Livestock Judging Team

2023 livestock judging team

The livestock judging team is not only rich in tradition but more importantly, in preparing students for future career success. Each year, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Livestock Judging Team visits over 60 of the top livestock operations in 15 states to prepare for national competitions. Currently, the team participates in 13 regional and national competitions throughout the year including the National Western Stock Show (Denver, CO), San Antonio Livestock Show & Rodeo (San Antonio, TX), Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (Houston, TX), American Royal (Kansas City, MO), and the National Collegiate Livestock Judging Contest held in conjunction with the North American International Livestock Exposition (Louisville, KY).

Workout stops include seeing some of the nation's best livestock and meeting many of the influential breeders and top management minds of elite livestock operations. Livestock judging team participation increases the visibility of the exceptional students that make up the Department of Animal Science at Nebraska. This in turn contributes directly to the department's job placement rate, where livestock judging team participation has proven to be a major placement factor.

Upon reviewing the history the Nebraska Livestock Judging Team, it is apparent that many of the most successful breeders and influential leaders in the livestock industry trace their roots back to participation on competitive livestock judging teams. Over 900 students have participated since the program began in 1908. The vast majority feel their livestock judging experience was highly influential on their development of critical thinking skills, speaking abilities and overall job placement potential. Students have obtained careers with Cargill, Elanco, Farm Credit, Land O'Lakes, First National Bank, and Pioneer just to name a few. Alumni consider their livestock judging team experience as beneficial as any college course or activity while completing their education at the Nebraska.

The opportunity to participate on the livestock judging team exists for all university students regardless of major. The skills gained as a result of this experience will be of major benefit in any career.

Meet Our Coach

Meet Our Team

Tharyn Braker

Bear River, WY
Major: Ag Communications

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Celilo Brun

Joseph, OR
Major: Ag Communications

headshot of Celilo Brun

James Durfee

Lovell, WY
Major: Ag Education

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Sadie Ference

Loup City, NE
Major: Animal Science

headshot of Sadie Ference

Taylor Lautenschlager

Doniphan, NE
Major: Ag Business

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Jaylea Pope

Ravenna, NE
Major: Animal Science & Agricultural Communications

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Reid Richards

Wolbach, NE
Major: Ag Economics

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Ashlyn Robinson

Wallace, NE
Major: Ag Economics

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Noah Summers

Gibbon, NE
Major: Animal Science

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2024 Schedule

DateHostLocationResults
January 8-11Cattleman's Congress/National WesternOklahoma City, OK

Cattlemen's Congress:
9th High Team Overall
8th High Team Reasons
9th High Team Cattle
10th High Team Swine


Jaylea Pope- 5th High Individual Swine
Ashlyn Robinson- 8th High Individual Cattle

National Western:
8th High Team Swine
10th High Team Cattle

Carload Contest:
6th High Team Overall

Celilo Brun- 9th High Individual Overall

January 28Sioux Empire Livestock ShowSioux Falls, S.D.Ashlyn Robinson- 11th High Individual Overall, High Individual Sheep/Goats, 8th High Individual Reasons
February 10Iowa Beef ExpoDes Moines, IA

4th High Team Overall

5th High Team Placings

5th High Team Reasons


Ashlyn Robinson- 11th High Individual Overall
Jaylea Pope- 5th High Individual Reasons

February 17Nebraska Cattleman's ClassicKearney, NE

Ashlyn Robinson- 6th High Individual Overall, 5th High Individual Reasons

Jaylea Pope- 9th High Individual Reasons

Noah Summers- 6th High Individual Placings 

February 24San Antonio Stock ShowSan Antonio, TX

5th High Team Overall

3rd High Team Goats

4th High Team Sheep

6th High Team Reasons


Jaylea Pope- 10th High Individual Goats, 16th High Individual Overall

March 11Houston Stock ShowHouston, TX

9th High Team Overall

7th High Team Swine

8th High Team Placings

9th High Team Cattle

9th High Team Reasons


Reid Richards- High Individual Placings

Tharyn Barker- 9th High Individual Sheep/Goats

April 11-13Meat Animal Evaluation ContestLaramie, WY 
September 18Top Notch Hog ContestParagould, AR

High Team Overall
High Team Reasons

Reid Richards- 2nd Overall, 10th Individual Reasons
Jaylea Pope- 3rd Overall, High Individual Reasons
Ashlyn Robinson- 7th Overall, 9th Individual Reasons
Celilo Brun- 2nd Individual Reasons
Tharyn Barker- 6th Individual Reasons

September 21World Beef ExpoMilwaukee, WI

5th Overall Team
5th Overall Reasons

Jaylea Pope- 9th Individual Reasons

September 29AKSARBENGrand Island, NE

4th Overall Team
3rd Overall Sheep/Goats Team
4th Overall Cattle Team
4th Overall Swine Team

Ashlyn Robinson- 8th Individual Sheep/Goats
Celilo Brun- 10th (Tied) Individual Swine

October 3Arkansas Youth ExpoPrairie Grove, AR

3rd High Team Overall
High Team Cattle
4th High Team Swine
5th High Team Sheep/Goats
5th High Team Reasons

Jaylea Pope- 9th Individual Overall, 3rd Individual Cattle, 10th Individual Reasons
Ashlyn Robinson- 10th (Tied) Individual Cattle

October 4Tulsa State FairTulsa, OK 
October 7State Fair of TexasDallas, TX 
October 21American RoyalKansas City, MO 
November 18North American International Livestock ExpositionLouisville, KY

9th High Team Overall
7th High Team Sheep & Goats
9th High Team Cattle
10th High Team Swine
10th High Team Reasons

Jaylea Pope- 9th High Individual Sheep/Goats, 13th High Individual Performance Swine

Ashlyn Robinson- Academic All-America