Wright County Record logo and header

Controlling the environment helps Eilenstines take care of daily milk production at Ram-Elle

Posted

Controlling the environment has been the key to milk production for the Eilenstine family’s Mountain Grove dairy business, Ram-Elle Holsteins and Jerseys.

Lifelong dairy farmers Loren and Michelle Eilenstine milk around 30 cows that live inside a freestall barn.

The cows are protected from the environment, especially from bad weather.

The freestall barn includes large fans to circulate air. There are also sprinklers available to cool off the livestock when needed.

They have saw dust to lay on and enjoy a diet of TMR feed.

Rye silage is available through the help of 120 acres of corn planted in rocky soil and chopped by Michelle’s father and uncle. They also have a rye crop that is harvested.

Since both Loren and Michelle work other jobs, having a good environment for the cows makes it easier to get the milking done.

“It’s nice to manage,” said Michelle is having to milk around 30 cows daily. “It’s to where one person can do everything.”

The Eilenstines sell their milk to the Central Equity Milk Company and their milk is used to make cheese.

The couple also enjoy seeing their son, Chase, be old enough to now make his own impact on the farm that also includes Michelle’s parents, James and Carolyn Ramaeker.

Chase gets to now spend time on the tractor with his grandpa and was active this year with the Tri-County Fair, an event Michelle has worked closely with for the past 10 years.

“That’s a really neat experience for him,” Michelle Eilenstine said. “Growing up on a farm is just a great way to grow up. A lot of skills you learn on a farm you can’t learn anywhere else.”