White Oak FFA member, Merritt McMahon, is exploring all that diversified livestock production has to offer. 

"I took on raising a diversity of animal species this year where in the past I have only focused on two species at a time," said McMahon. "I worked with four species, eight animals total."

This past year, she raised two market goats, one market lamb, one market pig, and four market rabbits.

"Being diversified in the market animals has a significant impact on my supervised agricultural experience by allowing me to grow in my skills, responsibility, time management, and knowledge of the animal industry," said McMahon. 

Thanks to her livestock sales from the previous years, she was able to use her savings to purchase animals for the current school year and secure all the feed, supplements, and preventative care needed.

"In exchange for labor, I am able to house all of my animals in my parent's livestock barn and use their livestock trailer," said McMahon.

While still early in her high school career, she believes that time, perseverance, and dedication to improving animal quality have been the three factors contributing to the success of her SAEs. 

"One of my future goals is to add cattle to my market animal entrepreneurship, diversifying my SAE even more," said McMahon. "My second goal is to continue to make a profit; however, more than anything, I love the learning aspect and the hands-on experiences that will impact my future career goals."

McMahon's successful SAE project was recognized at the 2023 Texas FFA State Convention as the Star Greenhand in Production.