Jerry L. Hall

One of the state’s top dairymen and milk producers, Jerry Hall devoted his life supporting the industry and raising some of the most productive cows in Arkansas. Born and raised on a dairy farm in Damascus, Hall developed a love for the lifestyle and established his own farm in his hometown in 1958 with 12 Grade Holsteins. He improved his herd through A.I. breeding and moved to a 100 percent registered herd in 1962. Hall eventually enlarged his farm to 963 acres and 200 head of registered Holsteins. At one time his herd was rated among the top 20 in milk production in Arkansas based on Dairy Herd Improvement Association testing. But he wasn’t satisfied and eventually claimed one of the top three production herds in the state. This was due in large part to raising some of the top milk producing heifers in Arkansas. In 1992 Hall won the lifetime milk production award from the DHIA with J-Hall Dina Charm Dode, a heifer that produced more than 213,000 pounds of milk in her lifetime. Another of his heifers, J-Hall Fond Bootie, produced more than 211,000 pounds.  From 1992-2002 the Halls had a total of 25 grand and reserve grand champion Holstein cows at county, district and state shows. In all, he bred 12 cows that produced more than 200,000 pounds of milk in their lifetimes. Hall was a charter member of the Arkansas Dairy Cooperative Association and served as president and treasurer. Additionally, he was a board member of the Central Arkansas Milk Producers Association for nine years. The Halls raised four children who all helped on the farm. The Halls supported Arkansas youth by hosting the Dairy Cow judging contest for local FFA chapters for 15 years and the Arkansas State 4-H dairy judging contest for three years.