The best in show

Two Kane County residents were big winners in the 4-H competitions at this year's Illinois State Fair in Springfield.

Alec Zierer, 13, of Batavia won Reserve Supreme Champion Female for his dairy cow Aug. 11, and Dan Hartmann of Maple Park, 19, won the Reserve Champion Steer for his beef cattle Aug. 18.

Zierer is an eighth-grader at Jewel Middle School in North Aurora, and Hartmann is a sophomore at Iowa State University.

This is Hartmann's last 4-H competition because he has turned 19 and is no longer eligible. He was a member for 11 years.

"It was amazing, it was the biggest thrill I've ever had," Hartmann said about his win.

"It was the first year I showed at (the state fair) and the last year."

Since Zierer's cow was born in Wisconsin, it was not eligible for the Land of Lincoln award and he received a ribbon. Hartmann's received a ribbon and a check from the Illinois Beef Association for $500.

Hartmann contributes his win to having well-balanced cattle. He said he heard from multiple judges that his animal didn't have any problems and that it was very toned, muscular and had a big top.

The cow also won titles at two county fairs and a show for the Illinois Beef Association.

Hartmann said he'll miss being a 4-H member.

"It's a chance to work with my animals and see friends I only see during the fair," he said.

Zierer has been a part of 4-H for five years and is a member of the Burlington Ag 4-H Club in Kane County. He said that preparing for the competition was not difficult.

This was his first win and he looks forward to participating in the competition next year.

"You get to go to all these fairs, go different places and see all these people," he said.