Seventeen DeKalb County 4-H members recently traveled to the Tennessee Livestock Center in Murfreesboro to compete in the largest Central Region 4-H Livestock Judging contest on record with around 400 contestants.  The Junior division team of Ian Barnes, Izayah Dowell, Tyler Dunn, Chaylea Lunsford, and Brooklyn Ponder took top honors out of 23 teams.  Tyler placed second individually while Izayah placed fourth. The Junior High team comprised of Jenna Cantrell, Colby Barnes, Elizabeth Seber, and Marissa Clark placed seventh and the team of Ansley Cantrell, Riley Fuson, Luke Magness, John Iervolino and Caley Taylor placed 15th.  Luke Magness was eighth highest individual.  There were 32 total teams in that division.  Payton Cantrell, Clayton Crook and Caleb Taylor competed in the Senior High division and also represented well, placing 17th with only a three-man team.

Livestock Judging teaches 4-H members decision-making skills while they learn more about the livestock industry.  Beef cattle, sheep, goats, and hogs are evaluated to know which animals would be best in a farm’s breeding program or would make the most profit at market.  4-H’ers also learn how to read and use genetic information (EPDs) to assist in the selection of livestock.   This is very useful knowledge if these young people ever buy livestock of their own.  It also gives them a better understanding of where their food comes from.  Eight total classes of animals are judged at the contest.  The Senior division also must give two sets of oral reasons to explain why they placed the class the way they did.  This improves their communication skills, as they must think under pressure while still using good presentation techniques.