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Transporting milk is a crucial part of the link between producers and processors. On this episode of All About The Car, the podcast team is joined by Nancy Dick from Nancy Dick Trucking out of Medford, WI. Our Team Leader, Jamie, from the Medford Schierl Tire & Service location also joins us. We talk about how the milk hauling industry has changed in Wisconsin and what it takes to keep dairy trucks on the road.

Listen to the full episode below.

THEN

In the early 1900s, Dairy farmers would haul their own milk, and that of neighboring farms, in ten gallon milk cans. They used stake bed trucks and horse-drawn wagons. They also hauled ice, eggs, feed and even furniture. Their vehicles were all-purpose and not designed to specialize in transporting dairy.

NOW

By the 1970s, most milk can handlers were on the way out, giving way to proprietary milk haulers. These vehicles are designed to haul milk in bulk from farms to dairy processors.

Growing and Running the Business

Nancy’s dad got into the dairy industry at 13, working for Farmers Pride Cheese Factory. When he turned 16, he began hauling milk cans for them. Eventually he bought the milk can hauling portion of the business from them. He hauled cans for 10-12 years before switching over to bulk hauling in 1958. Nancy drove for her dad for 41 years before taking over the business 25 years ago. 

Nancy has managed 6 trucks at a time, recently scaling back to two full time trucks and a spare truck for when it is needed. She covers most of North Central Wisconsin handling 50+ accounts and heading all the way north to Ashland each night. Nancy doesn’t just own the business, she drives one of the trucks, does the paperwork and wears as many hats as she needs to! There is no off season for Nancy – though occasionally she’ll take a day or two to go for a ride across the state on her motorcycle.

Keeping Trucks on the Road

There are many considerations to keep in mind when running a transport business that doesn’t take a day off. Nancy’s trucks have traveled up to 125,000 miles per year. They typically last 6-7 years with proper maintenance. Along with regular oil changes and mechanical repairs, these trucks need special tires to run efficiently. That’s where Jamie and her team come in. She has worked with Nancy to find the best tires for how the trucks drive and how much they drive. It’s a partnership they both value.

Road Trip: Carr Valley Cheese Factory

Want to take a look into the Wisconsin dairy industry? Take a ride out to Carr Valley Cheese in LaValle. They are family owned and have been in business for 120 years. They specialize in cheddars and unique cheeses that you may not be able to find elsewhere. Carr Valley offers tours from 8-12 six days a week.