Brett and Jessica Dixon
Brett and Jessica Dixon are the owners of “Stil Dreamn Dairy” which is located outside of Conway, Missouri. Brett and Jessica both grew up on family dairy farms where they each developed a love of the dairy industry and dairy animals.
After her mother’s unexpected death in 2010, Jessica and her husband were faced with the decision either to buy out her parents’ dairy operation, thus undertaking tremendous debt and responsibility, or to let the cows go. They decided to continue their dream of building a herd together, and in 2011, “Stil Dreamn Dairy” began.
They maintain 120 acres of pasture-based dairy, milking 50 head of Ayrshires, Guernseys, and Holsteins. The current RHA is 17,500 lbs. of milk, 4.1 fat and 3.2 protein. They have an average classification score of 87 pts on the entire herd. In 2017, they had the highest Holstein BAA in region 7. From 2015 through 2017, their herd received the award for the lowest somatic cell count from Central Equity Milk Co-op.
Brett and Jessica have put a large emphasis on the genetics of their cattle herd with a focus on good conformation, strong legs, and good udders. They have bred multiple All-American nominees for the Ayrshire and Guernsey breeds and have won numerous awards at the National Ayrshire and Guernsey shows through the years. Because of their strong breeding program, they are continually asked to consign animals to sales across the United States.
Brett and Jessica both promote the dairy industry and are active in Ayrshire and Guernsey breed association activities. Jessica served as a director for the National Ayrshire Association from 2013 to 2016. During her time as a director, she also served on many of the National Ayrshire committees. She is also very involved with the Missouri Ayrshire Association. She has held various offices throughout the years and is currently serving as Secretary. Jessica is also the lab manager for Mid-South Dairy Records. Since 2016, Brett has been serving on the Central Equity Milk Co-op board. Both Brett and Jessica are also involved in the Missouri Guernsey Association.
In 2018, the National Ayrshire Convention was held in Missouri. Both Brett and Jessica were very involved in the planning and details. In addition to selling ‘a pick of the entire herd’ at the convention sale, the Dixons hosted a meal and evening at the farm for everyone in attendance.
Sharing their knowledge and experience with youth and other dairy farmers is important to them. Jessica has judged many youth shows at the county and state fair levels. Brett and Jessica also host a 4-H judging camp and have often provided animals for various judging activities. They have also been involved in pasture walks where they invite others in the community to their farm to view their pasture-based dairy to share ideas and network with other pasture-based farms.
Brett and Jessica still enjoy showing cattle and market their cattle at various national sales and privately. Last year at the Southern National Ayrshire in Louisville, Kentucky, two animals they had previously sold stood at the top for their new owners. Stil-Dreamn Vicking Cactus-ET was named the Reserve Intermediate Champion for Kurt Wolf and John Cannon. In the Junior Show, Stil-Dreamn Burdette Candy was Honorable Mention Intermediate Champion for Kenzie and Brynn Emery. She went on to be named the 2018 Junior Honorable Mention All-American Jr. 3-Yr Old.
Brett and Jessica have both been recognized nationally for their ability to develop an outstanding herd of cattle. Jessica received the Distinguished Young Ayrshire Breeder Award in 2016 and Brett received the Distinguished Young Guernsey Breeder Award in 2017.
Brett graduated from a dairy short course in Madison, Wisconsin in 2001. Jessica studied agribusiness at Crowder College in Neosho, Missouri. They have a son, Diesel, who is already a great little show person and farmer.