Braum's

Caleb Eggemeyer

From Ground-Level Experience to Systems Thinking

A lot of it comes from starting on the ground level and working my way up. I spent years running equipment, spraying, and being involved in day-today operations, so I understand what it actually takes to get a crop in and out. Now managing around 15,000 acres tied to a dairy, the biggest change has been shifting from doing the work to making sure everything runs the way it should. You can’t be everywhere at once, so it comes down to building systems and trusting your people. Dealing with weather, labor, and tight timelines has really shaped how I plan—always trying to stay a step ahead and avoid problems before they happen.

Aligning Crop Strategy with Dairy Demand

It really starts with the dairy. We figure out what feed is needed and then build the crop plan around that. It’s not just about maximizing yield—it’s about producing the right feed at the right time and making sure we have enough of it. From there, efficiency is everything. Keeping equipment running, having the right number of people in place, and making sure we’re ready for planting and harvest windows. Irrigation also plays a big role in maintaining consistency. There are a lot of moving parts, so communication between the farm and feed side is constant.

Managing Consistency in Feed Supply Under Uncertainty

Consistency is probably the biggest challenge. Weather can change things quickly, and that impacts both yield and quality. Timing is critical—especially with silage—because if you miss the right window, you can lose feed value. After that, it’s all about how it’s handled. Packing, storage, and managing moisture all make a big difference over time. Another piece is knowing what you have in inventory and how long it will last. When you’re feeding dairy every day, you have to be accurate.

“You can’t be everywhere at once, so it comes down to building systems and trusting your people. Dealing with weather, labor, and tight timelines has really shaped how I plan—always trying to stay a step ahead and avoid problems before they happen.”

Building Accountability Within Agricultural Labor Teams

It comes down to clear communication and expectations. We go over the plan every morning so everyone knows what needs to get done. I try to give people responsibility and let them take ownership of their roles. At the same time, you have to address issues when they come up because there’s not much room for error during busy times. Building a few strong leaders within the crew makes a big difference because they help keep things moving without needing constant oversight.

Adapting to Data-Driven and Resource-Conscious Farming

Farming is definitely becoming more data-driven, especially with irrigation and precision ag tools. Those technologies help make better decisions, but they still depend on how well they’re used. On the sustainability side, much of it ties back to efficiency—using water more efficiently, managing nutrients, and getting more out of what you already have. Labor is another major factor, pushing operations to rely more on technology and better systems. Overall, the farms that are going to do well are the ones that stay efficient and adapt without overcomplicating things.