Congratulations to David L. Brandau, Wilton, Wis., for receiving the AJCA-NAJ Award for Meritorious Service.
This award is given annually to a living individual who, in the joint opinion of the Boards of Directors of the national Jersey organizations, has made a notable contribution to the advancement of the Jersey breed and the livelihood of Jersey owners in the United States through research, education, development, marketing, or other significant activities of the allied dairy industry.
David grew up on his family’s farm near Wilton, Wis., as a third-generation breeder of Registered Jerseys™. He started at the Jersey organizations in July of 1981 as Equity Specialist with National All-Jersey Inc. and later added responsibilities as AJCA-NAJ Area Representative for the Upper Midwest region.
Brandau’s work focused on educating producers and cooperatives on the benefits of high-component milk and the need for equitable milk pricing to improve cheese yields. A key part of this was to enlist the financial support for this effort through the Equity check-off. “The Jersey breed would not be enjoying the success it is today without people like David on the front line gaining financial support for the program,” said Calvin Covington, former Executive Secretary and CEO of the USJersey organizations.
A major victory occurred when the five Upper Midwest Federal Milk Marketing Orders implemented multiple component pricing. David played a key role in bringing all the major cooperatives and dairy organizations in the area together to discuss equitable milk pricing. An excerpt of the Upper Midwest final decision dated August 2, 1995 is still posted in Brandau’s home office.
David and his wife Cathy reside at their farm in southwest Wisconsin and have two grown sons. He continues to support Jersey business and milk marketing development through his membership in the Wisconsin Jersey Breeders Association and independent consulting.