Abbey DavidsonWorking in the Meat Lab on campus is more than just a job, it’s a lifestyle. Not only does my knowledge of critters on the farm play into this lifestyle, but also when the carcass is hanging on the rail, there is significant knowledge that should be used to understand every little science piece of information that goes along with it. Instead of working with EPD’s, Breeding Soundness Exams, or using an A.I. Rod, we, the meat people look at carcass data, use strict formulas to weigh out spices for cooked products or calculate total yields from a carcass, and follow strict guidelines to ensure that the meats we produce are up to state regulations. This job while in school has opened up a gate to a long road of deciding just what I want to be when I grow up. The knowledge I have learned while working in the Meat Lab is knowledge that I will use for the rest of my life, like making sure you cook hamburger to 160 degrees Fahrenheit. For anyone out there thinking a job while in school is too hard, I would counteract that with saying it helps you keep your time management skills fresh, and teaches you more than I think can be taught in a classroom!
