Fredericktown FFA attends the Mt. Gilead CDE Invitational

On Feb. 21, the Fredricktown FFA chapter sent 15 members to Mt. Gilead to participate in various Career Development Events (CDEs), which included General Livestock Judging, Equine Management, and Wildlife Management. All teams showed a strong start for this first invitational of the year.

In the General Livestock CDE, members must analyze groups of livestock and place them from the best in the class to the worst. They take notes on the animals and participate in a keep-cull class where they choose which females to retain based on physical characteristics and age. Finally, participants answer questions based on their notes from four specific classes.

The team secured an impressive 25th-place finish out of 55 competing teams. Team leaders included Allissya Dugan (79th), Kellen Algire (127th), Lane Dugan (137th), and Jordyn Neighbarger (138th) as individuals. Other participating members were Kendal Grubb, Nash Stull, Austin Frazier, Austin Robinson, Carl Dickerson, and Gage Robinson.

In Equine Management, members judge performance classes, halter classes, and hay quality, and identify various types of tack equipment. The "small but mighty" team placed 16th out of 26 teams. Raegan Blanchard led the charge with a 16th-place finish, followed by Lilly Hambleton at 51st out of 82 individuals.

Finally, the Wildlife Management CDE requires students to identify different Ohio wildlife species and solve economic problems related to conservation. The Fredricktown team of three middle school students placed sixth out of 14 teams. Individual results included Kyle Russell placing 11th, Braylen Stone placing 22nd, and Emberly Hines placing 43rd out of 44 individuals.

For those interested in following the results of the Fredricktown FFA and all other chapters across the state throughout the year, official scoring can be found at JudgingCard.com. By selecting the State of Ohio, the public can view the latest updates for all FFA contests.