At the age of 23, Tony P. Lopes is managing employees twice his age. As the operations team leader for his family’s multisite dairies, this California dairyman credits his family, mentors and educators with putting the passion for dairying on his heart.

As we look to the second Showmanship Judges Clinic to be held at the World Dairy Expo next month, we have experienced a year of learning and education which gives a whole new perspective on judging showmanship.

County and state fair season is upon us, and we don’t want you to miss winning a showmanship class on minor, yet important, details. Here are six tips to help you catch the competitive edge and win the banner in your showmanship division.

As I travel around the country working with youth to hone their fitting skills, the one area everyone wants to know more about is how to get a straight, full topline and how to complement that with just-right belly hair.

Have you ever been to a show and noticed those heifers that are in perfect shape? They are sharp and dairy, with no extra weight on them, yet they are not too thin.

Many years ago, as a member of Class II of the Holstein Foundation’s Young Dairy Leaders Institute, we were challenged to set goals. Once we had a list written down, we were expected to say our goals out loud.

Two farm kids are making a name for themselves in Nashville as a duo who pays homage to their dairy farming roots. Since teaming up just a couple of years ago, the Dairy Daughters have opened for big names like Diamond Rio, Love and Theft, and the Bellamy Brothers, bringing to the stage a raw authenticity combined with incredible singing, song-writing and instrumental talent.