Wisconsin’s state 4-H livestock judging contest was held July 29 at the Stock Pavilion at University of Wisconsin-Madison. This annual event allows the top junior and senior county 4-H livestock judging teams the opportunity to apply their skills in evaluating beef, swine, sheep and meat goat classes in hopes of qualifying for a national livestock judging event this fall. 

In 2019, seven senior teams and eight junior teams participated. The contest consisted of evaluating classes of market and breeding beef, market and breeding swine, market and breeding sheep, and meat goats, as well as answering questions and delivering sets of oral reasons. These teams qualified for the state contest by being top teams at the district Area Animal Science Days that were held around the state in June. 

The top two teams in the senior division will go on to represent Wisconsin at a national judging contest this fall. A team from Marathon County took top honors in the senior division. Team members include Kailen Smerchek, Malorie Schmoll, Stephanie Witberler and Hunter Falkowski. Marathon County is coached by Dan Smerchek. The second-place senior team was Iowa County. Team members include Kyle Vondra, Blaine Springer, Emma Steffes and Skylar Garthwaite. They are coached by Jeff Thomas, Mike Robinson and Matt Heins. The third-place team was Grant County. Team members include Avery Crooks, Kendra Jentz and Blake Wegmuller. They are coached by Dennis Patterson and Amanda Cauffman.

The top 10 senior individual judges were:

1. Kailen Smercheck, Marathon County
2. Hannah Tremaine, Waukesha County
3. Kyle Vondra, Iowa County
4. Avery Crooks, Grant County
5. Blake Johnson, Trempealeau County
6. Blake Wegmuller, Grant County
7. Blaine Springer, Iowa County
8. Mallory Schmoll, Marathon County
9. Emma Steffes, Iowa County
10. Sami Rake, Columbia County

The top reasons team was Marathon County. The top five reasons individuals were Kailen Smerchek, Marathon County; Malorie Schmoll, Marathon County; Hannah Tremaine, Waukesha County; Stephanie Witberler, Marathon County; and Virginia Klecker, Jefferson County.

The top beef team was Marathon County. The top sheep and goat team was Iowa County. The top swine team was Grant County. 

Junior winners

The top junior team was from Grant County. Team members are Luke Patterson, Jessica Patterson, Madelyn Thornton and Cameron Patterson. They are coached by Dennis Patterson and Amanda Cauffman. The second-place junior team was Juneau County. Team members include Ethan Lulich, Morgan Firlus, Tyler Schwartz and Bryce Wohlrab. They are coached by Daniel Walsh and Lisa Walsh. Taking third place was Iowa County and team members Joey Robinson, Payton Heins, Luke Schubert and Ryan Schubert. The team is coached by Jeff Thomas, Mike Robinson and Matt Heins. 

The top 10 junior individual judges were:

1. Luke Patterson, Grant County
2. Morgan Firlus, Juneau County
3. Joey Robinson, Iowa County
4. Ethan Lulich, Juneau County
5. Jessica Patterson, Grant County
6. Madelyn Thornton, Grant County
7. Payton Heins, Iowa County
8. Cora Kohlman, Sheboygan County
9. Cameron Patterson, Grant County
10. Luke Schubert, Iowa County

The top beef team was Grant County. The top swine team was Iowa County. The top sheep and goat team was Juneau County. The top reasons individual for juniors went to Jessica Patterson, Grant County, and the top reasons team for the junior division was Grant County.

For more information about Wisconsin’s Youth Livestock Program, contact Bernie O’Rourke at 608-263-4304 or [email protected].

Source: Wisconsin 4-H, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.