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2020 Iowa State 4-H and FFA Meat Judging Contest

On Saturday, September 26th Iowa State held a Meat Judging contest that received a record turnout of 97 students and 27 teams from all across Iowa, each logging on virtually to compete in the annual event. Iowa State’s own Dr. Sherrlyn Olsen and Amy Powell were the driving forces in making this event a reality, along with help from Caroline Downey the Iowa State Meat Judging Team Coach and four members of the 2021 Meat Judging Team: Sam Belanger, Kourtney Grimm, Leonora James, and Lauren Mosher.

In this event participants were asked to evaluate pork, lamb, and beef carcasses based on muscling, trimness and quality, and then identify and classify 25 retail cuts as pork, lamb, or beef. The FFA and 4-H participants were also asked to evaluate hams, beef ribs, porterhouse steaks, and pork rib chops depending on the quality as well as the amount of edible product available in the cut. Finally, they were given the chance to defend their placings by giving three sets of oral reasons and answering questions over the classes they had previously evaluated.

O’Brien County took home the gold in both the FFA and 4-H divisions. The champion FFA team was the South O’Brien FFA Chapter, coached by their Advisor Eric Kumm. Members included Kyan Kruse, Hudson Oolman, Leo Sells, and Abby Stout. The first place 4-H team was the O’Brien County Senior team, consisting of members Dain Moermond, Bryce Rasmussen, Dante Johnson and Grant Wagner. Their team was also coached by Eric Kumm. The O’Brien County Senior Team advanced to the American Royal National Contest held at Kansas State University on October 20th where they received 4th overall.