The Sort

This episode is a re-release of episode #4 of The Sort podcast, originally released on December 2nd, 2024.The Sort is excited to welcome Shane Bedwell into the studio this week. Mr. Bedwell is the Chief Operating Officer and Director of Breed Improvement for the American Hereford Association.

In this episode of The Sort Podcast, host Brett Kaysen sits down with guest Brandon Callis—a respected livestock judging coach—to discuss Brandon’s journey from his Texas upbringing to a successful career in livestock judging and coaching. Brandon shares insights on the value of focusing on the process over results, the importance of mentorship, and how to balance professional ambition with personal values. He emphasizes starting small, continual self-improvement, and maintaining integrity both in and out of the ring. The episode offers practical advice and inspiration for livestock judges, students, and industry professionals, highlighting the deeper purpose and lifelong impact of livestock evaluation.

This episode features two interviews previously released on the podcast with students who took part in the Top Judge program. The interview with Ashlyn O'Brien first released on February 17th, 2025 and the interview with Gunner Coburn first aired on April 21st, 2025.Ashlyn attended Butler Community College as a member of the livestock judging team. Upon graduation, she continued her judging career at Oklahoma State University while working towards a Bachelor's degree in Animal Science. Along with being honored as an Academic All-American, she was named the High Individual Overall at the Cattlemen's Congress, San Antonio Livestock Show & Rodeo, and the National Western.Gunner began his collegiate livestock judging career at Blinn College in Brenham, Texas. He was a part of a successful livestock judging team while studying animal science. He is currently a student at Texas A&M University, where he is finishing up a degree in animal science. While at TAMU, he was a member of the highly competitive livestock judging team. He plans to pursue a master's degree in animal science with a focus on beef cattle production.

In this episode of The Sort podcast, host Brett Kaysen talks with Tom Farrer, a renowned livestock breeder and judge from Indiana. Tom shares insights from his multi-generational family operation, his experiences in 4-H, and his journey judging at major shows nationwide. He discusses the importance of independent thinking, adapting to industry changes, and maintaining high standards in both breeding and evaluation. Tom emphasizes the value of youth development, family legacy, and staying true to one’s ideals—offering practical advice and inspiration for current and aspiring livestock judges and industry professionals.

This episode is a re-release of episode #19 of The Sort podcast, originally released on March 17th, 2025.Today's guest on THE SORT podcast is Chris Mullinix, Instructor of Animal Sciences at Kansas State University and Co-Coach of the Meat Animal Evaluation Team. Originally from Maryland, Chris grew up on a diversified cattle and farming operation. He was a National Champion Livestock Judging Team member and had tremendous coaching success at Butler Community College and Kansas State University, coaching over 30 collegiate national contest winning teams. Adding to an already impressive resume, Chris has judged livestock exhibitions in 42 different states and Canada.

In this episode of The Sort Podcast, host Brett Kaysen and guest Galen McCune, a respected livestock judge and educator, discuss Galen’s journey from rural Oklahoma 4-H and FFA member to judging major national shows. Galen shares insights from his experiences in the show ring, his transition from aspiring veterinarian to ag teacher, and his philosophy on honesty and integrity in judging. He reflects on memorable animals, influential mentors, and the importance of putting youth first. This episode offers valuable lessons and inspiration for livestock judges, students, and industry professionals alike.

This episode is a re-release of episode #39 of The Sort podcast, originally released on August 4th, 2025.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 is a re-release of Episode #2 of The Sort, originally released on November 18th, 2024.THE SORT welcomes what many call one of the GOATS of the livestock judging world (no pun intended) into the studio- Dr. Scott Greiner.Dr Greiner is a Professor and Extension Animal Scientist in the School of Animal Sciences at Virginia Tech. Scott was raised on a diversified livestock farm in eastern Iowa. He attended Iowa State University where he majored in Animal Science. While at Iowa State he was a member of the Reserve National Champion Meats Judging Team and the National Champion Livestock Judging Team and was the high individual at the national contest. His graduate studies include an M.S. from Michigan State University and a Ph.D. from Iowa State.While in graduate school Scott coached highly competitive livestock judging teams, including two National Champion teams at Iowa State. His graduate work at ISU was fundamental to the incorporation of ultrasound as a genetic improvement tool in beef cattle. In 1998, Greiner joined the faculty at Virginia Tech and serves at Extension Department Leader as well as co-chair of the interdisciplinary college Animal Production Program Team. As an Extension Animal Scientist, he designs and delivers educational programs in beef cattle and sheep to adults and youth, and conducts applied research. Specific responsibilities include design and delivery of educational programs and materials related to beef and sheep genetics and associated production and marketing issues, providing leadership for statewide programs in beef cattle and sheep; and maintaining strong working relationships with the beef and sheep industries and allied organizations. Dr. Greiner also teaches senior-level production and management coursework, and mentors graduate students.Dr Greiner resides outside Christiansburg, VA. Along with his wife Lori they raised two daughters, Kaylee and Leah, through the youth livestock program and the family continues to be very involved in 4-H activities. The family also operates Greiner Sisters club lambs, focusing on Dorset, whiteface cross, and Southdown sheep.Dr. Greiner has judged national, state, and local livestock shows of multiple species in 37 states as well as internationally. Since 2006 he has been Superintendent of the National Collegiate Livestock Judging Contest.

In this episode, Brett welcomes Glen Alan Phillips, who shares his journey from growing up in a small Texas town immersed in 4-H and FFA to becoming a respected livestock judge and industry leader. Glen discusses the impact of early mentors, the value of being coachable, and lessons learned from collegiate judging and coaching. He offers insights on integrity, faith, and navigating career challenges, including managing major events during COVID-19. The conversation emphasizes the importance of relationships, personal values, and lifelong learning for current and aspiring livestock judges and industry professionals.

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 Kentuckian award, been inducted into the Kentucky Pork Producers Hall of Fame, the Western Kentucky University Hall of Fame, and the University of Kentucky Animal and Food Science Hall of Fame.Beyond his work, Warren is recognized as one of most notable swine judges in the United States. He has judged state fairs in 43 states and every Texas Major show. His passion for the industry is only surpassed by his deep desire to see young people excel in life. Warren has been married to DeeDee for 42 years and they have 5 children and 2 grandchildren. We are beyond excited to have Warren kick off our show and look forward to you hearing from him.

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 animal science, breeding, and beef production systems, and conducts research in feedlot nutrition, carcass composition, and muscle growth. No stranger to success, he led Texas Tech and Texas A&M to a combined 7 national championships.

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 Pigs, managing around 70 sows. Don't miss this episode!

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 All-American honors. Cole currently attends Kansas State University where he was a member of the National Champion team and High Team at the American Royal. In May, he graduated with a bachelor's degree in animal science with a minor in agricultural sales. This summer, Cole served as the Field Staff Intern with the National Swine Registry.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 finishing as Reserve National Team at the North American International Livestock Exposition. Prior to OSU, Braylon attended Eastern Oklahoma State College where he was a member of a successful livestock judging team and graduated with an associate's degree. Braylon's family owns a showpig operation in Hartsthorne, Oklahoma that consists of 20 sows.

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 Judge program this past season.Then, the tables turn as Ed Tice, a longstanding industry leader and the owner of Tice LS Enterprises, joins the show to interview our host, Dr. Brett Kaysen, about his life and career.

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 science. Emerson is involved in the College of Agriculture Ambassadors, Block and Bridle, and Agriculture Communicators of Tomorrow. She was also a member of the 2024 National Champion Livestock Judging and Meat Animal Evaluation Teams.Salem Sifford is a junior at Virginia Tech, majoring in dairy science and minoring in animal and poultry sciences and agricultural business. She competed on the dairy judging team at World Dairy Expo, earning 2nd individual overall, and All-American honors. Salem was also a highly competitive member of the livestock judging team. Salem serves on the NJHA board of directors as communications chair. She is an officer in several clubs, including Alpha Zeta, Dairy Club, and Beef Leadership Council.

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 the value of fundamentals, networking, and adaptability. The conversation provides valuable insights into professional development within the livestock industry, celebrating the tradition and future of livestock judging.

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.