COLUMBIA, Mo – University of Missouri Extension hosted the 2025 State 4-H Livestock Judging Contest on June 6 at the Trowbridge Livestock Center in Columbia. The event drew 87 youths from across the state to demonstrate their skills in evaluating livestock, said Kelsey Fuller, state 4-H agriculture educator.

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

Top 10 competitors, ages 8–10

1. Oakley Schoen, Clinton County
2. Frank Henry Miller, Carroll County
3. Duke Swindler, Clinton County
4. Colt Swindler, Clinton County
5. Ella Eckler, Shelby County
6. Etta Eckler, Shelby County
7. Hadlee Beck, Livingston County
8. Kash Hettinger, Bates County
9. Allie Johnson, Morgan County
10. Carson Smith, Shelby County

Top 10 junior competitors (ages 8-13)

1. Cealy Bedwell, Clinton County
2. Rance Greiman, Marion County
3. Carlie Kleeman, Clinton County
4. Kassidie Eagleburger, Polk County
5. Matthew Yoder, Franklin County
6. Rosslyn Gladbach, Livingston County
7. Sullivan Holder, Daviess County
8. Kade Jackson, Livingston County
9. Cooper Stratton, Jasper County
10. Oakley Schoen, Clinton County

Top 5 junior teams

1. Clinton County (Green Team)
2. Marion County
3. Livingston County
4. Daviess County
5. Jasper County

Top 10 senior competitors (ages 14-18)

1. Cass Kleeman, Clinton County
2. Ben Brubaker, Livingston County
3. Reagan Rodgers, Clinton County
4. Brayden Cull, Livingston County
5. Maggie Reed, Pettis County
6. Elliott Cooley, Pettis County
7. Rylee Anderson, Livingston County
8. Harlee Beck, Livingston County
9. Callie Ferguson, Bates County
10. Kenton Merrifield, Bates County

Top 5 senior teams

1. Livingston County
2. Clinton County
3. Pettis County
4. Bates County
5. Carroll County

The top three senior teams will represent Missouri at the national level.

Awards were also given for top individuals and teams on specific species and reasons.

Beef cattle

• Top 5 junior individuals: Cealy Bedwell, Aubree Sloan, Rance Greiman, Cooper Stratton, Carlie Kleeman
• Top 3 junior teams: Clinton County (Green Team), Jasper County and Daviess County
• Top 5 senior individuals: Cass Kleeman, Braydon Cull, Ben Brubaker, Harlee Beck and Maggie Reed
• Top 3 senior teams: Livingston County, Clinton County, Greene County

Swine

• Top 5 junior individuals: Matthew Yoder, Cealy Bedwell, Kade Jackson, Rosslyn Gladbach, Etta Eckler
• Top 3 junior teams: Livingston County, Clinton County (Green Team) and Marion County
• Top 5 senior individuals: Elliott Cooley, Cass Kleeman, Ben Brubaker, Ty Murphy and Braydon Cull
• Top 3 senior teams: Livingston County, Pettis County and Carroll County

Sheep/goats

• Top 5 junior individuals
  • Matthew Yoder, Kassidie Eagleburger, Callie Henke, Rance Greiman, Carlee Kleeman
• Top 3 junior teams
  • Marion County, Clinton County (White Team) and Jasper County
• Top 5 senior individuals
  • Ben Brubaker, Aurora Hilkerbaumer, Rylee Anderson, Reagan O’Farrell, Harlee Beck
• Top 3 senior teams
  • Livingston County, Clinton County and Carroll County

Reasons

• Top 5 junior individuals: Cealy Bedwell, Matthew Yoder, Aubree Sloan, Kade Jackson, Hadlee Beck
• Top 3 junior teams: Clinton County, Livingston County and Marion County
• Top 5 senior individuals: Ben Brubaker, Braydon Cull, Cass Kleeman, Harlee Beck and Reagan Rodgers
• Top 3 senior teams: Livingston County, Pettis County and Clinton County

Programs offered by Missouri 4-H would not be possible without support from our partners. Major support for Missouri 4-H Agriculture programs was provided by the Missouri 4-H Foundation in partnership with BTC Bank, FCS Financial, MFA Foundation, Missouri Association of Meat Processors, Missouri Farm Bureau Federation, Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council, Smithfield Hog Production, and the Hertzog Family.

Special award sponsors included Reed Farms, Steve and Kathy Curtis, Boddicker Show Lambs, Murphy Cattle Co., Mid Missouri Feed-Karen Lee, John L. Saunders, Comstock Farms, Transova Genetics, Alden Show Goats, Kevin and Pam Critten, Curtis Show Pigs, Terrill and Dana Lane – Umbarger Feeds, JR Reid, Gregg Wolf, Mervyn W. Jenkins Foundation, Trent Tiemann, McCorkill Family Farms, Cameron Coop, Team Sloan Livestock, Monroe-Shelby County Cattlemen’s Association and Home Savings and Loan.

About Missouri 4-H

Missouri 4-H grows today’s youth and prepares tomorrow’s leaders. With a blend of time-tested traditions and innovative hands-on learning, Missouri youth explore and find their spark in programs ranging from agriculture and conservation to aerospace and career development. Through clubs, programs, camps, in-school and after-school experiences, University of Missouri Extension faculty, staff and thousands of volunteers guide youth in developing essential skills, building confidence and fostering connections. Together, they inspire young people to make a real difference in their communities, their country and the world. To learn more about Missouri 4-H, visit 4h.missouri.edu.

Photos

Youths judge a class of Hereford cattle at the 2025 State 4-H Livestock Judging Contest.

Top overall junior team from Clinton County (Green Team).

Top overall senior team from Livingston County.

Junior top 10 individuals

Senior top 10 individuals