Looking for a photographer to do justice to your Brown Swiss cattle? What if you could find one that appreciated the breed and knew how to capture their unique personalities to come across as special in a photo? Well, your search is over. Laura Sigler, 27, is starting a career specializing in professional cattle photography and has an impressive background in the Brown Swiss breed. Laura was more or less "born into the breed" as she is the third generation of Sigler's whose name is synonymous with the Big Brown Cow. Her grandfather, Robert Sigler, Sr., started with the breed and was active in the MD Brown Swiss Association. Her father and mother, Robert, Jr. and Daphne, followed in his footsteps with Robert raising and showing the breed in 4-H. Laura, and brother Robbie, followed suit, with Laura showing her first animal at age 7. Her attachment to the breed led to participation in 4-H and FFA where she earned many honors and achievements. Her 4-H interests enabled her to compete in Louisville, KY as a memb@r of the MD Dairy Bowl Team, and, as a member of the MD Dairy Judging Team. She continued her judging career in FFA, placing 1st in Oral Reasons at the 2000 Maryland FFA Dairy Judging Contest. Farm Bureau chose Laura as Frederick County Farm Queen for 1998-1999. Laura was a Dairy Maid for 3 years and served as Frederick County Dairy Princess 2000-2001.
As a youth member Laura was President of the Maryland Brown Swiss Junior Association for several terms. She was crowned Maryland Swiss Miss in 1998-99. Laura's best animal to date, Top Acres Peerless Sabrell, was a force to be reckoned with during Laura's years as a junior. Sabrell was purchased at the 1995 Mid-Atlantic Calf Sale and at age 14 is still around! Her track record probably gives her a little extra pampering since she was the Junior Champion of the Junior Show at World Dairy Expo in 1996, and came back to win as Grand Champion of the Junior Show in 1999. Laura treasures the memories of standing in the same spot, with the same animal, 3 years apart@ Only those who know the trials and tribulations of show animals know how rarely it comes together like this.
At present Laura owns 2 Swiss which are housed at the home of another association member. Her mother, Daphne, started Valley Concessions in 1996 serving food at fairs, auctions and shows. This off farm job was supposed to be "part-time" to augment the farm income but was an immediate hit, requiring more and more help from Robert. When the Sigler grandparents decided to sell the farm in 2000, Daphne and Robert made the decision to stop milking and concentrate their efforts on the concession business. They stay in touch with all their dairy friends at sales and other events, and support the dairy industry by assisting 4-H and FFA groups earn money for trips by working in the concession stand.
Although her family no longer milks cows, Laura remains attached to the breed and never sees herself not involved at some level. Meeting interesting and fun people over the years and showing her cattle has been @ne of life's highlights for Laura, and she hopes to continue the family tradition when she has a family of her own. Laura has created a Facebook Page for the Maryland Brown Swiss Association to use for information, friendship and networking. So far about 50 people from both Maryland and other states have joined. Also, consider contacting Laura for professional photography of your great animals at www.laurasigler.com!
(contributed by Suzan Thompson)