MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Four Mississippi State University students took top national honors for the second consecutive year in the U.S. Poultry and Egg Collegiate Poultry Judging Contest held recently in Baton Rouge, La.

John Cox of Shannon, Jason Quick of Ellisville, Stephanie Thornton of Carthage and Renee Williams of Bay Springs successfully defended MSU's 2002 championship title against teams from 11 colleges and universities. The MSU team was coached by Tim Chamblee, associate professor of poultry science, and assistant coach Corey Davis of Fulton.

Participants competed in three categories: production, breed selection and market products judging. The competition allows students to demonstrate how well they mastered the U.S. Department of Agriculture rules and regulations governing the grading of eggs and poultry carcasses.

Chamblee said production contestants estimated the future egg production capability of immature egg-type pullets and evaluated the past egg production of mature egg-type hens. The breed selection division challenged contestants to evaluate the meat producing capability of male and female broiler breeding stock and examine standard breeds for disqualifying characteristics. The contestants graded eggs and ready-to-cook broiler carcasses according to USDA standards in the Market Products division.

Team and individual awards were presented in each of the three divisions of the contest and for the overall contest. MSU placed first in production, third in breed selection, third in market products, and first overall.

Williams received awards for first high individual in production, second high individual in market products and second high individual in the entire contest. Quick received an award for second high individual in production. Thornton received an award for third high individual in market products. Cox received an award for fifth high individual in breed selection.