I’ve been a big fan of Hoard’s Dairyman since I started writing about the industry, quickly adding a three-year subscription to my list of must-read publications. I’ve also always thought it is perhaps the coolest farm publication in the business because it’s the only one I’m aware of that has its own working farm! The latest word from Hoard’s is that the farm itself is growing:
Our plans are to build a new milking center and free stall facility for 250 head beginning this fall. Later, more housing will be added so we can continue to grow as many of our readers grow. The new facilities will be near the existing ones, and we will fill them with Guernseys.
Planning for our new facilities started more than a year ago. Our objectives were clear to everyone involved right from the start. We want an attractive, practical, labor-efficient, environmentally friendly operation that provides
the best possible animal care and biosecurity.
It is very important for us to continue to be a good neighbor to Fort Atkinson and to the community. Finally, we wanted the operation to be large enough that our own dairying experiences relate to the majority of our
readers.
On the 100th anniversary of the farm in 1999, we stated that the farm is as important to this magazine as presses, paper, and ink. Its role remains simply to deepen our understanding of the problems, challenges, and decisions that our readers, face.
We are confident that having the farm makes Hoard’s Dairyman a better magazine. As the farm grows along with the industry, it will continue to help us keep our feet on the ground. By the way, our farm radio network broadcasts directly from my wife’s family farm homestead… I don’t have any dairy cows, but some of Grandpa Hill’s Belgians are still here, and they don’t expect to see me twice a day…