Four Monroe City youths place in 4-H state meats judging contest

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Forty-eight Missouri 4-H members competed Feb. 19 in the 4-H state meats judging contest on the University of Missouri campus in Columbia.

Held in partnership with the MU Meat Science Program, the contest gave competitors the opportunity to develop their judging skills and explore career and educational opportunities.

Results – Junior division (ages 8-13)

Teams:

• First Place, Monroe County 1
• Second Place, Osage County
• Third Place, Jasper County

Individuals:

• First, Gianna Quinn, Monroe County
• Second, Aiden Wimmer, Callaway County
• Third, Robert Quinn, Monroe County
• Fourth, Faith Calvin, Jasper County
• Fifth, Aubrey Youse, Monroe County
• Sixth, Blake Steen, Osage County
• Seventh, Josie Schulte, Osage County
• Eighth, Clayton Birk, Cape Girardeau County
• Ninth, Hadley Dodge, Monroe County and
• 10th, Blake Aufdenberg, Cape Girardeau County

Youths involved with the meat judging program develop key life skills to aid in future career success and success as lifelong consumers, said Maria Calvert, MU Extension state 4-H agriculture and natural resources educator.

She noted 98 percent of participants believes they are educated consumers of agricultural products and are comfortable sharing their knowledge of agriculture with others. Seventy-five percent said their involvement in this project area and contest has encouraged them to continue their education in a related field. After competing, more than 60 percent of the youths expressed they had more knowledge in the areas of carcass judging, cuts judging, cut identification, meats judging terminology and giving reasons.