Four Richland County 4-H members participated in the Illinois State 4-H Meat Judging and Identification Contest on February 28 at the University of Illinois. Owen Kocher, Kylie Kocher, Blair Grove, and Emma Hefferman placed fifth out of 12 teams, and Owen Kocher placed seventh individually.
During the competition, participants reviewed various cuts of meat and animal carcasses from cows, pigs, and lambs. They were tested on their ability to identify specific information about the meat correctly, accurately judge its quality and yield, and justify their assessments of the meat. This is the second year a 4-H meat judging team has come together in Richland County and is led by Hayden Kinkade, agriculture teacher at Richland County High School.
"The meat judging contest is an incredible opportunity for students to learn more about and get immersed in the industry of meat processing,” said Kinkade. “Not only do students develop immense skills and knowledge through this contest, it prepares them to be better producers and consumers."
University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 700 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through six program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, family and consumer science, integrated health disparities, and natural resources, environment, and energy.