SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- The 2024 Superior Young Dairy Producer Award (SYDPA) program was held Aug. 18 in conjunction with the Illinois State Fair. Eighteen 4-H dairy project members from across Illinois took part in the event to test their knowledge and compete for one of three $1,000 scholarships.
The purpose of the contest is to create an educational activity that promotes youth development, career development, and personal growth through increased knowledge of the dairy industry. This three-phase competition emphasizes the youth’s knowledge of the dairy industry.
This year’s scholarships, sponsored by Prairie Farms Dairy, were awarded to: Ethan Marcoot of Bond County, Kamber Kilgus of Livingston County, and Amanda Niemann of Montgomery County.
Individual plaques, sponsored by Land of Lincoln Purebred Livestock Breeders Association and Illinois State Fair, were awarded to the top three in each phase and the top three overall winners.
The first phase was a dairy management test relating to dairy nutrition, herd health, reproduction, milk marketing, and other dairy related information. Top three contestants for this phase were Ethan Marcoot of Bond County, Kamber Kilgus of Livingston County, and Amanda Niemann of Montgomery County.
The second phase was a three-station skill-a-thon on various aspects of the dairy industry. Contestants had to identify dairy feeds, identify dairy records information, and identify dairy equipment. The top three contestants in the skill-a-thon were: Ethan Marcoot of Bond County, Samantha Heinzmann of Clinton County, and Amanda Niemann of Montgomery County.
The third phase of the Superior Young Dairy Producer Contest was a judging contest. The judging phase consisted of animal selection by placing four classes of dairy cows and two classes of heifers. The top three contestants for this phase were: Ethan Marcoot of Bond County, Kelly O’Connor of McLean County, and Kinzie Kestner of Livingston County.
Illinois Dairy Extension also provided an award for the top three juniors in the dairy judging contest. The top three juniors were: Ava Faber of Livingston County, Kyle Clanton of Fayette County, and Lauren Burkhart of McLean County.
This year marked the 29th consecutive year for the Superior Young Dairy Producer Award Program which has provided $129,000 in college scholarships to Illinois dairy youth since its inception. The program is developed and conducted by Derek Nolan, 4-H Extension Dairy Program Coordinator.
The Illinois State 4-H Dairy Judging Contest is also held as a part of the Superior Young Dairy Producer Award. The contests also determines which four individuals will be representing Illinois at the National 4-H Dairy Judging Contest during World Dairy Expo in Madison, WI. This year Illinois will be represented by Kamber Kilgus of Livingston County, Samantha Heinzmann of Clinton County, Kelly O’Connor of McLean County, and Alania Dinderman of Stephenson County. The state 4-H team will also compete in Harrisburg at the All-American Dairy Judging Contest.
About Illinois 4-H: Illinois 4-H is the flagship youth development program of University of Illinois Extension and administered through the College of Agriculture, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences. 4-H grows true leaders, youth who are empowered for life today and prepared for a career tomorrow. The hands-on approach in 4-H gives young people guidance, tools, and encouragement, and then puts them in the driver’s seat to make great things happen. Independent research confirms the unparalleled impact of the 4-H experience, demonstrating that young people are four times more likely to contribute to their communities; two times more likely to make healthier choices; two times more likely to be civically active; and two times more likely to participate in STEM programs.
Source/Writer: Derek Nolan, Extension Faculty Specialist, dtnolan@illinois.edu
University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 700 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through six program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, family and consumer science, integrated health disparities, and natural resources, environment, and energy.