The 11th annual Colorado Dairy Youth Extravaganza was held June 3-5 at Island Grove Regional Park in Greeley. A record high 104 youth registered and participated in the event. In addition to the cattle shows, youth participated in a variety of educational and fun activities including a dairy cattle judging contest offered for the first time at Extravaganza.

A total of 197 head of dairy cattle, representing all six major breeds along with other-breeds, were exhibited at the event. David Jones, Yale, Oklahoma, served as judge. Winning Supreme Champion Junior Female with her Jersey heifer was Kendawl Gartrell, Eaton. Exhibiting the Reserve Supreme Champion Junior Female was Kayd Goss, Merino, with his Holstein heifer. The Supreme Champion Senior Female was a 3-year -old Holstein cow exhibited by Tate Mesbergen, Greeley. Reserve Champion Senior Female was a Brown Swiss 3-year-old cow exhibited by Jessica Murray, Laird.

Showmanship classes were divided according to years of experience in showing dairy cattle. Winners were: Joseph Smith, LaSalle, 1st year project member, Junior Division; Mallory Hale, Ft. Collins, 1st year project member, Senior Division; Kayd Goss, Merino, 2nd-3rd year project member, Junior Division; Kaitlyn Carson, Ft. Collins, 2nd-3rd year project member, Senior Division; Brianna McBride, Windsor, 4th year and over, Junior Division; Topanga McBride, Windsor, 4th year and over, Intermediate Division; and Tyrell Pohlman, Erie, 4th year and over, Senior Division.

Premier Dairy Exhibitor awards were awarded to Brandon Kerbs, Gill, Junior Division; Colton Kerbs, Gill, Intermediate Division; and Tyrell Pohlmann, Erie, Senior Division.

Wade Hofmeister, Ft. Morgan, won the grand prize - a registered Holstein heifer calf donated by Double W Dairy and co-sponsored by the Colorado Holstein Association. Sarah Laffey, Ft. Collins, won a set of large animal clippers donated by Mountain Vet Supply; and Tessa Haake, Wiggins, and Joey Smith, LaSalle, each won a set of small clippers, donated by Fit-2-Show and Animal Health International, respectively.

The Colorado Dairy Youth Extravaganza is coordinated by Weld County Extension, with assistance from the Weld County 4-H Dairy Advisory Council, the Colorado Holstein Association and the support of many local businesses and dairy producers.

06.26.2012