May 8-10, 2025

What is it?

A one-of-a-kind camp with a goal of preparing youth to compete in livestock judging contests as well as enter the ring as official judges at fairs and jackpots.

Register

FFA & Visiting Guests (without a zsuite account)

Utah 4-H Volunteers & Youth (must be logged in)

Registration will close May 5.

Youth - $100
Adults - $150
Contest Only - $50

This training is for youth ages 8—18. Youth ages 8—12 must be accompanied by a registered adult.

Registration includes:
• Three meals
• Workshop Materials
• Contest Registration for Livestock Judging
     • **(Livestock Bowl must be payed for separately)

Lodging is on your own.

This Year's Camp

Utah has hosted the Intermountain Livestock Judges Training (IMLJT) for the past several years and we are thrilled to be inviting the western region back for another year!

This year's training will have a dedicated adult and youth track.

Adult Track: The ABC’s of Livestock Judging Contests

• The positive impacts of livestock judging programs for our youth
• The do’s and don’ts of putting together a contest, officiating, and taking reasons
• Recruiting and coaching youth to success
• Current trends and updates for judging livestock at fairs and jackpots

Youth Track: Sharp Eyes & Strong Voices: Mastering Livestock Evaluation and Oral Reasons

• Evaluating hogs, sheep, goats, and beef
• How to take notes and prepare a set of reasons
• Presentation and successful sets of oral reasons
• Keys to success – contest strategies and practice

*We invite all participants to join us for Livestock Bowl! This is a fun contest to test your critical thinking skills and general knowledge of the livestock industry. This is an INDIVIDUAL contest and will serve as a placement contest for youth hoping to participate at Utah 4-H State Contests that do not have a full county team.

RULES for Livestock Judging, Bowl, and the Livestock Skill-a-Thon (for 3rd–5th graders) can be found here.

Tentative Schedule

Thursday, May 8^th
11:00 a.m. – Check-In
12:00 p.m. – General Session
1:00 - 5:00 p.m. – Livestock Evaluation
Dinner on your own

Friday, May 9^th
8:30 a.m. – General Session
9:00 a.m. – Workshop Rotations
12:30 p.m. – Lunch
1:30 - 5:00 p.m. – Workshop Rotations
Dinner on your own

Saturday, May 10^th
8:30 a.m. – Tour of Circle V Meats and Carcass Evaluation
9:45 a.m. – Check-in for contests
10:00 - 11:30 a.m. – Livestock Judging Contests
12:00 p.m. – Lunch
12:30 - 2:00 p.m. – Livestock Judging Contests Continued
*Tentative 3:00 p.m. – Livestock Judging Awards
4:00 p.m. – Livestock Bowl Contests

Questions or Inquiries?

Contact: Jessie Hadfield | jessie.hadfield@usu.edu | 435-623-3450

Lee Rincker

Lee Rincker is an Instructor in the Department of Animal Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He specializes in coaching the intercollegiate livestock judging team and co-teaching courses related to livestock production and evaluation. His role emphasizes applying livestock evaluation principles in real-world settings, fostering essential life skills, and providing students with opportunities to network with industry leaders.​Beyond his teaching responsibilities, Rincker is dedicated to youth livestock outreach, offering hands-on experiences that enhance young individuals' interest and knowledge in livestock production. His commitment to education and outreach has made him a respected figure in the field of animal sciences.​Rincker's expertise is also recognized in the broader agricultural community. He has served as a judge at various livestock shows and he’s well versed in trends both in and out of the show ring.

McKenna Barney

McKenna Barney grew up in Big Piney, Wyoming on her family’s cow calf operation which instilled in her a love for agriculture and the livestock industry. Her passion led her to become a competitive member of the livestock judging team at Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, CO. McKenna then transferred to the University of Wyoming, where she was named to the Academic All-American Livestock Judging Team in 2021. In 2022, McKenna served as the assistant livestock judging coach at NJC while completing her undergraduate degree in Molecular Biology and Agroecology at UW. This past spring McKenna graduated with her M.S in Plant Science from Utah State University specializing in forage production and weed science In February, McKenna and her husband, Tristan, returned to his family’s ranch in Big Piney, WY. She continues to stay active in livestock judging, traveling throughout the West to judge county fairs and jackpots. McKenna's biggest pet peeve during judging is when contestants read directly from their notes during reasons. Her advice to junior exhibitors is to trust their instincts, remember the priorities, and most importantly, enjoy the experience—livestock judging is meant to be fun!

Partner with Us to Support the Next Generation of Youth in Agriculture!

We invite you to support the Intermountain Livestock Judges Training (IMLJT). With over 150 attendees, your sponsorship will gain significant visibility while supporting a program that equips youth with skills for livestock judging contests and prepares them to serve as knowledgeable officials at fairs and jackpots. We also offer The ABCs of Livestock Judging Contests, an adult track focused on contest organization and evaluation.

Your support directly funds expert presenters, camp materials, awards, and educational resources, ensuring high-quality training for participants. In return, we proudly recognize our sponsors throughout the event.

To register as a Sponsor, visit: https://4h.zsuite.org/external-event-registration/35947