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Weather pressures feed supplies on organic dairy

A southeast Minnesota organic dairy farmer is doing what he can to stockpile feed for the rest of the year.

Adam Bedtke of Plainview says last winter was tough, taking up most of his feed.  The cool, wet spring that followed has squeezed feedstuffs even more.

“Just trying to do as good a job as we can to get the hay up without the rain on it, and doing what we can in between the rain showers. Also looking at harvesting a little more forage instead of combining some small grains (to) make a little more forage just to ensure we have enough for the winter.”

He tells Brownfield while all the rain has greened up pastures, the spring was slow to come.

“The pastures were a couple weeks behind, similar to the hay crop. So it comes right back to weather and the growing year.”

Bedtke credits the organic premium for keeping his farm afloat during the latest downcycle in milk prices.

Bedtke is hosting a field day presented by the Land Stewardship Project July 13th. He says the event will focus on diverse grazing rotations.