News Release Distributed 11/23/09

Nine 4-H’ers represented Louisiana at the National 4-H Poultry and Egg Conference in Louisville, Ky., on Nov. 18-19, according to Dr. Theresia Lavergne, LSU AgCenter poultry specialist and leader of the 4-H poultry project.

Courtney Priola, Jefferson Davis Parish, took second place in the national chicken barbecue demonstration contest. She was judged on her barbecue techniques, the sensory evaluation of the finished barbecue and on her presentation skills, in which she gave an illustrated talk on poultry. Priola won a gold pin and a $400 savings bond. Kori Myers, Jefferson Davis Parish 4-H agent, was her coach.

The Louisiana 4-H Poultry Judging Team placed third in the national poultry judging contest. Also, the poultry judging team placed fourth in market poultry judging, fifth in market egg grading and sixth in egg production judging.

Lizz O’Neal, Livingston Parish, was the fifth high individual in the overall contest and the ninth high individual in market poultry judging. Summer Barnum, also of Livingston, was the 18th high individual in the overall contest. Two other Livingston Parish 4-H’ers were members of the team, Linden Miller and Nikki Winn. They were coached by Wayne Oubre, a 4-H volunteer leader.

The Louisiana 4-H Avian Bowl team placed fourth in the national avian bowl contest. The team members were Daniel Adams and Alphonse Coco from Tensas Parish. Both team members won silver pins and $50 savings bonds. Betsy Crigler, Tensas Parish extension agent, coached the team.

Kristen Davis, Calcasieu Parish, placed sixth in the national egg preparation demonstration contest. She was judged on her presentation skills and on the dish she prepared, Chocolate Molten Lava Cakes. She won a silver pin and a $100 savings bond. Davis was coached by Helen Page, Calcasieu Parish extension agent.

Katie Domas, Lafayette Parish, placed sixth in the national turkey barbecue contest. She was judged on her barbecue techniques, the sensory evaluation of the finished barbecue and on her presentation skills, in which she gave an illustrated talk on turkeys. She won a silver pin and a $100 savings bond. Domas was coached by Nicole Mouch, Lafayette Parish extension agent.

The National 4-H Poultry and Egg Conference is held in conjunction with the North American International Livestock Exposition, Lavergne said.