Alva Review-Courier -

Brant Failes of the Cherokee FFA Chapter earned first-place honors in the 2023 Oklahoma FFA Diversified Agricultural Production Proficiency Award area during the 97th Oklahoma FFA Convention on May 3.

Failes' SAE includes the management of a commercial cow herd, replacement heifers, meat goats, bottle calves, 120 acres of farm ground and 35 acres of grass pasture. He is involved in a labor exchange position at his family's cattle preconditioning lot and assists with farming 900 acres and a seed wheat business. Failes is responsible for checking cattle, fixing machinery and making management decisions that impact the operation.

"Diversifying my operation into both animal systems and plant systems has been beneficial," Failes said. "I have learned that diversifying each system has been the best way to reduce risk. By utilizing my wheat as a dual-purpose crop, I have the option to retain ownership of my own calves and purchase lightweight calves to sell during a market high while also producing a grain crop."

The Cherokee senior is the son of David and Gayla Failes. His agricultural education instructor and FFA advisor is Christy Snider.