For Immediate Release
For Information:
Photos of winners are
available-just ask
"These young people are the future leaders of our business," said Trent Tyson , special projects assistant with the Texas Cattle Feeders Association (TCFA), which sponsored the contest. "And based on what they learned and how well they did this year, it's safe to say that our future looks very good indeed."
The
TCFA Junior Fed Beef Challenge allows 4-H and FFA students to gain
practical experience in commercial cattle feeding. Students from throughout Cattle Feeding Country of Texas,
The contest also features a Team Challenge, where students who don't feed cattle can compete on their cattle feeding knowledge.
Senior Division Results
Overall champion and top scholarship winner in the Senior Division was Pete Dahl of Texhoma ,Okla., who won a $2,000 college scholarship. Matt Mellema of Dalhart captured Reserve Champion and a $1,500 scholarship and brother Tammo Mellema took home First Runner-Up honors and a $1,000 scholarship.
The overall winners are determined by combining scores in four areas-written exam, interview, record book and carcass performance of the steers. A plaque and $500 cash is given to the first place winners in each area and plaques go to second and third. In addition, each student who enters steers in the contest earns premium money plus the proceeds from the sale of the carcasses.
In the written exam, Pete Dahl won first, Meagan Roth of The Woodlands won second and Matt Mellema nabbed third. While the written exam tests the student's knowledge of the industry, the interview before a panel of judges tests their knowledge plus their ability to think on their feet. Meagan Roth took first place, with Matt Mellema winning second and Tammo Mellema taking third.
Pete Dahl took first place in the record book category. Second place was split three ways, with Chelsea White of Dalhart sharing the prize with Matt and Tammo Mellema. Third place also ended up in a tie, with Anna Lee Allcorn of Olton and Ben Wishert of Magnolia sharing the honors.
In individual carcass competition, first, second and third place had identical scores, with the tie broken on marbling score. Katelyn VanDeaver of Bogata captured first, Anna Lee Allcorn took second and the partnership of Matt and Tammo Mellema nabbed third. Katelyn VanDeaver came back to win top pen of three, followed by Pete Dahl in second place and the partnership of Matt and Tammo Mellema in third.
In
addition, TCFA awards $500 and plaques to the top first-year students in
the contest. This year, Meagan
Roth was named top rookie, followed by Ben Wishert in second and Michael
Edwards of
Junior Division Results
The
Junior Division was equally as competitive in this year's contest. Youngsters
compete in the same four areas, vying for plaques and
cash prizes. Overall Champion
honors were split, as Sarah Russell of
Khaki Scrivner of Turkey nabbed first place in the written exam contest, with second place split in a four-way tie between Sarah Russell, Ryan Dahl of Texhoma, Okla., Matt Freeman of Texhoma, Okla. and Mitchell Mellema. Khaki Scrivner came back to nab first place presentation, followed by Sarah Russell in second.
Best
record book honors went to the partnership of Ryan Dahl and Scout Thrasher
of Texhoma,
The
top individual carcass award was won by Michael Wiebe of Hooker,
Sarah Russell rounded out a successful contest by winning top rookie honors, with Rico Link of Canyon taking second.
In
the Team Challenge contest, Kristen Odom and Tucker Long of Wellington won
first place honors, with Jack and Zachary Odom of
The winning team of Odom and Long swept the contest, winning first place written exam and first place team presentation. The duo of Jack and Zachary Odom weren't far behind, however, winning second place written exam and team presentation.
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