Bailey made history. Again. Youth owned the ring. Ayrshires exploded. If you missed Day 3, you missed dairy’s future.
Executive Summary: Split-second decisions beat spreadsheet analysis at World Dairy Expo Day 3—and the proof walked the ring. Peter Vail left dinner to write a check for B-Wil Kingsire Willow; she just won Grand Champion. Two Ayrshires gave judges physical goosebumps because choosing between perfection is impossible. Bailey etched her third title into history while youth exhibitors crushed veterans in four straight Jersey classes. The Ayrshire breed exploded from quiet corner to center stage with Holstein money pouring in. Here’s your lesson: overthinking is the enemy of excellence—the best moves happen when instinct meets opportunity, not after committee meetings.
Grand Champion
International Ayrshire Show 2025 World Dairy Expo
Budjon Farms and Peter Vail Lomira, WI
The goosebumps hit Judge Greg Evans physically as two phenomenal Ayrshire cows circled the ring. His associate JP leaned over mid-class, expressing his own physical reaction to the quality on display. That electric moment captured day three at World Dairy Expo perfectly—a day where Ayrshires exploded into the spotlight, a Jersey legend claimed her third crown, and split-second decisions turned into championship banners. With 371 Jersey entries, 247 Guernsey entries, and hundreds more across all breeds competing in Madison, Wisconsin, the colored shavings witnessed moments that will echo through the industry for years.
The Ayrshire Surge: From Quiet Corner to Center Stage
Third-generation Ayrshire breeder Greg Evans judged his own breed and couldn’t hide his excitement about the breed’s trajectory. The transformation of the Ayrshire show is stunning—what was once a quieter competition has evolved into fierce battles with depth that even experienced judges find breath-taking.
The surge isn’t just numbers—it’s new blood. Holstein breeders are investing heavily in Ayrshires and reaping the rewards. When successful breeders from the world’s largest dairy breed start diversifying into Ayrshires, that’s validation that something extraordinary is happening.
The Ten-Second Decision That Changed Everything
Grand Champion B-Wil Kingsire Willow’s story started at a dinner table. After last year’s Expo, owners were eating when Peter Vail—co-owner with Budjon Farms—excused himself mid-conversation. He walked straight to the tent, completed the purchase on the spot, and then returned to finish his dinner. One year later, that spontaneous acquisition stood in the winner’s circle, proudly displaying a Grand Champion banner.
Kelly, Willow’s barn manager, describes the 4-year-old as having an incredibly resilient constitution and easy temperament. That rock-solid temperament combined with elite genetics creates the perfect package—a cow that performs without drama and wins without question.
From Boredom to Banners: The Trinity Story
Intermediate Champion
International Ayrshire Show 2025 World Dairy Expo
Terri Packard, Ernie Kueffner & Peter Vail Boonsboro, MD
Coppenbarger Kingsire Trinity literally doubled Terri Packard and Ernie Kueffner’s Ayrshire herd overnight—from one to two. The purchase happened spontaneously when Ernie decided to buy her sight-unseen in Oklahoma. Terri realized her husband’s serious interest when he started mentioning Trinity by name at home—unusual behavior for someone who typically doesn’t reference individual animals in their herd.
That spontaneous purchase claimed both the Intermediate Champion and Reserve Grand Champion titles, forcing them to rebrand from their original Jersey-focused identity. Last year, their first Ayrshire calf won All-American Winter Calf. This year, Trinity brought home championship banners. Their success has been so significant that they could no longer remain exclusively Jersey-branded.
The Class That Gave Judges Goosebumps
The Senior 3-Year-Old Ayrshire class delivered the day’s most electric moment. Evans and associate judge Jean-Philippe Charest (JP) faced two cows—Trinity and Bricker-Farms King Cinderella—so perfectly matched that choosing felt impossible. As they circled the ring, both judges experienced physical reactions to the exceptional quality on display.
When two animals are so exceptional that seasoned judges get goosebumps trying to separate them, that’s peak competition. The depth isn’t just at the top—it’s running through every class, transforming the entire Ayrshire show.
Ayrshire Open Show Champions
| Award | Cow Name | Owners |
| Grand Champion | B-Wil Kingsire Willow | Budjon Farms, Peter Vail |
| Reserve Grand Champion | Coppenbarger Kingsire Trinity | Terri Packard, Ernie Kueffner, Peter Vail |
| Intermediate Champion | Coppenbarger Kingsire Trinity | Terri Packard, Ernie Kueffner, Peter Vail |
| Reserve Intermediate | Bricker-Farms King Cinderella | Milk Source Genetics, J&S Fairbanks, K&M Wolf |
Jersey Drama: Unknown Stars and Living Legends
Stoney Point Joel Bailey
Grand Champion
International Jersey Show 2025 World Dairy Expo
Vierra Dairy Farms, Hilmar, CA
The Jersey show brought 371 total entries evaluated by Judge Kelly Barbee and associate Jon Kingdon, delivering everything—famous established champions battling complete unknowns in phenomenal depth.
Hot Cocoa’s Shocking Rise
Intermediate Champion
International Jersey Show 2025 World Dairy Expo
Dave Koss & Reuter Dairy Inc., Peosta, IA
Kunde Chocolatier Hot Cocoa won Intermediate Champion, stunning even Judge Barbee, who hadn’t seen her before. Her discovery story is pure Expo magic—a friend visiting another herd last year spotted her and urgently recommended the purchase to Dave Koss and Reuter Dairy Inc.
Adding international flavor, Callum—an Australian leadsman—made his World Dairy Expo debut, presenting Hot Cocoa to victory. Dave expressed his overwhelming emotion about the win, acknowledging he’ll be chasing that feeling for years to come.
Bailey’s Historic Third Crown
Stoney Point Joel Bailey claimed her third Grand Champion Jersey title at World Dairy Expo, receiving the Allen Hetts Grand Champion Trophy. Handler Nathan Thomas recognizes Bailey as one of the greatest to ever compete at Expo.
Thomas acknowledges the extensive team required for Bailey’s success—from family maintaining the home operation to the barn crew managing every detail. With this third victory, Bailey has moved beyond being just a champion of her time. Thomas maintains perspective about her legacy while acknowledging her exceptional place in Expo history.
Vierra Dairy Farms claimed Premier Exhibitor honors while River Valley Victorious-ET earned Premier Sire. Pacific Edge of Tillamook, Oregon, took Premier Breeder.
Jersey Open Show Champions
| Award | Cow Name | Owners |
| Grand Champion | Stoney Point Joel Bailey | Vierra Dairy Farms |
| Reserve Grand Champion | GMBV Joel Dixie-ET | Milk Source Genetics |
| Intermediate Champion | Kunde Chocolatier Hot Cocoa | Dave Koss, Reuter Dairy Inc. |
| Reserve Intermediate | Eatonholme Joyride Reba-ET | Vierra Dairy Farms |
Youth Excellence: The Future on Display
The Jersey heifer show witnessed youth exhibitors winning four consecutive classes. Judge Barbee emphasized that these young competitors were truly exhibiting at a professional level, with junior members demonstrating exceptional skill against open competition.
Grand Champion of the Junior Show
International Jersey Show 2025 World Dairy Expo
Kyra & Griffin Lamb
In the Junior Jersey Show’s 167 entries, Kevetta Colton Delilah (Kyra and Griffin Lamb) won Grand and Senior Champion. Underground Fancys Fiji (Isaac Folts) claimed both Intermediate Champion and Reserve Grand.
Tyler Woodman: Building Tomorrow’s Champions Today
Tyler Woodman’s Richard Caverly Memorial Dairy Award win exemplifies excellence in mentorship. The 28-year-old herd manager at Mapleline Farm earned nearly 20 All-American and Junior All-American nominations across Ayrshires and Jerseys, plus Reserve All-Canadian honors.
Woodman organized workshops on fitting, showmanship, and judging the night before the Stars and Stripes sale. Youth consistently praise his willingness to share knowledge about pedigrees and mating choices.
The award includes a traveling trophy—a wooden carving of Glenamore Gold Prize EX-97-6E, Richard Caverly’s favorite cow and five-time Grand Champion at Toronto’s Royal Winter Fair. Woodman received the award on the colored shavings during the Jersey 4-Year-Old class.
Guernsey’s Wisconsin Domination
Kadence Fames Lovely
Grand Champion
International Guernsey Show 2025 World Dairy Expo
Kadence Farm
Wisconsin swept the Guernsey barn among 247 open entries and 102 junior entries. Kadence Farms Lovely (New Glarus) won Grand and Senior Champion. Donnybrook Ammo Stevie—exhibited by Brittany Taylor and Laylaa Schuler of New Glarus—claimed both Intermediate Champion in the Open Show and Grand Champion in the Junior Show.
Hi Guern View Levi Drone earned Premier Sire, Valley Gem Farms of Cumberland took Premier Breeder, while Springhill of Big Prairie, Ohio, claimed Premier Exhibitor.
Three Lessons from Day Three
Trust Your Instinct: Peter Vail made an instant purchase decision. Dave Koss trusted a friend’s urgent recommendation. Ernie Kueffner bought Trinity spontaneously. All three quick decisions led to championships.
Excellence Creates Physical Reactions: When judges experience goosebumps watching two Ayrshires battle, that’s what happens when decades of breeding decisions converge in one perfect moment.
Community Accelerates Success: From Tyler Woodman mentoring youth to Australian leadsmen helping American exhibitors, success comes from networks, not individuals. The Ayrshire community’s welcoming spirit has been instrumental in the breed’s surge, with established breeders embracing newcomers.
The Madison Magic Continues
Day three delivered everything that makes World Dairy Expo legendary. Ayrshires proved that a breed can explode when the right people invest. Bailey etched her name deeper into history with a third Grand Championship. Hot Cocoa showed that unknowns can shock even experienced judges. Youth exhibitors demonstrated they’re taking the industry now, not waiting for permission.
At World Dairy Expo, where colored shavings meet championship dreams, day three reminded everyone why Madison remains dairy’s ultimate proving ground. The rocket ship isn’t just getting started—it’s already breaking orbit. The question is: are you on board, or watching from the ground?
Key Takeaways:
- The 10-Second Decision Rule: Championship genetics don’t negotiate—Peter Vail left dinner to write a check for Willow (now Grand Champion), proving that hesitation costs more than overpaying. Your action: When elite genetics appear, move immediately or watch someone else win with them.
- Ayrshire Investment Window Is NOW: With Holstein money flooding in and judges getting physical goosebumps from the quality, Ayrshires have shifted from sleeper breed to rocket ship. Your move: Start shopping Ayrshire genetics before the window closes—early adopters are already doubling their herds.
- Youth + Genomics = New Power Structure: Four straight Jersey class wins by juniors proves experience is losing to data-driven decisions and midnight barn work. Your strategy: Hire young talent, embrace genomic testing, and stop assuming tenure equals expertise.
- Trust Physical Reactions Over Spreadsheets: When seasoned judges get goosebumps watching two Ayrshires compete, that’s decades of breeding excellence converging. Your lesson: Excellence announces itself—if you feel it in your gut when you see a cow, trust that instinct over any evaluation sheet.
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