The Sort
Hop into the ring with The Sort, the podcast offering both a historical and forward-looking exploration of the world of livestock judges. The goal of The Sort is designed to support, engage, mentor, and advance the future leaders of the livestock industry. In each episode, we invite guests to share their personal journeys, visions, and enthusiasm for the livestock industry. These individuals bring unique perspectives, enriching our program with their real-world experiences of challenges and successes that have shaped them into the leaders the are today.
10
#81: Bradie Midcap and Mason Allan
<p>In this episode of the Sort podcast, host Brett Kaysen interviews Bradie Midcap and Mason Allan, two Texas Tech University students passionate about livestock judging and the cattle industry. Bradie, from Ray, Colorado, shares her journey from a Simmental cow-calf operation to pursuing a master's degree in ruminant nutrition at Kansas State University. Mason, from Schulenburg, Texas, discusses his family's Hereford operation and plans for a master's degree at Texas Tech while assistant coaching the judging team. Both highlight the Top Judge program's value and encourage young 4-H and FFA members to embrace livestock judging's opportunities.</p>
#80: Megan Zipprich and Lexi Hunt
<p>In this episode of The Sort, host Brett Kaysen welcomes two outstanding collegiate livestock judges and Top Judge program members: Megan Zipprich from Penn State and Lexi Hunt from Texas Tech. Megan shares her journey from rural Pennsylvania to committing to Purdue's DVM program, her passion for serving agricultural communities, and her love of judging contests like the All-East and Blue Dragon Classic. Lexi, from Buckeye, Arizona, discusses her path through South Plains College to Texas Tech, her evolving career goals, and her philosophy of giving back to youth in the show ring. Both highlight the Top Judge program...
#79: Kinsey Gardner and Blake Janssen
<p>In this episode of the Sort podcast, host Dr. Brett Kaysen sits down with two Texas Tech University livestock judging team members, Kinsey Gardner and Blake Janssen. Kinsey shares her journey from Gatesville, Texas, balancing softball and judging before pursuing a CPA career specializing in farm and ranch accounting. Blake, raised in Amber, Oklahoma, discusses his deep-rooted passion for cattle and plans to work in cattle genetics post-graduation. Both students reflect on the impact of mentorship, the Top Judge program, and Texas Tech's faculty, offering inspiring advice on relationships, integrity, and embracing challenges to grow as agricultural professionals and...
#78: Jack Habjan and Skyler Ward
<p>This episode of The Sort podcast, powered by Primo Feeds, features interviews with Jack Habjan and Skyler Ward, two rising stars in collegiate livestock judging and animal science. Jack, from Linwood, Kansas, shares his journey from sports announcing dreams to pursuing ruminant nutrition at Texas Tech, with plans for graduate studies at the University of Arkansas. Skyler, from New Paris, Ohio, discusses her livestock judging family roots, her time at Kansas State University, and upcoming graduate work in pet food nutrition. Both share memorable experiences from the Top Judge program and offer inspiring insights on perseverance, mentorship, and career...
#77: Paige Lemenager and Colt Blacklock
<p>In this episode of The Sort podcast, host Brett Kaysen interviews two agriculture students passionate about livestock judging. Paige Lemenager, from Texas Tech University, shares her journey from aspiring veterinarian to future agricultural attorney, focusing on estate planning for farming families. Colt Blacklock, originally from Saskatchewan, Canada, and attending Kansas State University, discusses his cow-calf operation background and plans to return home to lead a bull test program. Both guests reflect on memorable judging contests, influential mentors, and humorous team road trip stories, showcasing the camaraderie and opportunities that livestock judging provides.</p>
#76: Jackson Tarrance and Kolton Lake
<p>In this episode of “The Sort”, powered by Primo Feeds, host Brett Kaysen interviews two Oklahoma State University livestock judging team members, Jackson Tarrance and Kolton Lake. Jackson, from Welling, Oklahoma, shares his journey from showing pigs to collegiate judging, discussing mentors, career goals in agricultural lending, and plans to grow his family's show pig operation. Kolton Lake, from Laramie, Wyoming, reflects on his path through Butler Community College to OSU, a national championship win, and aspirations in ruminant nutrition or coaching. Both emphasize judging's value in building skills, relationships, and professional networks.</p>
#75: Chyann Emerson and Preston Rhode
<p>In this episode of "The Sort," host Brett Kaysen sits down with two Oklahoma State University livestock judging standouts: Chyann Emerson and Preston Rhode. Chyann, from Tuttle, Oklahoma, shares how a soccer injury redirected her toward livestock judging, ultimately leading her to a national championship and internships with pork industry organizations. Preston, from Carlock, Illinois, discusses growing up in a cattle and show pig family, his path through junior college, and his passion for animal science at OSU. Together, they reflect on teamwork, building confidence, communication skills, and the lasting relationships forged through competitive livestock judging.</p>
#74: Connor Pell and Dax DeLozier
<p>In this episode of The Sort, host Brett Kaysen sits down with Oklahoma State University livestock judging team members Connor Pell and Dax DeLozier. Connor shares his journey from northeast Oklahoma, his roots in horse judging, and his transition to livestock judging at Redlands Community College before landing at OSU. Dax, a sixth-generation rancher from Adair, Oklahoma, discusses growing up on a cow-calf operation and his pivot from veterinary aspirations to meat science research. Both reflect on mentors, favorite contests, memorable road trip stories, and their futures in the livestock industry — offering valuable perspective for judges and agricultural professionals al...
#73: REVISIT - Terry Burks
<p>This episode originally aired on February 24th, 2025.</p><p>Our guest this week on THE SORT podcast is Terry Burks. Terry is a retired Professor of English Studies from Chifeng University in The People’s Republic of China and has judged nearly 1300 Junior and open livestock shows in 43 states. You won’t want to miss this one!</p>
#72: Tim Fort
<p>In this episode, Tim Fort shares his remarkable journey from humble beginnings in White Deer, Texas, to becoming a respected leader in the swine industry. Listeners gain insights into Tim’s experiences in show pig raising, livestock judging, and commercial pig production, including international projects in Russia and China. He discusses the founding of Primo, a family-run pig feed company, and emphasizes the importance of mentorship, decision-making, and giving back. Tim’s story offers valuable lessons for livestock judges, students, and industry professionals on resilience, networking, and building a legacy through service and innovation.</p>
