BAXTER-Despite drizzly weather Tuesday, the most important thing raining down at June Dairy Days was sweet, sweet lactation.
Culver's in Baxter hosted the annual event, which celebrates dairy farming.
Athena Moe, Brainerd FFA president, emerged the victor after a grueling Celebrity Milking Contest that saw two runoff rounds in addition to regular play. Moe defeated Miles Kuschel, Farm Bureau District 6 state director, after tying with him twice.
The Moe-Kuschel battle will likely live on in the hearts of competitive cow milking fans for decades to come. The contest between the two exemplified the law of diminishing returns. Moe and Kuschel initially tied with two ounces of milk gathered, then again with one ounce. Finally, Moe squeezed out a victory in the final tie breaking round with .5 ounces to Kuschel's .25.
Moe's victory proves the Brainerd FFA's record milking cows is anything but spotty. Her predecessor as president, Hannah Studniski, won last year's contest with 5.5 ounces
The bovine being milked this year was a 2-year-old Holstein named Jazzy, from B&C Dairy in Fort Ripley.
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Other participants in the milking contest included Baxter Police Assistant Chief Russ Wicklund, the Rev. John Stiles, First Lutheran, along with Culver's executives and state legislators. Rep. Josh Heintzeman, R-Nisswa, and Sen. Carrie Ruud, R-Breezy Point, both took part.
Jazzy's political affiliation was unclear at press time.
This reporter also took part in the contest, his first time milking a cow. He learned he should stick to handling a pen rather than handling a cow udder.
Tuesday's event, which also included a custard-eating contest, was sponsored by the Crow Wing County Dairy Association, Brainerd FFA and the Crow Wing County Farm Bureau.
ZACH KAYSER may be reached at 218-855-5860 or Zach.Kayser@brainerddispatch.com . Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ZWKayser .
