|
|
|
|
|
|
| Spotlight on Youth - May 5, 2010 |
|
|
|
Illinois youth take home top honors at Spring Showdown
URBANA, Ill. — Beautiful weather and quality cattle drew a crowd to the 2010 University of Illinois Hoof n Horn Spring Showdown on April 11. Alec Myers of Taylorville, Ill., exhibited the Grand Champion Heifer, first named Champion Mainetainer. In the steer show, Kelsey Petersen of Colfax, Ill., exhibited the Grand Champion Steer, first named Champion Crossbred.
Judge Matt Claeys of West Lafayette, Ind., evaluated 160 heifers and 78 steers in this student-run cattle show organized by the U of I Hoof n Horn Club.
The Reserve Grand Champion Heifer was shown by Jason Minnaert of Atkinson, Ill., with his Champion Commercial Heifer. Lauren Adcock of Moweaqua, Ill., took home third place overall honors with her Champion Angus.
The Reserve Grand Champion Steer was shown by Austin Bauer of Bonfield, Ill., with his Champion Chi. Brandon Wyatt of Ogden, Ill., took home third place overall honors with his Reserve Champion Chi Steer.
Jessica Collins, Hoof N Horn Spring Showdown co-chair, said, “This event shows the beef industry how much students care about agriculture and educational opportunities such as this show. We are doing everything we can to make the future even brighter.”
On Saturday, 125 youth participated in the Hoof n Horn Livestock Judging Contest, making it one of the largest contests in recent history.
Ohio State earn top rank at Dairy Challenge
VISALIA, Calif. — Teams from California Polytechnic State University, Cornell University, The Ohio State University and University of Wisconsin-Madison earned the highest award – First Place Platinum – in the ninth annual North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge (NAIDC), held April 9-10, in the Visalia, Calif. area.
Hosted by Cal Poly and California State University-Fresno, NAIDC 2010 attracted teams from 30 universities located throughout the United States and Canada. Each team of four was challenged to put their textbook and practical knowledge to the ultimate test – analyzing dairies. The contest started with a walk-through at one of the four host dairies, followed by the opportunity to ask questions of the owners and analyze farm-specific data. Teams then used this information and their observations to develop management recommendations, and then presented their recommendations to the herd owners and a panel of five dairy industry judges.
Members of the First Place Platinum teams received $200 scholarships. This was the second consecutive year for teams from Ohio State and UW-Madison to earn the contest’s highest ranking.
Ohio State’s team, coached by Maurice Eastridge, consisted of Ryan Conklin, Annie Eilenfeld, Heather Moff and Amanda Paulhamus.
Gold Awards were presented to teams from Iowa State University, Mississippi State University, Purdue University, University of Minnesota, Virginia Tech, Delaware Valley College, University of Wisconsin-River Falls, Alabama A&M University, University of Florida and University of Kentucky.
“The Dairy Challenge brings the future of the dairy industry together in one location where knowledge and experiences are shared and gained, and where they gain a broader perspective of the market we participate in,” said NAIDC chairman Barry Putnam.
CattleWomen announce results of College Aggie Online
DENVER, Colo. — The American National CattleWomen Inc, recently announce the results of its first College Aggies Online (CAO) program. The nationwide competition was developed in partnership with the Animal Agriculture Alliance in order to help college students utilize social media tools to share agriculture’s story.
Students with an interest in agriculture were invited to join the CAO network in October 2009. Members then earned points for their school group and individually by posting blogs, photos and videos related to agriculture and by participating in online outreach activities via Twitter, Facebook, and e-mail. Over the past six months, 350 college students from nearly 50 universities have participated in the competition.
“In addition to ANCW’s Collegiate CattleWomen program, College Aggies Online has empowered and unified young people that know the importance of agriculture to confidently share that information online and elsewhere,” said ANCW President Lana Slaten. “It is imperative that we “bridge the gap” to a consumer far removed from the farm or ranch with our story of animal and environmental stewardship and our use of best management practices to produce wholesome, nutritious, safe and delicious beef.”
Western Kentucky University Block and Bridle Club members formed the top-scoring club with 5,376 points. The group will receive a $750 scholarship and a trip to Washington, D.C. for one representative to attend the Alliance’s Stakeholders Summit in April.
Casper College Ag Club came in second place with 2,794 points and will receive $300.
With 617 total points, the individual high score went to Celeste Laurent of the Western Kentucky University Block and Bridle Club. She will receive a $250 scholarship. Danielle Hammer of the University of Wisconsin-River Falls came in second place with 554 points and will be awarded $100.
CAO participants shared more than 3,000 photos on the network and authored 100 blog posts. Members also advocated for agriculture in their communities by writing letters to the editor of local news outlets and by participating in other outreach activities.
Students are encouraged to continue utilizing the CAO forum to connect and share information even after the conclusion of the competition. |
| 5/5/2010 |
|
|
