MJC Dairy Science Group

Being normal in Normal!

What a week! 4 states, 8 days, a college visit, Fair Oaks Farms, Wisconsin Dairy Showcase, Culver’s, daily ice cream stops and a 1st Place Dairy Judging Team! We packed it all in while enjoying the Midwest. Thank you to Gopher Dairy Club for the hospitality while visiting University of Minnesota. We were fortunate to practice at Erdman Dairy in Chenoa, IL with Purdue and South Dakota State Univeristy judging teams. And drove past Butler View Farm while they were loading up for the Wisconsin Spring Show.

NACTA DAIRY JUDGING CONTEST
Normal, Illinois

1st Place Team Overall
1st Place Team Reasons

Daniel Diniz
• 1st High Individual Overall
• 2nd High Individual Reasons

Jacob Ahlem
• 3rd High Indivdiual Overall

Other team members include Breanna Souza, Riley Whisler and Joshuah Michelena. This was the first official contest for this new dairy judging team. Excited to see them compete this fall.

California Dairy Sustainability Summit

Dairy Management students attended this amazing event to learn more about dairy sustainability and working towards achieving carbon neutral for the California dairy industry. Also, so cool to hear from MJC School of Agriculture alum, Anthony Agueda presenting as a panelist.

“My experience at the sustainability summit, enlightened me about the future of California dairies and the mission to be net zero about 2030. It was an amazing opportunity to meet with individuals who have the same vision for the future and are helping to make our industry the most economically, feasible and environmental friendly as possible!”
- Mykel Mull, MJC Dairy Science Student

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to have attended this conference and learning about new practices that can aid in keeping our industry alive. I most enjoyed the break out sessions, asking questions to industry professionals and hearing other ways that dairymen can play a role in achieving a more sustainable future.”
- Mikayla Silveira, MJC Dairy Science Student

Congratulations to our dairy science professor, Nicole Morris for being featured in Progressive Dairy magazine. The arrival was written by MJC Alum Frances Pierce ‘24.

Nicole Morris blends farming, teaching and digital advocacy An open mind to listen to others’ advice may steer you in the direction of a lifetime. Taking others’ advice led Nicole Morris to become a dairy science instructor at Modesto Junior College (MJC) as well as grow her social media platform beyond Instagram and into Tik Tok. Morris juggles those pa...

ADSA - Midwest Regional Conference
University of Wisconsin - Platteville

It may have been -48 while we were there but we brought the California sunshine! A fun time in the Midwest with this crew learning more about dairy farming, research, networking and technology in dairy. We were fortunate to walk away with a couple honors as well.

🥇 1st High Dairy Judging Team - Mykel Mull, Riley Whisler, Adieson Glass and Betsy Theis

🥈 2nd High Dairy Bowl Team losing a close battle with University of Wisconsin - Madison - Mykel Mull, Mikayla Silveira, Maddie Zweegman & Jack Van Warmerdam

☀️ Most Miles Traveled Award

Mykel Mull
• 1st High Individual - Dairy Judging
• 2nd High Individual - Knowledge Exam

Allison Dutra
• 1st High Individual - Dairy Products Contest

Thank you UW Platteville for a great conference. Looking forward to attending next year at South Dakota State University. And special thank you to Mr. Macedo for joining us on the trip.

⭐️ A NEW TRADITION BEGINS ⭐️

Introducing MJC’s Dairy Judging Jumpstart — a power-packed workshop designed to kick off your FFA dairy judging contest season the right way!

🔥 Expert coaching
🔥 Practice classes
🔥 Reasons help
🔥 Confidence boost

Friday, January 16th
MJC West Campus - Sierra Hall & Beef Unit
9:00am - Registration
9:15am - Breakout Sessions
10:15am - Judging Demonstration
11:00am - Practice Judging Contest
1:00pm - Lunch & Contest Awards

$10 per student - register on JudgingCard

Coaches invited to attend the coaches corner to hear from veteran FFA coaches Christie Hobby (Hilmar FFA) and Stu McCullough (Los Banos) to share resources and prepare you as your coach your team this season.

High school teams… this is where champions get their start. And we look forward to seeing you there.

Oh the places we get to go in AGEC 280!

The Ag Sales & Services class spent the semester traveling throughout the Central Valley to explore so many sectors of agriculture. Thank you to all of the companies who opened their doors to us and the guest speakers who came in to present to our class. We truly appreciate your time and support.

Gonsalves Ranch & Bull Sale
The Judge Source, LLC
Celeste Settrini from The Bull Sale Bulletin
Gallo Winery
Del Mar Packing
Yosemite Farm Credit
Rivermaid Trading Company
The Gifting Company
Traina Foods
Tyler Blagg from Petersen & Company
Jenna Rose Potts from The Save Mart Companies

Scholarship opportunity!

🎓 2026 Scholarship Applications Are Now Open!
Students pursuing a future in agriculture, this is your moment. Apply now for our annual scholarships — applications are due March 27, 2026.
🔗 Link in bio to apply!

Proud is an understatement 🏆
This hardworking MJC Dairy Judging team brought home 1st place at NAILE in Louisville, Kentucky in the 2 year college division. With an impressive feat winning 4 out of 5 breeds and High Team in Reasons.

Matthew Pacheco
• 1st High Individual Overall
• 1st High Individual Reasons
• George Heershe Jr. Memorial Winner

Maddie Zweegman
• 5th High Individual Overall
• 10th High Individual Reasons

Mykel Mull
• 7th High Individual Overall
• 9th High Individual Reasons

Mikayla Silveira
• 3rd High Individual Reasons

A perfect finish to a great fall season! Thank you to everyone who hosts us for practice and supports our students.

🌟 MJC Alumni Spotlight: Congratulations, Louie Cozzitorto! 🌟

Modesto Junior College is proud to recognize Louie Cozzitorto, originally from Gustine, California, and a standout member of the MJC Dairy Judging Team from 2001–2002 under coach Mark Anglin. Louie’s dedication to the dairy industry has taken him across the nation—and across the globe—as one of the most respected judges in the Jersey breed.

Louie has judged shows all over the United States and Australia, including prestigious roles such as:
✅ Official Judge of the All-American Junior Jersey Show (2021)
✅ Associate Judge of the National Jersey Jug Futurity (2018)
✅ Associate Judge of the All-American Open Jersey Show (2024)

He has also brought his expertise to some of the most competitive rings in North America, most recently serving as a judge as the Associate Judge for the 2025 National Jersey Show at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Ontario, Canada.

From Gustine to Modesto Junior College… to judging on some of the biggest stages in the dairy world—Louie continues to make the MJC community proud.

👏 Congratulations, Louie, on your outstanding achievements and for representing MJC with excellence wherever you go!


MJC Agriculture Department