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Young dairy farmer challenges

A young farmer says the price of milk is his number one concern this year.

“I guess it just makes you a better business person, you’re always constantly looking for where you can save costs, minimize expenses and work with what you have.”

Fifth generation dairy farmer Darrin Siemen milks more than 300 cows just west of Lake Huron in Michigan’s Thumb in Harbor Beach.

He tells Brownfield labor has been the second most difficult challenge to overcome which is why he installed two milking robotics in 2014.  “We’ve been able to cut our workforce by quite a bunch with that and plan on probably adding another robot this year.”  Siemen says the farm has expanded every year in times of low and high prices since they bought it from his parents four years ago and are striving to build the family farm for the sixth generation.

Darrin and his wife Barb are serving as the Outstanding Young Dairy Cooperator Couple for Michigan Milk Producers Association.

AUDIO: Brownfield interview with the Siemen’s during MMPA’s Annual Delegate Meeting in Lansing.

 

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