Conjunction with Missouri Dairy Cow Camp
May 20-22, 2026 - Freistatt, MO

Seeking consignments at this time!

SALE UPDATES & PHOTOS
Be sure to check out the Facebook page below for the latest sale photos and info!

SALE DETAILS

• Cow Camp will be held May 20-22, Freistatt, MO.
• Missouri Holstein Association is sponsoring a tag-sale of the heifers that are used during the cow camp to be available to both youth and adults. Animals will be transferred by the June 1st youth deadline.
• Consignors:
- Accepting all breeds of show age heifers. Generally June, Sept, & December 2025 age calves.
- Commission is 10% and sponsored by Missouri Holstein Association.
- Consignor responsible for transportation of consignment to Freistatt and return home if not sold. Animal must be green broke upon arrival. Consignment will be clipped and worked with during the 3-day Cow Camp by attendees.
- $100 non-refundable consignment fee due upon commitment. If animal is sold the consignment fee is credited towards sale commission. Consignor sets starting tag price.
• In addition to the normal 3 day cow camp, the committee is scheduling an All-Breeds Youth Heifer show that will be on Saturday, May 23. Youth interested in participating in the show only will be able to bring their livestock at the completion of Dairy Cow Camp on May 22.
• Tag sale will run the length of cow camp and conclude Friday evening, May 22.
• All heifers purchased during the sale will automatically be entered into the All-Breeds youth show.
• Semen and fun auction will also be held in conjunction with event.
• Advertising will be in the Pulsator Magazine. Additional sale advertising through Facebook page: MissouriHeiferTagSale, email and Dairy Agenda Today.


You won’t want to miss this opportunity to purchase high quality cattle for the 2026 Show Season!

If you would like to receive a catalog by mail simply email me at
MO State Sale Catalog or phone/text name and address to 417-840-3203.

MO ALL-BREEDS YOUTH HEIFER SHOW
May 23, 2026, Freistatt, MO

SEVENTH YEAR: The Missouri Cow Camp committee is again hosting an All-Breeds Youth Heifer Show on Saturday, May 23 at the Lawrence County Fairgrounds in Freistatt, MO.

*In-state and out-of-state residents exhibitors welcome
*Heifer show only
*NO-PRE ENTRY REQUIRED in 2026. Entry by Friday evening May 22
*Jackpot show with prize money
*All breeds will show together in class
*Any heifer purchased in the heifer sale on Friday, May 22
          will automatically be entered in show

See schedule below, complete list of rules and entry forms. Schedule and entry form comming soon
For more information contact Karla Deaver, 417-466-3102 deaverk@missouri.edu.

2026 MISSOURI STATE HOLSTEIN CONVENTION
** January 23-24, 2026**
Oasis Hotel & convention Center, Springfield, MO

Missouri has had their state convention in January for many years and we've always been pretty lucky on the weather. This year we were able to squeeze in our Friday activities including the committee meetings, awards presentation, cornhole tournament, and silent auction.

However, the snow and cold moved in Friday evening and we canceled all of the meetings to be held on Saturday. Association business for 2026 will be conducted upon the recommendations of each committee and the Executive Committee consisting of the State President, Vice President, Secretary and Director at Large. Watch the Pulsator and website for activities, due dates and entry forms for the year ahead.

Fun Auction and Awards for Juniors and Adults

All-Missouri Awards
Presented by Lora Wright and Bailey Keltner

Cornhole Tournament
Social gathering Friday evening consisted of
food, auction, and the Cornhole Tournament!

And the 2025 Winner Is...

Martina Nomination

Southern National Spring Show

Missouri Dairy Hall of Honor Awards:
Awards Presentation January 30, 2026, Columbia, MO

Meritorious Service Award - Dr. Matthew Lucy, Columbia

Meritorious Service Award - recognizes and honors those individuals usually in dairy related fields, who have rendered outstanding support and service to the Missouri dairy industry.


Dr. Matthew Lucy, Meritorious Service Award. Dr. Matthew Lucy is Professor of Animal Science at the University of Missouri. He is known for his work on the reproductive physiology of high-producing dairy cows. A New York native, he developed his interest in dairy while working on a farm near campus as he studied at Cornell. He earned his Ph.D. in Dairy Science from the University of Florida, after studying postpartum dairy cow reproduction at Kansas State University. Following a postdoctoral position at Monsanto, he joined the University of Missouri faculty in 1994. His current research focuses on the physiological processes regulating fertility, specifically early embryonic development and the link between postpartum uterine disease and early embryonic loss. At Mizzou, he teaches introductory Animal Science to freshmen and graduate-level courses, in addition to his research and mentoring numerous successful Master’s and Ph.D. students. Dr. Lucy is a past-President of the Dairy Cattle Reproduction Council. He served as Editor-in-Chief for the Journal of Dairy Science. He received the ADSA Award of Honor in 2020.

Distinguished Dairy Cattle Breeder Award - Ed Wittorff, Ava

Distinguished Dairy Cattle Breeder Award - honors living active Missouri dairy cattle breeders who have attained state and national recognition for achievements in breeding and developing outstanding cattle.


Edward K Wittorff, Distinguished Dairy Cattle Breeder Walt Sr., and Laura Wittorff started Wittspride in Davis, Ill. and moved to Ava in 1974. This herd was then relocated to Ava, Missouri in 1974. Following college, Ed went to work in the AI industry, KABSU, NOBA, Sire Power, then ABS. In 2003, he returned home to work on the farm full time. Currently, his nephew Eric and his son Jacob are helping Ed on the farm. Wittspride farm began with purchasing ten grade Brown Swiss and a few registered heifers as 4-H dairy project calves. Today, with about 120 mature registered Brown Swiss and Holsteins, Wittspride boasts a Holstein BAA of over 109 and several 90 and 91-point Swiss on the premises. It is gratifying to breed from within, to breed an All American 4-year-old, Tonja E94 in 2016. This philosophy and a little luck developed cows like Titan Beth “E”, a Missouri State Fair Grand Champion that sold at the Kansas National Sale and made a big record for her new owner in Colorado. Blend Debbie “E” graced the cover of the Select Sires Brown Swiss Website. Along with those two cows, the prefix Wittspride has went on to have several All-American Nominations and several with new owners that have went on to have great success in the show ring. .

Dairy Leadership Award
Alfred Brandt, Linn
Matt McClelland, Edwardsville, IL

Dairy Leadership Award - recognizes individuals who have rendered outstanding service and provided leadership for the Missouri dairy industry.

Alfred Brandt, Dairy Leadership Alfred Brandt is the sixth generation to farm Brandt Dairy that has been in his family since 1840. In 2011, Alfred and his wife Sonya bought the farm from Alfred’s parents. Alfred milked 130 registered Holsteins for over 30 years until selling the herd in 2024. Swan-Creek Holsteins won many awards through Holstein USA including many years the Progressive Breeders Registry and the Progressive Genetics Award. Alfred also bred or developed over 40 Excellent cows. Alfred is the past DFA, Midwest Dairy board member, and is currently the Executive Director for Missouri Dairy and Missouri Dairy Growth Council. He is currently on the Holstein USA board of directors. He was a member of the Young Dairy Leaders Institute and the Missouri Agricultural Leadership of Tomorrow (ALOT), and the Missouri State Milk Board. Alfred and wife Sonya have a son, Sam, 14 years old.

Matt McClelland, Dairy Leadership Matt McClelland is the Chief Executive Officer and Executive Vice President for Prairie Farms Dairy. Matt has worked for the Prairie Farms Family of Companies throughout the Midwest, including Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Kansas, serving in various capacities within Hiland Dairy and Prairie Farms. On January 1, 2022, Matt became Prairie Farms’ Chief Executive Officer and Executive Vice President. Matt’s vision for Prairie Farms’ future includes the enduring legacies and fundamental beliefs in the cooperative system and to simply “Do Right” for its members, associates and customers; while also emphasizing the need to recognize and adapt to the ever-changing needs of its future consumers, innovations and technologies.

Pioneer Award - Ray Schooley, Marshfield & Sue Ann Steele, Butler

Pioneer Dairy Leadership Award - honors posthumously those Missouri dairy leaders who, if living, would qualify for the Dairy Leadership Award.


Sue Ann Steele, Pioneer Leader Sue Ann Steele was born in Adrian, Missouri. In 1957, Sue Ann married Ed Steele. They made their life and home west of Butler, Missouri, on Steele & King dairy farm where she supported the operations while working a full-time job outside the home. Prior to serving as the Missouri Holstein Executive Director and Editor of the Mid-States Holstein News, she worked for many years at the Bates County Shopper. Sue Ann was synonymous with Missouri Holstein for over 25 years. She also served as the Missouri Holstein Executive Director from 1988-2003 and served as the Editor of the Mid-States Holstein News (a multi-state dairy publication) from 1983 until her death in 2022 when she was 84 years old. For a decade, Sue Ann was integral in keeping the Southern National Show and Sale going in Missouri. This event required an enormous amount of coordination, sponsors, sale personnel, show personnel and logistics. Sue Ann also played an integral part of the organization of the National Holstein Convention held in St. Louis, helping to coordinate members, committees and national staff. The Missouri Holstein association honored Sue Ann with their highest honor being awarded with the Missouri Distinguished Service Award in 2019.

Ray Schooley, Pioneer Award Ray and his wife Margaret owned and operated a 165-acre farm near Niangua, Missouri. Their herd of registered Jerseys were recognized for high production and quality cattle. Ray started his career in 1960, working for the Dupont Company in chemical sales. He then became the Executive Secretary for the American Milking Shorthorn Society, Springfield, Missouri from 1961-1967. In 1967-1976, he served as Treasurer and Superintendent of Records at the American Jersey Cattle Club in Columbus, Ohio. The herd was established in 1979 when the Schooley’s moved from Kansas to Niangua. Cattle were sold in 12 states, having the top selling cow in several regional sales. After selling the herd in 1998, they relocated to Marshfield in 1999. Ray continued working as a market reporter for the Missouri Department of Agriculture and a sales representative for ABS, Alta, and Semex. Ray served as past president of the National Dairy Shrine, President and director of the American Jersey Cattle Club. Ray passed away in October 2024 and Margaret January 2026.

Congratulations to all of this year's winners!
Want to nominate someone deserving to the Dairy Hall of Honors? Applications due October 31.

Dick Little Calf Scholarship
DUE APRIL 1, 2026

Thanks to the generous donations from Memorials, the Missouri Junior Holstein Association would like to offer our Missouri youth a unique opportunity. We will be offering the “Missouri Holstein Memorial Calf Grant” which is to be used towards the purchase of a dairy heifer in the Missouri State Heifer Sale. The grant will be in the amount of $1000. Youth will be selected by a panel of judges based on their application and the essay they provide.

Applicants should be between the ages 8-18 years old as of January 1, 2026. Entrants do not need to have a Holstein background or be from a Holstein farm

Click here to download entry application. Send by April 1, 2026 to Bailey Keltner.

SPRING PULSATOR - Arriving Soon!

Missouri Membership Dues - Payable by March 15!

Late fee applies after April 15!
Must be received by June 1 for Association Award Qualification

All Membership Dues = $50 (Farm and Associate).

Junior only members (no adult membership with them) are encouraged to pay an additional $30.00 Pulsator Subscription fee.

Additional members per farm prefix are still $25.00

Click on Membership Card below to print pdf

  

Three options to pay your Membership:
1. Download, Print & Mail Form - click here
2. Pay through PayPal. Must add $4 per transaction service fee.
Please request PayPal invoice.
Email jwright@missouriholstein.com for an invoice
3. OR Submit FREE through Venmo @Missouri-Holstein.


Please send completed forms and a check payable
to Missouri Holstein Association to:

Missouri Holstein Association
Jodi Wright, Secretary/Treasurer
11449 Lawrence 2220
Verona, MO 65769

For questions or more information, email  jwright@missouriholstein.com

Herd selling March 24, Springfield Stockyards

A Little of our History
James L. “Jimmie” and Novalee Coats are the recipients of the Distinguished Dairy Cattle Breeder Award. The Coats’ started dairying in 1975 in Texas County. In 1983, they purchased a Conductor heifer at the Missouri state sale. She later became the farm’s first excellent cow. This outstanding brood cow still has offspring in their herd today. The Coats’ focused on their registered herd under the prefix, Ja-No-Co. Cows that have influenced the herd came from WeatherVu, Regancrest, Rich-Mor, and Toecky, all of them contributing excellent offspring in the herd and a legacy that continues today.

Ja-No-Co has been enrolled in Holstein DHIR, testing, classification and is a 100% Registered herd utilizing only 100% RHA Holstein sires in their AI program. Combining not only type, but production and genetic advancement, the Coats’ have received Holstein USA’s highest honors being awarded the Progressive Breeders Registry award for 8 years with a 100% homebred herd with a BAA of 106.7, Rolling herd of 21,563M, 929 pounds of fat and 708 pounds of protein. In fact, they have had 11 cows producing over 200,000 lbs. In addition to this honor, they received the Progressive Genetics Award for the 19th year with an average CTPI of 2606. SCC is under 300,000 with DFA. They also rank among the top in the state for their BAA score every year. Receiving these awards is a true testament of their ability to combine type, production and management in a total package.

Great Cows Selling March 24 at Springfield Stockyards
We have poured our entire life into the dairy industry and have loved every minute breeding better cows every generation. We are honored to share our breeding with you as it is time for us to retire.

Some of the sires that cattle are out of include: Alphabet, Siemers Bloomfield, Aot POSITIVE Hallmark, Co-op BV Duke Templeton, and Co-op Mogul Platinum. Cattle are bred to: OCD Helix Alphabet, Co-op BV Duke Templeton, AOT Hullabaloo, AOT Homecoming, and AOT Mega Hedgefund. A bulk of the cattle (around 20) are descendants of Robthom Ruby and about 15 descend from Snow-N Denises Dellia EX-95

What is Selling
Selling:
• 75 Milking Females, all ages. All milking, no dry cows.
• 5 Bred Heifers.
• 2 Bulls - 15 months old. One Red & White.

Interested parties are welcome to contact James or Novalee to set up a time to view cattle prior to the sale at the farm. Or you may contact Gary Estes, Doug Thomas, or Jason Ewing, Holstein USA Field Representative, all have viewed cattle.

Come and take advantage of deep family lines of Registered cattle and AI breeding on Tues, March 24 at Springfield Stockyards.

Questions or to view cattle prior to sale, contact James or Novalee Coats

James & Novalee Coats
Mountain Grove, MO
417-926-4753

Dairy Producer Grants
To be announced Early 2026!

Women In Dairy

March 11th
Must RSVP

Greetings Ladies,

These spring temperatures sure have been a treat and the rain is adding some much-needed moisture, right in time for the growing season.

I’m excited to reach out and let you know this month’s Women in Dairy program.

Jasper Foods, located in Joplin, has agreed to host a tour for a group of 10 of their facilities! Their processing expands our dairy markets to include extended shelf-life dairy products. While this technology has existed for a while now, the process and procedure has enhanced to maintain the deliciousness of your fresh product!

I hope you’ll be able to find time to join us NEXT WEDNESDAY, March 11th at 11:30 This tour has limited capacity- so RSVP is required. Following the tour, we’ll decide on a place to eat together for those who wish to.

This exclusive opportunity likely won’t come around for a bit – I hope you’re able to attend! Please visit: https://pears.io/events/mu/5056/ to reserve your seat Today.

Questions? Contact: Reagan Bluel 417-847-3161 (call/text), BluelRJ@missouri.edu

**FREE** 100 Years of Holstein History

It has been 10 years since we published our book. We have a couple hundred copies remaining. The board has decided to offer these FREE to anyone who is interested in having a copy. These are great for gifts for Holstein enthusiasts, awards for youth fairs, judging contests, local libraries, FFA chapters, etc. If you are interested in receiving copies I will be bringing them with me to events throughout the year or you are welcome to stop by. You are welcome to email me the number of copies you are interested in receiving. Contact Jodi Wright jwright@missouriholstein.com

This is a really great book and make great gifts.

Testimonies

People have been so impressed with the quality of the History Book. Here is just one of the compliments we have received:

"I've been collecting livestock breed history books, especially cattle, for years. Although I haven't had the chance to read your Missouri Holstein History entirely yet, in my opinion it looks "super great".

It's thorough, big, great layout, and you know what I like best, the really interesting natural pictures, and lots of them.

...Please congratulate whoever is responsible for publishing this great "cow" book and continued good fortune to you."
Don Hutzel, Retired Sire Procurement Specialist Genex

Dairy Margin Program

Scholarship Listings http://www.hoards.com/youth/collegescholarships

Dairy Shrine Scholarships http://www.dairyshrine.org

FFA Scholarships http://www.ffa.org

Missouri Dairy Hall of Honors: http://www.modairyhallofhonors.com/

Missouri Dairy: http://www.modairy.org

Dairy Agenda Today: http://www.dairyagendatoday.com

Farms.com Classifieds-Post and search for everything farm related: livestock, feed and used equipment http://www.farms.com/classifieds

MU Extension Monthly Newsletter

We would like to link our Missouri Holstein Members that have a webpage of their own to the Missouri Holstein Page. Would you like to have your page linked up with ours? Contact Jodi Wright through the feedback form and I'll explain how it will work. We'd love to have everyone listed. There is no cost to you for this service.

President
John Schoen
573-934-3548
schoenfarms1@hughes.net

Vice President
Shannon Kleiboeker
417-737-2876

Secretary/Treasurer
Jodi Wright
417-743-2921
11449 Lawrence 2220
Verona, MO 65769
jwright@missouriholstein.com

Director at Large
Ed Wittorff
417-683-6135

Pulsator Editor
Shannon Kleiboeker
417-737-2876
17077 Lawrence 1030
Wentworth, MO 64873
mopulsator@gmail.com

Mid-States Editor
Kate Geppert
573-814-3148
4728 Co Rd 240
Kingdom City, MO 65262
ksgeppert@gmail.com

National Director
Alfred Brandt
573-680-9564
269 Swan Creek Lane
Linn, MO 65051
brandtdairy@gmail.com

Holstein Field Representative
Jason Ewing
417-459-9507
jewing@holstein.com

If you would like more information on the following:

• Cattle Available to Sell
  
• Cattle Wanted to Buy
  
• Consign cattle to State Sale
  
• Request catalog for State Sale
  
• Advertising in Mid-States Publication
  
• Subscribing to Mid-States Publication
  
• Senior Membership
  
• Junior Membership
  
• Show Entry forms
  
• Information on Missouri Sho-Me Futurity
  
• Want to advertise on Breeders Page on our website
  
• Would like to link farm to Missouri Website
  
• Other
  
  

Please email your request for information to the following email. Include the items you are interested in, your name, address, phone, and email.  jwright@missouriholstein.com

All Right Reserved 2004-2026 Missouri Holstein Association

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