WT Meat Animal Evaluation Team Scores Highly at National Contest

Copy by Chip Chandler, 806-651-2124, cchandler@wtamu.edu

CANYON, Texas — The West Texas A&M University Meat Animal Evaluation Team placed second overall and took home several top prizes at a recent national competition.

The team was named reserve champions at the National Meat Animal Evaluation Contest in Lubbock.

The team took first place in market division, cattle and swine, second place in meats, and third in sheep and breeding division.

The three-day contest is regarded as the pinnacle of a meat animal evaluator’s judging career and serves as one of the most practical tests of meat and livestock evaluation, said Dr. Loni Lucherk, Gordon W. Davis Endowed Chair in Meat Judging in WT’s Department of Agricultural Sciences in the Paul Engler College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences.

The event challenges students to assess the economic value of market livestock, carcasses and breeding animals using industry standards—beginning with live animal evaluation and grading, followed by communication and breeding animal assessment, and concluding with meat evaluation, pricing and grading.

“Competing at this contest takes an incredible amount of focus, discipline and mental toughness over three demanding days,” Lucherk said. “To see these students rise to the challenge and achieve the best finish in our program’s history is a testament to their work ethic and commitment to excellence.”

Beau Johnson, a junior animal science major from Gallipolis, Ohio, placed fifth overall and seventh in breeding division. Spencer Walahoski, a senior animal science major from Overton, Nebraska, placed eighth overall, second in beef evaluation, fifth in meats and ninth in market evaluation. Kale Benton, a senior animal science major from Buffalo, Wyoming, placed ninth overall, second in market evaluation, second in meats and third in swine evaluation.

Also placing were Sterling Berry, a senior animal science major from Cotton Center, fifth in market evaluation; and Hailey McKenzie, a junior agricultural business and economics major from Jefferson, Oregon, fifth in swine evaluation.

Other team members were Maddie Adamic, a senior animal science major from Canon City, Colorado; Morgan Babcock, a junior agriculture education major from Homedale, Idaho: Ryane Bond, a junior agricultural media and communication major from Beaver, Ohio: Lauren Callaway, a junior animal science major from Snyder; Emerson Dean, a senior animal science major from Decatur; Zoe Fusig, a senior animal science major from Fort McKavett; Linde Hahn, a junior agricultural business and economics major from Canyon; Allen Hill, a senior animal science major from Bonanza, Oregon; Nathan Videkovich, a junior agricultural business and economics major from Ashville, Ohio; Brandon Winslow, a junior agriculture major from Hillsdale, Wyoming; and Jacob Yenser, a junior agricultural business and economics major from Botkins, Ohio.

Coaches also included Michael Semler, livestock instructor; Ryan Heitschmidt, graduate student in animal science from Nazareth; and Helene Keiser, a senior animal science major from Gothenburg, Nebraska.

The competition was held March 29 to 31.

WT’s meat animal evaluation team is one of the ways the University is responsive to regional needs, as set out in the University’s long-range plan, WT 125: From the Panhandle to the World.

That plan is fueled by the historic One West comprehensive fundraising campaign, which reached its initial $125 million goal 18 months after publicly launching in September 2021. The campaign, which is now winding down, has raised more than $175 million.

About West Texas A&M University

A Regional Research University, West Texas A&M University is redefining excellence in Canyon, Texas, on a 342-acre residential campus, as well as the Harrington Academic Hall WTAMU Amarillo Center in downtown Amarillo. Established in 1910, the University has been part of The Texas A&M University System since 1990. WT boasts an enrollment of more than 9,000 and offers 66 undergraduate degree programs, including eight associate degrees; and 44 graduate degrees, including an integrated bachelor’s and master’s degree, a specialist degree and two doctoral degrees. WT recently earned a Carnegie Foundation classification as a Research College and University. The Buffaloes are a member of the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference and offers 16 men’s and women’s athletics programs.

Photo: The West Texas A&M University Meat Animal Evaluation Team was named reserve champions at the National Meat Animal Evaluation Contest in Lubbock. Team members include, front from left, Coach Helene Keiser, Spencer Walahoski, Hailey McKenzie, Morgyn Babcock, Lauren Callaway, Maddie Adamic, Zoe Fusig, Ryane Bond, Emerson Dean, Linde Hahn and Coach Dr. Loni Lucherk, and back from left, Coach Ryan Heitschmidt, Kale Benton, Beau Johnson, Brandon Winslow, Sterling Berry, Jacob Yenser, Nathan Videkovich, and Allen Hill. Not pictured is Coach Michael Semler.

—WT—