1 Jul 2026 12:00
Deer Run Dairy saves thousands through Focus on Energy financial incentives
Deer Run Dairy completed energy-efficient upgrades with Focus on Energy since 2017 and they updated lighting, refrigeration, water systems and ventilation. Deer Run Dairy has earned $47,203.04 in Focus on Energy rebates to support these improvements and combined upgrades result in annual electricity savings of 839,511 kWh, which is equivalent to $105,946.
Dairy Stream host, Joanna Guza, and guests, Duane Ducat and Joel Roltgen, discuss the following topics:
- Overview of savings at Deer Run Dairy
- How Deer Run learned about Focus on Energy
- Updating lighting, Deer Run Dair updated:
- Replaced 250–1000W HID fixtures with efficient LED high-bay and exterior fixtures.
- Added LED troffers and direct-wire T8 replacements.
- Installed LLLC-enabled fixtures in select areas for advanced controls and additional savings.
- Dairy refrigeration tune-ups
- VFDs on primary and secondary agricultural water systems
- Variable speed vacuum pumps
- High-speed ventilation fans with VFDs
- Initial investments
- Process of working with Focus on Energy
- What’s next for Deer Run Dairy in energy efficiency
- How to get started with Focus on Energy, find an advisor here.
About the guests
- Joel Roltgen is an Energy Advisor for Wisconsin's Focus on Energy Program, serving agricultural customers in northeastern Wisconsin. He joined Focus on Energy in 2019, providing operational efficiency strategies and financial incentives to agriculture operations and industry partners. Joel brings many years of engineering and management experience, having worked with employees at all levels in various industries.
- Duane Ducat, who is one of the owners of Deer Run Dairy in Kewaunee, Wisconsin where they milk 1,800 cow and farm 3,000 acres. Duane is a board member of the Dairy, Business Association and Peninsula Pride Farms.
This is sponsored by Focus on Energy.
Resources:
- Contact us at 800.762.7077 or [email protected]
- Full list of opportunities here.
- Focus on Energy Trade Ally list here.
- 2026 Agribusiness catalog here
- Dairy Stream rewind: Unforeseen money savings and benefits of agricultural tune-ups
- Dairy Stream rewind: Save money through a farm energy assessment
Compeer Financial is proud partner of Dairy Stream. Learn more about Dairy Stream sponsorship.
This podcast is produced by the Voice of Milk, a collaboration of individual dairy organizations working to improve the future of dairy farm families. Become a sponsor, share an idea or feedback by emailing [email protected]
