Ryan and Katie Schumacher

Hometown: Kingston, MI
Local: Deford/Clifford-Mayville
District: 7

Ryan and Katie Schumacher are not afraid to jump in and take charge in leadership positions within their community. Ryan and Katie are active in Bay County Farm Bureau and their local counties’ 4-H programs. They are also parents to toddler Trey, and soon-to-be parents to a new baby Schumacher due March 2022! The future of their farm keeps them on their toes and gives them long-term perspective on the decisions they make today.

Q&A:

Q: What do you love about being a farmer?
Being able to supply quality, nutritional food for my community.

Q: What’s the key to running a dairy farm?
Flexibility.

Q: What’s your favorite chore?
Feeding calves. Who doesn’t like baby calves?

Q: How can someone easily improve their milk quality?
Knowing their herd. By knowing your herd, you can improve genetics and improve overall herd health.

Q: Describe your farm management style in three words.
Improvement never stops.

Q: If you were given $1 million to invest in your farm, what would you do with it?
Improve heifer facilities and our feeding program.

Q: What does your farm look like in 30 years?
Hopefully helping and overseeing the next generation take over the farm and guiding them in managing a successful farm that my parents put their heart and soul into starting.

On Their Farm

The Schumachers know what it takes to implement change on a dairy farm all for the sake of better milk quality. They started milking in their family’s stantion barn and recently transitioned to two robots on their farm in Kingston, Michigan. This change, paired with upgrading their production record system and using the Central Star breeding program has set them up for greater genetic potential and better milk quality.

This article was originally published in the January/February 2022 issue of the Milk Messenger. Subscribe »