Operations begin at Rock Prairie Dairy
Photo
Three generations of the Tuls family prepare to milk the first cow at the Rock Prairie Dairy east of Janesville on Highway 14. T.J. Tuls, left, and Todd Tuls, center, look on as Jack Tuls, who came to the U.S. from The Netherlands when he was 9, moves the pneumatic milker into position on the first of 70 cows being milked Wednesday.
Photo
Milk flows through the pneumatic system as the first 70 cows are milked at Rock Prairie Dairy.
Photo
A computer reads out the results of the first cow being milked at the Rock Prairie Dairy east of Janesville on Wednesday. The cow yielded 31 pounds of milk in 5.3 minutes.
BRADFORD TOWNSHIP — At 6 p.m. on the nose, the cows poured onto the elevated platform of the milking parlor.
It was a noisy blur of white and black. The air filled with a musky, bovine smell as octopus-like milking apparatuses dropped from housings in chrome walls that blinked with red and green lights.
Jack Tuls, 69, patriarch of the Tuls milking family, gave a short speech before he moved the business end of a milking pump into place.
"A lot of people have been talking about this dairy. 99 percent of them are for it. Maybe a few of them are against it. But I'm for it. And I'm going to milk the first cow," Tuls said.
With that, operations started at Rock Prairie Dairy.
On Wednesday, more than 500 cows and dozens of workers were settling into their new home at the dairy.
Every other day for the next week, an additional 500 cows will arrive. When it's full, the dairy will be capable of milking 4,600 cows and housing a total of 5,200.
The dairy is located on Highway 14 between Janesville and Delavan two miles west of the Walworth County line—and a long way from Nebraska.
T.J. Tuls, son of Nebraska dairyman Todd Tuls, will be managing the dairy. He made the move to Wisconsin months ago.
The cows are coming from the family's other dairy operations in Nebraska.
T.J. Tuls explained in an email that the cows are being milked before taking off for Wisconsin.
"It's about nine and a half hours from Nebraska, so they are only about an hour and a half off of their normal schedule."
Still, cows are creatures of habit. Once they get used to a routine, they'll wander into the milking parlor at the right time of day with little or no encouragement.
Just like people, change is a little stressful for cows.
"I think that after a week or so they will feel at home," Tuls wrote. "They do produce a little bit less the first few days due to the stress of moving."
Wednesday, the first milking went off in about a half-hour. Todd Tuls said the process took about twice as long as normal because the cows were still a little tense from the move.
But the new milking equipment was working as expected.
A pneumatic pump pulled the milk into a filtering system below the milking parlor and then back up into another room where a well-water refrigeration system flash-cooled the milk to 37 degrees.
When the system's running at full capacity, it can milk 700 cows an hour, and can transfer milk from the cow to the milk truck in about one minute, said Scott Argall, whose Belleville company, Argall Dairy Systems, installed the dairy's milking system.
The new facility, which sits on 160 acres, was scheduled to open in mid-November.
T.J. Tuls wrote that rain early on in the project slowed it down a little, but not much.
"Overall, it is a big project. To build a 4,600 cow dairy in 8.5 months is a pretty big accomplishment," he wrote.
The dairy has about 25 people hired, and more people will be hired as more cows come in, Tuls wrote. He encouraged people to stop in and fill out an application.
As workers in red coveralls and blue aprons finished the first round of milking on Wednesday, Todd Tuls applied an after-milking disinfectant to a cow.
Tuls surveyed the gleaming new milking parlor with intense blue eyes.
"I'm just having fun milking cows right now—it's something I don't get to do that much anymore. I'm just enjoying the moment," he said.
He said he thanks a higher power for his company's success, its growth and the chance to create job opportunities for others.
"Some people don't get to start any dairies in their lifetime. I've been able to start three," Tuls said. "It's a true blessing."
WHAT IT IS
The NFL and the National Dairy Council are partners in the Play 60 effort to encourage kids to be active for 60 minutes a day to combat childhood obesity.
On the state level, the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board partners with the Green Bay Packers in the board's Fuel Up to Play 60 promotion, which encourages children to eat low-fat dairy products, fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
One other local school won a prize in this year's contest. Northside Intermediate School of Milton was a runner-up and won a $100 NFL Shop gift card.
Jan 7, 2012 at 10:43 a.m.
Suggest removal
As a taxpayer in Bradford Township, I say welcome to our neighborhood! Wish you good luck and congratulations. And to Tree Hugger JimmyJohn, "Hahaha!You lost!" Take your eco terror BS elsewhere!
Dec 19, 2011 at 1:38 p.m.
Suggest removal
I wish Tuls the best, but that spralling operation sure is an ugly pox on the land. Oh my goodness--just saw it today for the first time. I can't help but think the smell is going to absolutely awful.
Now that it's here we can only hope for the best.
Dec 17, 2011 at 7:05 p.m.
Suggest removal
The Center to EXPOSE and CLOSE Animal Factories.....
http://www.closeanimalfactories.org
Go ahead and pollute. Charlie Spears only comes in after the damage is done.
Dec 16, 2011 at 11:20 p.m.
Suggest removal
It's a good thing Tuls didn't locate his CAFO near any self-described not-in-my-backyard politicians. Here's a story about the Fitzgerald brothers shutting down a CAFO because it was located within a mile of a lake in their home district. When Republicans shut 'em down, they say they're protecting the environment.
http://host.madison.com/ct/news/local/go...
Dec 16, 2011 at 10:51 p.m.
Suggest removal
Welllll Dwight,
Bos still ain't milkin cuz Tuls took his freeestall......
Dec 16, 2011 at 5:30 p.m.
Suggest removal
tequila - welcome back. How are you feeling about those Bos comparisons now? "Bos ain't milkin'..."
Dec 16, 2011 at 5:05 p.m.
Suggest removal
"He said he thanks a higher power for his company's success, its growth and the chance to create job opportunities for others."
Job creation fer da DBA.....And don't ferget lawyers too.
The higher power- dats the milk mafia...job creation for low payin jobs as you bump off the independent small dairies.....
Dec 16, 2011 at 4:44 p.m.
Suggest removal
(This comment was deemed utterly ridiculous by the site staff)
Dec 16, 2011 at 4:19 p.m.
Suggest removal
and it's a good think we had the "environmentalists" and the "sustainability groups come later, or we'd have the land worse than 3rd world countries.
The Rock river is clean compared to what it was. you couldn't catch a fish in the Fox river till the late 80's. If only we could go back to the good 'ol days, when dilution was the solution to pollution. Things worked really well back then Didn't harm a thing.
Dec 16, 2011 at 3:23 p.m.
Suggest removal
officerfriendly1: Unlike most people with OWI issues, Mr. Tuls has brought a multi-million dollar operation to Rock County when most businesses have left in droves. He's obviously a successful businessman. Who hasn't made mistakes in life? Besides, if you're so concerned about the bench warrant in WI why don't you go pick him up? He's not exactly hiding out & maybe you'll make the front page instead of hiding out in the blogosphere.
Dec 16, 2011 at 2:46 p.m.
Suggest removal
It is a good thing we didn't have self decribed environmentalits and sustainability groups in the 1800's. If they existed then we would still be using out houses and using a horse and wagon. Progress is inevitable. The left like to mock the job creators but what would our standard of living be without them.
Dec 16, 2011 at 2:15 p.m.
Dec 16, 2011 at 12:31 p.m.
Suggest removal
Bovine Super-Max!
One day they'll probably figure out how to bio-engineer the cow down to a chewing mouth and a digestive system that produces nothing more than milk and manure--no body, no brain beyond the reptilian stem--so as not to waste energy on such useless features! I bet "99%" of the people are behind that concept too. Till then, though--the dawn of the Matrix for cows!--it it just looks like a bovine puppy mill to me!
Dec 16, 2011 at 11:23 a.m.
Suggest removal
Did some of you forget ? This is Wisconsin ,the Dairy State.
Dec 16, 2011 at 11:16 a.m.
Suggest removal
PLEASE - Take the time and read the JIMMYJOHN posts & website info(Start with the Dec. 16th - 4:05 for a real wakeup to this busness and owners.) - contamination, treatment to animals, and information on the owners background are MUST reading for all concerned citizens. Thank you to JIMMYJOHN for the excellent information...I was shocked when I read it.
Dec 16, 2011 at 10:48 a.m.
Suggest removal
Farming is an excellent endeavor. Factory farming, isn't. It's bad for the environment, it's bad for the animals, it produces substandard food, wether it be milk or meat, it's crap compared to cows pastured on grass, chickens that see dirt and fish that don't swim in netted cages in the ocean.
Sure it makes people a lot of money, but it doesn't do the rest of us much good.
Dec 16, 2011 at 10:15 a.m.
Suggest removal
This farm is a good thing, jobs, growth, new opportunities. I do agree that there should be no subsidies etc... But I would say that NO farm should get a subsidy -- big or large and I would extend that to alternatirve energy or any other government intervention. But then the dems and repubs couldnt buy votes.
Dec 16, 2011 at 10:04 a.m.
Suggest removal
taxed2much - small farmers just want a level playing field. No more taxpayer funded government grants and loans for only big farmers. Think about it, more small farms means more individuals making a good living. Government intervention has led to factory/corporate farm owners getting rich off our tax subsidies, with a slew of low wage earners working for them. Farmers now get 8 cents of every dollar from food prices. That used to be 50 cents as recently as 1980.
Dec 16, 2011 at 9:48 a.m.
Suggest removal
Am I the only one confused by the last three paragraphs of the article, under the words "WHAT IT IS"? Seems like that got pasted from another article by accident.
Dec 16, 2011 at 9:27 a.m.
Suggest removal
I hope all the residents in the area have tested there water and do so every year now. hey autoworker do you think there employees are union? i dont think so.
Dec 16, 2011 at 8:41 a.m.
Suggest removal
All of you folks that are negative about this farm and any other farm are right! Maybe we should shut all of these farms down and go back to small 20-30 cow set-ups.
Milk prices will increase due to lower production and the small farmer will benefit.
But wait, who will pay the higher costs of the milk? The consumer will and will then look for a cheaper alternative. In the meantime guys like Tuls will head to Brazil and build farms like this 3 or 4 times as big and will import his milk into the US. You, as a consumer would love it because it would bring the price down and that "rich" 20-30 cow local farmer would now have competition.
I would rather have the milk produced right her in the US, thank you.
Dec 16, 2011 at 7:59 a.m.
Suggest removal
REQUIRED COMMENT READING --> Please take the time and read the information(Go to the website) that JIMMYJOHN has posted here. After reading about the inhumane treatment to the animals, one being burried alive, and looking at the picture, PLUS all the other info. - I was shocked. Take the time to read this for a real wakeup call.
Dec 16, 2011 at 7:47 a.m.
Suggest removal
Regarding the drinking water comment being "just fine unless there is an excessive spill or leak" - - I drove over to check it out and would disagree, in my humble opinion - it looks like a future possible accident that could take place. The place is huge and looks very neat, but it is possible that this farming operation could put nitrates and bacteria into the ground water supply. The risk of run off may be small, but it is still very possible.
Dec 16, 2011 at 7:40 a.m.
Suggest removal
Congratulations on your new operation here near Janesville. I have watched the progress over the past several months as I have driven past on Highway 14. All looks great! Ignore the few "sour grapes" you may see here. I am always happy to see someone succeed. Best of luck!
Dec 16, 2011 at 7:30 a.m.
Suggest removal
Wow, what a bunch of haters. These are the same people on other threads with, "get a job", "stand on your own", "don't provide services", and "I won't pay taxes". Yet, here is a new business, hiring people, provided a needed product and they are still haters. This is what you asked for people, everyone does whatever they want on thier own land. That is what "less government" means. You asked for it.
Dec 16, 2011 at 7:16 a.m.
Suggest removal
You left out a little piece of information, JimmyJohn,
.
"Twin Falls County Prosecutor Grant Loebs and Sheriff Wayne Tousley had said they did not have enough evidence to prosecute Tuls in connection with mistreatment of animals on his dairy. A former employee had been identified as a suspect, but his whereabouts are unknown. The sheriff's office has continued to investigate the case, Loebs said."
.
Second, the drinking water will be just fine unless there is an excessive spill or leak over a long period of time. Topographically, anything leaking under the ponds (if it ever happens) won't spread incredibly far from the farm.
.
Third, Jack doesn't own the farm, Todd does. The chances that Nebraska is going to have him picked up in Wisconsin for a failure to appear on a DUI is slim to none. But thanks for trying, lol.
Dec 15, 2011 at 8:01 p.m.
Suggest removal
Pretty darn good point there officerfriendly. Dunno how it works in Nebraska when your a big&rich milkman but here in the land of curds, he will invariably pay his dues sooner or later. I have every faith in our law enforcement agencies as I'm sure you do. Judges, Police Chief's or big&rich milkman. All fair game in the smack down on stupid driving.
Dec 15, 2011 at 7:29 p.m.
Suggest removal
I drove by Tuesday morning as usual but ,that day there were 6 Semi's totally tweaked out with L.E.D lights from the grill to the tail it looked like a Christmas parade ! I would assume they were loaded with cattle. This place is amazing,and HUGE ! I wish them the best and for the many who will be employed there,I hope they are locals as well.
Dec 15, 2011 at 5:52 p.m.
Suggest removal
lmc: Creating a rumor?
Dec 15, 2011 at 4:42 p.m.
Suggest removal
Are these the spent ethanol grain fed cows pumped on growth hormone ? Mmmmm...can't wait for this milk to hit the supply chain.
Dec 15, 2011 at 4:37 p.m.
Suggest removal
Ship the waste back to Nebraska
Dec 15, 2011 at 4:28 p.m.
Suggest removal
officerfriendly, if you truly are an officer let the system judge the man. What his disease has to do with his milking operation is beyond me. Even alcoholics deserve the right to make an honest living unless your implying his type aren't needed around here? I would submit we have plenty around here already and at least this one is employing people and adding something back to society.
-
Hopefully Mr Tuls gets his problem in check.
Before you post a comment, consider this:
Note: GazetteXtra.com does not condone or review every comment. Read more in our User Policy AgreementPost Comment
Commenting requires registration.