Diane Hoover -- Dairy Farming is a 24/7 Job

Diane Hoover, and her husband Reid, milk 170 registered Holsteins, and farm 200 acres, in Lebanon County. The Hoover family has owned the land since 1963, with Diane & Reid becoming the sole proprietors in 1997. Diane & Reid have four children – Brad, Aaron, Brenden, & Audrey. Brad now farms with his mom and dad, while the other three children are in college.

Diane grew up on a farm and always enjoyed working with dairy animals, as did Reid. Once they married, they knew they wanted to farm for a living and it’s where they wanted to raise their children. The most rewarding part of Diane’s job today? Producing safe and nutritious milk that consumers want, and need, and in a good year, making a little profit doing a job she likes.

At Brook Corner Holsteins, as on other dairy farms, it’s a 24 hour, 7 day a week job. Diane knows that “if we don’t take care of a situation, such as a sick animal, broken equipment, or wet pens, it will snowball into a big problem that will have big consequences.” To prevent future problems, Diane & Reid have a schedule of vaccinations and herd checks to keep animals healthy. “Good production starts with baby calves, so we start out on day one, making sure their health and nutrition needs are met,” Diane said.

The Hoovers practice no-till farming, use cover crops and have a nutrient management plan. Pastures with creeks have steam bank fencing and some fields have grass waterways to control run-off.

Although the dairy economy is tough and environmental regulations are challenging, Diane looks forward to passing on the farm to the next generation and continually becoming better managers of their cows and land.

Diane gives back to the dairy industry by serving on the Center for Dairy Excellence’s Speaker’s Bureau, the Lebanon County Dairy Promotion Committee and helping to lead the NoSoAnn 4-H Dairy Club. She also teaches Sunday School at Gingrich’s Mennonite Church.