Iowa 4-H members excel at national livestock competitions
4-H members excelled in areas of beef, swine, goat and sheep production
23 December 2022
2 minute read
By: Iowa 4-H members recently participated in national 4-H livestock competitions at the North American International Livestock Exposition held in Louisville, Kentucky. Benton County represented Iowa 4-H in the livestock judging and livestock skillathon competitions, and Franklin County represented Iowa 4-H in the livestock quiz bowl contest, according to an Iowa State University press release.
Benton County 4-H members Josh Wiley, Steiger Manson, Gabe Hanson and Alex Ludeking participated in the livestock judging competition. They were coached by Bob Hanson, Mitchell Hanson and Todd Willey. In August, this team won the state competition and earned their spot to represent Iowa at the national contest.
“The team placed ninth overall out of 28 total teams from across the country. This is one of the highest-placing teams that Iowa has had in recent years,” said Amy Powell, animal science education specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.
The team was seventh in swine, fifth in beef and fifth in oral reasons. Individual honors were awarded to Steiger Mason for placing fourth in swine and fourteenth high individual in the contest. Gabe Hanson was tenth in beef evaluation and second in oral reasons.
Over 100 youth competed in this contest, which consisted of 11 evaluation classes in beef cattle, sheep and swine. Participants presented four sets of oral reasons and answered questions on six classes.
Franklin County 4-H members represented Iowa in the national 4-H livestock quiz bowl competition. Team members were Teaghan Bird, Erin Christensen, Macy Christensen and Natalie Dohlman, with alternate Jackson Wohlford. Jackie Dohlman coached the team. Fourteen states participated in this competition, and participants answered questions on beef, sheep, meat goats and swine, as well as current events and general animal husbandry.
Benton County 4-H members Josh Wiley, Olivia Hanson, William Kroneman, Gabe Hanson and Steiger Manson represented Iowa at the National 4-H livestock skillathon contest. The team was coached by Maureen Hanson, Todd Wiley and Mitchell Hanson.
“This is the first time Iowa has participated in this competition, and the team did exceptionally well, placing tenth in the nation,” Powell said.
The team placed seventh overall in wool, hay, animal breeding, livestock feeding, reproduction, marketing and management evaluation. They were tenth in breed, equipment and meat identification. Twenty-one states competed in the skillathon competition, which included a written test, identification of breeds, meats, feeds, equipment, wool judging, hay judging and five team problem-solving stations.
“These young people and their coaches are to be commended for their outstanding work. Qualifying to represent Iowa at the national contest is no small task, and these 4-H’ers have dedicated many years of hard work to be able to compete at this level. Iowa 4-H is extremely proud of their accomplishments,” Powell said.
