Award-Winning Dairy Farm in Kendallville Known for Innovation
Published: Friday, May 26, 2023
Steve and Abbie Herr were awarded the Indiana Dairy Producers Young Producers of the Year in February. The couple raises 820 cattle alongside their two daughters, Sadie and Alexis. Both Steve and Abbie have been around cows their whole lives, so when Abbie says the Holsteins are like family, she means it.
Located in Kendallville, Herr Dairy Farm has been known for its innovative practices, the most recent of which is the addition of robots.
"We haven't looked back since," Abbie said.
In its award presentation, IDP highlighted the Herrs use of innovation in promoting the dairy industry as well as caring for their herd. Through her social media page, Abbie educates the public about life on the farm. She also hosts tours for schools, 4-H clubs and summer camps. When Steve and Abbie received the news that they won the award, it came as a surprise. In fact, Abbie said they didn't even know the award was available, but they were nominated anonymously.
"Whoever did, thank you so much!" Abbie said. "Just to be able to represent young producers and teach younger generations that if they work hard, they can achieve their dream to become a dairy farmer, too."
Abbie's two greatest passions are cows and teaching others about cows.
"We're creating the most wholesome product," she said. "It is important for others to learn about it."
At the end of each tour, children have a chance to sample ice cream.
Abbie's favorite question to answer is why she wants to be a dairy farmer.
"I'm able to convey the passion that I have for it, and they can see how much we put into these animals and how much we really do care for them," she said. "The kids are amazed at how much goes into being a dairy farmer."
For example, many children don't realize that cows have nutritionists, bi-weekly doctor visits, pedicures and more.
Abbie's passion for dairy is evidenced by the fact that she greets all of her Holsteins by name.
"I love cows. They're my favorite animal," she said.
"They produce such a wholesome product and that you get all these nutrients —13 essential nutrients—from the milk and all these delicious products. That's just a big bonus to be able to have the dairy products and also work with the animals that produce it," she said. "I always say milk is in my blood."
She grew up on a small, family dairy in South Whitley and continued to pursue the industry in high school when she began working on another farm.
"I just couldn't get away from it. I just love it so much. I love the lifestyle, I love working with the animals, I just truly—I don't know how to express how much joy it brings me. And it just—yeah. I just can't express it," Abbie said.
After joining forces with Steve and having two daughters, the couple became a tag team. Both share duties with the cows and kids, and Steve manages the corn, soybeans and wheat operation along with his dairy robotics business, which began a few years after they switched to robots.
As part of his side business, Steve specializes in creating parts for robotic dairies. He began creating parts for the robots when they experienced a malfunction on the farm. As all farmers know, when something needs to be done, there isn't much time for waiting.
So, when the manufacturers weren't able to make it out in the time he needed them to, Steve turned to the 3D printer for help. As he began making more parts, other dairies started making requests for his help, and it eventually became its own business in 2021.
The Herrs have been honored for their innovations before. For instance, Steve's family was the first in the county with a bull tank and, later, their silage wagons won an award. Now, he is making headway in dairy robot repair, finding ways to improve parts' durability, making pieces that have ceased production and dealing parts to a wide variety of buyers. When asked how he balances all this with the dairy, he points to his wife.
"I give all the work to her!" he said, resulting in a laugh.
"We tag team it (the dairy work). We make a good team," Abbie said.
When the couple traded in their double-12 parallel parlor for robots five years ago, it took two teams of people to get the cows into the milking stalls, but eventually the animals realized they could come and go as please and became comfortable with the new setup. This won them the title of "leisurely ladies." Heifers are brought down earlier to get them used to the equipment and cows.
The Herrs, with help from their daughters, plan to continue raising dairy cows.
"We're already so blessed. And to be able to keep doing this every day, I feel like that's all we really ask for. Just to continually pass it on to future generations and hopefully inspire other people who maybe want to become a dairy farmer or get into agriculture," Abbie said.
Abbie plans to continue sharing her love for cows with the future generation and encourage them to get into agriculture. She tells them that all the hard work is worth it because it helps so many people.
"To know that you're providing food for the world, that's another big thing," she said. "It's an inspiring feeling."
Sadie and Alexis understand this and are excited by the prospect of one day running the dairy. The two say they love cows because they are "cute and funny and they play with their own tongues."
"My next goal in life," Abbie said, "is I want to hand out that milk at the Indy 500."
Who knows? The 2023 Young Dairy Producers of the Year could find themselves on a much bigger stage next May.
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