CORVALLIS, Ore. — Oregon’s 4-H dairy cattle judging team made a surprise run to third place at the National 4-H Dairy Cattle Judging Contest at the World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wisconsin.
Oregon was topped only by Missouri in second place and national champion Minnesota. Oregon and one other team in the top 10 competed with only three members; the rest had four.
“We really didn’t know what was going to happen,” said Peyton Rawe, a senior at Tillamook High School. “I would say that we were nervous and hoping to do well.”
As announcers counted down the top teams, Oregon assumed it had missed the top five. Ohio was fifth. Florida was fourth. Then came third place.
Oregon.
“We were just in shock,” Rawe said. “My eyes filled with tears. It was incredible.”
The Oregon State University Extension Service 4-H Youth Development Program was represented by Rawe, her Tillamook High classmate Logan Lancaster, and Clancey Krahn, a sixth-generation dairy farmer from Linn County who finished fifth overall as an individual.
Oregon was topped only by Missouri in second place and national champion Minnesota. Oregon and one other team in the top 10 competed with only three members; the rest had four. Lancaster was 14th and Rawe was 15th individually.
“This outstanding accomplishment showcases the dedication and talent of these young individuals in the field of dairy judging,” said Dakota Lager, 4-H Youth Development Program coordinator in Tillamook County. “Their achievements not only reflect the hard work and determination of these young individuals but also underscores the importance of 4-H programs in nurturing the talents and passions of youth in our community.”
Rare national appearance
Lager checked past records and found Oregon had not sent a team to the national contest for at least 17 years. Oregon has never won the team title or had an individual champion in the event, which began in 1919.
The team was coached by longtime dairy leader Jim Krahn, Clancey’s grandfather, who came out of retirement to work with the three competitors.
“It was selfless of him to do that,” Rawe said. “The fact that he stepped up out of retirement was incredible. He really took us to the next level. We really just skyrocketed.”
Dairy in the blood
“I’ve been showing dairy cows since I was four years old,” said Krahn, who was selected as the 2023-2024 Oregon Dairy Princess Ambassador. “It’s in my blood.”
Her family owns and operates Royal Riverside Farm in Albany, which bottles and sells milk directly to consumers across Oregon. Her father managed the Oregon State University dairy for 13 years. Her mother has taught dairy classes. Her older sister, Gracie, now a graduate student at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, placed seventh in collegiate dairy judging at the North American International Livestock Expo.
Judging under pressure
4-H dairy cattle judging follows a familiar format. Teams are given classes of cows to place. At Madison, the Oregon team had 12 minutes per class. Then each competitor delivered oral reasons to a judge, explaining the placing and using correct dairy terminology. The reasons must be accurate, in the present tense and persuasive.
Krahn finished third in oral reasons.
“Honestly, with my background I have been able to have a niche in speaking which allows me to excel in dairy judging,” Krahn said.
“So nervous,” she added. “My grandpa said that I get nervous because I care so much, so I guess I care a lot.”
Krahn graduated from Scio High School in June and now attends Linn-Benton Community College. She plans to transfer to Oklahoma State University in 2024.
Previously titled Surprising national finish fills Oregon 4-H dairy cattle judging team with joy
