Albany FFA members earn top honors at shows
By Sam Waller
Two Albany FFA members brought home blue ribbons from major stock shows last week.
Kenzie Neve placed first in her class with a steer and made the sale at the National Western Livestock Show in Denver, Colo., while Jake Hale received a first-place ribbon at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo ag mechanics contest.
Neve showed her Maine-Anjou cross to the top spot in Class 9 Market Steers. The animal is one of eight Neve has fed this year. Two have been sold at shows, while four more are entered in upcoming major shows.
By making the sale at Denver, Neve qualified for the Premier Exhibitor Contest, earning the Reserve Premier Exhibitor title in the Market Steer division and a $1,000 scholarship. Scoring for the contest takes animal placing, an interview, a quiz, and Showmanship into consideration.
Contest qualifiers who do not participate in the interview portion forfeit 50 percent of the premium sale price their animal receives.
This was the third year Neve has qualified for the contest.
At Fort Worth, Hale was rewarded for the 48-foot gooseneck hydraulic hay trailer that he built. He completed a record book consisting of presentation, documentation, general and trailer safety, and electrical safety including pictures of his work on the project.
“Jake has a great work ethic and knowledge of his project,” Albany FFA advisor Chris Beard said.
Hale actually performed most of the work starting in the fall of 2023, but a delay in delivery of a crucial component prevented him from exhibiting the project last year. He will present the trailer at the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo on February 1-3.
Several Albany FFA students are entered in stock shows and contests at Fort Worth, San Angelo, San Antonio, Houston, and Austin as well as the Texas Elite Showcase in Kerrville over the next six weeks.
A Note Of Thanks
Beard expressed his appreciation for all who contributed to this year’s county livestock show, held earlier this month.
“It takes a lot of people to put it on,” Beard said. “I just appreciate the Shackelford Youth and Livestock Association board and what they’ve done to enhance the building.”
Beard noted that the support extended far beyond the Association.
“There are volunteers, the people who stayed and bid on the kids and all the contributors to the stock show who made it a complete success for the kids of Shackelford County, not just Albany FFA,” he said. “Everyone involved — parents, grandparents, volunteers, contributors — came through for the kids and made it a success for them.”
