By Madelyn Ostendorf
Over 190 elementary through high school students came to campus June 3-5 to participate in the Neal and Kitty Conover Livestock Judging Camp.
The camp, hosted by the Iowa State Livestock Judging Team and its coach, Will Taylor, assistant teaching professor in animal science, is designed to introduce students to livestock judging and develop critical thinking, communication, leadership and decision-making skills. Participating students came from Iowa, Missouri, Indiana, Wisconsin and Minnesota.
The camp is largely organized by Iowa State students who are part of the Livestock Judging Team. They use their experience in professional collegiate competitions to teach the younger students about the evaluation and ranking of several types of livestock, including sheep and cattle, and how to explain why they came to that decision in front of a judge.
At the end of the camp, participants were invited to join a judging contest to practice their newfound skills. The contest consisted of eight livestock classes, four sets of oral reasoning and two questions to answer.
“Our team members are essential to the camp’s success,” Taylor said. “They served as group leaders and instructors, helping educate and mentor students throughout the week. Beyond that, they took the lead on organizing the event—securing sponsorships, marketing the camp, preparing materials and handling countless logistics.”
For many campers, this experience is their first encounter with livestock judging. Taylor said this camp is an opportunity to lay the groundwork for a lifelong interest, or at the very least, gives these students practical experience with communication and a boost in their confidence. With a record-breaking number of participants this year – up from 70 last year - Taylor is optimistic about the future of the animal science industry.
“A camp like this is an investment in the future of the livestock and animal science industries. While the immediate outcomes may not be fully measurable, the long-term impact is significant,” Taylor said. “By engaging them early and giving them a positive, hands-on experience at Iowa State, we’re helping shape the next generation of leaders in animal science."
Neal Conover (‘69 animal science) has supported this summer experience for seven years. As a former member of the Iowa State Livestock Judging Team, Conover strongly believes that whether or not a camper chooses to go into the livestock industry, the skills they learn in the camp are invaluable.
“I think it's vital to show the livestock industry is continuing to produce high-quality livestock keepers, including those who can judge what a quality animal is,” Conover said. “Youth development goes along with that, and it cannot be understated. The value of getting the next generation of young people enthused about livestock and judging is going to have some positive impacts.”