The post 30 Days of Dairy: My brother, Matt Mackinson of Mackinson Dairy Farm appeared first on Mackinson Dairy Farm.
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It’s November 30th, so I am writing my last 30 Days of Dairy introduction. It’s a little bittersweet but am excited to introduce my brother, Matthew Mackinson (age 30) of Pontiac, IL. Matt and his wife, Amy have one son,Isaac. Our parents are Donald & Rita. I am the older, Matt is the middle child and David is the youngest. Mackinson Dairy Farm is a conventional dairy that milks 160 head of Registered Holsteins with a few Ayrshires and Milking Shorthorns. The cows are milked in a double 6 herringbone parlor. We raise all our own feed besides protein meal and corn by products that are fed. Our crops include corn, soybeans,alfalfa, wheat, rye and oats. Our milk is sold to Prairie Farms Dairy and goes to either Peoria as fluid milk or to Joliet where it’s made into cheese.
Matt, Amy & Isaac Mackinson
Growing up, Matt was involved in 4-H with dairy and crops as his main projects. After high school, Matt headed up to Madison, WI and attended the University of Wisconsin Farm Industry Short Course. Farming is Matt’s life and if he has any free time left, he spends it with his wife & son, enjoys building stuff and is involved with the Livingston County Young Leaders. Before returning to the farm full-time, Matt worked at our local John Deere dealership, KSR as a mechanic but we always knew that all he wanted to do is farm with our Dad. What’s Matt’s favorite dairy product, chocolate milk!
Matt’s Story in his own words:
When did you start farming?
I’ve worked on the farm growing up,but after I graduated high school and came home from college, I took over the cows.
View of part of the farm from the silo!
Has your farm changed since you became involved?
It has changed drastically. In the last ten years, we have remodeled the parlor from a double 4 to a double 6, put up a 140 cow coverall with sand free stalls, dug a lagoon (that holds 2.8 million gallons of manure), built a corn silage bunker, 2 heifer barns, a maternity barn and we just finished the calf shed. We also utilize AI24 system (electronic heat detection system) and I can access all of our cows records via pocket dairy on my phone. In coordination with Dr. Justin Powell, we are actively using embryo transfer and in-vitro fertilization on a few of our elite animals. With regards to the grain portion of the farm, we use GPS, autosteer and mapping.
Who do you farm with?
I farm with my Dad (Don), Uncle (Roy) and Dan and I am responsible for the cows. I do everything from milking, feeding the calves, mating, general herd health and vaccinations to their ration and everything else I forgot to mention.
What has been the most rewarding part of farming for you?
The most rewarding is seeing a calf being born, when you exhibit a grand champion, hauling a bumper crop to the elevator and being able to raise my kid the way I was raised, through hard work.
What has been the most challenging part of farming for you?
The to do list never gets shorter, dealing with and accepting what God and mother nature deal you…from an et heifer born dead, to a field of hay getting rained on, a drought etc.
What is the biggest misconception about the dairy industry?
That our cows are full of drugs, hormones and we abuse our cows. At our farm, we only administer antibiotics when our animals are sick. We also do not use the synthetic hormone rBST. We abuse ourselves caring for our cows.
Who is your favorite cow?
Growing up it was always Rita 3…she wasn’t a show cow. Now…. it would be Darcy, Shania and Mona.
What is your greatest achievement thus far?
Greatest achievement has to be, being given the reigns to run a successful dairy farm. Shipping quality milk that qualifies for the maximum amount of premiums to selling animals that go on to be successful, caring for animals that win purple banners and breeding and developing animals that are successful.
Do you open your farm for tours or agro-tourism opportunities?
Yes, we give tours and welcome visitors.
What’s one question you always receive about what you do?
A lot of people think we’re like grain farmers and go to the coffee shop daily and people don’t truly grip that it’s a 24/ 7 /365 job.
What is one message you’d like to get across to the general public about what you do?
If you choose to buy organic food or all natural food for your family, that is totally your choice and I respect that. But don’t be someone who is uninformed and think our products aren’t safe. Everyone says gmos are terrible, but I bet 95% of those people have no idea what a gmo even is.
What do you hope for your kids or future generations on your dairy?
That they are given a fair chance to market their product to the general public and care for their animals the way they were raised and not the way people assume we do.
What advice would you give to anyone interested in getting into farming?
I would first suggest to work for a dairy farm first and not only do the manual labor but also all the book work. I understand as well as anyone that it’s born in you. It’s a lot of work bu tI wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Matt showing Darcy
Matt, thank you for taking time to participate in our “Thirty Days of Dairy” series. If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to our blog (no spam, just an email when we post a new blog) so you don’t miss any posts.
As I conclude my Thirty Days of Dairy, I need to thank a few people. First, I would like to thank the 34 dairy farmers that shared their story with us this month. I would also like to thank my family as this project as been very time consuming but worth every minute. Finally, I would like to thank each one of you that has read, commented or shared one of these stories. I hope you have enjoyed my Thirty Days of Dairy! ~Mary
Entire “Thirty Days of Dairy” Series:
Sarah & Andy Birch – Derby, VT – the dairy farmers that were my inspiration for the 30 Days of Dairy!
Melissa Collman – Boring, OR – an organic dairy farmer from the West Coast!
Macy Sarbacker – Belleville, WI – a blogger, editor and dairy farmer from American’s Dairyland!
Karen Bohnert – East Moline, IL – a very talented writer, Mom and Jersey lover from my state!
Lisa Myers – Hamstead, MD – one of my best friends that moved back home to run their dairy!
Rebecca Schlehlein – Platteville, WI – a dedicated farm employee that loves her Brown Swiss!
Heather Moore – Maquoketa, IA – Special Events Coordinator turned Dairy Farmer!
Katie Dotterer-Pyle – Union Bridge, MD – Spanish teacher and dairy farmer that makes sure her cows enjoy their stay!
Brent Pollard – Rockford, IL – an innovative dairy farmer who loves to tinker with things.
Krista Stauffer – Washington – a 1st generation dairy farmer and very talented AGvogate for the dairy industry!
Diane Loew – Byron, MI – a writer, blogger and dairy farmer from Michigan!
Nicole Fletcher – Southampton, MA – a Cabot Creamery dairy that milks Holsteins & Jersey’s!
Elinor Opitz – Maple Lake, MN – a young lady just starting her Ayrshire dairy!
Alise Sjostrom – Brooten, MN – one of the readheads behind Redhead Creamery!
Tara McIntosh – Ontario, Canada – our only dairy farmer featured from Canada!
Jenna Kilgus – Fairbury, IL – a Jersey dairy farmer that bottles their own homogenized milk!
Will Gilmer – Sulligent, AL – our only dairy farmer from the “south”!
Gene Zimmerman – Colby, WI – our only dairy goat farmer featured this month!
Darleen Moore-Sichley – Oregon – a Mom, AGvocate and Gurnsey dairy farmer!
Michelle Eilenstine – Mountain Grove, MO – a dairy farmer & University of Missouri grad!
Jenni Tilton-Flood – Clinton, Maine – a Cabot Creamery dairy that milks 3400 Holsteins!
Kalli Ehrhardt – Baldwin, MD – A Mom and dairy farmer!
Craig Swenson – River Fall, WI – a dairy farmer who loves his red & whites!
Katie Harris – Washington – a mom & dairy farmer from Western Washington!
Annaliese Wegner – Ettrick, WI – the Modern-day Farm Chick!
Morgan Kliebenstein – Darlington, WI – a dairy farmer, Genex employee, Mom & wife!
Matt & Joe Engel – Hampshire, IL – the brother behind Luck-E Holsteins!
Stephanie Aves – Popular Grove, IL – a dairy farmer & agriculture teacher!
Beverly Donovan – Benton, Maine – a dairy farmer & accountant!
Sadie Frericks – Melrose, MN – a dedicated AGvocate, dairy farmer, mom & wife!
Greg Schulte – Darlington, WI – the cheesemaker at Brunkow Cheese!
Katie Deslippe – St Mary Ontario – a young lady that loves everything about dairy!
Carrie Mess – Lake Mills, WI – the well-known AGvocate Dairy Carrie!
For a listing of all the 30 Days Bloggers that Holly Spangler rounded up, visit here.
The post 30 Days of Dairy: My brother, Matt Mackinson of Mackinson Dairy Farm appeared first on Mackinson Dairy Farm.
]]>The post 30 Days of Dairy: Michelle Eilenstine from Missouri! appeared first on Mackinson Dairy Farm.
]]>Growing up, Michelle was active with her dairy projects in 4-H and FFA and attended the University of Missouri where she majored in Animal Science. When she is not farming, she enjoys spending time with her family, camping and horseback riding. Other activities Michelle is involved with include the Ashley Cowboy Church, Tri-County Fairboard and serves as the Missouri Holstein Association Secretary. Before returning to the farm full-time, Michelle worked as a veterinary technician and at a feed story. She always knew she wanted to return to the farm.
Michelle’s Story in her own words:
Has your farm changed since you became involved?
Yes, we grow our own corn silage and feed a total mixed ration (TMR), built a freestall barn and are improving genetics of the herd.
Who do you farm with?
My husband, who also works off the farm, and my father. I do everything except mix milk cow feed Their responsibilities include feeding the milk cows.
What has been the most rewarding part of farming for you?
The independence it gives me to be my own boss.
What has been the most challenging part of farming for you?
Managing finances in hard times when the milk price is low and feed costs are high.
Who is your favorite cow?
Ram-Elle Durchan Jaylo-ET. My first home-bred national show winner
Ram Elle Durchan Jaylo-ET
Tell me a unique story about your farm.
It has been the home farm since 1978 and I grew up dairy farming. I began in 4-H at 10 years old with a Holstein heifer named Bessie I showed at county fairs. This began my love of dairy cows.
What is one message you’d like to get across to the general public about what you do?
We work very hard to produce a quality, healthy product for consumers. We make taking care of the animals our #1 priority.
What do you hope for your kids or future generations on your dairy?
I hope that my child grows up learning the same values from the farm that I did.
What advice would you give to anyone interested in getting into farming?
Find someone who is willing to be your mentor to teach you.
Michelle, thank you for taking time to participate in our “Thirty Days of Dairy” series. If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to our blog (no spam, just an email when we post a new blog) so you don’t miss any posts
Earlier “Thirty Days of Dairy” features this month include:
Sarah & Andy Birch – Derby, VT – the dairy farmers that were my inspiration for the 30 Days of Dairy!
Melissa Collman – Boring, OR – an organic dairy farmer from the West Coast!
Macy Sarbacker – Belleville, WI – a blogger, editor and dairy farmer from American’s Dairyland!
Karen Bohnert – East Moline, IL – a very talented writer, Mom and Jersey lover from my state!
Lisa Myers – Hamstead, MD – one of my best friends that moved back home to run their dairy!
Rebecca Schlehlein – Platteville, WI – a dedicated farm employee that loves her Brown Swiss!
Heather Moore – Maquoketa, IA – Special Events Coordinator turned Dairy Farmer!
Katie Dotterer-Pyle – Union Bridge, MD – Spanish teacher and dairy farmer that makes sure her cows enjoy their stay!
Brent Pollard – Rockford, IL – an innovative dairy farmer who loves to tinker with things.
Krista Stauffer – Washington – a 1st generation dairy farmer and very talented AGvogate for the dairy industry!
Diane Loew – Byron, MI – a writer, blogger and dairy farmer from Michigan!
Nicole Fletcher – Southampton, MA – a Cabot Creamery dairy that milks Holsteins & Jersey’s!
Elinor Opitz – Maple Lake, MN – a young lady just starting her Ayrshire dairy!
Alise Sjostrom – Brooten, MN – one of the readheads behind Redhead Creamery!
Tara McIntosh – Ontario, Canada – our only dairy farmer featured from Canada!
Jenna Kilgus – Fairbury, IL – a Jersey dairy farmer that bottles their own homogenized milk!
Will Gilmer – Sulligent, AL – our only dairy farmer from the “south”!
Gene Zimmerman – Colby, WI – our only dairy goat farmer featured this month!
Darleen Moore-Sichley – Oregon – a Mom, AGvocate and Guernsey dairy farmer!
For a listing of all the 30 Days Bloggers that Holly Spangler rounded up, visit here.
The post 30 Days of Dairy: Michelle Eilenstine from Missouri! appeared first on Mackinson Dairy Farm.
]]>The post 30 Days of Dairy: Diane Loew of A Farm Wife appeared first on Mackinson Dairy Farm.
]]>Diane’s Story in her own words:
Tell us about your family.
Farmer – I always refer to him in my blogs – have been married 43 years. My husband is 3rd generation and three of my four sons are on the farm and are the 4th. I refer to the boys as Son #1, #2 and etc. to have some sort of anonymity. Three of the sons are married and I have 8 wigglies. Sons are 40, 38, 31 and 29. The wigglies are 6 boys – 14, 12, 11, 7, 3 ½ and 1 ½. The two girls are 9. Three golden retrievers and 1 beagle round out the tribe.
Diane’s Family!
When you are not farming, what are your hobbies/interests?
I work part-time at my church in our bookstore. I write – 2 books I’ve authored are 101 Ways to Celebrate the Ordinary and a children’s book – Where’s Charlie. I blog, contribute to two other blogs, volunteer my writing skills and other creative skills at church. I have a weekly radio spot on Holland, MI WHTC radio called Random Ramblings of where I talk about farm, family, and whatever else I want to. I have created a T-shirt to promote farming that I sell – Forget the Tree . . . Hug a Farmer. And I love to cook and bake. Most Sundays everyone comes home for dinner after church.
When did you start farming?
I became involved with farming not by choice but by marriage. It was not a happy marriage for me – the farm and family. I came from the city and didn’t understand a lot. As time went on I fell madly, deeply and totally in love with the farm, the land and the critters. I would not change my spot on this ball of mud for any other place.
What is the biggest misconception about the dairy industry?
For me it’s the whole “factory farm” crap. We are a CAFO farm which most people use factory farm to describe. (CAFO stands for concentrated animal feeding operation.) We are 3rd and 4th generation farmers with 8 – 10 other families that take care of our operation. The cows are well taken care of and come before us in all areas – ask me when my last vacation was. We are Environmentally Qualified which shows our excellence mind set.
What is one message you’d like to get across to the general public about what you do?
It’s harder than what you think, more rewarding than believed and more necessary than you can ever imagine. Too many people get their food from the “stores” not even understanding what stands behind the stores.
What advice would you give to anyone interested in getting into farming?
Work on a farm for someone else to get some idea of what really happens, take classes that will help with the financial side and if you truly want to farm, never give up until you have it.
Stay connected with Diane on her blog, A Farm Wife; Facebook page, A Farm Wife and on Twitter
Thank you Diane for taking time to participate in our “30 Days of Dairy” series. Next time you are enjoying a Jack’s pizza, make sure you think of Diane and her family.
Entire “Thirty Days of Dairy” Series:
Sarah & Andy Birch – Derby, VT – the dairy farmers that were my inspiration for the 30 Days of Dairy!
Melissa Collman – Boring, OR – an organic dairy farmer from the West Coast!
Macy Sarbacker – Belleville, WI – a blogger, editor and dairy farmer from American’s Dairyland!
Karen Bohnert – East Moline, IL – a very talented writer, Mom and Jersey lover from my state!
Lisa Myers – Hamstead, MD – one of my best friends that moved back home to run their dairy!
Rebecca Schlehlein – Platteville, WI – a dedicated farm employee that loves her Brown Swiss!
Heather Moore – Maquoketa, IA – Special Events Coordinator turned Dairy Farmer!
Katie Dotterer-Pyle – Union Bridge, MD – Spanish teacher and dairy farmer that makes sure her cows enjoy their stay!
Brent Pollard – Rockford, IL – an innovative dairy farmer who loves to tinker with things.
Krista Stauffer – Washington – a 1st generation dairy farmer and very talented AGvogate for the dairy industry!
Diane Loew – Byron, MI – a writer, blogger and dairy farmer from Michigan!
Nicole Fletcher – Southampton, MA – a Cabot Creamery dairy that milks Holsteins & Jersey’s!
Elinor Opitz – Maple Lake, MN – a young lady just starting her Ayrshire dairy!
Alise Sjostrom – Brooten, MN – one of the readheads behind Redhead Creamery!
Tara McIntosh – Ontario, Canada – our only dairy farmer featured from Canada!
Jenna Kilgus – Fairbury, IL – a Jersey dairy farmer that bottles their own homogenized milk!
Will Gilmer – Sulligent, AL – our only dairy farmer from the “south”!
Gene Zimmerman – Colby, WI – our only dairy goat farmer featured this month!
Darleen Moore-Sichley – Oregon – a Mom, AGvocate and Gurnsey dairy farmer!
Michelle Eilenstine – Mountain Grove, MO – a dairy farmer & University of Missouri grad!
Jenni Tilton-Flood – Clinton, Maine – a Cabot Creamery dairy that milks 3400 Holsteins!
Kalli Ehrhardt – Baldwin, MD – A Mom and dairy farmer!
Craig Swenson – River Fall, WI – a dairy farmer who loves his red & whites!
Katie Harris – Washington – a mom & dairy farmer from Western Washington!
Annaliese Wegner – Ettrick, WI – the Modern-day Farm Chick!
Morgan Kliebenstein – Darlington, WI – a dairy farmer, Genex employee, Mom & wife!
Matt & Joe Engel – Hampshire, IL – the brother behind Luck-E Holsteins!
Stephanie Aves – Popular Grove, IL – a dairy farmer & agriculture teacher!
Beverly Donovan – Benton, Maine – a dairy farmer & accountant!
Sadie Frericks – Melrose, MN – a dedicated AGvocate, dairy farmer, mom & wife!
Greg Schulte – Darlington, WI – the cheesemaker at Brunkow Cheese!
Katie Deslippe – St Mary Ontario – a young lady that loves everything about dairy!
Carrie Mess – Lake Mills, WI – the well-known AGvocate Dairy Carrie!
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to our blog (no spam, just an email when we post a new blog) so you don’t miss any posts. For a listing of all the 30 Days Bloggers that Holly Spangler rounded up, visit here.
The post 30 Days of Dairy: Diane Loew of A Farm Wife appeared first on Mackinson Dairy Farm.
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