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McCook, Neb., Dairy Farm Partners Chosen as 2007 Members of Distinction by Dairy Farmers of America, Inc.
 Rick and Wendy Roberts |
Dairy Farmers of America, Inc. selected owners Rick and Wendy Roberts and their partners Jeff Steifel and Kenneth Eade, the owner and operators of Three Star Dairy of McCook, Neb., to receive its most prestigious award – the 2007 Member of Distinction Award. The partners received the recognition based on their vision, leadership and innovation in the dairy industry.
One farm from each of DFA’s seven Areas was selected and members were recognized with a video and award presentation during DFA’s Annual Meeting Tuesday, March 20 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Kansas City, Missouri.
Other 2007 DFA Members of Distinction included the owners and operators of Anthony’s Dairy of Americus, Ga.; Crosswinds Dairy of Portales, N.M.; Diamond Three Dairy of Shelley, Idaho; RV Dairy of Winton, Calif.; Weir Farms of Hanover, Mich.; and Walker Farms of Fort Ann, N.Y.
“These members have found unique ways to ensure their success in the industry and are positive examples for us all,” says Rick Smith, DFA’s president and chief executive officer. “This is a great achievement.”
Trial and error, in a quest to do the basics really well, led Rick, Wendy, Jeff and Kenneth to perfect their manure management system. With 1,325 cows producing more than 36 million pounds of milk annually, adopting state-of-the-art technologies has been a hallmark for their success.
The dairy started operating in March of 1998. When it was built, its design incorporated all the latest innovations and efficiencies of the time. However, even the best dairy experts couldn’t suggest what to do with manure waste besides just “sending it to the lagoons.” The Three Star owners decided there had to be a better way. After years of trial and error, Rick and Wendy have come up with a way to mimic a treatment plant within existing lagoons. The patented system utilizes impingement aeration to create actual clarification. Until the Three Star Dairy’s adoption of the technology, it was theorized that this type of animal waste process was not possible.
This new technology has afforded Three Star Dairy the ability to flush with nearly odorless lagoon water. It scrubs the alleys clean, while reducing pathogens in this same water by 98 percent. Sand and fiber separate with ease, and foot problems have been greatly reduced, all through a single cell lagoon system. This is possible because they now can actually control the flows and treat the water within the lagoon. Rick and Wendy have dubbed this unique, innovative means of manure management the “Blue Frog System.”
The dairy farm is a fixture in the community and annually hosts an eighth grade agriculture awareness field trip. Three Star Dairy also hosts field trips for the local Chamber of Commerce, county commissioners and the Economic Development Corporation. The partners have been awarded the State of Nebraska Outstanding Dairyman Award in 1999 and 2000 and again in 2004 and 2005.