Tauchen's Harmony Valley Farm
Greg and Steve Tauchen on their farm.
Image Credit: Dan Hagenow Video Creation
Farm Story
Tauchen’s Harmony Valley is run by brothers Steve, Gary and Greg Tauchen, along with their parents Herb & Marlys. The farm began in 1976 with Herb, Gary and the late Al Tauchen near highway 29 in Bonduel, Wisconsin. The family farm expanded in 1996, both by adding cows as well as Gary and Al’s brother Steve returning to the farm. A second expansion occurred around the year 2000 with the addition of more cows and another brother, Greg. Today Tauchen’s milk around 1200 cows and care for nearly 1000 heifers. The farm runs 2500 acres of cropland, growing corn, soybeans, winter wheat and alfalfa to provide feed for the herd.
For the Tauchen family, farming is in their blood. Every day on the farm is a challenge, but they welcome it with open arms. For these brothers, nothing beats the farming lifestyle. They not only work hard but their partnership allows them to enjoy time off the farm as well.
Steps Towards Conservation
A desire to conserve the land, maintain water quality and farm green is what led Tauchen’s to agree to be a part of the Upper Fox-Wolf Demonstration Farm Network. Always willing to try new things and stay at the forefront of the dairy industry, they look forward to learning as a part of this project.
To date, the brothers have done no-till on several of their fields for multiple years. They’ve also established around 200+ acres with cover crops. They used low disturbance manure after rye comes off for forage in the spring. And, Tauchen’s have had two years of successfully interseeding a corn silage field. One of those years the interseeded field received a low disturbance manure application over the interseeded crop (ryegrass, clover and vetch).
Greg and Steve Tauchen on their farm.
Image Credit: Dan Hagenow Video Creation
Benefits of Conservation Practices
From these conservation practices, the brothers have seen improved field conditions. For example, the no-tilled fields have been easier to harvest in wetter years by allowing them to drive without making ruts in the field. Tauchen’s also have less labor inputs by not having to make as many passes on no till fields. Their cover crops are helping hold nutrients and soil in place as well as providing forage for the cattle. Finally, their practice of rotationally grazing heifers has improved herd health and provides additional forage when needed.
