Heather Lord Central Plains Area Representative American Jersey Cattle Association Columbia, Missouri


What education are you bringing with you to this position?
I have a bachelor’s of science degree from UCONN. My major was animal science, with a minor in dairy management. I am also a graduate of an excellent FFA program, which I participated in throughout high school.

Please describe your agricultural background.
Agriculture is in my blood, my parents and grandparents all having involvement in the industry one way or another. Besides my 4-H projects, my family raised beef and hogs for meat and sold shares to people in the community. We also made our own hay, sold eggs from our chickens and had a large vegetable stand for several years.

What territory will you cover?
Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, Oklahoma and Arkansas.

What are your new responsibilities?
To help the Jersey breeders, both existing and new, to have access to all that the AJCA has to offer by way of genomics, registrations, tags, etc. I will also help with sales of Jerseys both privately and publically within my territory.

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What previous positions have you held?

  • Manager at Agriventures Agway in New Milford, Connecticut
  • Herdsman then farm manager at High Lawn Farm in Lee, Massachusetts
  • Barn manager at Arethusa Farm in Litchfield, Connecticut
  • Still own several animals (all Jersey) in partnership with Amy Maxwell of Cinnamon Ridge in Donahue, Iowa
  • Have owned, bred and sold Jerseys of my own since 1995

Who has made the biggest impact on your career?
My parents, for instilling the relentless work ethic to do the best I could in whatever I did. Also, my vo-ag teacher, Mr. Bill Davenport, for always pushing me to do more and better with my passion, dairy cattle. Mary Cole, UCONN dairy unit manager, for showing me all she knew about cattle and believing in my abilities and goals. And countless others who have supported me along the way.

How will you be of most help to producers in your region or area of expertise?
I hope to be relatable to the producers, having worked at several different farms and seen different styles of management, breeding and business. I aim to be an outside perspective and to help the producers in whatever capacity I can.

Why did you choose this company?
I have been a member of the AJCA for over 20 years and always appreciated the way the company conducted themselves and how their employees had a passion for what they did.

What goals would you like to accomplish while in this position?
My goals are to help producers in my territory achieve goals with their Jerseys, whether it is through sales, stud companies or breeding programs. I hope to bring the spotlight to the central plains, and to showcase some of the great people and animals that are here. PD