The Sort

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.

This episode is a re-release of Episode #5 of The Sort, originally released on December 9th, 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.

*Note this is a two-week episode* Catch the first half this week and tune in again next week to finish the discussion.

On today's episode, Brett sits down with Cade Anderson and Brenn Edwards, two members of the Top Judge program and students at Texas Tech University.

Cade Anderson attended Blinn Junior College and was a member of the livestock judging team. Following Blinn, Cade transferred to Texas Tech University where he concluded his collegiate livestock judging career. Cade credits his involvement in agriculture and pursuit of livestock judging to his dad's side of the family who have always been passionate in the industry. Cade has been awarded many opportunities to judge as well as commentate several shows.

Brenn Edwards is currently a student at Texas Tech University and transferred from South Plains College where he was part of their livestock judging team. At TTU, he competed for both the livestock judging and meat animal evaluation teams, earning top honors such as high individual in reasons at the American Royal. He will graduate in May with a degree in agricultural economics and has secured a position in Viterra Grain's grain merchandising trainee program. Brenn's family owns and operates Tribe Genetics, the show-pig operation based in Lubbock, Texas.

This episode is a re-release of Episode #1 of The Sort, originally released on November 11th, 2024.

THE SORT welcomes Warren Beeler to the podcast. Warren is the Deputy Commissioner of Agriculture for the Kentucky Department of Agriculture and an adjunct instructor for Western Kentucky University. A tireless advocate for the agricultural industry, Warren has been awarded the Distinguished Rural Kentuckian award, been inducted into the Kentucky Pork Producers Hall of Fame, the Western Kentucky University Hall of Fame, and the University of Kentucky Animal and Food Science Hall of Fame.

Beyond his work, Warren is recognized as one of most notable swine judges in the United States. He has judged state fairs in 43 states and every Texas Major show. His passion for the industry is only surpassed by his deep desire to see young people excel in life. Warren has been married to DeeDee for 42 years and they have 5 children and 2 grandchildren. We are beyond excited to have Warren kick off our show and look forward to you hearing from him.

On today's episode, Brett sits down with Tate Hogan and Gunner Coburn, two members of the Top Judge program and students at Texas A&M University.

Tate is currently a student at Texas A&M University studying animal science. At TAMU, Tate was a member of the highly competitive livestock judging team earning top 5 finishes individually at multiple contests. Prior to Texas A&M, Tate attended Butler Community College where he was an intricate part of a successful judging team where he ended his junior college career with multiple top 10 finishes. Tate credits Chad Coburn for molding him into the evaluator and person he is today by competing in youth judging contests all across the country.

Gunner began his collegiate livestock judging career at Blinn College in Brenham, Texas. He was a part of a successful livestock judging team while studying animal science. He is currently a student at Texas A&M University, where he is finishing up a degree in animal science. While at TAMU, he was a member of the highly competitive livestock judging team. He plans to pursue a master's degree in animal science with a focus on beef cattle production.

Tate is currently a student at Texas A&M University studying animal science. At TAMU, Tate was a member of the highly competitive livestock judging team earning top 5 finishes individually at multiple contests. Prior to Texas A&M, Tate attended Butler Community College where he was an intricate part of a successful judging team where he ended his junior college career with multiple top 10 finishes. Tate credits Chad Coburn for molding him into the evaluator and person he is today by competing in youth judging contests all across the country. He plans to finish his degree and continue helping young people develop their eye and passion for judging livestock.