Harrisburg, PA – The All-American Dairy Show and Premier National Jr. Show return to Harrisburg for the 59th year at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center. The event features four days of competitions from Sunday, September 17 through Wednesday, September 20, highlighting more than 1,500 youth and adult contenders from across the U.S. showing the best of seven dairy cattle breeds, and competing in judging and youth development critical to the future of a vibrant dairy industry. Supporting the volunteer-run national show is part of the Shapiro Administration’s commitment to growing and sustaining Pennsylvania’s dairy industry.

 

The 2023-24 Pennsylvania budget includes robust investments supporting Pennsylvania’s dairy industry. Among that support is $250,000 for the All-American Dairy Show, $169,000 to support youth livestock shows, and $3.3 million to fund agriculture excellence including ongoing investment in the Pennsylvania Center for Dairy Excellence and create a Center for Organic Excellence. The budget also invests $13.8 million to fund a fifth year of the historic PA Farm Bill to grow agriculture’s future, plus additional support for research, innovation, animal health, infrastructure, and economic development.

 

 “Pennsylvania dairy farmers and their peers across the U.S. are intensely proud of what they do and how well they do it,” Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding. “There is no better arena than the All-American Dairy Show for seeing excellence in breeding, management skills, and cow care. More importantly, it’s a chance to see tomorrow’s dairy industry leaders display their skills and learn from the best of the best. The Shapiro Administration is proud to support this event as well as a future of expanded innovation and excellence for the industry that feeds our nation and world quality, nutritious, and delicious products year-round.”

 

Pennsylvanians will be top contenders in All-American Dairy Show competitions. A leader in production of ice cream, butter, and Swiss cheese, Pennsylvania has the second largest number of dairy farms in the U.S. and is ranked eighth in milk production nationally. Pennsylvania’s dairy industry provides more than 47,000 jobs and supports the commonwealth’s economy to the tune of $11.8 billion annually.

 

“We have another top-notch event planned and we’re excited to welcome dairy enthusiasts from across the country to join us in Harrisburg,” said All-American Dairy Show President Michelle Cornman. “We look forward to showcasing our junior exhibitors and seeing some of the best cattle in the country on the shavings, while offering learning opportunities and enjoying the fellowship of friends.”

 

The 2023 All-American Dairy Show will feature nearly 1,500 national youth and adult competitors exhibiting more than 1,900 of the finest dairy cattle in the industry, as well as youth dairy management, showmanship and judging competitions that hone the skills of tomorrow’s dairy producers.

 

Competitions begin Sunday, September 17 at 8:30 a.m., with the Youth Showmanship contest, in which youth are judged on their breed knowledge and livestock-handling. Also on Sunday, the Invitational Youth Dairy Cattle Youth Judging Contest brings youth and collegiate teams from across the U.S. to demonstrate their poise under pressure and knowledge of what makes top cattle in each breed. Contests conclude with the Supreme Dairy Pageant on Wednesday, September 20 beginning at 2:00 p.m.

All-American Dairy Show events are open to the public. Events run daily beginning at 8:00 a.m. throughout the Farm Show Complex. Parking and admission are free.

For more about the show, including a complete schedule, photos and results throughout the competitions, visit allamericandairyshow.com.

For details of investments in the future of a robust dairy and agriculture industry in Pennsylvania, visit agriculture.pa.gov and shapirobudget.pa.gov.

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