First-place collegiate team from the University of Minnesota in the dairy cattle judging contest at NAILE, Louisville, KY (l. to r.): Tanner Morrison, Peterson, MN; Lauren Hendel, Caledonia, MN; Kayla Leiding, Fountain, MN; Rachel Coyne, Spring Valley, WI; and Dr. Les Hansen, coach.
For the 4th year in a row, the University of Minnesota placed 1st overall in the collegiate dairy cattle judging contest held on November 4 at the North American International Livestock Exposition (NAILE), Louisville, KY. The margin of victory was 30 points over 2nd place Virginia Tech with 3 Minnesota team members among the top 6 individuals. Eighteen 4-year universities competed in the contest. Teams from the University of Minnesota have placed 1st overall in the Louisville collegiate contest 7 of the past 9 years.
In addition to placing 1st overall, the University of Minnesota team was 1st in oral reasons by an 8-point margin, was 1st in the Jersey breed, and placed among the top 5 teams in all 5 breeds. Team members were Rachel Coyne, Spring Valley, WI; Kayla Leiding, Fountain, MN; Lauren Hendel, Caledonia, MN; and Tanner Morrison, Peterson, MN.
Individually, Coyne was 2nd overall, 1st in Ayrshire, and 2nd in Jersey, Leiding was 4th overall, Hendel was 6th overall and 1st in Jersey, and Morrison was 4th in Jersey and 5th in Holsteins. Coaches were Dr. Les Hansen, Alicia Thurk Hiebert, Eric Houdek, and Gabriella Sorg.
