James A. Coats
James A. Coats is a long-term dairy farmer of Texas County, Missouri. He bought his first dairy calf at age 13 and his first registered Jersey cow and calf at age 17. At the time he was discharged from the Army in 1952, James owned six cows and six heifers that became his starting herd on a rented farm. By 1955, he had purchased a farm and began construction of a grade A milking facility.
Coats switched to Holstein cows in the late 1960s. Through improvements in genetics and management practices, James developed a herd of ninety cows with annual production approaching 20,000 lb milk and 780 lb fat. The enterprise includes production of alfalfa hay and corn silage plus production of replacement heifers and steers which are developed to 900 lb. His farming practices have been recognized with the Texas County award, “Outstanding Accomplishments in Soil Conservation” and the MU Extension Service, “Farm Management Award.” Regarding James’ dairy operations, an authority on the subject wrote: “This farm represents what the market desires: low counts of bacteria and somatic cells, RBST-free and volume milk.”
The Missouri Dairy Hall of Honors Foundation is recognizing James Coats for his outstanding leadership. The Foundation first recognized his service on the University Extension Council of Texas County for six years in the 1960s. He was also a board member of MFA, Inc. for fourteen years. Beginning in 1967, James served on the board of Farm Credit Land Bank along with members from Missouri, Arkansas and Illinois. He played a key role on the bank’s Farm Credit Advisory Committee. He has been an active member of the Missouri Holstein Association and the Texas County Cattlemen’s Association.
James Coats’ service for milk marketing cooperatives began with Producers Creamery Company and carried on through the Organization of Mid-America Dairymen, Inc. and via Dairy Farmers of America. He is currently District Chairman of DFA and a delegate to its annual meetings. For twenty-three years, James has chaired the Mountain Grove area Rural Fire District Committee which was started in 1979 and now has a fee-paying membership of about 1,200. As a member of his local church, James has been a trustee and a Sunday school teacher.
One nominator wrote, “James portrays a positive attitude toward our industry and its future. People value his views and opinions on matters related to the dairy industry as well as to his community and life in general.” Another wrote, “I have seen very few people who equal the passion for the dairy industry that James has, and he has instilled that passion in his family.”
The Missouri Dairy Hall of Honors Foundation is pleased to recognize James A. Coats with its Dairy Leadership Award.