Walker, Dorn Earn Top Junior Dairy Awards at State Fair

By Kelsi Hendrickson, Editorial Intern
Friday, August 11, 2006 1:50 PM CDT

During the Wisconsin State Fair Junior Dairy Show, held last week, Aug. 3-6, over 900 young dairy enthusiasts displayed their cattle to the best of their ability to compete against other juniors from all parts of the state.

Two individuals, Daniel Walker and Lindsey Dorn, were chosen among the juniors to receive highly recognized awards based on individual award requirements.

Walker Honored With Howard Clapp Memorial Award

Daniel Walker, Portage, received the 59th Howard Clapp Memorial Award during the junior dairy show at the Wisconsin State Fair in West Allis, Aug. 4. This is the last year for the award to be given out.

To win the Howard Clapp Memorial Award an individual exhibiting Holstein cattle at the Wisconsin Junior State Fair must possess the following: good sportsmanship and fellowship; cooperation with officials; showmanship ability; neatness of showman; courtesy to the public and judge; and care of animal after the show day.

"I didn't expect it at all," said Daniel, adding, "It's an honor to receive the award."

Walker has been showing since he was nine years old and this was his last year eligible to show at the state fair.

"I've come to the state fair for eight years, it's pretty cool that you can have an impact on people when you don't even realize it," he said.

This year he showed a senior three-year-old, Walker Win Durham Pride, which he also showed at the state fair as a winter calf and senior two-year-old. He placed third in the class, standing next in line to the grand and reserve champions of the Holstein show.

"I wish I could show one more year, but I went out during a good year," he said.

Walker grew up on his family farm with his parents, Bruce and Lisa Walker and older sister, Elizabeth. The family had 45 registered Holsteins, but sold all of the cows last October.

This fall, Walker will be a sophomore at UW-Madison, majoring in dairy science. On campus he is involved with the Badger Dairy Club. He is also involved in music and takes part in numerous choirs there. Walker will be singing the national anthem at the Holstein Association Futurity, taking place on Friday, Aug. 11 during the state fair.

He has also been extremely involved in dairy judging. This past year his 4-H team won the state competition, advancing them to nationals at World Dairy Expo where they finished first.

Walker plans to go into a communication-based field where he can use the speaking skills that he has obtained from dairy judging.

Dorn Receives Barlass Award

Lindsey Dorn of Green County was awarded the George Barlass Herdsman Award Saturday during the Guernsey show.

The George Barlass Herdsman Award is awarded to a junior colored breed exhibitor who displays outstanding sportsmanship, knowledge of the dairy industry and showmanship ability.

"It was a huge surprise and honor," Dorn said.

"I feel proud to represent the Guernsey breed," said Dorn, who is the first of anyone in the Guernsey breed to receive the award.

She won the Guernsey spring yearling class this year with Kadence Regis Aloha, which is bred and owned by her. She has been showing since age five and has attended the state fair for eight years.

Dorn was also one of the four herdsman for Green County this year. This title entailed her to take a leadership role among her county exhibitors. She planned and organized a lot of the essentials for their exhibit and made sure the cattle were healthy while at the state fair. Green County received a fifth place blue in the herdsmanship.

This year was Dorn's last year to show her dairy cattle in the junior dairy show at the state fair.

"It's touching to end my junior years with this award," she said.

Dorn is the daughter of Dennis and Mary Kaye Dorn who own Kadence farm. They milk 75 registered Guernseys and own 700 acres. Dorn likes to spend her summer working with her show animals and helping out on the family farm.

She has an older sister and brother, and four younger brothers. Three of her younger brothers also showed at the state fair.

This fall, Dorn will be a junior at Edgewood College majoring in nursing.

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