The Sort

This episode features two interviews previously released on the podcast with students who took part in the Top Judge program. The interview with Chyann Emerson first released on April 13th, 2026 and the interview with Jackson Tarrance first aired on April 20th, 2026.

Chyann Emmerson, from Tuttle, Oklahoma, shares how a soccer injury redirected her toward livestock judging, ultimately leading her to a national championship and internships with pork industry organizations. She reflects on teamwork, building confidence, communication skills, and the lasting relationships forged through competitive livestock judging.

Jackson Tarrance, from Welling, Oklahoma, shares his journey from showing pigs to collegiate judging, discussing mentors, career goals in agricultural lending, and plans to grow his family's show pig operation. He emphasizes judging's value in building skills, relationships, and professional networks.

In this episode of The Sort, host Dr. Brett Kaysen welcomes Jerry (J.R.) Reid—elite hog breeder, livestock evaluator, 20-year NCAA basketball referee, and Missouri State Fair superintendent. J.R. shares his family's multi-generational hog breeding legacy dating back to the 1940s, highlighting how foundational evaluation terminology remains relevant today. He draws compelling parallels between refereeing and livestock judging, emphasizing professionalism, consistency, and giving full effort at every event—large or small. J.R. also reflects on career pivots, resilience, and the work ethic instilled by his farming roots, leaving listeners with timeless advice: your word is your bond, and hard work never goes out of style.

This episode is a re-release of episode #39 of The Sort podcast, originally released on August 4th, 2025.

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.

In this episode, Dr. Brett Kaysen interviews Jennifer Cannon, Competitive Events Director at the Iowa State Fair, and volunteer swine superintendent Ernie Barnes. Jennifer shares her 18-year journey managing 40,000 annual entries across diverse competitions, from livestock to food. Ernie discusses his 20-plus years volunteering in the swine barn. Together, they explore what makes the Iowa State Fair unique, including its park-like historic fairgrounds, strong community spirit, and ongoing barn renovations. They also highlight the importance of balancing tradition with innovation and discuss their support for the Top Judge program in developing future livestock judges.

In this episode of The Sort Podcast, Dr. Brett Kaysen interviews Glen Martin, a respected multi-species livestock expert from Mason, Texas. Glen traces his journey from growing up in a diversified ranching family with deep Texas roots, to competing in FFA judging teams at Texas A&M, to managing a 6,500-acre operation today. He shares candid stories about teamwork, humility, and mentorship, emphasizing that helping young people is his God-given purpose. Grounded in Christian faith, Glen reflects on overcoming droughts and personal challenges, ultimately expressing his desire to be remembered for planting seeds of faith and growth within the livestock industry.

In this episode of The Sort, host Dr. Kaysen sits down with two Texas A&M University students, Bryson Stone and Dillon Prokop, to discuss their journeys in agriculture and livestock judging. Bryson, raised on a cotton farm near Lubbock, shares how resilience, diverse experiences, and strong mentorship shaped his path in agribusiness. Dillon, from Llano's Texas Hill Country, reflects on his unexpected shift from engineering to animal science and his plans to pursue a master's degree in meat science. Both students emphasize the lasting value of relationships, mentorship, and embracing opportunities within the livestock judging community.

In this episode of the Sort podcast, host Dr. Brett Kaysen interviews Nathaniel Gaul (Iowa State University) and Joscelyn Layman (Michigan State University), both participants in the Top Judge program—a transitional initiative helping senior collegiate livestock judges move into professional roles. Nathaniel shares his journey from a northeast Iowa farm to securing a grain merchandising career, while Joscelyn discusses her path toward veterinary school. Both reflect on memorable contest experiences at Louisville and San Antonio, the value of mentorship, and lessons learned through livestock judging. They offer thoughtful advice to aspiring judges about integrity, relationships, and embracing the journey beyond competition.

In this episode of "The Sort" podcast, host Dr. Brett Kaysen interviews three collegiate livestock judging competitors. Caden Schwab from Fort Collins, Colorado, discusses growing up as a coach's son, his journey from Connors State to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and his plans to pursue a finance master's degree in Texas. Kade Mennen from Indiana shares his path through Lincoln Land Community College to Iowa State, balancing farming with academics. Tucker Woods from Mississippi details his unique turfgrass management major at Mississippi State. All three discuss the Top Judge program, favorite contests, and offer advice encouraging youth to embrace confidence and seek mentorship.

In this episode of The Sort podcast, host Dr. Brett Kaysen interviews two Iowa State University students, Hadley Broadwater and Kaitlyn Zeedyk, both deeply involved in livestock judging and animal science. Hadley, from Indiana, shares her journey from showing swine and sheep to pursuing a master's degree in reproductive physiology, crediting mentorship and Iowa State's supportive community. Kaitlyn, from Ohio, discusses her path from a grain and sheep farm to a nutrition and sales career, highlighting how livestock judging built her confidence and communication skills. Both guests emphasize hard work, mentorship, and the invaluable experiences gained through the Top Judge Program.

In this episode of the Sort podcast, host Dr. Brett Kaysen sits down with two standout collegiate livestock judges: Alexandra Duckworth from the University of Tennessee and Kellum Carnahan from Kansas State University. Alexandra shares her passion for beef cattle genetics and genomics, her journey from aspiring veterinarian to future academic researcher, and her experience in the Top Judge program. Kellum discusses his ranching roots in Wyoming and Colorado, his development as a judge, and his aspirations to coach and eventually expand his family's seedstock operation. Both guests offer inspiring perspectives on mentorship, personal growth, and careers in agriculture.