Research projects propel FFA member into national recognition

TAYLORVILLE, Ill. — Multiple research projects focused on making a difference for cattle producers has earned Lizzie Schafer the honor of being selected a finalist for the American Star in Agriscience award.

Schafer is one of four FFA members from across the nation selected for the prestigious American Star in Agriscience.

In addition to Schafer from the Taylorville FFA Chapter in Illinois, finalists for American Star in Agriscience include: Audrey Bishop from the Van Alstyne FFA Chapter in Texas, Rylee Smith from the Oologah FFA Chapter in Oklahoma and Garren Hamby from the Eagleville FFA Chapter in Tennessee.

The American Star in Agriscience will be named during the 97th National FFA Convention & Expo, Oct. 23-26 in Indianapolis.

“I started these projects my freshman year,” Schafer said. “I’ve done five projects, the first four on bovine reproduction, specifically with embryo transfer work, and the fifth project was trying to figure out how to get healthier calves from first-calf heifers.”

All of the research projects utilized Angus cattle from Schafer Stock Farm.

“My freshman year, I did a project comparing two different types of synchronization methods for recipient cattle,” Schafer said. “The first group of cattle had a CIDR or controlled internal drug release system and the second group did not have a CIDR.”

From her research, the award finalist concluded that the CIDRs resulted in 15% higher conception rates.

“My next projects were built off the findings from that,” she said.

Schafer’s last project was developed to address a problem in her family’s cattle herd.

“We had problems with respiratory illness and scours for calves from first-calf heifers because their quality of colostrum is lower,” she said. “So, the calves were not getting the same antibodies as calves from aged cows.”

The FFA member had heard veterinarians talk about dividing the females into two groups — first-calf heifers and aged cows.

“As soon as the calves were born, I put the aged cows in a pasture about a mile away from where the first-calf heifers were,” said the daughter of Aaron and Sue Schafer.

“As a result, I saw a 77% decrease in respiratory illness and scours,” she said. “And I also had zero death loss for the first-calf heifers.”

Earning the honor of a finalist for American Star in Agriscience has been a long-time goal for Schafer.

“I went to my first National FFA Convention when I was 10 or 12, and when I saw the stars on stage, I pointed to them and told my mom that I was going to be one of those someday,” said the FFA member who is advised by her mom, as well as Megan Beckmier and Charles Dammerman.

“It’s been a full circle moment to actually be a finalist and it’s amazing to achieve a goal that I’ve had for so long,” Schafer said.

“But I wouldn’t be able to accomplish this goal without the help of my mom and dad and also the support of my grandparents, Mike and Gayle Schafer,” she said. “They are all going to be at convention, so I’m excited about that.”

While in high school, Schafer was involved in many FFA activities.

“Pretty much any competition you name, I’ve probably done,” she said. “I wanted to take advantage of every opportunity offered to me.”

In addition to creed speaking, prepared public speaking and extemporaneous public speaking, Schafer has also competed in livestock judging which has taken her to other countries.

“I went to Europe to represent the U.S. twice, which was awesome,” Schafer said.

“FFA has made me a better student by teaching me how to study, communicate and interact with people,” she said.

“There are so many things you can do like community service, public speaking, science fairs or working on your family farm, every aspect of life you need to know for adulthood is in FFA.”

Schafer is currently a junior at Kansas State University, where she is studying animal science and agricultural communications, as well as doing broadcasts for ESPN.

“I think the sports industry does the best job of promoting of any industry,” she said. “I want to learn how they do it and bring that back to the agricultural industry.”

That is Schafer’s long-term goal.

“But I also want to continue doing research experiments and I think it is extremely important to learn how to promote those,” she said. “I know that learning how to promote from working at this job will help me in the future.”