Jersey Girl Loves Her Jerseys

By: Virginia Brophy

At the age of seven, Emily Rose Sigle took a liking to Jerseys at a county fair in Flemington, N.J. Her parents were originally horse people, and Emily just wasn’t as interested in horses as she was with the cute calves. In fact, she never even wanted to leave the calves in the dairy barn.

In 2007, then twelve-year-old Emily purchased her first show animal with the help of a New Jersey Breeders Loan that was available to 4-H members in her state. The following year, with additional financing made possible with a Farm Service Agency Youth Loan (FSA), Emily purchased another Jersey show animal and two recipient heifers. One of the recipient animals was a beautiful Ayrshire that turned out to be top in show during several competitions on the East Coast that year.

Emily’s Jerseys and champion Ayrshire are doing exceptionally well, although the young producer has had her share of ups and downs. She experienced the loss of a show animal and the serious injury of another from breeding and calving problems.

Emily is now a journalist for the Future Farmers of America (FFA) in her high school, in addition to being very active in 4-H.

Competition Honors:

New York Spring Show, April 2008
Jersey Division: First Place (5 awards) and 4 were Champions

New Jersey State Fair, August 2008
Jersey Division: First Place (4 awards) and all were Champions

All American Dairy Show, September 2008
Jersey Youth Show – First, Third and Fourth Place Awards
Ayrshire Youth Show – First Place Award and Reserved Intermediate Champion

North American International Livestock Expo, November 2008
Jersey Youth Show: Third Place, Best Bred and Owned
Ayrshire Youth Show: Sixth Place
Open Holstein Show: Fifth Place

Emily competing in the All American Dairy Show in Harrisburg, Pa., with her Jersey.

Here is Emily competing with her Ayrshire. Both animals received first place awards during the competition.