Virtual Farm Tours

10:00 a.m. 

Hurtgenlea Holsteins

Elkhorn, Wisconsin

Sponsored by: SmaXtec Inc.

10:00 a.m.

MoDak Dairy, Inc.
Goodwin, South Dakota

Sponsored by: Vita Plus

Thursday, October 2

10:00 a.m.

Norm-E-Lane

Chili, Wisconsin
Sponsored by: McLanahan

10:00 a.m.

Wagner Farms Inc.

Oconto Falls, Wisconsin 
Sponsored by: CowManager

Located in Elkhorn, Wis., Adam Hurtgen and Cynthia Bartel, along with Leo and Karen Hurtgen, milk 160 cows in two box robots after retrofitting their freestall barn in 2023. Hurtgenlea’s main goal is to improve each generation so their cows live longer, healthier and more productive lives. They put emphasis on having cows that can move easily in their facilities, are moderately sized and have health traits that encourage long lives. They’re able to achieve this with the help of internal monitoring technology, which provides real-time insights to support early intervention and long-term herd improvement.

Three bulls from Hurtgenlea Holsteins have been ranked in the top 75 Total Performance Index (TPI) International Proven Sires list, including the #1 TPI bull, Hurtgenlea Richard Charl-ET. Through their breeding program and technology use, they have 115 female descendants in the herd that come from Hurtgenlea Yoder Modesto-ET, the dam of Charl. Modesto was a former #1 Net Merit Cow in the world and was nominated for Global Cow of the Year by Holstein International magazine. 

Located in Goodwin, South Dakota, MoDak Dairy has been in operation for the past 130 years. The Moes family milks 2,600 head in a double-30 parallel parlor and breeds for quality milk components while also maintaining a beef on dairy program. Roughly 60% of the herd is bred to beef, and the Akaushi or Angus crossbreds are raised and finished by the Moes family. 

All MoDak Dairy’s heifers are managed on-site, where calves are raised in a state-of-the-art mechanically ventilated facility designed to promote calf growth and well-being. Calves are group-housed and fed using a headlock bottle feeding rail. Their facilities and management provide a balance of new-age technology and common-sense heifer practices to raise healthy, productive youngstock, and the facilities draw in numerous tours annually.

Norm-E-Lane is a multi-generational, progressive farm, who is continually advancing their enterprises through passionate people, meaningful relationships, leading edge farming and exceptional animal care. Currently, the Meissners milk 4,100 cows in 2, double-25 parallel parlors (2 locations), raise 3,200 youngstock and operate 7,700 acres of cropland. 

Norm-E-Lane has seen numerous expansions since starting in Chili, Wisconsin, in 1946, including installing a digester in 2008 and a manure bedding dryer in 2019. Now, Norm-E-Lane separates solids which are then run through a dryer, post-separation to be reduced to 50% moisture and used for bedding. In 2022, they pivoted from electricity and are now capturing the same gas from the digester and turning it back into liquid natural gas and injecting that directly into the pipeline behind their farm.  

Norm-E-Lane's biggest accomplishment comes in the form of pride in knowing that they are a resilient family dairy business, positioned to continue as a passionate player in this great industry for generations to come.  They are also honored to carry the responsibility of leading a team of 70 people, who are equally devoted to the way of life Norm-E-Lane leads.

Wagner Farms, a fifth-generation dairy located in Oconto Falls, Wisconsin, is currently milking 950 cows in a double-16 parallel parlor. The Wagners focus on developing functional cows that combine strong production with good health traits, allowing them to remain in the herd long term.

The motto at Wagner Farms is: People. Animals. Environment. People are the foundation of everything they do. Team members aren’t just employees—they’re an extension of the Wagner family. They believe that a strong farm culture blends efficiency and work ethic with a sense of fun and fulfillment. Creating an environment where people love what they do helps fuel the passion behind their daily operations. Whether it’s mentoring new team members, celebrating milestones, or simply sharing laughs during the workday, they know that investing in people is what drives the long-term success of the dairy.

Caring for their Animals isn’t just a priority – it’s a pillar for everything they do. Calf and heifer management is top of mind and begins on day one with newborn calves. Strategic protocols and well-established systems—including the CowManager Youngstock Monitor along with the use of buddy hutches—support growth rates of more than 2.5 pounds per day and result in near 0% death loss, or as the farm likes to say, is near a 100% survival rate. 

The Wagners also emphasize the need to care for the Environment, so the farm is a demonstration site, providing an opportunity to showcase various conservation practices that support environmental stewardship while also boosting productivity. Recently, they implemented an autonomous irrigation system that delivers water and nutrients directly to growing crops. This system improves how they utilize nutrients with less risk of nutrient leaking, lowers cost of application, lessens the pressure of spring and fall manure application, and ultimately increases yields.