L to R: Jason May of Randolph, Laura Bachmeier of Apple Valley, Matt Duff of Hampton, Donnie Drewry of Farmington. Not pictured alternate Louis Wright of Hastings. After qualifying at the 2010 Minnesota State Fair, the Dakota County 4-H General Livestock Judging Team traveled to the national American Royal Livestock Show held in Kansas City, Missouri. The team consisted of Laura Bachmeier of Apple Valley, Donnie Drewry of Farmington, Matt Duff of Hampton, Jason May of Randolph, and alternate Louis Wright of Hastings and coach, Rachel Marthaler of Hastings.
At the national contest held on October 31, 2010 in Kansas City, the Dakota County 4-H General Livestock Judging Team placed fourth overall. The team placed fourth in the swine and beef division and fifth in oral reasons. As individuals, Matt Duff placed thirteenth and Jason May placed sixteenth overall for the contest.
During a general livestock judging contest, the contestants judge beef, goats, sheep and swine and place classes consisting of four animals of the same species. They then meet one-on-one with a judge and give a set of oral reasons to justify their placing. Scores are based on presentation as well as accuracy of placement. Contestants gain skill in decision-making, critical thinking, oral communication, and self-confidence in addition to advancing their knowledge of the field.
On the way to the American Royal Livestock Show the team had a chance to practice judging at various locations. They started their journey in Jasper, Minnesota where they had an opportunity to practice judging market lambs before heading to Plymouth, Nebraska where they stopped at Penner Genetics to judge Hampshire hogs. They also stopped at Fink Beef Genetics in Randolph, Kansas to practice judging Angus and Charlois bulls and then stopped at Kansas State in Lawrence, Kansas where to judge bred heifers. They ended their practices judging Mosser Club lambs in Garden Grove, Iowa and various classes of beef cattle at Linhart Limousin’s in Leon, Iowa.
Today, after 100 years, 4-H is the largest out-of-school youth program, both in rural and urban areas throughout the country. It offers opportunities in communications, leadership, career development, animal and plant science, home improvement and technology and much more to nearly 7 million American youth nationwide. The program promotes life skills using your head, heart, hands and health. Dakota County has 29 4-H clubs with over 1000 4-H members. To find out more information about 4-H, or to locate a 4-H club in your area, please visit the 4-H website at www.extension.umn.edu/county/dakota and click on 4-H in Dakota County, or contact Dakota County 4-H Program Coordinator, Anja Johnson, at the Dakota County Extension Office at (651) 480-7758 or akoester@umn.edu.