Wolsey-Wessington FFA Hosts First Annual Animal Competition

On Wednesday, March 20, the Wolsey-Wessington FFA Chapter hosted an Animal Judging Competition at the Dakota Event Complex (DEX) in Huron, South Dakota. This is Wolsey-Wessington’s first year hosting an FFA competition, and the chapter was able to host this competition with assistance from NorthWestern Energy. NorthWestern donated funds to the Wolsey-Wessington FFA chapter to cover the rental cost of the DEX.

The Animal Judging Competition included approximately 200 students and 16 different FFA chapters that competed in livestock judging, horse judging, poultry judging and dairy cattle judging. This competition was a state-qualifying event for dairy cattle. Wolsey-Wessington and Sunshine Bible Academy qualified for the state dairy cattle competition, which will be held in April. Many local farmers and local FFA chapters graciously volunteered their time and efforts to provide the animals used for this competition.

The people who helped with the competition were very excited to be able to host this event as it was Wolsey-Wessington’s School FFA Chapter’s first time organizing this opportunity for local FFA members.

The day resulted in great experiences and good participation from surrounding FFA students. The Wolsey-Wessington Ag classes custom made the plaques and trophies for the competition. The trophies were designed in the shape of each class of animals. The Wolsey-Wessington senior class presented the awards to the individuals and teams that placed first and second.

The Wolsey-Wessington FFA Chapter extended a thank you to all of the FFA students and ag advisors for participating and competing at the chapter’s first contest. They were also very grateful for those who helped bring the animals for the competition. In the future, Wolsey-Wessington FFA hopes to continue to grow this event for all FFA students and possibly expand the judging class opportunities.

“I am very proud of our FFA chapter and community for putting together a first-class experience at an incredible facility such as the DEX,” said Andrew Boersma, Wolsey-Wessington FFA Chapter Advisor. “We had several community members and other teachers donate their time to help host this event. I hope this is the first of many events to be used at the DEX in coming years.”

Watch a video made by students in the Wolsey-Wessington FFA Chapter.

By Kate Hamilton

Photos by Rachel Lloyd