Next week, dairy cattle judging teams from across the country will travel to Wisconsin to compete in the Accelerated Genetics Intercollegiate Dairy Cattle Judging Contest. The 14th annual contest helps college students to apply and sharpen their dairy cattle judging skills.
Teams participated in the event in 2006 from all across the nation including students from the following schools: Iowa State University (IA), Modesto Junior College (CA), North Dakota State University (ND), Northeast Iowa Community College (IA), Ohio State University (OH), Oregon State University (OR), Purdue University (IN), South Dakota State University (SD), University of Illinois (IL), University of Minnesota-St. Paul (MN), University of Wisconsin-Farm & Industry Short Course (WI), University of Wisconsin-Madison (WI), University of Wisconsin-Platteville (WI), and University of Wisconsin-River Falls (WI).
Each year the teams place ten classes and recite five sets of oral reasons. Participants typically judge at least one class of the six dairy breeds: Ayrshire, Brown Swiss, Guernsey, Holstein, Jersey and Milking Shorthorn.
A tremendous amount of “manpower” goes into making the Intercollegiate Dairy Judging Contest a success. Accelerated Genetics employees volunteer their time to coordinate and run the contest. The contest would not be possible without the tremendous support of the following contest and award sponsors:
Coaches Reception: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Milk Products, Inc., and Merial Ltd.
Flowers and Decorations: Sci-Tech Premixes
Morning Booster: Village Market, Viroqua, WI
Luncheon: Land O’Lakes Purina Feeds, LLC
Dairy Bar: Fort Dodge Animal Health
Banquet: Swiss Valley Farms, Co., The Baraboo National Bank, and The State Bank of Viroqua
Banquet Programs: Organic Valley
Dairy Cattle: Vernon County Junior and Open Dairy Exhibitors
Team & Award Photos: Connie Schmelzer, American Printing/Schumann Printers, Inc.
Ribbons and Notebooks: Vernon County Agricultural Society
Breed High Ind. & Team Awards: Ayrshire Breeders Association, Brown Swiss Cattle Breeders
Association, American Guernsey Association, Holstein Foundation, American Jersey Cattle Association, and American Milking Shorthorn Society.
1st-3rd High Oral Reasons Ind. Scholarships: James W. Crowley Fund
High Oral Reasons Ind. & Team Awards: Swiss Valley Farms, Co.
High Ind. & Team Jackets and Notebooks: Accelerated Genetics
High Overall Ind. & Team Awards: Pioneer Hi-Bred International
High Overall Team Jane of Vernon Traveling Trophy: WI Brown Swiss Canton III