Published: May 30, 2008 05:13 pm            

North Branch family pro-active in promoting positive image for Minnesota’s dairy industry

Originally published in the May 30, 2008, print edition.

Editor’s Note: Every spring the Minnesota Livestock Breeders’ Association inducts members into its Hall of Fame to honor those making a significant contribution to the Minnesota livestock industry. Gary Morrison of Osakis, Ronald Eustice of Savage, and David and Kathy Skiba of North Branch were this year’s honorees. Morrison’s and Eustice’s stories were published in previous issues of The Land.

Operating a 145-cow dairy herd a little over 50 miles from downtown St. Paul sounds like an open invitation to “public disgust.”

Not so for David and Kathy Skiba on Highway 95 near North Branch. In fact their Jersey dairy farm — called Diamond S Farm — is a continual source of pride to their entire community, many of whom are daily commuters to the Twin Cities.

“We’ve always been pro-active, meaning we make it a point to stay in touch with our neighbors in a very positive way,” Kathy said. This means informing their non-farming neighbors about things such as the semi-annual pumping of the manure lagoon, usually just a one-day event. “We let them know that there may be some odor for a day or two but we’re careful about wind activity and neighborhood activity. Our neighbors don’t have any problem with that issue but they do like the fact that we initiate the communication.”

Visitors are a regular occurrence at their farm, especially grade school children from the various area schools. The Skibas also host an annual picnic inviting neighboring families to view the dairy farm, even the milking operation (a double-five herringbone parlor). Children especially like to see all the calf huts and baby calves.

Reaching out to the community

Part of their “good neighbor” policy involves taking young calves to area day care centers and nursing homes. “We have a small, two-wheel cart. We put a young bull calf in the cart and at these facilities, we actually wheel the cart down the hallway so the residents can see, touch, even smell the calf. We do the same at elementary schools. We provide handy-wipes so the kids can wipe their hands after petting the calf.

“Taking a calf to the nursing home is especially touching since many of the elderly have a rural background but don’t have that connection anymore. We see smiles of joy, comments about their days as kids on the farm, even a few tears over lost memories,” Kathy said.

David admits their situation may be somewhat exceptional. But being a good neighbor seems to be a win-win situation for everyone. “Our community doesn’t want us to leave. They enjoy seeing our animals; they enjoy the activities that are part of a dairy farm; and I think they simply enjoy our company. We’re always open and welcoming. They tell us they’re glad we’re here. We add a special dimension to their lives.”

Indeed Diamond S Farm is special, and a rapidly declining enterprise in this “almost metro” area of fewer and fewer farms. David recalls that when they bought the farm in 1973 there were about 200 dairy farms in Isanti County. Today there are six.

The Skibas are active participants in a Midwest Dairy Association program called “Speak Out.” Kathy has done 10 presentations this past year speaking to organizations such as the Kiwanis, Rotary, Lion’s Clubs, chambers of commerce, various women’s groups, etc.

“These organizations are always looking for speakers. And this is a terrific opportunity to tell the dairy story, the quality, the nutrition and the total safety of our dairy products.”

In May, Kathy and another Speak Out participant will be speaking to the University of Minnesota Rotary group. She does a PowerPoint presentation, with graphics depicting various scenes from Diamond S Farm plus dairy industry data adding to the total educational value.

“I used to teach. You’re talking to these groups as a fellow professional so I think it is important that they understand the dairy business is a special profession within agriculture,” she said.

Thanks to the dairy checkoff program, Kathy said the Midwest Dairy association has done comparisons on the nutrition and energy value of chocolate milk versus Gatorade. “The study shows chocolate milk can be just as refreshing and definitely have more nutritional value. And now there is a product called K20 which utilizes dairy whey to enhance the nutritional value of this flavored-water drink.”

She said powdered whey is now a common ingredient in many of the energy bars used by athletes. Many health food stores now carry various energy drinks with powdered whey as a prime ingredient, both for energy and muscle-building value.

From beef, hog beginnings

David, a Dunwoody graduate as an electrician, and Kathy started their farming career raising registered Angus cattle; they also farrowed and sold feeder pigs at Stark. Their registered brand for the Angus cattle was David’s initials DS and a diamond-looking carat sign, hence the name Diamond S Farm.

When they purchased their current farm, the sale included 40 non-registered Jersey cattle (and one Guernsey). They later added some Holsteins. Apparently the two breeds didn’t mesh comfortably.

“The Jerseys would butt their way to the feed bunks, even pushing the bigger Holsteins out of the way, so the Holsteins were sold and the rest is history,” said son Christopher when introducing his parents at the induction for the MLBA Hall of Fame.

David said that after running their mixed herd for a few years, their DHIA records continuously showed more profitability from their Jersey cows. Less feed intake and less manure to handle were “efficiency factors” favoring the smaller Jersey animals. That also started a selective breeding program leading to a totally registered herd today.

They currently are milking 145 registered Jerseys and raise all their young stock. Their herd has received numerous local, state and national awards including first place fall yearling at the 2007 World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wis. This particular heifer, Golden Hill Kaptain Fortuna, was named the All American Fall Yearling of 2007.

The genetics of Diamond S Farm focus on a combination of high production and type. On their last appraisal of 141 cows they had an average score of 85.4, which means Excellent (90 points or better) ratings have been numerous within the herd. All cows are in loose housing, both compost and free stall.

They do all of their own artificial insemination work. Son-in-law Joe Stanek is the AI technician but selecting bloodlines is still pretty much a “family discussion and we don’t always agree with each other,” David said.

Participating in cattle shows dates back to the 4-H days of their children taking their 4-H animals to the Minnesota State Fair. “We were 4-H club leaders and could see the opportunity it provided for our kids and others. As we got our cattle involved in more fairs and special dairy shows, we also could see that selling both breeding stock and milk generated more revenue than just selling milk and cull cows. So today we’re routinely selling between 35 and 45 head per year, both cows and heifers,” David said.

As routinely happens in the registered livestock business, once you have some major wins in major shows your cattle and your name get pretty well known within the dairy industry. Diamond S Farm advertises in the Jersey Journal but David said telephone calls from interested buyers across the Midwest drives most of their “retail” sales.

Droughty weather the past two growing seasons in their area has lowered feed quality and quantity. “Our corn silage and hay yields both were down so we’ve had to buy additional hay. So we’ve slid somewhat on herd milk average. But we’ve had some outstanding individuals,” David said.

Skiba cows have performed well in production contests over the years. As an example, Diamond S General Josie topped the National Jersey Youth Production contest in 1987 with 4 percent corrected milk production of 28,111 pounds in a 305-day lactation. Diamond S Hazel Wood did 26,640 pounds milk, 3,019 pounds cheese, and 1,357 pounds butterfat, 929 pounds protein also in a 305-day lactation earning fourth place honors in the National Jersey Youth Production competition.

In addition to good production numbers, Jerseys also live longer. Kathy cited one of their animals, Milestone Mert, who at 10 years, 9 months of age achieved a Jersey Production Hall of Fame 305-day record of 20,860 pounds in her ninth lactation.

Dairy optimistic

Both David and Kathy are optimistic about trends in dairying, which show cow numbers are rebounding in Minnesota, and more young people are becoming dairy farmers. “I think it’s the combination of new technologies which have greatly lessened the labor inputs, plus stronger milk prices because of stronger market demand are exciting young people about the future of this industry. I know if we weren’t so close to the Twin Cities I’m certain daughter Kari and Joe would be here too.”

Their herringbone parlor has DeLaval equipment with “automatic takeoffs” and electronic metering. The double-five setup takes about 3 1/2 hours if just one person is doing the milking; about 2 1/2 hours if two are milking. Cows are moved through the milking process in three production groups, which takes additional time getting each group into the holding barn area prior to milking.

They have closely studied robotic milking systems but David said it would require a completely new housing system, which just isn’t feasible in this location.

The Skibas do find time to get away from the farm. Travel and vacation time is important, but not too surprisingly, wherever they travel if there is a dairy farm in the area they’ll be ringing them up for a visit. “I think that’s just the dairy in us,” Kathy said, indicating they have visited some of the mega dairy operations on the West Coast. And if that happens to be a Jersey operation, all the better, David said with a chuckle.

For three years Kathy served on the Princess Kay of the Milky Way committee, two years as chairman. She sees firsthand the importance of the Princess Kay visibility to sell dairy products.

“Definitely. She’s known worldwide. Our Princess Kay winners have been on national television, the “Today Show,” scads of radio and TV interviews. Princess Kay is a spokesperson for the dairy industry to the consumer groups in a very professional way. She’s also the key spokesperson to youth. And that means starting at the county Princess Kay level right up through state fair competitions. They make hundreds of classroom visits and really build the process of image for our young people. For Minnesota, I think the Princess Kay program is beyond value.”

The Skiba family includes Mike and Sally Skiba, Christopher and Melessa Skiba, Kari and Joseph Stanek, and Patrick and Jennifer Skiba.

Some of David’s leadership roles include:
• Minnesota Livestock Breeders Association, current vice president
• Minnesota Jersey Cattle Association, past board of directors
• Parish IV Jersey Cattle Association, past president
• Christ the King Catholic Church, Finance committee member

A few of Kathy’s roles include:
• Minnesota Jersey Cattle Association, board member
• Midwest Dairy Association, corporate board member
• Minnesota Dairy Promotion Council, vice president

The Skibas are recipients of the Minnesota Milk Producer of the Year Award, December 2006; the MJCA Distinguished Service Award in 2005; the Minnesota Purebred Breeders Association Outstanding Breeder Award in 2000, and the Isanti County Farm Family of the Year Award. Their farm has been visited by television, radio and print media plus state legislators and international visitors.

It’s pretty evident that the Skibas are proud that their farm can be a showcase for their total community.

        

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