AREA FARM TOPS STATE IN PER COW MILK OUTPUT
Monday, March 14th, 2005 -- 8:24 AM
Got milk? An area farm does. In fact, Echowood Holsteins owners Dennis and Cindy Begert recently learned they lead the state in rolling herd average.According to Ag Source Cooperative of Verona, each of the Begert?s 76-cows produced an average 34,160-pounds of milk in 2004. Cindy says they don?t have too many secrets.
"We try to take care of the cows as best we can and Denny does a good job of feeding," Cindy explains, "We work with a nutritionist."
"Keeping the cows comfortable is a real key thing."
With a couple exceptions, Cindy says they get along with their herd, but they don?t spoil them.
"I don't think we baby and pamper them - although there are a few pets," Cindy says, "I've got big back and blue marks one knee that tell you things don't always go the way you think they will."
The Begerts live west of Neillsville on Hwy G. They moved here back in 1990 after achieving similar success with their herd in the Buckeye State. Cindy says they milk twice a day; many of the other top herds are milked more than that.
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