We kept the cows in the barn while Tom and Mary's dad fenced permanent pastures. Cows were turned out as soon as possible and all animals were rotationally grazed through the summer. We were working too hard before grazing. It's important to keep more people on the land. Less stress for farmers.
Family can work together.
We wanted to reduce the costs handling feed and manure. Costs were increasing, but the prices for milk were staying the same. Corn was difficult to grow, so we wanted alternative forages. We wanted to achieve self-sufficiency. We were able to reduce mastitis caused by stepped-on teats in the barn.