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For the first time in the chapter’s history, members of the Powell-Shoshone FFA competed in wool judging.
At last week’s 7220 Wool Judging Invitational in Laramie, Powell High School …
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For the first time in the chapter’s history, members of the Powell-Shoshone FFA competed in wool judging.
At last week’s 7220 Wool Judging Invitational in Laramie, Powell High School was represented by sophomores Emma Brence and Brooke Bessler as well as freshman Katie Morrison and junior Allison Morrison.This inaugural team placed fifth among seven squads.
“I think we did really well, being our first competition,” said Brence. “Everyone was really nervous, but I think with the training we’ve had and all the practices we went to, it [the competition] was just a good way to figure out what we need to work on.”
The wool judging team was coached by PHS science teacher Wendy Smith.
“She [Smith] is a sheep producer, so she has really good resources; she has her own fleeces,” said Katie Morrison. “So she really knows great ways to help us, and she pretty much just practiced with us a lot.”
For most FFA chapters in the area, wool judging is a new event. Previously FFA chapters that chose to compete in wool judging did so through 4-H.
The event essentially involves the judging of fleeces. Students will look at aspects of the fleece such as diameter of the wool, and then give a decision for their ranking of the wool. Students have to defend their decision in the “reasons” section of the competition.
“There’s a lot that goes into wool judging,” said Shannon Darrough, the Powell-Shoshone FFA chapter’s adviser. “Part of the contest is they line 15 fleeces up and they have to judge each fleece individually. And that takes a lot of time just because it’s all feel and sight. So you have to learn to look for different things in places and there are a few memorization parts.”
While attending the Jan. 11 event, hosted by University of Wyoming Wool Judging Team, the PHS students were able to gather experience outside of the high school wool judging competition as well.
“Our adviser told us about her experience when she was at UW and all the different things we can do through FFA — and it’s good that there’s collegiate teams there [at UW] so you can see what colleges have to use for those and it’s just a good experience overall,” Brence said.
