A36-Lancaster Farming, Saturday, November 9, 1991 Marie Tracy, 4-H Club president and member of the senior dlvlson of the 4-H Livestock Judging Team, presents his reasons to coach Chet Hughes, Lancaster livestock agent. Livestock Team (Continued from Pago Al) national title. Chet Hughes, Lan caster livestock agent, and Greg Musser, coach, have accompanied the 4-H’ers to Louisville for the event The Lancaster team is com prised of Mark Tracy, 15, Eli zabethtown; Peter Hoffines, 16, Marietta; Wendall Landis, IS, Manheim; and Dwain Livengood, 18, Lancaster. The temperature began to fall as the team members headed inside, studying their notes and organiz ing their thoughts. During late in the afternoon of this practice ses sion, the livestock team examined several classes of Santa Gertrudis cattle. Team members also looked over a scorecard highlighting navel and sheath measurements of the cattle; they took more notes; and as the . sun fell and temperatures sank, they were busy imprinting the clas ses in their mind in preparation for a test of their reasoning abilities before livestock coach Chet Hughes. ‘T think the most difficult thing for the kids is to be able to see the animals and take the proper notes,” said Hughes. Remember placings According to Hughes, the team is instructed to look for individual characteristics on the animals they judge, try to picture that animal in the mind, and remember the plac ings and the reasons behind the placings during the presentations. At NAILE, each member of the team will judge 10 classes of any of various breeds of livestock. Each class is about IS minutes long. They will judge each class by type with performance data. After ward, they will present the reasons to a set of judges. During their reasonings, team members will not be permitted to read from notes. Every class is worth 5Q points, and every set of reasons 50 points. Hughes said the judges are looking at accuracy of placings in the Has ses. Next, judges will be cpncemed about the reasonings and the reasonings have to be accurate. Placed logically “The important thing is that you saw the animals and you placed them in the logical sense,” he said. As an example, if a member placed the last little heifer first then try to make the heifer sound better to the judge than she was, the member could lose points if it was clear the heifer belonged in last place. Some members will try to memorize their reasons. But when they give their reasons, and sud denly draw a blank, the judges can deduct scoring points. “What we try to teach our guys is that you learn to remember the class in your heads, instead of try ing to memeorize your reason,” he said. “You try to write things VEGETABLE GROWERS We Specialize In Vegetable Growing Supplies And Equipment NOVEMBER SPECIALS ON GREENHOUSE SOIL Call ua lor prtcoa on Pro-Mix, Sunthina Mix, Poat Moaa and Garmlnatlng Mix • Mulch Planters • Mulch Lifters • Raised and Flatbed • Aluminum Conveyors Layers • Packing Lines I NOLTS PRODUCE SUPPLIES I 152 N. Hershey Ave. • Leola, Pennsylvania 17540 i (717) 656-9764 L Members of the 4-H Livestock Judging Team prepare for nationals. The Lancaster Co. team placed first In the state and practiced on the farm owned by Jim Quanbeck, far right. From left, Chet Hughes, team coach; Mark Tracy, Wendall Landis, Peter Hof flnes, and Dwaln Llvengood. down, like the ‘white-navel heif er,’ and then you’ll never forget You visualize her in your mind, what she looks like. So when you’re giving your reasons, you can recall what she looks like.” Lot of practice “It takes an awful lot of practice to get to that point, where you can just stand up and talk about it,” he said. Although the number of classes doesn’t exceed the eastern nation als, the competition, according to Hughes, will be “grueling.” “I’ve been to judging contests and it seems like it’s a little more difficult,” said Tracy. “Every body’s on top of every state, so it’s a little more closer in competition.” The senior division team won the statewide contest in July this year at the state 4-H Days at Penn State. Tracy said that contest was easier and more clear-cut. But now, he is up against more stiff competition from states with a great deal of talent, and preparing for it has been arduous. Expand knowledge “The more I expand my know ledge of what I’m supposed to do, the more I know what I’m sup posed to say,” said Tracy. “You feel more confident, but still, you’re more nervous of what’s going to be coming up.” The group practiced at the farm of Jim Quanbeck, who operates a 43-acre cattle farm near Columbia. There, Quanbeck raises 17 head of purebred Santa Gertrudis, a cross between Shorthorns and Brahmans (13/16 Shorthom/3/16 Brahman) first bred at the King Ranch in Kingsville Texas in 1942. The cattle are noted for their durability in hot or cold weather, fast gain, good health, and calving ease. “It’s a good meat animal,” said Quanbeck. Quanbeck explained to the members the breed history and importance of the cattle. “The ani mal is more suited to the environ ment in Texas.” he told the group. “They have good heat tolerance, although they’re also good in cold weather. They gain fast and they are quite easy calving.” Turn out good carcass In addition, according to Quan beck, the cattle turn out a select to a low-choice carcass. Quanbeck said he is only one of two breeders of Santa Gertrudis in the county. “But we think we’re positioned pretty good in today’s market because of lot of people are look- When your barn cleaner needs new chain— whether flat link or Hook-Link" type—we have the perfect replacements Both links are totally forged of rugged, high carbon steel to reduce wear, extend working life No wonder our chain has a 10-year warranty Fits most barn cleaners. JAMESWAY 9 BARN CLEANER replacement chain TEN YEAR WARRANTY ON ALL CHAIN. 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