Dr. Jillian Bohlen, Associate Professor (706-542-9108 / jfain@uga.edu)
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. There are also an incredible number of shows to support these youth throughout the state with the largest two summarized below.
2025 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 7th, the club welcomed 103 young people and their 125 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 60 youth made their way to the arena for a practice Dairy Judging Contest that consisted of four heifer classes. Many thanks to Mackenzie Jones with the Georgia Department of Agriculture and Audri Crews with the Dairy Alliance for helping to officiate the contest.
Top Four Judging Contest:
| Placing | Contestant | County/Chapter |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Chloe McMillan | Jones Co. |
| 2nd | Faith Hudson | Jones Co. |
| 3rd | Ava Dunlap | Jones Co. |
| 4th | Alexa Williams | Jones Co. |
Following the judging contest, 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 8th, Showmanship began using two rings. Ring one hosted grades 4th – 8th with judge Amanda Lutz. Ring 2 welcomed grades 9th-12th with judge Herby Lutz. Herby and Amanda, a husband-and-wife team of Chester, South Carolina, along with their son Hobbs operate Her-Man Jerseys at Sunny Day Farm, a registered Jersey and Guernsey herd. They have a gift for breeding great lines and strong, show type animals, even exhibiting several All Americans in both breeds. On their farm, they concentrate on cows that are profitable from deep cow families. Herby recently served as an associate judge at the 2024 World Dairy Expo. While Amanda handles much of the day to day on the farm, Herby also serves as a Dairy Sire Analyst for Select Sires. The club was thrilled to bring this caliber of judges to our show and for these youth.
1st Place Showmanship Winners:
| Grade | Showmanship Winner | County/Chapter |
|---|---|---|
| 4th | Kori London | White Co. 4-H |
| 5th | Adalyn Giles | Hall Co. 4-H |
| 6th | Madi London | White Co. FFA |
| 7th | Brooke Padgett | North Hall FFA |
| 8th | Maggie Moose | Hall Co. FFA |
| 9th | Caroline Riley | North Hall FFA |
| 10th | Peyton Clark | Madison Co. FFA |
| 11th | Leah Higginbotham | Elbert Co. FFA |
| 12th | Bella Grier | North Hall FFA |
The Junior Showmanship Champion (grades 4th-8th) was Maggie Moose while the Senior Showmanship Champion (grades 9th-12th) was Bella Grier.
The show rolled right into weight classes with the conclusion of showmanship. Judges switched rings and Herby Lutz judged the lightweight classes (250-467 pounds) while Amanda Lutz judged the heavyweight classes (473-860 pounds).
1st Place Weight Class Winners
| Class/u> | Weight /u> | Heifer # | Showman/u> | County/Chapter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 287 | 1690 | Belle Patrick | North Hall FFA |
| 2 | 315 | 1788 | Kori London | White Co. 4-H |
| 3 | 348 | 1361 | Peyton Clark | Madison Co. FFA |
| 4 | 365 | 1450 | Liam Kennedy | Newton Co. 4-H |
| 5 | 401 | 1612 | Anna Jane Midlo | Burke Co. 4-H |
| 6 | 405 | 1762 | Sara Morgan Sapp | Burke Co. 4-H |
| 7 | 426 | 1733 | Emma Wiley | Hall Co. 4-H |
| 8 | 438 | 1715 | Cambry Mullins | Houston Co. 4-H |
| 9 | 460 | 1778 | Ansley Ard | Jones Co. 4-H |
| 10 | 473 | 1447 | Lily Atkins | Newton Co. 4-H |
| 11 | 516 | 1644 | Caroline Riley | North Hall FFA |
| 12 | 528 | 1641 | Lily Reese Truelove | North Hall FFA |
| 13 | 544 | 1786 | Madi London | White Co. FFA |
| 14 | 568 | 1523 | Lane Bridges | Chattooga Co. FFA |
| 15 | 616 | 1730 | Adalyn Giles | Hall Co. 4-H |
| 16 | 638 | 1315 | Maggi Moose | Hall Co. FFA |
| 17 | 698 | 1557 | Kori London | White Co. 4-H |
| 18 | 860 | 1061 | Leah Higginbotham | Elbert Co. FFA |
In the lightweight ring, Grand Champion was awarded to heifer 1788 exhibited by Kori London while the Reserve Grand Champion was awarded to heifer 1361 exhibited by Peyton Clark.
In the heavyweight ring, heifer 1061 exhibited by Leag Higginbotham was named Grand Champion while heifer 1447 exhibited by Lily Atkins was named Reserve Grand Champion.
The UGA Dairy Science Club would like to thank all of our financial supporters that contributed to another great year and made this show possible for all of these young people. Platinum sponsors of the show ($500) were Southern Swiss Dairy, LLC, Dairy Alliance, Georgia Dairy Youth Foundation, Larry’s Giant Subs, Acker Heating and Cooling and Premier Select Sires Inc. Gold sponsors ($250) this year included Barberito’s, Dunkin Donuts, Oconee Soil and Water Conservation, SW Georgia Farm Credit, Boots Etc. Outlet, Sims Sod Farm, and Custom Livestock Solutions. THANK YOU as this show would not be possible for these young people without you! Please visit the UGA Dairy Science Club Facebook page for a link to view and download show photos.
2025 State Commercial Dairy Heifer Show
Heifers for the State Commercial Dairy Heifer Show in Perry, GA weighed in on February 20th with 211 heifers crossing the scales and 188 young people proudly at the halter. Showmanship was a daylong event that began bright and early on February 21st. Serving as judge for both showmanship and weight classes was Shawn Nehls of Wisconsin. Shawn grew up on his family’s registered Holstein farm and has raised many Holstein, Jersey and Brown Swiss All-American nominations. In 2019 Shawn and colleagues had the 2019 Intermediate Champion at World Dairy Expo and in 2022 the Holstein herd was ranked first nationally for BAA on herds of 120-249. Shawn was an incredible judge that spent time working with and talking to the youth throughout both days.
1st Place Showmanship Winners:
| Grade | Showmanship Winner | County/Chapter |
|---|---|---|
| 4th | Kori London | White Co. 4-H |
| 5th | Layne glover | White Co. 4-H |
| 6th | Rydlee Ponder | Clear Creek Middle FFA |
| 7th | Cali Barrett | Wilbanks Middle FFA |
| 8th | Maggie Moose | North Hall Middle FFA |
| 9th | Abigail Ullom | Coweta Co. 4-H |
| 10th | Ava Smith | Gilmer co. FFA |
| 11th | Caeden Swartz | Coweta Co. 4-H |
| 12th | Bella Grier | North Hall FFA |
Taking the top placing 4-H members in 6th-12th grades, the judge named the Master 4-H Showman as Caeden Swartz (11th grade). Following this the judge then evaluated the top placing FFA member from 6th-12th grades to name Bella Grier (12th grade) as Supreme FFA Showman.
Weight Classes were up the next day with heifers weighing 250-840 pounds. Commercial Division Placings (Registered was Division 1):,Division 2 (250-405 pounds)
1st Place Weight Class Winners:
| Division | Class | Weight | Heifer # | Showman | County |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 (250-405 lbs) | Champion | 374 | 1684 | Jessie Prickett | North Hall FFA |
| 2 (250-405 lbs) | Reserve | 382 | 1612 | Anna Midlo | Burke Co. 4-H |
| 3 (407-500 lbs) | Champion | 420 | 1469 | Hayden Tucker | Houston Co. FFA |
| 3 (407-500 lbs) | Reserve | 424 | 1733 | Emma Wiley | Hall Co. 4-H |
| 4 (502-600 lbs) | Champion | 538 | 1466 | Dom Zurita | Houston Co. FFA |
| 4 (502-600 lbs) | Reserve | 514 | 1642 | Bella Grier | North Hall FFA |
| 5 (604-840 lbs) | Champion | 660 | 9059 | Caeden Swartz | Coweta Co. 4-H |
| 5 (604-840 lbs) | Reserve | 670 | 1677 | Brooke Padgett | North Hall Mid FFA |
Overall Top 5 for the Show:
| Class | Weight | Heifer # | Showman | County |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Champion | 660 | 9059 | Caeden Swartz | Coweta Co. 4-H |
| Reserve | 670 | 1677 | Brooke Padgett | North Hall Mid FFA |
| 3rd | 538 | 1466 | Dom Zurita | Houston Co. FFA |
| 4th | 420 | 1469 | Hayden Tucker | Houston Co. FFA |
| 5th | 374 | 1684 | Jessie Prickett | North Hall FFA |
Overall Top 5 County Groups:
- Champion: North Hall
- Reserve: Putnam
- 3rd: Coweta
- 4th: Hall
- 5th: White
Congratulations to everyone that completed another great year as part of the Commercial Dairy Heifer Project!
