The 2023 Dairy Shrine Distinguished Dairy Cattle Breeder is the Jerry and Phyllis Luttropp family of Lost-Elm Farm, Berlin, WI. The Luttropp family are progressive dairy breeders who excel in managing their dairy herd based on sound genetic principles.
Jerry and Phyllis initiated Lost-Elm Farm upon Jerry’s return home from Vietnam in 1972. Jerry purchased some Ayrshire calves from his father, and the pair purchased some Holstein cows from Phyllis’s father. They built their herd up to 70 registered All-American milking Holsteins. Over the last four decades, Lost-Elm Farm has been home to four breeds. The first Brown Swiss entered the herd as a 4-H project, sparking the transition to all Brown Swiss.
Jerry and Phyllis’s children are Jeff, Jason, Jodi and the late William. The family’s dedication to the dairy industry is evident in the educational paths they chose. Jeff and Jason attended UW-Madison Farm and Industry Short Course. Jodi studied Dairy Science and Life Sciences Communication at UW-Madison.
The family can claim a myriad of accolades across the global dairy industry as well as within their local community. Jerry is a lifetime 4-H leader and coached the Berlin FFA judging team to a win in the national judging contest. Some of the committees he served include the Wisconsin Holstein Association Sale Committee and the Wisconsin Brown Swiss Association board of directors.
Over the years, he also achieved countless recognitions both for the farm and individually. Phyllis volunteers at the Berlin hospital, and the couple has also served the town of Aurora. Jeff won his state FFA degree in dairy proficiency. Both Jeff and Jodi found success in the showring in showmanship and with the family’s award-winning show herd.
Lost-Elm Farm received Premier Breeder eight times and earned several Champion and All-American honors. They’ve owned over 106 Excellent Jerseys, 54 Excellent Brown Swiss and 28 Excellent Holsteins.
Notable cows they developed in the early ‘80’s include LOST-ELM ROCKETS BINGO and LOST-ELM BOOTMAKER JOY. More recently, LOST-ELM COLTON SATURN EX 95 has earned recognition at the Wisconsin Summer Championship Show and World Dairy Expo.
The Luttropps’ early leap into ET technology allowed them to make 48 bulls in three breeds for sampling in AI. This allowed them to complete numerous embryo export orders. ET calves helped grow the genetic progress of the herd and expand domestic marketing opportunities. The program has shifted from a focus on dairy strength with the index system to showring type and longevity. One constant throughout the years and various breeds has been a focus on cow families. Most of the Jersey cows in the barn are backed by 10 or more generations of Excellents. In 2021, 38 Lost-Elm Jerseys classified Excellent – and 32 of them were homebred. The current average classification score on their herd of Jerseys is over 90 points.
Kristin Paul, Director of Field Services for the American Jersey Cattle Association says, “While the cows are great, the best part of Lost-Elm is the people. I have always appreciated the honesty and integrity of their family. Jerry and Jason are thorough, accurate and fair in everything they do. They are diligent and work hard to achieve and surpass their goals but are very humble in the process.”
The Luttropps will receive the Distinguished Dairy Cattle Breeder award at Dairy Shrine’s Awards Banquet on Monday, October 2nd in Madison, Wisconsin. Their portrait is displayed in National Dairy Shrine’s Dairy Hall of Fame and Museum in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin.
For more information about Dairy Shrine, the banquet or this year’s award winners visit their website at www.dairyshrine.org.
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