The 2022 Warren County 4-H Livestock Judging Team, coached by Lynn Shimmin, consists of a Senior and Junior Division that has 12 local kids from Monmouth-Roseville, West Central, Abingdon-Avon, Bushnell Prairie City, and United. Part of the Junior Team, Abingdon-Avon 6th grader Macy Brooks enjoys judging cattle and explains the process of competition to someone that is thinking of getting involved:
“Livestock judging is something where you have to focus on the animal, you have to place four animals and it’s not as hard as it looks, really.”
Fourth grader at ICS Lyndie Kane likes to judge cattle and shares what to look for when placing the animals:
“You want structure, mostly; a lot of structure. I want to look for big boned animals and I like good hair on mine. My dad always tells me that big sheep beat little sheep.”
Also on the team is Mallory Corzatt, a 6th grader at ICS. Corzatt prefers judging sheep and says there is something for everyone to become involved:
“If you like cattle or pigs or sheep, just go for it. Go for your favorite species.”
Seventh grader at West Prairie, Kadin Russell, gets his guidance for judging sheep and goats from his family:
“My brother teaches me what to look for and the certain things in an animal; just draws my eye to it. The shape of the animal and how they stand. Just go with your heart. If you want to do it, just try everything out.”
Finally, Ruby Gittings, 8th grader at West Central prefers to judge cattle and goats. For anyone still unsure about wanting to join the livestock judging team or get involved with 4-H, Gittings offers this advice:
“Just try it out. I was iffy too when I first started out, but I got introduced to it, got shown what to look for and everything. It was really fun, especially when you started winning.”
The Warren County 4-H Livestock Judging Team has two competitions remaining; May 28th at the Warren County Fairgrounds and State Competition in June.
**Written by WMOI/WRAM Director of Communications Kelsey Crain**
