For Matt Hendel, what stands out about DRMS is not just the tools. It is the people behind them — friendly, accessible staff who understand dairy and help solve problems the first time.
Service That Understands Dairy
For more than 30 years, Matt Hendel has worked with DRMS as part of managing Hendel Farms, a registered dairy in Caledonia, Minnesota.
When Matt thinks about what makes DRMS different, his answer comes back to service.
“I learned that the staff between Ames and Raleigh, when I had problems, was quick to solve problems,” he said. “The problems got solved the first time when I made a call, and I didn’t have to double back and try to revisit the problem again.”
That experience made an impression early on. It also continued over time.
“That continues in the staff today,” Matt said. “It’s a service organization that cares about what we do out here and has a knowledge of what we do.”
For Matt, that combination matters. Dairy farms are not all the same, and the people supporting those farms need to understand how producers actually work and manage their herds.
“Each farm is different,” he said, “but the system’s very adaptable to different operations.”
That is one reason DRMS has remained part of his operation for three decades.
Matt also serves on the DRMS Advisory Board, representing CentralStar Cooperative. In that role, he helps provide producer input on the future direction of the organization.
Over the years, Matt has come to appreciate working with an organization that understands dairy producers and responds when help is needed. Whether answering questions, solving problems, or supporting different types of operations, he believes the people behind DRMS make the difference.
For Matt, that commitment to service is what continues to set DRMS apart.
“That continues in the staff today,” Matt said. “It’s a service organization that cares about what we do out here and has a knowledge of what we do.”
For Matt, DRMS represents more than the tools it provides. It represents a service organization with people who understand dairy, respond when producers need help, and remain committed to supporting farms over the long term.