2026 Youth Swine Skillathon Results Announced

On Thursday Aug. 13, some 30 participants tested their knowledge of the pork industry during the 2026 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.

Stella Liles of Richards took home first place in the youth division (12 years old and under), followed by Maverick Bloss of Diamond and Andon Brown of Bolliver who received second and third place, respectively. In the Intermediate division (13-15 years old), Gideon Humphrey of Fulton received first place, followed by Brody Griffith of Centralia in second, and Mesa Tiemann of Hallsville in third.

Keenan Kleiboeker of Stotts City received first place in the Senior division (16 years old and older). Kenton Merrifield of Adrian took second, and Crista Perry of Salisbury 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 hog barn tool 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 event or other programs, please visit www.mopork.com, or call (573) 445-8375.