The Dickey County team took first place in the senior division of the North Dakota State 4-H Livestock Judging Contest, which was held in Shepperd Arena at North Dakota State University.

Morton County’s team placed first in the contest’s junior division.

During the competition, 20 junior and 17 senior teams judged cattle, swine, goats and sheep.

“The skills these individuals develop preparing for a contest like this are immeasurable,” says Leigh Ann Skurupey, the animal science youth development specialist in NDSU Extension’s Center for 4-H Youth Development. “These young adults gain confidence, leadership skills and public speaking skills as they work toward their future careers.”

The members of the first-place Dickey County team were Reed Wendel, Rose Wendel, Caleb Hauck, Calli Hauck, Erich Scheffert, Ryder Wendel and Megan Rodine. The first-place Morton County team consisted of Ty MacDonald, Medora Ellingson, Sheridan Ellingson, Karsten Peterson and Grant Hauge.

The other top teams in the senior division were:

• Second - Ransom County, with team members Jamie Geyer, Jacob Bear, Kendra Myers, Gabe Loyns and Caleb Schwab
• Third - Oliver County, with team members Jacob Klaudt, Rebecca Schmidt, Wilton Henke, Reanna Schmidt and Olivia Klein
• Fourth - Sheridan County, with team members Rhea Laib, Carson Houser, Ryeleigh Laib and Kaitly Haux
• Fifth - Golden Valley, with team members Chance Manhart, Abbi Steeke and Abby Hecker

The remaining top teams in the junior division were:

• Second - Adams County, with team members Blake Larson, Sophia Kennedy, Mace Stuber, Grant Kees, Joclyn Wolff, Katy Schauer, Oscar Laufer, Kestrel Damjanovich and Chloe Marquardt
• Third - Foster County, with team members Molly Hansen, Will Spickler, Isabel Wendel, Jessa Spickler, Cyrena Kuss, Haylie Spickler, Cally Hansen, Trace Spickler, Kadence Spickler and Jozy Retzlaff
• Fourth - Ransom County, with team members Olivia Nitschke, Rylee Erdmann, Paige Zimprich, Haley McLeod and Kaylee Erdmann
• Fifth - Bowman County, with team members Trevor Andrews, Dillon Bowman. Timber Hauso, Samuel Andrews, Casey Kinsey, Kaylee Kinsey and Blake Wolbaum

The top five individuals in the senior division classes were:

Overall

• First - Jamie Geyer, Ransom County
• Second - Fletcher Hennessy, Mountrail County
• Third - Rhea Laib, Sheridan County
• Fourth - Jacob Klaudt, Oliver County
• Fifth - Chance Manhart, Golden Valley County

Reasons

• First - Chance Manhart, Golden Valley County
• Second - Rhea Laib, Sheridan County
• Third - Reed Wendel, Dickey County
• Fourth - Kendra Myers, Ransom County
• Fifth - Madelien Nichols, Foster County

Sheep

• First - Chance Manhart, Golden Valley County
• Second - Bradyn Lachenmeier, Foster County
• Third - Kendra Myers, Ransom County
• Fourth - Rhea Laib, Sheridan County
• Fifth - Jacob Klaudt, Oliver County

Swine

• First - Jamie Geyer, Ransom County
• Second - Fletcher Hennessy, Mountrail County
• Third - Chance Manhart, Golden Valley County
• Fourth - Rhea Laib, Sheridan County
• Fifth - Mitch Stuber, Adams County

Beef

• First - Rose Wendel, Dickey County
• Second - Fletcher Hennessy, Mountrail County
• Third - Kelsey Vandeberghe, Stutsman County
• Fourth - Rhea Laib, Sheridan County
• Fifth - Heather Fischer, Barnes County

The top five individuals in the junior division classes were:

Overall

• First - Ty MacDonald, Morton County
• Second - Blake Larson, Adams County
• Third - Olivia Nitschke, Ransom County
• Fourth - Molly Hansen, Foster County
• Fifth - Sophia Kennedy, Adams County

Reasons

• First - Sophia Kennedy, Adams County
• Second - Ty MacDonald, Morton County
• Third - Lilly Solemsaas, Renville County
• Fourth - Kade Manhart, Golden Valley County
• Fifth - Medora Ellingson, Morton County

Sheep

• First - Olivia Nitschke, Ransom County
• Second - Sophia Kennedy, Adams County
• Third - Ty MacDonald, Morton County
• Fourth - Blake Larson, Adams County
• Fifth - Lilly Solemsaas, Renville County

Swine

• First - Karsten Peterson, Morton County
• Second - Madalyn Livedalen, McHenry County
• Third - Ty MacDonald, Morton County
• Fourth - Kade Manhart, Golden Valley County
• Fifth - Paige Zimprich, Ransom County

Beef

• First - Blake Larson, Adams County
• Second - Medora Ellingson, Morton County
• Third - Sophia Kennedy, Adams County
• Fourth - Molly Hansen, Foster County
• Fifth - Will Spickler, Foster County

The Independent Beef Association of North Dakota, North Dakota Stockmen’s Association, Farm Bureau and North Dakota 4-H Foundation sponsored the contest.

NDSU Agriculture Communication - March 19, 2019