Eight junior members of the American Jersey Cattle Association displayed impressive depth of breed knowledge and engaging presentation styles during the sixth national Jersey youth public speaking contest, TalkJersey. The contest, offering cash awards sponsored by ABS Global Inc., De Forest, Wis., was held at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells, Wis., on June 22, 2011, to kick-off the 143rd annual meeting of the American Jersey Cattle Association. Contestants could speak about any topic related to Jersey cattle or Jersey milk, including current affairs and dairy industry trends. Presentations were scored on content and organization (25 points), language and voice (10 points), presentation (5 points), and total effectiveness (5 points). Each contestant received written evaluations from each member of the judging panel. Rankings in each division were as follows. Division I (7-10 years) 1. Katarina Emerich, Mooers, N.Y., "The Importance of Animal ID" Division II (11-13 years) 1. Allison Foster, Portage, Wis., "Why Jerseys" 2. Gerret Boer, Dalhart, Texas, "Heat Stress and the Brown Cow" Division III (14-16 years) 1. Sydney Endres, Lodi, Wis., "The Queen of Cows: Jerseys" 2. Meghan Skiba, Cambridge, Minn., "Jerseys: A Dairy Good Fortune" 3. Ben Grammer, Sebring, Ohio, "Why Go With Jerseys" Division IV (17-20 years) 1. Kara A. Maxwell, Donahue, Iowa, "Sexed Semen" 2. Kaitlyn Riley, Gays Mills, Wis., "Spreading Word about the Farming Industry" Awards were presented on June 25 at the TalkJersey Showcase in the historic barn at ABS Global's Dekorra facility. In addition to cash awards of $40 for first place, $30 for second and $20 for third, each participant received certificates. Division winners received a "Wide Load Ahead" keepsake box presented by the American Jersey Cattle Association. The next TalkJersey contest will be held during the 2012 AJCA Annual Meeting hosted by the New England Jersey Breeders Association from June 27 through 30 in North Conway, N.H. About the National Jersey Youth Program The American Jersey Cattle Association, founded in 1868, has made strategic investments in Jersey youth since 1958 when it created the National Heifer Sale to provide annual funding for educational programs and awards. The first of nine youth scholarship funds managed by the AJCA was established in 1965. The Maurice E. Core Jersey Youth Fund provides financial support for junior activities at The All American Show & Sale, the Jersey breed's showcase event for 58 years. Jersey Youth Academy was created in 2008 to expand educational programs for older Jersey youth. 07.13.2011