L-R: Trent-Way-JS Redzone-Red-ET (EX-91-EX-MS), grandam of HARD ROCK; Trent-Way Resbit-ET (VG-86-VG-MS), dam of HARD ROCK, Jordan photos.
Feed our bags. Bag our feeder.
Give your cattle a nutritional boost with Ricochet minerals, and MFA will give you a free mineral feeder in return.*
Feeding Ricochet minerals year-round helps improve growth and reproductive efficiency in grazing cattle by providing essential minerals along with MFA Shield Technology® to promote health, immunity and performance.
Use this QR code to find out how to get a free MFA mineral feeder!
Board Members Norris Sloan Davin Althoff Clay Hemple Grant Groves Brian Riegel (573) 680-9564 • Alfred Brandt modairy.org
August
Emma Parrigon, Stotts City, showing her Jersey Mi-Wil Gem Casino Colombia, at Missouri State Fair. Colombia was purchased in the 2022 Missouri Heifer Tag Sale.
ADVERTISER INDEX
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State Convention
Legislative Day at MISSOURI STATE FAIR
January 24, 2025
Save the date for Missouri Dairy Expo 2025 at Oasis
Hotel & Convention Center in Springfield, MO. Expanded trade show this year! The theme is Feeding for the Future.
Dairy Grant Activities
Missouri Dairy secured a grant last fall to research the dairy industry and innovative ways to expand in Missouri. Grant projects include:
•Partnering with MU on a state-wide dairy survey
• Funding a fall Summit with invited guests to plan for the future.
We can’t wait to share all of our findings with you at the Expo in January
Contact 2025
We want you to be a part or Missouri Dairy. Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns.
Members of Missouri Dairy met with many of the state political leaders including Governor Mike Parson, Lt. Governor Mike Kehoe, United States Senators Schmitt and Hawley as well as several United States Congressman and State legislators
Checkoff at Work
Bringing Dairy to Life
Scan the QR code to learn more about how Midwest Dairy is making every drop count!
New National Director
Congratulations to Alfred Brandt (Linn, MO) for being elected to Holstein USA Region 7-National Director
ksda-october-2023.indd 1 10/20/2023 10:32:44 AM
Ozark Empire Fair Results
Junior Show
Ayrshire
Junior Champion
Stil-Dreamn Saguenay Chastain, Diesel Dixon
Grand Champion
Stil-Dreamn B-King Queen-Cookie, Diesel Dixon
Res. Grand Champion
Stil-Dreamn Saguenay Chastain, Diesel Dixon
Brown Swiss
Junior Champion
Groves View DB WalkThisWay, Bailey Groves
Res. Junior Champion
Grimm Tornado Gumball, Garrett Grimm
Grand Champion
Blessings Osborne R Breia EW, Bailey Groves
Res. Grand Champion
Grimm Carter Corona, Garrett Grimm
Guernsey
Junior Champion
Titan Janica, Diesel Dixon
Res. Junior Champion
Unos D Unbeatable-ETV, Faith Ling
Grand Champion
Stil Dreamn JD Victorious, Diesel Dixon
Res. Grand Champion
Titan Janica, Diesel Dixon
Holstein
Junior Champion
Paula in Believe Madi 235-RED, Maelee Clark
Res. Junior Champion
Robthom Exie All Whole, Faith Ling
Grand Champion
Robthom Apple Jack Beemer, Monique Turner
Res. Grand Champion
U-Wing Boost Teagan, Faith Ling
Jersey
Junior Champion
SLJ Andreas Donner, Kyson Clark
Res. Junior Champion
Hawk Pond Feliz Navidad CChip, Whitley Dill
Grand Champion
SLJ Barnabas Delilah, Treasure Clark
Reserve Grand Champion
Sugar Brook Simplicity, Jaycee Burk
Milking Shorthorn
Junior Champion
Aragon Barnstomper, Madison Day
Res. Junior Champion
HRRR Vodka, Chloe Hillian Grand Champion
Cor-Bloo Ricochet, Madison Day, Ashlyn Jensen
Reserve Grand Champion
Aragorn Barnstomper, Madison Day
Junior Show
Jr. Supreme: Milking Shorthorn, Aragorn
Barnstomper, Madison Day
Res. Jr. Supreme: Holstein, Paula in Believe Madi 235-RED, Maelee Clark
HM Intermediate Champion – Fallenleaf Gentry Parade, Ken and Karla Deaver
4 Year Old Cow
1 –Trump Pepper Polly of StarStruck – Grant Dohle ALL-MO
2 – Sugar Brook Simplicity – Jaycee Burk
3 – Stoney Point Andreas Trinity – Reagan Voskamp
5 Year Old Cow
1 – Barnabas Elsa of SLJ – Treasure Clark, ALL-MO
2 – Kilgus Colton Galaxy – Jaycee Burk
3 – Hawk Pond Jax Pearl – Whitley Dill
Aged Cow
1 – Sugar and Spice Tequila Karma-ET – Grant Dohle, ALL-MO
2 – PD FL Roman Danica – Ken and Karla Deaver
3 – VF Colton Nickleshine – Reagan Voskamp
4 – Vixys Treasure TT of Starstruck – Grant Dohle
Senior Champion – Barnabas Elsa of SLJ – Treasure Clark
Res. Senior champion – Sugar and Spice Tequila Karma-ET - Grant Dohle
HM Senior Champion – PD FL Roman Danica, Ken and Karla Deaver
Grand Champion – Barnabas Elsa of SLJ – Treasure Clark
Res. Grand Champion – SLJ Barnabas Delilah, Treasure Clark
Best 3 Females
1 – Hawk Pond Jerseys, Elkland, MO
2 – Reagan Voskamp, Mount Vernon, MO
Produce of Dam
1 – Whitley Dill, Elkland, MO
Dam-Daughter
1 – Reagan Voskamp, Mount Vernon, MO
Breeder’s Herd
1 –Hawk Pond Jerseys, Elkland, MO
2 – Reagan Voskamp, Mount Vernon, MO
Premier Breeder – Starstruck Jerseys, Halfway, MO
Premier Exhibitor – Starstruck Jerseys, Halfway, MO
Thank you to our sponsors for the All-Missouri Jersey Show
32 Whistle Stop General Store
Vaughn Miller Trucking
Phil and Robin Sutherland
Rector Jersey Farm
Roger Cole
Ernest Handke
Fortner Truck & Tractor
D Bar J Livestock
S & H Farm Supply
Duncan Smith Realty
Moon Valley Farms
Starstruck Jerseys
Fallenleaf Jerseys
Midwest Dairy
Jeff Voris
Joe Hollis
Missouri State Fair Dedication Family Dean Dohle & Starstruck
Dean and Stacy have shown at the Missouri State Fair for many years. Dean, Stacy and their son Grant, have helped many breeders fit and show their cattle through Starstruck Show Cattle at the Missouri State fair and beyond. Congratulations!
Missouri State Fair
* Denotes Junior Placing
Spring Heifer Calves
1 Ms Rehab Hulu Reaper-Red
Lora Wright
2 C-OF-O A-Shock Tatianna Ann College of the Ozarks
3 *1 Keltner-Farm Cad Delilah
Brantley Keltner
Winter Heifer Calves
1 C-OF-O Chief Beyonoce College of the Ozarks
2 *1 Kara-Kesh-RK Sabrina-RED-ET
Kimber & Kason Wilson & Brynn Grewe, MO
3 MB-Luckylady Lovely-Red-ET
Larry & Jodi Wright
4 *2 Parrdari Network 1016-Red
Emma Parrigon
5 Parrdari Parfect 98
Jared Parrigon
6 *3 Blue-Roots Doc Tsunami 8
Lily Bluel
7 *4 Groves-Vu DL Blittero ET
Brantley Keltner
Fall Heifer Calf
1 *1 Topp-View B Dback Rosey-Red
Samantha Justice
2 Wrightvale Dorman Britney-ET
Blake Wright
3 Toecky Penrose Copper
Tom Durst
4 *2 Groves-Vu TopoftheClass-Red
David Melzer
5 *3 Mi-Wil White Shadow-Red Colton Kleiboeker
6 *4 McClellan Rambo Olympian
Hope McClellan
7 *5 McClellan Rmbo Designer-Red
Hope McClellan
Summer Yearling Heifer
1 *1Char-Land Denver Slew
Case Melzer
2 C-OF-Tatoo Bounce College of the Ozarks
3 *2 Mi-Wil B Destinys Child-Red Colton Kleiboeker
4 *3 Swan-Creek Renegade Epic
Calvin Culpepper
Spring Yearling Heifer
1Wrightvale Doorman Rival
Blake & Lora Wright
2 *1 NK-Stef War Tantrum-Red
Hope McClellan
3 Groves-Vu Boom Amelia
Brantley & Addilyn Keltner
4 Toecky Unix Doily
Becky Durst
5 *2 Char-Land Luster Lucky
Calvin Culpepper
6 *3 Char-Land Captivating Arial
Adeline Dickerson
Winter Yearling Heifer
1 Duckett Lambda Hulu-ET
Larry & Jodi Wright & Rick King
2 *1 Char-Land Analyst Sage
Molly Melzer
3 *2 Schoen Handshake Adel 3559
Harper Vanzyverden
Fall Yearling Heifers
1 Toecky Unix Anna-Barbie
Crissy Durst
2 Graber Warrior Delta
Nolan Miller & Raygan Dougherty
3 C-OF-O Alt Tabitha Ann
Brantley Keltner
4 Toecky Homecoming Juanita
Jessilyn McLean
5 *1 Blue-Roots Doc Talia
Lily Bluel
6 *2 Char-Land Analyst Glooby
Case Melzer
Junior Champion Female
Duckett Lambda Hulu-ET
Larry & Jodi Wright & Rick King
holstein OPEN show
judge Jeff stookey, indiana
4-Year-Old Cow
1 *1 Parrdari Mogul 2013
Emma Parrigon
2 B-Lowe Diamondback Leanna
Nolan Miller & Raygan Dougherty
3 B-Lowe Deno Lora
Nolan Miller & Raygan Dougherty
5-Year-Old Cow
1 C-OF-O Goldchip Rose
College of the Ozarks
Aged Cow
1 Wrightvale BG Elvis Brooke
Blake Wright
2 Oaktop-Acres KR Atiya-ET
Grant Groves
3 Toecky Fever Twirlee
Reserve Junior Champion Female
Toecky Unix Anna-Barbie
Crissy Durst
Honorable Mention
C-OF-O Chief Beyonoce
College of the Ozarks
Junior Best 3
1 College of the Ozarks
2 Toecky - Dursts
Dry Cow
1 *1 R-Homestead T-Storm Sassy
Case Melzer
Junior 2-Year-Old Cow
1 *1 JL-KEL-LAND Unstpabul Mango
Lila Wantland
2 MS Groves-Vu Ftrschce Lingo
Todd & Brad Groves & Larry & Jodi Wright
Senior 2-Year-Old Cow
1 Groves-Vu Hanans BeeBee
Todd & Brad Groves
2 Toecky Tropical Dream
Becky Durst
3 Toecky Somalia Cheers
Crissy Durst
4 Nel-Rose Denver Dalia
Brantley Keltner
Jr 3-Year-Old Cow
1 Wrightvale Dmndbck Rosa-Red
Lora Wright
2 Toecky Unix Maranda
Tom Durst
Sr 3-Year-Old Cow
1 Wrightvale LO Emp Melania
Lora Wright
2 C-OF-O Tatoo Areona College of the Ozarks
3 Groves-Vu Rylcrush Daiquiri
Grant Groves
4 Groves-Vu Altitude Blush
Jessilyn McLean
5 C-OF-O Artist Tosha-ET College of the Ozarks
Intermediate Champion
Wrightvale LO Emp Melania
Lora Wright
Res. Int. Champion
C-OF-O Tatoo Areona College of the Ozarks
Hon. Mention Int.
JL-KEL-LAND Unstpabul Mango
Lila Wantland
Becky Durst
4 C-OF-O Defender Sandra College of the Ozarks
5 C-OF-O Beemer Asher-ET College of the Ozarks
Senior Champion
Wrightvale BG Elvis Brooke
Blake Wright
Reserve Senior Champion
Oaktop-Acres KR Atiya-ET
Grant Groves
Hon. Mention Sr
Parrdari Mogul 2013
Emma Parrigon
Grand Champion
Wrightvale BG Elvis Brooke
Blake Wright
Reserve Grand Champion
Wrightvale LO Emp Melania
Lora Wright
Hon Mention Grand
C-OF-O Tatoo Areona
College of the Ozarks
Premier Breeder
Wrightvale
Premier Exhibitor
Wrightvale
Daughter-Dam
1 College of the Ozarks
2 Case Melzer
3 College of the Ozarks
4 Brantley Keltner
Produce of Dam
1 Wrightvale
Best 3 Females
1 Wrightvale
2 Groves View Dairy
3 Toecky
4 College of the Ozarks
Dairy Herd
1 Groves View Dairy
2 Toecky
3 College of the Ozarks
Breeders Herd
1 Wrightvale
2 Toecky
3 College of the Ozarks
4 Groves View Dairy
Exhibitors Herd
1 Wrightvale
2 Toecky
3 College of the Ozarks
* Denotes Junior Placing
MIKE WILSON MEMORIAL AWARD
Photos taken by Jenna Wilson
Missouri State Fair
Open & Youth show champions
Open Show
All Other Breeds
Grand Champion
Ridge-View Traveler Daisy, Charley Dickerson
Junior Champion
Valley View Tanbark Elm 3315, Chase Eilenstine
Brown Swiss
Grand Champion
ST Mil Daredevil Tyne, Trent & Stephanie Miller
Junior Champion
Diehls Famous Harley, Haley Galbraith
Guernsey
Grand Champion
Campbells Troublemaker Quakers, Lila Wantland
Junior Champion
C-of-O James Dean Vera, College of the Ozarks
Jersey
Grand Champion
VF Colton Nickleshine, Reagan Voskamp
Junior Champion
Ratliff Victorious Valley-ET, Reagan Voskamp
Junior Show
All Other Breeds
Grand Champion
Ridge-View Traveler Daisy, Charley Dickerson
Junior Champion
Stil-Dreamn Reynolds Jellyroll, Emma Coleman
Brown Swiss
Grand Champion
ST-Mil Daredevil Tyne, Nolan Miller & Raygan
Dougherty
Junior Champion
DBarJ Dynamite Wanda, James DeFreece
Guernsey
Grand Champion
Mar Gold Dunkin Grace, Jake Davis
Junior Champion
Stil Dreamn JD TenneseeHoney, Diesel Dixon
Jersey
Grand Champion
VJ Colton Nickleshine, Reagan Voskamp
Junior Champion
Powers-Haven Ferdinand Ariel-ET, Cobie Kleiboeker
4-H
Holstein futurity-Missouri State Fair
Tatoo
Top Intermediates, left to right: Lucy Day, Jayla Burton, David Melzer, Lily Bluel, Faith Ling, Emma Coleman and Harper VanZyverden
Top seniors, left to right: Chloe Cunningham, Kylin Wagner, Amanda Brooks, Jayson Peterson, Hope McClellan, Emma Schreck, Colton Kleiboeker, Jordyn Misner, Sammi Justice and Lexi Angelo.
Top Juniors, left to right: Aaron Ling, Paisley Pleinus, Calvin Culpepper, Kimber Wilson, Brantley Keltner, Diesel Dixon and Chase Eilenstine
Junior Show
Supreme Heifer – Jersey
Powers-Haven Ferdinand Ariel-ET, Cobie Kleiboeker
Supreme Heifer – Holstein
Duckett Lambda Hulu-ET, Wrightvale & Rick King
Supreme Cow-Holstein
Wrightvale BG Elvis Brooke, Wrightvale & Rick King
Junior Show
Supreme Champion - Jersey
VJ Colton Nickleshine, Reagan Voskamp
Winners of 3yr. old Futurity L to R: 3rd, 2nd, 1st
Missouri Holstein Association
2023 MISSOURI COW OF THE YEAR CONTEST
OFFICIAL VOTING BALLOT
Voting Deadline: Saturday, January 3, 2025
NOMINEES FOUND IN PULSATOR
(Indicates issue nominated) Vote for only one
C-OF-O DEFENDER SANDRA “DOTTIE”, College of the Ozarks (Fall Pulsator)
WRIGHTVALE BG ELVIS BROOKE, Wrightvale Farm (Fall Pulsator)
Print Name Legibly & Birthday (Jr. Member only) Signature
Any unsigned or unlegible ballots will not be counted. You may make copies of this ballot. Ballots can be found on website, Winter Pulsator, and Facebook page.
VOTE ONLINE OR MAIL BY JAN. 3 Missouri Holstein Association, 11449 Lawrence 2220, Verona, MO 65769
WE WANT YOU
State District Meetings
Mark your calendar below with the date. This is a great time of fellowship & to receive district, state, junior, and national information. Please attend!
Monday, Nov. 11
Noon: SC District Meeting
Monday, Nov. 11
Evening: SE District Meeting
Tuesday, Nov. 12
Noon: NE Central District Meeting
Wednesday, Nov. 13
Noon: WC District Meeting
Thursday, Nov. 14
Noon: SW District Meeting
MO Holstein Distinguished Service Award
DUE NOVEMBER 1!
The Distinguished Service Award is bestowed upon a current or former member who has rendered outstanding and unselfish service for many years and thereby has made a notable contribution to the advancement of the Holstein breed in Missouri. Nominee may be a living or deceased member and will be selected by an anonymous panel appointed by the president. Nomination forms available by emailing jwright@missouriholstein.com and accompanied by one letter of support.
POLICY CORNER
Washington has been quiet for the month of August, as legislators spent time back in their home states, mainly visiting with constituents both on and off the campaign trail.
Farm Bill
The prospects for any movement on the Farm Bill and other dairy related legislative issues are looking bleaker by the day. The broader gridlock amongst the Republican House and the Democratic Senate has been the main force behind the current inaction on the Farm Bill, in addition to smaller issues being sidelined to deal with upcoming must-pass legislation such as FY2025 government funding.
Dietary Guidelines
On the nutrition front, the development of the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans is still ongoing, with the 6th meeting of the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee scheduled for September 25th-26th. Dairy groups such as the National Milk Producers Federation and DFA are advocating for keeping the recommendations for dairy to include three servings per day, acknowledging that higherfat dairy products are still healthy, and more emphasis should be placed on lactose-free options instead of consuming plant-based milk alternatives.
Depending on the result of the November 5th General Elections, it may motivate Congress to address the Farm Bill and other ag issues, but as of right now, it’s not looking like we will get any Farm Bill until the next Congress.
MissouriHolstein Field Day looked a little different than years past. Instead of visiting a “traditional dairy,” MO Holstein members and dairy enthusiast across the state gathered at Hump Back Dairy in Miller, MO on July 17, 2024, operated by Sam & Jeff Hostetler. The Hostetlers orignally milked Holsteins, however, transitioned to milking camels 13 years ago. The Hostetler family and employees went above and beyond giving everyone the red-carpet treatment! We had an amazing crowd of over 175 guests.
It was a wonderful opportunity to view another side of agriculture, seeing how different dairy operations are able to fill a need and be successful. Learning all the many aspects of milking, raising, processing, shipping and marketing camel milk was extremely interesting to all attendees. Guests were treated to camel rides and the opportunity to view other exotic animals.
As the largest camel dairy in the United States, they keep a milking herd of 35 females. Milking a camel is a bit different than milking a cow. Camels need a little extra stimulation to let their milk down. Their uniquely designed facilty allows for the calves to began nursing to stimulate milk letdown. They are then shut off and the camels are milked. The calves are then returned to the cows for a set amount of time depending on their age, ensuring they receive the nutrition they need from their mother’s milk.
Hump Back Dairy is the only camel dairy to have a pipeline that runs to their bulk tanks. They then pasteurize their own milk, bottle, freeze, and ship it all across the U.S. Attendees were allowed to taste test the milk, with many saying it had a “salty” flavor.
Field day attendees took a break from tours and sat down for a wonderful lunch and ice cream made by the Hostetler family. During lunch MO Department of Agriculture Diagnostic Laboratory representatives spoke on disease testing options producers have.
Hostetlers have found their niche in the dairy market and have worked hard improving their operation through the years to make their camel farm a success. MO Holstein thanks them for their hospitality and opening up their farm for the opportunity to tour and learn more about their dairy operation.
DID YOU KNOW....
Type of camels they milk? Dromedary
What are they called? Cow, calf and bull
What is the gestation of a camel? 12 months
Avg length of lactation for a camel? 320-390 days
How many quarters does a camel have? 4
How many times a day is a camel milked? 2-3 / day
How much does an average camel give per day?
- 24-30 pints(3-3.75gal)
Milk price at farm: $11/pint or $1100/cwt
Camel Butterfat? 2.8%F
Average number of lactations? 6 calves; 12 years old
How much do they eat in a day? about like feeding a horse.
Water consumption? Camels can drink a lot, but they can go a long time without water.
What age do you wean the calf? Wean when turn cow dry. 10-15 months.
Age at first calving? 3.5 - 4 years old.
FIELD DAY SPONSORS
Hills Feed & More
Miller Livestock Equipment
Old Missouri Bank
Triple H Feeds
Summit Genetics
Fastract - Brian Kempf
United Mosquito & Fly
Flory Dairy Supply
Central Life Sciences - ClariFly
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Missouri Holstein Juniors
It’s Award Time for Missouri Holstein Princess, Ozark Spring Classic Scholarship, Missouri Holstein Miss and Distinguished Junior Members
Application Deadline: Dec 7, 2024
For more information and applications please visit missouriholstein.com or contact Bailey Keltner. Missouri Holstein membership is required for these awards.
GOOD JOB HOLSTEIN JUNIORS
During Missouri State Fair juniors gave their time crafting balloons and teaching fair goers about dairy. Due to this effort they raised $175 for Holstein Juniors. Thank you Juniors for your hard work!
L to R: Junior Advior: Bailee Keltner, Lexi Angelo, Faith Ling, Monique Turner, Brantley Keltner, and Kason Wilson
MISSOURI NEWS
Rex Errol RickettsUniversity of Missouri professor emeritus
It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Dr. Rex E. Ricketts on July 7, 2024, at the age of 83. Rex was a revered educator and a pillar in his community and the agriculture industry. A long-time resident of Hallsville and a cherished University of Missouri professor emeritus of animal science, Rex left an indelible mark on the world around him.
Born and raised on a dairy farm in Fair Grove, Missouri, Rex’s early life was steeped in agriculture. He and his brothers were known for their prize-winning cattle at fairs and cattle shows across the region. His father, Raymond Ricketts, was a 1937 University of Missouri graduate from the agriculture department who led the use of new access to electricity to improve the Missouri dairy industry. Adding to Rex’s deep Mizzou and agricultural roots, his uncle, Ralph Ricketts, was an MU professor of agricultural engineering.
Destined for the University of Missouri, Rex’s academic journey was distinguished, culminating in a doctorate in dairy husbandry. His leadership extended to various student organizations, including membership in Mizzou’s famous Roughnecks, as well as his Alpha Gamma Sigma fraternity. During his final year as an undergraduate, he was recognized as the Outstanding Senior by the MU College of Agriculture. Throughout his time at MU, Rex found himself mucking stalls at the university’s dairy barns, which had been donated by none other than J.C. Penney, who would often stop by to visit. Rex described him as “quiet, but friendly to a stall mucker.”
Rex also met his wife, Sondra (Rainey) Ricketts, at MU, and with whom he recently celebrated 60 years of marriage. His lifelong interest in Charolais cattle can be attributed to Sondra’s dad, J.E. “Sky” Rainey, who ran a purebred Charolais operation in northwest Missouri, where Sondra grew up.
After a remarkable 42-year tenure teaching at the University of Missouri, Rex retired as the Director of the MU Extension Commercial Agriculture Program in 2013. His earlier career was marked by significant roles, including MU Extension State Dairy Specialist and Chair of the MU Department of Dairy Sciences. His efforts in leading dairy programs and improving the Foremost Dairy Research Center’s operations were pivotal for the university and the state. In 1993, the Missouri Dairy Hall of Honors awarded Rex its Dairy Leadership Award, a testament to his profound impact on the industry.
While his academic specialty was dairy science, Rex’s expertise spanned well beyond dairy, as he worked closely with swine, beef, and agronomy educators, as well as industry leaders nationwide. He was lauded for his unique ability to foster multidisciplinary collaboration and develop practical agricultural technology. Rex was also a founding board member of the National Center for Beef Excellence and its national genetic evaluation program, responsible for over 30 million commercial cattle throughout the United States. He even led the installation of a quarantine process at the Lambert-St. Louis International Airport to facilitate the shipment of Missouri livestock all over the world.
Rex’s impact was frequently and widely recognized. In 2019, he was honored with the Agriculture Educators Lifetime Achievement Award at the Missouri Livestock Symposium Most recently, Rex was inducted into the American-International
Charolais Association’s Hall of Fame on April 24, 2024. Having run a renowned breeding operation with his wife Sondra at their 170-acre Ricketts Charolais Ranch for many years, he served the AICA for over 22 years as chairman of the Breed Improvement Committee, where he helped revolutionize the science and methodology for producing the highest quality Charolais cattle. Fellow Missouri native and Charolais breeder, Jim Husz, attested that Rex’s influence was “almost immeasurable.”
Dallas Cornelius went home to be with his beloved Lord and Saviour on June 13th, 2024. He was greeted in heaven by his parents, two of his children and nine grandchildren.
Dallas was born on September 24th, 1951 in Saint Joseph, MO. He attended Central High School where he enjoyed being a part of several theater productions.
He went to the University of Missouri in Columbia and majored in dairy husbandry. What was most significant about his time in college was his involvement in the Campus Crusade for Christ ministry where he began his own personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The other highlight of his time in college was meeting the love of his life, Debby Powell, whom he married in 1975.
After college, Dallas moved back to Easton, Missouri to dairy-farm with his dad, Harry and his brother, Cary. Debby joined him on the farm after they got married, and they raised five children together in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
Dallas was a member of Fellowship Bible Church in Saint Joseph where he faithfully served the Lord in many areas.
Sue Fulp - Fulp Farm
Sarah “Sue” Fulp, age 82 of Mt. Vernon, Missouri passed away Saturday, June 15, 2024 at Mercy Hospital in Springfield. She was born November 11, 1941 in Cape Fair, Missouri. The daughter of Otto Byrom and Dolly Blair.
Sue married Gary Fulp on December 31,1960 and they spent 61 years together before his passing in 2022. Sue worked side by side with Gary running a dairy farm for 50 years before retiring in 2019. She raised four daughters, loved to quilt and always had a huge garden every summer where she and Gary canned the produce they grew. She spoiled us with her home cooking, homemade pies and made from scratch chocolate sheet cake. She loved spending time with her grandkids and going to their ball games. Sue was a devoted member of the Aurora church of Christ and just recently the Mount Vernon church of Christ. We will miss Sue more than words can say and are so grateful we had the privilege of calling her mom, grandma and GG.
Our Dairy Family
We are so honored to be able to share your lives through the Pulsator. If you have an announcement you would like to share with our dairy family across the state please contact Jodi Wright or Shannon Kleiboeker, so we can include you in our next Pulsator.
Steven Fielden, 76, Rogersville passed away Tursday, June 11, 2024 at Missouri Baptist Hospital in St. Louis.
He was born June 5, 1948 in Springfield, Missouri the son of the late Joe and Maxie (Wilkerson) Fielden. He was united in marriage September 16, 1965 in Bolivar, Missouri to Teresa Reed
Steve was a lifelong dairy farmer. He started his dedication to agriculture as a young boy exhibiting registered Holsteins with his brother in 4-H and FFA across several states. He achieved his American FFA degree and continued to be a pillar in the agriculture community until his death. He sat on multiple boards and committees throughout his life including; MFA, FSA, MIDAm, DFA, Farm Credit, Missouri Holstein Association & Missouri Brown Swiss Association to name a few. He served as the president for The Missouri Young Farmers and Young Farm Wives where he traveled across the nation visiting multiple operations. He followed in his father’s footsteps and served as the dairy cattle superintendent at The Ozark Empire Fair for several years, building a good relationship with many other dairy farmers in the area.
Steve was an alumnus of Rogersville High school. He served as President for the Logan-Rogersville School Board, allowing him to hand his oldest child his diploma as he crossed the stage. While on the school board he held an instrumental role in extending the afternoon milk program for the students, when it was facing expense cuts. He was a founding member of the Logan-Rogersville Jr. Livestock Board on which he served until its dismemberment. He was a founding member of the Logan-Rogersville FFA Booster Club along side his youngest child who was a student at the time. In this role he was responsible for establishing the Bylaws by which the FFA Booster Club operated for years.
Steve was a mentor to his family and many others. Anyone who knew him, knew he was someone they could count on. It didn’t matter if it was a sick cow, a tractor not running right or a struggling crop. He was a good provider for his family even when milk prices were low or the cattle market bottomed out. He was always willing to educate anyone interested in agriculture, all while joking around with them. He had a big laugh and a great sense of humor. He instilled in his family, hard work and family heritage. His legacy will live on through the farm as we try to navigate without him. He was looking forward to the upcoming weddings of his grandchildren and more great-grandchildren that might come along. He was hoping to reach September 2025 to celebrate 60 years of marriage with the love of his life.
Dairy and Angus Semen Sales
Don Ely
Summit Genetics is here to help you take your herd’ s genetics to the summit of success and profitability.
Corn Stunt Disease
University of Missouri Extension specialists confirmed the presence corn stunt in Missouri in 2024. The disease, which is transmitted by an insect, was confirmed on a southwest Missouri dairy farm in August. Since that time, it was observed in many corn fields from Southwest, Western and Central Missouri counties.
Corn leafhopper is the insect capable of infecting corn with three pathogens that results in corn stunt bacterial disease similar to how potato leafhopper affects alfalfa. Corn stunt symptoms begin with yellowing or reddening of leaf tips, followed by growth of multiple small ears with loose or missing kernels, plant size reduction and deformed grain. Grain yield losses can occur in affected areas, especially in the later-planted fields. Corn stunt substantially dropped yields in Argentina corn crops in 2024.
A team composed of farmers, dealers, industry representatives, state and field extension specialists and the MU plant disease diagnostic laboratory in Columbia worked together to confirm this disease. MU Extension state plant pathologist Mandy Bish and plant diagnostic lab director Peng Tian worked on the disease identification efforts. Fortunately compared to cases in South America, it’s believed that the grain yield impact on Missouri corn was not devastating, but still significant.
This disease has not been widely discussed or observed in Missouri since the 1960s in the bootheel. It was believed that many of the hybrids from that era may have been more susceptible to the disease than today’s hybrids. That changed in 2024 when it came back on the radar in our state. There appears to be some fields that were affected more than others in the same locale.
In limited cases, the infected plants did not even make an ear, indicating that the corn leafhoppers may have arrived in our state from their source in Mexico early in the season. More commonly the corn pollinated but lead to a premature drying down of the plant and ear. Many of the infected plants have kernels with low test weight and may not even make it to the combine grain tank.
MU Extension state entomologist Ivair Valmorbida helped in identifying the corn leafhopper and its effects. They are light tan or yellow in color and about 1/8 inch long with two dark spots located between the eyes of adult insects. The nymphs are green to tan in color and have no wings. They move rapidly within and among corn fields and fly or jump away when disturbed. Corn leafhoppers impact corn health and yield by feeding on leaves by sucking plant sap and transmission of pathogens that cause corn stunt.
Leaves may appear shiny because the leafhoppers excrete honeydew as they feed. The honeydew can lead to black sooty mold, which impedes photosynthetic processes and negatively impacts plant health.
What about management in the future? According to Dr. Mandy Bish, the pathogens are not fungi, therefore fungicides will not work. Management will focus on the insect vector which is elusive and can come and go throughout the growing season unnoticed. Monitoring for the initial insect in fields may become a necessary tactic. We also believe there is a need to identify Missouri-grown hybrids that may be less susceptible to the insect.
The real question is if this disease will be an ongoing issue for Missouri. Only time will tell. As much as we hope that 2024 was just an anomaly with an early weather pattern that brought the corn leafhopper in from the south, we don’t know yet if this will be ongoing or not for Missouri growers.
The problem has potential to affect grain production primarily. There were some outstanding and record-breaking corn silage fields in Southwest Missouri that showed moderate symptoms of this disease, leading us to believe that the yield losses would be more for grain, than it would be for forage.
Other questions yet to be answered is if the corn leafhopper can survive Missouri winters and if there may be other leafhoppers that can vector the disease. MU extension specialists will be monitoring fields throughout the winter and into the 2025 season to track their life cycle and movements. The leafhopper can only reproduce on corn, but can persist in stands of Johnsongrass, alfalfa, wheat and perhaps other plants if they survive growing conditions. They persist on volunteer corn, of which there are overwintering volunteer corn plants known to persist in states south of us.
There will be more to come in our monitoring of this bacterial disease. Dairies who use corn in their rations can be affected by this issue if it persists in Missouri in coming years.
By Tim Schnakenberg Field Specialist in Agronomy University of Missouri Extension; Stone County Extension Center
Corn Stunt Disease has Potential to Impact Dairies
