COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Missouri Dairy Hall of Honors has announced its latest award winners. Due to COVID-19, honorees will be recognized in 2022, according to Gloria Johnson, executive secretary for the Missouri Dairy Hall of Honors.

Joe Horner, Dairy Leadership Award. Horner, of Columbia, is a University of Missouri Extension state specialist in agricultural economics. He previously served as the executive secretary for the Missouri Dairy Hall of Honors and has been a fixture for more than 30 years as an extension educator in dairy farm management and economics.

Schoen Farms, Distinguished Dairy Cattle Breeder Award. This third-generation dairy in Oak Ridge, Mo., has earned recognition for high production and herd BAA scores. The farm is truly a family affair. Started by Marvin and LaFern Schoen, children John, Cathy and their families continue to expand the facilities to improve the efficiency and profitability of the farm for future generations.

Darrell Pidgeon, Meritorious Service Award. Pidgeon, owner of Pidgeon Cattle Co. in Parker, Colo., was recognized for his long career as a cattle merchandiser, judge and showman. Pidgeon worked for the best herds: J.C. Penney, McDonald Farms, even riding in boxcars with the show cattle to state fairs and national shows and exported cattle internationally to places such as Japan, Mexico, Canada and Eastern Europe. He received his master’s degree in dairy cattle genetics from the University of Missouri.

Eric Seifert, Meritorious Service Award. Seifert, of Boonville, Mo., is a field representative with Dairy Farmers of America. He has served dairy farmers for almost 40 years. His career began in 1981 with Mid-America Dairymen before its merger with Dairy Farmers of America. He was a valuable resource for numerous dairy farmers in the state. He was also active in the Missouri Dairy Fieldman & Sanitarian’s Association, serving as president.

Bob Braswell, who died in 2000, will receive the Pioneer Dairy Leader Award for his contributions to the dairy industry. He owned Braswell Sales Service in Ozark, Mo. He managed cattle sales in Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma and Arkansas. He and his wife, Idonna, worked side by side with auctioneers Gary Estes and Richard Melton. Bob also established the Ozarks Dairyland Sale series, held each spring and fall in Mount Vernon, where dairy producers could consign animals for auction.

For more information, go to www.missouridairyhallofhonors.com.