[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 137 (Friday, August 19, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E864-E865]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING DEER RUN DAIRY'S COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO SUSTAINABILITY

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                          HON. MIKE GALLAGHER

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, August 19, 2022

  Mr. GALLAGHER. Madam Speaker, today I rise to recognize Deer Run 
Dairy for receiving national recognition for their comprehensive 
approach to sustainability.
  The farm's recognition is part of the 11th Annual U.S. Dairy 
Sustainability Awards from the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy. These 
awards aim to recognize dairy farms, businesses and collaborative 
partnerships that demonstrate a strong commitment to continuous 
improvement in the area of sustainability, as well as a commitment to 
informing others on the advancing approaches to dairy sustainability.
  Deer Run Dairy originated in 1984, when the Ducat family purchased 
the property along with 70 cows. Step-by-step, they worked to expand 
the farm and eventually combined their operation with that of Dale 
Bogart, who shared similar goals. The Ducats and Bogart spent three 
years searching for the ideal space to combine their operations and 
grow. In 2007 they did just that; and in the Fall of 2008, they started 
milking 750 cows at Deer Run Dairy. Today, they milk approximately 
1,650 cows and manage 2,500 acres, along with being a leading advocate 
for sustainability in the dairy community.
  Deer Run Dairy faces unique challenges related to having shallow soil 
and being in close proximity to Lake Michigan. The Dairy has met these 
challenges through implementing conservation farming practices that 
build healthy soils and protect waterways. One example of this is their 
firm belief in the use of cover crops, in which they achieved their 
goal to seed 100 percent of their cropland by the fall of 2021.
  Through the use of an anaerobic digester, they also reduce pathogens 
in manure by a thousandfold. The digester produces useful byproducts, 
such as animal bedding and nutrient-rich fertilizer, and was also 
converted to produce renewable natural gas for the transportation 
market. Additionally, they use minimal antibiotics, conduct feeding 
trials to reduce methane gas production in the rumen of their cows, 
cross-ventilate their barns with

[[Page E865]]

fans that conserve energy; and they host field days to show off these 
practices in action and share the benefits of sustainability. As a 
demonstration farm within the Door and Kewaunee Demonstration Farm 
Network and leader in the Peninsula Pride Farms producer-led group, the 
farm hosts field days to exhibit these practices in action and share 
the benefits of sustainability.
  Madam Speaker, it is my honor to congratulate Deer Run Dairy on 
receiving the Dairy Sustainability Award and for all their efforts in 
advancing sustainable agriculture.

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