Talk Cow, Not Bull – Episode 2: A Life in Dairy from Holland to OntarioÂ
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In Episode 2 of Talk Cow, Not Bull, Noel sits down with 92-year-old Isaac from De Klerk Farm, whose journey in dairy spans post-war immigration, farm start-ups, and massive change across generations.
Isaac’s story starts in the Netherlands, where his family ran a butcher shop during WWII. In 1947, they immigrated to Canada with only $500 and no English—just determination, trade skills, and a pioneering spirit. What followed was a life of farming sugar beets, tomatoes, pigs, and—ultimately—dairy.
From milking 10 cows by hand to expanding to over 400 acres, Isaac reflects on:
- The real reason they bought their first farm (hint: it wasn’t the land)
- What it was like building barns without hydro and milking with no quota system
- Why consistency in milk supply changed everything
- The steep rise of land values—from $47,000 for 260 acres in the 1950s to millions today
Isaac also shares simple yet powerful advice: “Do what you enjoy. I liked cows. I stuck with cows.”
Don’t miss this warm, heartfelt episode packed with humour, heritage, and reminders of what truly matters in farming.