A team of 4-H dairy cattle judges from Dodge County took first place at the 83rd Annual National 4-H Dairy Cattle Judging Contest, held Sept. 27 at World Dairy Expo in Madison. The Wisconsin team placed high team overall out of 30 state 4-H teams, coming in 20 points ahead of second-place Michigan. This marks the fourth year out of the last five that a Wisconsin county team has won the contest.

The Wisconsin 4-H Team Placed:
High Team Overall (2027 points; 20 points ahead of 2nd place Michigan and the fourth year out of the last five that a county team representing Wisconsin has won the contest)
3rd in Ayrshires
4th in Oral Reasons
4th in Guernseys
4th in Jerseys
5th in Holsteins

Individual Awards and Team Members:

Linda Behling – Fox Lake
2nd High Individual Overall and All-American (686 points)
2nd in Ayrshires
4th in Oral Reasons
4th in Guernseys
7th in Holsteins

Melanie Blank – Ixonia
3rd High Individual Overall and All-American (679 points)
9th in Ayrshires

Brandon Nehls – Hustisford
12th High Individual Overall and All-American (662 points)

Shelly Bohn – Watertown
14th High Individual Overall and All-American (660 points)
5th in Oral Reasons

Todd and Christa Wendorf of Ixonia, Kevin Jorgensen of Waupun, and John Powers of Columbus coached the team.

Dodge County won the State 4-H Dairy Judging Contest Aug. 11, earning the opportunity to represent Wisconsin at this contest.