Tuesday, July 1, 2014 is the deadline to submit applications for seven scholarships administered by the American Jersey Cattle Association, Reynoldsburg, Ohio.

These awards provide financial support to Jersey youth enrolled in colleges or universities or, in some cases, gaining hands-on experience in the development and management of Registered Jersey™ cattle. Applicants must be a Junior or Lifetime member of the association upon submitting their application. A minimum grade point average of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale) is required to apply for these scholarships. Copies of the applicant’s high school and college transcripts must be submitted.

A Russell–Malnati Scholarship for Advanced Studies in the amount of $5,000 will be awarded. Undergraduate students who have completed at least one-half of coursework credit hours required for a degree in dairy science, animal science (dairy emphasis), large animal veterinary practice, dairy production or manufacturing, or dairy product marketing, and graduate students in those program areas are eligible to apply.

Two scholarships of $1,750 each will be presented. Students who will begin a program of study at an accredited college or university in the fall of 2014 may apply for the William A. Russell Memorial Scholarship. Students who have completed at least one year of study toward their degree are eligible for the V. L. Peterson Scholarship.

In addition, three scholarships will be awarded in the amount of $1,500. The Paul Jackson Memorial Scholarship is for continuing college students in any degree program area. The Cedarcrest Scholarship will be awarded to an undergraduate or graduate student seeking a degree in large animal veterinary practice, dairy production, dairy manufacturing, or dairy product marketing. The Bob Toole Jersey Youth Award can be used for educational expenses or a well-defined practical experience related to breeding, developing and showing Registered Jerseys.

The Reuben R. Cowles Jersey Youth Award will be presented to a resident of Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. Applicants must be at least high school graduates, but not older than 36 years of age as of January 1, 2014. Applicants must state whether the award money will be used for to support their education or to fund a trip to the All American Jersey Show and Sale, the AJCA-NAJ Annual Meetings or other Jersey educational activities. The value of this award is variable.

Applications are posted on the USJersey website at http://bit.ly/1iD5jir.

For the 2014-15 academic year, more than $17,500 will be awarded across all AJCA scholarship programs. These awards will be presented Saturday, November 8 at the annual Junior Banquet held during The All American Jersey Shows and Sales in Louisville, Ky.

About the National Jersey Youth Program
The American Jersey Cattle Association has made strategic investments in Jersey youth since 1958 when it created the National Heifer Sale to provide annual funding for educational programs and awards. Scholarships are paid from permanent endowments administered by the American Jersey Cattle Association. Contributions are recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as 501(c)(3) tax deductible charitable gifts and may be made at any time during the year.

For more information, contact the American Jersey Cattle Association by writing 6486 E. Main Street, Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068-2362, or visit its web site at USJersey.com.

Eight counties with fifty six contestants were well represented at the Maryland 4-H State Dairy Bowl contest held at the Department of Animal and Avian Sciences, University of Maryland College Park on Saturday April 12th. Event staff volunteers included faculty, staff and students from the University of Maryland Department of Animal and Avian Sciences, five USDA researchers and employees, an FDA researcher and many private industry professionals. This is a terrific networking opportunity for the contestants and a gateway to the University campus and programs. The contest began at 9:00am with teams competing in a double elimination bracket ranked according to their scores from the written exam. The students work very hard and show tremendous potential for leadership in the dairy industry. Please congratulate the following teams and individuals for their outstanding performance. Event staff remarked throughout the day how impressed they were with the knowledge that the contestants demonstrated.

Junior
Top Individuals in the Written Exam
1. Claire Hughes – Anne Arundel

Individuals
1. Claire Hughes – Anne Arundel
2. Katelyn Iager – Frederick
3. Seth Hughes – Anne Arundel
4. Ethan Hughes – Anne Arundel
5. Breckin Welsh – Frederick
6. Elizabeth Karides – Anne Arundel
7. Bryce Zepp – Carroll
8. Virginia Burns – Carroll
9. Kendall Welsh – Frederick
10. Kelsey Zepp – Carroll

Teams
1. Anne Arundel
2. Frederick
3. Carroll

Intermediate
Top Individuals in the Written Exam
1. Grace Hughes – Anne Arundel

Individuals
1. Grace Hughes – Anne Arundel
2. Ryan Allen – Frederick
3. Jordyn Griffin – Carroll
4. Dylan Hill – Kent
5. Robert Hahn – Frederick
6. Max Nelsen – Anne Arundel
7. Marissa Roberts – Carroll
8. Shannon McCabe – Anne Arundel
9. Jill Allen – Frederick
10. Emily Hurd – Anne Arundel

Teams
1. Frederick
2. Anne Arundel
3. Carroll
4. Frederick/Kent
5. Anne Arundel/Cecil

Senior
Top Individuals in the Written Exam
1. Todd Allen – Frederick

Individuals
1. Todd Allen – Frederick
2. Catherine Savage – Montgomery
3. Charlie Sasscer – St. Mary’s
4. Courtney Hoff – Carroll
5. Shelby Iager – Frederick
6. Dusty Hahn – Frederick
7. RJ Baldwin – Kent
8. Matthew Nevin – Carroll
9. Maura McCabe – Anne Arundel
10. Kyle Plummer – Kent

Teams
1. Frederick
2. Combined Team 1
3. Kent
4. Combined Team 2
5. Baltimore
6. Montgomery

The top ten Senior individuals are eligible to compete in the 4-H State Dairy Bowl Buzz-off will be held on Saturday September 13th at the State 4-H office in College Park for the opportunity to represent Maryland at the National 4-H Dairy Bowl Contest in Louisville, KY. For more information, please visit: dairy.umd.edu and click on the 4-H Dairy link.

Jason and Amanda O’Connell Sunol Farms, Carleton Place

“We want to always be changing and growing. We embrace new ideas and technology and we want to have a farm we are proud of, that we helped make with both our brains and our backs. Those words, from Jason and Amanda O’Connell, of Sunol Farms in Carleton Place, are a big part of why they are the winners of the 2014 Ontario’s Outstanding Young Farmers’ Program.

The O’Connells received the top honour at the provincial awards ceremony held in Guelph on March 25. Winners of the award are chosen based on career progress; environmental and safety practices; crop and livestock production history; financial and management practices; and contributions to society.

Jason, raised on a small hobby beef farm, and Amanda, on a nearby dairy farm, met while attending the University of Guelph’s Kemptville College. In 2006 they bought out Amanda’s family dairy farm and started on their own. After two years of “working to convince others to incorporate new technologies, and science,” they were given free rein to make management decisions and since taking over, they have moved from milking 127 cows filling 70 kgs of quota to now milking 90-95 cows while filling 120+kg daily.

The judges, Eadie Steele (Shepherd’s Choice Breeding Stock, and OYF alumnus), Ken Rounds (Ethos Solar and OYF Alumnus) and Dr. Larry Martin (Agri-Food Management Excellence) chose the O’Connells in part due to their willingness to adopt change, desire for continuous improvement and growth, and involvement in the industry and their community.

Runners- up were Dave and Amy Arand of Arand Farms in Atwood. Dave and his family raise 40,000 turkeys and crop 1200 acres of corn, wheat and dry beans. For information on all of the finalists, visit the OOYF website at www.oyfontario.ca.

Co-chairs of the event, Steve and Lisa Cooper of Coopers’ Farm and noted that “Spending time with such imaginative and successful young farmers reminds us all that farming is a rewarding occupation and we need to be positive and celebrate our accomplishments.”

Celebrating 34 years of identifying great agricultural successes, Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers’ program is an annual competition to recognize farmers that exemplify excellence in their profession and promote the tremendous contribution of agriculture. Open to participants 18 to 39 years of age, making the majority of income from on-farm sources, participants are selected from seven regions across Canada, with two national winners chosen each year. The program is sponsored nationally by CIBC, John Deere, Bayer CropScience, and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and supported nationally by AdFarm and Farm Management Canada.

Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers for 2014 will be chosen at the National Event in Quebec City, Quebec from November 26-30, 2014.

Source: Ontario Outstanding Young Farmers Program

Stephanie Roggenbuck of Harbor Beach, Mich., has been chosen as the 2013-2014 recipient of the Harold and Lillian Gremel endowed scholarship through the Michigan Dairy Memorial and Scholarship Foundation Inc., at Michigan State University (MSU). The $3,500 scholarship is named in honor of Harold and in memory of Lillian Gremel of Sebewaing. The scholarship is awarded annually to a student currently in veterinary school at MSU who completed the Production Animal Scholars Program in the Department of Animal Science.

Roggenbuck, the daughter of Henry and Marlene Kozdron, received the award based on her academic achievements, involvement in extracurricular activities and interest in pursuing a career as a large animal (production animal) veterinarian.  She graduated from Ferris State University with a bachelor’s of science degree in biology in 2008, from MSU with a bachelor’s of animal science degree in production medicine in 2010, and is on schedule to earn her doctorate of veterinary medicine specializing in production animal medicine in May 2014.

As an MSU student, Roggenbuck has been an active member of the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) Club, the CVM Food Animal Club and the CVM Student Chapter of the American Veterinary Medical Association (SCAVMA). She is also a member of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners and the Michigan Veterinary Medical Association. Roggenbuck completed a Food System Fellowship summer internship program with the Michigan Milk Producers Association (MMPA) in 2011 and with Neogen Corporation in 2012. At Neogen, she was involved in developing working protocols to more rapidly detect the presence of Salmonella organisms in dairy animal populations.

The Harold and Lillian Gremel endowed scholarship was established in 2007 by the Gremel family. Together during their 52 years of marriage, the Huron County dairy producers and lifetime industry supporters were past recipients of the West Huron Michigan Milk Producers Association (MMPA) Outstanding Lifetime Achievement Award, honored as the MMPA Outstanding Young Dairy Couple, and chosen as the MSU Dairy Farmer of the Year. Harold also served on the Michigan Dairy Memorial and Scholarship Foundation board of directors. The Gremel endowed scholarship was the first Michigan Dairy Memorial and Scholarship Foundation scholarship designed for veterinary students.

The Michigan Dairy Memorial and Scholarship Foundation awarded more than $92,000 in scholarships to 31 MSU students pursuing dairy industry-related programs of study for the 2013-2014 academic year.

For information on making contributions to honor members of the dairy industry or to support student scholarships, please contact the MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources External Relations at 517-355-0284. To learn more about the Michigan Dairy Memorial and Scholarship Foundation, contact Dr. Miriam Weber Nielsen in the MSU Department of Animal Science at 517-432-5443.

Congratulations to Nathan Sherman, who is the Dairy Leaders of Tomorrow Student of the Month for March and April 2014.

Nathan is a junior in a home schooling program and this is his first year participating in the Dairy Leaders of Tomorrow (DLT) online curriculum. His family owns a dairy farm in Mansfield, Tioga County. He is serious about what he does and on any given day you will find him working with his father to run the family business. When asked about why he is interested in the dairy he said, “It’s what I do and what I want to do as a career. It also allows me to earn an ag science credit for school.”

This program allows him to acquire knowledge in every area of the dairy industry. He just participated in the DLT Farm Tour this past Friday, April 11th, in Martinsburg, PA, where he toured Kulp Family Dairy, LLC and Dry Creek Dairy. He gives his uncle the credit for why he is in the program because he showed him an advertisement for it from an agriculture publication.

Nathan expects to take all he learns from the various modules back to the farm, where he wants to work full-time upon graduation. Every part of the farm interests him. However, his passions center around milking, herd health and reproduction work. Eventually, he would like to see their business expand the milking cows from 100 to 140 milking cows and possibly go to three times a day milking. The farm has always been owned by a member of his family, and he intends to keep it that way.

Visit http://centerfordairyexcellence.org/dairy-leaders-of-tomorrow/ for more information on this program or call the center at 717-346-0849.

Ninety-seven percent of dairy farms are family-owned and operated, often by multiple generations of family. The Metzger family of Summit Farm in Lester, Iowa are proud to be part of this statistic. Lifelong dairy farmer Rodney Metzger not only has one of his children to take over the dairy — but all five, including daughter Emma, and sons Vance, Eric, Neil and Toby! Rodney says that having his children choose to come back to the family farm warms his heart. As Rodney passes the Summit Farm torch to the next generation, he knows the farm’s future is in good hands and his family’s legacy and commitment will continue.

Source: MidwestDairy

The University of Guelph earned top honours over the weekend at the North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge in Fort Wayne, Indiana, US. Back row, left to right, Coach Dr. John Walton, Coach Mark Carson, John Wynands, Peter Spruit, Coach Dr. Ken Leslie. Front row: left to right, Alan Nanne and Hans van Lith from Oxford County.

The University of Guelph earned top honours over the weekend at the North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge in Fort Wayne, Indiana, US.  The team consisted of their three coaches Dr. John Walton, Mark Carson and Dr. Ken Leslie with students John Wynands, Peter Spruit, Alan Nanne and Hans van Lith.  The UofG team beat out rivals from schools including Cornell, Pennsylvania University and California Polytechnic State University, making this win their fourth over the past nine years!

The University of Guelph is one of the only schools to offer a credited course to prepare students for the Dairy Challenge.  Throughout the course, the class visits various dairies and learns how to analyze reports from the operation’s management programs, feed analysis, herd health reports, etc in an effort to determine ways the dairy operation can make changes to become more efficient and therefore more profitable.  They are then to prepare a presentation based on their findings, the top four students are the ones chosen for the big competition, which this year was held in Fort Wayne.

During the two-day event, teams analysed data about a large farm operation, tour the facility and prepare a detailed presentation on how to improve efficiencies at the operation. The Canadian team faces other challenges as well that most of the other competitors do not.  Coming in and analyzing a U.S. dairy without the experience and knowledge of the U.S. Dairy industry can be a hurdle, one of the biggest obstacles being the fact that these dairies are not on a supply management system which the UofG students are used to.    The biggest dairy they visited during their course work was a 250 cow dairy , but the dairy they had to analyze for the Big Challenge was 1,000 cows.  Although the numbers change and the industry has it’s differences, the principles they’ve learned in the course stays the same.  Not letting the size of the challenge overwhelm them, they were able to come out on top!

“We knew we had a pretty good team but we never expected to win because it is a pretty prestigious competition, including all the big dairy skills,” said Hans van Lith humbly Tuesday.

Van Lith and teammates were able to identify several ways the barn could cut costs and produce more milk. They also identified simple layout changes that would help the workload be completed more efficiently.

This year’s win brings University of Guelph’s total to four wins over the past nine years in the esteemed and well-known competition.

Guelph is one of the only schools to offer a credited course to prepare students for the Dairy Challenge.

Van Lith and his team -Peter Spruit, a former Oxford resident now living in Kincardine, John Wynands of Cornwall and Alan Nanne of Packenham had to beat out their classmates in an Ontario version of the competition to earn their spot in the Fort Wayne competition. Van Lith said the class and competition allowed him and his classmates to learn more about the U.S. dairy industry.

“It’s quite different what they do compared to do what we do here in Canada. The biggest farm we visited here in Canada was 250 cows. There the competition was based on a 1,000 dairy herd. There’s not supply management there,” he said.

Van Lith graduates in a few weeks and plans to return home to farm for at least the summer and then decide his next step.

Optimism for the dairy industry’s future filled the convention center in Fort Wayne, Ind., where 264 college students congregated to improve skills, network, and learn about careers and industry innovation. The National Dairy Challenge held April 3-5, 2014, attracted these students from 37 colleges in 25 states and three Canadian provinces.

“Dairy Challenge truly showcases cooperation of farmers, agribusinesses and academia, working together to train future leaders and promote agricultural careers,” said Dr. Maurice Eastridge, 2014 event chair and professor at The Ohio State University.

The North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge® (NAIDC) allows dairy students to apply theory and learning on a real-world dairy farm while working as part of a team.

In Fort Wayne, two programs ran concurrently – the 13th annual Dairy Challenge contest and the second annual Dairy Challenge Academy. The events were coordinated by the NAIDC Board of Directors and staff from the host universities, Purdue University, Michigan State University and The Ohio State University.

The 2014 contest included 32 universities, each with four students on their university team competing for awards. The Academy provided interactive training in dairy farm evaluation for 138 students, generally underclassmen at four-year universities or students in two-year dairy programs. Academy participants were divided into smaller groups, mixing students from various colleges, and their work was guided by Academy Advisors – agribusiness volunteers and university professionals.

“Thanks to support from industry and attending colleges, the second annual Dairy Challenge Academy grew to 145 students and 38 Academy Advisors, up from 90 students last year,” explained Dr. Mike van Amburgh, NAIDC Chair and professor at Cornell University. “Our long-term goal is 200 students in the Academy, which we hope to achieve at the 2015 event in Syracuse, NY. The Academy allows a broader range of students to participate, integrates professionals and sponsors directly with students, and provides enhanced learning and networking while conducting a dairy farm business analysis.”

Dairy Challenge Applies Learning to a Real-world Dairy
Over its 13-year history, Dairy Challenge has helped over 4500 students prepare for careers in the dairy industry, dairy production and veterinary medicine.

“Dairy Challenge has provided a splendid opportunity for our students to integrate what they learn in classes with real-world situations, use problem-solving skills and network with leaders in the dairy industry,” stated Eastridge.

The three-day event began with a presentation on getting started in farming by Gary Matteson of The Farm Credit Council, the lead sponsor of Dairy Challenge. Next, a panel of young producers shared insights on joining a family farm business. Producer panelists were Stacey Atherton of Shipley Farms, Newark, Ohio; David Brand, Brand Dairy Farm in Waterloo, Ind.; Brett Feldpausch of Rich-Ro Farms in St. Johns, Mich.; and Brian Houin, Homestead Farms in Plymouth, Ind. The morning concluded with inspiration and tips to speak out for agriculture, provided by Amy te Plate-Church of Cooperative Resources International, Raechel Sattazahn of AgChoice Farm Credit, Kimmi Devaney of Indiana Dept. of Agriculture, and Jolene Griffin of Dairy Management, Inc.

Next, students, industry specialists and educators worked in small groups at Bridgewater Dairy of Montpelier, Ohio, to learn how to evaluate specifics like milking protocols, calf care, reproduction and other management areas.

The first evening, each group received data from an operating dairy to analyze and provide recommendations for improvement. Day Two included a thorough visit to the assigned dairy and question-answer session with farm owners. All groups – in both contest and Academy – developed recommendations for nutrition, reproduction, milking procedures, animal health, cow comfort and financial management.

On Day Three, students presented their recommendations, visited with sponsor companies at the Career and Innovation Fair, and heard Corporate Technology Presentations from top-level NAIDC sponsors. These talks were presented by:
· Amanda Wright, DVM, Animal Health International
· Dr. Kate Cowles, Cargill Animal Nutrition
· Amy te Plate-Church, Cooperative Resources International
· Dr. Jill Davidson, Purina Animal Nutrition
· Todd Kranz, Select Sires, Inc.

In the contest, the college team presentations were evaluated by a panel of five judges, including dairy producers, veterinarians, farm finance specialists and industry personnel. All students, coaches, volunteers and sponsors joined together to celebrate at Saturday evening’s banquet.

Eight College Teams Earn Top Awards
In the contest, First Place awards were earned by California Polytechnic State University, Cornell University, The Pennsylvania State University and University of Guelph. Each first-place student received a $200 scholarship.

The team from Cal Poly consisted of Dominic Assali, Hudson Hanlon, Taylor Pires and Justin Roeloffs, and was coached by Dr. Stan Henderson. Representing Cornell was Cassandra Chittenden, Rocco Cunningham, Anna Laggis and Patrick Redmond with coach Dr. Mike van Amburgh. The Penn State team included Kristin Bigelow, Colton Hoffman, Jennifer Royer, Ariel Taxdal and coach Dr. Gabriella Varga. Guelph students were Alan Nanne, Peter Spruit, Hans Van Lith and John Wynands, coached by Dr. John Walton, Dr. Ken Leslie and Mark Carson.

The following teams and students were awarded Second Place, with each student earning a $100 scholarship.
· South Dakota State University: David Berning, Matthew Holdvogt, Chelsey Johnson, Holly Schmitt and coach Dr. Ken Kalscheur
· University of Kentucky: Kara Bekebrede, Meghan Grone, Patrick McCoy and Emily Morabito with coaches Dr. Donna Amaral-Phillips, Lauren Mayo and Derek Nolan
· University of Wisconsin-Platteville: Sarah Endres, Josh Joseph, Levi Martin, Darcy Steffes and coach Dr. Tera Montgomery
· Washington State University: Helen Floren, Kevin Gavin, Jessica Levy, Hannah Symonds and coach Dr. John Swain

Total Industry Effort
Five dairy farms opened up their farms for analysis and in exchange, received a wealth of ideas from students and judges. Host farms for the 2014 Dairy Challenge were:
· Beer Dairy, Inc., Fred, Jeff and Regg Beer, Milford, Ind.
· Perkins Twin Creek Dairy Farm, Inc., Jim, Rod, Kirk, Todd and Eric Perkins, Wolcottville, Ind.
· Sun Mountain Dairy, Kent and Ted Sonnenberg, New Bavaria, Ohio
· Blue Stream Dairy, managed by Jon Morrison, Convoy, Ohio
· Bloom Dairy, Inc., Doug & Bruce Bloom, Coldwater, Mich.

“Dairy Challenge is an amazing program that is truly accomplished through many talented people that form a very functional team,” concluded Eastridge. “The success of the 2014 Dairy Challenge was possible through tremendous support of the participating dairy farms and their families in Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan; the time and financial support from allied dairy businesses; and dairy product donations by dairy processors in the three-state area. Dairy professionals from across the U.S. assisted as contest judges and Academy educators.”

About Dairy Challenge
The mission of NAIDC 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. The next national event will be April 9-11, 2015, in Syracuse, NY. Four regional events are held in late fall and winter; details at www.dairychallenge.org/calendar_news.php.

The Dairy Challenge Academy and contest will bring 280 students from 38 college dairy programs to Fort Wayne, Ind., April 4-6. This North American event – hosted by Purdue University, Michigan State University and The Ohio State University – is the largest gathering of collegiates pursuing a dairy career.

Students will converge in Fort Wayne from all corners of the U.S. and two Canadian provinces. These students are training for careers in the dairy industry, as farmers, researchers, educators, financial analysts, nutritionists, farm service providers and veterinarians.

Collegiate participants will visit six dairy farms in Indiana, Michigan and Ohio, to learn how to help farmers evaluate and adapt their management to optimize success and care for animals. Also at Dairy Challenge, industry professionals will present cutting-edge research, new programs and career opportunities to students.

North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge® (NAIDC) is fully funded through generous support by 130 agribusinesses and dairy farms. Dairy Challenge started 13 years ago through cooperation between universities, dairy producers and agribusinesses. The event expanded in 2013 with the first-ever Academy, which allowed more students to participate, network and gain skills. This year, about 130 students will compete in the national contest, and 150 students will participate in the Academy.

The tri-state area has a rich history with Dairy Challenge. The 2013 national event was also held in Fort Wayne, and Michigan State hosted the first two national contests in East Lansing in 2002 and 2003. Purdue University and The Ohio State University organized the Midwest regional events in 2008 and 2010, respectively.

“Dairy Challenge has provided a splendid opportunity for our students to integrate what they learn in classes with real-world situations, use problem-solving skills and network with leaders in the dairy industry,” states Maurice Eastridge, 2014 event chair and professor at Ohio State.

“This program has become a critical activity in teaching efforts at Purdue – and other universities – because it transforms the lives of excellent dairy students,” adds Dr. Michael M. Schutz, Professor of Animal Sciences at Purdue.

At Dairy Challenge, each team of students puts textbook knowledge to the ultimate test – consulting for an actual dairy. Teams inspect an operating dairy, analyze farm data and ask questions of farm owners. Then each team develops recommendations, which will be presented to farm owners and a panel of five judges. At a concluding banquet, eight college teams will be announced as award winners, meaning their recommendations most closely match those of the official judges.

Supporters can follow the student activity through posts and photos at www.facebook.com/DairyChallengeand @DairyChallenge on Twitter.

“Ohio State, Purdue and Michigan State are pleased to team up and once again host the 2014 national Dairy Challenge,” continues Eastridge. “This area is blessed with strong dairy programs at these three universities and strong industry leadership and support. Hosting Dairy Challenge is truly an opportunity to showcase the Midwest and help develop tomorrow’s dairy leaders.”

 Young people interested in dairy will learn about showmanship, nutrition, how to network and related topics at Purdue Extension’s 10th annual Indiana Dairy Youth Conference on April 12.

The conference will start at 10 a.m. and go to 4 p.m. at the Johnson County 4-H Fairgrounds, 484 N. Morton St., Franklin. Anyone age 8 to 18 is welcome.

Objectives of the conference will be to enhance knowledge about the dairy industry, including herd management and nutrition, and informing attendees about networking opportunities with other young people involved in dairy.

Theme of this year’s conference is reality TV with a dairy twist, featuring sessions such as “American Bovine Idol” and “America’s Next Top Showman,” which will educate participants on how to fit and prepare their animals for show. “Rumen Runway” will highlight basic digestive anatomy and function so participants can learn about nutrition requirements for dairy cattle.

Also highlighted will be activities of the Indiana 4-H Dairy Youth Academy, a program that aims to develop knowledgeable dairy professionals by helping participants improve leadership skills. Kelly Heckaman, a member of the event’s planning committee, said the conference gives those in the academy a chance to apply what they have learned in the program.

“Many of the sessions will be taught by members of the Indiana 4-H Dairy Youth Academy,” Heckaman said. “This is a great way for them to help educate their fellow 4-H’ers and to be seen as a mentor to the younger members.”

Registration, due April 3, is $15 per person. The fee covers admission, a T-shirt, meals and conference materials.

More information and registration forms can be found here or by contacting Heckaman at 574-372-2340 or kheckaman@purdue.edu. Registration must be sent to 202 W. Main St., Warsaw, IN 46580.

Other conference sponsors are Prairie Farms, the Dairy Marketing Service LLC, Foremost Farms USA, Elanco Animal Health, Indiana Dairy Producers, Indiana State Dairy Association, Milk Production Services of Indiana Inc., Michigan Milk Producers and the Johnson County Fairgrounds.

Source: Purdue Extension

Sixty-seven students from nine western U.S. colleges and one Canadian university traveled to Tulare, Calif., for the 9th annual Western Regional Dairy Challenge on February 28 – March 1, 2014. Headquarters for the contest was the College of the Sequoias (COS).

One of three Platinum winners at the 2014 Western Dairy Challenge was Team 2 “China Peak.” Team members included, from left to right: Justin Roeloffs, Cal Poly-SLO; Mary Lavendar, Texas A & M; Rebecca Thomas, Oregon State University; Tyson Grisenti, Utah State University; and Landon Macy, Washington State University.

Team 7 “Northstar” was named one of three winning teams at the 2014 Western Dairy Challenge. Team members included, from left to right: Hudson Hanlon, Cal Poly-SLO; Rachael Ashley, University of Idaho; Caitlin Quesenberry, Washington State University; Emily Shifflett, UC Davis; and Jonathon Weststyn, CSU Fresno.

Team 11 “Tahoe” was awarded one of three Platinum awards at the 2014 Western Dairy Challenge. Team members included, from left to right: Case Vyfhuizen, Cal Poly-SLO; Brianna Williams, University of Idaho; Maaike Clapham, UC Davis; Ashley Smyk, CSU Fresno; and Kevin Gavin, Washington State University.

The Western Regional Dairy Challenge is an innovative, three-day educational competition designed to prepare students for dairy careers. Working in mixed-university teams of five or six students, participants assessed all aspects of a working dairy farm, including facilities, nutrition, financials, reproduction, and animal health. Students collaborated on a 20-minute team presentation that detailed their observations and suggestions to a panel of judges. Teams were ranked based on how well their evaluations matched the judges’ evaluations of the dairy operation.

Along with the competition, students were treated on Thursday to a team building workshop led by Dr. Louann Waldner, Dean at COS, learning more about the students in their group, how to work with others and what factors play into group dynamics. Noel Rosa of Rosa Brothers Milk Company, Tulare, spoke about his family’s business, entrepreneurship and dairy industry careers.

As host farm, Jeff and Lisa Wilbur welcomed the teams to study their farm on Friday and answered student questions. Dr. Larry Dutto, Provost at COS, welcomed the group and coordinated facility use. There were also several sponsors attending the event who were able to network with students throughout the weekend. Students made observations about the dairy and presented recommendations to a panel of judges made up of a nutritionist, veterinarian, financer and dairy producer.

The judge panel selected the following teams as top-performers, for developing the most applicable, profit-based recommendations for the host farm.

Three teams received Platinum recognition:

• Team 2 “China Peak”: Tyson Grisenti, Utah State University; Mary Lavendar, Texas A & M; Landon Macy, Washington State University; Justin Roeloffs, Cal Poly- SLO; and Rebecca Thomas, Oregon State University
• Team 7 “Northstar”: Rachael Ashley, University of Idaho; Hudson Hanlon, Cal Poly-SLO; Caitlin Quesenberry, Washington State University; Emily Shifflett, UC Davis; and Jonathon Weststyn, CSU Fresno
• Team 11 “Tahoe”: Maaike Clapham, UC Davis; Kevin Gavin, Washington State University;  Ashley Smyk, CSU Fresno; Case Vyfhuizen, Cal Poly-SLO; and Brianna Williams, University of Idaho

A Gold placing was awarded to these three teams:

• Team 3 “Badger Pass”: Jessica Levy, Washington State University; Stephanie Nash, CSU Fresno; Katelyn O’Brien, Cal Poly- SLO; Andrea Smaciarz, Oregon State University; and Maaike VanKuilenburg, University of Alberta
• Team 8 “Shasta”: Domonic Assali, Cal Poly-SLO; Megan Cihak, Washington State University; Kira Macmillan, University of Alberta; Haley Peterson, University of Idaho and Lee Yantis, CSU Fresno
• Team 13 “Mammouth”: Darlene Idsinga, CSU Fresno; Kristin Kaste, Oregon State University; Hannah Symonds, Washington State University; Bernard teVelde, Texas A & M; and Kimberlee Wilcox, University of Idaho

A committee of dairy industry representatives organized the Challenge. A long list of volunteers was important to the event’s success. To volunteer or become a sponsor, contact Shawna Martinho at shawna.martinho@churchdwight.com. All contributions are tax deductible to the full extent of the law. Contributing sponsor listings are available at www.dairychallenge.org.

The Western Regional Dairy Challenge is under the guidance and support of the North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge (NAIDC), established in April 2002 to incorporate evaluation of all aspects of a dairy farm. The national Dairy Challenge is slated for April 3-5, 2014, and will be hosted by Michigan State University, Ohio State University and Purdue University in Fort Wayne, IN.

Participants in the 2014 Pennsylvania Dairy Summit stepped up to raise nearly $10,000 during a live and silent auction held as part of the summit to support the Center for Dairy Excellence Foundation of Pennsylvania. The funds raised will go directly to support youth education and other initiatives funded by the center foundation.

“This auction has become a tremendous fundraising opportunity for our foundation, and we are grateful for those who supported it by donating and bidding on the items,” said Emily Yeiser, dairy initiatives manager at the Center for Dairy Excellence. “We were also extremely appreciative of the support we received from the Professional Dairy Managers of Pennsylvania, which took the auction to an entirely new level.”

In addition to the five items auctioned off, the live auction also included a “Sponsor a Student” drive to encourage participants to give $50 to support one student in the Dairy Leaders of Tomorrow program. More than $2,500 was committed to this effort by participants in the summit, with the Professional Dairy Managers of Pennsylvania matching the entire $2,500 as part of their 2014 commitment to the Center for Dairy Excellence Foundation of Pennsylvania to provide $5,000 in direct support and another $5,000 in matching support.

Sixteen items were included in the silent auction, with bidding opened during the entire two-day period. Winning bidders were announced at the closing of the summit. Below is a list of all those individuals and organizations that donated and/or bided on items.

• Aaron Kimmich
• Alan Novak
• Bonnie Mohr Studios
• Bear Mountain Lodge
• Brandon Weary
• Calkins Creamery
• Caroline Novak
• Chad Reinford
• Christian Landis
• Dale and Carol Hoffman
• Dandadee Miller-Boyle
• David Lytle
• Deb Cornman Studios
• Dina Zug
• Emily Yeiser
• Erick Coolidge
• Frank Allnut
• Giant Foods, Inc.
• Glen and Robin Gorrell
• Helms Briscoe
• Hershey Foods
• Jayne Sebright
• Jeff Barnes
• Jeanmarie Kline
• Jim Meade
• John and Kathy Frey
• John Baker
• John Castrogrovanni
• John Hess
• Karen Purnell
• Keith England
• Kenny Nearhoof
• Lancaster Marriott
• Lisa Holden
• Lolly Lesher
• Lowell Fry
• Marilyn Hershey
• Mark McCullogh
• Mark Armfelt
• Mary Schmidt
• Melissa Anderson
• Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association & PA Dairy Promotion Program
• PA Dutch Convention and Visitor’s Bureau
• Professional Dairy Managers of Pennsylvania
• Rob & Chris Waddell
• Robert Waddell
• State College Spikes Baseball Team
• Spots Pride Farm
• Tamara Smith
• Terry Martin
• Timothy and Deborah Kurtz
• Tony Brubaker
• Vinton Smith
• Willow Behrer Farms, LLC
• Zoetis, Inc.

The Center for Dairy Excellence Foundation of Pennsylvania was established in 2010 as a charitable 501(c)(3) organization to support educational initiatives that grow and sustain the Pennsylvania dairy industry. The center foundation provides the opportunity for individuals and organizations to make tax-deductible contributions to support educational initiatives within Pennsylvania’s dairy industry.

The center foundation was created to allow individuals and corporations to make a lasting impact on the future of Pennsylvania’s dairy industry and its individual dairy farm families. Priorities for the center foundation include youth development, continuing education, consumer outreach and market development.

Media contact: Jayne Sebright, 717-259-6496; jsebright@centerfordairyexcellence.org

Ray Prock, Jr., a dairyman from Denair, Calif., has been named the Holstein Foundation’s 2014 Young Dairy Leaders Institute (YDLI) Distinguished Alumni Leader Award recipient. The Holstein Foundation recognizes one YDLI alum annually who has made notable contributions and utilized skills gained during their YDLI experience for the betterment of the dairy industry. Prock was a graduate of YDLI Class 5.

“YDLI laid the foundation for me to gain valuable experience and confidence to be the person I am today,” Prock said. “YDLI was the first leadership program I was involved in and has left a lasting impression on me to this day. If it was not for YDLI I may never have gained the confidence I have to engage with complete strangers on airplanes, the internet and in public on the questions and concerns many have about agriculture and the food we, as a public, eat.”

Along with the daily responsibilities on his family’s Ray-Lin Dairy, Prock has been involved with several agricultural organizations, including the National Dairy Promotion board, DMI Social Media Advisory Committee, the AgChat Foundation, California Milk Advisory Board, California Dairy Campaign and several Farm Bureau groups.

One area Ray is especially proud of is his ability to use online outlets to help build and maintain an interactive, positive agricultural presence. “Through the use of various social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and blogs, I have built relationships with many outside of farming to help build conversations and address questions about agriculture and food,” Prock said. “I have had conversations with many people worldwide, helping bridge the gap between the farm and families’ food choices.” Through his agricultural advocacy with social media, Prock estimates that he has been able to reach tens of thousands of consumers. Additionally, Ray has worked to develop relationships with politicians from the local to national level, and has testified before the California Senate Agriculture Committee and State Assembly Committee on Agriculture.

Prock will be recognized during the upcoming YDLI Class 8, Phase III program, February 5-8, 2014, in Albuquerque, N.M. The Young Dairy Leaders Institute, a program of the Holstein Foundation, is a nationally recognized three-phase leadership and communication skills development program for young adults working in the dairy industry. For more information on YDLI or other Holstein Foundation programs, visitwww.holsteinfoundation.org or contact Jodi Hoynoski, at 800.952.5200, ext. 4261 or jhoynoski@holstein.com.

The Wisconsin Red & White Dairy Cattle Association is pleased to announce their newly crowned 2014 Royalty.

Carley Jayne Krull from Lake Mills, WI will be your 2014 WI RWDCA Princess.

Carley Krull is the 16-year-old daughter of Cindy Krull and the late Brian Krull. She lives on her family’s farm with her mom Cindy, sister Cassy and Brother Bryce. The farm consists of 45 Registered Holstein cows. Carley is a sophomore at Lake Mills High School where she is in the Lake Mills FFA, a class officer and is in music, basketball and softball. She is also involved in 4-H where she is a member of the Jefferson County judging team and state qualifier. Carley is heavily involved with showing her home bred Red and Whites and shares a passion for developing her Red herd.

Three Jersey youth from North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia have been named winners of a Reuben R. Cowles Youth Educational Award for 2013.

Recipients of the $1,000 awards were Josh Hannah, Cleveland, Tenn.; Olivia Pearson, Lincolnton, N.C.; and Caroline Warns, Keezletown, Va. Presentations were made November 9 at the annual Junior Banquet held during The All American Jersey Shows and Sales in Louisville, Ky.

Josh Hannah graduated from Cleveland State Community College in May, and is currently working at the Southeastern Farmers Co-op and on Hannah Brothers Dairy. He is planning to resume his college work at the University of Tennessee, with a long-range goal of becoming an ag teacher. Josh ranked ninth in the 2012 National Jersey Youth Achievement Contest, recognizing accomplishments in developing a herd of 40 Jerseys and leadership in the Tennessee Junior Jersey Cattle Club. He has also been coach for youth dairy cattle and nursery-landscaping judging teams.

Olivia Pearson is a sophomore at North Carolina State University, pursuing a double major in animal and food science. Through her 4-H and FFA work, she has earned state and national awards in the show ring, particularly in fitting and showing competitions. She was selected to participate in the third Jersey Youth Award this past July. At NCSU, she is the dairy species chair of the Animal Science Club and was recently named a College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Ambassador. Her goals are return to the family farm and set up a facility for on-farm processing of cheese and ice cream.

Caroline Warns is a sophomore majoring in agricultural science at Virginia Tech. She served as president of the Spotswood FFA and ranked second in the state dairy production proficiency contest. She has earned numerous top 10 rankings over the last four years as an individual and team member in dairy judging, cattle working, and dairy knowledge contests, including the Virginia Junior Dairymen’s Contest. She was recently an intern at WHSV, Harrisonburg, helping produce a weekly show for RFD-TV. Caroline is currently a youth member of the National 4-H Dairy Conference planning committee and

The Cowles Youth Educational Awards honor the example and dedication to the Jersey breed of Reuben R. Cowles, two-term director of The American Jersey Cattle Club and recipient of the Distinguished Service Award in 1977. A lifelong Jersey breeder and community leader in Statesville, N.C., he helped launch the All-Jersey® milk marketing program, which increased demand for Jersey cattle across the southeastern U.S. Mr. Cowles was particularly known for the assistance and encouragement he gave to young Jersey dairy farmers, many of whom he helped establish in the dairy business.

The Cowles Educational Fund is a permanent endowment administered by the American Jersey Cattle Association. Contributions are recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as 501(c)(3) tax deductible charitable gifts and may be made at any time during the year. For more information, contact the American Jersey Cattle Association by writing 6486 E. Main Street, Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068-2362, visit USJersey.com, or connect at Facebook.com/USJersey.

Seven Jersey youth pursuing degrees in animal, dairy and food science or ag business received scholarships totaling $13,000 presented by American Jersey Cattle Association (AJCA) at the annual Junior Banquet, November 9, 2013, in Louisville, Ky. Four recipients were from Wisconsin, with one each from Mississippi, North Carolina, and Washington.

The Russell–Malnati Scholarship for Advanced Studies of $5,000 was awarded to Morgan Randall, Soldiers Grove, Wis. The daughter of Robert and Marla Randall is a junior at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls majoring in animal science with aspirations of becoming a large animal veterinarian. She is the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences representative for the Horticulture Society. Through her involvement in the UWRF pre-vet club, Morgan has volunteered at a therapeutic riding center and participated in equine necropsies. This past summer, she was an animal health consultant intern at Nelson Agri-Center in Viroqua, Wis. She was one of 35 participants selected for the third Jersey Youth Academy, conducted by the AJCA this past July.

Janelle Remington, Juneau, Wis., received the Jack C. Nisbet Memorial Scholarship of $1,500. The daughter of Richard and Gail Remington is a freshman at the University of Wisconsin-Madison majoring in dairy science. She placed eighth in the 2012 National Jersey Youth Achievement Contest. Janelle has served as president of her FFA chapter and is a leader for both the Richwood Rangers and Dodge County 4-H Dairy clubs. In 2012, Janelle showed the Junior All American Senior Heifer Calf and the Reserve Junior All American Junior Yearling Heifer. In 2011, she won senior showmanship at World Dairy Expo and was high individual of the 4-H dairy judging contest at the Pennsylvania All-American Dairy Show. She was also a member of the third class of Jersey Youth Academy.

The $1,500 Bob Toole Jersey Youth Award was presented to Sydney Endres of Lodi, Wis., a freshman at UW-Madison double-majoring in dairy science and life science communications and minoring in Spanish. She was selected for the second class of Jersey Youth Academy (2011) and this year received a National Dairy Shrine/Marshall E. McCullough Scholarship. In the past month, Sydney has competed in the National FFA extemporaneous speaking contest and been selected the 2013 National Jersey Queen. The daughter of David Endres and the late Patricia Endres is a youth representative on the Lodi Community Action Team and a volunteer for the UW Organ and Tissue Donation program.

The V. L. Peterson Scholarship of $1,250 was presented to Jacob T. Leum, Viroqua, Wis., who is studying animal science with an emphasis in dairy at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. The son of Tom and Donna Leum established his herd nearly a decade ago with the purchase of two Jersey heifer calves. Through internal herd growth, his herd today numbers 38 head. He was one of four National FFA Proficiency Award finalists in dairy production-entrepreneurship for 2013. He served as president of his FFA chapter and received the award for Outstanding Chapter Leader three times. Jacob is also president of the Wisconsin Junior Jersey Breeders Association and the junior representative on the Wisconsin State Jersey Show Committee. He was named the Wisconsin Junior Jersey Breeder of the Year in 2013 and attended the third Jersey Youth Academy in July.

Olivia Price Pearson, daughter of daughter of Corey and Bridgette Lutz, Lincolnton, N.C., received the Cedarcrest Scholarship of $1,500. A sophomore at North Carolina State University, Olivia is pursuing a double major in animal science and food science with a minor in agribusiness. Her Jersey accomplishments include showing the Grand Champion of the junior show at the North Carolina State Fair, placing eighth in the 2009 National Jersey Youth Production Contest, and winning senior showmanship at the 2012 All American Junior Show Show. She was selected for the third class of Jersey Youth Academy. Her high school academic record included being named to three national honor societies. At NC State, she belongs to the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, the Sigma Alpha professional sorority and the university’s animal and dairy science clubs. Olivia is the current North Carolina Jersey Queen, and on November 9 In Louisville, Ky., was named to the National Jersey Queen Court.

The William A. Russell Memorial Scholarship of $1,250 went to Jessica Nicole Smith, Picayune, Miss., daughter of Mark and Debbie Smith and a freshman at Pearl River Community College. Active in 4-H and FFA, plus the National Junior Simmental Association, she is the fourth generation to own Registered Jersey™ cattle at Triple S Farms. Jessica served as president of her FFA chapter for three years and earned the state FFA Degree and the Star Farmer award in 2013. She was a contestant in the first National FFA Talent Contest this past October, having previously placed among the top four in the national anthem singing contest sponsored by FMC Agricultural Products. A participant in the third Jersey Youth Academy, Jessica was the 2013 National Jersey Queen.

The $1,000 Paul Jackson Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Andrea Lynn Smaciarz, Raymond, Wash. Her herd of 20 head got its start nearly 10 years ago when she received a single Jersey calf from a a Jersey breeder as payment for showing his cattle at the Western National Jersey Show. The daughter of Terry and Lana Smaciarz is now a junior at Oregon State University majoring in agricultural business management and animal science. Andrea was co-chair of the selection committee for the Beaver Classic Sale in 2013. She was a member of the team that placed third at the National Intercollegiate Dairy Cattle Judging Contest this past October, and was the ninth high individual overall. Andrea has held leadership positions in 4-H and FFA and was a member of the third class of Jersey Youth Academy.

Applications for the 2014-15 scholarships will be posted on the USJersey website April 15, and are due in the AJCA office no later than July 1. Awards will be presented at the annual Junior Banquet held during The All American Jersey Shows and Sales in Louisville, Ky.

About the National Jersey Youth Program

The American Jersey Cattle Association has made strategic investments in Jersey youth since 1958 when it created the National Heifer Sale to provide annual funding for educational programs and awards. Scholarships are supported by permanent endowments administered by the American Jersey Cattle Association. Contributions are recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as 501(c)(3) tax deductible charitable gifts and may be made at any time during the year. For more information, contact the American Jersey Cattle Association by writing 6486 E. Main Street, Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068-2362, visit USJersey.com, or connect at Facebook.com/USJersey.

The eighth Annual Southern Regional Dairy Challenge, which ran November 17-19, 2013, attracted 51 students from 11 universities and colleges to the event hosted by the Louisiana State University.

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

This year’s contest in Baton Rouge, Louisiana attracted students from Alabama A&M, Clemson University, Eastern Kentucky University, University of Florida, University of Georgia, University of Kentucky, Mississippi State University, North Carolina A&T, North Carolina State University, Virginia Tech and Western Kentucky University.

After they arrived, students joined their new teammates and had the opportunity to learn more about one another in a fun team building activity. They then began learning about the dairy they would be analyzing.

The next day, students had an in-depth walk-through of the host dairy. The host farm for the competition was Clifford and Patty Champlin of Champlin Dairy Farm in, Loranger, LA.

Following the farm visit, students met as teams and developed questions for the herd owners. After the question-and-answer session, teams developed recommendations for nutrition, reproduction, milking procedures, animal health, housing and financial management. They also had the opportunity to talk to dairy experts to answer any questions they had. The next day, each team gave a 20-minute presentation of their recommendations to farm owners and a panel of judges – dairy producers, veterinarians, farm finance specialists, and industry personnel.

Judges ranked the teams, choosing two teams as 1st Place winners. The individuals who comprised these teams are: Clay Phelps-Virginia Tech, Shawna Blau-Mississippi State University, Meghan Grone-University of Kentucky, Casey Lucas-Clemson University, Roxanne Seltzer-Virginia Tech, Taylor Wright-North Carolina State University, Caitlin Conway-University of Florida and Kimberly Pierce-Western Kentucky University.

About Dairy Challenge
NAIDC is an innovative two-day competition for students representing dairy science programs at North American universities. 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.

The 2014 national contest – and the 2nd annual Dairy Challenge Academy – will be April 3-5 in Fort Wayne, IN. In addition, four regional events are held each year. Find details at www.dairychallenge.org.

Sisters Jennifer (front in dark jacket) and Heather Peart (in pink) are the November faces of the 2014 Faces of Farming calendar. (Photo by Kaz Novak,The Hamilton Spectator)

Hamilton Spectator – Heather and Jennifer Peart were a little apologetic at the very beginning of the interview in the living room of their family home. They’d had a hectic and messy morning and were just finishing getting cleaned up.

About 90 minutes earlier, the sisters had helped one of their cows deliver a healthy new calf.

Heather, 26, and Jennifer, 29, are no strangers to caring for cattle from birth to death and everything in between. They’ve been feeding calves and milking cows on their family’s dairy farm in Hagersville almost since they could stand up. Hard physical work is what they do. Every day.

Now there is a bit of an extra buzz about them around Ontario’s agricultural community.

Jennifer and Heather together are the subject of the November 2014 Faces of Farming calendar. It’s a glossy publication that features a different real Ontario farmer or farmers — and their story — every month. The Pearts are particularly happy they were given November. “That’s the Royal month, when the Royal Winter Fair is held,” says Heather. “We love that fair.”

Both sisters say their friends have seen the calendar and many want autographed copies of it.

“The publishers came to us about being in the calendar. They’re seeking diversity and had never had sisters before,” says Jennifer. “We felt strongly about being in it because as producers we need to connect with consumers.”

The women have known all their lives that they wanted to be dairy farmers. Their great-grandfather first bought the homestead back in 1920, and they are the fourth generation raising cows here. Their dad, Doug, and mom, Mary Ann, currently own the 120-hectare farm and a total of 200 head of cattle, but Heather and Jennifer, underscored their passion for farming several years ago during their university days.

The sisters took their own money that they had saved and bought the first of three parcels of land eventually totalling 48 hectares close to the family farm. They started growing grain — corn, rye, wheat (they sell off the grain and keep the stalks for straw) — and began buying their own dairy cows. Heather notes she was just 18 at the time, in her first semester at University of Guelph (where she eventually graduated with a four-year degree in animal sciences), and had just got her first credit card. Jennifer was still working on her agricultural business degree.

Today the sisters are legal owners of 25 head of cattle each, Jerseys and Holsteins bought at auction, but everyone in the family cares for all the cows, feeding them, cleaning their stalls, hiring a veterinarian as needed and a nutritionist to help balance the animals’ diet. “The cows have a better diet than we do,” Jennifer jokes.

All that care has won the Pearts three national “master breeder” awards. Only about 20 such titles are given each year to dairy farmers across Canada, based on the health and production of the cow and its genetic heritage. It’s sort of the Stanley Cup of dairy farming, and the cows are the all-stars.

The Pearts’ cows are milked twice a day, at 5 a.m. and 5 p.m., using modern sterile mechanical equipment. The raw milk is pumped directly into a temperature-controlled steel tank in the barn. Every other day a transportation company picks up about 3,500 litres and takes the milk to nearby Hewitt’s Dairy for pasteurization and packaging.

“We’re caring for our cows to make a safe food product. It takes a lot of time and energy,” says Heather, who now works full-time on the farm.

“We’re making a healthy product for people to eat and drink,” adds Jennifer, who beyond the farm has a full-time job with Farm Credit Canada in Simcoe.

When they aren’t busy with the cows, the sisters are renovating a house next door to the farm where they plan to live. Jennifer loves sports — especially the Toronto Maple Leafs — and is a cattle judge at 4-H club expositions. Heather is “into all kinds of crafts, sewing and baking.

“We don’t have time for much more,” she adds.

The Invitational 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl was the first major youth contest to be held at the 40th annual North American International Livestock Exposition (NAILE) in Louisville, Kentucky. Competition took place on Saturday, November 9, and winners were announced at a banquet later that day. The event features a test of knowledge among young people who have set their sights on a career in the dairy business, or in some other aspect of agriculture. This year marks the 34th year for the Dairy Quiz Bowl.

Teams of knowledgeable young people from 19-states competed for top honors by testing their knowledge on many levels of the dairy business at the November exposition. Dr. Donna M. Amaral-Phillips, Extension Professor & Extension Dairy Nutritionist at the University of Kentucky, has been the contest superintendent for 25-years and she views the Dairy Quiz Bowl as a venue that provides extremely valuable experience for young people. “Participation in the Dairy Quiz Bowl broadens educational horizons and expands potential industry opportunities for young people who are involved,” observed Dr. Amaral-Phillips.

The North American International Livestock Exposition encourages youth training through participation in virtually every aspect of the exposition’s vast activities. The NAILE hosted seven (7) major youth judging contests in 2013.

Georgia captured its second national title in 2013. Team members include Jared Daniel, Godfrey Hendrix, Colton Lowder and Meghan Mitchell. They were coached by Henry Hibbs.

The results of the 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl contest:
Winning teams
1st: Georgia 4-H
2nd: New York
3rd: Illinois 4-H
4th: Wisconsin 4-H
Honorable Mentions: Iowa 4-H and Maryland 4-H

High Individuals on the written test
1. Godfrey Hendrix, Georgia 4-H
2. Emily Irwin, Illinois 4-H
3. Kelli Steinlage, Iowa 4-H
4. Seth Rankins, Alabama 4-H
5. Colton Lowder, Georgia 4-H
6. Michaela Richmond, New York 4-H
7. Nathan Koester, Illinois 4-H
8. Sabrina Portner, Minnesota 4-H
9. Jared Daniel, Georgia 4-H
10. Anna Folgate, Illinois 4-H

November 3 & 4, 2013
At Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, Toronto, Ont.

Showmanship Judge: Paul Hunt, Donderdan, Netherlands
Conformation Judge: Roger Turner, Sun Prairie, Wis.

For over 100 more pictures click here

Showmanship Results:

Champion Junior Showman – Connor Mann- PEI

Junior Showmanship

1. CONNOR MANN, PEI
2. SIOBHAN TEEL, DURHAM WEST
3. TYLER CANNING, WELLINGTON
4. HANNA DELLAIRE, WELLINGTON
5. CALLUM BOUMA, PEI
6. GRACE MCLEOD, OXFORD
7. CONNOR FRENCH, WELLINGTON
8. ELAINE JEFFS, NORTHUMBERLAND
9. ALICIA VÉRONNEAU, QUEBEC CENTER
10. COURTNEY CHRYSLER, NORTHUMBERLAND

Intermediate Champion – Peter Leach- Kawartha Lakes

Intermediate Showmanship

1. PETER LEACH, KAWARTHA LAKES
2. VANESSA CROWLEY, PETERBOROUGH
3. ALANA MCKINVEN, QUEBEC SOUTH EAST
4. MATTHEW FORESTELL, NORTHUMBERLAND
5. BRIANNE MICHELLE MEEK, DURHAM WEST
6. BRYCE SEABORN, NORTHUMBERLAND
7. REBECCA DOBLE, DURHAM WEST
8. MAURANNE HÉBERT, QUEBEC EAST
9. SERENA LAMONT, BRUCE
10. TRAVIS CANNING, WELLINGTON

Senior Champion Showman – Taryn Campbell, Durham West

Senior Showmanship

1 TARYN CAMPBELL DURHAM WEST
2 ASHLEY HALL PERTH
3 GARY TROUP KAWARTHA LAKES
4 EMILY HENDERSON KAWARTHA LAKES
5 ASHLEY O’HARA SOUTH SIMCOE
6 CHRISTINE ARMSTRONG NIAGARA NORTH
7 KENNY MCRAE PRESCOTT
8 SPENCER NELSON NORTH SIMCOE
9 GEOFF CARBERRY PEEL
10 PATRICK BAIRD DURHAM WEST

Grand Champion Showman – Champion Showman
Peter Leach, Kawartha Lakes

Champion Showman
Peter Leach, Kawartha Lakes

Reserve Grand Champion Showman – Reserve Champion Showman
Taryn Campbell, Durham West

Reserve Champion Showman
Taryn Campbell, Durham West

Honourable Mention Champion Showman
Ashley Hall, Perth County

Honourable Mention Champion Showman
Ashley Hall, Perth County

Holstein Conformation Results:

2st place Junior Heifer Calf – Cally Finley, Durham West, on Sildajak Attic Suger (by Allyndale-I Attic)

Junior Heifer Calf (32 entries)
1. CALLY FINLEY, DURHAM WEST, SILDAJAK ATTIC SUGER
2.  VANESSA CROWLEY, PETERBOROUGH, CROVALLEY ATWOOD PATRICIA
3. MICHELLE SLAUGHTER, LAMBTON, WILLOWLANE GOLDWYN SAMBUCCA
4. REBECCA DOBLE, DURHAM WEST, BEAVERBROCK SANCHEZ DARLING
5. CONNOR MANN, PEI, COLSTEIN GOLDWYN UMERICA
6. KATIE BABCOOK, FRONTENAC, CRATER AUBREYANA SID
7. CAITLIN JAMPEN, DUNDAS, HARMONY VIEW BUTTERTART
8. MADISON HICKLING, BRUCE, HICKLEE BRAXTON SIZZLE
9. FRÉDÉRIC MARCOUX, QUEBEC CENTER, LACWILLIAM RC LILAS RED
10. JAMIE BERRY, RENFREW, ACRESGLENN SIREN AUSTRALIA

1st place Intermediate Heifer Calf Taryn Campbell, Durham West, on Beaverbrock Rose Marie (by Allyndale-I Attic)

Intermediate Heifer Calf (70 entries)
1. TARYN CAMPBELL, DURHAM WEST, BEAVERBROCK ROSE MARIE
2. BETHANY MACDONALD, GLENGARRY, DEVANS REMARK DEMPSEY
3. JESSICA RODRIGUE, QUEBEC EAST, MASSICO SANCHEZ CORIDA
4. ABIGAIL HOWARD, RENFREW, GREENLARK SID LUCY
5. CHRISTOPHER FRANKEN, HURON, GLENDALAND ROY LENORE
6. RYAN PEETERS, KAWARTHA LAKES, KAWARTHA BRAXTON ROXETTE
7. CHANTAL STOOP, NIAGARA SOUTH, SPIERDYKE BROOKWIN
8. ADAM MAC KINNON, PEI, HODGLYNN BRAXTON RHIANNA
9. DAWSON TURCOTT, PETERBOROUGH, CROVALLEY LAVANGUARD ADELE
10. ABBI ATKINS, WELLINGTON, CANHOPE FEVER BENTLEY

1st place Senior Heifer Calf Christine Armstrong, Niagara North, on Duckett Federal Taz-ET (by Duckett-Sa Federal-ET)

Senior Heifer Calf (91 entries)
1. CHRISTINE ARMSTRONG, NIAGARA NORTH, DUCKETT FEDERAL TAZ-ET
2. WAYDE BECKETT, DURHAM WEST, PLOEGSWAY GOLDWYN NUTS IS U
3. SIOBHAN TEEL, DURHAM WEST, BEAVERBROCK GOLDWYN ZOEY
4. CALLUM BOUMA, PEI, VANDERHAVEN SANCHEZ SHOWTIME
5. BRODIE MACBEATH, PEI, GOLDENFLO GOLDCHIP KENTUCKY
6. KENNY MCRAE, PRESCOTT, BONNIE BRAE BROKAW MEAKA
7. HEIDI KRISTUFEK, NORTH SIMCOE, PRETTY-VIEW ALTAEXTREME JAYDA
8. GEOFF CARBERRY, PEEL, QUALITY BRAXTON FINESS
9. PETER LEACH, KAWARTHA LAKES, LEACHFIELD LADYS LOVEABLE
10. TYLER WESTBROOK, HURON, HEATHER HOLME SID CORONA

1st place AYRSHIRE, GUERNSEY, MILKING SHORTHORN – EMILY STRENZKE, WATERLOO, BARTSTAR PARKER SOLO

AYRSHIRE, GUERNSEY, MILKING SHORTHORN

1. EMILY STRENZKE, WATERLOO, BARTSTAR PARKER SOLO

2. ASHLIE HARDY, QUEBEC SOUTH WEST, LASHBURN BBBK MISS RIGHT

3. JULIE MACFARLANE, QUEBEC SOUTH WEST, MARBRAE DREAMERS CAPPUCCINO

4. EMILY FRANKEN, HURON, FRANLEA SAM BELLA

5. KEVIN MACFARLANE, QUEBEC SOUTH WEST, MARBRAE DREAMERS POPPER -ET

6. SARA LOOS, RUSSELL, EASTWIND VIGOR DELIA

7. LESLEY ANDERSON, N.S., BRIXHAM IRON MAIDEN

8. DANIEL PRINZEN, PRINCE EDWARD, PRINSVILLE CD’S STARS

1st place Jersey Calf AIMEE VANLOON
STORMONT
PAYNESIDE MAC N CHEESE

JERSEY CALVES

1 AIMEE VANLOON, STORMONT, PAYNESIDE MAC N CHEESE
2. SARAH BURGESS, BRUCE, GOLDEN HIRED GUN KUNUNURRA
3. EMMA CALDWELL, CARLETON, DRENTEX JUSTICE PAT
4. SERENA LAMONT, BRUCE, MAUGHLIN TEQUILA CAROLINA
5. LAURA DEKLEIN, MIDDLESEX, SLEEGERHOLM TEQUILA JUBE JUBE
6. BRENT SAYLES, BRANT, BRIDON ROCKET AMUSE
7. CALEIGH VAN KAMPEN, DUFFERIN, ROCK ELLA VIVITAR GRETA
8. KURTIS FRISCHKNECHT, HURON, CHARLYN REWARD BONUS
9. COURTNEY VAN KAMPEN, DUFFERIN, WALKERBRAE VERBATIM NICKI
10. HANNAH SKINNER, PERTH, MAPLE RIDGE JV SIMPLY SMOKIN

1st place JERSEY YEARLINGS – HANNA DELLAIRE, WELLINGTON, MAUGHLIN TEQUILA RIO

JERSEY YEARLINGS

1. HANNA DELLAIRE, WELLINGTON, MAUGHLIN TEQUILA RIO
2. CASSIDY SMITH, STORMONT, PAYNESIDE BETTER THAN CHEDDAR
3. VICKI BRISSON, RUSSELL, DRENTEX REWARD SILK
4. PATRICIA CALDWELL, CARLETON, DRENTEX TEQUILA PIPER
5. LINDA FRANKEN, HURON, PAULLOR REAGAN APPLE
6. LAURA EMPRINGHAM, YORK, BRI-LIN VIVITAR FAYLINE
7. CODY DICKSON, FRONTENAC, KINGSDALE REQUEST KRUMS
8. MICAELA HILL, GREY, PAULLYN TEQUILA DAYSHA
9. PERRY MACKINNON, QUEBEC SOUTH EAST, LOOKOUT FORTUNE 500
10. REBECCA EMPRINGHAM, YORK, HIDDEN DREAM TEQUILA NANCY

1st place Summer Yearling Heifer – Bryce Seaborn, Northumberland County, on Signature R Katness (by Regancrest Reginald-ET)

Summer Yearling Heifer (55 entries)
1. BRYCE SEABORN, NORTHUMBERLAND, SIGNATURE R KATNESS
2. KYLE VANDERKLOET, PEI, EASTSIDE ATWOOD GLEE
3. LUC NORMAND, QUEBEC CENTER, BERGEROY SID AMBIO
4. LINDSAY KIEFFER, BRUCE, BELMORAL SID NEE
5. AVA DONER, DURHAM EAST, SUNSPARK FEVER DESTINY
6. MAXIME MONTPLAISIR, QUEBEC CENTER, MILIBRO BRAXTON ROSELIMON
7. COURTNEY CHRYSLER, NORTHUMBERLAND, GRILLSDALE WORKOUT DUNDEE
8. ZACHARY CYR, QUEBEC SOUTH EAST, MILKSOURCE G CHIP JACKIE-ET
9. ALANA MCKINVEN, QUEBEC SOUTH EAST, LOOKOUT ELMBRIDGE LIL RED
10. BRIANNE MICHELLE MEEK, DURHAM WEST, MOUNT ELM GOLDWYN NICKELBACK

1st place Junior Yearling Heifer – Mauranne Hebert, Quebec East, on Rotaly Windbrook Hilda (by Gillette Windbrook)

Junior Yearling Heifer (37 entries)
1. MAURANNE HÉBERT, QUEBEC EAST, ROTALY WINDBROOK HILDA
2. ASHLEY HALL, PERTH, ULMAR WINDBROOK ELMO
3. MARTY HAZELEGER, OXFORD, HANALEE ATTIC JAGUAR
4. GARY TROUP, KAWARTHA LAKES, PHOENIX LAUTHORITY JAZZ
5. ETHAN MCMILLAN, NORTHUMBERLAND, KINGSWAY WINDBROOK A5 35
6. DAN WERRY, DURHAM WEST, KAWARTHA BRAXTON VIENNA
7. MORGAN OVERVEST, PRESCOTT, OVERDALE WINDBROOK SEPHORA
8. JILL BROWN, LENNOX ADDINGTON, BROWNLANDS SID FANCY
9. CHRIS DEKLEIN, MIDDLESEX, SLEEGERDALE BRAXTON ROXANNE
10. KELLY VELTHUIS, CARLETON, COBEQUID GOLDWYN DANNY-ET

Champion Calf – Bryce Seaborn, Northumberland County, on Signature R Katness (by Regancrest Reginald-ET)

Champion Calf
Bryce Seaborn, Northumberland County, on Signature R Katness (by Regancrest Reginald-ET)

Reserve Champion Calf
Christine Armstrong, Niagara North, on Duckett Federal Taz-ET (by Duckett-Sa Federal-ET)

Honourable Mention Champion Calf
Kyle Vanderkloet, Prince Edward Island, on Eastside Atwood Glee (by Maple-Downs-I G W Atwood)

PREMIER COUNTY – Durham West

PREMIER COUNTY

1. Durham West

2. Northumberland

3. PEI

4. Wellington

5. Kawartha Lakes

6. Bruce

7. Huron

8. Carleton

9. Quebec South East

10. Perth

GROUP OF THREE

1. Durham West

2. Northumberland

3. PEI

4. QC Central

5. Peterborough

6. Kawartha Lakes

7. Oxford

8. QC South East

9. North Simcoe

10 Carleton

BEST EXHIBIT GROUP

1. Waterloo

2. Carleton

3. York

4. New Brunswick

5. Renfrew

SHOW BOX DRAW WINNER – Alicia Burgess, Middlesex

BREEDER OF DISTINCTION- BRIDON EMBRYO DRAW WINNER – Shelby Pegg, York

BERTRAM & HAZEL STEWART 4H DAIRY YOUTH EDUCATION AWARD – Vicki Brisson, Russell

BERTRAM & HAZEL STEWART 4H DAIRY YOUTH EDUCATION AWARD – Vicki Brisson, Russell

Holstein Canada continues its commitment to the development of the next generation of dairy leaders with the launch of the newly revamped Young Leader Program.

Geared towards young Canadian dairy enthusiasts aged 19 to 30, the new programming is based around five main pillars: Formal Gatherings, Awards & Recognition, Sponsorship, Practical Learning Opportunities and Shows & Judging. Under the five pillars there are several new initiatives including increased scholarship amounts, international and domestic travel opportunities, increased support of youth events and activities organized by industry partners, as well as the creation of an Outstanding Young Dairy Leader Award. Additionally, a conference focused on dairy advocacy training is a long-term goal.

“The Holstein Canada Board of Directors gave a very clear signal when developing our current Strategic Plan: Youth is a top priority! The passion of our next generation is inspiring and we want to offer these keen Young Leaders as much support as possible,” proudly states Holstein Canada President Richard Bosma.

In addition to new programming, Holstein Canada will continue to offer the Young Leader Convention Program held during the National Holstein Convention as well as sponsorship of major youth events and the Education and Bovine Medicine awards.

The launch of the Young Leader Program kicks off with the Education Award applications. Application forms are now available on the Holstein Canada website and the deadline for submission is Friday, November 29, 2013. In the coming months, details from the other pillars will be rolled out. As their deadlines approach, they will be announced via the new Holstein Canada website, social media, InfoHolstein and other media sources.

Holstein Canada has always recognized the importance of fostering the industry’s leaders of tomorrow. The revamp of the Young Leader Program further demonstrates the long- standing commitment to the development of the nation’s next generation of dairy leaders.

Harrisburg – In just eight weeks since being launched industry-wide, the Dairy Leaders of Tomorrow program is being used by 600 students in 33 classrooms throughout Pennsylvania and in five other states across the U.S. Fifteen independent students are also enrolled in the curriculum-based program. Developed by the Center for Dairy Excellence Foundation of Pennsylvania, the Dairy Leaders of Tomorrow program fills a void by preparing students specifically to work in dairy production or agribusiness careers.

“Momentum for the Dairy Leaders of Tomorrow program is building among the students and within the agricultural education community,” said Diane Glock-Cornman, dairy education coordinator with the Center for Dairy Excellence, who serves as the content developer and instructor for the Dairy Leaders of Tomorrow program. “The excitement surrounding the program and the opportunity it offers to young people interested in dairy is contagious.”

First developed in 2012, four lessons from the high school curriculum, available online or to use in a classroom setting, were successfully piloted in 20 different high schools across Pennsylvania during the 2012/13 academic year. Currently the program offers coursework under two certification programs approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Courses offered in the fall of 2013 include introduction to the dairy industry, dairy farm business management, ruminant anatomy and nutrition, and dairy herd health.

Beyond the curriculum platform, plans are underway to offer students the opportunity to get hands-on experience in the dairy industry. Virtual and live tours of dairy farms and agribusinesses are being planned, and scholarships will be offered to industry events, such as the Pennsylvania Dairy Summit in February.

“We are really looking to build a networking community for these students enrolled in the Dairy Leaders of Tomorrow program to learn from each other and from those in the industry,” said Emily Yeiser, dairy initiatives manager with the center. “We hope to encourage participation in these events outside the classroom and to stimulate ongoing discussion among the students through social media efforts.”

The Center for Dairy Excellence Foundation of Pennsylvania is currently soliciting for organizations to sponsor students to complete the Dairy Leaders of Tomorrow program. Sponsorship opportunities are available to support one or multiple scholarships to complete the program. For more information about sponsorship opportunities, contact Yeiser at 717-346-0849 or eyeiser@centerfordairyexcellence.org.

The Center for Dairy Excellence Foundation of Pennsylvania was established in 2010 as a charitable 501(c)(3) organization enabling individuals and corporations to make a lasting impact on the future of Pennsylvania’s dairy industry and its individual dairy farm families. Priorities for the center foundation include youth development, continuing education, consumer outreach and market development.

Those interested in contributing to the larger Center Foundation can do so by visiting www.centerfordairyexcellence.org and clicking on “Our Foundation” under “About the CDE.” More information about the Dairy Leaders of Tomorrow program can also be found at www.centerfordairyexcellence.org. Click on “Students & Educators,” then on “Dairy Leaders of Tomorrow.” Or call the Center for Dairy Excellence at 717-346-0849.

JUDGES
Showmanship Judge: Mr. Rickey Barrett
Confirmation Judge: Mr. Paul Harrison

Showmanship Results
Champion Showman – Michael Yates
Reserve Champion Showman – Izzy Whittaker
Honorable Mention Showman – William Wilson

Junior Showmanship
1. Elliot Jackson, Lancashire
2. Colm O’Neil, Shropshire
3. Evie Tomlinson, East Midlands
4. Desmond McCorry, Northern Ireland
5. Edward Stubbs, Derbyshire
6. Thomas Horsley, Border & Lakeland
7. Emily Hodge, Scotland South
8. James Potter, North Wales
9. George Lawrence, Suffolk
10. Laura Barrett, Central Counties

Intermediate Showmanship
1. William Wilson, Border & Lakeland
2. Josie Davies, South West
3. Jennifer Vetch, Scotland South
4. Hannah Bown, West Midlands
5. Chloe Braithwaite, Shropshire
6. Megan Edwards, Staffordshire
7. Jonathan Woodhouse, Lancashire
8. Rebecca Crank, Western
9. Katie Crawford, Suffolk
10. Fiona Goldie, North Eastern

Senior Showmanship
1. Mark Henry, Northern Ireland
2. Imogen Ward, South & Wiltshire
3. Natasha Kirby, Lancashire
4. Dan Bown, West Midlands
5. Claire Miles, South & Wiltshire
6. Amy Wetherup, Scotland South
7. Rachel Williamson, Border & Lakeland
8. Jonathan Cope, Shropshire
9. Milly Shipley, Central Counties
10. Abi Sercombe, South West

Mature Showmanship
1. Michael Yates, Scotland South
2. Izzy Whittaker, Western
3. Nicky Bishop, Devon
4. Arwyn Wilson, South Wales
5. Hannah Slack, Shropshire
6. Helen Eastham, Lancashire
7. Emma Jones, West Midlands
8. Richard Bostock, Staffordshire
9. Leiza Montgomery, Northern Ireland
10. Annabelle Doig, Norfolk

Conformation Results

Champion Calf – Drointon Tabwyn Holly, 1st June-July Calf, Scotland South
Reserve Champion Calf – Knowlesmere Asterix Bliss, 1st October-November Calf, Western
Honorable Mention Champion Calf – Shanael Goldsun Blossom, 2nd June-July Calf, West Midlands

February Calf
1. Drointon Tabwyn Maude, Staffordshire
2. Blydale Atwood Missy Girl (Atwood), Central Counties
3. Knowlesmere Goldwyn Abrakaboom (Goldwyn), Western
4. Styche Colby Higanda, Shropshire
5. BB Smokin Ghost, South Wales
6. Aliann Damoin Miss Lolli (Damion), Lancashire
7. Kingtonmagna Bradnick Bambi (Bradnick), South West
8. Woodcatt Goldsun Sara (Goldsun), Border & Lakeland
9. Leedhan Razzle Annie Red, East Midlands
10. Muir Braxton Signet (Braxton), Scotland South

December – January Calf
1. Aintree Aftershock Zandra (Aftershock), South Wales
2. Hollymere Barbwire Linnet Carol (Barbwire), Western
3. Heavenly Damion Jenn (Damion), Lancashire
4. Cramar Pebbledash, Central Counties
5. Parkend Alexander Eileen (Alexander), Scotland South
6. Blacksnape Sid Jenn 2 (Sid), Northern Ireland
7. Wolfa Alexander Caroline (Alexander), Border & Lakeside
8. Dovetrent Seaver Thaila 9 (Seaver), Derbyshire
9. Peacehay Susane 108, Devon
10. Ciderhouse Shottle Karen 2 (Shottle), South West

October – November Calf
1. Knowlesmere Asterix Bliss (Asterix), Western
2. Lynholme Goldfish Quennie (Goldfish), Lancashire
3. Samlea Bossman Summer (Bossman), Lancashire
4. Coachgate Sid Peggy (Sid), Yorkshire
5. Sterndale Snow Wyn Rae (Snowman), Derbyshire
6. Lomond Windbrook Tory (Windbrook), Scotland South
7. Sahara Goldsun Robin (Goldsun), West Midlands
8. Lillyhall Shamrock Buffy (Shamrock), Border & Lakeland
9. Churchvale Lavanguard Alicia (Lavanguard), Devon
10. Hurcott Stanleycup Beechleaf 67 (Stanleycup), Midlands

August – September Calf
1. Showgirl SC Sara (Stanleycup), West Midlands
2. Holmland Gold Chip Alanya (Goldchip), Lancashire
3. Warnelview Leveller Violet, Border & Lakeland
4. Fordmill Metor Gundul, East Midlands
5. Riverdane Britannia Bracken, Western
6. Carkin Pretty Ladi, North Eastern
7. Glitzyglam Bikini Babe, Northern Ireland
8. Crystalclear Braxton Wishing Well (Braxton), Central Counties
9. Topcroft Fever Harebell (Fever), Suffolk
10. Lilylane Democracy Amy 2, South West

June – July Calf
1. Drointon Tabwyn Holly, Scotland South
2. Shanael Goldsun Blossom (Goldsun), West Midlands
3. Davlea Fever Ashlyn (Fever), South West
4. Parkend Director Strlet Red, Scotland South
5. Airfield Shottle Lana 2 (Shottle), Norfolk
6. Drointon Asterix Mania (Asterix), Staffordshire
7. Crystalclear Lauthority Florenz (Lauthority), Central Counties
8. Crockers Deave Dee Dee, South & Wiltshire
9. Whitgreave Shottle Queen (Shottle), Northern Ireland
10. Bassingthorpe Leedham Siesme Red, East Midlands

April – May Calf
1. Wiltor Snowman Cream (Snowman), West Midlands
2. Nobold GW Jenn, Staffordshire
3. Sterndale Snow Rae (Snowman), Derbyshire
4. Withamhall Artless Kitkat, South & Wiltshire
5. Warnelview Windbrook Roxy (Windbrook), Border & Lakeland
6. Shoreline Lionheart Amanda, Lancashire
7. Designer Dempsey Sharon (Dempsey), South Eastern
8. Styche Struik Sheila (Struik), Shropshire
9. Aintree Destry Golda Red (Destry), Western
10. Noremead Rockafelle Sume 2, South & Wiltshire

Willdina Jade Bee was crowned Supreme Champion of the Junior Show at the 2013 World Dairy Expo. Bee was exhibited by siblings Nic, Jeni, Ben & Andy Sauder of River Valley Dairy of Tremont, Ill. Bee kicked off Expo as winner of her Five-Year-Old class, and went on to win both Grand and Senior Champion of the Jersey Junior Show. Bee has been climbing the Showring ladder since 2009. She was named Reserve Junior Champion in 2009 at World Dairy Expo, and two years later won the Reserve Grand Champion title at the 2011 International Jersey Junior Show. The third time is the charm, when two years later, Bee returned to take the Supreme Champion crown of the Junior Show. Bee was bred by Willdina Farms in Bowmanville, Ontario, sired by Giprat Belles Jade and the daughter of Hermitage Duaiseoir Bette. Bee is classified Excellent 91.

The Sauders are well known at World Dairy Expo, exhibiting four Grand Champions in the past five years. As Supreme Champion of the Junior Show, Bee, Nic, Jeni, Ben, and Andy will receive a $1,000 Cash Award courtesy of BouMatic, a royal blanket, and a director’s chair.

Cleland Advent Korie-Red-ET, exhibited by Joseph, Zacharia, Jerome & Darian Stransky and Ryan Lauber of Owatonna, Minn. was named the Reserve Supreme Champion of the Junior Show. In addition to being the Grand Champion Red & White Holstein and winning Aged Cow of the Junior Show, she swept the Minnesota State Fair, taking first Aged Cow, Best Udder and Grand Champion in both the open and junior shows. In 2012, Korie was the fourth Five-Year-Old at the International Red & White Show and the Nominated All-American Red & White Five-Year-Old. Korie was bred by Jim and Vicky Cleland of Clinton, Wis. She is sired by KHW Kite Advent-RED-ET and is the daughter of Cleland VRR Kyran-Red-ET. Along with the honorary title, Korie will receive a $500 Cash Award courtesy of Udder Comfort, a royal blanket, and a director’s chair.

World Dairy Expo is a global dairy producer event that hosts an elite dairy cattle show, the largest dairy-focused trade show in the world and educational seminars. Held each fall, this premier event serves as the industry’s meeting place. The 2014 World Dairy Expo is scheduled for September 30-October 4, at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wisconsin. For further details visit www.worlddairyexpo.com.

A three-breed award winner equally well known in Red & White, Holstein and Jersey circles, Cassy Krull won the 2013 Merle Howard Award. The daughter of the Cindy Krull and the late Brian Krull of Lake Mills, Wis., Krull is the tenth person to receive this honor. The Merle Howard Award is presented to the top junior exhibitor at World Dairy Expo who demonstrates exemplary skills in fitting, showmanship and overall passion for the dairy industry.

This 20-year-old is a critical member in operating her family’s 800-acre dairy farm in southeast Wisconsin and is involved in all phases of the operation. Additionally, she gained valuable experience in 2011 and 2012 when she worked for Ron and Christy Ratliff’s Jersey herd in Garnett, Kan.

A very talented leadsperson and equally gifted with the clipper, Krull recently won showmanship and fitting competitions at her local county fair on her way to being named Supreme Champion Showman. Additionally, she placed among the top five in showmanship competitions at World Dairy Expo, the Wisconsin State Fair, and was named Supreme Champion Showman at the Southern National Show. Krull also is the first woman to be a leads person at World Dairy Expo’s World Classic Sale.

In junior breed programs, Krull was named a Distinguished Younger Junior Member by Holstein Association USA in 2010 and just this year, she was named the 58^th National Jersey Youth Achievement Award winner. Previously, she served as the National Jersey Queen.

A young leader, Krull was elected the Wisconsin Junior Activities Committee and was employed by the 2013 Red & White Dairy Cattle Association as their summer intern. Additionally, she served on the All- American Jersey Show Activities Committee.

Above all, this young lady is a hard worker, who fits and prepares her own animals for the show each year. She has had success in three breeds and owns 40 head. In 2010, Krull showed her bred and owned cow Krull Dundee Ellory-ET who went on to be named Honorable Mention Senior Champion at World Dairy Expo’s International Junior Holstein Show. The next year, her three-year-old Jersey, Ratliff Sambo Demi-ET took home third-place honors in the National Jersey Jug in Louisville, Kentucky. And just this year, Krull Larson Dirty Girl-Red was named Reserve Junior Champion of the Junior Red & White Show at World Dairy Expo. Krull is a sophomore majoring in animal science and agri-business at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville.

Previous award winners of the Merle Howard Award include: 2004, Robert Teixeira, Turlock, Calif.; 2005, Matthew Mitchell, Lafollette, Tenn.; 2006, Greta Koebel, Three Oaks, Mich.; 2007, Brandon Ferry, Hilbert, Wis.; and 2008, Kelly Lee, Johnson Creek, Wis.; 2009 Kyle Natzke, Fond du Lac, Wis.; 2010 Stephanie Aves, Popular Grove, Ill.; 2011 Karen Anderson, Lester Prairie, Minn.; and 2012 Cy Conard, Sharon Springs, N.Y.

Merle Howard was a respected dairy industry pioneer. Winner of the 1954 Klussendorf Award, Howard was a herd manager, Holstein classifier and later a sales and export businessman. Serving on the first National Dairy Shrine Board, he became one of only eight people to receive the 4-E Award for outstanding service.

For more information, contact World Dairy Expo at 608-224-6455 or http://www.worlddairyexpo.com

A total of 288 youth participated in the 2013 World Dairy Expo Youth Showmanship Contest Thursday evening, October 3. This event featured three age brackets for youth to measure their cattle exhibiting skills. Junior showmen range in age from 9 years to 12 years, intermediate competitors are 13 to 15 years old and the senior showmanship division is open to 16 to 21 year old individuals. First through tenth place in each division receive neck ribbons and medallions and cash awards. The first place junior division winner was awarded the W. Terry Howard Award, the intermediate winner received the Howard Voegeli Award and the first place senior showman was presented with the Keith King Award.

Serving as judges for this year’s competition were Jenny Thomas, Junior Division; Carl Phoenix, Intermediate Division; Murray Reissner, Senior Division.

The Top 10 in each division are as follows:

Juniors
1. Cole Booth, Plymouth, Wis.
2. Ava Booth, Plymouth, Wis.
3. Alek Krueger, Wrightstown, Wis.
4. Rick Heslinga, Duvall, Wash.
5. Ashley Hawvermale, Wooster, Ohio
6. Kylie Nichols, Watertown, Wis.
7. Clarissa Ulness, Valders, Wis.
8. Brett Walker, Wisconsin Dells, Wis.
9. Morgan O’Connell, Winneonne, Wis.
10. Brianna Crull, Monroe, Wis.

Intermediate
1. Madison Dyment, Burgess, Ontario
2. Megan Nelson, Ettrick, Wis.
3. Connor Erbsen, Lanark, Ill.
4. Olivia Brandenburg, Fort Atkinson, Wis.
5. Emma Olstad, Stoughton, Wis.
6. Roseanne Crave, Waterloo, Wis.
7. Lindsey Sarbacker, Edgerton, Wis.
8. Grant Fremstad, Lone Rock, Wis.
9. Chelsea Young, Tinmouth, Vt.
10. Vanessa Roberts, Whitelaw, Wis.

Seniors
1. Vanessa Crowley, Peterborough, Ontario
2. Shelby Biasini, Morrisville, Vt.
3. Adrian Franken, Teeswater, Ontario
4. Andrea Pagenkopf, Lancaster, Wis.
5. Lee Morey, Rochester, Alberta
6. Makenzie Nickels, Beloit, Wis.
7. Taylor Leach, Linwood, Ks.
8. Elizabeth Sarbacker, Verona, Wis.
9. Julianne Holler, Sharpsville, Pa.
10. Tiffany Roberts, Whitelaw, Wis.

Maryland reigned supreme at the National 4-H Dairy Cattle Judging Contest on September 30 at World Dairy Expo. Team members Julia Doody, Ian Doody, Courtney Hoff and Cassidy Schirmer led the team to the top in overall placings. Respectively, siblings Julia Doody and Ian Doody placed first and second in overall individual reasons with Julia also placing second in overall individual.  The Maryland team was coached by Anne Davis and Kiera Finucane.  Placing second by one point was Pennsylvania. Six points behind them was Wisconsin with team member Trent Dado taking home first overall individual. Twenty-five 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. Maryland, 2,061 coached by Anne Davis and Kiera Finucane
Team members: Ian Doody, Courtney Hoff, Cassidy Schirmer and Julia Doody

2. Pennsylvania 2,060 coached by Chad Dechow
Team members: Evan Castrogiovanni, Laura Lesher, Jocelyn Riser and Emily Shaw

3. Wisconsin, 2,054, coached by Jered Haase, Karrie Melin Swenson and Kirsten Klugow
Team members: Chris Rassier, Trent Dado, Laura Jensen and Cody Getschel

4. Minnesota 2,037 coached by Stacy Leiding
Team members: Haely Leiding, Kayla Leiding, Travis Troendle and Abby Hopp

5. Kentucky, 2,028, coached by Larissa Tucker and Bland Baird
Team members: Drew Krueger, Caleb Fulkerson, Shelby West and Tyler Goodlett

6. Missouri, 2,008, coached by Ted Probert and Karla Deaver
Team members: Steven Nelson, Tucker Peterson and Bailee Whitehead

7. Ohio, 2,006, coached by Bonnie Ayars
Team members: Heath Geyer, Colton Harstine, Cody Jodrey and Corey Jodrey

8. New York, 2,001 coached by Doug Waterman
Team members: Keith Koerner, Austin Milligan, Lauren Hill and Alton Rudgers

9. Michigan, 1,999, coached by Joe Domecq and Sarah Black
Team members: Kelly Raterink, Natalie Horning, Kailey Sweers and Jay Luoma

10. Virginia, 1,994, coached by Matt Nuckols
Team members: Cole Leonard, Logan Potts, Erin Saacke and Zachary Seekford

Top 10 Individuals Overall:
1. Trent Dado, 711, Wisconsin
2. Julia Doody, 710, Maryland
3. Emily Shaw, 696, Pennsylvania
4. Tyler Goodlett, 690, Kentucky
5. Travis Troendle, 688, Minnesota
6. Jay Luoma, 685. Michigan
7. Evan Castrogiovanni, 685, Pennsylvania
8. Bailee Whitehead, 685, Missouri
9. Haely Leiding, 684, Minnesota
10. Lauren Luther, 683, North Carolina

Top 10 Team Reasons:
1. Maryland, 688, coached by Anne Davis and Kiera Finucane
2. Wisconsin, 676, coached Jered Haase, Karrie Melin Swenson and Kirsten Klugow
3. Pennsylvania, 668, coached by Chad Dechow
4. Michigan, 652, coached Joe Domecq and Sarah Black
5. Virginia, 643, coached by Matt Nuckols
6. Texas, 643, coached by Larry Wooley
7. Missouri, 640, coached by Ted Probert and Karla Deaver
8. Minnesota, 639, coached by Stacy Leiding
9. New York, 638, coached by Doug Waterman
10. Kentucky, 636, coached by Larissa Tucker and Bland Baird

Top 10 Individual Reasons:
1. Julia Doody, 236, Maryland
2. Ian Doody, 232, Maryland
3. Emily Shaw, 231, Pennsylvania
4. Jay Luoma, 231, Michigan
5. Trent Dado, 229, Wisconsin
6. Evan Castrogiovanni, 226, Pennsylvania
7. Laura Jensen, 224, Wisconsin
8. Cody Getschel, 223, Wisconsin
9. Courtney Hoff, 220, Maryland
10. Steven Nelson, 218, Missouri

Kaskaskia College placed first in the International Post-Secondary Dairy Cattle Judging Contest held Monday, September 30, 2013 at World Dairy Expo. The winning team was anchored by first place overall high individual Jessica Telgmann. Other team members included Brett Woker, Dylan Reed, also finishing in the top 10, and Morgan Wendling. Hayleigh Geurink, member of the Michigan State Ag Tech team, placed first overall in individual reasons, while Modesto Junior College nabbed the top team in reasons award.

Fifteen 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. Kaskaskia College, 2,243
Team members: Jessica Telgmann, Brett Woker, Dylan Reed, Morgan Wendling

2. Modesto Junior College, 2,212
Team members: Vincent J. Migliazzo, Justin Bopp, Tony Garcia, Alison Sherman

3. Ohio State University Ag Tech, 2,203
Team members: Meghan Thurston, Marshall Overholt, Dan Grim, Laura Bond

4. SUNY – Cobleskill #1, 2,185
Team members: Sara Pulver, Dalton Johnson, Noah Ives, Hannah Milligan

5. Morrisville State College, 2,185
Team members: Colleen Cargile, Brandon Perna, Jessica Currie, Nicole Achtyl

6. Michigan State Ag Tech, 2,145
Team members: Hayleigh Geurink, Kara Smith, Jorin Ouwinga, Kelvin Webster

7. SUNY – Cobleskill #3, 2,111
Team members:  Miranda Hill, Marilyn Lamb, Jacob Blake, Meredith Lawrence

8. Fox Valley Tech College, 2,059
Team members:  Amy Gretzinger, Alexandria Volkman, Cody Bandoch, Cassandra Haen

9. Alfred State, 2,051
Team members: Joe Markley, Joseph Keller, Taylor Merry, Tavlor Wade

10. Lakeshore Technical College “B”, 1,992
Team members: Shawn Banowetz, Amber Meinert, Jesse Bolton

Overall Top 10 Individuals
1 Jessica Telgmann, 764, Kaskaskia College
2. Vincent J. Migliazzo, 753, Modesto Junior College
3. Hayleigh Geurink, 752, Michigan State Ag Tech
4. Sara Pulver, 752, SUNY – Cobleskill #1
5. Meghan Thurston, 751, Ohio State University Ag Tech
6. Brett Woker, 740, Kaskaskia College
7. Dylan Reed, 739, Kaskaskia College
8. Justin Bopp, 739, Modesto Junior College
9. Colleen Cargile, 735, Morrisville State College
10. Marshall Overholt, 733, Ohio State University Ag Tech

Top 5 Team Reasons
1. Modesto Junior College, 560
2. Kaskaskia College, 546
3. SUNY – Cobleskill #1, 527
4. Morrisville State College, 518
5. Ohio State University Ag Tech, 515

Top 10 Individual Reasons
1. Hayleigh Geurink, 191, Michigan State Ag Tech
2. Tony Garcia, 191, Modesto Junior College
3. Vincent J. Migliazzo, 190, Modesto Junior College
4. Alison Sherman, 189, Modesto Junior College
5. Jessica Telgmann, 187, Kaskaskia College
6. Sara Pulver, 186, SUNY – Cobleskill #1
7. Dylan Reed, 184, Kaskaskia College
8. Meghan Thurston, 182, Ohio State University Ag Tech
9. Justin Bopp, 179, Modesto Junior College
10. Colleen Cargile, 178, Morrisville State College

Top 5 Teams Practical Contest
1. Modesto Junior College, 499
2. University of Wisconsin-Platteville, 458
3. Kaskaskia College, 455
4. SUNY – Cobleskill #3, 450
5. Northeast Iowa Community College, 434

Top 5 Teams Linear Contest
1. SUNY – Cobleskill #1, 399
2. Modesto Junior College, 398
3. Ohio State University Ag Tech, 397
4. Kaskaskia College, 381
5. Fox Valley Tech College, 375

Top 10 Individuals Linear Contest
1. Laura Bond, Ohio State University Ag Tech, 146
2. Hannah Milligan, SUNY – Cobleskill #1, 145
3. Dylan Reed- Kaskaskia College, 141
4. Vincent J. Migliazzo, Modesto Junior College, 138
5. Thomas Allen, Northeast Iowa College, 138
6. Cody Bandoch, Fox Valley Tech College, 137
7. Taylor Wade, Alfred State, 136
8. Noah Ives, SUNY – Cobleskill #1, 133
9. Garrett Madland, University of Wisconsin-Platteville, 133
10. Tony Garcia, Modesto Junior College, 132

Top 5 Teams Registered Class
1. University of Wisconsin-Platteville, 193
2. Kaskaskia College, 181
3. SUNY – Cobleskill #1, 176
4. Modesto Junior College, 172
5. SUNY – Cobleskill #3, 161

Top 5 Practical Commercial Class
1. Modesto Junior College, 195
2. SUNY – Cobleskill #3, 171
3. Northeast Iowa Community College, 168
4. Ohio State University Ag Tech, 155
5. Fox Valley Technical College, 152

The next generation of fitting professionals put their skills to the test on Sunday morning in the World Dairy Expo Fitting Contest held in the Estrumate Sale Pavilion. In its fourth year, the contest saw 10 accomplished youth fitters from ages 16 to 21 years old and from across the U.S., Canada and Germany compete.

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. Kevin Doebereiner, West Salem, Ohio served as the official judge.

The placings for the Youth Fitting Contest are as follows:

1. Adrian Franken, Ontario, Canada
2. Lee Morey, Rochester, Alberta, Canada
3. Austin Nauman, Norwalk, Wis.
4. Jon Beiler, Fredericksburg, Penn.
5. Tyler Endres, Lodi, Wis.
6.  Brooks Hendrickson, Belleville, Wis.
7.  Brett Hildebrandt, Hustisford, Wis.
8.  Briar Jeg, Chehalis, Wash.
9.  Sean Brown, Dodgeville, Wis.
10. Jonas Melbomb, Germany

This contest kicks off the first of many youth events this week at World Dairy Expo.

Team Overall at the 20th Annual Intercollegiate Dairy Cattle Judging Contest – Joel Groskreutz, Accelerated Genetics President & CEO; University of Minnesota – Les Hansen, coach; Kelsey Mussman, Michael Schmitt, Jana Sorg and Erin Daninger

The University of Minnesota placed 1st overall by a 33-point margin over the 2nd place team from Oregon State University in the intercollegiate dairy cattle judging contest hosted by Accelerated Genetics, September 15, at the Vernon County Fair, Viroqua, WI. Fourteen teams competed for honors. The University of Minnesota team also placed 1st in oral reasons by a 19-point margin, 1st in Brown Swiss, 1st in Holstein, 1st in Milking Shorthorn, and 2nd in Jersey. Team members were Kelsey Mussman, Erin Daninger, Janna Sorg, and Michael Schmitt.

Individually, Mussman was 1st overall, 1st in oral reasons, 1st in Jersey, 2nd in Holstein, and 4th in Brown Swiss. Sorg was 7th overall, 3rd in Holstein, and 5th in Jersey. Daninger was 7th overall, 2nd in oral reasons, and 2nd in Milking Shorthorn. Schmitt was 10th in oral reasons and 1st in Milking Shorthorn.

The top 10 teams: 1. University of Minnesota (Gold team) – 2098 pts., 2. Oregon State University – 2065 pts., 3. UW-Madison (Cardinal team) – 2032 pts., 4. University of Minnesota (Maroon team) – 2021 pts., 5. Iowa State University – 2016 pts., 6. UW-River Falls, 7. UW-Platteville, 8. University of Illinois, 9. North Dakota State University, 10. UW-Madison (White team).

The Center for Dairy Excellence Foundation of Pennsylvania Board of Directors has selected six individuals to receive $1,000 Student Leader Scholarships.

The scholarships provide recognition, encouragement and financial assistance to outstanding students enrolled in academic programs that support the dairy industry. Funds for the scholarships are made possible through contributions to the Center for Dairy Excellence Foundation’s scholarship fund.

“We were pleased to receive applications from many well-deserving candidates this year,” said John Frey, executive director of the Center for Dairy Excellence. “The six candidates chosen reflect the tremendous opportunity we have in our next generation of leaders, both within the broader industry and specifically on Pennsylvania dairy farms.”

The recipients of the scholarship include:

Hannah Bachman,(right) a senior studying agribusiness management and agriculture economics, sociology and education at the Pennsylvania State University. Hannah’s parents are Mark and Melanie Bachman, from Ulysses, Potter County, and she is planning to return to work in the family’s artisan cheese business.

Isaac Haagen, (left)a junior studying animal science at the Pennsylvania State University. Isaac is the son of Stephen and Sandra Haagen, who live in Howard, Centre County. Isaac helps on his family’s registered Holstein dairy operation and plans to complete a master’s degree program in animal science before pursuing a career in genetics.

Kayla Romberger, (right)a junior studying livestock science and management at Delaware Valley College. She is the daughter of William and Kathy Romberger, who have a farm supply business in Pitman, Schuylkill County. Kayla’s internship with Nationwide Agribusiness sparked an interest in either agriculture education or agriculture finance.

Roxanne Seltzer, (left)a senior studying dairy science and communications/public relations at Virginia Tech. Roxanne’s parents are Dennis and Nancy Seltzer from Selinsgrove, Snyder County. Roxanne recently completed an internship with Pfizer Animal Health and would like to eventually work in the agricultural communications industry.

Corbin Wood, (right)a senior studying building construction and management with an emphasis in agriculture at the Pennsylvania College of Technology. Corbin’s parents are Steve and Chrissy Wood from Littlestown, Adams County. Corbin’s future plans include returning to his home farm, Penn Gate, to expand the business and take advantage of agritourism opportunities in that area.

Ryan Zimmerman, (left)a freshman studying dairy science at Virginia Tech and the son of Kathy Zimmerman in Littlestown, Adams County. Ryan graduated 12 out of 162 students in his high school and is completing his first year at Virginia Tech. He would like to pursue a career in either cattle genetics or consumer education.

Consideration for this scholarship was given to Pennsylvania residents who are full-time undergraduate students planning to enroll or are currently enrolled in a qualifying field of study such as animal science, agriculture marketing and business, nutrition, food science, agricultural and extension education, agri-business management, agricultural engineering or related fields.

Selection of the scholarship winners was based on the completed application within the following criteria: academic performance; apparent commitment to a career related to the dairy industry; evidence of leadership, character and integrity; and application compliance.
To learn more about the Student Leader Scholarships, visit www.centerfordairyexcellence.org and click on “Scholarships” under the “Student & Educator” tab. For more information on how to support the Center for Dairy Excellence Foundation of Pennsylvania, click on “Our Foundation” under “About the CDE.”

The Ohio State University team won the collegiate division of the 45th annual Invitational Youth Dairy Judging Contest, part of the 10th annual Premier National Junior Events at the 2013 All-American Dairy Show. (L-R): Lara Staples, Jacquelyn Sherry, Coach Bonnie Ayers, Robin Alden and Jared Smith.

Ohio State University, Modesto Junior College, Maryland 4-H and Wisconsin FFA were top teams in their divisions at the 45th annual Invitational Youth Dairy Cattle Judging Contest, held Monday, Sept. 9, during the 2013 All-American Dairy Show in Harrisburg.

From as far as California and North Dakota, 41 teams competed in the 4-H, FFA, Junior Collegiate and Senior Collegiate divisions. The contest included two parts: dairy cattle evaluation and oral reasons in defense of those placings. Awards were given to individuals and teams in each division for oral reasons, breed-specific results and overall results.

“We helped celebrate the 50th All-American with a judging contest full of high-quality cattle and great contestants,” said contest superintendent Judy Black.  “We welcomed even more 4-H teams this year – a total of 15. This contest is helping prepare the next generation of dairy leaders.”

Collegiate Division
The Ohio State University team, with members Robin Alden, Jared Smith, Lara Staples and Jacquelyn Sherry, and coach Bonnie Ayers, topped the collegiate division. Emily Strand of Cornell University was the high individual in the collegiate division. The Cornell team placed first in oral reasons and the Ayrshire and Jersey breeds.

Other collegiate teams in the top five:
2nd – Michigan State University
3rd – Cornell University
4th – Pennsylvania State University
5th – Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Collegiate individuals in the top five:
1st – Emily Strand, Cornell University
2nd – Robin Alden, Ohio State University
3rd – Jared Smith, Ohio State University
4th – Malissa Reed, Michigan State University
5th – Carmen Zwemmer, Michigan State University

Junior Collegiate Division
Modesto Junior College won the contest’s Junior College Division. Team members are Vincent Migliazzo, Tony Garcia, Alison Sherman and Justin Bopp, coached by William Hobby.

Top five junior colleges:
2nd – Morrisville State College of New York
3rd – Kaskaskia College
4th – Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute
5th – State University of New York, Cobleskill

Vincent Migliazzo of Modesto was top individual in the Junior College division. Other top individuals:
2nd – Tony Garcia, Modesto
3rd – Alison Sherman, Modesto
4th – Dan Grim, Ohio-ATI
5th – Dylan Reed, Kaskaskia College

4-H Division
Maryland 4-H, with team members Ian Doody, Julia Doody, Courtney Hoff and Cassidy Schimer coached by Anne Davis and Kiera Finuca, won the contest’s 4-H division. Ian and Julia placed first and second in oral reasons, respectively. Audrey Lane from Minnesota 4-H was third in oral reasons, followed by Emily Shaw of Pennsylvania 4-H, Williamsburg, Pa., and Tyler Goodlette of Kentucky 4-H.

Top five teams in the division:
1st – Maryland 4-H
2nd – Missouri 4-H
3rd – Minnesota 4-H
4th – Wisconsin 4-H
5th – Kentucky 4-H

Top five individuals:
1st – Ian Doody, Maryland 4-H
2nd – Tyler Goodlette, Kentucky 4-H
3rd – Tucker Peterson, Missouri 4-H
4th – Gabriela Sorge, Minnesota 4-H
5th – Julia Doody, Maryland 4-H

FFA Division
The Wisconsin FFA Team took top honors in the contest’s FFA division. Members Trent Dado, Laura Jensen and Ethan Dado also individually placed in the top five.

Top five individuals:
1st – Trent Dado, Wisconsin FFA
2nd – Laura Jensen, Wisconsin FFA
3rd – Aaron Houdek, Minnesota FFA
4th – Emily Dysart, Virginia FFA
5th – Ethan Dado, Wisconsin FFA

Other top five FFA teams:
2nd – Virginia FFA
3rd – Kentucky FFA
4th – Minnesota FFA
5th – Ohio FFA

Awards were sponsored by the Ayrshire, Brown Swiss, Guernsey, Holstein and Jersey breed associations and the All-American Dairy Show. Genex Cooperative, Inc. and the All-American Dairy Foundation sponsored the judging contest, and the Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association sponsored the banquet.

The 50th All-American Dairy Show, the world’s largest dairy show, runs Sept. 7-12 at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center in Harrisburg. This year’s show features 23 shows in six days, the nation’s only all-dairy antiques show, nearly 3,000 animals and 2,000 exhibitors from across the nation.

For more information, visit www.allamerican.state.pa.us or call 717-787-2905.