Matthew Byl: Second-generation dairyman carrying on his family’s American dream

In this episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast, host Jenn Coyne visits with Matthew Byl of Dutch Cowboy Dairy in Utah. Byl is a second-generation dairy farmer whose father and uncle immigrated to the U.S. from Holland in the 1980s. Since then, the family has captured the American dream, founding Dutch Cowboy Dairy first in Texas with 40 cows milked in a double-six parlor and later resettling in Utah. Today, the family and 30 employees milk 4,500 cows. In this episode, Byl shares more about his family’s start in the industry and how this dairyman is setting himself up for future success. 

Here is the breakdown of this episode:

• Walk through what Dutch Cowboy Dairy looks like today and your role on the farm. [~1:44]
• How are other family members involved? [~2:19]
• Briefly touch on the history of the farm, and from your point of view, how did the decisions your dad and uncle made throughout their career set the dairy business up for future generations to be involved? [~3:26]
• Talk to us about specific instances or decisions made that you feel have since been the building blocks for what Dutch Cowboy Dairy is today. [~5:04]
• How has the farm evolved to keep up with the industry trends and demands? [~6:21]
• Tell us about a time when you had to think through a decision that benefited your farm. [~8:06]
• How has the way you managed the dairy progressed to continue being a distinguished farm among others in the industry? [~9:29]
• What were some of the features of the milking system you liked that would benefit your farm goals? [~10:34]
• Why is an act of opening up your farm for others to see important to the Byls? How has community connection shaped your farming philosophy? [~13:13]
• What’s next for Dutch Cowboy Dairy? [~14:43]
• Rapid-fire questions [~15:56]

Contact Matthew Byl at matthewbyl@hotmail.com