Merger to create major dairy business

PIERCE — Three Northern Colorado dairymen have agreed to merge their operations, drawing up long-term plans for one of the largest dairies in Weld County.

Rick Podtburg, joined by brothers Arlan and Elden Marrs, have formed Highland Dairy LLC. The trio wants to move their milking cows to the site of the existing Andri Jeski Dairy, located at the northeast corner of Weld County roads 39 and 92, four miles east of Pierce.

On Tuesday, the Weld County planning department approved Highland Dairy for a permit allowing up to 10,000 cows at the farm. The next step is a hearing before the county commissioners in September.

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According to Podtburg, the owners are planning for the future.

“It is easier to get a permit for 12 to 15 years of growth than going back and getting permitted increases (for smaller numbers),” Podtburg said.

Currently, the dairy operation consists of 600 cows.

Tom Haren, co-owner of AgPro Environmental Services LLC, is the environmental consultant on the project. He is responsible for helping the dairy get through the planning stages.

“By no means is it going to be built to that extent overnight,” Haren said. “We are talking seriously long range, like 20 to 25 years.”

Weld County planning officials were scheduled to review the dairy proposal on Aug. 20.

Currently 60 percent of the cows out at the dairy are housed in a barn and there is an old house on the property.

“There are some existing drainage problems we need to correct and fixing them is our top priority,” Haren said.