NRHEG High School FFA

SECOND PLACE — The NRHEG General Livstock team, from left, Ralph Roesler, Grace Borchert, Ethan Strenge, Sydney Koziolek, and Ashton Raimann. (Submitted photo)

The day was cold, windy, and the occasional snowflake could be spotted flying through the air.

But, this did not stop the NRHEG FFA General Livestock team from putting forth a second-place finish at the regional competition on Friday, Oct. 11.

General Livestock is a synthesis of a number of segments of the livestock industry, including beef, sheep, swine, and goat production. In this contest, the students are the judges as they place classes of four animals from top to bottom based on confirmation of the animals. Additionally, the students take a team test to judge their skills using genetics to select animals potential worth for breeding. They also have to do a questions class which tests their ability to remember a class of animals and pick out specific traits after the animals have left the ring.  Finally, they have to present a set of Oral Reasons, which is basically a speech to a judge that explains why they placed a class of animals as they did.

The contest was held in conjunction with the Dairy Cattle and Horse Judging contest at the Sibley County Fairgrounds.

The NRHEG squad was led by eighth-grader, Grace Borchert, who in her first FFA contest took seventh place individually in the region. She was joined by Ralph Roesler, who finished 10th, Ethan Strenge and Sydney Koziolek who each finished in the top 20 and Ashton Raimann.

The team’s efforts now puts them in position to compete at the state level next spring at the Minnesota State FFA Convention.

Overall, it was a very good day for the chapter as some young teams for Dairy and Horse also did well, finishing 10th and 15th respectfully, and the chapter had seven junior high students attend the regional greenhand leadership day to learn more about FFA.

Congratulations to all who attended.