Magic Valley FFA Livestock Judging Challenges Teens to Think Critically

TWIN FALLS, Idaho — Members of Idaho South Magic Valley District FFA met at CSI on Wednesday, October 30, for the District Livestock Judging Competition. But it’s more than just looking at cows. FFA members use critical thinking and persuasive language to analyze and justify their decisions

• The Idaho FFA South Magic Valley District includes Bull, Castleford, Filer, Hansen, Jerome, Kimberly, Lighthouse Christian, Murtaugh and Twin Falls.
• Participants had 8 8-minute periods to study and rate each group of animals: cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs.
• Idaho has over 6,000 FFA members and 100 FFA chapters throughout the state.

(Below is the transcription of the broadcast plot)

“I love judging cattle or horses,” Jacob Stombo told me at the end of the cattle judging competition.

Stombo, of the Twin Falls Chapter FFA, was one of dozens of teenagers judging livestock at the CSI Expo Center on Wednesday.

He told me about judging pigs.

“My best pair: very long body, very meaty,” Stombo said. “I like the way he looked, the way he walked.”

“Then my bottom portion, both look normal, but both are extremely thick. I think I would prefer to see more depth at first and second,” Stombo said. “He looked a little lethargic.”

They evaluated sheep, goats, pigs and cattle, giving them a rank.

“Sometimes when we talk about judging livestock, a lot of people think we’re just looking at cows and we’re looking at pigs,” said FFA advisor Joseph Maxwell.

Maxwell directs the competition and is also an instructor at Kimberly High School. His students spent time in the classroom learning the desirable traits for each species and what to look for.

“The skills we’re really trying to develop in students is working with them on decision-making, critical thinking,” Maxwell said. “They need to get through it. They have to evaluate the different traits to learn about those different traits, prioritize the different traits, and then make decisions based on that.”

After making a decision, they must defend their reasoning, which is a component of the oral presentation.

“I think it went pretty well for my first time,” said FFA Filer member Josie Albritton. “There are definitely areas I can improve. I definitely think I need to work on my reasons a little better so that when I get up there, I’m a little less nervous and more in the moment.”

“The leadership aspect of what Ag Education does in FFA is second to none,” said Twin Falls Ag High School instructor Blaine Campbell. “In my opinion, these guys are going to be speakers, leaders, future business owners and maybe mayors, city council members and senators.”

And while he sees himself working in agricultural aviation one day, Stombo says judging cattle has become a habit that’s hard to break.

“Sometimes when you drive past a farm or something that you can’t do, it’s cool to point it out and just go teach others,” Stombo said. “But yeah, it’s pretty cool.”