Ms. Bonnie Ayars, Dairy Judging Teams Coach and Extension Youth Specialist, The Ohio State University
Dairy Quiz Bowl
What is the major buffer for maintaining optimum rumen pH? A clever dairy quiz bowl participant presses the buzzer, is recognized by the moderator, and provides the answer as saliva. That is just how a small portion of the Ohio 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl event was played this year.
On June 17, coaches and team members traveled from all over the state to the Nationwide and Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center to participate in this event. It includes both a senior and a junior division. Some are new at the competition and others have been coming for many years. However, everyone is willing to share camaraderie and a competitive spirit with each other. After a light breakfast with milk, participants complete a test to determine brackets. It is double elimination so everyone has an opportunity to play the game and be matched up with their rivals in a dual that includes wisdom, quick recall, strategy, and some fun.
With 15 volunteers on hand to manage the event, there are moderators, scorekeepers, timekeepers, door monitors, and bracket managers for both divisions. Each plays a special role in the successful management of the day’s activities. With more teams than in the past 8 years, it was round after round of nearly 600 toss up and team questions that are posed as bonuses.
As the day progressed and between rounds, everyone took time for a pizza lunch and then an ice cream bar snack provided by the American Dairy Association and Ohio Dairy Producers Associaton. This year, the juniors had the opportunity to observe the final senior round that determined the champion. Then everyone re-located and watched the final junior round! Spontaneous cheers came from the audience as the winning teams proclaim their victories.
Not only are high teams recognized, but awards are presented to individuals who earn the highest score on the pre-test and most valuable players in each division. The results of this year’s event are as follows:
Senior Division winning team: Champaign/Logan/Auglaize County represented by Ella Jackson, Kadey Starkey, and Brennan Topp; Runners-up: Mahoning County team of Levi Plocher, Christina Coler, Sara Fraser, and Rod Headland
High Senior Test Score (3 way tie): Nicole Walters and Kate Sherman (Delaware County) and Ella Jackson (Logan County)
Most Valuable Senior Player: Ella Jackson
Junior Division winning team: Champaign/Logan represented by Heath Starkey, Sam Jackson, Mackenzie Hoewischer, and Cole Pond; Runners-Up: Wayne County represented by Thomas Gress, David Miley, Denice Wolf, Ashley Hawvermale, and Adam Wolf (alternate)
High Junior Test Score: Sam Jackson
Most Valuable Junior Player: Marissa Topp
A special recognition was also named for the most original nametags and this was earned for the senior team from Delaware County and David Miley won the junior division.
Dairy Skillathons and Judging at The Ohio State Fair
The Ohio State fair is quickly approaching and youth are encouraged to participate in our two skillathons offered from 2:00 – 5:00 pm on July 24 and July 30. Final results will be announced on July 30. We also offer two dairy judging clinics on July 25 and August 1, with registration beginning at 3:00 pm. More detailed information is available at www.4hansci.osu.edu/dairy.