Dairy cattle judges from 21 universities across the country competed in the 21st annual Accelerated Genetics Dairy Cattle Judging Contest held recently in Viroqua. UW–Madison had a huge day, taking home the team championship and placing a second team in the Top Ten.
Team Cardinal, consisting of Andy Sell, Janelle Remington, Lizi Endres and Sara Harn, won the contest scoring 2,115 points, 51 points better than second place University of Minnesota. Each UW student placed in the top ten individuals. Leading the way for the Badgers was Sell, a dairy science sophomore from Watertown who won high individual honors. He was followed closely by Remington, Endres and Harn, placing 3rd, 4th and 7th, respectively.
Placing 8th was UW–Madison Team White, comprised of Jordan Ebert, Brad Griswold, Brad Warmka and Cody Getschel. Jordan Ebert topped this team finishing 6th high individual overall and 10th in oral reasons.
Harmony Dement competed for UW–Madison Team Black.
Brian Kelroy, dairy programs manager at East Central Select Sires, and Chad Wethal, account manager at Filament Marketing, coached the teams.
"This year we sent nine students to the Accelerated Genetics contest, which is the most we have ever sent in recent years. We couldn't have asked for more from this exceptional group of sophomores and juniors," said Wethal. "This was UW–Madison's fifth year coming out on top of the contest. We are looking forward to watching this group of judges develop as they begin their collegiate judging careers."
The UW Foundation's David P. Dickson Student Activity Fund sponsors the team. For more information about the UW–Madison Dairy Judging team and other UW–Madison Dairy Science news, visit www.dysci.wisc.edu/.