For Producers
Why Nebraska!
Nebraska Facts 
Nebraska has an ample supply of quality feed available for animal agriculture. The feed resources include more than 1.27 billion bushels of corn harvested from 8.25 million acres; 250,000 acres of sorghum; 4.66 million acres of soybeans; and 2.85 million acres of hay (1.25 million acres of alfalfa and 1.6 million acres of wild hay).
Nebraska’s relatively dry climate and ample irrigation make it an ideal location for producing a consistent supply of aflatoxin-free corn. According to the Nebraska Corn Quality Study, more than 95% of the samples collected over 14 years graded U.S. #1 or #2. Our feed is high quality and inexpensive.
Nebraska’s livestock industry, including dairy, can benefit from ethanol production through the consumption of the ethanol co-product distillers grain. Marketing projections for distillers grain is 1.595 million metric tons, and there is potential for this to double or triple in the next few years. A dairy cow typically can consume five or more pounds of dry distillers grain per day. Distillers grain is a very cost‑effective feed ingredient for lactating dairy cattle, and access to this co-product continues to grow.
Nebraska has an abundant supply of quality water available for use in livestock and crop production. Nearly 70% of the water in the Ogallala Aquifer – the world’s largest source of underground water – can be found beneath Nebraska’s land surface. That is more than 14 trillion gallons of water — five times the water in Lake Erie. Nebraska also has over one billion gallons of water in surface reservoirs.
Nebraska is the nation’s only 100% public power state. Low utility costs make Nebraska an excellent location for industries, including agriculture enterprises. Industrial rates for electricity and natural gas in Nebraska are among the lowest in the nation (25% lower than the national average). Both energy sources are accessible throughout the state.
As the dairy industry becomes more mechanized and many of the routine day-to-day chores are run by computers, a top-quality labor force is essential. Nebraska workers are among the most productive workers in the nation, and they are known for their strong work ethic and technical proficiency.
Nebraska’s labor force is also known for its high productivity and low absentee and turnover rates. These traits translate directly into industry profitability.
Nebraska has lower than average rates for unemployment insurance (74% less than the national average) and workers’ compensation insurance (71.5% less than the national average). In fact, workers’ compensation insurance is not required until one employs ten or more workers.
With a population of 1.7 million, Nebraska is the only state in the union governed by a nonpartisan unicameral legislature. The state’s business-friendly climate includes a constitutional right-to-work provision, competitive labor costs, and a strong work ethic. Nebraskans are friendly, sincere, and proud of the state’s agricultural tradition. Our communities have low crime rate and strong family values.
Nebraska offers a beautiful, diverse landscape – from the rolling hills and fertile valleys in the east; to the level farm ground of the central region; to the beautiful Sandhills in the north; to the high plains in the western Panhandle and southwestern corners of the state. Wide-open spaces allow for room to build, expand, and enjoy life. Modern cities are scattered throughout the state. The cost of living is significantly lower in Nebraska than other states in the nation. This, coupled with a friendly atmosphere, makes Nebraska a great place to live!
Nebraska ranks high in public education when compared to the rest of the nation. Nebraska’s public schools boast a 93.8% graduation rate, compared to the 81.7% national average. The student/teacher ratio is 13:1, compared to a national average of 17:1. Nebraska schools also pride themselves on strong partnerships between high schools, parents, community colleges, universities, business, and industry.
Producer Profiles
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Double Dutch Dairy
Shelby, Nebraska
| “A drought in other states will lower the quality and quantity of feed, but in Nebraska, irrigation allows you to work around such extremes.” |
| ~ Todd Tuls, Double Dutch Dairy |
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Nebraska’s largest dairy is owned and operated by Todd Tuls of Shelby. Double Dutch dairy broke ground six years ago in eastern Nebraska and currently milks 4,000 head/day after a spring 2006 expansion to double in size. Tuls has always had a keen interest in the business and enjoys the challenge that comes with managing such a sizable operation. However, when the decision was made to move to Nebraska, it was the consistent access to affordable feed that sold Tuls on the move. With the number of cows milked at Double Dutch, quality and quantity of feedstuff is important. Tuls partners with area producers to supply him with feed such as corn, corn silage, soybean meal, and alfalfa. Nebraska’s extensive irrigation system allows for this consistent feed, and now the growth of the ethanol industry offers greater access to co-products such as distillers grains. “A drought in other states will lower the quality and quantity of feed, but in Nebraska, irrigation allows you to work around such extremes,” Tuls says. In addition, nutrients are distributed to the fields from the on-site lagoons, increasing overall crop productivity in the area.
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Holsteins Unlimited
Leigh, Nebraska
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Dairying has been good to the Mike Malena family of Leigh since Mike started in the business in 1971. He knew he wanted to dairy and convinced his father to let him buy a few cows. Ever since then, Mike and his family have been milking cows and making a good living. In 2006, the Malena children, two sons, a daughter, and their spouses, have decided their future will also be in dairying. As a result, a new basement barn with a double-24 parlor and 800 head free‑stall barn has been constructed and is up and running. This is phase one of the expansion. Permits and landscaping have been completed for the addition of another large free stall barn when the time is right. The brand new facility gives the Malena family a great start. “They enjoy the business, decided it was what they wanted to pursue, and I encouraged them to develop a business plan that would provide them with opportunity and a profitable living,” Mike says. At Holsteins Unlimited, everyone takes an active role in the feeding, management, genetics, and crop production to make the operation run smoothly. The dairy employs individuals primarily for the milking parlor. With a second generation coming on board, dairying will be a mainstay at this family farm, and the recent expansion will offer a new foundation.
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Thiele Dairy
Clearwater, Nebraska
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A trio of brothers and their families have created a solid team that has proven successful in Nebraska's dairy industry. Bill, Ron, and Tom of Clearwater have been in the dairy business for 30 years. When it came to expansion, the Thiele's have taken a unique approach. Rather than one large expansion, they have increased cow numbers on an annual basis. Since 1994, they have increased the herd size from 200 to nearly 1,200 cows. Along the way, they have continued to add free stall barns, a manure management system, and have updated the milking facility. Bill says, "We have always thought cows, facilities, and equipment need to be operated at near their full potential. It's helped us avoid adding fixed expenses and helped lower our cost of producing milk." As the dairy has grown, they have formed several alliances with former dairymen. One raises their baby calves. Another artificially inseminates all the replacement heifers, and another houses all dry cows. Leasing facilities from another neighbor has recently allowed them to start milking additional cows at another site. At Thiele's, it’s truly a family affair with everyone sharing in the daily activities – from office work, to cow work, to crop work – to accomplish all the tasks. They believe Nebraska offers the economic advantage of shipping milk rather than shipping feed. Expanding their dairy in Nebraska just makes sense to this family.
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Wolfden Dairy
Kearney, Nebraska
| “Nebraska offers so many positive fixed elements that we easily made the decision to relocate, build, and now expand here.” |
~ Steve Wolfe, Wolfden Dairy
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Steve and Dan Wolfe built brand new dairy facilities in central Nebraska in 1997 after intensely researching dairying opportunities in Nebraska. The brothers moved their Wolfden Dairy business 1,500 miles west from their prior location in the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia. Expansion was not feasible on the East Coast due to limited feed and high land prices, but Nebraska had just what they were looking for. “Nebraska offers so many positive fixed elements that we easily made the decision to relocate, build, and now expand here,” Steve says. He is referring to access to water and Nebraska’s extensive irrigation system, affordable land prices, and acceptable weather conditions. “With water comes feed,” Steve says. Brother Dan also likes their chosen location just south of the city of Kearney. They have access to services, a good school system, and are just five miles off a major interstate highway. The brothers built facilities for 450 cows, have since expanded to 600 head, and are permitted for further expansion when they are ready to do so. “With a milk plant just an hour away, we couldn't have picked a better location,” Dan says. Both brothers are very pleased with their decision to move their business to Nebraska. |
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