Dave Cochard

Being presented to Mr. Guernsey – Dave Cochard

Dave was raised on a Guernsey farm in Indiana and has a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from Purdue University. Dave has been very active with the Guernsey breed since his first 4-H projects in the 1950’s. Over the years, Dave and Linda’s cattle have been very successful in the show ring with over 45 open or junior All-Americans, 4 national Jr. Show Grand Champions and 2 national open show Grand Champions and many national class leaders for production. But as good as their cattle were, the impact Dave has had on the Guernsey Associations and their breeders is even greater.

In 1998, Dave created the Ozark Jubilee Guernsey Sale at the College of the Ozarks for the Missouri Guernsey Breeders’ Association. In addition to this becoming one of the three major Guernsey sales in the country, the Jubilee sale served as a great spot for Guernsey people to meet and spend the weekend together in a social atmosphere. Until 2018, Dave served as the chairman for this sale.

In addition, nearly 35 years ago, Dave lived in Indiana and served their Guernsey Association as President. Since 1985, he has served the Missouri Guernsey Association in many capacities. As John Denbigh said, “Dave is the glue that has held the Missouri Guernsey Association together. He has kept the members engaged and active.” Kate Geppert said she especially appreciated Dave’s willingness to help. While she was Superintendent of the dairy show at the Missouri State Fair, she never had to worry about how the Guernsey show would go because Dave was there to take care of the announcing and other details.

Dave is not just a leader here in Missouri, but his impact is known across the country. He has served on the National Guernsey Board of Directors from 1997 – 2005, including several terms as 1st Vice-President. In 1998, the American Guernsey Association had temporarily lost their executive secretary and Dave stepped up to help. According to Bob Griggs from Oklahoma, “On his own time Dave help out when we really needed it.” For nearly a year, Dave would commute from his home in Union, Missouri to Columbus, Ohio to the American Guernsey Association offices. He currently serves as Chairman of the Association’s Antiquities Committee which is working to preserve the awards and history of the Guernsey breed.

As Dr. John Mozier from Kansas said, “There is nobody more dedicated to the Guernsey breed or has done more for the Guernsey Association than Dave Cochard.”

Dave is a past president of the Missouri Dairy Hall of Honors and still serves on its board of Trustees. With his wife Linda, they served as co-chairman of the 1991 National Guernsey Convention held in St. Louis. They again served as co-chairmen for the 2005 National Guernsey Convention held in Branson. Dave has judged numerous dairy shows throughout the country, 3 times in Australia and the Canadian Royal Winter Fair in Toronto.

He was a fighter pilot in the U.S Air Force for about 5 years. During the Vietnam conflict he flew 188 combat missions and earned himself the Air Medal with 6th Oak Leaf Cluster and also the Distinguished Flying Cross. For nearly 30 years Dave was a pilot for Trans World Airlines where he retired as a Captain in 1996.

And just to prove that Dave can do it all – in 1962, he sang ‘Back Home Again in Indiana’ prior to the start of the Indy 500.

Congratulations, Dave, on receiving the Missouri Dairy Hall of Honors’ 2019 Dairy Leadership Award and thank you for all you have done to further the dairy industry.

(delivered by Kate Geppert, President)