Two Poweshiek County 4-H’ers earn top honors at the Best of Best Competition in Marengo, July 31

   Seven Poweshiek County 4-H’ers participated in the Best of Best Competition on July 31 in Marengo. Pictured from left are: Breeding Heifer - Rylie Smith; Market Lamb – Kaylia Fuchs; Market Beef - Will Conover; Ashlyn Huff; Breeding Gilt; Market Hog - Megan Mauss; Breeding Gilt - Will Slagle; and Market Meat Goat - Dayton Mortvedt.

J.O. Parker

​    Two Poweshiek County 4-H’ers finished top in their individual classes at the 2021 Best of Best Competition on Saturday, July 31 at the Iowa County Fairgrounds in Marengo.
   The competition brought together the grand champions in swine, meat goats, sheep and beef from a 13-county area, including Poweshiek County, where the competitors face off for top honors and bragging rights, including showmanship, in each class.
   Dayton Mortvedt, 11, a second-year member of the Sugar Creek 4-H Club, is no stranger to the winner’s circle. Dayton returned to the Best of Best from a year ago, having won twice in 2020 with his breeding ewe, Beatrice, and market lamb, Napoleaon.
   Dayton switched gears this year, earning Grand Champion honors with this Market Meat Goat, Emiliano, which is named after Emiliano Zapata, a Mexican Revolutionary leader.
He received $800 for his winning goat and a belt buckle. Emiliano also earned Grand Champion honors at the Poweshiek County 4-H and FFA Fair.
    When asked, Dayton said the key to his success is working hard.
     “I like to work hard and push through when it is hard and challenging,” he said.
    Dayton is also a history buff and said he enjoys studying modern history, which is where he gets the names for his animals. 
   When asked what he was going to do with his winnings, Dayton said save it so he can buy some show animals. He currently takes care of five goats and 10 sheep.
    Dayton is the son of Ryan and Carrie Mortvedt. He has one younger brother, Brock, who is a Clover Kid.
Kaylia Fuchs, 10, a member of Poweshiek Pioneers 4-H Club, earned Grand Champion Market Lamb honors at this year’s Best of Best Competition.
   Kaylia, the daughter of Jeff and Jennifer Fuchs of rural Brooklyn, comes from a long-line of market lamb showers. Her mother is a Dale, who, along with the Kuesel family, are known for producing winning sheep throughout the area. 
   Kaylia’s market lamb, Voss Baby, also earned Grand Champion Breeding Ewe honors at the Poweshiek County 4-H and FFA Fair.
    When asked, Kaylia said the key to her success is hard work and having fun in the showring.
    “It’s a lot of hard work and a lot of fun,” she said of showing sheep. “I like to be out in the showring with them.”
     Kaylia’s winning lamb earned her $800 and a nice belt buckle for her efforts.
Poweshiek County Best of Best
   Other Poweshiek County Best of Best competitors joining Kaylia and Dayton included: Breeding Heifer - Rylie Smith; Breeding Doe - Ashlyn Huff; Breeding Gilt - Will Slagle; Market Hog - Megan Mauss; and Market Beef - Will Conover.

​   Dayton Mortvedt, a second-year member of the Sugar Creek 4-H Club, brought home Grand Champion honors from the Best of Best Competition on July 31 with his market meat goat, Emiliano, earning him $800 and a nice belt buckle. Dayton earned Grand Champion Market Meat Goat honors at the 2021 Poweshiek County 4-H/FFA Fair.

​    Kaylia Fuchs, a member of the Poweshiek Producers 4-H Club, earned Grand Champion honors at the Best of Best Competition on July 31 with her lamb, Voss Baby, earning $800 and a nice belt buckle. Kaylia earned Grand Champion Market Lamb honors at the Poweshiek County 4-H/FFA Fair. She is shown at the fair with her winning goat and is joined by Hallie Kuesel and Daleya Fuchs.