Spencer County’s dairy judging team continues a long-standing tradition

While the dairy industry is celebrating National Dairy Month in June, students at Spencer County High School (SCHS) have made a long-term commitment to the sector by way of their phenomenal dairy judging team, which has become synonymous with the label of state and national champions.

Last October, the team participated in the Future Farmers of America (FFA) Dairy Cattle Evaluation and Management Career Development Event, an event that helps students develop skills in dairy cattle selection and herd management.

As usual, the team came away with a first-place victory, something that has become commonplace at SCHS.

Bland Baird, a retired agriculture teacher at the school, has been coaching this team for 20 years and has seen them win at both the state and national levels for more years than not.

“We have won the national contest 11 times, but we have won at the state level probably the last 20 years, except for one year," he said. "By winning the state competition, you are qualified to participate in the nationals."

But there is much more to the story for Spencer County than just walking away with an armful of trophies. By winning at that national level, the team is eligible to participate in the Royal Highland Show in Edinburgh, Scotland, of which they have won twice.

“This year will be the tenth year that we have participated in Scotland," he said. "We're leaving on June 18, the competition is two days later, and after that we are going to be traveling on a tour for two weeks.”

The team began practice last January, and they usually meet four days a week. They have been in several contests in numerous locations, honing their skills and gaining valuable experience, noted Baird, who will be making his final trip as the dairy team coach after beginning his ag teaching tenure in 1978.

This team has many things in common, most notably—and perhaps a bit unusual—is the fact that none of them grew up on a dairy. Their incredible amount of knowledge comes directly from Baird’s guidance and his efforts to get them in multiple competitions and as familiar with dairy judging as possible. And from his record of successes, he has been on the right track for the last couple of decades.

What the team has to say

Scarlett Williams, outgoing Secretary, SCHS FFA:

“When I was in middle school, I had an ag teacher, Rachel Cyber, who was on one of Mr. Baird's former teams. She told me about the team while I was in middle school, and then when I got to high school, I knew I wanted to be a part of it just because of the influence she had on my life.”

"I'll definitely take with me the feeling of family I developed with this team, along with their friendships and the experiences that I've had that will help in growing my future."

Evan Waller, outgoing Sentinel, SCHS FFA:

"Growing up in Spencer County, we're synonymous with dairy judging and FFA. I’ve gone to school in this county all my life and had always heard of the dairy judging team. I knew I wanted to be a part of it. I’ve had to cram in a lot of information over the past several months, starting out knowing absolutely nothing about a dairy cow to knowing enough to be on the national stage. I don't think we could have done it without the leadership of people like our coach, who is just a different animal when it comes to coaching.”

Hunter King, outgoing President, SCHS FFA:

“I grew up on a cattle farm, but judging dairy cows is completely different. But I knew how successful the dairy judging teams have been, and if I wanted to be a part of a nationally known team, it would be on this team.”

"Having been involved in competitions of other kinds, I knew it took hard work, but the work we have put in… I was even getting past my limits. We knew Mr. Baird didn’t have to coach us this year since he had already retired. He did this for us, and it has given us the extra drive to succeed. We want him to go out with a bang!"

Seth Monroe: current President, SCHS FFA:

“My mom and grandparents had a big dairy in Jefferson County, but I did not grow up around dairy cows. However, my mother had won a national 4-H dairy competition, so I did have a little knowledge. She said it was in my blood!”

"Over this past year, this team has become a true family, and we will remember this for the rest of our lives. But we also have learned a lot when it comes to leadership, how to work well together."

Greyson Humes, outgoing Treasurer, SCHS FFA:

"My dad is a former agriculture teacher, and he encouraged me to be involved in agriculture education and the dairy team, as well. I've been involved in a way for the past two years as an alternate for FFA and got to go with the All-American Team to a competition in Pennsylvania. I knew that in being on our diary judging team, there was a good chance of winning a national competition."    

“We've really become a good team and a cohesive group together. We’re like a family. It has felt amazing to be able to accomplish something that not a lot of people in our chapters say that they've accomplished before. And we are all excited to be going to Scotland.”

Editor’s note: I have known Bland Baird for many years, and he has dedicated a huge part of his life to this team for the past two decades. He will be sorely missed, but somehow, I think his influence will last well into the future for the SCHS Dairy Judging Team. Well done, sir. Good luck in Scotland.