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
Celilo Brun
Joseph, OR
Major: Ag Communications
James Durfee
Lovell, WY
Major: Ag Education
Sadie Ference
Loup City, NE
Major: Animal Science
Taylor Lautenschlager
Doniphan, NE
Major: Ag Business
Jaylea Pope
Ravenna, NE
Major: Animal Science & Agricultural Communications
Reid Richards
Wolbach, NE
Major: Ag Economics
Ashlyn Robinson
Wallace, NE
Major: Ag Economics
Noah Summers
Gibbon, NE
Major: Animal Science
2024 Schedule
Date | Host | Location | Results |
---|---|---|---|
January 8-11 | Cattleman's Congress/National Western | Oklahoma City, OK | Cattlemen's Congress:
National Western: Carload Contest: Celilo Brun- 9th High Individual Overall |
January 28 | Sioux Empire Livestock Show | Sioux Falls, S.D. | Ashlyn Robinson- 11th High Individual Overall, High Individual Sheep/Goats, 8th High Individual Reasons |
February 10 | Iowa Beef Expo | Des Moines, IA | 4th High Team Overall 5th High Team Placings 5th High Team Reasons
|
February 17 | Nebraska Cattleman's Classic | Kearney, NE | Ashlyn Robinson- 6th High Individual Overall, 5th High Individual Reasons Jaylea Pope- 9th High Individual Reasons Noah Summers- 6th High Individual Placings |
February 24 | San Antonio Stock Show | San Antonio, TX | 5th High Team Overall 3rd High Team Goats 4th High Team Sheep 6th High Team Reasons
|
March 11 | Houston Stock Show | Houston, TX | 9th High Team Overall 7th High Team Swine 8th High Team Placings 9th High Team Cattle 9th High Team Reasons
Tharyn Barker- 9th High Individual Sheep/Goats |
April 11-13 | Meat Animal Evaluation Contest | Laramie, WY | |
September 18 | Top Notch Hog Contest | Paragould, AR | High Team Overall Reid Richards- 2nd Overall, 10th Individual Reasons |
September 21 | World Beef Expo | Milwaukee, WI | 5th Overall Team Jaylea Pope- 9th Individual Reasons |
September 29 | AKSARBEN | Grand Island, NE | 4th Overall Team Ashlyn Robinson- 8th Individual Sheep/Goats |
October 3 | Arkansas Youth Expo | Prairie Grove, AR | 3rd High Team Overall Jaylea Pope- 9th Individual Overall, 3rd Individual Cattle, 10th Individual Reasons |
October 4 | Tulsa State Fair | Tulsa, OK | |
October 7 | State Fair of Texas | Dallas, TX | |
October 21 | American Royal | Kansas City, MO | |
November 18 | North American International Livestock Exposition | Louisville, KY | 9th High Team Overall Jaylea Pope- 9th High Individual Sheep/Goats, 13th High Individual Performance Swine Ashlyn Robinson- Academic All-America |