Trempealeau Co AI Co op Birth Sparks Modern Breeding Era
The Oct 15 1941 calf on Julius Nebstuen’s Arcadia farm marked the first AI birth in Trempealeau County and the founding of the Trempealeau County Breeders Co op. By 1947 the two county co ops merged into Tri-State Breeders Co op, now serving over 19,000 members across four states and supplying AI semen globally. Roy Berge and Henrik Hernes recall early days as core organizers, with 100 farmer members and 1,686 cows inseminated in year one.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Julius Nebstuen
Arcadia
Prince Ormsby
Tri-State Breeders Co-op
Wisconsin
Iowa
Minnesota
Illinois
Trempealeau County
Trempealeau County Breeders Co-op
Roy Berge
Strum
Henrik Herness
ASCS
Whitehall
United States
Berge
Trempealeau County Fair
Co-Op
Tri-State
Willow Creek Farm
Tomah
Guyrand Farms
Sparta
Bob Capaul and Sons
Alma Center
David and
Norma Sieg
Osseo
Kimberly Lenz
Guyrand Farm
Galvin Tenpass
Burnett
Westby
Wisconsin Brown
Trempealeau Breeders Co op roots in early AI era
The Trempealeau Breeders Co op formed in 1941 with modest membership and 100 farmers in Trempealeau County amid 3,000 farms. The co op faced obstacles like poor semen repeats and heat detection training, while only Holstein and Guernsey studs were kept. Officers included Albert Grover, Bernard Wood, Ray Lamerson, Peter Speerstra, and Emil Skroch.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Albert Grover
Bernard Wood
Galesville
Ray Lamerson
Peter Speerstra
Whitehall
Emil Skroch
Independence
Mr. Skroch
First Calf Co op’s Rise From Trempealeau to Tri State
The Trempealeau and Vernon County breeders co-ops formed Tri-State Breeders Cooperative in 1947, growing from a dozen volunteers to 30,000 cows served by 16 technicians. Gene Florence and Henrik Herness helped organize early efforts, with notable milestones including 1980’s Presidential E Award for exporting frozen semen to Europe and beyond.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Trempealeau
Vernon County
Tri-State Breeders Cooperative
Henrik Herness
Whitehall
Trempealeau Co-Op
Co-Op
Herness
Keith Wolfe
Durand
Tri-State Breeders Co-op
Europe
Asia
Africa
Latin America
West central Wisconsin at World Dairy Expo 1981
Area farmers and students shone at World Dairy Expo as dairy cattle sales drew $894,400 in the World Premier Sale. West central dairymen sold and consigned animals across Brown Swiss, Holstein, and Milking Shorthorn classes, with top prices ranging up to $14,000. FFA teams from the region excelled in judging, while Wisconsin teams showed strong showing in national contests. Expo entries set records for head count and variety, with next event slated for Sept. 29 to Oct. 3.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
FFA
Wisconsin
Cochrane-Fountain City
Catlett High School
Fond du Lac
Also Mentioned on This Page
Trempealeau County Breeders Cooperative
Vernon County Breeders Cooperative
Roy V. Berge
West
Trempealeau County Health Care Center
W.F.) Hill- Strom
Trempealeau Breeders Co-op
Buffalo
Jackson Counties
Mr. Berge
Hwy. 53
W.F. Hillstrom
Michigan
South St. Paul
Canada
Gene Florence
Florence
Viroqua
Gene
West Central
Leonard Johnson
Dresser
Brooke
Dale Hall
Rock City
Ill
Leroy Heitman
Friendship
Quietcove Holsteins
Wapakoneta
Ohio
Steven Holte
Anderholt Holsteins
Bob Lentz
Dallas
Croixland Farms
Hudson
Henry
Sonny) Bartel
Ellsworth
Nelson Rehder
Markesan
Au Ann East
Avon
N.Y
John Hubert
Amery
David Anderson
Pulaski
Bob Mayer
Deer Park
Dick Easterson
Mr. Mayer
Mr. Easterson
Fort Wayne
Ind
Deb Lang
Marshfield
Dennis Christensen
Clear Lake
Cazenovia
Chris Jumbeck
Mary Wolff
Colby Ffa
Tom Strangstaken
Wade Peterson
Fairchild
Eau Claire
Gary Rogers
Tennessee
Uw-Madison
John Towns
Uw-Platteville
University of Minnesota
Kentucky
Ayrshire
Carmen Nebbis
Carmen Nehls
Con- Lin Farms
Con-Lin Farms
Valu Ayr Farm
Withee
K and M Dairy
Melrose
Guyland Farms
Guernsey
Lori Gotlibson
Elk Mound
Happy Hollow
Wilson
Dale Jacobs
Laclaudke
Neil Gavin
Menomonie
Roy Jacobs
North Side Farm
Wisconsin Guernsey Herd
Jersey - Owen Farms Inc
Frederic
Smith Farms
Augusta
Owens Farms Inc
Owen Farms Inc
Wisconsin Jersey
Deronda Holstein
Tom
Sandy Morris
Peggy Rydeen
Osceola
Jodee Kuske
Rachel Kuske
Sara Kuske
Indiana
Aaron Kuske
Mr. Kuske
Maryland
Baraboo
Port Perry
Ontario
Pennsylvania
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!