Fall on the farm is a season of change. The mornings turn cooler, the leaves begin to shift, and our fields quickly transform into a hub of activity. For our dairy, harvest season means one big job — chopping corn. While many people think of autumn as pumpkins and apple orchards, on our Wisconsin dairy farm it’s the busiest and most important time of the year. Harvest ensures our, cows will be well-fed in the months ahead.
What Corn Harvest Means for Our Dairy
Chopping corn isn’t simply about bringing in a crop; it’s about preparing the feed that will sustain our herd year-round. Corn silage forms the cornerstone of our cows’ diet, providing the energy they need to stay healthy and produce high-quality milk. Every acre of corn we chop represents thousands of nutritious meals for our herd in the year to come.
The Work Behind Chopping Corn
During harvest, the fields buzz with nonstop activity. The chopper moves row by row, cutting corn and processing it into small, digestible pieces. Wagons and trucks line up to carry the silage back to the farm. Once there, it’s packed tightly into silage bunkers. This packing step is just as important as chopping itself, because silage must be compacted to remove oxygen. Without oxygen, it ferments properly and stays preserved.
Meanwhile, support crews keep equipment running, drivers move quickly between fields and farm, and teams back home monitor the bunkers to ensure the silage is stored correctly. It’s a coordinated effort requiring long hours, teamwork, and plenty of dedication.
Challenges of Corn Harvest
Like any harvest, chopping corn comes with challenges. Weather plays a huge role — too much rain slows progress, while an early frost can change crop quality. Equipment breakdowns are another hurdle, sometimes stopping the entire operation until repairs are made. And of course, there are the long days that stretch from sunrise until long after dark. Even so, we know every hour of hard work now ensures our cows will have the best possible feed later.
The Rewards of a Successful Harvest
When the final rows are chopped and the bunkers are full, the relief is enormous. Seeing that silage stored away means peace of mind — our cows will have the nutrition they need for the year ahead. For us, chopping corn is more than another farm chore; it’s the foundation of our farmstead dairy operation. And there’s nothing quite like the smell of freshly packed silage on a crisp Wisconsin fall day.
A Glimpse of Farm Life During Harvest
Some of our best farm memories come from chopping season. Kids climb into the tractor for rides, meals are packed into coolers and eaten in the cab, and headlights glow across the fields long after sunset. Harvest may be exhausting, but it brings everyone together — family, employees, neighbors, and even curious visitors who stop to watch the action.
Closing Thoughts
Fall harvest on a dairy farm may look different than the “typical” idea of autumn, but for us, chopping corn is one of the most important things we do all year. It’s how we care for our cows, sustain our farm, and ultimately, provide the milk and cheese enjoyed by families near and far.
We’re grateful you joined us for this behind-the-scenes look at harvest season. The next time you enjoy a glass of milk or a bag of cheese curds, you’ll know it all started with hard work in the cornfields this fall.
Written by Pagel’s Ponderosa Dairy Family Member: Kiley Pagel
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