Young Generations Bring Technology Back to the Farm
Tim Hammerich
News Reporter
As young people return to the family farm, they often have new ideas for technologies and approaches. Fifth generation dairy farmer Carolyn Alsteen shares how variable rate seeding and fertilizer placement has impacted their farm, which features over 500 head of dairy cattle and 2,000 acres.
Alsteen… “Some conservation practices that we do on our farm are variable rate seeding, fertilizer. So before I came back to the farm, I went to UW River Falls for, ag studies and a crops minor. When I got done with college, I worked for a local seed company. And from when I worked there, I did a lot of variable rate prescriptions for farms.So I really pushed for my dad to have this approach of being proactive and making sure that you're not wasting nutrients. So, to me, That's a big part of what I believe in and stuff like that. So I guess, one big conservation is just making sure we're not over applying nutrients and placing 'em correctly in the soil where we need 'em.It's harder for an older generation to let go of reigns sometimes. And I definitely think that over the years my dad has learned, by me challenging him on some things, just how to let go of some reigns. It's definitely a fun dynamic to work with him, but obviously there come some challenges as well.”
That’s fifth generation dairy farmer, Carolyn Alsteen.
