Crops Judging Team Strikes Gold Twice

Agronomy student members of the NCTA Crops Judging Team carried on the tradition of excellence, capturing the top team placement and many individual awards in two recent contests.
Dr. Brad Ramsdale, Agronomy Professor and coach, shares, "The students have worked very hard this year, and the results have clearly reflected that work. Our team is very competitive as the other 2nd-year team members are very close to the scores of the members that have been placing."

UNL Crops Judging Contest
The first contest hosted at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln on February 15 included over 100 competitors from seven two- and four-year schools. Students tested their knowledge of agronomy, ag-focused math, plant and seed identification, and in a lab practical covering weed science, entomology, and plant pathology.

NCTA earned 1st Place Team, 2-year Division, and overall Individual rankings of  1st – Leah Schutz, Elwood; 3rd – Jay Mintling, Hayes Center; 4th – Sean Lucas, Bailey, CO; and 5th – Owen Harb, Grand Island. Tyler Keener served as assistant coach for this event.
 
Purdue University Crops Judging Contest
The team traveled to Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, to compete on March 8 and earned the top team ranking and overall individual rankings of  1st – Leah Schutz, Elwood; 2nd – Jay Mintling, Hayes Center; 4th – Tyler Keener, Mitchell; and 5th – Owen Harb, Grand Island.

Taking every opportunity to supplement the learning along the way, students toured the Kinze Manufacturing Innovation Center in Williamsburg, IA, and the Caterpillar Visitors Center in Peoria, IL.

"The trip to Purdue was a great learning experience and provided a wonderful opportunity to explore agriculture in the Midwest," Ramsdale said.

Crops judging competitions provide invaluable hands-on experience for students pursuing careers in agronomy and related industries. Second-year students serve as valuable mentors for first-year students, building strong teamwork and a deeper understanding of agronomic practices, enhancing their career readiness. As the momentum builds for the final competition of the year, Ramsdale shares, "Everyone is looking forward to our upcoming trip to West Texas A&M for the NACTA national competition on April 9 to 12." 
 
The NCTA Crops Judging Team benefits from industry tours as they travel to competitions, including this tour at the Caterpillar Visitors Center in Peoria, IL.
 
Part of the University of Nebraska system, the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture is a two-year institution with a statewide mission of preparing students for successful careers in agriculture, veterinary technology, and related industries. NCTA is known for its affordable tuition, high job-placement rate for its graduates, and student teams' success in competitive activities, including crops judging, ranch horse events, livestock judging, shotgun sports, stock dog trials, and intercollegiate rodeo. The college is consistently ranked as one of the best two-year schools in the nation.