INTRODUCTION

The Livestock Judging Team was introduced to Mesalands Community College in the Fall of 2001. The team is affiliated with the National Junior College Livestock Judging Association. Livestock judging is an academic activity, as well as an intercollegiate competitive opportunity which offers those interested in judging an opportunity to learn and grow within the sport. Livestock judging students will take courses to prepare them for competition and compete as a team at regional and national competitions against other two-year colleges. Students will spend time traveling as a class and competitive team. Each individual has the option of obtaining coaching and assistance from both staff and peers. Lessons in responsibility, leadership, maturity, pride, dedication, and success are all a part of the Mesalands Community College Livestock Judging program. These values are taught through competition and hard work and are necessary for the competitor to become a “true winner.”

Mesalands Community College offers a unique educational experience in Intercollegiate Livestock Judging. We are the only two-year educational institution that offers this unique opportunity in the state of New Mexico, thus allowing intercollegiate competition, while maintaining your NM Lottery scholarship eligibility. Our courses are full of hands-on experience and we constantly take advantage of numerous regional and state resources available to us. The College Livestock Judging team is co-ed and competes in contests in the fall and spring semesters.

The opportunity to participate on the livestock judging team exists for all Mesalands Community College students regardless of major as well as experience and the skills gained will result in benefits, necessary for any career. Livestock judging team participation increases the visibility of Mesalands Community College students to Industry as well as Academia. Students must meet scholastic as well as contest eligibility guidelines and be enrolled full-time in order to participate on the Livestock Judging Team.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

Judging students may qualify for Livestock Judging Talent Grants as well as various other scholarships, Pell Grants, and work study positions. Please contact our Financial Aid Office for more information at (575) 461-4413, ext. 136.

Practice

Practice sessions are held up to five days per week under the direct supervision of the livestock judging coach. Individualized practice may also be scheduled.

Events

Team members will compete at various contests, where they will judge and give reasons on three species of animals including beef, sheep and swine.

2007 and 2008 possible contests include:

New Mexico State Fair, Albuquerque, NM (September)

Tristate Fair-Amarillo, TX (September)

Eastern New Mexico State Fair, Roswell, NM (October)

Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Ok (October)

Oklahoma Panhandle State University, Goodwill, Ok (November)

Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX (November)

Express Cattle Contest (December)

West Texas A&M University, Canyon, TX (December)

National Western Stock show- Denver, Colorado (January)

San Antonio Livestock Exposition (February)

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (March)

Livestock Judging Club

The Livestock Judging Club offers students with an interest in judging the opportunity to develop their skills as well as the chance to participate in various judging events. The club attends and hosts numerous judging contests throughout the state and region.

Facilities

Mesalands Community College’s campus is comprised of four buildings on 23 acres, with two additional buildings located off campus. First-class facilities for sheep, pigs and cattle are within driving distance to enhance the student’s ability to compete successfully.

Livestock Judging Courses

ANSC 170 LIVESTOCK EVALUATION (3)

This course provides the student with instruction on the selection, classification, grading and judging of livestock. Evaluation areas include beef cattle, hogs, sheep, horses, and carcass. Students gain valuable experience in these processes through hands-on practice of selection and judging. Students' oral communication skills are enhanced through practice in giving oral reasons.

ANSC 170L LIVESTOCK EVALUATION LAB (1)

This course is designed for students wishing to gain additional hands-on experience in judging livestock. This practicum based course addresses livestock selection, grading, evaluation, and placing. This course should be taken concurrently with ANSC 170 – Livestock Evaluation. Students on the livestock judging team are required to take this course.

ANSC 171 ORAL LIVESTOCK REASONS (4)

This is an introductory livestock judging course which offers instruction in oral reasons in livestock judging. Many types and styles of oral reasons in defense of placing cattle, swine, sheep, and horses along with livestock carcasses of each species will be covered.

ANSC 271 ADVANCED LIVESTOCK EVALUATION (4)

This is an advanced Animal Science course which offers the student an opportunity to study the differences in breeds of livestock, relationships between form to function of livestock, and serves as a preparation for national livestock judging competition. Extensive time will be spent judging and presenting oral reasons.

ANSC 150 ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS (3)

This course is designed to provide for the study of various systems within the bodies of animals. The structure and function of these systems is the content of this course. Various farm animals are studied, including the cow, horse, sheep and pig. Other animals are included in certain sections. This class will give the judger as well as Animal Science students a greater understanding of livestock production through a more in-depth appreciation of livestock.

ANSC 100 INTRODUCTION TO ANIMAL SCIENCE (3)

Introduction to Animal Science is an orientation and survey of the livestock industry in the United States. The course serves as an introduction to breeding, feeding, marketing, and management practices for producing and selling farm animals. This course for animal science majors is also of interest to students who desire an introduction to livestock practices.

ANSC 255 BEEF PRODUCTION (3)

This course is designed for students planning a career in some segment of the beef cattle industry. Students will be instructed on management and marketing practices of beef cattle, including selection, breeding, nutrition and reproduction. Production and management of beef cattle in all segments of the industry with a holistic approach are also studied.

ANSC 245 ANIMAL BREEDING (3)

This course presents the fundamental principles of reproduction, variation, breeding systems and their application to domestic species. Reproductive anatomy and physiology will be covered. Various systems and their application, including artificial insemination, will be presented. This class will give the judger as well as Animal Science students a greater understanding of livestock production through a more in-depth appreciation of livestock.