This episode is sponsored by Renaissance Ag! www.renaissanceag.com
Introduction:
- Host: Dairy Gal Val or Val Lavigne
- Guest: Paige Roberts
Overview:
- Paige's current role: Herds Manager for a 150-cow dairy in central Minnesota.
- Transition to robotic milking: Recently installed four DeLaval milking robots.
- Other responsibilities: Overseeing herd health, calf care, on-farm creamery (10% milk turned into cheese), and conducting farm tours.
Paige's Background:
- Grew up in central Minnesota, surrounded by farming.
- College: Initially a psychology major at the University of Wisconsin, River Falls.
- Shift to agriculture: Discovered a passion for agriculture during an environmental science class in the College of Agriculture.
Career Path:
- Post-college: Worked for a dairy veterinarian in Rochester, Minnesota, focusing on large animal vet tech work.
- Transition to on-farm creamery: Connected with Red Head Creamery, working for Lucas and Elise Salstrom.
- Eight years on the farm: Evolving from milking cows and creamery work to becoming the herd manager.
- Adoption of milking robots: Quick transition from discussing robots to implementing them due to challenges in finding labor for milking.
Creamery Expansion:
- Creamery products: Initially started with cheddar cheese and cheese curds; expanded to seven consistent cheeses.
- Future plans: Doubling creamery space, adding a distillery for fermenting whey into a clear alcohol called raga.
Personal Preferences:
- Go-to pizza order: Pepperoni with extra cheese.
- Drink of choice: Hot chocolate (non-caffeinated).
- Favorite cheese: Honey Chipotle or Pepper Jack.
Inspirational Quote:
- "If you have to eat a frog, eat it for breakfast. If you have to eat two frogs, eat the big one first." - Mark Twain
Guest Question:
- If Paige had to change her agriculture focus, she would choose row crop farming (corn and soybeans) for the enjoyment of tractor work and making hay.
Social Media:
- Paige's Instagram: @Paige_Farms
- TikTok: Limited presence, primarily active on Instagram.
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