A Day in the life of the Hinnenkamps

BROOTEN, Minn. — Having a backup plan is a must for Bruce Hinnenkamp. That proactive approach paid off May 4 when cool and damp conditions altered his plans.

The Hinnenkamps were planning on planting the last 72 acres of corn and 20 acres of soybeans, but Mother Nature had something else in mind.

“We wanted to plant today and then we would be done planting,” Bruce said. “But it’s too wet, and that gives you compaction problems. We will have to finish planting this weekend when it warms up.”

Bruce and his wife, Lois, and their son, Dylan, milk 117 cows in a double-8 step-up parlor at their family farm near Brooten. The Hinnenkamps also employ Randy Bolter and Tom Uhlenkamp to milk the cows, which allows them to accomplish other tasks around the farm. Together they farm 800 acres of corn, soybeans, barley and alfalfa. Bruce and Lois have two more grown children, Caitlyn and Kendra, and six grandchildren.

Farming, by its nature, requires one to be flexible, Bruce said.

“I like that no two days are the same (in farming),” he said. “Dylan asked, ‘What are we going to do today?’ and I told him, ‘I’ll tell you when we are doing it.’ Everything changes, within the hour sometimes. You just have to go with it and you have to change in the moment.”

In addition to their usual chores, the Hinnenkamps got the corn planter ready to go and moved some cows around while Dylan and his fiance, Joelle Edwards, worked on cleaning up their yard to host their wedding reception in early June.

Bruce and Lois got up at 5 a.m. to watch “Ag Today” before going to the barn by 6. The couple checked for any fresh cows or cows that were in heat and fed the calves, while the employees milked the cows. Bruce cleaned the barn while Lois went to the house to do bookwork. After taking care of his small herd of beef cows, Dylan showed up at the farm around 7 a.m. and mixed three batches of total mixed ration for the cows and heifers.

“We have good communication,” Dylan said. “Everyone is on the same page and knows what is expected. We know what the plan is, and that can change in any minute.”

Bruce and Dylan got their John Deere 12-row planter greased and ready to go, but when they checked the fields, they determined the conditions were not fit for planting.

“My favorite part (of farming) is getting equipment ready, the first time out in the field and getting all the settings set,” Dylan said. “But since we couldn’t get into the field, I went back to my place to get it all manicured to get ready to have everybody out there.”

Dylan and Joelle worked together to fill in some low spots, seeded some lawn, cleared some brush and moved equipment around to make room for parking. The couple will be married June 6 at their church in Elrosa before hosting family and friends at their home for the reception.

While Dylan worked at his place, Bruce greased and changed the oil on the lawn mower and bedded the switch cows and calves. Then Bruce and Lois dried up a couple of cows to make room for some fresh heifers.

“I enjoy watching a calf being born,” Lois said. “That never gets old.”

After working in town for a few years, Dylan has returned to the home farm and plans to take over the farm to become the third generation at their dairy.

“I was sick of being on the road and it’s nice to sleep in my own bed,” Dylan said. “Dad was looking to slow down and needed help. I enjoy driving the tractor, checking the cattle, working on equipment and doing fieldwork.”

The Hinnenkamp farm has been in the family since 1973. Bruce took over in 1981.

“When I took over there was no cement on the place,” Bruce said.

Bruce and Lois agreed that they enjoy working with family.

“It’s good to have somebody to take the farm over,” Bruce said. “We are trying to give him something to work with so that he doesn’t struggle. It’s enjoyable to have them with you to spend time with.”

Lois agreed.

“We have a granddaughter who calls farming magical,” she said. “The stars are bright, we have deer running through the yard. It’s really fun to show our grandchildren.”