March 10 had 4-H members from across the province come together for a great day of judging. Excitement and nerves could be felt as members registered for a full day of learning and competition.
The annual 4-H Alberta Judging Competition was held in Vermillion at Lakeland College on March 10, 2023. One hundred two members participated, 24 juniors, 44 intermediates and 35 seniors. Classes judged in this competition were: Commercial Heifers, Purebred Bulls, Horses, Dairy Cows, Market Hogs, Sheep, Silage, Canola, Steak and Sale Catalogues. 4-H Members compete within their age group.
4-H Members tested their knowledge and analytical skills as they developed the confidence to make logical decisions when evaluating the ten classes. Members placed each class and provided oral reasons one on one to a judge. Seniors 4-H Members ages 15-20 presented oral reasons on eight classes, intermediates ages 12-14 presented five classes of oral reasons and juniors ages 9-11 presented four classes of oral reasons.
There is much more to judging than simply putting animals or items in the same order as an official judge. Judging in 4-H helps you to learn, evaluate, make decisions, communicate and develop confidence.
Judging is the process of judging a series of animals or items and pronouncing a first-, second-and third-place animal based on each animal’s traits compared to the others. 4-H members then prepare reasons for placing the animal or item in that order. They are scored based on their placings compared to the official judge and how well they present their reasons.
4-H Alberta offers learning opportunities that are virtual and hands-on to enhance the members’ skills and experiences at the local club, district, regional and provincial levels.
Following the judging competition, 4-H Members and their families could explore Lakeland College campus and discover all they offer—the day ended in celebration at the awards banquet. The top 4-H members in each category were announced along with the top intercollegiate judges from the Western Canadian Judging Competition held in conjunction.
On behalf of 4-H Alberta, we congratulate each of them on a job well done. Thank you to the volunteers who assisted throughout the day and supported the 4-H Members to help them succeed. Thank you to Bevin Hamilton, Program Head, Animal Science Technology, Agricultural Sciences, the Lakeland College judging team and Lakeland College for their continued support of the judging program.
If you want more information about the 4-H Alberta Judging Competition, contact program lead Tracy Dietrich at programs@4hab.com. To learn more about 4-H Alberta, visit www.4hab.com.