Hoerbert, Irwin and Stoll in state fair dairy competition

[September 07, 2011]  URBANA -- Seventeen 4-H and FFA dairy project members from across Illinois took part in the 2011 Superior Young Dairy Producer Award program on Aug. 20 at the Illinois State Fair, including Kaleb Hoerbert, Todd Irwin and Jacob Stoll from Logan County.

Hoerbert (pictured at left) placed in the top three individuals in the contest's second phase, a three-station skill-a-thon on various aspects of the dairy industry, and in the third phase, a dairy judging contest. He received plaques for his placings.

"The purpose of the contest is to create an educational activity that promotes youth development, career development and personal growth through increased knowledge of the dairy industry," said Dave Fischer, a retired University of Illinois Extension dairy educator who developed and coordinated the program.

Participants must be 4-H or FFA dairy project members in Illinois. The three-phase competition emphasizes the youths' knowledge of the dairy industry.

Individual plaques were awarded to the top three in each phase and the top five overall winners. The Land of Lincoln Purebred Livestock Breeders Association and Illinois State Fair sponsored the plaques.

Hoerbert, Irwin and Stoll also participated in the statewide dairy judging competition at the state fair on Aug. 20. All three are winners of blue awards.

For further information on 4-H program dairy projects, contact the Logan County 4-H office at 732-8289.

[Text from file received from Patty Huffer, Logan County 4-H]