1. Delivering Livestock Judging Reasons
By Neal Smith
Extension Area Specialist – 4-H

2. Reasons for Reasons
“ Giving Reasons is NOT Punishment For Being on the Livestock Judging Team”

3. Reasons for Reasons Improvement of Livestock
Will Make You a Better Judge
Analyze Classes More Closely
Improve Communications Skills
Gain Experience In:
Forming decisions
Justifying decisions
Expressing one’s ideas
Persuasive manner

4. Important Points
Accuracy
Delivery
Completeness
Terms
Organization

5. Points to Consider Short and to the point
Avoid unnecessary words, phrases or comments
Discuss in a logical order
Use comparative terms
Use descriptive terms when criticizing animals
Tell the truth
Learn parts of the animal
Vocabulary of terms
Desirable traits
Undesirable traits

6. Suggestions Accuracy Pleasant to Hear Clear & Easy to Follow
Use Correct Grammar
Establish a System & Stick With It
Words & Phrases Not to Use
At this point, use flip chart to demonstrate a Note-Taking System.

7. Taking Notes Small Notebook & Writing Utensil Have a System
Prepare Pages Prior to Contest
Use Abbreviations
Avoid Paragraphs
List Important Items
Compare Pairs
DON’T FORGET TO MARK YOUR CARD!

8. Taking Notes Good Set of Notes Should Contain: Class number & name
Memory aids
Notes are brief
Relate to class criteria
Notes are understandable
Final class placing

9. Class Name: _____________________
Animal #1
List descriptive terms for each animal
Animal #2
Animal #3
Animal #4

10. Class Name: _____________________
Placing: ________
Opening Statement:

11. Organizing Reasons Opening Statement
(The placing for this example is 4 – 3 – )
Opening Statement
Step 1 – Give class name and placing
Step 2 – Superlative statement of top animal
Step 3 – Descriptive criticism of top animal 4

12. Organizing Reasons Top Pair Step 4 – Give reasons for placing 4 over 3
(The placing for this example is 4 – 3 – )
Top Pair
Step 4 – Give reasons for placing 4 over 3
Step 5 – Grants for 3 over 4
Step 6 – Criticism of 3 4 3

13. Organizing Reasons Middle Pair Step 7 – Reasons for placing 3 over 2
Step 8 – Grants for 2 over 3
Step 9 – Criticisms of 2 3 2

14. Organizing Reasons Bottom Pair Step 10 – Reasons for placing 2 over 1
Step 11 – Grants for 1 over 2
Step 12 – Criticism of 1 2 1

15. Class Name: Crossbred Market Lambs
Shortest-sided Narrow top
Lightest muscled Structurally correct
Course shoulder Smallest framed
Large frame Medium in muscle dimension
Clean fronted Weak top
Long neck Buck-kneed
Blue lamb More correctly finished
Heavy-muscled Strong top and loin
Meaty leg
Hampshire influence Thick top
Deep Bodied, bold ribbed Longest hindsaddle
Heaviest muscled Meatiest leg
Largest framed Extra condition
Lamb #1
Lamb #2
Lamb #3
Lamb #4

16. Class Name: Crossbred Market Lambs
Placing:
Opening Statement:
4/3
3/4
3/2
2/3
2/1
1/2
“Good”
“Bad”

17. Middle or Intermediate
Class Name: Crossbred Market Lambs
Placing:
Opening Statement:
4/3
3/4
3/2
2/3
2/1
1/2
“Good”
“Bad”
“I Grant . . .”
“However . . .”
Top or
Initial
“I Realize . . .”
Middle or Intermediate
“I Admit . . .”
Bottom or Final

18. Words to Avoid Don’t Use Use Animal or Individual It
“I would like to see . . “
“I placed number 2 steer over number 3 steer”
Placing
Criticizing
Barrow, Gilt, Wether, Ewe, Steer, Heifer
He or She
“I criticize 2 because . . .”
Omit “number” & “steer”
“I placed 2 over 3”
“I placed . . .”
“I criticized . . .”

19. Presentation Make a Positive Impression
Dress Like a Professional Judge
Clean and Neat
No Gum or Tobacco
Remove Hat
Be Ready When Called
Never Use Notes

20. Presentation Stand Approx. 10 ft. Away
Stand Tall, With Feet Shoulder Width
Or, One Foot In Front of Other
Hands Behind Back
Show Confidence
Look Judge In Eye
Convincing Tone
Minimal Movement

21. Presentation Relay Identifying Marks Maximum of Two Minutes
Try to Visualize the Class
Follow a Logical Order
Talk Pairs
Opening Statement
Top Pair
Middle Pair
Bottom Pair
Closing Statement

22. Scoring Criteria Accuracy – tell the truth
Relevancy – talk the important points
Organization – talk pairs
Terminology – use comparative livestock terms
Presentation – speak pleasantly with confidence

23. Speaking Characteristics
Speed – normal conversational speed
Volume – normal conversational volume
Flow – smooth & continuous
Grammar – correct English grammar
Confidence – tone of voice & poise
Time – two-minute time limit

24. Good Luck!

25. Market Lambs 1 2 3 4