NORTHERN LIGHTS DAIRY
Mor-Gran-Sou members produce really good, wholesome dairy products

by Carmen Devney

Who knew cows could feel so comfy?

More than 800 curious tourists found out June 21. The N.D. Dairy Coalition invited the public to attend an open house at the Northern Lights Dairy south of Mandan and experience firsthand how a dairy farm operates--and how farming contributes to North Dakota’s economy. This particular dairy is owned and operated by Mor-Gran-Sou members Kenton and Bobby Jo Holle.

Visitors started the morning with a free, fresh breakfast of pancakes topped with ice cream and strawberries, Cloverdale sausage, coffee and milk. Then they took guided tours of the dairy on a flatbed with straw bale seats, and learned what it takes to feed and care for the cows.

Lori Capouch, rural development director for the North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives, says the Northern Lights Dairy takes exceptionally good care of their cows--and that the cows are comfortable.

"The cows are kept in a curtain barn. When it’s cold, Kenton drops the sides of the curtains to keep the barn warmer so the cows aren’t out in the cold. When it’s warm out, he opens up the sides so fresh air flows."

“They are very happy cows,” she says. “They lay on sand bedding, which is cleaned and recycled. Sand is like a waterbed to a cow; it molds to fit their bodies and keeps them warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.” A highlight for visitors was seeing how the cows are milked. The Holle family uses state-of-the-art technology resembling a carousel to milk about 500 cows.

“It’s really cow-friendly because the cattle really enjoy the ride,” Kenton says. “They look around at one another, chew their cud, and just can’t wait to get on. It’s a social event for our cows.”

Kenton and Bobbie Jo Holle purchased the dairy in 2004. Their sons and daughter-in-laws participate in the day-to-day operation, as well as several hired employees--some from as far away as Nicaragua. They are in the United States on a 10-month Visa.

“They had the desire to come to America, and we’re really glad they are here. They seem to enjoy the dairy and are very good workers,” Kenton says.
“They are easy to get along with and very lighthearted. They want to make sure the job they do is 100 percent.”

Visitors could see just how clean the dairy is kept--and it’s kept that sanitary each and every day.

While adults learned about sanitary standards and waste management, kids learned new things, too--like what a cow looks and smells like, and where milk comes from.

“People drive by our dairy every day but don’t have the opportunity or time to drop by. What we hope people take away from this educational event is, what we do here pretty well represents the North Dakota dairy industry. We don’t do anything that much different than any other dairy farmer, as far as taking care of cattle, having clean farms and barns, and just selling really good, wholesome dairy products. We’re all very proud of that,” Kenton says.

 

DAIRY FARMS are the economic engines of rural life in North Dakota * Dairy cows generate more economic activity per animal than other animal ag enterprise.

◊ On average, each cow generates $3,380 per year in milk sales. The output multiplier for dairy is 2.69 or $9,092 in economic activity per cow.
◊  Dairy farms create service jobs such as veterinarians, hoof trimmers, nutritionists/feed companies, custom harvesters, custom waste managers and heifer growers.
◊  Dairy farms create demand for locally grown crops such as corn silage, alfalfa, barley, sunflower, corn, soybeans and processing byproducts.
◊ Dairy impacts other industries such as manufacturing, transportation, utilities, construction, local community trade and employment opportunities.

 

What is the N.D. Dairy Coalition?
The N.D. Dairy Coalition (NDDC) was organized in May 2004 to combat a decline in the industry. Gary Hoffman, executive director of the NDDC, says the coalition’s goal is to increase the state’s dairy cow heard from 33,000 to 100,000.

Because dairy farms are located in rural communities often served by electric cooperatives, the North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives (NDAREC) supports the NDDC by providing office space and staff assistance.

“It is economic development in a true sense for the RECs,” Hoffman says.

“The power load on a dairy farm is consistent all year long. And it’s a fairly large load, compared to grain dryers or irrigators.” Hoffman says there are many benefits to being in the dairy business. They include working with animals, being your own boss and feeling satisfaction in a job well done.

For more information on the N.D. Dairy Coalition, call Hoffman at (701)
374-5611 or e-mail ghoffman@ndarec.com.