News Release

Monday, September 30, 2019

Lawton Named First WDE Overall Fitter

MADISON, WIS. – The World Dairy Expo Youth Fitting Contest presented the first-ever WDE Overall Fitter Award during the tenth annual contest on Sunday, September 29. 42 contestants represented 7 U.S. States, and 1 Canadian Province. These contestants, ranging in age from 13-21, were allotted 60 minutes to prepare their animal to be show-quality ready. Judging the Youth Fitting Contest was Adam Hunt, Genetic Consultant with Select Sires Genervations in Ecinburg, Ontario, Canada.

Ryan Lawton, Newark Valley, N.Y., was named the WDE Overall Fitter after topping the Senior Male Division. For this achievement, Lawton received a jacket and clippers, sponsored by Images Custom Embroidery and Heiniger USA, respectively. Hannah Nelson, Ellsworth, Wis., was the top finisher in the Senior Female Division. Her and Lawton were each presented clippers from Clipper Parts & Repair, in recognition of their accomplishments. The first place finishers in the Intermediate Male and Female Divisions, Dakota Brown, Deefield, Wis., and Dana Johnson, Tomah, Wis., respectively, were presented clippers by Heiniger USA.

Other awards include neck medallions and cash prizes to the top five finishers, courtesty of the Klossner Family, Kelly Reynolds and FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative

Placings for the Youth Fitting Contest are as follows:

Intermediate Female

1. Dana Johnson, Tomah, Wis.
2. Adhyn Schell, Lewiston, Minn.
3. Sydney Kauffman, Stratford, Wis.
4. Ashlee Garbers, La Crosse, Wis.
5. Mariah Eichenberg, Fort Atkinson, Wis.

Intermediate Male

1. Dakota Brown, Deerfield, Wis.
2. Randy Winch, Fennimore, Wis.
3. Wesley Winch, Fennimore, Wis.
4. Jacob Harbaugh, Marion, Wis.

Senior Female

1. Hannah Nelson, Ellsworth, Wis.
2. Alissa Maier, Jim Falls, Wis.
3. Brooke Hammann, Barron, Wis.
4. Megan Ford, Thornbury, Ontario, Canada
5. Haley Beukema, New Richmond, Wis.

Senior Male

1. Ryan Lawton, Newark Valley, N.Y.
2. Robert Nagel, Clymer, N.Y.
3. Johnathan King, Schuylerville, N.Y.
4. Dillon Freeman, Bremen, Ind.
5. Rick Heslinga, Stephenville, Texas

Serving as the meeting place of the global dairy industry, World Dairy Expo brings together the latest in dairy innovation and the best cattle in North America. Crowds of more than 65,000 people, from nearly 100 countries, will return to Madison, Wis. for the 53^rd annual event, October 1-5, 2019, when the world’s largest dairy-focused trade show, dairy and forage seminars, a world-class dairy cattle show and more will be on display. Visit worlddairyexpo.com or follow WDE on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat or YouTube for more information. 

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