Corn contest prizes based on big ears meaning big yields

CASSTOWN, Ohio — Members of the Miami East-MVCTC FFA Chapter were challenged to participate in the annual Chapter Corn Contest. The rules of the contest were to bring in one ear of corn and earn a corn-related prize.

All participants received a can of soda because corn syrup is a major ingredient. Overall winners were presented an FFA T-shirt from the FFA Chapter. A winner is chosen based on the predicted yield of the corn.

The grand prize winner was determined by the highest yield estimate, based on plant population per acre. Agriculture Education students in Plant and Animal Sciences took time in class to figure the predicted yield of corn ears as part of their continuing education of agronomy.

The overall winner was Paige Pence. Her corn was predicted to yield 312.3 bushels to the acre, with a 35,000 seed population per acre. Her corn was a Channel product. Second place went to Kearsten Kirby, who presented an ear of corn that is predicted to produce 283.6 bushels per acre with a 30,000 seed population per acre.

Third place went to Adam Bensman, with an ear of corn predicted to yield 281.6 bushels to the acre with a 36,000 seed population per acre. His was an Ebberts product. Fourth went to Jacob Sweitzer with a predicted yield of 270.7 with a 30,000 seed population per acre. Fifth went to Lauren Wright with a predicted yield of 270.6 bushels to the acre, with a 33,000 seed population per acre. Her corn was an AgriGold product.

Participants included Elizabeth Bair, Adam Bensman, Abigail Covault, Kearsten Kirby, Paige Pence, Jacob Rife, Jacob Sweitzer, Caleb Taylor and Lauren Wright.

Turn the Bag Blue & Gold program helps FFA students

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — How can a seed bag help FFA students raise funds and learn? Mycogen Seeds is partnering with the National FFA Organization, local chapters and select retailers to promote a 60th anniversary edition blue-and-gold Mycogen Seeds bag.

Mycogen’s Turn the Bag Blue & Gold program will work with select retailers and local FFA chapters in corn-growing regions to implement a comprehensive learning program that provides foundational agronomic principles and professional selling training. Chapter members will apply the training in the field by selling special blue-and-gold bags of select Mycogen brand corn hybrids to local farmers as part of a fundraising program.

“We’re excited about this opportunity – not only the fundraising opportunities it offers local chapters, but also the career and educational development these young leaders will receive as part of the program,” said Zach Ferguson, Mycogen Seeds corn product manager. “To top things off, farmers will receive seed in an FFA blue-and-gold Mycogen Seeds bag.”

Chapter members will begin the curriculum this fall and, throughout the next few months, will work with local Mycogen sales, agronomy and retailer teams to call on local corn farmers to position and sell select Mycogen brand corn hybrids. For every bag of corn sold, the local chapter will earn funds for their local chapter.

Mycogen is piloting the program with seven retailers and FFA chapters. To learn more, visit Mycogen.com or contact your local Mycogen Seeds sales representative or retailer. This region’s farmers interested in supporting the program and their local FFA chapter can contact one of the following participants or Mycogen retailers:

•Bureau Valley FFA Chapter, Manlius, Ill.

oCPS, Sheffield, Ill.

•South Newton FFA Chapter, Kentland, Ind.

oCeres Solutions, Rensselaer, Ind.

•Eastern Hancock FFA Chapter, Charlottesville, Ind.

oHarvestland, Wilkinson, Ind.

“We look forward to our first year in this program,” Ferguson said. “FFA members are a driven group of young leaders with high aspirations of a future career in agriculture.

“We’re a proud sponsor of the National FFA Organization and excited to celebrate 60 years of sponsorship with the Turn the Bag Blue & Gold program. We hope it inspires FFA members and showcases the exciting opportunities available in the agricultural industry.”

National FFA announces Agricultural Proficiency winners

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Winners of the 2017 National Agricultural Proficiency Awards were announced on Oct. 27 during the sixth general session at the 90th National FFA Convention & Expo. Awards were given in 47 categories, including the following students from the Farm World region:

Agricultural Communications – Entrepreneurship/Placement: Kolt Buchenroth of the Kenton-OHP FFA Chapter in Ohio began his career in agricultural communications when he was offered a job at WKTN Radio as the ag news reporter. He also manages the Hardin County Fair website and other social media outlets. He plans to attend The Ohio State University at Lima and pursue a degree in agricultural communications and eventually become a farm broadcaster.

Agricultural Mechanics Repair and Maintenance – Entrepreneurship: When Aaron Lane Hendrich of the Eaton-MVCTC FFA Chapter in Ohio was 7 years old, his parents gave him an old push mower that did not run; he repaired it. He was eventually selected to represent Ohio in the National 4-H small engine competition, placing second. He hopes to have a career in small engine maintenance and repair and eventually become a mechanical engineer.

Agricultural Mechanics Repair and Maintenance – Placement: Drake Logan Davis of the Southmont FFA Chapter in Indiana started in agricultural mechanics by helping his father on the farm. He has restored four classic tractors and competed in a Chevron Delo restoration contest, placing third and being named the reserve national champion. He plans to graduate from Parkland College with an associate degree in applied science, becoming an ag mechanics technician.

Agricultural Sales – Entrepreneurship: Hannah York of the Caldwell County FFA Chapter in Kentucky creates autumn displays in her community for private homes and businesses. After local fields have been combined, she gathers leftover cornstalks and sorts them into groups of 12-15 for display purposes. She uses mums, pumpkins and gourds as well.

Dairy Production – Placement: Jared T. Dickman of the Eastland FFA Chapter in Illinois milks 150 registered Holsteins and one Jersey. At the operation he works for, tasks include everything related to the production and care of the dairy animals and the quality of the milk that they produce. He plans on majoring in dairy science at the University of Wisconsin Platteville.

 Diversified Agricultural Production – Entrepreneurship/Placement: Nole Gerfen of the Ridgemont FFA Chapter in Ohio has supervised agricultural experiences (SAEs) in swine, sheep, beef, corn and silage, hay and some placement experiences on the family swine farm, including his own swine breeding enterprise. Nole plans to attend OSU, majoring in agricultural business.

Diversified Livestock Production – Entrepreneurship/Placement: Adam Daniel Blumenschein of the Fairbanks FFA Chapter in Ohio raises and manages a herd of 100 commercial Dorset ewes, 111 market lambs, 18 commercial Angus females and 13 market and replacement cattle. He markets his sheep and cattle to local customers as freezer meat. He hopes have the largest commercial flock in central Ohio and increase his cattle to 40 head.

Food Science and Technology – Entrepreneurship/Placement: Ann Marie Shelby of the Zane Trace FFA Chapter in Ohio has an SAE program that consists of food science projects related to developing new products and solving problems. Through the World Food Prize, she also became interested in food insecurity issues. She plans to study chemical engineering or food biological and environmental engineering.

Fruit Production – Entrepreneurship/Placement: Dillion Gerome Givens of the McMinn County FFA Chapter in Tennessee works on his father’s muscadine vineyard, assisting in growing 1,400 plants that produce 25 tons of grapes. His responsibilities include pruning, working within the limits of the weather, controlling weeds and making the vineyard aesthetically pleasing.

Goat Production – Entrepreneurship/Placement: Thomas William Woelfie of the Munford “Big Boll” FFA Chapter in Tennessee began his interest in goat production when his grandfather purchased two Boer/Kiko mixed does and a buck. By the time he started high school, he had five registered Boer does, which increased to 30 over the next five years. He is attending Austin Peay State University, pursuing a degree in agriculture and animal sciences.

Nursery Operations – Entrepreneurship/Placement: Darin Paul Knobloch of the West Lyon Community FFA Chapter in Iowa loved spending time in his parents’ greenhouse when he was a child. Today, he is involved in the production of plants, including mixing soil, seeding, cuttings, transplanting, potting, labeling and more. He also works in the retail store. He plans to pursue a degree in horticulture and business management, eventually taking over the family business.

Specialty Crop Production – Entrepreneurship/Placement: Ryan Conway Patrum of the Paris FFA Chapter in Tennessee works on a 40-acre burley tobacco farm. While he typically helps with setting the tobacco, he also hoes ground to keep weeds back, tops and oils the plants, removes buds off the top of leaves and hangs tobacco in the barn. He hopes to one day take over management of the operation.

Swine Production – Entrepreneurship: Collin Dunaway of the Felicity Franklin FFA Chapter in Ohio has an operation of 47 market hogs, marketed in five-month intervals, which he has purchased and managed by himself. He uses his operation to produce fresh, locally raised pork to market to consumers in his community and has earned pork quality assurance certification.

Vegetable Production – Entrepreneurship/Placement: Liam Ludwig of the Batesville FFA Chapter in Indiana works on his family’s 200-acre vegetable farm, growing cantaloupe, watermelon, tomatoes, corn, peppers, eggplant, squash, pumpkins, gourds and more. The business includes a greenhouse. He plans to become a co-owner or farm manager of the operation, working with his older brother.

Blue Buffalo presents check for $50,000 to National FFA

WILTON, Conn. — Blue Buffalo, in partnership with Tractor Supply Co., presented a check for $50,000 to Dave Schapker, chief financial officer of the National FFA Organization, in support of FFA and agricultural education at the 90th National FFA Convention & Expo last month.

“We are proud to help the FFA in their mission to make a difference in the lives of students interested in pursuing this critical vocation,” said David Petrie, president of the Blue Buffalo Foundation.

Blue Buffalo, based in Wilton, sells natural foods and treats for dogs and cats under its BLUE Life Protection Formula, BLUE Wilderness, BLUE Basics, BLUE Freedom and BLUE Natural Veterinary Diet lines. Paying tribute to its founding mission, the company, through the Blue Buffalo Foundation, is a leading sponsor of pet cancer awareness and of critical research studies of pet cancer, including causes, treatments and the role of nutrition, at leading veterinary medical schools and clinics across the U.S.

Founded in 1938, Tractor Supply is the largest rural lifestyle retail store chain in the United States. Tractor Supply also owns and operates Petsense, a small-box pet specialty supply retailer focused on meeting the needs of pet owners, primarily in small and mid-size communities, and offering a variety of pet products and services.