By Blake Jackson
World Dairy Expo welcomed 339 young exhibitors to the colored shavings on Saturday, September 26, 2026, for the annual Youth Showmanship Contest, where participants competed across Junior, Intermediate and Senior divisions. Wisconsin youth earned several top placements throughout the competition.
The contest featured three age groups: Junior for ages 9-13, Intermediate for ages 14-16, and Senior for ages 17-21. Each division was judged separately, with exhibitors demonstrating their ability to present and handle their animals in the show ring.
In the Junior Division, Wisconsin competitors earned several spots among the top 15. Adella Loehr of Eden placed fifth, followed by Paige Zimmerman of Brodhead in sixth and Ainsley Loehr of Eden in seventh.
Lily Barlass of Sheboygan Falls finished eighth, while Callie Krohlow of Poynette placed ninth. Walker Ulness of Valders took 11th, Sadie Kropf of Whitewater finished 12th, Siera Mccullough of Juda placed 13th, and Dakota Voegeli-Paulson of Arlington earned 14th.
The Intermediate Division also featured a strong showing from Wisconsin exhibitors. Justin Brandel of Lake Mills won the division and received the Howard Voegeli First Place Award. He also advanced to the Supreme Showman competition and earned the Annette Ostrom Memorial Supreme Showman Award, which included a $3,500 cash prize.
Other Wisconsin youth among the Intermediate Division's top 15 included Emily Nooyen of Bonduel in third, Molly Salentine of Luxemburg in fourth, and William Zimmerman of Brodhead in fifth. Madison Harbaugh of Marion placed sixth, followed by Madison Sarbacker of Whitewater in seventh and Griffin Grinstead of Fond du Lac in eighth.
Chance Primmer of Bagley, Bentley Brantmeier of Hilbert, Tyler Butts of Evansville and Leah Smith of Watertown also placed among the top 15.
Wisconsin competitors were also prominent in the Senior Division. Logan Harbaugh of Marion won the division and later received the Reserve Supreme Showman Award, worth $1,500.
Tessa Schmocker of Whitewater finished seventh, while Cameron Ryan of Fond du Lac placed 10th. Stella Schmocker of Whitewater rounded out Wisconsin's Senior Division top 15 finishers in 14th.
Wisconsin Winners and Top Finishers
- Justin Brandel — Lake Mills — Intermediate Division champion
- Logan Harbaugh — Marion — Senior Division champion
- Adella Loehr — Eden — Junior, 5th
- Paige Zimmerman — Brodhead — Junior, 6th
- Ainsley Loehr — Eden — Junior, 7th
- Lily Barlass — Sheboygan Falls — Junior, 8th
- Callie Krohlow — Poynette — Junior, 9th
- Madison Harbaugh — Marion — Intermediate, 6th
- Tessa Schmocker — Whitewater — Senior, 7th
- Cameron Ryan — Fond du Lac — Senior, 10th
Photo Credit: world-dairy-expo
Categories: Wisconsin, Business