HOUSTON LIVESTOCK SHOW
Kilgore FFA shows well at Houston

Tamera Craine finsihed 7th place for Cockerels with a guaranteed winnings of $4000.

The Kilgore FFA just returned from the Houston Livestock Show competing in both the Agricultural Mechanics contest and the Broiler Show.

The team was led by Charles Taylor and Amber McRae, FFA instructors at Kilgore High School.

McRae said in the Agricultural Mechanics contest, Truck Equipment Division, Matthew McKinney and Mason Rawls built a welding bed for a one-ton truck and were awarded a Red Ribbo

McRae said the Ag Mechanic's contest enables the students to design and build agriculturally related equipment and to compete for top prizes. After deciding what project to build students must engineer their equipment to be functional and practical. Many hours are involved in the production and development stages. The completed project must look as if it was produced by industry and meet the design standards of all measurements within 1/16th of an inch. Students must include the blueprint drawing of their project and a detailed materials list complete with the costs of production.

Matthew McKinney on the left with Mason Rawls with their Ag. Maechanic project.

In addition to the contest senior students are interviewed by major companies who are looking for new employees who possess the skills and work ethic that these students do. Many of these companies offer training and/or college benefits if the student accepts employment.

In the Broiler Show the Kilgore FFA set a new record by getting two students in the top ten"This is a very hard accomplishment," said McRae.

Taylor said exhibitors from Kilgore FFA were Eric Applegate, Chelsi Borders, Sydni Borders, Tamera Craine, Lensie Weatherford, Elizabeth Murphy and Amy O'Quinn.

McRae said raising broilers for show "is not for everyone. The commitment required for this project is extensive. Only truly dedicated individuals should undertake a project of this magnitude."

The amount of time spent on raising broilers far exceeds the amount of time that other students would spend on a steer, lamb, pig, or goat.

Exhibitors order their birds in October through the Poultry Science Department at Texas A&M University. Each exhibitor is required to purchase 75 birds and the initial cost is $1 per chick. Birds must be kept in an environment in which the temperature, humidity and fresh air flow is completely controlled.

Eric Applegate finsihed 59th place in Cockerels with a guaranteed winnings of $600.

Upon arrival, the birds must be introduced into their new environment and coaxed into eating and drinking by dipping their beaks into vitamin water and then into the high protein feed. The air temperature must be maintained around 90 degrees Fahrenheit and monitored 24 hours a day. Heat lamps are suspended above the feeding area to keep birds from becoming chilled. From the first day, birds must be fed around-the-clock preferably at 2-hour intervals to maximize growth and development. During the feeding process the birds are culled and their numbers are reduced to eventually 10-12 birds by the sixth week.

McRae said at the Houston Show an exhibitor must decide to enter all pullets (female) or all cockerels (males) and they show as a pen of three. Grand Champion of the show will receive $30,000 and Reserve Grand Champion will receive $15,000. The remainder of the top 10 places will receive $4,000 each. From 11th through 100th place the least amount anyone will receive is $500. In the broiler division alone over the past 10 years, Kilgore FFA exhibitors have brought home over $45,000. This helps provide personal money for furthering their education.

Amy O'Quinn finished 9th Place in Pullets with a guaranteed winnings $4000.

McRae said in the steer results, four Kilgore FFA members took steers to Houston. Katy Davison, Haley Weiss, Jeremy Armeida and Colby Edney were the four students to take steers.

Taylor said the students took one Shorthorn, one Maine Anjou, one Simmental and one Charolais steer. "This group won sixth place out of 400 entries for the Herdsman Award," said Taylor. "Each student will receive $100.

McRae said three Kilgore students took Heifers to Houston, all Angus. "Chelsi Borders, Linsie Weatherford and Syndi Borders were the three students," said McRae. "Weatherford received fifth place with her heifer."