At the fair: Sweet Springs FFA wins Chapter Sweepstakes for third straight year

For the third year in a row, members of the Sweet Springs FFA chapter took home the Chapter Sweepstakes Award during the Central District FFA Fair hog show. The chapter had 60 entries in the show. Front row from left are Brent Boland and Chris Clevenger. Second row from left, Kaitlyn Fuehring, Taylor Loges, Lauren Fuehring, Morgan Fuehring, Stevi Nowland, Cierra Clevenger and Katie Gieseke. Back row from left are Spencer Thomas, Stephanie Minkler, Alex Minkler, Kyle Fuehring, David Hall and Cole Nowland. (Marcia Gorrell/Democrat-News) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

Several area FFA members did well during livestock shows held on the first day of the Central District FFA fair, which took place at Saline County Fairground on Monday, July 13.

The hog, rabbit, poultry, goat and sheep shows all took place on Monday morning. The horse show was cancelled because of muddy conditions in the show arena.

In the hog show, Sweet Springs FFA took home the Chapter Sweepstakes Award for the third straight year after leading all other schools with 60 entries.

Sweet Springs also had several students taking top show honors.

Freshman Spencer Thomas showed the grand champion market hog, while fellow FFA member Brent Boland, a senior, showed the reserve champion market hog. Taylor Loges won the showmanship award, as well as high point individual. She also showed the reserve champion gilt.

The grand champion gilt was shown by Brad Storck of Concordia FFA. The champion boar was shown by Lucas Hinnah of Marshall FFA. The show was judged by Cole Rushing, of Madill, Okla., who is the livestock judging coach at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M.

In the Sheep Show, Marshall FFA member Jade Jenkins showed the grand champion market lamb and won the showmanship award. The reserve champion market lamb was shown by Jake Mackeprang of Appleton City. He also showed the grand champion ewe. The reserve champion ewe was shown by Allison Wagoner of Crest Ridge.

Wagoner and her sister, Elizabeth, took home the chapter sweepstakes award for Crest Ridge FFA by having 15 entries in the Sheep Show. Rushing also judged this show.

In the Rabbit Show, Marshall FFA member Blayne Vogel, who will be a sophomore, showed the grand champion meat pen and the reserve grand champion rabbit. Sharon Stephens of Malta Bend judged the show.

Zach Twenter, of Pilot Grove, had the grand champion rabbit at the show. In the Poultry Show, Bristol Rigby of Malta Bend FFA had the reserve champion duck entry.

The grand champion ducks were exhibited by Genie Ward of Boonville. The grand champion chickens were shown by Sarah Kegley of Wellington and the reserve champion chickens were shown by Morgan Beach, a sophomore from Pilot Grove FFA. The show was judged by Kim Cash of Henley.

In the Goat Show, Karston Luchini of Cole Camp showed the grand champion meat goat, while Merle Jaster of Concordia showed the reserve champion meat goat. The showmanship award was presented to Amanda Morton of Boonville FFA. The show was judged by Debra Kollitz, a student at University of Central Missouri.

The Central District includes 64 schools, many of which were represented in the many competitions, including a wide variety of categories, including country-cured hams, flowers, ag mechanics and field crops. More results from the district show will be given tomorrow. The show continues on Tuesday, July 14, with the Beef and Dairy Cattle shows.

Contact Marcia Gorrell at marshallag@socket.net