Profiles on participating Iowa REAP

Richard Clauss

Richard Clauss, Hilmar, Calif., has been named the 78th recipient of the Master Breeder award of the American Jersey Cattle Association (AJCA).

The Master Breeder Award is bestowed annually to a living AJCA member, family, partnership or corporation that, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, has bred outstanding animals for many years and thereby made a notable contribution to the advancement of the Jersey breed in the United States.

Richard “Dick” Clauss is one of the dairy industry’s most distinguished individuals. He is known the world over for his roles as 30-year chairman of the board at Hilmar Cheese and president of Jerseyland Sires. Clauss has been named Dairyman of the Year by World Dairy Expo, Guest of Honor by National Dairy Shrine, and Innovative Dairy Farmer of the Year by the International Dairy Foods Association. He is one of four men to preside over both the American Jersey Cattle Club (AJCC) and National All-Jersey (NAJ) and three to receive the Jersey breed’s Distinguished Service Award and its Award for Meritorious Service.

Long before the leadership roles and decades before the accolades, there were the cows.

“Dick Clauss is, first and foremost, a dairyman and Jersey breeder,” noted Larry Schirm, strategic account manager for ABS Global Inc. From the onset, this industry titan has operated his business with the mindset that a better dairy product for consumers and a more profitable dairy farm can be simultaneously achieved by breeding superior Jersey cattle.

With the Master Breeder award, Clauss becomes the only individual in history to receive each of the Jersey breed’s three highest honors.

Clauss and his family milk more than 3,300 Registered Jerseys in the Central Valley. Dick and his wife, Sharon, partner on the home farm and another dairy with daughters Kimberly Clauss Jorritsma and Karen Clauss Tate. Since 1995, dairy manager Danny Avila has adeptly handled the management and feeding programs at both farms. Dick and Sharon also helped eldest daughter, Kirsten, and her husband, C.A. Russell, establish a Yosemite Jersey Dairy in Hilmar.

Both Clauss Dairy Farm and Sunwest Jerseys are enrolled on REAP and rank among the top 10 in the nation for production based on herd size. Clauss Dairy Farm has a 2020 lactation average (m.e.) of 21,108 lbs. milk, 904 lbs. fat and 759 lbs. protein on 1,937 cows. Sunwest has

an average of 21,899 lbs. milk, 985 lbs. fat and 785 lbs. protein on 1,445 cows. They rank among the top 40 herds in the country for genetic merit as well with herd average JPIs of +38 on both dairies.

Cows are housed in freestall barns and milked in a 50-cow rotary parlor at Clauss Dairy and a double-12 parabone parlor at Sunwest. All calves are raised at home. Corn, wheat, and alfalfa are raised as forages on 700-plus acres. Energy and supplements in the ration are purchased. The Clauss family installed a solar farm last year and are in the process of developing a methane digester. The latest venture to diversify is 110 acres of almond trees. Saplings were planted this year and are expected to yield a harvest in about four years.

Though business has taken Clauss around the globe, in his heart remains the soul of a man who started his career milking a small herd of cows on a 40-acre farm in Hilmar in the early 1950s. When his father, Hugo, was diagnosed with a terminal illness, Dick put aside his college plans to work full-time at the dairy with his mother, Valentine.

He purchased his first 20 Jersey cows in 1954 from a neighbor for whom he worked, then an additional 36 cows from another neighbor two years later. He built a new barn, bought another 37 cows, and began shipping Grade-A milk for the new All-Jersey program in 1957.

In 1974, the family purchased a dairy across the road and another 300 head of Jerseys. By 1979, Clauss Dairy included two farms with 785 cows. A desire to improve the genetic merit of the herd prompted Dick’s visits to New England, the “Cradle of the Jersey Business,” in the 1970s. A small group of Hilmar dairymen headed east to purchase production-focused bred heifers to improve the profitability of their herds. This initiated a westward movement of Jerseys by the truckloads, a trend that continued another four decades and gave the Hilmar crew the seed stock they needed to develop their own world-class Registered Jersey genetics. The challenge of finding Jersey sires with adequate progeny performance data brought Clauss and Hilmar Jersey breeders Phil Fanelli and Duane Wickstrom back to New England on an impactful trip in 1979. After studying pedigrees submitted to them through a Jersey Journal ad, the trio headed east to purchase a bull that could be used as a service sire for 10 dairies in Hilmar, and, ultimately, “proven” through their group. The sire selection committee made six subsequent bull runs to New England and officially established Jerseyland Sires in 1980. It was natural for the group to choose Dick, their respected peer leader, as the inaugural president, a role he held until he officially retired in 2015.

Jerseyland Sires was a novel idea at the time and a catalyst for the formation of other young sire groups. Among the early acquisitions was Highland Magic Duncan, purchased from Master Breeder Highland Farms of Cornish, Maine, and later leased to Select Sires Inc. as a progeny-proven sire. “Duncan” topped the list of Active A.I. bulls for six genetic evaluations and has a proof that includes more than 10,600 daughters.

Over the past 40 years, Jerseyland has sampled more than 500 young bulls. Today,

Calvin Graber, Parker, S.D., has been chosen as the 71st recipient of the Distinguished Service Award of the American Jersey Cattle Association (AJCA)).

The Distinguished Service Award is presented by the Board of Directors to as many living AJCA members and/or members’ families, who, in their opinion, have rendered outstanding and unselfish service for many years and thereby made a notable contribution to the advancement of the Jersey breed in the United States.

“The Distinguished Service Award was created specifically for an individual like Calvin Graber,” wrote former AJCA President Chris Sorenson, Pine River, Wis., who worked with Graber in a variety of capacities over the years.

For more than five decades, service to farm, family, and faith has been central to Graber’s life. Service to the national Jersey organizations includes terms on both the AJCA board and the National All-Jersey Inc. (NAJ) board and appointments to several key committees. This well-rounded, highly respected leader brings to the table expertise not just in dairying, but in crop farming and milk marketing as well.

One could read his resume and never grasp the reason Cal is so effective in his work. His humble, down to earth personality sets people at ease. His story-telling abilities are legendary. And his briefings of activities at World Headquarters—the farm back in South Dakota—bring lighthearted joy to those who serve with him.

“Do not let the ‘Good Old Boy’ act fool you, though” wrote Eric Lyon, Toledo, Iowa, who first met Graber in the 1980s when the two worked with others to establish Dairyland Sires Inc.

“Many have been suckered by his ‘oh shucks’ image of a small rural town in the sticks, little dairy farm, and country boy routine. But the Graber World Headquarters is no joke. The family has built a large, well-run crop operation, fertilizer business, grain marketing network AND kept a small Jersey herd that has, for decades, turned out powerhouse genetics for sales and studs and won awards.”

Graber’s calm, stabilizing presence and disarming humor in the board room often steered heated discussion back to solid ground, where consensus could be achieved, and wise decisions made. “Though his sense of humor and wit are

Though the Graber enterprise is largely devoted to crops, Jerseys have been on the farm since 1927 and remain the cornerstone of the business. The foundation of the herd was developed from cows purchased from prominent Registered Jersey breeders in the 1930s and bulls from High Lawn Farm, Lee, Mass., in the 1940s and 1950s.

The herd has been on official DHIA test for more than 70 years, is a charter contributor to Project Equity and enrolled on REAP when it became available in 1995. The Grabers have sold 300-400 bulls as service sires to local herds over the past four decades and marketed genetics to Australia, Ecuador, and New Zealand. They have consigned to The All American Jersey Sale and the National Heifer Sale. The 35-cow here is genotyped and bred with a focus on polled and A2A2 and BB beta casein genetics.

With agriculture in his family tree, Cal has always dreamed of farming, even as a child when he played with toy machinery in the sandbox with his brother, Jay. He had a rewarding career in 4-H and excelled in industrial arts in high school. He earned an associate degree from Freeman Junior College in 1974 and majored in dairy science at South Dakota State University (SDSU). After college, he joined the family business, which was incorporated in 1976. He now owns the farm as a 50/50 partnership with Jay. The Grabers farm 2,500 acres of irrigated and dry land, raising corn, soybeans and alfalfa and maintaining pasture for the cows. Graber also operates Graber Ag Leasing Inc.

Graber Jerseys has been selling milk to Associated Milk Producers Inc. (AMPI), the largest cheese cooperative in the U.S., for more than four decades. They switched to AMPI in 1977 because it was the first co-op in the area to offer a protein premium. His peers elected Calvin as a district delegate in 1978 and then chose him as a division representative 10 years later. He became a member of the AMPI corporate board in 1998, a position he retains today. He also chaired the Member Services Committee six years and was a delegate to the National Milk Producers Federation convention five times. As he worked on dairy industry causes, Cal had opportunity to promote Jersey advantages to an audience that was primarily familiar with Holsteins.

“For many years, as the only, or one of few, Jersey herds in South Dakota, Cal spent many hours and days standing alone to support the dairy industry and Jersey breed,” noted Rodney Metzer and his family, who operate Summit Farm Inc., in nearby Lester, Iowa. It mattered naught as this mighty man has never been one to shy away from a challenge. “Anyone familiar with Cal knows he has a solution or story for every situation.”

He stepped up to the plate in service to the national Jersey organizations in 1995 when he was elected as Director of District 9 on the AJCA board. He was re-elected in 1999 and appointed chair of the Finance Committee in 2000 by then AJCA President Paul Chittenden. As finance chair until 2002, he automatically served on the NAJ board as an ex-officio officer.

He was appointed to the NAJ board in 2005 by then AJCA president, the late Donald S. Sherman, and reappointed to additional four-year terms by former AJCA presidents Chamberlain and Sorenson. He has also served as finance chair for NAJ since 2017 and on the Jersey entities’ Joint Operations Committee for six years.

Among other qualities, Graber brought

Calvin Graber

unequaled, he brought an excellent business and commonsense expertise to both boards,” wrote former AJCA President David Chamberlain, Wyoming, N.Y. “His integrity and loyalty not only make him an excellent friend, but dedicated board member too.”

Lowell Stevens

Lowell Stevens, Urbana, Ohio, has been named the recipient of the Award for Meritorious Service presented by the American Jersey Cattle Association (AJCA) and National All-Jersey Inc. (NAJ).

This award is given annually to a living individual(s) who, in the joint opinion of the Boards of Directors of the national Jersey organizations, has made a notable contribution to the advancement of the Jersey breed and the livelihood of Jersey owners in the United States through research, education, development, marketing, or other significant activities of the allied dairy industry.

For more than six decades Lowell Stevens has served Jersey breeders pursuing a variety of endeavors in a variety of settings. From his work with 4-Hers at the grassroots level to his assistance with the All American, he has advanced the Jersey breed through acts of service, education, and mentorship. Among his laurels are the Ohio Pioneer Award from the Ohio Jersey Breeders Association (OJBA) and a Kentucky Colonel award from the State of Kentucky. He has been inducted into Hall of Fames at the Ohio State Fair and the Dairy Science Hall of Service at Ohio State University.

“Lowell has always made it a priority to support youth, other breeders, and the agriculture industry as a whole,” wrote Jason Nuhfer of Willard, Ohio, who came to know Stevens in childhood when he visited the farm as a breeding technician for NOBA. This encouragement meant the world to Nuhfer, who would later receive the AJCA Young Jersey Breeder award and serve terms as president and vice president of the OJBA. “Even at 31 years-of-age, it felt good to get a smile and thumbs up from Lowell while showing at the Ohio State Fair for the very first time.”

Lowell grew up on a dairy farm and showed his first 4-H project—a Registered Jersey—in the early 1950s. He graduated from high school in 1957 and then became a tester for the Dairy Herd Improvement Association (DHIA). During his nine years with DHIA, he met and married the late Julia Yoder, a Holstein girl who became his life-long partner in service to the dairy industry. In 1964, following a stint with the Air Force National Guard, he began working for NOBA (now Genex) of Tiffin, Ohio, breeding cows in Champaign and Logan Counties. He was promoted to area sale representative and retired as area program consultant in 2009 after 45 years.

In 1980, Lowell and Julia purchase his family’s share of Club Hill Jerseys, a partnership with Mrs. F.E. Lowry. They raised daughters Molly and Margaret on the farm in Urbana, guiding them and countless others through 4-H and youth projects. In all, Lowell served as a 4-H advisor for twoand-a-half decades.

The Stevenses also developed a solid herd of Registered Jerseys with Mrs. Lowry, earning a reputation for deep-pedigreed cattle that won blue ribbons, purple banners, and genetic awards in the show ring. They exhibited cattle at the Ohio State Fair for 37 years and at the All American Jersey Show for 12 years. They cleaned house at the Ohio State Fair in 1985, showing the Junior Champion and Grand Champion (Club Hill Imperial Taffy) and winning the Premier Breeder and Premier Exhibitor banners. “Taffy” sold to Ismael Daoud of Bogota, Colombia, the following year and was later tapped Reserve Grand Champion of the national show in South America. Club Hill Jerseys also bred the 1989 Reserve National Grand Champion, Club Hill M.P. Renee.

Club Hill Jerseys was dispersed in August 1992. The high seller, Club Hill Friendly Monica, was also the breed’s top selling female for the year. She sold to

Billings Farm of Woodstock, Vt., for $10,500.

Retirement from milking did not mean retirement from cows for Lowell and Julia. Rather, it meant more time could be devoted to projects dear to their hearts. Among the projects that benefitted was the Ohio Spring Classic Sale. Sponsored by the OJBA and traditionally held on Memorial Day, it has become one of the leading state

Jersey sales, thanks in part to Lowell’s drive to see it thrive. He chaired the sale for 14 years and logged countless hours and miles to secure consignments from breeders across the Midwest and Canada. During his tenure, the sale posted its series high average of $3,396.47 on the auction of 78 lots in 2007.

Lowell also served the OJBA as director for 30 years and board president for two terms. He was Julia’s right-hand man in her role as office manager and board secretary for 18 years. The two did much of the behind-the-scenes work for annual meetings and banquets and faithfully traveled to district shows and the Ohio State Fair for years to calculate points for the All-Ohio awards program.

His service to the Jersey breed extends well beyond the Buckeye State, however. In the 1970s, Lowell worked with a team to defend the American Jersey Cattle Club (AJCC) and the A.I. industry in a lawsuit over a bull identified as a carrier of the undesirable trait, rectovaginal constriction (RVC). He worked with Dr. J. J. Malnati and Gene Barton, superintendent of records for the AJCC, to gather information from the research herd at Kansas State University and was prepared to testify. But Barton turned him back at the airport in Texas when the lawsuit was settled out of court days before the trial. The information was ultimately used to assist the AJCC in establishing protocol for RVC.

Lowell has judged state fairs in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, and Ohio and served as the official in 60 counties across Ohio. He judged showmanship at The All American Junior Jersey Show four times and was

(continued from page 18) the organization releases about 30 bulls each year and markets semen through Alta Genetics and Select Sires as well.

Some of these bulls have been developed by Clauss Dairy Farms and carry the farm’s CDF prefix. Some have risen in the ranks and impacted the breed as sires of sons. Among them are CDF Viceroy-ET, the second most heavily used sire of sons in 2018, and his maternal brother, CDF Karbala Kwynn, ranked #9 the same year. This past year, CDF Irwin Steve ranked #2 with 122 Registered Jersey sons and JX CDF JLS Pilgrim Thrasher {6}-ET, out of a “Viceroy” daughter, ranked #4 with 94 sons.

To develop these superior genetics, Clauss has extensively used the Jersey association’s performance programs and services. Initially, this included enrollment on STEP and then REAP when it became available in 1995. Clauss Dairy Farms is a charter contributor to Project Equity, was an early user of paperless registrations, and genotypes thousands of animals each year. The dairy has used JerseyTags since July 2003 and earned the distinction of owning the 100,000th animal registered by the AJCA with double-matching ear tags. The heifer, Sunwest Carrier Mor Miss 1000000, was pictured on the cover of the May 2009 issue of Jersey Journal as winner of the campaign to promote JerseyTags.

While Clauss was growing and improving his herd, the Jersey breed and its association were growing too, thanks in part to the volume of business conducted by the Hilmar dairies and their commitment to the Jersey organizations.

“No other individual has done more to expand the number of Jersey cows with recorded identification and performance information than Dick Clauss,” wrote former AJCA Executive Secretary Calvin Covington, who headed the Jersey organizations while Clauss served as AJCA president. His influence in this area began in the late 1970s as an early user and promoter of Genetic Recovery. By enrolling his own herd in the program, he set an example and paved the way for tens of thousands of Jerseys to enter the Herd Register and provide performance data for breed improvement.

Clauss has also impacted Jersey breed growth and genetic gain through his role at Hilmar Cheese. The story of how the company was established by Clauss and 11 other Hilmar Jersey dairy producers in 1984 as a means of getting a fair price for their component-rich milk is well known. The milk marketing vision is legendary in Jersey circles.

Equally significant has been the growth of Jersey cow numbers in California and Texas over the past 15 years. “From 2003 to 2018, the number of Jersey cows enrolled on official DHIA programs more than doubled,” noted Covington. “Eighty-seven percent of the increase was in California and Texas. Over 60% of the Jerseys on official DHI plans are in these two states.”

Hilmar Cheese was largely responsible for this growth because it operates two of the largest cheese plants in the world and pays a fair price for superior milk. As longtime leader of the company, Clauss rallied the flag for genetic gain by capturing production, type, and health traits from these cows. He continued use of AJCA performance programs for his own herds and encouraged their use among supplier herds. The information these cows contribute to the domestic dairy database helps to validate genomic calculations and drive genetic gain.

One cannot separate Dick Clauss, dairy industry visionary, from Dick Clauss, Registered Jersey breeder. They are the same man, a rare individual with a gentle demeanor and an innate ability to collaborate and lead.

“He is a man of vision and practical wisdom combined with a gracious eloquence that is unsurpassed,” remarked Jim Quist, president of the California Jersey Cattle Association. “We have previously recognized him for leadership activities in milk marketing and the Jersey organization, but he built all of that on the foundation of a committed Jersey breeder and dairyman who started with his family’s dairy farm on a scale that many of us can relate to over 60 years ago.”

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Master Breeders

1944 William MacPherson, Thomasville, Ga.* 1945 W. R. Kenan, Jr., Lockport, N.Y.* 1946 George W. Sisson, Jr., Potsdam, N.Y.* 1947 E. S. Brigham, St. Albans, Vt.* 1948 Guy Miller, Modesto, Calif.* 1949 Dr. Howard D. Odum, Chapel Hill, N.C.* 1950 Judge J. G. Adams, Asheville, N.C.* 1951 N. M. Tibbles, Independence, Ore.* 1952 Frank W. Barber, Fayetteville, Tenn.* 1953 Herman F. Heep, Buda, Texas* 1954 Dale Dean, Ridgeway, Mich.* 1955 Maurice Pollak, Lincroft, N.J.* 1956 J. L. Hutcheson, Jr., Rossville, Ga.* 1957 John R. Sibley, Spencer, Mass.* 1958 J. Chester Elliff, Tulia, Texas* 1959 A. W. Sweet, Sixes, Ore.* 1960 Col. H. G. Wilde, Lenox, Mass.* 1961 C. Edward Knolle, Sandia, Texas* 1962 Russel Hoar, Newark, Ohio* 1963 William Ross Proctor, Pittstown, N.J.* 1964 Clifton F. Russell, Rossville, Ga.* 1965 Chester Folck, Springfield, Ohio* 1966 C. Scott Mayfield, Athens, Tenn.* 1967 E. E. Greenough, Merced, Calif.* 1968 Henry Uihlein, Lake Placid, N.Y.* 1969 Charles S. Kelly, Hudson, Wis.* 1970 H. Fowler Hupman, Springfield, Ohio* 1971 Milton Humberd, Cleveland, Tenn.* 1972 Willis Rupert, New Waterford, Ohio* 1973 Earl Hutchinson, Tunbridge, Vt.* 1974 Antone J. Regli, Ferndale, Calif.* 1975 Mrs. Diana Ryan, Newport, R.I.* 1976 James and Georgia Pappas, Modesto, Calif.* 1977 Mrs. H. G. Wilde, Lenox, Mass.* 1978 Henry W. Black, West Baldwin, Maine* 1979 John Bishop VI, Columbus, N.J. * 1980 Mrs. A. G. Rankin* and Sons, Faunsdale, Ala. 1981 W. L. Payton, Stephenville, Texas* 1982 Curtis Hobson, Athens, Tenn.* 1983 Stanley N. Chittenden, New Lebanon, N.Y.* 1984 Walter H.* and Joan Brown, Hughson, Calif. 1985 Newell Mills, Fallon, Nev.* 1986 John R. Owen, Lewisburg, Tenn.* 1987 Robert S. Pike* and Family, Cornish, Maine 1988 Ray Chamberlain, Wyoming, N.Y.* 1989 Ralph* and Betty Reichert, Riley, Kans. 1990 Stanley K. Bansen, Dayton, Ore.* 1991 Henry P. Knolle, Sandia, Texas* 1992 Phil V. Fanelli, Hilmar, Calif.* 1993 Dr. J. J. Malnati, Newberry, S.C.* 1994 Walter* and Sally Goodrich, West Danville, Vt. 1995 Edward, Harold, and Donald Wright, White River Junction, Vt.* 1996 Elmer D. Larson, Roy, Wash.* 1997 Albert Bradford, Turner, Maine* 1998 Robert Stiles Family, Clear Brook, Va. 1999 Robert and Barbara Howard, Tillamook, Ore.* 2000 Charles L. Lutz, Newton, N.C.* 2001 Duane Kuhlman, Snohomish, Wash.* 2002 Duane Wickstrom, Hilmar, Calif. 2003 James Chaney, Bowling Green, Ky.* 2004 Charles J. Steer, Cottage Grove, Tenn. 2005 William G. Mason Family, Buhl, Idaho* 2006 Aaron F. Richards, Farmington, Utah* 2007 Robert Bignami, Orland, Calif. and Harlan Askeland*, Orland, Calif. 2008 James S. Huffard III, Crockett, Va. 2009 Ahlem Farms Partnership and Ed Fisher*, Hilmar, Calif. 2010 Donald* and Elsa Sherman, Hilmar, Calif. 2011 Dan Bansen, Dayton, Ore. 2012 Dutch Hollow Farms, Schodack Landing, N.Y. 2013 Bearl and Joanne Seals, Cloverdale, Ore. 2014 Silver Spring Farm, Syracuse, N.Y. 2015 Lyon Jerseys LLC, Toledo, Iowa 2016 Eric Leonard Silva, Beaver, Ore. 2017 David Allen, Reedsburg, Wis. 2018 Ron and Christy Ratliff, Garnett, Kan. 2019 Wilfred, Walter, and Roger Owens, Frederic, Wis. 2020 Don and Desi Josi, Tillamook, Ore. 2021 Richard Clauss, Hilmar, Calif. * deceased

(continued from page 20) associate judge in 1995. He was a member of the All American Junior Committee for four years, serving one year as chair. He and Julia were also instrumental in planning two AJCA-NAJ Annual Meetings held in Ohio. He is a former 30-year director and president of the Champaign County Dairy Service. He sat on boards for the county and state 4-H advisory committees and the Ohio Spring Dairy Expo and represented Genex on the board of the Ohio Dairy Producers Association. He is a member of National Dairy Shrine and has served Urbana United Methodist Church as a member of the administrative board and president of the Methodist Men.

Additional awards include the DHIA Superior Achievement Award and the Genex Mission Award.

AJCA-NAJ Award for Meritorious Service

1999 Morris B. Ewing, Tucson, Ariz.* 2000 Allen D. Meyer, West Fargo, N.D.* 2001 Calvin Covington, Ocala, Fla. 2002 John Jeter, Hilmar, Calif. 2003 Charlene Nardone, Orient, Ohio* 2003 Merlin D. Woodruff, Urbana, Ohio* 2004 Michael L. Brown, Seattle, Wash. 2005 Rodger S. Hoyt, Delaware, Ohio* 2006 Dr. Clarence S. Olson, Madison, Wis.* 2007 Dr. John C. Wilk, Raleigh, N.C. 2008 Henry H. Dowlen, Lewisburg, Tenn. 2009 Dr. Ronald E. Pearson, Blacksburg, Va. 2010 Dr. Joseph A. Lineweaver, Radford, Va. 2011 David Brandau, Wilton, Wis. 2011 David Parkinson, Sahuarita, Ariz. 2012 Dr. H. Duane Norman, Fulton, Md. 2012 Dr. Curtis P. Van Tassell, Beltsville, Md. 2013 Dr. Robert Cropp and Dr. Edward Jesse, Madison, Wis. 2014 Richard “Dick” Smith, Waunakee, Wis. 2015 Paula M. England, Columbus, Ohio 2016 Richard “Dick” Clauss, Hilmar, Calif. 2017 Dr. Kent A. Weigel, Madison, Wis. 2018 Dr. Ole M. Meland, Ocala, Fla. 2019 Ronald L. Horst, Ph.D., Ames, Iowa* 2020 Dr. Cherie Bayer, Columbus, Ohio 2021 Lowell Stevens, Urbana, Ohio * deceased

(continued from page 19) insight on finances and the processing side of dairy to his Jersey volunteerism. NAJ projects that were dear to his heart were revival of the Queen of Quality program in the mid-2000s, Constituent Day on Capitol Hill in 2014, and a pair of Congressional fly-ins in 2017 and 2019.

Graber has rolled up his sleeves to advance the Jersey community in other ways as well. He helped to reorganize the South Dakota Jersey Cattle Association in 1980 and has served as its president and vice president. He is co-founder and the inaugural president of Dairyland Jersey Sires and has judged the National Jersey Queen Contest many times. He lent a hand with operation of the 2007 AJCANAJ Annual Meetings hosted by his Iowa neighbors in Sioux Falls, S.D.

He has sat on the World Dairy Expo Board since 2019 and been a 4-H leader in Turner County for more than 40 years.

Calvin and his wife, Linda, were named AJCC Young Jersey Breeders in 1987. They earned the South Dakota Outstanding Young Farmers award that same year and then laurels for National Outstanding Young Farmers the following year. In 1990, they won the AMPI Young Cooperators contest.

While he holds all achievements dear, Cal is most proud of his loving family. He has been married to his life partner and self-proclaimed “trophy wife” for 40 years. They have raised four amazing children and are grandparents to eight, with another due this summer. This proud father boasts all four children were crowned as Turner County 4-H King or Queen, graduated as high school valedictorian, and earned summa cum laude honors from college. Eldest daughter, Tracy, and her husband, Brett Petersen, a childhood neighbor, have five children and operate PBP Farms, a large-scale crop farm, with his family. Ryan joined the operation in 2007, but tragically passed away in a farm accident in 2009. Kayla, a family practice doctor, and her husband, Dr. Adam Norenberg, both practice medicine in Sioux Falls and have three children. Katelyn and her husband, Luke Hurley, are both working on medical doctorates at SDSU and operate a hog finishing business.

“I can think of no one more deserving of the Distinguished Service Award than Calvin Graber,” wrote current NAJ Vice President James Huffard III, Crockett, Va. “He is a gentleman in the truest sense and a dedicated servant of the Jersey breed. He has spent countless hours promoting our breed and always has the business of the organizations as priority.”

“Calvin IS the very definition of distinguished.”

Distinguished Service Awards

1954 W. W. Trout, Springfield, Ohio* 1955 Harold J. Turner, Bethel, Vt.* 1956 Judge Peter J. Shields, Sacramento, Calif.* 1957 R. C. Calloway, Baton Rouge, La.* 1958 Lynn Copeland, Nashville, Tenn.* 1959 Chester Folck, Springfield, Ohio* 1960 Ernest Greenough, Merced, Calif.* 1961 Paul Jackson, Wilmington, Ohio* 1962 Harriet J. Groos, Vancouver, Wash.* 1963 R. K. Stout, Lansing, Mich.* 1964 Herbert G. Myers, Boise, Idaho* 1965 Charles S. Kelly, Hudson, Wis.* 1966 Joseph F. Sawyer, Galt, Calif.* 1967 Henry P. Knolle, Sandia, Texas* 1968 H. I. Sawyer, Hughson, Calif.* 1969 M. L. Baird, Springfield, Ohio* 1970 E. Lea Marsh, Jr., Old Lyme, Conn.* 1971 Stanley N. Chittenden, New Lebanon, N.Y.* 1972 Arthur Dieterich, Sherman, Texas* 1973 Amzi Rankin, Jr., Faunsdale, Ala.* 1974 Capt. T. J. and Elizabeth Bay, Lynden, Wash.* 1975 Mrs. Thomas H. Carruthers, III, Glendale, Ohio* 1975 Paul Sparrow, Athens, Tenn.* 1976 Wyatt A. Williams, Orange, Va.* 1977 Dr. J. H. Arnold, Newnan, Ga.* 1977 Reuben R. Cowles, Statesville, N.C.* 1978 Jean E. Lemmermen, Tiffin, Ohio* 1979 John Weir Jr., Geuda Springs, Kan.* 1980 Clyde K. Chappell, Knoxville, Tenn.* 1980 Newell Mills, Fallon, Nev.* 1981 Harold Wright, White River Junction, Vt.* 1982 C. L. Collins, Jr., Sylacauga, Ala.* 1983 Ray Chamberlain, Wyoming, N.Y.* 1984 Dr. C. A. Ernstrom, Logan, Utah* 1985 J. F. Cavanaugh, Columbus, Ohio* 1986 W. Charles McGinnis, Mountville, S.C.* 1987 G. Joe Lyon, Toledo, Iowa* 1988 Dr. John Wilk, Raleigh, N.C. 1989 Robert Lord, Woodstock, Vt.* 1990 Dr. H. Duane Norman, Fulton, Md. 1991 Edwin L. Crotty, Trenton, N.J. 1992 Richard A. Riggs, Evansville, Ind.* 1993 Maurice E. Core, Columbus, Ohio* 1994 John Giacomini, Eureka, Calif.* 1995 W. R. Lutz, Newton, N.C.* 1996 Max Gordon, Winchester, Ind.* 1997 Harold Owens, Frederic, Wis.* 1998 Richard Clauss, Hilmar, Calif. 1999 Elmer D. Larson, Burlington, Wash.* 2000 Dr. J. J. Malnati, Newberry, S.C.* 2001 Harold W. Roller, Weyers Cave, Va.* 2002 Ray R. Schooley, Marshfield, Mo. 2003 D.L. Strandberg, D.V.M., Alma Center, Wis.* 2004 Neal F. Schirm, Canal Winchester, Ohio* 2005 J. Lawrence Benson, New Lebanon, N.Y. 2006 Ted Luther, Mount Ulla, N.C.* 2007 Alvin Moss, Litchfield Park, Ariz.* 2008 David W. Spahr, Findlay, Ohio 2009 Dr. Robert C. and Helene C. Dreisbach, Mercer, Pa. 2010 Paul Chittenden, Schodack Landing, N.Y. 2011 Donald Sherman, Hilmar, Calif.* 2012 John Palmer, Cornish, Maine* 2013 James Ahlem, Hilmar, Calif. 2014 Glen and Marilyn Easter, Laurens, S.C. 2015 George and Shirley Barlass, Janesville, Wis. 2016 Charles D. “Chuck” Ahlem, Hilmar, Calif. 2017 Craig Rhein, Pine Grove, Pa. 2018 David Endres, Lodi, Wis. 2018 Chris Sorenson, Pine River, Wis. 2019 David Norman, Liberty, Pa. 2020 Clint Collins, III, Gulf Shores, Ala. 2021 Calvin Graber, Parker, S.D. * deceased

Sun Valley Farm

10389 Meda Loop Rd.,Cloverdale, OR 97112

Bearl and Joanne Seals • 503/392-5870 sunvalleyjerseys@gmail.com

Jeff Seals • 503/812-6128

Bettendorf, Iowa • June 23-26

Co-Chairs John Maxwell tourmyfarm@gmail.com Blake Schulte schultebisu@gmail.com Jennifer Zumbach iowajerseycattleclub@yahoo.com

Schedule

Wednesday, June 23

12:00 p.m. Registration Opens Daily Channel Cat Water taxi service throughout morning and afternoon at leisure. Ticket price: Adult $8 and Youth (Ages 2-10) $4. 3:00 p.m. Jersey Seminar 5:30 p.m. Youth games, mixers and then pizza party 5:30 p.m. Welcome Social 7:00 p.m. Young Jersey Breeders Banquet

(child care available 0-6 years)

Thursday, June 24

6:00-7:30 a.m. Breakfast Buffet-Youth with adults this day 7:30 a.m. Buses leave ½ to Wapsiana & Fairholm Jerseys, ½ to Dyersville (Field of Dreams) Tour A: Field of Dreams-ghost player guide and free time tour of the field Tour B: National Toy Museum & Antique Outlet Mall 11:00-1:00 p.m. Buses arrive staggered to Kunde Jersey Farm for farm tour and lunch – then leave to opposite location of morning tours, plan to leave for hotel by 3 5:30 p.m. Social and display of the AJCC Research Benefit Auction items 7:00 p.m. AJCC Research Benefit Auction and

Dinner (child care available 0-6 years)

Friday, June 25

6:00-8:00 a.m. Breakfast Buffet 8:00 a.m. AJCA Annual Meeting 8:00 a.m. Youth leave for activity at Cinnamon Ridge, Ag in the Classroom 10:30-11:00 a.m. Buses Leave to Cinnamon Ridge Dairy*

Welcome

The Iowa Jersey Cattle Club invites you to join them in Bettendorf, Iowa, for "Fields of Jersey Dreams" June 2326, the Annual Meetings of the American Jersey Cattle Association and National All-Jersey Inc.

Hotel and Airports

Meeting headquarters is the Isle Casino-Hotel Bettendorf, 1777 Isle Pkwy., Bettendorf, IA 52722, (800) 843-4753, say ‘Bettendorf’ at the prompt or call Ann Klundt direct at 563-441-7115. Room rates are $89/ night plus tax (mention

AJCA21). The closest airport is Quad City International Airport (MLI), approximately 7 miles from hotel. There is a free shuttle that runs from the airport to the hotel. For hotel reservations:

https://rebrand.ly/AJCAMeeting21

Friday continued 11:00-1:30 p.m. Tour A: Robot tour and lunch 1. Expo on the Ridge, Hay and Forage Demonstration at Cinnamon Ridge Dairy 2. Buses will loop from Cinnamon Ridge to LeClaire, IA, explore the many shops downtown Tour B: Golf day, at Emeis Golf Course, lunch provided at course Youth will eat lunch at Cinnamon Ridge Dairy and then leave for The Play Station, Eldridge, and will return to Cinnamon Ridge Dairy by 3:00 p.m. 3:00-4:00 p.m. Round Table Discussion with Iowa Deputy Secretary of Ag, Julie Kenney, at Cinnamon Ridge Dairy The last bus loads at the hotel at 4:30 p.m. to Cinnamon Ridge Dairy for the National Heifer Sale. 5:00-7:00 p.m. Social and Pre-Sale Dinner 7:00-9:00 p.m. National Heifer Sale with fireworks at dark at Cinnamon Ridge Dairy

Saturday, June 26

6:00-8:00 a.m. Breakfast Buffet 8:00 a.m. NAJ Annual Meeting 11:30 a.m. Board River boat Cruise of Mississippi, leisurely 2 hour cruise includes meal and guide commentary youth with adults

Free-time sightseeing options include:

Channel Cat Water taxi: currently has four (4) landing locations: Riverbend Commons and John Deere Commons in Moline, Isle Casino Hotel, and Lindsay Park Marina in the Village of East Davenport. Daily ticket prices listed above. The hotel will also have a room available to leisurely socialize during free-time. 4:30 p.m. "Jersey Cheese and Beef" Social 4:30 p.m. Youth Banquet: Jersey Youth Academy presentation, meal, then Keynote speaker Jess Peters

Online registration is preferred at usjerseyannualmeeting.com (credit card payments accepted). Registration can also be completed by mailing this form and payment to: Iowa Jersey Cattle Club, Attn: Jennifer Zumbach, 2037 330th St., Coggon, IA 52218; Make check payable to IJCC 2021 National Convention or Venmo payment to: @NationalJerseyConvention-Iowa.

Registration Form

_______________________________________________________________ NAME(S) OF ADULT(S)

_______________________________________________________ FARM NAME

_______________________________________________________ NAMES, AGES AND TSHIRT SIZE NEEDED FOR CHILDREN

_______________________________________________________ NAMES, AGES AND TSHIRT SIZE NEEDED FOR CHILDREN

_______________________________________________________ NAMES, AGES AND TSHIRT SIZE NEEDED FOR CHILDREN

_______________________________________________________ NAMES, AGES AND TSHIRT SIZE NEEDED FOR CHILDREN

_______________________________________________________ If someone with disabilities will be attending, please describe special needs.

_______________________________________________________ ADDRESS

_______________________________________________________ CITY STATE ZIP CODE

_______________________________________________________ PHONE NUMBER CELL PHONE NUMBER

_______________________________________________________ EMAIL ADDRESS

Rates after May 31

Number Rate Total _____ Number Registering Adult $250 $ _____ _____ Number Registering Youth 150 $ _____

Ages 5-15 _____ Golf Outing 75 $ _____

Do you need clubs? Yes No

Total

Additional tickets can be purchased upon request for the Young Jersey Breeders Banquet, AJCC Research Benefit Auction and Dinner and the Breeder's Banquet. Contact Jennifer Zumbach, iowajerseycattleclub@yahoo.com, for more information.

Requests Thursday

____Tour A (Field of Dreams) ____Tour B (National Museum)

Busing Thursday Yes No Busing Friday Yes No

Events Planning to Attend

Young Jersey Breeders Banquet

# Attending Child care needed

____ Yes No

AJCC Research Benefit Auction and Dinner

____ Yes No

Breeders' Banquet

____ Yes No

Mississippi River Boat Cruise and Lunch

Youth Event and Pizza Party

Takes place during the Young Jersey Breeders Banquet. Cannot attend both.

Watch for updates on Facebook "Fields of Jersey Dreams - Iowa 2021"

Youth Banquet

Takes place during Breeders' Banquet. Cannot attend both.

Ages of children for child care: _____________________