National FFA Week: Saxony Lutheran senior lends her experience to fellow FFA students

Abagayle Britton, a senior at Saxony Lutheran High School, raises cattle on her family's third-generation farm.

She said this year she will tour all over middle and Western states of the country showing two Simmental cows, named Betty and Kim K. She said she's been doing for years.

Britton's farm is in Olmstead, Illinois, and she said she chose to attend Saxony Lutheran because they had an FFA program. She said since she was a freshman, along with showing cattle, she's competed and placed in plant sciences, equine evaluation and livestock judging.

Keith Koenig, the Agriculture instructor and FFA sponsor for Saxony Lutheran, said Britton is the president of their chapter and "quite a joy to work with at the school". Koenig said her experience raising and showing cattle is a benefit to the classroom.

"Not only does she learn from instruction, but she is also able to give input to others who are learning about raising cattle," Koenig said. "She's rewarded through the FFA programs competitions, and, in fact, she's our latest State Conference winner."

Britton said Betty and Kim K are coming along nicely and "they're the best two that we've had so far." She said she stays busy keeping them clean and healthy. She said it can be a "gamble" maintaining a strict diet with plenty of vitamins and minerals in their feed so they stand up to the judges scrutiny.

As to whether Betty or Kim K will perform better, Britton said, "It's kind of a toss up. One will probably be better in the beginning, and then one will probably be better toward the end of the season."

She is touring with her family showing the two Simmental cows, starting in January in Springfield, Illinois, and then on to several other states, including Indiana, Oklahoma and Colorado through the rest of the year.

After that, Britton said Betty and Kim K will be bred to raise other show animals to grow their herd genetics. She said they sell some of their cows to junior exhibitors.

Britton said she plans to attend a university and earn a degree in agriculture communications with a minor in animal science. She said she hasn't picked a school yet but is looking at Kansas State University and Murray State University in Kentucky, among others.

Her hope is to one day work in marketing communications for a company such as Purina or possibly an agriculture insurance company. She said she's ready to get out of the field and into the office.