Students from the Dawson County High School Future Farmers of America (FFA) club recently placed second overall in a regional livestock evaluation contest, advancing their team to the statewide competition. 

According to FFA Advisor and Agricultural Sciences Teacher Keith Pankey, the competition included evaluations of livestock animals as well as an exam on basic livestock knowledge. 

“The team had to place beef heifers, market goats, market lambs and market hogs,” Pankey said. “As well, the team had an exam on basic livestock knowledge. The students had to write and present oral reason on Charolais heifers and crossbred market hogs justifying their placements.” 

According to Pankey, the team, which consisted of Emma Grace Pankey, Abby Baker, Jerrah Cantrell and Bridgette Nichols, placed second overall and is hard at work preparing for the state event, which will take place on March 20. 

In addition to the team’s placement, individuals from the team were given individual scores in the senior event. Cantrell placed seventh, Pankey tenth, Baker twelfth and Nichols seventeenth.