Minnesota took the top honors in the 103rd National 4-H Dairy Cattle Judging Contest at World Dairy Expo®. The Minnesota team was comprised of Blake Siewert, Emily Mellgren, Nolan Kruger and Ashley Mellgren, coached by Kayla Sexton. The second-overall team, by a margin of 5 points, was the Wisconsin team of Alison Gartman, Campbell Booth, Natalie Mauk and Austin Kreisa, coached by Chris Booth, Sara Feldmann and Kelly Jens. New York, Florida and Pennsylvania finished out the top five teams, respectively.
Teams and individuals receiving recognition include:
Top Ten Teams – Overall:
Minnesota, 2058, team members: Blake Siewert, Emily Mellgren, Nolan Kruger, Ashley Mellgren, coached by Kayla Sexton.
Wisconsin, 2053, team members: Alison Gartman, Campbell Booth, Natalie Mauk and Austin Kreisa, coached by Chris Booth, Sara Feldmann and Kelly Jens.
New York, 2042, team members: Dayne Jantzi, Hayden Ayers, Olivia Shawley and Larsen Swan, coached by Dr. Douglas Waterman.
Florida, 2035, team members: Joshua Larson, Lilly Larson, Kathryn Montes De Oca and Sophia Caves coached by Gene Holcomb.
Pennsylvania, 2021, team members: Molly Diehl, Jesslyn Risser, Norah Bechtel and James Grisafi, coached by Chad Dechow.
Ohio, 2013, team members: Faith Ford, Kelsie Britton, Julianne Headings and Ella Conley, coached by Sherry Smith.
Iowa, 1992, team members: Ford Domeyer, Aden Kruse, Tyler Hoeger and Caden Kremer, coached by Kaleb Kruse, Mason Kruse and Jeannie Domeyer.
Indiana, 1969, team members: Maggie Wicker, Cate Neuman, Emma Tressler and Jenna Lawler, coached by Doug Wicker and Audrey Wicker.
Oregon, 1965, team members: Tatum Lancaster, Bridget Allen, Jackson Kent and Anneka Christiansen, coached by Dakota Lager and Megan Christiansen.
Kentucky, 1924, team members: Haylee Tucker, Aeryn Grimes, Jordyn McDonald and Cyrus Bivens, coached by Larissa Tucker, Lannie Willen and Bland Baird.
Top Ten Individuals – Overall:
Campbell Booth, 708, Wisconsin
Hayden Ayers, 704, New York
Zach Johnson, 698, Vermont
Emily Mellgren, 695, Minnesota
Blake Siewert, 694, Minnesota
Lily Larson, 694, Florida
Alison Gartman, 690, Wisconsin
Kelsie Britton, 686, Ohio
Cate Neuman, 683, Indiana
Tatum Lancaster, 680, Oregon
Top Ten Teams – Reasons:
Wisconsin, 676, coached by Chris Booth, Sara Feldmann and Kelly Jens.
Florida, 668, coached by Gene Holcomb.
New York, 667, coached by Dr. Doug Waterman.
Minnesota, 666, coached by Kayla Sexton.
Pennsylvania, 648, coached by Chad Dechow.
Iowa, 648, coached by Kaleb Kruse, Mason Kruse and Jeannie Domeyer.
Ohio, 634, coached by Sherry Smith.
Oregon, 612, coached by Dakota Lager and Megan Christiansen.
Kentucky, 612, coached by Larissa Tucker, Lannie Willen and Bland Baird.
Indiana, 606, coached by Doug Wicker and Audrey Wicker.
Top Ten Individuals – Reasons:
Cambell Booth, 239, Wisconsin
Lilly Larson, 235, Florida
Blake Siewert, 235, Minnesota
Hayden Ayers, 232, New York
Emily Mellgren, 230, Minnesota
Zach Johnson, 229, Vermont
Ashley Mellgren, 225, Minnesota
Alison Gartman, 224, Wisconsin
Faith Ford, 221, Ohio
James Grisafi, 221, Pennsylvania
The National 4-H Dairy Cattle Judging Contest is made possible in part through the generous support of Platinum Level Sponsor, Channel Seed and STgenetics; Silver Sponsors, FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative, The Hartford Livestock Department, Randy Geiger Memorial Fund, Saloah Hageman and Bio-Vet, Inc.; and additional supporters including American Guernsey Association Youth Fund, Ayars Family Farm, Ayrshire Breeders Association, Brown Swiss Cattle Breeders Association, Maureen DeBruin, David P. Dickson Trust, Dr. Douglas Waterman, Fight Bac, Holstein Association USA, Inc., Maryland Brown Swiss Association, National Dairy Shrine, Select Sires, Inc., Semex/Boviteq, Trans Ova Genetics, Hoard’s Dairyman, Vita Plus Corporation, and ABS Global/St. Jacobs ABC.
