FORT ATKINSON, WI (May 16, 2024) — The National Dairy Shrine has named the 2024 recipients of its Pioneer award: Stanley (Stan) Bird, Alice Catherine Evans, Dr. David Faber and Peter Vail, Sr. Each year this award recognizes industry leaders who have made significant contributions to dairy throughout their lives.

Honoring dairy leaders is a key part of the National Dairy Shrine mission, and in its history nearly 400 dairy industry leaders have been recognized as National Dairy Shrine Pioneers. They represent all facets of the industry, and each has made signficiant contributions that make the dairy industry what it is today. The National Dairy Shrine is celebrating it’s 75^th anniversary in 2024.

Stan Bird was a publisher, marketer and mentor who was instrumental in pioneering programs and initiatives that continue to influence the dairy community. Although Bird passed away in 2014, his impact lives on through both programs and other dairy enthusiasts that continue to thrive as a result of his work.

Bird played a key role in initiating both the North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge and the World Forage Analysis Superbowl. He played a transformative role in World Ag Expo and pioneered valuable seminars there, and at Empire Farm Days. He went on to become executive publisher of Holstein World, overseeing a family of dairy magazines that also included Western Dairy Business, Eastern Dairy Business and Lechero Latino.

Bird and his wife, Kathy had four children: William, David, Thomas, and Barbara, with eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Colleagues across the dairy publishing industry held Bird in high regard. “His impact extended far beyond numbers,” says Sal Gomez, National Accounts Manager for Progressive Publishing. “He personally shaped, motivated and inspired countless individuals, leaving a positive imprint locally, regionally, and nationally. He was a true influencer in the dairy realm, blending expertise with passion and leaving an enduring mark on the lives of those he touched.”

Alice Evans was credited with making one of the most important contributions to public health in the 20^th century. In the early 1900’s, she discovered that brucellosis in cows was passed to humans through drinking raw milk. Her findings led to both pasteurization and widespread testing of U.S. dairy herds for brucellosis. The infection has virtually been eliminated from the nation’s dairy cattle.

Evans’ storied career holds many firsts for women in science. Her theory about brucellosis was first published in 1918, but was not widely accepted because she was a woman, with no Ph.D. She didn’t push the issue, yet several cases over the subsequent years proved her theory, culminating in Evans’ own diagnosis of brucellosis. By 1928, the Society of American Bacteriologists recognized her achievement, and elected Evans as their president.

“Alice Evans overcame powerful opposition from both scientists and the dairy industry to her findings that Brucella caused undulant fever in humans,” says Candace Jacobs, DVM, MPH, DACVPM. “I am in awe of her work to overcome skepticism and her tireless efforts to prove the importance of pasteurizing milk.”

Dr. David Faber has led the efforts to take female reproduction and Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) to an unprecedented level. Through his efforts at Trans Ova Genetics over the last 40 years, he’s made great contributions to genetic gain in both the dairy and beef industries.

Faber and his team have pioneered commercial excellence in IVF through continued commitment to process improvement and client benefits. They’ve also consistently maintained a leadership role in developing rapidly changing reproductive technologies by maintaining robust R&D and knowledge-sharing pipelines.

Faber has lived the Trans Ova Genetics mission of providing opportunity and advantage through genetic acceleration. A key achievement has been the development of the Trans Ova team, who have always been an extended family to him.

“David, while not an academic in the classical sense, has been involved in significant research and has published numerous articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals,” says Matthew Wheeler, PhD., a distinguished University of Illinois professor. “This work continues to impact scientists and students to this day – pioneering sciences as well as service and innovation.”

Peter Vail grew up on a commercial dairy farm in eastern New York. After graduating from Cornell University, he purchased a small herd of quality Brown Swiss, which was dispersed in 1964. At that time, he started the vastly successful Caro-Vail Fertilizer Company, which is still in the family – now run by the third generation.

When Vail navigated back into dairy cattle, it was in incredible comeback. He has invested millions of dollars into the business and helped develop cattle of most every breed, particularly Brown Swiss, Ayrshire and Milking Shorthorn. Through his partnership with Ken Main, the Elite Dairy/Cutting Edge show program is one of the most successful in the industry, with five different World Dairy Expo Grand Champions. The 2018 supreme champion, Cutting Edge T Delilah, was their hallmark cow, who became the all-time high selling Brown Swiss cow at $210,000.

“Peter has literally changed the game for investing in great cattle,” says Tim Abbott of Showbox Sires. “His standard of success both in the show ring, breeding world and financial success of his investment strategy are unmatched and set the standard in the business.”

Vail will celebrate 65 years of marriage to Lyn this June. They have two children: Peter Jr. and Lauren, four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. “His legacy will be one of generosity, passion and vision for both the feed and fertilizer business and cattle breeding world,” Abbott adds.

The families of Stan Bird and Alice Evans, along with Dr. Faber and Peter Vail will receive the Pioneer awards at National Dairy Shrine’s Awards Banquet on Monday, September 30 in Madison, Wisconsin. Portraits of each winner will then be displayed in National Dairy Shrine’s Dairy Hall of Fame and Museum in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin. For more information about National Dairy Shrine, the banquet or this year’s award winners, please contact National Dairy Shrine at [email protected] or visit their website at www.dairyshrine.org.