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Crops Team Fifth at Nationals

By Jenny Bjelland
UW-RF News Bureau

APRIL 22, 2005--The UW-RF crops judging team competed in the 2005 North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA) Contest held at the Northeast Community College in Norfolk, Neb., April 15-16.

The NACTA contest, held annually each spring, draws nearly 500 participants from colleges and universities nationwide. Students compete in a variety of agriculturally related contests including crops, soils, horticulture, dairy, general livestock, equine, agricultural computers, agricultural business, and agricultural mechanics.

The crop judging competition consisted of several sections including general agronomic knowledge, plant and seed identification, agricultural math, and a practical exam regarding identification of insects, diseases, and field and laboratory equipment. Students also responded to questions related to agricultural chemicals and plant morphology.

The UW-RF crops team, comprised of Leah Viesselmann, a senior crop and soil science major from Grafton, Wis., Jennifer Roth, a senior crop and soil science major from Eden Prairie, Minn., Brent Tessmer, a sophomore crop and soil science major from Dorchester, Wis., Ryan Bates, a junior crop and soil science major from Elmwood, Wis., and Jeremy Olson, a junior dairy science major from River Falls, Wis. placed fifth out of eight teams.

Additionally, Viesselmann placed 11th individually in the nation, Roth placed 12th and Tessmer placed 14th overall.

"Despite a late start in the practice season, the team did very well placing 5th in the nation against some very competitive teams," noted Bill Anderson, UW-RF professor of agronomy and crops team coach.

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Photo Caption: L to R: Bill Anderson, professor of agronomy, Jeremy Olson, a junior dairy science major from River Falls, Wis., Leah Viesselmann, a senior crop and soil science major from Grafton, Wis., Jennifer Roth, a senior crop and soil science major from Eden Prairie, Minn., Ryan Bates, a junior crop and soil science major from Elmwood, Wis., and Brent Tessmer, a sophomore crop and soil science major from Dorchester, Wis.

Last updated: Tuesday, 26-Apr-2005 12:21:16 CDT