New Haven--Despite a week of frequent downpours, the weather cooperated on Saturday, July 15, for the 49 youths with their 64 animals who participated in the 2023 Multi-County 4-H Dairy Show.
They traveled to the Addison County Fair and Field Days grounds in New Haven to show animals that they had worked with in their 4-H projects this year. Participants were from Addison, Chittenden, Lamoille and Rutland Counties. 4-H dairy alum Elizabeth Menard, Franklin, served as the official judge for the day.
The show began with the fitting and showmanship classes where competitors in each age division were judged on how well they presented and handled their animals.
The winner of the Senior Champion Showmanship (ages 14 to 18) was Lorryn Trujillo, North Clarendon. Reserve Senior Champion Showman was Brailey Livingston, New Haven, with Honorable Mention going to Hailey Chase, Bristol.
Taryn Burns, Whiting, captured the Junior Champion Showmanship (ages 8 -13). Caroline Allen, Ferrisburgh, was named Reserve Junior Champion Showman. Honorable Mention Champion Showman went to Colin Chamberlin, Addison.
Following the fitting and showmanship competition, the 4-H'ers competed in conformation classes, arranged by breed and age of the animal. For these classes, the judge evaluated the animals on physical structure, condition and overall appearance.
Championships, listed by breed, were as follows:
- AYRSHIRE: Junior Champion and Grand Champion: Bella Roell, New Haven, with her winter calf; Reserve Junior Champion and Reserve Grand Champion: Colin Chamberlin, Addison, with his fall calf; Honorable Mention Junior Champion and Honorable Mention Grand Champion: Caroline Compagna, Whiting, with her fall calf
- BROWN SWISS: Junior Champion and Grand Champion: Taryn Burns, Whiting, with her fall calf; Reserve Junior Champion and Reserve Grand Champion: Tenley Chittenden, Whiting, with her winter calf; Honorable Mention Junior Champion and Honorable Mention Grand Champion: John Belter, South Burlington with his winter calf
- GUERNSEY: Junior Champion and Grand Champion: Tom Allen, Ferrisburgh, with his winter calf; Reserve Junior Champion and Reserve Grand Champion: Sophia Roleau, Bristol, with her winter calf; Honorable Mention Junior Champion and Honorable Mention Grand Champion: Sophia Roleau, Bristol, with her fall calf
- HOLSTEIN: Junior Champion and Grand Champion: Emma Deering, Middlebury, with her fall calf; Reserve Junior Champion and Reserve Grand Champion: Brailey Livingston, New Haven, with her fall yearling; Honorable Mention Junior Champion and Honorable Mention Grand Champion: Kylee Shepard, Panton, with her winter calf
- JERSEY: Junior Champion and Reserve Grand Champion: Caroline Allen, Ferrisburgh, with her spring yearling; Reserve Junior Champion and Honorable Mention Grand Champion: Tom Allen, Ferrisburgh, with his winter yearling; Honorable Mention Junior Champion: Roxanne Griffin, Ferrisburgh, with her winter calf; Senior Champion and Grand Champion: Torrey Hanna, Addison with her two-year-old cow; Reserve Senior Champion: Mackenzie Chase, Bristol, with her two-year-old cow
The event was organized by Martha Seifert, University of Vermont (UVM) Extension 4-H educator for Addison County. The Franklin and Addison County 4-H Foundations supported this event with 4-H parents Trent and Abby Roleau, Bristol, donating and cooking hot dogs for the crowd.
To learn more about the Vermont 4-H dairy program, contact Wendy Sorrell, UVM Extension 4-H livestock educator, at (802) 656-7641.