What do you like the most – and the least – about working as a dairy farmer?
Corey: The thing I like most about being a dairy farmer is the opportunity to raise our two young children, Natalie (4) Lane (1.5), on the farm. Thinking back to growing up on my family’s dairy, it gave me a sense of responsibility and work ethic that many young people don’t have the chance to experience. The thing I least like about dairy farming is the low milk prices at this time. However, in these lean times, I think it forces producers to become better managers.
Describe how the work on the farm is shared or divided up in your family?
On our farm, I manage the herd and all the employees that help run the dairy. My partner Richard is in charge of the cropping enterprise and forage production. My wife does the bookwork for the dairy, and is also a nursing supervisor at our local hospital.
How do you think your farm’s business plan will change 10 years from now?
In the next 10 years, our business plan will have to change – it has already changed in the five years we’ve been farming! We know that our business will have to continue to progress and become as efficient as possible. Our business plan will need to adapt as regulations and consumer demand change.
During those days when things aren’t going well, what do you do to keep a positive attitude?
When things aren’t going well on the dairy, to keep a positive attitude I think back to why I started dairy farming in the first place. No one is forcing us to be dairy farmers, we made that choice and bad days come with any job or profession you have. You have to keep moving forward toward the goals of the business.
What would you be doing if you were not a dairy farmer?
If I wasn’t a dairy farmer, I am not sure what I would be doing. I know I would stay in the dairy industry in some capacity. Since I was 8 years old, I knew I wanted to be a dairy farmer, so God willing I’ll never have to know the answer to this question.
