Grassland Evaluation Contest Study Guide

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The Missouri Forage and Grassland Council, in cooperation with the Missouri Department of Conservation, University of Missouri Extension and the USDA - Natural Resources Conservation Service will sponsor the 14th Annual Mid-America Grassland Evaluation Contest June 4-5, 2013. The contest will be held in Springfield, Missouri and will be open to FFA and 4-H teams from all fifty states. Up to five teams each of 4-H and FFA from each state will be allowed to compete. Each team consists of 4 members and a coach. Registration fee is $100.00 per team. All teams pre-registering will be sent maps, hotel information, etc.

The contest is divided into four sections: 1) soils interpretation; 2) plant identification; 3) grassland condition, and 4) wildlife habitat. The participants are divided into 4 groups and rotate through all four sections at 25-minute intervals. The goal of the contest is to educate students in the benefits, use and management of grasslands for livestock production and wildlife habitat. Vocational agriculture teachers have said that this is one of the most practical contests that they compete in.

The contest, which was started in Missouri in 1991, as the Grassland Evaluation Contest, with 10 teams competing at two contests, has grown to 101 teams representing 60 schools competing through 6 district contests. The contest has been developed into a course curriculum that is taught in high school vo-ag classes in Missouri. There had been interest expressed from other states to expand the contest to a national level contest for temperate pastureland and the National Contest became known as the Mid-America Grassland Evaluation Contest. Any state with teams wanting to compete is encouraged to participate.

The plans are to have teams check in on June 4th from 8 until 8:30 a.m. There will be a practice contest site open from 9:30 until 12 p.m. on June 4th where teams will have the opportunity to go through a practice contest and have any questions answered. A plant ID practice site will be open following lunch. A team social and an informational meeting for coaches will be held at 4:00 pm. The actual contest will be held on June 5th starting at 8 a.m., followed by an awards banquet that night recognizing top teams and individuals. For more information about the contest contact: