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2006 Recognition Award Winners
Dairy Industry Honors LeadersDR. JOÃO F. CASAGRANDE
2006 World Dairy Expo International Person of the Year
While a farm veterinarian is crucial to the health of a herd, this Brazilian veterinarian has been instrumental to the health of the dairy industry in his home country. With 42 years of experience, he is considered an important collaborator, both for the genetic improvement of the Brazilian bovine herds and for the implementation of the National Artificial Insemination Program in Brazil.
The owner and General Manager of SEMBRA, located in Barretos, São Paulo, Dr. Casagrande has authored many papers on reproductive physiology and trained hundreds of A.I. technicians. Through his pioneering work, Brazil has developed into one of America’s strongest trading partners for semen and embryos in the world. Admired for both his scientific knowledge and business success, Dr. Casagrande has presented more than 20 seminars on reproduction and the successful application of artificial insemination in tropical climates not only in Brazil, but also in Costa Rica, Poland and the United States.
A highly respected man, he is honored and esteemed by fellow dairy cattle breeders and business leaders in his own country and beyond. He and his wife Maria have six grown children.
GARY E. HANMAN
2006 World Dairy Expo Industry Person of the Year
Most people know what it is like to have one boss, but what about 45,000 of them? That is a task that the 2006 World Dairy Expo Industry Person of the Year has not only faced, but excelled at.
Gary Hanman of Kansas City, Missouri is a national voice for 45,000 U.S. dairy producers. Having served as President and CEO of Dairy Farmers of America (DFA), a cooperative of farmers and the cooperatives they own, he has had responsibility over 55 billion pounds of milk annually, or about a third of all milk produced in the country.
DFA consists of seven fluid milk-marketing areas, 27 manufacturing plants, bottling and value added cheese and product manufacturing partnerships. Its dairy product line includes the famous and profitable Borden cheese brand. But DFA had an unsure future as Hanman and others worked to unify four dairy cooperatives into what is now the nation's largest dairy farmer-owned cooperative and food company.
His leadership style, innovative approach and wisdom are the skills colleagues credit for his gaining the cooperation of a large board and diverse agricultural membership. Hanman and his wife Shirley have four children and have been married for over 50 years.
JANET SHANK STILES
2006 World Dairy Expo Dairy Woman of the Year
Struggles and trials often show a person's true mettle. And such is the quality of the 2006 World Dairy Expo Dairy Woman of the Year, Janet Shank Stiles. A successful Jersey breeder with a happy family, Janet and husband Tracy enjoyed success in both the barn and the boardroom.
When Tracy died from cancer in 2000, Janet could have given up. But she was a leader, with skills honed through involvement with farm organizations, with her cattle and her family. She devoted herself to continuing the 126 acre and 125 head dairy operation. And her dedication paid off. Shenandoah Jerseys has continued to breed high producing cows and traditionally ranks among the highest producing herds in the country.
Her example of compassionate leadership is respected by her colleagues on the Maryland and Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative Association where she serves on a number of committees. And a recently completed farm facility expansion will assure that Janet and children Bobby and Jessica, both pursuing college degrees in Dairy Science, will continue the Shenandoah legacy, earning production honors and industry accolades along the way.
LOUIS E. “RED” LARSON
2006 World Dairy Expo Dairyman of the Year
A self-made man is often respected, but when the success is focused on others, that respect rises to admiration. This is the legacy of Louis E. Larson of Okeechobee, Florida. He began Larson Dairies by selling a house he personally built for his bride Reda to buy his first animals. Over the years, his dairy operation has grown, through hard work and wise planning, to 12,500 cows on 10,000 acres.
Known for his fortitude and wisdom in the face of challenges, “Red” Larson provided leadership on many “hot button” issues facing farmers: product price, oversupply, political ineffectiveness and environmental concerns. He was an active member of the National Milk Producers Federation serving as President in 1978 and 1979 and as a national Dairy Committee advisor to the President of the United States.
“Red” is also known for his flexible management style and a keen ability to alter his strategy to move toward greater return for the farmer. Together with others, he developed the Independent Dairy Farmers Cooperative to insure fair pricing for milk. His work and passion has assured his four children and their families are the next generation of dairy farmers.
2006 Recognition Banquet
The 2006 Recognition Banquet will be held, Wednesday, October 4th with social hour beginning at 5:00 p.m. and dinner being served at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $25.00 per person and available at the World Dairy Expo Office at 608-224-6455, or at the Purple Cow Gift Shop the week of the show.
Past Winners