Siemers Holsteins’ century-old legacy & cutting-edge genetics earn 2025 National Dairy Shrine’s top breeder honor.

The National Dairy Shrine’s 2025 Distinguished Dairy Cattle Breeder Award celebrates Siemers Holsteins of Newton, Wisconsin, as a paradigm of genetic innovation, operational excellence, and multi-generational leadership in the dairy industry. Siemers Holsteins has redefined modern dairy cattle breeding with a sixth-generation family operation that balances cutting-edge technology, sustainable practices, and a practical breeding philosophy rooted in practicality. Their 8,000-cow herd, boasting a rolling average of 33,924M 4.39%F 3.13%P, and a genetic portfolio featuring 369 AI sires, exemplifies the synergy of production prowess and type refinement. This report unpacks their journey, the award’s significance, and their indelible impact on global dairy genetics.

The National Dairy Shrine: Guardians of Dairy Legacy

Historical Foundations and Mission

Established in 1949, the National Dairy Shrine emerged post-World War II to honor dairy pioneers and inspire future leaders. Initially focused on purebred breeders, it expanded to include educators, scientists, and industry advocates, cementing its role as a custodian of dairy heritage. The Shrine’s Museum in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, houses artifacts and portraits of honorees, including Guest of Honor awardees like Dr. Gordon Doak, whose genetics and international trade work shaped modern AI practices.

The Distinguished Dairy Cattle Breeder Award recognizes breeders who merge genetic excellence with sustainable business models

Siemers Holsteins: A Century of Strategic Breeding

Multi-Generational Roots and Expansion

Founded in 1890, Siemers Holsteins has evolved from a small Wisconsin farm to a global genetic powerhouse. The current operation, managed by Dan, Janina, Paul, and their sons, spans 5,400 acres and employs 50 workers. Key milestones include:

• 1971: Construction of a 200-cow free-stall barn, enabling scalability.
• 1994: Relocation to a modern facility with advanced milking systems.
• 2020s: Installation of a 110-cow rotary parlor and genomic testing integration.

Their “land and cow” philosophy underscores a commitment to environmental stewardship, earning them the 2016 U.S. Dairy Sustainability Award for nutrient management innovations that boosted yields by 30%.

Breeding Philosophy: “Genetics for Cow People”

Siemers’ approach prioritizes balanced production, health, and conformation to create cattle that thrive in commercial settings. Unlike programs chasing single-trait extremes, they focus on:

• Type: 1,300 Excellent cows, including four EX-95 homebreds.
• Longevity: 75 EX-94+ cows and 460 Gold Medal Dams.
• Marketability: 369 Siemers-bred bulls in AI, averaging 2,902 TPI in heifers.

This strategy mirrors Ernie Kueffner’s (2022 honoree) emphasis on functional udders and feet, ensuring cows remain productive across lactations.

Innovations Driving Genetic Excellence

Reproductive Technologies and Genomic Testing

Siemers Holsteins adopted early embryo transfer (ET) and in-vitro fertilization (IVF), accelerating genetic gains. Genomic testing identifies elite heifers, with 95% of the herd homebred-a rarity at their scale. Their success is evident in Holstein International’s Global Cow of the Year titles for Siemers Lmda Paris (2023) and Siemers Lstr Hanan (2024), whose offspring populate herds worldwide.

Data-Driven Management

Precision agriculture governs their operations:

• Soil Health: Grid-based soil testing optimizes forage yields.
• Herd Analytics: Somatic cell counts under 100,000 reflect sand-bedding investments.
• Genetic Stacking: Sire selections emphasize maternal lines with proven production.

Industry Impact and Global Influence

Redefining Commercial Viability

Siemers’ “blue-collar” cows are sought after for profitability. Annual sales of 600 surplus cows to commercial dairies validate their balanced approach. Kevin Jorgensen, Select Sires analyst, notes, “Few herds have influenced global genetics like Siemers-1,300 EX cows and three Global Cow of the Year winners speak volumes”.

Educational and Community Leadership

The family actively mentor’s youth, hosts judging contests, and serves on boards; the Shrine’s mission is to nurture future leaders. Their scholarships and internships, like those awarded to Hayley Daubert and Regan Kramer, ensure knowledge transfer to the next generation.

The Bottom Line

On September 29, 2025, the Siemers family will join past honorees like the Luttropps (2023) and Zwaltds (2021) in the Dairy Hall of Fame. Their portrait will symbolize the fusion of tradition and innovation- a testament to dairy’s evolving future.

Siemers Holsteins’ 2025 recognition by the National Dairy Shrine underscores a truth: sustainable dairy excellence requires equal parts science, stewardship, and soul. Their ability to scale without sacrificing genetic quality or environmental ethics offers a model for breeders worldwide. As genomic tools advance and consumer demands shift, Siemers’ “cow-first” philosophy will remain a north star-proving that the most impactful legacies are built one balanced heifer at a time.

Key Takeaways:

• Award-Winning Balance: Recognized for merging genetic excellence (369 AI sires, 75 EX-94+ cows) with sustainable business practices.
• Tech Pioneer: Leveraged IVF, genomic testing, and precision agriculture to achieve 30% higher corn silage yields and elite herd health.
• Global Genetic Impact: Home to back-to-back Global Cow of the Year winners (2023, 2024) and 460 Gold Medal Dams.
• Multi-Generational Legacy: Sixth-generation operation blending century-old wisdom with modern innovation (5,400 acres, 50 employees).

Executive Summary

Siemers Holsteins of Wisconsin has been named the 2025 National Dairy Shrine Distinguished Dairy Cattle Breeder for its unmatched blend of genetic innovation, sustainability, and multi-generational excellence. With a 33,924M rolling herd average, 369 AI sires, and 1,300+ Excellent cows, the farm’s “Genetics for Cow People” philosophy balances production, health, and marketability. Early adoption of IVF, genomic testing, and a 110-cow rotary parlor underscores their tech-driven approach, while a 2016 U.S. Dairy Sustainability Award highlights eco-practices. Their global influence-three Holstein International Global Cow of the Year winners-solidifies their role as a blueprint for modern dairy breeding.

Learn more:

• Siemers Holsteins Named 2024 Elite Breeder for Outstanding Dairy Genetics and Innovation
  Explores Siemers’ prior recognition by Holstein USA, detailing their 34,000M herd average, genomic testing protocols, and rotary parlor upgrades that laid groundwork for their 2025 Shrine honor.
• Genomics Meets Artificial Intelligence: Transforming Dairy Cattle Breeding Strategies
  Contextualizes Siemers’ success by analyzing how AI-driven genomic tools accelerate genetic gains-key to their 369 AI sires and 1,300+ Excellent cows.
• The Newest EX-95 Cow in the Breed: Siemers Pure Ki-Anna
  Highlights Siemers’ individual genetic triumphs, showcasing the cow-level excellence behind their “Genetics for Cow People” philosophy.

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