Team USA: f.l.t.r.: Lauren Silveira, Alli Walker, Stella Schmocker, Hayden Reichard, Jacob Harbaugh and Camryn Crothers

The Young Breeder School (YBS) in Battice (Belgium) is well-known around the world. The young participants arrived from 17 different countries. Primarily from Europe, but also from Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and for the first time this year, there was a team from the USA. The American team tells HI of its unique experience at the YBS on the other side of the Atlantic ocean.

Meinhard Huber

Jacob Harbaugh

‘It was a great opportunity for me to travel to Europe and learn more about the preparation of heifers. It was fantastic to learn from recognizable dairy enthusiasts from around the world and hear different perspectives about preparing cattle for the showring. I also appreciated having the opportunity to meet people with the same passion as me. I hope that these connections will open doors in the future and that I will have the chance to see several participants again.’

Stella Schmocker

‘I come from a small farm in Wisconsin, and I would never have thought that I would travel around the world to meet other people that are just as crazy about showing cows as I am. I was able to learn so much. I knew that showmanship was my strength and was still able to learn a lot more. The most important thing that I took from the school was how to clip cows and prepare them for a show. I was very nervous, but with my team I managed it very well.’

Hayden Reichard

‘To represent my country at the YBS was a once in a lifetime opportunity for me. To be a member of the first team that went there was an experience all for itself. As soon as we arrived, we were welcomed with first-class hospitality. We were so fortunate to visit a few dairy farms, which was definitely a highlight of the trip. The mentors at the YBS were very competent and even took time to stop and talk to us whenever we had questions about the workshops that we completed.’

Alli Walker

‘The YBS was a great experience for me and the whole team from the USA. The absolute highlight for me was the networking with students from different countries and from within our own team. It was fascinating to see how many different countries and cultures gathered during the week. As member of the first group from the USA and knowing what awaits participants, I look forward to preparing future teams for this experience.’

Camryn Crothers

‘My personal experience at the YBS was great. I loved getting to know new people from around the word, learning new things, improving techniques for the showring and working with my team. During my time in Belgium, I visited two farms, and it was very cool and interesting to see how they operate differently to the USA. I am thankful for the opportunity to represent the United States and create memories that will stay with me for the rest of my life.’

Lauren Silveira

‘Participating in Belgium and being on the first team USA at this competition was a unique opportunity for me. It was an honour to represent the USA and to work together with my teammates. I was able to meet young people form around the world and it was great to connect with people that share the same passion for dairy farming as I do. Even if the competition did not end for team USA like we may have hoped, we had a fantastic experience.’ l

TEAM LEADER: Dave Schmocker

Head Coach Dave Schmocker stood energetically behind his team.

‘An exceptional event for the future leaders of our industry. I am sure that a lot of time, financial capital and energy that have been invested in this school. Erica Rijneveld was the driving force that put us on the path to participation. Hopefully we generated enough money through our embryo auctions and donations to cover the costs. The host families treated our kids like their own, and the teachers took a lot of time to work with the kids. Thank you!’