Meat Judging Team

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.