East Knox FFA competes in Ashland Invitational

Six members of the East Knox FFA recently competed in the Ashland Invitational Career Development Events held at the Ashland County Fairgrounds where they participated in three categories — Milk Quality & Products, Equine Management Evaluation and Poultry.

The Milk Quality & Products team placed seventh in the event. Team members were McKenzie Schwartz, Joey Lively, Nealie Oliver, and Ariel Atkinson. In the competition team members perform the California Mastitis Test on milk samples, identify cheeses and provide information on a cheese matrix, determine dairy versus non-dairy products with fat content, and taste for off-flavors in milk samples along with the intensity of that off-flavor. In addition, they take a written test and complete problem solving questions.

The Equine Management CDE is an educational activity designed as a hands-on method to teach students modern horse evaluation and selection skills, while also developing management abilities critical for success in the equine industry. During the evaluation members must take an online examination, complete tack and equipment identification, judge two halter classes, evaluate up to four performance classes, answer 15 questions on the classes and evaluate hay with a scenario. Madison Negron competed and took 35th as a single member team.

The Poultry team placed 25th and consisted of a single member team, John Chadwick. In the event members judge classes of past production hens, broilers, and ready-to-cook broilers; grade eggs for interior and exterior qualities; identify broiler parts, determine problems with further processed poultry products, grade broiler carcasses, and complete a written test including calculation problems.

The invitational competitions help prepare FFA members for the State Career Development Events which take place in the Spring at the Ohio Exposition Center in Columbus.