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TYLER, Minn. - Cheryl Hook grew up on a swine farm and never imagined in her wildest dreams that she would one day be so involved in the dairy industry - that was, until she met her husband, Daryl Hook.
Together, Daryl and Cheryl Hook DHIA test near their home in Tyler, Minn.
"I had plans to be a nurse," said Cheryl. "Without Daryl, I would have never gotten involved in the dairy industry."
The couple met when Daryl was a senior in high school. Cheryl was working in a nursing home and Daryl was DHIA testing alongside his father, Ron Hook, who was a dairy farmer prior to testing.
After high school, Daryl took over a full-time testing position with his dad. They worked in Lincoln and Lyon Counties, splitting the workload.
Tragedy struck as Daryl's father passed away from cancer in August of 1992.
"When my dad died of cancer, Cheryl stepped up and helped me with the job," said Daryl.
On July 29, 1983, Daryl and Cheryl tied the knot. They have been DHIA testing together for much of their married life.
Cheryl started testing full-time with Daryl when their two sons, Zach (27) and Derrick (25) were young.
"One dairy that milked 250 cows would offer to watch the boys as I helped Daryl test," said Cheryl.
Now, with the boys grown and having children of their own, the Hooks spend much of their time traveling across Minnesota, Northwestern Iowa and parts of South Dakota testing dairy herds.
"We've picked up more counties," said Daryl. "Our furthest dairy is 110 miles away - one way."
Both Hooks have their own herds that they work with, but work together on the larger dairies.
A typical day will begin as the pair leaves for their first dairy herds between 2:30 a.m. and 4:30 a.m., depending on the location of the dairy. Daryl will drop Cheryl off at her dairy on the way to his and pick her up again around 8 a.m. when the testing is complete.
After a short break at home, the Hooks continue their work by traveling to larger dairies together for the afternoon and hopefully calling it a day by 10 p.m.
"Our days are full of travel," said Daryl.
Cheryl said, "We do work a lot. Sometimes we are gone two to three days staying overnight at hotels."
The couple works with dairy farms in Sioux Falls, S.D. and Sioux Center, Iowa that take 10 hours to test one herd. With larger dairies like these, the Hooks will stay overnight in hotels and spend multiple days in the area to test smaller herds as well.
Sharing the same work has been an opportunity for the Hooks to spend time together and connect over an interest they are so passionate about.
"The best part about working with Daryl is being able to spend time together. It allows us to have a similar connection and if I run into a problem I can call him," said Cheryl.
"And it saves on gas," Daryl said, jokingly.
In their free time, which seems to be limited with their hectic schedules, Cheryl and Daryl work in their garden, which is full of beautiful flowers that attract hummingbirds.
"Our garden is our pride and joy," said Cheryl. "We also make time to visit our two grandchildren in South Dakota and go camping in Northern Minnesota."
Daryl is also an avid deer hunter in his spare time, while running his own deer processing business.
As the days turn into weeks and weeks to months, the Hooks continue DHIA testing, neither of them seeing an end to the job.
Daryl has been testing for 31 years and Cheryl for 20.
Over the years, the Hooks have lost many dairy farms, but when one is lost another one is found. Cheryl and Daryl still work with several small dairy farms and are becoming more popular amongst the larger dairies.
DHIA testing is a job that the Hooks are grateful for.
Cheryl describes DHIA testing as a constant learning experience.
"When we first started testing, everything was on paper. Now we have moved to computers and handheld devices," said Cheryl.
Daryl agrees that there is always something new to the job, but the most rewarding aspect of it is being able to work with his wife.
Many farmers have told them, "You're just like us - working with your spouse all day long."
Cheryl and Daryl Hook couldn't agree more.[[In-content Ad]]

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