Morton County placed first in the senior division of the state 4-H livestock judging contest held recently at North Dakota State University in Fargo.

The team members are Sara Jochim, Kelsie Schaff, Stetson Ellingson and Jameson Ellingson.

The first-place finish earns this team the opportunity to participate in the Eastern National 4-H livestock judging contest held in conjunction with the North American International Livestock Exposition in Louisville, Ky., in November.

The livestock judging contest consisted of nine classes of four animals each. The contestants evaluated and ranked three classes each of beef, sheep and swine. Contestants also gave oral reasons for their placing on three classes, one each of beef, sheep and swine. They also answered questions about one class.

Counties could enter any number of 4-H participants in each division of the contest. The top three scores from the county team are added to make a team score.

The second-place team is from Kidder County. Team members are Cierra Dockter, Shaye Koester, Austin Schmidt and Paige Schmidt.

The third-place team is from Stutsman County. Team members are LaMae Turk, McKenzy Dockter, Tanner Larson and Ashley Wolff.

Teams from Adams and Stark-Billings counties placed fourth and fifth, respectively.

Dockter was high individual in the senior division.

In the junior division, the team from Dickey County placed first. Team members are Rose Wendel, Reed Wendel, Caleb Hauck and Calli Hauck.

The second-place team is from Ransom County, with members Jamie Geyer, Sidney Anderson, Kendra Myers and Hunter Schultz.

The third-place team is from Golden Valley County. Members are Kyle Sarsland, Chance Manhart, Abby Hecker and Jacob Steiner.

The Adams County and Kidder county teams placed fourth and fifth, respectively.

Geyer was high individual in the junior division of the contest.

Awards for the contest were sponsored by the North Dakota Farm Bureau, North Dakota Stockmen’s Association and North Dakota 4-H Foundation.

NDSU Agriculture Communication - March 29, 2016