The University of Nebraska-Lincoln has been participating in Intercollegiate Meat Judging since 1926, when the program was first sponsored by the National Live Stock and Meat Board. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln won the very first International Livestock Exposition competition held in 1926. In the nearly 100 years that Nebraska has been participating in the meat judging, hundreds of students have graduated from the program and have gone on to become leaders in the meat and livestock industries.
Today, Intercollegiate Meat Judging team members learn to evaluate quality and lean meat yield of beef, pork, and lamb carcasses and wholesale cuts and develop essential life skills that can be used throughout their lives. Judging builds communication and critical thinking skills by learning to make and defend logic-based decisions through written reasons. It also develops leadership skills, like learning to receive constructive criticism and working alongside team members to achieve a common goal.
Alumni testify that being a part of the meat judging team had a positive impact on their lives and helped them to develop into the people that they are today. It is an excellent way to get involved with a competitive University team that reaps endless benefits.
Meet Our Coach
Meet Our Team
Kennedy Parks
Papillion, NE
Major: Animal Science

Grace Schlueter
Scribner, NE
Major: Animal Science

Madison Woehrle
Eustis, NE
Major: Ag Leadership, Education and Communication

Kylie Beard
Superior, NE
Major: Animal Science

Reagan Rippy
Silt, CO
Major: Animal Science

Ethan Moore
Plattsmouth, NE
Major: Animal Science

Jaylea Pope
Ravenna, NE
Major: Animal Science & Agricultural Communications

Noah Summers
Gibbon, NE
Major: Animal Science

2025 Schedule
Date | Host | Location | Results | |
---|---|---|---|---|
January 19 | National Western Contest | Greeley, CO | Team Results 6th High Team Overall 2nd Beef Grading 3rd Overall Beef 4th Lamb Judging 4th Placings 6th Pork Judging 6th Specifications 7th Reasons 8th Beef Judging | Individual Results Noah Summers: 7th High Individual Overall, 4th Placings, 8th Overall Beef, 9th Beef Judging, 10th Specifications Jaylea Pope: 13th High Individual Overall, 7th Overall Beef, 8th Placings, 8th Beef Grading Reagan Rippy: 5th Beef Grading Madison Woehrle: 7th Beef Grading Alt Grace Schlueter: 4th Pork Judging Alt |
February 2 | Southwestern Intercollegiate Contest | Ennis, TX | Team Results 4th High Team Overall 2nd Placings 3rd Beef Judging 4th Specifications 4th Overall Beef 4th Beef Grading 5th Lamb Judging 6th Reasons | Individual Results Kylie Beard- 3rd High Individual- alt , tied for 1st in Beef Grading, 1st Overall Beef alt. Reagan Rippy- 5th High Individual Overall, 5th Beef Grading, 6th Overall Beef, 3rd Specifications, 10th placings Jaylea Pope- 9th High Individual Overall, 10th Pork Judging, 2nd Placings Noah Summers- 7th Placings Grace Schlueter- 2nd Beef Judging Kennedy Parks- 2nd Lamb Judging alt., 5th Placings Madison Woerhle- 12th Lamb Judging alt. |
February 22 | South Plains Intercollegiate Contest | Hereford, TX | Team | Individual | |
March 9 | Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo | Houston, TX | Team | Individual |