DUQUOIN, Ill. – The cold weather didn't keep over 100 local FFA and 4-H members from gathering at the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds for the return of the in-person livestock judging contest on 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 local 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," said Shubert. "Our kids always look forward to this each year, and we had 123 participants represented at this event." 

Local FFA high schools represented: 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. 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)
• Tied for second place- 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)
• Tied for Second place- 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 in your community, visit 4h.extension.illinois.edu.

WRITER: Heather Willis, marketing and communications coordinator, hdwillis@illinois.edu, (618) 357-2126

SOURCE: Rhonda Shubert, 4-H youth development program coordinator, rkshuber@illinois.edu, (618) 357-2126                                                   

About 4-H: Illinois 4-H helps youth learn skills for living. University of Illinois Extension provides 4-H programs in every county in Illinois. Illinois 4-H impacts the lives of 200,000 youth each year through sustained learning clubs and groups and short-term programming.

ABOUT EXTENSION: Illinois Extension leads public outreach for University of Illinois by translating research into action plans that allow Illinois families, businesses, and community leaders to solve problems, make informed decisions, and adapt to changes and opportunities.