ISU Meat Animal Evaluation Team

ISU Meat Animal Evaluation Team

About the Team

The Iowa State University Meat Animal Evaluation Team is a youth development program that focuses on providing experiential learning. Iowa State boasts a strong history at the Meat Animal Evaluation competition, having won 3 National Championships. This competition involves all aspects of a Animal Science curriculum. Students are asked to evaluate breeding animals, live market animals, livestock in the cooler, and participate in a communications challenge. This contest blends all aspects of livestock production and assist students in understanding livestock value, production, and marketing.

The ISU Meat Animal Evaluation Team consists of junior and seniors interested in competitive livestock evaluation. Students who want to join the team are required to take Animal Science 3050 in the fall of their junior year and encouraged to take Animal Science 2700 Lab during their time at ISU. The team travels and practices during the spring of each year with competition at the National Meat Animal Evaluation Contest culminated their spring experience on the team.

Students who are interested in joining the winning tradition of the Iowa State Meat Animal Evaluation Team should contact the Livestock Judging Coach, Will Taylor at wetaylor@iastate.edu. 

 

2026 Meat Animal Evaluation Team
2026 Meat Animal Evaluation Team 

Team Members

Lucas Crutcher

Lucas Crutcher

Fair Grove, MO

Animal Science

Carly Dreher

Carly Dreher

Iola, KS

Agricultural Communication

Cole Freebairn

Cole Freebairn

Ottawa, IL

Agricultural Studies

Caleb Frostestad

Caleb Frostestad

Okoboji, IA

Agricultural Studies

Lane Higbie

Lane Higbie

Quenemo, KS

Agricultural and Rural Policy Studies

Cole Miller

Cole Miller

Charter Oak, IA

Animal Science

Sawyer Morrical

Sawyer Morrical

Clarion, IA

Animal Science

Taylor Richey

Taylor Richey

Medora, IL

Agricultural Studies

Emma Taylor

Emma Taylor

Murrayville, IL

Animal Science

Team Accolades

YearEventLocationResults
2026National Meat Animal Evaluation ContestLubbock, TX

Team Results:

  • 6th High Team Overall
  • 5th High Team Breeding Animal Division
  • 5th High Team Market Animal Division

MAET History

  • 2025 Iowa State University Meat Animal Evaluation Team

    Front L-R Iris Peterson, Kaitlyn Zeedyk, Hannah Buse, Lauren Mohr, Melinda Stoltzfus, Hadley Broadwater, Peytin Hereth

    Back L-R Cole Tobey, Kade Mennen, Brandon Jochimsen, Gabe Hanson, Nathaniel Gaul, Will Taylor (Coach)

  • 2024 Iowa State University Meat Animal Evaluation Team

    Front L-R Ben Moffitt, Reagan Gibson, Jacob Ludeking, Billy McCoy

    Back L-R Will Taylor (Coach), Zach Zwiebel, Blake Moeller, Ashlyn Huff, Judd Swanton