Gelbvieh juniors compete in national junior show
BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Members of the American Gelbvieh Junior Assoc. (AGJA) met in Bryan-College Station, Texas for the annual national Gelbvieh junior show. The Lone Star Classic was held July 5-10 and was hosted by the Texas Gelbvieh Junior Assoc.

A total of 160 Gelbvieh and Balancer animals were exhibited by 104 junior members representing 17 states across the United States. During the week-long event, the juniors not only competed in the showring, but also participated in educational contests including carcass evaluation, livestock judging, team fitting, quiz bowl, sales talk, poster design, photography, advertising design, creative writing and impromptu speaking.

“Participating in a national level show provides an excellent opportunity for young Gelbvieh breeders to enhance their breeding programs through exposure in competitive shows and contests. Just as importantly, the networking opportunities provided at these events create lasting connections not only in the Gelbvieh breed, but within the beef industry as well,” said Dana Stewart, American Gelbvieh Assoc. director of member services and AGJA advisor.

Clint Rusk, Brookings, S.D., evaluated the national junior Gelbvieh show. AGJA members exhibited 76 Gelbvieh females and six bred and owned Gelbvieh bulls. Blake Nelson, Warner, Okla., evaluated the 55 Balancer females, eight bred and owned Balancer bulls and 17 market steers.

Exhibiting the champion bred and owned Gelbvieh female was Britney Volek, Highmore, S.D. BVLK U121 is a November 10, 2008 daughter of ELK CK Crazy Horse 138P. Emily Griffiths, Kendallville, Ind., had the reserve champion bred and owned Gelbvieh female with a cow-calf pair. GGGE 3G Cowgirl Ultrabright 890U is a May 8, 2008 daughter of GGGE 3G Rio Bravo 564R.

In the Balancer show, the grand champion Balancer female was also a cow-calf pair exhibited by Tricia Goes, Odell, Neb. PMG Uma 802U ET is a 1/16/08 daughter of C A Future Direction 532. The reserve champion Balancer female and champion bred and owned Balancer female was exhibited by Emily Griffiths, Kendallville, Ind. GGGE 3G X-Factor 014X is a January 6, 2010 daughter of GGGE 3G Time Machine 758T ET.

The grand champion Balancer bull was exhibited by Emily Griffiths, Kendallville, Ind. GGGE 3G Warlock 928W is a 2/7/09 son of GGGE 3G Smoke N’ Mirrors. Justin Teeter, Mt. Ulla, N.C. had the reserve champion Balancer bull with GHGF Gin 98W, a February 11, 2009 son of B C Matrix 4132.

For complete coverage of the 2010 AGJA Lone Star Classic visit www.gelbvieh.org The 2011 American Gelbvieh Junior Assoc. Junior Classic is scheduled for July 3-8 in Kearney, Neb. For more information about the American Gelbvieh Junior Association contact the American Gelbvieh Assoc. at 303-465- 2333 or visit www.gelbvieh.org/main jr2.html

AFBF awards agriscience winners for innovation
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation (CCFF), a federal government agency, and the American Farm Bureau Federation partnered on July 12 to present eight monetary awards and research funding to scientists, teachers and high-school students for exemplary innovation in the field of agricultural science.

“The winning candidates from each category have demonstrated a hunger for forward-thinking scientific knowledge,” said AFBF President Bob Stallman. “The fruits of their work will be seen as America continues to leads the way in agricultural science innovation.”

CCFF Agricultural Science Educator Awards were presented to three educators who emphasize concepts, principles and applications in their curriculum to promote the study of agricultural science to students.

An educator from the Farm World readership area – Byron Ernest with the Lebanon Community School Corporation in Lebanon, Ind., serves as the department head for agriculture and FFA. Ernest was named the 2010 Indiana Teacher of the Year, the first time an agriculture instructor has been so honored.

CCFF Agricultural Science Student Awards honor high school students who have made a significant and positive contribution to the field of agricultural science.

Also, a student from Illinois received a $5,000 award. Rosemary Chapple, a senior at Waterloo High School in Waterloo, Ill., was raised on a small Angus cattle farm and showed cattle and chickens. She is a member of the Waterloo FFA and served on the state FFA officer team.

Tennessee 4-Hers win national shooting competition
HUNTINGDON, Tenn. — The Carroll County, Tenn., 4-H group recently placed first in the Junior Varsity Division of the Scholastic Clay Target Program’s national competition in Sparta, Ill. There were more than 1,500 participants in the contest for kids from 5-12 years of age.

The team is called the “Carroll County 4-H Clay Busters.” Team members are Will Espey, Brett Jackson, Cory Mathis, Cody Thorne and Peyton Turner. In addition to this team, some 40 other Carroll County youth made the trip north for the competition. They used 12-gauge shotguns to fire at clay targets moving anywhere from 37-42 miles per hour at a distance of some 100 feet.

The “Clay Busters” were coached by Carroll County University of Tennessee extension agent Kenny Herndon and Cory’s parents Keith and Stephanie.