News Release Distributed 11/23/10

Six 4-H’ers represented Louisiana at the National 4-H Poultry and Egg Conference in Louisville, Ky., Nov. 17-18, 2010, according to Theresia Lavergne, LSU AgCenter poultry specialist and leader of the 4-H poultry project.

Brittany Babineaux, Ascension Parish 4-H’er, took second place in the National 4-H Chicken Barbecue Demonstration Contest. She was judged on her barbecue techniques, the sensory evaluation of the finished product and her presentation skills in which she gave an illustrated talk on poultry. Babineaux won a gold pin and a $400 savings bond. She was coached by Dr. Katherine Beier.

Shelbi Graft, of West Baton Rouge Parish, placed fourth in the National 4-H Turkey Barbecue Contest. She was judged on her barbecue techniques, the sensory evaluation of the finished product and her presentation skills in which she gave an illustrated talk on turkeys. She won a silver pin and a $200 savings bond. Graft was coached by Dian Graft.

Deanna Jason, of West Baton Rouge Parish, placed seventh in the National 4-H Egg Preparation Demonstration Contest. She was judged on her presentation skills and on the dish she prepared – a chocolate flan cake. Jason won a bronze pin and a $100 savings bond. She was coached by Jayne Jason.

The Louisiana 4-H Poultry Judging Team placed eighth in market egg grading and 12th in the national 4-H poultry judging contest. Team members were Ariel Bergeron, Cindy Edwards and Jared Fontenot from Terrebonne Parish. This team was coached by Aledia Parks.

The Louisiana 4-H Avian Bowl team placed ninth in the national avian bowl contest. Team members were Shelbi Graft and Deanna Jason from West Baton Rouge Parish. Both team members won bronze pins. The team was coached by Jayne Jason and Dian Graft.

All the coaches for the competition were volunteers, Lavergne said.

The conference is held in conjunction with the North American International Livestock Exposition.