SPARTA, Ill. – Local youth have been working hard and were excited to get in the show ring at the Perry County Fairgrounds earlier this week, exhibiting their beef, swine, sheep, and goats during the annual 4-H Livestock Show. A few days prior, many 4-H members also participated in a 4-H Small Pets Show, where they shared their knowledge of cats, dogs, lizards, rabbits, and other small pets, with local judges. Both events allowed youth to display sportsmanship and exude confidence as they showed the "best of the best" during the shows.

4-H youth also had the opportunity to participate in the livestock auction. The auction is an opportunity for local businesses, families, and community members to purchase animals exhibited during the fair. The auction is a great way to support local youth as participants receive the full proceeds from the sale of their livestock. Those who placed in the 2023 shows include:

Female Beef
Isac Smith (Chester) – Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion

Market Beef
Nickole Weber (Coulterville) – Grand Champion
Isac Smith (Chester) –  Reserve Grand Champion

Gilt
Nickole Weber (Coulterville) – Grand Champion
Lawson Kurtz (Sparta) – Reserve Grand Champion

Market Swine
Nickole Weber (Coulterville) – Grand Champion
Loughlyn Kurtz (Sparta) – Reserve Grand Champion

Swine Premier
Lawson Kurtz (Sparta) – Grand Champion
Nickole Weber (Coulterville) – Reserve Grand Champion

Dairy Goat
Annabelle Pearce (Modoc) – Grand Champion
Dani Nelson (Ellis Grove) – Reserve Grand Champion

Female Meat Goat
Nickole Weber (Coulterville) – Grand Champion
Logan Lehde (Sparta) – Reserve Grand Champion

Market Goat
Logan Lehde (Sparta) – Grand Champion
Lily Lehde (Sparta) – Reserve Grand Champion 

Female Lamb
Nickole Weber (Coulterville) – Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion

Market Lamb
Jada Nelson (Ellis Grove) – Grand Champion
Logan Lehde (Sparta) – Reserve Grand Champion

Cat Care
Alaina Smith (Ruma) – Best in Show

Dog Care
Nickole Weber (Coulterville) – Grand Champion
Isac Smith (Chester) – Reserve Grand Champion

Breeding Poultry
Isac Smith (Chester) - Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion

Meat Pen Poultry
Nickole Weber (Coulterville)- Grand Champion
Chase Smith (Ruma)- Reserve Champion

Meat Pen Rabbit
Alaina Smith (Ruma)- Grand Champion
Chase Smith (Ruma) - Reserve Grand Champion

Breeding Rabbit
Breanna Autry (Modoc) - Grand Champion
Loughlyn Kurtz (Sparta) - Reserve Grand Champion

Rate of Gain
Beef – Isac Smith (Chester)
Goat – Logan Lehde (Sparta)
Sheep – Isac Smith (Chester)

Senior Showmanship
Beef – Isac Smith (Chester)
Swine – Isac Smith (Chester)
Sheep (Lamb) – Logan Lehde (Sparta)
Goat – Breanna Autry (Modoc)
Rabbit – Alaina Smith (Ruma)
Poultry – Alaina Smith (Ruma)
Dog – Isac Smith (Chester)

Junior Showmanship
Beef – Nickole Weber (Coulterville)
Swine – Nickole Weber (Coulterville)
Sheep (Lamb) – Nickole Weber (Coulterville)
Goat – Dani Nelson (Ellis Grove)
Rabbit – Nickole Weber (Coulterville)
Poultry – Jada Nelson (Ellis Grove)
Dog – Nickole Weber (Coulterville)

Master Showmanship
All Breeds – Isac Smith (Chester)

Tractor Driving
Isac Smith (Chester) – Grand Champion
Logan Lehde (Sparta) – Reserve Grand Champion

To learn more about upcoming 4-H programs and events, visit our website at extension.illinois.edu/fjprw.