Scott Ingwersen, who runs the farm with his wife Val and their children, says running the farm has been a family affair from the beginning.
Having grown up on dairy farms, Scott in Lacombe County and Val in Ponoka County, the couple knew the business already and struck out on their own, starting Scova Farms in 2005.
Their five children — ranging from married and out of the nest to the youngest, who is 12 — have each helped out, taking on different tasks over the years, such as feeding calves and milking.
“Everybody has been involved in the farm at different times in their lives,” said Scott.
Both Scott and Val work on the farm and it has fully supported their family over the years.
“It’s a nice way to raise a family,” he said. “It’s more of a lifestyle than a job.”
In the nearly two decades since they started they’ve grown their operation from 100 milking cows to the 850 they have today. They also grow a small amount of cereal crops.
“It’s been a good life for us. Looking back, I’m not sure we ever thought we’d get to where we are,” said Scott.
“We are at a size that we like, and now it’s about being innovative and efficient and looking at different ways to do that.”
Their cows really do live pampered lives with all considerations taken for their comfort and health.
Scova Farms’ cows are housed in a large concrete barn, designed with their comfort in mind.
About five years ago, they upgraded and installed a rotary milking parlour.
The platform keeps spinning, with cows stepping on for their nine-minute milking, and backing off when it’s complete, three times a day.
The Ingwersens grow their own corn and barley silage and buy hay which makes up their forage mix.
A nutritionist then formulates the rations to ensure there is a balance between grain, protein and minerals, along with the forages.
“A cow eats healthier, or better, than we eat,” Scott said.
Keeping cows’ hooves trimmed is also an important part of keeping them healthy.
A trimmer comes out to the farm every month, doing about 100 cows at a time, ensuring each of their cows is trimmed at least once or twice a year to prevent overgrowth or fungus from becoming problematic, Scott explained.
“There’s a lot of care that goes into the animal.”
Scott and Val are both third generation dairy farmers.
“It’s what we grew up doing,” said Scott.
“You can raise your family on it. Your work is at home, which is both a pro and a con, but you can see your kids more often and give them some responsibility.”
Note: This article is an agricultural feature that was part of Black Press Media's Fall's Bounty: Salute to Central Alberta Farmers and Harvest special supplement that was published on Sept. 25.
