Twelve 3-year-old registered Holstein cows graced the shavings at the Wisconsin State Fair on Aug. 12 to compete in the 31st annual Wisconsin Holstein Futurity. Judging the event was Jerome Meyer, Sun Prairie, with East Central/Select Sires. In this nontraditional show, the animals are entered three years prior to the show, and only the best of the entries compete.

This year’s event was won by Ryan-Vu Chelios Mocha, owned by Ryan-Vu Holsteins and shown by Amy Ryan of Fond du Lac. The Ryan family received $1,500 from Compeer Financial. Mocha was also named best udder of the show, first place bred-and-owned animal, top milk production winner, and top fat and protein production winner.

Following closely in second was Ryan-Vu GChip Claudette, exhibited by Joseph Opsal of Blue Mounds. Claudette won a $750 check from International Protein Sires. Opsal and Claudette also received the first place junior award and $50, sponsored by Angela Davis Brown of Ma-Brown Holsteins and Jerseys, and the best-dressed junior award and $100, sponsored by Dean and Leslie Frisle of Frisle-Vu Holsteins.

In third place was Miss Oeh-My Atwood Veida-ET, owned by Jenna Langer and Joel Kietzman. Agropur presented Langer and Veida with a check for $500.

Even though the bovines are truly looking their best, the exhibitors are dressed to impress. These exhibitors give up their jeans and boots for ball gowns and tuxedos to compete for the best-dressed awards. Brett Hildebrandt of Hustisford received the best-dressed male award and $100 from Indianhead Holsteins. The best-dressed female of the night was Courtney Ewert of Hustisford, who received $100 sponsored by Scenic-Edge Holsteins.

The night was led by Mistresses of Ceremonies Ann O'Leary and Kristin Olson, who introduced distinguished guests and the bovine beauties. The distinguished guests included Wisconsin Holstein Association Princess Courtney Moser, Wisconsin Holstein Association Princess Attendant Kelsey Cramer, Alice in Dairyland Crystal Siemers-Peterman, Wisconsin Fairest of the Fairs Rebecca Starkenburg, Wisconsin Secretary of Ag Ben Brancel, National Red and White Queen Hannah Nelson, and Green County dairy royalty.

The Wisconsin Holstein Futurity is a unique show with a unique mission. The Wisconsin Holstein Association uses the futurity to help promote the dairy industry to the general public, as well as to display the first-class care provided to animals and the dedication dairy producers have for their animals and the products they produce. The Wisconsin Holstein Futurity was started to inform consumers about the dairy industry and registered Holsteins.

Source: Wisconsin Holstein Association