In the serene and picturesque northeast Iowa, where heritage beautifully intersects with innovation, Rolinda Acres stands as a compelling example of how traditional farming can embrace cutting-edge technology. This farm, nestled near Waterville, has been under the guidance of two intertwined families—Pat and Tara Reisinger and Sam and Shelby Schwartz. Their collaborative journey continues to pave the way for enhanced rural efficiency, showcasing the powerful combination of historical roots intertwined with forward-thinking advancements, demonstrating limitless potential.
From Humble Beginnings
Their story is one of growth and adaptation, as Rolinda Acres has transformed from milking 150 cows in 2001 to a current bustling operation that now manages 950 cows. This remarkable expansion also includes managing five hog buildings and farming 1,500 acres. The spark for innovation led Rolinda Acres to construct a revolutionary 96,000-square-foot barn in 2020, equipped with eight robotic milkers. This leap not only eased workload stresses but also enhanced herd nurturing, allowing three-quarters of the herd to be milked robotically, with the other quarter milked in a conventional, double-12 parlor.
Deep Roots, New Branches
The dairy’s roots traces back to the late 1970s when Robert and Linda Thompson, Pat Reisinger’s in-laws, laid the foundation. This legacy continued when Pat married Tara, Thompson’s daughter, in 2001, entwining him into the farming legacy. Even after Robert’s passing in 2020, the farm has continued to thrive, showcasing resilience and a commitment to innovation.
The farm’s journey with technology took a notable turn with Schwartz, a neighbor kid whose love for farm machinery evolved into a passion for cows.
“As a young kid, at first I loved the idea of driving tractors,” he shares, noting that his later involvement in 4-H and FFA revealed an unexpected knack for cattle. “I feel like I can understand cows very well.”
After completing the dairy science program at Northeast Iowa Community College, Schwartz joined Rolinda Acres full-time. Two years ago, he and his wife became owners alongside Pat and Tara Reisinger and Linda Thompson, marking a new chapter in the farm’s storied history.
Embracing Robotic Milking
The transition from a tie-stall barn to a double-8 parlor (later expandable to a double-12) and the embrace of robotic milking, were strategic responses to efficiency needs and workforce challenges
“We have a good core group of people that we wanted to maintain, and we didn’t feel like we were the type of people who can manage a large number of employees,” Schwartz shares. Turning to robots allowed them to expand the farm while retaining key employees.
Expanding the Horizons
The revolutionary robotic journey of Rolinda Acres commenced at the end of 2020 with the installation of eight robots. By early 2022, they expanded with three additional robots, amplifying the farm’s operational success.
“Building costs are so high, and really, the robot prices have not really changed,” Schwartz explains, indicating a strategic advantage through optimizing existing resources. The addition of four more robots this spring – with a total count of 15 robots - represents the latest endeavor, with aspirations for higher milkings per cow and an increase in total milk production. Rolinda Acres aims to leverage these advancements to push boundaries, striving for increased output for the total building and not just focusing on milk output per pen or per robot.
Understanding Cow Behavior: A Key to Success
A fascinating aspect of Rolinda Acres’ journey is the understanding of cow behavior and their synergy with robotic tools. Schwartz’s thoughtful approach emphasizes ensuring mobility and health as prerequisites for robotic use.
“As long as the cow has good mobility, good feet and legs and a decent udder, I will try every cow on a robot,” he says, underscoring an empathetic and adaptable strategy. If a cow struggles or is incompatible with the robots, adjustments are made to optimize the process and resources. Schwartz’s enthusiasm for observing behavioral differences between cows using robots and traditional parlor methods shines through, although he admits a reluctance to frequent changes.
“I love technology, but I’m not sure I love change,” he confesses.
Integrating Comprehensive Management Systems
The technological upgrade at Rolinda Acres extended beyond robots, as they incorporated the CowManager activity system to enrich herd health monitoring. Prior advocacy for collars shifted to embracing ear tags, meeting health needs and establishing reliable baselines essential for identifying and managing problem cows.
“We wanted to have an activity system that would really help us find problem cows and allow us to feel really confident in doing that,” Schwartz shares confidently, noting that foresight ensured smoother transitions to robotic milking.
“We wanted to establish a baseline before starting the robots,” he says, noting that CowManager is like another full-time employee for the farm.
“From the herdsman standpoint, I can watch 900-plus cows in two different facilities plus calving pen and dry cows. I can watch those cows from the computer. I can check all the cows, check health, check repro, and do it very efficiently,” Schwartz says, highlighting the system’s pivotal role in efficient farm management and contributing significantly to the herd’s productive output.
Rolinda Acres presents a remarkable narrative of blending tradition with technology, guided by both heritage and adaptability. The Reisinger and Schwartz families persist in this progressive evolution, setting a strong precedent for enhanced rural efficiency. The farm stands as a living testament to the endless possibilities that arise from seamlessly merging historical foundations with pioneering innovations.
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