MONROE — On Thursday, June 20, 20 youth members from Green County 4-H participated in the Green County Area Animal Science Day competition at the Green County Fairgrounds in Monroe. Youth competed in dairy and livestock evaluation, oral reasons for senior members, a dairy showmanship contest, and a photography and poster contest.
Prior to this event, the youth participating in the dairy evaluation contest attended weekly practices held at different farms throughout Green County. Using the Purebred Dairy Cattle Association Unified (PDCA) Scorecard, they learned to assess dairy animals based on four categories — Udder, Dairy Strength, Rear Feet and Legs, and Frame. Throughout these practices they strengthened their precise and quick decision making and problem-solving skills, for the timed-event competition.
In addition, juniors (youth under 14 years of age) learned how to answer Type Analysis Questions (TAQs) on a chosen class. Seniors (youth 14 years and over) learned how to give oral reasons on how and why they placed a particular class.
At the contest, each individual had seven classes to judge. Each class consisted of four animals to place. Juniors also had to answer 10 TAQs for two of the classes, while seniors had to present oral reasons individually on two of the classes.
Both the junior and senior teams performed well. Making up the Junior Team was Sierra McCullough (Juda Jolly Juniors), Abby Withrow (Decatur), Braxton Boeke (Spring Grove Honest Workers) and Brooklynn Dosio (Juda Jolly Juniors). They placed ninth as a team. The Senior Team was composed of Taylor Svendsen (Dougherty Creek), Ellie Modaff (Jolly Mixers), Reese Speth (New Glarus) and Grace Gold (Next Generation). They placed fifth as a team both overall and for oral reasons.
Kate Olmedo (Juda Jolly Juniors) and Brooke Mueller (Clarence Bridge Pioneers) also represented Green County in the Senior Division. Additionally, Green County had two youth members participate in the Dairy Showmanship event: Elena Boss (Cheese Country Clovers) and Joclyn Watson (Cheese Country Clovers). The coaches for these teams are Tess Zettle, Ryan Smith, and Mike Marean.
This year, they also had a Junior Livestock Judging team compete. Breeding and market cattle, swine, sheep, and meat goats are evaluated in this contest. Junior members (youth under 14 years of age) are asked a set of 10 questions based on a class in addition to placings. They are asked three sets of questions. Participants additionally had to complete a slaughter cattle grading portion on the scantron for market cattle.
In this section, participants are asked to give each animal a quality and yield grade. Prior to this event, the youth attend classroom practices to become familiar with the scantron, learn about the anatomy of livestock animals, and judge online classes.
The Junior team consisted of Thadeus Miller (Browntown Busy Beavers), Benson Miller (Browntown Busy Beavers), Adelynn Monson (Jolly Mixers), Zoie Donovan (Young Americans), and Cambrie Donovan (Young Americans). They placed 10th overall as a team. The team is coached by Katie Brooks.
Additionally, one youth member participated in the Photography and Poster Contest. Remington Zilliox (Washington Center) earned a red ribbon (second place) for his poster.
Area Animal Science Day is designed to give 4-H youth an opportunity to learn more about the educational opportunities in the 4-H Animal Science Projects. 4-H youth are able to learn about livestock and dairy evaluation, while increasing decision making skills through judging and grading experiences. These events are focused more on the learning experience rather than the contest and competition.
For more information about the dairy and livestock judging teams, contact Ellen Andrews, 4-H Youth Development Educator, and 608-328-9440.
