The Iowa State University Dairy Judging Team took eight students to compete in the North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA) Dairy Judging Contest hosted by Illinois State University in Normal, IL, as part of the 2026 NACTA Judging Conference. The competition team consisted of: Joseph Achen, Mondovi, WI; Jon Chapman, Keyes, CA; Anders Lovstuen,
Waukon, IA; and Haley Ronnebaum, Earlville, IA. Individuals judging on behalf of Iowa State were: Chase Dahler, Foley, MN; Tyler Machin, Newton, IA; Bianka Ronnebaum, Earlville, IA; and Kelsey Timp, Ossian, IA.
Nine universities were represented at the contest that consisted of five heifer classes and two cow classes. A variety of breeds were evaluated, and the experience was anything but ‘normal’; for the Iowa State University Dairy Judging Team had a clean sweep, winning the reasons division and the contest! In reasons, Kelsey was 9th, Haley was 4th, Anders was 3rd, and Joseph was 1st. Overall, Haley was the 12th high individual overall, Anders was 11th, Kelsey was 9th, Bianka was 8th, and Joseph was 1st! Thus, Iowa State finished 1st, South Dakota State University was 2nd, and Purdue was 3rd.