Missouri 4-H Hosts 2025 Livestock Judging Contest

By Blake Jackson

On June 6, the University of Missouri Extension hosted the 2025 State 4-H Livestock Judging Contest at the Trowbridge Livestock Center in Columbia.

A total of 87 young participants from all over Missouri came together to showcase their skills in livestock evaluation, according to Kelsey Fuller, state 4-H agriculture educator.

Competitors judged eight livestock classes, including cattle, swine, and sheep, and presented two to three sets of oral reasons to explain their decisions. “These contests challenge youth to sharpen their observation, decision-making and communication skills while gaining a deeper understanding of livestock evaluation,” Fuller said.

Top 10 Contestants, Ages 8-10:

Oakley Schoen, Frank Henry Miller, Duke Swindler, Colt Swindler, Ella Eckler, Etta Eckler, Hadlee Beck, Kash Hettinger, Allie Johnson, Carson Smith.

Top 10 Junior Contestants (Ages 8-13):

Cealy Bedwell, Rance Greiman, Carlie Kleeman, Kassidie Eagleburger, Matthew Yoder, Rosslyn Gladbach, Sullivan Holder, Kade Jackson, Cooper Stratton, Oakley Schoen.

Top 5 Junior Teams:

Clinton County (Green Team), Marion County, Livingston County, Daviess County, Jasper County.

Top 10 Senior Contestants (Ages 14-18):

Cass Kleeman, Ben Brubaker, Reagan Rodgers, Brayden Cull, Maggie Reed, Elliott Cooley, Rylee Anderson, Harlee Beck, Callie Ferguson, Kenton Merrifield.

Top 5 Senior Teams:

Livingston County, Clinton County, Pettis County, Bates County, Carroll County.

The top three teams will advance to national competition.

Species Awards:

Beef Cattle:

• Top juniors: Cealy Bedwell, Aubree Sloan, Rance Greiman, Cooper Stratton, Carlie Kleeman.
• Top seniors: Cass Kleeman, Braydon Cull, Ben Brubaker, Harlee Beck, Maggie Reed.
• Top teams: Clinton County, Jasper County, Livingston County, Greene County.

Swine:

• Top juniors: Matthew Yoder, Cealy Bedwell, Kade Jackson, Rosslyn Gladbach, Etta Eckler.
• Top seniors: Elliott Cooley, Cass Kleeman, Ben Brubaker, Ty Murphy, Braydon Cull.

Sheep/Goats:

• Top juniors: Matthew Yoder, Kassidie Eagleburger, Callie Henke, Rance Greiman, Carlie Kleeman.
• Top seniors: Ben Brubaker, Aurora Hilkerbaumer, Rylee Anderson, Reagan O’Farrell, Harlee Beck.

Reasons:

• Top juniors: Cealy Bedwell, Matthew Yoder, Aubree Sloan, Kade Jackson, Hadlee Beck.
• Top seniors: Ben Brubaker, Braydon Cull, Cass Kleeman, Harlee Beck, Reagan Rodgers.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-digitalvision