Burwell FFA Chapter wins State Titles at the Nebraska State Range Judging Contest
October 09, 2014
On September 25th, fifteen Burwell FFA members attended the State Range Judging contest held near Curtis, Nebraska. Over 400 FFA members from across the state took part in the contest. Burwell FFA members which attended the contest were, Clayton Sukstorf, Tristan Dearmont, Sarah Gumb, Ty Chaffin, Ali Stout, Lane Jensen, Breanna Dawe, Jacey Jensen, Tressa Reiner, Tori Huffman, Logan Simpson, Weston Svoboda, Trent Marshall, Carlee Archibeque and Colby Mitchell.
A Range Judging Contest consists of students identifying 24 plants and specific growth characteristics for each plant. These plants used for the contest are from a list of 175 common range plants found in our state. Students also complete a ranch map to determine stocking rates and proper range management practices during the event. Another aspect of the contest consists of students identifying three specific Range Sites based on soil types, climate, and geographic location. Once the range sites are determined, range condition scores are calculated for each site based off of the plants present. Forage utilization is also estimated for each of the sites. A ten question test is also administered with questions pertaining to range and forage management during the contest.
Individually in the Senior Division Clayton Sukstorf finished 3rd the state, Ali Stout - 4th, Ty Chaffin - 10th and Breanna Dawe 19th. Individually in the Junior Division Logan Simpson finished 3rd in the State, Tressa Reiner- 11th, Tori Huffman 13th. Also finishing in the top 25% of all competitors and receiving Green Ribbons were Jacey Jensen – 27th, and Weston Svoboda - 50th .
The exceptional effort of these students paid off as the team results were announced. The Senior Team of Ali Stout, Ty Chaffin, Breanna Dawe and Lane Jensen along with the Junior team of Logan Simpson, Tressa Reiner, Tori Huffman, and Trent Marshall both finished as the 2014 Nebraska State Range Judging Champion Teams.
Burwell FFA Advisor, Phil Simpson also earned top honors in the Professional Division of the State Range Judging contest.
Burwell FFA Advisor Phil Simpson said “I am extremely proud of how the students did at the State Range Judging Contest. Range judging is a very involved contest in which students have to exhibit a great deal of knowledge in several aspects of Range Management. This was a special day, one that will be hard to top. It is very difficult to win one division of the State Range contest and we were lucky enough to come home being champions in three divisions this year. The Burwell community should be extremely proud of these students.”
