Charles Voelker

Accomplished breeder of Brown Swiss cattle, breed organization participant, cattle showman, forward thinking farm manager, sponsor of youth, family man, church worker ­ these are descriptors of Charles Voelker, Perryville.

Not only has he made dairy farming a huge success, Voelker has shared his time and talents with many others who have gained from his contributions.

Charles is a fifth generation Voelker on the family farm that he bought from his parents in 1983. At that time he had 42 dairy animals. That number now stands at 300 with about 170 in the milking herd and 140 replacement heifers. These large numbers of registered animals permit sales to seven or eight breeders per year. One cow, twice Grand Champion at the national show, was exported to Brazil.

The average classification score for animals in the Voelker Brown Swiss herd has increased from 82 in 1978 to 86 currently.  In particular, Charles’ breeding program has improved feed and legs while maintaining superior mammary quality.

To date he has bred 86 cows rated excellent and milk production has increased 5,500 pounds per cow over the past 22 years.

Charles selects bulls with 750 plus milk and plus on fat, protein, and udders. Choices on size depend on the size of the dam.

Charles and wife Nancy have five children – Katie, Suzanne, Chad, Dayne, and Grant – who assist with farm operations.  Their compost barn, completed in September 2006, is the first to be built in Missouri and promises savings of about $800 per cow per year while reducing costs of waste handling.

Supporters of Charles’ nomination included David Kendall, executive secretary; Robert Landgaf, district VI director; and Mike Moyers, vice president, all members of the Brown Swiss Cattle Breeders Association – BSCBA. Each praised Charles for his work with the association which started with his election to the national board in 1994.

David Kendall noted, regarding struggles of BSCBA at the time, the following “Charlie’s intelligent and articulate analysis of the problems prompted his fellow board members to elect him vice-president in 1999-the highest vote of confidence a board can give a fellow member.”

Whereas the vice president is appointed by the board, the president is elected by the national membership.  In 2004 Charles was elected to the presidency and is now serving his second term as president.

During Charles’ first term as president he directed a major revision of the Brown Swiss score card. His strategy involved Brown Swiss breeders; university geneticists; extension personnel; representatives of artificial insemination organizations; the National Association of Animal Breeders; and representatives of the American Milking Shorthorn Society which partners with BSCBA in daily operations.  The resulting score card is applicable to all dairy breeds.

Charles led BSCBA to include collection of data on milking speed, oxytocin usage, and udder quality. Results have been published on milking speed and analysis of the other data is forthcoming.  He also led the way in updating the data processing system of BSCBA.

The system chosen reduces expenses while expanding services to both the Brown Swiss and Milking Shorthorn breeders. The association became involved in the bovine genome research project of the U.S. Department of Agriculture after Charles led the way in financing the project for BSCBA by donating a heifer to be sold for funds.

Charles promotes the dairy industry with the young. He has worked with 4-H youth for 14 years, is dairy superintendent for the Perry County 4-Show and of the East Perry Community Fair, and invites groups to tour the farm.

Still he finds time to serve his church.