SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The 2025 Superior Young Dairy Producer Award (SYDPA) program was held Aug. 16 at the Illinois State Fair. Twelve 4-H dairy project members from across Illinois competed in the event, which promotes youth development, career preparation, and personal growth through increased knowledge of the dairy industry.
The three-phase competition tested participants’ understanding of dairy management, industry skills, and animal judging. This year’s top three overall winners, each receiving a $1,000 scholarship sponsored by Prairie Farms Dairy Inc., were Kyle Ainger of McHenry County, Ella Gunderson of Stephenson County, and Kelly O’Connor of McLean County.
Individual banners, sponsored by the Land of Lincoln Purebred Livestock Breeders Association and the Illinois State Fair, recognized the top three finishers in each phase of competition as well as the overall winners.
In the dairy management test, which covered topics such as nutrition, health, reproduction, and milk marketing, the top finishers were Kyle Ainger of McHenry County, Ella Gunderson of Stephenson County, and Landon Hilgendorf of Montgomery County. In the skill-a-thon, where contestants identified dairy feeds, interpreted pedigree information, and identified equipment, Gunderson again led the field alongside Samantha Heinzmann of Clinton County and O’Connor. The judging contest, which included four classes of dairy cows and two classes of heifers, drew 35 competitors from across Illinois. Elena Olbrich of McHenry County, Oliver Shoaf of Effingham County, and Kasey Claton of Fayette County placed at the top.
Illinois Dairy Extension also recognized the top two junior contestants in the judging contest, presenting awards to Issac Mackinson of Livingston County and Kendall O’Connor of McLean County.
This year marked the 30th consecutive SYDPA program, which has awarded $132,000 in college scholarships to Illinois dairy youth since its inception. The program is coordinated by Derek Nolan, 4-H Extension Dairy Program Coordinator.
About Illinois 4-H:
Illinois 4-H is the flagship youth development program of University of Illinois Extension, administered through the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences. Through hands-on learning and life-changing experiences, Illinois 4-H prepares youth to be Beyond Ready — ready for college, career, military service, entrepreneurship, and more. Young people build confidence, leadership, and resilience as they explore interests from agriculture to computer science. Independent research and national surveys confirm the powerful outcomes of 4-H: participants are 40% more likely to pursue a college degree, twice as likely to obtain technical training, and two times more likely to serve in the military. With a legacy of cultivating leaders, Illinois 4-H continues to grow the next generation who are equipped to thrive in life and work today and beyond.
For Further Information, Contact:
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.