The Complete Image Gallery from the International Milking Shorthorn Show 2018 is now available for you to view, share and purchase photos. Judging the show was Brian Behnke, WI, with Associate Carla Stetzer, WI. View results and photos from the 2017 show HERE!
Biography
Brian Behnke’s lifelong dairy career began on his family’s farm, Bur-Wall Holsteins, in Brooklyn, Wisconsin. Following graduation from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Behnke worked for Landmark Genetics in sire procurement and as a herdsman for two prominent west coast Holstein herds, Roylane Registered Holsteins and Wilcox Farms Inc. As a herdsman, Behnke was responsible for breeding multiple bulls for A.I. stud companies in addition to five All-American Nominees. This was followed by 13 years with Semex before accepting his current role at ABS as the St. Jacobs Business Manager in 2016. Behnke’s judging career involves multiple appearances at World Dairy Expo, the Western Spring National, the Wisconsin State Fair, the Canadian Scotia 4-H Classic, National Guernsey shows and shows throughout the Netherlands, Dominican Republic, Colombia, South Korea, Japan and Australia. Behnke currently resides in Albany, Wisconsin with his wife, Tami, where he also assists on her family’s farm, Glenn-Ann Holsteins.
Carla Stetzer from Alma Center, Wisconsin grew up on a 40-cow Registered Milking Shorthorn farm in western Wisconsin and is now a Team Leader and Genetic Consultant at NorthStar Cooperative. While employed in the dairy industry, Stetzer, her husband, Dan, and their sons, Jay, Drew and Sean, still maintain a herd of 10 to 20 Registered Holsteins in Alma Center. A member of both the Milking Shorthorn and Holstein breed associations, she is currently serving on the type committee for the Milking Shorthorn breed. Stetzer has served as the official Milking Shorthorn judge at the Iowa State Fair and the Minnesota State Fair, as well as judging multiple shows during the Wisconsin State Junior Fair. Most recently, she traveled to Australia to officiate the 2017 Guernsey show at International Dairy Week.
Q&A with Brian Behnke
What has been your most memorable judging experience so far?
Judging the Wisconsin State Junior State Fair Holstein show with 733 head. It started with the young calves on a Thursday evening and I was told by the superintendent that I had 28 minutes to judge each of the 8 classes because the kids needed to get back to the dorm on time. The classes had between 50-60 head each. We made it work and realized that first impressions are key!
Who is your favorite cow of all time? One that you’ve judged and/or one that you admire?
Wilcoxview BC Cami, not just because of her Madison win, but also because of her personality and ease to work with.
What do you love most about judging?
Interacting with exhibitors and explaining what I saw and the reasons why I may have seen a placing differently than others.
What are you looking for in your winners?
I like a balance of dairyness, strength, width, udders, style, mobility and utility. It’s not just a beauty pageant.
Describe the feeling of being asked to judge at Madison?
This will be my third time as judge at WDE and the feeling is the same as the first time. It’s truly an honour to be asked by your peers to line up their cattle.
How did you select your Associate Judge?
My associate will be Carla Stetzer. I looked for someone who is involved in the Milking Shorthorn breed, has a great eye for cattle, professionalism and high class.
