THREE FFA MEMBERS SUCCEED IN FORT WORTH

  

Three members of the Brenham FFA recently traveled to the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo to compete in the Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show at this annual event and excelled in several competitions. 

This event in Cowtown was held January 12 through February 3 in Fort Worth, Texas.

Two Brenham FFA Chapter Officers Madison Moran and Kaylin Jacobs competed in the Heifer Superintendent’s Beef Challenge. 

This contest required youth to have participated in the youth beef heifer show as exhibitors in the past and register as one of 75 competitors in October. 

The youth then took a 50-question test about “all-things agriculture” including beef cattle, feed, genetic, vet science, crops/grasses, cattle diseases and general livestock knowledge at the stock show and from the 75 contestants, a pool of 12 students were chosen to move to the second round of competition. 

Both Moran and Jacobs qualified for this level of competition which then included a two-minute speech about their breed of cattle and promotion of it. 

The youth presented the sales talk to cattle industry leaders to be judged and from 12 finalists, both Moran and Jacobs were chosen as finalists in the Heifer Superintendent’s Beef Challenge Contest. 

This meant that they would place in the Top 6 Awards recognition program and receive a scholarship for their efforts in this competition.   

The following day, the participants and families were invited to a reception to meet with Challenge committee members as well as the sponsor of the Challenge, Texas Capital. 

Then, at the cattle show at Watt Arena, the 6 Finalists were presented and $62,000 in college scholarships were awarded. 

Kaylin Jacobs earned 5^th Place in the Heifer Superintendent’s Beef Challenge Contest and a $8,000 college scholarship. 

Madison Moran was awarded the 3^rd Place Heifer Superintendent’s Beef Challenge Contest award and a $10,000 college scholarship. 

Moran and Jacobs were the only females to place in the top 6 and also from the same FFA chapter and hometown. 

Madison Moran, Dawson Moran and Kaylin Jacobs all exhibited their registered heifer projects in the Junior Heifer Shows. 

Freshman member Dawson Moran exhibited his registered Brangus heifer placing 6^th in a very competitive class of 17. 

Senior Kaylin Jacobs exhibited an ORB female, earning 9^th place in her class. 

And, Senior Madison Moran, showed her registered Santa Gertrudis heifer and won 1^st place in her class and earning a class champion trophy buckle for her efforts.  Moran and her Bred and Owned heifer Wrenn were also contenders in the Division Drive of the Calf Division.

And, finally, Dawson Moran also competed in the Fort Worth Rodeo Calf Scramble and was able to catch a calf during the scramble event during the Friday evening rodeo. 

Twenty scramblers competed in the arena and only ten calves were let loose in the large rodeo arena.

Moran was one of the successful scramblers and receives a certificate to help purchase a beef heifer project for the coming year to raise and show as well as complete and submit reports to both the Fort Worth Stock Show and his scramble sponsor throughout the project year. 

Madison and Dawson are the children of David and Christy Moran and Kaylin is the daughter of Allen and Melanie Jacobs, all of Brenham. 

The members are supported by Brenham Ag Science teacher and FFA Advisor Mr. Joseph Dickschat who was present in Fort Worth for all of the competitive events.

Story by Christy Moran