Six 4-H and FFA Youth Meet Excellence Criteria for Livestock Carcass Quality

The 2022 Chouteau County 4-H and FFA livestock carcass contest took place at Pioneer Meats in Big Timber. A total of 60 Chouteau County animals were evaluated for carcass quality by Steve Williams from Midland Bull Test. 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 31 market swine entered at the Chouteau County Fair, two qualified for Montana Symbol of Excellence (SOE) in swine. The top SOE swine was fed and finished by Ky Nack. Second place SOE swine was fed and finished by Kara Clark. Third place overall swine carcass was fed and finished by Lyndee Worrall. Carcasses must meet minimum standards based on weight, back fat, loin eye area, marbling, color, firmness, and wetness. The Montana Pork Producers Council provides certificates to each youth exhibitor and producer whose swine meets live and carcass SOE certification standards.

We had an outstanding group of beef this year, however no beef qualified for Montana Steer of Merit (SOM). This is likely to a number of factors including drought stress, heat stress, feed rate, and genetic variances in the steers. Under extreme conditions, six steers scored in the Choice to Choice minus category. The first place steer was fed and finished by Mikell O’Hara. Second place was fed and finished by Blake O’Hara. Third place was fed and finished by Owen Starman. 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.

Four out of five lambs at the Chouteau County Fair qualified for Montana Certified Lamb (MCL). Jacynta Bomgardner fed and finished the first place MCL. Second place MCL was fed and finished by Ky Nack. Third place MCL was fed and finished by Lizzie Summers and fourth place MCL was fed and finished by Abigail Dines. 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.

2022 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.