4-H members and parents are invited to Junior Pork Day
Comet staff report

Evaluating pork cuts, reading ear notches and preparing show pigs for the ring are all topics that will be covered at Purdue University's Junior Pork Day 2007.

First and second-year 4-H swine project participants and their parents are encouraged to attend from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on March 3 in the Lilly Hall of Life Sciences building on Purdue's West Lafayette campus. The event also is open to all 4-H members.

"This program helps students and their parents have a better understanding of purchasing, feeding and nutrition, and taking care of their animal," said Clint Rusk, Purdue Extension livestock specialist. "We will teach the kids basic selection and what to look for when they are choosing their project pigs."

In addition to teaching participants about show animals, Junior Pork Day also will educate participants about how to be smarter consumers of pork products.

"Not only are the 4-H members raising swine, but they are also consumers of pork products," Rusk said. "We will educate them on choosing bacon, pork chops, ham, etcetera from the grocery store, because not all of those products are the same. We want them to be better informed."

Participants will be divided into three groups that will rotate sessions throughout the day. The sessions will be led by Purdue livestock experts.

Each group also will have the opportunity to evaluate three classes of swine, as well as three classes of retail pork cuts.

Door prizes and awards, sponsored by the Crossbred Classic, Indiana Swine Associations and the National Swine Registry, will be handed out near the end of the program.

Registration is $5 and will begin at 8 a.m. in the lobby of Lilly Hall. Lunch will be provided.