Oak Ridge FFA member and high school freshman Molly Hahs earned a spot as one of six finalists in the 2025 Beef Industry Speaking Contest. The competition was held at this year’s Missouri Cattle Industry & Trade Show. The event, in its 57th year, celebrates the next generation of leaders in agriculture. Tony Francis, contest judge, commented, "Best set of six speakers in the 12 year history of the contest."
Representing the Southeast District, Molly advanced to the finals by winning at both area and district contests. She was selected as one of the six finalists from a group of over 60 FFA members from around the state. Her speech, The Role of EIDs in the Cattle Industry, shared her journey in the cattle industry—a journey marked by dedication, responsibility, and growth. "I have lived the motto of getting a little better everyday. I know that success doesn’t come overnight; instead, it’s the result of countless hours of consistent effort and attention to detail. Thanks to my cattle, this discipline and patience has become a part of me. The cattle industry has been more than just showing cattle. It has been a journey of growth, responsibility, and dedication,” Molly explained during her speech.
Her journey has taught her life skills like animal care, record-keeping, and the importance of hard work. Molly reflected on the early mornings spent feeding and checking her cattle, and how those experiences instilled in her a strong work ethic and a commitment to excellence.
The focus of Molly's speech was on the potential benefits and challenges of Electronic Identification (EID) tags in the cattle industry. EIDs, also known as 840 tags, are a technology used to track animal health, breeding, and movement histories. She highlighted how EIDs could streamline record-keeping and improve biosecurity in the show cattle world, but also acknowledged the challenges they present for small-scale operations like her family’s registered Angus farm.
“EID may streamline things for big operations, but it adds costs and complexity for the little guys,” Molly stated. She balanced her argument by presenting the advantages EIDs bring to the industry, particularly in disease traceability and maintaining market stability. She expressed hope that the technology could become more accessible and affordable for small-scale producers in the future.
Molly is the daughter of Ben and Megan Hahs, and she credits her family’s operation with inspiring her passion for the cattle industry. Her speech expressed both personal experience and thoughtful analysis, making her a strong advocate for producers of all sizes. Molly would like to thank the contest sponsors and the Missouri Cattlemen's Association for allowing her to share her speech with the organization. "I had a great time and was able to share my passion for the cattle industry," stated Molly.
