Farmington Livestock Judging Team Wins State, Third In Nation

Farmington High’s FFA livestock judging team won the state championship in April 2016, and then finished third in the nation in October 2016, at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Ind.

On the state level, all four team members had an excellent day. Dixie Miller was named the high individual overall in the contest, besting 92 other participants. Corrine Burrus finished in sixth place, Blayke Rogers in 10th, and Jessika Calhoon 22nd individually.

The team won the state contest by a 56-point margin, the largest margin in the state competition in the past 10 years.

The all-female team set a goal of winning the state contest last year and began working toward that goal. They met twice a week for four hours each day to work on placing class and talking reasons. These practices led to the team having other successes in spring 2016, including champion team at Miller, Mo., invitational contest, fifth at Redlands Aggie Days, fourth at the Wild Hog Invitational, NW District Contest at Arkansas Tech University and at NEO Aggie Days.

At the national level, Farmington’s livestock judging team competed against the best from each state. Farmington placed third in the nation and qualified to represent the United States in the Royal Highland Contest in Edinburgh, Scotland, in June 2017.

Burrus finished first in the individual portion of the contest and was named the high individual in the nation and also named the best high school livestock judger for 2016.

Livestock judging teaches many life skills students can use in the future. It teaches students public speaking, reasoning, time management, and decision making to just name a few.

Additionally, it exposes students to careers in agriculture and potential college scholarships. Students this year have been able to visit eight different colleges and numerous progressive livestock breeders. Students have the opportunity to continue livestock judging in junior colleges and major four-year institutions across the nation.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Corrine Burrus, left, Jessika Calhoon, Dixie Miller and Blayke Rogers worked together last year on Farmington FFA’s livestock judging team. They won the state contest and came in third on the national level in fall 2016.