A total of 220 students gathered at Mid Missouri Stockyards in Phillipsburg last Wednesday to learn hands-on skills from mentors in the agricultural industry. Throughout the morning, students rotated among stations devoted to cattle roping, carcass preparation, artificial insemination using a model cow, and pregnancy-checking a live cow with veterinarian Dr. Lacie Reed of Eastburn Veterinary Services.
In the afternoon, Mid Missouri Stockyards proprietor Zach Cox presided over a mock auction, according to Mid-Missouri Bank marketing director Andrew Moore. Each student received an equal amount of “funny money” to bid.
Mid-Missouri Bank’s annual Missouri Ag Education Initiative aims to invest in the future of agriculture.
“We know some kids live on farms, and some don’t,” Moore told the Record. “The event is designed to provide insight into the cattle industry for every kid. We want to bridge the gap for kids who don’t have an easy path to the industry.”
Students were randomly divided into groups and assigned to mentors who work in the cattle industry. “It’s hard to find mentors,” Moore noted. “They have to take a day off work.” That is no easy feat for a working cattleman, he said.
Seven schools participated. Marshfield High School won the day’s agriculture-themed competitions and will receive $1,500 for its agriculture program and a pizza party. Individual honors went to Jordyn Larimore of Marshfield High School, Wyatt Horn of Skyline High School, and Cash Dill of Conway High School. They placed first, second, and third, respectively, and each won a cash prize.
For more stories, see Sept. 30's LCR.
