Good cattle still bringing good money

The dairy world, like most of the economy, is struggling with the ramifications of the sluggish economy. No one is quite sure what the true value is for a home, farm, or cattle. In many cases, it is a buyer's market. Cash is king. So scheduling a dispersal could make any dairy producer a bit uneasy not knowing what price their cattle would bring after years of hard work.

That was the situation for the two-family partnership Lynn and Sara Harbaugh and Willis and Carla Gunst as the sale date for their well-known Wilstar Holstein herd in Poy Sippi came closer to sale day on May 30. They did everything right. Cattle were sired by the right bulls. The pedigrees were deep. The advertising plan was strong, and the word was out in the countryside. And, most importantly, the cattle were looking superb leading up to the sale as breeders from across the U.S. and Canada traveled to the central Wisconsin farm.

As the sale unfolded, the hard work of these four Holstein breeders, ranging from 31 to their early 40s, was being rewarded as the sale tent overflowed with buyers. The top-selling cow, Wilstar-RS Tlt Limited-Red EX-92 (shown above) brought $52,000. Limited and her 187 other herdmates ended up averaging $5,221. Another 60 young calves and embryo packages added to the final totals, as well.

It goes to show that hard work is still rewarded and that young producers can get a solid start in our industry. But, in addition to the hard work, it takes a good business plan, committment, and many other sound business qualities.