Urbana, Ill. -- Illinois 4-H members headed to the showring for the 2024 State Livestock Judging Contest held at the University of Illinois campus Jun. 17. Instead of leading animals, these young members were acting as judge, evaluating groupings of cattle, hogs, and sheep against a standard for breed characteristics, physical conformation and structure, and gain efficiency.
While the focus of the program is livestock, youth learn and develop many different skills throughout the program.
Team coaches help teach technical judging skills, and positive youth development is also a continued focus during the year-round preparation.
Members of the State 4-H livestock team will advance to national competition at the North American International Livestock Expo in November. Members of that team will be selected in additional tryouts this summer.
The results of the 2024 Illinois 4-H Livestock Judging Contest include:
High Teams Overall Senior Division: Christian County in 1st place, Champaign County in 2nd place, Livingston/McLean/Woodford County #1 in 3rd place, Coles County in 4th place, and Livingston/McLean/Woodford County #2 in 5th place.
High Individuals Overall Senior Division: Olivia Shike in 1st place from Champaign County, Hannah Miller in 2nd place from Livingston County, Waylon Paulek in 3rd place from Christian County, Kashen Ellerbrock in 4th place from Henry County, Ryker Beckmier in 5th place from Christian County, Emma Pistorius in 6th place from Christian County, Jace Judson in 7th place from Coles County, Chloee Grant in 8th place from Christian County, Hunter Shike in 9th place from Champaign County, and Conley Schick in 10th place from Champaign County.
High Teams Overall Junior Division: Champaign County #2 in 1st place, Knox County in 2nd place, Christian County in 3rd place, Champaign County #1 in 4th place, and Jersey County in 5th place.
High Individuals Overall Junior Division: Kinley Beyers in 1st place from Champaign County, Alexis Main in 2nd place from Knox County, Landon Loschen in 3rd place from Champaign County, Maci Brooks in 4th place from Warren County, Calum Shanks in 5th place from Christian County, Makenna Glander in 6th place from Boone County, Addison Young in 7th place from Livingston County, Lucas Loschen in 8th place from Champaign County, Lucy Boes in 9th place from Jersey County, and Levi Paulek in 10th place from Christian County.
The Illinois 4-H Foundation and Illinois Farm Bureau supports livestock judging teams participating in national competition.
Source: Dan Jennings, 4-H Youth Development Extension Educator, Animal Systems, djjennin@illinois.edu
Writer: Carissa Nelson, Media Communications Manager, 4-H State Office, carissa7@illinois.edu
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.
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. Illinois Extension is part of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences.