Women in Dairy: Kalley Berg

Tell us about your family and farm. My parents, Tom and Penny Berg, own and operate Trailside Dairy. I have three older brothers— Jon, Matt and Mark — who all play a role in the family farm. We employ four part-time employees. Also, I can’t forget about my full-time cattle dog, Dusty. My oldest brother, Jon, recently came back to the farm full time to help with fieldwork, mechanic work and some morning/nightly chores. Matt occasionally helps out with animal care. Mark is currently stationed at Fort Polk, Louisiana, and will be returning to the farm full time in the summer of 2026. I work full time on the farm, doing a variety of chores. We milk around 115 cows twice a day and farm 180 acres of rented land. Trailside Dairy was established in 1993 and got its name due to the iconic placement of the Douglas Trail, which runs right next to our farm.

What is a typical day like for you on the dairy? I wake up at 4:15 a.m. and arrive at the farm around 4:45 a.m. Between my mom and me, we start the day by turning on freestall barn lights, yard lights and parlor lights, letting all the animals know the day has started. After that, it’s straight to the pre-fresh area to check for any new babies. I assist my mom in loading the wagon for feeding calves, then work on milk house chores. If the wagon is filled before I’m done with milk house chores, my dad finishes them up. My mom and I feed all the calves, then return the wagon to the barn and start milking. Milking starts around 6-6:15 a.m. and we get done around 9:15 a.m. After milking, I clean up the milking parlor, holding area and return alley. Then, I clock out around 10:15 a.m. and go to my off-the-farm job at Hyland Systems, where I weld from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30/6 p.m. I return to the farm around 7 p.m., where I help as needed with either milking or scraping the freestall barn. We wrap up nightly chores around 9 p.m.

What decision have you made in the last year that has benefited your farm? Carrying the calves both literally and figuratively, as my brother Mark and I would like to say; shouldering the responsibility of working full time jobs while still relieving our part-time help when their plans change or they are sick. In many situations, this requires me to leave my welding job early.

Tell us about your most memorable experience working on the farm. The cows getting out, or touching the electric fence always seems to leave a shocking memory. Although these things do not happen often, thankfully, they were the first to pop into my head. Overall, the most memorable experience was when we remodeled our 46-stall stanchion barn into a double-4, 16-inch step-up parlor in 2006. Watching my dad spend hours upon hours designing it and then seeing how efficiently it runs is a dream come true. Also, in 2007, we moved all our calves out of the shed and put them in calf huts. Then, we remodeled that barn into a freestall barn for our milk cows and pre-fresh cows.

What have you enjoyed most about dairy farming or your tie to the dairy industry? Although working with family can be difficult, I wouldn’t want it any other way. Sharing a job you love with people you love is surreal. We wouldn’t be able to have that without our cows. They are more than just animals to us; they are family. That’s why being able to talk with people about our experience is so enjoyable. I get to share about dairy farming and the nutritional value of our products.

What is your biggest accomplishment in your dairy career? In 2013, my grade 3-year-old Holstein cow, Beam, won the overall grand champion at the county fair and won another grand champion ribbon from the state fair. Showing cows is something my brothers and I always loved, but we were always the underdog. Winning overall was an unreal experience, not just because it was first place but because of my parents’ dedication and the time they took to care for their animals that got her there. Also, my brother Matt’s knowledge of mating cows and his work in A.I. played a huge role in her win. She went on to win many more ribbons. I have never seen a cow enjoy all the pampering of show life so much. Beam had a quirky personality and left everlasting memories on me, my family and other 4-H students. In 2016, I was a Top 12 Princess Kay of the Milky Way finalist and got my likeness carved out of 90 pounds of butter. I still have it. Having that honor was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Being a finalist was extremely eye-opening. You meet so many people with the same passion as you and get to educate others on how wonderful our dairy products are.

What are things you do to promote your farm or the dairy industry? I use catchy slogans on the back of T-shirts and sweatshirts. I also try to do some social media. We recently purchased an information board for the public trail that runs in our front yard. It will be up in full swing in 2026, giving information about our farm as well as fun facts and knowledge about dairy products.

What advice would you give another woman in the dairy industry? Always be yourself, but don’t be scared of opening up to new ideas. We all have our own unique ways of doing things, but at the end of the day, the big picture is the same. Sharing your story could be the inspiration someone needs.

What is a challenge in the dairy industry you have faced, and how did you overcome it? The fluctuations of the cost to farm, like milk prices, feed prices, the cattle market, vet bills and repair costs. Your animals depend on you and cutting corners is not an option. Sometimes, having faith and taking absolutely nothing for granted is the only thing that keeps you going.

When you get a spare moment, what do you do? I have to chuckle because I feel like, after reading that, every farmer is mentally saying, “What’s a spare moment?” Although they may be rare, I do enjoy them by cooking, going on Ranger rides, spending time with friends and family and watching my nieces and nephews grow up.