Local Youth Compete at County 4-H Livestock Judging Contest

Livestock judging is the evaluation of an animal's characteristics in comparison to the ideal standard. Contestants judged the animals on their ability to produce high quality offspring and their potential meat production.

Contestants were divided into three divisions to compete, including: adults, ages 19 years old and up; seniors, ages 14 years old to 18 years old; and juniors, ages 8 years old to 13 years old. Then, the individuals judged a total of six classes consisting of: Angus heifers, Angus steers, crossbred ewe lambs, fall Suffolk ewe lambs, market goats, and market hogs.

Top Overall Junior Individuals:

• 1^st - Jeremiah Howe, Downingtown, Pa.
• 2^nd - Georgia Horosky, Saint Peters, Pa.
• 3^rd - Ridan Kerner, Birdsboro Pa.
• 4^th - Alexis McCafferty, Coatesville, Pa.
• 5^th - Ruby Rohrer, Nottingham, Pa.
• 6^th - Kendra Beiler, Gap, Pa.
• 7^th - Hannah Beiler, Gap, Pa.

Top Overall Senior Individuals:

• 1^st - David Bell, Nottingham, Pa.
• 2^nd - Melinda Stoltzfus, Coatesville, Pa.
• 3^rd - Kaitlin Bell, Nottingham, Pa.
• 4^th - Zachary Johnson, Elverson, Pa.
• 5^th - Jason Mazepink, Parkesburg, Pa.
• 6^th - Claire Obara, Kimberton, Pa.
• 7^th - Tyler Zimmerman, Lancaster, Pa.

Top Overall Adult Individuals:

• 1^st - Tiffany Bell, Nottingham, Pa.
• 2^nd - Nathan Howe, Downingtown, Pa.
• 3^rd - Michelle Cross, Oxford, Pa.
• 4^th - Peter Flynn, West Chester, Pa.
• 5^th - Sara Beiler, Gap, Pa.
• 6^th - Susan Johnson, Elverson, Pa.
• 7^th - Deborah Gunn, Downingtown, Pa.

"The annual contest provides youth and adults alike the opportunity to improve their livestock evaluation skills and learn the latest livestock trends as the industry continues to advance," said Logan Hall, 4-H extension educator. "The youth also learn what qualities to look for when they are selecting next year's 4-H projects or breeding stock to add to their operations."