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First place, best bred and owned, and best udder: Smith-Crest Armani Vivian-ET, owned by Smith-Crest Holsteins, led by Kate Smith of Smith-Crest Holsteins, Watertown. Back row, left to right: Kelsey Cramer; Wisconsin Holstein Association Princess Attendant, Alisha Burnett; 2017 Dodge County Fairest of the Fair, Holly, Travis, Kate and Matt Smith, Judge Chad Ryan.

The 16th annual Dodge County Holstein Futurity was held during the Dodge County Fair, on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017. First place, best bred and owned, and best udder was awarded to Smith-Crest Armani Vivian-ET, owned by Smith-Crest Holsteins, and led by Kate Smith of Smith-Crest Holsteins, Watertown. The judge this year was Chad Ryan, Fond du Lac, Wis.

Placing second was Milgene Just For Laughs-ET, led by Courtney Ewert, bred and owned by Hildebrandt Family Farm of Hustisford. Third place went to Paulsoncrest ATWD Jackie-ET, led by Brian Paulson, bred and owned by Paulsoncrest, Columbus. Fourth was Intense Absolute Twitty, led and first-place-junior owned by Kylie Nickels, Watertown; and fifth place was awarded to Excellent GC Risk It All, led and second-place-junior owned by Matthew Gunst, Hartford. Junior best bred and owned went to Fayth Paulson, Columbus, with Paulsoncrest Shot Domino.

The futurity is a unique event for Holstein breeders in the Dodge-County area to introduce the dairy industry to the general public. Exhibitors enter animals as calves and show the same animals as two-year olds, after they’ve had their first calf. During the show, exhibitors parade their cows wearing formal attire.

Numerous businesses in the Dodge-County area provide monetary donations to sponsor the futurity every year. Brian Greenman, Rural Mutual Insurance, and Cliff's Inc., Friesland, were champion-level sponsors for the 2016 show.