Aubertine Wins State Fair Milking Contest—Again

SYRACUSE (August 30, 2010)—A team of milkers led by state Sen. Darrel J. Aubertine today won the New York State Fair’s Celebrity Milk Off, making it the second year in a row the Senator has led his team to victory.

“I certainly enjoyed it along with everyone else in this team effort, but most importantly it brings the focus to the dairy industry in this state,” Sen. Aubertine said. “All who were here today participating in the milking contest or who joined us in the stands to watch had a great time. Today at the State Fair it was Dairy Day and with all the events, it brings attention to what is the largest sector of our state’s number one industry in agriculture.”

The Senator’s team, each of whom had 2 minutes to milk the cow, included second alternate New York State Dairy Princess Katelyn Walley, State Fair Director Dan O’Hara, who was on the Senator’s team last year, and YNN video journalist Kat De Maria. The team had 4.5 pounds of milk in the pail, compared to 2.5 pounds for the team led by Agriculture Commissioner Pat Hooker, who was Sen. Aubertine’s teammate on the last year’s winning team. Earlier this month in an individual milking competition at the St. Lawrence County fair, the Senator bested St. Lawrence County Legislator Fred Morrill.

The Senator participated in the milking contest today after a full day at the fair that included the Dairy Day Recognition and Awards breakfast in the Empire Room, the New York State Big Cheese Auction, and stops to visit apple growers, maple producers, beekeepers and honey producers, the New York Farm Bureau, the heritage museum and other vendors.

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