UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Collegiate Poultry Judging Team in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences placed second at the 59th National Collegiate Poultry Judging Contest held recently at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville.
The contest showcases U.S. Department of Agriculture grading techniques and standards for both poultry products and live production birds. Teams representing universities from across the country come together to compete, furthering their understanding of USDA food quality and safety.
The poultry judging team is comprised of Alyssa Brown, a senior agribusiness management major from Port Matilda; Wyatt Baker, a senior animal science major from Abbotstown; Cora Musser, a junior agricultural science major from Mifflintown; and Allie Neff, a junior animal science major from Harrisburg. They were accompanied by the assistant coaches, Daniel Eyre, a senior from Northampton majoring in animal science, and Hannah Anderson, a senior from Schwenksville majoring in agricultural science.
“I am incredibly proud of each team member and how they performed at the contest this year,” said Montana Riggs, assistant professor in the Department of Animal Science and the coach of the team. “I know they put lots of extra effort into preparing themselves for the contest to represent Penn State at its best.”
In addition to the second-place overall finish, the team also placed second in Division 1: Egg Production and Quality and third in Division 2: Breeder Selection, Carcass Quality, Parts Identification and Grading. In the overall individual category, Alyssa Brown placed sixth, and Wyatt Baker placed seventh. Brown also placed fifth in the Division 1 individual category.
The Penn State Poultry Judging Team is selected annually from students taking “Animal Science 421” or “Animal Science 426.” Students are chosen based on their performance in the courses, in which the top four students are selected to compete each semester.