Youth News
Introducing Natalee Richardson of the Latta FFA, Your 2019 Southeast Area Star in Agriscience
Mon, 08 Apr 2019 15:26:12 CDT
During the month of April, the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network and Oklahoma Farm Report is spotlighting the twenty Area Stars of Oklahoma FFA that are among the highest achievers in the organization. The stars come from the five areas in four categories- Star in Ag Placement, Star in Agriscience, Star in Agribusiness and Star in Production Agriculture. This week, we spotlight the five area stars in Agriscience for 2019. One Star Finalist featured in the coming days from each of the categories, will be named the State Star Award Winner during the Oklahoma State FFA Convention coming up April 30 - May 1, 2019 in Oklahoma City.
Today, we continue our coverage with this year's South East Area Star in Agriscience, Natalee Richarson of the Latta FFA Chapter. Natalee's project tested acidity levels on different animal teeth in order to see what plants in their diet do to their teeth. In her continuation project she's tested fluoride on them to show the protection it can have.
Steps to her experiment included gathering the teeth, cleaning them, then placing them in an assigned liquid - orange juice, coffee, distilled water, or coca cola. After letting the teeth sit for 17 days she would drain, dry for 12-16 hours, and finally weigh. A cycle she repeated a total of seven times.
"I learned that some of those acids are extremely, extremely harmful and these cattle and other animals are really suffering because of it," she said. "You can add years to a cow's life just by protecting their teeth."
Based on her findings, Natalee would recommend investing in treating with fluoride to the cattle industry or utilizing a natural option like neem oil.
When processing her own cattle during processing she noticed a lot of their teeth were worn past the point where they should have been according to their age, which sparked her idea for this project. She credits FFA for her interest in this research and understanding why it was important.
Natalee is very involved with the Latta FFA Chapter including speeches, Agriscience, CDEs like Meat ID, and anything else they offer. One community project they've started is called "Dude Be Nice Week."
"We honor one person in our community who is just always there for us and doing something but doesn't get the recognition they deserve," she said. "We spend a week spreading positivity and then at the end we have a massive rally day where we just congratulate them and thanks them for everything that they've done and give them a lot of gifts to let them know that they are appreciated."
After graduating she intends to go to Oklahoma State University majoring in Biotechnology with a Pre-Vet option.
You can hear her entire conversation with Radio Oklahoma Ag Network Farm Director Ron Hays, by clicking or tapping on the LISTEN BAR below.
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