4-H and FFA Youth Meet Excellence Criteria for Livestock Carcass Quality
The 2024 Chouteau County 4-H and FFA livestock carcass ultrasound took place at the Chouteau County fairgrounds. A total of 89 Chouteau County animals were evaluated for carcass quality by Elin Kittelmann, Ultrasound Technician from Ekalaka. The purpose of the carcass contest is to teach 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 quality product that is safe, nutritious and good tasting to the consumer.
Out of 49 market swine entered at the Chouteau County Fair, 23 qualified for Montana Symbol of Excellence (SOE). The top SOE swine was fed and finished by Brock Grossman. Other SOE winners in order of placing include Lauren Crowder, Braxton Crowder, Brentlee Bomgardner, Blake O’Hara, Macee Ophus, Alexis Clark, Brinly Reid, Sophia
Bradshaw, Brennan Rutherford, Bromley Reichelt, Garrett LeFurgey, Clara Bradshaw, Paezlee Heppner, Emma Grossman, Taylar Wolf, Beckett Reid, Augustus Little, Gage Kauer, Chase Tinklenberg, Brooks Diekhans, Bram Jones and Austin Heppner. Carcasses must meet minimum standards based on weight, back fat and loin eye area. The Montana Pork Producers Council provides certificates to each youth exhibitor and producer whose swine meets live and carcass SOE certification standards.
No beef out of 26 qualified for Montana Steer of Merit (SOM). This is likely to a number of factors including heat stress, feed rate, and genetic variances in the steers. First place was fed and finished by Mikell O’Hara. Second place was fed and finished by Jetta Hucke. Third place was fed and finished by Blake O’Hara. 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 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.
Three out of twelve lambs at the Chouteau County Fair qualified for Montana Certified Lamb (MCL). Sophia Bradshaw fed and finished the first place MCL. Second place MCL was fed and finished by Natalie Heppner. Third place MCL was fed and finished by Jetta Hucke. MCL must meet standards based on weight, quality grade, fat thickness, yield grade and rib eye measurement. MSU Extension and the Montana Wool Growers Association co-sponsor certificates to each youth exhibitor who qualify for MCL.
One meat goat entry at the Chouteau County Fair qualified for Montana Goat Carcass of Merit (MGCOM). The goat was fed and finished by Ruthie Boyce. MGCOM must meet standards based on weight, quality grade, internal and external fat thickness, rib eye area, body well thickness and muscle.
2024 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.
