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Livestock Judging is currently done in the US and throughout the world at both the collegiate and youth level. American organizations such as 4-H, FFA, and Breed Associations offer livestock judging contests. But what the heck are you judging, anyway?
If I had a dime for everytime I heard that... Seriously though, how can you tell the difference between the animals and decide which to “place” over another? It takes time to train your eye and to learn what to look for. Well, keep in mind that livestock judging is subjective.
Everybody has a different opinion and set of priorities based upon personal preference or operational needs.
A typical collegiate livestock judging contest will have 12 livestock judging classes with four animals in each class. Then, the contestants will be asked to give a 1-2 min. set of “reasons” (memorized) on why they placed the class the way they did. Sometimes at the youth level, contestants are given questions instead.
In the below links you’ll find a mini lesson on judging Cattle, Hogs, and Sheep (both breeding and meat animals) as well as a couple practice classes with experts in the area giving their reasons. There is also a lesson on calculating your score based on the “cuts.”
Good luck!
Cari
| How to Judge Beef Cattle | How to Judge Swine | How to Judge Sheep | How to Calculate Your Score | How to Give Oral Reasons | Virtual Livestock Judging | How read EPD’s |