I’m closing out my tenure at Lessiter Media as a summer intern this week, and it’s a bittersweet farewell. While I’m looking forward to heading back to the Univ. of Minnesota for my junior year, I got to observe and experience so many new things while working alongside the Lessiter Media staff, so it will be a bit sad to leave them.
I was an active observer this summer. As I wrote in my other two recent blogs, I went with my dad, Mike Lessiter, to visit Gregg Sauder at 360 Yield Center and several dealerships along the way to John Deere’s original home in Grand Detour, Ill. I also attended the Dealership Minds Summit and National Strip-Tillage Conference in Springfield, Ill., where I saw firsthand the collaboration and excitement for the industry that permeates throughout agriculture.
Last week, I accompanied Strip-Till Farmer managing editor Noah Newman to a field day hosted by Cedar Creek Farmers at Dornacker Prairie Acres in West Bend, Wis. This organization is run by 30-year no-tiller Ross Bishop and focuses on Cedar Creek, which flows in southeastern Wisconsin. The creek is a sub-basin of the greater Milwaukee River watershed, and the river is paramount to the health of the environment and the people who live in the area. Cedar Creek Farmers aims to improve the quality of soil and water on Cedar Creek and does so through education and outreach to nearby farmers, hosting field days like this one.
A couple weeks ago, Bishop came to our office for our CORE Week meeting to learn about how our service journalism work supported him as an information source over the last 3-plus decades.
I’ve attended a few field days before, including Conservation Ag Foundation Director Jim Stute’s soil study event in East Troy, Wis., a couple of years ago. I’ve written several times now about liking to get out into farm country, and these field days never disappoint.
A theme I’ve noticed from folks this summer by working in the ag machinery and conservation agriculture segments is a common desire to keep innovating, learning and growing. Such was also the case at Dornacker Prairie Acres. In addition to a focus on the environment not far from Milwaukee, there was some high-tech stuff going on at the Dornacker farm.
An inside look at the Dornacker dairy barn.
When Noah and I arrived, we stepped inside of the dairy barn to listen to a presentation by David Klumb of White Leaf Technology Group. The Dornackers have invested in the company’s red and blue light systems which serve to aid in milk production and kill dangerous bacteria in the cows’ drinking water. The red light is made up of red or near-infared wavelengths that stimulate cell growth and repair while the blue light emits light waves that are harmful to bacteria and cause them to die.
David Klumb presenting on red and blue light therapy for livestock.
Using this light-therapy technology, Klumb reported an increased milk production by 4.5-6.5 pounds more per cow per day. He also commented on how this equipment is especially effective with keeping new born calves healthy, as their immune systems are much weaker when they exit the womb. All of this paired with an automated milking system left me and others impressed with the Dornacker dairy operation and its innovative technology.
Another view of the dairy barn. Red light's wavelengths are absorbed by the mitochondria of the cow's cells, which then triggers adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production, which is the main energy source used in cells.
Later in the day, we joined the rest of the group in the machinery shed for a few presentations on practical conservation programs farmers can implement on their farms and key practices that attendees wanted to share with others.
Monica Schauer and Ross Bishop discussing UW-Madison Extension’s NOPP program
One of these presentations covered UW-Madison Extension’s Nitrogen Optimization Pilot Program (NOPP), which was led by Research Director Monica Schauer. Farmers can apply for a grant through this program and perform a nitrogen-response trial on their fields. Rates of nitrogen application include a zero nitrogen rate, a “business as usual” rate with the farmer, as well as a rate above and below that standard rate.
“This has opened up my eyes to how technical and complicated the ag industry really is…”
This program is intended to help farmers find the optimal nitrogen application level for their crops as well as prevent nitrate leaching into groundwater, a goal that Cedar Creek Farmers can relate to. It’s interesting to see firsthand the university engaging with farmers and reinvesting itself back into the agriculture industry with research programs like this one.
Allen Dornacker presenting alongside his son Jack.
Allen Dornacker, owner of Dornacker Prairie Acres, and his son Jack also presented an up-close look at his no-till operation, which incorporates cover crops and low-disturbance manure injection. Dornacker had more to show everyone in person however, and the group hopped aboard two tractor-pulled wagons to head out into the field.
In hot pursuit, and with camera in hand, Noah and I followed the group out to the middle of Dornacker’s field where we saw a huge pile of old drywall and what looked like a bunch of soil. This great Dornacker compost pile included drywall as a key component. Drywall can be an effective part of a compost due to its high gypsum content, which is made of calcium sulfate. Although an unusual sight for me on the farm, it’s not entirely unheard of and I learned that other farmers are also using discarded drywall to provide nutrients to their crops.
"The Great Dornacker Drywall Pile"
On-farm visits are still a novel experience for me. They’ve really opened my eyes about the complexities and the challenges of the trade. Spending time observing both farmers and innovators on the equipment side of things has opened up my eyes to how technical and complicated this industry really is.
Local farmers discussing the drywall and manure operation at Dornacker Prairie Acres.
The hard work and dedication to their livelihood I saw from both farmers and farm machinery dealers this summer was inspiring. I started out this summer in Minneapolis without much direction, and thankfully the folks at Lessiter Media allowed me to come back and help out. I know now that pursuing something and striving to improve what already exists is a very rewarding experience and vital toward a fulfilling life and career.
When I left school this spring I was unsure if I wanted to remain in the journalism field and was unsure of the value that this trade brings. However, after spending this summer with Lessiter Media, this role has given me an opportunity to see how impactful service journalism is to its readers. Meeting many of the kinds of people that we are writing for has made this job feel like we are doing something important and I’m grateful for that newfound appreciation.
Finally, farming is hard work, complex and ever-changing and rewards are there for creativity and innovation. As I saw from this field day and other events I attended this summer, the neverending search for a better way is advanced by cooperating with others to find the best solutions. Whether it’s in state-of-the-art light bacteria and cell-healing technology or adding an unusual ingredient to your compost pile, agriculture will continue to evolve and find the best solutions to its problems, and education and collaboration is the way to go.
