Peterson, Nelson, Whitehead finish in top spots at Missouri 4-H dairy judging contest

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Tucker Peterson, Steven Nelson and Bailee Whitehead finished first, second and third, respectively, in the senior division of the Missouri State 4-H Dairy Judging Contest held Aug. 17 at the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia. Only three points separated the top three finishers.

Peterson, Nelson and Whitehead are current members of the Missouri 4-H dairy judging team and will represent the state at contests in Harrisburg, Pa., and Madison, Wis., this fall.

Peterson was the highest-scoring individual in the senior division with 378 points. Peterson was first in Ayrshires, second in Brown Swiss and Guernseys, and third in oral reasons.

Second-highest in the senior division was Nelson of Grovespring. He was first in Brown Swiss, Jerseys and oral reasons, and second in Ayrshires.

Whitehead finished third overall; he was second in Jerseys and oral reasons, and third in Brown Swiss and Guernseys.

Rounding out the top five were Josh Walther of Cape Girardeau and Grant Voelker of Perryville. Walther was first in Holsteins and third in Ayrshires.

Lauren Whitehead of Conway was highest-scoring in the intermediate division with 343 points. In second was Ellie Wantland of Niangua. Rounding out the top five were Lora Wright of Clever, Kathrin Buff of Ava and Shaelyn Scoon of Schuyler County. Scoon was second in Holsteins.

Bailey Groves of Billings was the high individual in the junior division with 351 points. Second was Kelsie Grimm of Aurora, followed by Lila Wantland of Niangua, Whitney Yerina of Conway and Taylor Whitehead of Conway.

The contestants placed six classes and gave two sets of reasons. The top three individuals in each breed received cash prizes sponsored by Missouri breed associations. The top 10 individuals in each division received rosettes from the Missouri State Fair, and the top three individuals in each division received a plaque from the Missouri State Fair and supporters of the contest.

Contestants, their families and exhibitors who provided cattle for the event were the guests at a junior dairymen’s barbecue sponsored by Midwest Dairy Association, Missouri State Fair, Missouri Cattlemen’s Association, MFA, Dairy Farmers of America, and Hiland Dairy.

Teams will represent Missouri 4-H at three contests this fall: the Invitational Youth Dairy Cattle Judging Contest at the All-American Dairy Show in Harrisburg, Pa.; the National 4-H Dairy Cattle Judging Contest in Madison, Wis.; and the North American International Livestock Exposition contest in Louisville, Ky.

For more information about the dairy judging program, contact either Ted Probert at the Wright County Extension Center at 417-741-6134 or Karla Deaver at the Lawrence County Extension Center at 417-466-3102.