Langdonhurst Farm

Copake, New York

“Farmers dedicate their entire lives to their cows and farm. We gladly work long hours and at the end of the day we are proud of what we do. Unfortunately it’s difficult to break even at times, let alone make a profit. This is particularly true here in the Hudson Valley, with the cost of living being so much higher than that of other parts of the country.”
                                                                                                                                     ~ John Conklin

 

The Conklins have been farming the land in Hudson Valley since the 1700s, which helps to explain why dairy farming has always been a part of John Conklin’s life.

As a young child, John was always helping his grandfather, Ray Conklin, on his farm in Pleasant Valley, New York, raising heifers and harvesting hay. At age 14, he was milking cows on neighboring farms. John put himself through college and graduated in 1992 with an Animal Science degree in Dairy Production and Management from SUNY Cobleskill in New York State. Then after getting more experience on other farms, John took out a farm loan in 1996 and started out on his own, renting farmland in Salt Point, New York, with a herd of 50 Holsteins. He has never looked back.

It’s hard work, he admits, but he doesn’t mind. “I just love cows,” says John.

Today John rents land on Langdonhurst Farm in Copake, where he manages his own herd of almost 200 cows, often pasturing them among the 1200 acres of cropland. When the cows are not out in the field, they live in a freestall barn, where they are free to walk around when they want, drink when they want, and eat when they want.

“It’s more efficient and it’s good for the cows to get exercise,” says John.

His cows are fed a total mixed ration which is formulated by a nutritionist and are milked 20 at a time in the milk parlor. They are also provided recycled rubber mattresses, with room to lie down, which helps them to chew their cud. John says he is dedicated to keeping his cows comfortable and happy.

“Clean, happy and healthy cows are more productive, and therefore more profitable for us as farmers,” says John. “But it’s not always an easy endeavor, and requires a lot of time and management.”

His dad helps him out on the farm when he can and both of his parents still live on his grandfather’s farm, although the cows were long sold and most of the land has gone to development. While both of his grandparents were dairy farmers, neither of his parents took that path. Instead, both Gerald and Alta Conklin were high school music teachers, now retired. John gave the tuba a try but in the end, John says, “I liked dairy farming better.”
 

Awards and Notable Mentions:
 

• Past President of the Eastern New York Holstein Club

• The Ray Vail 4-H Award 1988

• Bernie Morrisson 4-H Sportsmanship Award 1989

• Eastern New York Junior Holstein Club Outstanding Member Award

• Numerous Agri-Mark milk quality awards