This episode features two interviews previously released on the podcast with students who took part in the Top Judge program. The interview with Jed Sidwell first released on February 17th, 2025 and the interview with Jacob Klaudt first aired on March 10th.

Livestock judging led Jed to Butler Community College where he was a member of the Champion Team at the Cattlemen's Congress. After two years at Butler, he went to Stillwater, Oklahoma where he just finished up his time as a member of the Livestock Judging team at Oklahoma State University. He was a member of the Champion team at the Cattleman's Congress, National Western, and National Barrow show. Jed was also the high individual at the Dixie National judging contest.

Jacob is a senior at Kansas State University majoring in animal sciences and industry with an option in communications and marketing. He was a member of national champion livestock judging and meat animal evaluation teams, and achieved high individual overall in Louisville. Jacob earned two associate degrees from Casper College where he was awarded All-American honors in livestock judging. He works for the Agriculture Today radio show, writes for K-State Research & Extension news, and is on staff for the College of Agriculture's Agriculturist magazine.

This week, we are excited to sit down for a conversation with a legend of the industry: Dr. John Edwards, whose 50-year career as a livestock judge included judging every major steer show in the county as well as serving as the official judge for eight national beef breed shows. He also judged cattle in eight foreign countries on four continents.

This episode originally was released on December 23rd, 2024.

This week, we are excited to welcome into the studio Jack Ward, Executive Vice President of the American Hereford Association in Kansas City, Missouri. Jack received his Associate of Science degree from Black Hawk East College in Kewanee, Illinois and his BS degree from Purdue University. He and his wife, Mary Ann, have two sons, Cameron and Carter. Ward has judged every major show across the U.S. and in multiple foreign countries!

On Today's Episode, Host Brett Kaysen sits down with two more university students who take part in the Top Judge program.

Zane Redifer is currently a senior at Kansas State University studying animal science. Zane was a member of both the 2024 National Champion Meat Animal Evaluation and Livestock Judging teams. Prior to KSU, Zane attended Butler Community College where he earned an associate's degree in animal science while competing on the livestock judging team. He and his family own and operate Redifer Livestock, which currently consists of about 60 ewes, 50 does, and 10 cows in Blacksburg, Virginia.

Reagan Gibson attends lowa State University majoring in agricultural education with a minor in animal science. At ISU, she is a member of the Block and Bridle Club and the highly competitive 2024 Livestock Judging and Meat Animal Evaluation Teams. She found success while also working as an undergraduate teaching assistant for two classes. Outside of school, she serves as secretary of the Team Purebred Junior Board and operates Stock Show Therapies, an animal-focused PEMF therapy business.

Our guest this week on THE SORT podcast is Terry Burks. Terry is a retired Professor of English Studies from Chifeng University in The People’s Republic of China and has judged nearly 1300 Junior and open livestock shows in 43 states. You won’t want to miss this one!

On Today's Episode, Host Brett Kaysen sits down with two more university students who take part in the Top Judge program.

Braylon Spears attends Oklahoma State University where he is studying animal science. He was a member of the highly successful livestock judging team that won the Cattleman's Congress, National Western, Dixie National, National Barrow Show, and Tulsa State Fair contests while finishing as Reserve National Team at the North American International Livestock Exposition. Prior to OSU, Braylon attended Eastern Oklahoma State College where he was a member of a successful livestock judging team and graduated with an associate's degree. Braylon's family owns a showpig operation in Hartsthorne, Oklahoma that consists of 20 sows.

Cole Smyth attended Connors State College, where he was a member of a successful livestock judging team. Cole then transitioned to Auburn University where he was a vital member of their livestock judging program. Throughout Cole's collegiate judging career, his accomplishments include being named high individual in the swine division at Houston and top ten finishes in swine divisions at multiple contests. He also had the opportunity to manage and maintain show pigs for youth exhibitors and has interned for M&M Genetics located in Pearson, Georgia.

This episode originally was released on January 27th, 2025.

On Today's Episode: Brett sits down for a legendary conversation with Joel Cowley, Chief Executive Officer of the Calgary Stampede.

Before taking on the role of CEO, Joel was most recently the president of Angus Genetics Incorporated, following 15 years with the internationally renowned Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

On Today's Episode: Brett sits down for a conversation with Shane Brinning, Co-Owner and Co-Operator of Brinning Genetics, which specializes in raising elite show pigs.

On Today's Episode: We revisit two conversations from earlier episodes of The Sort where Brett had the opportunity to chat with two women who represent the future of the industry - Kyla Mennen from Kansas State University and Ashlyn O'Brien from Oklahoma State University.

Kyla began her collegiate career at Joliet Junior College where she was recognized as an Academic All-American. She is currently a senior at Kansas State University studying Agricultural Business. At K-State, Kyla enjoys working as an Undergraduate Teaching Assistant and a College of Agriculture Ambassador. She is proud to be a member of the 2024 National Champion Livestock Judging Team and the 2024 National Champion Meat Animal Evaluation Team, where she was the high individual.

Ashlyn attended Butler Community College as a member of the livestock judging team. Upon graduation, she continued her judging career at Oklahoma State University while working towards a Bachelor's degree in Animal Science. Along with being honored as an Academic All-American, she was named the High Individual Overall at the Cattlemen's Congress, San Antonio Livestock Show & Rodeo, and the National Western.

On Today's Episode: Brett sits down for a conversation with Dr. Scott Schaake, Associate Professor with a specialization in Beef Cattle Production & Management at the Kansas State University School of Animal Sciences and Industry.