Environment-First Focus at Deer Run Dairy

There is no denying, dairy farming is a 24/7, 365-day commitment. Deer Run Dairy in Kewaunee, Wis., would also add that dairying is a continuous learning process. The 1,850-cow dairy is led by the partnership of the father-son-duo, Duane and Derek Ducat, and Dale Bogart. The trio's efforts to put the environment first is fueled with the hope to sustain it for the next generation. Their hardworking efforts landed them with one of the 2022 U.S. Dairy Sustainability awards.

How It All Began

In the early 80s, Duane farmed with his parents, milking 58 cows. In 2000, Duane met Dale while attending the National Farm show in Louisville, Ky. Soon after they discussed becoming business partners. Eight years later, they combined their two herds and built a facility at Duane’s location. In addition, Deer Run Dairy is a member of Peninsula Pride Farms, the Wisconsin Demo Farm Network and the Discovery Research program. The partners feel their involvement in these organizations has been a big help to conservation efforts at home, and thus, the farm is seeing tangible results in the soil. While Dale manages dairy day to day, Derek and Duane run a custom farming business.

“Deer Run Dairy LLC is honored to receive this award recognizing our efforts toward sustainability. We realize this award is the result of the collaborative efforts of many,” Duane says. 

The farm actively participates in Wisconsin’s Demonstration Farm Network and Discovery Research program. Deer Run Dairy confronted the water challenges on their 2,500-acre farm near Lake Michigan by implementing several conservation practices to protect the water and improve soil health.

Derek says that their soil structure has changed with the use of cover crops and no-till.

“One field soil test showed a half percentage increase in organic matter, which improves the soil’s water holding capacity and infiltration. It’s pretty exciting to see results in a short timeframe,” he says.

By using cereal rye as the main cover crop, Deer Run Dairy began seeding 100% of their cropland with cover crops a year ago. Other cover crops used are turnip, radish, barley, buckwheat, vetch and rye after wheat or fourth crop hay. 

Duane says that a diverse cover crop ties everything together and improves the health of the soil.

“Cover crops also keep the ground moist and help with crusting issues,” he says.

The benefits of no-till from Deer Run Dairy’s point of view are plentiful, but they especially like that they are not burning fuel and wearing equipment through tillage or releasing carbon when working the land.

Key Factors

Deer Run Dairy installed a digester in 2011. This was something Duane knew he wanted, even before they built the dairy.

“I didn’t want to use sand for bedding because it’s hard on equipment,” he says. “We use separated manure solids produced from the digester and have had good luck with it.”

Today, the digester produces enough renewable natural gas to power nearly 600 homes. The majority of the farm’s manure is used as fertilizer to grow the crops. Last year, all manure was applied to fields with a dribble bar, which helps bring the manure to the ground level. 

“We’ve been able to increase our rates because of better infiltration from our improved soil structure,” Derek says. “We were at three to four passes but are now getting down to just two passes.”

Other major benefits of the digester are odor reduction and a decrease in pathogen levels by 1,000 times. Overall, Deer Run says that their digester is a key factor in helping their dairy operation be more environmentally friendly.

“We’re already reducing our commercial fertilizer needs through the use of manure, and we want to keep focusing on that,” Derek said.

Deer Run Dairy's drive to take better care of their land has them keeping an open eye to the future, but also implementing new ideas. 

“We don’t rule out anything,” Duane says. “We’re open to different ideas and trying new things. Change is constant, and we’re open to change because we have to keep this farm going for future generations.”

A formal celebration of all the U.S. Dairy Sustainability winners is scheduled in conjunction with the Dairy Sustainability Alliance Fall Meeting, Nov. 14-15, in Glendale, Ariz.

Tim Trotter, CEO of Dairy Edge Farmer Cooperative, who nominated Deer Run Dairy says they are an outstanding example of leadership through action when it comes to continuous improvement in conservation.

“It is obvious that this farm takes great pride in the commitment they’ve made to be a leader for sustainability in the dairy community, and we are proud to have them as a member," Trotter says.