03/25/2026
Loup County FFA made it to State FFA. The link to watch opening session/state degrees is https://neaged.org at 7 p.m. Here is an overview of the Spring Events prior to State. We will get you state results later on!
The last few weeks have been very busy for Loup County FFA with State Degrees Interviews, Norfolk CDE's, Sargent CDE’s, and Burwell Livestock Judging. Norfolk CDE's were highlighted by the Ag Mechanics team getting 3rd out of 15 teams and qualifying for State. (Henry, Everett, Alfred, Queston) Sargent CDE’s were highlighted by placing 2nd in Meat Judging. (Noah, Hudson, Everett, Claira, Jaelynn, Sierra) See below for more CDE information.
Earlier in February, nine Loup County FFA members earned their state degrees this year and will receive it at Pinnacle Bank Arena at the State Convention in March! In District Proficiency Applications in the Beef Entrepreneurship area; Claira received gold and placed top 3 and moved on to the initial state level where she received a State Gold Rating. Henry received a Silver award for his cow project. Claira and Henry also applied for State Star in production with Claira getting 3rd place in the district and alternate to state. Both students put in a great deal of extra time to showcase their cow/calf projects.
This is one outstanding group of students that represent all that is great about Loup County! State Degree recipients with their projects are: Makayla (Subcon and house cleaning), Ella (Cow/Calf Project), Karyme (Lazy D and Pizza Palace), Alyissa (Cow/Calf), Hudson (Kraus Wood Cutting and freelance labor), Everett (Morgan Ranch), Henry (Cow/Calf), Claira (Cow/Calf), Noah (Corner Market).
Students had great opportunities to compete in Career Development Events at 2 locations. Contests are focused on agriculture career areas and tests the students knowledge of that industry. As mentioned, Norfolk CDE's were highlighted by the Ag Mechanics team placing 3rd and qualifying for state. The team consisted of Henry, Everett, Alfred, and Queston. Individually Henry had to Arc Weld and take a test. Everett had to do electrical wiring and take a test. Alfred had to identify equipment parts and take a test. Queston had to identify small engine parts and take a test. As a team they had to problem solve an electrical diagram and wire it together.
Sargent CDE’s were highlighted by the 2nd Place Meats Team! The Meats team placed 2nd out of 11 teams and has qualified a team of 4 students for State! In the top 10% was Hudson 2nd, Noah 6th. Top 25% was Everett 12th, Jaelynn 17th. Top 40% included Sierra and Claira. Students had to identify meat cuts, judge and rank classes of meat cuts, and classify images of carcasses for Quality and Yield Grade. Three members of the meats team also competed at the Eustis Farnum invite with Hudson placing top 33%, Claira and Everett placing top 50%.
In Welding, there were 14 competitors in each welding division with Everett getting 6th in TIG, Noah 7th in Oxy Acetylene, Henry Competing in Arc/Stick, and Alfred filling in to MIG/Wire for Claira who was sick. Students had to take a test and weld butt, lap, and T welds for their area
Hudson placed 3rd and top 10% at Farm Management where he took a test over Agribusiness questions. Alyissa placed top 20% and Hudson top 50% in Food Science, with Ella, Natalee, Atziry, and Yael also competing. Students had to take a test, identify aromas (Spices/Flavors), and do a taste test. The team of Alyissa, Hudson, Ella, and Natalee placed top 50% in Food Science.
Hudson placed top 50% in Biotechnology with Sierra, Noah, and Makayla also competing. They took a test over Science, Biotech, Biology, and Genetics. Sierra was top 33% and Makayla was top 50% in floriculture with Karyme and Jaelynn also competing. They had to take a written exam, identify flowers, and make a floral centerpiece and boutonniere.
The Livestock Management team consisted of Alyissa, Ella, Adyson, and Sierra. They placed 3rd in the poultry portion of the contest and top 50% in the Horse area. Livestock Management had to take a team test that included identification, problem-solving, livestock judging, and more. There were tests on Beef, Dairy, Swine, Horse, Poultry, and Sheep.
The Natural Resource team placed 8th out of 17 teams. Hudson and Henry were top 25%, Alyissa top 35%, and Queston and Alfred top 50%. Also competing were Ella, Sierra, Natalee, and Jaelynn. Students had to take a Natural Resource/Environmental Test and identify Wildlife and Fish Species.
In Agronomy, Alyissa placed 7th (Top 10%) and Henry was in the top 20%. The team placed 8th. Makayla, Yael, Everett, Question, and Alfred also competed. Students identified equipment, insects, crops, weeds, and answered soil questions. In Vet Science, Karyme and Adyson competed. Students had to identify tools, diseases, and breeds as well as take a test and complete a vet procedure.
At Burwell Livestock Judging in the junior high division, Carter placed 1st, William 3rd, and Ellis top 50%. The team of Carter, William, Ellis, and Lane placed 2nd. Yael placed top 50% in the Junior division in high school. In the 4H division Dylan placed 4th Purple, Natalie 5th Purple, with Axel, Emerson, Dugan, Belle, Creo, and Madi all getting Blue Ribbons.
