MONROE — On Saturday, June 22, the Green County Fairgrounds was filled with all breeds of dairy heifers for the 2024 Green County Dairy Days Cattle Show. The 56 participants came from all over southern Wisconsin, and even a few from northern Illinois, to show off their 102 dairy heifers in 28 heifer classes.
Dairy Days is an annual Green County event hosted by the Green County Ag Chest, with support from many sponsors. Dairy Days is held during June Dairy Month and includes a banquet for the crowning of the new Green County Dairy Queen and Green County Dairy Princess as well as a cattle show at the Green County Fairgrounds in Monroe.
At the cattle show, youth from all over southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois wear their whites and lead their dairy heifers around the arena, displaying their passion for the dairy industry. Because of the generosity of the sponsors, youth do not pay any fees to participate in the cattle show.
The Green County Ag Chest was developed in 1958 when the Green County Dairy Promotion Committee and the Green County Agricultural Foundation merged. Since its inception, the Green County Ag Chest has been committed to developing new and unique ways to promote the hardworking people of Green County and the products and resources they provide.
The Green County Ag Chest is dedicated to enriching the lives of young people through activities that support education, personal growth and community involvement. Each year, the Green County Ag Chest participates in, sponsors, or organizes many community-wide events and programs. Some of those include:
● The Community Dairy Queen Program
● Green County Breakfast on the Farm
● Green County Dairy Days
● State Fair
● 4-H
● FFA
The Green County Ag Chest partners with Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin and University of Wisconsin-Extension.
Many local businesses, as well as businesses from outside Green County, donated to 2024 Green County Dairy Days to support both the County Queen and Princess Crowning Banquet and the Dairy Cattle Show. The cattle show is funded 100% by the donations received from these sponsors, which allowed the cattle show to be a free event for all youth in grades 3-13, enabling anyone with a dairy heifer and the desire to participate in the show. Green County Fall Nationals generously donated an engraved wash brush to each exhibitor. Each exhibitor also received a complimentary T-shirt from the Dairy Days show to commemorate their participation in the event.
Shawn Nehls and Josh Hushon served as judges for the cattle show.
The Brown Swiss and Other Colored Breeds Judge was Hushon, from Watertown. Hushon is the fifth generation in his family to be involved in dairy, and he and his wife, Casey, operate Brothers Three, an elite group of Brown Swiss and Ayrshires. Brothers Three has bred or developed 43 All-American Nominations during the past 30 years, including 27 that are bred and owned, and 12 named All-American. Notable cows include Topp B3 Woodford, Unanimous All-American Jr. 3 year old and Intermediate Champion at World Dairy Expo in 2023. Woodford is a third generation homebred cow from the family of Brothers Three Wisper, Superior Brood Cow. Brothers Three was recognized as the National Outstanding Young Breeders by the Brown Swiss Association in 2009.
Hushon grew up in Pennsylvania and earned All-American honors for 4-H Dairy Judging and then judged collegiately at Penn State. This spring, he judged the Kentucky Spring National Brown Swiss Show. Hushon works as the Dairy Strategy and Marketing Lead for Cargill Animal Nutrition.
Nehls was the Holstein Judge. Nehls grew up on his family’s Registered Holstein farm in Hustisford under the Nehls-Valley Holsteins prefix. In addition to the Holstein herd, the family has bred and raised numerous Jersey and Brown Swiss All-American nominations. He enjoys judging all breeds, and prompted to expand his judging career, attended the HAUSA Judging Conference in 2023 for the first time. His judging career consists of the 2024 Midwest National Spring Red and White, and Jersey show, local Wisconsin District Shows and futurities. He and his family pride themselves in home-bred excellence and in 2022 the Holstein herd was ranked first nationally for BAA on herds of 120 to 249 cows. The family believes in the history of cow families and the daily work with the herd reaping the results displayed by the herd’s classification scores. Nehls Holsteins, BJ Jerseys, and Seths Swiss where they have bred, owned, and sold over 50 All Americans and nominations including the 2019 Intermediate Champion at World Dairy Expo, Floydholm McCutchen Emoji. Nehls is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin — Madison Farm and Industry Short Course. He and his family reside in Hustisford.
The Green County Dairy Cattle Show began with Showmanship judging. The top three in each category were given a plaque and the top Showman in each class also received a reversible weather-proof blanket embroidered with the 2024 Green County Dairy Days logo and the sponsor name. Top honors went to the following youth:
Grades 3 & 4
1st Place — Paige Zimmernam
2nd Place — Kendyll Judd
3rd Place — Brantley Schultz
Grades 5 & 6
1st Place — William Zimmerman
2nd Place — Tucker Bolton
3rd Place — Aspen Moore
Grades 7 & 8
1st Place — Kennedy Zimmerman
2nd Place — Ella Jean
3rd Place — Chesney Speich
Grades 9 & 10
1st Place — Ashlynn Schultz
2nd Place — Anna Bartels
3rd Place — Jayse Pudwill
Grades 11 and Older
1st Place — Kayman Sutter
2nd Place — Elaina Ihm
3rd Place — Emma Hendrickson
Immediately following Showmanship, breed class judging began. The first place youth in each class was presented with a photo frame engraved with the Dairy Days logo along with the class they won and the name of the sponsor for the frame.
Top honors were given to youth in the following heifer classes:
Grade Holstein Fall Calf
1st Place — Kayman Sutter
2nd Place — Sophie Bolton
Grade Holstein Summer Yearling
1st Place — Aspen Moore
Grade Holstein Spring Yearling
1st Place — Trista Barry
Grade Holstein Winter Yearling
1st Place — Skylar Schulenberg
Grade Brown Swiss Spring Calf
1st Place — Wyatt Clason
Grade Brown Swiss Winter Yearling
1st Place — Wyatt Clason
Grade Other Breeds Spring Calf
1st Place — Elizabeth Veeder
2nd Place - Lola Buchanan
Grade Other Breeds Winter Calf
1st Place — Abby Withrow
2nd Place — Clara Veeder
Grade Other Breeds Fall Yearling
1st Place — Aspen Moore
Junior Champion, Reserve Junior Champion, and Honorable Mention Junior Champions were selected for each of the three Grade breed categories. These youth each received a trophy for their achievement.
● Junior Champion Grade Holstein Show — Aspen Moore
● Reserve Junior Champion Grade Holstein Show — Kayman Sutter
● Honorable Mention Junior Champion Grade Holstein Show — Trista Barry
● Junior Champion Grade Brown Swiss Show — Wyatt Clason
● Reserve Champion Grade Brown Swiss Show — Wyatt Clason
● Junior Champion Grade Other Breeds Show — Aspen Moore
● Reserve Junior Champion Grade Other Breeds Show — Abby Withrow
● Honorable Mention Junior Champion Grade Other Breeds — Elizabeth Veeder
The Grade show concluded with the selection of the Supreme Champion, Reserve Supreme Champion, and Honorable Mention Supreme Champion of the Grade class. The Supreme Champion and Reserve Supreme Champion received trophies and rosettes and the Honorable Mention Supreme Champion received a medallion and a rosette. The youth receiving these top honors are as follows:
● Supreme Champion — Wyatt Clason
● Reserve Supreme Champion — Aspen Moore
● Honorable Mention Supreme Champion — Abby Withrow
The show continued with the Registered breed classes with top honors.
Registered Holstein Spring Calf
1st Place — Siera McCullough
2nd Place — Tessa Huber
3rd Place — Abby Withrow
Registered Holstein Winter Calf
1st Place — Chesney Speich
2nd Place — Paige Zimmerman
3rd Place — Kendyl Judd
Registered Holstein Fall Calf
1st Place — Emma Hendrickson
2nd Place — Chesney Speich
3rd Place — William Zimmerman
Registered Holstein Summer Yearling
1st Place — Emma Hendrickson
2nd Place — Mara Meichtry
3rd Place — Vanessa Hartwig
Registered Holstein Spring Yearling
1st Place — Siera McCullough
2nd Place — Emma Hendrickson
3rd Place — Kennedy Zimmerman
Registered Holstein Fall Yearling
1st Place — Ashlynn Schultz
2nd Place — Lindsey Kramer
3rd Place — Emily Svendsen
Registered Brown Swiss Winter Calf
1st Place — Vivienne Bredeson
2nd Place — Joclyn Watson
3rd Place — Bentley Sutter
Registered Brown Swiss Fall Calf
1st Place — Kennedy Zimmerman
2nd Place — Ashlynn Schultz
3rd Place — Alex Roe
Registered Brown Swiss Summer Yearling
1st Place — Jayse Pudwill
2nd Place — Alex Roe
3rd Place — Mara Meichtry
Registered Brown Swiss Spring Yearling
1st Place — William Zimmerman
2nd Place — Joclyn Watson
Registered Brown Swiss Winter Yearling
1st Place — Alex Roe
2nd Place — Bentley Sutter
Registered Brown Swiss Fall Yearling
1st Place — Ashlynn Sutter
Registered Other Breeds Spring Calf
1st Place — Taylor Svendsen
2nd Place — Hudson Jean
3rd Place — Tamra Ihm
Registered Other Breeds Winter Calf
1st Place — William Zimmerman
2nd Place — Jayse Pudwill
3rd Place — Mason Foster
Registered Other Breeds Fall Calf
1st Place — Jayse Pudwill
2nd Place — Reese Speth
3d Place — Taylor Svendsen
Registered Other Breeds Summer Yearling
1st Place — Paige Zimmerman
2nd Place — Hudson Jean
3rd Place — Reese Speth
Registered Other Breeds Spring Yearling
1st Place — William Zimmerman
2nd Place — Mason Foster
Registered Other Breeds Winter Yearling
1st Place — Kennedy Zimmerman
Registered Other Breeds Fall Yearling
1st Place — Ella Jean
2nd Place — Hunter Foster
3rd Place — Mackenzie Clason
Junior Champion, Reserve Junior Champion, and Honorable Mention Junior Champions were selected for each of the three Registered breed categories:
● Junior Champion Registered Holstein Show — Chesney Speich
● Reserve Junior Champion Registered Holstein Show — Siera McCullough
● Honorable Mention Junior Champion Registered Holstein Show — Emma Hendrickson
● Junior Champion Registered Brown Swiss Show — Jayse Pudwill
● Reserve Junior Champion Registered Brown Swiss Show — Kennedy Zimmerman
● Honorable Mention Junior Champion Registered Brown Swiss Show — Alex Roe
● Junior Champion Registered Other Breeds Show — William Zimmerman
● Reserve Junior Champion Registered Other Breeds Show — Jayse Pudwill
● Honorable Mention Junior Champion Registered Other Breeds — Kennedy Zimmerman
Each of these youth received a trophy for their achievements.
The show concluded with the selection of the Supreme Champion, Reserve Supreme Champion, and Honorable Mention Supreme Champion of the Registered classes. The Supreme Champion and Reserve Supreme Champion received trophies and rosettes and the Honorable Mention Supreme Champion received a medallion and a rosette. The youth receiving these top honors are:
● Supreme Champion — Chesney Speich
● Reserve Supreme Champion — Jayse Pudwill
● Honorable Mention Supreme Champion — Siera McCullough
Dairy Days Cattle Show Committee:
Laura Vosberg — Co-Chairperson
Phil Vosberg — Co-Chairperson
Gary Dammen
Lindsay Egger
Todd Hoesly
Cole Mahlkuch
Liz Matzke
Brian “Mac” McCullough
Rachel McCullough
Kathie McCullough
Ryan Smith
Green County Ag Chest Board:
President — Mia Wahl
Treasurer — Pam Burke
Secretary — Julene Elmer
Board Members — Nicole Baebler, Carol Rankin, Laura Vosberg
Organizers recognized and thanked its sponsors for their support of the Dairy Queen Banquet and the Dairy Days Cattle Show, which would not be a possibility to have without the sponsors:
Compeer Financial
A-1 Electric
Alan C & Yvonne DeVoe
Anderson Custom Processing
ANONYMOUS DONOR
Argyle Veterinary Service S. C.
B & M Auctions
Badger State Cold Storage, LLC
Badger State Ethanol
Bank of Brodhead
Bartels & Co. Tap
Bec-Wel Farms
Blain’s Farm & Fleet
Blanchard Hall
Blanchardville Coop Oil Assn
Body Crafters Auto Body
Bowen Oil Co
Brewster Cheese
Brodhead Dental Clinic
Brodhead FFA Alumni
Brodhead Veterinary Medical Center
Brugger Dairy, LLC
Bytec Resource Management Inc
Caliber Custom Cabinetry
CAM-CAL-KAR Dairy
Carrousel Farms
Carter & Gruenewald Co
Christen Brothers Service
Christine’s Tax Service
Colony Brands Inc
Dairy Farmers of America
Darlington Dairy Supply
Dearth Automotive
East Side Farm Equipment Sales, Inc.
Eastland Feed & Grain Inc. and Honey Creek Feed Mill
Eckdhal Family Dentistry
Equity WI-IL Livestock Marketing Co-op
FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative
Foremost Farms USA Cooperative
Forever 56 Foundation
GFWC - Monroe Woman’s Club
Grande
Grede
Green County Dairy Youth Recognition Auction
Green County Fall Nationals
Green County Junior Holsteins
Harvey W Kubly CPA
Heartland Graphics
Hennessey Implement - Dodgeville & Monroe
Hesgard Collision Center
Hoesly’s Meats Inc
IBA Fahrney Inc
International Ingredient Corp.
Jeremy Pinnow & Assoc Inc
JMB Insurance Group
Johnson Tractor
Juda Fore Fathers Inc.
Kittelsen Law Firm
Klondike Cheese Co
Klondike Farms
Knoke & Kind Law Office
Kuhn North America Inc
Lely Center Monroe
M & D Truck and Equipment
Monroe Morning Optimists
Monticello FFA Alumni
MPPM Mutual Insurance
New Glarus FFA Alumni
Nolden Construction LLC
Olin Heating and Cooling
Pinnacle Dairy
Powers Farms
Premier Co-op
Rachel and Ray’s Pub & Grill
RBS Activewear
Reffue, Pas, Jacobson, Roth & Koster, LLP
Remarc Holsteins
Richard Alme Construction LLC
Road Rescue Towing Inc.
Ruda Chevrolet Toyota
Spring Grove Dairy
Sugar River Veterinary Services
Symdon Chevrolet of Monticello
Talarczyk Land Surveys LLC
Tara Wilde - First Weber
The Bank of New Glarus
The Scharine Group Inc
Truttmann Dairy, LLC
United Cooperative
Vita Plus
Voegeli Farm, Inc.
Washington Implement
Woodford State Bank
