Richard Bloss

Richard Bloss stands out among his peers as an outstanding breeder of dairy cattle because of his dedication to breeding productive animals and his desire that the milk producing industry continues to thrive in these times of great change in its makeup. For about 47 years, from the age of 12 in 1959 through 2006, Richard was selling milk and improving his dairy herd.

Richard’s parents acquired a 320 acre farm near Sarcoxie, Missouri during his early years, moved their 20 Jersey cows there and built a milking parlor. The enterprise grew quickly, and by the time he was 16 he had graduated from high school and owned 25 cows. At the age of 17, Richard purchased a dairy farm near his parent’s farm. In 1966 at 19, he was married and drafted into the army. Richard spent 13 months in Korea. His bride, with their new son, Mike, stayed on the farm and milked the small herd of Jersey cows. On returning from the army in 1968, Richard was milking about 30 cows and worked the night shift at a local bedspring factory. Meanwhile, he and his wife welcomed a second son, Jeff. Unfortunately, his wife passed away when their sons were ages four and two, leaving Richard a widower at the age of 24.

These events did not alter Richard’s plans to become an established and successful milk producer. He sought and purchased genetically superior Jersey cattle to upgrade his herd. In 1976, he married Anita, a local school teacher who had grown up on a dairy farm. In 1982 and 1986, daughters Jennifer and Kristen were born. By this time Mike and his son Jeff were showing cattle in county, district and state fair competitions. These interactions with other breeders led to the purchase of Generators Stardom Jane, and this animal became the matriarch of the Bloss Jersey herd. She produced four female and three male outstanding offspring.

Richard joined the board of the Central Equity Milk Cooperative in 1995 where he currently serves as vice president. One of his duties has been to negotiate a contract with Smuckers in Ohio for supply of milk to that firm. His off-farm service activities include the following: the Sarcoxie R-II school board for 20 years, six as president; the Sarcoxie Rural Fire Protection District board for 25 years, currently as president; and the Sarcoxie First Baptist Church, serving on its building-grounds committee.

In 2006, Richard and family dispersed their herd of Jersey cattle. As the children were involved in other enterprises, Richard and Anita decided it was time to retire. Richard Bloss sold his first can of milk at the age of 12 and persevered through tough times to become an outstanding breeder and servant to his community. He deserves recognition by the Missouri Dairy Hall of Honors Foundation.

His nomination was endorsed by the Missouri Jersey Cattle Association.