When the 50th annual Pennsylvania All-American Invitational Youth Dairy Cattle Judging Contest gets underway on September 17, 4-H’ers, FFA members and collegiate students will be testing their knowledge of dairy cows, their evaluation skills and their speaking abilities – just as the first contestants did in 1969.
The original contest invited collegiate teams, 4-H teams and FFA teams, with two-year colleges being added in 2008. In 1969, twenty-five teams competed; in 2017, 42 teams participated. The highest year in terms of numbers was 2015 with 45 teams.
Cornell University won the Collegiate Division in 1969, with members Stevenson W. Close, Jr., John Fullington, Dale Putnam, Jr. and Lee Kilmer. The Cornell team was coached by the legendary Dr. G. W. Trimberger, whose textbook on judging was used by most teams. Larry Gerber was high individual representing Delaware Valley College (now University.)
The winning 4-H team was from Maryland under coach John Morris assisted by John Wildesen, with members Ruth Hedrick, Jeffery Myers, Denny Remsburg and Alternate Marsha Hill. Virginia’s Ann Etgen was high individual.
Maryland also took the FFA contest, under Coach James Pope, with Denis Hood, Curtis Warfield, Earl Mills and Linda King. Curtis Warfield, Maryland, was high individual.
In the initial contest, first place team in the collegiate division won $200; 4-H and FFA first place teams each got $150.
Total amount of premiums was $4,225. In 2018, a total of $7,150 in premiums will be awarded. In 2018 only, an additional $500 scholarship will be awarded to each top individual and a $250 scholarship will be awarded to each top reasons individual by David and Janet Hileman of Hilecrest Farms, Blair County.
As the 50th contest gets underway, young people will continue a time-honored tradition of striving for excellence and improving their skills. And, they will be assisted by volunteers who are eager to do their part to ensure the continuity.
