MADISON, Wis. – Matt Sloan of Marshall, Wis., was presented the 34th Klussendorf-MacKenzie Award during World Dairy Expo®.
Matt began clipping for Nabholz Farms at just 14 years of age and soon learned from some of the industry’s most respected mentors, including Joel Kietzman, Tom Cull, Mark Rueth, Jason Danhof, Pat Conroy, and Mike and Joel Phoenix. His talent and work ethic quickly earned him a place with many of the most elite show strings in North America, including Budjon, Milk Source, Butlerview, Luck-E, Rosedale, Gen-Com and River Valley.
During the ensuing years, the southeastern Minnesota native’s fitting career took him around the world to over 15 countries in Europe, South America, Australia and North America, preparing cattle for the highest levels of competition. Among all of the cows he has worked with, two remain his personal favorites — RF Goldwyn Hailey and Musqie Iatola Martha.
In 2010, with guidance and encouragement from his good friend Dave Schmocker, Matt expanded his skills and launched his own hoof trimming business. True to his guiding mantra, Carpe Diem “Seize the Day”, he named his business after this phrase, using it as a daily reminder to approach each task with purpose, energy, and excellence.
In 2020, he, along with his wife Molly started boarding and developing their own elite show heifers. Many of the animals in their care have gone on to become class winners at major national shows and have earned All-American nominations in their respective breeds.
In recent years, Matt also began establishing himself as a respected dairy cattle judge, serving as associate judge of the 2024 Brown Swiss Show at World Dairy Expo and lead judge of the 2025 Midwest Spring National Red & White Holstein and Jersey shows.
Matt’s personal attributes align perfectly with the character and spirit of the Klussendorf-Duncan MacKenzie Award. Humble by nature, Matt never brags, never considers himself above any task, and approaches each job, big or small, with the same care and dedication. Beyond his skill, Matt is a gifted mentor. His leadership is quiet but powerful, raising the standard for everyone around him simply through his presence and example. While this year’s Klussendorf-MacKenzie Award winner has an impressive dairy resumé, it is most important to note that Sloan exemplifies the standards that made Duncan MacKenzie — the long-time herd manager at Carnation Farms — the namesake of this award.
