The Department of Animal Science at Iowa State University welcomes Will Taylor as an Assistant Teaching Professor and Judging Team Coach. With his extensive background in livestock judging and the industry, Taylor will make valuable contributions to the students and the department.
The Iowa State University Livestock Judging Team has an incredibly rich history. This history includes being the only university that has participated in every National Championship of Collegiate Livestock Judging Iowa State University has celebrated 20 National Champion teams, 35 High Individual honors at the National Championship, and 16 students who received All-American Honors.
“I am excited to be part of moving this storied program forward,” said Will Taylor. “The most recent team was a tremendous step in this process as they were the most competitive team in 20 years, achieving Top 5 finishes at Cattlemen’s Congress, National Western Stock Show, American Royal, and North American International Livestock Exhibition.”
Taylor grew up in Central Indiana. He attended Lincoln Land Community College and Western Illinois University, where he received an A.S. in Science and B.S. in Agriculture Science. While in college, Will was on competitive livestock judging teams and held internships with Belstra Milling, National Swine Registry, and Sunglo Feeds. He then went on to receive a M.S. in Animal Science under the direction of the late Dr. Kenneth Stalder at Iowa State University.
The livestock judging team supports the livestock community in Iowa by hosting multiple contests each year and facilitates judging practices and a judging camp that host 75 junior high and high school students annually. The team is already excited for next year and is looking forward to building on recent success.
Taylor was previously a Teaching Assistant in the Department of Animal Science and served as the interim Livestock Judging Team Coach at Iowa State University the last two seasons.
“We are excited for the opportunity to officially add him to the department team. Having judged shows in 20 states, including: NJSA Eastern Regional, Nebraska State Fair, North Dakota State Fair, and the National Western Stock Show, Will brings exceptional experience to this position, and will no doubt have a positive impact on our program” said Jason Ross, animal science department chair.
Click here to read more about this year’s livestock judging team’s success and learn about future judging camp opportunities.