Receiving plaques as outstanding youth members were Aiden Schroeder and Dominic Stoecker.

Schroeder, of Courtland, received the Holstein Association’s award as the Outstanding Junior Boy for his work with Registered Holsteins. Though he’s only 10 years old, Schroeder has been busy with a variety of dairy activities.

Schroeder has shown at the state junior show four times, attended the state junior convention four times, taken part in dairy bowl twice and the dairy speaking contest once. He has exhibited at the Southern Minnesota Youth Dairy Show and the Brown County fair and has taken a calf to the nursing home to share with residents.

Schroeder has four 4-H dairy project animals this year, all Registered Holsteins, and also shows beef calves.

Dominic Stoecker received the Nicollet County Outstanding Senior Boy award from county president Ashley Swenson.

Stoecker, of Nicollet, received the club’s award as the Outstanding Senior Boy. Stoecker, 18, is involved in both 4-H and FFA. He’s a senior at Nicollet High School.

Stoecker has attended the state junior convention and has taken part in dairy bowl and dairy judging. He got into Holsteins and cattle showing through Tarik and Jasenko Gavranovic and has shown cattle at the county fair. He hopes to advance to the state fair this year.

Stoecker has five 4-H dairy project animals this year; two are Registered Holsteins.

Eleven county junior members attended the All-Breeds Junior Convention at Rochester March 17-18. Alex Schroeder won his division of the speech contest but declined a trip to national as his family will be relief milking for a family that is going. Other county juniors also took part in contest. Jacob Pehrson will be a youth advisor.

The Schroeder kids — Alex, Aiden, and April — reported on youth activities they’ve taken part in during the past year. Alex told about competing in the display board and speaking contests at the National Convention. He won his division of the contest. Aiden talked about the state junior convention and April about the state junior show last summer.

Nicollet County member Jasenko Gavranovic shared his experiences at the National Convention as a National Distinguished Junior Member Semi-Finalist.

In action taken during the business meeting, members approved sponsoring the champion and reserve champion awards at the June 24 Southern Minnesota Youth Dairy Show, holding the pizza party for dairy exhibitors at the county fair, and providing financial assistance to the 11 juniors who attended the state junior meeting.

Nicollet County Holstein Association officers were elected at the meeting. They are Jason Schroeder, president; Jean Annexstad, vice president; Ruth Klossner, secretary; Peter Seitzer treasurer; and Matthias Annexstad, newly elected director.

President Perry Beranek conducted the DHIA meeting, held before lunch.

Peter Seitzer reported on the state and national DHIA meetings that he attended.

The county DHIA’s top cows and herds were recognized during the meeting.

Mike, Rolf, and Jean Annexstad of Annexstad Dairy Farms, Inc., of Norseland had the highest herd average for milk, fat, protein, and dollar value. Paul & Cindy Swenson had the lowest SCC herd. Beranek Brothers had the highest increase in rolling herd average for fat, protein, and dollar value.

Jacob Sjostrom of Lafayette, was re-elected DHIA treasurer. Mike Annexstad is secretary.