Dept. of Agriculture Announces Winners in Annual Mo. Livestock Competition

First posted on 03-19-2007

The Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA) congratulates the Troy FFA Chapter for taking top honors in the state’s 18th annual Youth Livestock Grading and Judging Contest held March 10 at the Trowbridge Livestock Center in Columbia.

The event, one of the largest of its kind in the nation, is designed to improve the state’s livestock industry by teaching both youth and adults how to evaluate livestock using U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) grade standards on feeder and slaughter cattle. It also demonstrates proper practices for keeping or culling cattle, swine and sheep. Traditional livestock judging rounds out each year’s competition.

“This event gives students a unique opportunity to learn valuable marketing skills, which will serve them well as they lead the state’s agriculture industry in the coming years,” said Tony Stafford, director of MDA’s Agriculture Business Development Division, co-sponsor of the event. “The learning experience makes all of them winners.”

The Troy FFA Chapter took first place in feeder cattle grading, keep/cull, traditional judging and the overall team competition. Clopton FFA captured first place in slaughter cattle judging.

Paul Dehn, Marshall FFA Chapter, won first place in the individual contest division, and Matt McCrory, FFA Advisor for the Troy FFA Chapter, received first place overall in the adult grading and judging category.

In addition to the grading and judging competitions, the event featured an educational workshop designed to teach students in grades eight and lower how to apply USDA grades, use keep/cull criteria and practice traditional judging criteria. Garrett Johnson, a member of the Potosi Wranglers 4-H Club, took top honors in the individual workshop competition.

The competition also gives experienced adults the chance to become certified judges for fairs and other livestock events. Individuals who scored 80 percent or better grading cattle or sheep could choose to have their names included on a suggested list of certified livestock judges, updated annually.

The day’s events also included the third annual Equine Judging Clinic, conducted in cooperation with the Missouri Equine Council. A certified equestrian judge held educational clinics for students. The students were then able to apply their newly acquired skills in judging both halter and riding classes. Katie Youse from Clarence won first place in the junior division, and Sierra Todd from Jefferson City was first in the senior division.

A unique feature of the event was a special award ceremony to honor Bob and Jim Perry, owners of Perry Purebreds in Bethel, Mo. The Perry’s were presented with the “Livestock Leadership Award” for their support of the Youth Livestock Grading and Judging Contest, as well as Missouri FFA and 4-H youth.

“The Perry’s have always been a very important part of animal agriculture in Missouri” said Stafford. “They work hard to raise and market high quality genetics and have helped Missouri become known as a great livestock state. They have actively supported this event by providing livestock for many years.”

The annual Missouri Youth Livestock Grading and Judging Contest and Workshop was sponsored by the Missouri Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Business Development Division; University of Missouri-Columbia Animal Sciences Department and Extension Division; U.S. Department of Agriculture, Livestock and Grain Market News; Farm Credit Services of Missouri; Missouri Equine Council; MFA, Inc.; Callaway Livestock Center, Inc.; Missouri Farm Bureau Federation; Missouri Pork Association and the Missouri Sheep Merchandising Council.

Editor’s note: For a complete listing of the contest results, contact the Missouri Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Business Development Division, at (573) 751-5618 or visit our Web site at http://www.mda.mo.gov/Market/livestockgrading.htm.