Decorah FFA takes judging contest honors

(Front row, left to right): Nick Folstad, Dominique Dobson, Philip Ihde, Nathan Tappe, Tanner Knutson, Anna Hanson, Madison Sexton, Hailey Nierling, Jaden Anderson, Julianna Wise, Braeley Ehrie and Bailey Miculinich. (Back row, left to right): Chase Hubka, Mason Falck, Brannan Hogan, Mason Stortz, Andy Lillegraven, Peter Gerleman, Dawson Bauer, Logan Wales, Nick Kuehner, Devin Ludeking, Billy Lange, Daniel Schwartzhoff, Austin Hill, Stacia Sexton and Maillie McCabe. (Click on photos for larger images)

Students from the Decorah FFA and AgriScience Department have taken some of the top honors at the Tri-State Ag & Dairy Expo and District FFA Dairy Cattle and Soil Judging Contests.

The Decorah FFA team of Tye Anderson, Bohden Bigler, Blake Courtney, and Brendan Lovstuen took top honors in the Tri-State FFA Dairy Cattle Judging with Reasons contest where they evaluated four classes of dairy cattle and gave oral reasons for their ratings.  Anderson and Courtney also placed in the top ten for individuals, receiving 3rd and 6th place respectively.

In the District Cattle Judging contest the team of Tye Anderson, Bohden Bigler, Blake Courtney and Brendan Lovstuen finished seventh, while the team of Shawnee Falck, Kenzie Hovden, Ashley Schwartzhoff and Hannah Sikkink finished 10th. Blake Courtney was also the 6th place individual.

Four Decorah teams placed in the top ten in the Dairy Cattle Evaluation non-reasons division.  Chase Hubka, Tanner Knutson, Mason Stortz and Logan Wales finished in third place; Dawson Bauer, Mason Falck, Peter Gerleman and Andy Lillegraven finished in fifth place; Braeley Ehrie, Maillie McCabe, Bailey Miculinich and Stacia Sexton finished in seventh place; and Jaden Anderson, Anna Hanson, Hailey Nierling and Julianna Wise finished in tenth place.  Two individuals also placed in the top ten: Andy Lillegraven finished in 5th place and Stacia Sexton finished in 10th place.      

All three of Decorah High School's teams in the dairy products contest placed in the top ten.  Katey Forde, Kirstyn Samuelson and Liz Smith finished second; Maggie Brandel, Didrik Lundtvedt and Courtney Nordheim finished fourth; and Abby Ahrens, Katie Dehning, Maiah Johanningmeier and Serina Kellogg finished sixth.

Decorah FFA's team of Justin Adam, Madison Hoyme, Dalton Upton and Sondra Zidlicky received tenth place overall at the District FFA Soil Judging Contest.  The contest tests students on the overall evaluation of soils including the soil profile, land capability and productivity, and land management practices.

Said Decorah FFA Advisor Joni Bruvold, "This hands-on experience will be valuable for the students in both the classroom as well as for their future careers."




Champion Dairy Cattle with Reasons Team at the 2015 Tri-State Ag & Dairy Expo. Decorah FFA Team members include (L-R): Advisor Joni Bruvold,  Bohden Bigler, Tye Anderson, Blake Courtney, and Brendan Lovstuen.

(Left to right): Dairy Cattle Judging with Reasons participants Ashley Schwartzhoff, Kenzie Hovden, Hannah Sikkink, Shawnee Falck, Brendan Lovstuen, Blake Courtney, Tye Anderson and Bohden Bigler

(Left to right): Decorah FFA Advisor Joni Bruvold with Dairy Cattle with Reasons team members Bohden Bigler, Tye Anderson, Blake Courtney and Brendan Lovstuen.

Dairy Product Team members: (Front row, left to right): Katie Dehning, Serina Kellogg and Abby Ahrens. (Second row, left to right): Courtney Nordheim, Katey Forde, Kirstyn Samuelson, Maggie Brandel, Liz Smith, Didrik Lundtvedt and Maiah Johanningmeier.

(Front row, left to right): Soil evaluators Shane Sexton, Dalton Upton, Madison Hoyme, Shelby White, and Caleb Chyle. (Second row L-R): Justin Bullerman, Justin Adam, Sondra Zidlicky, Tyler Flak, Jason Elsbernd and Sawyer White.