At Van Der Geest Dairy, we grow all of our own corn silage and haylage, ensuring a consistent, high-quality feed base for our cows.
To balance their diet, we supplement with purchased grains, minerals, vitamins, and hay. This combination gives our herd the nutrition they need while allowing us to focus on growing the forages best suited to our land and climate
Our feed is harvested from more than 6,000 acres of owned and rented land within an eight-mile radius of the farm. Roughly half of that acreage is rented, providing additional income for local landowners and keeping farmland in active use.
Every field is tested in 2.5-acre increments to understand its nutrient composition. Based on those results, we apply organic fertilizer precisely where it’s needed. This ensures healthier plants, richer soil, and efficient use of resources.
All cropping practices follow advanced Nutrient Management Plans, which guide when, where, and how much organic fertilizer is applied. These plans are developed with and monitored by the DNR and the Soil Conservation Service, underscoring our commitment to stewardship and sustainability.
Chopping corn on a beautiful fall day.
Trucks deliver corn silage as the tractors pack the silage by repeatedly driving over it.
Tightly packed silage ferments more quickly & prohibits the growth of mold and yeast that may produce harmful mycotoxins.
