Livestock Judging Team
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The University of Nebraska Livestock Judging Team is an extra-curricular activity sponsored by the Animal Science Department. The team, comprised of agricultural students dedicated to the livestock industries, currently participate in eight regional and national competitions throughout the year including the National Western (Denver, CO), the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (Houston, TX), the National Barrow Show (Austin, MN), the American Royal (Kansas City, MO), and the National Collegiate Livestock Judging Contest held in conjunction with the North American International Livestock Exposition (Louisville, KY). Not only do team members learn to evaluate livestock and make sound selection decisions using both phenotypic and genetic measures, they gain confidence in their ability to make quick decisions, and they learn to effectively articulate the underlying principles associated with those decisions. Just as importantly, livestock judging provides an opportunity for students to network with the industry as they visit with producers at the farm or ranch about livestock and production practices. It provides an opportunity to learn from those directly involved with the industry. Read on to learn more about this year's UNL Livestock Judging Team, or follow the link to see historical photos of past UNL Livestock Judging Teams. |
The 2009 Senior Meat Judging Team coached by Ace VanDeWalle and Derek Schroeder, has competed in three contests so far this fall. The results are listed below. The teams last contest is the International at Tyson in Dakota City, NE on November 15th. Team members include: Tacy Langemeier, Elizabeth Wilhelm, Jared Williams, Jessica Corneilus, Lisa Watermeier, Jessica Clowser, and Emily Arkfeld.
Iowa State Invitational
Team: 5th Overall, 1st in specifications, 4th beef grading, 5th beef judging, 4th lamb judging, 5th pork judging, 5th in reasons
Individual Highlights
Jessica Cornelius: 8th Overall, 3rd specifications, 15th beef judging,
Tacy Langemeier: 13th specifications,
Lisa Watermeier: 13th Overall, 9th specifications, 14th beef judging, 13th lamb judging
Elizabeth Wilhelm: 10th lamb judging
Jared Williams: 15th overall, 5th specifications
American Royal
Team: 9th overall, 1st in specifications
Individual Highlights
Jessica Clowser: 15th Overall, 9th lamb judging, 9th specifications, 8th total placings
Tacy Langemeier: 13th overall in Alternate division
Cargill Meat Solutions High Plains Contest
Team: 3rd Overall,5th specifications, 3rd beef grading, 5th beef judging, 2nd lamb judging, 2nd overall beef, 5th pork judging, 5th total placing, 4th in Reasons.
Individual Highlights
Jessica Clowser: 20th Overall, 4th lamb judging
Jessica Cornelius: 5th Overall, 4th beef grading, 3rd overall beef
Tacy Langemeier: 14th Overall 2nd Beef Grading, 4th overall beef
Lisa Watermeier: 10th Overall, 3rd lamb judging, 7th overall beef, 3rd Reasons
Alternate Division
Emily Arkfeld: 9th Overall
Elizabeth Wilhelm: 13th Overall
Jared Williams: 17th Overall
University of Nebraska Livestock Judging Team Activities
UNL Livestock Judging Team Continues Strong Fall Run
Since the National Barrow Show and Northern Lights contests, the University of Nebraska's Livestock Judging Team has competed at the Flint Hills Classic and the Premier Stockman.
On September 25th, the team traveled to El Dorado, KS for the Flint Hills Classic and finished 6th out of 12 teams from across the nation. Jay Nordhausen led the team with a 3rd overall finish.
UNL was 4th in sheep, 7th in swine, 8th in beef, and 6th in reasons. Individually, several team members had good days. Jay Nordhausen was 3rd in beef, 10th in swine, 6th in sheep and 7th in reasons. Three other team members were recognized for their accomplishments; McKenzie Chambers tied for 10th in sheep, Trey Kellner was 11th in beef and Shellie Intermill was 11th in reasons.
On October 15th, the team traveled to Frankfort, IN to compete in the Premier Stockman Judging Contest. More than 80 contestants representing teams from as far east and west as Penn State and Chico State (California) competed at the contest. There is no team competition at the contest only individual recognition. Several UNL team members had good days. Todd Ostermiller led the team finishing 2nd high individual overall. Along with this Todd was 1st in placings, 3rd in beef, 5th in swine and 11th in sheep. Jay Nordhausen also had a great day finishing 4th overall, 3rd in beef, 5th in sheep and 5th in reasons. Two other team members were recognized for their achievements; Trey Kellner was 3rd in sheep and McKenzie Chambers was 9th in beef.
The team looks to continue working towards their goals traveling to the American Royal on October 31, 2009.
The team members are:
• McKenzie Chambers, Mead, CO
• Shellie Intermill, Alliance
• Trey Kellner, Stockton, KS
• Clint Mickey, Aurora
• Tom Murphy, Elkhorn
• Jay Nordhausen, Ogallala
• Mitch Novacek, Schuyler
• Todd Ostermiller, La Grange, WY
• Carrie Saur, Gillette, WY
• Jason Star, North Platte
The team is coached by:
• Matt Ellicott, UNL Extension Educator and Livestock Judging Coach.
Since classes began this fall, the University of Nebraska's Livestock Judging Team has competed in two contests. The team gathered for their first fall workout on August 15th.
On September 11th, the team competed in the first ever Northern Lights Judging Contest in Jackson, Minnesota. The team had contest leading day being named Champion Team Overall out of 7 Teams. Individually, several team members finished well. Todd Ostermiller was 3rd in beef, 10th in sheep, 1st in swine, 5th in reasons and named High Individual. Shellie Intermill was 4th in swine, 3rd in reasons and 3rd overall. Jay Nordhausen was 3rd in swine, 4th in reasons and 4th overall. Trey Kellner was 1st in sheep, 6th in reasons and 10th overall. Tom Murphy was 2nd in sheep and 12th overall. Mitch Novacek was 9th in swine and 13th overall. Jason Star was 4th in cattle and Carrie Saur was 10th. The team finished 2nd in cattle, 1st in sheep, 1st in swine, and 1st in oral reasons along the way to being named Champion Team.
The team continued their travel on September14th, in Austin, Minnesota, judging at the National Barrow Show. The team completed a solid day finishing 10th out of 18 teams from across the nation. This year recorded the largest contest in the history of the barrow show with record numbers in both college divisions. In total, 34 schools and 246 contestants participated in the event. Individually, Shellie Intermill was 1st in placings, 11th in oral reasons and placed 3rd overall. Also, Mitch Novacek was 12th in placings and Trey Kellner was 13th in placings.
Next the team will be traveling to El Dorado, Kansas, to compete in the 3rd Annual Flinthills Classic Judging Contest held by Butler Community College.
The team members are:
• McKenzie Chambers, Colorado
• Shellie Intermill, Alliance
• Trey Kellner, Kansas
• Clint Mickey, Aurora
• Tom Murphy, Elkhorn
• Jay Nordhausen, Ogallala
• Mitch Novacek, Schuyler
• Todd Ostermiller, Wyoming
• Carrie Saur, Wyoming
• Jason Start, North Platte
The team is coached by:
• Matt Ellicott, UNL Extension Educator and Livestock Judging Coach (mellicott2@unl.edu)
2009 University of Nebraska Lincoln Livestock Judging Team Contest Results
UNL Livestock Judging Team competed at the Houston Livestock Stock Show & Rodeo in Houston TX
March 18, 2009
On March 18, 2009 the University of Nebraska Livestock Judging Team competed at the Houston Livestock Stock Show & Rodeo in Houston, TX. This served as the final spring contest for the 2009 team. UNL was well represented with several top finishes.
In Sheep judging, the team finished 4th. Individually, Trey Kellner finished 5th and Todd Ostermiller finished 7th overall. In Swine judging, the team finished 14th. In Goat judging, the team finished 2nd. In Cattle judging, the team finished 8th. Individually, Todd Ostermiller finished 10th and Trey Kellner was 13th overall. In Oral Reasons, the team finished 8th. Individually, Todd Ostermiller placed 25th.
Overall the team finished 11th. Trey Kellner led the team with a 20th place finish and Todd Ostermiller placed 24th overall out of 150 contestants.
The team members are:
• McKenzie Chambers, Mead, CO
• Stacey Guthard, Litchfield
• Shellie Intermill, Alliance
• Trey Kellner, Stockton, KS
• Clint Mickey, Aurora
• Tom Murphy, Elkhorn
• Jay Nordhausen, Ogallala
• Mitch Novacek, Schuyler
• Todd Ostermiller, La Grange, WY
• Carrie Saur, Gillette, WY
• Jason Star, North Platte
The team is coached by:
• Matt Ellicott, UNL Livestock Judging Coach.
UNL Livestock Judging Team Wins 2nd Annual Cattlemen's Classic.
On February 21st, the UNL Livestock Judging Team competed at the 2nd Annual Nebraska Cattlemen’s Classic livestock judging contest. This marked the second year that the University of Nebraska sponsored the all cattle contest with Nebraska Cattlemen’s Classic in Kearney, NE. A change in the building location didn’t keep the contest from growing. The second-ever contest proved to be a success as 170 contestants participated from four different states. Thirteen different colleges and fifteen different counties or FFA chapters made up the total contestant pool. In all, more than 220 people competed or helped with the contest this year and cattle for the ten classes were provided from 18 different producers.
Contest wise, UNL had a contest leading performance collecting the top two spots in the senior college division. In placings, McKenzie Chambers was 1st, Jay Nordhausen was 3rd, Todd Ostermiller was 4th, Mitch Novacek was 5th and Trey Kellner was 10th. In reasons, Jay Nordhausen was 1st, Todd Ostermiller was 2nd, Trey Kellner was 3rd, Shellie Intermill was 4th, McKenzie Chambers was 5th, Jason Star was 9th and Tom Murphy was 10th. Overall, Jay Nordhausen was the High Individual, Todd Ostermiller was 2nd, McKenzie Chambers was 3rd, Trey Kellner was 4th, and Mitch Novacek was 7th. The two teams both finished 1st and 2nd in placings and reasons respectively, paving the way to being named Champion and Reserve Champion Teams.
The team will look to finish the spring season strong on March 18th at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
The team members are:
• McKenzie Chambers, Mead, CO
• Stacey Guthard, Litchfield
• Shellie Intermill, Alliance
• Trey Kellner, Stockton, KS
• Clint Mickey, Aurora
• Tom Murphy, Elkhorn
• Jay Nordhausen, Ogallala
• Mitch Novacek, Schuyler
• Todd Ostermiller, La Grange, WY
• Carrie Saur, Gillette, WY
• Jason Star, North Platte
The team is coached by:
• Matt Ellicott, UNL Livestock Judging Coach.
Livestock Judging Team Wins 2009 Iowa Beef Expo
On February 8th, 2009 the University of Nebraska Livestock Judging Team competed at the Iowa Beef Expo in Des Moines, IA. Todd Ostermiller led the team in placings, posting an impressive 478 points out of a possible 500. This performance paved the way to UNL being named Champion Team at the 2009 Iowa Beef Expo.
In addition to Todd, Trey Kellner finished 16th in placings and the team finished 1st overall in placings. In reasons the team had consistent day placing four members in the top 20. Shellie Intermill was 11th, Todd Ostermiller was 13th, Jay Nordhausen was 15th and Trey Kellner was 19th. In reasons the team was 4th. Todd Ostermiller led the team with a 2nd place overall individual finish and Trey Kellner was 13th overall.
The team has two remaining contests to finish the spring season. February 21st the team will compete at the 2nd Annual Cattlemen’s Classic and on March 18th the team will compete at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
The team members are:
• McKenzie Chambers, Mead, CO
• Stacey Guthard, Litchfield
• Shellie Intermill, Alliance
• Trey Kellner, Stockton, KS
• Clint Mickey, Aurora
• Tom Murphy, Elkhorn
• Jay Nordhausen, Ogallala
• Mitch Novacek, Schuyler
• Todd Ostermiller, La Grange, WY
• Carrie Saur, Gillette, WY
• Jason Star, North Platte
The team is coached by:
• Matt Ellicott, UNL Livestock Judging Coach.
UNL Livestock Judging Team Places 5th in Sioux Falls, SD
On January 31, 2009 the University of Nebraska Livestock Judging Team competed at the Sioux Empire Farm Show in Sioux Falls, SD. UNL recorded a second straight top five finish in as many contests.
In sheep judging, the team finished 3rd. Individually, Trey Kellner finished tied for 10th high individual overall. In swine judging, the team finished 4th. Individually, Trey Kellner finished 10th high individual overall. In Cattle judging, the team finished 6th. Individually, McKenzie Chambers finished 11th high individual overall. In oral reasons, the team finished 3rd. Individually, Trey Kellner placed 8th and Shellie Intermill placed 11th.
Overall the team finished 5th, Jay Nordhausen led the team placing 8th and McKenzie Chambers was 15th high individual overall.
The team members are:
• McKenzie Chambers, Mead, CO
• Stacey Guthard, Litchfield
• Shellie Intermill, Alliance
• Trey Kellner, Stockton, KS
• Clint Mickey, Aurora
• Tom Murphy, Elkhorn
• Jay Nordhausen, Ogallala
• Mitch Novacek, Schuyler
• Todd Ostermiller, La Grange, WY
• Carrie Saur, Gillette, WY
• Jason Star, North Platte
The team is coached by:
• Matt Ellicott, UNL Livestock Judging Coach.
National Western Stock Show in Denver, CO
On January 16, 2009 the University of Nebraska Livestock Judging Team competed at the National Western Stock Show in Denver, CO. This served as the first national contest for the 2009 team. UNL was well represented with several top finishes.
In Sheep judging, the team finished 5th. Jay Nordhausen finished 5th overall. In Swine judging, the team finished 6th. Individually, Jay Nordhausen finished 6th. In Cattle judging, the team finished 6th. Individually, Shellie Intermill was 5th overall and Jay Nordhausen placed 9th in beef reasons. In Oral Reasons, the team finished 6th. Individually, Jay Nordhausen placed 9th and Shellie Intermill placed 11th overall.
Overall the team finished 5th out of 23 schools. This accomplishment marks the first time UNL has placed in the top five overall at the National Western in more than 17 years. Jay Nordhausen led the team with a 5th place finish and Shellie Intermill placed 6th out of 112 total contestants.
In the carload contest five UNL students had a great day placing pens of cattle. Stacey Guthard led the team with a 17th place finish and Tom Murphy was 23rd out of 112 contestants. Overall the team finished 5th out of 23 schools in the carload contest.
The team members are:
• McKenzie Chambers, Mead, CO
• Stacey Guthard, Litchfield
• Shellie Intermill, Alliance
• Trey Kellner, Stockton, KS
• Clint Mickey, Aurora
• Tom Murphy, Elkhorn
• Jay Nordhausen, Ogallala
• Mitch Novacek, Schuyler
• Todd Ostermiller, La Grange, WY
• Carrie Saur, Gillette, WY
• Jason Star, North Platte
The team is coached by:
• Matt Ellicott, UNL Livestock Judging Coach.
The University of Nebraska Livestock Judging Team is currently coached by Matt Ellicott.
2008 University of Nebraska Livestock Judging Team
The 2008 University of Nebraska Livestock Judging Team finished a strong fall campaign highlighted by UNL being named Champion Team at AK-SAR-BEN and Shantille Kruse being recognized as an Honorable Mention All-American Livestock Judge in the deepest group ever. As well, the team was rewarded with numerous other achievements during the fall season.
Team members finishing their judging careers include Annie Doerr, Creighton; Kyle Dorn, Adams; Garret Koester, Wellfleet; Shantille Kruse, Tecumseh; Roger Morgan, Burwell; Tony Roubal, North Bend; and Jason Warner, Arapahoe.
The team started their fall season a week prior to classes beginning on campus. Lincoln, NE was the site of the team’s first fall contest. On Saturday, August 24, 2008 the team competed at the 3rd Annual Nebraska State Fair Swine Contest. UNL finished 2nd with Jason Warner leading the team with a 5th place overall finish. Three other team members finished in the top ten including Annie Doerr 7th, Kyle Dorn 9th and Garret Koester 10th. The team then looked to increase their cattle judging experience for the fall run making UNL’s first ever trip to an all cattle contest in northeast Wyoming.
On September 12, 2008 the team competed at the Direct Line Genetics Cattle Contest in Huglet, WY. Roger Morgan had a team leading day in the overall competition placing 3rd. In placings Roger Morgan was 5th, Jason Warner was 8th, Annie Doerr was 9th and Shantille Kruse was 11th. The team finished 2nd in beef cattle placings. In reasons Annie Doerr was 4th, Jason Warner was 5th, Roger Morgan was 8th, Kyle Dorn was 9th and Tony Roubal was 10th. UNL finished 2nd overall in team reasons. Overall Roger Morgan was 3rd High Individual, Jason Warner was 5th and Annie Doerr was 6th. The team finished 2nd overall.
On September 19th, the team traveled to El Dorado, KS where they competed in the first ever Butler Flinthills Classic Judging Contest held by Butler Community College. The team was 7th in sheep, 3rd in swine, 6th in beef, 6th in reasons and 6th overall. Individually, several team members had top twenty placings in several categories. Before traveling back to Lincoln the team also judged on September 20th at the Mid-America Classic in Wichita, KS. The team had another solid day placing 5th overall. The team was 5th in sheep, 6th in swine, 5th in beef, 5th in reasons and 6th overall. Individually Kyle Dorn placed 5th in cattle and Jason Warner placed 11th in oral reasons and 15th overall.
On September 27, 2008 the University of Nebraska Livestock Judging Team competed at the First Annual AK-SAR-BEN Livestock Judging Contest in Omaha, NE. UNL had an outstanding day on the way to being named Champion Team. In Sheep judging, the team finished 2nd. Shantille Kruse was 2nd overall and Tony Roubal finished 10th. In Swine judging, the team finished 1st. Individually, Kruse was 5th and Roger Morgan was 10th. In Cattle judging, the team finished 2nd. Individually, Roubal was 4th, Kruse was 7th and Annie Doerr was 9th. In Oral Reasons, the team finished 1st. Individually, Shantille Kruse was 3rd overall, Doerr was 5th and Roubal was 7th. The team finished 1st out of seven overall. Individually Shantille Kruse finished 2nd high individual overall, Tony Roubal was 3rd and Annie Doerr was 14th.
On October 31st the team traveled to Kansas City, MO to compete in the American Royal contest. The team finished 13th in Cattle, 12th in Swine, 5th in Sheep, 12th in Reasons, and 11th Overall.
On November 17, 2008 the University of Nebraska Livestock Judging Team competed at the North American International Livestock Exposition in Louisville, KY. This contest served as the final national contest for the 2008 team. Shantille Kruse was named Honorable Mention to the All-American Team. In Performance Sheep judging the team finished 3rd and individually Annie Doerr finished 25th. In Swine judging the team finished 15th. In Cattle judging the team was 10th. In Reasons, the team finished 12th. Overall the team finished 14th out of 27 teams. Kyle Dorn led the team with a 34th place finish.
As the 2008 team season comes to a close, the memory of the accomplishments, travels, livestock contacts and friendships gained will remain with the team members for many years to come. Each team member was recognized at least once during the season for their judging talents in a contest. All team members represented the UNL Animal Science Department as a confident and strong program for all to admire. I, along with Ben Williams, am very proud of this year’s solid outcome. All members of the livestock judging program would like to recognize the support and generosity of the contributors and sponsors that make this possible each and every season. A sincere thank you from the UNL Livestock Judging Team goes out to the major sponsors the Kimmel Foundation, Nebraska Farm Bureau Services, Inc., and the Nebraska Cattlemen’s Research and Education Foundation.
Looking to the future, the junior team is excited to start their season on December 20th at the Express Ranches Contest in Yukon, OK. Team members include Jimmi Cable, Pukwana, SD; McKenzie Chambers, Mead, CO; Stacey Guthard, Litchfield; Shellie Intermill, Alliance; Trey Kellner, Stockton, KS; Clint Mickey, Aurora; Tom Murphy, Lincoln; Jay Nordhausen, Ogallala; Mitch Novacek, David City; Todd Ostermiller, La Grange, WY; Carrie Saur, Gillette, WY; and Jason Star, North Platte. It should be an exciting upcoming year for the team! The team is coached by Matt Ellicott.
