Cross Country DairyTexico, NM

May 7 – August 8, 2007

Jesse Van Waardhuizen

Cross Country DairyBackground

Located in Texico, New Mexico

Family Owned Built in 2005 Employ 28 – 32

employees 6,890 head on site Milk 3200 head of

Holstein and Holstein-Jersey cross

Manager: Mike De Groot

Competitors

Other Dairies The New Mexico Dairy industry is rapidly

growing # 6 in the country in dairy cows 82 % increase in cow numbers in the last 10

years One of the few states where number of dairy

farms is increasing

Stats courtesy Dr. L. Kilmer

Expectations

I had no prior dairy experience, so did not know what I was getting into.

I secured the internship in mid-April, so I did not have much time to speak with my cooperator.

I expected to work in close contact with my cooperator.

I was promised a place to live, but I had no idea what it would be like.

Internship Experiences

Had to learn Spanish Had 30 co-workers Heifer and springer

health Treat hospital Maternity Assisted Dr. Eduardo

with preg check, DA surgeries, fetotomies, and hard pulls

Internship Experiences

A.I. Worked with Jeff Weisel

our dairy consultant Fresh cow health Dry cow health Seminars Visited dairies in NM

and CA Apartment on the dairy 10-12 hr work days

Professional Benefits Gained

Communication skills Patience Networking

Dr. John Hallberg-Pfizer Connor Jameson, DVM -

DairyCOMP Management skills

Artificial Insemination

I got the opportunity to learn from some of the best breeders in the New Mexico diary industry

28% pregnancy rate No Ov-sync program

Questions ?

jessev@iastate.edu

Mike De Groot – 505-389-0489