APPLETON (NBC 26) — Dan Hinz is a fourth-generation dairy farmer.
“This is my life," he said. "Every day, I’m out here feeding the cows, taking care of them, and every day it’s something different.“
Hinz, chairperson of the Winnebago County Dairy Promotion Committee, has faced all kinds of challenges over the years. The COVID-19 pandemic has made things especially unpredictable, he said.
“It’s still been a roller coaster ride for prices, and markets have been real volatile," said Hinz. "Feed prices have gone up drastically and milk prices have been bouncing all over, up and down. It’s still been crazy times.“
June is National Dairy Month, and the Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin are hoping for big turnouts at the events happening throughout the month, since many had to be canceled last year. This coming Friday, Hinz and other Winnebago County farmers will have a tailgate in the parking lot of the Timber Rattlers stadium, the team taking the new name of the Utter Tuggers for this weekend only. Before the game, people can pet a calf, talk to farmers and learn about all things dairy.
“People that have food questions, please ask a dairy farmer instead of asking google," said Hinz.
June Dairy Month is an opportunity for people to just get to know the farmers themselves, said Ashely Dodd.
“People nowadays move out to the city," she said. "They’re not very familiar with all this lifestyle, where their cheese, milk and ice cream and yogurt come from.“
Dodd has been worked at Hinz dairy for the past ten years, and says there’s a lot to love when it comes to being a farmer.
“You get to watch the calves grow up, and then they come into the milk house and you just got to see the whole process," said Dodd. "It’s less people too I guess, so that’s nice.“
From robotic milking to fitness trackers for cows, Hinz is just looking forward to sharing it all.
“Dairy has changed so much lately in the recent years as technology changes and improves," he said. "It’s amazing.“
You can find a full list and map of Dairy Month events throughout the state here.
