News Release

Friday, October 2, 2026

Wisconsin Youth wins the 2026 Merle Howard Award

MADISON, WIS. – Summer Hammann was named the 22nd Merle Howard Award winner at the 59th World Dairy Expo® on Friday, Oct. 2. This year’s Merle Howard Award winner has a passion for both dairy cattle and showing. Growing up on her family’s 45-cow dairy farm, Hammann has been involved in all aspects of the operation, including milking, feeding, herd health and mating decisions.

The daughter of Scot and Becky Hammann of Barron, Wis., Hammann is an integral member of her family’s Triple H Holsteins and Jerseys. Through her work at shows and on various farms, Hammann has intentionally pursued opportunities to gain experience as a day helper, leadsperson, night-line worker and fitter, demonstrating her versatility, initiative and ability to step into a variety of roles as needed. Some of the farms she has worked for include Valley Gem, Meadowridge Jerseys and Maple-Leigh, in addition to a recent summer internship at Alfalawn Dairy.

In 2024, Hammann was one of six youth from the United States selected to participate in the Young Breeders School in Battice, Belgium. She was the youngest participant selected that year, and her team ultimately finished sixth overall. Hammann also placed third in the highly competitive showmanship competition.

Through her involvement in FFA, Hammann was named the 2024 Wisconsin Dairy Proficiency winner and went on to become a national finalist. She also won the Wisconsin FFA Dairy Cattle Judging Contest that same year.

A student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Hammann has exhibited at local, state and national shows, including the Midwest National Spring Show, Midwest Fall National Show, North American International Livestock Show and World Dairy Expo.

Among her accomplishments are:

• First place in Intermediate Showmanship at the North American International Livestock Show, as well as Best Bred and Owned Holstein in the Junior Show.
• Exhibiting the Junior Champion of the Junior Jersey Show at the Midwest National Spring Show in both 2022 and 2023.
• Honorable Mention in the Junior Holstein Show at the 2023 Minnesota State Fair.
• Best Bred and Owned Jersey and third overall Supreme Heifer at the Wisconsin State Fair.
• Four bred-and-owned Junior All-American nominations, including three Jerseys and one Holstein.
• Reserve Junior Champion of the Junior Show at the Midwest Fall National Show with Triple-HH Burgundy Angelic.

Hammann is widely respected among her peers. Jade Kruschke, the 2014 Merle Howard Award winner, said, “Summer is very respectful and humble. What’s more important, she is a good mentor for the youth in our area.”

In completing a scholarship application for the Klussendorf Association earlier this year, Hammann shared her goals for the future: “My goal is to become a herdsman and work hands-on with dairy cattle, focusing on herd health, reproduction and overall performance. I am especially passionate about breeding and raising Holsteins and Jerseys that can stand competition at local, state and national shows, and staying active in showing, fitting and judging that have had a strong impact on my experience growing up.”

Nearly all of the previous Merle Howard Award winners were on hand for the award presentation. They include: 2004, Robert Teixeira, Turlock, Calif.; 2005, Matthew Mitchell, Speedwell, Tenn.; 2006, Greta Koebel, Poplar Grove, Ill.; 2007, Brandon Ferry, Hilbert, Wis.; 2008, Kelly Lee Reynolds, Corfu, N.Y.; 2009, Kyle Natzke, Fond du Lac, Wis.; 2010, Stephanie Aves Schroeder, Lancaster, Wis.; 2011, Karen Anderson Johnson, Litchfield, Minn.; 2012, Cy Conard, Sharon Springs, N.Y.; 2013, Cassy Krull, Lake Mills, Wis.; 2014, Jade Jensen Kruschke, New Richmond, Wis.; 2015, Jared Dueppengiesser, Rush, N.Y.; 2016, Doug Boop, Millmont, Pa.; 2017, Dawson Nickels, Watertown, Wis.; 2018, Kyle Barton, Cecil, Wis.; 2019, Kaleb Kruse, Dyersville, Iowa; 2020, Kylie Nickels, Watertown, Wis.; 2021, Keenan Thygesen, Tunbridge, Vt.; 2022, Savannah Crack, Richmond, Quebec, Canada; 2023, Jacob Harbaugh, Marion, Wis.; and 2024, Kyle Welk, Peach Bottom, Pa.

Merle Howard was a respected dairy industry pioneer. The 1954 Klussendorf Award winner, Howard was a herd manager, Holstein classifier and later a sales and export businessman. Howard also served on the first National Dairy Shrine Board of Directors.

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Notes to Editors: High-resolution photos are available here:  

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1fUcWjBPwRLQxQolKkHubIEI707Gu5nRr?usp=sharing