2023 Land of Lincoln Purebred Livestock Breeder’s Award – George Halpin
George is recognized for his outstanding accomplishments in the purebred Milking Shorthorn dairy industry. Halpin Farms, located in Cullom, is a 4th generation family farm. In 1938, George’s parents William and Julia were gifted two bred Milking Shorthorn heifers as a wedding present, and the rest is history. George and his late wife, Margaret, were married in 1975 and began farming on the family farm. George and Margaret have two children, Amy, and the late, Michael, along with four grandsons, Owen, Colt, Bode, and Holden. In addition to his Milking Shorthorn herd, George and his brother, Bill, farm approximately 4500 acres of corn and soybeans. The entire family contributes on and off the farm to keep things running smoothly.
Halpin Farms consists of approximately 150 head of Milking Shorthorn dairy cattle. The cows are milked at two local dairies, Mackinson Dairy and Erdman dairy. The calves, heifers, and dry cows are housed at the home farm. Halpin Farms are no strangers to the show ring. Halpins have been successful in breeding and exhibiting numerous champions and class winners at the local, state, and national level. They have exhibited Grand Champion four times both at the All American in Harrisburg, PA and The North American in Louisville, KY. They have four Reserve Grand Champion banners from the International Milking Shorthorn Show at the World Dairy Expo in Madison, WI. In addition, they have countless championships from the Illinois State Fair. They have earned over 50 All-American titles and 20 Reserve All-Americans. George has exhibited a herd at the Illinois State Fair for 56 consecutive years.
There are a few main cow families that have excelled over the years for Halpins. One being, Halpins Mona-EXP. She was All-American Senior 2-Year old and Reserve Grand Champion of the International Junior Show in 2002 and Reserve Intermediate Champion of the Open Show in 2003. She earned Grand Champion banners at Harrisburg and Louisville in both 2002 and 2003. Numerous generations of “Monas” have gone on to excel in the show ring. Most notably, her daughter Melody (All American 4 year old) was Reserve Grand Champion at Harrisburg in 2008. Melody’s daughter, Mona II (owned with Matt Mackinson), was Grand Champion at Harrisburg and Louisville, and Reserve Grand Champion at World Dairy Expo in 2013.
Another winning family is that of Halpins Ruthanne. She was classified as Excellent 94 points. In 2013, she was All-American 4-Year-Old, winning her class at Madison and being named HM Grand Champion behind Mona II. In 2014, Ruthanne was Reserve Grand Champion at Louisville and named Best Udder of the International Milking Shorthorn Show. Her son, Halpins Muddy Rockstar, has been a very popular type sire over the last five years and was named Premier Sire of the Heifer Show at Madison in 2021.
George has served in various leadership positions throughout the years. Most notably, he has been the Cullom Junior Fair President for the last 29 years. He served as the President of the National Milking Shorthorn Association as well as serving on the National Milking Shorthorn board for 6 years. He continues to serve on the Milking Shorthorn All American committee. George had been a director on the Land of Lincoln Board for many years. In addition, he has been on various boards and committees throughout the years.
Source: Illinois Livestock Department 2023 State Fair Premium Book