The University of Wisconsin-Madison dairy cattle judging team took top honors at the Southwestern Intercollegiate Dairy Cattle Judging Contest held Jan. 16 in Fort Worth, Texas as part of the 2011 Fort Worth Stock Show.  The UW’s team’s four seniors dominated the field, placing first in Brown Swiss, Jerseys and Oral Reasons on their way to winning the overall high team award.

Brian Coyne of Spring Valley placed first in Oral Reasons and second in Brown Swiss and had the highest individual point total.  Nine teams from across the country competed in the contest.

Individual Awards and Team Members:

Brian Coyne – Spring Valley – Dairy Science – Senior
1st Individual Overall
1st Individual in Oral Reasons
2nd Individual in Brown Swiss
3rd Individual in Jerseys
5th Individual in Holsteins

Chelsea Holschbach – Baraboo – Dairy Science – Senior
6th Individual Overall
5th Individual in Oral Reasons
5th Individual in Jerseys
7th Individual in Brown Swiss

Ben Sarbacker – Verona – Dairy Science – Senior
7th Individual Overall
2nd Individual in Oral Reasons
3rd Individual in Brown Swiss
6th Individual in Jerseys

Ty Hildebrandt – Hustisford – Dairy Science – Senior
8th Individual in Jerseys

The UW-Madison team’s travel was sponsored by Lallemand Animal Nutrition, Badger Dairy Club, Dane County Holstein Association, the David Dickson Dairy Cattle Judging Team Fund and Steven Fronk.

The team was coached by Ted Halbach, UW-Madison dairy science instructor, and Brian Kelroy. Halbach likened the Fort Worth trip to a bowl game experience.

“Our students had the opportunity to participate in a quality contest and to learn about the cultural and economic influences in the southwest through the farm visits and sites we toured,” Halbach said.

“With teams like Kansas State and Illinois at the contest, the competition was strong,” he added.  “Our students’ ability to successfully work through cattle not necessarily presented to their best advantage and with awkward ages, such as unfresh two year-olds, is very satisfying to me and speaks to how well this group can see cattle. I’m very proud of everything this senior class has been able to accomplish.”

“The Fort Worth trip was a great way to cap off my collegiate judging career,” said team member Chelsea Holschbach.  “Not only was it great that we won the contest, but it really gave our senior group a chance to bond and experience life outside of dairy judging.”