URBANA, Ill. — Before heading back for the new school year, teams of high school students from across Illinois traveled to Champaign to put their crop scouting knowledge to the test. A lot of dedication to learning goes into knowing how to scout a farm field, and these youth teams proved they put the time in, learning through both books and countless hours visiting field plots near their homes. 

Illinois 4-H and Illinois Association FFA youth teams competing in the Crop Scouting Competition at the University of Illinois Crop Sciences Research & Education Center in Champaign on July 30 had the chance to step foot in the field that could be building their future career in agronomy and agriculture. The two top-finishing teams would then advance to represent Illinois at the fall regional competition in Minnesota. 

During the competition, teams of students rotate through stations set up to test their knowledge on topics including weeds, insects, disease identification, corn and soybean growth stages, abiotic injury, pesticide application, and integrated pest management. 

“The local contest has seen growth in both the number of teams signed up and overall awareness of the contest’s ability to help build up tomorrow’s ag leaders,” says Meagan Diss, competition coordinator and commercial agriculture specialist with University of Illinois Extension. “Being able to hold the state contest is a doorway for youth interested in agronomy, farming, networking, and building a path to a future career in agriculture.”

Having skills to scout farm fields allows people to better understand what is happening with crop growth or yield stealers, including diseases, insects, and weeds. Preventative knowledge helps growers strategically make the best management decisions to maximize yields and profitability.

Returning 2023 champions, Wesclin FFA took the top spot at the competition in Champaign, with the Pontiac FFA Chapter coming in a close second. After hearing the results, both teams and their advisors realized that the competition between the two schools is building as Wesclin and Pontiac have finished in the top two spots for the past three years of competition. The budding rivalry brings a smile to both teams every year. 

Both the Wesclin and Pontiac teams advanced to represent Illinois at the 2024 Regional Youth Crop Scouting Competition in Minnesota on Sept. 14. The two Illinois youth teams competed with teams from Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota, and Kentucky. After a competitive contest, Pontiac FFA tied to finish fourth, with Wesclin finishing in 13th. Both teams took away a lot from the trip and the experience of competing together as a team.

University of Minnesota Extension believes all the teams did a great job identifying crop issues and management practices. Illinois crop scouting’s participation is made possible by the support from partners, including University of Illinois College of ACES Department of Crop Sciences, Illinois Extension, Illinois 4-H, Illinois Soybean Association, FS Growmark, Illinois IPM, TeeJet, and Illinois Certified Crop Adviser. 

For more information on youth crop scouting or if you are interested in becoming a partner in future competitions, contact Meagan Diss, competition coordinator, and commercial ag specialist, at mcdiss@illinois.edu, 217-300-5386.

SOURCE: Meagan Diss, commercial agriculture specialist, Illinois Extension

WRITER: Jenna Braasch, Media Communications Coordinator, Illinois Extension

Photo Caption: The Wesclin FFA crop scouting team works together at one of the stations at the state competition at the University of Illinois Crop Sciences Research & Education Center in Champaign. Photo available for media download with credits listed. Photo by Jenna Braasch, Illinois Extension.