Tunbridge--Forty-four 4-H'ers, ages 11-18, from eight Vermont counties, qualified for the 2022 State 4-H Dairy Show, held Aug. 14-15, at the Tunbridge Fairgrounds in Tunbridge.
University of Vermont (UVM) Extension 4-H sponsored the event, which was judged by Betsy Bullard from Turner, Maine. Each exhibitor was allowed to bring two animals, and many did, with 62 animals entered in the show.
For the fitting and showmanship classes, the judge awarded placements based on how well the 4-H'er presented and handled his or her animal. The first-place winner in each of the age groups competed for the Senior (14-18) and Junior (11-13) championships.
Sarah Hill, Bristol (age 17), won the Senior Fitting and Showmanship Championship. Others in the running for this award were Keenan Thygesen, Tunbridge (age 18); Dylan Slack, Bethel (age 16); Gabriel Michaud, East Hardwick (age 15); and Elise Sanders, West Topsham (age 14).
Competing for the Junior Fitting and Showmanship Championship were Wyatt Chambers (age 13) and Sylvia Johnson (age 12), both from Tunbridge, and Dawson Michaud, East Hardwick (age 11). Sylvia was named the champion.
Both champions received a rosette ribbon and trophy, which was sponsored by Diane and Terry Norris, Shoreham, long-time supporters of this dairy show.
The 4-H'ers also competed in conformation classes, arranged by breed and age of the animal. Scoring was based on the physical structure, condition and appearance of the animal.
Earning breed championships were:
- AYRSHIRE: Senior Champion and Grand Champion: Leah Rogers, Randolph Center, with her two-year-old cow; Junior Champion and Reserve Grand Champion: Isabella Wilbur, Orwell, with her winter calf; Reserve Junior Champion: Patty Bruce, East Wallingford, with her fall calf
- BROWN SWISS: Senior Champion and Grand Champion: Lorryn Trujillo, North Clarendon, with her two-year-old cow; Junior Champion and Reserve Grand Champion: Brailey Livingston, New Haven, with her winter calf; Reserve Junior Champion: Brailey Livingston, New Haven, with her winter yearling
- GUERNSEY: Junior Champion and Grand Champion: Zach Johnson, Tunbridge, with his winter yearling; Reserve Junior Champion and Reserve Grand Champion: Sylvia Johnson, Tunbridge, with her spring yearling
- JERSEY: Senior Champion and Reserve Grand Champion: Austin Washburn, Bethel, with his two-year-old cow; Senior Reserve Champion: Amanda Ferris, Braintree, with her three-year-old cow; Junior Champion and Grand Champion: Lorryn Trujillo, North Clarendon, with her summer yearling; Reserve Junior Champion: Isabella Wilbur, Orwell, with her spring yearling
- HOLSTEIN: Senior Champion and Grand Champion: Dylan Slack, Bethel, with his four-year-old cow; Reserve Senior Champion and Reserve Grand Champion: Aubrey Maley, Irasburg, with her two-year-old cow; Junior Champion: Karissa Livingston, New Haven, with her fall calf; Reserve Junior Champion: Gabriel Michaud, East Hardwick, with his winter calf
- MILKING SHORTHORN: Junior Champion and Grand Champion: Sarah Hill, Bristol, with her fall calf; Reserve Junior Champion and Reserve Grand Champion: Caroline Allen, Ferrisburgh, with her summer yearling
Two special awards were presented at the 4-H dairy show. Dan LaCoss, Ryegate, received the Ed Gould Award, which is awarded to an adult 4-H volunteer who is a strong supporter of the Vermont 4-H dairy program. LaCoss, a former Vermont 4-H'er, has assisted with this dairy show for several years and helps with fundraising for the state teams that compete regionally and nationally.
The John Knapp Award is given each year to the highest scoring individual in the Vermont 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl, which was held in March this year. The 2022 winner was Emma Seward, East Wallingford. The late John Knapp was a dedicated 4-H volunteer who coached the state quiz bowl team for many years.
To learn more about the UVM Extension 4-H dairy program, contact Wendy Sorrell, UVM Extension 4-H livestock educator, at wendy.sorrell@uvm.edu.