Burlington--At the 2023 State 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl on March 11, 4-H'ers demonstrated their ability to quickly and accurately answer dairy-related questions under pressure. 

The competition, held at the University of Vermont (UVM) in Burlington, attracted 43 competitors, ages 8 to 18. It included a written exam and several rounds of oral questions on a wide range of topics including cattle breeds, dairy nutrition, herd health, feeds and forages, anatomy, genetics, milk production and the dairy industry.

Up to 10 rosette ribbons were awarded in each age division with the top four seniors (ages 14-18) named to the State 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl Team that will represent Vermont in New England regional and national competitions this year.

  • Team members are Torrey Hanna, Addison, who finished first, and Amy Vaughan, Newbury (second); Morgan White, Whiting (third); and Brailey Livingston, New Haven (fourth). They will be coached by Judy Vaughan, Newbury.
  • Other seniors finishing in the top 10 were Elizabeth Waterman, Thetford Center (fifth); Sadie Ellner, Morristown (sixth); Elizabeth Vaughan, Newbury (seventh); Patty Bruce, Wallingford (eighth); Steven Werner, Stannard (ninth); and Leah Rogers, Randolph Center (tenth)
  • 4-H'ers who competed in this division but did not place were Peyton Ball and Christopher Brown, both from New Haven; Chandler Cook, Randolph; Dani Flint, Bethel; Holden Marcelino, Johnson: Maddie Perry, East Montpelier; Chyanna Stone, Brandon; and Alyssa Warren, Shoreham.

Placements for the three younger age groups were as follows:

  • 12- and 13-year-olds: Caroline Allen, Ferrisburgh (first); Bryn Nelson, Ryegate (second); Alexa Graham, Potton, Quebec (third); Emmeline Paquet, East Montpelier (fourth); Austin Washburn, Bethel (fifth); Bristol Card, Williston (sixth); Reegan Kelly (seventh) and Eva Bury (eighth), both from Derby           
  • 10- and 11-year-olds: Tenley Chittenden, Shoreham (first); CJ McNeely, Lunenburg (second); Molly Palmer, Fairfax (third); Daniel Bruce, Wallingford (fourth); Remington Card, Williston (fifth); Jazmine Cram, Leicester (sixth); Annabelle Hackett, Middlebury (seventh)   
  • 8- and 9-year-olds: Rowdy Pope, Bridport (first); Olivia Tudhope, Orwell (second); Patrick Paquet, East Montpelier (third); Sutton Chittenden, Shoreham (fourth); Thomas Allen, Ferrisburgh (fifth); Emily Palmer, Fairfax (sixth); Ryan Holbrook, Hardwick (seventh); Ella Pope, Shoreham (eighth); Faith Bromley, Wallingford (ninth); Colt Card, Williston (tenth)

Assisting Wendy Sorrell, UVM Extension 4-H livestock educator, with the event were Melinda Birch, 4-H educator for Essex and Orleans Counties; Judy Vaughan, Newbury; and two members of the 2022 State 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl Team, Liviya Russo, Lunenburg, and Lorryn Trujillo, North Clarendon.

Others volunteers included Becky Allen, Ferrisburgh; Courtney Banach, South Burlington;  Adrianne Card, Williston; Stephanie Pope, Bridport; Emily Waterman, Thetford Center; Mercedes Werner, Stannard; and Cady White, Whiting.

To learn more about the Vermont 4-H dairy program, contact Wendy Sorrell at wendy.sorrell@uvm.edu.