MURRAY COUNTY FARM FAMILY OF THE YEAR HOLM SHOW CATTLE

In 2007, Tim Holm moved back home to southwest Minnesota after attending Dordt College in Sioux Center, Iowa, and building work experience in a cattle feedlot operation. He was excited to plant roots and build something of his own.

Tim & Julia were married in 2009 and began building their dreams of growing their own operation and family. They purchased a 25 acre farm and hit the ground running, with a handful of cows, nursery-tofinish hogs, and the opportunity to farm 340 acres of farmland and taking that leap of faith was supported by friends and family.

This farm is a family effort grown from Holm generations. Tim’s grandfather Kenneth began the farm in Chandler and with influential people in Tim’s life, this dream has been made a reality.

Dave (Tim’s dad), Tim, Julia, Jorja, Tyce and Tate work together daily on the farm. They manage about 180 head of beef cattle; their focus is on genetics that fuel their growing show cattle business. Sire selection and phenotypes analyzation is important as they make breeding decisions to produce quality stock for their customers’ needs.

Holm Show Cattle hosts an annual private treaty sale in the fall that features approximately 40-50 feeder calves. These calves are sold and distributed throughout the United States for competitive showing and/ or for breeding purposes. Tim and his nephew, Riley Jansen, share a passion for the livestock industry and make a great team. They have built good relationships within the industry and value the importance of each customer as well as cattle care.

As most farm operations have diversity, Tim & Julia have been strategic with multi-facet growth to their operation.

They custom feed 2,400 head of wean-to-finish hogs and farm 340 acres crop for soybeans and corn production.

Tim handles a majority of the day-to-day duties, calving cows December - April, breeding decisions, fall fieldwork, swine facilities, as well as planning their annual fall calf sale.

Julia works full-time as a Registered Nurse at Sanford Health in Luverne for over 15 years. Julia finds time to help sort pigs, work cattle, and keep the place looking sharp.

It is a family effort as most days all of them can be found outside working on the farm, spending time together. Tim thoroughly enjoys having his family outside helping him on the farm. Tim’s dad, Dave is semi-retired and always willing to help out, often taking care of haying and stepping in while Tim and his family are away.

Their daughter, Jorja (13), jumps right in and has been a great help on the farm with the cattle. She is well versed on cattle care, knows the herd inside and out, and can find a sick one from a mile away. The twins, Tyce and Tate (10) take charge of the chickens, dogs, horses, and cats…as well as use their imaginations in any way possible to provide humor to the day.

Just when you think it couldn’t get any crazier, they are in the creek canoeing in a barrel or pulling each other behind the four-wheeler on haybale. All three kids are hands-on with their 4-H projects, their time on the farm has molded them to understand the importance of hard work, dedication, patience and grace. And working with livestock provides some valuable life lessons.

A work ethic is an important component in the Holm family, knowing that if they want to produce good results in whatever field, they must be all in. They’re active in the cattle show circuit, competing in livestock shows across the Midwest, earning recognition for quality genetics and showmanship excellence.

The Holm family are proud members of the Murray County Cattlemen’s Association and believe in giving back to the industry that means so much to them. Julia serves as a first responder for the Chandler Fire Department. The Holm’s believe it is important to serve an industry as well as their community.