“Livestock judging changed the direction of my life,” respected livestock breeder and former judging coach Dale Hummel shared with a group of FFA judging coaches from across the country during the 2023 National FFA Convention’s judging coaches’ clinic in Indianapolis. 

Hummel’s livestock judging career started when his young FFA advisor decided to encourage Hummel to prepare for a livestock judging contest. That spark his FFA advisor lit years ago has led to a life and career in the livestock industry that Hummel never imagined possible. 

And he’s the first to point out that it wouldn’t have been possible without his FFA advisor taking an interest in helping him learn something new.

“The job of an ag teacher is one of the most underappreciated jobs,” added Ryan Rash, well known for judging livestock shows across the country and co-hosting the Beyond the Ring podcast with Hummel. “You are changing kids’ lives every day.”

Rash grew up showing livestock in Texas and began judging livestock during his junior year at Texas A&M University.

No one in the room argued that livestock judging teaches kids so much more than how to place a class. And no one would argue there is more than one way to coach kids to success, especially in the oral reasons room where participants are asked to explain their placing of a class in two minutes or less before a judge (aka reasons taker).

Here are a few tips that Hummel and Rash shared on how to score well in the reasons room:

1.    Start with the big things. 

Don’t get so caught up in the little differences that you miss the major things that place a class, Rash said. Encourage students to read the class and find a handle. Is it a two-pair class? Is there any easy top? An easy bottom? Make sure they say the big things first in their oral reasons and don’t lose sight of what matters most.

2.    Connect with the reasons taker.

Personality matters in the reasons room, Hummel said. From eye contact and friendliness to confidence and composure, explore ways to build connection in a short amount of time. If there is a positive connection, small errors are much more easily overlooked. 

3.    Lose less.

Instead of focusing on getting that extra point by saying something unique, Rash said maybe it’s more about losing less points when it comes to giving oral reasons. Don’t miss important differences or create opportunities for point deductions.

Hummel added if the contestant brings up the big differences that they are most likely to agree with the judge on, they will score well. If the priorities are followed by a confident and clear delivery, points begin to increase. 

4.    Be yourself.

Some coaches try to coach their team to fit what a reasons taker might be looking for, Rash explained. But he believes judges should stay true to their own style and approach to giving reasons. 

5.    Set the bar high.

FFA coaches agreed that sometimes it can be hard to get kids to practice. Rash advised setting the standards and letting kids know when the opportunities exist for them to practice. It may be challenging at times, but focus on the kids who show up instead of worrying about drawing in those who don’t want to put in the work, he says.

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