America’s most famous cow has found her match

13-year-old girl’s cow selected as grand prize winner in the “Calling All Elsies Cowtest”

The rules were simple. The Cowtest was open to all breeds. To enter the Cowtest, DFA members were asked to send a photo of their special cow and to write an essay by completing this sentence in 50 words, or less: "My cow has the Elsie spirit because…"

Violet Louise, a two-year-old black velvet Holstein cow, and her owner, 13-year-old Jessica Downing from Hammond, Louisiana, proved they had the spirit when they were named as grand prize winners in the Cowtest, sponsored by American Dairy Brands, the makers of Borden Cheese and a division of Dairy Farmers of America (DFA), Inc.

More than 130 dairy farmers from California to New York entered their top cow candidates in the Cowtest, which was open to members of DFA. Through a 50-word essay, entrants explained why their cow stood out from the herd and embodied the Elsie spirit.

“Throughout the past 60 years, Elsie has come to represent all that is dairy. She symbolizes the natural, pure and wholesome goodness of dairy that families can count on,” said Dick Ballard, president of American Dairy Brands. “Through this ‘Cowtest,’ we wanted to find the one cow who shares these same qualities and Violet Louise was our winner.”

Violet Louise was recognized for her dependable qualities and outstanding contributions to dairy life.

“Violet Louise has the Elsie spirit because she is a human in a cow suit. If she gets out of her pen, she comes to the house and climbs the porch to play. She also peers through the windows to find me,” explained Downing in her winning essay. “I couldn’t imagine life without her. She’s the southern belle of our herd.”

Downing has a unique relationship with her cow. When Violet Louise was in her mother’s womb, Jessica spoke to the unborn calf for weeks before its birth, repeating its name and bumping the mother to communicate. “Violet Louise always kicked back to let me know she was doing fine,” Downing said. Since Violet Louise’s birth, she has kept a baby book of the award-winning bovine. Raised in the carport from day one, Violet Louise began following Downing everywhere she went, including the house.

The eighth grader who plans to become a veterinarian is active in 4-H and has shown cattle since she was seven. Violet Louise, the daughter of Jessica’s first show cow, is a favorite at shows because of her friendly, docile disposition.

Downing was on hand in Kansas City for a special presentation held during Dairy Farmers of America’s Annual Meeting, April 10-11, 2000. At the ceremony, Downing received a gift certificate for a trip for two to New York City, where Elsie first came to life at the 1939 World’s Fair, and a check for $1,000.

A cash prize of $500 was awarded to the second place winner, 13-year-old Lee Rossi, from Hudson, Colorado for his cow, Crushy. One year’s supply of cheese went to the third place winner, Ralph and Darlene Howard, from Franklinville, New York for their cow, Lucy.