Lonnie Groves
Groves-View Dairy is one of the most highly respected dairies in Missouri. The original family farm was established near Billings, Missouri in 1913. Groves-View Dairy is now designated a Missouri Century Farm. Lonnie Groves grew up on Groves-View farm. After the passing of his father, Groves left college to return home to help his mother, Emma, operate the farm.
At that time Groves-View was milking eight Guernsey cross and Brown Swiss cross cows. As time progressed, Lonnie Groves began purchasing registered Holstein cows, and today’s herd is made up of both Brown Swiss and Holstein registered animals.
In recent years Groves has been joined by sons Brad and Todd. They have built the herd to 525 animals, including about 200 milking cows. Brittany Groves, Todd’s oldest daughter, was a member of the MO 4-H Dairy Judging Team that competed at the national contest in 2012. They were the top Brown Swiss team in the country. The grandchildren are quite involved in the operation as well.
Groves and his sons have purchased high quality animals to help establish a superior foundation herd. The Groves-View Dairy website states that their goal is to breed dairy cattle of high production and extreme type that will perform well wherever they go. Their Motto is “Two Breeds-One Goal: Breeding Elite Cow Families.” Evidence of routes taken to achieve this goal includes website pictures of cows from the following prominent Holstein families: Robthom, Dellia, and Regancrest.
They are also happy to claim ownership of Brown Swiss daughters and granddaughters of the outstanding cow, Groves View Denmark Perfect. Two cows in particular need to be noted: a Holstein, Groves-Vu Nation Lotus, and a Brown Swiss, Milk and Honey Tonis Tessa. The farm had the Supreme Champion dairy female at the 2013 Missouri State Fair in both the Open and Junior divisions. Groves-View Snickpack Tale was the Brown Swiss Grand Champion.
Groves-View sells embryos, and bulls to stud, both overseas and nationally. A Holstein bull, sold into Japan, became the number three bull of that breed there. In the early 1990s Groves-View was among the first U.S. dairies to adopt computerized milking and production measurement. The farm averages 12,500 pounds of milk daily. Recognition received by Lonnie and the Groves family include the Progressive Breeder Award in 2010 and the Progressive Genetics Award for nine consecutive years.
In 2012 Groves-View Dairy, under Lonnie Grove’s leadership, hosted farm tours during the National Holstein Convention held in nearby Springfield. Some twenty pictures representing those tours are shown on the farm’s web page (http:// grovesviewdairy.com). Topping the display of cows featured on the website is Groves-Vu Jammer Regan-Et, classified VG overall and excellent mammary system. In preparation for and during that convention, sons Brad, Todd, and their families, assisted significantly at the Springfield site.
Four years ago Lonnie Groves suffered serious injury when mauled by a bull. After overcoming his injuries, Groves has continued to contribute liberally to farm operations and management. He is quoted in saying, “I am not going to slow down, because if you do you will die, and I am not ready to die.”
Lonnie Groves has proven that even though being a dairy farmer is tough— smart planning, hard work and judicious uses of resources truly pay off. Lonnie and his wife Donna will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary this year (2014).