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 UNL. This in turn contributes directly to the UNL Department of Animal Science's job placement rate, of which, livestock judging team participation has proven to be a major placement factor.
Upon reviewing the history the UNL 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 UNL.
The opportunity to participate on the livestock judging team exists for all University of Nebraska-Lincoln students regardless of major. The skills gained as a result of this experience will be of major benefit in any career.
Team History Wall of Fame Winners Unlimited Judging Camp Donate To Our TeamMeet Our Team
2023 Schedule
| Date | Host | Location | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 10 | Cattleman's Congress | Oklahoma City, OK |
5th High Team Overall Brett Forgy- 8th High Individual Sheep/Goats, 13th High Individual Hogs, 13th High Individual Overall |
| January 12 | National Western Stock Show | Denver, CO |
9th High Team Overall Brett Forgy- 17th High Individual Overall, 14th High Individual Cattle, 13th High Individual Overall Reasons Ainsley Fischer- 17th High Individual Overall Sheep/Goats Carload Contest- |
| February 11 | Iowa Beef Expo | Des Moines, IA | Results |
| February 18 | Nebraska Cattleman's Classic | Kearney, NE |
3rd High Team Overall Brett Forgy- 3rd High Individual Overall, High Individual Feedlot Cattle, 5th High Individual Placings, 6th High Individual Reasons Hunter Johnson- 4th High Individual Overall, 2nd High Individual Placings, 12th High Individual Reasons Heath Keiser- 8th High Individual Overall, 7th High Individual Reasons, 9th High Individual Placings Ainsley Fischer- 8th High Individual Reasons Brantly Hoover- 10th High Individual Placings |
| February 28 | San Antonio Stock Show | San Antonio, TX | 6th High Team Overall 4th High Team Cattle 4th High Team Goats 5th High Team Sheep 5th High Team Reasons |
| March 18 | Houston Stock Show | Houston, TX |
Reserve Champion High Point Team Overall Sarah Dilley- 3rd High Individual Overall, High Individual Sheep/Goats, 6th High Individual Reasons, 7th High Individual Placings Ainsley Fischer- 7th High Individual Overall, 3rd High Individual Sheep/Goats, 9th High Individual Reasons, 9th High Individual Placings Brantly Hoover- 10th High Individual Swine, 15th High Individual Overall Caleb Durheim- 9th High Individual Overall Placings |
| September 1-2 | National Swine Show | Woodward, OK |
3rd High Team Overall Caleb Durheim - 6th High Individual Overall |
| September 24 | AKSARBEN Stock Show | Grand Island, NE | |
| September 30 | World Beef Expo | Milwaukee, WI | |
| October 6 | Tulsa State Fair | Tulsa, OK | |
| October 9 | Texas State Fair | Dallas, TX | |
| October 16 | American Royal | Kansas City, MO | |
| November 13 | North American International | Louisville, KY |
Meet Our Faculty Advisor and Coach
I am Blaine French, faculty advisor and Head Livestock Evaluation Coach for the Nebraska Livestock Judging Team. You can read more about our team history and what joining our team entails towards the top of the page. For more information, you can reach me at blaine.french@unl.edu or 402-472-8834.
Email Blaine French