Torri Meyer, Liberty, Illinois, was crowned the 2011 Western Illinois Dairy Princess on June 30 at the Western Illinois Dairy Council’s promotion banquet in Paloma, Illinois. Meyer, daughter of Marvin and Brenda Meyer, was crowned by outgoing princess Kari Barry of Liberty. The banquet also honored Randy and Debbie Rossmiller with the Heritage Farm Award. The Rossmiller family has been hauling milk since 1951, when Randy’s dad bought his first axle truck to haul milk in 10-gallon cans. Rossmiller Milk Service now has 13 employees and 12 trucks ranging from 4,300 to 6,500 gallons. The company serves 72 Grade A producers in three states.
Meyer, the new princess, will promote wholesome and nutrient-rich milk products, riding in parades, helping with dairy judging activities, speaking at dinners and working milk shake stands at county fairs. “I look forward to promoting dairy products as well as participating in parades and fair activities,” Meyer said.
Meyer will be a senior at Liberty High School this fall, where she is involved with FFA, FCCLA, golf, cheerleading, National Honor Society, Science Club and Operation Snowball.
Meyer’s family farm focuses on raising, breeding and marketing dairy cattle not only in the U.S. but internationally as well. Meyer’s work on their farm consists of feeding and pushing up feed, identifying cattle by inserting ear tags, record-keeping on heifers, sorting cattle, cleaning lots and livestock trailers, assisting with health care, corresponding with buyers in other countries and operating farm equipment.
“My favorite activity on the farm is sorting cattle. It allows for quality time with my dad and brothers,” she says.
Contestants for dairy princess were judged on an interview and a prepared speech. PD
—From Midwest Dairy Association news release
