Joseph Schohr of Gridley FFA was named the 2026 California State FFA Proficiency Winner in Beef Production Entrepreneurship at the state conference in Ontario. Photo courtesy of Gridley FFA.

ONTARIO, CA (MPG) - Joseph Schohr of Gridley FFA earned top honors at the 2026 California FFA State Conference, where he was named the State Proficiency Winner in Beef Production Entrepreneurship.

The conference took place March 21 to March 24 in Ontario.

The award recognizes students for their supervised agricultural experience, a core part of FFA programs that allows members to apply classroom instruction through hands-on agricultural projects. These experiences are designed to build technical skills, business management and record-keeping through real-world work in agriculture.

Schohr manages a diversified livestock operation that includes Hereford cattle and crossbred and Dorset sheep. His cattle program includes a 30-head herd, supported by grain hay production to help meet feed demands.

He takes responsibility for daily feeding, herd health, breeding decisions and marketing. Schohr tracks expenses, production and growth, operating the project as a business while expanding both its scale and quality.

His work places a strong focus on genetic improvement. He uses artificial insemination and selective breeding to improve conception rates, increase twinning percentages and strengthen herd performance.

In addition to livestock, Schohr grows three-way grain hay to reduce feed costs and support long-term sustainability within the operation.

Schohr has earned multiple division championships at the Western States National Hereford Show and has marketed seed stock to other junior exhibitors and producers.

In 2025, Schohr earned first place in Diversified Livestock Production Proficiency at the state level, building on the work that led to this year’s recognition.

He plans to study animal science after high school and pursue a career as a large animal embryologist, with a focus on advanced reproductive technology to improve livestock genetics.