December 18, 2003

 

NDSU Livestock Judging Team Enjoys Consistent Success

The North Dakota State University Livestock Judging Team consistently placed in the top ten at numerous competitions across the nation during the 2003 collegiate judging season. Their most recent success was an eighth place finish at the national contest held on Nov. 19 in Louisville, Ky.

"Our team members placed in the top ten at every contest except one," says Bert Moore, head coach and associate professor at NDSU. "It really was a great year."

Members of the team included Jared Bullinger, Dickinson, ND; Zac Hall, Berthold, ND; Jory Hansen, Berthold, ND; Justin Benz, Beulah, ND; Ben Hawkins, Inver Grove Heights, Minn.; Stephanie Renner, Mandan, ND.

"This year’s group was really unique," notes Moore. "All of the judgers had very good 4-H and FFA backgrounds, and all were coached at one time by former NDSU judging team members."

Moore is not new to NDSU judging himself. He has been coaching for 35 years. During the past season, Moore worked with assistant coach, Travis Maddock, NDSU animal science graduate assistant.

Individual highlights during the season included a 12th place finish by Benz at Kansas City, and 1st and 3rd place wins by Hawkins and Bullinger, respectively, at the Minnesota Beef Expo in St. Paul where the team placed first overall.

The students agree that livestock judging offers more than just recognition. "Judging not only tests our self confidence and communication skills, but also allows us to network with breeders, other students and business people across the nation," says Hall.

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Source: Bert Moore, (701) 231-7651, bert.moore@ndsu.nodak.edu
Writer: Teresa Oe, (701) 231-8371, teresa.oe@ndsu.nodak.edu
Editor: Tom Jirik, (701) 231-9629, tjirik@ndsuext.nodak.edu