Media contact:
Misti Preston
Phone: (573) 751-8596
Misti.Preston@mda.mo.gov

For Immediate Release: March 19, 2008

Department of Agriculture Announces Winners in Annual Livestock Competition

(JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.) – The Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA) congratulates the Bowling Green FFA Chapter for taking top honors in the state’s 19th annual Youth Livestock Grading and Judging Contest held March 8 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 workshop provides an opportunity and a learning experience that makes all participants winners."

The Bowling Green FFA Chapter took first place in slaughter cattle grading and the overall team competition. Marceline FFA captured first place in feeder cattle judging. Clopton FFA placed first in the keep/cull contest while Troy FFA took first place honors for the traditional judging.

Lorryn Bolte, of the Bowling Green FFA Chapter, won first place in the individual contest division, and Tad Owings, of Huntsville, 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. Hannah Merrick, a member of the Cedar County 4-H Club from Stockton, 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.

A unique feature of the event was a special award ceremony to honor Lyndle Vanskike, who serves as a foreman for the University of Missouri hog farm. Vanskike was presented the "Livestock Leadership Award" for his support of the Youth Livestock Grading and Judging Contest, as well as Missouri FFA and 4-H youth.

The 19th 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 Animal Sciences Department and Extension Division; U.S. Department of Agriculture, Livestock and Grain Market News; Farm Credit Services of Missouri; MFA, Inc. and the Missouri Sheep Merchandising Council.

For a complete listing of the contest results, contact the Missouri Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Business Development Division, at (573) 751-5618 or visit www.mda.mo.gov/Market/livestockgrading.htm.

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