Two NCTA Aggie Livestock Judging Teams competed recently at the Nebraska Cattlemen's Classic in Kearney. The freshmen and sophmore students are coached by Dr. Doug Smith. The students are named in the news article. (Photo by Smith / NCTA)hoto)
Aggies judge cattle at NC Classic Sunday, February 23, 2020

Feb. 23, 2020

By NCTA News

CURTIS, Neb. – Beef cattle evaluation holds great appeal for 10 Aggie students from the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture in Curtis.

“Our students engaged in a highly competitive contest at the Nebraska Cattlemen’s Classic Beef Cattle Judging Contest in Kearney recently,” said Doug Smith, livestock judging coach, and professor of animal science and agriculture education.

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The 4-H/FFA Club will celebrate FFA Week Feb. 22-29 at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture in Curtis.  (Photo by Annie Bassett / NCTA)
Aggies gear up for FFA Week Friday, February 21, 2020

Feb. 21, 2020

By Mary Crawford, NCTA News

CURTIS, Neb. – A faculty appreciation breakfast Monday morning kicks off National FFA Week at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture in Curtis.

The NCTA 4-H and FFA Club is sponsoring Ag Olympics on Wednesday, and all week will have a Trivia Contest through NCTA’s social media.

“Our chapter has been working to stay more involved this year on campus and in the community,” said Emily Kammerer of Sutherland, president of the NCTA’s combined collegiate club.

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First-year veterinary technology students attend radiology lecture by Department Chair Barb Berg on Wednesday at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture. (Photo by M. Crawford / NCTA)
NCTA Discovery Day is March 2 in Curtis Thursday, February 20, 2020

Feb. 20, 2020

By Mary Crawford, NCTA News

CURTIS, Neb. – High school students seeking unique learning opportunities as part of their academic portfolio in college are invited to “Discovery Day” on March 2 at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture.

“Our Aggie students and professors always enjoy Discovery Day – a day filled with tours, conversations and fun – as they share their experiences in agriculture and veterinary technology studies at NCTA,” said Jennifer McConville, NCTA associate dean.

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Chuck Hatzenbuehler of Reinke Manufacturing examines welds by Aggie Trever Muellenberg, North Platte, during a test for American Welding Society certification. (M. Crawford / NCTA photo)
What is NCTA at Curtis? Tuesday, February 18, 2020

Feb. 18, 2020

NCTA Dean’s Message

By Interim Dean Kelly Bruns, Ph.D.

Unique. Agricultural. Friendly. Rural. One-rate Tuition.

Open-Enrollment. Community Focused. High Quality. Hands On. Affordable.

These and many other descriptors were heard last week on the campus of the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture as we hosted visitors from a regional review team with the Higher Learning Commission.

Alumni, business and community partners greeted the four educator-administrators at a breakfast – and shared the merits of NCTA.

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NCTA Crops Judging Team members for the 2020 season are, back row, from left, Jacob Jenkins, Mitchell; Ethan Aschenbrenner, Scottsbluff; Connor Nolan, Lynch; and Tyler Aschenbrenner, Scottsbluff. Front row, Taylor Sayer, Cambridge; Amy Lammers, Axtell; Lilly Calkins, Palmyra; and Chase Callahan, Farnam.  (Ramsdale / NCTA Photo)
Crops team has Oklahoma opener Tuesday, February 18, 2020

Feb. 18, 2020

By Mary Crawford, NCTA News

CURTIS, Neb. – The Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture Crops Team opened its judging season Saturday by winning second place among two-year colleges in a contest at Oklahoma Panhandle State University at Goodwell.

The team is coached by NCTA Agronomy Professor Brad Ramsdale.

Members of the team, all sophomores, are Ethan Aschenbrenner of Scottsbluff, Chase Callahan of Farnam, Tyler Aschenbrenner of Scottsbluff and Amy Lammers of Axtell.

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Aggie students from the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture enjoyed networking at the 2019 Women in Ag Conference. (NCTA News)
On the road with the Aggies Thursday, February 13, 2020

Feb. 13, 2020

NCTA Dean’s Message

By Interim Dean Kelly Bruns, Ph.D.

Each week I look at the calendar and am inspired with the depth of educational programs for our students here on campus at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture as well as the outreach opportunities around the state and beyond.

Take a look at the “upcoming events” and you, too, can see many times for our stakeholders and partners to engage with NCTA Aggies.

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The Iowa Beef Expo livestock judging contest draws collegiate teams from throughout the Midwest. NCTA had six students evaluating cattle and giving oral reasons last Sunday, as depicted in a photo from a previous year. (NCTA photo archives)
Livestock judges seek best traits Tuesday, February 11, 2020

Feb. 11. 2020

By Mary Crawford, NCTA News

Selecting the top breeding stock for a beef cattle herd means knowing what to look for in an animal.

That’s the goal in teaching students about livestock evaluation at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture in Curtis.

Breeding bulls and heifers scrutinized last Sunday at the Iowa Beef Expo in Des Moines were among an elite set of beef cattle, say two sophomores on the NCTA Livestock Judging Team.

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Chuck Schroeder will be an artist-in-residence Feb. 17-19 with public programs and an exhibit, "Elders: Character Over Time" hanging until March 2 at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture in Curtis. (Courtesy Photo)
Schroeder to bring art to college Tuesday, February 11, 2020

Feb. 12, 2020

By NCTA News

Southwest Nebraska native Chuck Schroeder will be an “artist in residence” at NCTA for three days next week.

The former rancher from Palisade is hanging a fine art exhibition, “Elders: Character Over Time”, at the Education Center on Monday. The show opens with an artist’s reception at 5:30 p.m. The public is invited.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, students will have opportunity to interact with Schroeder as he creates individual portraits through sketching or painting during a 3-hour sitting in his “studio” on campus.

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NCTA Aggie students participating in the recent Young Farmers & Ranchers Conference in Kearney were, from left, Gilbert Herrera, Lexington; Clade Anderson, Otis, Kansas; Chase Callahan, Farnam; and Tucker Hodsden, Lyman. (Photo by B. Ramsdale / NCTA)
Young Farmers-Ranchers draw Aggies Monday, February 10, 2020

Feb. 10, 2020

By Mary Crawford, NCTA News

KEARNEY, Neb. – Four members with Collegiate Farm Bureau from the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture in Curtis recently participated in a state conference for young agricultural producers.

The Nebraska Farm Bureau Federation’s annual Young Farmers & Ranchers Conference was Jan. 31 and Feb. 1 in Kearney.  It drew 190 producers, agricultural professionals and members from across the state.

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Aggies representing NCTA Livestock Judging are, from left, top row, Jose De La Cruz, Columbus; Lauren Nichols, Scottsbluff; Bailey Johnson, Hastings, and front row, Avery Bermel, Randolph, and assistant coach Grant Romshek of Shelby. (Photo by Linda Teahon)
At the heart of cattle judging Monday, February 10, 2020

Feb. 10, 2020

By Mary Crawford, NCTA News

 VALENTINE, Neb. – Four freshmen from NCTA in Curtis were among 50 college students who competed Saturday at the Heart City Bull Bash Livestock Judging Contest.

The Aggies of the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture traveled from Curtis to Valentine for the second annual judging contest held in conjunction with Bull Bash events in Cherry County’s largest Sandhills community.

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