LEWISTOWN, Ill. - Nine Fulton County 4-H members participated in the 4-H Livestock Judging Contest held in April at the 4-H Center in Macomb. Participants were divided by age into junior and senior divisions. Fulton County 4-H participants were Braydon DeCounter, in the senior division; and in the junior division: Team #1 Anna Serven, Addison Fidler, Taylor Hendel, and Ali Janssen; and Team #2 Izzy Kemp, Carly Powell, Shay Powell, and Aubrianna Putman. This group was coached by 4-H leader Robyn Hendel. 

Braydon DeCounter was named 8th overall in the senior division, with a score of 500. He placed third in Beef and fourth in Sheep.

In the junior division, Anna Serven was seventh overall, with a score of 477. Team 1 was third overall, and Team 2 was seventh overall. Other individual scores were Taylor Hendel, 469; Ali Janssen, 461; Addison Fidler, 459; Izzy Kemp, 453; Carly Powell, 444; Aubrianna Putman, 398; and Shay Powell, 381. Team scores were tabulated by taking the top three team members’ scores.

In Beef, junior division, Carly Powell placed first, Addison Fidler placed ninth, and Anna Serven placed 10th. Team 1 placed third in Beef, and Team 2 placed sixth.

In Swine, junior division, Izzy Kemp placed third, Anna Serven placed fifth, Ali Janssen placed seventh, and Aubrianna Putman placed ninth. Team 1 placed third in Swine, and Team 2 placed sixth.

In Sheep/Goats, junior division, Taylor Hendel placed fourth, and Addison Fidler placed seventh. Team 1 placed third in Sheep/Goats, and Team 2 placed seventh.

Based on their scores, 4-H members are invited to the State 4-H Livestock Judging Contest, to be held in June. 

Thirty-nine junior and 34 senior 4-H members participated in the event.

Judging is an important skill for young people to develop as they learn more about the livestock industry.  Recognizing important physical characteristics in animals will benefit them if they choose to make their living someday in agriculture and livestock production.

For more information on the University of Illinois Extension Fulton County 4-H Program and its vast array of activities, call 309-547-3711.

SOURCE: Janis Blout, Fulton 4-H Program Coordinator, jblout@illinois.edu