Members of the Wisconsin Jersey Breeders Association gather several times a year to tend to association business, visit with fellow Jersey breeders and compete for prizes in the show ring.
The organization's annual meeting kicks off the calendar year in the spring. The meeting is hosted by a different parish each year.
A favorite pastime for many Jersey families is exhibiting their cattle at shows. In the spring, Wisconsin breeders have opportunity to compete at the Wisconsin Spring Show and the Wisconsin Spring Spectacular Show. During the summer, members exhibit cattle at county fairs, parish shows, the Wisconsin State Fair and the Wisconsin State Jersey Show, which includes the Wisconsin Jersey Futurity.
During the summer, members also gather for a summer picnic which is hosted by a different farm each year.
Dave Endres, left, presents the Distinguished Service Award to Gail and Rob Klinkner.
Nicki Hebgen, left, congratulates Natalie Kessenich for being named Jersey Woman of the Year.
Ava Hebgen, right, receives the Junior Breeder Award from Leah James.
Brandon Owens, representing Owens Farms, receives awards for the leading living lifetime contest winner, O.F. Hovborg Marina. Sydney Flick, representing Endres Jazzy Jerseys, receives the award for the top JPI cow, JX ABS HE Bettis 6787 {6}-ET.
Parish production award winners include Natalie Kessenich, representing Kessenich Farms LLC (Parish 2 winner milk, fat, protein); Jerry and Phyllis Luttropp, representing Lost Elm Jerseys (Parish 7 winner milk, protein); Rick Thompson, representing Random Luck Jerseys (Parish 3 winner milk, fat, protein); Abby Van de Ven, representing Tauchen Harmony Valley (Parish 7 winner fat); Brandon Owens, representing Owens Farms Inc. (Parish 6 winner milk, fat, protein); Donna Phillips, representing D&D Jerseys (Parish 8 winner fat, protein).
Not pictured: Grass Ridge Farm (overall and Parish 1 winner milk, fat, protein); Trescher Jerseys (Parish 4 winner milk, fat, protein); Discovery Genetics (Parish 5 winner milk, fat, protein); Schwittay Farms LLC (Parish 8 winner milk).
Members of the 2026 WJBA board of directors include Paul Pettis, Natalie Kessenich, Nicki Hebgen, Dean Peterson, Michelle Moore, Ben Vos, Abby Van de Ven, Colin Wussow and Leah James. Not pictured are Josh Moga, Tommy Allen and Londa Lauber.
Wisconsin Award Winners 2025
Wisconsin Junior Jersey Breeder: Ava Hebgen, de Forest
Wisconsin Distinguished Service Award: Rob and Gail Klinkner, Viroqua
Wisconsin Jersey Woman of the Year: Natalie Kessenich, de Forest
Wisconsin Production Awards 2025
High Herd Milk, Fat and Protein:
Grass Ridge Farms LLC, Matt Lippert, Pittsville
(22,555M, 1,179F, 864P on 114 cows)
Most Improved Herd Milk, Fat and Protein:
Golden Pride Dairy Farm, Wayne and Lisa Artac, Greenwood
(+3,352M, +119F, +168P)
High Cow Milk, Fat, Protein and Cheese Yield:
Derouin Tequila Madone-ET
(8-11 305 32,690 6.5% 2,112 3.7% 1,194 4,129CY)
Crestbrooke Farm, Tim, Barb and Kyle Natzke, Fond du Lac
Lifetime Milk, Fat and Protein:
O.F. Hovborg Marina
(218,183M, 11,989F, 8,963P in 3,986 days)
Owens Farms Inc., Frederic
Annual Meeting Reports
WJBA Annual Report 2024
WJBA Annual Report 2021
Wisconsin Meeting 2020
Wisconsin Meeting 2019
Wisconsin Meeting 2018
Wisconsin Meeting 2017
Wisconsin Meeting 2016
Wisconsin Meeting 2015
Wisconsin Meeting 2014
Wisconsin Meeting 2013
Wisconsin Meeting 2012
Wisconsin Meeting 2011
Wisconsin Meeting 2010
Wisconsin Meeting 2009