Loyal FFA member grows in cattle raising and judging fields

My name is Tanna Luchterhand, daughter of Adam and Kristina. I am this year’s Secretary of the Loyal FFA Chapter. My SAE, or Supervised Agricultural Experience, is Dairy Production - Entrepreneurship. I currently own 16 head of dairy cattle housed at my parents’ farm. My herd consists of registered Milking Shorthorns, registered Holsteins and Red and White Holsteins.

I bought my first calf, a newborn registered Milking Shorthorn, at the Wisconsin Milking Shorthorn State Sale when I was in second grade. I still have her, as well as her two daughters and three granddaughters!

I select bulls for my cattle, analyzing their statistics, stature, and genetic history. I prefer to breed my cattle for both show quality and milk production. On my family’s farm we breed via AI (artificial insemination) and also typically have a registered bull that we raise from our best cow families. My hands-on learning on our farm includes nutrition as well as overall animal health. Things like helping a cow deliver her calf, identifying early signs of a sick animal, trimming a hoof are part of the training I receive from my Dad. I earn income from my herd by selling bull calves, breeding bulls, as well as my market livestock animals.

One of my favorite things to do is show my cattle at as many shows as my parents will let me! This includes the Clark County Fair, Holstein District Show, Central Wisconsin State Fair, World Dairy Expo, and many more across the state.

I had very humble beginnings when I began showing and judging cattle. I was very shy and afraid to be in front of people. I had found myself at the bottom of the placings very often, which was very discouraging. Slowly, I built up my confidence and skills as a showman and judge. I am very proud to have had many successes in the show ring, such as multiple Milking Shorthorn and Red and White Holstein Junior Champions, as well as Grand Champion Milking Shorthorns. At World Dairy Expo in 2018, my Milking Shorthorn Winter Calf, Cutie, took 10th place.

I currently serve as the Wisconsin Milking Shorthorn Queen, and am the Secretary for the Clark County Junior Holstein Association. I have been at the state level once for FFA dairy judging, and twice for 4-H dairy judging. I placed second in the state 4-H junior contest in 2019. I plan to study animal or dairy science after high school and hope to become the seventh generation farmer in my family.

Loyal FFA Chapter member Tanna Luchterhand’s Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) involves development of her own herd of dairy cattle.