Do you moooo?

GRAND CHUTE - It was a talent search like no other. A "cattle-call back," if you will, that really brought out the herd.

"You're gonna give us the best moo that you can, sound good?" host Sean Cundy explained to a contestant.

The statewide search for Wisconsin's most moo-ving cow impression kicked off Thursday at the Timber Rattlers Tailgate Party in Grand Chute. And the criteria?

"Uniqueness and creativity really," Cundy said. "And the best moo wins, I mean if they sound like a cow they're in."

Entrants moo-ed solo, in pairs, even as a herd. All hoping to win the coveted gold cow-bell, their ticket to finals and the chance to wina $1,000 and Cousin's subs for a year.

Jerry Jochman of Greenville was one of three entrants who made the cut and will be advancing to the finals August 15 at the Wisconsin State Fair in West Allis.

Jochman says he's excited to show his skills.

"I'm honored cause I don't think they're giving these out to everybody, so I feel kind of privileged," he said.

While silly on the surface, the contest is designed to boost pride in Wisconsin's dairy heritage and raise money for local 4-H youth programs.

"It's the bread and butter of Wisconsin, being number one in the country for dairy production," agri-science teacher Rene Lehman said.

Lehman feels the dairy industry needs to be in the limelight. She was happy to watch the moo-mania, as contestants young and old sounded a cow-chorus.

There are nine more stops on the Moo-la-palooza tour. The next stop in Northeast Wisconsin will be June 13th at the Cousin's Subs in Ashwaubenon.