The Modesto Junior College Dairy Cattle Judging team was the top team in their division at both the 43rd Annual Invitational Youth Dairy Cattle Judging Contest, held Monday, Sept. 19, during the 2011 All-American Dairy Show in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania as well as the Big E in Springfield, Massachusetts on Saturday Sept 17.

The MJC team was led by Emilie Strand 1st, Natalie Sanders 3rd, Rocco Cunningham 6th, and Monica Soares 8th at the BIG E. The team won by 30 points against National rival Southern University of New York, Cobleskill, last years’ national champions. A clean sweep in the oral reasons category of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, anchored wins in breed victories for Ayrshire and Holsteins, and 2nd place finishes in Guernsey and Jersey. The contest was made up of 12 evaluation classes and 2 reasons classes from 6 different breeds.

The team then travelled to Pennsylvania stopping at the famed Arathusa farm in Connecticut to do more practice judging for the next day’s contest.

MJC students, under the guidance of Professor Bill Hobby, again won high team by a mere 12 points against Southern University of New York, Cobleskill. Another clean sweep in the oral reasons category of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, anchored wins in Brown Swiss, Guernsey, and Jersey while finishing 2nd in Holsteins. The contest was made up of 10 evaluation classes and 4 reasons classes from 5 different breeds.

At the All American contest Rocco Cunningham placed 2nd, Emilie Strand 3rd, Natalie Sanders 4th, and Monica Soares 7th. Another great showing and educational experience to grow for the next outing.

The success at these two contests will culminate at the National contest this next Monday in Madison, Wisconsin. The team will travel Friday with practices on various farms Saturday and Sunday, with competitions Sunday evening and all day Monday.