FFA and 4-H members place at livestock judging contest

More than 100 local FFA and 4-H members gathered at the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds for the return of the in-person livestock judging contest Saturday, March 12.

Livestock judging is the evaluation of an animal's characteristics and making a comparison to other animals and the ideal standard of that particular class. Extension Program Coordinator Rhonda Shubert has been hosting this event for many years and was excited to see such a large turnout.

"With the temperatures dropping so low, we were worried about the kids and livestock. We're thankful for the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds for allowing us to move this exhibit into the horse barn so we could still meet," Shubert said. "Our kids always look forward to this each year, and we had 123 participants represented at this event."

Local FFA high schools represented included Anna-Jonesboro, Century, Cobden, Crab Orchard, Dongola, DuQuoin, Elverado, Goreville, Meridian, Neoga, Okawville, Pinckneyville, Shawnee, Trico, and Waterloo.

For 4-H, prizes were awarded to the top three scores within the junior and senior categories. For FFA, this event is the section 24 judging contest with prizes awarded. The 2022 winners included:

FFA Livestock Judging Team: First place, Waterloo (Garret Brandt, Emma Kiebel, Maya Woodard, Sydney Woodard); second place, Waterloo (Sophia Dill, Erin Halleran, Wyatt Landick, Lydia Lutman); third place, Goreville (Daisy Childers, Laci Dauksavage, Emma Forby, Taylor Hill, Shelby Pribble)

FFA Livestock (Individual Competition): First place, Sophia Dill (Waterloo); tied for second place, Erin Halleran (Waterloo) and Shelby Pribble (Goreville)

FFA Dairy Judging Team: First place, Goreville (Briley Brown, Jacob Carter, Dawson Cloud, Lily Hinz, Ty Robinson); second place, Crab Orchard (Brylee Craig, Raven Duty, Hunter Park, Ean Taylor); third place, Trico (Harris Ehlers, Kendra Guetersloh, Belle Huseman, Itzel Mondragon, Ryleigh Richelman)

FFA Dairy (Individual Competition): First place, Briley Brown (Goreville); tied for Second place, Brylee Craig (Crab Orchard) and Jacob Carter (Goreville)

4-H Junior Dairy (Individual Competition): First place, Teagan Burianek (Washington County); second place, Blayke Riechleman (Jackson County);

4-H Senior Dairy (Individual Competition): First place, Belle Huseman (Jackson County); second place, Harris Ehlers (Randolph County); third place, Ryleigh Richelman (Jackson County)

4-H Junior Livestock (Individual Competition): First place, Logan Lehde (Randolph County); second place, Loughlyn Kurtz (Randolph County); third place, Mackenzie Hornbostel (Washington County)

4-H Senior Livestock (Individual Competition): First place, Harris Ehlers (Randolph County); second place, Ryleigh Richelman (Jackson County); third place, Bailey Pearl (Perry County)

The event teaches youth how to evaluate livestock that will enter the food system, and many of the participating youth will go on to showcase their own livestock at local fairs this summer.

For more information on how to get involved with 4-H, visit 4h.extension.illinois.edu.