| Don Bennink |
A junior high school job was a golden opportunity for 2010 World Dairy Expo Dairyman of the Year Don Bennink, of North Florida Holsteins in Bell, Fla.
Though there was no farm in the family while Bennink was growing up in western New York, he worked for others and began building a herd of his own. After graduating from Cornell, he rented a farm with a 35-tiestall barn in his home county. During the next 17 years, supported by a Farmers Home Administration loan and the cattle he owned, he accumulated the capital base to move the herd to Florida in 1980.
Today, Bennink and his partners have a herd of 4,000 milking-age registered Holsteins, the largest dairy in the state and one of the largest registered Holstein herds in the country. A leader in dairy cattle comfort, he uses tunnel ventilation to enhance production and herd health.
Bennink is one of four leaders who will be honored this month at World Dairy Expo, the world’s largest dairy industry event. This highest industry award celebrates the innovation and leadership that are reflected in their success.
The herd has a rolling average of 24,330 lb. of milk with almost 800 lb. of fat and 650 lb. of protein. The farm has developed more than 750 cows classified as Excellent, consistently ranks on cooperative quality honor rolls and receives premier breeder and exhibitor recognition.
Sought for his genetics advice in many countries, Bennink was an early adaptor of monitoring technology and environmental protection practices, including research trials of drugs and feed additives with the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine.
Bennink has supported the cattle industry and his local community by serving on cooperative, college and governmental boards. As a host to foreign and domestic visitors, he continually promotes superior U.S. genetics.
The 2010 Dairyman of the Year award is sponsored by Dairy Herd Management, Animart, Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health and Southeast Milk, Inc.
