In the serene landscapes of Lancaster, Wis., a remarkable journey unfolds — one that intertwines technology, tradition and an enduring passion for dairy farming. Amanda Buschor, a dynamic young dairy farmer, has masterfully managed to blend her personal life and professional aspirations, all while spearheading the operations of Majestic View Dairy, a farm her family helped to establish four decades ago.
A Journey Through Education and Experience
Majestic View Dairy, now home to 1,100 mature cows and nearly 4,000 acres, is a long-standing partnership between Buschor’s parents, Ron and Terri Abing, and John Haskins’ family. Buschor’s early exposure to farming life was enriched by her hands-on experiences and formal education at Lakeshore Technical School, as well as growing up and working side-by-side with her family and other key employees on their farm.
“Our farm herd managers were not afraid to try some things, and that really helped me realize what I wanted to do with my life,” she says. “At the time, I was actually going back and forth between nursing and a career in dairy herd management.”
Buschor’s time at Lakeshore Technical School further helped enrich her understanding of the industry, combining classroom learning with her real-world experiences on the farm. It is during this time she took on an internship with Soaring Eagle Dairy, LLC in Newton, Wis.
“That family took the time to teach me so many hands on learning opportunities,” Buschor shares.
Obviously, these experiences shaped her passion for dairy farming. This eventually led her back to her family farm, where she now helps oversee 28 full and part-time employees.
Game-Changer Technology
In 2016, Buschor’s sister, Sarah, who had been vital to helping with herd health took a job opportunity in the dairy industry. A few months later, the farm experienced another big change when her father experienced some health challenges. This left Buschor alone juggling multiple responsibilities. Six months pregnant with her third child, along with raising a 4- and 2-year-old, Buschor quickly learned to rely heavily on the technological advancements her farm put in place during the years prior.
This natural caretaker and problem solver says if the technology weren’t already in place, she likely would have walked away. Technology such as SenseHub Dairy monitoring system and sort gates work seamlessly with their parlor, making Buschor’s job as herd manager that much easier.
“I would not have been able to physically be at home every day with my newborn if I was not able to help the people who were working on the farm every day by managing remotely,” Buschor explains. “I would not have been able to work remotely, if it wasn’t for this state-of-the-art [SenseHub] technology already in place.”
Because of the circumstances, Buschor had to learn and lean on the technology, and, over time, relied on it as her No. 1 assistant.
These innovations have become indispensable assets, providing this young farmer with much needed flexibility.
“For me, it just has created so much flexibility with my schedule,” she says.
Buschor’s three sons each play three different sports, which means they deal with nine sports schedules. On-farm technology gives her peace of mind to push stop at the dairy and attend one of her kids’ sporting events or get one boy from school to practice.
Technology also lets her quickly change course because of incoming weather, for example. Most of their cow touches are automatically sorted through their sort gate.
“Say we are scheduled to give shots on Tuesday morning when it’s supposed to be -30. Well, with the help of a few clicks of a button, we can easily complete this task a few days later without disrupting the barn,” she shares.
Hands-On Care and Holistic Approaches
Buschor’s intrinsic passion for problem-solving and caring for others is evident in her approach to cattle care. She combines technological insights with intuitive understanding of animal health, ensuring each cow’s needs are met.
“If employees in the parlor see a cow that has mastitis, for instance, they can actually sort her from the parlor with a long hold of the button,” she says, noting along with WhatsApp, the team in the barns are notified and they can address her quickly. “They just take a picture of the cow number, and I know she will be back in the barn waiting for me.”
With all the hustle and bustle on the farm, sort-gate technology is a luxury Buschor could not imagine life without.
“We bred 40 cows and gave 50 shots this morning and all the cows were sorted off by the sort-gate after milking,” she shares. Cows that are sorted off go into pens with bedding, water and feed and just hang out until she — or one of her assistants — are ready for them.
Farm consultants always comment on what a nice, quiet barn she has, which Buschor says is because of the sort-gates.
“We don’t have to go and disturb the whole pen to address just one cow,” she says.
“It’s all very cool and manageable technology for our team to use.”
Prioritizing Well-Being and Work-Life Balance
Buschor’s father passed away in 2021 and she smiles when she reflects on his progressive mindset — willing to try new things while keeping his eye toward the future. After his stroke in 2016, he allowed her to take on more responsibilities and ever since, she has jumped in with both feet, hands-on with the cows while also working with her mom to handle the HR responsibilities, regulations and inspections of the farm.
“I have two assistants who help me with the cow work, and I’m trying to let them take on the lead and be back-up support so they can learn more,” she shares.
Buschor’s philosophy extends beyond technology; she values the well-being of everyone involved in the farm. She advocates for balance, ensuring her family and staff prioritize personal time over farm obligations and says that she doesn’t want the farm to be an excuse why somebody doesn’t take time off. By fostering an environment that encourages rest and rejuvenation, she sets a precedent for mental and physical well-being in the farming community.
“I don’t care if it’s my mom, I don’t care if it’s me, I don’t care if it’s my cousin. I don’t want them to use the farm as an excuse to not get away and take care of themselves because this farm has so many good workers, and good technology to get the job done,” she says.
Embracing Change and Looking Forward
Buschor’s journey represents the dynamic world of modern agriculture, blending innovation with tradition. Through technology and a deep-seated passion for her work, Buschor ensures her family’s legacy continues to thrive, fostering a harmonious future for both her family and her cows. With a remarkable ability to adapt and evolve, Buschor exemplifies how technology in agriculture can revolutionize daily farm operations, leading to success and satisfaction in both personal and professional spheres.
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