The Illinois 4-H dairy cattle judging team placed 12th at the 2013 National 4-H Dairy Judging Contest in Madison, Wis., during the World Dairy Expo. Pictured (left to right) are Dave Fischer, coach; Meredith Ziller, Huntley; Todd Irwin, Beason; Savannah Ropp, Strawn; and Josh Laesch, Greenville.

Local 4-H'er participates in national dairy judging contest Illinois team finishes 12th nationwide [October 19, 2013]  The 2013 National 4-H Dairy Cattle Judging Contest was another exciting event for Illinois 4-H'ers. The Illinois 4-H dairy judging team placed 12th overall in a strong contest among 26 teams at the World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wis., on Sept. 30.

Illinois team members were Logan County 4-H'er Todd Irwin, Beason; Joshua Laesch, Greenville; Savannah Ropp, Strawn; and Meredith Ziller, Huntley.

On an individual basis, Irwin placed 21st out of 101 contestants and received an "All-American" plaque, which is presented to the top 25. Irwin also placed 21st in high placings and was the 23rd individual in "total reasons" score.

Ropp placed 23rd in high placings.

Among the top 10 teams for each breed, Illinois 4-H was recognized for placing seventh in Holstein and eighth in Brown Swiss.

The Illinois 4-H team was sponsored by the Illinois 4-H Foundation, River Valley Dairy and Illinois Milk Producers' Association. In addition, the team jackets were sponsored by Effingham Equity of Effingham.

The team was coached by Dave Fischer, a retired University of Illinois Extension dairy educator.

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