General Livestock Intermediate Team, (l-to-r) Kendra Folkerts, Nate Bobendrier, Will DeBates and Tyenna Muller.
The Minnesota State Fair concluded on Labor Day, setting a record for the highest attendance during its 12-day run.
This was the first year the Fair cracked the two million people mark with 2,046,533 people attending between Aug. 23 and Sept. 3. The previous record of 1,997,320 was set last year.
The State Fair also set a single-day attendance record this year with 270,426 people attending on Saturday, Sept. 1. The previous record of 260,374 was set in 2016
This year’s Great Minnesota Get-Together, as it’s known, included nearly 500 foods (many available on a stick), more than 100 acts performing over 900 shows, a Mighty Midway featuring more than 30 carnival rides and 50 games of skill, a Kidway with over 30 rides for younger kids, a host of educational exhibits, and more.
There were also over 8,000 livestock competitors showing more than 20,000 animals. Among them were 44 Pipestone County 4-H members. The results for the local youth are as follows:
Beef
Champions and Reserve Champions: Dawson Johnson, Champion Black Angus Heifer, Champion Senior Beef Heifer Showperson; Brooklyn Hiniker, Champion Maine-Anjou Heifer; Kendra Folkerts, Reserve Champion Market Heifer.
Purple Ribbons: Marli Taubert, Jr. Yearling Shorthorn; and Adam Bierstedt, Commercial Jr. Yearling.
Blue Ribbons: Tyler DeGroot, Jr. Yearling Shorthorn; Colton Raatz, Jr. Yearling Simmental; Cameron Paulsen, Jr. Yearling Black Angus; Jaden Weinkauf, Prospect Heifer Calf; Tyenna Muller, Charolais Steer; and Will DeBates, Crossbred Prospect Steer.
Red Ribbons: Brooklyn Goelz, Limousin Spring Calf; Mabry McGunegill, Jr. Yearling Charolais; Logan McGunegill, Jr. Yearling Black Angus; and Shayna DeGroot, Jr. Yearling Foundation Simmental (also third place Breeding Heifer Sr. Showmanship).
Dairy
Champions and Reserve Champions: Mason DeRuyter, Champion Total Merit Registered Holstein Heifer.
Purple Ribbons: Ian VanderWal, Holstein Fall Calf; and Mason Evans, Holstein Winter Calf.
Blue Ribbons: Josephine Sutherland, Holstein Spring Yearling; Mason DeRuyter, Holstein Fall Calf; Alyssa Winter, Holstein Winter Calf; and Cody DeRuyter, Holstein Grade Spring Yearling.
Sheep
Champions and Reserve Champions: Erin Lueck, Champion Hampshire Ewe Lamb, Champion Sr. Breeding Ewe Showperson, and Reserve Champion Supreme Breeding Ewe; Cole Lueck, Reserve Champion Hampshire Yearling Ewe and Reserve Champion Sr. Breeding Ewe Showperson; Samuel Bobendrier, Reserve Champion Hampshire Ewe Lamb (and fifth place Showmanship); Mitchell Bobendrier, Champion Hampshire Yearling Ewe, Champion Advanced Breeding Ewe Showperson; Nolan Stark, Reserve Champion Breeding Ewe Intermediate Showperson; and Hannah Berg, Champion Suffolk Ewe Lamb (and Minnesota Livestock Breeder’s Scholarship Winner).
Blue Ribbons: Nolan Stark, Suffolk Ewe Lamb; Nate Bobendrier, Hampshire Ewe Lamb (and third place Showmanship); and Trevin DeWilde, Suffolk Ewe Lamb.
Swine
Champions and Reserve Champions: Aubrey Kerkaert, Champion Market Gilt Intermediate Showperson; and Tucker DeGroot, Champion All Other Breeds Gilt.
Purple Ribbons: Aubrey Kerkaert, Market Gilt; Jenna Kerkaert, Market Barrow; and Isaac Berg, Duroc Market Barrow.
Blue Ribbons: Reid Homann, Market Barrow (and fifth place Market Barrow Advanced Showperson).
Goats
Champions and Reserve Champions: Devin Pietz, Champion Senior Meat Breeding Doe Showperson.
Purple Ribbons: Devin Pietz, Sr. Yearling Meat Breeding Doe.
Blue Ribbons: Hunter St. Aubin, Sr. Meat Breeding Doe Kid; and Taylin Muller, Sr. Meat Breeding Doe Kid.
Red Ribbons: Katie Scotting, Sr. Meat Breeding Doe.
Rabbit
Blue Ribbons: Jacob Uilk, Rex Jr. Doe.
General Projects Exhibitors
Blue Ribbons: Wyatt Jensen, Metal Shop; Carter Kracht, Wood Shop; Emily Nelson, Photography; Erin Smith, Photography; Jacie Williams, photography; and Brooklyn Goelz, Exploring Animals.
Note: All photos of the Champions and Reserve Champions can be found in the Sept. 6 issue of the Pipestone County Star, or in the digital subscription.
State Judging Contest results
By Carol Scotting
Judging programs are one of 4-H’s best ways to develop strong decision-making skills in young people. In addition to making decisions, judging program participants are asked to justify and defend their decisions to an official judge, further developing life skills, wherever their future may lead them.
At the Minnesota State Fair, 11 Pipestone County 4-H members participated in the state competitions for General Livestock and Dairy Judging.
In the General Livestock competition, which included beef cattle, sheep, swine, and meat goats, Pipestone County was represented by nine young people. Team members of the intermediate division were: Kendra Folkerts, Nate Bobendrier, Will DeBates & Tyenna Muller. The team placed 5th overall. Individually, Tyenna Muller placed 4th Overall.
Members of the Senior Team: Sam Bobendrier, Hunter St. Aubin, Colton Raatz, Devin Pietz & Isaac Berg. The senior team placed 4th overall and 2nd in sheep. Individually, Devin Pietz placed 7th overall and 1st in sheep; Isaac Berg placed 2nd in sheep.
Josie Sutherland & Alyssa Winter judged individually for the Dairy Judging competition.
Congratulations to all team members and thank you to the volunteer coaches and parents who help make Pipestone County’s judging programs successful!
Note: Photos of the judging team winners can be found in the Sept. 6 printed issue of the Pipestone County Star, or in the digital subscription.