The Sort

This episode is a re-release of Episode #1 of The Sort, originally released on November 11th, 2024. THE SORT welcomes Warren Beeler to the podcast. Warren is the Deputy Commissioner of Agriculture for the Kentucky Department of Agriculture and an adjunct instructor for Western Kentucky University. A tireless advocate for the agricultural industry, Warren has been awarded the Distinguished Rural Ke...

On today's episode, Host Brett Kaysen sits down with guest Dr. Joel DeRouchey, Professor of Swine Nutrition at Animal State University.

Today's guest on the show is Clay Zwilling, CEO of the National Swine Registry. Clay’s a driving force behind the purebred swine industry, helping breeders and show pig producers innovate and grow. He’s all about blending fresh ideas with trusted traditions to keep this key part of agriculture moving forward. He’s also no stranger to the judging arena. You won’t want to miss this one!

This episode features an interview previously released on the podcast on March 3rd, 2025. Today's guest is Dr. Rathmann, who holds the John W. and Doris Jones Professorship in Animal Science at Texas Tech University where he specializes in Beef Cattle Biology and serves as Faculty Coordinator and Coach of the Livestock Judging Team. Passionate about student success, Dr. Rathmann teaches courses on...

Please welcome Ben Cooley to THE SORT this week! Ben hails from Merino, CO and brings a wealth of experience in livestock production. A Colorado State alum and former member of the Reserve National Champion Livestock Judging Team, he’s also served as a professor and judging coach at Northeastern Junior College. Today, he works as a Cattle Productivity Manager at Zoetis and co-owns Flatland Show Pi...

This episode features two interviews previously released on the podcast with students who took part in the Top Judge program. The interview with Cole Murphy first released on August 18th, 2025 and the interview with Braylon Spears first aired on July 7th, 2025. Cole Murphy attended Lake Land College where he was on the judging team and high individual at several major contests while also earning A...

On Today's Episode: Brett sits down with Rachel Meyer of Zinpro Corporation to discuss how Zinpro is working to improve the health and wellbeing of both animals and people as a pioneer in the research and development of performance trace minerals and innovative nutritional solutions. Rachel also shares why this family-owned, privately held company decided to support The Sort podcast and the Top Ju...

This episode features two interviews previously released on the podcast with students who took part in the Top Judge program. The interview with Emerson Tarr first released on March 10th, 2025 and the interview with Salem Sifford first aired on August 18th, 2025. Emerson is a senior at Kansas State University where she is studying agriculture communications and journalism with a minor in animal sc...

In this episode, Dr. Clint Schwab shares his journey from his Colorado roots and early involvement in 4-H and FFA to becoming a respected leader in livestock judging and animal genetics. He discusses the impact of mentorship, community, and lifelong learning, highlighting key influences and pivotal career decisions. Dr. Schwab offers practical advice for livestock judges and students, emphasizing...

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.

This episode features two interviews previously released on the podcast with students who took part in the Top Judge program. The interview with Anna Hannon first released on February 10th, 2025 and the interview with Reagan Gibson first aired on July 21st, 2025. Anna Hannon began her collegiate judging career at Northern Oklahoma College, where her team was named 2023 Team of the Year after winni...

On Today's Episode, Host Brett Kaysen sits down with two more university students who take part in the Top Judge program. Cole Murphy attended Lake Land College where he was on the judging team and high individual at several major contests while also earning All-American honors. Cole currently attends Kansas State University where he was a member of the National Champion team and High Team at the...

This episode features two interviews previously released on the podcast with students who took part in the Top Judge program. The interview with Jed Sidwell first released on February 17th, 2025 and the interview with Jacob Klaudt first aired on March 10th. Livestock judging led Jed to Butler Community College where he was a member of the Champion Team at the Cattlemen's Congress. After two years...

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.

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...

On Today's Episode, Host Brett Kaysen sits down with two more university students who take part in the Top Judge program. Zane Redifer is currently a senior at Kansas State University studying animal science. Zane was a member of both the 2024 National Champion Meat Animal Evaluation and Livestock Judging teams. Prior to KSU, Zane attended Butler Community College where he earned an associate's de...

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!

On Today's Episode, Host Brett Kaysen sits down with two more university students who take part in the Top Judge program. Braylon Spears attends Oklahoma State University where he is studying animal science. He was a member of the highly successful livestock judging team that won the Cattleman's Congress, National Western, Dixie National, National Barrow Show, and Tulsa State Fair contests while f...

This episode originally was released on January 27th, 2025. On Today's Episode: Brett sits down for a legendary conversation with Joel Cowley, Chief Executive Officer of the Calgary Stampede. Before taking on the role of CEO, Joel was most recently the president of Angus Genetics Incorporated, following 15 years with the internationally renowned Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

On Today's Episode: Brett sits down for a conversation with Shane Brinning, Co-Owner and Co-Operator of Brinning Genetics, which specializes in raising elite show pigs.

On Today's Episode: We revisit two conversations from earlier episodes of The Sort where Brett had the opportunity to chat with two women who represent the future of the industry - Kyla Mennen from Kansas State University and Ashlyn O'Brien from Oklahoma State University. Kyla began her collegiate career at Joliet Junior College where she was recognized as an Academic All-American. She is currentl...

On Today's Episode: Brett sits down for a conversation with Dr. Scott Schaake, Associate Professor with a specialization in Beef Cattle Production & Management at the Kansas State University School of Animal Sciences and Industry.

This episode is a re-release of episode #8 which was originally released on December 30th, 2024. On Today's Episode: THE SORT is excited to welcome Mr. Brian Arnold into the studio to share some of his memories and ideas with us. Brian grew up on a grain and swine farm in northeast Indiana and his family raised a few show pigs. Brian competed on college judging teams at Blackhawk East (BHE) and Pu...

On today's episode, Brett sits down with Tyson Kimble and Thomas Owings, two members of the Top Judge program and students at the University of Arkansas. Tyson Kimble attended Northeastern Oklahoma A&M college where he received his Associate degree and was a member of the livestock judging team. He was also involved in numerous clubs while at NEO. He now attends the University of Arkansas and...