Benjamin Gotschall

Raised in the Nebraska Sandhills, Benjamin Gotschall has spent more than 35 years developing forage-adapted livestock centered on fertility, efficiency, and long-term sustainability. He began managing cattle at just ten years old and has dedicated his career to building livestock that thrive under practical, grass-based conditions. In 1999, his family transitioned their ranch and dairy operation to 100% grass-fed and organic production, a move that helped shape Ben’s lifelong focus on functional genetics, soil health, and low-input management.

Today, Ben operates Holt Creek Jerseys and Clover Cove Ranch, where he manages A2A2, polled Jersey and dual-purpose cattle selected for fertility, structural soundness, hormonal balance, and nutrient efficiency. Drawing influence from respected cattlemen and educators such as Gearld Fry, Kit Pharo, Jan Bonsma, and J.H. Lents, Ben has applied many of the same principles used in successful beef breeding programs to the development of forage-based dairy genetics.

As a Bos Sires Representative serving Nebraska and the surrounding Plains region, Ben works closely with producers seeking cattle that fit regenerative and forage-based production systems. Beyond the ranch, he serves as a Dairy Nutrition Instructor with the Managed Grazing Innovation Center, a Mentor Grazier in the Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship Program, and a member of the National Apprenticeship Training Committee. Through both his cattle program and educational work, Ben remains committed to helping producers build profitable, low-input operations that improve animal performance, soil health, and long-term agricultural sustainability.