Women in Dairy: Hailey Anderson

Tell us about your family and farm. I have worked at Natzke Dairy for almost eight years. My boss’s father started farming in 1965, and then the farm was taken over by his son, Steve Natzke, in 1992. One day, I hope to eventually start taking ownership in the farm and slowly take over. My boyfriend, Austin, and I have a one-year-old son, Bennett, who is the best little farmer. He adores tractors and always enjoys riding with me any chance he gets. I started bringing him to the farm with me when he was just barely three months old. He has always done amazingly well since day one. I also have two cats named Oliver and Mocha.

What is a typical day like for you on the dairy? I feed calves and wash calf bottles, pails and milking equipment and then do other chores and feeding. We talk and decide what the day will bring. You never know what could happen and each day is always different, which is another reason why I love the job as much as I do.

What decision have you made in the last year that has benefited your farm? The decision was made last year to purchase a total mixed ration mixer. Before the mixer we had always component fed. It is safe to say we are very happy, as are the girls, for making the switch.

Tell us about your most memorable experience working on the farm. Though there are so many, my most memorable experience on the farm would probably have to be when I got my first Brown Swiss calf, Jellie. I got her from an auction when she was about 1 month old. I was not at all expecting to be bringing home a calf, but she has been the perfect addition and an added splash of color to our black and white herd. Jellie calved with her first heifer calf, Jenny, in the beginning of April.

What have you enjoyed most about dairy farming or your tie to the dairy industry? I have enjoyed meeting a lot of new people, day in and day out, and learning and seeing what others also do in the agriculture industry. But mostly I enjoy anything and everything about the cows; they are the most hardworking girls I know. I would not stick around if it was not for them.

What is your biggest accomplishment in your dairy career? My biggest accomplishment would be how far I have come from seven years ago, or even before then. I did not grow up on a farm and have no farm background at all. I went from being the high school help working 3.5 hours a night to managing the cows and calves. Beyond the farm itself I operate a wide variety of machinery from any type of field prep work equipment, grain drill, discbine, chopper and even the combine. On the farm I feed calves, milk, administer medicine if needed to the calves and occasionally cows, give intravenous injections to cows and assist, do book work on all the animals, prep and work with the vet for herd health checks. Just about anything you can think of doing on a farm, I probably do or have done it. I would not have gotten where I am today without my mentors and bosses, Steve and Phil Natzke. They have and still continue to teach and train me with their knowledge daily.

What are things you do to promote your farm or the dairy industry?  I talk about farming to others as much as I can and sometimes post about it as well. I enjoy seeing others’ interest in the industry.

What advice would you give another woman in the dairy industry? Never underestimate your potential.

What is a challenge in the dairy industry you have faced and how did you overcome it? In the past I used to be afraid of trying anything new. I now like to see things as a challenge and make a go for it.

When you get a spare moment, what do you do? I typically hang out at home with my son and boyfriend. Otherwise, I try to spend as much time with my family as I can. I enjoy reading books, cooking and curling up on the couch with my two cats, and watching movies.