Bankers still have faith in dairy

After years of planning, Dan and Kari Dvorachek fulfilled a life-long dream of starting their own dairy this month. It took over a decade of hard work, strict financial planning, and lastly a business plan that a banker would approve even in these most difficult economic times. Everything came together this July when the Dvoracheks got financing to go ahead to purchase and renovate an 86-tie stall facility which also features 90 free stalls for heifers and dry cows.

Over 14 years ago, Dan started out as a herdsman for Manitowoc County dairy producers Randy and Rosalie Geiger (the parents of associate editor Corey Geiger). Two years ago, Dan, and his wife, Kari, became partners in the operation when they purchased 50 milk cows, along with some young stock and continued to house their cattle at the Geiger farm. From that point, the Dvoracheks began to build equity as their herd continued to grow. Late last December, an opportunity to purchase a dairy farm just three miles away presented itself.

That's when the planning went full steam ahead as the Dvoracheks met with a team of advisors who guided the young couple through the many steps needed to develop a workable business plan that would lead to the renovation and purchase of the facility. On Labor Day weekend, friends and family gathered for the final step of the plan which involved moving some 70 head of cows and 50 heifers. Equipped with a pair of trailers that held a total of 10 head per trip, the Dvorachek herd was calmly moved in five short hours. As the herd settles in, the new farm owners will make additional purchases to fill up their barn.

Attached to the blog are a few photos from moving day. The first two photos show the herd leaving their old farm; photo three shows Kari Dvorachek, while photo four shows her husband, Dan, at the new farm. The final two photos show cows at the new operation.