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CDEs

Agronomy

All freshmen students will prepare for the agronomy CDE. Students will learn to identify various weed and forage plants and seeds, grade seed samples, and learn about basic agronomic principles. Participation in this event will additionally prepare them for later participation in the Range Judging CDE.

A close-up view of corn leaves with the sun setting in the background, creating a warm glow.

A butcher in a white apron and gloves is handling large cuts of meat hanging in a cold storage area.

Meats Evaluation

All sophomore students will prepare for the meats CDE.  Students will learn to evaluate the quality of meat products, identify cuts of meat, and meat quality and handling information.  This event will serve as a foundation for those who will later participate in the Livestock Evaluation CDE.

Ag Mechanics

All junior students will learn to demonstrate skill in a variety of hands on applications in a shop setting. In addition, students will complete a test with mechanics related information and calculations to be completed.

A red tractor is plowing a field under a cloudy sky, with freshly turned soil visible around it.

A close-up view of a calculator and a pen resting on a financial document with graphs and charts in the background.

Farm Business Management

All senior students will learn the basics of business management and financial principles.  They will demonstrate their knowledge through completion of a knowledge test and a problem solving test.

Floriculture

Students will become proficient in the identification of flowers and bedding plants and learn to demonstrate the principles and skills of floral design.  In addition, students will need to be able to made business style problem solving decisions related to floral industry.

A vibrant arrangement of orange and green flowers in clear glass vases, showcasing a variety of blooms and foliage.

A group of individuals in blue jackets stands observing cattle in a pen during an agricultural event, with spectators in the background.

Livestock Evaluation

Students will learn to evaluate and select superior livestock.  They will also develop speaking skills by having to articulate to judges what factors led them to prefer one animal over another.

Natural Resources

Students will identify common insects, birds, mammals, fish, and trees of South Dakota.  In addition, they will learn principles related to environmental and wildlife management through competition of a knowledge and a problem solving test.

Two ducks in flight over a blurred icy landscape, showcasing their wings and distinctive plumage.

A collection of gardening tools including gloves, pruning shears, a hand fork, a small terracotta pot, and twine, arranged on a wooden surface.

Nursery Landscape

Tests students skills in maintaining landscape plants and related products, evaluating equipment and services and performing landscape design.

Vet Science

Students working in teams demonstrate their technical competency with small and large animals by completing a written exam, critical-thinking scenario questions, identifications and mathematics practicums.

A veterinarian in blue overalls is examining a black cow in a livestock facility, with the cow's head visible in a holding pen.