SAE Visit #1: Milk it for all it's Worth!

On Saturday I was able to visit a student's SAE project directly after we had our Dairy Judging Practice! Mr. Steinfelt and I decided to use our time wisely and "Milk it for all it was worth!"

This is Kelsey with one of her favorite cows... she calls her cow-dog because she is so friendly!

So I visited with a sophomore Kelsey who has a paid placement SAE at a local dairy farm. This year Kelsey is taking Animal Science and therefore has Dr. Banic in class and not Mr. Steinfelt and I. I have been able to interact with her every Wednesday during tutorial during Dairy Judging Practice at school and wanted to learn more about her project.

A view of the clean and orderly tie-stall.

Her boss, Scott, has a close relationship with Mr. Steinfelt and had approached him for some help with showing cows last summer. Kelsey was one of the students who responded and had a lot of fun while also learning more about cows at the Fair. In September, she approached Scott to see if he needed any help on the farm. After filling out a job application, Kelsey was very excited to start working at the farm.



This is the farm sign for Snowcrest Farm.

Snowcrest Farm has won the title of "Dairy of Distinction" and proudly boasts registered Holsteins, with a sprinkling of Red and White Holsteins and Jersey cows. They milk about 113 cows in a tie stall barn. Kelsey primarily milks cows. Her duties include setting up the milking parlor, getting the milkers and dippers prepared, and starting the milker system. After washing the milkers, she generally pushes feed and scrapes manure. Other jobs that Kelsey sometimes does is helping Scott with odds and ends chores, feeding calves, and cleaning the barn. Kelsey really enjoys her job and is looking forward to learning more about the dairy industry.

Kelsey has enjoyed learning more about cows in her SAE.

When asked about any future goals or aspirations, she wants to learn more about breeding cows. Scott agrees that breeding is a good goal for Kelsey! She has a very strong SAE project that I would certainly rate as very good. With closer inspection of her records, there are certainly areas where Kelsey can improve. As a sophomore, she has ample time to correct her AET, and continue adding to the project. She is excited about getting the Chapter degree and has a goal to reach the Keystone degree by the time she is a senior!


Kelsey uses AET to maintain her records. Mr. Steinfelt told her to make sure that she is entering her records at LEAST once a week. While Mr. Steinfelt and I provide about 20 minutes a week for students to log in and update, Kelsey is not able to do that in her Animal Science Class. It is therefore very important that she consistently records her work. Kelsey works every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and every other weekend. Recommendations for Kelsey were to ensure that she revises her SAE plan in AET to include all of her responsibilities. Additionally, she needs to update her goals in the SAE Project Manager.

Scotts' daughter came and helped with giving the tour of the barns.

Mr. Steinfelt incorporates SAE as a part of student's grade, and he checks students AET records to make sure that student's are entering grades by printing the records every two weeks. Students are able to come for help with AET records during tutorial period or after school. Mr. Steinfelt also ensures that younger students have more time in class to ask questions and/or get help with the AET record system.

Scotts' daughter really liked taking pictures! And who doesn't want a picture with an adorable baby calf!?