La Salle County represented at state livestock contest

Despite the heat last month, 175 4-H members showed up to the University of Illinois campus for this year’s Illinois 4-H State Livestock Judging Contest physically and mentally prepared to tackle eight classes of live-animal evaluation, as well as question classes and three sets of oral reasons.

Two 4-H members in the senior division were tied after the five hours of live placing and oral reason competition. Eric Shafer, of Christian County, edged out Emma Freebairn, of La Salle County, for first place after the tie-breaking protocol was followed. Also participating from La Salle County were Sundberg, Kara Freebairn, Dalton Walter and Wayde Collins in the senior division.

In the junior division, Karly Reel, of La Salle County, took fourth place. Also participating from La Salle County were Ian Sundberg, Kameron Hastings and Karson Sundberg in the junior division.

The contest is conducted by U of I animal science department staff and coordinated by Daniel Shike, Parker Henley and Jack Oattes, in cooperation with U of I Extension 4-H animal science educator Dan Jennings.

“Livestock judging teaches skills that are really beneficial,” said Justin Lewis, U of I animal science teaching assistant, in a press statement. “In addition to correctly evaluating animals in a short time frame, you must learn good note-taking habits that are logical and simple so you can recall them later in the day.”

Lewis evaluated all the seniors in the beef oral reasons portion of the contest. In this part of the contest, contestants must give an oral defense of the placings they made earlier in the day during the live evaluation.

“I’m looking for accuracy, first, but also good flow during their presentation,” Lewis said, adding the youth should strive to use correct livestock terminology and an engaging tone of voice during their oral defense.

Lewis said his 4-H livestock judging experience prepared him for his role as a U of I teaching assistant where he lectures classes of 400 students.

Joining Lewis as reasons judge was Dalton Lemenager, a member of the 2017 state 4-H livestock judging team. Lemenager admits that livestock judging takes a lot of time. “4-H is a choice,” he said. “For me, it’s one of the building blocks to being successful in life.”