Judging Teams - Animal Science
The Department of Animal Science, SDSU, and the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences strongly supports and urges students to take part in one of the judging teams at SDSU. Judging team members receive valuable experiences, as well as the extra training in the areas of decision-making and oral and written communication. Past judging team members have made important job contacts. Many have attributed their judging experience to becoming industry leaders.
Live animal evaluation is a crucial skill for all students in animal agriculture, as it helps producers, breeders, order buyers, and packers assess livestock for market readiness, condition, and red meat yield. Understanding how to identify animals that meet market needs is essential for staying competitive in today's evolving industry. Producers must be able to correlate live animal conformation with carcass evaluation, using tools like ultrasound, though visual appraisal remains faster and more cost-effective. Most market animals are bought and sold based on visual estimation, making this skill vital for success.
Livestock judging at SDSU is known for its 鈥淭radition of Excellence,鈥 and history of nationally competitive teams that included now industry leaders and breed association executives. Past team members often cite their experience as developing skills in logical decision-making, communication, rationalization, time management, and self-confidence. These abilities are highly regarded by employers, who actively seek out judging team members for their strong career potential and competitive edge.
A livestock judging student should first enroll in AS 201, Introduction to Livestock Judging. The team will travel to 12 contests during spring and fall semester, culminating their efforts at the National Contest in Louisville, KY.
To be a part of the team, contact Tommy Norman.
The SDSU Livestock Judging team participates at the following contests throughout the year:
- National Western Stock Show, Denver, CO
- Sioux Empire Show, Sioux Falls, SD
- Iowa Beef Expo, Des Moines, IA
- San Antonio Livestock Exposition, San Antonio, TX
- Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Houston, TX
- National Meat Animal Evaluation Contest
- National Barrow Show, Austin, MN
- Flint Hills Classic, Hutchinson, KS
- Tulsa State Fair, Tulsa, OK
- AKSARBEN, Grand Island, NE
- American Royal, Kansas City, MO
- The national contest at the North American International Livestock Exposition in Louisville, KY
The SDSU Meat Judging program aims to generate student interest in meat science while developing teamwork, communication, and critical-thinking skills. Participating on the team complements a student鈥檚 education at SDSU, teaching them to evaluate product quality, fabrication, and marketing in the meat industry. Team members represent SDSU at eight national competitions across Colorado, Texas, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Iowa, and Nebraska, gaining valuable insights into the meat industry and livestock production.
Interested students can become involved by taking the Introduction to Meat Judging Course (AS 200). Upon completion of AS 200, students are eligible to become a member of the Meat Judging team and represent SDSU at national competitions.
The SDSU Meat Judging Team competes in eight contests annually:
- National Western - Greeley, Colorado
- Southwestern - Ennis, Texas
- Iowa State University Invitational - Ames, Iowa
- Eastern National - Wyalusing, Pennsylvania
- National Barrow Show 鈥 Austin, MN
- American Royal - Omaha, Nebraska
- High Plains - Friona, Texas
- International - Dakota City, Nebraska
The 葫芦影业 Wool Judging team is known for its competitiveness, boasting two national championships and numerous top-10 finishes. The team offers students a chance to engage in a vital part of South Dakota's livestock economy, gaining experience in grading, placing, and oral reasons. Many past members have gone on to become active in the sheep industry. Others have participated to develop critical thinking and communication skills.
