From Boxcar to Boardroom

Blodgett Mentors the Dairy Industry

(reprinted with permission – written by World Dairy Expo staff)

Dairymen often wait with anxiety when the classifier comes to pass judgment on their herd. It is a rare individual indeed that can turn that farm visit into a teaching, networking and motivating experience. But then Pete Blodgett is a rare individual. He joins a prestigious group as the 2004 World Dairy Expo Industry Person of the Year.

A 40-year love affair with dairy cattle began at Delaware Valley College where Blodgett served as a student herdsman for the college herd. It was there he learned that dairy farming was more than cows; it was also the people who loved, owned, bred and showed them.

With a near photographic memory of every pedigree he’d researched, he was one of the Holstein Association’s most beloved classifiers. A strong interest in genetics coupled with a passion for helping make the best breeding recommendations, meant his early years in the dairy industry did much to improve dairy cattle genetics across the country.

Blodgett's keen cow knowledge and people skills were noticed by his superiors in the AI industry which led to increased responsibilities, including serving as President and General Manager of Landmark Genetics in 1985. While at Landmark he recognized the importance of direct retail marketing as a way to improve profitability. He worked to create loyalty and commitment in employees, who in return rewarded Blodgett and Landmark with productivity and excellence.

In 1995, He helped lead a successful merger, forming one of the first major international cattle breeding companies. He served as Vice-President of Product Development and then Senior Advisor to Product Development for Alta Genetics until 2001 when he started his own genetics business. However, he continues providing sire analysis for Alta's Global Brown Swiss program and the Western USA Alta Holstein Program.

From traveling the show circuit by boxcar to becoming one of the most respected and loved leaders of the dairy industry, Blodgett never forgot his love of cattle and the people who own them. Along with wife Sandy, he has had three children. But it is also in the nation's dairy farm circle that hundreds of others have benefited from his friendly, fatherly and fair advice. It is a hoof trimmer turned senior executive who is honored as the 2004 World Dairy Expo International Person of the year, Peter Blodgett.

Posted Oct 24th

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