2015 4-H Dairy Judging Tours
Diane DuMont, 4-H Program Educator
Cornell Cooperative Extension Franklin County
The spring 4-H dairy judging tours have been completed for 2015. Cornell Cooperative Extension Franklin County sponsored this lifelong learning experience for over 40 years. Many local youth over the years participated as members of the NY State 4-H judging team that travel to the National competitions in Harrisburg Pa, Louisville KY and Madison WI. The decision making and speaking skills developed carry into their future.
It all begins with time spent at 4-H club and judging activities.
Youth and adult volunteers meet at a Franklin County dairy farm to observe and decide how to place a class of 4 cows. The 4-Hers are taught basic vocabulary and how to use the Dairy Cow Unified Score card. Young people evaluate each cow, take notes and make a decision on who should be 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. The notes help the club members to answer questions when the quiz is given at the end of the 12 minute observation time. Young people learn to defend their decision by giving oral reasons. Local officials share their results so the members can learn by comparing the answers they have with the official decision.
We appreciate those farms that open their doors for a judging contest. This spring the first tour was held at Poppydale Farm in Chateaugay on March 31st. Liz & Julian Couillard were the hosts sharing their Guernsey and Jersey cows. The second tour was at the Scott & Judy Hamilton farm in Malone on April 21st. Holstein cows were judged here and at Bluegene Farms in Bangor on May 2nd.
There were 20 4-H members that participated in the 2015 spring contest. The results will be announced at the 4-H Dairy Camp in June. Those youth interested in devoting time to the summer program will spend additional time growing their decision making skills. The first state wide contest will be on Tuesday June 30th in St. Lawrence County. Members will travel to other contests during the summer and they all lead to the big contest at the Great New York State Fair in late August.
Last updated June 1, 2015