Animal sciences student places high at international dairy judging contest

Story by Katy Kinker, Photos provided by Lane Bollenbacher

November 9, 2023

Lane Bollenbacher, a senior studying animal sciences, placed third overall at the North American International Livestock Exposition (NAILE) Invitational Dairy Judging Contest on Nov. 4.

Bollenbacher competed against 56 other contestants from 16 different colleges around the U.S. He placed ninth in Ayrshires, eighth in Brown Swiss, fifth in Jerseys, first in Guernseys, fourth in Reasons and third overall in the contest.

Lane Bollenbacher (right) holds his awards while standing with Brian Engleking (left), the head coach of the Purdue Dairy Judging Team.

Bollenbacher grew up around dairy cattle, and he said it was a goal of his to be on the Purdue Dairy Judging Team. He is now a current member of the team and is coached by Brian Engleking.

Luckily, I had a great coach like Brian to help me get to where I could be competitive. When you show up every day with the same mindset as the late Steve Hendress (‘it's a great day to judge cows’), being a part of dairy judging is a whole lot of fun.

- Lane Bollenbacher

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