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WEST SALEM, Wis. - Starting with one cow, Don Langrehr never thought he would become a master breeder.
"I have always told my daughters that we haven't bred enough cattle to even apply for the award. I never thought I would one day be receiving it," Langrehr said.
On June 29, Don Langrehr was honored with the American Guernsey Association Master Breeder Award at the National Guernsey Convention held in La Crosse, Wis. With more then 200 guests present, Langrehr accepted the award on behalf of his family for breeding outstanding cattle in North America.
"He deserves it. He has worked really hard over the last 20 years focusing on quality Guernseys that not only perform in the barn but also in the showring," said Kirstie Langrehr, daughter and partner in Lang-Haven Farm located in West Salem, Wis.
The Master Breeder Award is given each year at the national convention to recognize outstanding breeders throughout the county. Applicants must submit an application along with two letters of recommendation, and than be selected and nominated by the board of directors.
"The funny thing is, I didn't know I was going to receive it. Kirstie nominated me and didn't tell me. It wasn't until the awards ceremony that I realized I was selected," Langrehr said.
After finishing her degree at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, Kirstie returned home to the farm.
"When you see all the hard work that he has put into this farm, I had no doubt he deserved it. They have accomplished more in the last 20 years than some herds do in their whole lifetime," Kirstie said.
Langrehr's journey towards breeding excellence started at Hoard's Dairyman located in Fort Atkinson, Wis.
After Langrehr's wife, Kathy, graduated from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, the couple interviewed together to be the herdscouple at the Hoard's Dairyman farm. Two days after they interviewed for the position, they were hired.
Langrehr grew up on a Holstein farm and had no history with the Guernsey breed except through Kathy.
Kathy grew up on a Guernsey farm with her parents, Richard and Barb Schomburg, just outside of West Salem, Wis. It was at Hoard's where Kathy introduced Langrehr to the Guernsey world.
After spending a few years at Hoard's Dairyman, they decided to move back to their home territory and start farming on their own. Before they left, the couple had the opportunity to buy an animal from the farm. They chose Dairyman Frank Norma. Little did they know, Norma was the key to their future success.
In 1991, the Langrehrs moved back to West Salem, Wis., where they rented a small farm across town. They started with 40 Holstein cows and Norma. Their Guernsey herd continued to expand, and in 1996, they decided to enter a partnership with that and move all the milking cows together onto Kathy's parents farm. Together the owners built a double-4 step up parlor with a 60-stall freestall barn.
After forming the partnership with Kathy's parents, Langrehr purchased and moved across town and began milking on the farm now known as Lang-Haven. In 2005, the Langrehrs bought sole ownership of the 90-cow Guernsey farm that they reside on today with their three children.
"To see people from across the nation and to be able to share a passion so strong is one of my favorite parts," Langrehr said.
Langrehr not only was recognized for this outstanding work with in the Guernsey breed, but has opened up his door to more then 200 Guernsey breeders from across the nation to showcase the journey his family has taken.
"You put so many hours into the preparation and you lose track of that after the guests arrive," Langrehr said.
With the involvement of his daughters and his love for Guernsey cows, Langrehr continues to stay active in the breed volunteering with his community as well as mentoring youth.
"We get to see fellow breeders from across the country that we normally don't get a chance to see. It gives us a chance to show our herd to others breeders and talk about the future and where we want to see the breed grow," Kirstie said.[[In-content Ad]]

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