World Dairy Expo has announced the judges who will evaluate cattle and youth exhibitors during the 2026 event in Madison, Wisconsin.
The lineup includes the official and associate judges for the eight International Dairy Cattle Shows, along with the judges selected for the Youth Fitting and Showmanship contests. Together, these individuals bring experience from dairy farms, breeding programs and the broader dairy industry across the United States and Canada. Their combined résumés include developing All-American and All-Canadian cattle, exhibiting elite cow families, fitting cattle at major shows, judging across North America and internationally, and serving in breed and industry leadership roles.
Each of the eight International Dairy Shows will feature an official judge paired with an associate judge. The youth contest judges will evaluate more than 500 young exhibitors competing in the Fitting and Showmanship contests, with judges selected for each division.
The 2026 Dairy Cattle Show runs Sunday, Sept. 27, through Friday, Oct. 2, with the Youth Fitting and Showmanship contests taking place Saturday, Sept. 26.
Here’s a look at the individuals who will evaluate the cattle and young exhibitors at World Dairy Expo this year.
International Ayrshire Show
Official: David Hanson, Nicollet, Minn.
David Hanson grew up on his family’s Registered Ayrshire farm, Good-Vue Ayrshires, in Goodridge, Minnesota, where he remains active alongside his parents and brothers. The family milks 100 Registered Ayrshires, 50 Registered Holsteins and farms 3,000 acres.
A graduate of the University of Minnesota with a degree in Animal Science, David earned All-American honors at the 2012 World Dairy Expo Dairy Judging Contest. He and his wife, Dr. Ashley Swenson, own Midwest Embryo Transfer Service while also working with Ashley’s family at Forest-Lawn Holsteins, home to elite Holstein, Brown Swiss and Ayrshire genetics.
Their breeding programs have produced numerous All-Americans and A.I. sires. David serves as President of the U.S. Ayrshire Breeders’ Association and has judged local, state, national and international shows on three continents.
Associate: Eric Houdek, Hastings, Minn.
Eric Houdek lives in Hastings, Minnesota, with his wife, Gabriella, and daughter, Linnea. He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Minnesota in Animal Science and Dairy Cattle Genetics and currently serves as a Strategic Account Manager for STgenetics, consulting dairies throughout the Midwest.
Eric was raised on his family’s 500-cow Registered Holstein farm, Wake-Up Holsteins, where he continues to oversee genetics. He also remains active on his in-laws’ dairy and is a partner in Wake-Vue Ayrshires, which has bred multiple All-American nominees since 2019.
Eric has judged numerous local, district and state shows throughout the Midwest and coaches the University of Minnesota Dairy Judging Team, helping lead the collegiate team to four national judging contest championships.
International Brown Swiss Show
Official: Richard “RT” Thompson, Darlington, Wis.
Richard “RT” Thompson owns and operates Random Luck Farm in Darlington, Wisconsin, where he manages a 130-head herd of Brown Swiss and Jerseys.
A graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, RT has earned a national reputation as a breeder, exhibitor and judge. His herd has produced more than 150 All-American or Junior All-American nominations and over 200 Excellent cows while earning Premier Breeder honors at the Wisconsin State Fair and multiple national shows.
A past president of the Wisconsin Brown Swiss Association, RT has served extensively in breed and Expo leadership, including three terms on the World Dairy Expo Dairy Cattle Exhibitor Committee. His judging résumé includes assignments across the country, including the All-American Dairy Show, Minnesota State Fair, Southwest National Brown Swiss Show and 2023 International Brown Swiss Show.
Associate: Hayden Hauschildt, Ellsworth, Wis.
Hayden Hauschildt owns and operates Jaden Holsteins and Brown Swiss with his parents, Jim and Diane, in Ellsworth, Wisconsin.
The nationally recognized herd has produced more than 100 Excellent Brown Swiss, 17 All-American nominees and numerous state and national champions. Jaden has earned Premier Breeder and Premier Exhibitor honors at the Minnesota State Fair and Premier Breeder recognition at the North American International Livestock Exposition.
A graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Hayden received the prestigious Dr. Dave Dickson Award for high oral reasons at the National Intercollegiate Dairy Judging Contest. His judging career includes serving as Associate Judge of the 2022 International Brown Swiss Show at World Dairy Expo.
He remains committed to advancing the Brown Swiss breed through elite cow families and sound breeding decisions.
International Guernsey Show
Official: Chris Lang, Big Prairie, Ohio
Chris Lang is the owner of Springhill Farm in Big Prairie, Ohio, his family’s historic operation, established in 1819. He also serves as co-owner and business manager of The Milkhouse in Wooster, Ohio.
Chris has judged throughout North America, Australia and the United Kingdom, including twice serving as lead judge of the National Guernsey Show and as Associate Judge of the 2011 International Guernsey Show at World Dairy Expo.
Under his leadership, Springhill Farm has earned 160 All-American nominations, 43 All-Americans, 14 Premier Breeder and 12 Premier Exhibitor banners at major national shows.
The herd has produced numerous nationally acclaimed champions, including World Dairy Expo Grand Champions Springhill Mentor Jazzy EX-95 and Springhill Kojack Uno EX-96.
Associate: Kevin Stoltzfus, East Earl, Penn.
Kevin Stoltzfus and his wife, Dina, own and operate Warwick Manor Farm in East Earl, Pennsylvania, where they milk 50 Registered Guernseys.
Together with their family, they have exhibited at the National Guernsey shows in Harrisburg, Madison and Louisville for the past 16 years, earning more than 130 All-American nominations.
Warwick Manor combines elite type with exceptional production, consistently ranking among the breed’s top herds for fat production while marketing bottled milk, butter and ice cream through the family’s grocery store and restaurant.
Their progressive IVF program supports genetics sales nationwide, and in 2025 they co-hosted the highly successful Guernsey Event Sale with Springhill Farm. Kevin has judged Guernsey shows at the Ohio, Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois State Fairs.
International Holstein Show
Official: Ryan Krohlow, Poynette, Wis.
Ryan Krohlow lives in Poynette, Wisconsin, with his wife Haley and their children Callie, Conway, Cooper and Case.
Together they operate HammerTime, a 40-acre farmette, where they manage 8-10 show heifers annually, producing numerous All-American nominations over the past 15 years.
Ryan is also owner of HammerTime Auctions and has worked as a professional hoof trimmer for five years and dairy cattle fitter for 20 years. He has prepared 17 World Dairy Expo Grand Champions and 10 Royal Winter Fair Grand Champions, working with elite cattle across North America and internationally in Canada, Europe and Mexico.
His judging résumé includes the 2024 International Jersey Show, 2022 International Jersey Show and 2017 International Junior Holstein Show, along with numerous national and state shows across the United States.
Associate: Kelly Barbee, Concord, N.C.
Kelly Barbee and his wife, Cherilyn, live in Concord, North Carolina, with their children Emily and Ryan.
He is a Regional Business Manager for Trans Ova Genetics and previously operated a successful cattle development program producing numerous All-American nominees in Holsteins and Jerseys.
Kelly has owned, developed and sold elite show cattle, including multiple World Dairy Expo Grand Champions. His cattle are managed at farms across the United States, reflecting his broad industry network.
He has judged county, district, state and national shows nationwide, including associate judge of the 2009 World Dairy Expo Jersey Show and lead judge of the 2010 and 2025 World Dairy Expo Jersey Shows, as well as the 2025 Royal Winter Fair Jersey Show and the 2026 National Jersey Show in Brazil.
International Junior Holstein Show
Official: Ben Wallace, Stoughton, Wis.
Ben Wallace lives in Stoughton, Wisconsin, with his wife Jennifer and their children Kayden, Brock and Kylie.
Together they operate a boarding program managing 10-15 elite heifers annually, developing more than 20 All-American nominated animals across multiple breeds in the past seven years.
Their greatest success includes co-breeding and caring for the 2021 Junior Champion of the International Holstein Show.
Ben also owns and operates a hoof trimming business and has spent more than a decade fitting and developing cattle at the local, state, national and international levels.
Prior to this, he earned an Animal Science degree from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and worked as herdsman for Carrousel Farms and Me-Do Meadows, where he helped develop 40 All-American nominated animals.
He is honored to serve as a third-generation World Dairy Expo judge.
Associate: Phillip Topp, Botkins, Ohio
Phillip Topp lives in Botkins, Ohio, with his wife Carrie and their children Aubree, Aiden and Alaina.
He owns a 40-cow registered herd and operates a fabrication business specializing in stainless steel TIG welding.
Active in the showring nationwide, he has exhibited champions at the Ohio State Fair, NAILE and World Dairy Expo, earning the Ohio Young Breeder Award in 2016.
Phillip has judged extensively across the U.S. and internationally, including in Peru and Mexico. This marks his seventh judging assignment at World Dairy Expo, where he has officiated multiple breed shows, including Brown Swiss, Red & White, Guernsey and Ayrshire, as well as associate roles in Brown Swiss and Jersey.
In 2025, he judged the Holstein Show at the All-American Dairy Show in Harrisburg.
International Jersey Show
Official: Mike Berry, Powell Butte, Ore.
Mike Berry lives in Powell Butte, Oregon, with his wife Kristin and daughter Morgan.
A former professional fitter, he is now a partner in Robinhood Cattle Company, developing elite Jersey, Holstein and Brown Swiss cattle.
Throughout his career, Mike has bred and developed numerous All-American animals across multiple breeds. His judging résumé includes major assignments across North America, including both the Junior and Open All-American Jersey Shows, the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, National Jersey Jug Futurity and the 2017 International Jersey Show.
He has also judged the British Columbia Spring Holstein Show and Wisconsin Championship Holstein Show, earning a strong reputation for consistency, balance and cattle evaluation across breeds.
Associate: Ryan Lancaster, Tillamook, Ore.
Ryan Lancaster lives in Tillamook, Oregon, with his wife Freynie and their children Logan, Tatum, Harper and Bode.
A graduate of The Ohio State University, he is deeply rooted in the Jersey breed. Together with his family, he operates Royalty Ridge, a nationally recognized prefix that has produced multiple champions and a milking herd boasting a 91.7 classification average.
Their program includes numerous elite cows such as EX-97 Pleasant Nook F Prize Circus and EX-95 FLM Tradition Flower.
Royalty Ridge has earned five Champion Bred & Owned awards at the All-American Jersey Show and bred 34 EX-95 cows and one EX-97.
The Lancasters are the first Jersey breeders to achieve four consecutive generations classified EX-95, with a long history of World Dairy Expo and national show success.
International Milking Shorthorn Show
Official: Matt Henkes, Luana, Iowa
Matt Henkes is a sixth-generation dairy farmer from Luana, Iowa, working alongside his family milking 65 Registered Holsteins and Milking Shorthorns.
Their herd emphasizes high-type cattle that excel in both production and the showring at local, regional and national levels.
Matt has bred multiple All-Iowa and Junior All-American Holsteins as well as numerous All-American nominated Milking Shorthorns, including the 2024 World Dairy Expo Intermediate Champion, Henkeseen Petrone Shots EXP ET.
He oversees the herd’s breeding program, maintaining a BAA of 111.8.
A graduate of Iowa State University, Matt competed on the dairy judging team that placed third at World Dairy Expo and earned All-American honors. He has judged the Northeast and Eastern National Milking Shorthorn Shows and numerous Midwest shows.
Matt also served as AMSS President and received the 2025 Harry Clampitt Young Breeder Award.
Associate: Marjorie Rida, Cummington, Mass.
Marjorie Rida and her husband Ryan operate a diversified breeding program in Cummington, Massachusetts, raising registered Ayrshire and Milking Shorthorn cattle along with Labrador Retrievers.
Together they have bred or exhibited more than 60 All-American nominations and earned the 2017 Ayrshire Breeders’ Association Constructive Breeder Award.
Their bred-and-owned Ridale Nemo Serenity EX-96 was named Grand Champion at the National Summer Spectacular and Northeast National in 2025.
Marjorie is an active breed association leader and respected judge throughout the Northeast, known for her focus on youth development and showmanship education. She has judged numerous county and state fairs as well as major shows including the 2025 Midwest National Ayrshire Summer Show and Midwest Milking Shorthorn Show.
A graduate of the University of Connecticut-Ratcliffe Hicks School of Agriculture, she also competed on the National Dairy Judging Team and worked in herd management and agricultural communications.
International Red & White Show
Official: Aaron Eaton, Marietta, N.Y.
Aaron Eaton operates Eaton Holsteins in Marietta, New York, with his wife Caitlin and daughters Avery and Evelyn. Aaron also serves as herd manager for Currie Holsteins.
Together they have built a program known for elite cattle development, showing and marketing. The herd has produced more than 150 All-American or All-Canadian nominations across Holstein, Jersey and Red & White breeds, with standout cows including Highcroft Absolute Lily EX-97 and Rach Len Dundee Lilly EX-97.
Aaron brings over a decade of professional fitting experience working with premier herds and international sales, shaping his expertise in cattle evaluation.
His judging résumé includes the 2024 International Holstein Show, 2025 International Holstein Show, 2023 Canadian National Holstein Show and Agroleite in Brazil.
He continues to influence the breed through thoughtful breeding decisions and a focus on elite cow families that define Eaton Holsteins.
Associate: Anthony Liddle, Argyle, N.Y.
Anthony Liddle owns Liddleholme Holsteins in Argyle, New York, with his parents Adam and Nicole, and his wife Kennedy and their children Layton and Mac.
The herd maintains 60 Registered Holsteins supported by a progressive IVF program and a strong focus on elite genetics.
Liddleholme has bred more than 180 Excellent cows and has produced an All-American nominee for 14 consecutive years. Highlights include Liddleholme Resur Lu-ET EX-97, All-American and All-Canadian Production Cow, and multiple World Dairy Expo class winners.
In total, the program includes one EX-97, three EX-96 and five EX-95 cows.
Anthony previously spent eight years in cattle sales and the show circuit and has judged major state fairs and championship shows across the United States, including California, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Maryland.
World Dairy Expo Youth Fitting Contest
Sean Lynch, Walworth, Wis.
Sean Lynch, based in Walworth, Wisconsin, has been a full-time fitter for over 15 years.
Throughout his career, he has had the privilege of clipping and preparing numerous class winners and Supreme Champions at both World Dairy Expo and the Royal Winter Fair.
His expertise has taken him across the United States and Canada, as well as internationally to prestigious events such as the Colombia National Show, the Cremona National Show in Italy and the German National Show.
Madison Fisher, Tully, N.Y.
Madison Fisher currently resides in Tully, New York. He is the assistant herd manager for Currie Holsteins and has been fitting cattle part-time since he graduated from the Farm and Industry Short Course at the University of Wisconsin.
He and his father have bred and sold many class winners and champions at World Dairy Expo, National Livestock Exposition and All-American Dairy Shows under the Big Guns prefix.
Highlights of their breeding program include Big Guns Jamaica Vanilla, scored EX-95, and being named the Premier Breeder of the NAILE Jersey Heifer Show in 2019 and 2020.
Madison also manages large tie-in groups for several different breeders and exhibitors at various shows throughout the U.S. and has prepared several Junior and Grand Champions at national shows.
World Dairy Expo Youth Showmanship Contest
Elizabeth Hall, East Montpelier, Vt.
Elizabeth Hall resides in East Montpelier, Vermont, on Fairmont Farm with her husband Ricky and children Teddy, Hazel and Ruby.
She was born and raised on Raylore Farm, a Registered Holstein farm in Minnesota where they consistently exhibited at the Midwest Fall National and World Dairy Expo.
Elizabeth graduated from the University of Minnesota with two degrees in Animal Science and Economics. While there, she also competed on the collegiate dairy judging team.
Now in Vermont, Elizabeth and her husband house roughly 25 show-type animals on their family’s 1,500-cow farm.
Together with their family, they consistently exhibit at The Big E, New England Summer Show and the Northeast All-Breeds Spring Show, earning numerous Premier Breeder and Exhibitor banners. The Fairmont team has bred or developed multiple All-New England animals along with several All-Americans.
On the farm, Elizabeth also works on their direct-to-consumer venture, Fairmont Market, where she sells beef, lamb and pork to local restaurants and the community.
Additionally, for the past 12 years, Elizabeth has worked full-time for Elanco Animal Health as an Executive Sales Representative.
Elizabeth has judged in more than a dozen states across the Midwest and East Coast for the past decade and enjoys breed progress and farming for future generations. She credits her family, friends, neighbors and mentors for their support throughout her career.
Josh Haus, Guelph, Ontario
Josh Haus hails from Karnview Farms in Woodstock, Ontario, where his family milks 90 cows with a strong focus on breeding elite type and developing deep cow families.
Over the years, the Karnview prefix has produced numerous high-profile nominations and showring contenders, reflecting the family’s long-standing commitment to quality cattle.
Josh has been deeply involved in the dairy industry from a young age. His foundation began in 4-H and expanded as he worked as a professional fitter for elite show strings across Canada, the United States and Australia.
Alongside his family, he has exhibited cattle under the Karnview prefix at major shows, earning recognition at provincial, national and international levels.
A skilled breeder and marketer, Josh has conducted several successful sales and has bred and owned numerous All-Ontario, All-Canadian and All-American nominations. His eye for cattle and dedication to cow families have made him a respected figure within the show and breeding communities.
Josh now resides in Guelph, Ontario, where he serves as the Herd Manager at Mt. Elgin Dairy, overseeing herd development and daily operations.
His passion for cattle evaluation has also taken him into the judging arena. He has represented both Ontario and Canada at the World Dairy Expo Judging Contest and has judged numerous shows across Canada and the United States.
Today, Josh continues to contribute to the advancement of the dairy industry through his leadership, breeding expertise and commitment to the showring and beyond.
Crystal Sinn, Sherburn, Minn.
Crystal Sinn grew up in Cleveland, Wisconsin, on her family’s Registered Holstein farm, where she exhibited at the local, state and national levels.
From a young age, Crystal has always enjoyed attending sales and shows and has developed a particular interest in finding and developing high-quality cattle.
One of Crystal’s proudest achievements is breeding EX-95 Siemers Alisha Gold Ava-ETS, who was recognized as the Star of the Breed in 2012 by Holstein Association USA.
In 2025, she bred and sold the All-American Milking Yearling, CUPID VIDEO KISS CAM-ET. Crystal continues to breed and exhibit elite Jerseys and Holsteins under the Cupid Cattle Company prefix.
She has been fortunate to work with youth, judging numerous showmanship classes and leading many clinics across the country. She is known for her positive and transparent judging style that helps exhibitors understand both the “why” and the “how” behind being successful in the showring.
In addition to showmanship, Crystal enjoys judging numerous conformation shows across the country.
A highlight of her judging career was being part of the winning team at the National Intercollegiate Dairy Judging Contest at World Dairy Expo. Crystal graduated from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities in 2017 with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and Food Business Management.
Following graduation, she served as Wisconsin’s Agriculture Ambassador as the 70th Alice in Dairyland for the Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection.
Crystal works for Midwest Dairy as a Business Development Manager, where she partners with fast-food chains to drive dairy innovation and grow sales on behalf of dairy farmers.
Crystal, her husband Ean and their sons Marvin and Clifford live in Sherburn, Minnesota. Together they own and operate the Sinn Family Celebration of Life Center, a funeral home and event center.
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