Livestock Judging Team Hosts Camp

Dozens of youth spend day in Watford City developing reasons

by Jacob Klaudt Lecturer and Livestock Judging Team Coach

The NDSU Livestock Judging Team hosted the inaugural Bison Youth Rea-sons Camp in Watford City, N.D., on Nov. 8. Sixty-three participants from nine counties spent the day “perfecting” a set of reasons on a class of Angus heifers provided by Cargo Stock Farm.
The event marked the first time in about eight years that NDSU has held a youth livestock judging event on the west-ern side of the state. Team members Kodi Bell, Grace Melhoff, Carissa Scheel and Cora Schaunaman, along with coach Jacob Klaudt, provided attendees with insight on how to fine-tune their reasons and improve their craft.

“Helping at the Reasons Camp really showed me how excited North Dakota youth are to learn about livestock judging,” said Carissa, a sophomore. “I loved watching their confidence grow through-out the day, and it was rewarding to see the progress they made from their first set to their last.”
Before students can deliver a high set of reasons, they need to come away from a class of livestock with a correct placing, sound logic and an accurate evaluation. To begin the day, participants completed an accuracy set that emulates reasons in a contest setting.

Beyond accuracy, participants also had the opportunity to improve the content within their reasons. Students learned how to properly format a set of reasons, use correct beef cattle terminology and incorporate performance data into their discussion. They then implemented those changes and re-gave their original set.

“The Bison Youth Reasons Camp helped me find the motivation to pursue livestock judging,” said participant Grace Schwab from Lisbon, N.D. “I felt more confident in my rea-sons by the end of the camp.”

The afternoon focused on presenting a set of reasons. Youth participated in activities designed to build confidence, improve voice quality and enhance their entrance into a reasons room.

Students then competed in a Reasons Battle Royal, during which they found a spot along the wall of a large auditorium and delivered their sets all at once to practice giving reasons with distractions present.

Afterward, attendees gave their set for the third and final time, incorporating adjustments made to accuracy, content and presentation.

“The Bison Youth Reasons Camp helped me be more confident with reasons,” said participant Hayley Howey from Lis-bon, N.D.

The Bison Youth Reasons Camp is one of several development events offered to youth over the past six months. Other activities involving the NDSU Livestock Judging Team include Chalk Talks: Coaching Webinars; the Beat the Heat Summer Livestock Judging Workout; the Bison Youth Rea-sons Jackpot; and the Youth Livestock Judging Contest at the North Star Classic.