REYNOLDSBURG, OHIO – The American Guernsey Association recognized several youth at the National Guernsey Convention in Hudson, Wis., June 19-23.
Steven “Brett” Dixon received the 2003 National Outstanding Youth award. Dixon, 21, rose to Guernsey fame on the halter of Dix Lee Perfecto Fawna, EX-93, a perennial tanbark contender.
In 2002, the Dixon family moved their Dix-Lee Farm from Maryland to Missouri, and the younger Dixon completed the dairy short course at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and came home to farm with his father.
Ayars runner-up. First runner-up in the National Outstanding Youth contest was Lucas Ayars of Mechanicsburg, Ohio.
He is the 21-year-old son of John and Bonnie Ayars, who own Land of Living Farm.
Ayars currently attends The Ohio State University where he was a member of the judging team and helped coordinate the 2003 Buckeye Classic Guernsey Sale, which averaged over $2,700.
Ohioan crowned. Amanda Derr, 20-year-old daughter of Tom and Kathy Derr of Carey, Ohio, was crowned 2003 National Guernsey Queen during the convention.
Derr, who attends the University of Findlay, is part of her family’s farm, Mona Lous Farm, where they milk 35 registered Guernseys. She has been very active in Guernsey youth programs both nationally and in Ohio, and this year she also won the national Guernsey youth public speaking contest senior division.
Pa. princess. The 2003 National Guernsey Princess is Amy Liggett, 19, of Bessemer, Pa., the daughter of Debra and David Liggett. Her grandfather and uncles own and operate Trotacre Farm in Enon Valley, Pa.
Liggett has held many leadership positions with the Pennsylvania Junior Guernsey Breeders’ Association and won the intermediate division of the national Guernsey youth public speaking contest in 2000.
She currently attends Youngstown State University.
Scholarships. Lucas Ayars received three national scholarships, including the National Guernsey Scholarship, the Max Dawdy Scholarship, given in honor of former association executive secretary Max Dawdy; and the first Turley Scholarship, given in honor of Ralph and Martha Turley.
Pa. sweeps dairy bowl. Pennsylvania dominated the dairy bowl competitions this year. The junior team of Sarah and Spencer Weimer, Colin Sollenberger, and Cassandra Musser defeated the team from Illinois in the final round.
In the senior division, the Pennsylvania team of Jeff and Chip Ansell, Kevin Sollenberger, and Doug Morrow defeated the New England team.
Six teams competed in the junior division and five teams battled in the senior division.
Public speaking. The National Guernsey Youth Public Speaking Contest was highly competitive with more than 30 youth participating.
Brett McRae, of Wellford, S.C., topped the junior division.
In the Intermediate division, Katie Boesche, DeKalb, Ill., claimed the top prize over Jessica Christopherson, Bangor, Wis.
Amanda Derr won the senior division, followed in second place by Michael Spurrier of Union Bridge, Md., and third place went to Amy Liggett.
Ohio’s Hannah Kohler was one of six youth receiving National Junior Gold Star Breeder honors.
To receive this award the junior must have bred and still own the animal and the cow must meet certain criteria for yield deviation and appraisal scored based on her age.
STAY INFORMED. SIGN UP!
Up-to-date agriculture news in your inbox!
