The DeWitt County 4-H Livestock Judging Team will proudly represent DeWitt County, the state of Texas, and the United States at the international Royal Highland Show (RHS) in Edinburgh, Scotland, this June. Founded in 1822, the Royal Highland Show is celebrated as the largest showcase of Scottish agriculture.
The four-member team consists of Jackie Finney (17, Cuero), Wyatt Luddeke (16, Cuero), Nathan Oakes (Cuero, currently attending Blinn College in Brenham), and Percy Torrez (16, Nordheim), with coaches Amanda Luddeke and Stacy Finney as the team's backbone.
On January 10, the team won 1st place at the Western Nation-al Roundup (WNR) in Denver, Colorado, which vaulted them to the international Royal Highland Show in Scotland. This tight-knit group has been showing and judging livestock since third grade, consistently winning competitions.
Years of strong relationships, hard work, and dedication have kept this group together as they strive for excellence. They often speak of their strong bonds.
“All three of us have been together since we were in third grade. We're basically like siblings at this point; we're family,” Finney said.
“Those three people sitting in the room with you are my best friends in the whole world. They're one reason I stayed. We traveled up and down the roads of Texas for two solid years, weeks at a time. You just become family,” Oakes shared, calling from Blinn on his cellphone.
“Being at the show is only like 5% in the process. It's all the work you do at home leading up to the show that makes you a winner,” Oakes said.
The activities of showing and judging livestock are interconnected. Participants who raise award-winning animals gain an understanding of the traits that lead to success, as well as the dedication involved.
Judging livestock requires critical thinking and the capacity to evaluate animals effectively, along with articulating the reasons behind their rankings. The initial phase involves raising and showing the animal, which cultivates a discerning eye for detail among judges through their practical experience.
Torrez described the work involved in caring for Haus, her black An- gus steer, which she will be showing at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo from January 17 to February 8.
“Haus. He's just such a sweet guy. Hairy, big guy, good color. He just got a real pretty coat. That’s why we're taking him to Fort Worth. Fort Worth is “a hair show”, Percy said.
She pampers him with daily washes using Suave Shampoo from Dollar General, switching to Rejuvenate Shampoo as the show date approaches. Her brother trims Haus's hooves, and she lovingly feeds him twice a day with top-secret supplements mixed into his feed.
Finney and Luddeke discussed the importance and challenges of grooming hairy show calves in South Texas. “Down here, we're not really known for having very hairy calves because of the heat and humidity. The temperature can vary from 30 to 70 degrees in a single day, which isn't good for their hair growth,” Luddeke explained.
Torrez continued detailing her morning routine: “If I have a calf for Fort Worth, I'll wash them in the morning before school. If they're really hairy, it can take about 45 minutes to an hour. Then I blow-dry my calf and feed it. It's crucial to do the blow-drying before school because you don't want them sitting all day with moisture on their hair—that's not good for them.”
They strategically plan for shows in advance, which includes studying judges to understand their preferences so they can select their animals accordingly. They recognize that judging is subjective.
“It depends on each judge's opinion. Percy could take the best steer to Fort Worth and place third in her class and then take it to San Antonio and win the whole show,” Oakes explained.
Mark Hoge, a highly regarded livestock judge in the industry, will judge at the upcoming Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo.
“He likes big calves. Good moving, good structure, good look. I like that judge. He's super fun to listen to talk about the calves,” Torrez said.
“People say he's one of the best judges in the country,” Luddeke agreed. “He's very skilled at judging pigs, cattle, sheep, goats—he can judge any species. He has judged every major show in Texas for every livestock category,” Luddeke continued.
The team has transitioned into the field of livestock judging, complementing their livestock showing activities. All four team members have received awards for their show animals: Finney has succeeded with goats and cattle; Luddeke with goats and swine; Oakes with sheep and swine; and Torrez with goats, cattle, and swine. Their extensive experience in showing animals and their knowledge allow them to evaluate and compare animals effectively, rank them based on their attributes, and articulate their reasoning behind these rankings.
Amanda Luddeke, one of the coaches and mother of Wyatt Luddeke, was part of the 1995 Livestock Judging Team, which placed third at the State competition and went on to compete in Kansas City at the American Royal, where they earned first place in sheep and third overall. Coach Luddeke has shared her expertise, while Coach Stacy Finney has managed the logistics of applications, travel, accommodations, fundraising, and numerous other tasks.
The team members are incredibly grateful for their support. “They both do everything for us, but most importantly, they’re on our side. No matter what, they help us get to where we need to be. They take time out of their lives to help us pursue what we love,” Luddeke said.
The others wholeheartedly agree. “They also help us achieve our big goals, like judging for colleges and winning major competitions,” Luddeke added.
The 4-H team thanks the community for their support throughout these years. Going to Scotland this June will cost $6,000-$8,000 per team member. They look forward to your support in the upcoming fundraising campaign.
