Ohlde Family Farms

2024 Kansas Distinguished Dairy Award

By Dr. Micheal Brouk, K-State Research and Extension Dairy Specialist

Steve and Cindi Ohlde (seated) of Linn, Kan., were recognized with the 2024 Kansas Distinguished Dairy Award at the Kansas Dairy Conference, March 22 in Manhattan. They are joined by their children, the children’s spouses, and their grandchildren. The award is sponsored by Kansas State University Research and Extension and Kansas Farmer magazine. The following was shared by K-State Research and Extension Dairy Specialist Dr. Mike Brouk.

Strengthening lives through ag production is the mission of our 2024 Kansas Distinguished Dairy Award winner.

Over the decades, this family has been effective in bridging the generations together.

Ohlde Family Farms started as Ohlde Dairy in 1955 with Bob and Norma Ohlde and 3 Holsteins that were part of an FFA project.

This multi-generational family farm has grown to include 6 sites in two states and employs more than 90 individuals.

In 1980, Steve and Cindi officially joined the operation, forming the family business with about 80 cows. Over the next 20 years, the family and the operation continued to grow.

In 2007, two of the Ohldes’ sons, Kyler and Justin, became partners in the operation which consisted of 600 cows.

Expansion continued and in 2016, Levi Ohlde, another son, became a partner to assist with the growing agronomy side of the family farm.

In the same year, Carter Creek Cattle, a heifer development yard, was added and the first half of a cross-vent barn, which ensures cow comfort with a cross ventilation system, was constructed and then fully finished in 2018.

In 2019 the operation expanded into Nebraska by managing Prairieland Dairy and Prairieland Gold, a composting site, which they officially purchased in 2023.

A robotic dairy site in Kansas was constructed in 2022 and started milking cows in 2023 utilizing Lely robots and several other automation components.

Today, they milk more than 4,100 cows across all sites, raise 2,500 heifers and farm 5,000 acres. The milking herd averages 87-88 pounds of milk per cow each day with a 4.15 percent fat and 3.35 percent protein.

Cow health and comfort is a top priority along with producing quality milk and a great work environment.

The current somatic cell count is 190,000 cells per milliliter of milk. It takes the help of many team members to ensure all sites are run safely and efficiently.

Additionally, technology through the Alta cow collars electronically tracks cow health factors, allowing employees to track and treat health issues sooner or before they happen.

This improves animal health and shortens or eliminates recovery time. The operation at Linn freshens all the animals and then milking animals are distributed to the other two dairies at about 10 days in milk.

Centralizing labor around calving has helped the dairy improve efficiency and cow health by improved attention to details before and after calving.

Today, Steve, Cindi and their three sons who are involved live in Linn and are active members of their church and community.

Steve and Cindi have done an excellent job of transferring the operation to the next generation. Steve is still involved in the daily operations and focuses mainly on the agronomy side as the farm does its own planting, spraying and chopping.

He has utilized his leadership skills on many local boards and committees including: church, Farm Bureau, DHIA, Kansas Dairy Commission, Midwest Dairy Association, school board and Bluestem Rural Electric.

Cindi likewise is active in their church, and has been active with the school board, Washington County Hospital board and as 4-H leader.

Justin Ohlde resides in Linn with wife Becky and 3 girls. Justin is in charge of marketing and financials for the sites. Justin holds board positions with the Linn Lutheran School, Kansas Dairy Commission and Central Equity.

Kyler Ohlde resides close to the dairy with his wife, Holly, and two children and is the operations manager for all sites, overseeing the day-to-day aspects of all sites. Kyler holds board positions on the Kansas Dairy Association, Zion Church Men’s Club and is a Sunday school teacher.

Levi Ohlde resides in Linn with his wife Melissa and daughter and is the farm operations manager in charge of all cropping aspects. Levi serves on the finance board at Zion Church and is secretary of Zion Church’s men’s club.

Weston Ohlde, who is not associated with dairy, is Steve and Cindi’s youngest son who with his wife Mollee Ohlde and two daughters live in Frankfort. Weston works in finance.

Today we honor Steve and Cindi with the 2024 Kansas Distinguished Dairy Award.

Their dedication to continuing the tradition of the Ohlde Family Farms and growing the operation has been remarkable.

Growing the operation to include opportunities for their sons and families has been outstanding and provides an excellent example of successful transition to the next generation.

This family continues to work together to carry out their vision to enrich the community and environment in which they serve.

Congratulations to Steve and Cindi and to all the members of Ohlde Family Farms.