BROOKINGS, S.D. - Four South Dakota 4-H members from Miner and Kingsbury Counties earned the opportunity to judge livestock at the 2016 American Royal Livestock Judging Contest in Kansas City, Missouri this October.
These senior division 4-Hers were selected for the trip after their team placed second during the South Dakota State 4-H Livestock Judging Contest held in September. Team members include; Hanna Peterson, Ben Connor and Carter Calmus of Miner County and Nicholas Kerstings of Kingsbury County. The team placed twelfth overall. Individually, Hanna Peterson placed thirteenth. "Livestock Judging develops decision-making, teamwork and speaking skills all while enhancing members' confidence," said Maria Feldhaus, SDSU Extension 4-H Youth Program Advisor - Miner County. During the American Royal Livestock Judging competition, the youth judged a total of 10 classes including two classes of steers, market lambs, market hogs, Southdown ewes, Hereford heifers, Simmental heifers, breeding gilts, breeding does and two classes of market hogs. They also gave six sets of oral reasons. Robert Peterson coached and chaperoned this team of livestock judgers. Partial funding for this trip is provided by the Livestock Industry Trust Fund set up to provide financial assistance to leadership and livestock trips of SDSU Extension's 4-H Youth Development Program. To learn more about how you can become involved in 4-H as a member or volunteer, visit www.iGrow.org .
