Ottawa County 4-H’ers Win Junior, Senior Divisions of 4-H Dairy Days Dairy Management Contest
8/13/09
Contact: Sara Long
517-432-1555, ext. 170
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Ottawa County 4-H members topped the winner’s column in both the junior and senior divisions of the 4-H Dairy Days dairy management contest held during the 13th annual Michigan Dairy Expo July 20-24 on the campus of Michigan State University (MSU).
4-H Dairy Days is the youth-centered portion of Michigan Dairy Expo, the largest annual dairy event in the state. It offers young people interested in the dairy industry opportunities to compete for premiums, ribbons and scholarships in various activities, including dairy quiz bowls, dairy management contests, dairy cattle judging, showmanship and a youth show. Winners may also be selected to go on to represent Michigan in national competitions.
Winning the junior division from Ottawa County was Kelly Raterink. The Frahm brothers from Saginaw County, Timothy and Bryce, placed second and third, respectively. Jay Luoma, Calhoun County, was fourth, and Suzanna Hull, Hillsdale County, placed fifth.
Rounding out the top 15 in the junior division were: Shelby Berens, Allegan County; Cole Wixom, Allegan County; Allison Pung, Clinton County; Devin Lake, Hillsdale County; Blake Lulham, Shiawassee County; Chelsea Barnes, Ottawa County; Kayle Jakus, Clinton County; Taylor Fuhrmann, Shiawassee County; Leah Batora, Clinton County; and Madeleine Wilsey, Clinton County.
The first place junior division team was from Saginaw County (Team A). Teammates were Timothy, Bryce and Lance Frahm. The second place team was from Ottawa County (Team A). Team members were Chelsea Barnes, Kelly Raterink, Dustin Tripp and Hayleigh Geurink.
In the senior division, first place was won by Rob Ferwerda, Ottawa County. Marshall Wixom, Allegan County, placed second. Erin George, Clinton County, placed third, Cristine VanLieu, Branch County was fourth, and Katie Arndt, Clinton County, was fifth.
Rounding out the top 15 in the senior division were: Laura Krhovsky, Shiawassee County; C.J. Berens, Allegan County; Sara Rottier, Allegan County; Erica Jo Slagter, Ottawa County; Michael Batora, Clinton County; Katie Thelen, Clinton County; Malissa Reed, Shiawassee County; Alex Pung, Clinton County; Marc Reed, Shiawassee County; and Lauren Messing, Huron County.
The high placing senior division team was from Clinton County (Team A). Team members were Katie Arndt, Erin George, Katie Thelen and Alex Pung. Huron County (Team A) placed second, and its team members were Kevin and Lauren Messing and Kelsey Casebere.
This year’s Michigan Dairy Expo took place July 20-24. It drew more than 400 dairy animals and more than 200 exhibitors. To download photos or results from any of the week’s activities, visit www.michigandairyexpo.com.
The mission of Michigan Dairy Expo is to encourage and promote youth involvement in dairy activities, showcase the Michigan dairy industry, and provide continuing education opportunities for the dairy industry in Michigan and neighboring states.
All Michigan Dairy Expo activities took place at the state-of-the-art MSU Pavilion for Agriculture and Livestock Education, which was funded by the Animal Agriculture Initiative (AAI) at MSU. Established in 1996 as part of the grass-roots-driven Revitalization of Animal Agriculture in Michigan Initiative, the AAI is a partnership between MSU, livestock producers and industry organizations, and the Michigan Department of Agriculture to address challenges facing Michigan animal-based agriculture through research and Extension projects.
For more information about the Michigan 4-H dairy youth program or Michigan Dairy Expo, contact the Michigan 4-H dairy office at 517-353-7855.
The 2010 Michigan Dairy Expo is scheduled for July 19-23 at MSU.
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