Released May 21, 2008
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Premium books are now available for the 2008 Michigan Dairy Expo, July 21-25 at the Michigan State University (MSU) Pavilion for Agriculture and Livestock Education in East Lansing. The deadline for early entries is June 28.
This year’s Michigan Dairy Expo once again promises a fun-filled learning environment for Michigan 4-H dairy youth. The state’s purebred dairy breed associations, with direction from the Michigan Purebred Dairy Cattle Association (PDCA), will also host their annual summer open and youth shows July 24-25.
Michigan 4-H members are encouraged to enter the Michigan Dairy Days Youth Show (open to all youth ages 9 to 19 as of Jan. 1, 2008) and participate in the showmanship classes, dairy quiz bowl, and youth management and judging contests to earn an opportunity to represent the state at national events.
Premiums will be awarded to the top 10 placing animals in the youth show and for the junior, senior and grand champions. The supreme champion animal and grand champion showman will also receive money awards. Winners of the dairy quiz bowl and the youth management and judging competitions will be recognized at the Michigan Dairy Expo celebration picnic and 4-H program recognition night July 24.
Michigan’s purebred dairy breed associations -- Ayrshire, Brown Swiss, Guernsey, Holstein, Jersey, Milking Shorthorn, and Red and White Holstein -- will hold their annual state shows July 24-25. Open and junior shows will take place concurrently; each junior show will be a pull-out class within the individual breed show.
Michigan Dairy Expo will conclude with the awarding of the supreme champion winners selected from the grand champion winners of each breed. The supreme champion of the open show will compete for a cash prize of $200; the reserve supreme champion will receive a $125 prize, and the remaining entries will each receive $50. The junior show winners will receive $100, $60 and $30, respectively. The supreme junior champion of the open show, which will be chosen from the junior champion winners of each breed, will win $100, $60 and $30, respectively. In the junior show, the money awards will be $50, $30 and $15. The supreme champion showman will receive a traveling trophy.
The early entry fee deadline for both youth and open show entries is June 28. The early entry fee for the Michigan Dairy Days Youth Show is $5 per animal if postmarked on or before June 28 and $10 per animal if postmarked between June 29 and July 5. The fee for youth show entries postmarked between July 6 and July 21 is $25 per animal. The open show entry fee is $25 per animal if postmarked on or before June 28 and $35 per animal if postmarked between June 29 and July 5. The open show entry fee increases to $50 per animal if postmarked between July 6 and July 23.
A copy of the Michigan Dairy Expo premium book, which includes an entry form and a complete schedule of events, is available online at http://www.canr.msu.edu/anscikids/dairy.html or from any MSU Extension county office. To receive a premium book by mail or to request more information about Michigan Dairy Expo, contact Carla McLachlan at 517-432-5402 or mclachl2@msu.edu.
Michigan Dairy Expo is the largest annual dairy event in the state. Last year’s event drew more than 600 dairy animals and more than 200 exhibitors. The mission of Michigan Dairy Expo is to encourage and promote youth involvement in dairy activities, showcase the Michigan dairy industry, and provide continuing education opportunities for the dairy industry in Michigan and neighboring states.
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http://anrcom.msu.edu/press/050108/052108_dairydeadline.htm
Contact: Sara Long (517) 432-1555, ext. 170
