the �eld work, along with those hired to combine and plant crops. Doug and their Grandpa Art rent land to them. This year they raised 260

acres of corn, 70 acres of soybeans and 270 acres of hay. Small grains take up 155 acres and 240 acres is dedicated to pasture.

Mona works with the calves, and handles the accounting for the dairy. “Right now, I have 25 bottle calves,” she says. She bottle feeds them individually for about �ve days, and uses group housing in a barn with separate pens. The pens hold �ve to six calves. For eight weeks they are fed in that group. The Stenslands also raise all their own heifers.

When it comes to breeding, they use arti�cial insemination exclusively. Doug covers that, because he previously worked in the dairy genetics �eld providing that service to other dairy operations. That was during the time when the operation was focused solely on grain.

With AI and robotics, they use computer monitors, and all the AI work is guided through the computer. “I do the determination, then I go out and load the gun and do it,” Doug says.

For the cows’ genetics, they cull out the cows that have more trouble than others in terms of health, breeding or calving. For genetic herd improvement, they look at strength in the cow and balance, longevity, calving ease, health and strong feet, legs and udders. Calving ease ranks at the top.

“Trying to get a lot of extra milk is not the biggest focus, but you don’t want to go backward,” Doug explains. “You want a good �t for operation.”

Doug spearheads the herd health with Mona. The veterinarian visits every three weeks to pregnancy check the cows, but they handle the rest of the cow healthcare. DIY saves dollars.

But in marketing, they count on the assistance of others. Stenslands say they appreciate National Farmers marketing, as well. They know their service representative works hard for them.

“It is really great to have these young men working with us,” says Nelson, who services Stenslands northwest Iowa farm. “They are using and embracing the newest technology available today for the dairy industry. Jason and Justin, along with their parents, Doug and Mona, are one of the hardest working family operations I know.”

The Stenslands like working with the same organization for marketing organic grain and conventional milk. “I think it gives us an advantage, marketing with National Farmers, and part of that is, there are more opportunities. We get more marketing power,” Jason says.

Tenacity, transition and technology. Experience, data and DIY. At Stensland Dairy, Larch-wood, Iowa, success doesn’t happen magically.

No, a magic bullet hasn’t brought brothers Jason Stensland and Justin Stensland their solid position in dairy farming. It started two generations before them with their grandfather, Art Stensland, continued with their parents, Doug and Mona Stensland, and now they are investing themselves into the operation.

In 2003, Justin and Jason re-started the dairy side of the operation, which had ended in the mid-1990s when Art retired. The twins were 17 years old, by the way. Today, the three predecessors remain active in the operation, while recognizing the sons’ leading role.

“I got out of the picture so they could make decisions in their space,” Doug says. “I actually work for them now.”

The generations are working together to create a clear estate and farm transition plan, so Justin and Jason have options to purchase. Each of the boys are married and have children. Justin and his wife, Chelsea, have a 10-year-old, seven-year-old, two-year-old, and one is on the way. Jason and his wife, Paige, have one child who is a little over a year old. Four genera-tions are part of the farm family, so the forecast for Stenslands’ agricultural future, looks favorable.

The 170-head milking herd is a mix of Holstein-Jersey cross and Holstein cows, heavier toward Holstein. They try to stay with similar-sized cows. With dry cows, their tally comes up to 200 head.

But when they started dairying in ’03, most of the equipment was out of the barn. Their dairy kicko� happened with 30 cows. They kept their own replacements, purchased cows, and gradually grew to 200 head in �ve to six years, milking two times daily. They employed two full-time people, and spent four to �ve hours milking. “It was pretty labor intensive,” Justin says. And something had to change.

Robotic MilkingThree and a half years ago, the brothers installed three Lely Astronaut robotic milkers.“The

biggest reason why we did this, is for labor,” Jason says. “You can ask anybody; it’s hard to �nd help these days.”

On AgWeb, a September article examines the labor shortage faced by dairy producers nationally. And National Milk Producers Federation studied the immigrant labor issue in 2009.

Fortunately, the bene�ts of moving to robotic milking extend beyond labor availability concerns, straight to big data. Justin and Jason appreciate the data derived from the system. It tracks rumination, activity and temperature. Every time a cow is milked, it monitors the temperature.

“All the information is incredible. You can’t use it all,” Jason says. As for robot upkeep, they maintain the robots themselves, as much as possible, and keep

many parts on hand.“The robots are in operation 24 hours a day,” Justin says. “The cows are running through

them all the time. And we’re averaging about 2.9 times a day milking, decided by the cows.” They feed pellets at the milkers, so it is a feed-driven milking process.

Production ChangePreviously, the dairy farm was organic, but because milking with robotics and organic do

not mesh well, Justin and Jason opted to move to the conventional milking system. “Robotics and organics are di�cult, in terms of rules, and getting the cows on pasture

enough. Economics dictates,” Jason explains. “I was a little more reluctant,” Doug says. “ But they’ve got to do what’s going to work. That’s

the direction they took, and the management is a lot easier. We will keep raising organic crops.”

“We kept with our �eld rep, Roger Nelson, right through the change. It’s been positive for us,” he adds.

The Stenslands work with the NForganics program and Field Representative Tim Boortz for certi�ed organic grain marketing. “That turned the other way when we started having grain to sell through NForgan-ics, rather than purchase,” Justin says.

The Dairy RationsFeed ration palatability ranks as particularly critical with dairy robotics. The vertical total

mixed ration wagon delivers feed, and producers need to be able to entice that animal into the robot. There’s a �ne line between true TMR, Stenslands explain, and what goes into the robot.

“There are dynamics in feeding that you have to play with,” Jason says. Nutritionists are gaining knowledge to a point where they know how to adjust rations well. “When we were organic, we were using a di�erent approach. It’s harder on the organic side.

Now that we’re conventional, it is easier. Everything improved on that part of it, and we are not having as many challenges.”

BeddingSand wears out robotic milkers at a rapid pace, so they transitioned from sand bedding to waterbeds,” Jason explains.

The Stenslands moved to a lagoon system to handle manure more e�ciently, and they also didn’t want to separate the sand. Waterbeds o�ered a comfortable solution for the herd.

They’re installing a sprinkler system and manure scrapers to keep the barn clean, and simplify, as well. Cleanliness leads to quality.

Milk Quality “We focus on protocols,” Justin says. “We keep the hairs singed on the udders and �anks.

For the waterbeds, we scrape them o�, and keep them nice and bedded up and dry.”Again, with the robotic milkers, they catch some cows that �are up with mastitis more

quickly, and strictly follow herd health and protocol to see the cow recover. Cows suspicious for high bacteria, they pasteurize the milk and feed it to the calves.

National Farmers sta� has their backs on quality, too. “Roger’s good about being on top of bacteria counts, and helping us manage that end,” Justin says.

And the ladies thrive with the easy life. So Stenslands try to keep the stress level down on the cows.

Hoof CareHoof care is always important to dairymen, but for the

robotic milking system, the Stenslands have changed their system to do-it-yourself, on a turntable system. The cow walks into a chute and you tie her in on a side so you can get to the hooves.

“If the cows have a sore foot, they don’t like going into the robot, so the hoof-trimming is just another protocol we do ourselves on the farm,” Jason says.

DIYOn the operation, the whole family pitches in to help

wherever needed, but each person has a speci�c role. Justin maintains the robots, and focuses on scraping and barn cleaning with the help of their parents. He also zeroes in on raising the youngstock.

Jason covers dairy herd feeding, tends to hoof care and oversees all of the �eldwork. Art pitches in on the �eld work, along with those hired to combine and plant crops. Doug and their Grandpa Art rent land to them. This year they raised 260

acres of corn, 70 acres of soybeans and 270 acres of hay. Small grains take up 155 acres and 240 acres is dedicated to pasture.

Mona works with the calves, and handles the accounting for the dairy. “Right now, I have 25 bottle calves,” she says. She bottle feeds them individually for about �ve days, and uses group housing in a barn with separate pens. The pens hold �ve to six calves. For eight weeks they are fed in that group. The Stenslands also raise all their own heifers.

When it comes to breeding, they use arti�cial insemination exclusively. Doug covers that, because he previously worked in the dairy genetics �eld providing that service to other dairy operations. That was during the time when the operation was focused solely on grain.

With AI and robotics, they use computer monitors, and all the AI work is guided through the computer. “I do the determination, then I go out and load the gun and do it,” Doug says.

For the cows’ genetics, they cull out the cows that have more trouble than others in terms of health, breeding or calving. For genetic herd improvement, they look at strength in the cow and balance, longevity, calving ease, health and strong feet, legs and udders. Calving ease ranks at the top.

“Trying to get a lot of extra milk is not the biggest focus, but you don’t want to go backward,” Doug explains. “You want a good �t for operation.”

Doug spearheads the herd health with Mona. The veterinarian visits every three weeks to pregnancy check the cows, but they handle the rest of the cow healthcare. DIY saves dollars.

But in marketing, they count on the assistance of others. Stenslands say they appreciate National Farmers marketing, as well. They know their service representative works hard for them.

“It is really great to have these young men working with us,” says Nelson, who services Stenslands northwest Iowa farm. “They are using and embracing the newest technology available today for the dairy industry. Jason and Justin, along with their parents, Doug and Mona, are one of the hardest working family operations I know.”

The Stenslands like working with the same organization for marketing organic grain and conventional milk. “I think it gives us an advantage, marketing with National Farmers, and part of that is, there are more opportunities. We get more marketing power,” Jason says.

“The robots are in operation 24 hours a day,” Justin says. “The cows are running through them all the time. And we’re averaging about 2.9 times a day milking, decided by the cows.” —Justin Stensland

“The robots are in operation 24 hours a day,” Justin says. “The cows are running through them all the time. And we’re averaging about 2.9 times a day milking, decided by the cows.” —Justin Stensland

“I think it gives us an advantage, marketing with National Farmers, and part of that is, there are more opportunities. We get more marketing power.” — Jason Stensland

“I think it gives us an advantage, marketing with National Farmers, and part of that is, there are more opportunities. We get more marketing power.” — Jason Stensland

MILK TECHSTENSLAND

Doug Stensland checks his list of cows who need to be taken to the robotic milker. Typically, however, cows go to the robot an adequate amount on their own.

Doug Stensland checks his list of cows who need to be taken to the robotic milker. Typically, however, cows go to the robot an adequate amount on their own.

(l to r) The Lely company gives a cow statue to each operation that purchases robotic milkers. Second photo, the robotic milkers are self-serve stations. Third photo the cows use the milkers 24 hours a day. Fourth photo, Mona Stensland cares for the calves in a group housing barn.(l to r) The Lely company gives a cow statue to each operation that purchases robotic milkers. Second photo, the robotic milkers are self-serve stations. Third photo the cows use the milkers 24 hours a day. Fourth photo, Mona Stensland cares for the calves in a group housing barn.

Justin (seated) and Jason (standing) discuss dairy data

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I am glad to hear so many producers are locking in seed, fertilizers and other inputs, especially for corn production. Identify your input sources, because, as you know, we may experience shortages. And if you lock in your seed supply and other inputs, it’s important to lock in prices with those costs in mind.

GRA IN S

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