4-H members from the Southwind Extension District excelled at the annual Kansas 4-H Livestock Sweepstakes event on August 19-20 in Kansas State University’s Weber Hall. Participants from the Southwind Extension District were MaKinlee Bloesser, Hailey Shadden, Marley Sutton, McKinley Sutton, Kendyl Bloesser, Emery Yoho, Chanlynn Wrestler, Carly Dreher, Kyser Nemecek, Brady Hurt, Tate Crystal, Carla Nemecek (coach), Byron Fry, and Reegan McDaniel. The Southwind District is especially proud that 4-H members represented 4-H Clubs from Allen, Bourbon, Neosho, and Woodson Counties.

4-H members learned gained new knowledge and worked on livestock skills to be competitive in the Sweepstakes event which consisted of blending scores in four contests. Southwind Extension District completed the weekend by being named the 2023 Reserve Champion State 4-H Sweepstake Team. The top ten individual Sweepstakes winners for Southwind were Tate Crystal 3^rd; Reegan McDaniel 4^th and Carly Dreher 9^th after excelling in all contests.

The Livestock Quiz Bowl started with a qualifying exam. The twelve teams with the highest average scores advanced to the quiz bowl competition. Southwind #1 (Crystal, Dreher, Hurt, Nemecek) was seated first after the test and was later named the 3^rd Overall Quiz Bowl Team. Southwind #2 (Fry, Yoho, McDaniel, Wrestler) earned 6^th best team.

The Livestock Judging contest consisted of nine judging classes and four sets of reasons with 212 contestants and 41 teams from across Kansas. Southwind #1 (Dreher, Crystal, Hurt, Nemecek) was 1^st in Sheep; 1^st in Hogs; 3^rd in Cattle, and 1^st in Reasons and named Champion Team Overall. Individual livestock judging results are as follows:

• Brady Hurt – High Individual Reasons; 2^nd Sheep; 6^th Swine; 3^rd Overall
• Kyser Nemecek – 2^nd Reasons; High Individual Sheep; High Individual Swine; 5^th Overall
• Carly Dreher – 3^rd Reasons; 6^th Sheep; 3^rd Swine; 8^th Overall
• Tate Crystal – 9^th Reasons; 10^th Beef; 10^th Overall

The Meats Judging contest was based on the identification of thirty retail cuts, six placings classes, and three sets of reasons. The Intermediate Meats Judging Team continues to shine and was named Champion Team for the second consecutive year. Members include Hailey Shadden, Marley Sutton, Kendyl Bloesser, and MaKinlee Bloesser and they were 1^st in Placings; and 1^st in Retail ID. Individual intermediate meats judging results are as follows:

• Marley Sutton – 4^th Retail ID; 5^th Placings; 3^rd Overall
• Hailey Shadden – 1^st Retail ID; 4^th Overall
• MaKinlee Bloesser – 5^th Retail ID; 7^th Placings; 5^th Overall
• Kendyl Bloesser – 6^th Retail ID; 4^th Placings; 6^th Overall
• McKinley Sutton – 3^rd Placings; 9^th Overall

Senior Meats Judging results include: Southwind #1 (Fry, Crystal, McDaniel, Dreher) was 4^th in Placings, 3^rd in Reasons, 4^th in Retail ID and Third Team Overall. Individual senior meat judging results are as follows:

• Byron Fry – 5^th Retail ID; 4^th Overall
• Reegan McDaniel – 7^th Reasons
• Brady Hurt – 10^th Reasons

In the Livestock Skillathon, 4-H members rotated individually through stations that addressed six areas of animal science. Those included feedstuffs, breed identification, equipment identification, meat identification, wool evaluation, and a written test. There was also a team component where members worked together on evaluating quality assurance protocols and judging wool. Out of 30 teams and 156 individuals, Southwind #1 (Crystal, Dreher, Hurt, Nemecek) was 4^th in Exam, 2^nd in Practicum; and Reserve Champion Team Overall. Southwind #2 (McDaniel, Wrestler, Yoho, Fry) was 3^rd in Exam, 4^th in Practicum; 3^rd Team Overall. Southwind #3 (Sutton, Sutton, K. Bloesser, Shadden) was 6^th in Practicum and 11^th Overall Team. Individual Skillathon results are as follows:

• Reegan McDaniel – 4^th Exam; 5^th Practicum; 4^th Overall
• Tate Crystal – 4^th Practicum; 6^th Overall
• Hailey Shadden – 9^th Overall

 

This group worked hard and studied a great deal of material to prepare for four state contests. To be named the Champion Livestock Judging Team, Reserve and 3^rd Skillathon Teams, 3^rd & 6^th Quiz Bowl Team Teams, Champion Intermediate & 3^rd Senior Meats Judging Teams, and Reserve Champion Sweepstakes Team at the state contests shows how hard these 4-H members pushed each other to “Make the Best Better.”  The Southwind District is grateful for the support of their parents and very proud of their accomplishments and look forward to future growth and learning.

 

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