ISU Livestock Judging Team
Other ISU Judging Teams
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 an Assistant Teaching Professor 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.
Team Members
Hadley Broadwater
Crawfordsville, IN
Major: Animal Science
Hannah Buse
Ellisville, MS
Major: Animal Science
Nathaniel Gaul
Strawberry Point, IA
Major: Agriculture Business
Gabe Hanson
LaPorte City, IA
Major: Agriculture Studies
Peytin Hereth
Woodbine, MD
Major: Agriculture Studies
Brandon Jochimsen
Kirksville, MO
Major: Agriculture Business
Lauren Mohr
Carlock, IL
Major: Animal Science
Kade Mennen
Logansport, IN
Major: Agriculture Studies
Iris Peterson
Washington, IA
Major: Animal Science
Melinda Stoltzfus
Coatesville, PA
Major: Animal Science
Cole Tobey
Dewitt, IA
Major: Animal Science
Kaitlyn Zeedyk
Hicksville, OH
Major: Animal Science
Team Accolades
| Year | Event | Location | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo | Houston, TX | Team
Individual
|
| 2025 | San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo | San Antonio, TX | Team
Individual
|
| 2025 | Iowa Beef Expo | Des Moines, IA | Team
Individual
|
| 2025 | Sioux Empire Livestock Show | Sioux Falls, SD | Team
Individual
|
| 2025 | National Western Stock Show | Denver, CO | Team
Individual Results
|
| 2025 | Cattlemen’s Congress | Oklahoma City, OK | Team
Individual
|
| 2025 | Griswold Cattle Company | Team
Individual
|
Livestock Team History
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L-R: Zach Zwiebel, Ashlyn Huff, Nick Deppe, Judd Swanton, Blake Moeller, Reagan Gibson, Ben Moffitt, Coach Will Taylor
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L-R: Cole Claussen, Emma Freebairn, Makenzie Hereth, Tyler Gifford, Back: Blake Webel, Robby Burchett, Dillon Sheiss, Dawson Firlus, Lane Slaton, Coach Will Taylor
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L-R: Kaylen Stearns, Brooke Egbert, Julia Orlando, Amanda Rea
Middle: Temma Monroe, Taylor Fiekert, Sawyer Naasz, Regan Fringer, Kinsee Lettinga, Wyatt Johnson, Shane Duffy, Brodrick Schmidt, Coach Will Taylor
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L-R: Jenna Siegel, Collin Swanton, Bridget Holcomb
Back: Coach Chris Cassady, Ben Mclain, Bryce Bedeker, Asst. Coach Will Taylor
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L-R: Maddie Fugate, Alison Bueltel, Auretta Witkopf, Shelby Veum Back: Coach Chris Cassady, Clayton Schowe, Boone Schmitz, Kelsi Carlson, Thomas Crome, Jake Hlas, Cami Maurer, Daniel Walsh, Austin Garner, Asst. Coach Will Taylor