Mikayla Krause is this year’s USA exchangee, arriving in Australia for the start of the Brisbane Ekka helping the Henry family (Tara and White Park Studs) and Shane Bourke (Myrtleholme Stud).

Mikayla grew up on a farm in Eagle Bend, Minnesota situated in the northern Midwest region, where her parents, Curtis and Louanne Krause with the assistance of Mikayla and her three siblings, milked a little over 200 head of cattle consisting of approx 80% registered Milking Shorthorns and 20% registered and grade Holsteins.

Mikayla's grandfather started the family's farming operation using the stud name 'Krause Farms'.  The family raised all their replacement animals, young stock and steers on the property with their parlour consisting of a double eight herringbone with a free stall barn.

The family has always been active in showing cattle but the main goal on their farm was to breed good milking cattle firstly, followed by good type.

Mikayla's three siblings include an older brother Clayton, an older sister Theresa and a younger sister, Elise who is the exchangee for 2012.

Unfortunately, due to an old injury, Mikayla’s father sold the farm when she was 16 years old with the majority of the herd going to Fabian Almeida in Washington State.  The family moved to Mrs Krause’s home town Milmine in Central Illinois and now have approximately thirty head of cattle.

Upon graduating from High School, Mikayla attended the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science Dairy Production in May this year.  While in school, she was involved in the Gopher Dairy Club and was part the successful Dairy Judging Team with Mikayla judging at The All American Dairy Week in Harrisburg where the team took first place with Mikayla placing second individually.  The team also participated in the World Dairy Expo at Madison finishing second.

Mikayla is now working for Pioneer Hi-breed in Illinois on a research station and upon returning to the USA is going to continue her search for a dairy farm where she would like to run a mainly Milking Shorthorn herd with some Jerseys.

Following the Ekka, Mikayla flew to Sydney with Tom and Kylie Cochrane (Kangawarra Stud).  Mikayla thanked everyone who hosted her and welcomed her onto their farms during her stay in Australia.  She said she really appreciated everyone's hospitality and loved seeing and visiting with Illawarra breeders.

Tom Cochrane showing Mikayla the sights: