Youth News
Oklahoma FFA Honors Laverne's Jake Fanning as Star in Agricultural Production Winner
Wed, 30 Apr 2014 16:35:24 CDT
Laverne FFA member Jake Fanning found his passion for the cattle industry from the example set before him by his father, Tom Fanning.
The younger Fanning's entrepreneurial spirit and devotion to agriculture led to his selection as a recipient for one of Oklahoma FFA's highest honors: the 2014 State Star in Agricultural Production. His supervised agricultural experience project was rated the best agricultural production program among the 726 FFA members who received the State FFA Degree during the 88th State FFA Convention on April 30. (Fanning spoke with Radio Oklahoma Network Farm Director Ron Hays. Click on the LISTEN BAR at the bottom of this story to hear their conversation.)
Fanning found a key factor in his beef cattle stocker operation's profitability was the overall health of his herd. To ensure healthy livestock from the beginning, Fanning said he vaccinated and dewormed all animals within a day of their arrival to his facility.
"I have learned a great deal in the areas of health and nutrition," Fanning said. "Healthy cattle tend to gain faster, reach market weight quicker, and are more profitable."
In addition to the experience Fanning received through managing his stocker cattle operation, he also studied and completed the Masters of Beef Advocacy Program through the National Cattlemen's Beef Association.
"A goal of mine was to be able to effectively promote and defend the production practices I use within the beef industry," Fanning said. "This program helps graduates make a positive impact while telling beef's story."
Throughout his FFA and SAE activities, Fanning used the expertise from his family and Kent Latta, his banker at Oklahoma State Bank, to help grow his operation.
The 18-year-old Laverne FFA member is the son of Tom and Michele Fanning. His agricultural education instructors and FFA advisers are Jim Culp and Sandy Kolbe.
The State Star Farmer of Oklahoma will receive a cash award of $1,500 and the prestigious Governor's Trophy sponsored by Davis Farms of Guthrie, Farm Credit of East Central Oklahoma and by The Sirloin Club of Oklahoma.
Complete coverage of the 2014 Oklahoma State Convention can be followed on the Blue Green Gazette- Click here to jump to the Blue Green Gazette.
Our coverage of the 2014 Oklahoma FFA state contests and the 88th Annual Convention is brought to you in part by your Oklahoma Ford Dealers, a Platinum Level Title Sponsor of the 2014 Convention! Click here to learn more about why Ford is Best in Oklahoma!
By Kaleigh Lynch
WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI
