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PODCAST

The Sort

Upload Media Group, LLC

Hop into the ring with The Sort, the podcast offering both a historical and forward-looking exploration of the world of livestock judges. The goal of The Sort is designed to support, engage, mentor, and advance the future leaders of the livestock industry. In each episode, we invite guests to share their personal journeys, visions, and enthusiasm for the livestock industry. These individuals bring unique perspectives, enriching our program with their real-world experiences of challenges and

education pets & animals

All Episodes

01:00:58

#99: REVISIT - Tom Farrer

The Sort ·

2026/10/05

This episode is a re-release of episode #59 of The Sort podcast, originally released on December 22nd, 2025.In this episode of The Sort podcast, host Brett Kaysen talks with Tom Farrer, a renowned livestock breeder and judge from Indiana. Tom shares insights from his multi-generational family operation, his experiences in 4-H, and his journey judging at major shows nationwide. He discusses the importance of independent thinking, adapting to industry changes, and maintaining high standards in both

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57:24

#98: Dr. Jason Ross

The Sort ·

2026/09/28

In this episode of The Sort, host Dr. Brett Kaysen interviews Dr. Jason Ross, Department Head of Animal Sciences at Iowa State University. Dr. Ross shares his journey from growing up on an Iowa farm to becoming a faculty member and department head at Iowa State, with stops at Oklahoma State and the University of Missouri. He discusses his passion for swine reproductive physiology, his strong support for livestock judging programs as high-impact practices that build critical thinking and leadership

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01:06:20

#97: REVISIT - Hadley Broadwater and Skyler Ward

The Sort ·

2026/09/21

This episode features two interviews previously released on the podcast with students who took part in the Top Judge program. The interview with Hadley Broadwater first released on June 29th, 2026 and the interview with Skyler Ward first aired on May 4th, 2026.In this episode of The Sort podcast, host Dr. Brett Kaysen interviews Hadley Broadwater and Skyler Ward. Hadley, from Indiana, shares her journey from showing swine and sheep to pursuing a master's degree in reproductive physiology, crediting

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01:07:43

#96: Steve Gabel

The Sort ·

2026/09/14

In this episode of The Sort, host Dr. Brett Kaysen sits down with Steve Gabel, a Colorado-based cattle feeder, entrepreneur, and longtime livestock judging coach. Steve shares his journey from growing up on a farm in Fort Lupton to building Magnum Feed Yards into a 36,000-head operation. He reflects on his college judging career at CSU, his 21 years coaching Weld County's 4-H judging team to nine state titles, and his commitment to hosting teams at his feed yard. Steve also candidly discusses

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01:06:07

#95: REVISIT - Jack Habjan and Mason Allen

The Sort ·

2026/09/07

This episode features two interviews previously released on the podcast with students who took part in the Top Judge program. The interview with Jack Habjan first released on May 4th, 2026 and the interview with Mason Allan first aired on May 25th, 2026.Jack Habjan, from Linwood, Kansas, shares his journey from sports announcing dreams to pursuing ruminant nutrition at Texas Tech, with plans for graduate studies at the University of Arkansas. He also shares memorable experiences from the Top Judge

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49:43

#94: Kayla Rathmann

The Sort ·

2026/08/31

In this episode, host Dr. Brett Kaysen interviews Kayla Rathmann from Texas Tech University's Department of Animal and Food Sciences. Kayla shares her West Texas roots, her family's deep ties to agriculture and livestock judging, and her unexpected path into academic advising. She reflects on Texas Tech's remarkable growth from 368 to 1,500 students over 20 years, crediting strong leadership, faculty, and alumni support. Kayla discusses her mentorship philosophy, evolving student demographics, and

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01:03:59

#93: REVISIT - Chyanne Emmerson and Jackson Tarrance

The Sort ·

2026/08/24

This episode features two interviews previously released on the podcast with students who took part in the Top Judge program. The interview with Chyann Emerson first released on April 13th, 2026 and the interview with Jackson Tarrance first aired on April 20th, 2026.Chyann Emmerson, from Tuttle, Oklahoma, shares how a soccer injury redirected her toward livestock judging, ultimately leading her to a national championship and internships with pork industry organizations. She reflects on teamwork,

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01:01:33

#92: Jerry Reid

The Sort ·

2026/08/17

In this episode of The Sort, host Dr. Brett Kaysen welcomes Jerry (J.R.) Reid—elite hog breeder, livestock evaluator, 20-year NCAA basketball referee, and Missouri State Fair superintendent. J.R. shares his family's multi-generational hog breeding legacy dating back to the 1940s, highlighting how foundational evaluation terminology remains relevant today. He draws compelling parallels between refereeing and livestock judging, emphasizing professionalism, consistency, and giving full effort at every

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01:04:41

#91: REVISIT - Dr. John Edwards

The Sort ·

2026/08/10

This episode is a re-release of episode #39 of The Sort podcast, originally released on August 4th, 2025.This week, we are excited to sit down for a conversation with a legend of the industry: Dr. John Edwards, whose 50-year career as a livestock judge included judging every major steer show in the county as well as serving as the official judge for eight national beef breed shows. He also judged cattle in eight foreign countries on four continents.

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01:09:57

#90: Jennifer Cannon and Ernie Barnes

The Sort ·

2026/08/03

In this episode, Dr. Brett Kaysen interviews Jennifer Cannon, Competitive Events Director at the Iowa State Fair, and volunteer swine superintendent Ernie Barnes. Jennifer shares her 18-year journey managing 40,000 annual entries across diverse competitions, from livestock to food. Ernie discusses his 20-plus years volunteering in the swine barn. Together, they explore what makes the Iowa State Fair unique, including its park-like historic fairgrounds, strong community spirit, and ongoing barn

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01:18:30

#89: Glen Martin

The Sort ·

2026/07/27

In this episode of The Sort Podcast, Dr. Brett Kaysen interviews Glen Martin, a respected multi-species livestock expert from Mason, Texas. Glen traces his journey from growing up in a diversified ranching family with deep Texas roots, to competing in FFA judging teams at Texas A&M, to managing a 6,500-acre operation today. He shares candid stories about teamwork, humility, and mentorship, emphasizing that helping young people is his God-given purpose. Grounded in Christian faith, Glen reflects

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59:24

#88: Bryson Stone and Dillon Prokop

The Sort ·

2026/07/20

In this episode of The Sort, host Dr. Kaysen sits down with two Texas A&M University students, Bryson Stone and Dillon Prokop, to discuss their journeys in agriculture and livestock judging. Bryson, raised on a cotton farm near Lubbock, shares how resilience, diverse experiences, and strong mentorship shaped his path in agribusiness. Dillon, from Llano's Texas Hill Country, reflects on his unexpected shift from engineering to animal science and his plans to pursue a master's degree in meat

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01:03:40

#87: Nathaniel Gaul and Joscelyn Layman

The Sort ·

2026/07/13

In this episode of the Sort podcast, host Dr. Brett Kaysen interviews Nathaniel Gaul (Iowa State University) and Joscelyn Layman (Michigan State University), both participants in the Top Judge program—a transitional initiative helping senior collegiate livestock judges move into professional roles. Nathaniel shares his journey from a northeast Iowa farm to securing a grain merchandising career, while Joscelyn discusses her path toward veterinary school. Both reflect on memorable contest experiences

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01:28:50

#86: Caden Schwab, Kade Mennen, Tucker Woods

The Sort ·

2026/07/06

In this episode of "The Sort" podcast, host Dr. Brett Kaysen interviews three collegiate livestock judging competitors. Caden Schwab from Fort Collins, Colorado, discusses growing up as a coach's son, his journey from Connors State to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and his plans to pursue a finance master's degree in Texas. Kade Mennen from Indiana shares his path through Lincoln Land Community College to Iowa State, balancing farming with academics. Tucker Woods from Mississippi details his

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01:06:44

#85: Hadley Broadwater and Kaitlyn Zeedyk

The Sort ·

2026/06/29

In this episode of The Sort podcast, host Dr. Brett Kaysen interviews two Iowa State University students, Hadley Broadwater and Kaitlyn Zeedyk, both deeply involved in livestock judging and animal science. Hadley, from Indiana, shares her journey from showing swine and sheep to pursuing a master's degree in reproductive physiology, crediting mentorship and Iowa State's supportive community. Kaitlyn, from Ohio, discusses her path from a grain and sheep farm to a nutrition and sales career,

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01:02:58

#84: Alexandra Duckworth and Kellum Carnahan

The Sort ·

2026/06/22

In this episode of the Sort podcast, host Dr. Brett Kaysen sits down with two standout collegiate livestock judges: Alexandra Duckworth from the University of Tennessee and Kellum Carnahan from Kansas State University. Alexandra shares her passion for beef cattle genetics and genomics, her journey from aspiring veterinarian to future academic researcher, and her experience in the Top Judge program. Kellum discusses his ranching roots in Wyoming and Colorado, his development as a judge, and his

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50:50

#83: Kylie Kunzler and Blane Warnken

The Sort ·

2026/06/15

In this episode of The Sort, powered by Primo Feeds, host Dr. Brett Kaysen features two Texas A&M University students from the Top Judge program. Kylie Kunzler, raised on a commercial cow-calf operation in rural Utah, shares her journey from Butler County Community College to Texas A&M, crediting key mentors and encouraging youth to bet on themselves. Blane Warnken, a first-generation college student from Schulenburg, Texas, reflects on his family's registered Hereford operation and his path

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01:00:32

#82: Luke Raudebaugh and Savannah Page

The Sort ·

2026/06/01

In this episode of The Sort podcast, powered by Primo Feeds, host Brett Kaysen interviews two Kansas State University livestock judging team members. Luke Raudebaugh, from Ohio, shares his background in sheep production, his journey through Casper College, and his plans to manage a club lamb operation post-graduation. Savannah Page, from Georgia, discusses her family's swine operation, her extensive experience with the National Junior Swine Association, and her aspirations in the swine industry

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01:08:22

#81: Bradie Midcap and Mason Allan

The Sort ·

2026/05/25

In this episode of the Sort podcast, host Brett Kaysen interviews Bradie Midcap and Mason Allan, two Texas Tech University students passionate about livestock judging and the cattle industry. Bradie, from Ray, Colorado, shares her journey from a Simmental cow-calf operation to pursuing a master's degree in ruminant nutrition at Kansas State University. Mason, from Schulenburg, Texas, discusses his family's Hereford operation and plans for a master's degree at Texas Tech while assistant coaching the

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01:02:54

#80: Megan Zipprich and Lexi Hunt

The Sort ·

2026/05/18

In this episode of The Sort, host Brett Kaysen welcomes two outstanding collegiate livestock judges and Top Judge program members: Megan Zipprich from Penn State and Lexi Hunt from Texas Tech. Megan shares her journey from rural Pennsylvania to committing to Purdue's DVM program, her passion for serving agricultural communities, and her love of judging contests like the All-East and Blue Dragon Classic. Lexi, from Buckeye, Arizona, discusses her path through South Plains College to Texas Tech, her

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100 results

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