Steer Named Director of Field Services for USJersey

Alex Steer, Grandview, Wash., has been named Director of Field Services for the American Jersey Cattle Association and National All-Jersey Inc. He will begin his duties in mid-October.

Steer succeeds Kristin Barlass Paul in the position as she transitions to Executive Secretary of the Jersey organizations. In addition to leading the field service team, Steer will serve as an Area Representative for Oregon and Washington.

As Director of Field Services, Steer will oversee and support the AJCA-NAJ field staff, working with the team to provide service to Jersey breeders and customers across the country. He will also provide leadership for Jersey Marketing Service, assist with marketing AJCA-NAJ programs and services, and work with members on herd improvement, cattle marketing and other Jersey business needs.

Steer brings more than 15 years of dairy management experience to the position, with a background that includes herd management, genetics, financial management and employee leadership. Most recently, he served as Operations and Financial Manager and Genetics Manager for Avi-Lanche Jerseys, Dalhart, Texas. During his tenure with Avi-Lanche, Steer also served as general herd manager, overseeing daily operations for 2,200 milking cows and more than 30 employees.

His work with Avi-Lanche included managing the herd’s genetic program, selecting donors for IVF, developing mating strategies, marketing elite genetics and maintaining industry partnerships. On the business side, he oversaw herd and farm managers, monitored cash flow, developed budgets and purchasing plans, and worked closely with consultants and industry partners.

Since 2018, Steer has also served as a management advisor for Martin Dairy LLC, Tillamook, Ore., assisting with herd management systems and working to improve milk quality and reproductive performance.

“Alex brings a valuable combination of practical dairy management experience, Jersey genetics knowledge and a lifelong connection to the breed,” said Kristin Barlass Paul. “He understands both the day-to-day challenges dairy producers face and the importance of helping our customers utilize the programs, services and genetics that can strengthen their businesses. His experience working with operations of different sizes will be an asset to our field staff and to Jersey breeders as our industry continues to evolve.”

Steer’s Jersey roots began on his family’s Sunbow Jerseys dairy in Cottage Grove, Tenn., where he grew up working with the 75-cow Registered Jersey herd. He is the son of Charles and Carol Steer. His father, Charles, was recognized by the American Jersey Cattle Association as a Master Breeder in 2004.

A 2010 graduate of Virginia Tech, Steer earned a Bachelor of Science degree in dairy science with a management focus and a minor in Spanish. His dairy experience has also included internships in California, Argentina and Costa Rica.

Steer’s combination of experience with both large commercial dairies and smaller family operations provides a broad perspective as he begins working with Jersey breeders nationwide. His extensive background in herd management, genetics and business operations will also help the Jersey organizations continue to adapt their programs and services to the needs of producers in an ever-changing dairy industry.