Distinguished Service Award

Billy and Betty Heath

This year we are honoring the husband and wife duo of Billy and Betty Ann Heath as our Distinguished Service Member(s). Billy and Betty Ann have decided to retire after dedicating over 40 years of taking quality dairy cattle pictures. The service they have provided to MD Holstein breeders makes them the perfect recipient of this award. 

Billy’s start in the dairy industry was an early one, having made both FFA and 4-H judging teams, traveling to the national contest and winning, then continuing on to Europe where his team also won. His keen eye for placing and judging cattle, undoubtedly made him a well known fitter and later on a photographer that wasn’t satisfied until the cow was placed exactly right for the perfect photo. In his very early years he worked under Buddy Hill at Logwood Farms. After meeting and marrying Betty Ann Stiles he moved on to being an AI technician with Curtiss Breeding Service, all the while working nights at Black and Decker. With what free time he had he continued fitting and moved on to photography, shadowing Mr. Jack Remsburg. 

The art of photography is what brought Billy to the camera. He recalls his earliest photo being made with a polaroid, and the late Gary Derr in front of the lens holding one of his MD bred beauties. Jack lent him his first “real” camera and the rest is history. Derr’s, Penn Gate, Windsor Manor and Spring Valley were amongst the firsts giving this new photographer a place to start.

Cattle photography has seen many changes over the years and Billy, along with the help of Betty Ann, were able to adapt. In the early years, film had to be sent north to be developed in color. It was a huge time saver when digital came about and Betty could tackle that on her own in the early 2000’s. Betty read books and taught herself how to do the digital development. Both noted that while there was a learning curve, the ease of set up for the photos was a huge bonus. No cows pictured with the Billy Heath stamp were ever altered in any way to change the confirmation of the cow. And Billy always understood and recognized the importance of milk prices when setting his rates.

Aside from his successful photography career, Billy and Betty Ann are the proud parents of Susie Heath Poole and the late Michael Heath. They are equally as proud of their son in-law Richard, grandchildren Ryan and McKenzie, and great grandchildren Alexander and Rowan Poole. Billy has said that he believes his greatest contribution to the dairy industry was his son Michael. That may be a valid point but we believe the many years dedicated to the MD Judging program, countless photos taken at MD State Fair and his reliable, friendly on farm service are also things to be extremely proud of. Thank you Billy and Betty, enjoy your much deserved retirement!  

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Past Winners