Things are always changing at Stone-Front Farms, and for the Buttles', change is a good thing. Twelve years ago, Andy, along with his parents, moved the farm from Southeast Wisconsin, where they milked 60 cows, to the current location, just outside Lancaster, in Southwest Wisconsin. While they started with 120 cows on the farm, the farm has grown to a herd size of about 400 cows,mostly through internal growth. Each step along the way has allowed the family to make improvements for the benefit of the whole herd and the farm.

 

As a fifth generation farm that began in 1903, Lyn and Andy Buttles have made solid management decisions to help ensure the future of the operation. Recently, a new transition barn and commodities shed were completed on the farm. These additions have allowed the dairy to grow at a pace that is comfortable for the Buttles. The herd is a mixture of registered Holsteins and Jerseys, with genetics playing an important role in the business plan. Stone-Front Farm first became involved with registered Holsteins in 1913. In 2004, Buttles were named the National Distinguished Young Breeders by the Holstein Association. Currently Stone-Front Farms genetics are sold nationally and internationally.

While there may be lots of physical changes on the farm there is one area where as few changes as possible are a major part of the plan: transition cow management. Cows are grouped according to lactation and breed on the farm, with the Holsteins and Jerseys in separate groups. Transition groups consist of six to eight cows or heifers on a bedded pack, groups stay together throughout the transition period allowing for more individual attention to cows.Working with the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine, the Buttles have made numerous improvements to the transition facility. The new transition cow facility features larger stalls and more bunk space fordry and pre-fresh cows. Additionally, it utilizes pasture several months a year for increased exercise and improved hoof health for dry cows. The original design was for larger herds with staffing 24-hours-a-day. Since Stone-Front is a smaller operation, they modified the plan to better fit their needs. By monitoring their Transition Cow Index® (TCI^TM), they have been able to spot quickly when something is not going right and have been able to make quick adjustments. As members of Grant County DHIA, the Buttles have taken advantage of the reporting options available through AgSource including the Fresh Cow Summary, WisGraph, Profit Opportunity Analyzer® and the Udder Health Management Package. The recent changes to the Herd Summary were also welcome improvements to Stone-Front Farms. The information provided gives Andy and Lyn the information they need, including pregnancy rate and accurate breeding information.

Stone-Front Farms will be hosting a Virtual Farm Tour sponsored by AgSource at World Dairy Expo. Don't miss your chance to see and hear their story.

Come see Stone-Front Farms at World Dairy Expo!
Thurs., October 1 at 2:00 p.m.
Mendota Meeting Room 1, Exhibition Hal