Submitted Photo Livestock judges from Ward County are, from left to right, Danny Kersten, Brexton Ehli, Elizabeth Hanson, Ilsa Holt and Coach Peyton Sundsbak

The Ward County 4-H Livestock Judging teams concluded its season at the state contest held March 7. The event attracted 31 teams and 149 youth to the McKenzie County Ag Expo Building in Watford City.

In livestock judging competitions, participants are divided into two age groups: Juniors (ages 8-13) and Seniors (ages 14-18). The Senior team from Ward County included Danny Kersten of Max, Brexton Ehli of Minot, Dyllyn Tigges of Towner and Elizabeth Hanson of Velva. Ward County also had one individual competing in the Junior Division, Ilsa Holt from Velva.

This year’s contest consisted of 11 classes, including three beef classes, two goat classes, three sheep classes and three swine classes. Participants presented oral reasons for one beef, one sheep and one swine class, in addition to completing a 10-question test related to one of the classes.

The beef classes included Angus bulls, breeding heifers and steers. Goat classes featured doe kids and mature Boer does. Sheep classes included Columbia ewes, Dorset rams and wether dams. Swine classes consisted of breeding gilts and two classes of market hogs.

Ward County 4-H results are: second place Senior Individual, Kersten — Placings; third place Senior Individual, Kersten — Swine; fourth place Senior Individual, Kersten — Overall; fifth place Junior Individual, Holt — Sheep; fifth place Senior Individual, Hanson — Reasons; fifth place Senior Individual, Kersten — Sheep; sixth place Junior Individual, Holt — Reasons; sixth place Senior Team — Sheep; seventh place Senior Team — Reasons; ninth place Senior Team — Overall; ninth place Senior Team — Placings; 10th place Senior Team — Beef; and 10th place Senior Team — Swine.

Jim Hennessy and Peyton Sundsbak are Ward County 4-H Livestock Judging team coaches.