Agricultural News
AFR Sponsors Annual Cattle Grading Contest at Tulsa State Fair
Thu, 08 Oct 2015 15:23:04 CDT
American Farmers & Ranchers (AFR) sponsored the Tulsa State Fair Commercial Cattle Grading Contest October 6th at the Tulsa Expo Square. AFR provides scholarships and plaque awards each year for the event.
To excel in the contest, participants must employ their knowledge of high-quality cattle traits to choose breeding and market animals that will prove profitable in real-life production situations. The contestants rank animals by structural soundness of replacement heifers, profitability of cull cows, market steer yield potential and more. Ultimately, contestants are rewarded for their recognition of high-quality cattle just as a producer would profit from similar selection within their own herd.
"Contestants' ability to identify the best animals within their herd and in purchasing situations ensures their success as future cattle producers," said AFR President Terry Detrick. "We are proud to sponsor a competition that translates to real-life situations and encourages Oklahoma's youth to pursue careers in production agriculture."
During the event, the 1,200 participants attended a one-hour educational seminar on commercial cattle grading presented by Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry (ODAFF) Consultant on Rural Development Gary Bledsoe and USDA Market News Officer in Charge Tina Colby. Participants learn about production challenges, such as how to choose replacement heifers and how to determine when an aged cow needs to be culled.
During the contest, four-person teams practice their skills by grading 15 head of commercial cattle. Awards are earned by the top five teams and the top ten individuals in two student organizations 4-H and FFA. Participants do not need to own livestock to participate.
High individuals in the FFA division were Tell Hawkins, of the Copan FFA Chapter, in first place, Stetson Richards, of the Oktaha FFA Chapter, in second place, Ty Bell, of the Nowata FFA Chapter, in third place, Kenzie Green, of the Coweta FFA Chapter, in fourth place, Garrett Arnold, of the Morris FFA Chapter, in fifth place, Sam Barron, of the Oklahoma Union FFA Chapter, in sixth place, Levi Hill, of the Oktaha FFA Chapter, in seventh place, Brooklyn Herriman, of the Warner FFA Chapter, in eight place, Bobbie Pilkerton, of the Warner FFA Chapter, in ninth place and Shelby Taylor, of the Oklahoma Union FFA Chapter, in tenth place.
High individuals in the 4-H division were Jacob Blackwell, of Muskogee 4-H, in first place, Tracy Kriner, of Wagoner 4-H, in second place, Kylie Wickam, of Nowata 4-H, in third place, Kaytie Cash, of Muskogee 4-H, in fourth place, Kayliegh Boydston, of Muskogee 4-H, in fifth place, Dillon Watson, of Muskogee 4-H, in sixth place, Bailey Webb, of Wagoner 4-H, in seventh place, McKenzie Todd, of Wagoner 4-H, in eight place, Dillon Simmons, of Nowata 4-H, in ninth place and Dax Delozier, of Mayes 4-H, in tenth place.
The top-placing FFA teams were:
1st Place: Oktaha FFA Chapter (Grace Blackwell, Levi Hill, Mazie Richards, Stetson Richards)
2nd Place: Warner FFA Chapter (Nick Hayes, Kadee Holder, Brooklyn Herriman, Jessica Dureson)
3rd Place: Copan FFA Chapter (Tel Hawkins, Morgan Woody, Zack Trimble, Tagger Fox)
4th Place: Oklahoma Union FFA Chapter Chapter (Dakota Handlee, Ty Taylor, Tyler Gibson, Sam Barrow)
5th Place: Eufaula FFA Chapter (Matt Whelan, Cleo Giraldo, Wyatt Fells, Sydney Fitzer)
The top-placing 4-H teams were:
1st Place: Porter 4-H (Tracy Criner, McKinzie Todd, Garrett Todd, Kailey Guinn)
2nd Place: Nowata 4-H (Hannah Becker, Kylee Wickham, Bryan Kile, Jacob Johnson)
3rd Place: Oktaha 4-H (Jacob Backwell, Karley Fewel, Jillian Treadway, Dillon Watson)
4th Place: Porter 4-H (Payton Taylor, Baylee Webb, Ryley Smith, Brittany Brandon)
5th Place: Nowata 4-H (Marissa Harvick, Wyatt Beck, Paige Atkisson, Dillon Simmons)
"The Tulsa State Fair Commercial Cattle Grading Contest is just one more way AFR membership actively promotes the youth of Oklahoma," said Detrick. "We look forward to the future accomplishments of these outstanding students and we are proud to play a part in their success."
The Tulsa State Fair Cattle Grading Contest is just one of many AFR Youth Program traditions. The organization also hosts a poster contest, summer youth leadership summit, statewide scholarships, livestock handling and skills contest, livestock judging and many other leadership opportunities. For more information on how to participate in AFR's speech contest or other youth activities, visit the AFR website at www.iAFR.com.
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