2012 Distinguished Dairy Cattle Breeder Award

2012-LesmeisterLesmeister Dairy Farm

For more than five generations, farming and raising livestock has been the way of life for the Lesmeister family of Montrose County. Jim and Ruth Lesmeister began their operation in 1977 after purchasing their farm from his grandmother. The family includes the adult children Zach and Sarah, and two grandchildren, Colby and McKenna.

From 1977-1985, Jim farrowed 30-40 sows and sold feeder pigs while maintaining a herd of 40 beef cows. A part-time project of raising Holstein calves led to starting the dairy operation and building a Grade A dairy barn in 1985. Six Jersey cows, which provided milk for the baby calves, has grown to a milking herd of more than 90 registered Jerseys. Milk from these cows is marketed thorough Dairy Farmers of America. The operation consists of 340 owned acres and plus 60 leased acres. Crops raised are corn for silage, soybeans, barley, grass hays and pasture.

The Lesmeisters use rotational grazing, keeping cows on pasture every day that mother nature allows. A total mixed ration, TMR, supplements the pasture. Diets are created to produce profitable milk, not always the most milk. Overall herd health, reproductive performance, and high protein and fat are primary goals.

The herd is on official test with Mid South DHIA and benefits of the PC Dart program are fully utilized. The herd is also appraised by the American Jersey Cattle Association of which Jim and Zack are members. Currently there are 17 excellent cows in the herd, and 37 cows with the Lesmeister prefix have been appraised excellent since the first herd appraisal in 2006.

The family has been recognized with numerous dairy show and breed awards including the Premier Breeder award at the Missouri State Fair, as well as several Missouri State Fair championships. Lesmeister JW Carla is the first to be mentioned among herd favorites. Carla placed 3rd in the senior 2 year old class at the World Dairy Expo in 2006. She returned to the tanbark trail in 2007 and was tapped Grand & Reserve Supreme Champion at the Missouri State Fair. She then placed 6th in the senior 3 year old class at the World Dairy Expo. Carla was appraised excellent 92 and had a best 305 day record of 18,074 lb milk, 834 lb fat, and 679 lb protein.

Lesmeister Favour Martha, another show ring standout, captured Junior Champion honors at the 2003 Missouri State Fair. The following spring she was 1st Intermediate Yearling and Honorable Mention Junior Champion at the Southern National in Stillwater OK. Martha was then sold and finished the year, placing 1st at the Maryland State Fair, 2nd at the World Dairy Expo, and 1st at the North American International Livestock Exposition.

The Lesmeisters are dedicated to their faith in God, their children, and their community. Jim, Ruth, and Zach have served on the Henry County University of Missouri Extension Council. While serving as the President of the Henry County Extension Council, Jim Lesmeister played an important role in establishing the gifts and endowment program for the county.

Both Zach and Sarah Lesmeister were active members of the Montrose Busy Beavers 4-H Club and the Clinton and Lakeland High School FFA organizations. They both participated in 4-H and FFA dairy judging contests. The family attributes their 4-H and FFA experiences through the years for much of their success in the dairy industry. The Lesmeister’s have hosted tours at their farm for local elementary children and conducted practice sessions for area 4-H/FFA dairy judging teams.

Jim Lesmeister studied animal husbandry at the University of Missouri Columbia and Zach Lesmeister earned a dairy science degree from Virginia Tech in 1999. Both father and son have a passion for the dairy industry. The wisdom gained from Jim’s lifetime experience on the farm, his openness and respect for Zach’s knowledge, the desire to try new practices, and the respectful father/son relationship they hold, have been the foundation for the successful development of their excellent Jersey herd.

Ruth Lesmeister works off the farm but handles the farm bookkeeping and offers much needed moral support. Daughter Sarah and children, Colby and McKenna, currently reside on a Dairy Farm in Osage County.