2021 Minnesota State Fair 4-H General Livestock Results

Minnesota 4-Hers from 87 counties arrived with more than 2,272 animals at the 2021 “Great Minnesota Get-Together” for this year’s 4-H livestock encampment held Aug. 25-29. The number of livestock exhibits over the weekend included:

• Beef: 492 exhibits

• Dairy: 383 exhibits

• Goats: 274 exhibits

• Poultry: 166 exhibits

• Rabbits: 226 exhibits

• Sheep: 311 exhibits

• Swine: 361 exhibits

• Llama: 59 exhibits

• Virtual Livestock: 27 exhibits

Minnesota 4-H’ers have been preparing for this event all summer long. There are several components a member considers when they decide to exhibit livestock, including selection and preparation of the animal, educational programming, scholarship applications, and participation at county fairs.

Education is integral in the “learn by doing” philosophy of 4-H. As part of the educational component, Minnesota 4-H requires every youth participating in the livestock encampment to part in a livestock interview. Examples of the interview process include an online knowledge test, skill-a-thons, and personal interviews about their project area.

Along with interviews, all 4-H youth participating in livestock programming are required to complete the Livestock Quality Assurance and Ethics (LQA&E) Training. Through this certification, youth are educated on bio-
security, educating the public on the role of livestock, and caring for their animal’s welfare.

Many 4-H participants also have the opportunity to finance their education as recipients of scholarships. This year, the Dairy Project will continue with the 12th annual Dairy Showcase and award special recognition and scholarships to 25 outstanding participants based on their dairy industry knowledge, 4-H dairy project involvement, along with State Fair dairy show results. The annual 4-H Purple Ribbon Auction sponsored by the Minnesota Livestock Breeders Association (MLBA) presents 48 scholarships to youth with well-rounded leadership, community service, and livestock involvement throughout their 4-H career.

4-H not only produces purple- ribbon animals, but more importantly is focused on producing purple-ribbon kids. Congratulations to all the Meeker County 4-H youth that participated in the Livestock Encampment at the 2021 Minnesota State Fair.

Club Key: (from our area)

KK – Kimball Kruisers

VV – Valley Victors

Ribbon Key:

PR – Purple

BL – Blue

RD – Red

(Exhibitor Name, Club, Project Area, Ribbon/Placing, Additional participation and awards)

Madelyn Ludwig, VV, Beef – Cow and Calf – Black Angus, Registered, PR; 4th Beef cow-calf showmanship participant.

Ashley Gruenes, VV, Dairy – Red & White Winter or Fall Calf, PR, Showmanship – 8th place.

Henry Salzl, VV, Dairy – Ayrshire Winter or Fall Calf, PR, Champion Ayrshire Heifer.

Teagyn Ludwig, VV, Meat Goat – Meat Breeding Doe – Senior Yearling Meat Breeding Doe, BL, Meat goat showmanship participant.

Taylor Ludwig, VV, Meat Goat – Meat Breeding Doe – Senior Meat Breeding Doe Kid, PR, Meat goat showmanship participant.

Treyce Ludwig, VV, Meat Goat – Meat Breeding Doe – Senior Meat Breeding Doe Kid, RD, Meat goat showmanship participant.

Ethan Geislinger, VV, Meat Goat – Meat Market Goat – Wethers, RD, Meat goat showmanship participant.

Gretta Lemke, VV, Poultry – Chickens – Market Pen, PR, Champion Advanced Poultry Show-
person, Champion Market Chickens.

Gretta Lemke, VV, Poultry – Judging Contest – Ages 14-19 – 2nd; 2nd Place – Poultry Judging Contest – Senior.

Gretta Lemke, VV, Poultry – Poster, PR, Grand Champion Educational Poster.

Ellie Donnay, KK, Poultry – Virtual – Breeding, RD.

Emma Donnay, KK, Poultry – Virtual – Egg Layers, BL.

Jonathon Gathje, VV, Poultry – Virtual – Market, RD.

Elizabeth Donnay, KK, Rabbit – Virtual – Breeding, BL.

Henry Lemke, VV, Sheep – Wether Dams – White and Speckle-Face Ewe Lamb, BL.

Henry Lemke, VV, Sheep – Lamb Lead – Intermediate – Grades 6-8, 1st, Champion Lamb Lead Intermediate Division.

Adrienne Lipinski, VV, Swine – Breeding Gilts – Berkshire, Registered – January Gilt, BL; 3rd Interview Champion.

Mitchell Lipinski, VV, Swine – Breeding Gilts – Duroc, Registered – February Gilt, RD; 7th.

Adrienne Lipinski, VV, Science of Animals – Swine – Health, PR.