Salem eleventh grader Lucas Nolan recently found himself on the cover of Holstein International after a cow raised on his family’s farm caught the attention of the magazine’s editors. The recognition reflects his connection to agriculture, a field he hopes to pursue in college. Through Salem Jr./Sr. High School’s Agricultural Science program, Lucas is building on his family’s farming experience and developing the knowledge to pursue a future career.
“The classes have helped me to understand the function of all animals, not just cows. You also have to understand everything that goes into running and operating a successful farm and business,” Lucas shared.
Lucas currently takes Veterinary Science and Agriculture Natural Resources with Agricultural Science teacher Amy Maxwell. He hopes to pursue an agriculture-related major in college and apply what he learns to the family farm. His brother, Landon, has also taken Agricultural Science courses and plans to take more, while their cousin Graham is currently enrolled in the program.
Outside the classroom, Lucas, Landon, and Graham gain hands-on experience by helping care for the animals on the family farm. Their responsibilities include completing daily chores, administering vaccinations, and cleaning the animals and their pens.
“Agricultural education works to promote premier leadership, career success, and personal growth through different educational experiences,” Maxwell explained. “Lucas currently participates in a Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) in dairy production and management, which provides students with an opportunity to develop their career skills in an area of their choosing.”
Lucas’s experience extends beyond daily farm responsibilities. Dairy cattle can be evaluated for genetic merit and potential profitability using the Genomic Total Performance Index (GTPI). According to Lucas, the family’s cow, Kenyon-Hill Peregrine Olly VG-85, held the highest GTPI in 2021 for three months, attracting the attention of photographers from Holstein International.
For the Nolan family, however, raising successful dairy cattle involves more than genetics and performance. They also prioritize the animals’ well-being and socialization, recognizing the importance of allowing them to interact naturally with the herd.
“You don’t want to separate them from all of the other animals or put them in a solitary area. She isn’t treated special; she lives with the herd because it is very good for animals to interact with one another. You want them to have a good life,” said Lucas.
Holstein International is a monthly magazine for Holstein dairymen. You can learn more about the publication on the Holstein International website. Photos are used with permission from Holstein International; thank you!