SALUDA FFA DAIRY TEAM STATE CHAMPIONS
CLEMSON, SC….The Saluda High School FFA Dairy Cattle Evaluation Team was named State Champions in the State FFA-sponsored event held in conjunction with the Spring Dairy Show at Clemson University recently, according to John W. Parris, state director of public affairs with the SC FFA Association.
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Team members Ashton Berry (left) with Kayla Rogers (standing) and Josh Nicholson |
Team members Ashton Berry, Josh Nicholson and Kayla Rogers along with their advisor, Amanda Nichols, Agricultural Education Teacher at Saluda High School, won expense-paid trips, courtesy of the SC FFA Association, to attend the National FFA Convention in Louisville, Kentucky, this fall to compete in the National Dairy Evaluation Finals. Kayla Rogers was High Individual Scorer in the state competition.
As a part of the competition, the team members were required to complete a 50 question Dairy Knowledge Quiz and evaluate a set of Dairy Herd Improvement (DHI) 202 Records. Each student was assigned the task of making recommendations to a dairy farmer based on their review of the DHI Records.
In addition, the students judged six classes of cattle including Jersey Summer Yearlings, Brown Swiss Summer Yearlings, Holstein Junior Yearlings, Jersey Three Year Olds, Guernsey Four Year Olds and Holstein Three Year Olds. Four animals from each class were led into the ring for the students to evaluate and place. Each student then prepared a set of reasons for their placing of the animals in two of the classes so they could verbally justify their action to an official judge.
The Saluda team was coached by FFA Advisor Amanda Nichols and Phil Perry, Saluda County Extension Agent with Clemson University.
The mission of the FFA is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.
