2014 SDSU Dairy Cattle Judging Team results
BROOKINGS — South Dakota State University’s Dairy Cattle Judging teams have participated in three national judging contests in 2014.
In preparation for the contests, team members invest hours learning proper dairy cattle evaluation techniques, terminology for oral reasons as well as honing their decision making and verbal presentation skills.
“These team members are often highly sought by the dairy industry because of these additional personal skill sets that they have refined,” said Tracey Erickson, SDSU Extension Dairy Field Specialist.
Dairy Judging Contest – Madison, Wis.
On Sept. 29, 2014, the team competed at the World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wisconsin.
The team placed 18th overall and 11th in Reasons. Twenty-one teams participated in the contest.
The SDSU team placed third in the Red and White Holstein Breed division.
Team members, Mikayla Piller, Kenyon, Minn., placed second and Maggie Stiles, Lakeville, Minn., placed eighth overall. The team placed fourth in the Brown Swiss Breed division with Mikayla Piller ranking eleventh as the high individual. Jon Pretz coached the team. Along with Piller and Stiles, the team also included: Benjamin Choudek, Owatonna, Minn., and Riley Pitman, Chatham, N.H.
Dairy Judging Contest – Viroqua, Wis.
On Sept. 14, 2014 in Viroqua, Wisconsin the team participated in the 21st annual Accelerated Genetics Intercollegiate Dairy Cattle Judging Contest.
Twenty-one teams competed in the contest. The team was the 12th High Team Overall and 11th High Team in Reasons. Mikayla Piller, was the first place High Individual in the Guernsey Breed and 16th High Individual overall.
Along with Piller, the team included: Maggie Stiles, Andrea Pfaffenbach, Roann, Ind.,and Riley Pitman and was coached by Jon Pretz.
Dairy Judging Contest – Fort Worth, Texas
On Jan. 19, 2014 the team participated in the Southwestern Exposition & Livestock Contest in Fort Worth, Texas.
The team placed second overall among 15 collegiate teams. The team placed second in Jersey Breed Division, fourth in Holstein Breed Division and fourth in Oral Reasons.
Mikayla Piller placed first in Jersey Breed Division and fourth as the high scoring individual.
Along with Piller, team members included Andrea Pfaffenbach, Maggie Stiles, Mikayla Piller, and Riley Pitman. They were coached by Steve Crego and assisted by Jon Pretz.
