News Release
March 11, 2014
Nevada FFA takes Top Awards at Annual Livestock Grading and Judging Contest
More than 400 FFA and 4-H members from around the state gathered in the Trowbridge Livestock Center on the University of Missouri campus this weekend to test their skills evaluating cattle, swine, sheep and goats in Missouri's Youth Livestock Grading and Judging Contest and Workshop. Top honors in the Missouri Department of Agriculture's annual event went to Skyler Scotten of the Nevada FFA Chapter, the overall individual winner, and to a team from the Nevada FFA chapter. The Saturday competition drew 66 teams of Missouri high school students, while the workshop attracted more than 100 youth.
"Our FFA and 4-H youth are the future of Missouri's agriculture industry and it is outstanding to see their knowledge and commitment come through," said Director of Agriculture Richard Fordyce. "Congratulations to each of the students, advisors and chapters involved with this year's contest and workshop on a job well done."
Top overall team honors went to the Nevada FFA team of Payton Dahmer, Monica Gerken, Cara Comstock and Kaylee Farmer. The Columbia FFA team of Monica Strawn, Bailey Peters, Andy Mott and Ashlynn Girard finished second in the overall competition. The third place team, from the Princeton FFA Chapter, was made of up Thomas Mallinson, Justin Hamilton, Tessa Schwartzkopf and Abby McClain.
Full results are posted online at http://mda.mo.gov/connect/youth/livestockgrading.php.
This was the 26th year for the day-long contest and workshop, which teaches youth and adults to evaluate livestock using USDA grade standards for feeder and slaughter cattle as well as swine, goats and sheep through instruction and traditional livestock judging.
In addition to the grading and judging competitions, the event featured an educational workshop for students in grades nine and lower. Ben Jones, a member of the Chillicothe FFA Chapter, took top honors in the workshop, based on the accuracy of his scoring.
For more information about the Missouri Department of Agriculture, visit the Department online at mda.mo.gov.