The ninth annual Midwest Dairy Challenge, which ran February 6-8, 2013, attracted 79 students from 19 universities and colleges to the event hosted in Manitowoc, Wis., by Lakeshore Technical College.

“The heavy snow presented a challenge to our students, but the outstanding group rose to the challenge to analyze the two dairies,” said Contest Chair Bryan Horn from Semex.

Dairy Challenge is an innovative dairy analysis competition developed by industry and university professionals, which exposes students to opportunities in a vibrant dairy industry. Working in five-person, mixed-university teams, students at the Midwest Dairy Challenge assessed all aspects of a working dairy farm and presented recommendations for improvement to a panel of judges and participating farm families.

 

Working in five-person, mixed-university teams, students at the Midwest Dairy Challenge
assessed all aspects of a working dairy farm in Manitowoc County, Wis.This year’s contest drew students from Chippewa Valley Technical College, Dordt College, Fox Valley Technical College, Iowa State University, Kansas State University, Lakeshore Technical College, Michigan State University, Northeast Iowa Community College, Purdue University, South Dakota State University, Southwest Technical College, The Ohio State University, University of Illinois, University of Minnesota, University of Missouri, University of Wisconsin-River Falls, University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Wisconsin-Platteville and UW-Madison Farm and Industry Short Course.

After arrival, students participated in educational seminars by industry leaders. Kristi Fiedler of Genex Cooperative, Inc. shared approaches to evaluate dairy reproductive performance, followed by Paul Jandrin, AgSource Cooperative Services who spoke on using DHIA records. Laurie Schetter, GreenStone Farm Credit Services, presented financial ratios to evaluate economic position of dairy operations, followed by Darin Bremmer of Vita Plus Corp. who demonstrated how to evaluate nutritional health of a dairy operation.

 

Dairy Challenge is a hands-on opportunity for students from four-year universities
and two-year dairy programs to apply classroom learning to actual dairy farm analysis.During and after dinner, the students joined their new teammates for a team building exercise and to begin learning about the dairy they would analyze.

The next day, students visited one of two dairies for on-farm analysis. Host Farm 1 was Soaring Eagle Dairy, Newton, Wis., owned by Jim and Sandie Fitzgerald and daughters Kelly, Julie and Stacy, while Farm 2 was Meadowbrook Dairy, Manitowoc, Wis., owned by the Pete and Shellie Kappelman family.

 

Students from 19 post-secondary dairy programs gather at Meadowbrook Dairy
in Manitowoc, Wis., for welcome from owner Pete Kappleman.After farm visits, the student teams developed questions for herd owners, who then answered questions about their farming operations from all students and judges. Armed with detailed production and financial paperwork, as well as their own observations, the participants developed a presentation including recommendations to improve profitability.

Friday was presentation day, when each team gave a 20-minute presentation, followed by a question-and-answer session and critique by the judges.

Throughout the event, participants networked with industry volunteers who assist in contest coordination. Representatives from many platinum sponsors – several looking to hire interns and full-time employees – were available for a career and innovation fair. Representatives were also able to share new technologies and trends emerging in their industry.

Also on Friday, Shelly Mayer from Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin provided an inspiring communication training program for the students.

Judges chose two teams as 1st place winners, Team Select Sires from Farm 1 and Team Virtus Nutrition from Farm 2. Individuals on the winning Team Select Sires were Ben Thorpe, University of Minnesota; Samantha Mamarow, Michigan State University; Alaina VanWesten, Northeast Iowa Community College; Trisha Blaser, University of Wisconsin-River Falls; and Sara McCullough, Purdue University. Individuals on Team Virtus Nutrition included Jordan Hanson, Iowa State University; Vernon Oostra, Dordt College; Dillan Schumacher, Northeast Iowa Community College; Nick Miles, Lakeshore Technical College; and Katie Haerr, University of Illinois.

A complete list of Midwest Regional Dairy Challenge contest participants and their placing can be found on the Dairy Challenge web site at http://www.dairychallenge.org/mw_event.php.

The national Dairy Challenge contest will be April 4-6, 2013, in Fort Wayne, IN.

North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge was established in 2002 as a management contest to incorporate all phases of a specific dairy business. Its mission is to facilitate education, communication and an exchange of ideas among students, agribusiness, dairy producers and universities that enhances the development of the dairy industry and its leaders. NAIDC is supported completely through generous donations by 125 agribusinesses and dairy producers, and programs are coordinated by a volunteer board of directors.

For more information, visit www.dairychallenge.org or www.facebook.com/DairyChallenge

Manawatu Standard – The Dairy Event brings the best dairy cows to Feilding each year, as people travel from the deep south and far north to pit their stock against one another. Jill Galloway went along.

It is all about seeing how your stock matches up against other dairy cows.

“You can sit at home and think you have the best cows in the country but, unless you come to a dairy show like this, you don’t really know,” says Alison Trounce from Seadown, near Timaru.

She and husband Lyndsay were 15 hours on the road and a ferry ride away from the Dairy Event 2013. They left with two “cow floats” on Saturday afternoon, January 26, arriving at the Feilding show a day later.

They came with three in-milk cows and one heifer, all holstein friesians.

“The Dairy Event is important.

“It is a spectacle and all breeds are here. Most of the country’s major breeders still come,” says Mr Trounce.

They are past winners of many show ribbons and that translates into a higher sale price when the Trounces sell dairy cattle.

“It is good for others to see what you have and what’s around.

“It showcases and promotes the herd,” says Mrs Trounce.

Dairy Event chairman Lawrence Satherley says 330 dairy cattle were registered this year.

The show was on last week, from Wednesday to Friday, but some stock left on Saturday on the long trek home.

Mr Satherley says the event brings about 3000 people to the area and generates about $200,000 in expenditure.

“The motels were all full, people ate at restaurants, cafes, some needed to get their car or truck fixed at a garage, and they shop. It is worth a lot to the whole region.” Most people stay in motels, hotels and homestays around Feilding, and the overflow goes to Palmerston North.

Feilding Promotion works tirelessly to get people into accommodation, says Mr Satherley.

This is the fifth year Feilding’s Agricultural Stadium has hosted the Dairy Event, the all-New Zealand show. It is an annual event and it is good to have all the cattle under one roof, he says.

As well as most cattle being there for the show, a few are sold each year. This time it was the Summer Sensation sale at which 24 cattle went under the auctioneer’s hammer, plus five embryo packages.

While the stadium was full with black and white (holstein friesians) and brown (jersey) cows, there were a few red and white cows as well, the ayrshires, guernseys and milking shorthorns making their presence felt. The cows have hay and water. Many lie down to chew their cud. Most look relaxed.

People were busy grooming their cows. There is a small milking shed at the back of the stadium where in-milk cows were milked, so their udders would look their best when they went into the show ring. Cows were shaved, washed and their tails brushed, so they could put their best hoof forward.

Mr Satherley says the reality is there are many ways of looking at dairy farming – production per cow or per hectare, and there are some that have low amounts of supplements, while others go for a lot of supplements, such as palm kernel extract for their dairy cows.

The show evens things up.

“The Dairy Event is all about breeding cows which are superior on conformation. [Farmers or buyers] see where they rank among other good dairy cows.”

He says some bring in the best dairy genetics from all around the world and inseminate their cows with them.

Mr Satherley says young people compete too, during the Youth Show. They have to prepare a cow – clip and clean her, show her and they are judged as a team on that, rather than on the cattle beast.

It is about getting young people to be part of the dairy industry.

They are seen as key. There has been a system of sharemilking, starting with provision of labour only, managing a herd, then owning the cows, and finally working up to owning a farm. Something many sheep and beef as well as arable farmers, can only dream of.

None have such a system of making their way to owning a farm.

Mr Satherley says the judges at the Dairy Event come from overseas, and have no knowledge of the previous history of studs.

He says there have been many studs in the event which have been going for four or five generations.

“There is an amazing knowledge of stockmanship. It goes right from teenagers to grandparents.

“They know if a cow is off-colour and usually know how to treat it themselves.”

Don Ferguson is 78 years old, and says there were three generations of Fergusons at this year’s Dairy Event. Some younger (fourth generation) Fergusons wanted to come but they were back at school.

He has passed on the farm to son Warren but Don can’t stay away.

Dressed in his overalls, he sits and watches how his son and grandsons are doing with the cattle. “There’s a real family interest,” he says.

“My parents helped me, and now my son is farming, and we [Don and his wife] are on two acres.

“My grandchildren and great-grandchildren are interested.”

They are all at Otorohanga’s Ferdon Genetics stand, which has brought the most cattle to the event – 20. Don Ferguson has been showing dairy cattle for 66 years.

He started at calf club when he was 11. And he says he has been showing stud cattle for 60 years.

“And in that time, I have never missed a Waikato A & P Show.”

Mr Ferguson runs six cows in conjunction with the Queen.

He has two of their cows, sisters that are 6 and 7, at the show. They are jerseys.

He says the stud shows cattle because it allows it to compare its cows with others. Mr Ferguson says there have been disappointments during his show life but a “knock back doesn’t do you any harm” and makes you refocus your breeding.

And it makes a success feel great, he says.

When it comes to national dairy shows, he is a strong supporter and so are his family.

“It shows other breeders and the public what you’re doing. And breeding generations of good cattle – it gives you satisfaction.”

Junior exhibitors went head to head in the Junior Dairy Showmanship Contest on Friday, Jan. 11 at the 2013 Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg.

The showmen were split into four classes by their age. Class one ranged from age 18-20, class two ranged from 16-17, class three ranged from 13-15, and class four ranged from 9-12 years of age.

The top three contestants received a plaque. Katie Shultz of York County was took class one honors. Cody Eller of Bedford County won class two. Madelin Sweatlock of Lebanon County took honors in class three. Ravyn Bashore of Lebanon County won class four.

Top three showmanship winners of Class one in the Junior Showmanship Contest at the 2013 Pennsylvania Farm Show. From left to right: Katie Shultz, Michala Kuhlman, and Laura Nell.Class one winners:
1st – Katie Shultz, York Co.
2nd – Michala Kuhlam, Bradford Co.
3rd – Lauren Nell, Adams Co.
4th – Deidra Bollinger, Lancaster Co.
5th – Jared Wetzel, Lancaster Co.
6th – Sherry Moore, Lebanon Co.

Class two winners:
1st- Cody Eller, Bedford Co.
2nd – Emily Heilinger, Lebanon Co.
3rd – Bradley Moyer, Lebanon Co.

 

Top three showmanship winners of Class three in the Junior Showmanship Contest at the 2013 Pennsylvania Farm Show. From left to right: Madelin Sweatlock, Miranda Black, Macy Walason.Class three winners:
1st-Madelin Sweatlock, Lebanon Co.
2nd – Miranda Black, Somerset Co.
3rd – Macy Walason, Bedford Co.
4th – Jacalyn Bortner, York Co.
5th – Mikayla Davis, Berks Co.
6th – Hannah Whitmon, Lebanon Co.
7th – Abigail Doak, Snyder Co.
8th – Morgan Kunkel, Berks Co.

Top two showmanship winners of Class four in the Junior Showmanship Contest at the 2013 Pennsylvania Farm Show. Pictured is Stephanie Younker and Ravyn Bashore.

Class four winners:
1st- Ravyn Bashore, Lebanon Co.
2nd – Stephanie Younker, Berks Co.
3rd – William Cree, Greene Co.
4th – Hallie Kunkel, Berks Co.
5th – Madison Davis, Fayette Co.
6th – Mason Davis, Fayette Co.

The Pennsylvania Farm Show is the largest indoor agricultural event in the nation, featuring nearly 6,000 animals, 10,000 competitive exhibits and 300 commercial exhibitors. The show runs Jan. 5-12 at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex & Expo Center in Harrisburg. Admission is free and parking is $10. Visit www.farmshow.state.pa.usfor details.

Pennlive – The doors to the Pennsylvania Farm Show complex hadn’t been locked behind the departing crowd before a whoop went up from a group of teenagers in the main cattle barn.

Patrick Leahy, 17, and Judd Erdman, 18, – both from Lebanon County – had jumped onto a show box and begun gyrating a mock-burlesque, as their friends hooted and made cat calls.

“When all the people leave, the party starts,” said Troy Longenecker, 20, of Annville.

That’s a bit of an overstatement. Dairy exhibitors continued to tend their cattle all around the boisterous little group, but there’s no question the atmosphere had relaxed.

Radios were turned up. Conversations were now peppered with bits of profanity. Younger exhibitors laughed and played.

It’s as if – when the daily throng of jostling visitors emptied from the cattle barns – everyone exhaled.

Unlike the visitors, the dairy exhibitors live at the Farm Show. What for others is an entertaining day or evening out is for them round-the-clock work.

The faces of farming

Throughout the day, all had been on their best behavior, aware that they were the face of agriculture for tens of thousands of people.

While the gates are open to the public, the dairy exhibitors know it’s their job not only to make sure their cows are presentable, but also to upend common stereotypes and misperceptions about farms and farming.

They’re well-educated. They’re professional. They’re essential to the economy of the state and the nation.

And they help feed us.

“It’s nice being able to educate the public,” said Lauren Nell, of Gettysburg, who did college homework on her laptop as she tended her Holsteins in the North East cattle barn.

Nell is studying early childhood and special education at Slippery Rock University. But like many others, she took a hiatus from winter break for the Farm Show.

It’s in her blood: she started showing cows for 4-H when she was 8 years old.

Educating the public takes many forms. That afternoon, Republican Sen. Richard Alloway walked one of Nell’s cows into the annual Legislative Dairy Showmanship contest, in which state lawmakers attempt to do in the show ring what their young constituents do.

It’s not easy.

All the cows have been trained to step forward – or back up – at the tug of a halter, but there are rules governing how a cow should stand before a judge and special tricks to make sure she does so to her best advantage.

When a milking cow stands before a judge, she looks best if the hind leg toward the judge is placed slightly forward, and the other slightly back. If the judge walks around to her other side, her feet should be shifted accordingly.

Nell said Alloway has been showing her cows in the legislative contest for several years.

“It makes you realize how much people don’t know about showing,” she said.

To Alloway’s credit, he’s learning.

“He actually is getting better,” said Nell. “He was switching feet and everything.”

As Nell typed on her laptop, fellow exhibitor Jake Brake, of Franklin County, removed manure from behind nearby cows and forked it into a wheelbarrow. They weren’t Brake’s cows, but in this arena, neighbors look out for neighbors.

Meanwhile, a football sailed over both their heads.

Joe Murren, 20, of New Oxford, was “taking advantage of some uncrowded aisles” for a game of catch with Kendra Earl, 21, of Palmyra.

The hour or so after the crowds leave is the only down-time exhibitors regularly get; soon, the work begins again.

In the main barn, Leahy, Erdman and Longenecker were sashaying down the aisle, doing a dance with pitchforks, when a cow humped up and deposited a steaming plop onto the straw.

“You gonna dance and get the crap, or what?” Katie Donmoyer chided the boys.

The “party” was over.

The high whine of clippers cut through the low cacophony of other barn sounds as Jim Mapes, 20, of Mifflinburg, trimmed the shaggy winter coat off his father’s Brown Swiss.

Some pulled their cows to the wash rack for an evening scrub. Others scooped into feed sacks and broke open bales of alfalfa. Still others added sawdust and shaken straw as extra bedding for the stalls.

The routine had resumed.

Abby Sterner, 15, of Montgomery County, took the time to walk her four-year-old champion Brown Swiss slowly along the main corridor that is normally elbow-to-elbow with people during the day.

It provides some exercise for the cow, which has been tied up all week, she said.

It also provides both Sterner and the cow an opportunity to practice the showmanship drills they will have to use during competition at the end of the week.

She said the cow – a veteran of the show ring and blue ribbons – cooperates only “when she wants to.”

“She has the most attitude I’ve ever seen in a cow,” said Sterner.

The night watch

As midnight approached, the radios were turned down, the clippers were turned off, and the barns became more subdued.

Most of the cows had bedded down and were either quietly chewing their cud or fast asleep.

Many of their owners followed suit.

Exhausted, the exhibitors collapsed on cots, on air mattresses, on bales of straw. One group brought a plush couch.

As Sterner prepared to go to sleep, she explained, “It’s a two-hour drive for us, so going home really isn’t an option.”

Sleeping in the barns eliminates the expense of a hotel and allows her to keep a close eye on the cows.

Nell agreed.

“I like being close to the cows in case something happens,” she said. “There have been times cows get caught in their ropes.”

The Gettysburg veteran does not, however, sleep next to the cows.

“You can only lay beside a cow for so long before it gets up,” she said, and curling up on a bale of straw loses its novelty pretty quick.

Nell sleeps in the back hallway “where it’s dark, warm and quiet.”

“Once you lay down, you’re out.” she said. “That alarm goes off really early.”

But the barns never fully go to sleep.

Somewhere, amid the rustling of sleeping bags and the snoring, someone is always keeping a watchful eye.

Not far from his two Ayreshires, 20-year-old Nathan Baumgardner, of Dillsburg, shuffles cards.

Several aisles away, first-time exhibitor Madelyn Swetlock, 14, of Lebanon County, is on late night “poop duty” with several friends.

“If their tails pop up, you’d better start running,” she said. If a cow were to lay in it, it makes washing it in the morning all the more onerous.

An early start

The watchful quiet lasts only a few hours.

Sometime around 4 a.m. the alarm next to Nell’s ear and others begin to go off.

It’s time to start milking.

Bleary-eyed exhibitors plod their cows to the milking station. Others begin mucking out whatever may have fouled the straw in the night. The aisles become a thoroughfare of wheelbarrows.

The sound of splashing water echoes in the indoor wash rack.

A rooster crows in the darkened barn next door.

The day has begun.

Within an hour, the barns are alive with activity. The cows are 10-deep in the milking parlor, and Nell is working alone.

“My sister-in-law went into labor tonight,” she said. But she’s not worried about handling the chores by herself: “There’s always people to help.”

In a few hours, the doors will open, and thousands of people will begin streaming in to experience the sights and sounds of the Farm Show.

The exhibitors will be ready.

Even the youngest have been doing this at county fairs and regional competitions for months.

It began in March for Abby Sterner.

“I start walking them more, giving them baths, keeping them clean,” she said. “I start showing in June, and show them all the way through September. Then we have a little break before coming here, but it’s pretty much all year long.”

Her reasons for doing it are like most of the others.

“I just like being with the cows,” she said. “It’s fun to show them, even though it’s a lot of work… and it’s nice to win.”

Casey Morey, Rochester, Alberta
The 2012 Nola Brown Continuous Achievement Award was presented during the National Jersey Show at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair to Casey Morey of Rochester, Alberta. This award is presented annually to post-secondary education student who demonstrates avid participation in activities in their home communities, while displaying strong leadership skills, ambition, initiative, and have a strong independent work ethic.

Casey is a dedicated individual who has been very active in her community. She is hard working, ambitious, goal-oriented and passionate, and an enthusiastic participant in both the agricultural sector, as well as her community at large.

Casey takes pride in her involvement with the Jersey breed. She recently showed the first-place Intermediate Calf at the Western Canadian Classic Youth Show, with a heifer that she both bred and owned. This was the first time in the 28 year history of the program that a Jersey heifer won a conformation class at the WCC.

Casey is currently enrolled at the University of Alberta, with plans to complete a degree in Animal Health before pursuing a doctorate in Veterinary Medicine at the University of Calgary, specializing in dairy cattle. Her long-term goal is to open her own veterinary clinic, while still being actively involved with the family dairy operation of Unique Stock Farm.

Casey has successfully balanced 4-H, working on her parents’ farm and volunteering, and she firmly believes this will help her prepare for a career in Veterinary Medicine.

Congratulations, Casey!

For more information on the Nola Brown Continuous Achievement Award, please visit http://www.jerseycanada.com/pages/nola-brown-award.html.

 

Prix Nola Brown pour l’accomplissement continu

Casey Morey, Rochester, Alberta

Le Prix Nola Brown 2012 pour l’accomplissement continu fut présenté à Casey Morey de Rochester, Alberta lors de l’Exposition nationale Jersey de la Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. Ce prix est présenté annuellement à un étudiant au post-secondaire qui démontre une participation engagée aux activités de sa communauté tout en démontrant des talents de leadership, de l’ambition, de l’initiative et une éthique solide de travail.

Casey est une personne dévouée qui est très active dans sa communauté. Elle travaille fort, est ambitieuse, fonceuse et passionnée. Elle est une participante enthousiaste tant dans le secteur agricole que dans sa communauté en général.

Casey est fière de son engagement auprès de la race Jersey. Récemment, elle a présenté la première place Veau intermédiaire lors de l’Exposition jeunesse classique de l’ouest canadien (Western Canadian Classic Youth Show), une génisse qu’elle a elle même vu naître et grandir. C’était la première fois au cours de leurs 28 ans d’existence qu’une génisse Jersey remportait une classe de conformation à la WCC.

Casey étudie présentement à l’Université de l’Alberta où elle compte compléter un diplôme en Santé animale avant de poursuivre un doctorat en médecine vétérinaire à l’Université de Calgary, spécialisation en bovins laitiers. Son but à long terme est d’avoir sa propre clinique vétérinaire tout en participant étroitement à l’entreprise laitière familiale, Unique Stock Farm.

Casey a su partager son temps entre le 4-H, le travail sur la ferme de ses parents et le bénévolat. Elle croit fermement que tous ces engagements lui aideront à se préparer pour sa carrière en médecine vétérinaire.

Félicitations, Casey!

Pour plus d’informations sur le Prix Nola Brown pour l’accomplissement continu, visitez lehttp://www.jerseycanada.com/pages/nola-brown-award.html.

Friday, November 30 is the deadline to submit applications for the third Jersey Youth Academy, July 14 through 19, 2013 in Columbus, Ohio.

Established in 2008, Jersey Youth Academy achieves three broad objectives: first, for the participants to learn why and how the Jersey breed has grown and prospered, and what the future holds for the Jersey business; second, for them to meet leaders from the Jersey community and from across the support industry, and to gain their unique insights about the dairy business with a specific focus on the Jersey cow; and third, to learn about the range of career opportunities that involve the Jersey breed and Jersey products, and begin the journey that will take them to success working in the Jersey dairy business.

Youth who will be juniors or seniors in high school in the fall of 2013 and current college students who will have at least one year remaining to complete their degree are eligible to apply. Applicants must be U.S. residents.

The application is posted on the Academy web site at http://academy.usjersey.com.. A total of 36 individuals will be selected based on merit, motivation and preparation for the program as reflected in the written application and goal statement.

All program and transportation costs are paid by the Academy’s 501(c)(3) educational foundation. Contributors to the foundation represent a broad spectrum of Jersey breeder and dairy industry support, with the largest contribution to date coming from the all-donation National Heifer Sale in June, 2011.

Applications must be received in the office no later than 4:30 p.m. Eastern time on November 30.

For more information, contact Dr. Cherie L. Bayer, Director of Development for the American Jersey Cattle Association, at 614/322-4456 or email academy@usjersey.com.

DATE Nov 4th & 5th, 2012
LOCATION Royal Winter Fair – Toronto, Canada
JUDGE Showmanship Judge: Mike West & Associate: Paul Hunt
Conformation Judge: Donald Dubois

Grand Champion – Dan Werry – Durham West
Reserve Grand Champion – Natasha Trip-Niagra North
HM Grand Champion – Peter Leach- Kawartha Lakes

Grand Champion Calf – M Signature Verbatrim Tia Marie (Verbatrim), Alana McKinven, Quebec South East
Reserve Champion – Sharp Acres St Jessy (Secure), Ronald Werry, Durham West
HM Champion – Guyview Lauthority Lizanne (Lauthority), Iris Wolfensberger, Stormont

Junior Showmanship (92)
1. Connor Mann- PEI
2. Matt Lange- South Simcoe
3. Cally Finley- Durham West
4. Madison Dyment- Oxford
5. Caitlin Jampen-Dundas
6. Abbi atkins-Wellington
7. Troy Killough- Elgin
8. Kirkland Reaney – Carleton
9. Kyle Bouma- PEI
10. Connor French- Wellington
11. Cassie hawthorn- perth
12. Dawson Turcott- Peterborough
13. Ashley Harvey- South Simcoe
14. Blaire French- Wellington
15. Brett Stockdale- Peterborough
16. Megan Johnson- Bruce
17. Kyleigh Jampen- Dundas
18. Raine Beckwith- New Brunswick
19. David Leach- Kawartha Lakes
20. Rebeccas Franken- Huron
21. Jessica Sills-Hastings
22. Tessa Bowes- Lanark
23. Laura DeKlein- Middlesex
24. Cassandra Allen- Prescott
25. Rebeccas Spuehler- Prescott

 

Intermediate Showmanship (122)
1. Peter Leach- Kawartha Lakes
2. Alana McKinven- Quebec south East
3. Travis Canning- Wellington
4. Alex Chabot- Russell
5. Emma Farlinger- Dundas
6. Matthew Forestall- Northumberland
7. Bryce Seaborn- Northumberland
8. Courtney Ray- Hastings
9. Jordan Thompson- Peel
10. Jessica Carr -Northumberland
11. Emma-Sue Johnson- Bruce
12. Chris Deklein-Middlesex
13. Rebecca Doyle- Durham West
14. Amy Elliott- Lambton
15. Christopher Franken- Huron
16. Jocelyn Sayles- Brant
17. Ryan Willows-Perth
18.Victoria Eastman- Carleton
19. Dayna Snowdon- Grenville
20. Graham Orser- Frontenac
21. Josh Karn- Oxford
22. Jocelyn Sayles- Brant
23. Tamara Hamilton -Russell
24. Bronwyn O’Neill- Lennox & Addington
25. Harley Wilson – Nova Scotia
26. Tyson Walker -Wellington
27. Ali Underwood- Huron
28. Serena Lamont- Bruce

Senior Showmanship
1. Dan Werry – Durham West
2. Natasha Trip-Niagra North
3. Patrick Baird- Durham west
4. Taryn Campbell-Durham West
5. Ronald Werry-Durham West
6. Kyle Clement-Leeds
7. Dakota Doyle- Durham West
8. Brittany Lenselink – Wellington
9. Jessica Rodrigue- Quebec Northwest
10. Micheal Barnum- Northumberland
11. Maxime Montplaisir- Quebec center
12. Kristen Brnum-Northumberland
13. Eric Donnan – Hastings
14. Eleri Morris-North Simcoe
15. Cory Robinson-Renfrew
16. Steve Glaude-Glengarry
17. Scott Brown-Lennox & Addington
18. Sarah Jeffs-Northumberland
19. Paul Patenaude- Russell
20. Christine Armstrong-Halimand
21. Iris Wolfensberger-Stormont
22. Bethany MacDonald-Glengarry
23. Jilian Baird-Durham West
24. Jennifer Charlton-Brant
25. Ryan Crowley- Peterborough
26. Kayla St Cyr- Quebec South East
27. Michelle Slaughter- Lambton
28. Shea O’Neill-Grey

Junior Calf (33)

1. Guyview Lauthority Lizanne (Lauthority), Iris Wolfensberger, Stormont
2. Cherry Crest lavanguard Roz (Lavanguard), Caitlin Jampen, Dundas
3. rotaly Windbrook Hilda (Windbrook), Mauranne Hebert, Quebec East
4. Centuryholm Sexyandiknowit (Sanchez ), Victoria Eastman, Carleton
5. Bobmur Colt Lavish P (Colt P), Cassie Hawthorne, Perth
6. Pleasant Nook Tinkerbell (Dempsey), Meghan Eby, Waterloo
7. Crovalley Gold Rapcity (goldwyn), Vanessa Crowley, Peterborough
8. Hanalee Attic jaguar (Attic), Grace McLeod, Oxford
9. Hicklee Sid Satin (Sid), Morgan Hickling, Bruce
10. Limbra Jessie Kimi (Jessie), Kaley Huybregts, Stormont

Intermediate Calf (73)
1. Sunspark Windbrook Extra (Windbrook), Natasha Tripp, Niagra North
2.Wilsonburg Sanchez marley (Sanchez), Darcie Wilson, Nova Scotia
3.Kingsway Lauthority All in (Lauthority), Matthew Forestall, Northumberland
4. Cherry Crest Aspen Twix (Aspen), Bethany MacDonald, Glengarry
5. High Point Rox Delight (Windbrook), Jilian Baird, Durham West
6. Goldenflo Wind Jack in the Box (Windbrook), Brodie MacBeath, PEI
7. Kingsway Godlwyn Dallas (Goldwyn), Derek Lee, Northumberland
8. Dillman Atwood petina (Atwood), Jessica Rodrigue, Quebec North West
9. McIntosh Juanita Goldwyn (Goldwyn), Greg McIntosh, Oxford
10. Crovalley Goldwyn Amazeme (Goldwyn0, Ryan Crowley

Senior Calf (99)
1. Signature Fevered Pitch (Fever), Emma Farlinger, Dundas
2. Redlodge Dempsey Avatar (Dempsey), Fabienne Kagi, Stormont
3. D ray dempsey Summit (Dempsey), Marie-Pier G Vincent, Quebec South
4. Lornevea Braxton Dolly (Braxton), Dan Werry, Durham West
5. Bonnie brae Seaver Bentley (Seaver), Kenny McRae, Prescott
6. Kaymanor Jersey Devil (Dundee), Peter LEach, Kawartha Lakes
7. Comestar Alica Goldwyn (Goldwyn), Bryce Seaborn, Northumberland
8. Phoenixholm Attic Montana (Attic), Zachary Cyr, Quebec South East
9. willdina Fever Timely (Fever), Bailey T Pool, Chatham Kent
10. Rayd oex Jordan Zel Rose (jordan), Christine Armstron, Halimand

Colored Breeds (11)
1. Musquie Calimero Chikeela (Calimero), Ashleigh Benedict, Nova Scotia
2. Wonderent Rebeldoodle (Wonderment), Marshall Ellis, Nova Scotia
3. Lashburn Kellybuck Britney (kellybuck), Carrie Simpson, quebec South West
4. Broadview Zipper 3 (Caspian), Courtney Stringer, York
5. Bartonleigh Calimero Blitz (Calimero), Jared Linttell, Prescott
6. Allegro Everest Surreal (Everest), Nova Scotia
7. Landslide Laure (Harry), Ty Hornbrook, New Brunswick
8. Comfort Farms Dalilah (Yogibear), marty Dykstra, Niagra North
9. Maplehurst Pies Rosalinga (Pies), jocelyn Forster, Wentworth
10. Eastwind Galaxy Magic (Galaxy), Sara Akkermans
11. dun Rovin Frontier Amrillo (Frontier), Jakob Vogel, Glengarry

Jersey Calves (14)
1. Gladale Sweet Baby G (Buster), Martha Mckinnon, Quebec South East
2. Homridge B honey (Buster), Brooke McKinven, Quebec South East
3. Leachland Kit Kat K (Minister), David leach, Kawartha Lakes
4. Huronia RBR Cherish 18Y (Ressurection), Courtney Ray , Hastings
5. golden Comerica Loreal (Comerica), Serena Lamont, Bruce
6. Glenholme Request Triumph (Request), Curtis Ruta, Peel
7. Willow Creek exploit Glitter (Exploit), Adrian Barnia-Plassotta, Weaterloo
8. Geordawn Verbatim Classy 10Y (Verbatim), Caleigh Van kampen, Dufferin
9. Willdina Tequila Jackie (Tequila), Erin Warwick, Durham East
10. Bridon Calcium Gina (Calcium), Brent Sayles, Brant

Jersey Yearlings (21)
1. M Signature Verbatrim Tia Marie (Verbatrim), Alana McKinven, Quebec South East
2. Golden Grandprix Miracle (Grandprix), Alisha Burgess, Middlesex
3. Bridgeview Money Impala (on the Money), Colton Oughtred, Brant
4. Smitden GP Nuggles (Grand Prix), Laura DeKlein, Middlesex
5. Enniskillen Tequila R Daisy (Tequila), Melyssa Sargent, Durham East
6. Enniskillen Nevada Nuggy (Nevada), Bruce Sargent, Durham East
7. Masonvale Res Sasquatch (Ressurction0, Summer Mason, Quebec South East
8. Drentex Reagan Skippy (Reagan), Carolyn Coddingto, Quebec South East
9. Drentex Request Bella (request), patricia Caldwell, Carelton
10. Geordawn Reagan Dahlia (Reagan), Alicia Van Kampen, Dufferin

Summer Yearling
1. Brismer Damion Jasmine (Damion), Veronique Brisson, Quebec South West
2. Belfast Goldwyn Lasenza (Goldwyn), Alex Chabot, Russell
3. Red Oak Sanchez Odyssey (Sanchez), Kyle Bouma, PEI
4. Brownlands Teancious slick (Tenacious), Scott Brown, Lennox & Addington
5. Hazbro Sanchez All-Spark (Sanchez), Tyson Walker, Wellington
6. Kingsway Fever Cow Bell (Fever0, Michael Barnum, Northumberland
7. Therindale Fever Blackberry (Fever), Dakota Doyle, Durham West
8. Weeks Dundee Anika (Dundee), Sarah MacDonell, Nova Scotia
9.Embrdale Bailey Federal (Federal), Cmaeron Stockdale, Peterborough
10. Mactalla Fever Iris (Fever), Kathryn mcCully, New Brunswick

Junior Yearling
1 Sharp Acres St Jessy (Secure), Ronald Werry, Durham West
2. Morsan Atwood Burka (Atwood), Daniel Martin, Bruce
3. Donelea Alex Ballerina (Alexander), Ava Doner, Durham East
4. Jeffshaven Goldwyn Bambi (Goldwyn), Sarah Jeffs, Northumberland
5. Winright Sanchez Jurassic (Sanchez), Kyle Clement, Leeds
6. Milibro Magnetism Rosemacy (Magnestism), Maxime Montplaisir, Quebec Centre
7. Donnandale Denzel Cocopuff (Denzel), Eric Donnan, Hastings
8. Marcon Goldwyn Casila (Goldwyn), Marika Boissonneault, Quebec East
9. Scosim Sterlng Penelopy (Sterling), Carolyn Redmond, Waterloo
10. Hanalee San Alabama (Sanchez), Celeste Cook, Perth

EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan is home to the No. 1 youth dairy judging team in the country. The Michigan youth delegation earned enough points to top teams representing 31 other states in this year’s National 4-H Dairy Judging Contest, held Oct. 1 at World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wis. The team was the highest ranking team both overall (beating out second-place Minnesota by 44 points) and in oral reasons. The double win is a first for the Michigan Dairy Youth Program, which is led by Joe Domecq, Michigan State University (MSU) animal science specialist and coordinator of the Michigan dairy judging program.

By winning first place overall, the team earned an invitation to travel to Europe for the two-week International Livestock Judging Tour, an honor awarded to the three top-ranking teams from the national contest. This year marks the sixth time in nine years that the youth team from Michigan has earned this honor by placing either second or third (five times) and first in 2012.

Competing on the Michigan youth team were MSU students Megan Bush, from Swartz Creek; Hayleigh Geurink, Allendale; and Savannah Katulski, Goodrich; and Alma College student Megan Filhart, Rosebush. The team was coached by Domecq and Sarah Black, volunteer assistant coach from Eagle.

“I can’t say enough about the level of commitment and dedication the members of this team made in preparation for the national contest,” Domecq said. “In addition, the program is fortunate to have a large number of volunteers and judging team alumni who are willing to volunteer numerous hours to help train and mentor the youth over the course of the practice season. The entire experience is about more than practicing for a contest – it’s about continuing to build the dairy judging program and helping these young people develop the skills necessary to succeed in life.

As a team, Michigan placed first in the Ayrshire breed, first in the Guernsey breed, second in the Holstein breed and fifth in the Jersey breed. Individually, each team member placed among the top 10 in one or more breeds.

Bush finished second place overall, fourth place in placing points only and fifth place in oral reasons. She was high individual in the Guernsey breed, third high individual in the Ayrshire breed and sixth in Jerseys.

Filhart was third high individual overall, second in both the Ayrshire and Holstein breeds, fifth place in placing points only and seventh place in oral reasons. Geurink placed eighth in oral reasons, ninth overall and was the second high individual in the Guernsey breed. Katulski placed seventh in the Brown Swiss and Guernsey breeds and was 20thhigh individual overall.

World Dairy Expo is like no other dairy industry event in the world. It features an industry trade show with well over 1,100 exhibitors from around the world, national dairy cattle shows and sales for seven dairy cattle breeds, youth judging contests, virtual farm tours and educational programs. Total attendance for the weeklong event tallies close to 70,000.

For more information about the Michigan Dairy Youth Program and the Michigan dairy judging program, contact Domecq at domecqjo@anr.msu.edu or (517) 353-7855.

Sponsors for the MSU and Michigan dairy youth judging programs are ABS Global, Inc., NorthStar Cooperative, the Michigan Holstein Association, the Michigan District 1 and District 6 Holstein Associations, the Michigan Jersey Cattle Club, the United Dairy Industry of Michigan, the Michigan Milk Producers Association and the Michigan Dairy Memorial Foundation.

Penn State took home top honors, winning the overall team title along with finishing first in team reasons at the Intercollegiate Dairy Cattle Judging Contest. The team was led by Isaac Haagen, the overall high individual and second in reasons. Hayden Hauschildt placed first individual with reasons and second overall individual leading UW-Madison to a second place overall team finish and second in reasons. Rounding out the top five teams overall were: Iowa State University, third; University of Minnesota, fourth; and UW-River Falls, fifth. Ninteen teams competed in this year’s contest.  Teams and individuals receiving recognition are:

Overall Top 10 Teams

1.   Penn State; 2539; coached by Dale Olver
2.   UW-Madison; 2526; coached by Wethal and Kelroy
3.   Iowa State University; 2460; coached by Dr. Lee Kilmer
4.   University of Minnesota; 2447; coached by Hansen, Thurk and Ellinghuysen
5.   UW-River Falls; 2446; coached by Steve Kelm
6.   Virginia Tech; 2439; coached by Knowlton and Barnes
7.   Cornell University; 2435; coached by Kevin Ziemba
8.   University of Illinois; 2394; coached by Gene McCoy
9.   Cal Poly State University; 2387; coached by Dr. Stan Henderson
10.   Kentucky; 2351; coached by Amanda Sterrett

Overall Top 10 Individuals

1.   Isaac Haagen, 859, Penn State
2.   Hayden Hauschildt, 850, UW-Madison
3.   Ariel Taxdal, 849, Penn State
4.   Jayne Esch, 841, University of Minnesota
5.   Abbey Wethal, 840, UW-Madison
6.   Jacob Brey, 836, UW-Madison
7.   Katie Adams, 833, Iowa State University
8.   Chanse Huggins, 833, University of Florida
9.   Rebecca Shaw, 831, Penn State
10.  Jessica Sentelle, 829, Virginia Tech

Top 10 Teams Reasons

1.   Penn State, 828, coached by Dale Olver
2.   UW-Madison, 827, coached by Wethal and Kelroy
3.   University of Minnesota, 825, coached by Hansen, Thurk and Ellinghuysen
4.   Virginia Tech, 821, coached by Knowlton and Barnes
5.   Iowa State University, 819, coached by Dr. Lee Kilmer
6.   Cornell University, 794, coached by Kevin Ziemba
7.   UW-River Falls, 781, coached by Steve Kelm
8.   Michigan State, 781, coached by Joe Domecq
9.   Cal Poly State University, 778, coached by Dr. Stan Henderson
10. Kansas State University, 774, coached by Jon Pretz

Top 10 Individual Reasons

1.   Hayden Hauschildt, 282, UW-Madison
2.   Isaac Haagen, 281, Penn State
3.   Stephen Gould, 281, Cornell University
4.   David Hanson, 281, University of Minnesota
5.   Jessica Sentelle, 280, Virginia Tech
6.   Ariel Taxdal, 277, Penn State
7.   Jayne Esch, 277, University of Minnesota
8.   Kelsey Smith, 276, Virginia Tech
9.   Katie Adams, 275, Iowa State University
10. Abbey Wethal, 274, UW-Madison

Generous support from sponsors makes the 92nd Intercollegiate Dairy Cattle Judging Contest possible. In 2012, sponsors include: ABS Global, Accelerated Genetics, American Guernsey Association, American Jersey Cattle Association, American Livestock Insurance Co., American Milking Shorthorn Society, Ayrshire Breeders’ Association, Brown Swiss Cattle Breeders Association, CRV USA, Dr. Dave Dickson Trust, Hoard’s Dairyman, Holstein Association USA, Inc., International Protein Sires, Lakeshore Federated Dairy Cooperative, La Belle, Inc., Land of Living, Land O’Lakes, Inc., National Dairy Shrine, Red & White Dairy Cattle Association, Select Sires, Inc., Sexing Technologies, Taurus Service, Inc., Westway Feed Products, LLC and World Dairy Expo.

State University of New York (SUNY) – Cobleskill placed first in the International Post-Secondary Dairy Cattle Judging Contest held Monday, October 01, 2012 World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wisc. The winning team was anchored with a third place finish overall by Sarah Andrew. Other team members included Rayne Paddock, Marybeth Shults, and Emily Pelletier. Austen Schmidt, member of the UW-Madison Farm and Industry Shortcourse (FISC) team, took home top honors as the overall high individual and Samantha Ropp of Kaskaskia College placed first overall in individual reasons.

Fourteen Post-Secondary teams competed in the contest which included two portions: a conventional judging contest with evaluation and individual reasons, and a practical segment.  The practical contest is a unique contest that includes essential on-farm skills with linear scoring, registered heifer evaluations and commercial heifer evaluations.  Team and individual results for both portions are as follows:

Overall Top 10 Teams

1. SUNY – Cobleskill, 2,133
   Team members: Sarah Andrew, Rayne Paddock, Marybeth Shults, Emily Pelletier
2. Morrisville State College, 2,123
   Team members: Duncan Baaley, Marshall Hinz, Adam Hill, Scott Smith
3. UW-Madison FISC, 2,111
   Team members: Austen Schmidt, Nicholas Schuster, Luke Luchterhand, Bret Long
4. Michigan State Ag Tech, 2,107
   Team members: Malissa Reed, Britney Zondlak, Alli Oesch, Adam Guernsey
5. NE Iowa Community College, 2,101
   Team members: Rachel Scott, Nick Duncanson, Andrew Hornberg, Jake Mills
6. Kaskaskia College, 2,087
   Team members: Samantha Ropp, Amanda Malawy, Brian Schumacher, Cathy Guckian
7. Modesto Junior College, 2,024
   Team members:  Jaime Rivera, Eric Migliazzo, Roger Silva, Brian Lopes
8. University of Minnesota-Crookston, 1,939
   Team members:  Whitney Lian, Marilyn Lewis, Rochelle Herzog, Rachl Grant
9. Lakeshore Technical College Team #1, 1,838
   Team members: Samuel Nigon, Nicholas Miles, Jennifer Nash
10. Honduras, 1,801
    Team members: Iuan Bermudez, Edwin Rajo, Aaron Erazo, Roxana Torres

Overall Top 10 Individuals

1. Austen Schmidt, 747, UW-Madison FISC
2. Samantha Ropp, 723, Kaskaskia College
3. Sarah Andew, 721, SUNY – Cobleskill
4. Duncan Baaley, 716, Morrisville State College
5. Whitney Lian, 710, University of Minnesota-Crookston
6. Rachel Scott, 709, NE Iowa Community College
7. Nick Duncanson, 709,  NE Iowa Community College
8. Malissa Reed, 709, Michigan State Ag Tech
9. Marshall Hinz, 708, Morrisville State College
10. Rayne Paddock, 707, SUNY – Cobleskill

Top 5 Team Reasons

1. SUNY – Cobleskill, 509
2. Morrisville State College, 505
3. Kaskaskia College, 493
4. NE Iowa Community College, 489
5. UW-Madison FISC, 481

Top 10 Individual Reasons

1. Samantha Ropp, 177, Kaskaskia College
2. Mitchell Ruth, 174, Morrisville State College
3. Austen Schmidt, 173, UW-Madison FISC
4. Marshall Hinz, 172, Morrisville State College
5. Sarah Andrew, 170, SUNY – Cobleskill
6. Duncan Baaley, 170, Morrisville State College
7. Rayne Paddock, 170, SUNY – Cobleskill
8. Marybeth Shults, 169, SUNY – Cobleskill
9. Rachel Scott, 168, NE Iowa Community College
10. Nicholas Schuster, 168, UW-Madison FISC

Top 5 Teams Practical Contest

1. NE Iowa Community College, 516
2. SUNY – Cobleskill, 495
3. Modesto Jr. College, 478
4. University of Minnesota-Crookston, 470
5. Lakeshore Technical College #1, 441

Top 5 Teams Linear Contest

1. University of Minnesota-Crookston, 438
2. NE Iowa Community College, 435
3. SUNY – Cobleskill, 432
4. Modesto Jr. College, 413
5. Lakeshore Technical College #2, 386

Top 10 Individuals Linear Contest

1. Corissa Robinson, University of Minnesota-Crookston, 156
2. Marybeth Shults, SUNY – Cobleskill, 151
3. Whitney Lian, University of Minnesota-Crookston, 149
4. Andrew Hornberg, NE Iowa Community College, 147
5. Rachel Scott, NE Iowa Community College, 145
6. Rayne Paddock, SUNY – Cobleskill, 144
7. Eric Migliazzo, Modesto Jr. College, 143
8. Jake Mills, NE Iowa Community College, 143
9. Conner Tollenaar, Modesto Jr. College, 141
10. Emily Pelletierr, SUNY – Cobleskill, 137

Top 5 Teams Registered Class

1. SUNY – Cobleskill, 191
2. NE Iowa Community College, 187
3. Modesto Jr. College, 185
4. Lakeshore Technical College #1, 185
5. University of Minnesota Crookston, 176

Top 5 Practical Commercial Class

1. NE Iowa Community College, 184
2. Fox Valley Tech #1, 176
3. SUNY – Cobleskill, 160
4. Modesto Jr. College, 155
5. University of Minnesota-Crookston, 148

Generous support from sponsors makes the 23rd International Post-Secondary Dairy Cattle Judging Contest possible. In 2012, sponsors include: ABS Global, Accelerated Genetics, Ag Bag, Alta Genetics, American Guernsey Association, American Jersey Cattle Association, American Milking Shorthorn Society, Art Nesbitt, Ayrshire Breeders’ Association, Bio-Vet, Inc., Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc., Brown Swiss Cattle Breeders Association, CRV USA, Den-K Holsteins, Exels Holsteins & Jerseys, E-Zee Milking Equipment, LLC, Hoard’s Dairyman, Holstein Association USA, Inc., International Protein Sires, J.W. Crowley Extension Fund, La Belle, Inc., Lakeshore Federated Dairy Cooperative, Land O’ Lakes, Inc., Maureen DeBruin, Merrick Animal Nutrition, Inc., National Dairy Shrine, Red & White Dairy Cattle Association, Semex USA, Sexing Technologies, Stone-Front Farms, The Hartford Livestock Department, UltraScan, Inc., Westway Feed Products, LLC, World Dairy Expo and World Wide Sires.

Michigan reigned supreme at the National 4-H Dairy Cattle Judging Contest on October 1 at World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wisc. Team members Megan Filhart, Hayleigh Geurink, Megan Bush and Savannah Katulski led the team to the top in overall placings. Respectively, Megan Filhart and Megan Bush placed second and third in overall individual judging.   The Michigan team was coached by Joe Domecq and Sarah Black.  Placing second, but with equal skills and points was Minnesota. Four points behind them was Pennsylvania.  Tony Garcia of California was the high individual overall and first in oral reasons.  Thirty-One teams from around the country competed in the dairy cattle evaluation contest judging 10 classes, and giving oral reasons on five classes.  Results are as follows:

Top 10 Teams Overall

1. Michigan, 2,045, coached by Domecq and Sarah BlackTeam members: Megan Filhart, Hayleigh Geurink, Megan Bush and Savannah Katulski
2. Minnesota, 2,001 coached by Scheffler and Pieper
   Team members: Mary Liebenstein, Emily Pieper, David Trcka, Dennison Nelson
3. New York, 2,001, coached by Doug Waterman
   Team members: Miquela Hanselman, Andrew Chlus, Jacob Duppengiesser, Heidi Vanleishout
4. Pennsylvania, 1,994,  coached by Chad Dechow
   Team members: Caitlyn Pool, Dyllan Himmelberger, Tim Yoder, Elliot Elsbree
5. Wisconsin, 1,952, coached by Behling/ Grosenick/ Sloan
   Team members: Andy Sell, Janelle Remington, Carrie Warmka, Brad Warmka
6. Ohio, 1,949, coached by Bonnie Ayars
   Team members: Laura Bond, Emily Dudash, Hillary Hayman, Meghan Thurston
7. California, 1,948, coached by Donny Rollin
   Team members: Tony Garcia, Justin Bopp, Tristan Rollin, Brandon Carreiro
8. New Hampshire, 1,940, coached by Jessica Chickering
   Team members: Brooke Clarke, Jacob Blake, Lucas Deblois, Tristan Phillips
9. Maryland, 1,930, coached by Jessica Little
   Team members: Tessa Wiles, Carol Debaugh, Scott Debaugh, Derrick Zimmerman
10. Illinois, 1,897, coached by David Fischer
    Team members: Adrienne Brammeier, Jessica Telgamann, Morgan Wendling, Brett Woker

Top 10 Individuals Overall:

1. Tony Garcia, 700, California
2. Megan Bush, 690, Michigan
3. Megan Filhart, 688, Michigan
4. Dyllan Himmelberger, 686, Pennsylvania
5. Emily Pieper, 680, Minnesota
6. Miquela Hanselman, 677, New York
7. Jacob Duppengiesser, 675, New York
8. Kylie Ward, 671, North Carolina
9. Hayleigh Guerink, 667, Michigan
10. Mary Liebenstein, 665, Minnesota

Top 10 Team Reasons:

1. Michigan, 677, coached by Domecq and Black
2. Minnesota, 677, coached by Scheffler andPieper
3. Pennsylvania, 673, coached by Chad Dechow
4. New York, 661, coached by Doug Waterman
5. Wisconsin, 654, coached by Behling/ Grosenick/ Sloan
6. Maryland, 635, coached by Jessica Little
7. California, 632, coached by Donny Rollin
8. Ohio, 630, coached by Bonnie Ayars
9. Iowa, 628, coached by Lyons and Lovstuen
10. Florida, 628, coached by Holcomb and Clements

Top 10 Individual Reasons:

1. Tony Garcia, 234, California
2. Dyllan Himmelberger, 231, Pennsylvania
3. Mary Liebenstein, 230, Minnesota
4. Jacob Duppengiesser, 228, New York
5. Megan Bush, 227, Michigan
6. Andy Sell, 227, Wisconsin
7. Megan Filhart, 225, Michigan
8. Hayleigh Geurink, 225, Michigan
9. Laura Bond, 224, Ohio
10. David Trcka, 224, Minnesota

Generous support from sponsors makes the 91st National 4-H Dairy Cattle Judging Contest possible. In 2012, sponsors include: ABS Global, Accelerated Genetics, American Guernsey Association, American Jersey Cattle Association, American Livestock Insurance Company, Inc., Ayrshire Breeders’ Association, Brown Swiss Cattle Breeders Association, CRV USA, E-Zee Milking Equipment, LLC, Hoard’s Dairyman, Holstein Association USA, International Protein Sires, Lakeshore Federated Dairy Cooperative, Land of Living, Land O’Lakes, Inc., Maryland Brown Swiss Association, Merrick Animal Nutrition, Inc., Mrs. Judy Majeskie, Nasco, National Dairy Shrine, Pfizer Animal Health, Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin, Select Sires, Inc., Sexing Technologies, The Hartford Livestock Department, University of Wisconsin-Madison Dairy Science Dickson Fund, Westway Feed Products, LLC and World Dairy Expo.

The third annual World Dairy Expo Youth Fitting Contest was held Sunday morning. The participants, whose ages ranged from 16-21 years, from across the United States and Canada, demonstrated their dairy cattle fitting skills in this competitive event. Each contestant was responsible to bring an unclipped animal to the contest and their own equipment and supplies. They clipped and fit the hair to enhance each animal’s strengths and weaknesses within the time limit. These eager youth clipped and fitted the animals to perfection. Jason Thomas, Lowville N.Y. served as the official judge who evaluated the twenty participants’ fitting skills.

Top Individuals of the Youth Fitting Contest:

• Wayne Cyrus Conard, Sharon Springs, N.Y.
• Michael Barton, Copake Falls, N.Y.
• Adrian Franken, Teeswater, O.N.
• Lee Morey, Rochester, Minn.
• Ashley Stolzfus, Berlin, Penn.

This contest kicks off the first of many youth events this week at World Dairy Expo. Generous support from sponsors makes the Youth Fitting Contest possible. In 2012, sponsors include: Aesculap AG Germany, Animart, La Belle, Inc. and Wisconsin State Farmer.

The Jersey Canada Youth Committee is pleased to announce two winners of the 2012 Jersey Canada Youth Scholarship.  Congratulations go to Annie Grubb, Brigham, Quebec, and to Hiske Renkema, Mount Elgin, Ontario.

Each year Jersey Canada offers two scholarships of $750, which recognize outstanding interest, knowledge and achievement in the Jersey Breed as well as agriculture in general.  The 2012 scholarship recipients are very worthy individuals, indeed!
Annie Grubb

Annie Grubb is a student at McGill University, where she is studying Agribusiness and Agrology.  Annie explains that she chose this course of study “because it combined both my passion for agriculture and my strength for mathematics.”

Annie was raised on a mixed Holstein and Jersey farm in Brigham, Quebec.  She plays an active role in the raising and breeding of the Jersey heifers.  Annie enjoys showing Jersey heifers as her 4-H project, and works hard to show her Jerseys at the local achievement day and occasionally at the Quebec 4-H provincial rally.

Annie has served on the Quebec 4-H provincial board of directors, and is a member of the Quebec 4-H financial committee.  She has experience as a youth director for the Brome Fair Horticultural Society, and has worked two summers as a student technician at the Club-conseil Gestrie-Sol, and experience which helped to reinforce Annie’s passion for the industry.

Hiske Renkema

Hiske Renkema is a 3rd year student at the University of Guelph, where she will major in Animal Science, and minor in Business Administration.  At the University of Guelph, Hiske takes advantage of opportunities to learn about new technologies, meet individuals passionate about the Agriculture Industry, and connect with professors and other industry specialists.

Hiske is involved in many extra-curricular activities, including College Royal Society, Junior Farmers, International Studies, and Orientation Week Volunteer.

Hiske bought her first Jersey heifer in 2008, and now owns five Jerseys under her own prefix:  Halfway.  After completing her degree in 2014, Hiske plans to fully take over one of her family’s farms.

Judge Bruce Sayles

Novice Showmanship(16)
1st Cameron Barkey, Durham East
2nd  Cody Armstrong, Peterborough

Junior Showmanship (16)
1st Liz Teel Durham West
2nd David Leach Kawartha Lakes

Inter Showmanship(17)
1st Peter Leach Kawartha Lakes
2nd Cameron Stockdale, Peterborough

Senior Showmanship (10)
1st Dan Werry Durham West
2nd Dakota Doyle Durham West

Champion- Peter Leach Kawartha Lakes

Reserve Champion – Dan Werry Durham West

Honourable Mention – Dakota Doyle Durham West

Colored Breeds (11)
1st David Leach Kawartha Lakes – Leachland Kit Kat K
2nd Aidan Bullock Peterborough – Jasper Coulton Chocolate

Junior Calf (21)
1st Sierra McMorrow Kawartha Lakes – Kawartha Braxton Vienna
2nd Vanessa Crowley Peterborough – Crovalley Gold Rapcity

Intermediate Calf (12)
1st Jillian Baird Durham West – High Point  Rox Delight
2nd Ryan Crowley Peterborough – Crovalley Gold Amaze Me

Senior Calf (17)
1st Dan Werry Durham West – Lorneva Braxton Dolly
2nd Peter Leach Kawartha Lakes – Kaymanor Jersey Devil

Summer Yearling (8)
1st Patrick Baird Durham West – Royalwater Fever Jenna
2nd Dakota Doyle Durham West         Therindale Fever Blackberry

Junior Yearling(6)
1st Ronald Werry Durham West – Sharpacres St Jessy
2nd Ava Doner    Durham East – Donalea Alex Ballerina

Champion 4-H Calf – Dan Werry Durham West – Lorneva Braxton Dolly

Reserve Champ Calf – Jillian Baird Durham West – High Point  Rox Delight

Hm Champ Calf – Ronald Werry Durham West – Sharpacres St Jessy

Top Team – Collegiate

1. University of Minnesota (2,108 points)
2. University of Wisconsin- Madision (2066 points)
3. University of Wisconsin- River Falls (2055 points)
4. Cornell Unversity (2052 points)
5. Penn State University (2043 points)

Top Five Individuals- Collegiate
1. David Hanson, University of Minnesota
2. Labecca Johnson, University of WI- River Falls
3. Stephen Gould, Cornell University
4. Theresa Twohey, University of Minnesota
5. Jayne Esch, University of Minnesota

Top Five Teams- 4-H
1. Ohio (1877 points)
2. New York (1841 points)
3. Wisconsin (1825 points)
4. Pennsylvania (1817 points)
5. Maryland (1817 points)

Top Five Individuals- 4-H
1. Trent Miller, WI
2. Emily Dudash, OH
3. Abigail Jantzi, NY
4. Hillary Jackson, OH
5. Laura Bond, OH

Top Five Teams- FFA
1. Minnesota
2. Georgia
3. Indiana
4. Missouri
5. West Virginia

Top Five Individuals- FFA
1. Haely Leiding, MN
2. Kayla Leiding, MN
3. Emma Eckrote, IN
4. Travis Troendle, MN
5. Taylor Gunter, GA

Baraboo, Wis. – The 19th Annual Accelerated Genetics Intercollegiate Dairy Cattle Judging Contest was held September 16, 2012 in Viroqua, Wis., with the University of Minnesota taking top honors in both reasons and overall. The University of Minnesota team was coached by Dr. Les Hansen, Scott Ellinghuysen and Alicia Thurk. Team members Jon Schmitt, Doug Petzel, Tyler Otte, and Laura Rosenhammer, took home the coveted Brown Swiss Canton III Traveling Trophy for winning the contest.

Placing second overall was the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, coached by Cory Weigel and Ryan Weigel. Team members included: Paul Johnson, Cassy Krull, Sarah Endres, and Andrea Pagenkopf. Rounding out the top three teams was South Dakota State University, coached by Steve Crego. Team members included: Alisha VanderWal, Chelsey Johnson, and Chris Schulze.
The top overall individual award went to Jon Schmitt from the University of Minnesota. The other top individuals included (listed in order from 2nd-10th): Erik Warmka, University of Wisconsin-River Falls; Aaron Mitchell, University of Illinois; Doug Petzel, University of Minnesota; Sarah Endres, University of Wisconsin-Platteville; Tyler Otte, University of Minnesota; Alisha VanderWal, South Dakota State University; Kyle Jacobs, Kansas State University; Chris Schulze, South Dakota State University; and Paul Johnson, University of Wisonsin-Platteville.

In the oral reasons competition the University of Minnesota took top honors again with second place going to the University of Wisconsin-Madison, coached by Chad Wethal and Brian Kelroy and team members: Mackenzie Nichols, Cassie Endres, Laura Finley and Anna Blake; and third place to the University of Wisconsin-Platteville.

Each year the top three individuals for oral reasons receive a special scholarship from the James W. Crowley Fund. This years top three individuals were: Cassie Endres, University of Wisconsin-Madison; Tyler Otte, University of Minnesota; and Jon Schmitt, University of Minnesota.

A total of 17 teams participated in this year’s contest representing the states of Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. They judged dairy breeds including, Guernsey, Holstein, Jersey and Milking Shorthorn with each participant placing 10 classes and giving five sets of oral reasons.

A key part of the judging contest are the youth that serve as leadspeople. Each year, Vernon County youth assist with the contest by leading the cattle – this year 22 youth participated. Showmanship awards are then given to the youth based on their skills exhibiting the cattle and sportsmanship.

In the Junior Showmanship Division Brianna Hall placed first, Mikayla Lepke placed second and Courtney Moser placed third. Placing first in the Senior Showmanship Division was Logan Guttenberger, second place Arlisa Landis and third was Ryan Guttenberger. And the Overall Showmanship Winner was Jacob Leum who received the David Larson Memorial Showmanship Award – a special award in memory of David Larson, who worked very closely with the Vernon County youth and the judging contest.

This contest would not be possible without the tremendous support of the numerous contest and award sponsors. They include: American Guernsey Association, American Jersey Cattle Association, American Milking Shorthorn Society, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Chart Industries, Inc., Church of Christ, Connie Schmelzer, Hampel Corporation, Holstein Associaiton USA, James W. Crowley Fund, Merial, Ltd., Milk Products, Inc., Pfizer Animal Health, Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Sci-Tech Premixes, Star Blends, Supreme Awards, Swiss Valley Farms, Taylor-Wharton Cryogenics, The Baraboo National Bank, The Bank of Viroqua, Vernon County Agricultural Society, Vernon County Junior and Open Show Exhibitors, and Wisconsin Brown Swiss Canton III – Jane of Vernon.

Accelerated Genetics is a global provider of bovine genetics and research, reproductive services, and solution-based animal health products. With a focus on People, Products and Pride, the Accelerated Genetics vision is to be the producer’s trusted first choice.

439 youth from 9 states competed on Sunday, September 16th in the largest ever showmanship contest held in Harrisburg, PA during the All-American Dairy Show.

Junior division

138 head of junior competitors.

1. Mason Mazzaro, 11 of Williamsfield, Ohio
2. Trinity Miller, 10, Westminster, MD
3. Bradley Richman, 10, Mannington, NJ
4. Anna Klink, 9, Linesville, PA
5. Dayton Pitzer, 9, New Alexandria, PA
6. Jailynn Gilbert, 10, Meadville, PA
7. Brooke Cornell, 11, Berlin, PA
8. Mikayla Davis, 11, Leesport, PA
9. Tucker True, 11, Perry, NY
10. Kiley Cassell, 11 , Duncannon, PA

Intermediate division

166 contestants

 

1. Kyle Barton, 14 of Ancramdale, NY
2. Jacob Kline, 14, Myerstown, PA
3. Daniel Kitchen, 14, Danville, PA
4. Kayla Umbel, 13, Emmitsburg, MD
5. Hannah Rhoades, 15, Greenville, OH
6. Maddy Manges, 13, Fairhope, PA
7. Lane Kummer, 12, Evans City, PA
8. Kayla Windecker, 15, Frankfort, NY
9. Lexi Winkler, 14, Woodbine, MD
10. Kelsey, Heiney, 13, Strasburg, PA

Senior Division

135 other contestants

1. Jade Jensen, 19, Joplin, MO
2. Second – Elijah Dobay, 17, Farmdale, OH
3. Corbin Wood, 21, Littletown, PA
4. Lauren Nell, 19, Gettysburg, PA
5. Madison Fisher, 21, Claysburg, PA
6. Spencer Weimer, 21 Emlenton, PA
7. Ashlee Dietz, 21, Southington, OH
8. Kaitlyn Corbatt, 19, Williamsport, MD
9. Laura Emerson, 21, Middletown, DE
10. Justin Kennedy, 17, New Castle, PA

 

September 6th, 2012
Western Washington Fairgrounds – Puyallup, WA
Judge: Herby Lutz

Novice Showmanship (11)
1. Brylee Yackley – Onalaska, WA
2. Clancy Krahn – Albany, OR
3. Lauryn Young – Chahalis, WA
4. Scott Christiansen – Turner, OR
5. Briggs Snell – Tillamook, OR

Junior Showmanship (11)
1. Zack Schilter – Chehalis, WA
2. Gracie Krahn – Albany, OR
3. Ryan Erickson – Lynden, WA
4. Derek Littrel – Deer Park, WA
5. Helena Van Ess – Duvall, WA

Intermediate Showman (8)
1. Nicole Sanders – Hilmar, CA
2. Alicia Smaciarz – Raymond, WA
3. Tyler Meyer – Toledo, WA
4. Kyle Erickson – Lynden, WA
5. Mieke Van Ess – Duvall, WA

Senior Showman (10)
1. Mike Kortus – Lynden, WA
2. Andrea Smaciarz – Raymond, WA
3. Natalie Sanders, Hilmar, CA
4. Rebecca Thomas – Cornelius, OR
5. Rebekah Gourley – Scio, OR

 

The sun was hot, the cattle were clipped and the excitement was high as the 2012 Inter-County Judging competition kicked off at the Embro Fairgrounds on Thursday, August 2nd. A total of 86 participants took part in the competition, judging nine classes of cattle from area farms throughout the day.

Participants started off the day by writing a quiz based on material from the “You be the Judge” manual, which all young judges use to hone their skills. Upon completion of the 50-point quiz, participants headed outside to evaluate three classes of Holsteins, three classes of Jerseys and one class each of Brown Swiss, Guernsey and Ayrshire cattle.

After spending the morning judging, participants broke for lunch before reconvening to give reasons in the afternoon. Seniors gave reasons on six of the classes they judged that morning, while juniors gave reasons on three classes. Participants later gathered in the main building to receive official placings and cuts from the day’s judges: Alicia Horne, Murray Reissner, Bruce Sayles, Jennifer Peart, Mike West, Steve Fraser, Ken Empey, Art Groenewegen and Brian Carscadden.

At 4:30, participants gathered for a roast beef dinner and waited in anticipation to find out which four participants had won the 10-day all-expenses-paid trip to Madison, Wisconsin to attend World Dairy Expo.

Following dinner, Jason French of the Ontario Holstein Branch thanked the sponsors and volunteers for making the day so successful. Sarah McIntosh of John Deere – the event’s premier sponsor – congratulated all participants and wished the winning team well in Madison.

This year, Vanessa Crowley of Peterborough, Michael Lupton of Oxford, Jenna Elliott of Lambton and Chris Steven, also of Lambton, will represent Ontario at World Dairy Expo where they will compete in the 91st National 4-H Dairy Cattle Judging Contest. They were among the top winners of the day and will travel to Madison for 10 days in October with Bert Stewart and Murray Reissner as coaches.

Following in her siblings’ footsteps in years past, Vanessa Crowley was named High Individual winner in the senior category. High Individual runner-up was Michael Lupton.
Winning High Senior Team this year was the Lambton County team made up of Jenna Elliott and Chris Steven and coached by Brian Slaughter. Michael Lupton and Marty Hazeleger of Oxford, coached by Dean Karn, were runners-up.

In the junior division, Mikayla Ringelberg of Wentworth had an outstanding day. She won High Individual and was named Junior Rookie of the day. High Individual runner-up was Peter Leach of Kawartha Lakes. This year’s High Team in the junior division was made up of Madison Dyment and Trent Jones of Oxford, coached by Dean Karn. Brent and Connor Sikma of Durham East, coached by Glenn Barkey, were runners-up. Congratulations to all 2012 winners listed below!

Thank you to the fantastic group of volunteers and committee members who went above and beyond to make everything run smoothly! We also wish to thank the Ontario Dairy Youth Trust Fund and John Deere, as well as the numerous sponsors and supporters who continue to make the event possible each year.

• SENIOR DIVISION RESULTS
  • High Team and Coach – Sponsored by Genervations – Jenna Elliott and Chris Steven, coached by Brian Slaughter (Lambton)
  • Runner-Up High Team and Coach – Sponsored by C.I.B.C. –  Michael Lupton and Marty Hazeleger, coached by Dean Karn (Oxford)
  • High Individual – Sponsored by Bert Stewart -• Vanessa Crowley (Peterborough)
  • Runner-Up High Individual – In Memory of Bill Dobbin – Michael Lupton (Oxford)
  • High Placing – Sponsored by Clarence Diefenbacher – Grant Armstrong (Northumberland)
  • Runner-Up High Placing – Sponsored by Fradon Holsteins – Cameron Stockdale (Durham East)
  • High Reasons – Sponsored by Joe Snyder -Alan Nanne (Lanark)
  • Runner-Up High Reasons – Sponsored by Hessholm Holsteins -Michael Lupton (Oxford)
  • High Holsteins – Sponsored by Lowell Lindsay – Dan Werry (Durham West)
  • Runner-Up High Holsteins – Sponsored by Riverdown Holsteins – Marty Hazeleger (Oxford)
  • High Jersey – Sponsored by Joel Bagg – Alan Nanne (Lanark)
  • Runner-Up High Jersey – Sponsored by Bell City Jerseys – Jenna Elliott (Lambton)
  • High Other Breeds – Sponsored by Terry Beckett – Vanessa Crowley (Peterborough)
  • Runner-Up High Other Breeds – Sponsored by Murray Reissner – Grant Armstrong (Northumberland)
  • High Quiz – Sponsored by Paul Larmer – Courtney O’Neill (Lennox & Addington)
  • Runner-Up High Quiz – Sponsored by Bill Edelstein – Julia Lensvelt (Perth)
  • Rookie Award – Sponsored by Ken Empey – Chris Steven (Lambton)
• JUNIOR DIVISION RESULTS
  • High Team and Coach – Sponsored by TD Canada Trust -Madison Dyment and Trent Jones, coached by Dean Karn (Oxford)
  • Runner-Up High Team and Coach – Sponsored by John Deere – Connor Sikma and Brent Sikma, coached by Glenn Barkey (Durham East)
  • High Individual – Sponsored by Phyllis MacMaster – Mikayla Ringelberg (Wentworth)
  • Runner-Up High Individual – Sponsored by Geoff Innes – Peter Leach (Kawartha Lakes)
  • High Placing – Sponsored by Jason French -Connor Sikma (Durham East)
  • Runner-Up High Placing – Sponsored by Ebyholme Farms – Peter Leach (Kawartha Lakes)
  • High Reasons – Sponsored by Steven Fraser – Peter Leach (Kawartha Lakes)
  • Runner-Up High Reasons – Sponsored by Earl Osborne – Mikayla Ringelberg (Wentworth)
  • High Holsteins – Sponsored by Select Sires – Brett Stockdale (Durham East)
  • Runner-Up High Holsteins – Sponsored by Select Sires – Justin Velthuis (Carleton)
  • High Jerseys – Sponsored by R.J. Farms – Peter Leach (Kawartha Lakes)
  • Runner-Up High Jersey – Sponsored by Maple Leaf Jerseys – Mikayla Ringelberg (Wentworth)
  • High Quiz – Sponsored by Altona Lea Farms – Madison Dyment (Oxford)
  • Runner-Up High Quiz – Sponsored by Quinndale Holsteins – Mikayla Ringelberg (Wentworth)
  • Rookie Award – Sponsored by Ken Empey – Mikayla Ringelberg (Wentworth)

Christine Reitsma, an 18-year-old college student from Sauk Centre, was crowned the 59th Princess Kay of the Milky Way in an evening ceremony at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds Wednesday.

Reitsma, the first Princess Kay to hail from Stearns County, will serve as the official goodwill ambassador for more than 4,000 Minnesota dairy farmers. Christine is the daughter of Paul and Carolyn Reitsma of Sauk Centre, and will attend the University of Minnesota Twin Cities this fall studying applied economics.

County dairy princesses from throughout Minnesota competed for the Princess Kay of the Milky Way title. Victoria Haler of Waconia, representing Carver County, and Kelsey Mussman of Claremont, representing Steele County, were selected as runners-up. Mussman was also named Miss Congeniality. Scholarships were awarded to Reitsma, Mussman and Laura Rosenhammer of Sleepy Eye, representing Brown County.

One of Reitsma’s first duties as Princess Kay will be to sit in a rotating cooler for about six hours on the opening day of the Minnesota State Fair to have her likeness sculpted in a 90-pound block of butter. Each of the other finalists will have her likeness carved in butter during the fair, as well. This year marks butter sculptor Linda Christensen’s 41st year carving the Princess Kay of the Milky Way winner and finalists at the Minnesota State Fair.

Throughout her year-long reign as Princess Kay of the Milky Way, Reitsma will make public appearances helping consumers make a connection with Minnesota dairy farm families who are dedicated to producing wholesome milk while caring for their animals and natural resources.

Princess Kay candidates are judged on their general knowledge of the dairy industry, communication skills, personality and enthusiasm for dairy promotion. The Midwest Dairy Association sponsors the Princess Kay program with funds provided by dairy farmers.

Midwest Dairy Association is a non-profit organization that provides consumers with information about the nutrition and wholesomeness of dairy foods, and conducts research and promotional programs.