FFA member wins national honor with goat reproduction work

INDIANAPOLIS — Working with the goat herd at Hummel Livestock has resulted in Chase Hummel winning the National FFA agricultural proficiency award in the area of goat production — entrepreneurship/placement.

“What is really special about Hummel Livestock is how we’ve been able to use reproductive technologies to expand our business,” Hummel said.

“I’m really proud to work with out reproductive veterinarian on embryo transfer,” the Tri-Point, Illinois, FFA member said. “We flush embryos from our best does, which is a surgical procedure that I assist with.”

The best viable embryos are put into recipient does.

“We put the embryos in the recipients that are lower value, but much better mothers to kid out those genetically superior kids,” said the son of Dale and Holly Hummel.

The Hummels raise Boer goats and have about 500 head in their herd.

“We are probably one of the largest goat operations in the Midwest for show goats,” the FFA member said. “We sell goats to show families across the country, everywhere from Oregon to Florida.”

Receiving the national award at the 96th National FFA Convention and Expo, Hummel said, is a difficult feeling to describe.

“To win the state award was an incredible thing, but then to be a national finalist, you’re on stage and you’ve got the entire stadium looking at you,” he recalled.

“When they read your name, it’s a moment of shock and I could barely walk to the middle of the stage where I was suppose to be standing,” he said. “They had to practically shove me from behind because I was so stunned.”

Hummel’s older sister, Tara, is also a National FFA proficiency winner.

“I never assumed I had a shot at the national award,” he said. “My junior year, I was a little discouraged, but my senior year, my advisers encouraged me to get it done.”

After advancing past the section level, Hummel decided he should focus on his record books.

“It was the encouragement from my advisers that really helped me get to the national level,” he said.

The Tri-Point FFA advisers, Jenna Baker and Kaylee Shouse, as well as his former adviser, Diana Loschen, are among the many people who have helped Hummel with his FFA project.

“I tell Miss Loschen that she needs to learn the meaning of retirement,” he stressed.

“She tells me that retirement is when you no longer work, but you do what you’re passionate about and she’s passionate about helping her FFA chapter,” he said. “And, of course, my parents are on the list because I wouldn’t be able to do this without them.”

While in high school, Hummel was involved with vet science and livestock judging contests. He led his chapter as the president during his senior year and also held the offices of reporter and sentinel.

Currently, Hummel is attending Lakeland Community College, where he is enrolled in the ag transfer program.

“I plan to transfer to the University of Illinois to get a veterinary degree,” he said. “Specifically, I’m interested in the reproduction side from all the experience I’ve gained from working at Hummel Livestock. I’ve realized this is where my passion lies.”

Hummel encourages all high school kids to join FFA and develop a proficiency project.

“I understand that filling out record books can be a bit tedious and the interview process can be a bit daunting, but it’s really a rewarding experience,” he noted.

“I didn’t have much success in showing goats, but I found success in record books and that success really motivated me to look for success in other fields like quiz bowl,” he said. “Students should go and try for it, and if they find that’s what they’re good at, it’s a really motivational thing to discover.”