Symbol of Excellence


The Symbol of Excellence (SOE) program was initiated in 1984 as a joint effort between the MSU Extension Service and Montana Pork Producers Council as a means of recognizing youth and swine breeders who select and raise market hogs that meet carcass merit standards and who demonstrate a commitment to excellence in producing quality pork products. Data collected on over 2200 head annually demonstrates the dramatic progress that has been made in the quantity and quality of pork obtained from modern hogs.

The program is an educational program that incorporates carcass and ultrasound information to the production experience of raising a hog and the competition experience of exhibiting at a local fair or show. SOE gives youth perspective into the traits which contribute to a high-quality pork product. 

The current SOE standards are listed below:

Measurement Unit/Scale Minimum Maximum
Hot Carcass Weight Pounds 160 220
Carcass Length Inch 30  
USDA Muscling Score 1 to 3 2 3
Loin Muscle Area Square Inches 6.5 10
10th Rib Back Fat Inch 0.4 0.8
NPPC Fat Free Lean Pound 90  
NPPC Fat Free Lean Percent 52.5  
NPPC Marbling Score 1 to 6, 10 2 5
NPPC Color Score 1 to 6 3 5
NPPC Firmness Score 1 to 3 2 3
NPPC Wetness Score 1 to 3 2 3
Live Abnormalities   None None
Carcass Abnormalities   None None

 

Carcasses are ranked after evalutation and sorted first according to if the carcass made SOE requirements, secondly by percent NPPC Fat Free Lean, and lastly by dressing percentage.

Four divisions are recongnized annually by MSU Extension and the Montana Pork Producer Council. The divisions are light carcass, heavy carcass, light ultrasound, and heavy ultrasound.

2023 top swine exhibitors and breeders are:

Light carcass:

  1. Gracelyn Flanagan, Lincoln County. Jamie Landis, swine breeder.
  2. Scout Hailor, Ravalli County. Cain Farms, swine breeder.
  3. JT Perkins, Tri-County Fair. Lazy R Y Hogs, swine breeder.
  4. Jasmin Hakes, Lake County. Toni Sherman, swine breeder.
  5. Cameron Madruga, Ravalli County. Thompson Show Pigs, swine breeder.

Heavy carcass:

  1. Aryanah Smith, Lincoln County. Alaina Hathaway, swine breeder.
  2. Daniel McFadyean, Blackfeet Reservation. Fonda Fisher, swine breeder.
  3. Marlee Sarchet, Jefferson County. Braaten Show Pigs, swine breeder.
  4. Sophia Bradsaw, Chouteau County. Cascade Colony, swine breeder.
  5. Molli Miner, Beaverhead County. Cain Super Sires, swine breeder.

 

Light ultrasound:

  1. Kyle Griswold, Missoula County. MCPS Ag Ed Center, swine breeder.
  2. Chaise Pliley, Flathead County. Cain Super Sire, swine breeder.
  3. Brody Schatz, Fallon County. Huft Pigs, swine breeder.
  4. Denver Kuhbacher, Powder River County. Black’s Show Pigs, swine breeder.
  5. Luke Randall, Gallatin County. Farrier Show Pigs, swine breeder.

 

Heavy ultrasound:

  1. Hunter Lake, Flathead County. Cain Super Sire, swine breeder.
  2. Graley Beardsley, Custer County. Blacks, swine breeder.
  3. Kinzey Davis, Flathead County. Cain Super Sire, swine breeder.
  4. Makayla Richard, Custer County. Miller Show Pigs, swine breeder.
  5. Michael Rummel, Missoula County. Toenjes Show Pigs, swine breeder.

Light and heavy divisions are broken down by hot carcasss weight. Heavy carcasses are those with a hot carcass weight of 220-186 pounds. Light carcasses are those with a hot carcass weight of 160-185 pounds.

Contact Rose Malisani with MSU Extension-Cascade County at (406) 454-6980 for more information regarding the SOE.