Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Parrott, Knob Noster, MO
Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Parrott, with their son Jerry and his family, own and operate the J-Mar-Nell Farm, Knob Noster, Missouri. The Parrott’s from a modest start, over the years, have developed a purebred Guernsey herd recognized throughout the nation.
Mr. and Mrs. Parrott (Marvin and Nellie) started their farming and dairy operations in 1932, the same year they were married. The dairy herd was started with three purebred, but not registered, Guernseys and four cows of mixed breeding. For years the herd was carried on with grade cattle. In 1960, the grade cattle were sold and an all registered Guernsey herd started. Foundation animals were purchased at the Missouri State Guernsey Sales; from Charles Watkins, Raymore, and Foremost Farms, Columbia. An aggressive improvement program using the best sires available by means of artificial insemination and practicing sound herd management has been carried on from the start.
At present the all registered herd numbers about 170 head with about 85 cows in milk. The remainder of the herd is made up of young stock and three bulls. The herd has been on DHI test for over 20 years. The last reported average production was 11,562 pounds of milk, 535 pounds of butterfat. Many cows have made outstanding records including: J-Mar-Nell P Fortunes Amy, 20950M, 895F, age 4 yrs.; J-Mar TM Doris 15880M, 730F, age 5 yrs.; J-Mar-Nell Matchmaker Wilma, 15390M, 721F, age 6 yrs. The herd is milked twice daily and most lactation records are on a 305 day basis.
The herd has been officially classified for type through the American Guernsey Cattle Club program for the past 19 years. Three “Excellent” and many “Very good” animals have resulted. Practically every animal in the herd is home bred. Several strong cow familiar have been developed and their offspring, sired by some of the breeds best production bulls through artificial insemination, continue to add strength to the production and type levels of the herd. The Parrott cattle, exhibited by son Jerry and now his three sons Andy, Sam and Chris, have won their share of ribbons in the junior and senior classes at district shows, the Missouri State Fair and others. Winnings include Produce of Dam and Junior yearling at the Missouri State Fair and third senior yearling, National Guernsey Show. Cattle sold to other breeders have placed high in state and national shows and produced well at the pail.
Marvin was born in 1909 at Knob Noster, where he graduated from high school. Nellie was born in 1911 at Bolivar where she graduated from high school. She attended Central Missouri State University for several years and taught school for three years. The Parrotts have three children. Two sons, Bill and Jerry, and daughter Rose. Jerry and his wife and three sons, Andy, Sam and Chris are co-owners at J-Nell Farm. It is strictly a family enterprise. The three grandsons are active in the 4-H club junior dairy programs and take an active part in the farm and herd operations.
The Parrotts own 600 acres with 360 acres in crops. Alfalfa and other hay crops, corn, soybeans and wheat are grown. Haylage and high moisture corn, stored in two Harvestores, provides much of the feed for the cattle. The cows enjoy a 96 free stall barn and are milked in a double 4 Herringbone, low-pipe line facility. Chief sources of income at J-Mar-Nell Farm are milk, breeding stock and cash crops
The Parrotts are active in local and state organization. They are members of the Missouri Guernsey Breeders Association, the American Guernsey Cattle Club and the Missouri Farm Bureau. Jerry is active in the state Guernsey association as a director and serves on several committee. The Parrotts are regular supporters of the MO-Kan, thd Missouri Dairymen’s Institute Production Qualified Show and Sale, and other sales in the area. Marvin has served as President of the local Farm Bureau and as an officer of the DHI Association. The Parrott family is active in their local church serving on the board, as teachers, and as historians.
Regarding their years as dairy cattle breeders Nellie says “Problems? No, just challenges, and we look forward to more progress as the younger generation takes over.”