UW Madison Takes First at Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo Intercollegiate Dairy Judging Contest

Dairy cattle judges from 13 national and regional universities competed in the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo Intercollegiate Dairy Judging Contest on Sunday, January 17, 2016 in Fort Worth, Tex. The first place UW- Madison team included members, Cody Getschel, Bethany Dado, Lindsey Hellenbrand and Erica Ballmer.

The UW-Madison team edged out California Polytechnical State University by just 29 points to earn the first place title. In the Oral Reasons portion of the competition, UW-Madison came out in forth with 535 points. For the Breed segment of the contest, the team earned first place honors in Brown Swiss, as well as finishing fourth in both Holsteins and sixth place in Jerseys. Cody Getschel, who was second in the contest, led the team with 642 points. Another key team member was Bethany Dado, who placed sixth overall and eleventh in Oral Reasons. All four team members were ranked top thirty overall in the contest.

Brian Kelroy and Chad Wethal coached the UW-Madison team.

“Each year at an end of the judging season we take our seniors to the Fort Worth contest,” said Wethal. “It’s a rewarding way for the students to finish their judging careers, as many of them started back when they were teenagers. The team put in a lot of time and effort this year, and it paid off at the competition. Both Brian and I are extremely proud of them and wish them the best in their future.”

UW-Madison Team Placed:

  • 1st Team Overall (1905 points)
  • 4th Oral Reasons (535 points)
  • 1st Brown Swiss
  • 4th Holstein
  • 6th Jersey

Individual Awards & Members:

Cody Getschel – Osceola, WI – Dairy Science – Senior

  • 2nd High Individual Overall
  • 5th Brown Swiss
  • 12th Jersey

Bethany Dado – Amery, WI – Dairy Science and Genetics – Senior

  • 6th High Individual Overall
  • 11th Oral Reasons
  • 1st Brown Swiss
  • 14th Holstein

Lindsey Hellenbrand – Cross Plains, WI – Dairy Science – Senior

  • 15th Oral Reasons
  • 11th Brown Swiss

Erica Ballmer – Janesville, WI – Dairy Science and Life Sciences Communication – Senior

  • 9th Brown Swiss

For more information about the UW–Madison Dairy Judging team and other UW–Madison Dairy Science news, visit www.dysci.wisc.edu/.