LAFAYETTE, Ind. — With about a month left, a livestock judging team from Lafayette has raised 60 percent of the $25,000 needed to travel to an international competition this summer in Scotland.

The four young men have worked together for three years. They won their state FFA livestock judging contest for Indiana in May 2014 and did well enough in January at the Western National Roundup in Denver to earn an invitation to the Royal Highland Show in Edinburgh, Scotland.

The contest consists of judging the quality of animals paraded in front of them. The team judged 12 classes of sheep, cattle, hogs and goats and picked the best of each. They then had to explain why they chose those particular animals.

Each member is scored individually, and those results result in team awards. In Denver, Caleb Harper was second in goats, fifth in sheep, sixth in swine, fourth in cattle, fifth in reasons and fifth high individual. Ross House was fourth in sheep, third in swine, tied for first in reasons and second high individual. Senior Kyle Albregts was first in swine and eighth in reasons. Senior Tanner Baird was seventh in sheep, ninth in reasons and ninth high individual.

Overall, McCutcheon FFA was fifth in goats, second in sheep, first in swine, third in cattle, second in reasons and second high team. They were 67 points ahead of Kansas and eight points behind Missouri. Those three teams advance to the Scotland competition.

Albregts and Baird are seniors at McCutcheon High School, while Harper and House are now wrapping up their freshmen years at college.

“It’s a great opportunity to go to Scotland and to be one of three teams representing the U.S. there. We’ll be representing Tippecanoe County and the State of Indiana. It’s always a neat thing to do something like that overseas,” Baird said.

Several local businesses have staged fundraisers this winter to help the McCutcheon FFA chapter raise money toward the travel costs.

“The kids have done some fundraising through sponsors and donations,” said teacher Becky Snyder, one of two FFA chapter advisers. “Earlier in the year, they worked at a local pumpkin patch, sold produce, and worked with our FFA Parent Network to raise funds. The parent network holds a consignment auction, a fish fry, and various restaurant fundraiser nights.”

Late last week, the total collected so far was nearly $15,000. Donations are welcome. Checks payable to McCutcheon High School can be sent to the school in care of Karen Burgdorf, 4951 Old U.S. 231 South, Lafayette, IN 47909. Contributors are asked to put “Scotland Trip” in the memo line.

The four team members also have created an online account with gofundme.com, which allows people or companies to donate electronically. You can visit the site at www.gofundme.com/ffascotland and donate – or share it with others who might be able to help.

“They will go regardless, but the remaining amount will have to come out of pocket from each person,” Snyder said. “So the hope is that they can raise enough money that the financial cost on the famil(ies) will not be as large.”

Snyder said the team leaves June 17. The competition in Edinburgh happens at the beginning of the trip. After that, they’ll be touring farms and other ag-related places to see agriculture “across the pond” before their June 29 return.