Missouri 4-H Team Takes Third at National Livestock Judging Contest

Missouri 4-H was well-represented at the 2024 North American International Livestock Exposition National 4-H Livestock Judging Contest in Louisville, Ky., on Nov. 19. The team from Clinton County placed third out of 29 teams.

The team included Beau Ann Graves, Paisley Nelson, Payton Rodgers, Sam Jordan and Jorja Ebert. The team was coached by Shane Bedwell and Cody Sloan.

“Shane and I were honored to coach these five individuals,” said Sloan. “It was great to see all their hard work and dedication to the team be rewarded at Louisville. They’ve made us coaches proud, their parents and supporters proud, and Missouri 4-H proud.”

“We are incredibly proud of the youths’ dedication to livestock judging and their accomplishments at the national contest,” said Maria Calvert, University of Missouri Extension state 4-H agriculture educator.

The national contest comprised 11 judging classes — four beef, three swine, three sheep classes and one goat class; four sets of reasons on two beef classes, one swine class and one sheep class; and questions on one class each of swine, sheep/goats and beef.

Programs offered by Missouri 4-H would not be possible without support from our partners. Major support for Missouri 4-H Agriculture programs was provided by the Missouri 4-H Foundation in partnership with BTC Bank, FCS Financial, MFA Foundation, Missouri Association of Meat Processors, Missouri Farm Bureau Federation, Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council, Smithfield Hog Production, and the Hertzog Family.

Photo

https://extension.missouri.edu/sites/default/files/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/2024/20241125-clinton-co.jpg
Front row, from left, Beau Ann Graves, Paisley Nelson, Payton Rodgers, Sam Jordan. Back row, from left, Shane Bedwell (coach), Jorja Ebert, Cody Sloan (coach).