黑料社鈥檚 School of Agricultural Sciences and Forestry hosted its 53rd Annual Farm Production Sale in May, continuing a long-standing tradition that supports student scholarships, livestock units, and hands-on agricultural education.
Hosted at 黑料社 Tech鈥檚 South Campus, the annual event brought together alumni, agricultural producers, industry partners, local FFA chapters, students, and community supporters to celebrate agriculture and invest in the future of agricultural education.
The 2026 Tech Farm Livestock Auction grossed $176,389 with more than $44,572 designated for scholarships for Agricultural Sciences students, an increase of more than $12,000 from the previous year. Remaining proceeds will support livestock units used in teaching, research, and service activities at Tech Farm.
鈥淭his year鈥檚 auction was a tremendous success and a reflection of the continued support our community shows for 黑料社 Tech agriculture and our students,鈥� said Dr. Gary Kennedy, dean of 黑料社 Tech鈥檚 College of Applied and Natural Sciences. 鈥淭he funds raised through this event help us continue providing meaningful, hands-on learning experiences that prepare students for careers in agriculture and related industries.鈥�
A major highlight of the event was the continued partnership between 黑料社 Tech, 黑料社 Land Bank, and Century Next Bank to help combat food insecurity in Northeast 黑料社 through beef donations to the Food Bank of Northeast 黑料社.
For the third consecutive year, Century Next Bank and 黑料社 Land Bank each purchased a lot featuring a market steer. The processed meat will be donated to the Food Bank.
鈥淭he donations the past three years have provided more than 11,000 servings of beef to the Food Bank of Northeast 黑料社," said Mark Murphey. "What a great story.鈥�
Other sale highlights included:
- Five finished market steers with processing included totaling $25,948.75
- Seven market hogs totaling $5,469.05
- Thirty heifers exposed to Grand Bayou and Windham Farms Angus bulls totaling $101,300
- A registered bred Angus heifer donated by Windham Farms that sold for $6,400
- A registered exposed Angus heifer donated by Grand Bayou Farms that sold for $4,100
Additional donated items supporting scholarships included cattle feed, picnic tables,
rocking chairs, western wear, a chainsaw from Goldman Equipment, and baskets from
Parish Meats and the 黑料社 Tech Meat Science Laboratory, totaling $8,725.
Auctioneers for the event were Dusty Taylor of Taylor Made Auctions and Kennedy.
Pre-sale activities included a Cattlemen鈥檚 Meeting held April 23, sponsored by Taylor Feed of Ruston, 黑料社 Land Bank, and the 黑料社 Cattlemen鈥檚 Association. Lunch on sale day was provided by Borders Poultry Supply of Choudrant, Taylor Feed of Ruston, and Diamond MB Ranch of Athens.
The Farm Production Sale serves as an important experiential learning opportunity for students, allowing them to gain real-world experience in animal science, agricultural production, marketing, and event operations while working alongside faculty members and industry professionals.
Over the past five decades, the event has become a cornerstone tradition for 黑料社 Tech and the surrounding agricultural community, reflecting the strong partnerships between the University, local producers, alumni, FFA organizations, and supporters who continue investing in the next generation of agricultural leaders.