The University of Wisconsin-Madison sent two judging teams to the Southwestern Intercollegiate Dairy Cattle Judging Contest at the 2007 Fort Worth Stock Show held Jan. 14 in Fort Worth, Texas. UW”s White team placed first overall, and the University”s Cardinal team captured second place.

Ashley Yager of Highland, Wis. placed first in Brown Swiss, first in oral reasons and was the high individual overall. Eight national university teams competed in the contest.

The UW-Madison’s White Team Placed:
1st High Team Overall (1907 points)
2nd in Oral Reasons
2nd in Brown Swiss
3rd in Guernseys
1st in Holsteins
1st in Jerseys

Individual Awards and Team Members:

Ashley Yager – Highland, WI – Dairy Science and Ag Journalism – Senior
1st High Individual Overall (653 points – tie broken on reasons score)
1st in Oral Reasons
1st in Brown Swiss
2nd in Holsteins

Eliza Ulness – Valders, WI – Dairy Science – Senior
5th High Individual Overall
9th in Oral Reasons
1st in Jerseys

Lea McCullough – Juda, WI – Dairy Science and Ag Journalism – Senior
8th High Individual Overall
7th in Oral Reasons
5th in Holsteins

The UW-Madison’s Cardinal Team Placed:
2nd High Team Overall (1903 points)
1st in Oral Reasons
1st in Brown Swiss
1st in Guernseys
2nd in Holsteins
5th in Jerseys

Individual Awards and Team Members:

Tony Brey – Sturgeon Bay, WI – Dairy Science – Senior
2nd High Individual Overall (653 points)
4th in Oral Reasons
1st in Guernseys
3rd in Brown Swiss
3rd in Holsteins

Mitch Amundson – Mt. Hope, WI – Dairy Science – Senior
3rd High Individual Overall
5th in Oral Reasons
4th in Brown Swiss
4th in Holsteins
5th in Guernseys

Alane Uhe – Janesville, WI – Dairy Science & Ag Journalism – Senior
2nd in Oral Reasons
2nd in Brown Swiss

Lindsey Worden – Cassville, NY – Dairy Science & Ag Journalism – Senior
3rd in Oral Reasons
4th in Guernseys

“I equate our Fort Worth trip to a bowl game experience for football athletes. Our students had the opportunity to participate in, what I thought, was a quality contest while learning about the cultural and economic influences in the southwest through the farm visits and sites we toured,” said Ted Halbach, UW”s coach.

“Being able to go on a trip like this really adds to the college experience,” said Lindsey Worden. “Many of the students on the trip had never been to the southwest before, and it was a great learning experience for all of us. Also, we had the chance to compete against some different teams, and it was a great way to wrap up our collegiate judging careers”.

“It was great to be a part of such a strong dairy judging class while at the university. It has been fun to see everyone, including myself, improve as each contest goes by. Winning this contest has proved that our hard work over the past three years has really paid off,” Ashley Yager added.

The UW-Madison team”s travel was sponsored by Lallemand Animal Nutrition, Vita Plus Corporation, Alta Genetics Inc, Badger Dairy Club, the David Dickson Dairy Cattle Judging Team Fund, Steven Fronk, Hi-Lo-Valley Holsteins – Jerry and Brenda Yager, and the Associated Students of Madison.

“Our trip was both an educational and enjoyable experience for the judging team, it was a great opportunity for us and we appreciate the support we received from all of our sponsors,” remarked Tony Brey.

Ted Halbach, UW-Madison dairy cattle evaluation instructor, and Dr. Dave Dickson, emeritus professor of dairy science at the UW-Madison, coached the team.

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Photos available for download:

Ashley Yager
Photo caption (left to right): Coach Ted Halbach, Ashley Yager, contest co-superintendent Monty Teel.

Cardinal team
Photo caption (L to R): Coach Ted Halbach, Tony Brey, Lindsey Worden, Alane Uhe, Mitch Amundson.

White team
Photo caption (L to R): Lea McCullough, Ashley Yager, Eliza Ulness, and Coach Ted Halbach.

UW teams
Photo caption (L to R): Back row: Lea McCullough, Tony Brey, Mitch Amundson, Alane Uhe, Coach Ted Halbach. Front row: Ashley Yager, Lindsey Worden, Eliza Ulness.