NORFOLK, Neb. -- A rural Nebraska staple is back!
 
High school students from all over the state attended the District Level Livestock Evaluation Contest at the Pohlman Agriculture Complex in Norfolk Thursday to judge eight different classes of livestock. 
 
Students would then answer questions about the livestock, take a test and give oral arguments as to why they placed the cows, pigs, and sheep in certain ranks of breeding and market classes.
 
The event helps teach students different skills such as decision making and decision skills.
 
"Livestock judging is very important both from the practical, knowledge base on production livestock and helping these kids prepare for their futures in an agricultural career," said Craig Flaming, an Agricultural Instructor from Randolph Public Schools. "But it also gives them the opportunity to problem-solve and evaluate a group of animals."
 
Each school is allowed to enter a team in the Senior and Junior divisions and then up to eight students in each individual division.
 
The top 25% of school districts qualify for the state-level contest.
 
The contest had a high turnout this year compared to years past. 
 
"Turn out is extremely high this year. Part of it is because we added more FFA schools, more high school AG ED programs in the last two years since we've been able to hold this contest," said Mike Roeber, a Livestock Judging Coach.
 
In 2020, there were less than 500 participants.
 
This year, 636 students entered the contest.
 
For more information about the FFA and livestock evaluation contests, visit the FFA website.