4-H members try to identify 10 cuts of meat to determine if they were beef, lamb or pork and to identify the specific retail cuts. Participants also had to judge two classes of meat as to quality and had to take a written test on all aspects of meat identification and judging. This event teaches participants how to look for quality meats, how to select meat according to preparation requirements, nutrition, the breeding of animals and more.

Brandy Davis of Evans takes a close look at the goat class as a part of the Livestock Judging Contest. Goats are judged on conformation, structure, correctness, body length and muscling.

4-H members participating in the Livestock Judging Contest judge commercial and breeding beef cattle and goats at the Vernon Parish 4-H Judging Day event.

Teams of four from each parish 4-H club participated in one of five events: Livestock Judging, Meat Identification, Poultry Judging, Horse Judging and Dairy Judging. Each contestant competed individually and as a team member for points for their club and/or a spot on a judging team that could compete at the state level.

With the use of Web sites, project books, local experts and more, youth study and practice to prepare for their events. Prior to the contest, judges also provide a workshop explaining how to complete a score card and tips on judging, grading or identification for the event.

Conducting the individual contests were Livestock Judging – Matt Martin, county agent with the LSU AgCenter in Rapides Parish; Dairy Judging – Chuck Griffin, dairy specialist with the LSU AgCenter in Desoto, Caddo and Sabine parishes, and Johnny LeVasseur, county agent with the LSU AgCenter in Caddo Parish; Poultry Judging – Jennifer Dowden, 4-H alumna majoring in poultry science at LSU and who currently trains the LSU judging teams; and Horse Judging – Dr. Clint Depew, horse specialist with the LSU AgCenter in Baton Rouge.

Results are listed below: