The Brown Swiss Cattle Breeders’ Association has selected the District winners in the National Youth Cheese Yield Contest. Sixteen youth competed in this year’s cheese yield contest.
In District I, Tucker True was named the winner with Trulea Denver Catch Me 6281. True, of Perry. N.Y. is the son of Jeff and Stacia True. Catch Me 6281 is classified ‘VG88’ and produced 17,340 lbs. of milk, 767 lbs. of fat, and 612 lbs. of protein in a 305-day lactation.
Eric Hill of Lebanon, Pa. won District II with Little Hill Ladysman Lauren ‘VG87’. He currently has a herd of four Brown Swiss. Hill is very active on the family farm, helping out with mixing feed and milking the cattle. He says, “I love the farm and all its qualities.” In the future, Hill plans to take over the family farm and become the fourth generation on the farm.
The District III winner is Shelby Nierman, Brownstown, Ind. with Niermans Nautlis Linn ‘2E90’. Nierman says, “Throughout my life, Brown Swiss have played a significant role in my life.” She takes pride in her Brown Swiss work and credits the breed for her life skills. Nierman plans to attend Purdue University in the fall of 2015.
Tiona Tulachka of Wis. is the District V winner with Lost Elm Vigor Silk. At 3 years and 9 months, Silk was classified ‘E90’ with an ‘E92” mammary system. In a 305-day lactation, Silk produced 21,340 lbs. of milk, 1,085 lbs. of fat, and 786 lbs. of protein.
In District VI, the winner is Dayne Voelker of Perryville, Mo. with Voelkers Lovery Moe ‘2E92’. Voelker is currently attending the University of Missouri-Kansas City where he is enrolled in the medical program. He helps out on the family farm by milking and feeding the calves. In the future, Voelker plans to continue his work on the family farm and involvement with the Brown Swiss breed.
Isabella Portner of Sleepy Eye, Minn. is the District VII and Overall National Winner. She is the daughter of Tom and Mary Portner, and resides on the family farm, Port Haven Dairy. The family milks 270 Brown Swiss and Crossbred cattle. She credits her grandfather for her interest in the Brown Swiss breed. Portner says she feels grateful to be an active member on the family farm and in 4-H and FFA. In the future, she plans to own a herd of Brown Swiss cattle.
District IX winner is Cort Rowley of Visalia, Ca. with Willowside Dynasty Winnie ‘E90’. Rowley is the fifth generation on his family farm and says “Cows are in my blood.” He is involved in FFA and is a freshman at Golden West High School. He enjoys caring for and showing Brown Swiss cattle and giving back to his community with hard work. In the future, he plans to become an agriculture instructor.
To participate in the Youth Cheese Yield contest, a youth must be a Brown Swiss National Junior member as defined by owning or leasing a registered Brown Swiss animal and 9-21 years of age as of January 1 of the current year. For more information contact Junior Advisor Charlotte Muenzenberger at cmuenzenberger@brownswissusa.com, call the Brown Swiss Association at 608-365-4474 or visit the website: www.brownswissusa.com .
The Brown Swiss Association was established in 1880, registers about 10,000 animals per year and serves about 1800 combined Adult and Junior Members.
