COLUMBIA, Mo. – The 2024 University of Missouri Extension State 4-H Livestock Judging Contest was held on Monday, June 3 at the University of Missouri Trowbridge Livestock Center in Columbia, Missouri. This contest brought together 94 4-H youth from across the state to apply their evaluation and communication skills.
Youth involved with the livestock judging program develop key life skills to aid in their future career success. Through involvement in a 4-H judging team, members must make rapid, logical decisions and defend their decisions via oral reasons. Over half of the participants responded that compared to before participating in this event, they now have more knowledge in the areas of identifying visual and genetic characteristics of an animal, comparing their perception of an animal against the ideal, applying what they know about one species of livestock to another, judging classes, using livestock judging terminology, and giving reasons. Over 90% of them consider themselves educated consumers of agricultural products, are comfortable sharing their knowledge of agriculture with others, and see themselves as an advocate for the industry.
Participants competed in one of two age division, junior (8-13) and senior (14-18), with the top ten 8 – 10 year olds being recognized. The top ten 8 – 10-year-old competitors were 1st; Aubree Sloan, Clinton County, 2nd; Emmett Jeffries, Livingston County, 3rd; Madelyn Thompson, Clinton County, 4th; Frank Miller, Carroll County, 5th; Mace Pollard, Shelby County, 6th Aria Duwe, Lawrence County, 7th; Zane Pollard, Shelby County, 8th; Trenton Nisbett, Laclede County, 9th; Mya Flora, Jasper County, 10th, Ella Eckler, Shelby County.
The top ten junior competitors were 1st Rance Greiman, Marion County, 2nd Mathew Yoder, Franklin County, 3rd Cealy Bedwell, Clinton County, 4th Nora McGaugh, Carroll County, 5th Rosslyn Gladbach, Linn County, 6th Aubree Sloan, Clinton County, 7th Scarlett Miller, Carroll County, 8th Carlie Kleeman, Clinton County, 9th Lane Pollard, Shelby County, 10th Laramy Prewitt, Lawrence County. The top five junior teams represented the following counties: Clinton County, 1st; Carroll County, 2nd; Lawrence County, 3rd, Linn County, 4th; and Shelby County, 5th.
Programs offered by Missouri 4-H would not be possible without support from our partners. Major support for Missouri 4-H Agriculture programs is provided by the Missouri 4-H Foundation in partnership with Ballenger Propane, Corteva Agriscience, FCS Financial, MFA Foundation, Missouri Association of Meat Processors, Missouri Farm Bureau Federation, Missouri Holstein Association, Missouri Soybean Association, National 4-H Council, Safety National, Eunice Campbell, and Dr. Robert E. “Bud” Hertzog.
Special award sponsors included: BTC Bank, Smithfield Hog Production Division, Merck Animal Health, Trent Tiemann, The Mervyn W. Jenkins Foundation, Julie Mattson, Tom Thompson – The Green Stuff, Hayes-Sloan Show Lambs, Cooper Specialty Feeds, Team Sloan Livestock, Heimer Hampshires, Beck’s Hybrids – Northwest MO, Ray-Carroll County Grain Growers, Missouri Pork Association, Carl Stein, Mid-Missouri Energy, Fair Oaks Farm, Aiden Show Goats, Terrill and Dana Lane, KK Farms Red Angus – Ken and Brenda Keesaman, Chad and Annie Wallace, Don and Jamie Honeycutt, Home Savings and Loan Association of Carroll County, F.A., Consumers Oil and Supply Company, Cameron Cooperative, Nick and Cindy Gerke, Ward Brothers – Jack, MaryAnn, and Carter Ward, Steve and Kathy Curtis, Boddicker Show Lambs, Dotson Hampshires, Curtis Show Pigs, Jerry Reid – American Family Insurance, Passion for Pigs Veterinary Service, Akey Farms – Dale and Joann Akey, and Matthew Grant – MO Farm Bureau Insurance
About 4-H
More than 55,000 members strong, Missouri 4-H is an active, dynamic organization of young people who are learning, growing and preparing to be the leaders of today and tomorrow – making a real difference in their community, country and world. 4-H is the youth development program of the University of Missouri and the nation’s Cooperative Extension System. For more information on Missouri 4-H, visit 4h.missouri.edu.
