Staff photo by Fritz Busch New Ulm FFA member Alex Schroeder holds his six month old Ayrshire calf “Realyn” at the New Ulm Farm-City Hub Club Farm Show at the New Ulm Civic Center Saturday.

NEW ULM — New Ulm FFA member Alex Schroeder, 15, has been raising and showing dairy cattle with the best of them for years.

He’s continuing a family tradition begun by his parents Michelle and Jason Schroeder and his grandparents on the family dairy farm near Courtland.

Schroeder brought “Realyn,” a brown and white six-month-old Ayrshire calf to the Farm-City Hub Club Farm Show at the New Ulm Civic Center Friday.

Last year, Schroeder showed Realyn’s mother Reagan at the Minnesota State Fair and Brown County Fair. Reagan finished first at the county fair and was State Fair FFA Show Supreme Champion.

“We’ve had cows for a long time. I really enjoy working with them. Some days, they’re nicer to work with than people. It’s part of what I like to do and who I am. When these cows are older, they produce a lot of milk,” he said.

The Schroeder farm also raises hogs in a finishing barn and custom-raises heifers.

“I like farming. I’m in FFA and joined 4-H in first grade. It keeps me busy being active in these things. I learned a lot of new things and met a lot of people all over Minnesota through FFA and 4-H,” he said.

Schroeder said his favorite farm chore is milking cows.

Completing on the New Ulm FFA Career and Development Events (CDE) team, he finished first in regional individual competition, helping the New Ulm Dairy Judging team finished third among 14 teams.

New Ulm FFA Advisor Jeff Nelson said chapter members help the Farm-City Hub Club set-up, bring baby chicks and other farm animals and host other activities for children at the farm show.

The New Ulm FFA Chapter hosts the Ag Day Parade at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, March 18 on Minnesota Street, downtown New Ulm. The annual Spring Ag Show is set for Thursday, May 8 in the New Ulm Middle School parking lot. The show features displays with animals, equipment and hands-on activities to educate kids about agriculture.