Nellie Holsteins

Nellie Holsteins The Nelson family has been farming on the south side of Eau Clair since 1895. They proudly raise and milk registered dairy cattle.

06/20/2026

Alfalfa is one of the most important forages in dairy nutrition because it provides highly digestible fiber, protein, and energy. How it’s harvested and when it’s cut has a huge impact on both yield and feed quality. We monitor days since last cutting, plant stage and weather forecast very closely to decide when to cut.
We target a 21-24 day cutting interval and early bud stage to obtain the highest feed quality while sacrificing a little yield. This field is cut at 22 days with a some buds present. We cut slightly early to get done as much ch as possible before it rains again next week.
Timing matters, every day you delay harvest:
Fiber (NDF/ADF) increases
Digestibility decreases
Protein drops
Yield increases

Tonight, while feeding calves, Lainey had a ton of questions. The first was, "Do my calves drink soy milk?" followed by ...
06/19/2026

Tonight, while feeding calves, Lainey had a ton of questions. The first was, "Do my calves drink soy milk?" followed by "Why do some people drink soy milk rather than cow's milk?" "Cow's milk is so good, why do we need a different kind of milk?”

Though soy based milk replacers are available we feed an all-milk protein milk replacer. The main difference between all-milk protein milk replacers and soy-based milk replacers comes down to digestibility, calf performance, and cost.

All-Milk Protein Replacers
Made from dairy ingredients like Whey, Skim milk, and milk protein concentrate.

Pros:
Highly digestible for young calves because it closely mimics natural Cow's milk
Supports strong early growth and feed efficiency
Less risk of digestive upset in very young calves
Better for calves under 3 weeks of age, when their digestive systems are less developed
Cons:
Usually more expensive
Ingredient costs can fluctuate with dairy markets

Soy-Based Milk Replacers
Made with soy protein concentrates or isolates like Soy milk derivatives.
Pros:
Often lower cost than all-milk replacers
More stable ingredient pricing
Can work well in older calves when digestion is more mature
Cons:
Less digestible for very young calves
May contain anti-nutritional factors if not processed well
Can lead to looser manure or slower gains in some calves
Lower palatability in some situations
Why does it matter?
A newborn calf is essentially designed to digest milk proteins. In the first few weeks of life, all-milk replacers generally give the best start because they are easier on the gut and help maximize growth. As calves age, some soy proteins can be utilized more efficiently.

Check out this comparison between Milk and Milk alternatives. Options are always great but nothing can truly beat a nutrient pack glass of milk with only 3 key ingredients. B

06/17/2026

Footbaths are another key part in maintaining cattle health. As cows walk through, the solution helps clean their feet, kill harmful bacteria, and strengthen hoof tissue, reducing the risk of infections like digital dermatitis and foot rot. The foot bath solution is a mixture of water, copper sulfate and an acidifier. The footbath is ran 3 times a week to maintain clean, strong hooves.
Pairing good hoof care with clean alleys, dry bedding, and balanced nutrition creates a strong foundation for healthy feet. Because at the end of the day, healthy cows start from the ground up.

06/17/2026

Hoof health is one of the most important pieces of keeping a dairy herd healthy and productive. A cow’s feet carry her through every part of her day from walking to the parlor, standing at the feed bunk, and resting comfortably. When hoof issues arise, it doesn’t just affect comfort, it impacts milk production, herd health, and farm profitability.
That’s why regular hoof trimming and footbaths are so important. Hooves grow about 2 inches each year, and without routine maintenance, weight distribution can become uneven, leading to lameness, ulcers, and other painful conditions. The cows are trimmed twice a year to keep cows balanced and comfortable. The hoof trimmer, Kirby Hoof Care comes to the dairy every 6 weeks to trim. We have a list based on stage of lactation and pull any lame cows for additional attention.

Spring on the farm is always a busy season, but it’s also one of our favorite times of year because it means welcoming v...
06/16/2026

Spring on the farm is always a busy season, but it’s also one of our favorite times of year because it means welcoming visitors to learn where their food comes from.
This spring, we had the privilege of hosting 2,137 students on our farm through tours and educational experiences. From meeting calves and learning about cow care to seeing how crops are grown and how milk makes its journey from farm to table, these students got a firsthand look at modern agriculture. They also met and pet their adopt a cows Oreo and Clove, which was the highlight for most students.
There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing kids ask questions, make connections, and leave with a better understanding of the hard work and dedication that goes into feeding our communities every day.
If you visited the farm share your favorite photo in the comments. If you are interested in providing this experience to your students join the fun here: discoverdairy.com/adopt
Thank you to all the schools, teachers, and families who spent time with us this spring. Sharing our story and helping connect the next generation to agriculture is something we’re incredibly passionate about. 💚🚜🥛

Address

E169 Maple Road
Eau Claire, WI
54701

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