2023 Dairy Leadership Award

Sean Cornelius

Sean Cornelius is a third-generation dairyman currently milking 120 crossbred cattle on 1,200 acres in Hamilton, MO.

He attended Penny High School in Hamilton where he earned his FFA American Farmer degree. He then attended the University of Central Missouri.

Sean takes great pride in the production of high-quality, home-grown forages for his dairy herd, providing the key component in supporting profitable production and maintaining the herd’s rolling average 23,580 lbs. He values data driven on-farm decision making, both for his operation and those he consults. To ensure the availability of on-farm data, he offered to serve as area supervisor for the dairy herd improvement association of milk testers.

In addition to the daily dairy enterprise, owns and operates Best Axis consulting where he helps dairy producers in all surrounding states reach production goals through nutrition and implementing best management practices, saving dairy producers thousands of dollars through identifying management efficiencies, feed substitution opportunities and forage quality advancements.

Sean played a pivotal role in the creation, development and vision for Missouri Dairy, the commodity organization for dairy producers. He has served as secretary since its inception, in 2020. Prior to the creation of MO Dairy, Sean served as chairman of Missouri Dairy Industry Alliance (MDIA). He is passionate about maintaining a positive voice for the dairy industry and employing the commodity groups throughout agriculture as that vehicle.

Sean has served on numerous boards and committees; the the University of Missouri-Extension’s “Tri-Co Dairy Day” planning committee for 15 years, serving as chairman role 2020, served as chair for the Missouri Farm Bureau dairy advisory council and remains as a member, and as a member Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) as a Central Council since 2017.

Locally, Sean has exhibited leadership throughout Caldwell County, as chairman of the county planning and zoning commission, chairman of the county zoning board of adjustments, and president of the county farm bureau organization.

Sean and his wife Rachel, have a son Hunter and a daughter Sam.