The Polk County High School Senior Dairy Judging Teams participated in the 2017 North Carolina FFA State Dairy Evaluation Career Development Event on April 8, in Iredell County, N.C. Over 115 junior and senior teams competed. The Polk FFA Senior Teams placed  first in the western region and third in the state. Team members include Delaney Hill, Paige Schlabach, Karli Wood and Autumn Owen. 

At the state event, participants are scored based on how well they apply dairy cattle evaluation skills learned in the classroom. Each team evaluates six classes of dairy cattle and defends the reasoning behind their evaluation to a panel of judges. Participants also complete a written test and work collaboratively to select appropriate herd composition. Completing these activities successfully requires a good understanding of both animal science and herd management skills.

The highest scoring team in this event is eligible to compete in the national FFA event at the National FFA Convention in 2017. The top three teams and high scoring individual will be recognized during the 89th North Carolina FFA State Convention in Raleigh on June 19-21.

This event is one of 43 different career development events offered to North Carolina FFA members on the state level. The North Carolina Dairy Youth Foundation sponsors the North Carolina FFA Association Dairy Evaluation Career Development Event.

The North Carolina FFA is a youth organization of 20,119 student members preparing for leadership and careers in science, business and technology of agriculture with 263 local chapters across the state. FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. Visit ncffa.org for more information.

– article submitted by Chauncey Barber