Nineteen Chouteau County 4-H youth meet excellence criteria for livestock carcass quality.
The 2016 Chouteau County 4-H livestock carcass contest took place at Bear Paw Meats in Chinook. Fifty-nine Chouteau County 4-H animals were evaluated for carcass quality by Darren Crawford (MSU Extension Fergus County Agent). The purpose of the carcass contest was to teach 4-H youth how to correctly select, feed and finish livestock based on carcass data. If carcass criteria are met, youth can be confident they are producing a high quality product that is safe, nutritious and good tasting to the consumer.
Out of 34 market swine entered at the Chouteau County Fair, nine qualified for 4-H Swine of Excellence (SOE). Kellan Diekhans fed and finished the first place SOE. The second place SOE was fed and finished by Kaitlyn Leistiko followed by Jaden Good, Cassie Nack, Jayd Finlayson, Jaycee Worrall, Hayden Diekhans, Brynn Leistiko and Ellie Meeks. SOE criteria must meet minimum standards based on weight, back fat, loin eye area, marbling, color, firmness, and wetness. The standards for the SOE program are targeted toward commercial markets available for Montana hogs. The Montana Pork Producers Council provides certificates to each youth exhibitor and producer whose pig meets live and carcass SOE certification standards.
Out of 16 beef entered at the Chouteau County Fair, four beef qualified for 4-H Steer of Merit (SOM). The First place SOM was fed and finished by Ryan Seaman. Second place SOM was fed and finished by Brook Bomgardner followed by Jordee Bomgardner and Matt Riffel. Minimum standards for SOM must be met in weight, dressing percentage, back fat, ribeye area, yield grade, quality grade and cutability. The Steer of Merit program is a statewide beef carcass contest, overseen by a Steer of Merit Committee consisting of Montana Stockgrowers Association members and MSU Extension representatives. Two divisions have existed since 2008, a carcass division and an ultrasound division. Exhibitors and breeders of the top 5 carcasses in each division are recognized at the Montana Stock Growers Association annual convention.
Six of nine lambs entered at the Chouteau County Fair qualified for Montana 4-H Certified Lamb (MCL). Amri Forder fed and finished the first place MCL. Second place MCL was fed and finished by Sean McGowen followed by Jayd Finlayson, Alexis Simpkins, Clay Blankenship and Matthew Simpkins. A MCL must meet minimum standards based on weight, quality grade, fat thickness, yield grade and rib eye measurement. MCL standards are based on live weight, hot carcass weight, quality grade, back fat, and ribeye measurements. MSU Extension and the Montana Wool Growers Association co-sponsor certificates to each youth exhibitor who qualify for MCL.
2016 Chouteau County 4-H livestock Carcass results are available at the Chouteau County Extension office.
Montana State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture and Montana Counties Cooperating. MSU Extension is an equal opportunity/affirmative action provider of educational outreach
