The American Royal Meat Judging Contest was held October 14, 2018 at Nebraska Beef in Omaha, Nebraska. In total, 35 contestants from five universities and colleges participated in the A-Division contest. 109 individuals from 18 universities participated in the Senior Division contest.
A-Division
Top Individuals
- Joni Loepky, Garden City Community College (909)
- Kara Belt, Clarendon College (906)
- Kane Friermood, Clarendon College (901)
- McKenzie Owen, Clarendon College (887)
- Megan Ziegenhagen, Clarendon College (882)
- Cadence Gentry, Cisco College (880)
- Jose Sanchez, Garden City Community College (879)
- Micaila Lock, Garden City Community College (870)
- Bailee Hatch, Garden City Community College (851)
- Allyson Hollenbeck, Cisco College (848)
Top Teams
- Clarendon College (3576)
- Garden City Community College (3509)
- Cisco College (3245)
- Fort Scott Community College (3202)
- Texas A&M University - Kingsville (2882)
Clarendon College
Individual Division Results
Beef Grading - Micaila Lock, Garden City Community College (234)
Lamb Judging - Joni Loepky, Garden City Community College (143)
Pork Judging - Megan Ziegenhagen, Clarendon College (290)
Beef Judging - Kara Belt, Clarendon College (290)
Total Beef - Kara Belt, Clarendon College (496)
Total Placing - Joni Loepky, Garden City Community College (490)
Questions - Kane Friermood, Clarendon College (210)
Alternate Contest - Joni Loepky, Garden City Community College, (909)
Team Division Results
Beef Grading - Garden City Community College, (918)
Lamb Judging - Clarendon College, (535)
Pork Judging - Clarendon College, (1128)
Beef Judging - Clarendon College, (1054)
Total Beef - Garden City Community College, (1917)
Total Placing - Clarendon College, (1912)
Questions - Clarendon College, (805)
Senior Division
Top Individuals
- Mac Cassas, Colorado State University (1054)
- Koby Valentine, Texas Tech University (1040)
- Emma Mortensen, Texas Tech University (1036)
- Sam Davis, Kansas State University (1034)
- Addison Stuver, Texas A&M University (1026)
- Savannah Millburn, Colorado State University (1023)
- Holly Sanders, Texas A&M University (1019)
- Landon Verbeek, Colorado State University (1017)
- Hannah Taylor, Kansas State University (1016)
- Katelyn Gillum, Oklahoma State University (1015)
Top Teams
- Colorado State University, (4094)
- Texas Tech University, (4076)
- Kansas State University, (4069)
- Texas A&M University, (4051)
- Oklahoma State University, (4013)
Colorado State University
Individual Division Results
Beef Grading - Sam Davis, Kansas State University (258)
Lamb Judging - Koby Valentine, Texas Tech University (142)
Pork Judging - Mason Blinson, Oklahoma State University (288)
Beef Judging - Koby Valentine, Texas Tech University (284)
Total Beef - Mac Cassas, Colorado State University (533)
Total Placing - Mac Cassas, Colorado State University (490)
Reasons - Koby Valentine, Texas Tech University (219)
Specifications - Emma Mortensen, Texas Tech University (97)
Alternate Contest - Kathryn Hearn, Oklahoma State University (832)
Team Division Results
Beef Grading - Texas A&M University, (998)
Lamb Judging - Colorado State University, (557)
Pork Judging - Colorado State University, (1125)
Beef Judging - Texas Tech University, (1079)
Total Beef - Texas A&M University, (2061)
Total Placing - Oklahoma State University, (1936)
Reasons - Texas Tech University, (832)
Specifications - Colorado State University, (388)
Official Committee
Rick Jones, USDA-AMS Retired, Chair
Aaron Tapian, Tyson Foods - Beef Carcasses
Dr. Bryce Gerlach, Tyson Foods - Beef Cuts
Dr. Gregg Rentfrow, University of Kentucky- Pork Carcasses
Wendy Woerner, Producer's Feedlot - Pork Cuts
Dr. Keith Underwood, South Dakota State University - Lamb Carcasses
Darrell Dowd, Grading & Specs, USDA, Meat Grading and Certification