Pennsylvania Ag Connection - Michigan and Florida 4-H Excel at Junior Dairy Management Contest

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Michigan and Florida 4-H Excel at Junior Dairy Management Contest
Pennsylvania Ag Connection - 09/20/2017

Individual high scorer Miriam Cook of the Michigan 4-H Clinton County Dairy Council won the $1,000 scholarship from the Pennsylvania Dairymen's Association at the 31st annual Junior Dairy Management Contest, Tuesday during the 2017 All-American Dairy Show at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center in Harrisburg.

Florida FFA earned the highest overall score for all FFA teams competing. Michigan 4-H had six team members rack up points, including two out of the five top-ranking individuals.

Participants evaluated two classes of dairy cattle, identified feeds, recognized cuts of dairy beef and answered questions about genetics, good production practices, and business management in a contest designed to further their agricultural education and help prepare them for dairy industry careers.

Seven different timed classes were used to evaluate contestants. The five highest scoring individuals were then interviewed about current dairy issues by judges from the industry, before the final ranking was made. The highest placing individual, 4-H team, and FFA team received a plaque to commemorate their accomplishments.

A special award this year honored Carl Brown for 31 years of dedication to the Junior Dairy Management Contest. "His commitment to the program for the last thirty one years has been unbelievable," said Marcia Itle, chair of the management contest advisory committee." Carl received a clock in appreciation for his service.

Sponsors for the event included All-American Dairy Foundation, Alltech, Allied Milk Producers, Arm and Hammer Animal Nutrition, Balchem Encapsulates, Brook-Corner Holsteins, Church and Dwight Co., Cold Springs Farms, Elanco Animal Health, Feed Components, Feedworks USA, Kirby Ag, Land O' Lakes Milk Co-Op, Maryland-Virginia Milk Producers, Milk Specialties Co., PA Center For Dairy Excellence, PA Dairyman's Association, PA Beef Council, Tom Giannasi, The Old Mill Troy Inc., Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, Phibro Animal Health, and Prince Agri Products Inc. Penn Ag sponsored lunch for the contestants.

Top 5 individuals:

1st -- Miriam Cook, Clinton County 4-H Dairy Council, Michigan Team B

2nd -- Ainsley Peterson, Florida 4-H

3rd -- Mason Jauquet, Shawano County 4-H, Wisconsin

4th -- Miriah Dersham, Clinton County 4-H Dairy Council, Michigan Team A

5th -- Emma Gwidt, Shawano County 4-H, Wisconsin

Top 4-H Teams:

1st -- Clinton County 4-H Dairy Council, Michigan Team B Members: Miriam Cook, Jacob Arens, Cheyenne Jakus, Madison Halfman Coach: Rodney Pennock

2nd -- Clinton County 4-H Dairy Council, Michigan Team A

3rd -- New York State 4-H Team

4th -- Shawano County, Wisconsin 4-H Team

5th -- Dairy Dandies 4-H Club

6th -- Florida 4-H

7th- Furnas/Harley County 4-H

Top 10 FFA Teams:

1st -- Florida FFA Members: Micheal Fioretto, Hunter Fioretto, Julia Heijkoop, Connor Sutton Coaches: Chris and Gene Holcomb

2nd -- Southern Valley FFA of Nebraska

3rd -- West Perry FFA Team A

4th -- West Perry FFA Team B

5th -- Cumberland Valley FFA Team C

6th -- Cumberland Valley FFA Team A

7th -- Tri-Valley FFA

8th -- Big Spring FFA Team B

9th -- Grand Canyon FFA

10th -- Cumberland Valley FFA Team B

Individual Class Winners:

Linear Evaluation -- William Paine of Southern Valley FFA, Nebraska

Business Management -- Miriam Cook of Clinton County 4-H Dairy Council, Michigan Team B

Feed and Nutrition -- Emma Gwidt, Shawano County 4-H, Wisconsin

Genetics -- Jozef Heijkoop, Florida 4-H

Beef Quality -- Morgan Depue, New York State 4-H Team

Veterinary Care -- Miriam Cook, Clinton County 4-H Dairy Council, Michigan Team B

The 54th All-American Dairy Show runs Sept. 17-21 at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center in Harrisburg. This year's show features 23 shows in six days, the nation's only all-dairy antiques show, nearly 2,000 animals and more than 1,000 exhibitors from across the nation. The week caps off with the 61st Pennsylvania Dairy Princess Pageant on Saturday at the Radisson Hotel in Camp Hill, Cumberland County, Pa.

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