About the team:
The Iowa State University Intercollegiate Livestock Judging Team is a youth development program that focuses on providing experiential learning. Iowa State boasts perhaps the most decorated judging program in the land, as the University team has won 20 National Championships, and more than any other program in the country. Research shows that students who participate in livestock judging improve their critical thinking, decision making and communication skills. The judging experience also fosters team building skills, while expanding horizons and networking opportunities for students.
The ISU Judging Team consists of junior and seniors interested in competitive livestock evaluation. Students who want to join the team are required to take Animal Science 305 in the fall of their junior year. The team travels to numerous competitions across the country, and competes from January (starting at the National Western in Denver) to November (Ending at the North American Livestock Exposition in Louisville).
Students who are interested in joining the winning tradition of the Iowa State Livestock Judging Team should contact the Livestock Judging Coach, Will Taylor at wetaylor@iastate.edu.
Follow along with the Iowa State Livestock Judging Team on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/isulivestockjudging
Team Coach:
Will 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 Dr. Kenneth Stalder at Iowa State University.
Currently, Will is a Teaching Assistant and Livestock Judging Team Coach at Iowa State University. He has judged shows in 20 states, including: NJSA Eastern Regional, Nebraska State Fair, North Dakota State Fair, and the National Western Stock Show. Will currently resides in Ames, IA.
2023 Livestock Judging Team Results:
Griswold Cattle Company
Team Results:
- Overall - 3rd and 9th High Team
Cattlemen’s Congress
Team Results:
- Overall - Reserve High Team
- Reasons - 2nd High Team
- Cattle - 3rd High Team
- Sheep - 2nd High Team
- Swine - 2nd High Team
Individual Results:
- Dillon Sheiss - 3rd High Individual Overall, 5th High Individual Reasons, 4th High Individual Sheep and Goats
- Kelly Spicer - 5th High Individual Overall, 5th High Individual Sheep and Goats
- Emma Dunn - 7th High Individual Overall, 6th High Individual Reasons, 2nd High Individual Swine
- Robby Burchett - 9th High Individual Cattle
National Western Stock Show
Team Results:
- Overall - 3rd High Team
- Reasons - 4th High Team
- Cattle - 2nd High Team
- Sheep - 3rd High Team
- Swine - 2nd High Team
- Carload - 5th High Team
Individual Results:
- Dillon Sheiss - 5th High Individual Overall, 3rd High Individual Reasons, 5th High Individual Cattle, 3rd High Individual Feedlot Cattle, 2nd High Individual Swine
- Robby Burchett - 9th High Individual Overall, 6th High Individual Cattle, 7th High Individual Sheep and Goats
- Kelly Spicer - 9th High Individual Sheep and Goats
- Makenzie Hereth - 5th High Individual Carload
- Lane Slaton - 9th High Individual Carload
Sioux Empire Livestock Show
Team Results:
- Overall – 6th and 7th High Team
- Reasons - 4th High Team
- Sheep – 2nd High Team
Individual Results:
- Makenzie Hereth – 9th High Individual Overall
- Dillon Sheiss – High Individual Sheep
- Robby Burchett - 5th High Individual Reasons
Iowa Beef Expo
Team Results:
- Overall – 2nd High Team Overall
- Reasons – 2nd High Team and 3rd High Team
- Placing – 3rd High Team
Individual Results:
- Dillon Sheiss - 3rd High Individual Overall, 2nd High Individual Reasons, 6th High Individual Placings
- Kelly Spicer - 9th High Individual Overall, 5th High Individual Placings
- Robby Burchett - 10th High Individual Overall, 6th High Individual Reasons
- Karson Fahey - 8th High Individual Reasons
- Dawson Firlus - 10th High Individual Reasons
- Blake Webel - 8th High Individual Placings
- Cole Claussen - 10th High Individual Placings
San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo
Team Results:
- Overall - 4th High Team
- Reasons - 4th High Team
- Cattle - 4th High Team
- Swine - 4th High Team
- Goats - 3rd High Team
- Sheep - 4th High Team
Individual Results:
- Dillon Sheiss - 5th High Individual Reasons, 6th High Individual Sheep
- Emma Freebairn - 3rd High Individual Swine, 8th High Individual Goats
- Robby Burchett - 8th High Individual Sheep
Team Members Include:
- Robby Burchett (Animal Science) - Jonesville, VA
- Cole Claussen (Ag Business) - Bettendorf, IA
- Carson Deppe (AGLSE) - DeWitt, IA
- Emma Dunn (Animal Science) - Tipton, IN
- Dawson Firlus (Ag Business) - Wonewoc, WI
- Emma Freebairn (AGLSE) - Ottawa, IL
- Tyler Gifford (Ag Business) - Eagle Point, OR
- Makenzie Hereth (AGLSE) - Woodbine, MD
- Dillon Sheiss (Animal Science) - Larwill, IN
- Lane Slaton (Animal Science) - Noblesville, IN
- Kelly Spicer (Animal Science) - Woodbine, MD
- Blake Webel (Animal Science) - Arcadia, IN
The team will compete at Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo to round out the spring.