Members of the Lampasas County 4-H Livestock Judging Teams recently participated in the District 7 4-H Livestock Judging Contest in San Angelo.

The Lampasas Junior Team, consisting of Breighton Loeffler, Taylor Loeffler and Lane Cardenas, placed third overall.

The junior team was second in swine, fourth in beef and fifth in sheep judging. Individually, Breighton Loeffler was 11th-high individual, while Taylor Loeffler placed 14th, and Lane was 15th in the overall contest.

The Senior Team, made up of Kirby Kennedy, Kleg Kennedy, Jacqueline Hensley and Blayze Biershwale, took seventh overall.

The senior team was fourth in sheep, seventh in swine and oral reasons, and ninth in beef judging. Individually, Kirby Kennedy was the 18th high-point individual overall, and Jacqueline placed ninth in sheep judging.

The Intermediate Team, consisting of Mikhaila Barnett, Connell Barnett and John Brooks, finished 19th.

In the 4-H Livestock Judging Contest, participants evaluate eight classes made up of four animals per class. They rank the animals as they should be selected based on their phenotypic characteristics. Intermediates answer questions about the livestock, while seniors are required to present oral reasons which justify their placings. By participating in 4-H Livestock Judging, youth learn hands-on about the livestock industry while developing skills in public speaking, memorization, concentration and critical thinking.