Agricultural News
American Farmers and Ranchers Supports Livestock Handling Skills Competition
Fri, 02 Dec 2011 15:59:35 CST
Fall is a time in Oklahoma when stocker cattle are sent through the working chute insuring good health as they go through the weaning process. Safety, stress-free processing is of primary concern to cattlemen. To showcase the skills of the best young people in this arena, American Farmers & Ranchers (AFR) is proud to continue their support of the Tulsa Farm Show Livestock Handling Skills Competition held Friday, December 9, 2011.
"This is probably one of the most practical competitions which we will sponsor through-out the year," said Terry Detrick, AFR president. "This is applied knowledge and not just what we can learn in a classroom. It teaches animal care and welfare, safety to the individual processing the animal, and effectively and efficiently preparing that animal before reaching the pasture."
This competition emphasizes the application of classroom study to real life agricultural production situations. Ten teams of three students each qualified for the final competition by testing during the Oklahoma State University Field days in July. The top two teams from each FFA district are eligible to participate in the finals.
Contestants will be judged on skill, accuracy, excellence and efficiency as they sort and process animals through a chute. In addition to scholarships, the winning team will receive a Priefert calf table to take back to their agricultural education program and a trophy buckle.
"In these tough economic times, the skills these young people obtain are priceless as we face market volatility, weather challenges and general uncertainty in agriculture. Every beef animal processed could mean the difference between a profit or loss through how they are handled," Detrick explained.
American Farmers & Ranchers is a 106-year-old company, headquartered in Oklahoma City, providing educational, legislative, cooperative programs and insurance products across the state.
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