The Sort

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 Communi...

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. Kaitly...

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...

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 coll...

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 extensi...

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...

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 Cl...

In this episode of the Sort podcast, host Dr. Brett Kaysen sits down with two Texas Tech University livestock judging team members, Kinsey Gardner and Blake Janssen. Kinsey shares her journey from Gatesville, Texas, balancing softball and judging before pursuing a CPA career specializing in farm and ranch accounting. Blake, raised in Amber, Oklahoma, discusses his deep-rooted passion for cattle an...

This episode of The Sort podcast, powered by Primo Feeds, features interviews with Jack Habjan and Skyler Ward, two rising stars in collegiate livestock judging and animal science. Jack, 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. Skyler, from New Paris, Ohio, dis...

In this episode of The Sort podcast, host Brett Kaysen interviews two agriculture students passionate about livestock judging. Paige Lemenager, from Texas Tech University, shares her journey from aspiring veterinarian to future agricultural attorney, focusing on estate planning for farming families. Colt Blacklock, originally from Saskatchewan, Canada, and attending Kansas State University, discus...

In this episode of “The Sort”, powered by Primo Feeds, host Brett Kaysen interviews two Oklahoma State University livestock judging team members, Jackson Tarrance and Kolton Lake. Jackson, from Welling, Oklahoma, shares his journey from showing pigs to collegiate judging, discussing mentors, career goals in agricultural lending, and plans to grow his family's show pig operation. Kolton Lake, from...

In this episode of "The Sort," host Brett Kaysen sits down with two Oklahoma State University livestock judging standouts: Chyann Emerson and Preston Rhode. Chyann, 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. Preston, from Carlock, Illinois, discusses g...

In this episode of The Sort, host Brett Kaysen sits down with Oklahoma State University livestock judging team members Connor Pell and Dax DeLozier. Connor shares his journey from northeast Oklahoma, his roots in horse judging, and his transition to livestock judging at Redlands Community College before landing at OSU. Dax, a sixth-generation rancher from Adair, Oklahoma, discusses growing up on a...

This episode originally aired on February 24th, 2025. Our guest this week on THE SORT podcast is Terry Burks. Terry is a retired Professor of English Studies from Chifeng University in The People’s Republic of China and has judged nearly 1300 Junior and open livestock shows in 43 states. You won’t want to miss this one!

In this episode, Tim Fort shares his remarkable journey from humble beginnings in White Deer, Texas, to becoming a respected leader in the swine industry. Listeners gain insights into Tim’s experiences in show pig raising, livestock judging, and commercial pig production, including international projects in Russia and China. He discusses the founding of Primo, a family-run pig feed company, and em...

This episode originally released on April 7, 2025. Join host Brett Kaysen as he sits down for an extended conversation with two legends: Jim Williams and Randy Daniel. *This episode is the second of two episodes. Part 1 was released last week, and it is recommended that listeners hear Part 1 before continuing with Part 2.

This episode originally released on March 31, 2025. Join host Brett Kaysen as he sits down for an extended conversation with two legends: Jim Williams and Randy Daniel. *This episode is the first of two episodes, with Part 2 releasing next week.

In this episode, host Brett Kaysen interviews Kim Brock, a legendary figure in Oklahoma State University’s Animal Science department. Kim shares his journey from growing up on a Missouri farm to becoming OSU’s swineherd manager, livestock judging coach, and farm coordinator. The conversation highlights his passion for mentoring students, the importance of youth development in livestock judging, an...

This episode originally aired on January 6th, 2025. The Sort is excited to welcome this week's podcast guest: Marvin Ensor! Marvin has 37 years of experience as a retired Texas A&M AgriLife Extension specialist and an impressive resume of judging market lambs, market goats, and breeding sheep at many of the state fairs and major livestock shows across the nation.

In this episode, host Brett Kaysen interviews Jim McCoy, a respected leader in the swine industry known for his work with purebred and show hogs. Jim shares his journey from growing up on a commercial hog farm in Ohio to becoming a renowned judge and breeder, highlighting the mentors who guided him. He discusses overcoming challenges, the importance of perseverance, and his transition into consult...

This episode originally was released on February 3rd, 2025. On Today's Episode, we welcome Brian Faris to the show. Brian currently serves as the Competitive Events Director at the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo and has judged numerous county, state, and national shows throughout the country and has judged in Canada. His passion is working with kids and to see them learn about agriculture thro...

In this episode, guest Nick Hofschulte shares his journey from growing up on a family farm in northeast Oklahoma to becoming a respected livestock judge and industry leader. Nick discusses the influence of his family, the importance of 4-H and FFA, and key moments in his judging and show pig career. He offers practical advice on building networks, balancing family and career, and the value of ment...

This episode originally was released on December 23rd, 2024. This week, we are excited to welcome into the studio Jack Ward, Executive Vice President of the American Hereford Association in Kansas City, Missouri. Jack received his Associate of Science degree from Black Hawk East College in Kewanee, Illinois and his BS degree from Purdue University. He and his wife, Mary Ann, have two sons, Cameron...

In this episode, host Brett Kaysen interviews Bob Kimm, a respected livestock judge and educator. Bob shares his journey from growing up on an Iowa farm and competing in FFA, to coaching successful junior college livestock judging teams and teaching at Hawkeye Community College. He discusses the evolution of livestock contests, the importance of integrity, and his philosophy of breeding functional...

This episode is a re-release of episode #4 of The Sort podcast, originally released on December 2nd, 2024. The Sort is excited to welcome Shane Bedwell into the studio this week. Mr. Bedwell is the Chief Operating Officer and Director of Breed Improvement for the American Hereford Association.