Grassland Evaluation Contest

Contest Overview • Grassland Condition • Wildlife Habitat Appraisal • Soil Evaluation • Plant Identification • How to Enter

The goal of the program is to teach decision making skills to 4-H and other youth in grassland resource management.

The objective is to develop a 4-H contest that integrates the subjects of pastures, livestock, soils, wildlife, and plant identification to teach students an overall awareness of proper grassland management. This program is based on a classroom curriculum that can be taught in sections. The program includes a contest in which students are challenged to put their curriculum training into practice.

Curriculum for this program is available through the Instructional Materials Laboratory (I M L) at the University of Missouri.

Contest Overview

The program consists of four parts: Grassland Condition, Wildlife Habitat Appraisal, Soil Evaluation, and Plant Identification.

Grassland Condition

Students are given a hypothetical farm scenario with livestock and pasture production. The student must then evaluate the pasture area marked in the field, interpret soil test results, calculate animal forage requirements, and determine if pasture forage production is adequate for the herd. Corrective decisions must be made based on information provided.

Wildlife Habitat Appraisal

The student is asked to complete a set of questions pertaining to wildlife habitat and pastures. The student must also assess the suitability of the pasture site as wildlife habitat.

Soil Evaluation

The student is asked to locate the contest site on an aerial photograph from a soil survey for the county. The correct soil description for that site must be determined from the survey information and the description must be interpreted to answer questions for that soil and site. Suitability of that soil for specific forage species must also be assessed.

Plant Identification

The student must identify selected weed and forage species correctly and give the correct life cycle for each plant.

How to Enter

Teams of four 4H members 14-18 years of age are eligible to enter. Organization and training of teams will be coordinated by the county agent in participating counties. Top teams at the state contest will be eligible for the Mid-America Grassland Evaluation Contest in Missouri.  Contact your local County Extension office for information or contact John Jennings (501-671-2350) for details.