Dairy Cattle Judging Team

October 12, 2022

The University of Minnesota Collegiate Dairy Cattle Judging Team has experienced much success this fall at various national contests. 

On Sunday, September 18, the senior team competed at the All-American Dairy Show Intercollegiate Dairy Cattle Judging Contest in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The University of Minnesota placed 1st team overall in the contest by a 29-point margin, and placed 2nd as a team in oral reasons. Detailed results are below.

University of Minnesota All-American Dairy Show Intercollegiate Dairy Cattle Judging Contest results:

1st team overall (by a 29-point margin)

2nd team oral reasons
1st team Ayrshire
1st team Guernsey
3rd team Brown Swiss
3rd team Holstein
4th team Jersey

Individually (of 38 contestants):

Matthew Gunst, Hartford, WI -- 4th overall, 4th oral reasons, 1st Guernsey, 2nd Brown Swiss
Kendra Waldenberger, Spring Valley, WI -- 5th overall, 2nd Ayrshire, 4th Holstein
Jay Dicke, Goodhue, MN -- 11th overall, 5th Ayrshire
Zach Schilter, Chehalis, WA -- 15th overall

On the same day, the junior dairy judging team competed in Viroqua, Wisconsin at the Vernon County Collegiate Dairy Cattle Judging Contest. The junior team placed 2nd team overall by only one point behind Virginia Tech, and each individual team member placed very well in the contest. Detailed results are below.

University of Minnesota Vernon County Collegiate Dairy Cattle Judging Contest results:

2nd team overall (only 1 point from 1st)
1st team Brown Swiss
1st team Jersey
2nd team Holstein
4th team Guernsey
4th team Milking Shorthorn

Individually (of 30 contestants):

Isaac Rott, Elgin, MN -- 1st overall (by a 10-point margin), 5th reasons, 1st Jersey, 3rd Holstein, 5th Guernsey
Awna Hirsch, Eaton, CO -- 9th overall, 10th reasons, 3rd Brown Swiss, 5th Holstein, 5th Jersey
Ben Styer, Menomonie, WI -- 11th overall, 8th reasons
Kelsey Biel, Harmony, MN -- 12th overall, 6th reasons, 2nd Milking Shorthorn

The coaches for the University of Minnesota Collegiate Dairy Cattle Judging Team are Dr. Les Hansen, Eric Houdek and Gabriella Houdek. Congratulations to these teams on their success! 

The All-American Dairy Show Intercollegiate Dairy Cattle Judging Contest team consisted of (from left): Zach Schilter, Matthew Gunst, Kendra Waldenberger and Jay Dicke (pictured with chaperone Emily Annexstad, far left)

The Vernon County Collegiate Dairy Cattle Judging Contest consisted of (from left): Awna Hirsch, Ben Styer, Isaac Rott and Kelsey Biel (pictured with coach Dr. Les Hansen, far left)