KANSAS CITY, Kan. — The Styer family, owners of Alfalawn Farm in Menomonie, Wis., has been named among the 2018 Members of Distinction by Dairy Farmers of America (DFA).
The Members of Distinction program recognizes dairy farmers who excel on their operations, in their communities and in the industry. Honorees inspire others through their actions, leadership and involvement. They represent the best of the dairy industry.
DFA comprises more than 14,500 farmer-owners across the United States. Each year, one notable member farm from each of DFA’s seven regional Areas is selected to receive this honor. Alfalawn Farm represents the Cooperative’s Central Area.
As the fourth generation of Alfalawn Farm, brothers Dale, David and Randy Styer are no strangers to challenges. With a fire devastating their barn in 1981, the family was faced with rebuilding in a time of high interest rates. This challenge taught the Styers to plan for the future, a philosophy that continued when they decided to expand to 2,000 cows in 2014 with the building of a 60-stall rotary parlor and a 1,600-cow, cross-vent freestall barn.
“One of the things that we did with this expansion was try to think 30 to 40 years into the future, and where we might want to look at how we lay facilities out, so there were opportunities to expand, if we desire,” David says.
The family utilizes several environmentally-friendly practices on the farm, such as reclaiming sand for bedding as well as growing most of their own feed, to ensure their business will be around for the next generation. DFA’s Gold Standard Program has helped ensure the Styers are meeting their goals.
“We have utilized the Gold Standard and FARM programs and have found both to be very beneficial,” Dave says. “These programs not only give us an outside eye on the cattle, but they also help ensure that we have our proper protocols in place and the proper training for our employees as we go into the future.”
— Dairy Farmers of America
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