Successful Farming – August 2019

have had the farm-to-table state of mind

for years, they were mindful of that con-

cept when developing the plans.

“We want tour groups to be able to see

how our cows live,” Takes Rozum says.

“If they can see the cows through obser-

vation windows, they will realize what a

great life they live.”

Challenges in Change

W

hile the family is looking forward

to transitioning to robotics, it also

realizes there will be challenges. Genetics

are important in the Takes herd. They

are moving toward cows that produce A2

milk, which is lactose-free. Takes Rozum

says it will take many years to get the

entire herd to produce this kind of milk.

“Besides moving toward A2 produc-

tion, Dad has been analyzing udders to

determine what changes need to be made

so the cows can better withstand the ro-

bot, and it will connect better,” she says.

“This means finding artificial insemina-

tion bulls with level udders and good

teat placement. We want to alleviate any

problems by forward thinking.”

Currently, 100% of the feed used on the

farm is homegrown, and only non-GMO

varieties are used. Feedstuffs include corn

silage, orchard grass, sorghum/Sudan

grass, alfalfa, and roasted soybeans. To

add a high protein to the diet, any excess

whey from cheesemaking at the creamery

is brought back to the farm and added to

bonus Successful Farming at Agriculture.com |August 2019

the total mixed ration.

“We want zero waste, especially from

the creamery. We roast the soybeans we

grow to put in the diet, which makes it

more digestible for the cows,” she says.

The robots provide a pellet feed to the

cows while they are being milked. The

Takeses are even looking into how to

produce a homemade pellet so they can

continue to feed only feed they grow.

The Vector system will be used to feed

cows, which is an automated feeding sys-

tem programmed through the Lely T4C

software, collecting and mixing the need-

ed feedstuffs for each group. The system

will feed in smaller amounts to keep the

feed fresh and more inviting to the cows.

“Everyone loves to eat fresh food, even

cows. The new feed system will provide

this for the cows and heifers and give us

more time to monitor other things on the

farm,” she says.

The continual wet weather this spring

has slowed the progress of the construc-

tion at Takes Dairy, but when conditions

improve, the project will move forward.

“My brother, Tyler, and my mom will

probably be the most impacted by the

change to robotics,” says Takes Rozum.

“Tyler currently does all of the feeding

and Mom does the milking, but they are

both looking forward to helping the rest

of us in other areas of the farm and

creamery. We are excited for what’s

ahead.”

Takes Dairy includes (back row) Tyler

Takes, Maeve Takes, Dustin Takes, Riley

Takes, Dan Takes, (front row) Chelsea

Takes, Josie Takes Rozum holding Baylor

Rozum, and Debbie Takes. Not pictured are

Michael Rozum and Kane Rozum.

D a i r y INSIDERª Continued

We provide for

them because

they provide

for us.

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