Nathan Retzlaff tells the story of his family's sesquicentennial farm in Shawano County. The farm was acquired in 1863. The original barn burned down; the new one was built in 1890 and is the same barn they have today.  The original farm was and continues to be a dairy operation since Nathan took over the farm in 2013. He has put up a new freestall barn, parlor, and expanded his herd to about 500 head of all different breeds.

Nathan Retzlaff tells the story of his family's sesquicentennial farm in Shawano County. The farm was acquired in 1863. The original barn burned down; the new one was built in 1890 and is the same barn they have today.  The original farm was and continues to be a dairy operation since Nathan took over the farm in 2013. He has put up a new freestall barn, parlor, and expanded his herd to about 500 head of all different breeds.

.In partnership with the Wisconsin State Fair, the Mid-West Farm report is highlighting Century and Sesquicentennial Farm and Home Award winners. 

.In partnership with the Wisconsin State Fair, the Mid-West Farm report is highlighting Century and Sesquicentennial Farm and Home Award winners.

Wisconsin Century & Sesquicentennial Farm Salute

Join Pam Jahnke for the latest farm news. Heard daily on WOZN 96.7 FM and 1670 AM in Madison Wisconsin from 5-6am. Also heard on affiliate stations all over Wisconsin.

Join Pam Jahnke for the latest farm news. Heard daily on WOZN 96.7 FM and 1670 AM in Madison Wisconsin from 5-6am. Also heard on affiliate stations all over Wisconsin.

MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

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Daily audio and podcasts from the Mid-West Farm Report Madison!

Nathan Retzlaff - Shawano County - 150 Years

What do a high-performance car and a dairy cow have in common? Well, it’s all about the details. A luxury car needs the right road and maintenance to perform at its best. Similarly, dairy cows need proper care, environment, and management to reach their full potential. Chlem Nash, Technical Manager for Novus International, highlights the importance of this connection. Advancements in genetics and nutrition have driven impressive gains in dairy production. Nash believes we must focus on the next step. Improving management and housing will support these powerhouse animals for long-term success.

"In the last 40 years, cows have become genetic powerhouses, producing twice as much milk as they did decades ago," Nash explained. "However, despite these advancements, we’re seeing more health issues, including increased lameness and reduced fertility. It’s like taking a Mercedes-Benz and putting it on a gravel road—it might look good, but it won’t perform well without the proper road and maintenance."

What do a high-performance car and a dairy cow have in common? Well, it’s all about the details. A luxury car needs the right road and maintenance to perform at its best. Similarly, dairy cows need proper care, environment, and management to reach their full potential. Chlem Nash, Technical Manager for Novus International, highlights the importance of this connection. Advancements in genetics and nutrition have driven impressive gains in dairy production. Nash believes we must focus on the next step. Improving management and housing will support these powerhouse animals for long-term success.
"In the last 40 years, cows have become genetic powerhouses, producing twice as much milk as they did decades ago," Nash explained. "However, despite these advancements, we’re seeing more health issues, including increased lameness and reduced fertility. It’s like taking a Mercedes-Benz and putting it on a gravel road—it might look good, but it won’t perform well without the proper road and maintenance."

High-Performance Cows: The Sports Cars of Dairy Farming

Philip Schroeder’s family farm in Sauk County has a rich history dating back to the 1800s, with the original deed tied to the War of 1812. Purchased by his family in 1874, the farm has seen its share of challenges, including a legal battle over a 40-acre parcel in 1923. Throughout the years, the farm has remained a staple of dairy production, with Philip continuing the tradition until his retirement in 2008. Today, the property remains largely unchanged, with the same historic buildings and a focus on preserving the legacy his family has worked hard to maintain for generations. The farm’s sesquicentennial celebration honors both its history and its enduring place in the community.

Philip Schroeder’s family farm in Sauk County has a rich history dating back to the 1800s, with the original deed tied to the War of 1812. Purchased by his family in 1874, the farm has seen its share of challenges, including a legal battle over a 40-acre parcel in 1923. Throughout the years, the farm has remained a staple of dairy production, with Philip continuing the tradition until his retirement in 2008. Today, the property remains largely unchanged, with the same historic buildings and a focus on preserving the legacy his family has worked hard to maintain for generations. The farm’s sesquicentennial celebration honors both its history and its enduring place in the community.

Philip Schroeder  - Sauk County Sesquicentennial Farm

The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service has released a long-awaited final decision with reforms to pricing formulas used by the Federal Milk Marketing Order system.

“While not all of our proposals were included in the final decision, and we believe more could have been done to enhance the pricing formula, we are satisfied that the changes do not negatively impact our dairy farmer members," says Edge CEO Tim Trotter. "In aggregate, we believe the proposed reform would slightly decrease the minimum regulated price private milk buyers have to pay to pooled milk producers in the Upper Midwest order and would slightly increase the price to producers in the Central and Mideast orders. In all cases, we expect the impact on milk checks, after accounting for impact to over-order premiums, to be neutral or positive.”

The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service has released a long-awaited final decision with reforms to pricing formulas used by the Federal Milk Marketing Order system.
“While not all of our proposals were included in the final decision, and we believe more could have been done to enhance the pricing formula, we are satisfied that the changes do not negatively impact our dairy farmer members," says Edge CEO Tim Trotter. "In aggregate, we believe the proposed reform would slightly decrease the minimum regulated price private milk buyers have to pay to pooled milk producers in the Upper Midwest order and would slightly increase the price to producers in the Central and Mideast orders. In all cases, we expect the impact on milk checks, after accounting for impact to over-order premiums, to be neutral or positive.”

Nathan Retzlaff - Shawano County - 150 Years

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