Columbia, Mo.,—On Thursday Aug. 7, some 40 participants tested their knowledge of the pork industry during the 2025 Swine Skillathon at the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia, sponsored by the Missouri Pork Association and University of Missouri Extension.

Members from 4-H and FFA competed in youth, intermediate, and senior age brackets with winners hailing from across the state.

Mesa Tiemann of Hallsville took home first place in the youth division (12 years and younger), followed by Frank Miller of Bogard and Stella Liles of Richards receiving second and third place, respectively. In the Intermediate division (13-15 years old), Ty Murphy of Houstonia received first, followed by Khloe Merrifield of Adrian placing second, and Kaylee Strobel of Eugene placed third.

Rhett Forkner of Richards received first place in the Senior division (16 years old and older). Ethan Strobel of Eugene took second, and Kenton Merrifield of Adrian received third place. First, second, and third place winners in each age division received a cash prize and the top winner also received a plaque.

The participants were scored in three sections of the contest. The first section included identification of pig breeds, pork wholesale and retail cuts, and feed identification. The second section consisted of a short quiz testing general knowledge of the pork industry and current events. The last section consisted of a 5-minute interview which measured industry knowledge, ability to answer questions, and thought organization.

The Missouri Pork Association represents the state’s pork producers in the areas of promotion, research, education, and public policy. For more information about this or any other programs of the Missouri Pork Association, visit www.mopork.com, or call (573) 445-8375.