June Dairy Month is the perfect time to celebrate the hardworking dairy farm families who help sustain our communities and provide high-quality dairy products every day. Behind every gallon of milk is something less visible: the dedication, passion, and purpose that inspires dairy farmers every day. At First District Association, we’re proud of our member owners whose commitment to animal care and innovation help strengthen the dairy industry.

Join us as we highlight these families and the important role they play in bringing wholesome dairy products from their farms to our tables.

 

Glenmark Genetics – John and Bonnie Mohr

For John and Bonnie Mohr, dairy farming is about much more than milking cows; it is about sharing their passion for agriculture with others and raising their kids on the farm. Even though their five kids are grown up now with families of their own, they will forever cherish the memories of watching their kids grow up on the farm.

The Mohrs bought their farm in the late ‘80s, after both growing up in agriculture and always wanting to farm themselves. Over the years, John and Bonnie worked hard to grow their herd and produce high-quality genetics. Glenmark Genetics became known for its quality Holstein cattle. Currently milking around 60 cows, they continue to do what they love.

Bonnie realized nearly 30 years ago that oil painting was something she wanted to try and always loved the cows, making them the perfect subjects for her paintings. Today, Bonnie Mohr Studio continues to celebrate rural life and agriculture with beautiful artwork.

John and Bonnie also take pride in mentoring the next generation. They provide local FFA students with part-time employment opportunities to work in agriculture even if they have no prior experience. They love watching students enjoy learning about something they are so passionate about.

 

The Ahlgrens – Rick and Sarah Ahlgren

The Ahlgren family has embraced implementing technology on their farm to help manage daily tasks while continuing to provide excellent care for their animals. Rick and Sarah returned to the farm in 2013 and decided to “jump in the deep end” in 2020 when they chose to invest in various robotic systems on the farm.

Rick and Sarah milk 180 cows with three robotic milkers, allowing cows to choose when they are milked. The technology of the robotic milkers allows for more data to be collected that can be used to help improve individual cow health.

In addition, a robotic feeding system mixes feed in what they call “the kitchen” and delivers the feed to the cows throughout the day. The feeding robot ensures that cows have consistent access to fresh feed that is accurately measured while mixing, which can support better nutrition and milk production. On top of this, a cleaning robot regularly removes manure from the pen area, helping maintain a cleaner environment, improving cow comfort and contributing to overall herd health.

The cows also wear collars, or “Fitbits”, to monitor their cows’ health. With these monitors the Ahlgrens are able to have information about the cows at their fingertips on their phones. By embracing technology. Rick and Sarah are able to spend more time focusing on herd management while also raising their six children on the farm.

 

RU-BE Dairy – Karen and Joseph Becker and Rachael and Patick Rusch

At RU-BE Dairy, owned by the Becker and Rusch families, efficiency and innovation drive a thriving operation while family remains at the heart of the farm.

The dairy milks 1,000 Holsteins and Jerseys using a 40-stall rotary, or carrousel, parlor. With the change from a traditional parlor to the rotary parlor, they were able to increase the number of cows they were milking, with only one or two people milking at a time. Milk is directly loaded into a milk truck, which is full about every 16 hours to be brought to FDA.

The farm also utilizes a strategic breeding program, breeding about a third of the cows to dairy bulls, and the rest to beef. The farm does this to better position their herd by focusing on specific traits they want their animals to have, while also being able to take advantage of the beef market by selling those calves to another beef farmer.

The cows are housed in freestall barns with manure solids as bedding. Manure solids are the non-water portion of manure that remains after the moisture is removed. Using recycled manure solids as bedding helps reduce waste while also providing exceptional cow comfort. RU-BE Dairy demonstrates how modern technology can help dairy farms thrive while staying rooted in family values.

 

While every family farm is unique, the “why” behind dairy farming remains remarkably similar. They are rooted in dedication, pride, and a genuine passion for caring for their animals and producing food for families across our communities. As we celebrate June Dairy Month, we extend our gratitude to our dairy farm families who work tirelessly every day to care for their animals and provide wholesome dairy products for consumers.