The Dodge County Dairy Youth Recognition Auction, held August 23 at the Dodge County Fair, celebrated the achievements of 16 exhibitors that participated in the junior dairy show at the 2015 Dodge County Fair as well as the accomplishments of all Dodge County dairy youth throughout the year.

Youth recognized in the 2015 auction were:

Grand Champion Bred and Owned – Cora Jones
Grand Champion Showperson – Kylie Nickels
Grand Champion Registered Holstein – Paul Grulke
Grand Champion Grade Holstein – Brittany Fink
Grand Champion Colored Breed – Alexus Remington
Junior Champion Registered Holstein – Danielle Warmka
Junior Champion Grade Holstein – Cassidy Ewert
Junior Champion Colored Breed – Emma Paulson
Winning Beginner Showman – Tianda Hildebrandt
Winning Junior Showperson – Fayth Paulson
Winning Intermediate Showperson – Samantha Pitterle
Winning Senior Showperson – Dawson Nickels
Auction Lottery Winner – Justin Nehls
Winning Junior Fitter – Matthew Gunst
Winning Senior Fitter – Ben Buske
Winning Share Basis – Courtney Ewert

Fifteen scholarships, totaling $12,000, were also awarded to students enrolling in two- or four-year degree programs this fall.


Front Row L-R: Melody Rex, Karoline Twardokus, Jessica Manke, Emily Butler, Katie Kovalaske, Lexi Remington, 2015 Alice in Dairyland, Teyanna Loether;
Middle Row: Nathan Twardokus, Justin Nehls, Jeremy Nehls, Danielle Warmka, Kurt Koneck, Paul Grulke;
Back Row: Kevin Twardokus, Brad Warmka, Andy Sell.


Receiving $1,000 scholarships were Emily Butler, Lebanon; Paul Grulke, Mayville; Kurt Koneck, Burnett; Katie Kovalaske, Waterloo; Jessica Manke, Watertown; Alexus Remington, Juneau; Andy Sell, Watetown; Brad Warmka, Fox Lake; and Danielle Warmka, Fox Lake.

Receiving $500 scholarships were Jacob Nehls, Juneau; Justin Nehls, Juneau; Melody Rex, Horicon; Karoline Twardokus, Mayville; Kevin Twardokus, Mayville; and Nathan Twardokus, Mayville. Scholarship recipients prepared themed baskets to sell and the proceeds will help fund future scholarships.


Courtney Ewert, 18, of Hustisford was one of the higher sellers in the 2015 Dodge County Dairy Youth Recognition Auction. Evert's buyers, Central Ag Supply of Juneau, received a custom -barn wood-framed mirror in recognition of their support. The annual Dodge County Dairy Youth Recognition Auction supports dairy youth education and programming.

In addition to the auction participants and scholarship baskets, 19 extra lots were auctioned off to raise funds for the Dodge County dairy judging and dairy bowl teams, Wisconsin Junior State Fair exhibits and many other hands-on dairy educational opportunities.

Altogether, $37,900 was raised to support the Dodge County dairy youth program, with an average of $856.25 returned to each auction participant.

Supporters of this year's auction included Beckers Chopping & Baling, BMO Harris Bank, Breezy Prairie Farms, Buske Bulk & Bags, Buske Trucking, Central Ag Supply, Crave Brothers Farm LLC, Farmers & Merchant Bank, Fink Trucking Services LLC, Flyway Mutual Insurance Co., Gaska Dairy Health Services, Gerloff Family, LLC, Hildebrandt Family Farms LLC, John Nehls, Ken Ireland, Milwaukee Stockyards, National Bank of Waupun, Barb Natzke, Kyle Natzke Fitting, Leland Nehls, Gene Nehls, Kristin Olson, Brian and Tammy Paulson, Paulsoncrest Farms, Preferred Builders, Judy Schuster, Schwandt Holsteins, ST Genetics – Al White, Universal Co-op, Andy Warmka, Waupun Feed & Seed and Zastrow Hoof Trimming. Winning bidders walked home with their choice of custom -barn wood-framed mirrors made by Tom Nickels and sponsored by the Dodge County Dairy Youth Recognition Auction Committee.

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10.13.2015