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4-H dairy judging teams compete in district contest

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This past spring, 4-H dairy project members from Kewaunee County participated in several dairy judging workshops. The purpose was to teach the basics of evaluating dairy cattle conformation.

The Kewaunee County 4-H junior dairy judging team placed second in the District 4-H Dairy Judging Contest in Beaver Dam and advanced to the state judging contest July 17. From left to right, front row, are Jacob Treml, Lucas Ledvina, Jadelyn Kroll and Katie Ledvina. Left to right, back row, are Sami Treml, Mercedes Kroll, Brianna Paye and Shawn Ledvina.

Dairy cattle are judged on four categories: udder, dairy strength, feet and legs, and frame. The 4-H members had to place a group of four dairy cattle on these traits and then defend their placings with a two-minute oral presentation, or “reasons.”

Practices were held beginning in March and continued through June, with the top individuals from these practices being selected to represent Kewaunee County. These members then competed at the District 4-H Dairy Judging Contest in Beaver Dam on June 23.

The junior judging team from Kewaunee County was comprised of nine individuals between ages 9 and 13. Junior team members were Mercedes Kroll, Jadelyn Kroll, Brianna Paye, Kristen Ledvina, Lucas Ledvina, Katie Ledvina, Shawn Ledvina, Sami Treml and Jacob Treml.

The senior judging team was comprised of eight 4-H members between ages 14 and 18. Senior team members were: Taylor Paye, Michael Moede, Megan Moede, Mikayla Knorn, Megan Srnka, Hailey Gaedtke, Emily Kroll and Jeremy Schlies.

The Kewaunee County Senior Dairy Judging team placed sixth in the District 4-H Dairy Judging Contest in Beaver Dam. From left to right are Emily Kroll, Megan Moede, Hailey Gaedtke, Jeremy Schlies, Michael Moede, Mikayla Knorn, Megan Srnka and Taylor Paye.

One hundred junior individuals and 73 senior members from northeastern Wisconsin attended the district contest in Seymour. Eight classes of dairy cattle were evaluated representing the Holstein, Brown Swiss and Milking Shorthorn breeds. Heifers and milking cows were evaluated.

The senior members gave oral reasons on three classes, whereas the junior members were asked type-analysis questions pertaining to dairy cattle conformation.

Katie Ledvina was fifth overall and Mercedes Kroll was 14th overall in the junior division. The junior team placed second overall and the senior team placed sixth overall in their respective divisions. The junior team qualified for the state 4-H Dairy Judging Contest held in Black River Falls on July 17.

Special thanks to the following farms for hosting judging practices: Gary and Mary Breitlow, Jeff Jauquet, Dennis and Shari Christoph, Barry, Shane, and Lonnie Fenendael, Gaedtke Farms, Rick and Julie Paye, Tony and Peggy Knorn, and Scott and Tina Srnka. Coaches for the teams are Rob and Debbie Moede. Assistant coaches are Kim Kroll, Amanda Dolphin and Mandi Ramsburg.

This article originally appeared on Wisconsin: 4-H dairy judging teams compete in district contest