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About Capital press. (Salem, OR) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (June 1, 2018)
June 1, 2018 CapitalPress.com 13 Dairying in a unique environment By HEATHER SMITH THOMAS For the Capital Press Ben Smith has been farming and dairy- ing on the Olympic Peninsula of Washing- ton state his whole life. “Our family farm was started in 1930 by my great-grandfather,” Smith said. His brother and his wife, Troy and Becky Smith, now own the farm with Ben and his wife, Jacki. They are the fourth generation on the dairy and milk about 400 Holstein cows and farm about 700 acres. “I take care of the cows and my brother, Troy, grows most of our feed — about 90 percent of our forage, and about 500 tons of barley. We buy a little alfalfa hay,” he said. Their farm is a member of the Dari- gold co-op, which is owned by more than 500 dairy farm members of the Northwest Dairy Association in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Northern California and Montana. “Darigold quit hauling milk for its pro- ducers in the mid-1980s and we bid for the hauling contract, to help support our dairy,” Smith said. “At that time we were picking up milk from 14 dairies in our area. Now those dairies are gone and we just haul our own milk,” Ben says. Their milk goes to the Darigold plant in Chehalis, Wash., a 250-mile round trip. “We fill a set of double tankers ev- ery other day. En route we supply milk to the Mt. Townsend Creamery, an artisan producer of handcrafted cheese in Port Townsend, Wash.,” Ben says. Even though the region gets a lot of moisture, their farm is fairly dry. “We live in what is called a rain shad- ow, so we only get about 17 inches of rain a year,” he says. “If you go 20 miles in any direction you’ll have 45 or more inches per year. If you go 70 miles to the coast, it’s a rain forest with 120 inches per year.” The weather is mild year-round. “We are on the Straits of Juan de Fuca (the farm goes nearly down to the water), which gives our area a moderate climate. We are warmer in winter and cooler in sum- mer than most places, so this a phenomenal place for cows,” Ben says. “We don’t have to worry about heat stress in summer or frostbitten teats in the winter.” Maple View Farm has 10 full-time em- ployees at the dairy and 5 full-time employ- ees in the crop operation. “We raise our own heifers and sell sur- plus heifers into the diary market,” Ben says. “About 80 percent of our cows are registered Holsteins, so we sometimes get a premium selling them to registered breed- ers.” Courtesy Photo Maple View Farm on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington state is run by two brothers and their wives. From left are Becky, Troy, Jacki and Ben Smith. 2017 PIONEER 700 M2 • 4X4 • 3-SPD. AUTO TRANSMISSION • LIQUID COOLED • FUEL INJECTION • 12 MONTH WARRANTY MSRP Serving Farms & Ranches for 54 Years - 1964-2018 YOUR AUTHORIZED FULL SERVICE DEALER TONS OF ACCESSORIES • EASY FINANCING • FULL SERVICE DEALERSHIP • COMPLETE LINE OF HONDA ATVS 2140 N. Pacific Hwy. 99E • Woodburn, OR • Open 8-6 Tues-Sat. (503) 981-1813 • 800-981-1813 • www.taylormotorcycles.com D18-3/106 honda.com PIONEER IS ONLY FOR DRIVERS 16 YEARS AND OLDER. MULTI-PURPOSE UTILITY VEHICLES CAN BE HAZARDOUS TO OPERATE. FOR YOUR SAFETY, BE RESPONSIBLE. ALWAYS WEAR A HELMET, EYE PROTECTION AND APPROPRIATE CLOTHING. ALWAYS WEAR YOUR SEAT BELT, AND KEEP THE SIDE NETS AND DOORS CLOSED. AVOID EXCESSIVE SPEEDS AND BE CAREFUL ON DIFFICULT TERRAIN. ALL MUV DRIVERS SHOULD WATCH THE SAFETY VIDEO “MULTIPURPOSE UTILITY VEHICLES: A GUIDE TO SAFE OPERATION” AND READ THE OWNER’S MANUAL BEFORE OPERATING THE VEHICLE. NEVER DRIVE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF DRUGS OR ALCOHOL, ON PUBLIC ROADS OR WITH MORE THAN ONE PASSENGER. DRIVER AND PASSENGER MUST BE TALL ENOUGH FOR SEAT BELT TO FIT PROPERTY AND TO BRACE THEMSELVES WITH BOTH FEET FIRMLY ON THE FLOOR. PASSENGER MUST BE ABLE TO GRASP THE HAND HOLD WITH THE SEAT BELT ON AND BOTH FEET ON THE FLOOR. RESPECT THE ENVIRONMENT WHEN DRIVING. PIONEER® Is a registered trademark of Honda Motor Co., Ltd. 12/17 M.S.R.P. does not include $690 in destination charges. Visit powersports.honda.com to view applicable destination charge amount. D18-1/106 W ATER M ASTER S ERIES AND E VERGREEN S UPERIOR S ERVICE & D ESIGN • All your needs for irrigation parts service • We build custom equipment for your special needs. • Hose replacements & fusion repairs • Transport Tanks • Rental Returns & Used Equipment • Dairy Waste Equipment Truck Equipment D18-3/106 10910 Portland Rd. NE • Brooks, OR Call: 503-792-3739 • Fax: 503-792-3738 D18-1/108 • Full Service • Alterations • Dump bodies • Hoists • Farmbeds • Flatbeds
