College - Author 1

College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences

Department - Author 1

Agricultural Education and Communication Department

Degree Name - Author 1

BS in Agricultural Communication

Date

12-2018

Primary Advisor

Megan Silcott

Abstract/Summary

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo’s Livestock Judging Team was founded in 1948. Since then, there had consistently been a team competing for Cal Poly until 2002. Unfortunately, the judging team was cut due to budget constraints placed on the Animal Science Department. In 2017, Mr. Lee Rincker spearheaded the reinstatement of the team, recruiting five members to compete for the season.

Intercollegiate livestock judging is a co-curricular activity where competitors apply their knowledge of animal science to determine the quality of livestock animals for use in real-world situations. Research has determined that this program develops both life and professional skills. These skills include, but are not limited to, the ability to make quick, informed decisions, understand the industry, and defend their reasoning (Rusk et. al).

It is the hope of the Animal Science Department that the University will have a team to compete for years to come. There are numerous travel and registration costs for a livestock judging team, sometimes up to $25,000 annually, and, therefore, a significant budget is required to make competing possible (Culp, 2015). Alumni support is a beneficial and untapped funding source for the livestock judging team at Cal Poly. With their support, it is more likely that Cal Poly will continue to be able to justify a judging program for its students. In order to raise the funds and support of alumni, the first annual Cal Poly Livestock Judging Alumni Golf Tournament will be implemented in Spring of 2019.

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