Livestock Judging Teams. Photo courtesy of Samantha Hardaway

The Greene County 4-H Livestock Judging Teams continue to perform well with one of their biggest competitions coming up next month.

Greene County ISU Extension 4-H and Youth Coordinator Samantha Hardaway says the teams competed at the Next Generation Livestock Judging Contest in Oskaloosa, where the Junior Team of Avril and Becca Shahan, Stella Lautner and Jentry Hedges earned third place overall, while the senior team earned fifth place, with Breanna Pope, Paisley Lautner, Cash Williams and Chloe Julick. Additionally, Hardaway points out that in the senior division, Pope was sixth place individually and Hedges was seventh in the junior division. 

Hardaway explains that the most recent contest was a critical opportunity for the teams to hone their skills before the State Livestock Judging Contest in May. She notes that with the teams having lots of hands-on experience from farm visits and practice sessions, they are gaining valuable knowledge. 

Hardaway thanks the different local producers for their partnerships including Berry Farms and Tucker Farms in Jefferson, along with Bills Show Pigs in Jefferson, as well as the coaches for their dedication to the youth and helping them become better competitors.