AMES, Iowa — Youth showcased their skills to identify meat cuts in the 2020 state 4-H meat judging contest, held virtually on Sept. 26. The Iowa State University animal science department holds the contest to determine Iowa’s representative to the national 4-H contest, to be held Oct. 20 during American Royal, Kansas City.
The O’Brien County senior team captured first place in the Iowa contest and will represent the state at nationals. Members are Dain Moermond, Bryce Rasmussen, Dante Johnson and Grant Wagner. The team was coached by Eric Kumm.
Contest participants were asked to identify 25 retail cuts by classifying them as beef, pork or lamb; identify where on the carcass the cut originated; name the cut; and evaluate beef, lamb and pork carcasses based on muscle, trimness and quality.
Youth were also asked to evaluate beef ribs, fresh hams, porterhouse steaks, and pork rib chops based on the amount of edible product and quality. They defended their placings by presenting three sets of oral reasons or by answering questions about the classes they had evaluated.
“Meat judging is a very practical contest, teaching youth how to identify meat and choose the best cut based on quality, trimness and muscling. It also teaches decision making, critical thinking and public speaking skills,” said Amy Powell, ISU Extension and Outreach youth animal science STEM specialist.
Junior Division Winners
- High individual in placings and retail ID – Claire Wagner, O’Brien County.
- Fifth high individual overall – Leah Bean, Buena Vista County.
- Fourth high individual overall – Calvin Lockrem, Buena Vista County.
- Third high individual overall – Gabe Moermond, O’Brien County.
- Second high individual overall – Austin Negus, O’Brien County.
- First high individual overall– Claire Wagner, O’Brien County.
First Place Junior Team
- O’Brien County – Gabe Moermond, Austin Negus, Clair Wagner and Brett Evans.
Senior Division Winners
- High individual in placings – Dain Moermond, O’Brien County.
- High individual in retail ID and reasons – Bryce Rasmussen, O’Brien County.
- Fifth high individual overall – Bryson Smith, Buena Vista County.
- Fourth high individual overall – Dain Moermond, O’Brien County.
- Third high individual overall – Dante Johnson, O’Brien County.
- Second high individual overall – Grant Wagner, O’Brien County.
- First high individual overall – Bryce Rasmussen, O’Brien County.
Champion Senior Team
- O’Brien County: Dain Moermond, Bryce Rasmussen, Dante Johnson, Grant Wagner.
For more information on the state 4-H meat judging contest, contact Amy Powell, ampowell@iastate.edu or visit https://www.extension.iastate.edu/4h/livestock-judging.
— Amy Powell, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach
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