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Transitioning the farm through tough times

A young farmer says the current farming economy has been a learning experience.

Elizabeth VanDrie bought into her family’s dairy in North Central Michigan in 2009. She tells Brownfield things are tight with current prices.  “We went through a buyout of a senior generation and then we expanded shortly thereafter, and now milk prices have dropped.”  She says, “We’re learning—we’re having a huge learning curve this year on what it takes to really make a sharp pencil and work as a united team.”

VanDrie currently farms with her father and brother in Lake City, milking almost 300 cows. She says they’ve turned to the experts for ideas to improve their farm management.  “We have attended various Michigan State Extension meetings on what the market outlook is just to better prepare ourselves and make projections for the rest of this year and possibly into 2017 if this low milk price continues, and then working with nutritionists and trying to cut costs without compromising cow productivity.”

Elizabeth and her husband Shawn are serving as the Outstanding Young Dairy Cooperator Couple for MMPA.  They both spoke with Brownfield during the 100^th Annual MMPA State Delegate Meeting in Lansing, Michigan.

AUDIO: Interview with Elizabeth and Shawn VanDrie