ISU Livestock Judging Team

ISU Livestock Judging Team

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

Will Taylor

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

Hadley Broadwater

Crawfordsville, IN

Major: Animal Science

Hannah Buse

Hannah Buse

Ellisville, MS

Major: Animal Science

Nathaniel Gaul

Nathaniel Gaul

Strawberry Point, IA

Major: Agriculture Business

Gabe Hanson

Gabe Hanson

LaPorte City, IA

Major: Agriculture Studies

Peytin Hereth

Peytin Hereth

Woodbine, MD

Major: Agriculture Studies

Brandon Jochimsen

Brandon Jochimsen

Kirksville, MO

Major: Agriculture Business

Lauren Mohr

Lauren Mohr

Carlock, IL

Major: Animal Science

Kade Mennen

Kade Mennen

Logansport, IN

Major: Agriculture Studies

Iris Peterson

Iris Peterson

Washington, IA

Major: Animal Science

Melinda Stoltzfus

Melinda Stoltzfus

Coatesville, PA

Major: Animal Science

Cole Tobey

Cole Tobey

Dewitt, IA

Major: Animal Science

Kaitlyn Zeedyk

Kaitlyn Zeedyk

Hicksville, OH

Major: Animal Science

Team Accolades

YearEventLocationResults
2025Houston Livestock Show and RodeoHouston, TX

Team

  • Overall - 5th High Team
  • Reasons - 5th High Team
  • Sheep & Goats - 4th High Team

Individual

  • Lauren Mohr - 2nd High Individual Sheep and Goats
2025San Antonio Stock Show and RodeoSan Antonio, TX

Team

  • Overall - 3rd High Team
  • Reasons - 4th High Team
  • Cattle - 3rd High Team
  • Goats - High Team
  • Sheep - 3rd High Team

Individual

  • Hannah Buse - 7th High Individual Overall, 8th High Individual Cattle
  • Melinda Stoltzfus - 4th High Individual Cattle
  • Brandon Jochimsen - 10th High Individual Goats
  • Lauren Mohr - 7th High Individual Goats
  • Hadley Broadwater- 4th High Individual Sheep
  • Kade Mennen - 2nd High Individual Sheep
2025Iowa Beef ExpoDes Moines, IA

Team

  • Overall - Reserve High Team and 3rd High Team
  • Reasons - Reserve High Team and 4th High Team
  • Placings - 3rd High Team and 4th High Team

Individual

  • Gabe Hanson - High Individual Overall, High Individual Reasons, High Individual Placings
  • Lauren Mohr - 3rd High Individual Overall, 7th High Individual Reasons, 4th High Individual Placings
  • Melinda Stoltzfus - 7th High Individual Overall
  • Hadley Broadwater - 10th High Individual Overall
  • Hannah Buse - 6th High Individual Placings
2025Sioux Empire Livestock ShowSioux Falls, SD

Team

  • Overall - 5th High Team
  • Reasons - 5th High Team
  • Sheep/Goats - 2nd High Team

Individual

  • Melinda Stoltzfus - High Individual Overall, High Individual Reasons, 2nd High Individual Cattle, 5th High Individual Sheep/Goats
  • Nathaniel Gaul - 10th High Individual Overall
  • Brandon Jochimsen - 9th High Individual Swine
2025National Western Stock ShowDenver, CO

Team

  • Overall - 8th High Team
  • Reasons - 5th High Team
  • Cattle Reasons - 5th High Team
  • Swine - 4th High Team
  • Carload - 4th High Team

Individual Results

  • Hadley Broadwater - 9th High Individual Cattle
  • Kaitlyn Zeedyk - 6th High Individual Swine
2025Cattlemen’s CongressOklahoma City, OK

Team

  • Overall - 5th High Team
  • Reasons - 3rd High Team
  • Sheep/Goats - 3rd High Team

Individual

  • Kaitlyn Zeedyk - 3rd High Individual Overall, 3rd High Individual Cattle
  • Melinda Stoltzfus - 10th High Individual Reasons, 10th High Individual Swine
  • Hadley Broadwater - 4th High Individual Sheep/Goats
2025Griswold Cattle Company 

Team

  • Overall - 3rd High Team

Individual

  • Peytin Hereth - 7th High Individual Overall
  • Kade Mennen - 9th High Individual Overall

Livestock Team History

  • 2024 Iowa State Livestock Judging Team

    L-R: Zach Zwiebel, Ashlyn Huff, Nick Deppe, Judd Swanton, Blake Moeller, Reagan Gibson, Ben Moffitt, Coach Will Taylor

  • Team Picture

    L-R: Cole Claussen, Emma Freebairn, Makenzie Hereth, Tyler Gifford, Back: Blake Webel, Robby Burchett, Dillon Sheiss, Dawson Firlus, Lane Slaton,  Coach Will Taylor 

  • Team Picture

    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 

  • Team Picture

    L-R: Jenna Siegel, Collin Swanton, Bridget Holcomb

    Back: Coach Chris Cassady, Ben Mclain, Bryce Bedeker, Asst. Coach Will Taylor

  • Team Picture

    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