Youth are eligible for junior memberships in the state Jersey organization until they reach 21 years of age. Currently, more than 100 young people are members of the Wisconsin Junior Jersey Breeders Association.
Membership gives them opportunity to develop friendships with young people with similar interests, compete in a variety of activities and learn valuable life skills. Many pursue careers in the agriculture industry; most harbor a love of the Jersey cow and their agriculture roots in their hearts throughout their lives.
Wisconsin juniors participate in several activities during the year and have a chance to compete for awards on both state and national national levels.
In early spring, juniors gather for their annual meeting, held in conjunction with the annual meeting of the Wisconsin Jersey Breeders Association. New officers are elected, a new Jersey queen and princess are crowned and several other juniors are recognized for their achievements.
In the summer, juniors compete for prizes at county fairs and parish shows. In late summer and early fall, state shows and fairs and regional and national shows are on the calendar.
Becoming a Member
Membership is available to all Jersey enthusiasts under 21 years of age for $2.50 a year or $25 for a lifetime membership. For more information, contact Danielle Brown at 608-574-7726. For a membership application, CLICK HERE.
Emma Vos, 2022 Wisconsin Jersey Queen, and Abbygail Foster, 2022 Wisconsin Jersey Princess.
Awards Program for 2025
Youth Awards
- Junior: for members 11 years and under as of January 1, 2024. The winner will receive a calf donated by Pine Valley Farm, Leah and Jason James. The runner-up will receive a calf halter donated by the family of Lois Hauser, in her memory.
- Intermediate: for members 12-15 years of age as of January 1, 2024. The winner will receive a calf in loving memory of Ela May Hebgen, sponsored by Kessenich Farms LLC and the Hebgen Family. Second place will receive $150.
- Senior: for members 16-20 years of age as of January 1, 2024. The winner will receive $250 and second place will receive $150.
Production Awards
Awards will be given for records completed in 2024 based on combined fat and protein (CFP) and their age at calving. Cows must be owned by the junior member before January 1, 2024. Please enclose both a copy of the registration paper and the DHI individual cow report or DHI test sheet for verification. The Stargazer Jersey’s Award will be given to the top CFP cow from all entries. The award form is available HERE.
Junior All-Wisconsin Awards
Junior All-Wisconsin and Reserve All-Wisconsin honors will be awarded for each class based on the animal’s 2024 show record. Eligible shows include spring shows, state show and fairs, parish shows and one national show (World Dairy Expo or North American International Livestock Exposition). Please include open and junior placings when applicable. Open-show results will only count if the animal was led by a junior owner. Placings from county fairs and non-national level, non-Wisconsin will not earn any points. Include a copy of the registration paper with the application. Cows must be owned by the junior member before January 1, 2024, while heifers can be owned or managerial (if they were led by the junior applicant). A form is available HERE.
Wisconsin Jersey Queen and Princess
The contest is open to all young women 16-21 years of age as of January 1, 2025. This is a great opportunity to serve as an ambassador of the Jersey breed and represent WJBA at events throughout the year.
Scholarships
The WJBA scholarship is awarded to youth pursuing post-secondary education. A total of $1,000 is available each year with a maximum of $500 awarded to the same member in one year. An applicant can receive a scholarship in two different years.
A single application form for the youth awards, Queen contest and scholarships is available HERE. Any questions on awards or forms can be directed to Danielle Brown at 608-574-7726 or daniellebrown2012@uwalumni.com.
Cost-Sharing Program
A cost-sharing program is also available to help juniors attend out-of-state events. For more information, contact Secretary-Treasurer Sydney Endres at 608/333-7599 or sfendres@gmail.com. For an application, CLICK HERE.
National Level Achievements
Wisconsin juniors have represented their state well in national competitions too. Six have topped the National Jersey Youth Achievement Contest: Colin Wussow of Cecil (2020); Kaila Wussow of Cecil (2017); Cassandra Krull of Lake Mills (2012); Brett Barlass of Janesville (2005); Kristin Barlass-Paul of Janesville (1999); and Brian Barlass of Janesville (1995).
More recently, Emma Ruth Vos, Maribel, received the 2023 Walter and Joyce Owens and Family Scholarship. Colin Wussow placed second in the 2023 Pot O'Gold Production Contest with Dutch Hollow Alto Dianna. Other juniors to place in the production contest were Ava, Ela and Ivy Hebgen and Kenley Kessenich, all of de Forest.
At the International Junior Jersey Show held in conjunction with World Dairy Expo in Madison, Evan Jacquet of Pulaski showed the Grand Champion, Rolling Spring Premier Lucille-ET.
At the Junior All American Jersey Show in 2021, juniors from Wisconsin captured the state herd banner and Alleah Anderson of Cumberland showed the Reserve National Grand Champion, Meadowridge Triple Crown Fae.
Colin Wussow of Cecil won the 2022 Pot O'Gold Production Contest with JX Bar MB Avon Klay Brooklyn 16312 {4}.
At the 2021 All American Junior Jersey Show, Alleah Anderson, fifth right, showed the Reserve Grand Champion, Meadowridge Triple Crown Fae.
Colin Wussow pictured on the cover of the September 2021 issue of the Jersey Journal.
Allison Foster, left, was named first alternate in both the 2017 and 2018 National Jersey Queen Contests.
Austin Nauman showed Smokin Hot Lightning Strikes to Supreme Champion honors of the North American International Livestock Exposition in 2016.
India Tauchen of Bonduel won the 2015 National Jersey Youth Production Contest
with THVI Allstar Bonnie 7924 (4}.
Alleah Anderson exhibited the Supreme Champion of the 2015 North American International Livestock Exposition, Meadowridge Gentry Angie.
Sydney Endres, right, was crowned as the
2013 National Jersey Queen.
Cassy Krull, center, was crowned as the National Jersey Queen in 2011. Krull was also the winner of the 2012 National Jersey Youth Achievement Contest.
Kaila Wussow topped the 2011 Pot O'Gold Production Contest with her entry, Rocha Iatola Whistle-ET. She also won the competition in 2008 with Ahlem Jace Charm 15069-ET.
Wisconsin Junior Award Winners 2022
Wisconsin Jersey Queen: Emma Vos, Maribel
Wisconsin Jersey Princess: Abbygail Foster, Juda
Junior Breeder of the Year: Sykora Ann Stanek, Reedsburg
Youth Achievement Awards
Senior Winner: Megan Moede, Algoma
Senior Runner-up: Sophie Larson, Reedsburg
Intermediate Winner: Katie Brandel, Lake Mills
Intermediate Runner-up: Lucas Kramer, Wauzeka
Junior Winner: Kennedy Paul, Milton
Junior Runner-up: Tani Riebe, Cumberland
Scholarship Awards: Alana Artac, Greenwood, Regan Kramer, Wauzeka, Sophie Larson and Megan Moede
Youth Cost Sharing: Alleah Anderson, Cumberland, and Kaitynn Riebe, Cumberland