Source: Kevin Donnelly, 785-532-5402, kjd@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Steve Watson, 785-532-7105, swatson@k-state.edu

Monday, Nov. 16, 2009

K-STATE CROPS TEAM WINS CENTRAL REGIONAL CONTEST

MANHATTAN -- The Kansas State University Collegiate Crops Team placed first at the recent Central Regional Crops Contest in Manhattan.

The K-State team placed first in all three phases of the contest: seed analysis, grain grading, and plant and seed identification. In addition, the team captured the top three individual overall placings. Cloud County Community College placed second. Also participating were Oklahoma State University and Hutchinson Community College.

The competition required participants to identify more than 200 different plants or seed samples of crops and weeds; grade eight different samples of grain according to Federal Grain Inspection Service standards; and analyze 10 seed samples to determine whether they contain impurities, and if so, what contaminants exist.

K-State students competing at the regional contest, and placings if earned, included:

Bryson Haverkamp, sophomore in agronomy, Bern; Jared Kohls, sophomore in agronomy and agricultural economics, Clearwater, second highest individual overall; Kelly Yunghans, junior in agronomy, Leavenworth, high individual overall; Jared Unrau, senior in agricultural technology management, Newton, third highest individual overall; and Alissa Krafft, senior in agricultural education, Oakley.

From out of state: Nathan Keep, senior in agronomy, Elm Creek, Neb.

The team will next travel to Kansas City and Chicago for national contests. The team is coached by Kevin Donnelly, K-State professor of agronomy. Sponsors for the K-State Crops Team include the Kansas Seed Industry Association, Kansas Crop Improvement Association, department of agronomy and the K-State Student Government Association.