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WINNESHIEK COUNTY, Iowa — Winneshiek County 4-H members have excelled at the state and national level this summer in dairy judging contests. In dairy judging, youth evaluate classes of dairy cows and heifers and then defend their placings through oral reasoning. Dairy judging gives members the opportunity to learn the dairy cow unified scorecard and major breakdowns, anatomy of the dairy cow, as well as dairy judging terminology. Winneshiek County 4-H members competed in the State 4-H Dairy Judging Contest, held in conjunction with the Iowa State Fair on August 7, 2024. The senior team consisted of Anders Lovstuen, Kelsey Timp, Hanna Vagts, Mara Lovstuen, and Brinlee Courtney. The junior team consisted of Kennedi Vagts and Reagan Gallagher. The Winneshiek County 4-H dairy judging teams were coached by Blake Courtney and Garrett Lovstuen. At the State 4-H Dairy Judging Contest, both teams had great success. The senior team received 1st place overall, 1st place in oral reasons, 1st place in the Guernsey Breed, and 1st place in the Holstein Breed. Anders Lovstuen was recognized as the 1st place overall individual, 1st place in oral reasons, and received 1st place in the Guernsey Breed. Hanna Vagts was recognized as the 4th place overall individual, 5th place in oral reasons, received 3rd place in the Brown Swiss Breed, and 2nd place in the Jersey Breed. Kelsey Timp was recognized as 7th place in oral reasons, received 5th place in the Ayrshire Breed, 3rd place in the Guernsey Breed, and 4th place in the Milking Shorthorns Breed. With the senior team winning first place, they advanced to the National 4-H Dairy Judging Contest with the opportunity to represent Iowa 4-H at the World Dairy Expo on September 29, 2024. The junior team members Kennedi Vagts and Reagan Gallagher were also recognized following the State 4-H Dairy Judging Contest at the Iowa State Fair. Kennedi Vagts received 10th place in the Jersey Breed and was recognized as 15th place in oral reasons. Reagan Gallagher received 1st place in the Holstein Breed, 3rd place in the Milking Shorthorn Breed, and was recognized as 14th place in oral reasons. The Senior Winneshiek County 4-H Dairy Judging Team traveled to Madison, Wis., to compete in the National 4-H Dairy Judging Contest at the World Dairy Expo at the end of September. The trip to Madison started with a dairy judging practice in Northeast Iowa and a tour of the National Dairy Shrine Museum in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin. On judging day, the team evaluated 5 classes of heifers, 5 classes of cows, and gave 5 sets of reasons. The team finished 10th overall, received 6th place in oral reasons, and 1st place overall in the Jersey Breed. Anders Lovstuen was recognized as the 12th place overall individual, received 3rd place in the Jersey Breed, and 5th place in the Holstein Breed. With Anders placing in the top 25, he was recognized individually as an All-American. Kelsey Timp received 1st place overall in the Ayrshire Breed. Join the community of savvy subscribers (for free)! Get the latest updates, tips, and insider information by subscribing to the free newsletter today.

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Udder-ly Exciting: Winneshiek 4-H Dominates in Dairy Judging