High-Gem Holsteins & Normandes, Chris and Brenda Conley

Farming the hills of Doge County, Chris and Brenda Conley of High-Gem Holsteins & Normandes make the most of each minute on the farm.

Chris’ great-grandparents bought the farm outside Neosho in 1927. Coming from Switzerland, the hills reminded them the most of their home country. A few generations later, Chris received his first animal in the second grade.  

“I've been working at it ever since then,” he said. I knew as a little kid that I wanted to farm.” 

The farm today has 120 workable acres and about 25 acres of pasture. Five years ago, the Conleys switched from conventional tillage to no-till, which is a way of growing crops on a pasture without disturbing the soil. They also use cover crops, which Chris says helps with water infiltration, moisture maintenance, and microbe growth as the constant cover shields soil from extreme temperature changes. 

Passersby driving on Wisconsin’s country roads may see the Conley’s Normande/Holstein cross cattle grazing those cover crops or even third-crop hay off the fields when not in their regular pastureland. They have 60 cows and up to 70 youngstock on the farm.  Normandes are known as a dual-purpose breed that helps France meet milk and meat demand.  

“They're good grazing animals,” Brenda said. They are known for excellent feed conversion and grazing abilities.” 

These High-Gem cattle are typically on one of 17 pastures pasture from April/May until November when it is too cold to graze. During the winter months, the cows stay in the barn where they can enjoy bedding made from marsh grass. The dry cows upcycle unusable drywall scraps as bedding, which eventually benefits the farm fields by adding sulfur to the soil. 

A local contractor laid the foundation for the drywall idea, initially asking if the Conleys would like to spread the scraps onto their field. Now, they break up the pieces to help provide cow comfort and keep those pieces out of the landfill.  

Running a sustainable operation is a daily task that requires knowledge in everything from crops to cattle and mechanics, but for Chris and Brenda Conley, their time today ensures the farm’s success for the future.