Illinois 4-H members headed to the showring for the 2022 State Livestock Judging Contest held at the University of Illinois campus on June 20. Instead of leading animals, these young members were acting as judge, evaluating groupings of cattle, hogs, and sheep against a standard for breed characteristics, physical conformation and structure, and gain efficiency.
“The contest teaches evaluation skills the livestock stewards can take back to their own herds to improve efficiency and performance,” says Dan Jennings, University of Illinois Extension 4-H animal science educator.
While the focus of the program is livestock, youth learn and develop many different skills throughout the program.
“It’s a great way to get more involved in the livestock industry and learn more about the livestock that you might be showing or just involved with,” says participant Conley Shick of Dewitt County. “It’s also a great way to get out and meet new people and have new opportunities.”
Team coaches help teach technical judging skills, and positive youth development is also a continued focus during the year-round preparation.
“Throughout the year I have pigs, raise pigs, and show pigs. So, we do a lot with them, and I am around livestock a lot and practicing with them,” says participant Lane Beyers of Ford County. “Just getting myself ready for contests and we have practices throughout the judging season as well to prepare.”
For any youth considering getting into livestock judging events or new to the field, participant Morgan Richardson of Boone County offers this advice. “Go for it. As long as you have been involved in the livestock industry or maybe been to shows, or even if you haven’t gone to any shows I think it’s a really great opportunity and the people you meet is well worth it.”
Members of the State 4-H livestock team will advance to national competition at the North American International Livestock Expo in November. Members of that team will be selected in additional tryouts this summer.
The results of the 2022 Illinois 4-H Livestock Judging Contest include:
Junior Division Top 10 Individuals: Hunter Shike, Champaign County, first place; Sage Mahler, LaSalle County, second place; Hannah Rustmeyer, Livingston/McLean/Woodford Counties, third place; Paige Glander, Boone County, fourth place; Paisley Shick, DeWitt County, fifth place; Maci Brooke, Warren County, sixth place; Mabrey Shick, DeWitt County, seventh place; Ella Eathington, Fulton County, eighth place; Payton May, Christian County, ninth place; and Brant Hedden, Christian County, tenth place.
Junior Division High Team Overall: Fulton County 4-H, first place; Warren County 4-H, second place; Livingston/McLean/Woodford Counties 4-H, third place; Boone County 4-H, fourth place; and LaSalle County 4-H, fifth place.
Senior Division Top 10 Individuals: Waylon Paulek, Christian County, first place; Morgan Richardson, Boone County, second place; Kade Boatman, Boone County, third place; Preston Rhode, Livingston/McLean/Woodford counties, fourth place; Cole Paulek, Christian County, fifth place; Karly Reel, LaSalle County, sixth place; Kendall Boatman, Boone County, seventh place; Paige Lemenager, Livingston/McLean/Woodford counties, eighth place; Slone Windish, Henry-Stark County, ninth place; and Audrey Curtin, Christian County, tenth place.
Senior Division High Team Overall: Christian County #1 4-H, first place; LaSalle County 4-H, second place; Henry-Stark County 4-H, third place; Henderson-Warren County 4-H, fourth place; and Christian County #2 4-H, fifth place.
The Illinois 4-H Foundation and Illinois Farm Bureau supports livestock judging teams participating in national competition. The following producers provided support for this year’s competition: Can Am Cattle Company, University of Illinois Beef Farm, Edenburn Family Farm, Brad Homann and Family, Myerscough Farms, Hummel Livestock, Hi Point Genetics, and Taylor Made Genetics.
SOURCE: Dan Jennings, 4-H Youth Development Extension Educator, Animal Systems, 4-H State Office
WRITER: Carissa Nelson, Media Communications Manager, 4-H State Office
***Courtesy of the University of Illinois Extension***
