Texan Mosaic

Photos from Tynlea Wilson and Jaylee Parker, COMM 1318 Photography 1. Feature photo by Tynlea Wilson.

More than 500 contestants from across the state showed off their skills at the South Plains College Livestock Judging Contest at the Mallet Event Center last week.  

Young people of all ages from FFA and 4H, many carrying clipboards, others handling livestock, gathered in the arena for the event.

Members of the South Plains College Livestock Judging Team that sponsored the event helped run the show. 

SPC Livestock Judging Team Coach Connor Brew says it takes tons of effort and communication to make sure that all the animals are cared for, pens are set up, and everything is lined up for a successful event.

“It is so rewarding seeing young students work together towards a common goal,” he says, “putting in hours upon hours preparing livestock, and then directly giving back to the next generation by serving as group leaders.”

Freshman SPC livestock judging team member Elizabeth Wagster says one of her roles in helping prepare for the contest included washing and prepping the breeding sheep and market lambs before the contest began.

“During the contest I was a group leader,” she says.  “This job includes supervising contestants while they are judging the classes and rotating around the contest.”

Members of the SPC livestock judging team explain contestants at this event evaluated groups of four animals:  cattle, sheep, swine, or goats.  They rank them based on how closely they match the ideal standards for their breed including traits like muscle development, balance, growth potential, and overall health.

In addition to ranking animals from best to worst, contestants may be required to give oral responses to defend their decisions.

Dave Cleavinger, SPC professor of agriculture, says this whole process helps young students learn to make decisions. 

“They literally make thousands of decisions during a contest,” he says.  “It can build confidence and leadership. 4-H students also present oral reasons which gives them the opportunity to build confidence in speaking confidence.”

Cleavinger says this livestock judging contest has been a yearly event since 1970.

“It is one of the best ways our department gets exposure to the 4-H and FFA members across the state of Texas,” he says, “as well as Oklahoma and New Mexico.”

Clay Wadlow, a freshman member of the SPC Livestock Judging Team, says being a part of the team has given him a “family” of teammates.

“Additionally, livestock judging has given me the opportunity to meet industry leaders and travel across the country and visit some of the best livestock producers in the U.S.,” he says.

Coach Brew says this event means a lot for all the students here.

“To many outsiders, it might just seem like a small event with a couple farm animals running around,” he says.  “However, the skills and life lessons these students create are far more valuable.”

Here are more views of the contest.