BROOKINGS — Four Miner County 4-H members represented South Dakota, placing eleventh overall in the national livestock judging competition held during the 2017 North American International Livestock Exposition (NAILE) held in Louisville, Kentucky Nov. 14.
The team qualified for this event, placing first during the 2017 South Dakota State 4-H Livestock Judging Contest held September 16, 2017 on the campus of South Dakota State University in Brookings.
The 2017 South Dakota 4-H Senior Livestock Judging Team, made up of Miner County 4-H youth included: Carter Calmus, Benjamin Connor, Hanna Peterson and Logan Schlim.
“Livestock evaluation provides youth the ability to communicate effectively, make decisions, work under pressure and think swiftly,” said Maria Feldhaus, SDSU Extension 4-H Youth Program Advisor - Miner County.
During the livestock judging contest, youth compare their perception of an animal against the ideal, whether market or breeding animals and defend that opinion.
Youth place livestock visually and then orally explain their reasons for placing.
“These activities expose youth to not only livestock judging, but youth learn team work, effective communication skills, analytical thinking and gain confidence to defend decisions,” Feldhaus said. “Youth gain leadership skills while livestock judging that will help them excel in other areas of their lives through their ability to make and justify decisions quickly.”

 
Event placings
Carter Calmus, was recognized as the fifth overall individual, placing third in sheep/goats judging; Logan Schlim, was recognized as the twelfth place in oral reasons.
The team placed fifth in sheep/goats judging and placed eighth in oral reasons.
“I congratulate this team and all the hard work and time they have dedicated,” Feldhaus said.

Coach Robert Peterson accompanied the team to the contest. Peterson was also responsible for hosting two practice sessions each week during the month leading up to the national competition.
Austin Langemeier also assisted the group in preparing for the contest.
The travel and lodging for this competition were sponsored by the following: the Livestock Industry 4-H Trust Fund, South Dakota 4-H, Miner County Livestock Judging Alumni, and the Miner County Pork Producer’s Council.

Photo:

The first place 2017 South Dakota 4-H Senior Livestock Judging Team represented South Dakota at the North American International Livestock Exposition on November 14, 2017. Pictured here, left to right: Coach Robert Peterson, Ben Connor, Logan Schlim, Hanna Peterson and Carter Calmus.

Photo courtesy of iGrow.org