Jillian Bohlen, PhD, Associate Professor | 706-542-9108 | jfain@uga.edu
The state of Georgia offers a variety of programs and experiences that introduce young people to agriculture and the dairy industry. The wide range of opportunities available is intentional because there is no single way to engage youth. Young people come from different backgrounds, have different interests, and gain confidence in different ways. By offering a variety of experiences, we create more opportunities for youth to find a place where they feel connected and inspired. These programs not only help young people develop knowledge and skills in agriculture but also play an important role in attracting and preparing the next generation of food producers and industry leaders.
Commercial Dairy Heifer Project
Each year, the Commercial Dairy Heifer Project brings together a diverse group of young people with a common interest – the dairy heifer. During their time in the project, these youth grow, develop, and learn not just about their heifer but also about the industry and themselves. This project would not be possible without incredible producers, teachers, agents and parents throughout the state that support and mentor these young people. Below is a summary of the two largest shows in the state to support these youth.
2026 UGA Dairy Science Club Commercial Dairy Heifer Show
As the trailers pull into Athens, the students in the University of Georgia Dairy Science Club set forth on a task that has been months in the making – The UGA Dairy Science Club Commercial Dairy Heifer Show. From seeking sponsorships, ribbons, creating the perfect t-shirt, locating worthy judges, these students take pride in every step of the process and in their ability to help serve the young people of Georgia through their show.
On Friday, February 6th, the club welcomed 102 young people and their 122 heifers. It was another great year with quality heifers and young people crossing the scales and checking in. As weigh in ended, the barn was a bustle with friends catching up and heifers getting cleaned up!
Following weigh in, over 40 youth made their way to the arena for a practice Dairy Judging Contest that consisted of four heifer classes. Many thanks to Alyssa Rauton for selecting classes and officiating the contest. With the judging contest complete, the barn was welcomed to the Exhibitor’s Dinner. Sponsored in part by the Georgia Dairy Youth Foundation and offering brisket from the UGA Meat Lab, this dinner is a time for youth, parents, teachers, and agents to fellowship.
Bright and early the next morning, Saturday, February 7th, Showmanship began using two rings. Ring one hosted grades 4th – 8th with judge Mary Creek. Ring 2 welcomed grades 9th-12th with judge Mike Creek. Mary Creek is an owner of Palmyra Farm in Hagerstown, MD. Palmyra is known for its Ayrshires, many of whom have earned All-American titles and made significant contributions to the breed. Mike Creek, son of Mary, is the Senior Director of Operations, United States, for Trans Ova Genetics. Together, Mary and Mike have judged hundreds of shows in multiple countries, and both have judged at World Dairy Expo. The club was thrilled to have these high caliber judges for our youth to show under and learn from.
First Place Showmanship Winners
| Grade | Showmanship Winner | County |
|---|---|---|
| 4th | Stella Crump | Habersham Co. 4-H |
| 5th | Kori London | White Co. 4-H |
| 6th | Layne Glover | White Co. FFA |
| 7th | Yovani Mills | Elbert Co. FFA |
| 8th | Brooke Padgett | Hall Co. FFA |
| 9th | Josie Ross | North Oconee FFA |
| 10th | Caroline Riley | North Hall FFA |
| 11th | Bristol Harris | Putnam Co. FFA |
| 12th | Ansley Ard | Jones Co. 4-H |
The Junior Showmanship Champion (grades 4th-8th) was Brooke Padgett while the Senior Showmanship Champion (grades 9th-12th) was Ansley Ard.
The show rolled right into weight classes with the conclusion of showmanship. Mary Creek judged the lightweight classes (250-462 pounds) while Mike Creek judged the heavyweight classes (466-828 pounds).
First Place Weight Class Winners
| Class | Weight | Heifer # | Showman | County |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 274 | 1575 | Kyndle Ratledge | Chatooga Co. FFA |
| 2 | 306 | 1408 | Charlee Fleming | Madison Co. 4-H |
| 3 | 343 | 0328 | Yovani Mills | Elbert Co. FFA |
| 4 | 363 | 9321 | Camden Huff | Oglethorpe Co. 4-H |
| 5 | 388 | 9095 | Ragan Curtis | Jones Co. 4-H |
| 6 | 418 | 9962 | Abigail Ullom | Coweta Co. 4-H |
| 7 | 446 | 9963 | Jacob Roberson | Coweta Co. 4-H |
| 8 | 494 | 9703 | Melanie Padgett | North Hall FFA |
| 9 | 514 | 1796 | Madi London | White Co. FFA |
| 10 | 538 | 1681 | Bailee Fair | North Hall FFA |
| 11 | 562 | 9110 | Stella Crump | Habersham Co. 4-H |
| 12 | 580 | 8969 | Kahle Adams | Habersham Co. FFA |
| 13 | 610 | 1683 | Caroline Riley | North Hall FFA |
| 14 | 802 | 1961 | Leah Higginbotham | Elbert Co. FFA |
In the lightweight ring, Grand Champion was awarded to heifer 9962 exhibited by Abigail Ullom while the Reserve Grand Champion was awarded to heifer 9321 exhibited by Camden Huff. While in the heavyweight ring, heifer 1796 exhibited by Madi London was named Grand Champion while heifer 1961 exhibited by Leah Higginbotham was named Reserve Grand Champion.
The UGA Dairy Science Club would like to thank all our financial supporters that contributed to another great year and made this show possible for these young people. Platinum sponsors of the show ($500) were Southern Swiss Dairy, LLC, The Dairy Alliance, Georgia Dairy Youth Foundation, Georgia Milk Producers, Premier Select Sires, Dogwood Genetics, White County Farmers Exchange and the Hargett Family. Gold sponsors ($250) this year included Twisted S Farms, Atlanta Custom Wraps, W&R Farms and Killer Crust Pizza Co. THANK YOU as this show would not be possible without you! Please visit the UGA Dairy Science Club Facebook page or click the button below to view and download show photos.
2026 State Commercial Dairy Heifer Show
Heifers for the State Commercial Dairy Heifer Show in Perry, GA weighed in on February 19th with 200 heifers crossing the scales and 174 young people proudly at the halter. Showmanship was a daylong event that began bright and early on February 20th. Serving as judge for both showmanship and weight classes was Dr. Katharine Knowlton. Dr. Knowlton, a faculty member at Virginia Tech, is known throughout the show community for her work with youth and her ability to train exceptional dairy judging teams. Dr. Knowlton has judged numerous shows and dedicates a tremendous amount of time to helping youth learn while in the ring.
First Place Showmanship Winners
| Grade | Showmanship Winner | County |
|---|---|---|
| 4th | Mattie Kate Clark | Madison Co. 4-H |
| 5th | Kori London | White Co. 4-H |
| 6th | Cambry Mullins | Houston Co. 4-H |
| 7th | Madi London | White Co. Middle FFA |
| 8th | Brooke Padgett | North Hall Middle FFA |
| 9th | Daisy Newberry | Rutland High FFA |
| 10th | Addy Parker | Rutland High FFA |
| 11th | Maura Carmichael | Putnam Co. FFA |
| 12th | James Ezzard | Putnam Co. FFA |
Taking the top placing 4-H members in 6th-12th grades, the judge named the Master 4-H Showman as McKenzie Folendore (12th grade) from Jones Co. 4-H. Following this the judge then evaluated the top placing FFA member from 6th-12th grades to name James Ezzard (12th grade) from Putnam Co. as Supreme FFA Showman.
Weight Classes were up the next day with heifers weighing 253-826 pounds.
Commercial Division Placings (Registered was Division 1)
| Division | Weight | Heifer Number | Showman | County | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 (253-392 lbs.) | Champion | 392 | 9473 | Addison Faul | Houston Co. FFA |
| Reserve | 354 | 1705 | Sonni Ralston | Gilmer Co. FFA | |
| 3 (396-485 lbs.) | Champion | 401 | 9153 | Luke Huff | Oglethorpe Co. FFA |
| Reserve | 406 | 8978 | Kahle Adams | Habersham Central FFA | |
| 4 (488-558 lbs.) | Champion | 516 | 1796 | Madi London | White Co. Middle FFA |
| Reserve | 489 | 1706 | Landon Benitez | Gilmer Co. FFA | |
| 5 (560-826 lbs.) | Champion | 660 | 1686 | Brooke Padgett | North Hall Mid FFA |
| Reserve | 620 | 1683 | Caroline Riley | North Hall FFA |
Overall Top Five for the Show
| Weight | Heifer Number | Showman | County | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Champion | 660 | 1686 | Brooke Padgett | North Hall Mid FFA |
| Reserve | 620 | 1683 | Caroline Riley | North Hall FFA |
| 3rd | 516 | 1796 | Madi London | White Co. Middle FFA |
| 4th | 401 | 9153 | Luke Huff | Oglethorpe Co. FFA |
| 5th | 392 | 9473 | Addison Faul | Houston Co. FFA |
Overall Top Five County Groups
- Champion: North Hall
- Reserve: Gilmer
- 3rd: White
- 4th: Rutland High
- 5th: Jones
Congratulations to everyone that completed another great year as part of the Commercial Dairy Heifer Project!
Registered at State Show
The registered heifer component of the State Show was also judged by Dr. Katharine Knowlton with 18 total animals. Winning the registered division was Brooke Padget of North Hall Middle FFA with her Jersey Fall calf. Reserve division champion was Luke Huff of Oglethorpe Co. FFA with his Holstein Winter yearling.
State 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl
The 2026 State 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl Contest was held Friday, January 16th at Rock Eagle 4-H Center, with 9 senior teams and 8 junior teams participating in the contest. This was one of our largest contests in recent years!
Junior Competition
1st Place: Hart County Team A (Scarlett Williams, Mille Colson, Evie Johnson, Lynlee Pilgrim, Rhett Wallace, Gracie Ricks)
2nd Place: Coweta County A
3rd Place: Oconee County
Senior Competition
1st Place: Oconee County A (Molly Ann McLean, Reagan Reynolds, Levi Burch, Tyson Mathis, Harper Havick, Sawyer Mathis)
2nd Place: Burke County
3rd Place: Gordon County
The Senior team from Oconee County will have the opportunity to represent Georgia at the National 4-H Quiz Bowl Contest in Louisville, KY
State 4-H Dairy Judging Contest
The 2026 State 4-H Dairy Judging Contest was held Friday April 17, at the UGA Livestock Instructional Arena in Athens with 5 junior teams and 3 senior teams participating.
Junior Division
1st Place: Hall County (Adalyn Giles, Dusty Adams, and Kennedi Davis)
2nd Place: Taliaferro County
3rd Place: Morgan County
The top Junior individual was Garrett Doyen from Morgan County.
Senior Division
1st Place: Hall County (Caroline Riley, Jessie Prickett, and Madelyn Kilgore)
2nd Place: Jones County
3rd Place: Burke County
The top Senior individual was Anna Sneed from Jones County.
The Senior team from Hall County will have the opportunity to represent Georgia at the National 4-H Dairy Judging Contest in Madison, WI.
Upcoming Youth Events
Southeast Dairy Youth Retreat
This year’s Southeast Dairy Youth Retreat will be held July 6th – 10th in Waynesboro, GA.
National 4-H Dairy Conference
The National 4-H Dairy Conference will be held alongside World Dairy Expo in Madison, WI on September 27th – 30th. Youth interested in attending as a Georgia delegate, should fill out the application by clicking the button below by August 7th, 2026.
Georgia National Fair
Entries for livestock at the Georgia National Fair will open on July 1st and close on August 1st at 11:59 PM.
The schedule for Commercial Dairy Heifers has changed! Weigh in will be Saturday, October 10th from 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM with Showmanship on the same day and beginning at 1:00 PM. Weight classes begin on Sunday, October 11th at 8:00 AM.
