Joel Ransom, cereal crops Extension specialist, again organized judges for the North Dakota State Crop Show, something he has done since he joined the NDSU Department of Plant Sciences in 2002. On March 2, 24 judges evaluated more than 200 crop samples submitted by 4-H and FFA students and others submitting in Open Classes. Eighteen of the judges are current NDSU Department of Plant Sciences employees.
The North Dakota Winter Show is a long-held tradition for anyone involved in agriculture in the state. It always takes place the first week of March in Valley City, and includes a Professional Rodeo and Cowboys Association rodeo, a country music concert, livestock shows, draft horse events, a craft show, old-time tractor pull, commercial exhibits and the State Crop Show. The North Dakota Winter Show was established in 1937, making 2018 the 81st annual show.
Fifteen classes, including Wheat, Amber Durum, Barley, Oats, Rye/Triticale, Legumes, Grasses, Millet, Ear Corn, Shelled Field Corn, Sunflower, Canola, Miscellaneous Crops and Sheaves, were judged this year. Each class had up to six different lots, for a total of 23 different lots. Most contestants received red, blue or white ribbons. The top 4-H, FFA and Open Class samples were named, as well as the top six places in each crop lot.
Most of the judges have been judging the contests for many years, and do so to support the Winter Show and the farmers, students and aspiring agronomists who participate in the contests. Ransom said that he rarely has problems recruiting the volunteer judges, who especially enjoy the lunch and ice cream provided by the State Crop Show management team.
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