Farm to Table:Dairy Value Chain

Milk transport

Milk is transported from farm to processing company in insulated tanker trucks.  The average truck carries 5800 gallons of milk and travels approximately 500 miles round trip.


The milkman comes to Kylecrest Holsteins LLC every other day to pick up, and before he does anything he takes a sample out of the bulk tank.  He places the sample in a vial that goes in the cooler and then he takes a sample out of the bulk tank that goes in another vial and is placed in another cool and kept separate.  The milk is then taken to a processing plant and it is turned into cheese. 

References:USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service, 2010

Dairy Herd Network - This dairy farmer enjoys setting dairy record straight - Latest

Dairy Herd Network - This dairy farmer enjoys setting dairy record straight - Latest

Farm to Table:The Dairy Value Chain

Milk Production
Dairy cows are housed, fed and milked on dairy farms across the country.  On average, a cow in the United States gave about 20,576 pounds of milk in 2009.

On Kylecrest Holsteins LLC we milk 100-cows in our double-six parlor three times a day.  The girls are fed six times a day, which includes fresh hay, haylage, corn silage, corn, soy hulls, bread, donuts, soy bean meal, whey and vitamins and minerals.  There are many waterers in different areas of the compost barn that are easily accessible for the cows. 

The average cow in our herd produces 26,250 pounds of milk in 2011!

References:USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service, 2010.

Farm to Table:The Dairy Value Chain

Production of feed for cows
The dairy supply chain begins with growing crops such as corn, alfalfa hay, and soybeans to feed dairy cows.  About 35 percent of feed is grown on the farm by dairy farmers, the rest is purchased from other farmers. 

It is important that farmers continue the working relationships with one another, as we can all work together in order to promote and produce a high quality product that we feel comfortable feeding our own families and consumers.


References:USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service, 2010

Try a new recipe - Go with a healthy grain

Grain power
What's so great about grains? Why is it that everywhere you turn, someone is saying that we should be eating more grains, specifically, more whole grains?
Here's the great, good news about whole grains.  By consuming three servings of grains-which are rich in dietary fiber, protein, vitamins, and other nutrients-a day (and some studies say just one serving a day can have an impact) you can significantly, positively affect your health.  Here are the numbers.
       *you can reduce your chance of stroke 30% to 36%
       *you can reduce your chance of developing type 2 diabetes 21% to 30%
       *you can decrease your chance of heart disease 25% to 28%

References:Good Housekeeping GRAINS!, 2010, Hearst Books, New York, NY

Vigil in Wisconsin - Proud to be part of Democracy!

Union negotiators for Elkhorn Area School District!  Proud to be part of the elite members of this great organization!  Don't let Walker destroy our freedom!

Great Tips for Living Healthy

Develop and nurture meaningful connections at the workplace.
Observe healthy relationships and watch these people deal with real life issues and use them as models.
Set boundaries with unhealthy people and set boundaries.
Live your life as though you were the model for the good behavior that people want to model.


References:Demetre, Scale Down,2006, Revell, Grand Rapids, Michigan

Healthy Tip for the Day!

Add whole grains to the healthy eating plan and you will be able to maintain a lower, healthier weight.  The grains are higher in dietary fiber, and an individual can reduce body weight.  It is very important to increase intake of vegetables and/or fruits that also help to protect against weight gain.

References:Dietary Guidelines 2010.

American Dairy Farmers Know How to Live Each Day to the Fullest

As I sit on my couch that looks out to the fields, that surround our acreage, I realize how lucky my family is to be living the dream.  Each day on the dairy offers perks and challenges and provides unique opportunities for my family.  Talk about being adaptable!  I don't think there is a textbook in the world that can provide the different situations that help my family to grow into the individuals they are becoming.  It is a character-building experience working side-by-side my children and husband.  When all is said and done we only have to answer to one person, and confidently I sleep at night knowing in my heart that our products are the best you can buy.  At Kylecrest Holsteins LLC we provide a wholesome, healthful product to Americans that I feel confident serving to my family. 

Visit a local dairy farm and find out for youself instead of relying on someone else's words!

Just recently read a defiinition in The Upper Midwest Organic Resource Directory  about "organic" agriculture and realized that the way certain groups have worded descriptions of the different kinds of agriculture, that are practiced, is what has helped to contribute to the confusion and indecisiveness that the consumer faces when purchasing food for their families.  Interestingly enough, the word "mimic" is the word that is used in the definition of organic.  The traditional way of farming doesn't need to mimic agricultural practices. Everyday on my production agriculture dairy farm I am living the dream, and getting my hands dirty. As a way of life in our home, agriculture continues to use safe, natural practices that are in every one's best interest.  At Kylecrest Holsteins LLC we are constantly re-evaluating our practices, which includes our costs and our income in order to provide a healthy, product that consumers want to feed to their families.  We would never sacrifice our quality in order to make a "quick-buck" and try and confuse the consumers.  The dairy farmer today is experiencing the most volatile markets, and we wouldn't undermine our own livelihood by cutting corners and ruining the quality of our product.  There are so few people in agricultural today, that those of us who have survived the erratic markets are challenged to be at the top of our game everyday.  Unfortunately, the words and descriptions and misinformation that has entered the marketing world is to blame for such cynicism, negativity and has caused alarm that is unnecessary and unhealthy.

References:Midwest Organic & Sustainable Education Service, 2008, info@mosesorganic.org

Wisconsin perspective

Agriculture plays a key role in Wisconsin's economy.  Farmers expand their output of raw products that feed into the state's manufacturing sector, creating non-farm jobs and support the economics of Wisconsin rural communities.  Wisconsin farmers have expanded their foreign markets, helping to build a $30 billion U.S. trade surplus in agriculture products. 


Kylecrest Holsteins LLC just made a deal with a farmer in Turkey in order to acquire 10 heifers, and it is exciting to be part of another country's economy.

References:Jesse, Status of Wisconsin Agriculture, 2011

Bartering Is Back!

Cash is hard to come by!  Think about using your communication skills and try your hand at bartering.  Each of us has the ability to develop a new skill.  In past years it was only used in certain special situations.  Now...try your hand at bartering and develop that new talent.  You'll be surprised how many people will be open-minded to embrace this way of doing things.  One of the first things you can do is figure out what you want to get and what you can give.  If you were considering something that you are going to sell - maybe trading it would be the answer. 

Mooing, Milking, Munching, Wisconsin's Dairy Tale

The state of Wisconsin is world famous for dairying.  This reputation grows ever larger as Wisconsin's dairy farmers continue to produce pure, delicious milk allowing our cheesemakers to craft some of the finest cheeses in the world.  The dairy tradition begins with the dignified dairy cow and the people who look after her. 

References:Mooing, Milking, Munching Wisconsin's Dairy Tale, Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board. 

We're Not Gossipping. We're Networking.

I didn't claw my way to the top of the food chain to eat vegetables!  At the top of the food pyramid is dairy, which includes milk, cheese, yogurt, ice cream and all of my favorite low-fat wholesome dairy foods!  Eat three servings a day and you will never have to eat a green smoothie again!  Oh...don't forget to include a healthy dose of 30 minutes of exercise which helps keep the body in great shape. 

Foods that are included in the milk, yogurt, and cheese (milk) group

All fluid milk products and many foods made from milk are considered part of this food group.  Foods made from milk that retain their calcium content are part of the group, while foods made from milk that have little to no calcium, such as cream cheese, cream, and butter, are not.  Most milk group choices should be fat-free or low-fat. 

Some commonly eaten choices in the milk, yogurt, and cheese group are:

Milk                                                       Cheese
All fluid milk                                           Hard natural cheeses
fat-free (skim)                                        cheddar
low-fat (1%)                                          mozzarella
reduced fat (2%)                                    Swiss
whole milk                                              parmesan

References:http://www.mypyramid.gov/pyramid/milk.html

Put a local face on your story

It is really important to challenge the journalists who tell a negative story.  It is unfair that some of the media feel it necessary to pen rude comments and untruths.  It does sell papers and magazines and that seems to be what people want!  WRONG!  The American consumer is an educated buyer who wants to feed her family healthy, wholesome dairy products.  Only dairy farmers really know the truth and it is very easy for the outsider to point the finger.  Most people don't take the time to look into what they have read, it is much easier to read information and pass on the misinformation.  Get out there are tell the truth - all dairy people need to unite.  The positive voice always out weighs the negative voice.  Be brave, start small and tell your story!  The nay-sayers will never be lucky enough to enjoy this amazing lifestyle and wholesome living.  They can only read about it in a magazine or newspaper.  We are a minority, but we are doing great things.  We feed the American people!

MyPyramid.gov

Health benefits and nutrients

Consuming milk and milk products provides health benefits - people who have a diet rich in milk and milk products can reduce the risk of low bone mass throughout the life cycle.  Foods in the milk group provide nutrients that are vital for health and maintenance of your body.  These nutrients include calcium, potassium, vitamin D, and protein.

Calcium is used for building bones and teeth and in maintaining bone mass.  Milk products are the primary source of calcium in American diets.  Diets that provide 3 cups or the equivalent of milk products per day can improve bone mass.

References:http://www.mypyramid.gov/pyramid/milk_why.html

Super Bowl Sunday

February 6, 2011                                      GO PACK

Preparing for the big game later today.  At Kylecrest Holsteins LLC we enjoy good, clean competition.  We are all avid Packer fans, and look forward to a great match up with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

At church today we had a very cool prayer included in our bulletin and I thought i would share it.

                                                            CHEESEHEAD PRAYER

Now I lay me down to bed, a wedge of cheese upon my head.  Allegiance to the Packers I promise to keep, and cheer them on while I'm asleep.  If I should die, don't let me wonder, bury me beneath the frozen tundra.  But, Lord, before you take my soul, let me see the Pack in the Super Bowl.  Forgive me, Lord, for those I've hated, the Bears, the Steelers, they're overrated.  The streets of heaven, so I've been told, are paved for us in green and gold.  If I get to heaven I'll have only one wish, a big screen TV with a satellite dish.  I pray for this, Lord, for only one reason, to cheer on my Pack to a winning season.  I'll close this prayer by thanking you, Lord, for listening to me and the time you afford.  But one more thing--please remember the Steelers--because that's a team that hasn't a prayer!

Go Pack Go!

Reference:St. John's Lutheran Church Bulletin, February 6th, 2011

Holsteins hang out at the Kylecrest Holstein Dairy Farm

Holsteins came to the United States from Holland in 1621.  They are black and white (although they can also be red and white, though this is more uncommon),, and weigh approximately 1,500 pounds when mature.  They are big cows!  They produce the most milk on average of all the dairy breeds.  Also, their milk has less butterfat than other dairy breeds.

References:http://rawmillktruth.com/Types-of-Dairy-Cows.html

Interesting web site that I found on the internet that describes the attributes of the different cow breeds.  The ironic part is that the web site has raw milk truth in it.  The truth about raw milk is that there is NO scientific evidence that raw milk is better.  I wish the raw milk backers would throw in the towel and admit that they don't know what they are talking about. 

Kylecrest Holsteins LLC promise

Kylecrest Holsteins LLC is committed to providing safe and wholesome milk to consumers.
Along with the nation's 55,000 dairy producers we have a strong track record for compliance with state and federal regulations, and support education and enforcement  efforts to further strengthen that record.  

Thank goodness for a snowday!

Had a wonderful day at the Kyle house working together to clean up after the blizzard.  We are blessed that our kids are older and understand how important it is to help dad get the milking done and help mom cook for the hard workers.  It is extremely difficult to work against the elements and get the needed work done in order to feed and milk the girls.  The work was completed and the milk was picked up on a different schedule, but everyone helped to get it accomplished.  There is nothing like a snow day with the family!  The kids are older, but they are even more fun as they get older.

American Agriculture:the Truth Be Known

Trustworthy and conscientious are what describes American dairy farmers.  The American dairy farmer is comfortable serving his family with the same high-quality products that can be purchased in the stores.  Americans are unnecessarily suspicious about their food, and I have given them a carrot to chew.  The American dairy farmer lays his head on his pillow every night after a fulfilling and challenging day as a steward of the land and a shepherd of his animals.  These ethical practices are traditions passed from one generation to another of American agriculturalists.  When I lie my head down at night, I am honored to be part of an elite group in American agriculture and share my life with the most honorable man I know.