The 2025 4-H Illinois Superior Young Livestock Producers Contest, held August 6 at the Illinois State Fair, showcased the talents of 63 youth from across the state in a rigorous three-phase competition: Livestock Management, Marketing & Hedging, and a Skillathon. Participants demonstrated their expertise in beef, swine, and sheep production, with top performers earning $1,000 scholarships, thanks to generous sponsorship from CME Group Inc. and the Illinois 4-H Foundation.
Local Excellence highlighted three outstanding youth from Knox, Henderson, and McDonough Counties stood out among the state’s best:
• Kalen Setterdahl of Knox County was named one of the top nine overall winners, earning a $1,000 scholarship for his exceptional performance across all contest phases.
• Jolie Johnson of Henderson County also secured a spot among the top nine, showcasing her deep knowledge and commitment to livestock production.
• Macie Bartlow of McDonough County earned top honors in two contest phases— Marketing & Hedging and the Skillathon— taking home banners for her achievements.
Dan Jennings, University of Illinois 4-H Livestock Specialist, emphasized the contest’s impact: “This contest provides youth an opportunity to showcase their knowledge of the industry while competing for valuable scholarships to help them pursue their career goals.”
Now in its 29th year, the contest has awarded over $600,000 in scholarships, supporting the next generation of agricultural leaders.
Congratulations to all participants, and a special salute to our local winners for representing their counties with pride and excellence!
Learn more about the contest and future opportunities online on the Illinois Extension Event Page at extension.illinois.edu/ hkmw/events.
