Published: June 19, 2008 11:25 am            

From the Fields: Mischke living the lifelong dream of farming

Originally published in the June 13, 2008, print edition.

For Dale Mischke of Westbrook, farming has always been his way of life. Raised on a dairy farm, Mischke knew he wanted to farm and today he is living that dream.

Since 1990 Mischke has farmed with his father, Leon. This is the first year that he officially owns the farm. Laughing, Mischke explained that all that means is that “I write bigger checks now for inputs.” Leon may not own the farm anymore but he “helps out quite a bit,” Dale said.

“I farm because I love the livestock,” Mischke said. He raises Holstein and beef cattle; currently he has 280 head. But he does have concern about the livestock industry when it comes to the high-priced feed. Only time will tell what that will mean for his operation. He believes he may have to make some decisions regarding his livestock this fall.

Besides raising livestock, Mischke also grows corn, soybeans and alfalfa. This spring he planted 500 acres of corn, 500 acres of soybeans and 50 acres of alfalfa and grass.

Mischke knows his seed; as a Mycogen Seed dealer, “technology is one reason I enjoy the seed business,” he said. He believes that seed technology is making it a lot easier to farm.

When he is not busy selling seed, Mischke also operates a custom hay cutting business and has two bagging machines for silage and haylage.

“Not a week goes by that I am not selling something,” he said. He cuts hay for seven different clients. He covers a 40-mile radius for his silage bagging business.

Besides all of his business endeavors Mischke has another role as the proud father of two girls — Alex, 15, and Cassidy, 9 — and a son, Ethan, 5. His wife, Tammy, works at the post office in Westbrook.

As of June 6 Mischke reported that his corn and beans are all up. He planted his corn between May 6 and 16 and planted his beans between May 16 and 20. His tallest corn is currently 4 inches high.

Mischke recalled that this time last year the corn was knee high. His crop is “close to three weeks behind (the average year),” he said. It is the cool wet weather that is somewhat concerning to Mischke; “only one morning that I haven’t worn a jacket doing chores.”

Because his farming operation is so diversified the crop status doesn’t bother him. It just “needs heat to get this crop going.”

He is a strong proponent of taking good care of the land you have. For Mischke that meant tiling which is “good for the land,” and the results “shows at the end of the year in the combine.”

Just how the crops will turn out this season is anyone’s guess, but for farming veterans like Mischke diversifying and keeping busy is just part of living that farming dream.

        

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