The Allen Community College Livestock Judging Team traveled across Tennessee Sept. 17–21 to compete in the Prof Lidvall Memorial Collegiate Livestock Judging Contest, gaining valuable experience and recognition along the way.
The team began its journey with practice stops at several farms and ranches, including Barthomew Durocs in Huron, Ashewood Farm in Selmar, ZWT Ranch in Crossville, Heritage Hollow Farm in Woodbury, and Oakley Farms. Students evaluated classes of Duroc pigs, Hereford heifers, Angus heifers, Hampshire sheep, and Simmental calves. They also joined Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College for joint workouts, allowing students to network with peers from another respected program.
A highlight of the trip was a visit to Shiloh National Cemetery and dinner at Hagy’s Catfish Hotel, where students reflected on the historical significance of the site and heard stories from Mr. Billy Ashe, a 1958 Oklahoma State University graduate and member of its national champion judging team. Ashe shared memories of judging at the Chicago International Livestock Show and offered insights into the evolution of collegiate livestock judging.
The team competed in the rookie division of the Prof Lidvall Memorial, which included individual competition among junior college freshmen and senior college alternates. Allen students judged 12 classes across beef cattle, sheep, pigs, and goats, gave four sets of oral reasons, and completed a stockman activity involving selection and feeding scenarios.
Freshman Colby Troxel of La Cygne, Kansas, placed ninth high individual in cattle, and Shaun McLaughlin of Iola, Kansas, earned fourth high individual in the stockman activity. Other team members included Alexis Kincaid (Erie), Sheldon Weber (Silver Lake), and Candice Ashlock (Hamilton). Macey Lewis of Iola was not pictured.
Allen Coach Rhett Taylor also served as a reasons official in the 4-H/FFA division, alongside coaches from Purdue and Penn State universities. This opportunity allowed Taylor to promote Allen’s program to prospective students from across the country.
