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.

This episode is a re-release of episode #8 which was originally released on December 30th, 2024.

On Today's Episode: THE SORT is excited to welcome Mr. Brian Arnold into the studio to share some of his memories and ideas with us. Brian grew up on a grain and swine farm in northeast Indiana and his family raised a few show pigs. Brian competed on college judging teams at Blackhawk East (BHE) and Purdue. Upon graduation, he had the opportunity to serve as an agriculture instructor and co-coach the livestock judging team at BHE. Brian has also worked for the National Swine Registry and Zoetis. Today, his current role is Sr. Product Manager–Direct Fed Microbials for United Animal Health.

On today's episode, Brett sits down with Tyson Kimble and Thomas Owings, two members of the Top Judge program and students at the University of Arkansas.

Tyson Kimble attended Northeastern Oklahoma A&M college where he received his Associate degree and was a member of the livestock judging team. He was also involved in numerous clubs while at NEO. He now attends the University of Arkansas and is an Agriculture Education major. Tyson's family runs a commercial cow calf operation and wheat farm located in Pomeroy, Washington. He was heavily involved in FFA growing up, showing cattle and competing in numerous CDE and LDEs.

Thomas Owings attended Redlands Community College where he graduated with an Associate degree in Agricultural Sciences. He now attends the University of Arkansas majoring in Agriculture Education, spending his final semester student teaching at Mountain Home Public Schools in Northern Arkansas. Thomas was awarded 4th High Individual Overall at the American Royal, High Individual Overall at Triple Crown in California, and 8th High Individual Overall at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo.

This episode is a re-release of Episode #6 of The Sort, originally released on December 16th, 2024.

This week, The Sort welcomes three legends of the swine industry into the studio: Al Christian, Al Snedegar and Steve Nichols. Listen in as they talk about their time either judging or exhibiting at the International in the Chicago Stockyards. Each will also speak of their opportunities judging "The Majors" and shows all over the world.

If you worked at the swine teaching farms at Iowa State, Michigan State or Purdue University you may want to tune in and listen also.