Make mine (Jersey) milk, say family of dairy farmers [Daily Record, The (Wooster, OH)]

By LAURA SIEDLECKI

Staff Writer

WEST SALEM -- What started out as a purchase for a 4-H project turned into a successful dairy farm for nearly 75 years.

Schirm Farm, which is 270 acres, has 200 registered Jerseys and the farm includes an area to raise corn silage and alfalfa that the farm's cows need for nourishment throughout the year.

Kristin Taylor, whose family operates the farm, said it's rewarding for her family to help Wayne County rank No. 1 in the state for both the number of dairy cows and also the most milk produced. They are also proud to contribute to Ohio being the nation's No. 1 manufacturer of Swiss cheese.

"It's quite rewarding to know that because of our efforts, our farm is able to provide a wholesome product for consumers," she added.

Taylor's grandfather, Neal Schirm, purchased his first registered Jersey, "Rebecca's Poppy," in 1937 as a 4-H project. The farm was originally located in Canal Winchester, and relocated to West Salem about 15 years ago.

"It's so great to be in a city with a strong dairy community," said Taylor.

Almost 75 years later, Taylor's husband, Dustin, along with her father, Paul, are still raising registered Jerseys on the farm.

Taylor said her family has chosen to continue to breed registered Jerseys because their milk contains the highest percentage of butterfat and protein. Also, they have the longest productive life. In 2010, research showed that, on average, a Jersey's productive life is 183 days longer than any other breed of cow, Taylor added.

Originating on the Isle of Jersey in the English Channel, Jerseys are known to be the smallest of all dairy breeds, with the average mature female weighing in at close to 1,000 pounds. Taylor said characteristics that distinguish a Jersey from other breeds typically include a solid light to dark brown or even reddish colored hide, dark brown eyes and a black muzzle.

A Jersey's milk is the most nutritious, containing 15 percent more protein and 15 percent more calcium than average milk and when consumed as fluid milk, it has more body and a richer taste, she added. Jersey milk is utilized for hard and soft cheese production, since its milk yields 20 percent to 25 percent more cheese, and when churned Jersey milk produces 30 percent more butter than average milk. She said the extra yield from Jersey milk contributes to today's efficiency of manufacturing plants.

The milk from Schirm Farm gets processed in Holmes County and their cows produce enough milk each month to make about 28,500 pounds of Swiss cheese.

"While many communities struggle to keep businesses who create a positive economic impact, it's exciting to be part of an industry that is thriving in Wayne County," she added.

Like everyone, Taylor said their farm went through tough times with the economy.

"We don't know what next year holds for us, the income fluctuates each month," said Dustin Taylor. "This is not a normal job."

Kristin Taylor said 2009 was a bad year since the cost of what they put into the farm remained the same, however milk prices decreased.

"Even if you're not making a lot of money for milk, everything else is still expensive," she added. "The good thing is people have to eat and milk is an important part of people's diets."

Taylor said growing up on the farm was always fun and shaped the person she is today.

"I have always loved learning about and working with dairy cattle. Being active in 4-H and Future Farmers of America as I was growing up helped to me to broaden my knowledge of agriculture and specifically within the dairy industry," said Taylor.

Taylor, along with her mother, Dawn Schirm, now lead the Blue Ribbon Dairy 4-H group.

"It's really fun to watch the kids work so hard on their projects and to know you are influencing the younger generation," she added.

Dairy farming isn't a typical 9 to 5 job since the cattle have demands 24/7, said Taylor.

"This makes it hard to get away from the farm for vacations and meetings. Regardless of the weather outside, we still have to do chores. At times farming can be difficult, especially when we are in near-blizzard conditions, have a power outage or have what seems like a foot of rain at one time like we've had this year," she said. "Dustin is still doing chores on those days."

Although Taylor no longer wakes up at 4:30 a.m. to milk the cows, her husband does that and more. Growing up on the farm was fun and she said she can't imagine not growing up on a farm. Her husband did not grow up on a farm, but quickly realized he belonged on the farm.

"He gets up early and stays up late. Dustin is an excellent calf raiser. He's an asset to the farm and raises healthy calves; he does it all," she said of her husband. "Cows like routine and Dustin's good and on time ... he never leaves our cows waiting."

Taylor hopes one day she can work on the farm full time again, however admits it won't be anytime soon, especially with the addition of Matthew, who's 3 months old.

"I'd like my son to grow up working on the farm with his dad, but I'd also want him to go to college so he has a backup plan for the future," she added.

Dustin Taylor said his goal for the farm is that it continues the way it is and that it remains family owned. About six years ago, Kristin Taylor decided to branch out into the insurance business while still maintaining an active role in the farm.

"While I can't physically be on the farm every day, I can do things behind the scenes," she said.

Taylor is currently in the process of taking over the business aspect of the farm. She said the farm is both a lifestyle and a business.

"It's a wonderful way of life, but there are decisions to be made in order to have a sustainable business," she added.