Complete Image Galleries are available for you to view, share & purchase photos from The World Dairy Expo Milking Shorthorn Show Milking Classes 2017. The World Dairy Expo Milking Shorthorn Show 2017 was held Tuesday, Oct 3, 2017. Jack Lomeo Jr., NY, served as judge with Associate Simon Lalande, QC.
Grand Champion honors went to Eichlers MD Blanche-ET (Megadeth), 1st Junior 3yr Old owned by Peter Vail & Hillpoint Partners, WI.
Biography
Jack Lomeo, Jr. is a Regional Dairy Advisor for the Northeast United States for Cogent Breeding International. He owns approximately 40-45 head of cattle in partnership, housed elsewhere. Jack owns and breeds cattle under the prefix Purple Fever.
Jack had his first introduction to registered cows through his father, who used to buy cows throughout Canada. His Dad would typically buy 12-18 animals, truck them to the United States and then sell them one or two at a time to farmers as they needed a cow. Jack remembers one particular load of cattle his father bought and one heifer really stood out to him, they kept her and she was the first show cow they had and went on to do great things for them. From then forward Jack bought and sold cows and did a number of other careers within the dairy industry. Through his different careers he fell in love with small dairies and show cows, and he loves to be out at a farm or a sale and find a baby calf in a hutch to buy and develop to go on and do great things. Jack mostly owns Holsteins and Jerseys and has owned many Milking Shorthorns as well, and says that a good one is a good one, regardless of the breed.
Jack is extremely grateful for people in the business, his mentors and associates and friends along the way and is so happy they gave him the honour to judge their animals.
What was your most memorable judging experience?
My most memorable moments were both probably this year. I judged the Trois-Rivières show in Quebec and found myself the most comfortable I’ve ever been judging and really found my groove. I found a cow that had never been shown and fell in love with her from the moment I saw her come in the ring until I made her Grand Champion that day. It was very exciting to have the honour to judge a show like that and a cow like that. It was extra special as it was amongst my peers, I’ve spent lots of time in Quebec and have many great friends, business partners and associates there and it was an honour to judge their show. I also judged a show just recently at Dutchess County Fair and made a Brown Swiss calf first in her class, the girl showing was new at showing and totally didn’t expect to win her class with her calf and then go on to be named Reserve Junior Champion. I loved seeing the innocence and excitement that day and it was a real honour to judge that show.
What is one piece of advice you have for aspiring judges?
I think one of the most important things is to have a clear head. Erase any judgement and preconceived ideas of any of the animals that you are judging. Go out into the ring with a clear and open mind. Judge the animals as they are on that day and in that moment. Don’t let it matter who is on the halter or how she might have looked in the past. The judges that I admire the most are the ones that judge the cattle as they are that day when they are in the ring.
What show have you judged with the best atmosphere?
The Dutchess County Fair, I just judged recently, I wouldn’t say that it was the best show that I’ve ever judged, but the atmosphere and team spirit stood out to me. The people helped each other, the crowd was full of people with big applauses and excitement, they seemed to pick favourites and get very excited when they did well. Group classes had people helping from all different strings and the whole atmosphere made them seem like they really worked together and wanted each other to succeed, a real big-happy-family type of place, it was great to see.
What motivates you to judge?
My number one reason for judging is my absolute love of great cattle and the ability to be out in the ring with them. I really like to judge showmanship and 4-H to see some of the innocence in the business and the excitement for our industry. Finding a calf at a small show or county fair and possibly having a chance to buy her and further develop her that ties together the passion I have for judging and for buying great animals!
Any show or country still on your bucket list to judge?
Yes there are some still on my bucket list. I have heard so much about the enthusiasm and love for show cows at Swiss Expo, it would be a tremendous honour to judge that show, every year it seems they try to top what was done the year before and make it even more amazing.
