Agri Leader

Cottonwood Holsteins Ltd
Brent continues, “Also, we are able to do many operations
and projects ourselves, saving huge dollars.
For example we now spread our own fertilizer saving
$20,000 annually. We bought a truck for grain hauling
resulting in $40,000 less cost. We did not hire someone
to pour the foundation for a new grain bin. There are
many more examples.
“Our two employees similarly have more time for
herd and barn management detail.” Andre is the herdsman
and Sam is the jack-of-all-trades including field
crop work.
“Farming is much more like a business today. The
industry has changed hugely. This is not a traditional
dairy, success not measured only by working hard. The
time flexibility has allowed me to attend leadership
seminars and technical meetings. I have even had a
first ever major vacation away from the farm when last
year Kirsty and I travelled to Scotland to explore her
roots. I’ve also enjoyed some recreation like fishing at
my brother’s cabin.
“The set-up also allows more time to be involved in
the industry, both locally and provincially.
Dry cow area in the previous milking barn, and part of the crop
handling and storage area
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52 AGRI LEADER » 2016