Where the Herd Is

Photography: HOLSTEIN ASSOCIATION USA, INC.

At Buessing Dairy in Axtell, Kan., it takes a herd to be successful — and we’re not just talking about the cows. From the early light of morning to the waning hours of evening, Roy and Patty Buessing and their six kids each have a part to play to care for their farm and their cows. And now that their two oldest sons, Christian (25) and Colton (23), are investing in the farm themselves, it’s time to take the dairy to the next level.

Where it started

In 1968, Richard Buessing, Roy’s father, established his own dairy farm after learning about the industry from his father growing up. When Richard’s two oldest sons, Roy and Roger, were ready to take over the farm in 1994, he sold his herd of 80 Holsteins, the barn and the equipment to his boys. Over the years, Roy and Roger grew their herd to 100 cows, added more acreage for farming crops and rooted their families in the values and work ethic their parents had modeled for them.

“Raising your kids on a dairy farm teaches responsibility and how to appreciate hard work and the results that come from it,” Roy says. “They learn about life and death when calves are born and, occasionally, when favorite cows are lost.”

Where it’s going

Twenty-seven years later, the third generation of Buessing Dairy, Christian and Colton, have decided to plant their roots like their dad, uncle and grandpa did before them. Since joining Roy and Roger full time on the farm, Christian and Colton have helped to nearly triple their herd size, now milking 280 Holsteins; built a new barn for their 50 calves; and have taken on more farming, in which they raise their own hay, silage and grain for the cows.

As kids, the boys and their siblings, Maryna (21), Quinn (19), Aspen (17) and Blaise (14), all pitched in to feed calves and do chores before and after school. Per Buessing tradition, each kid was gifted their own Holstein calf on their seventh birthday by their dad and uncle, bringing them along in the business and the responsibility of caring for animals. 

Since their childhood days bottle-feeding the calves before school and playing in feed piles with their cousins, Christian and Colton have known the dairy is where they wanted to be.

“I grew up seeing my family getting to work together,” Colton says. “Working on the weekends and waking up early, it’s all we know. I’ve loved growing up in the country with space to grow and family to be with. I couldn’t see myself being anywhere else.”

As time goes by, the cows, technology and farming practices may change, but there’s nothing like growing up and caring for a dairy farm with your family — where home, and the herd, is.