Wilbert A. Hackmann, Marthasville, Missouri

Wilbert Hackmann has had a long and distinguished career as a dairy cattle breeder and public servant. He was born at Marthasville, Missouri in 1918. The first Hackmann dairy herd was started by Charles Hackmann and his son Wilbert in 1938 with grade Jersey cows. The herd was developed into an all registered Jersey herd. Wilbert was called into military service in 1946 and the Jersey herd was dispersed. Plans immediately got underway for the Hackmann’s to start another herd—this time Holsteins.

In 1947 Wilbert, while still in the Army, married Marcella Holtmeyer, Franklin County, Missouri. While on their honeymoon Wilbert and Marcella bought two truck loads of cattle, in the Springfield area, to build the new herd. He bought many foundation animals from Missouri breeders and at the Missouri State Holstein Sale. One of the first cows purchased officially classified 88 and became the dam of several “Excellent” offspring. By the use of some of the breed’s highest production proved bulls, good feeding and management, plus a continuous testing and record keeping program the herd progressed. The early herd of 42 Holsteins averaged only 11,100 pounds of milk, 395 pounds of fat. In 1985 the herd had grown to 109 cows in milk with a DHI average of 19,240 pounds milk, 693 pounds of fat. The herd was classified for type at regular intervals and cattle were exhibited at various local, state and national shows. Three “Excellent” cows, all with records above 25,000 pounds of milk and over 1,000 pounds of fat were home bred. The Hackmanns showed the grand champion bull at the Ozark Empire, the Missouri State Fair, and the National Holstein Show at Madison, Wisconsin. That same bull “Prince” was nominated for All-American. Cattle from the herd have been sold throughout Missouri and the nation for foundation purposes. Wilbert says, “One of my greatest assets was helping young people get started in the Holstein business.”

The Hackmann herd was a family operation. Charles, Wilbert’s father, remained active in the partnership until his death in 1957. Mar­cella and Wilbert, with the help of their children continued to operate the herd until the children were grown and started their own careers. In 1973, Wilbert and Mike, the second son, formed a partnership. While most of the herd was dispersed in 1986, due to Wilbert’s failing health, Mike has taken over the farm and present herd operations. He is assisted by his wife Linda and three children.

Wilbert and Marcella are the parents of five children, four sons and a daughter: Charles, the oldest son, lives at La Mars, Iowa and is District Supervisor for Ralston Purina. Michael, present owner of Hackmann Dairy Farm. James, Orange City, Iowa, Harbers Food Processing Plants. Mrs. Mary Dierkes, Columbia, MO, housewife and part time teacher. Thomas, Livonia, LA, manager of a 2,500-acre farm.

Wilbert graduated from Marthasville High School in 1936 and attended Park College. He obtained his degree in education and later his master’s degree. He taught school as well as farmed during his career. He taught at N.E. Missouri State University in 1947-48 and for the next 10 years devoted full time to the farm and herd. From 1958 to 1978 he worked for the Washington School District including principal of the Washington, Missouri, High School for two years. Wilbert, though plagued by health problems has led an unusually busy life. He was president of the Missouri Holstein Association for three years and long-time officer of the District Association. He was a delegate to the National Holstein Convention. He was active in Mid­America Dairymen when its local branch was the Sanitary Milk Producers Association and he was Secretary of the Missouri branch of the American Dairy Association. A member of the Holstein Association of America his herd received the Progressive Breeder Award many years. He is an active member of the United Church of Christ.

The Hackmann farm consists of about 500 acres on which alfalfa, corn, wheat and soybeans, in addition to pasture, is produced. In 1948 Mr. Hackmann was the recipient of the Missouri Balanced Farming Award, bestowed by the St. Louis Chamber of Commerce. Mike and his wife Linda now have one son and three daughters. Wilbert and Mike are looking forward to the fourth generation of Hackmanns operating the dairy and carrying on the family tradition.