The Judges Conference provides an opportunity for dairy cattle judges to refine their evaluation skills, learn from experienced judges, make connections, and fulfil the requirements to be a part of Holstein Association USA’s Judges Lists. The 2026 National Judges Conference will be held February 26 and 27, 2026, at Vierra Dairy in Hilmar, California. Registration is now open for the event.

“We are excited to be in California for the 2026 Judges Conference and thankful the Vierra Dairy team has opened up their farm to us,” says Tim Ziemba, Holstein Association USA’s National Show Coordinator. “We plan to showcase some of the best cattle from herds in the Hilmar area, allowing us to create a realistic showring atmosphere at a great venue.”

The conference is designed to sharpen participants’ judging skills, deepen their understanding of Holstein cattle evaluation, and promote consistency in the show ring. By providing expert guidance and hands-on experience, the conference develops a trusted network of highly qualified judges that shows of all sizes can rely on when making judging selections.

The Judges Conference will include in-depth classroom sessions led by experienced judges. Attendees will also participate in hands-on learning activities, including placing classes of heifers and cows and giving a set of reasons. Participants will also listen to placing and reasons from both fellow attendees and officials.

Thursday, February 26, 2026

Friday, February 27, 2026

Interested participants can find more details and register for the Judges Conference online at www.holsteinusa.com/shows/judges_conference.html using a credit card. The pre-registration fee is $100. Pre-registration will close once all spots are filled or two weeks before the conference on Thursday, February 12, 2026, whichever comes first.

Participants interested in attending the Judges Conference without receiving an official rating are welcome for the experience but will not be eligible for the Holstein Association USA Judges Lists. All attendees, regardless of rating status, must pre-register and pay the registration fee.

Hotel rooms are available at three hotels in Turlock, California, including Fairfield by Mariott Inn & Suites Turlock, Holiday Inn Express & Suites Turlock-Hwy 99, and Hampton Inn Turlock. Booking cut-off dates for each hotel vary – visit www.holsteinusa.com/shows/judges_preregister.html for more details.

Participants must be 22 years old by the day of the conference to attend. To register online, visit holsteinusa.com. For more information contact Tim Ziemba at 800.952.5200 ext. 4285 or by email at Tziemba@holstein.com.

Each year, Association USA provides a list of certified dairy cattle judges as a resource for shows of all sizes around the country. The list has two tiers – National and Approved. All National Holstein Shows will be required to select their judges from the National list. Associate judges for National Shows must be selected from either the National or Approved list. Nationally sanctioned Junior Holstein Shows must select their judge from either the National or Approved list.

To be on the Approved List, judges must have participated in a Judges Conference within the last five years and receive a satisfactory rating from the conference. To learn more about the Judges Lists, visit www.holsteinusa.com/shows/judges.html.