National Jersey Youth Achievement Contest

Catherine Savage, Dickerson, Md.

Catherine is the daughter of Kevin and Laurie Savage who own and operate Zimmandale Jerseys. The dairy science major at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Va., is entering her junior year. Catherine says she plans to make her career in the dairy industry while continuing to breed, manage and show her own Jersey herd.

When she is on her family’s farm, Catherine manages pre-weaned calves, helps make mating decisions and registrations, assists in the daily feedings and preps her own show string. Last year she assisted with an embryo transfer on one of her animals. Her personal herd currently consists of seven Registered Jerseys and 12 Holsteins.

Additionally, she manages her own Boer goat operation on the side, established when she was just nine years old. On campus, she is involved with the Virginia Tech Dairy Club, the dairy judging team, dairy bowl team and is a dairy science ambassador.

For 12 years she has been an avid participant in Jersey youth programs on the state and national levels. Experienced in the Holstein breed as well, Catherine found the Jerseys suited her best and have subsequently taken her far. Notably, Catherine has served the state as both Maryland Jersey Queen and Princess.

In 2018, Catherine received the AJCA’s Cedarcrest Farm Scholarship. The year prior, she was a member of Class V of Jersey Youth Academy.

For all her personal accomplishments within the Jersey community, Catherine recognizes the breed’s significance in the face of a changing dairy economy. She believes breeders are responsible for making the decisions that will continue to make the Jersey the breed of choice with her nutrient-dense milk.

“With the current state of the dairy industry and all the struggles we face as dairy farmers, the biggest goal for any dairy farmer is be economically viable in today’s poor markets,” she said in her application. “The Jersey breed must evolve in order to accompany our consumers’ demands all while improving our beloved Jersey cow.”