Pete DeHaan, Jr. on his dairy near Salem, Oregon
Who: Pete DeHaan, Jr., and Jennifer DeHaan, Owners, Pete DeHaan Holsteins LLC, National Dairy Producers Organization Board Member, Oregon Dairy Farmers Association Board Member. Pete and Jennifer have two children, Pete III, 16, and Hayley, 13.
Where: Northwest of Salem, OR, west side of the Willamette Valley.
About the dairy: 2,300 cows at two milking sites.
Background: Pete DeHaan, Sr., started in the dairy business in Weed, CA in the middle 60's and moved to Salem in the fall of 1972 when Pete Jr. was one year old to establish the current dairy. Having worked on the dairy growing up and managed various dairy operations, Pete Jr. and Jennifer took over the dairy when Pete Sr. passed in 2000.
Pete Jr. on protocols, consistency and helping dairy staff excel: "When I took over the dairy in 2000 I had been managing some areas of the dairy such as feeding and nutrition for a few years, but I soon realized with the increased responsibility there was not enough time to be as hands on in all areas. I also realized that if we were going to continue to be successful, we needed to establish strict protocols on how we do things on the dairy.
Workers were given the responsibility to do the job following the protocols, so there was consistency in all areas with the idea that if things are not working then we can reevaluate the protocol, but we must all do things the same way from least experienced to most experienced worker. One of the things we learned was that strict adherence to the protocols would allow inexperienced people to be as successful with the cows as much more experienced people. We knew we were on to something and have continued the strict use of established protocols in as many areas as possible. As we learn over time and acquire new information, protocols can change.
One other very important area is putting people where they will succeed. Not everyone is suited for every job, so we have to evaluate our people to be sure the job assignment suits their individual make up."
Pete feels strict adherence to protocols resulted in Pete DeHaan Holsteins LLC being recognized by the Dairy Herd Reproductive Council as one of the top herds in reproductive efficiency in the US in 2011.
On Diamond V: "We try to use the best tools available in our operation and Diamond V is one of those tools. We rely on other people to bring value andinformation to the dairy. We like what Diamond V brings to the dairy in on-farm evaluations and analysis
One key to being strong is knowing your weaknesses and finding people who can help you in those areas."
