Ray and Margaret Schooley, Niangua
Ray and Margaret Schooley own and operate a 165-acre farm near Niangua, Webster County, Missouri. Their herd of registered Jerseys is recognized throughout Missouri and nationally for high production and quality cattle.
Ray was born in 1936 at Stark, Kansas where his parents Merle and Geneva Schooley were farmers. Margaret was born in DeTour, Maryland where her parents, George and Emity Nicholoson farmed. Ray received his B.S. Degree in Dairy Science, 1958 and a Master Degree in Dairy Cattle Breeding in 1960 – both from Kansas State University. Margaret received a B.S. Degree in Home Economics Education in 1964 from the University of Maryland.
Ray’s early career involved working for the Dupont Co., 1960-61 in chemical sales; 1961-67 Executive Secretary American Milking Short horn Society, Springfield, MO. From 1967-76 he was Treasurer and Superintendent of Records, American Jersey Cattle Club, Columbus, Ohio.
The Schooley Jersey herd was established in 1979 when Ray and Margaret moved from Kansas to their present location. The herd was started by the purchase of 21 head of Commercial Jerseys at an average price of $362.50 plus two groups of AI sired bred heifers. A few additional animals were purchased from Jersey sales. In recent years very few purchases have been made. At present only two animals of some 120 head in the herd to not carry the Schooley prefix.
The herd has been on DHIA and DHIR test since its beginning. In 1980 the first year on production the rolling herd was 11,303 M. By good feeding and management and the use of high plus proven AI bulls the herd production has improved steadily. The 1990 DHIA rolling herd average on 58.4 cows was 15,008 M, 671 F, 649 P ranking first for milk and fat and second in protein in Missouri. In 1990 the DHIR lactation average on 50 cows was 16,102 pounds milk, 702 pounds fat and 576 pounds of protein. The herd is ranked nationally on the high PTA protein list. Numerous cows have been listed on the Elite cow list for Missouri DHIA and 15 cows have produced over 100,000 pounds of milk in a lifetime. Seven cows from the herd have been state class leaders.
The herd is enrolled at a regular type appraisal program. In the most recent appraisal, there were eight Excellent, 29 Very Good, 14 Desirable and 5 Acceptable animals in the herd. Twelve “Excellent” cows have been developed in the herd. Cattle have been sold to buyers in 12 states. The Schooleys have had the top selling cow in several regional sales. Forage for the dry cows and young stock is produced on the farm. The milking herd is fed purchased alfalfa hay.
Ray and Margaret are very active in state and national dairy affairs. Ray is past president of the National Dairy Shrine, Vice-President and Director of the American Jersey Cattle Club (nominee for President 1992 election), member of the joint National DHIA-HAA Technical Committee for Electronic ID, active in the Purebred Dairy Cattle Association, Director of the Webster County DHIA and Vice President and Director Missouri Jersey Cattle Club. Margaret is a Director and Secretary-Treasurer of the MO DHI Federation Board, a delegate to the National DHI Convention and one of the originators of Dairy Women Seminars for Webster and surrounding countries. Both Ray and Margaret are active members of the Marshfield United Methodist Church and both are long time 4-H Club leaders as well as being active in other community affairs.
Ray and Margaret have two sons. Stuart is now a senior in Animal Science at the University of Missouri, Columbia. He is an honor student and was first place winner in the National Jersey Youth Achievement Contest in 1990. John, the younger brother is a senior in high school. He is president of his class and an honors student. He will start college at UMC the fall of 1992.