Meats Judging Contest

Mark your calendars for the upcoming State 4-H Meats Judging Contest on Saturday, February 8, 2025! If you have participated in the past or this is the first time you are hearing about the contest, we would love to have you join us for this day of learning, fun, and competition.

What is the 4-H Meats Judging Contest? Have you been to your local meat market or grocery store lately and think you could choose the best cut of meat out of the case? Have you ever watched a live animal contest and thought you could choose what animals would provide the best meat products? This is your opportunity to put those skills to work. This contest tests the knowledge of youth in the placement of carcass and retail cut classes, carcass grading, and retail cut identification. Top teams earn the opportunity to compete at regional and national competitions.

Who can participate? You must be a currently enrolled WI 4-H member to participate in this contest.

Junior – Age 8-13 as of January 1, 2025. Youth must be in or completed 3^rd grade, 8-year-old Cloverbuds cannot participate.
Senior – Age 14-18 as of January 1, 2025. (Sr. team members cannot exceed grade 12, regardless of age)
Grade 13 Members – WI 4-H members that are in the 13th grade are eligible to compete at this state contest as individuals but not as a member of a team.

Even if your county has not participated in the past, round-up some 4-H friends and take advantage of this fun opportunity to show your knowledge of the animal species and industry.

Looking for more information, where to register, or resources to study from? Check out the information below:

2025 Meats Judging Registration Packet Download

4-H Meats Judging – Saturday, February 8, 2025

Location: Meat Science and Animal Biologics Discovery Building, UW Madison Campus

Deadlines: (more information located in the registration materials packet):

-Estimated number of participants (needed to order PPE): January 20, 2025: https://forms.gle/g1gjgpyvBYUmDd5W8

-Final registration: January 20, 2025: https://244Hmeatsjudging.4honline.com

All contest resources are available on the UW-Madison Youth Livestock site.

If you have any questions, please contact Jill at jill.jorgensen@wisc.edu/phone at 920-391-4659 or Bernie at borourke2@wisc.edu/phone at 608-263-4304.