The University of Nebraska Meat Animal Evaluation Team serves as the capstone judging activity for those interested in the meat animal production industries and is an extra-curricular activity sponsored by the Animal Science Department. The team annually competes in the National Collegiate Meat Animal Evaluation Contest. Without question, this competition may be described as the most rigorous, rewarding, and educational of all contests that a collegiate judge may partake.
The Meat Animal Evaluation Contest is comprised of three different components that strive to integrate all components of the livestock industry. The three-day competition includes a meats division, a breeding animal division, and a market animal evaluation division. Unique to this competition is the fact that students must apply their knowledge of livestock and meat evaluation to not only place classes and answer questions, but to determine true value given current market conditions. Additionally, students are given an opportunity to express their views and knowledge regarding current topics that will have a major impact on the livestock and meat industries through the Communications Challenge component of the competition.
For further information regarding the MAE Team, please contact Dr. Bryan Reiling .
2012 UNL MAE Team
Front Row: Andrew Uden, Brandon Koch, Cashley Ahlberg
Back Row: Nick Hansen, Dr. Larry Berger, Department Head; Austin Zimmerman, Dr. Bryan Reiling, Coach
2012 Meat Animal Evaluation Team
In March, the Department of Animal Science hosted the National Meat Animal Evaluation Contest. This capstone judging experience incorporates components of livestock and meats judging with real-world pricing and communications exercises. Seventy-six individuals representing eight universities from across the country participated in this 3-day judging event that concluded on Friday, March 16. Students from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln who competed included Cashley Ahlberg (Longmont, CO), Nick Hansen (Laurel, NE), Brandon Koch (Lincoln, NE), Andrew Uden (Elwood, NE), and Austin Zimmerman (Beatrice, NE). As a team, Nebraska ranked 2nd in beef evaluation, 3rd in swine evaluation, 3rd in the market animal division, 3rd in the breeding animal division, 3rd in the meats division, and 3rd overall. Individually, Cashley had an outstanding competition being identified as National Champion; high individual, overall! She was the only contestant in the competition to be ranked in the Top 10 of each major division! Brandon Koch ranked 11th overall, 5th in meats judging, and 6th in swine evaluation. Andrew Uden ranked 18th overall and was in the Top 20 of beef and swine evaluation. Nick Hansen placed 13th in the breeding animal division, and Austin Zimmerman ranked 13th in beef evaluation. Bryan Reiling coordinated and served as superintendent of the contest and coached the UNL Meat Animal Evaluation Team.