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March 23, 2024 M

“All dairy, all the time”™

Volume 26, No. 3

A long line of outstanding cattle Larcrest Holsteins wins PDCA Distinguished Breeder Award By Jan Lefebvre jan.l@star-pub.com

PHOTO SUBMITTED

Bridget Volpel (from leŌ); Linda and Chase Saxton; Ann, Jon and Tyler Larson; and Caleb and Connor White gather for an extended family photo in 2021 at Larcrest Holsteins near Albert Lea, Minnesota. The dairy farm, owned by the Larsons, is home to a 250-cow dairy herd, 400 youngstock and 500 acres of cropland.

ALBERT LEA, Minn. — For as long as he can remember, Jon Larson has been interested in breeding good cows. “I remember being a young kid and ipping through a bull book,” Larson said. “People have different loves in life, and this was one of my early ones. I still love it as much as I ever have.” Dedication to raising quality cattle, as well as service and leadership in a long list of organizations, has led to Larcrest Holsteins being named one of this year’s Distinguished Breeder Award winners by the Minnesota Purebred Dairy Cattle Association. Larcrest Holsteins is owned and operated by Larson and his wife, Ann, of Albert Lea. Larcrest Holsteins is home to 250 cows and 400 youngstock. The family owns 500 acres and

rents an additional 100. Larson’s parents were the rst generation to dairy farm there, but the land has been in Larson’s mother’s family, the Whites, since the 1850s. Larson milks cows in the same tiestall barn that his dad, David, did. “My father had a passion for registered cattle,” Larson said. “He loved breeding cattle, and certainly I learned from him.” Larson has developed cows that are recognized on a global scale that have fetched high prices through embryo merchandizing and have earned top awards for excellence. In 2013, Larcrest Cardigan sold on the Party at the Park sale for $400,000. Other Larcrest cows have fetched high prices as well. In 2019, Holstein International named Larcrest Holsteins as one of the 12 most inuential Holstein breeders of the world within the past 25 years, and in 2020, it named the Larcrest Cos-

Turn to LARSON | Page 2

Dairy Day at the Capitol brings farmers, legislators together Minnesota Milk Producers Association hosts the annual event By Jan Lefebvre jan.l@star-pub.com

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Each year since 1981, Minnesota Milk Producers Association has brought dairy farmers to the Capitol to meet with representatives and senators. This year’s Dairy Day at the Capitol, held March 7 in St. Paul, connected 60 MMPA members with legislators. They shared their stories and concerns about dairy farming and received updates about the

ways government is working on their behalf. Luke Sjostrom is the executive director for MMPA. He said it is important to have farmers meet with legislators to personalize dairy industry issues. “The farmers come to tell their stories like only they can,” Sjostrom said. Jacob Twohey milks 250 cows near Stewartville. This was the second consecutive year that he attended the event. Turn to DAIRY DAY | Page 6

SADIE FRERICKS/DAIRY STAR

Riley Ruble (from leŌ), of American Foods Group LLC, Jacob Twohey, of Twohey Dairy, and Kristen Salzl, of Corstar Farm and Minnesota Dairy IniƟaƟve, meet with Rep. Paul Anderson and Rep. Dean Urdahl March 7 in St. Paul, Minnesota. The group traveled to the Capitol to discuss the dairy industry with legislators during the annual Dairy Day at the Capitol.