DJ and Amy Folkerts
DJ and Amy’s farming operation in southwest Minnesota started in the 1940s with DJ’s grandpa, Charlie, and his registered Angus beef herd. The herd was located on the farm where DJ was raised, and his mother still lives. DJ’s parents, Jim and Bonnie, took over the family farm in the early 1970s. Along with cattle, they added hogs and ran a farrow-to-finish operation for 30 years. In high school, DJ started making decisions regarding the cattle herd and purchased his first Maine Anjou genetics. He continues to this day with Maine Anjou cattle.
DJ and Amy’s cattle operation, called Eastview Maines, is a mixed herd of both registered Maine Anjou seedstock and Maine Anjou commercial cows that calve from early February through April. In addition, DJ and Amy raise corn, soybeans, oats and alfalfa. DJ uses artificial insemination and embryo flushing in the herd. Replacement heifers are sold via an online auction in the fall. A couple of months later the yearling bulls are sold at the National Western Stock Show in Denver, the Cattlemen’s Congress in Oklahoma and the Black Hills Stock Show. The family also sells bulls by private treaty off the farm.
DJ runs the day-to-day operations of managing the cattle and crops. He gets help from Amy and his brother, John, during planting and harvest. DJ’s father, Jim, passed away in 2018. His mother, Bonnie, helps as “parts gopher” and “chuck wagon master” in her retirement years. DJ and Amy have four children: Kendra, Rylee, Maesa and Charlie. Everyone helps with the cattle from working calves, sorting and loading pairs, weaning calves, daily feeding and more.
The family stays busy throughout the year showing cattle through 4-H, FFA and open shows. The girls always look forward to the Maine Anjou Junior Nationals where they not only show cattle but participate in the quiz bowl and beef judging. Charlie is showing cattle for the first time this summer.
DJ was an ag ed teacher, FFA adviser and football coach for 10 years before returning to the farm full time. He’s a member of the Sweet Township board and a member of the Pipestone County Cattlemen. DJ is also an officer with the South Dakota Maine Anjou Association and president of the American Maine Anjou Association. Amy has been secretary of the Pipestone County Fair board since 2007 and is very active in St. Leo Catholic Church.