Kuechle Dairy: HASP Return on Investment

Region

Stearns County, Minnesota

Timeline

2021 - present

Audience

Dairy and row crop farmers

Conservation Story

The Kuechle siblings, Perry, Rhonda, Brenda, and Becky, decided to participate in the HASP Return on Investment study because they plan to add cover crops into their rotation and want to learn more about resources from partners and other farmers in the program. Their parents, who ran the farm until 2009, operated using a conservation mindset, implementing practices like crop rotation and manure management with a focus on soil health. The siblings continue operating the farm with this mindset and hope that participating in this study and adding cover crops will help reduce erosion and improve soil health.

Farm Description

The Kuechles operate a third- generation dairy farm, where they raise steers to market and grow crops such as oats, barley, and alfalfa that are used as forage for the heifers.

woman kneeling in a chute with a calf on a farm with blue sky in the background

Our parents always used conservation practices. Conservation is one of the principles the farm was founded on.

Becky Kuechle

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