At Top-Deck Holsteins in Westgate, Iowa, the rhythm of a thriving dairy isn’t just about milking cows; it’s about a symphony of solid management, innovative foresight and an unwavering commitment to excellence that spans five generations. More than 700 Holsteins are milked three times a day, consistently delivering an impressive annual milk production of 33,500 lb. of milk, which translates to more than 123 lb. of energy-corrected milk, a testament to a meticulous approach that turns every detail into a driver of success.
“That’s kind of what we breed for ... having good components of butterfat and protein are just another way to keep us profitable around here,” explains Justin Decker, underscoring a philosophy rooted in precision and genetic excellence.
A Family Driven by Passion and Precision
This finely tuned dairy operation is orchestrated by a dedicated family team. Decker keeps a keen eye for genetics and vigilant herd health. His brother Jason leads the charge on nutrition and finances, ensuring every bite of their high-digestibility ration, rich in BMR corn silage and low-lignin haylage, fuels peak performance. His other brother Derek masterfully oversees herd and calf care and employee scheduling. Nephew Devin spearheads the maintenance and fieldwork, so the farm’s infrastructure and fields are as robust as their herd.
From seasoned full-time milkers to dedicated high schoolers, every team member plays a vital role in their seamless, 24/7 operation.
“Our employees see how we how we handle the cows,” Decker says. “They see how much we care about the animals, and that bleeds into how much they care.”
Precision and Innovation in Every Detail
Top-Deck Holsteins leaves no stone unturned in their pursuit of optimal health and productivity. They breed for high milk, fat and protein, alongside crucial traits such as mastitis resistance and fertility. Their double Ovsync program is a cornerstone of their reproductive success, achieving a first-service conception rate in the mid-to-upper 50s. This efficient breeding allows them to maintain an older, more productive herd. Decker says cows not getting bred until later in lactation tend to put on body condition and are at risk of not performing as well in the next lactation.
“Instead of peaking at 130 lb. to 150 lb. of milk at second and third lactations, they may only be topping out at 100 lb. to 110 lb. or so. That’s a lot of milk that you are risking losing,” he says, noting the goal is to breed for trouble-free cows, combined with longevity. “Using elite genetics help us attain this, but we also provide our animals with the environment to maximize production.”
Dry cows transition smoothly from freestalls to comfortable bedded packs; a critical phase managed with precision. This dedication to cow comfort is further amplified by their cutting-edge tunnel-ventilated barns, a game-changing investment in 2020 that stabilized production even through Iowa’s challenging summers, ensuring cows remain cool, comfortable and productive.
“The tunnel ventilated barn was probably one of the quickest paybacks we’ve ever done,” Decker says. “I’m not seeing the production dips in the summer heat like we did years ago, and our cows are just super comfortable, and ultimately, we are gaining an extra lactation or two.”
Tech Focus
Technology isn’t just present at Top-Deck Holsteins; it’s integrated intelligence. SCR collars provide real-time heat detection and rumination data, while PCDart meticulously tracks dairy metrics, and EZfeed ensures precise ration delivery. This data-driven approach, coupled with elite genetics from Select Sires, is the bedrock of their impressive 4.7% butterfat and 3.3% protein tests, all while maintaining a low somatic cell count of 130,000.
“We are focused primarily on maximizing income over feed costs with what we have,” Jason shares, noting that the majority of their 1,900 acres are nearby the dairy, allowing them to grow the majority of feed for the cows.
Another profit center for Top-Deck is beef-on-dairy calves. The farm strives for 25 dairy replacement calves a month, allowing them to breed bottom-end genetics to beef and allowing them to sell wet beef calves for $1,500 each. This has been something the farm has been capitalizing on for several years.
“Anything second lactation and beyond gets served to beef,” Decker shares, noting top 2-year-old cows get bred first service to sexed, then after that, they are bred to beef. He also adds that all top-end virgin heifers will receive up to two services to sexed semen.
This dedicated family team, with their deep-rooted commitment and innovative practices, isn’t just milking cows; they’re crafting a legacy. Top-Deck Holsteins is paving the way for a prosperous future, showcasing that with strategic management and a resolute family dedication, the future is not only bright but exceptionally productive.
Your Next Read: Dairy Profit Surge: Beef-on-Dairy Drives Revenue and Resilience in 2025-26
