SALINA, Kan. – Bragging rights for the state’s best processed meat products were up for grabs at the recent Kansas Meat Processors Association product show in Salina.

Klema Quality Meats of Beloit was chosen the top producer in six of 13 categories, including:

* Commercial cured and smoked bacon;

* Boneless cured and smoked ham;

* Cured and smoked beef, dried;

* Summer sausage;

* Specialty products (skinless franks); and

* Jerky, restructured.

Mark’s Meats of Halstead won top honors for its smoked sausage and fresh sausage products.

Others named Kansas’ best this year were Krehbiel Specialty Meats of McPherson (beef jerky); Halls Meat Processing of Sabetha (marinated beef flank steak); Kensington Locker (commercial cured and smoked ham); Yoder Meats (meat/poultry snack sticks); and Flint Hills Foods of Alma/Wamego (boneless pork chop with gravy).

Products were judged on external and internal appearance, workmanship, flavor, and texture. Judges for the contest were K-State Research and Extension faculty and students.

The contest is held in conjunction with the association’s annual convention.