The University of Wisconsin-Madison dairy cattle judging team took first place overall at the 85th National Collegiate Dairy Cattle Judging contest. Twenty-five national and international teams competed Oct. 3 at World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wis.

This win marks the UW-Madison”s ninth national team championship; the fifth time that both the state 4-H and state university teams have won their respective championships in the same year (1919 MN 4-H and Univ. of MN, 1990 & 1998 NY 4-H and Cornell University, 2002 & 2005 WI 4-H and UW-Madison); UW-Madison”s third contest win in 2005 (The All-American Dairy Show, Southern Intercollegiate at the Mid-South Fair and the National Intercollegiate Judging Contest); and coach Ted Halbach”s second national championship in his eight seasons as coach. Badger judges have won the prestigious Oral Reasons competition at the National Contest 16 times since 1980. The 2005 team”s first place finish continues a streak of 21 consecutive years that UW has placed in the top five teams.

The UW-Madison team was High Team Overall (2458 points, 7 points ahead of 2nd place Cornell University), first in Oral Reasons, first in Brown Swiss, first in Linear Evaluation, second in Red and White Holsteins, third in Ayrshires, fifth in Holsteins, sixth in Guernseys, eighth in Jerseys and tenth in Milking Shorthorns.

Individual Awards and Members:

Daniel Bauer – Manawa, Wis. – Dairy Science – Senior
? 2nd High Individual Overall & All-American (833 points)
? 3rd in Linear Evaluation
? 6th in Guernseys
? 8th in Ayrshires
? 8th in Red and White Holsteins

Molly Florent – Marengo, Ill. – Dairy Science and Ag Journalism – Senior
? 4th High Individual Overall & All-American (831 points)
? 1st in Oral Reasons
? 1st in Holsteins
? 9th in Ayrshires

Jeff Brantmeier – Sherwood, Wis. – Dairy Science – Senior
? 5th in Oral Reasons
? 8th in Brown Swiss
? 8th in Linear Evaluation

Jerome Meyer – Elkhorn, Wis. – Dairy Science – Senior
? 4th in Linear Evaluation

“This group of seniors just did everything we asked of them, they were so coachable,” said coach Ted Halbach, UW-Madison dairy cattle evaluation instructor. “We never talked about winning, just giving a dedicated effort, striving to be the best you can be and having a good time doing it and these guys really bought into it and led by example. I have to attribute a lot of the success of our underclassmen this fall to the tone set by our seniors.

“UW”s tradition of excellence in dairy judging is something that is important to everyone associated with the program,” Halbach said. “A championship season like this builds confidence and enthusiasm for the students on the team and is a something that all our alumni can take great pride in.”

We are indebted to all the farms that provide us with outstanding classes to practice on year after year and of course our judging alums who freely volunteer their time to listen to and critique our student”s reasons,” continued Halbach. “I am sincere in saying that without their efforts, none of this is possible.”

Halbach and Dr. Dave Dickson, emeritus professor of dairy science, coached the team. The UW-Madison Dairy Cattle Judging Teams are funded through contributions and income generated by the UW Foundation”s David Dickson Judging Team Fund.