Nebraska State FFA Agronomy
Purpose
The purpose is to create interest and promote understanding in agronomy by providing opportunities for recognition through the demonstration of skills and proficiencies.
Objectives
1. To demonstrate basic knowledge of agronomic sciences.
2. To determine the ability to identify agronomic: Crops, Weeds, Seeds, Insects, Diseases, Plant Nutrient Deficiencies, Plant Disorders, Soil Management, and Equipment.
3. To evaluate a scenario and develop a crop management plan including crop selection, production and marketing.
Contest Schedule
Section I: Districts 1-6 compete from 8-10 AM
Section II: Districts 7-12 compete from 10 AM-Noon
Eligibility
This is not a district qualifying event. Winners from pervious year's teams are not allowed to participate in the Agronomy CDE again in following years.
Required Supplies for Students
• No. 2 pencils (2) – bring your own or one may be purchased at the site for $1.00 each.
• A calculator for basic arithmetic – no cell phone calculators are allowed.
State Rules
All contestants will participate in the identification of crop and weed plants and seeds, insects, plant diseases, farm machinery, and soil properties.
1. Team make-up:
Team size shall be four members, all of whom must be pre-registered as ‘participant’ or ‘substitute’ by their FFA sponsor.
All four team members will be scored and all 4 scores shall count towards the team total.
All four team members are eligible for individual awards.
2. Written Material: All written materials will be furnished for the event. No written materials shall be removed from the site.
3. Each participant must have two sharpened No. 2 pencils, and a calculator for basic arithmetic. NO CELL PHONES OR CELL PHONE CALCULATORS ARE ALLOWED.
4. All National FFA Contest general rules will apply to this event.
Tiebreaker
In the event of a tie tie-breakers will be determined by:
Team Total Score:
1. Team Activity Score 2. Highest Individual Score 3. 2nd Highest Individual Score, etc.
Individual Activity Score:
1. Team Activity Score 2. Overall Team Total 3. Score on ‘Weed Identification’ Section of Individual Test
National Rules
Any rules not specified here are governed by rules for the National FFA Agronomy CDE.
CDE Agronomy
Event Format
A. Team Activity
Each team will be given a field scenario with all necessary reference information and mathematical formulas to answer ten to twenty multiple choice questions requiring application of basic agronomic principles and practices.
Topic areas for the Team Activity will rotate on a yearly basis through the following:
• Rangeland and Forage Production (2011)
• Alternative Crops (e.g. Dry Beans, Potato, Sugar Beet, Oilseeds, etc.)(2012)
• Corn-Soybean Cropping Systems (2013)
• Wheat and Small Grains (2014)
B. Individual Activity
Contestants will answer all questions on standard multiple choice bubble cards using a No. 2 Pencil.
1. Crop and Weed Identification
a. Contestants will identify weed and crop plants and/or seeds.
b. Contestants will Identify specimens by common name, and life cycle.
c. Plants may be in any stage following emergence.
d. Samples will be identified on a multiple choice basis.
e. Each specimen may also have a question concerning uses (crops) or common problem areas it is associated with (weeds, insects, diseases).
f. List of possible specimens is included at the end of these rules.
2. Insect Identification
a. Contestants will be asked to identify 10 to 20 insect specimens by common name, life cycle, and economic impact or management.
b. A list of possible specimens is included at the end of these rules.
c. Samples will be identified on a multiple choice basis.
3. Plant Diseases and Disorders
a. Contestants will be asked to identify 10 to 20 common plant diseases, conditions, or disorders.
b. Additional questions will cover disease/condition cause, what damage it causes, and its’ economic impact or management.
c. Samples will be identified on a multiple choice basis.
d. A list of possible Disorders/Diseases and Conditions is included at the end of the rules.
4. Soils
a. Contestants will analyze common problems related to soil properties, soil fertility, soil nutrient management, and land use in agricultural settings.
b. Additional questions will be created from information contained in the document: “SOIL and WATER RESOURCES.” Please check additional postings for this document.
5. Machinery
a. Identify Machinery commonly used in Agronomic Production
b. Describe uses and applications of common machines
c. Samples will be identified on a multiple choice basis.
d. List of possible machinery is included at the end of this document.
Study Information
All contest items relating to soil are drawn from this document Soil and Water Resources .
Example images for all plant and seed specimens can be obtained through internet search. Suggested Sites: Google Images... more TBA
Example Test/Contest Items
2012 Agronomy CDE Specimen List
Contest Superintendent Contact Information
Tim Kettler
(402) 472-9035
tkettler2@unl.edu
updated 1/4/12
