WSC 4th Annual Carcass Challenge is Underway

The Williston State College’s 4th Annual Carcass Challenge is underway at the Hovde Feedlot near Arnegard, ND. The following livestock producers have donated calves to the program this year.

Aaron & Shelby Jacobson of Noonan, ND

Emmet & Hugh O’Neil of Columbus, ND

Bradley Rosenquist of Columbus, ND

Jonathan Enget of Stanley, ND

Helen Glasoe of Wildrose, ND

Mark & Shelley Ellis of Williston, ND

Curt & Nancy Severson of Cartwright, ND

Brent Svangstu of Noonan, ND

Chuck Hanson of Noonan, ND

Gerald Rosenquist of Columbus, ND

Galen Rosenquist of McGregor, ND

Dennis Jacobson of Wildrose, ND

Dave & Kristi Clark of Froid, MT

Shane Clark of Froid, MT

“The Williston State College Agriculture Program and I are so appreciative of all the support from these producers and of the producers who have donated in previous years,” stated Agriculture Program Coordinator Kim Murphy.

“Not only do these calves raise money for the Agriculture Ambassador program, but they also serve as a learning tool for the agriculture classes,” commented Murphy. “The students go out to the feedlot to learn about how they are processed, fed and handled. They feed them the same rations, weigh and process them monthly and then study the data to determine the average daily gain of each calf.”

When the calves are ready to be processed, they are taken to Prairie Packing in Williston and sold as quarters, halves or wholes. Awards are then given out to the producers who donated the calf with the highest daily gain and the calf with the best carcass data (determined by which one would sell highest on the grid).

The Carcass Challenge was put in place to raise funds to start the Agriculture Ambassador Program at WSC. The Agriculture Ambassador Program is made up of students who have an interest in agriculture and are willing and able to advocate for agriculture as an industry. The students visit local classrooms and organizations and teach them the importance of agriculture. Agriculture Ambassadors are also available for recruiting opportunities.

Murphy states, “The Carcass Challenge has been a very successful program and has allowed the Agriculture Ambassadors an opportunity to get up and running!”

If you’d like more information on the Carcass Challenge, the Agriculture Ambassador Program or about making a donation to support the program, please contact Kim Murphy at (701)774-6226.