Intercollegiate Dairy Judging Contest Attracts National Participation (9/6/07)
On Sunday, September 16, 2006 teams from all across the United States will travel to Viroqua, Wisconsin, to apply and sharpen their dairy cattle judging skills as they have for the past thirteen years at the Accelerated Genetics Intercollegiate Dairy Cattle Judging Contest. The 14th Annual Intercollegiate Dairy Cattle Judging Contest will be held in the Dairy Cattle Arena at the Vernon County Fairgrounds. This year’s contest will begin at 8:30 a.m.
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. “Accelerated Genetics has sponsored and directed this event for over a decade and we continue to see this event as an opportunity to showcase Accelerated Genetics’ personnel,” explains Roger Ripley, President and CEO of Accelerated Genetics.
“This event heightens awareness of what we are and encourages future employee prospects of career opportunities within our industry. Equally important for us as an employer is a chance to get acquainted with the next generation of industry leaders that will be available for employment,” adds Ripley. “Furthermore, our contest helps contestants gain confidence and experience in public speaking, decision making, and teamwork - which are all critical attributes of successful employees in the workforce.”
Another integral part of the Intercollegiate Dairy Cattle Judging contest is the group of leads people that participate in the showmanship and sportsmanship contest. A Memorial Showmanship Award is given yearly in honor of David Larson, a long-term employee of Accelerated Genetics, who worked very closely with the Vernon County youth and was an active member of the judging contest committee.
Finally, this 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
Read the 2006 Judging Contest Results Now! (pdf)