Hundreds of Minnesota 4-H’ers spend their summer evenings looking at animals determining the best reason to place one animal over another. Experience in judging livestock helps a participant select future projects and replacements for their own herd ventures. Members learn about the parts of the animals, individual breed characteristics, meat qualities, general disqualifications and how to justify their placement.

Mower County had teams compete in three separate categories at the Minnesota State Fair during the 4-H Livestock Encampment. Categories included general livestock, poultry and rabbit.

The general livestock judging contest involves members evaluating cattle, hogs, sheep and goats. Mower County 4-H had a junior and a senior team.

The Senior Team members included Martha Moenning, Emily Bollum, Kristine Schechinger, Mya Burkhart. The team placed fifth overall team, third overall in reasons, third place beef team, third place swine team and fourth place sheep/goat team. Individually, team members earned the following awards:

• Mya Burkhart: First place beef individual, 10th place swine individual, fourth place overall senior individual

• Kristine Schechinger: Ninth place beef individual

• Martha Moenning: 10th place individual sheep/goats, third place overall senior reasons

• Emily Bollum: Sixth place swine individual

The Intermediate Team members included Brody Erickson, Riley Hetzel and John Swanek. The team placed seventh overall team and fifth place for sheep/goat team. Individually, team members earned the following awards:

• Brody Erickson: Seventh place beef individual

• Riley Hetzel: Ninth place sheep/goat individual

Mower County had three individuals compete in the poultry judging contest at the Minnesota State Fair this year: Catrina Andree, Michael Carroll and Jazmin Murphy.

Individually, team members earned the following awards:

• Michael Carroll: Ninth place overall

• Catrina Andree: 14th place overall

Mower County had members participating in both the junior and senior rabbit judging contests at the Minnesota State Fair.

The senior team from Mower County included Rachael Riley, Toria Strampe, Abby Mueller and Danielle Hatten. The team placed ninth overall.

The intermediate team was a joint team between Freeborn and Mower County. Team members included Abby VanPelt, Brianna Klouse, Hannah Case and Hailey Fisher. The team placed second overall and seventh place overall in team reasons/questions. Individually, Brianna Klouse placed fourth in individual overall.