SDSU Dairy Cattle Judging Team competes in NAILE competition

The South Dakota State University Collegiate Dairy Cattle Judging Team placed 15th overall at the North American International Livestock Exposition Dairy Judging Contest held in Louisville, Ky. in November.

“The team is off to a good start. This is the first of four contests they will participate in this season,” said Jon Pretz, coach and graduate research assistant in the Department of Dairy Science at SDSU.

Pretz said the team is made up of second-year collegiate judges who all have backgrounds in 4-H and FFA Dairy Cattle Judging. “We are working to build on their background and strengthen oral reason skills. I’m excited for their future.”

Team members were Jacob Johnson, Windom, Minn.; David Trcka, Montgomery, Minn.; Bernice VanderWal, Pipestone, Minn.; and Audrey Souza, Milbank S.D.

The team placed 15th overall and 14th in Reasons, second in Brown Swiss and seventh in Guernsey. David Trcka was the third High Individual Overall, ninth High Individual in Ayrshires, 11th High Individual in Brown Swiss, and 3rd High Individual in Holsteins. Jacob Johnson was 11th High Individual in Reasons and Audrey Souza was seventh High Individual in Jerseys and 14th in Brown Swiss. Bernice Vander Wal was 12th high individual in Guernseys and 14th in Jerseys.