Farming a lifelong dream

HANNOVER, N.D. — Wilton Henke has long known he wanted to take over the family farm. The 21-year-old is now in the process of assuming ownership of the operation.

“Great-grandpa started the farm, Grandpa kept it, Dad built it, and I’m taking it over,” Henke said. “From a young age, I loved the cattle, the equipment and the work. I loved everything about it. There was just nothing else I ever wanted to do.”

The Henke farm is home to around 80 beef cattle and 170 dairy cows that are milked in a double-7 herringbone parlor. The farm also consists of 2,500 tillable acres. Since Henke graduated from college in 2023, he has worked full time at the farm.

“I was always working at the farm over summer and when I had spare time,” Henke said.

As Henke’s dad, Randy, gets ready to transfer the farming business, Henke continues to step into those roles. Each year Henke purchases assets for the farm and grows his own enterprises within the farm.

Henke said every day he learns something new from working with his dad and other farmers. Among the lessons is the importance of putting in day-to-day work to get things done.

“What is even more important is the mental game and strategy of farming,” Henke said. “You have to make sure you are at a good financial standing … and making decisions that are going to make the farm more profitable. Otherwise, you are not going to be farming very long.”

When Henke started to help on the farm, he fed calves and then learned how to operate equipment. Now, he is involved heavily on the grain side of the farm while the dairy herd is managed mainly by hired help during field work season.

Over the winter months, Henke handles most of the feeding and the general management. His other jobs throughout the year include putting up hay, hauling cattle and grain, and managing the cattle he owns.

“My first love was probably grain farming,” Henke said. “(However), I grew up showing dairy and was pretty passionate about that. I got a little bit into breeding registered dairy cattle and got passionate about that as well.”

Henke’s interest in registered cattle sprouted from competition with his cousins in the show ring. His cousins focused on type in their breeding program so did well in the show ring.

“They were beating me, so I bought into some cattle from Minnesota,” Henke said. “Then with some help of local experts and talking to the guy at Select Sires I started breeding for show cattle and I made some progress.”

He is now competitive in state-level show rings in North Dakota. Part of the herd is bred strictly for type since the family enjoys showing. However, Henke appreciates a heavy milker, and most of the cattle are bred for production, components and functional type.

“We want a cow with good feet,” Henke said. “There is a type component that adds to the longevity of the cow. We don’t have to have this perfect World Dairy Expo cow to be a profitable commercial herd.”

The farm has been expanded over the years with the purchase of more land and the construction of new buildings.

“We’ve increased our herd size a little bit, but we are at our peak right now,” Henke said. “When I first got out of high school, I didn’t know how I was going to get into farming myself.”

With changes and developments on the farm, Henke said he is looking forward to everything the future holds.

“I value the freedom,” Henke said. “I make my own decisions running a business and I don’t have to listen to someone in an office all day. … I love the way of life and the work ethic that ensues. There are a lot of great benefits it gives you that I am grateful for.”