Tell us about your farm and family. Statz Bros. Inc. is managed by our second generation with our third approaching. Our farm became incorporated in 1971. At that time, common enterprise was dairy and swine. Our founders, Donald and Richard Statz, were managing the operation at that time. Throughout the 1970s into the 1980s, the focus was directed on the dairy enterprise, and the hog enterprise left the farm. Our first expansion happened in 1991 which led way to a concentrated animal feeding operation. A second expansion started in 2012 by adding a second milking operation. This location milks 3,050 cows in a double-50 parallel parlor. Together, both locations milk around 4,300 animals which consist of Jerseys and Holsteins. We grow and manage our crops to feed the livestock. Heifer calves leave our operation daily to go to custom raisers and return confirmed pregnant. We keep about 30 calves per month to raise for beef.
Why did you join FFA? I chose to join FFA because I want to absorb the learning experiences it has to offer. I enjoy all the activities that are put together, the conferences and leadership training. It helps me to learn many aspects.
What is your role in the chapter? Currently, my role in our chapter is sentinel. For contests, I have competed in creed speaking and parliamentary procedure. I look forward to the National FFA Convention & Expo every year because I always meet new people and have been on really awesome tours. Our monthly meetings are fun, too, and I love welcoming new members to show them what FFA is all about and ensure everyone is included in some way.
How has FFA shaped you as a person? FFA has shaped me as a leader within the chapter. I have been lucky to work with amazing leaders and chapters. They give me goals that I would like to achieve within our chapter.
What are your duties on the farm? My main focus is helping maintain our beef herd. Daily checks are made to ensure the bedding and feed are maintained. I am also showing an animal at the Dane County Fair in July.
What are your future plans? I want to attend a four-year university, and I have been looking at many universities. My focus will be in agriculture.
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