New judging coach ready to build team

By Jacob Klaudt

Lecturer and Livestock Judging Team Coach

Jacob Klaudt started as an animal science lecturer and livestock judging team coach at NDSU at the end of May. Klaudt's core responsibilities include recruiting, developing and instructing team members and students involved and interested in livestock evaluation.

Klaudt recently graduated from Kansas State University with a bachelor's degree in animal sciences and industry and a minor in journalism and mass communications. At K-State, Klaudt was a member of national champion livestock judging and meat animal evaluation teams, experiences highlighted by being the high individual overall at the 2024 National Collegiate Livestock Judging contest and a team victory at the 2024 American Royal.

Before his time at KSU, Klaudt attended Casper College and earned two associate of science degrees in agriculture communication and animal science. At Casper, he was a member of the 2022-2023 livestock judging team, achieving All-American status.

Klaudt originates from Beulah, N.D., and grew up around production-oriented Simmental and Angus cattle, also showing some throughout the Northern Great Plains. He has been judging youth livestock shows since 2021, working with the industry’s young people in 10 states. Klaudt is also an inaugural Top Judge Mentorship program member — a premier professional development event for young livestock evaluators.

Beyond livestock evaluation, Klaudt enjoys communicating about agriculture through audio and written media. He also spends his time judging youth livestock shows, fishing for walleye on Lake Sakakawea, playing cards and being involved in the beef cattle industry.

Klaudt will instruct ANSC 231 Livestock Evaluation and ANSC 240 Meat Animal Evaluation in Fall 2025. With Klaudt at the helm, the NDSU Livestock Judging Team will start practices this fall with competitions beginning in December.

Follow Klaudt and the program online at https://www.ndsu.edu/agriculture/animal-sciences/students/livestock-judging-team or find updates on the Facebook page titled: “North Dakota State University Livestock Judging Team.”