2026 District Show Dates
District 1 – Sunday, June 7 in Glenwood City
District 2 – Monday, June 29 in Viroqua
District 3 – Wednesday, July 1 in Lancaster
District 4 – Friday, July 3 in Neillsville
District 5 – Saturday, June 27 in Portage
District 6 – Saturday, June 20 in Janesville
District 7 – Saturday, June 13 in Luxemburg
District 8 – Wednesday, June 17 in Jefferson
District 10 – Friday, June 19 in Plymouth
Note to exhibitors: Owners of all animals exhibited at the 2026 District Shows must be WHA members in good standing. Renewal memberships must be paid by May 15, 2026. If renewal of membership is not paid by May 15, 2026, a $50 late fee will be added. Out of state partners must also be paid members of the Wisconsin Holstein Association in order to show a partnership animal(s) at any WHA show. Along with the $60 membership fee there is a $50 show fee that must be paid before any animal owned by the out-of-state member is shown at a District Show.
Any mailed entries coming to WHA office must be postmarked by June 1, 2026 unless otherwise noted below. Additional deadlines are noted in the individual District’s information.
New for this year: Animals shown at District Shows must be housed in Wisconsin. Any animal may be shown where it is owned or housed. If an animal changes ownership after a show, it may be shown at an additional District Show under the new ownership.
District 1
Date: Sunday, June 7
St Croix County Fairgrounds, Glenwood City
Entries Due: Wednesday, May 27
Entry Fee: $15/head or $25/mailed entry; (late fee of $40/head)
Mail Entries to: WHA, 902 8th Avenue, Baraboo, WI 53913 (by 5/27/26)
Checks Payable to: St Croix County Holstein Assoc.
District Chair: Jade Kruschke, 715-977-2579; jadejensen54@yahoo.com
Local Chair: Mary Holle, 715-491-4020; maryholle4020@gmail.com
Grounds Open: Friday, June 5
Check-In Deadline: Saturday, June 6 at 4 p.m.
Starting Time: 9:00 a.m.
Judge: Ben Wallace
Veterinarian: Dr. Veronica Schommer, 715-977-2787
Showmanship: Saturday, June 6 at 5 p.m.
There will be a Summer Junior 2-Year-Old class, please enter as a Junior 2-Year-Old and classes will get sorted by birthdate for the show.
District 2
Date: Monday, June 29
Vernon County Fairgrounds, Viroqua
Entries due: Monday, June 8
Entry fee: $26/head; (late fee of $36/head online; $35 at show paid by cash or check)
Mail entries to: WHA, 902 8th Avenue, Baraboo, WI 53913 (by 6/1/26)
Checks payable to: Vernon County Holstein Association
District & Local Chair: Joe Harbaugh, 608-632-0177
Grounds open: Sunday, June 28 at 6 a.m.
Check-In deadline: Monday, June 29 at 8:00 a.m.
Starting time: following showmanship (approx. 9:30 a.m.)
Judge: Andrew Hetke
Veterinarian: Cashton Vet Clinic, 608-654-5284
Showmanship: Monday, June 29 at 8:30 a.m.
The show is being held in conjunction with the Brown Swiss Canton show – classes will alternate breeds. There will be a Summer Junior 2-Year-Old class, please enter as a Junior 2-Year-Old and classes will get sorted by birthdate for the show. No cattle on grounds until 6 a.m. on Sunday, June 28. Straw available, need to order by June 1 from Joe Harbaugh, 608-632-0177. Lea McCullough will be available on show day for photos.
District 3
Date: Wednesday, July 1
Grant County Fairgrounds, Lancaster
Entries due: Friday, June 19
Entry fee: online fee – $10/head, mailed entry – $15/head; (late fee of $25/head)
Mail entries to: WHA, 902 8th Avenue, Baraboo, WI 53913 (by 6/1/26)
Checks payable to: District 3 Holstein Breeders
District Chair: Angela Davis Brown, 608-574-7756; arbrown81@hotmail.com
Local Chair: Jason Kearns, 608-306-2201; burtonriderkearns@gmail.com
Grounds open: Monday, June 29 at 8 a.m. (no early bed down)
Check-In deadline: Tuesday, June 30 at 4 p.m.
Starting time: 9 a.m.
Judge: Alan Kruse
Veterinarian: Lancaster Vet Clinic, 608-723-6366
Showmanship: Tuesday, June 30 at 6:00 p.m.
No early bed down or tie-off before 8 a.m. on Monday, June 29. Camping available for $25. Exhibitor meeting and pizza at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, June 30. There will be a Summer Junior 2-Year-Old class, please enter as a Junior 2-Year-Old and classes will get sorted by birthdate for the show.
District 4
Date: Friday, July 3
Clark County Fairgrounds, Neillsville
Entries due: Wednesday, June 10
Entry fee: $25/head, mailed entry – $30/head; (late fee of $50/head)
Mail entries to: WHA, 902 8th Avenue, Baraboo, WI 53913 (by 6/1/26)
Checks payable to: Wood Area Holstein Breeders
District Chair: Scott Pralle, 715-533-0901; spralle@centurylink.net
Local Chair: Paul Kuse, 715-897-1026; paulbrenda0406@charter.net
Grounds open: Thursday, July 2 at 6 a.m.
Check-In deadline: Friday, July 3 at 7:30 a.m.
Starting time: 9 a.m. with cows
Judge: Mandi Bue
Veterinarian: Central Wisconsin Vet, office – 715-896-2569 or John – 715-937-5660
Showmanship: Thursday, July 2 at 7 p.m.
There will be a Summer Junior 2-Year-Old class, please enter as a Junior 2-Year-Old and classes will get sorted by birthdate for the show. Food stand on July 3 by Wood County Juniors to support WI State Fair expenses.
District 5
Date: Saturday, June 27
Columbia County Fairgrounds, Portage
Entries due: Wednesday, June 10
Entry fee: online fee – $20/head, mailed entry – $25/head; (late fee of $50/head)
Mail entries to: WHA, 902 8th Avenue, Baraboo, WI 53913 (by 6/1/26)
Checks payable to: District 5 Holstein Association
District & Local Chair: Colt Voegeli, cvoegeli@aol.com; 608-692-0225
Grounds open: Thursday, June 25 at 8 a.m. for bed down only; cattle may arrive starting Saturday, June 26 at 8 a.m.
Check-In deadline: Saturday, June 27 at 7 a.m.
Starting time: Immediately following peewee showmanship (approx. 9:30 a.m.)
Judge: David Petersheim
Veterinarian: Lodi Veterinary Care, 608-592-7755
Showmanship: Saturday, June 27 at 8 a.m. (starting with seniors)
Camping sites available.
District 6
Date: Saturday, June 20
Rock County Fairgrounds, Janesville
Entries Due: Wednesday, June 3
Entry Fee: $20/head; (late fee – $50/head)
Mail entries to: WHA, 902 8th Avenue, Baraboo, WI 53913 (by 6/1/26)
Checks Payable to: Rock County Holstein Breeders
District Chair: Kristen Metcalf, 608-289-5373; broege.k@gmail.com
Local Chair: Jenna Broege, 608-289-0043; broegej23@gmail.com
Grounds Open: Thursday, June 18 for bed down only; cattle may arrive starting at 8 a.m. on Friday, June 19
Check-In Deadline: Saturday, June 20 at 7 a.m.
Starting Time: 8:30 a.m. with cows
Judge: Shawn Nehls
Veterinarian: State Line Vet, 262-882-3466
Showmanship: Friday, June 19 at 5:00 pm.
There will be a Summer Junior 2-Year-Old class, please enter as a Junior 2-Year-Old and classes will get sorted by birthdate for the show.
District 7
Date: Saturday, June 13
Kewaunee County Fairgrounds, Luxemburg
Entries due: Monday, June 1
Entry fee: online fee – $20/head; (late fee of $40/head)
Mail entries to: Kewaunee Co. Holstein Breeders, c/o Vicki Christoph, N4617 Cty Rd V Luxemburg, WI 54217
Checks payable to: Kewaunee County Holstein Breeders
District Chair: Willis Gunst, 920-858-9367; willisgunst@gmail.com
Local Chair: Vicki Christoph, 920-609-6391, vickichristoph@icloud.com and Alexys Gaedtke, agaedtke3@gmail.com
Grounds open: Thursday, June 11 at 7 a.m.
Check-In Deadline: Saturday, June 13 at 8 a.m.
Starting Time: 9 a.m. with cows
Judge: Kyle Demmer
Veterinarian: Dairyland Vet, 920-837-7766
Showmanship: Friday, June 12 at 6:30 pm
Campsites available: $10 – no electricity; $20 – with electricity.
District 8
Date: Wednesday, June 17
Jefferson County Fair Park, Jefferson
Entries due: Friday, June 5
Entry fee: $15/head; (late fee of $40/head)
Mail entries to: Cheryl Ehrke, N3173 Trieloff Road, Fort Atkinson, WI 53538; cheriehrke@outlook.com
Checks payable to: Jefferson County Holstein Breeders
District Chair: Mandy Sell-Stanford, 920-253-8773; sellcrestfarm@yahoo.com
Local Chair: Carley Tolzman, 920-285-1598, carleykrull@gmail.com
Grounds open: Tuesday, June 16 at 8 a.m.
Check-In deadline: Wednesday, June 17 at 8 a.m.
Starting time: 10 a.m.
Judge: Josh Fairbanks
Veterinarian: Jefferson Vet Clinic, 920-674-2383
Showmanship: Wednesday, June 17 at 8 a.m.
There will be a Summer Junior 2-Year-Old class, please enter as a Junior 2-Year-Old and classes will get sorted by birthdate for the show.
District 10
Date: Friday, June 19
Sheboygan County Fair Park, Plymouth
Entries Due: Monday, June 1
Entry Fee: $25/head; (late fee of $50/head)
Mail Entries to: Michelle Schmidt, N2202 W. County Rd. A, Adell, WI 53001
Checks Payable to: Sheboygan County Holstein Breeders
District Chair: Sara Feldmann, 920-980-9704; sfeldmann23@gmail.com
Local Chair: Michelle Schmidt, 920-838-5254, meinnertm3@gmail.com
Grounds Open: Wednesday, June 17 at 8 a.m. for bed down only; cattle may start arriving Thursday, June 18 at 6 a.m.
Check-In Deadline: Friday, June 19 at 7:00 a.m.
Starting Time: 9 a.m.
Judge: Leah James
Veterinarian: Dairy Doctors (Chris Booth), 920-892-4696
Showmanship: Thursday, June 18 at 5 p.m.
Grounds will be open at 8 a.m. on June 17 for bed down only. Cattle may arrive on June 18 starting at 6 a.m. Milkhouse available. Food stand available show day only. Cybil Fisher will be on grounds for photos on show day. There will be a Summer Junior 2-Year-Old class, please enter as a Junior 2-Year-Old and classes will get sorted by birthdate for the show.
District Show FAQs
Do I need to be a WHA member to exhibit at a District Show?
Yes. Anyone exhibiting an animal at a WHA District Show needs to be a current member of the Wisconsin Holstein Association. This includes any owner of an animal, even if another individual is showing that animal for the owner. If a junior is exhibiting a managerial project, they do not need to be a member but the owner of the animal does need to be a member. Out-of-state members will also need to pay a $50 out-of-state fee.
Do I need a registration paper to be able to show?
Yes. All animals exhibited at District Shows require papers in order to be checked in. If you have questions about the status of your registration, you can reach out to info@holstein.com and a customer service rep will help you out. They can email you a copy of the registration paper if you have not received it in the mail. BUT DON’T DELAY– we will make our best effort to allow everyone to show, but we also expect exhibitors to do their best to get registration papers or a copy of the paper ahead of time. If you have a check-in day that takes place on a weekend, you need to get in touch with Holstein USA during their weekday business hours. No Holstein USA rep will be able to be reached on the weekends.
Do I need a health paper, and do all animals need to be tested for bird flu?
No intrastate movement of heifers or cows requires a health paper from their veterinarian. Bird flu testing is no longer required per DATCP. Full guidelines here.
Can my animal show with just a button tag?
If your heifer or cow is identified with photos on the registration paper, then they do not need eartags. If an animal is identified with Holstein USA eartags, two official eartags must be in the animal’s ears for entry to be accepted and allowed in the showring. In addition, all animals must be Holstein Registered or Qualified by Holstein USA or registered with Holstein Canada with 87% or greater purity.
Which District Show should I show at? When do I need to enter?
You may show in either the district where you live or where your animals are housed (if housed elsewhere). We have 9 districts in the state of Wisconsin. If you have any questions about which district you should show in, please contact us at the office. Each District Show has a local and district chair and most are hosted in different locations each year. All of the information for show location, entry fees and deadlines is printed in the Wisconsin Holstein News and on our website.
Do I have to show at a District Show to be eligible for the Summer Championship Show?
No. The Summer Championship Show will now be open to all exhibitors in Wisconsin and beyond. We still encourage you to show at your local district show, however it is not necessary to show at the summer show in August.
My child is just starting to show. Can they just walk with me and the animal in the showring?
For the safety of all exhibitors and to limit liability, no additional leadspeople will be allowed on any animal that enters the ring for all classes. If a youth is leading an animal, they must be able to control the animal on their own and without an adult or older youth’s assistance. For young exhibitors, we offer a Spring Calf class for only exhibitors that are age 10 and under. However, each child needs to be able to handle the animal on their own.
When do I need to have my junior animals transferred?
Junior animals must be transferred by July 15 for junior-owned animals. Transfers will be accepted at any District Show and submitted to Holstein USA representatives.
Can a junior show an animal not registered in their name?
Yes, they can, however these juniors will not be eligible for junior awards. All animals (open and junior show) are shown together at WHA shows, but junior members are eligible for additional recognition as junior owners. We recommend that if your junior wants to show in the junior show, the animal must be transferred into their name. If the junior is just showing a managerial animal, this animal will be eligible for open show recognition and the animal’s owner will be listed in any show catalogs. No animals owned by adult/junior partnerships will be eligible for junior recognition.
What happens if a junior isn’t around to show their animal?
As stated in the Wisconsin Holstein show rules, the junior listed on the registration paper must exhibit the animal to earn junior recognition. If another junior (not listed on the paper in partnership with the junior) or adult shows the animal, they no longer qualify for junior awards. Junior animals may be shown in the open show at District Show and still be eligible to be shown by the junior at the Wisconsin Championship Show.
For those juniors starting to show, the Holstein Foundation has excellent resources regarding fitting, showmanship and show animal care. These include downloadable resources and videos. http://www.holsteinfoundation.org