The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Department of Animal Science was well represented during the 2026 American Cured Meat Championships at the American Association of Meat Processors (AAMP) Convention July 9-11 in Milwaukee, Wisc.
Loeffel Meats won awards in three categories, including two by current students. In the college division, graduate student Kaden Sherrell's pancetta product was crowned Grand Champion in the specialty meat category, while undergraduate student Zach Loy's product was crowned champion in the bratwurst category. Assistant meat lab manager Steven Rogers earned a reserve grand champion award for his braunschweiger product.
Outside of the competition, students, faculty, and staff had the opportunity to attended educational sessions, explore the trade show, connect with processors from across the country, and host an extension booth promoting our employee and business development programs for small meat processors.
