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What do you think of when you hear the term “dairy farm” or “dairy farmer”?

For most, I think the main points that first come to mind are black and white cows, milk, red barns, long days, and/or physical work. All of these are very true, but there is so much more to dairy farming than just those keywords. To me, dairy farming is five key things, each of which leads to something deeper: cows, family, determination/perseverance, faith and hard work.

• Cows. What would dairy farming be without cows? Absolutely nothing. At the forefront of the operation are the cows whose job it is to produce a delicious product that we know as milk. But cows are so much more than just the animal that produces the product we sell.

To me, our cows are not only a crucial part of the farming operation, but they basically are like family. As the caretakers of these animals, I spend more time in the barn with the cows than I do at home with my own family. Each cow not only has an identification number, but a name as well. Each cow has her own individual personality, and quirks that make her unique from the rest of the herd. Knowing and having the privilege to work with each of these ladies daily is something that I don’t take for granted, as it takes a special type of individual to do what us dairy farmers do daily.

• Family. Although I previously mentioned that I often am in the barn and around the cows more than family, or friends, it still takes the support and partnership of family to be able to successfully run a dairy farm. I am thankful to be able to work alongside my husband and his uncle daily at the farm, and to be able to do what you love day in and day out alongside those who are as passionate about the business as you is truly a blessing. I also have a small show herd in conjunction with my parents and husband, which is another privilege of which I get to be a part.

• Determination and perseverance. I often say that dairy farming is not for the faint of heart. Although most days are truly living the dream — being able to work outside, working with great animals and doing what I passionately enjoy — there are many days that are tough in the world of farming. You can be having a great day, everything is going well, and suddenly, a miss move by a cow can result in a downed cow that then requires treatment, extra care and an unexpected hurdle in your daily routine.

Doing everything you can to take care of the animals sometimes isn’t even enough. There are times you can walk into the barn and realize you’ve lost an animal to death for an unexplained reason, when she was perfectly fine that morning. These are the small things that the consumer doesn’t see, and often doesn’t realize. As farmers, we must physically and mentally deal with these situations all while still carrying on about our daily life. That is something that requires perseverance and the determination to keep going even when times are tough.

• Faith. As much as we give it our all and try our best to do everything we can to be successful, there are times when we cannot do anything else in our control in certain situations and this is when we must rely on our faith. I am a firm believer that what is meant to be will always find a way, and I live by that motto not only in my daily life, but in my career as a dairy farmer as well.

We can give it everything we have, and if that’s not enough, there is a reason that what will be will be. We cannot control the weather, or the animals’ actions, but we must do what we can as best as we know how to try to create the best possible outcome for all involved.

• Hard work. Even before I became a full-time dairy farmer, I always said that dairy farmers are some of the most hardworking people that you will ever meet. In general, farmers are very hard-working individuals, but dairy farmers carry a unique position in that the cows need to be milked at a minimum of twice daily, with some farms even doing it three times per day. All animals need to be fed and watered daily, often twice daily, but dairy farmers add in that extra step of twice daily milking. Even on weekends and holidays the cows still need to be milked. Crops still need planted, and regular maintenance needs done as well, plus any additional farm chores such as hauling manure, breeding animals, dehorning calves, etc.

All in all, dairy farming is something that I am extremely proud to be a part of, and I am very passionate about sharing my farming story with others. Each dairy farmer that you talk to might have a different take on what dairy farming means to them. To me, dairy farming is not only working hard for something that we truly love alongside family to feed the world, but it is also its own perplexing, yet unique and rewarding way of life!

Submitted by Julie Holler McCormick, a member of the Trumbull County Farm Bureau board of trustees.

OFBF Mission: Working together for Ohio farmers to advance agriculture and strengthen our communities.