Burlington--For 29 Vermont 4-H dairy members, the 2024 Eastern States Exposition 4-H dairy show provided an unparalleled opportunity to compete against top dairy competitors from the other New England states.

The regional dairy show, held September 14 and 15 at the fairgrounds in West Springfield, Massachusetts, included both fitting and showing and conformation contests. Vermont's exhibitors qualified based on their outstanding performance at the state 4-H dairy show in August.

Placements in the fitting and showing classes were determined by how well the 4-H'ers presented and handled their animals in the show ring. Several classes for juniors (ages 12 to 14) and seniors (ages 15 to 18) were held to accommodate the large number of exhibitors. The top two finishers in each class then competed for grand and reserve championships in their age group.

Isabella Wilbur, Orwell, was named Senior Champion and Dawson Michaud, East Hardwick, Junior Champion. Carys Wood, East Montpelier, finished as Reserve Junior Champion. Caroline Allen, Panton, was the Honorable Mention Junior Champion.

The 4-H'ers placed as follows in their respective fitting and showing classes:

Seniors

  • Group A: Madalyn Perry, East Montpelier (third); Jaden Ploof, Panton (sixth).
  • Group C: Noa Suave, Colchester (first); Morgan Michaud, East Hardwick (third); Peyton Ball, Vergennes (fourth).
  • Group D: Torrey Hanna, Addison (second).
  • Group E: Ruby Hubbell, Shoreham (first); Mackenzie Chase, Bristol (second); Patty Bruce, Belmont (third); Hailee Allen, New Haven (fifth).
  • Group F: Isabella Wilbur, Orwell (first); Brailey Livingston, New Haven (second)

Juniors

  • Group A: Carys Wood, East Montpelier (first); Tenley Chittenden, Whiting (second); Mya Marquis, Newport (fifth).
  • Group B: Jordan Hutchins, North Ferrisburgh (third); Payton Lucas, Orwell (fourth).
  • Group C: Ava Wood, Shoreham (first).
  • Group D: Dawson Michaud, East Hardwick (first); Emmeline Paquet, East Montpelier (second); Collin Chamberlin, Addison (fourth); Emma Pothier, Newport Center (fifth).
  • Group E: Kylee Shepard, Panton (first); Talon Michaud, Greensboro Bend (third).
  • Group F: Caroline Allen, Panton (first); Bella Roell, New Haven (seventh).
  • Group G: Lola Rollins, North Ferrisburgh (third); Taryn Burns, Whiting (fourth); Natalie Hill, Greensboro (sixth)

For the conformation classes, arranged by breed and age of the animal, the judges evaluated the appearance and body condition of the animals. The first- and second-place winners in each class competed for championships.

Placements for Vermont 4-H’ers were as follows:

  • AYRSHIRE: Reserve Junior Champion and Reserve Grand Champion: Bella Roell, New Haven; Honorable Mention Junior Champion and Honorable Mention Grand Champion: Emma Pothier, Newport Center
  • Spring calf: Emma Pothier, Newport Center (first)
  • Winter yearling: Bella Roell, New Haven (first)
  • BROWN SWISS: Junior Champion and Grand Champion: Taryn Burns, Shoreham; Reserve Junior Champion and Reserve Grand Champion: Tenley Chittenden, Whiting
  • Winter calf: Noa Suave, Colchester (first)
  • Fall calf: Taryn Burns, Shoreham (first)
  • Summer yearling: Jordan Hutchins, North Ferrisburgh (first); Jayden Ploof, Panton (second)
  • Spring yearling: Tenley Chittenden, Whiting (first)
  • HOLSTEIN: Junior Champion and Reserve Grand Champion: Collin Chamberlin, Addison; Reserve Junior Champion: Ava Wood, Shoreham; Honorable Mention Junior Champion: Madalyn Perry, East Montpelier
  • Spring calf: Hailee Allen, New Haven (first)
  • Winter calf: Dawson Michaud, East Hardwick (first); Talon Michaud, Greensboro Bend (third); Mya Marquis, Newport (seventh)
  • Fall calf: Collin Chamberlin, Addison (first); Ava Wood, Shoreham (second); Emmeline Paquet (fifth) and Carys Wood (sixth), both from East Montpelier; Morgan Michaud, East Hardwick (seventh); Payton Lucas, Orwell (eighth)
  • Spring yearling: Madalyn Perry, East Montpelier (first); Peyton Ball, Vergennes (third)
  • Winter yearling: Patty Bruce, Belmont (first); Natalie Hill, Greensboro (second)
  • JERSEY: Reserve Junior Champion: Lola Rollins, North Ferrisburgh
  • Winter calf: Torrey Hanna, Addison (fourth)
  • Fall calf: Lola Rollins, North Ferrisburgh (second); Kylee Shepard, Panton (third); Ruby Hubbell, Shoreham (fourth); Mackenzie Chase, Bristol (fifth)
  • Summer yearling: Isabella Wilbur, Orwell (first)
  • Spring yearling: Caroline Allen, Panton (first)
  • MILKING SHORTHORN: Honorable Mention Junior Champion and Honorable Mention Grand Champion: Brailey Livingston, New Haven
  • Fall calf: Brailey Livingston, New Haven (second)

Vermont placed third overall in herdmanship where judges consider a number of criteria including general appearance and cleanliness of assigned area and stalls, cleanliness of animals, arrangements of exhibits and how well the 4-H’ers engage with fairgoers and respond to their questions.

Bristol 4-H’er Hailey Chase was selected as the Teen Leader for the Vermont delegation, serving as organizer, assisting with the feeding of the cattle, caring for the heifer used in the clipping contest and handing out ribbons in the show ring. She also took care of the heifers belonging to the eight Vermont youths in the judging contest as they were not allowed in the barn until after they competed. 

Serving as the night barn people were Karen and Jeff Westcom, Enosburg Falls. Poulin Grain donated grain to feed the 4-H cattle at the fair.

For more information about the 4-H dairy program in Vermont, contact Wendy Sorrell, University of Vermont Extension 4-H livestock educator, at wendy.sorrell@uvm.edu or (802) 656-7641.