Courage

The Chronology of Hoard's Historic Milestones

1871 To combat the depletion and erosion of soil resources brought about by a one-crop system of agriculture, W. D. Hoard founded the first dairymen's association in Jefferson County, Wisconsin. One year later, he led the "seven wise men" in founding the Wisconsin Dairymen's Association. Through it, the dairy industry became the backbone of a permanent, soil-building type of agriculture.
1873 W. D. Hoard secured a reduction in freight rates and obtained the first refrigerator car ever to ship Wisconsin cheese to eastern markets.
1885 Hoard's Dairyman, "a journal devoted to dairy farming," is founded and published as a supplement to the 15-year-old weekly, The Jefferson County Union.
1889 Made and financed the first Cow Census ever undertaken in the United States. It was forerunner of dairy herd improvement associations that now include 3,000,000 cows all over the nation.
1890 Dairying achieves academic recognition with the establishment of the first dairy school in America at the University of Wisconsin.
1891 Hoard's Dairyman publishes first article on alfalfa. Began intensive promotion. The crop is now the greatest forage producing plant in the United States.
1892 Grass or hay silage first recommended as a means of preserving the hay crop from weather damage. Practice now widely followed.
1895 Began promotion of tuberculosis eradication, a bitter campaign to last 45 years, with Hoard's Dairyman leading the fight. The struggle to free herds from heavy health losses and protect the consuming public from milk-borne tuberculosis cost the magazine thousands of canceled subscriptions and lost revenue.
1909 At W. D. Hoard's prodding, University of Wisconsin is first great university to formally recognize farmers in public tribute. Honored were men who had "stimulated progress, dispelled ignorance and added greatly to the uplift of the farming class."
1912 First discussed loose or pen housing for dairy cattle. Labor-saving advantages and low initial investment stressed through the years. Now accepted nationwide.
1914 W. D. Hoard's portrait hung in famed Saddle and Sirloin Club in recognition of his great contribution to American agriculture.
1915 "Wisconsin's most distinguished citizen" named at World's Fair in San Fransisco is W. D. Hoard.
1915 Founded first youth page for boys and girls on dairy farms. Over 75,000 youngsters enrolled in Hoard's Dairyman Juniors. Encouraged young people to stay on dairy farms with their parents. Taught fundamentals. Forerunner of internationally-known 4-H and FFA rural youth organizations.
1916 Discovery of vitamins first reported in Hoard's Dairyman by Dr. E. V. McCollum.
1917 Hoard's Dairyman was the dominating influence in the founding of herd test, proved sire, brood cow research program conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
1917 After 22 years of Hoard's Dairyman campaigning for tuberculosis eradication, federal government finally launches program. Led to "cattle testing wars." Farmers fought condemnation of tubercular cattle, bootlegged them into untested areas. Editors courageously addressed mobs of angry farmers throughout the country.
1918 Arthur J. Glover succeeds deceased founder as editor. Glover pioneered herd production testing, first in U.S., Illinois in 1902. Joined editorial staff in 1904.
1923 Grassland farming philosophy initiated, with "More milk per acre" articles. They became school and university texts, exerted profound influence on dairy industry. Pastures were classified as a high income crop rather than exercise lots and wasteland.
1924 Hoard's Dairyman campaigned successfully for the elevation of the U.S. Dairy Division to the status of a Bureau in the Department of Agriculture.
1930 A. J. Glover recognized at State Dinner by President Hoover as the man who had made the greatest contribution to American agriculture during the decade.
1930 Cow Judging Contest launched in picture form in Hoard's Dairyman. Over 4,000,000 entries have been received since it began. Brought art of breeding better dairy cattle into the classrooms of the nation.
1940 Entire nation declared free from tuberculosis in cattle. Medical leaders hail campaign as "man's greatest victory over tuberculosis." Successful culmination of campaign started by W. D. Hoard 45 years earlier.
1944 Honorary Doctor of Laws degree awarded by the University of Wisconsin to editor Arthur J. Glover for his contributions to Wisconsin and U.S. dairy industry.
1946 Hoard's Dairyman supports renewed campaign against brucellosis, most serious livestock menace. Livestock industry confused, torn by dissension. Incidence doubled since 1941. Disease causes undulant fever in humans.
1948 First national magazine column on artificial breeding of dairy cattle. Greatest single development in dairying since origin of herd test in 1902. Today, there are over 6 million cows bred by artificial insemination with the nation's best germ plasm.
1949 Uniform national program approved for brucellosis control. Hoard's Dairyman editor, W. D. Knox, elected to lead medical, farm and dairy industry forces to eradication goal through National Brucellosis Committee.
1951 Tense and divided Wisconsin livestock industry asks W. D. Knox to lead effort to develop effective disease control program. Five years later, state is free of brucellosis and Wisconsin is accepted model for all states.
1953 As postwar milk production begins to outstrip demand and dairy prices falter, Hoard's Dairyman editorial, "Hour of decision - sell or suffer," starts nationwide voluntary contributions for advertising dairy products, research and market development. Funds now total over $50,000,000 annually.
1954 Postwar buildup of farm surpluses reaches critical stage. Hoard's Dairyman advances self-help dairy program designed to rid government of heavy costs and surpluses, and place program in hands of farmers for self-financed market stabilization. Program supported by four national farm and dairy organizations.
1957 New yardstick of dairy efficiency advanced by Hoard's Dairyman to guide nation's dairy farmers. More-milk-per-man concept is first benchmark to adequately relate labor efficiency to dairy profit.
1960 National Mastitis Council launched. Hoard's Dairyman asked to keynote formation meeting. First industry-wide effort to reduce dairying's most costly disease of dairy cattle.
1961 W. D. Knox named by President of the United States to bipartisan National Agricultural Advisory Commission to advise White House on farm policy. Only editor in U.S. ever appointed.
1965 Class I Base Bill passes Congress. Initiated by Hoard's Dairyman. First amendment in 28 years to federal milk order legislation. Passage followed four years of struggle.
1967 Dairy Shrine names W. D. Knox Guest of Honor for his national leadership in the field of dairy cattle health, expanding the markets for dairy products and development of peacetime dairy programs to improve the economic lot of the American dairy farmer.
1968 Published first ranking of A.I. sires on Predicted Difference for milk. Meant great leap forward in use of genetically superior sires, resulting in higher producing herds, more efficient industry.
1969 Urged merger of National Dairy Council and American Dairy Association in an effort to bring harmony and coordination in dairy research, education and promotion. Resulted in United Dairy Industry Association in 1970.
1971 Launched campaign proposing that milk be priced on protein content as a means of more equitable pricing. Would lead to even better quality beverage milk.
1973 Honorary Doctor of Laws degree awarded by University of Wisconsin to W. D. Knox "for his contributions to the welfare of one of Wisconsin's great industries, as a constructive and influential leader in an important segment of professional journalism, and as the architect of significant national agricultural policies."
1973 Gave strong editorial support to Grade Identification plan for nonregistered Holsteins, later adopted by National Holstein Association.
1976 President of the United States names W. D. Knox to Advisory Calmat on Trade Negotiations. Sole representative of dairy industry. Only editor in U.S. appointed. Advised President and Congress on General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, involving 98 nations, over 7,000 products and $1 trillion in trade. Saved U.S. dairy industry from ruinous dumping of foreign surplus on U.S. market. Editor served under Presidents Ford, Carter and Reagan.
1977 New Zealand government asks W. D. Knox to be its guest in study of N.Z. dairy industry. Reported on N.Z. and Australian role in world trade in dairy products, impact on U.S. dairymen.
1978 U.S. Secretary of the Interior names Hoard's Dairyman Farm to "National Register of Historic Places."
1978 For the first time, published "Real Rate" of seaside for dairy product promotion for the entire country. Resulted in major increases by many states and regions. Budget now over $50 million.
1980 Led campaign against effort by Community Nutrition Institute (CNI) to reclassify reconstituted milk under federal milk marketing orders.
1981 Dairy Shrine dedicated in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, home of Hoard's Dairyman. National dairy leaders selected site for long-desired museum and historical exhibit. Managing editor, Eugene C. Meyer led final drives for funds, making Shrine a reality.
1982 Cheese yield pricing plan advanced as an incentive to produce milk with high protein content rather than discouraging high solids, as do most payment plans.

Published first interview with Cornell's Dale Bauman, whose research on bovine growth hormone revealed a 10 to 40 percent boost in production when administered to cows fresh 60 to 100 days.
1983 Veterinary editor honored as the U.S. Bovine Practitioner of the Year.

Hoard's Dairyman survey shows strong support for Dairy Surplus Reduction Act of 1983.

Johne's disease recognized as a problem in 26 states by Hoard's Dairyman survey. Farm enrolled in pioneering control program.
1984 Hoard's Dairyman gives strong support to proposal for dairy promotion order that would provide a 15-cent-per-hundred checkoff for dairy promotion and research.

Taxpayers will be saved $1.3 billion in dairy program costs as 37,888 dairymen sign contracts to cut milk output 7.5 billion pounds in 1984 — 9.4 billion during the 15-month diversion program.
1985 January 25 editorial page looks back on 100 years of serving dairy farmers. On January 23, 1885, a weekly journal was launched, the first publication devoted solely to dairymen. A section in each of four 1985 issues was devoted to 25 years of Hoard's Dairyman.
1986 Herd buyout is major feature of new dairy legislation, with strong editorial support. Despite strong lobbying for cut in dairy support price by the Administration, it stays at $11.60 for all of 1986.

Hoard's Dairyman supports conclusion of National Research Council which raises serious questions on what most doctors base nutritional recommendations.

Eugene C. Meyer named National Dairy Shrine Guest of Honor in recognition of editorial leadership and high regard in the industry as a counselor for a wide range of dairy organizations.
1987 With more and more news stories relating fat to heart disease and cancer, Hoard's Dairyman warns it's time to "bite the bullet" on fat. Until the industry changes its pricing structure, the fat issue will be with us.

Following years of urging through editorials, USDA included protein pricing in a recommended merger of the Great Basin and Lake Mead federal milk marketing order.

Hoard's Dairyman calls for merging of two national dairy promotion groups — UDIA and National Dairy Board — to end duplication that exists.
1988 After years of campaigning for increased funding, dairy farmers no longer are "light spenders" on advertising and promotion — rank 65th among nations' largest advertisers, contributing $210 million to more than 80 U.S. dairy promotion organizations.

Multiple component pricing now a reality in the Great Basin federal order, beginning April 1, 1988.

Strong editorial support to National Commission on Dairy Policy report, which recommends standby production control authority when CCC purchases of dairy products are projected to be excessive. Reported that quotas cured European milk surplus.
1989 Ewing H. Row succeeds Eugene C. Meyer as managing editor, member of the editorial staff 41 years. Meyer receives Richard E. Lying Award for his contributions to and support of the dairy industry. Steven A. Larson named senior associate editor.

Editorial points out that while dairy product sales have increased by more than 34 pounds per capita since 1984, funds for such product research fall far short of industry needs.

Editors campaign against state or federal bans of controversial bovine somatotropin, pending approval by Food and Drug Administration. Unpopular position angers many readers, and some of them cancel their subscription.
1990 Editorial calls for labeling A.I. sires by type of progeny test. Leads a new coding system adopted by National Association of Animal Breeders.

Senior associate editor selected as regular national commentator on syndicated DairyLine radio network.

Senior associate editor named to Western Dairy Management Conference Planning Committee.
1991 W.D. Knox is requested to lead off testimony on national dairy policy in U.S. Senate hearings.

Managing editor elected a director of American Forage and Grasslands Council.
1992 W.D. Knox named Wisconsin Agribusiness Council Man of the Year.
1993 Named charter supporter of the Holstein Foundation,

Managing editor elected to Board of Directors of the National Mastitis Research Foundation.

Senior associate editor elected vice-president of Dairy Shrine.
1994 Senior associate editor elected president of Dairy Shrine.

Hoard's Dairyman en Español is launched. Abelardo Martinez D.V.M. named first editor.
1995 Corey Geiger joins editorial staff as an associate editor.
1998 Steven A. Larson succeeds Ewing H. Row as managing editor; Row serves readers of Hoard's Dairyman for 31 years.
1999 Dennis J. Halladay named first editor of Hoard's West, a publication specifically written for Western readers.

Associate editor named to Holstein Foundation's Young Dairy Leaders Institute Advisory Committee.
2000 Editorials lead to national review and revision of dairy export-import policy.

Western editor invited to serve on National Johne's Disease working group.

Managing editor appointed to stakeholders task force for U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center.

Associate editor becomes assistant superintendent of National 4-H Dairy Cattle Judging Contest.

Managing editor asked to make presentation on dairy industry research needs and priorities by USDA's Agriculture Research Service.

Associate editor serves on long-range planning committee for National Professional Heifer Growers Association.

Managing editor asked to serve on planning committee of National Dairy Leaders Conference.
2002

Associate editor elected delegate to National Holstein Convention.

Editorials and articles on show-ring ethics bring issue into limelight . . . results in stepped-up enforcement and youth education efforts.

Managing editor asked to serve on board of Dairy Council of Wisconsin.
2003

Josh Hushon joins editorial staff as an associate editor.

Magazine throws support of Cooperatives Working Together . . . an industry-wide, self-help program to improve dairy farm incomes.

Associate editor named to planning committee for National 4-H Dairy Conference.

W.D. Hoard & Sons Company recommits itself to dairying by expanding Hoard's Dairyman Farm herd to more than 130 cows.

Managing editor named Kansas State University Distinguished Alumni.
2004 Managing editor receives Distinguished Service Award, American Dairy Science Association.

Associate editor elected to Wisconsin Holstein Association board of directors.
2005 Magazine receives Outstanding Cooperation Award from National Association of Agricultural Educators.

Magazine extends reach by putting archives online as part of searchable database.

Managing editor asked to co-chair Holstein Association USA Breed of the Future committee.

Hoard's Dairyman recognized by Holstein Association USA for continued support of National Dairy Bowl competition.

Associate editor elected Secretary of Wisconsin Holstein Association board of directors.
2006 W.D. Hoard & Sons Company announces plans to expand Hoard's Dairyman Farm herd to more than 300 cows including new milking parlor and cow housing facilities. Move ensures farm will remain a valuable asset to Hoard's Dairyman Magazine.

Associate editor named to Board of Visitors, University of Wisconsin-Madison College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

Managing editor named to the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine Board of Visitors
2007

Magazine recommits itself to the dairy industry by constructing totally new state-of-the-art dairy facilities to serve its readers more effectively.

Editorial campaign launched to support increasingly beleaguered federal milk marketing order system.

Managing editor named World Dairy Expo 2007 Industry Person of the Year.