Pride in All Aspects of the Business « Back

I visited with Richardton, North Dakota dairy farmers, Jerry and Deb Messer, about what makes their dairy successful.

The Messers, a second generation dairy farm family, display a tremendous amount of pride in all aspects of their business - from excellent animal care, to being environmentally conscious and helping to promote their finished product every chance they get.

Their efforts are successful because of a solid family partnership that includes Jerry and Deb, along with three of Jerry’s brothers: Mark, Greg and Scott, and their spouses. Messer’s 240 head of Holstein cows produce 60 pounds of milk a day each. In addition to the dairy farm, the family runs and operates an 850-cow beef herd and farms an amazing 19,000 acres of corn, wheat, barley, oats and alfalfa.

Animal care is of top importance for the Messer family - they take extra steps for cleanliness and cow comfort. Basic procedures that aid the overall health and comfort of the cows are never skipped - ensuring healthy, productive cows for the Messer family. They practice strict milking procedures, as well as making sure cows lay on comfortable and clean beds that are groomed daily. Regular checks by their herd veterinarian and a herd nutritionist that balances the cows’ diet are also part of the Messer Dairy schedule. “Our cows are taken care of extremely well,” Jerry said. “We, as dairy farmers, produce the safest and most wholesome product out there.”

Jerry and his brothers are very serious when it comes to sustainable practices on their farm - including employing precision farming, a modern technology that has proven to improve crop yields and reduce pollution. “With utilizing this technology, we are able to reduce chemical and fertilizer costs through more efficient application,” Jerry said.

In addition to their farming practices, the Messer brothers practice minimum tillage which disturbs the soil less while conserving moisture for the land. All of the manure from their cattle goes back to their farm, reducing the amount of purchased fertilizer and making their farm even more environmentally friendly. “This is our land; we feel it’s our obligation to preserve it for the next generation,” Jerry said.

Their strong work ethic didn’t occur overnight; it was instilled in them by their parents, Philip and Betty.