While living in Wisconsin as a Green Bay Packer, there were two things that stood out about your great state: 1) Wisconsinites love their Green Bay Packers, and 2) Wisconsin dairy farmers make really good cheese! Put the two together, and you get a sea of cheeseheads blanketing the stadium.
While many cheesehead-wearing fans can proudly shout out Packer statistics, how many really know what's going on with the Wisconsin dairy industry?
Let's talk numbers.
As a professional football player, statistics are how we measure performance. Throughout my athletic career there were a few stats that I cherish. The Green Bay Packers drafted me in the 7th round in 1995. As a Packer, I played in two Super Bowls, winning the XXXI title. I left Green Bay via free agency to join the St. Louis Rams and played in two more Super Bowls, winning the XXXIV title. Throughout my 11-year NFL career as an offensive lineman, I blocked for five MVPs and played in more than 200 consecutive games, including two Pro Bowls.
During the time I played, the Green Bay Packers and St. Louis Rams were two of the most successful teams. We were champions for a few reasons:
- Hall of Fame talent that had an insatiable work ethic and desire to be the best.
- The latest technologies to improve our strength and speed.
- The team's nutrition was monitored and constantly tweaked to ensure maximum gains.
- Our leadership was driven and uncompromising.
- Our fans were rabid and helped lift us to new levels.
- And most importantly, both the Rams and Packers believed in playing as a TEAM.
When I sat down to write this article, I began to notice that there were a lot of statistical similarities between those two winning football teams and the Wisconsin dairy industry.
Let's start with Hall of Fame talent and an insatiable work ethic. The people on Wisconsin's dairy farms, as well as the industries around them, are driven to be the best, often working endless hours, seven days a week, 365 days a year. It's that drive that makes the Wisconsin dairy industry such a strong business.
Yes, dairy farming is a business. And it has a huge impact on the state's economy—more than twice that of the citrus industry's impact on Florida's economy and nearly nine times the economic impact as Idaho's potato industry. According to a UW Extension report, the dairy industry contributes $26.5 billion annually to Wisconsin's economy. When you break that down, one average Wisconsin dairy cow generates more than $20,000 a year in economic activity. No other single product produced in this state (not even Aaron Rodgers jerseys) creates a greater economic impact than milk.
Dairying's multi-billion dollar economic impact is broadly dispersed throughout Wisconsin. Besides the direct economic contribution of farms and dairy-related companies, the dairy industry also relies on machinery, trucks, fuel, financial services and other goods and services from local companies, generating additional "non-dairy" jobs and income in the state.
Based on financial benchmark information from UW-Madison's Center for Dairy Profitability, a 250-cow Wisconsin dairy farm will spend, on average, about $675,000 annually in supplies, products and services that are often purchased from local businesses and retailers. That figure also includes such expenditures as land rent, payments to local banks and lending institutions, utility expenses and taxes.
So while Wisconsinites may not realize it, the dairy industry impacts all sectors of Wisconsin's economy.
Diversity shapes the state's dairy industry
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| Dan Truttmann recognizes diversity as a Wisconsin strength. |
Wisconsin ranks first in the nation for number of dairy herds. There are more than 12,000 dairy farms of all types and sizes. In fact, the diversity that exists is a strength that no other state can claim. While the average number of cows per Wisconsin dairy farm is about 100, there are plenty of smaller and larger herds that support the industry.
"All dairy farms are businesses, regardless if they are a 30-cow farm or 3,000-cow farm," says Dan Truttmann, a dairy farmer from New Glarus. Dan believes that the diversity in the state's landscape and dairy industry is key to its success.
"We need all types and sizes of farms here in Wisconsin to keep our industry vibrant and growing."
~ Dan Truttmann
Dan and Shelly Truttmann own and operate Truttmann Dairy LLC, a grass-based, spring calving dairy located in south central Wisconsin. They have three children and, along with Dan's father, Dwight, and a couple of part-time employees, milk 175 crossbred cows and operate 400 acres. The Truttmanns graze their cattle and believe it is a good way to keep the farm economically viable. "Grazing isn't for every farm, but it's a good fit for my soils, my farm and my family," says Dan.
Being more efficient
Just like professional athletes use the most innovative technologies to improve performance and take care of their bodies, I found that today's dairy farmers also use new technologies and management strategies to "call the right plays" and improve cow care, comfort and performance.
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The success of Rosy-Lane Holsteins LLC depends on its team—Lloyd and Daphne Holterman and Tim Strobel.
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At Rosy-Lane Holsteins, Watertown, Wis., owners Lloyd and Daphne Holterman and their business partner, Tim Strobel, closely monitor business activities and animal health data, tracking everything on computers. From the number of steps each cow takes a day to when she got her hooves trimmed, numbers are recorded and analyzed regularly. The Holtermans also get monthly financial reports, including balance sheets, profit and loss statements, inventories and loan balances, which they review and scrutinize closely.
In addition, computers are used to formulate rations (that's what farmers call cow meals). Using elite software programs, the Holtermans feed their cows like they are trained athletes–providing just the right amount of required nutrients to maximize performance. "Computers help us balance nutrient profiles in the most cost effective way. Each bite contains the required level of nutrients, such as energy, protein, minerals and vitamins, needed by our cows." says Daphne.
"If our cows are healthy and happy, then we're happy. We rely on each other. This dairy business supports our family—and many others."
~ Daphne Holterman
Another amazing statistic
Did you know that more than 98 percent of the state's dairy farms are family owned and operated? In the past, siblings who wanted to continue dairying would often purchase their own land, herd and machinery and would farm in a separate set of buildings near the "home farm." Many of today's dairy farm families pool their herds and equipment on one site. When farm families cooperate as a team, each family member has the opportunity to specialize. For example, at Rosy-Lane Holsteins, Lloyd manages the overall business, herd and genetics. Daphne is in charge of the calf care program and does the farm's bookwork. And Tim Strobel handles the crops, nutrient management plan and feeding.
By changing the way they approach the dairy farm lifestyle, many Wisconsin dairy farm families, such as the Truttmanns and Holtermans, are enabling the next generation of farmers to join the business.
Working as a team
To ensure the Wisconsin dairy industry stays on top in a highly competitive environment, farmers need to continue doing what they do best—taking care of the land and water resources, taking care of their animals as previous generations of farm families have done, and producing safe, high-quality milk that is turned into award-winning cheeses and dairy products.
You can be part of this winning team, too. Be a fan of the Wisconsin dairy industry. Buying Wisconsin-made dairy products greatly helps the state's economy, keeping local communities moving forward, especially during these challenging economic times.
So the next time you don that cheesehead, be proud of the Wisconsin dairy industry—it is central to your past, an important component in your state's economy today and a vital part of your future.