Keith Dixon

Keith Dixon of Phillipsburg, Missouri has been involved with dairying from a very young age. He helped his father with a small dairy farm in rural Cecilton, Maryland. After the family sold their cows and moved to town, Dixon worked when he could on neighboring farms.

He began college as a pre-vet student but switched his focus to Dairy Science, working towards his goal of owning his own herd of milk cows. After graduation from the University of Maryland in 1974, he took a job as a 4-H agent in Carroll County, MD—a very large dairy county. In that role he made connections with local dairymen which led to his milking cows. He milked with another family for a short while and then he and his wife moved to another farm to milk their own herd of Holsteins.

They build a quality herd of high producing, high type animals, garnering several herd production records over the ensuing years. Dixon’s children were interested in showing so he purchased and milked a few Guernseys alongside the primarily Holstein herd, including a Christmas gift in the early 1980’s named Jingle and Jingle’s subsequent offspring. The Dixon children showed both Holsteins and Guernseys.

Times were hard in Maryland and Dixon took a full time job with the University of Maryland as the Nutrient Management Consultant in Kent County, part of a pilot program.

In the early 1990’s, Dixon sold most of the herd but kept his Guernsey Jingle and a few Holstein heifers. He continued milking on the farm while working for the University. During the next ten years the Guernsey herd grew and the management focus shifted to intensive grazing. Cows were bred for type and high components, doing well in the barn and the show ring. By 2001 the herd had reached a rolling average of over 18,000 pounds of milk on grass, no silage. Dixon’s son Brett won numerous production awards with his cow Courtney, who made over 30,000M on grass. Several other cows would peak over 25,000.

In 1997, Dix-Lee animals came into their own. Dix-Lee Smokey Whiskey won Grand Champion at the junior show at the World Dairy Expo and was Reserve Grand Champion at the junior show at the North American. Dix-Lee Perfecto Fawna-TW was Grand at the junior show at Louisville. Thus began a long career in the spotlight for Dix-Lee animals in the Guernsey show scene.

Limited in Maryland for growth in farm size by location and high land prices, Dixon found a farm in Southwest Missouri. In March of 2002, along with his son Brett and daughter Katie, he began milking in Phillipsburg, Missouri. The Dixon family experienced a huge learning curve dairying in an area very different—yet similar, to the one left behind in Maryland. Breeding focus has continued to be on type: powerful cows with excellent feet and legs, wide deep bodies, and strongly attached udders that last. Dix-Lee cows are bred to be cows that milk well on grass with high components. Efficiency of converting grass and hay to high quality milk is Keith Dixon’s goal. He has used homebred bulls intensively. Initially, production took a major hit because of the move from Maryland, but has now climbed back to an FHA of 17,626M 796F 620P on the grazing farm.

Showing continues to be a top priority. Over the years, Dix-Lee bred and owned cows have been in the winner’s circle of state and national shows. Keith Dixon and his family take great pride in the fact that their show cows are home bred and are also the higher producing cows in their herd. Over 20 cows scored excellent in the 70 cow herd, ranging from 90 to a high of 94 points. Dix-Lee Tiller Joke topped the National Guernsey Convention Sale at $23,600 in 2007. She has gone on to be a tremendous brood cow and bull mother. She has several sons in AI and her daughters and granddaughters continue to excel in the show ring. In 2015, her granddaughter was Junior Champion at WDE and one of her sons sired the Reserve Junior Champion. Cows and bulls such as Dix-Lee Jester Freedom, Dix-Lee Kojack Fawn, son of Joke, have won multiple championships for years. Fawna, Joke and Fawn are all descendants of Keith Dixon’s original Maryland Guernsey Christmas gift, Jingle.

Dixon was president of the board of directors of the Maryland Guernsey Breeders’ Association prior to his move to Missouri, and has been president and a board member of the Missouri Guernsey Breeders’ Association for several years. He also served two four-year terms on the board of the American Guernsey Association. He has served faithfully on the AGA’s Promotion and Golden Guernsey committees for many years. His very proud of fostering and supporting his children’s love of Guernseys as well.

Keith Dixon is in partnership with his daughter Katie in their Missouri dairy farming operation, with help from his granddaughter Whitney. The farm is 100% Guernsey. Brett Dixon, his wife Jessica, and son have their own dairy where they milk Guernseys, Ayrshires and Holsteins. Son Travis chose to follow another profession but helps on the farm when he visits and supports the family’s interests in breeding, milk production and in the show ring.

Keith Dixon’s nomination was submitted by Dave Cochard of the Missouri Guernsey Breeders’ Association with multiple letters of support from dairymen such as Brian R. Schnebly, executive secretary of the American Guernsey Association, John O. Mozier, D.V.M., of Maryland, and Blaine Crosser, vice president of Select Sires, Inc.