Name: Erik Sheppelman
Job title: Dairy specialist
Company: Vita Plus

What education are you bringing with you to this position?

I attended the University of Illinois, where I studied animal science with a focus in management and technology.

Please describe your agricultural background.

I grew up in Bloomington, Illinois, proudly participated in 4-H, FFA and dairy judging, and developed my passion for dairy farming at an early age as we milked one or two Brown Swiss cows on our small hobby farm. During college, I expanded my perspectives on the dairy industry by working at the university research farm, commercial dairies and a bull stud.

What territory will you cover?

I work with dairy farms across central and eastern Wisconsin.

What are your new responsibilities?

As a consultant, I get to combine my experiences as a herdsman and farm manager with Vita Plus nutrition expertise and vast team and technology resources. I am excited to partner with dairy producers to help them make nutrition and management decisions for greater farm efficiency and profitability.

What previous positions have you held?

After college, I followed my passion for farm management by pursing a herdsman and feed specialist role. My skills and responsibilities continued to grow as I eventually became a site manager. After 10 years, I have deep experience in numerous areas of the dairy farm, including the parlor, herd health, hoof health, maternity, IVF and embryo transfer, and calf and heifer raising.

Who has made the biggest impact on your career?

I have worked with many exceptional farmers and suppliers. Dr. Zach Janssen, DVM, taught me a lot about modes of action and protocols. Without his tutoring, I would have been a much less effective herdsman. As I watched and interacted with Jim Ostrom at Milk Source, I learned to look at a dairy farm as a business and not just “the farm.” That mindset shift completely changed the way I think about dairy farm management and longevity.

How will you be of most help to producers in your region or area of expertise?

You need to understand the parts to understand the whole, and you need to understand the whole to understand the parts. With my experience on farms, I am well equipped to take the tools this company has and use them to help farmers make better feed decisions that will lead to better operations.

Why did you choose this company?

I have approached all my herdsman jobs with an owner mindset: You are not done until the work is done right. I was drawn to the company’s culture, which can only come from a company that embraces employee ownership. I was also excited for the opportunity to work side by side with farmers every day.

What goals would you like to accomplish while in this position?

For most dairy farms, the highest goal is to pass a profitable operation to the next generation. Anything I can do to help facilitate that goal is a win in my book.