Women in Dairy: Jessica Mueller

Tell us about your family and farm.Our family owns and operates Char-Ther Farm in South Dakota. Alongside my mom, Theresa, and family members Vicky and Clayton, Justin and Donna, and my niece, Cedar, we milk Holsteins and Jerseys and sell our milk through Dairy Farmers of America Inc. We also raise alfalfa, corn and oats to feed our herd. Cedar especially enjoys spending time with the cows and calves and helping with feeding chores; it is exciting to see the next generation developing a love for dairy farming.

What is a typical day like for you on the dairy? No two days are exactly the same on our dairy, but every day starts early. I begin with the morning milking and feeding our newborn calves. Throughout the day, there are always chores to be done, whether it’s caring for calves, moving cattle, maintaining equipment or helping with fieldwork. In the evening, I start chores again by feeding calves, heifers and dry cows before heading back to the parlor for the evening milking. Dairy farming is a seven-day-a-week commitment, and our herd depends on us every day of the year.

What decision have you made in the last year that has benefited your farm?  One of the best decisions we made this past year was investing in the CowManager monitoring system. This technology helps us keep a closer eye on cow activity, health, rumination and breeding. It allows us to identify health concerns earlier and make better management decisions.

Tell us about your most memorable experience working on the farm. One of my mostmemorable experiences has been watching Cedar light up when she’s around the cows and calves; it reminds me of why I fell in love with farming myself. There have also been many memorable moments while welcoming healthy calves into the world and helping cows through difficult situations. Dairy farming has taught me patience and the value of hard work. Some of the most rewarding experiences are the small victories that come from caring for animals.

What have you enjoyed most about dairy farming or your tie to the dairy industry? What I enjoymost is caring for our animals and being able to work alongside family every day. Dairy farming isn’t just a job; it’s a way of life. I take pride in knowing that we produce a wholesome product other families enjoy every day. Being connected to other dairy farmers through organizations like DFA has given me a greater appreciation for the dedication and the dairy community.

What is your biggest accomplishment in your dairy career? I would say one of my biggest accomplishments is receiving the Quality Milk Award every year since 2006. Producing high-quality milk consistently for that many years takes dedication and hard work on cow comfort, herd health and cleanliness.

What are things you do to promote your farm or the dairy industry? I have  always been an advocate for dairy products and enjoy encouraging family, friends and neighbors to drink whole milk and support the dairy industry. I especially promote whole milk and the many quality dairy products produced through DFA. I also believe that sharing our story is one of the best ways to connect with others outside of the agriculture community. I enjoy answering questions about how milk is produced and explaining the care that dairy farmers provide their animals every day. Helping people understand where their food comes from is an important part of supporting the dairy industry.

What advice would you give another woman in the dairy industry?  Believe in your abilities and never underestimate the value you bring to the farm. Most importantly, don’t be afraid to speak up, share your ideas and take on leadership roles. Dairy farming can be challenging, but it is also incredibly rewarding. The future of dairy depends on passionate women who are willing to work hard.

What is a challenge in the dairy industry you have faced and how have you overcome it?  One of the biggest challenges in the dairy industry is dealing with factors that are outside of our control, such as milk prices, weather, feed costs and other related demands. There have been times when low milk prices and rising expenses have made it difficult to remain profitable, but our family has learned to focus on what we can control: producing high-quality milk and taking excellent care of our cows.

When you get a spare moment, what do you do? Spare moments can be hard to come by on a dairy farm, but when I do get some free time, I enjoy spending it with family and friends. Those relationships are important because they help me recharge from the demands of farm life. One of my favorite things to do, especially this time of year, is relax in the hot tub with my sister and friends. I also enjoy doing my nails every now and then, even though it usually doesn’t last very long in this line of work.