By Andi Anderson
Iowa 4-H has revealed the winners of the State Dairy Judging Contest, where youth teams from across the state competed in judging dairy cattle.
The event, held on August 7 at the Iowa State Fairgrounds, brought together 44 participants from four counties, all aiming to showcase their knowledge and skills in dairy cattle evaluation.
The top honor in the senior division went to the Winneshiek County team, composed of Anders Lovstuen, Kelsey Timp, Hanna Vagts, and Mara Lovstuen. Their first-place finish earned them the privilege of representing Iowa at the prestigious World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wisconsin.
Delaware County teams secured both second and third place, with standout performances from Aden Kruse, Caden Kremer, and the Ronnebaum sisters, Alia and Hailey.
In the junior division, Allamakee County triumphed with team members Sophia Palmer, Naomi Palmer, Zach Danhof, and Brielle Gavin. Fayette County’s junior team placed second, followed by Delaware Junior Team 1 in third place.
Participants judged eight classes of cattle, including four heifer and four cow classes, and delivered oral reasons to justify their decisions.
Senior competitors gave four sets of oral reasons, while junior participants gave two. These reasons were scored by experienced dairy professionals to determine the winners.
Anders Lovstuen, who was named the overall individual senior winner, reflected on his experience, highlighting how the contest helped him build valuable skills like communication and decision-making.
Sponsors of the event, including Iowa State University Dairy Science Club and various Iowa breed associations, provided trophies and awards to recognize the top performers across different dairy breeds.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-jesp62
Categories: Iowa, Rural Lifestyle