4-H'ers compete at state livestock show

by Caitlyn Bidart-4th year 4-H Member Divine Swine

A fantastic time was had by all Douglas County 4-H Livestock members during the 4-day, 2010 Nevada Junior Livestock Show held earlier this month in Reno (April 29-May 2). The event attracts 4-H and FFA members from across Nevada and neighboring California counties. For four days, youth compete in livestock judging, market and breeding contests, fun festivities and the final sale and auction.

The event started off with the Nevada State 4-H and FFA Livestock Judging Contest with judging teams from across Nevada. Our livestock judging 4-H, leader, Tami Seddon, did a great job preparing us for state.

For the Nevada State 4-H Livestock Judging competition on Thursday, youth judging teams put their skills to the test when they evaluated goats, cattle, swine and sheep according to industry standards. The youth had to evaluate seven separate classes of four animals in each class. Then the youth defended their decisions by presenting oral reasons to an official judge. Scores for each individual youth are determined by adding up the points for each class, including reasons scores. If a class is judged correctly, the youth receives 50 points with point deductions taken for mistakes made.

Douglas County 4-H Livestock Judging members competing were Grace Bonafede, Bailey Gansberg, Dominique Groffman, Emily Hone, Anna Lekumberry, Ethan McKinney, Leah McKinney, Kelsey Nalder, Lane Smith, Ethan Usher, and Amy Westre.

Our Junior Livestock Judging Team (ages 9-10) did very well and placed second. Members were Emily Hone, Ethan McKinney and Ethan Usher.

Our Intermediate Team (ages 11-13) placed first. Members were Grace Bonafede, Anna Lekumberry, Leah McKinney and Lane Smith.

We also had several High Point winners: High point intermediate individuals were Bailey Gansberg - first, Anna Lekumberry - second, Amy Westre - third, Grace Bonafede - fifth, and Leah McKinney -seventh.

We followed that evening with stick horse race contests for the kids and their families! The arena was full of energy and laughter as many families vied for the top spots in Barrel Racing, Pole Bending, and Team Sheep Penning (which the Usher Family tied for 2nd). It's not as easy as you think with a stick horse to ride. You should come try it next year!

Bright and early Friday morning the fairground was buzzing with kids getting their animals ready for their market classes. Douglas County 4-H members of The Carson Valley Shepherds, Divine Swine, and Carson Valley Beef projects members all placed well:

Lamb Class 2: Griffin Frensdorff 1st, Emily Hone 2nd, Ethan McKinney 5th

Lamb Class 3: Dominique Groffman 3rd, Amy Westre 4th

Lamb Class 5: Kelsey Nalder 1st, Leah McKinney 4th

Lamb Class 6: Jessa Gansberg 3rd, Josh Brown 4th, Grace Bonafede 6th

Lamb Class 7: Cheyenne Bidart 1st, Levi Costa 2nd

Swine Class 2: Marshall McKown 8th

Swine Class 4: Etienne Lekumberry 2nd

Swine Class 5: Connor Billman 1st

Swine Class 6: Caitlyn Bidart 3rd

Swine Class 7: Bailey Gansberg 2nd, Ethan Usher 4th

Beef Market Class: Anna Lekumberry 9th

Beef Heifer Class: Lane Smith 5th

Beef Homegrown: Anna Lekumberry 8th

All first and second place winners from each class went on to show in their species Grand Drive. Kelsey Nalder won Grand Champion Lamb and Will Carasco, of neighboring Smith Valley, won Reserve Grand Champion Lamb. Bailey Gansberg won Reserve Grand Champion Swine. The C.V. Shepherds were awarded 1st place in the Market Lamb Pen of 5 and the Divine Swine were awarded 2nd place in the Market Swine Pen of 5. The County Award for the most winners in a club went to the Carson Valley Shepherds.

We also had lambs in the homegrown, feeder, and breeding shows. Congratulations to Leah McKinney for the Grand Champion feeder lamb, Griffin Frensdorff for placing 2nd in Homegrown, and to independent member, Sarah Cook for placing first in winter breeding class. Congrats also are in order to Ethan McKinney, Alex Westre, and Amy Westre for placing in all ten of the breeding classes.

The beef judge was Gary Lesh, sheep and goats were judged by Ron Imbach. The swine judge was Ralph Loya, the goat judge was Dr. Celina Johnson, and dairy was judged by Anthony Reis. All the participants did an outstanding job.

After a wonderful 2nd day, the Douglas County 4-H livestock projects were up and ready for the showmanship classes on Saturday morning.

Carson Valley Shepherds:

Seniors (ages 14 & up): Cheyenne Bidart 5th, Kelsey Nalder 8th

Intermediates (ages 11-13):Leah McKinney 1st, Levi Costa 3rd, Griffin Frensdorff 8th, Dominique Groffman 9th, Grace Bonafede 13th.

Juniors (ages 9-10): Emily Hone 4th, Josh Brown 5th, Ethan McKinney 8th

Independent:

Intermediate (11-13) Sarah Cook 2nd,, Grand Champion Round Robin.

Divine Swine:

Intermediates (11-13): Marshall McKown, 2nd, Caitlyn Bidart 3rd, Bailey Gansberg 4th

Juniors (9-10): Ethan Usher 7th

Carson Valley Beef Project:

Intermediates (11-13): Anna Lekumberry 4th.

Afterward we attended the Unity Dance and Dinner and awards were presented.

Congratulations to each and every one of your for an outstanding job. We would like to sincerely thank all of our buyers for sponsoring us in these low economic times, the Douglas County Farm Bureau for giving a generous add-on to all Douglas County 4-H and FFA market animals during the sale, and to Nita Vick for the generous add-on to all Carson Valley Livestock Project market animals. We are blessed to have your support in our livestock ventures.

We would especially like to thank our 4-H Leaders for working with us all year and spending four grueling days camped out at the fairgrounds with us each year! Nita Vick (Carson Valley Shepherds), Skyler Zulian (Divine Swine), Todd Gansberg (Carson Valley Beef), Tami Seddon (Livestock Judging). For information on 4-H call (775) 782-9960. 4-H is a youth development program of The University of Nevada Cooperative Extension.