Teenager wins two awards at World Dairy Expo in Madison
Photo
Submitted photo
Otis Johnson of Evansville and his Brown Swiss heifer Just So Agenda Chorus earned two awards at the World Dairy Expo held in Madison earlier this month. Johnson admitted he was nervous for the competition.
EVANSVILLE — The Templeton family farm near Evansville doesn't raise Brown Swiss, but that didn't lessen Otis Johnson's interest in the breed.
His mother, Rene Johnson, whose brother and parents run the farm, made a deal with Otis, 13.
He liked showing Brown Swiss in 4-H because "they're more friendly than other ones," Otis said.
"My agreement with him was that if he still liked it after three years, we would buy him that breed," Johnson said. "So we did last year."
It paid off in the show ring.
Otis and his heifer Just So Agenda Chorus brought home ribbons, trophies and awards from competitions around the state this summer, including two awards at the World Dairy Expo in Madison earlier this month.
Otis won the Junior Champion of International Brown Swiss among a field of other kids while also winning the Reserve Junior Champion of the open show.
"They've always, I guess, really liked her," Otis said of Chorus. "I have had a really good summer with her."
It was his second year showing at the world expo, but that didn't help the nerves. The Evansville 7th-grader admitted he was nervous.
The awards mark the end of the show ring for Chorus here as the family sold her to a farm in Canada. But, Otis plans to raise her first calf, due in about two months, and hopefully show it next year.
His advice for other kids?
"You can't always win, and hard work pays off."
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Oct 18, 2011 at 11:29 a.m.
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Otis-
It is a fine sight to see you and your cow.
We love young, local dairymen growing up on their family farm.
Much success to your future.God bless.
Oct 18, 2011 at 8:46 a.m.
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Nice job with your heifer, Otis! Brown Swiss have fantastic personalities, so I'm sure you had a great time with her.
Oct 18, 2011 at 8:34 a.m.
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Congrats Otis!
Oct 17, 2011 at 6:47 p.m.
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Great Job Otis!
For me, the highlight at the Expo was the robotic cow milker. I have a quick video of the cow milker, an artificial cow stomach, and of course cows.
And more cows.
http://youtu.be/hVdWo-dHsxg
Oct 17, 2011 at 5:50 p.m.
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Congratulations Otis!!
Oct 17, 2011 at 4:45 p.m.
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Congrats...winning at the World Dairy Expo is a great accomplishment. Perhaps we will see you there again next year.
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