Women in Dairy: Julie ten Hoeve

Julie ten Hoeve

Waverly, Iowa

Butler County

650 cows

Tell us about your family and farm. We moved to America from the Netherlands in 2004 and started the farm in 2006 with 120 cows. We have three kids: Ian, 17; Lisa, 14; and Heidi, 12. My husband Gurben’s brother and sister-in-law joined the farm, and we’ve expanded a couple of times. Six years ago, we changed from a milking parlor to robots. 

What is a typical day like for you on the dairy? It depends on the day. I feed calves in the morning and twice a week in the afternoon and work with my sister-in-law to feed the rest of the week. I am in charge of bookkeeping and payroll and help out in the barn when needed. 

What decision have you made in the last year that has benefited your farm? We hired a financial advisor. We have a more in-depth view of the farm financials.

Tell us about your most memorable experience working on the farm. The switch from milking parlor to robots. We had come to a point where we could not get reliable help anymore. With the switch to robots, we haven’t hired anybody new for the last six years. The employees we have now have been with us all that time.

What have you enjoyed most about dairy farming or your tie to the dairy industry? We love the freedom and being outside.

What is your biggest accomplishment in your dairy career? Keeping calves happy and healthy. There was a period of time when we had sick calves all the time. It was depressing, and I had a hard time enjoying the work. We were able to build a new calf barn with lots of changes, and the calves have been healthy. We are thankful we can raise healthy replacement heifers.

What are things you do to promote your farm or the dairy industry? We have had groups tour the farm. In the near future, we will have a group of students from my daughter’s school come and visit the farm.

What advice would you give another woman in the dairy industry? In the Netherlands, the dairy farmers wear coveralls over their normal clothes in the barn. We still do that here. Only the coveralls get dirty, and it saves you loads of laundry, time and frustration. On the serious side, depend on God. When things go well, know all blessings come from Him. When things get tough, keep that communication with Him alive. He is with you.

What is a challenge in the dairy industry you have faced and how did you overcome it? Dealing with unreliable employees. We were feeling stressed out. Our bank saw the challenge, and together, we were able to put in our robots.

When you get a spare moment, what do you do? I am privileged to be a stay-at-home mom; I realize I have it easy compared to other dairy moms. I enjoy making homemade food like yogurt, bread and sourdough. I have a big garden in the summer that keeps us fed all winter. But I love a good book, and we take the time to go on vacation with the kids once a year.