The Southern National Holstein and Jersey Show is an annual dairy show and sale held in Stillwater, Oklahoma. It has a 5-day agenda, from exhibitor meetings to judging contests, junior and open shows, to the annual Oklahoma Holstein sale.

As always, Bob Griggs of Seminole is a regular part of this large dairy event. But to his surprise, Griggs was being recognized this year at the annual dinner banquet where some 200+ dairy industry leaders and peers were in attendance.

Griggs and his wife, Glenda owned and operated Golden Dew Guernsey Farm for many years. A second-generation dairy started by his father, Charles Griggs in Mustang Oklahoma. In 1971, when his father called him to say he was selling out or handing over the farm, Griggs, who had received his Master’s Degree in Education from Central State at the time (now UCO), and was coaching and teaching in Fletcher, Oklahoma decided to go back home and take over his first love.

In 1983, with their three children in tow, they moved that dairy to Seminole. Successfully continuing the good name his father had built and building upon that success to an entirely different level. He continued to dairy his own herd until 1995.

Griggs then began his professional career with COBA/Select Sires as a Select Mating Service® (SMS®) evaluator and genetic consultant in June of 1996. His reputation as an excellent evaluator and type appraiser of dairy cattle is well known and appreciated among his dairy producer peers and industry leaders. Serving Oklahoma and the Windthorst, Texas area, Griggs was recognized as Evaluator of the Year in 2006. He had been noted as “COBA’s greatest promotional asset in the southwest region” until he retired at the end of 2019.

Griggs is well known across the country for his knowledge and love of the Guernsey breed, as well as the entire dairy industry. He is just as well known throughout the dairy industry as an excellent cowman and genetic consultant. His credentials as an outstanding dairy cattle judge were, and still are, well documented on local, county, state, national and international levels. He also had a great ability in “picking cattle” for sales and “working a ring”. His reputation overall, as a promoter of the dairy cow and the dairy industry people is unsurpassed.

Bob has never met a stranger and always tries to steer conversations to talking about dairy cows and dairy people. He is highly respected by his peers and has made life-long friends in many barns across the United States. Many of these men and woman whom he has worked with and/or alongside were present as Griggs was unknowingly recognized to introduced the first recipient of the BOB GRIGGS AWARD.

The award reads:

Bob began his dairy career with Guernsey Cows. He was the Premier Breed and Exhibitor at national shows numerous times. The Griggs Family was one of the most respected Guernsey breeders of their time. Bob was the “ultimate” judge. Judging several different breeds at both the World Dairy Expo and the NAILE as well as many regional and state shows. Bob moved into sales and became one of the most entertaining ringmen in the business. This led him to the Southern National where he promoted good cows, good friends and camaraderie among all who attend. Somehow, he found time to work for Coba/Select Sires mating thousands of cows in the Southwest. Bob always promoted the Southern National Show and Sale, but most importantly he has been a Friend to All!

Upon receipt of his award, Griggs acknowledged his wife, of 52 years, Glenda, who helped him and supported him “doing what he loved.” His 3 children, Holli Daniels of Seminole, Heidi Underhill of Moore and Ludy Griggs of Union City, all learned hard work and leadership qualities from being raised on a dairy.

Griggs then was humbled to announce the first recipient of the Bog Griggs Award to Dwight Rokey of Missouri.

His children will confirm that their dad instilled in them each and every day through his own purpose and passion, that he wasn’t just milking cows. But building a life doing what he loved and honoring the family name in the process.

Bob and his wife, Glenda also have 8 grandchildren. In their early years raising a family on a farm, they were still able to attend almost all of their children’s activities. Today, they continue that family support system by hitting the roads to be at their grandchildren’s activities and making that same presence of family commitment for a second generation. And of course, Griggs will still travel from barn to barn, state to state…. Until the cows come home.