Max Thornsberry, DVM
Animal Health Committee Chair
Dr. Max Thornsberry graduated from the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine in May 1977, completing his 47th year of food animal practice in the spring of 2024. Dr. Thornsberry classifies himself as a country practitioner with a love for food animal medicine and livestock production management. He owned and managed a preconditioning feedlot for 18 years in southern Missouri. Now, he travels the United States providing veterinary consulting services to the dairy calf feedlot sector and independent feedlot owners.
He recently authored the ninth edition of his book, Dairy Calf Production Protocol, a reference for calf raisers in dairy calf and dairy beef production systems from birth to 300 pounds. He also co-edited the March 2022 edition of Veterinary Clinics-Food Animal Practice, Raising Commercial Dairy Calves, a veterinary practice reference book. Thornsberry retired from active veterinary practice in February 2023.
Thornsberry and his wife, Brenda, have been married for 53 years and were high school sweethearts. They have two children, Jonathan and Jessica. Jonathan, a board-certified family practitioner, lives in Ozark, Missouri, with his wife, Holli, son Jacob, and daughters Jordan, Johanna and Jensen. Jessica recently earned a master’s degree in professional counseling and currently serves as counselor for several school districts in St. Charles, Missouri. Her husband, Travis, daughters Stella and Margot, and sons Isaiah Max and Frank Leland complete the family.
Thornsberry is a past President of the R-CALF USA Board of Directors. He currently serves as parliamentarian and chair of the Animal Health Committee.
