Barton--It was all about cows and kids on July 22 at the Orleans County Fairgrounds in Barton as 36 members of area 4-H clubs competed in the annual Orleans and Essex 4-H County Dairy Show.
The show was open to 4-H'ers, ages 8 to 18, who showed their animals in both fitting and showmanship and conformation contests. University of Vermont (UVM) Extension 4-H-sponsored the event, which was judged by Seth Johnson of Tunbridge.
In fitting and showmanship, Johnson evaluated the exhibitors on their poise and how well they handled their animal. Riverbends 4-H Club member Livi Russo, Lunenburg, was named the Senior Fitting and Showing Champion. Natalie Michaud, Greensboro Bend, a member of the Kingdom Country Farmers, won the Junior Fitting and Showing Championship award. The Novice Showmanship Champion was Grace Patenaude of Derby, a member of the Border Livestock 4-H Club.
All the first-place winners in the fitting and showmanship contests received a trophy and rosette ribbon. They were:
Novice (age 8-13 and first year in 4-H): Grace Patenaude, Derby
Junior (ages 10-11): Abel Brown, Sutton
Junior (ages 12-13): Natalie Michaud, Greensboro Bend
Senior (ages 14-18): Livi Russo, Lunenburg
The 4-H'ers also competed in the conformation classes, which are organized by age and breed of animal. Abel Brown, Sutton, was named the Supreme Junior Champion for all breeds. The Reserve Supreme Junior Championship went to Livi Russo, Lunenburg. Talon Michaud, East Hardwick, received an Honorable Mention.
Individuals who were named breed champions were:
AYRSHIRE: Senior Champion and Grand Champion: Livi Russo, Lunenburg, with her two-year-old cow. Junior Champion and Reserve Grand Champion: Livi Russo with her spring yearling; Reserve Jr. Champion, Livi Russo with her spring calf
BROWN SWISS: Junior Champion and Grand Champion: Grace Patenaude, Derby, with her winter calf; Junior Reserve Champion and Reserve Grand Champion: Reegan Kelley, Derby, with her summer yearling
GUERNSEY: Junior Champion and Grand Champion: Max Demaine, West Glover, with his summer yearling
HOLSTEIN: Junior Champion and Junior Grand Champion: Abel Brown, Sutton, with his winter calf; Junior Reserve Champion and Reserve Grand Champion: Talon Michaud, East Hardwick, with his spring calf
JERSEY: Senior Champion and Grand Champion: Zoe Young, West Glover, with her four-year-old cow; Senior Reserve Champion and Reserve Grand Champion: Maia Young, West Glover, with her two-year-old cow; Junior Champion: Brooklyn Blair, Craftsbury Commons, with her spring calf; Junior Reserve Champion: Anna Whittemore, Orleans, summer yearling
MILKING SHORTHORN: Junior Champion and Grand Champion: Nora Demaine, West Glover, with her fall calf
Prizes for the exhibitors in the novice classes were sponsored by the Border Livestock 4-H Club in Derby. The Orleans County 4-H Foundation sponsored the rosettes and ribbons for the show.
To learn more about the 4-H dairy program in Essex and Orleans Counties, contact Lindy Birch at (802) 334-7235, ext. 481, or melinda.birch@uvm.edu.