The goal of any livestock project is to teach youth about the product they are raising to enter the food chain.
We want your opinion! Are there things we can do that might enhance the learning experience of our muscle quality and performance projects – aka: MQP or carcass shows?
Linked here is a brief survey we are asking anyone involved in Fairfield County’s youth beef, swine, lamb or goats projects to complete as we explore ways that might make the carcass contests easier for youth to complete, and also more meaningful. At the same time, the Goat Show Committee is exploring the addition of a Goat Muscle Quality and Performance contest and there are a few questions included to assess the interest in that.
When a 4-H or FFA youth decides to raise and show a market project at the Fairfield County Fair, he or she knows they are raising a project destined to enter the world’s most nutritious and safe food supply. The goal of any livestock project is to teach youth about the impact their livestock management decisions have on the food industry, the consumer, and the public at large.
Beginning with beef cattle projects in 1995, local junior livestock exhibitors have had the opportunity to participate in a real world beef production contest that rewarded participants for added market value traits. The Beef Performance and Carcass Quality contest evaluated entries based on a combination of growth, performance and carcass characteristics including quality grade, yield grade and rate of gain. Similar project opportunities for swine and lamb exhibitors followed shortly after. And today, a committee is looking at adding a performance and meat quality project for goat exhibitors.
Continuing with the goal of teaching youth about quality livestock production, food safety, meat quality and consumer concerns, we are always looking for ways to further enhance the experience. Please participate in the following survey by responding to questions regarding any, or each of the species referenced including beef, swine, lamb and goat.
This survey should take less than five minutes to complete, and it will remain open for 10 days.
Please participate and access the SURVEY HERE.