Youth Fitting Contest Kicks Off the 55th World Dairy Expo

Youth across North America participated in the 2022 World Dairy Expo^® Youth Fitting Contest on Sunday, October 2 at the Alliant Energy Center. There were 78 participants registered, representing 12 U.S. states, Denmark and Canada. Contestants, ages 13-21, were given one hour to prepare their animal to be showring ready. Kyle Natzke, originally from Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, judged this year’s Youth Fitting Contest. Currently, he is the show herd manager for Kash-In Holsteins and Jerseys in Tulare, California and has been a professional fitter for elite herds across the globe. Garrett Schmidt assisted Natzke in the evaluations.

After topping the Senior Male Division, Robert Nagel, Clymer, New York, was presented the Overall Fitter Award. For this achievement, Nagel received a jacket sponsored by Images Custom Embroidery. Nagel and Brooke Hammann, Barron, Wisconsin, received clippers sponsored by Clipper Parts & Repair for topping the Senior Male and Senior Female Divisions, respectively. Adhyn Schell, Lewiston, Minnesota, and Logan Shoop, Wimauma, Florida, were selected as the top contestants from the Intermediate Female and Intermediate Male Divisions, respectively and received fitting mats sponsored by Weaver Livestock for their achievements.

The top five finishers from each division were awarded neck ribbons with medallions and cash prizes, courtesy of FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative, Richard Klossner, ABS Global (St. Jacobs ABC) and Mill Wheel Show Clinics.

Placings for the WDE Youth Fitting Contest are as follows:

Intermediate Female Division:

1. Adhyn Schell, Lewiston, Minn.
2. Ellie Larson, Evansville, Wis.
3. Emily Goode, Liberty, Ky.
4. Lindsey Gibbs, Rollingstone, Minn.
5. Makenna Mase, Cochranton, Pa.

Intermediate Male Division:

1. Logan Shoop, Wimauma, Fla.
2. Carter Major, Lebanon, Tenn.
3. Matthew Winch, Fennimore, Wis.
4. Oliver Nisen, Leesburg, Ind.
5. Suton Paulson, Rockford, Ill.

Senior Female Division:

1. Brooke Hammann, Barron, Wis.
2. Jamie Gibbs, Rollingstone, Minn.
3. Haley Beukema, New Richmond, Wis.
4. Alexis Blankenberg, Platteville, Wis.
5. Sophie Leach, Linwood, Kan.

Senior Male Division:

1. Robert Nagel, Clymer, N.Y.
2. Evan Cooper, New Braintree, Mass.
3. Wesley Brantner, Saegertown, Pa.
4. Brian Mccullough, Juda, Wis.
5. Keenan Thygesen, Tunbridge, Vt.

Serving as the meeting place of the global dairy industry, World Dairy Expo brings together the latest in dairy innovation and the best cattle in North America. The global dairy industry will return to Madison, Wis. for the 55^th event, October 2-7, 2022, when the world’s largest dairy-focused trade show, dairy and forage seminars, a world-class dairy cattle show and more will be on display. Admission tickets to WDE can be purchased at worlddairyexpo.com. Download the World Dairy Expo mobile event app, visit worlddairyexpo.com or follow WDE on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Spotify, Instagram or YouTube for more information.