BEATRICE, Nebraska - High schools from around the Nebraska gathered at the Homestead National Historical Park Sept. 27, for the State Range Judging contest. There were 428 contestants representing 46 schools. Contestants competed both individually and in teams and were tested on grassland characteristics and plant identification of rangelands, which make up half of Nebraska’s land area.

In the senior division team competition, the winning team was from West Holt, with teams from Burwell and St. Paul claiming second and third. In the junior division, West Holt, Burwell and Sargent teams held the top three spots. View the full results HERE.

The range judging contest was sponsored by the Lower Big Blue Natural Resources District, the Nebraska Society for Range Management and the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Range management students from Southeast Community College provided help with the scoring of cards.