CLAREMONT, N.H. — MacGlaflin Farm, LLC has been in operation since 1971, beginning in Connecticut and moving to New Hampshire in 1996. The family milks 450 cows, are members of AgriMark cooperative, raises their own replacement heifers, and crops around 600 acres of owned and leased farmland. Ed began the farm and Jason started helping with chores at a very early age. The father-son partnership has worked together for nearly all of Jason’s life. In 2015 Jason and Julie married and she joined the team, after selling her small Vermont dairy farm. The three work alongside a talented group of employees managing day to day operations.
Over the past 5 years the production per cow has increased from 63.5 to 72.1 pounds of milk per cow per day on over 500 head of milking animals with an annual herd average of 23,237 pounds while averaging 4.26% fat and 3.20% protein without increasing grain per cow. This increase is credited to quality forages, improved calf growth, proper genetic mating, and overall cow management. Working alongside their nutritionist, Amanda Lovell of Poulin Grain, the rations are well balanced and cost effective.
The Somatic Cell Count (SCC) remains low at under 150,000. The average annual Raw Count has been reduced from 14,000 to under 2,000 in recent years. Employee training, milking protocols, and bedding management are responsible for milk quality.
Calves are raised in groups of 7-8 on free-choice milk. They grow well, are strong and well socialized preparing them for a successful future. Working with their vet, Dr. Jadene Patch, there are vaccine and calf management protocols that afford a 1% mortality rate with a minuscule number of treatments needed.
The introduction of polled genetics began in 2015 with over 33% of the herd being polled today. Aside from being a labor-saving practice, it negates the need for pain management drugs. The farm feels that showing they care for the well-being of the animals is paramount to promoting the dairy industry. The polled cows keep pace with their herd mates in production, reproduction, and longevity. Their goal is a day when nearly all the calves are born polled.
Conserving and properly managing resources is critical to the future of agriculture. The farm is an active member of the Connecticut River Watershed Farmer Alliance. Planting cover crops in addition to using the nutrients properly is forefront in the crop management practices.
MacGlaflin Farm has met or exceeded expectations of the FARM animal care program for cow scoring metrics on cleanliness, lameness, body condition, hock, and knee abrasions. All treatments and vaccines are recorded through PCDart to maintain thorough records for the herd.
The MacGlaflin Farm’s goal in the community and dairy industry is to consistently improve cow comfort, land management, and the lives of the employees. Great efforts are taken to make improvements year after year while being financially responsible, ensuring the future of MacGlaflin Farm.
The farm will be officially recognized at the Eastern States Exposition in Springfield, MA on September 16, 2022.
–New England Green Pastures