Wisconsin Junior Holstein hosts annual convention

BARABOO — The District 5 Junior Holstein Association hosted the annual Wisconsin Junior Holstein Convention from Dec. 27-29, 2024 in Wisconsin Dells. More than 450 Holstein members, chaperones, and volunteers attended to help make the event a success.

Throughout the convention, junior members participated in numerous contests including speaking, arts and crafts, photography, Dairy Jeopardy and Dairy Bowl. The largest competition of the weekend was Dairy Bowl, in which 32 junior, 21 senior, and 12 rookie teams competed.

More than 40 volunteers helped coordinate Dairy Bowl matches, Dairy Jeopardy contests, and the speaking contest.

The Shawano County team took first place in the senior Dairy Bowl contest with Fond du Lac County coming in second place. The junior division winner was Brown County 1 with Fond du Lac County taking second.

The Shawano and Brown County teams will represent Wisconsin at the National Holstein Convention in St. Louis, Missouri in June 2025.

Rounding out the top five for the senior division were, Sheboygan County, Iowa County and Polk County, respectively. Finishing in third through fifth place in the junior division were Shawano County, Brown County Team 2 and Iowa County.

This year dairy bowl teams were placed based on a knowledge exam. All juniors at the convention had the chance to compete in the Dairy Jeopardy competition. The top competitor in each of the three age brackets has the opportunity to compete at the national level.

Twelve & Under Member Recognition was awarded to Carter Coffeen, Brown County; Elise Gilbertson, Iowa County; Naydeen Gilbertson, Iowa County; Callie Krohlow, District 5 Junior Holstein; Conway Krohlow, District 5 Junior Holstein; George Linscheid, Iowa County; Adella Loehr, Fond du Lac County; Siera McCullough, Green County; and Reagan Sarbacker, Dane County.

Throughout the convention, youth were recognized for other outstanding achievements.

Those receiving Junior Progressive Breeder Awards include: Kayla Buttles, Grant County; Tessa and Stella Schmocker, Rock County; Gracin and Chesney Speich, Rock County.

Long Range Production recognizes owners of cows that have produced over 100,000 pounds in their lifetime. In the over 100,000 pounds category: Kayla Buttles, Grant County; Siera McCullough, Green County; Gracin & Chesney Speich, Rock County; Emily Stumpf, Fond du Lac County.

In the over 150,000-pound category are: Kayla Buttles, Grant County; Gracin and Chesney Speich, Rock County.

The activity room is a way to show off projects completed by junior members throughout the year. Members participate in advertising, photography, arts and crafts, folding display, sewing and quilting, and scale model contests. Among the results were:

Photography Contest

Junior Animal

First: Aimee Metzler, Vernon County

Second: Melanie Sarbacker, Rock County

Third and People’s Choice: Logan Kerchefski, Fond du Lac County

Junior People

First: Madison Sarbacker, Rock County

Second and People’s Choice: Melanie Sarbacker, Rock County

Third: Hadley Voegeli, District 5 Junior Holstein

Quilting and Sewing

Junior

First and People’s Choice: Siera McCullough, Green County