A Ransom County 4-H livestock judging team placed first in the senior division of the J.H. Shepperd livestock judging contest at the North Dakota Winter Show in Valley City.

Team members are Nicole Smith, Carlyssa Quam and Craig Gregor from McLeod; Klay Oland from Sheldon; and Dani Buskohl from Wyndmere. Brian Zimprich is the team’s coach. The team received plaques sponsored by the North Dakota Stockmen’s Association.

Smith also received the Mel Kirkeide Award as the top livestock judger with the high individual score. She received a plaque sponsored by the North Dakota Winter Show.

The Oliver County team placed second, followed by the team from Morton County, third; McHenry County, fourth; and Mountrail County, fifth.

Morton County’s team placed first in the junior livestock division. Team members are Kathryn Goettle and Hunter Schlosser from Mandan, and Sierra Ellingson, Stetson Ellingson, Jameson Ellingson and Lane Tokach from St. Anthony. Jerry Buckley, Jackie Buckley, Dwight Keller and Richard Tokach are the team’s coaches.

Kacey Koester of Steele, a member of the Kidder County team, placed first in individual scores in the junior division.

A Ransom County team placed second; Emmons County, third; Bowman County, fourth; and Oliver County, fifth, in the junior division.

Livestock judging consists of evaluating classes of four animals and ranking them based on conformation and how they will fulfill a role in a given production scenario. Contestants defend their placing with oral reasons.

NDSU Agriculture Communication - March 18, 2011