Lloyd Gunter

The history of the Gunter family enterprise began with Lloyd Gunter’s parents and older brother moving to Missouri in 1963. They settled on a farm once owned by the grandfather of U. S. Senator Roy Blunt. They brought 17-bred heifers with them. After freshening, they first milked by hand. Gunter built his first grade A milking facility in 1967, then a second in 1974. In the late 1990’s he became involved in rotational grazing as a more efficient way to profitable milk production.

Besides developing the Gunter family dairy business, Lloyd Gunter has served the dairy industry in numerous capacities. Gunter served as director for Mid-America Dairymen and worked on their corporate resolutions committee. Upon that cooperative’s reorganization, he became a board member for Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) Southeast Council in 1997. He represents his fellow producers on district council #423 of DFA. His record reflects numerous efforts to serve the interests of dairy farmers in making decisions through their cooperative.

Gunter currently serves as vice chair of the Missouri Dairy Association. He served on the St. Louis Dairy Council until it merged with Midwest Dairy Association and now serves as secretary of the Ozark Division of the Midwest Dairy Association. As director of the Missouri Brown Swiss Association, Gunter has been very active in promoting the “Big Brown Cow” and the association.

As well, Gunter has demonstrated his responsibility to his local community in numerous ways. He has served on the Webster County Electric Cooperative Board since 2001, was previously on the Conway MFA board and, currently, serves the Marshfield MFA board. For many years Gunter served on the Webster County Soil and Water District board and was named Cooperator of the Year by that organization.

He has served on the Agriculture Advisory Committee for U. S. Congresswoman Vicki Hartzler. artzler.Other recognitions include Missouri’s Wildlife Farmer of the Year and Webster County Farm Family of the Year. Gunter serves his church as deacon and in other ways.

In the community he has contributed to both 4-H and FFA projects including dairy cattle judging. His receipt of the American Farmer Degree of the FFA in 1970 shows his dedication to this noteworthy organization. The Gunter family joins him in hosting tours for area children and, for the public, a corn maze and pumpkin patch.

Senator Roy Blunt, in a letter of recommendation, stated “Lloyd is dedicated to improving the quality of life for his rural neighbors, to protecting the environment, and to enhancing the productivity of the rural economy.”

Lloyd and his wife Jane have three married children and seven grandchildren. Their son David and his wife, Courtney, are partners in the farm operation.