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Dairy judging opens doors for students

A Michigan State University student says participating in national dairy judging contests is opening doors for her.

“I’ve met so many people in the dairy industry and I’ve built so many connections for the future.”

Cameron Cook is a college freshman on the Michigan 4-H Dairy Judging Team. She says she’s spent the past eight years preparing to compete at World Dairy Expo and the hard work paid off.  Cook won top individual and her team placed fourth overall in the 4-H division.  “I haven’t decided yet if I want to go back to my family farm, or my passion in genetics is really strong and I would like to also work for a sire company one day.”

Second year MSU dairy management student Rachel Ekkel took top individual in the International Post-Secondary contest after three years of judging.  She says the experience is helping her select better genetics for her family’s dairy farm.  “I was growing up thinking I was going to be stuck in Michigan my whole life, but I’ve gotten to go see so many cool things and meet so many great people, it’s opened a lot of big doors.”  Ekkel’s team placed third overall and is invited to compete at the 2017 International Livestock and Dairy Judging Contest in Scotland.

AUDIO: Interview with MSU dairy judging team members