Bonnie Ayars, Dairy Judging Teams Coach and Extension Youth Specialist, The Ohio State University
It is with great pleasure and pride that I can present the results of the Ohio 4-H Dairy Judging team at the recent North American International Livestock Exposition. With 22 youth teams present, our 4-H team claimed many honors when the trophies and ribbons were presented at the recognition breakfast on Monday, November 5th. This contest usually represents a new beginning and a new team for the judging season. Members were Macy Conrad from Pickaway County, Colton Harstine from Tuscarawas County, and Tanner and Tessa Topp from Wayne County. Generally, the four individuals who participate at Louisville will be top contenders for a place on the Ohio 4-H team that competes at the national contest during World Dairy Expo of the following year.
Overall, the team placed 4rd and 5th in reasons. Considering the fact that two members had not competed in a contest of this caliber, it was an outstanding finish. As a team, they were recognized as 3rd in Jersey, 4th in Holstein, 7th in Guernsey, and 8th place for Ayrshire and Brown Swiss. Tessa Topp was the 6th high individual overall and earned 3rd place for her sets of reasons. Tanner followed by being in the 14th placing overall and Macy was 18th. Prior to the contest, the team had traveled to many workouts both in and out of Ohio.
It is a pleasure to report their success on the tanbark but a greater honor to coach the many personal victories that are afforded to these students who accept the challenge of making time to improve their skills of problem solving, decision making, and public speaking.