National Barrow Show
Saturday, September 9, 2017
Hormel Foods R&D, Austin, MN
Hormel Foods is excited to once again host the National Barrow Show Meat Judging Contest! This year's contest will be held on Saturday, September 9 at 8:00am at Hormel Foods' R&D Facility in Austin, MN. Austin Plant tours will be available on Friday at 9:00am for the full plant (Hormel further processed side + QPP) and 1:00pm for only the Hormel portion. Please let Rachel Adams know by August 24 if you will plan to take a tour. The contest will consist of two divisions: Graduate and Undergraduate. The contest will include both fresh and processed pork classes, questions, keep/cull, and processed meat defects. Awards will be presented at 8:00 am on Sunday, September 10 in the Crane Pavilion on the Mower County Fair Grounds prior to the start of the National Barrow Show Junior Show.
Contest Guidelines
- All pork contest consisting of both fresh and processed products
- Judging based on visual inspection only
- Questions will be answered on 5 classes after all rotations are completed with notes
- 5 placing only classes
- 10 processed meat defects with cheat sheet provided
- Keep Cull class with scenario
- Each school may bring one team per division
- Undergraduate division will be limited to students who have not previously completed a fall judging season. If students have judged during a previous year they may compete in the graduate division.
- Undergraduate Division
- Top 4 individual scores will make up the team score
- Graduate Division
- Top 3 individual scores will make up the team score
Lodging Information
Days Inn - 700 16th Ave, Austin, MN 507-433-8600
Rate: $90.99/+ tax; Cut off Date: August 9th
Call the hotel for reservations; Group Name - American Meat Science Association
Holiday Inn of Austin - 1701 4th St NW, Austin, MN (507) 433 - 1000
Rate: $114.99/+ tax; Cut off Date: August 8th
Call the hotel for reservations; Group Name - American Meat Science Association
Registration Information
The registration process will only allow you to pay with a credit card. Please click on the link above and select "register" for the 2016 Hormel National Barrow Show Judging Contest. You might be asked to login to your AMSA account. If you need help with your username or password please email
Rachel Adams