Paul Campbell, Jr., and R. Stanley Campbell
“It gives me great pleasure on behalf of the Missouri Guernsey Breeders to nominate Paul Jr., and R. Stanley Campbell of Campbell’s Guernsey Farm for the Missouri Hall of Honors recognition as Distinguished Dairy Cattle Breeders,” said David Cochard.
Cochard was representing the Missouri Guernsey Breeders Association in nominating the Campbells.
Up to 300 head of beautiful Guernsey cattle have at any one time graced the rolling hills of the family dairy farm near Strafford. Paul Campbell – Paul Jr.’s father and R. Stanley’s grandfather started Campbell’s Guernsey Farm some 70 years ago. Since 1935 Guernsey cattle have continuously roamed their 600 acres in Webster County.
The current partnership of R. Stanley and his father Paul Jr. has flourished through the years. With the capable help of some of the best dairymen and extension workers the Campbell herd has grown in quantity and quality.
The operation hit its current pinnacle in 2000 when their Best Three Females were designated All American by the American Guernsey Association. That year their junior three-year-old cow and aged cow also won All-American honors and their four-year-old was Reserve All American.
All of this is even more impressive when one realizes that hardly 20 years ago the entire herd consisted of grade but purebred Guernsey cattle.
By using some of the greatest bulls in the Guernsey breed, the Campbells have upgraded the herd to 100% registered. Much expense and effort have been incurred but the Campbells feel that it has been well worth that extra effort.
Paul Kennemer, a neighbor and friend, and Les Peckham, an American Guernsey Association fieldman, are both given much credit by the Campbells for their expertise and sound advice in this huge undertaking.
Artificial insemination made upgrading dairy herds much easier. However, the Campbells employ only natural service of bulls from some of the greatest Guernsey cows in North America. The Campbells regularly buy these bulls as calves, develop and use them.
The Campbell herd has been recognized in many media situations. Some of the political ads for a recent election were filmed at the Campbell farm. Four Campbell cows formed the Guernsey class of the 2004 Hoard’s Dairyman Judging contest. A more recent issue of Hoard’s Dairyman showed a pasture scene from Campbell’s Guernsey farm.
Several times the Guernsey Breeders Journal has used similar scenes from their beautiful farm for attractive cover pages. In June 2005 Campbell’s Guernsey farm hosted the National Guernsey Convention tour.
David Cochard wrote “the family operation is deserving of the designation of Distinguished Dairy Cattle Breeder. Therefore, it is a pleasure to submit this application on behalf of the Missouri Guernsey Breeders’ Association.”
Paul married Mary Bodenhamer in 1950 and have five children. Jeanette Mooney, Springfield, is a retired teacher of physical education; Stanley is a partner in Campbell Dairy; Richard, Strafford, is a carpenter and occasional assistant at the Campbell Dairy; Susan Mitchell is an office worker at St. Johns Hospital in Springfield; and Shelley Chaney is a home maker.
Stanley’s wife, Patty, is a part time receptionist for a Springfield chiropractor and Patty has two grown children. Joy Pitts lives with her husband Doug in Rogersville and they have two children, Abby age 8 and Ashley age 6. Troy Underwood lives with his wife Charity in Ozark.