Salute to Beef/Dairy Farmers

MILLER, YODER

Posted By: Mistina Christner (email)
Date: 6/27/2018 at 10:26:04

Source: The Kalona News 6/25/2009

SALUTE TO BEEF/DAIRY FARMERS

Family Dairy Farm Celebrates Century Mark
by Susan Pettrone

Dean Miller found himself in the dairy business following his father and grandfather who began selling Grade A milk on the Miller farm since 1929, having other dairy cattle since the beginning of the 1900's near Sharon Center. Located on a quiet road in Johnson County with a view that brings to mind an idyllic, peaceful existence, sits a farmhouse that has housed many generations of dairy farmers and with numerous outbuildings scattered among the grounds. Originally purchased by Dean Miller's grandfather Eli L. Miller in 1909 from his Uncle Yoder, this farm is currently celebrating its 100th year in dairy production by four generations.
Running 50 to 60 head of Holsteins in addition to 150 calves on the farm, is as Dean Miller stated, "It may seem like a small farm to some but it's perfect for us." And upon visiting the farm, it's clear that the size of this operation is perfect not just in terms of herd size but in terms of how the Miller's care of these magnificent animals fills their day.
Calves are born 12 months a year at the Miller farm. After birth, they are placed in a maternity pen or box stall. After spending about 12 hours with their mother, the calf is then given the mother's milk due to the nutrient rich colostrums within it for the first three days. After that time, the mother cow can then be milked with the rest of the herd to sell the milk. The calf is bottle fed for three months and at Miller's farm, there are calves being bottle fed year round. These young calves are kept separate from their grown counterparts for a few months until they are no longer bottle-fed and are ready to join the herd as adults.
As a dairy farm has many facets regarding its day-to-day operation, there is more work than one person can complete alone. This necessitates extra help in various areas. Helping on the farm is Dean's father Monroe G. Miller, as well as two high school students, one who helps until 7 am and and additional student who helps in the evening during milking time. Daughter Jennifer also helps when she can, adding another generation of hands-on experience to the dairy business.
Miller milks his cows twice a day and sells their milk to Swiss Dairy farm, which collects milk from holding tanks several times a week. Interesting enough, Swiss Dairy has as a customer, Twin County Dairy, the product that goes into the cheese at the well-known "Cheese Factory." In a sense, when one purchases cheese at The Cheese Factory, chances are good that the cheese may have been made with locally produced milk, making the process a true Kalona area product. Average milk production for Holsteins according to official U.S. production-testing programs in 1987 was 17,408 pounds of milk, 632 pounds of butterfat and 550 pounds of protein per year. This makes for a large amount of milk from each cow, and multiplied by a herd of 60, is a great amount for Swiss Dairy to collect from the Miller farm.
Holstein's are large animals without a doubt, with cows averaging 1600 pounds and reaching about five feet tall when fully grown. Bulls weigh in around 2700 pounds at full growth and calves at the age of two days weigh approximately 100 pounds. Though daunting in size Miller stated, "Holsteins are somewhat more docile than beef cattle can be, so corralling them and getting them to do what you want them to do isn't a problem. If cattle know what you want them to do, they generally will do it."
When one envisions a Holstein, the coloring of black and white comes to mind. However black and white are not the only colors of Holsteins. Within the herd on the Miller farm are several red and white Holsteins, which are not only unique in their coloring, but actually a rarity when it comes to attempting to breed this color combination. In terms of genetics, when breeding with the hope of producing a red Holstein, though the mother and father may have red genes, there is no guarantee that the Holstein born will be red. Thus like a redheaded human, it is the luck of genes which cause the distinctive coloration of the Holstein.
Originally an import from Europe in the early 1800's, the top quality Holstein cow today is due to a century and a half of controlled breeding. The name "Holstein" comes from the Holstein-Friesian organization, that is the body formed to maintain and implement standards that define the breed. Though Holsteins are predominantly black and white, one query Miller reported he hears quite often is "how do you tell them apart?" Though each member of the herd has an ID tag with a registered number Miller stated, "They are just like people, they have their own personalities as well as their markings are unique to each cow. We know each of them as individuals."
Daughter Jennifer, the latest generation of the Miller family involved with the cattle, has shown Holsteins throughout her life. Drawing near the end age where she can show, she is planning at this time to show this summer at the Iowa State Fair.
Monroe G. Miller, father of Dean Miller, is still active on the farm, and on a regular basis, demonstrating still his love of the dairy business. Reminding me that his father was the first Miller to live in the farmhouse, he clearly has a pride in the family business that few can boast.
The Miller farm is without a doubt a piece of local history and with its emphasis on family, the pride of not just product but of the lineage shines brightly in all three generations.
It is a testament of the strength and belief in good hard work that keeps this family in the dairy business and to this reporter; there is nothing better than having a job that you bounce out of bed every morning ready and eager to begin. I suspect the Miller farm is just that sort of a family, dedicated to their century old dairy farm.
Because of their dedication I would like to take this time to congratulate the Miller family on 100 years in the dairy business and wish them many more productive years ahead.