More Than 415 FFA Members Participate in Tri-State Ag & Dairy Expo

CALMAR — More than 415 FFA members from 36 Iowa and Minnesota high schools participated in the annual Tri-State Ag & Dairy Expo held on Thursday, Sept. 12, at Iowa's Dairy Center in Calmar. The expo featured dairy judging and dairy products contests where students enhanced their evaluation skills on dairy cattle and products. Waukon High School FFA was named the champion dairy judging team. Team members included Ethan Palmer, Norah Palmer, Sophia Palmer and Marisa Gibbs. Braden Ronnebaum of Maquoketa Valley High School FFA was the high-scoring individual of the contest with an impressive 247/250 points. AGWSR FFA topped the non-reasons dairy judging contest. The team consisted of Isia Gurreo, Denver Miller, Brynn Buesman, and Maddy Machin. Danny Small of Center Point-Urbana was named the high-scoring individual of the non-reasons contest. Central Community FFA was named the champion dairy products judging team. Team members included Blair Scherf, Logan Evert, Kristi Shaffer, and Lukas Friedlein. Marina Burke of Crestwood FFA was named the high-scoring individual of the dairy products contest. In addition to the contests, the expo offered educational sessions on agriculture topics including dairy feeds and forages, developing oral reasons, and a tour of the Dairy Center facilities. The Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) dairy science and agriculture students helped with the preparation of cattle for the dairy cattle judging contests. Competition results were as follows: Dairy Judging with Reasons Top Individuals1. Braden Ronnebaum, Maquoketa Valley FFA2. Ethan Palmer, Waukon FFA3. Norah Palmer, Waukon FFA4. Sophia Palmar, Waukon FFA5. Caden Kremer, Maquoketa Valley FFA Top Teams1. Waukon FFA2. Maquoketa Valley FFA3. North Fayette Valley FFA Dairy Judging without Reasons Top Individuals1. Danny Small, Center Point-Urbana FFA2. Bradley Enyart, Postville FFA3. Brinn Buesmann, AGWSR FFA4. Dixie Nederhoff, AGWSR FFA5. Micah Brase, Starmont FFA Top Teams1. AGWSR FFA Team 12. AGWSR FFA Team 23. Dike-New Hartford FFA Dairy Products Contest Top Individuals1. Marina Burke, Crestwood FFA2. Kristi Shaffer Central Community FFA3. Markus Sharp, AGWSR FFA4. Blair Scherf, Central Community FFA5. Parker Leppart, Lansing FFA Top Teams1. Central Community FFA2. Benton Community FFA3. Maquoketa Valley FFA "Join the community of savvy subscribers (for free)! Get the latest updates, tips, and insider information by subscribing to the free newsletter today.