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2005 Grassland Evaluation Contest

Submitted by Gary Redden and Katy McBride

The 2005 Grassland Evaluation Contest was held in Jackson’s Mill on April 8 at the Nelson Bean farm in Lewis County. The judging site was typical pasture used for livestock grazing. A scenario with landowner’s goals for livestock and wildlife production was provided along with appropriate soil survey information, aerial photos, maps, scorecards and other relative information. The contestants first determined the condition of the field then made corrective decisions based on sound agricultural practices compatible with the landowner’s goals. The Grassland Evaluation program consists of four sections:

  •  Grassland Condition
  •  Soil Interpretation
  •  Wildlife Habitat
  •  Plant Identification

Each of these factors were considered in evaluating the pasture to best utilize the resource and to help make useful management decisions.

This year’s contest, with 18 teams participating (14 were from West Virginia and 4 were from Ohio), was the largest in its five year history. This contest is for 4-H and FFA teams. Each member of the winning team receives a $500 scholarship. This year’s winning team was from Cabell Midland High School and they will represent West Virginia in the Mid America contest in Springfield, Missouri June 7th and 8th this summer. Each member of the second winning team receives a $250 scholarship. The second place team was Roane County High School and third place team was from Ravenswood. The top scoring individual receives a $500 scholarship. The High Scoring Individual from this year’s contest was Eva Clinton from Roane County. If the team from Cabell Midland is unable to represent West Virginia in the Mid America contest, the Roane County team will represent West Virginia.

Sponsors for this year’s contest were WV Grassland Steering committee, NRCS, WVCA, WVU Cooperative Extension Service, Agricultural Research Service, Farm Bureau, RC&D councils, WV Conservation Districts, WV FFA, and many individuals offered their time and/or money in order to make this year’s contest a success. Dixon Law and Jim Hill donated t-shirts to the top ten highest scoring individuals. The Farm Bureau donated plaques to the top two winning teams, top scoring individual, and the top winning team’s advisor.

We would like to thank all of the individuals who assisted in making this year’s contest a great success. Without their hard work, and commitment to this educational experience, would not be possible.

Photo of top ten winners

Top ten individuals are: (left to right)
1st row: Jacob Ruble, Ben Shamblin, Josh Hafer, Brian Clagg 2nd Row: Eva Clinton, Jenna Crow, 2005 WV Beef Queen, Gus Douglass, Sharon Tanner, Amanda Clagg.
Not pictured Josh Peplowski, and RJ Callaway
Photo of 1st place team Cabell Midland

1st place team Cabell Midland:
(left to right) 2005 WV Beef Queen, Jacob Ruble, Tabitha Linville, Gus Douglass, Amanda Clagg, Brian Clagg
Photo of 2nd place team Roane County

2nd place team Roane County:
(left to right) 2005 Beef Queen, Ben Shamblin, Eva Clinton, Brianne Jankiowski, Paul Cummings (advisor), Gus Douglass
Photo of 3rd place team Ravenswood

3rd place team Ravenswood:
(left to right) 2005 Beef Queen, Josh Hafer, Jenna Crow, Sharon Tanner, Jacob Southall, Jason Miihlbach (advisor) and Gus Douglass

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