Homeridge T Annette Wins National Futurity
With the reputation of being the oldest and richest exhibition of dairy cattle in the world, the 68th National Jersey Jug Futurity was no exception. With the world continuing to be uncertain, the event acted as a glimmer of hope and inspiration for all watching ringside and through the livestream. It had a sense of normalcy and was a chance to celebrate high-quality Jersey cattle as they paraded on the green shavings.
The 2021 National Jersey Jug Futurity Winner, Homeridge T Annette, represented the Jersey breed proudly out of 22 stellar cows. She not only took home the winning title, but also best udder, highest placing junior, Premier Performance Winner, and a cash prize of $2,284. Judge Brady Core, Salvisa, Ky., and consultant Robert Teixeira, Turlock, Calif., chose the champion in Freedom Hall on November 7, 2021.
“Annette” not only took home the National Jersey Jug Futurity title, but All American Jersey Show judge, Ted DeMent, Kenney, Ill., chose her as the Intermediate Champion the next day—a rare feat.
Earlier this year, “Annette” gained fame when she was named Grand Champion of the Junior Show at World Dairy Expo and went on to win Reserve Supreme Champion of Expo’s junior dairy shows.
Alongside “Annette” followed several other outstanding cows. Pacific Edge Colton Jazmin-ET followed “Annette” as the reserve winner. Owned by Brent L. Rocha from Oregon, she not only took the reserve title, but also best bred and owned and received a cash prize of $996. Rocha also had third place overall with Pacific Edge Premier Kahlua-ET who was also bred and owned and took home a cash prize of $696. To have two cows in the top six is an accomplishment, especially within a prestigious class such as the futurity.
The top six represented five states: Wisconsin, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Oklahoma.
Since its inception in 1954, the National Jersey Jug Futurity has seen more than 50,000 calves nominated, 3,945 have made their final payments as three-year-olds. Thus, giving them the chance to complete for just over $500,000 in prize money to date. Each year, breeders across the nation select and nominate their calves for the event. An annual fee is then paid to retain that animal’s place in the competition. As three-year-old cows, the nominees travel to Louisville, Ky., to participate in what remains arguably the most glamourous show in the world.
The Judges
Selected to place the oldest and richest class for dairy cattle in the world was Brady Core. This was Brady’s first time to judge the National Jersey Jug Futurity, but in 2012 he bred and exhibited the winner, KCJF Tracer Ritzy.
In 2019, Brady was selected to judge the All American Junior Jersey Show. He was the junior show’s associate judge in 2017. He has officiated at many state and regional shows including the Dixie National Livestock Show, Wisconsin State Fair Junior Show, Ohio State Fair Junior Jersey Show and Tennessee State Fair. Brady currently serves on the American Jersey Cattle Association Type Advisory Committee while also owning Keightley and Core Jerseys.
His consultant was Robert Teixeira. Robert and wife Kate along with their children reside in Turlock, Calif. Robert grew up and is now a partner on the family farm, Gil-Tex Holsteins, with his parents Gilbert and Linda Teixeira. Gil-Tex Holsteins consists of 1,200 Registered Holsteins of which 600 are milking. Gil-Tex Holsteins has been home to six EX 95 or 96 point cows.
Before honoring our nation with the National Anthem, members of Class VII of Jersey Youth Academy presented the Flag of the United States of America. The color guard included Emma Vos, Maribel, Wis., Grace Stroud, Caneadea, N.Y., Sophie Larson, Reedsburg, Wis., Nicole Arrowsmith, Peach Bottom, Pa., Elizabeth Hyman, Adams, N.Y., and Gracie Krahn, Albany, Ore.
Taking center stage to sing the National Anthem during the National Jersey Jug Futurity was Neal Smith, Smyrna, Tenn.
The Pre-Show Ceremonies
The lights then dimmed for the five finalists competing for the title of 2021 National Jersey Queen. The lights shined brightly on each girl as they were introduced.
Eleven young ladies took part in a rigorous competition in the days prior. They took a test, went through a formal interview, and displayed their public speaking and dairy industry knowledge. Earlier in the morning, the top five finalists were named—Caroline Arrowsmith, Peach Bottom, Pa., Kathryn Bosley, Malone, N.Y., Kylie Konyn, Escondido, Calif., Maria Joy Poock, Boonville, Mo., and Hartley Silva, Modesto, Calif.
As the crowd in attendance sat in anticipation, waiting for Master of Ceremonies Neal Smith, CEO and Executive Secretary of the American Jersey Cattle Association and National All-Jersey Inc., to announce the Queen and her court, it was quiet in Freedom Hall.
Moments later, 2020 National Jersey Queen Miss Natalie Berry, Sherwood, Ore., congratulated Maria Joy Poock as the second alternate who also received a $200 scholarship from the National Jersey Queen Development Fund and then the first alternate was announced, Miss Caroline Arrowsmith who received a $300 scholarship. The remaining girls waited patiently hoping to hear their name called as the next National Jersey Queen.
Kylie Konyn broke into a large smile as she heard her name called as the winner. The crowd cheered and the other girls cheered her on with smiles. Kylie received the Charlene Nardone tiara and a $500 scholarship.
Kylie is a freshman at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She plans to obtain her bachelors in dairy science while double majoring in life sciences communications or genetics before pursuing a master’s degree in nutrition or genetics. She was a member of Class VII of Jersey Youth Academy and has also participated in 4-H, the California Junior Jersey Cattle Association, and other youth programs of the American Jersey Cattle Association. Kylie also plans to assist her family with developing niche marketing of dairy products from their Jersey herd by increasing the size of their herd.
The first alternate on the royal court—Caroline Arrowsmith—is a sophomore at Penn State University, majoring in animal science with a minor in agribusiness management. She and her family operate Hillacres Jerseys. She was a member of Class VI of Jersey Youth Academy and was second alternate in 2020 in the Queen contest. She has been recognized by both the American Jersey Cattle Association and National Holstein association for her leadership and youth activities.
Maria Joy Poock—second alternate—is a senior at the University of Missouri. She is a member of the Missouri State Jersey Association, her county’s fair board, local 4-H club, and participated in 4-H Teen Council. She is currently serving as the Missouri State Jersey Queen in 2021.
After crowning, the 22 junior and senior three-year-olds entered the ring, the contenders from 739 nominations made in 2018. Each took their turn under the arena spotlight for a formal introduction by Executive Secretary Neal Smith.
The Railbird Judging Contest
The popular Railbird Judging Contest was back in action again, after a year’s hiatus due to Covid-19 restrictions. There were three winners this year, splitting $51.67. A total of $310 was added to the Maurice E. Core Jersey Youth Fund.
The Final Six
Once the lights came back up, the crowd was able to take in the impressive group of cattle parading the ring. Judges Core and Teixeira evaluated the contestants very closely, ensuring no angle went uninspected. The audience watched with anticipation as the judges began pulling animals into the line and making their final decisions.
Eventually, the competition came down to the top six:
• Pacific Edge Colton Jazmin-ET, bred and owned by Brent L. Rocha, led by his mom, Sarah Rocha
• Red Dirt Colton Butterfly, bred and owned by Red Dirt Genetics, Perkins, Okla., led by Katrina Watson
• SSF Andreas Camilla, bred by Jennifer L. Gordon, owned by Ernest W. Kueffner and Terri L. Packard, Boonsboro, Md., led by Terri Packard
• Homeridge T Annette, bred by Ferme Steingruber Senc., owned by Kylie and Dawson Nickels, Travis Freson, Mandy Sell, and Scott Stanford, Watertown, Wis., led by Kylie Nickels
• Reich-Dale Gunman Secure-ET, bred and owned and led by Hayden Reichard, Chambersburg, Pa.
• Pacific Edge Premier Kahlua-ET, bred and owned and shown by Brent L. Rocha
The Reasons
With the final six centered in front of the stage, the crowd in Freedom Hall waited patiently as the judges made their final placings. With results in hand, Master of Ceremonies Neal Smith began to announce the results in reverse order.
As the cows peeled off into the line, two cows were left in the center— “Annette” and “Jazmin.” Judge Core then walked to the two cows with the purple blanket and placed it over “Annette’s” shoulders declaring her the winner.
“The top six cows have wide rear udders, dairyness, and just are beautiful balanced cows,” said Judge Core as the top two cows parade in front of the crowd.
“What a tremendous cow to start off the class. She blows me away with her crazy height and width to her rear udder. She has the dairyness and openness all the way through,” he continued.
“She goes over the second-place cow today because she is longer in her fore udder attachment and is higher and wider in her rear udder attachment.”
“The second place cow does show more depth and spring of rib,” said Core. “I would just change her at the top of the rear udder.”
“Our third place cow is recently fresh and is in adequate body condition for her stage in lactation,” described Core. “I would like to see her in another four to six weeks. Her strength, uphill run, and her beautiful long cage puts her over our fourth place cow.”
“A tremendous udder and amazing fore udder attachment on the fourth place cow. The balance to her udder and height and width to her rear udder. She uses that balance to her rear quarters, the balance to the floor of her udder, and desirable front teat placement along with the height and width of her rear udder to go over the cow in fifth.
“The cow in fifth has a little more style in her frame, she is harder over the topline, more nearly level over her hooks and pins and prefer the shape to her udder compared to the big wide rear uddered dairy cow coming in sixth.”
This class continues to bring together Jersey cattle breeders, owners, and enthusiasts. This legacy will live on for generations to come and will always be known as the most glamourous class of Jersey dairy cattle.
The Awards
Each year, the Jersey Jug Futurity is the richest purse in an individual dairy class. In 2021, $8,665 worth of premiums were collected in nomination and annual fees. The top 12 cows, their owners, and premiums are:
1. Homeridge T Annette, (S: Tower Vue Prime Tequila-ET, D: Homeridge P. Annette), premier performance cow, best udder, and high-ranking junior exhibitor; Kylie and Dawson Nickels, Travis Freson, Mandy Sell and Scott Stanford, Watertown, Wis.; 2,284.
2. Pacific Edge Colton Jazmin-ET, (S: Chilli Action Colton-ET, D: Laguna Hired Gun Joanne-ET), best bred and owned; Brent L. Rocha, Tillamook, Ore.; $996
3. Pacific Edge Premier Kahlua-ET, Brent L. Rocha; $696
4. Reich-Dale Gunman Secure-ET, Hayden Reichard, Chambersburg, Pa.; $526
5. SSF Andreas Camilla, Ernest W. Kueffner and Terri L. Packard, Boonsboro, Md.; $405
6. Red Dirt Colton Butterfly, Red Dirt Genetics, Perkins, Okla.; $340
7. Discoverys Joey Ernie-ET, (S: Discoverys Premier Joey, Kevin Krejci and Lisa Demmer, Ellsworth, Wis.; $308
8. Gordons VIP Graceful, (S: River Valley Venus VIP-ET, Phil Gordon, Abigail, Katelyn, William and Matthew Gordon, Syracuse, Ind.; $283
9. Big Guns Andreas Victory-ET, Lillian Finke, London, Ohio; $259
10. Spatz Showdown Damsel, Spatz Cattle Company, Harrisonburg, Va.; $243
11. Reich-Dale Tequila Show Me-ET, Hayden and Shaylin Reichard, Chambersburg, Pa.; $235
12. Discoverys Joey Eva-ET, Kevin Krejci and Lisa Demmer; $227
Semex Elevate GJPI Award—Aspen Grove Bravehearts Candy, Alison and Lauren Graves, Talbott, Tenn., 22nd in class
Futurity Committee
Thank you to the chairs Sally Pozzi, Petaluma, Calif., and her associate chair, Corrina Aldrich, Salem, N.Y., along with the other 28 members of the National Jersey Jug committee who continued to keep the tradition alive with beauty and pageantry of the 68th debut of the National Jersey Jug Futurity.
