On May 15th, a series of 14 tornadoes tore through Wisconsin, devastating several dairy farms, including those of Brenda and Jeff Elsinger in Lomira and the Schwandt family near Juneau. The Elsingers’ freestall barn was destroyed by an EF1 tornado, a heartbreaking loss for Brenda who had dedicated 36 years to building their dairy operation. Despite the shock and significant damage, the Elsingers were grateful that their family and employees, who followed tornado protocols, were safe, and cattle losses were minimal. Amazingly, two calves survived being swept into a marsh.
The aftermath saw an incredible outpouring of support from communities, with hundreds of people immediately coming to help the Elsingers. Cattle trailers arrived to move animals, and a local bar provided food to all the volunteers. This immense community assistance, along with Brenda Elsinger’s resilient spirit, is helping them focus on rebuilding and improving their operations, even as they continue to milk cows in their partially damaged barn. Similarly, the Schwandt Family Farm experienced an EF2 tornado that caused extensive damage, including a silo falling on a barn and destroying a heifer shed. While no animals were lost, the family is still working to recover and has received strong support from their local farming community. Other farms, like Frank Behling and Mara Budde’s, also faced significant damage from straight-line winds, but their cows were safely rescued with community help, underscoring the collective strength and support within Wisconsin’s agricultural communities during this challenging time.
