Block & Bridle Fall Judging Contest
Friday, October 13, 2006
Proposed Classes
Breeding ewes (ranking and/or keep/cull)
Breeding heifers (ranking and/or keep/cull)
Breeding gilts (ranking and/or keep/cull)
Feeder calves
Market hogs
Goals
This contest is designed as a learning experience for both beginning and experienced judges.
Format
The animals in each class will be loose in the ring for viewing by the contestants. All classes will have a
“scenario”, that is, how they are to be used. For instance, the rams may be used as terminal sires for a flock
of commercial ewes, or the breeding ewe class may be bred to different breed rams to produce crossbred
ewes to be used in commercial flocks. Performance data such as actual weights, adjusted weaning weights,
Expected Progeny Differences (EPD’s), average daily gain (ADG) and others will be given to the
contestants when available. The Official Judge (OJ) will give the scenario at the start of the class and will
explain the terminology relating to the data. Two or 3 of the non-keep/cull classes will have 5 questions
which will be asked by the OJ. The questions may be related to the data provided or the physical features of
the animals. After the score cards and question cards are collected, the OJ will answer the questions and
discuss the placing and scoring of the class. There will be no formal reasons given by contestants. The
contestants will stay in the stands and the classes will be moved in and out of the ring.
Times
The first class will begin at 10:00 am. Each class will take approximately 20 minutes which includes
answering the questions and the discussion of the class by the OJ. The contest should be completed by noon
or before. The contestants will eat lunch and results will be announced immediately after the meal.
Teams
A team may have up to 10 contestants but need at least 4. If a school has less than 4, they will compete as
individuals. The top 4 scores will constitute a “team” score. Schools may enter several teams. One team of
8 may have a better chance of winning a division, while 2 teams of 4 would allow for more teams to
compete. Team size is decided by the coach. Schools with less than 4 may still compete.
Scoring
Trophies or certificates will be awarded for:
High Team Overall and Top Five Teams
High Individual and Top Ten Individuals
High Beef Team and High Beef Individual
High Sheep Team and High Sheep Individual
High Swine Team and High Swine Individual
Pre-registration
Coaches should pre-register online no later than Friday, October 6 at www.uwplatt.edu/~nusbaum
We don’t need an exact count, but we do need to have an estimate of the total number of competitors as
soon as possible. Earlier pre-registration would be appreciated, if possible!
Questions
Please call Bob Nusbaum at 608-342-1324 or e-mail to nusbaum@uwplatt.edu.if you need further
information.