The Matt Steiner Family of Pine-Tree Dairy has been named the 2026 Distinguished Dairy Cattle Breeder. The National Dairy Shrine awards this honor each year to a progressive dairy breeder, who expertly implements sound genetic and business principles and would be considered one of the “all-time greats” in cattle breeding. Through years of careful and strategic development, the Steiner family has become a leader in dairy genetic thought and technology – a prime candidate for the Distinguished Dairy Cattle Breeder honor.
Matt and his wife Gail are third-generation owners of Pine-Tree Dairy, located in Sterling, Ohio. Of their 11 children, several sons and daughters-in-law and dozens of grand and great grandchildren, are involved in the operation today. Matt recalls studying bull books, catalogs and breed publications as a child, and making breeding decisions as a young teenager.
His early interest and involvement in the dairy set him up well for future success. Today, Pine-Tree Dairy consists of around 1,400 milking cows, 1,500 heifers and 140 bulls, consisting of the Holstein, Jersey and Brown Swiss breeds. The combined RHA is 28,658 milk pounds, 4.7% butterfat, 1,344 fat pounds, 3.6% protein, 1,028 protein pounds. With 20-30 animals flushed bi-weekly, the farm produces more than 1,000 embryos per year…