Harlan E. Cochran, Holden, Missouri

Harlan E. Cochran a well-known Jersey breeder, Holden, Missouri is a recipient of the 1982 Distinguished Dairy Cattle Breeder A ward.

Harlan was born April 20, 1926, near Strasburg, Missouri. After finishing school he was employed as a farm worker including a stint at the Thieman Polled Shorthorn Farm at Concordia, Missouri. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II and started general farming—crops, sheep, beef cattle and hogs—upon his return home. He started dairying in 1959 with 10 Jersey cows milked in an old horse barn. The start with purebred Jerseys come about some twenty years ago because the oldest son, Kirk, wanted a Jersey heifer for a 4-H project. Harlan purchased several Jersey heifers at that time and started building the present herd.

By the use of high production transmitting bulls, testing for milk and fat yield, and employing good feeding and management practices the herd has steadily grown in numbers and in production. The herd now numbers about 170 herd with 80 to 85 cows in milk. In 1981 the herd averaged 13510 pounds of milk and 637 pounds of butterfat on 79.2 cows. The herd has been on Dairy Herd Improvement test continually; high predicted difference sires have been used by artificial insemination for many year, thus adding superior performing daughters to replace the lower producing cows. The farm contains 142 acres with 50 acres of cropland. Corn and sorghum silage, pasture and some hay is produced.

Numerous high producing cows have been bred by the Cochrans. Among these are Cochran’s Milad Heidi II with 17,730 milk-796 fat in 305 days age 5-7; Cochran’s Milad Selina with 17,460 milk-800 fat in 305 days age 4-2, and Cochran’s Mercury Selma with 14,040 milk-564 fat in 305 days age 2-0. The entire herd has descended from the original heifers purchased some 20 years ago. Breeding stock is in demand from the herd and augments the milk check. Consignments are made to purebred sales and the females and males have given a good account of themselves in other herds.

The Cochran herd is strictly a family enterprise. Harlan, his sons Clint and Chad and daughter Susan share ownerships of the herd and all share in care of the cattle. Each individual has his cattle registered in his name.

Harlan and his wife Judy, whom he married in 1949 have four children. Kirk age 32 has his own Jersey herd in Indiana; Clint age 29, Susan age 22 and Chad age 10 have stayed with the Cochran herd as part owners and operators. The children have all had 4-H dairy projects and have won their share of awards at local and state shows.

Harlan has been active in community life, serving as a director for 10 years and for seven years as secretary of the Missouri Jersey Cattle Club. He also has served on the Johnson County DHI board for many years. Son Clint is now serving as president of the Missouri Jersey Cattle Club and following in his fathers footsteps with the goal of continuously improving the herd.