Mike Rasmussen of Edmore is the MSU Department of Animal Science‘s 2015 Dairy Farmer of the Year.
Rasmussen operates Hillhaven Farms along with his wife and three children. Mike and his father, Chris Rasmussen, are co-owners of the Montcalm County farm.
“The greatest thing about having a farm is raising my kids in the country setting and teaching them about responsibilities and sustainable farming,” Rasmussen said. “Our children respect and care for the land and animals as much as we do.”
Hillhaven Farms has made many improvements while transitioning from a 150-cow dairy to its current herd of 870 cows and 720 youngstock. Rasmussen’s herd currently has a DHI rolling herd average of 26,623 pounds of milk.
The Rasmussens have been testing and applying manure nutrients according to crop uptake since 1986, which has greatly reduced commercial fertilizer usage on the farm. The Rasmussens are currently working with MSU researchers to develop new technologies to conserve natural resources and protect their land.
Opening Hillhaven Farms to the public has been a big part of the Rasmussens’ involvement in their community. When students and others visit the farm, Rasmussen loves to answer questions about his farm and teach others about the quality products raised there.
“Mike is a great representative of dairy farmers of Michigan who strive to manage crop nutrients to protect the environment and work to develop new technologies to be incorporated into modern food production,” said Janice Swanson, MSU Department of Animal Science chairperson.