CDE Teams
CDE Teams typically compete in the Spring of each year. There are 3 levels of competition for each event: Area, State & Nationals.
*Note: Not ALL events have a National Contest, and in some contests, more than just the State Champion gets to advance… Refer to your Events’ page for more info
Below is a list of the Events, followed by a brief description of each event.
CDE DESCRIPTIONS:
Agricultural Communications
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Teams consisting of three members participate in a simulated news conference, then use the information collected to complete practical problems including writing a news story and press release; preparing a radio broadcast; creating a three-page Web site and developing a page layout. Participants also complete a written communications quiz and an editing exercise.
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Agricultural Mechanics
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This event tests both technical and agricultural mechanics skills. A team of three or four members must demonstrate their ability to work with others while solving problems. During the event, members complete a written exam and demonstrate problem-solving and hands-on performance skills. The event takes a “systems” approach and emphasizes machinery and equipment systems, related industry and marketing systems, energy systems, structural systems and environmental/natural resource systems.
Agricultural Sales
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Three or four member teams demonstrate the professional sales process including customer relations, advertising and promotion, telephone skills and product display. Members also complete an exam, present a project summary and make a sales presentation for an agricultural product. They complete one of four practical problems and cooperatively solve a market analysis problem.
Agronomy
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Participants complete a 50-question written exam; identify seeds, insects, soils and crops; demonstrate knowledge of agronomic management to solve a practical problems. Teams consist of three or four members and the top three scores are tabulated for the final team score.
Cotton
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Team members evaluate 50 cotton samples and class each sample as to color grade and leaf grade.
Dairy Cattle
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During this event, team members complete a written exam, evaluate dairy cattle on physical characteristics and analyze cows based on pedigree and herd record. Teams consist of three or four members and the top three scores are compiled for team results.
Entomology
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Students apply the fundamentals of entomology and develop skills in identifying common insects and their significance to people and agriculture.
Environmental and Natural Resources
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Composed of a four person team, where all 4 scores count, Individual and team activities in the Environmental and Natural Resources CDE include a national and global issues interview, environmental and natural resources problem solving, soil tests and profiles, air and water analysis, GPS use, waste management and more.
Farm Business Management
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Management skills and economic principles are applied to agriculture and agribusiness situations as team members complete a written exam and solve farm analysis problems.
Floriculture
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Classroom knowledge and skills are applied as students identify and evaluate cut flowers, house plants, flowering plants, floral designs and complete an exam that tests their knowledge of floral design, propagation as well as preparation of floral and foliage products for sale.
Food Science
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A four member team designs a new food product or re-designs an existing one using a marketing scenario, as they covers product development and presentation, along with food safety issues. Participants use their sensory skills to evaluate and solve problems while applying sound principles in a decision making process.
Forage
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Students apply their knowledge of various forage species to evaluate hay based on physical properties, identify species common to pastures and complete quiz that tests team members’ knowledge of different aspects of forages. Teams consist of 3 or 4 members.
Forestry
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Along with identification of both hardwood and pine species, team members evaluate sites for best management practices based on environmental factors, analyze plots for future production, product volume and identify plant species and their effects on timber-forage-wildlife relationships.
Horse
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This CDE allows members to observe and evaluate in order to rank horses based on breed characteristics and conformation. Performance classes are evaluated within various equestrian styles. American Quarter Horse standards are used in performance classes. Three or four member teams with the top three scores counting toward team score.
Home Site Evaluation
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This CDE consists of a 3 to 4 person team and introduces students to non-agronomic use of land including, but not limited to, the suitability of various types of land for building sites, home sanitation systems, impoundment structures, lawns and other construction considerations.
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Land
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Members of land evaluation teams judge sites based on characteristics of the soil and observations of landscape conditions, then recommend land treatments considering factors such as soil characteristics,vegetative conditions and planned use for the site.
Livestock
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Beef cattle, sheep and swine are evaluated for market values and desirable physical traits.Team members also rank livestock for breeding purposes, using observed physical characteristics and performance data.
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Marketing Plan
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A team of three members apply practical skills in the marketing process by developing and presenting a marketing plan. The plan promotes a current or proposed agricultural product, supply or service. In competition, the team presents its plan and answers judges’ questions.
Meats
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Students develop skills for careers in the meat animal industry as they complete a written exam; evaluate beef carcasses for quality and yield grade; identify various meat cuts, place beef, lamb and pork carcasses, and place wholesale and/or retail cuts.
Milk Quality
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As a result of event outcomes, members develop a greater understanding of quality production, processing, distribution, promotion, marketing and consumption of dairy products. Team members complete a written exam, evaluate milk samples, identify cheeses and distinguish real and artificial dairy foods. Teams are composed of three or four members. The top three scores are tabulated in the team score.
Nursery/Landscape
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This CDE encourages members to apply their landscaping, marketing and service skills as they complete a written exam, identify various landscaping plant materials and evaluate plant materials and landscape plans.
Poultry
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Students apply classroom knowledge to evaluate production, processing, marketing and consumption of chickens, turkeys, processed products and eggs. Participants complete a written exam, solve a management problem, evaluate animals and products, as well as identify various poultry products.
Range
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An actual pasture is evaluated on the basis of characteristics of the soil exposed and observations of landscape conditions- slope, gullies, etc. Team members make pasture management recommendations using information provided on a "pasture condition sheet" and by observing landscape and vegetative features. The range evaluation portion of the competition requires members to record the degree of utilization, kind of site, range condition and the predominant decreaser, increaser, and invader plant species while also recommending range management practices.
Range Plant ID
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Contestants identify samples of grasses, forbs, legumes, and woody plants and for each indicate length of life, season of growth, origin, and the economic values of the species on wildlife and grazing.
Tractor Technician
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In this three part competition, team members appraise components and parts of tractors and agricultural implements and make recommendations for services needed and not needed, complete a written exam and finally the team of three members, working as a group, will compete in locating and correcting five deliberately placed malfunctions in diesel fueled tractors and safely navigate the repaired tractor through a driving course within the 25 minute time limit.
Veterinary Science
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In this three part competition, students will complete a 50 question test, 75 identification problems over breeds, instruments, parasites & organs, and perform 3 practicum applications. Teams consist of 3 – 4 members. The Veterinary Science CDE provides opportunities for participants to develop technical knowledge and demonstrate practical skills in the field of veterinary science.
Wildlife
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Students apply the information gained through enrollment in the agricultural science wildlife management course to demonstrate and identify plant species, proper habitat management practices, safety procedures, game laws, management techniques as well as compass and pacing skills.
Wool
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Members within a team each evaluate fleeces for fineness, length and yield, rank fleeces within a group and give reasons for their placing of those classes. Contestants must be very familiar with all grading standards and evaluation techniques because no measuring devices are to be used during the contest.