| | On August 11 and 12, 2006, over 50 4-H delegates will meet in Olds for the 20th annual Provincial 4-H Multi-Species Judging Competition. The competition, being held at both Olds College and the Olds Agricultural Society Fair, will be a weekend of learning, developing and articulating thoughts. Competitors for 4-H Provincial Judging earned their spot at district and regional 4-H judging competitions, and have been invited to test their judging skill and livestock knowledge at a provincial level. Through the generous support of ATB Financial, the exclusive sponsors for this program, 19 top-scoring delegates are given the honour of being one of the members who will represent Alberta on one of five judging trips.
Judging is a typical category of competition at many 4-H events, and it is a category that requires a sharp eye and good communication. At the provincial level of competition delegates are presented with a total of 13 classes of horse, dairy, swine, beef and sheep. For each class, members are expected to assess the class and present oral reasons to an appointed judge. Delegates are then allocated points based on their placing and presentation.
Mathilda Gabert, second-year 4-H ambassador has learned a lot during her years in judging. "I have always entered the judging competitions," she says. "There are a ton of opportunities that come with taking part in it, not to mention the skills you gain from judging - how to think on your feet, what to look for in a potential market animal purchase, how to be a discerning consumer."
It may sound like a game show, but a lot of hard work goes into being a good judge. Prior to each class, industry experts inform delegates of the ideal characteristics of each livestock species. It is then up to the delegates to search through the various animals, attempting to pick out, determine and remember which animal was "the one."
Terri Potter, club leader with the RBQ Rancheros, firmly believes in the learning that occurs with judging. "Judging teaches members the importance of making decisions based on the knowledge that they have readily available. And more importantly, members are learning how to effectively communicate the reasons for their choices."
At the Saturday night banquet, winners are announced and trips to Billings, Montana; Regina, Saskatchewan; Calgary, Alberta; and, Denver, Colorado, are chosen. While the weekend is a challenging one, delegates leave Olds feeling proud of what they have accomplished, as well as knowing that it was their previous hard work and dedication that earned them their spot at Provincial Judging.
For more information on this competition, contact Stacy Murray, 4-H specialist with Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development at (780) 835-7537 or visit the 4-H website at www.4h.ab.ca.
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