The 2025 State 4-H Dairy Judging Contest provided an opportunity for 4-H dairy members to demonstrate their ability to evaluate and rank dairy cattle based on breed standards.

Forty-four 4-H’ers participated in this year’s competition, which has held June 14 at Liberty Hill Farm and Inn in Rochester. The Kennett family—Bob and Beth and their son David and his wife Asia—hosted the competition, providing the venue as well as freshly made donuts, water, snacks and Monument Farms chocolate milk for the participants.

The 4-H’ers judged five classes of Holsteins: spring calves, winter calves, two-year-olds, four-year-olds and aged cows. The seniors (aged 14 to 18) also were required to provide oral reasons for their placements.

Scores for each class were combined to determine each individual’s overall score and ranking. Up to 10 rosette ribbons were awarded in each age group.

Placements were as follows:

  • 14- to 18-year-olds: Morgan Michaud, East Hardwick (first); Mackenzie Chase, Bristol (second); Dawson Michaud, East Hardwick (third); Talon Michaud, Greensboro (fourth); Steven Werner, Stannard (fifth); Isabella Wilbur, Orwell (sixth); Emma Deering, Middlebury (seventh); Carolyn Allen, Vergennes (eighth); Hailey Chase, Bristol (ninth); Emmeline Paquet, East Montpelier (tenth)

    Several other 4-H’ers competed in this age group earning blue or red Danish ribbons, depending on their overall score. Winning blue ribbons were Hailey Bartlett, Bristol; Collin Chamberlin, Addison; McKenzie Forbes, Middlebury; Ruby Hubbell and Ava Wood, both from Shoreham; Whitney McClain, Tunbridge; Scott Patoine, Hardwick; and Maddie Perry, East Montpelier. Red-ribbon winners were Hailey Allen, New Haven; Lola Rollins, Ferrisburgh; and Natalia and Wyatt Tarbell, Middletown Springs.

    Zach Johnson, Tunbridge, also participated although was not eligible to compete for placements as he is a member of the 2025 Vermont 4-H Dairy Judging Team A, selected last year to represent the state at regional and national competitions this year.
  • 11- and 12-year-olds: Hadley Michaud, Hardwick (first); Katelyn Sibley, East Montpelier (second); Tenley Chittenden, Shoreham and Carys Wood, East Montpelier (tie for third); Payton Lucas (fourth) and Boston Wilbur (fifth), both from Orwell
  • 10- and 11-year-olds: Ella Pope, Shoreham (first); Rowdy Pope, Bridport (second); Paige Chamberlin, Addison (third); Ella Purchase, East Montpelier (fourth); Sutton Chittenden, Shoreham (fifth); Olivia Tudhope, Orwell (sixth); Harlow Converse, Derby (seventh)
  • 8- and 9-year-olds: Scarlett Perry, East Montpelier (first); Ellis Chittenden, Shoreham (second); Amelia Tudhope, Orwell (third); Sophia Purchase, East Montpelier (fourth); Lucas Gorton, New Haven (fifth); Piper Simoneau, Newport (sixth); Jackson Tarbell, Middletown Springs (seventh); Carson Ayer, East Montpelier (eighth)
4 4-H'ers holding ribbons
Proudly showing off the rosette ribbons earned at the 2025 State 4-H Dairy Judging Contest, June 14 at Liberty Hill Farm and Inn in Rochester, were some of the 4-H’ers who placed in the top 10 in the Senior Division. They were (left to right): Emmeline Paquet, East Montpelier; Carolyn Allen, Vergennes; Emma Deering, Middlebury; and Isabella Wilbur, Orwell. (photo: Dawn Livingston)
5 4-H'ers holding ribbons
Competing in the 12- and 13-year-olds age group at the 2025 State 4-H Dairy Judging Contest, June 14 in Rochester, were: (left to right): Boston Wilbur and Payton Lucas, both from Orwell; Carys Wood, East Montpelier; Tenley Chittenden, Shoreham; and Katelyn Sibley, East Montpelier. Missing from photo: Hadley Michaud, Hardwick. (photo: Dawn Livingston)
a group of 4-h'ers holding ribbons
Seven 10- and 11-year-olds were among the 44 4-H’ers who participated in the 2025 State 4-H Dairy Judging Contest, June 14 in Rochester. They were: Front row (left to right): Paige Chamberlin, Addison; Rowdy Pope, Bridport; and Ella Pope, Shoreham. Back row: Harlow Converse, Derby; Olivia Tudhope, Orwell; Sutton Chittenden, Shoreham; and Ella Purchase, East Montpelier. (photo: Dawn Livingston)
group of 4-h'ers holding ribbons
Several 8- and 9-year-old 4-H’ers competed in their first-ever State 4-H Dairy Judging Contest. They were: Front Row (left to right): Amelia Tudhope, Orwell; Ellis Chittenden, Shoreham; and Scarlett Perry, East Montpelier. Back row: Carson Ayer, East Montpelier; Piper Simoneau, Newport; Lucas Gorton, New Haven; and Sophia Purchase, East Montpelier. The 2025 event was held June 14 in Rochester. Missing from photo: Jackson Tarbell, Middletown Springs. (photo: Dawn Livingston)
Joanna Lidback, Brailey Livingston, and Zach Johnson
Joanna Lidback of Barton, the state 4-H dairy judging team coach (left) poses with Brailey Livingston, New Haven, and Zach Johnson, Tunbridge, members of the 2025 Vermont 4-H Dairy Judging Team A, at the conclusion of the 2025 State 4-H Dairy Judging Contest on June 14 in Rochester. (photo: Dawn Livingston)

The event was sponsored by University of Vermont (UVM) Extension 4-H and organized by Extension 4-H Livestock Educator Wendy Sorrell. Adult volunteers were Dawn Livingston, New Haven; UVM 4-H Educator Molly McFaun; Amber Perry, East Montpelier; Marissa Simoneau, Newport; and Jen Thygesen, Tunbridge.

Brailey Livingston, New Haven, assisted show official Joanna Lidback of Barton, the state 4-H dairy judging team coach, by leading and handling animals for judging. She is a 4-H dairy member and on the 2025 Vermont 4-H Dairy Judging Team A.

To learn more about the 4-H dairy program in Vermont, call (802) 656-7641.