Davis College
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West Virginia University’s Poultry Judging Team placed fifth in the U.S. Poultry and Egg Association’s 62nd National Poultry Judging Contest held in early April in Baton Rouge, LA.

The contest is divided into three areas of emphasis: Production, Breed Selection, and Market Products. Students compete with one another using skills that are consistent with USDA standards and commercial industry techniques. The contest provides students great networking opportunities and enables them to hone skills that may intrigue potential employers.

Team members, all students in WVU’s Davis College of Agriculture, Forestry and Consumer Sciences, included Ben Heavner and Josh Moyers both from Pendelton County, Jason Hartley from Tyler County, and Brittany McCutcheon from Nicholas County. Heavner, Moyers and McCutcheon are all pursuing bachelor’s degrees in animal and nutritional sciences. Hartley is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in agronomy.

The team was coached by Joe Moritz, associate professor of poultry science in WVU’s Davis College, who was aided by two assistant coaches, Laurel Worley of Greenbrier County and Staci Loop from Pittsburg, PA. Both assistant coaches are pursuing master’s degrees in animal and nutritional sciences in the Davis College.

“This contest can be a little stressful, especially when competitive natures are aroused; however, it’s all worthwhile when you can bring home some hardware,” Moritz said.

“The students were very dedicated to practice,” Worley added. “Often times practice would go on late into the evening. I’m very proud of our team’s accomplishment.”

“Fifth place is significant, considering the size of some of the other poultry programs that we were competing against,” Loop explained. “Some schools have faculty and staff that are solely dedicated to poultry judging.”