The University of Wyoming meat judging team finished their spring season with a win at Iowa State, paving the way to compete in a special event held in Australia this summer. This successful season was particularly impressive since the team had to start fresh with new members, as they didn’t have a team last year.
The University of Wyoming meat judging team finished their spring season with a win at Iowa State, paving the way to compete in a special event held in Australia this summer. This successful season was particularly impressive since the team had to start fresh with new members, as they didn’t have a team last year.
“We joke and we call it the comeback tour for UW because we didn’t have a team last year and we started the year winning a big category at National Western,” said Assistant Coach Assistant Coach Abby Vogel..
“They won beef grading which is a really big part of the contest and so they deem this their comeback year and so it’s really been truly a blessing to be part of this team and to get to coach them.”
Meat judging involves evaluating different types of meat, such as beef, lamb, and pork, based on industry standards, including cut, quality, and yield.
“You judge beef, lamb and pork based on industry standards, and you place them on certain criteria, and they score you off that and then there’s different categories,” said Joesph Kennah, a member of the club.
The team participated in several contests across the country, including events in Denver, Fort Worth, and Canyon, Texas.The team participated in several contests across the country, including events in Denver, Fort Worth, and Canyon, Texas.
“We have done at least four, so we were at National Western in Denver. Then we went to the Southwestern Contest in Fort Worth. And then we went to the South Plains Contest in Canyon, Texas. And then we had the opportunity to go to Texas again. But we went to Iowa,” said Vogel.
Kennah explained that the Iowa State competition was unique in that it was the only event hosted by another university.
“Iowa State’s actually the only contest that we go to that’s hosted by a college. The National Western Stock Show in Denver is hosted by the Stock Show and by a packing plant, the Houston event is hosted by the Houston Stock Show and a packing plant. Iowa State hosts this in their meat lab,” said Kennah.
Even though their normal season is over, they have the opportunity to compete once more in Australia this summer.
“We’re actually getting to go to Australia which is crazy to think about it. You know, meat judging is more than just, you know, in your state,” said Jake Gillespie, the head coach of the team.
The Australian event is different from others. Rather than choosing solely based on previous wins, teams are expected to be hospitable.
“They don’t choose the team that wins the contest. They choose the team that shows them the most hospitality while they’re in America,” said Vogel.
The event in Australia is more than a chance to represent the University of Wyoming or even the state, it’s an opportunity to perform on behalf of the entire country.
“They choose people that are just genuinely kind and [it’s] just so cool that we get to represent America, especially representing Wyoming,” said Vogel.
“I think that says a lot about Wyoming as a whole,” said Gillespie.
