All Eastern Livestock Contest 2014
After less than a week turn around after arriving home from Texas, we set off to compete in the last livestock competition for the semester. This time it was only in the next state over in Indiana. The competition was put on by Purdue University, Lafayette Indiana. This competition was a little different: the first day started in the afternoon (after a full morning of practice mind you!) with Market Animal Evaluation, second day was Breeding Animal (rank and questions), and then the last day was a normal livestock competition with 12 classes and then give 8 sets of reasons. This makes for a long and strenuous few days.
Surrounding producers and the university provided the sheep, cattle and pigs. This was quite an ordeal with the pigs as the university had just broken out with PED (Porcine Epidemic Diarrhoea) which is highly contagious and lethal. This resulted in having to move venues and to have a lower number and quality of pigs to choose from.
On the Saturday night after the competition had ended and before the Awards Banquet the next morning, the teams met up to socialise. We spent a fair bit of time with the Purdue team who very kindly showed us around.
Surrounding producers and the university provided the sheep, cattle and pigs. This was quite an ordeal with the pigs as the university had just broken out with PED (Porcine Epidemic Diarrhoea) which is highly contagious and lethal. This resulted in having to move venues and to have a lower number and quality of pigs to choose from.
On the Saturday night after the competition had ended and before the Awards Banquet the next morning, the teams met up to socialise. We spent a fair bit of time with the Purdue team who very kindly showed us around.
It was a fabulous way to end the semester and my American Judging career as we were High Point Team Overall. With 12 teams from all over the nation (including Florida!), we were very happy to return with the trophy for the 4th year in a row.
As a team we got prizes in all areas of market, breeding and judging. One of our team mates, Nicole Worley, was the Individual High Point Winner Overall.
The opportunity to be apart of the University of Illinois Livestock team has been incredibly valuable. My judging skills have improved immensely, and I have learnt many new skills in areas where I may not have had the chance to do so in Australia. I would like to extend my thanks to Angus Australia and the University of Illinois for giving me this opportunity and I will never forget my time spent here.
To my team mates: Seely Sayre, Nicole Worley, Sam Brumleve, Nick Bertsche, John Andress, Kendal Shirman, and Claire Geiger, and to my coaches: Chris Cassady, Dr. Daniel Shike, and Katelyn Jones-Hamlow, thank you so much for making this time so incredible and not just in the judging ring. You have all taught me so much, have been supportive and we have built great friendships that will last through our careers. Thank you.
Now that I have returned to the University I will be attending classes as normal and helping out with various activities with the 4H House and the University until the end of the semester.
To my team mates: Seely Sayre, Nicole Worley, Sam Brumleve, Nick Bertsche, John Andress, Kendal Shirman, and Claire Geiger, and to my coaches: Chris Cassady, Dr. Daniel Shike, and Katelyn Jones-Hamlow, thank you so much for making this time so incredible and not just in the judging ring. You have all taught me so much, have been supportive and we have built great friendships that will last through our careers. Thank you.
Now that I have returned to the University I will be attending classes as normal and helping out with various activities with the 4H House and the University until the end of the semester.
While I sadly will not have any more competitions to report on, I will be addressing some hot topics in American Agriculture over the next few weeks. Stay tuned!
- Until next time, L. Grubb
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