Goede Acres LLC

family photo
cows in summer
  • Owned by Joel and Jenny Goede Family, and Lorn and Tersea Geode
  • Genoa Wis.
  • of Registered Jerseys: 159 Cows, Heifers, and Calves
  • of other dairy cattle breeds: 29 (Holstein and Milking Shorthorn)

While attending the AJCA-NAJ annual meetings this summer, you will stop by Goede Acres LLC in Genoa Wis. to see their farm and learn more of the organic dairy. Their milk is shipped to Organic Valley/COPP Cooperative.

Goede Acres LLC stands apart from others because of their story. The farm has been in the family for over 100 years, but they have only been milking for a few. Their herd started at a time when dairy farms were decreasing. There was a tragedy in 1999 when the barn burned down. Owner Lorn Goede had to make the tough decision to step back from beef and dairy, an take a job “in town”. Joel had graduated high school and has been working on local family farms since 2004. From this point the farm focused on organic layer hens and added pork in 2008. In 2018-2019, they went back to their roots and brought back their organic dairy.

cows in night pasture
clara at fair

It is important for the farm to focus on the health and mastitis of their cows to prevent any sickness because some medicines are off the table due to the farm being organic. They are also partnering with Zoetis to test genomics that will later help them make better decisions for their cow’s health. To track and care for their animals, the farm uses REAP Plus.

A few of their most influential sire lines are Steinhauers Samson Lemonhead, Shan-Mar Archer Knock-Out, and JX Faria Brothers Eusebio.

One of their upcoming goals of Goede Acres LLC is to build a calf barn along with making updates to dry cow facilities. Genomic testing on their young-stock is also an exciting process that will result in heifer decision making.