Great Plains Livestock Judging Circuit

livestock judging contest

The Great Plains Livestock Judging Circuit is a lineup of contests held throughout the state giving youth the opportunity to perfect their skills in preparation for the Nebraska 4-H Premier Animal Science Event (PASE). Qualifying youth must attend a minimum of two contests in addition to the PASE livestock judging contest in order to be eligible for awards and scholarships. The top 5 individuals in the Senior and Intermediate divisions will be recognized as part of the All-State Team during the Grand Drive at the Nebraska State Fair. 

Resources

2024 Circuit Schedule

DateContestLocationCoordinator
February 17 Nebraska Cattlemen's Classic Kearney, NE theclassicne@gmail.com
April 5 Nebraska State FFA Lincoln, NE bfrench6@unl.edu
April 13 Weld County, Colorado Greeley, CO lhooker@co.weld.co.us
April 20 Logan County Colorado  Sterling, CO jd.sexton@colostate.edu
April 27 The Southwest Classic  Imperial, NE rgngittlein720@gmail.com
May 23 Butler, Colfax, & Platte  County Leigh, NE bdolezal2@unl.edu or sbell8@unl.edu
May 24 Thayer-Nuckolls County  Nelson, NE amy.brockman@unl.edu
May 28 Northern Panhandle Judging Contest Hemingford, NE astevens4@unl.edu or mmracek2@unl.edu
May 30 South Central Judging Contest Bladen, NE elizabeth.janning@unl.edu
June 21 Premier Animal Science Event (PASE) Lincoln, NE bfrench6@unl.edu

Rules

  1. Open to current Nebraska 4-H and FFA members that are in good standing and age 10-18 as of January 1 of the current year.
  2. Contestants will be split into two divisions based on 4-H age:
    1. Senior (ages 14-18)
    2. Intermediate (ages 10-13)
  3. To be eligible for the All-State Team to be recognized at the Nebraska State Fair, contestants must compete in 2 eligible contests, plus the State 4-H Contest at PASE. *PASE is a REQUIRED contest in order to be on the All-State Team*
  4. Points will be awarded to the top 20 individuals within their respective divisions, in reverse order of placing.
    1. 1st place=20 pts, 2nd place=19 pts, 3rd place=18 pts, etc.
    2. If there are less than 20 contestants within the division at a contest, the top score will reflect the number of contestants. Example: 15 contestants in a division - 1st place=15 pts, 2nd place=14 pts, etc.
  5. Rankings will be determined by only the best 2 placings at eligible summer contests, plus placing from the State 4-H Contest (PASE).
    1. If a contestant attends more than 2 eligible contests, only the top 2 points will count. Example:
      • Contestant A places 3rd at Crete, 14th at Cuming, and 10th at PASE (while not attending other contests). This contestant will have earned 18 points, 7 points, and 11 points, respectively for a total of 36 points.
      • Contestant B goes to 5 contests plus PASE, placing 4th, 7th, 12th, 18th, and 19th, with a 14th place finish at PASE. Contestant B will get points for 4th place (17 pts), 7th place (14 pts), plus 7 points for 14th place at PASE for a total of 38 points.
      Contestant B could be ranked higher at the end. It is beneficial to attend as many contests as possible and be able to have a bad day.
  6. In the event of a tie, it will be broken as follows:
    1. Average reasons scores from the contests where points are used for final rankings.
    2. Placing at the State 4-H Contest (PASE).
  7. There will be awards for the top five (5) in both the Senior and Intermedia divisions.
    1. Contestants will be recognized during the Grand Drive at the Nebraska State Fair.