Jack Dill operates Alva Dill and Sons dairy farm near Conway, Mo., in Dallas County. Jack said, “It’s a family partnership.” Alva Dill is his father. Also included in the partnership is Jack’s son, Jordan, his brother, Jerry, and Jerry’s son, Jarrod. Five families are working together and making a living on the farm. Jack is quick to point out that while he is the manager, everyone has an equal say in decision-making.
Jack has been milking, “from the time I could walk.” He added, “I’ve actually gotten a milk check since I was 15 years old. I paid for my first car with cows.”
Currently, the Dills have 120 Holsteins and are milking 100. Jack stated, “We operate a very low-input dairy.” But he doesn’t consider himself a dairy farmer. He said, “We raise forages and I try to raise as much pasture and grass as possible. Every time I run over the ground with the tractor, it costs me money. If a cow runs across, it doesn’t cost.”
Jack said, “We get butterfat with Holsteins. We do feed whole cotton which costs a little more, but it’s very cost efficient for what you get, with the ration.” The cows are only fed in the barn. He explained, “If I can figure out a way it makes us money, I do it. If it just pays for the weigh and gets more milk out of a cow, I won’t waste my time. There’s no need to spend a dollar to make a dollar and two cents.”
They bottle feed the calves. Jack takes half of the calves to raise and his brother, Jerry, takes half. Jack explained their process, “His half of the calves are mine and mine are his. We just raise them separately.”
The two brothers take a different approach to feeding the calves. Jerry goes with the traditional twice a day feedings, while Jack feeds his three times a day. Jack stated, “We do not feed milk replacer. We feed milk from our dairy.”
The Dills have two Holstein bulls, but Jack said they usually keep three. They are thinking about buying an Angus bull to put with some open heifers. He explained, “I think it’s more profitable right now. The Holstein heifers are actually worth about the same as Holstein steers now, and colored heifers are worth more than Holstein steers. Colored steers are worth a lot more than Holstein steers.”
They are considering an Angus bull because the calves would bring more money, but Jack added, “If cattle prices were to plummet, we could always keep the heifers and start a beef herd because we have plenty of land.” A beef herd is not in their plans, but it would be an option.
Jack concluded, “If you can make money in bad times, you can stay in business till the next good time.”
