by Sherry Olsen
The 41st Annual Iowa State University Meat Evaluation Contest was hosted in the Iowa State University Meat Laboratory on Saturday, February 9. Six teams (50 contestants) competed in this annual event: Iowa State University – Ames; Kansas State University – Manhattan; Tarleton State University – Stephenville, TX; University of Illinois - Champaign; University of Missouri – Columbia; and University of Wyoming -Laramie. The team won the team boneless ham division, was second in pork judging, and third in processed meats and total contest reasons. Carmen Wille (Waukon) was high individual in pork judging, 9 th in placings, and 10 th in processed meats; Rebecca Hingst (Center Point) was 3 rd in pork judging and 8 th in reasons; Lena Frank (Hazel Green, WI) was 8 th in pork judging; and Gabby Dirusso (Middletown, DE) was 9 th in beef judging and 10 th in reasons. Bekah Schram (Anthon) completes the 2019 team. Kansas State University and the University of Wyoming earned champion and reserve champion honors, and Iowa State University finished in fifth place. Coaches include: Dr. Sherry Olsen; 2018 team members Kaitlyn Boyer (Weldon) and Shelby Deaton (Baxter); and 2017 team member Taylor Wulf (Hudson).
In conjunction with the contest, the 1989, 1999, and 2009 Iowa State University Meat Judging Teams were recognized at the Saturday evening awards banquet, and gift baskets prepared by ISU meat judging teams were offered in a silent auction and presented to the high bidders at the banquet. Additionally, an alumni and friends meat judging contest was hosted on Sunday. Although the weather impacted travel for some, nearly 20 alumni came back to the meat lab and reminisced about their judging days. Organized by 2015 team members Alex Conover (West Lafayette, IN) and Carl Frame (Osseo, WI), these activities were enjoyed by everyone.