A shared love of dairy farming — and a growing appreciation for the Jersey cow — helps a Wisconsin couple win a national award. Corey and Kristen Metcalf of Glacier Edge Dairy in Milton is one of just six recipients earning the 2026 Young Jersey Breeder Award from the American Jersey Cattle Association.
The award recognizes Jersey breeders between the ages 28 and 40 who are demonstrating an expertise in dairy farming and breeding, participate in the American Jersey Cattle Association and National All-Jersey programs, and show leadership in the Jersey, dairy and agricultural industries. The honor reflects years of the Metcalf family’s work to build their own dairy while also giving back to the industry that helped shape them.
From dairy roots to Glacier Edge
Both Corey and Kristen grew up around agriculture, but their paths to farming took some unexpected turns.
Corey developed a love for livestock and agriculture early in life. And even after his family dispersed its Holstein herd, he stayed involved through FFA and 4-H. He later worked for a custom harvesting operation, traveling from Texas to the Canadian border. It pushed him to gain hands-on experience with crops, machinery, and managing employees. It ultimately reinforced his goal of returning to dairy farming.
Kristen also grew up in a dairy family. But her father unexpectedly died when she was 14. she and her sisters decided to stay connected to the industry by raising and showing Holstein heifers. Hr involvement in 4-H, FFA, and the Junior Holstein Associatn eventually led her to UW-Madison and a career in the dairy industry. She worked for the Wisconsin Holstein Association, Hoard’s Dairyman, and GENEX Cooperative.
The two met at Gil-Bar Jersey Farm, where Corey worked full-time and Kristen began milking after her freshman year of college. It was there that their appreciation for Jerseys grew — and so did their plans for a dairy of their own.
Growing a Jersey herd from the ground up
Corey began purchasing young stock and raising the animals that would eventually become the foundation of the couple’s milking herd.
The couple, along with Corey’s parents, Terry and Jane, broke ground on Glacier Edge Dairy in 2017. The new operation started with 350 Registered Jerseys. Since then, the dairy has continued to expand. In 2023, the family added to its free-stall barn, increasing capacity to 750 stalls, and moved to three-times-a-day milking.
Today, Glacier Edge Dairy has close to 800 Registered Jerseys and 30 Holsteins. It’s a small connection to Kristen’s Holstein background. The more than 800 cows recorded a rolling herd average of more than 20,700 pounds of milk, 1,137 pounds of fat, and 808 pounds of protein in the last year.
Genetics drive the operation
Building a strong herd isn’t just about those numbers.
Genetics are a major part of the dairy’s strategy. Every female is genomic tested, with breeding decisions made intentionally to continue improving the herd. That genetic work has reached beyond Glacier Edge Dairy. Corey and Kristen have placed bulls with artificial insemination organizations, marketed embryos internationally and partnered with Semex to syndicate Metcalf Double Dare through The All American Jersey Sale in 2022.
Investing in the next generation
Today the impact extends beyond their own herd.
Kristen judges dairy shows at the county and district levels and works with young people through the Rock County Junior Holstein Association. She also helps coach and advise dairy judging and dairy quiz bowl teams, and serves on the Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin board of directors.
Both Corey and Kristen are active with the Milton FFA Alumni. And their commitment to education shows up at the farm. Glacier Edge Dairy regularly welcomes school groups, community dairy breakfast visitors, youth, and international guests. These visits provide an opportunity to share what happens on a modern dairy farm. It also gives people a closer look at the Jersey breed and Wisconsin agriculture.
Building more than a dairy
The Young Jersey Breeder Award recognizes more than the size or productivity of a herd. For Corey and Kristen Metcalf, their story is about building an operation from the ground up, making deliberate investments in genetics and herd management, and helping ensure the next generation has a place in agriculture.
Glacier Edge Dairy reflects where the couple started. But more importantly, where they believe the dairy industry can go next.
They recently received this award during the association’s 158th Annual Meeting in Springfield, Missouri.
Leave a Reply