Doing it All put Families in Business
Simple, yet practical and effective are words to describe the new free-stall barn that was built at Maple View Farm a year ago this month.

Originally published in:
Farmshine
June 13, 2003
Vol.24 No.39
Page: 25

By Dieter Krieg

HILSBOROUGH, N.C. -- As if the folks at Maple View Farm didn't have enough to do -- milking as many as 120 cows and farming 350 acres. Guess not. So they went ahead and invested in a full line of milk processing equipment (all purchased used) and started a retail business. They process milk and make butter and ice cream. They even have their own store. But it wasn't for lack of things to do that they got into it. It was opportunity and income they saw.

Located within an easy drive of several upscale communities where the residents appreciate and even look for high quality food products, the owners of Maple View Farm took note. Obviously, their milk is fresh and it's offered in glass bottles to keep it that way. Their ice cream is of premium variety and so is the butter. People come from miles around to get it. Or, they can also go to their local Harris-Teeter supermarket and other outlets to buy Maple View Farm dairy products.

The good stuffs sells well in this community, affirms Russ Seibert, co-owner of both the 300-head Holstein herd and milk processing plant. Sharing ownership in the plant with him is Bob's son Roger. " I feel like I'm one of the family," says Russ, who has worked with the Nutter Family for 10 years. "We make a good team. Things are working well. No one I know could do it all himself." Originally from Minnesota, he came here by way of the famed Bayview Farm, where he was a herdsman for five years.

" That was really, really a good experience," he commented. " I learned a lot of what people were interested in." And he puts that knowledge to use, both in the management of the registered Holsteins that are at home here and the products that are offered for sale.

The milk bottling operation has been going since 1996. On January 1, 2001 they opened their own store. "It was the right thing to do in this area," nodded Russ. Processing only their own milk, they sell 900 gallons per day. Roger is the plant's manager while Roger's sister, Muffin, serves as the office manager. Another sister, Marilyn, is in charge of the store, with Russ's daughters. Keri and Kayla, helping out.

This multi-faceted dairy business has allowed several families to be involved. What's more, it has attracted the younger generation that had little or no interest in milking cows. It's this vertical diversification that has made it attractive and possible for three of his five children to "come back to the farm."

Russ on the other hand, hasn't given a thought to being anywhere but on the farm. An easy-going and friendly fellow, he's dedicated to keeping a fine herd of cows milking profitably. It's his first priority and what he loves best.

The all-registered herd is one of the finest in the state and boasts having the longest string of Progressive Breeder awards. Production on 3x averages 21,500M with 3.9% butterfat and 3.3% protein. Milking takes place in a double-6 herringbone parlor, which was remodeled in 1982. The previous facility was a 3 on-a-side opening parlor constructed in 1935, some 28 years before the Nutter Family arrived here. Like Russ, the Nutters are transplants from the "Far North." Russ from Minnesota; the Nutters from Maine.

While both of those states are noted for their winter chills, North Carolina has a reputation for heat and humidity. Russ acknowledges that those conditions are very much a part of life here and that milk production suffers as a result. "The customers start hollering when we're short," he added

Helping the situation considerably is a new free-stall barn that was erected just last year by Knisely Buildings of Port Matilda, Pa. Somewhat unusual in its design, it has a feed manager most of the way along each outside wall, as opposed to being down through the center. Stall mats were purchased from Show-ease Stall Company in Lancaster, loops and rubber for the floor came from Martin's in Chambersburg.

"I saw a lot of good stuff in Pennsylvania in just half a day. It was the best trip I ever made as far as what I wanted to get out of it," Russ declared.

Measuring 70 X 192, the new barn accommodates 60 stalls on each side. Commonly open on all sides, and with a high roof, it easily facilitates natural air currents. An ally scraper runs continuously, making its round approximately every 35 minutes.

Pastures are a part of the operation too. Other feedstuffs include barley silage (with crimson clover), corn silage, brewers grains, whole corn, whole cotton seed and high quality alfalfa hay, all of which are fed as TMR at the feedbunk. "We grind our own grain at the farm," noted Russ. A computer feeder was installed in 1992.

Feeding and breeding for components is a part of the plan, especially since the Nutters and Seiberts deal directly with he public. They positively want a product that is most desirable. To achieve that goal, they feed the herd accordingly and use sires such as Durham, Outside, Integrity, Approval, Morty, and Roy. Other top considerations for the mating selections, by the way, include cow families, herd health, longevity, udders and feet and legs.

The Maple View Farm Holstein herd, which is known by the Maview prefix, has existed for nearly 100 years, which makes it one of the oldest in the country. The Seibert and Nutter families are committed to keeping it going and have made the moves that should assure them a solid future.