Excess pasture forage and 14 acres of hay provide winter feed during the non-grazing months. In 1999, the Straubs started using a custom baling service rather than replace their old haying equipment. They have also sold or leased out all of their former machinery for row crop production. So far, they are very pleased with the results of this arrangement. They feel that the true cost of owning a full line of machinery is not justified for their operation.
Corn is fed prior to milking at the rate of eight lbs.
The cows receive no grain during the dry period. One person is now able to milk up to 60 cows per hour, and milking time is expected to decrease as the cows adjust to the new parlor. The dry cows and youngstock are outwintered, which has worked very well. These animals have access to the free-stall barn, but rarely use it. The Straubs have found that seasonal calving has provided more family time and provides an opportunity each year to make adjustments and repairs to the milking facilities.