Developing cows the Jeffrey-Way

BELLEVILLE, Wis. — With a focus on cows that are high producers, classify well and last a long time, Jeff and Kate Hendrickson of Jeffrey-Way Holsteins have built a herd that is recognized globally. Because of their ability to develop cattle with a balance of type and production, the Hendricksons were selected by Holstein Association USA Inc. as this year’s Elite Breeder.

“It’s an honor to earn this award,” Jeff Hendrickson said. “Good cattle have been bred over the years, and just to think that we were respected enough to get this award, it’s satisfying.”

The Hendricksons milk 100 cows near Belleville. Cows are milked in a tiestall barn and housed in a freestall barn. Jeff and Kate farm alongside their son, Brooks, and his wife, Riley. Four other Hendrickson children work in agriculture as well.

The Hendricksons focus on producing consistent cows, generation after generation. To date, they have bred 393 Excellent cows, 33 Gold Medal Dams and 13 Dams of Merit.

“Since we milk the cows ourselves, we like to milk good ones,” Jeff said. “That’s where my passion for genetics came from.
When you start having the success of having a good one, you want to keep on going and keep on striving to reach that next level.”

Jeffrey-Way Holsteins focuses on a variety of traits in their breeding program, including udders, feet and legs, size and components.

“We like them to be double-plus components,” Jeff said. “We like a cow that’s a little bigger, not ginormous, but around 60 inches tall. It keeps the udder further off the ground and they can last longer.”

At the 2026 National Holstein Convention, gratitude echoed throughout Jeff’s acceptance speech.

“I just thanked people,” Jeff said. “There are a lot of people who have helped us and worked with us to earn this award.”

After high school, Jeff worked as a herdsman for John Auestad of Inwood Farm for three years before returning home to farm with his dad and brother. Jeff and Kate started farming on their own after they married in 1985.

While at Inwood, Jeff worked with Inwood Taffy Apollo EX-93. When Auestad had his herd dispersal, Jeff knew he was interested in buying her. Thankfully, she fell into Jeff’s price range and he was able to keep working with her, he said.

“I knew she was a good cow, and I wanted to have something from his herd, and it all worked out pretty well,” Jeff said.

Taffy accounts for 90% of the genetics in the Jeffrey-Way herd today. Among her descendants is Jeffrey-Way Hard Rock Twigs EX-96, supreme champion of the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in 2024. Twigs was also named runner-up in the Holstein International World Champion contest in 2024.

“We’re carrying John’s legacy with us,” Jeff said. “He was very influential to me. He was a good cowman and a good man.”

Each year, Jeffrey-Way Holsteins hosts online sales, with buyers from around the globe purchasing its genetics. Watching the impact of their breeding decisions extend internationally has been a remarkable experience the Hendricksons said, helping Jeff and Kate grow and strengthen their network.

“There have been so many people who I’ve gotten to know because of the registered cow,” Jeff said. “I have friends from all over the world that, if I wouldn’t have been in this business, I never would have gotten to know.”

Through their breeding decisions, the Hendricksons have helped shape the Holstein industry. Others have seen them blend high type with high production and have validated their strategies.

“I feel proud,” Jeff said. “We’ve been lucky enough to have an influence on other people and breeders through the decisions we’ve made and the cows we have. When people call and ask about buying embryos, it gives you a good feeling knowing that you have something that other people can see the value in the same way we do.”