On today's episode, Brett sits down with Kyla Mennen and Logan Buhrman, two members of the 2024 National Champion Livestock Judging Team at Kansas 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.

Logan is currently a student at Kansas State University. At KSU, he was a part of the champion livestock judging team at the American Royal and the NAILE while also earning 7th high individual finishes at both. Logan transferred from Fort Scott Community College where he was a member of the livestock judging team. He and his family operate Buhrman Brothers Livestock located in Wisner, Nebraska where they run a two hundred head commercial and registered Simmental and Angus cow-calf operation. Additionally, they have a small herd of show goats that they market annually to youth exhibitors and also farm row crops.

Today's guest on THE SORT podcast is Chris Mullinix, Instructor of Animal Sciences at Kansas State University and Co-Coach of the Meat Animal Evaluation Team. Originally from Maryland, Chris grew up on a diversified cattle and farming operation. He was a National Champion Livestock Judging Team member and had tremendous coaching success at Butler Community College and Kansas State University, coaching over 30 collegiate national contest winning teams. Adding to an already impressive resume, Chris has judged livestock exhibitions in 42 different states and Canada.

On Today's Episode: Joining us are Emerson Tarr and Jacob Klaudt, two students from Kansas State University selected to participate in the Top Judge program this year.

Emerson is a senior at Kansas State University where she is studying agriculture communications and journalism with a minor in animal science. Emerson is involved in the College of Agriculture Ambassadors, Block and Bridle, and Agriculture Communicators of Tomorrow. She was also a member of the 2024 National Champion Livestock Judging and Meat Animal Evaluation Teams.

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.

Today's guest is Dr. Rathmann, who holds the John W. and Doris Jones Professorship in Animal Science at Texas Tech University where he specializes in Beef Cattle Biology and serves as Faculty Coordinator and Coach of the Livestock Judging Team. Passionate about student success, Dr. Rathmann teaches courses on animal science, breeding, and beef production systems, and conducts research in feedlot nutrition, carcass composition, and muscle growth. No stranger to success, he led Texas Tech and Texas A&M to a combined 7 national championships.

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: Brett sits down with two students from Oklahoma State University, Ashlyn O'Brien and Jed Sidwell.

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.

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.

On Today's Episode: Brett sits down with two students from Oklahoma State University, Anna Hannon and Kale Campbell.

Anna began her collegiate judging career at Northern Oklahoma College, where her team was named 2023 Team of the Year after winning American Royal, NAILE, Denver, and Houston. She then transitioned to Oklahoma State University, where she is currently finishing a degree in Recreational Therapy. Her time at NOC and OSU culminated in earning several individual accolades, including being named an All-American in both junior and senior college.

Kale is currently pursuing a degree in animal science at Oklahoma State University. While at OSU, Kale competed on the livestock judging team where he earned top ten individual honors at multiple contests. Prior to OSU, he attended Northern Oklahoma College and was awarded All-American honors for his judging and academic achievements. During his collegiate career, he was also involved in the Meat Animal Evaluation Team, the NOC Aggie Club, and the Oklahoma State Livestock Judging Camp.

On Today's Episode, we welcome Brian Faris to the show. Brian currently serves as the Competitive Events Director at the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo and has judged numerous county, state, and national shows throughout the country and has judged in Canada. His passion is working with kids and to see them learn about agriculture through 4-H/FFA projects, which makes him a perfect mentor and leader for the Top Judge program.

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, The Sort is thrilled to welcome the dynamic duo of Kandy and Al Schminke! Lots of knowledge and diversified agriculture experience is shared in this episode!