From the Barnyard to the Brickyard: Dague Dairy Farm Knows Milk is for Winners

Handing a bottle of ice cold milk to 2016 Indianapolis 500 Winner Alexander Rossi is a moment dairy farmer Janet Dague will never forget. Janet and husband Andrew produce milk in Kewanna, Indiana, and were in awe of the view they had of the “greatest spectacle in racing,” having attended the race for 30 years. “To stand on the plaza and see the sold-out stands and infield, it was moment that said milk is for winners,” Janet said.

The Dagues represent the third generation of the family on the farm in Fulton County, working with family members to milk 250 cows twice a day as well as raise row crops. “We are in partnership with Andrew’s parents, Jim and Peggy Dague, as we run the dairy and farm about 1,300 acres of corn, soybeans, wheat and hay,” Janet says, noting that they are mostly self-sufficient in growing all of the feed needed for their cows.

The Dagues raise their own replacement heifers, which are the female calves that grow up to enter the milking herd. They also finish out the dairy steers (male) cattle, selling the beef at the local sale barn as well as to friends and family.

“Once the calves are weaned, they are out on pasture and we are looking after them every day,” Janet says, even being able to look out her kitchen window to the pasture where the “babies” are grazing. “Our family is all involved in the farm, and taking good care of the animals lies at the heart of our operation.”

Owning a dairy is 24/7 occupation, as the cows never take a day off. This type of schedule allows the Dague’s predictable times to offer high school students looking for a job. “Over the years, we’ve realized that we are the first job for many of these students who work hard and see what all is involved in producing milk,” Janet says. Andy’s sister Julie Russell helps on the farm, and they employ

one full-time person, Tyler Bennett, who has been with the operation for many years (during high school and college) and now farms alongside them with his own farm and family. They also employ four part-time helpers, plus the fourth generation: their children Adrianna, Aubrey and Austin.

In fact, it was during high school that Janet got her first exposure to the dairy as she was dating Andy. “I grew up in the country but not a farm, and when Andy I were dating in high school I’d come over and be there while he was doing chores,” Janet says. She reminiscences that it was “fun to sit and watch him work.”

Of course, life is much busier now, as along with farm work Janet is very involved in advocating for the dairy industry. She currently serves as the president of the board for the American Dairy Association of Indiana (ADAI). She has been on the board since 2011, stepping in when her father in law joined a different board. “As a farm, we divide where we spend our volunteer time,” Janet explains. “I have enjoyed meeting and becoming friends with other dairy farmers. Being on the dairy can be a little isolating so meeting other people and sharing ideas is important.”

She appreciates all the industry effort to tell the public about milk and milk production. Janet points to several of the partnerships ADAI has that are significant. One being the partnership with the Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA). This makes milk the “official beverage” of Indiana high school athletics, promoting it as a premier recovery drink for over 160,000 student-athletes. This partnership features milk at all state championship events, including celebratory milk presentations by local dairy farmers.

The organization also partners with the Indiana State School Music Association (ISSMA) to sponsor state marching band championships, awarding milk to winners.

“I love going to Lucas Oil Stadium for those finals and handing out the milk there,” Janet says.

As the family looks to the future, daughter Adrianna Smith appreciates the legacy of the dairy. “It is a blessing to have this operation, I’m here with my two-year old son who comes to work with me every day and is surrounded by family,” she says. “It is amazing to watch the farm through his eyes.” The family is overjoyed another Smith baby will be arriving in May.

This sense of community is important to the family. “Because we dairy farmers are here on the farm, we can be flexible and drop everything to go help a neighbor,” Adrianna says. Andy, Adrianna, Austin and Julie are all members of the Wayne Township Volunteer Fire Department.

“While I can’t think of other jobs that are literally sunup to sundown every day, we love living here and raising our family here. We want this farm to be a foundation for the family’s future,” Janet concludes.