Congratulations to Warren and Merry Snodgrass, Orchard, Neb. and Tom, Travis and Todd Serr for being honored at the Nebraska Dairy Convention.
The Distinguished Dairyman Award was presented to the Snodgrass family, while the Young Dairyman Award recognized the Serrs. Both awards are named in honor of Philip H. Cole, a Lincoln dairy producer who served as secretary/treasurer of the Nebraska State Dairy Association from 1969-1984.
The Snodgrass family operates O & W Dairy, milking 500 cows and farming 2,100 acres. The family began milking cows in 1966, and since then has achieved numerous production and quality awards. They frequently host tours, and both Warren and Merry have played an active role in community and dairy activities.
The Serrs operate Sandhill Dairy. Tom and his wife, Tammi, have been active in the Young Cooperator program of Dairy Farmers of America, and he is an assistant football coach at Burke High School. Todd has been involved with showing cattle and is a director with the Dairy Herd Improvement Association, while Travis serves as a deputy sheriff in Gregory County and sits on the Burke school board.
Milk production awards were also presented at the event. Winners included:
First place Holstein herd: Wallman Dairy, with 28,339 pounds of milk on 266 cows;
Second place Holstein herd: Broken Bow Dairy, LLC, with 26,112 pounds of milk on 556 cows;
Third place Holstein herd: Schindler Dairy, Inc., with 24,674 pounds of milk on 227 cows;
First place Jersey herd: James Meyer, with 19,696 pounds of milk on 222 cows; and
First place Non-Holstein/Crossbred herd: Steven Swiss Dairy, with 23,270 pounds of milk on 131 cows.
Source: Midwest Dairy Association