Halie Schmaltz at State Range Judging

The Rugby FFA Range team competed near Gladstone, ND on Thursday September 15th. Halie Schmaltz, Isaac Volk, Brady Volk, and Katherine Filler were the individuals who competed for the Rugby FFA. Halie earned a Silver rating, while Isaac, Brady, and Katherine earned Bronze. The students identify thirty different range (prairie) plants and their characteristics, as well as judge three different sites and determine their value for beef cattle and grouse habitat. After determining how good or bad the habitat is, they give recommendations for how to improve the site to make it more suitable for beef cattle and grouse. The students also complete a team activity on pasture management and rotational grazing. The Range judging competition gives the students real world skills in the professions of ranching and rangeland management.