The 2019 Chouteau County 4-H and FFA livestock carcass contest took place at Pioneer Meats in Big Timber. A total of 63 Chouteau County 4-H animals were evaluated for carcass quality by Mark King (MSU Extension Sweet Grass County). The purpose of the carcass contest is 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 36 market swine entered at the Chouteau County Fair, one qualified for 4-H Swine of Excellence (SOE). The top SOE was fed and finished by Jaden Good. Second place overall swine carcass was fed and finished by Hope Gasvoda. Third place overall swine carcass was fed and finished by Hayden Diekhans. 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.
A total of two beef qualified for Steer of Merit (SOM). First place SOM was fed and finished by Brinly Reid. Second place SOM was fed and finished by Brook Bomgardner. Third place was fed and finished by Faith Gasvoda. 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.
Two out of six lambs entered at the Chouteau County Fair qualified for Montana 4-H Certified Lamb (MCL). Chase Tinklenberg fed and finished the first place MCL. Second place MCL was fed and finished by Abigail Dines. Third place, which did not make MCL was fed and finished by Lizzie Summers. 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.
2019 Chouteau County 4-H livestock Carcass results are available electronically, or they can be picked up at the Chouteau County Extension office. We are located in the green building behind the courthouse.
Montana State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture and Montana Counties Cooperating. MSU Extension is an equal opportunity/affirmative action provider of educational outreach.
