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MSU Dairy Farm of the Year sees value in partnership
Benthem Brothers Dairy has been named the 2021 Michigan State University Dairy Farmer of the Year.
Ryan Bentham works in partnership with his brother, father, cousin and uncle to operate the nearly 3,000 cow operation in McBain. He tells Brownfield the farm has grown as opportunities have presented themselves to the family.
“I think just trying to be as efficient as we can and work hard every day, and work smart, has gotten us this far,” he says.
His advice for those working through succession planning is to bring in outside support to help facilitate the transition.
“I think it’s good to work with a third party in how to shift things from one generation to the next, and what’s the best fit for everyone involved,” he says.
MSU will honor the third-generation farm during the upcoming virtual Great Lakes Regional Dairy Conference for their excellence in dairy management and involvement in the industry.