DeMent Receives Max Gordon Award
Ted DeMent, Kenney, Ill. has been named the 19th winner of the Max Gordon Recognition Award. DeMent was honored at a ceremony held during the National Jersey Jug Futurity in Louisville, Ky., on November 7, 2021.
The Max Gordon Recognition Award is given annually to an exhibitor who possesses the five key elements for which the award’s namesake stood: sportsmanship, ethics, professionalism, ability and promotion of the Jersey cow. Recipients are chosen by a committee of individuals who have previously received the Max Gordon Recognition Award.
Ted’s values make him a worthy candidate for the award. He is described as being easy to talk to, a true gentleman and friend, and above all is a promoter of the Jersey breed.
“One comment was repeated during the selection process. That was that Ted has been extremely helpful to many Jersey breeders, either in getting their herd established or improving their existing breeding program,” said W. Phil Gordon, Syracuse, Ind., son of the late Max Gordon. “Ted has been a real asset to the Jersey breeders over the years. This comment kept being repeated from many people, all of whom Ted has assisted with their breeding programs.”
Ted follows in the footsteps of his parents Don and Shirley DeMent, who passed their love for the Jersey cow on to him as well as the family farm. The DeMent family is now known for the outstanding Jerseys they breed. This includes top five winners in the National Jersey Jug Futurity, All American and Reserve All American winners, top five winners at World Dairy Expo, and numerous wins at the Illinois and surrounding state fairs. He has been attending the All American for more than 75% of his life and was one of the youngest to win the male showmanship contest in Louisville. In the early 1990s, the DeMent family brought five cows that placed in the top 4 of the All American Jersey Show.
Ted is respected across the United States because of his eye for cattle and is well-known for the many outstanding Registered Jerseys he has bred. Ted has consigned to numerous leading sales and let “his best one go,” watching them go on to win for their new owners. To date, he and his family have bred 117 Excellent cows, including 95-point cows DeMents Grayson Jinglebell, DeMents Surefire Elvira, and DeMents Socrates Pearl. Ted and his wife, Cheryl, operate DeMents Jerseys, a 44-cow Registered Jersey herd, housing them at Kilgus Dairy. In return, they raise Kilgus heifers alongside their own on their 240-acres home farm. The herd is enrolled on REAP and participates in the Equity program. Ted and Cheryl received the AJCA Young Jersey Breeders Award in 2005.
Ted is also known for his keen eye for cattle as a judge. He judged the All American Jersey Show in 2000, 2008, and 2021. Ted also judged the All American Junior Jersey Show in 2011 and the National Jersey Jug Futurity in 2002 and 2016. He has been official at the All American Junior Jersey Show, Western National Jersey Show, Mid-Atlantic Regional Jersey Show, and World Dairy Expo. Internationally, Ted has judged Jersey shows in Ecuador, Guatemala, and Italy. Jersey breeders are not the only ones to notice, and Ted has judged every dairy breed at various shows across the country.
Ted has gained respect on the committees and associations he gives his time too. Ted has served on the Pennsylvania All-American Judges Panel, All American selection committees for Ayrshire, Guernsey, and Milking Shorthorn, All American sale and open show planning committees, and most recently was chair of the AJCA Type Advisory Committee. He has also served as president of the Illinois Jersey Cattle Club. Before returning home to manage his family’s herd, Ted worked as a type traits evaluator for the AJCA for six years.
Ted is described by his peers as selfless and humble, something that shines through in his service to the Jersey breed. Ted and Cheryl produce wood-burned art that is in high demand across the country. They have donated pieces many times to the AJCC Research Foundation auctions and to many other Jersey fundraising events. Ted is known for his always smiling, “never met a stranger” personality. He has always surrounded himself with people that he could learn from, and two most admired people in life are the late Fred Stout and his father, Don DeMent.
Previous winners of the Max Gordon Recognition Award include: Donna Greiwe, Sidney, Ohio (2020); Steve Bachelor, Angola, Ind. (2019); Kevin Williams, McConnelsville, Ohio (2018); Greg Bourne, Ansonia, Ohio (2017); Roger Riebe, Cumberland, Wis. (2016); Steve White, New Castle, Ind. (2015); Jeff and Alta Mae Core, Salvisa, Ky. (2014); Gene “Bambi” Henderson, Manchester, Iowa (2013); Norman Nabholz, West Union, Iowa (2012); George Barlass, Janesville, Wis. (2011), Jim VanBuskirk, Mich. (2010); Brian Sayles, Ont. (2009); Mike Stiles, Va. (2008); the late Harry Mykrantz, Ohio (2007); Ronnie Rider, Ky. (2006); Chuck Myers, Ohio (2005); Charles Luchsinger, N.Y. (2004); and Ron Mosser, Ind. (2003).
