Article written by Racine Southern FFA 2025-2026 Historian, Skyler Allen
On February 24th Racine Southern FFA members Skyler Allen, Marcy Evans, Bethany Roberts, Kenzie Sellers, Austin Gaskill, Tyson Hupp, and Hunter Lackey, traveled to the Gallia County Fairgrounds to compete in The Livestock Judging Career Development Event (CDE) invitational, hosted by the Gallia Farm Bureau and Gallia Co. FFA Chapters. The event provided students with a hands-on opportunity to evaluate livestock and strengthen their decision-making skills in a competitive setting.
During the contest, participants judged multiple classes of livestock, including cattle, swine, and sheep. Students carefully evaluated each animal based on structure, muscling, balance, and overall quality, ranking them according to industry standards. This portion of the competition required strong observation skills and a solid understanding of livestock evaluation principles.
In addition to placing classes, contestants also took part in a blind questioning portion. In this segment, students answered questions about the animals they had judged without being able to refer back to them. This tested their memory, accuracy, and ability to clearly justify their decisions under pressure.
Overall, the Livestock Judging CDE at the Gallia County Fairgrounds gave Racine Southern FFA members valuable real-world experience in animal evaluation. Their participation reflects the chapter’s commitment to developing knowledgeable, confident students prepared for future opportunities in agriculture. They placed 16th overall.
On March 28th Racine Southern FFA members Skyler Allen, Marcy Evans, McKenzie Sellers, Austin Gaskill, Tyson Hupp, and Hunter Lackey competed at the Ohio State Fairgrounds on March 28th in the State FFA Livestock Judging Career Development Event (CDE). This statewide competition provided an advanced platform for students to demonstrate their livestock evaluation skills and knowledge.
At the event, participants judged multiple classes of livestock, including cattle, pigs, and sheep. Students assessed each animal based on structure, muscling, balance, and overall quality, ranking them according to industry standards. This required careful observation, critical thinking, and practical knowledge of livestock production.
The competition also included a blind questioning portion, challenging students to answer questions about the animals they had judged without reference materials. This tested both their memory and their ability to clearly explain and justify their evaluations under pressure.
Competing at the state level allowed the Racine Southern FFA members to gain valuable experience, sharpen their judging skills, and engage with peers from across Ohio. Their participation in the State Livestock Judging CDE highlights the chapter’s dedication to preparing students for future careers in agriculture and livestock management. They placed 129th overall in the state.
