The author and her husband work in partnership with family on a 450-cow dairy in East Moline, Ill.
For many juniors, stepping on the colored shavings at World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wis., is a dream come true. In 1984, the youth showmanship contest debuted for Expo’s junior exhibitors with great success.
For a little perspective, 171 youth participated in the contest in 2007. By 2012, that number had nearly doubled to 292 participants. By 2017’s contest, participation had risen to 424 youth, an elevation of 148 percent over 2007 numbers. There have been several reasons for the linear growth in this contest, according to Katie Coyne, the contest’s superintendent.
“The contest was much smaller until about 10 years ago. The real growth occurred when World Dairy Expo was changed from a regional to international contest,” said Coyne. “In addition, youth can learn from the best showmen and judges while watching and participating in the showmanship contest.”
Youth showmanship participants are not required to show their own animal. They are encouraged to participate in showmanship whether or not they are exhibiting an animal in one of the eight dairy cattle shows at Expo.
“For many youth who live outside of the Midwest, it is cost prohibitive to bring their animals to Madison, and for some, it is their only chance to show on the colored shavings at World Dairy Expo,” said Coyne.
Hard work pays off
Mikayla Endres from Lone Rock, Wis., won the senior showmanship contest at World Dairy Expo in 2017. Mikayla’s family has Holsteins, Ayrshires, Milking Shorthorns, and most recently added Jerseys.
“We have about 50 heifers on our farm, and 15 milk cows are housed off the farm,” said Endres. “Within the next year, we plan on bringing all the cows back to the farm and start milking them ourselves,” she said.
The freshman at Madison Area Technical College stated, “Showmanship has always been my thing. In my free time, I’ve always worked with our heifers and am always striving to improve.” Mikayla gave credit to her father for teaching her the basic skills. “I also spent countless hours watching online videos through the breed associations and learning the most updated showmanship rules.”
She began showing when she was 8 years old and has participated in showmanship at World Dairy Expo for five years. “I tremendously enjoy showmanship,” she said. “It’s solely on me.”
Nearly a year after winning showmanship, Mikayla was still in disbelief. “This is a really big personal achievement for me,” she said. “This was my goal, and I felt like it was super far-fetched, but I continued to plow deep and work hard with my heifers and kept learning and doing my best.”
Now she plans on giving back and helping other kids, especially those who didn’t grow up on a dairy farm but have the same desire to show cattle. “I want the kids to know that nothing in life comes easy; you have to keep working for it, but whatever you do, never give up,” stated Mikayla. “Hard work and dedication pay off.”
Siblings Savannah and Kolton Crack hail from two-time Holstein Canada Master Breeder herd Crackholm Holsteins, home to 40 Holstein cows and 200 acres in Richmond, Quebec. The Crack siblings have also had great success in showmanship on the colored shavings in Madison. Last year, 14-year-old Kolton placed second in the junior division and 16-year-old Savannah was second in the intermediate division.
Savannah also took home first place in 2016 in the intermediate division and first place in 2015 in the junior division. Kolton took home third place in the junior division in 2015.
Savannah, who has been exhibiting and participating in showmanship at World Dairy Expo for three years, credited her showmanship success to practice, effort, and attitude.
“You must practice with your animal so you can perform as a great duo, but the effort you put into that practice must be as if you are going into the ring,” she said. “You must give 100 percent every time. That way, when it comes to competition time, you are fully prepared and ready.” She also said that attitude is equally important.
Her brother, Kolton, explained that his recipe for success is understanding his calf, watching others show, and giving it his all.
“You cannot always win, but you can always do your best and give time to your project.” Like his sister, Kolton has also exhibited and participated in showmanship for three years.
Kolton would like to someday take over the family farm and continue to show cattle. “I will definitely continue to participate in 4-H and showmanship. I really like farming and the community it brings into your life,” he said. “You meet so many great people and get so many great experiences.”
His sister has experienced much of the same. “I would also like to take over the family farm with my brother and take up a part-time job within the agricultural industry,” said Savannah.
For the most part, the sister-brother duo get along on and off the farm. “Showing against your sibling on the world stage can be both fun and exciting, but also unpleasant,” said Savannah. “It’s not fun to have your brother beat you, at anything.”
“Competing against your sibling adds a touch of tension, but it also has helped me rise to new heights,” she reflected. “Having competed against my brother has allowed him to be my go-to person, the person I ask for advice, talk to about things, and be a great supporter. Really, the only unpleasant part of it is when they win and the roles get reversed.”
Kolton said, “When I show against Savannah, it adds some competition between the two of us, making both of us want to outshow the other. Practicing and showing together and learning from each other is a very good thing and has helped us each reach a new level of success.”
Year after year, youth from across the continent continue to make their way to Madison to compete in showmanship, as well as judging and fitting contests at World Dairy Expo. “These juniors are able to develop practical skills and learn life lessons each year,” said Coyne. “Our hopes are that the youth leave the contest with new tips to improve their showmanship skills in addition to having met new friends and had fun.”
