Yours, mine, ours

SOUTH HAVEN, Minn. — While the families of both Michael Rose and Kayti (Lyseth) Rose sold their respective herds years ago, each acquired a small herd once again and then combined them after they married in September 2023.

“I always wanted to be involved in the dairy industry,” Kayti said. “I couldn’t see myself anywhere else, but I couldn’t farm on my own.”

The Michael and Kayti milk 50 cows in a swing-6 parlor and farm about 300 acres near South Haven. The couple were married in September 2023.

Kayti works as a dairy inspector with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and does daily chores.

Although Michael was milking a herd of Holsteins when the couple met, the Rose family farm had been a Jersey operation from its inception in 1953 until 2003, when Michael’s dad sold the herd.

The family owned beef cattle and continued to farm the land. In 2011, Michael’s dad purchased a small herd of Jerseys and returned to the dairy industry.

“I was in college when Dad bought the cows, so I switched my major from beef management to dairy science at Ridgewater College,” Michael said. “I always liked cows and the broad spectrum of tasks that it entails, from tinkering with equipment and building things to improve the farm.”

After college, Michael worked odd jobs while helping his dad. He became full time on the farm in 2016. In 2017, a neighbor was selling their herd of Holsteins, and Michael purchased the herd to increase the Rose herd to 100 cows.

“That really put a strain on the facilities and us,” Michael said.

The following year, Michael’s dad sold off his Jersey herd and transitioned the farm to Michael.

While Michael is the third generation on his farm, Kayti is the fourth generation of dairy farmers in her family.

“I still show my Jerseys and register the Jerseys under my family’s registered name of Swede Alley,” Kayti said.

Kayti shows at the Wisconsin Spring Show, the Minnesota State Fair and occasionally at World Dairy Expo and the North American International Livestock Exposition. She also leases animals to youth to show throughout the summer.

The couple was introduced by a mutual friend, who was also a dairy farmer.

“I remembered seeing Kayti in a Dairy Star article before we met,” Michael said.

Kayti grew up on her family’s farm near Hinckley, where they milked 70 registered Jerseys. When the family sold the herd in 2020, Kayti kept 20 cows, which were housed at three neighboring farms.

“I am forever grateful to them for taking care of my animals,” Kayti said.

Once their relationship became serious, Kayti slowly began to transition her animals to Michael’s farm.

The couple shares responsibilities. Michael milks in the morning, and they both milk cows in the evening. Kayti manages the calves and the cows with CowManager. Michael tends to the crops and the mechanical work.

“We both help each other out,” Kayti said.

Michael gets to indulge in his architecture interest as they are building a house with help from family, friends and neighbors.

“I love the community within the agriculture industry,” Kayti said. “They are second to none. If you ever need anything, they are right there.”