BARABOO, WI — The Wisconsin Holstein Association Futurity is always a night to remember, and this year was no exception.
The crowd gathered on Saturday, August 9th to watch our stunning exhibitors and their entries enter the arena to compete for the title of champion of the 28th annual WHA Futurity. Judge Joe Gibbs of Epworth, Iowa, had the difficult task of placing eight of the best Registered Holstein three-year-old cows that Wisconsin has to offer.
Mar-Linda-K Damion Jilette will go down in the history as the winner of the 2014 Futurity. Jilette was exhibited by Nicole Wright of Mar-Linda-K Holsteins, located in Watertown, Wis. This was the first year Mar-Linda-K Holsteins exhibited at the show, and it will definitely be a night to remember for Nicole and her family. Nicole received a $1,500 check sponsored by Badgerland Financial. Jilette and Nicole also received Best Bred and Owned, sponsored by Robert and Randy Nigh of Lirr Farms. They were also awarded Best Udder of the show, sponsored by East Central Select Sires, and 1st place Junior in the class, sponsored by Angela Davis-Brown of Ma-Brown Holsteins and Jerseys and the Wisconsin Junior Holstein Association.
Placing second in the class and receiving a $750 check sponsored by International Protein Sires was Oeh-My Richman Eliza exhibited by Chase and Willow Oehmichen of Abbotsford, WI. Third place received a $500 check sponsored by Agropur, and went to Crestbrooke GAP Torrie-ET, exhibited by Kyle Natzke of Fond du Lac, WI. Torrie also took the Top Milk Production and Top Fat & Protein awards, both sponsored by Brian Greenman, Rural Mutual Insurance Agent
Though the cows are the main stars of the show, our exhibitors were dressed to impress as they traded in their blue jeans and boots for formal wear. All of the Best Dressed winners received a plaque and $100. Nicole Wright was named Best Dressed Junior which was sponsored by Mark and Mary, Chad and Amy Ryan of Ryan-Vu Dairy. Kyle Natzke was voted Best Dressed Adult Male, sponsored by Robert and Karyn Schauf of Indianhead Holsteins, and Barb Maroszek received the award for Best Dressed Adult Female, sponsored by David and Yvonne Preder of Scenic-Edge Holsteins.
Laura Herschleb and Moriah Brey served as Mistresses of Ceremonies for the evening where they helped to introduce distinguished guests. In attendance were Wisconsin Secretary of Agriculture, Ben Brancel; Alice in Dairyland, Zoey Brooks; Wisconsin Fairest of the Fairs, Kaitlyn Riley; WHA Princess, Kayla Krueger; WHA Princess Attendant, Kristen Broege, WI RWDCA Princess, Carley Krull, and Green County and Dane County Royalty.
The futurity would not be possible without our generous sponsors. WHA would like to thank the major futurity sponsors, Badgerland Financial, International Protein Sires, Agropur, and Brian Greenman, Rural Mutual Insurance Agent, for helping to make this show a success.
The purpose of the WHA Futurity is to help promote the dairy industry to the general public and display the care and dedication that we have for our animals and the products they produce. The WHA Futurity was initiated to inform people that are not from an agriculture background about the Registered Holstein and the dairy industry.
About Us
Wisconsin Holstein is a not-for-profit membership organization with the purpose of promoting the Wisconsin Registered Holstein Breed and its breeders and owners. For more information visit the WHA website at www.wisholsteins.com.