Jim Tindle, Halfway, MO
Jim Tindle, Halfway, Missouri is well known for his accomplishments as a breeder of registered Ayrshire cattle. He and his family bought their first Ayrshire in 1969. Since that time they have carried out a constructive herd building program and led the way for growth and development of the breed in Missouri and other states.
Jim was born June 16, 1933 at Bolivar, MO. His parents are Carl and Opal Tindle. Jim graduated from Bolivar High School and served in the U.S. Air Force for several years. In 1957 he and his wife, the former Patricia Whitman of Bolivar, were married. They have two daughters, Velva, now Mrs. Dan Bower, lives at Long Lane, MO. The second daughter, Carol, lives at Bolivar. The Tindles have five grandchildren.
As is often the case, Jim’s success as a breeder began with the purchase of his foundation cattle. In 1969 he bought 15 bred heifers and a bull from G. Fred Williams, a well-established and reputable Ayrshire breeder in Kansas. The herd began to attract attention as the heifers freshened with good production. The bull, Woodhull Betsy Jack became a plus proven sire with many of his daughters establishing state records for production. Jim consistently used good A.I. bulls, tested for production, classified the herd for type and followed a program of good feeding and management. The herd of some 30 milking cows averages 13,000 to 14,000 pounds of milk per cow. The DHIA records for 1977-78 indicate 29.6 cows, 13,516 M-528F. In 1976, two cows completed lactations of over 17,000 pounds of milk. The Tindle herd held most state leader records for production from 1970-80. One cow sold from the herd was Junior Champion at the Western National Show and went on to produce over 150,000 pounds of milk as a lifetime record.
Mr. Tindle served as a 4-H Club leader for several years. He has been instrumental in building interest in Ayrshires throughout the state. He led the way for establishing the Ayrshire show at the Ozark Empire Fair and in reviving Ayrshire classes at the Missouri State Fair, after their discontinuance in the early 30’s. He showed cattle at local and state shows until 1983 when he discontinued but encouraged the many junior and adult dairymen he had sold cattle to continue exhibiting. His farm name is Rocky-Ayr and many champions at local, state and national shows have resulted. In 1988 the Tindles sold the second highest priced animal in the Mid-States Ayrshire Sale.
Jim led the way in organizing the present Missouri Ayrshire Association, served as its first president, and was re-elected in 1988. From 1973 through 1976 he assisted the National Ayrshire Association in sponsoring promotional sales in Missouri. These sales provide a market for cattle and help start new herds. Jim, Pat (Mrs. Tindle) and family were selected as the Polk County State Fair Family in 1978.
The Tindles have a 160-acre farm which produces hay and pasture for their cattle. They are active in their church and Jim continues to encourage young dairymen and boost good Ayrshires. In view of his accomplishments and leadership it is only fitting that Jim receives the Missouri Dairy Hall of Honors Distinguished Dairy Cattle Breeder Award for 1990.