Robbins family integrates new multistage cattle barn, advanced technology and best practices to boost water quality, efficiency and animal care.

With the opening of a new multi­stage cattle barn this month, Justin and Lacie Robbins of Greene County are continuing a yearslong tradition of utilizing best practices and advanced technology to sustainably farm in western Iowa’s Raccoon River watershed.

“Water quality is a huge part of our decision making. It’s a driving factor for us,” Justin Robbins said last week. “We have to leave this farm and the river better off than how we found it.”

Robbins Land and Cattle is a diversified farm that includes a cow-calf and fat cattle operation, seed stock production, row crops and pasture ground near Scranton.

Calving under roof

The uniquely designed barn, which welcomed its first newborn calves in January, is designed to allow spring and fall calving, weaning and insemination and includes facilities for...