The University of Wisconsin-Platteville Pioneer Farm earned high rankings at the recent District 3 Holstein Show, sponsored by the Wisconsin Holstein Association, held June 21.
Maddy Gwidt, a sophomore dairy science major from Pulaski, Wisconsin, showed two heifers and two cows. The highest ranking was earned by a cow in the Senior 3-Year-Old class, which ranked second in its class and went on to receive the title of Reserve Intermediate Champion, as well as Honorable Mention Grand Champion of the show.
“I was extremely proud as a student of the university and an employee of Pioneer Farm to be a part of [the show],” said Gwidt. “I was out at the farm every day working with the cattle to ensure they were ready for the show. I was extremely honored to have this opportunity, so I wanted to ensure that the cattle were well prepared so I could represent not only Pioneer Farm and Pioneer Dairy Club, but the university as a whole.”
Avery Kotlarczyk, a senior agriculture education major from Myakka City, Florida, assisted with fitting the cattle at the show, and Cory Weigel, dairy enterprise manager at Pioneer Farm, advised the students.
“I was glad to work beside Maddy and Cory at the show and help them prepare the cattle for the day they had been working towards all summer,” said Kotlarczyk. “It was really exciting to see UW-Platteville represented with such a high-quality cow in the winner’s circle.”
Both students agreed that participating in this competition is just one example of many opportunities they have found to enhance their education outside of the classroom at UW-Platteville through Pioneer Farm and the Pioneer Dairy Club.
“There are not many other university dairy clubs that give students the opportunity to work with and show their animals; many university farms don’t have the quality of animals that Pioneer Farm has,” said Kotlarczyk.
Gwidt agreed, adding that in addition to the experience she gains working on Pioneer Farm, the Pioneer Dairy Club has also offered her opportunities for involvement in a number of activities, including the Pioneer Dairy Classic Sale and attendance at national conferences, such as the American Dairy Science Association conference.
“I give a lot of credit to Cory for working as hard as he does to breed the quality cattle at Pioneer Farm, as well as being a great boss and mentor,” said Gwidt. “I am grateful that he gave me this opportunity to represent all of that.”
Other UW-Platteville rankings at the District Show included a fall calf that received ninth place out of 22, a spring yearling that received eighth out of 15, and a junior 3-year old that received third out of six.