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LANCASTER, Wis. – Ashlee Crubel has been milking cows since she was 10 years old and has no intention of stopping. She believes her work ethic and passion for cattle keeps her relevant and motivated in an ever-changing industry.
“I have a real passion for cattle,” Crubel said. “I started by myself with my own cows in 2012. Next March will be 10 years.”
Crubel milks 73 cows at Ashlynn Dairy near Lancaster. The heifers are housed where Crubel lives in Livingston. She owns a total of 160 head of cattle.
Calves are raised in small groups around the farm and fed bottles. Currently, there are 27 calves on bottles. Her dad, Bill Crubel, does the field work and feeding, and her mom, Gina, helps with calf chores between her full-time job, but the milking is all up to Crubel.
“The cows revolve around me,” Crubel said. “I do all the milking and breeding.”
Because Crubel milks in a 61-stall tiestall barn, she plans to dry some off before winter to avoid switching cows during the winter months.
Crubel graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison Farm and Industry Short Course with a dairy science certificate in 2012. Her parents sold the cowherd a year prior and offered to rent the barn to Crubel if she wanted to begin milking. Crubel decided to indulge in her love of cows and bought a herd of 20 Jerseys to get started.
Milk prices were at a record high when she began her solo dairy career, and Crubel had the foresight to use this to her advantage.
“I told (the Farm Service Agency) to start pushing those payments because I knew it wouldn’t last,” said Crubel, referring to the volatility of the milk market.
By the time milk prices crashed, Crubel had paid off her cow loan and managed to significantly grow the herd.
Crubel said breeding her own cows is one way she saves money. She also tries not to call the veterinarian too often and can generally take care of problems on her own.
Recently, Crubel has made changes to the feeding program. She does not have a nutritionist and has decided to start purchasing hay from South Dakota in an effort to increase milk production.
“I’m trying to push as much milk out of them as I can,” Crubel said. “Feed can be costly, and I’m trying to make my own ration.”
Other feed is purchased from her parents. The cows are fed western and Wisconsin hay, corn silage and top-dressed protein.
Crubel also has a passion for showing.
“I’m 28 years old, and I still put on my whites and get out to the show ring,” Crubel said.
She shows in open class at county fairs and various shows around the country. She tries to find kids who are interested in the hobby as well and gives them an opportunity to try showing.
When Crubel is not farming, she is working her part-time job as a bartender. Crubel said the job works well and allows her time to get off the farm and see people. Many of the clientele are local farmers who come in for lunch. The owner of the bar also appreciates cattle and owns a heifer with Crubel.
Crubel said there are times she becomes worn out and wonders why she does not do something easier, but believes she is too independent to do anything else. Crubel said the support from her family and friends has made her dairying career less burdensome. She said she appreciates the help with management decisions from her fiancé.  
“My favorite part is the fact that I can show women that they actually can do it by themselves,” Crubel said. “People don’t think I belong in this field. I get that all the time. Well, I do it, and I’m proud of it.”

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