North Dakota’s 4-H meats judging team took first place overall in the meat judging contest at the recent American Royal national 4-H meat evaluation and identification competition in Manhattan, Kan.

The team members were Rhea Laib, Ryeleigh Laib and Evan Bornemann, who all represented Kidder County.

The team members brought home several team and individual awards:

• Rhea Laib – high individual overall
• Bornemann – third high individual overall
• Ryeleigh Laib – sixth high individual overall

Beef Judging

• Team – second place
• Rhea Laib – first place high individual

Pork Judging

• Team – first place
• Rhea Laib – first place high individual
• Bornemann – third place high individual
• Ryeleigh Laib – ninth place high individual

Retail Cut Judging

• Team – second place
• Bornemann – second place high individual
• Rhea Laib – eighth place high individual

Retail ID

• Team – second place
• Bornemann – third place high individual
• Ryeleigh Laib – fifth place high individual
• Rhea Laib – sixth place high individual

Reasons

• Team – first
• Rhea Laib – first place high individual
• Bornemann – eighth place high individual

“North Dakota 4-H is very proud of their outstanding performance and achievement,” says Leigh Ann Skurupey, North Dakota State University Extension 4-H youth development animal and equine science specialist. “The many skills they have gained and utilized for this contest will influence their future careers in such a positive way as they impact the future of agriculture.

“I want to thank coaches Gary Martins, Shawn Feiring, Rick Vannett and Devin Volk for investing their time in these young adults and preparing them for such greatness,” Skurupey adds. “I also want to thank the 4-H Foundation for its sponsorship in helping this team get to nationals.”