Animal Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

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Undergraduates: University of Illinois Judging Teams

University of Illinois Judging Teams

Introduction

The University of Illinois Department of Animal Sciences is proud of its tradition of successful judging teams. Participation on a judging team enhances a student's ability to think, reason and communicate. These skills are in great demand in the job market as many former judging team members have gone on to obtain leadership roles in the livestock, dairy and meat industries.

Students involved in dairy, horse, meats or livestock judging have the opportunity to travel and visit operations that are leading the industry. They can meet and interact with the owners and managers of these successful operations. These contacts help students better understand animal agriculture and develop stronger ties with its leaders.

Judging team members also have the opportunity to compete against universities all across the United States in contests that are held in conjunction with major industry events such as The American Royal, and the North American International Livestock Exposition.

Dairy Judging Team

The University of Illinois Dairy Judging Team does not have any particular prerequisites other than an interest in dairy cattle judging. Students are encouraged to enroll in ANSCI 214 in the Spring of their freshman or preferably their sophomore year. Team members are generally juniors or seniors. Anyone trying out for the team should have the opportunity to compete in at least one or two contests as juniors and seniors. The Dairy Judging Team competes in 5 or 6 contests in the fall including:

  • Accelerated Genetics Contest - September
  • All American Contest - Harrisburg, PA - September
  • Eastern States - Maryland - September
  • Mid South - Memphis, TN - September or October
  • National Dairy Contest - Madison, WI - October
  • North American Livestock Exposition - Louisville, KY - November

If you have any questions regarding the Dairy Judging Team the contact persons are:

Horse Judging Team

Members of the Horse Judging Team are enrolled in ANSCI 213. There are no specific prerequisites for the class - any student in good standing is eligible. The team usually attends the Arabian National Horse Judging Contest in Louisville, KY in October. The Horse Judging Team Advisor is: Debra Hagstrom, , 256 Animal Sciences Laboratory, MC-630, 333-1785.

Intercollegiate Meats Judging Team

The U of I Meats Judging Team is an extracurricular activity that is open to all undergraduate students at the University of Illinois; however, most students that participate generally have an interest in agriculture, especially the meat and livestock industries. Interested students generally take ANSCI 209 (Meat Animal and Carcass Evaluation) in the spring semester of their sophomore or junior year. This course provides some background information and skills that enhance the meats judging experience. Students desiring to be on the team would then enroll in ANSCI 210 (Meat Classification and Grading) the following Fall semester. The Meats Judging Team competes in five contests: the Eastern Intercollegiate, Wyalusing, PA; the Iowa State Invitational, Ames, IA; the EXCEL Contest, Plainview, TX; the American Royal, Emporia, KS; and the International Contest, Dakota City, NE. For more information, please contact: Dr. Tom Carr, , 205 Meat Science Laboratory, MC-010, 333-1014.

Livestock Judging Team

Livestock Judging Team

The Livestock Judging Team is open to all undergraduate students at the University of Illinois. Most students that become members of the team have a strong interest in animal agriculture and its related industries. Interested students should enroll in ANSCI 211 (Breeding Animal Evaluation) in the spring semester of their junior year and compete in the All East Livestock Judging Contest. In the fall, team members enroll in ANSCI 212 (Advanced Livestock Evaluation) and compete in six fall contests: the National Barrow Show, Austin, MN; the Mid-South Fair, Memphis, TN; the Mid-Continent Livestock Expo., Springfield, IL; the Keystone International, Harrisburg, PA; the American Royal, Kansas City, MO; the North American International Livestock Expo., Louisville, KY. For more information, please contact:Dr. Doug Parrett, , 184 Animal Science Laboratory, MC-630, 333-2647.

Meat Animal Evaluation Team

The Meat Animal Evaluation Team is generally composed of senior students who have been on the meats and /or livestock judging team(s) and have completed ANSCI 209 and ANSCI 211. This team serves as the capstone experience for students with an interest in the evaluation of breeding animals, market animals, and the end product. Students will also have the opportunity to improve their marketing and communication skills. The team competes in the North Central Meat Animal Evaluation Contest at Madison, WI (February) in preparation for the United National Collegiate Meat Animal Evaluation Contest held in March at St. Joseph, MO. For more information, please contact:

  • Dr. Tom Carr, , 205 Meat Science Laboratory , MC-010, 333-1014 or
  • Dr. Doug Parrett, , 184 Animal Sciences Laboratory, MC-630, 333-2647.