TAYLORVILLE — Pictured are Jay Bliler, Cole Paulek, Drew Mickey, Jake Whetsell, Laura Wayman, Kaleigh Buerk
Submitted Photo
TAYLORVILLE — Everybody loves a good juicy steak! This year six Taylorville FFA members have been “chewing” on some retail ID cuts of pork, beef and lamb. These members have been working hard at memorizing all cuts that come from those animals, while at the same time learning what is important to the marketing side of meat products. Students have been participating in a weekly online series of courses offered by Oklahoma State University, as well as, a series of contests throughout Illinois in person on weekends. The University of Illinois is hosting in person events throughout the state to help youth learn about meat placing and grading, as well as, future job possibilities. This past weekend students traveled south to St. Libory where they took part in a contest at a local meat packing plant. Here they were able to ID 30 retail cuts of meat, place pork loins, ham slices, whole hams, beef carcasses and ribeye’s while also trying their hand at Yield and Quality Grading beef, like a USDA inspector. The students are practicing hard so they can compete at the State FFA Meats judging contest in March.
