American Royal announces student judging contest winners

The American Royal welcomed nearly 700 students to Kansas City for its 2025 livestock and meats judging competitions. 4-H, FFA, and collegiate teams showcased their livestock or meats evaluation skills to vie for national recognition in one of the most respected judging contests in the country.

In the livestock judging competition, contestants compete as a team and individually by judging classes of cattle, swine, sheep or goats, then present their reasons for placement to a judge. In this year’s competition, top honors went to the following:

4-H Livestock Judging

• Grand Champion 4-H Team: Illinois
• Reserve Champion 4-H Team: Texas
• Top 4-H Individual: Cass Kleeman of Missouri

FFA Livestock Judging

• Grand Champion FFA Team: Missouri
• Reserve Champion FFA Team: Kansas
• Top FFA Individual: Beau Ann Graves of Missouri

Collegiate Livestock Judging : Senior College

• Grand Champion Senior College Team: Texas Tech University
• Reserve Champion Senior College Team: Kansas State University
• Top Senior College Individual: Connor Pell of Oklahoma State University

Collegiate Livestock Judging: Junior College

• Grand Champion Junior College Team: Black Hawk East
• Reserve Champion Junior College Team: Blinn College
• Top Junior College Individual: Drew Jacobson of Black Hawk East

In the meats judging competition, 4-H and collegiate teams evaluate meat carcasses based on industry standards, identify retail cuts, estimate the lean-to-fat ratio of carcasses, and defend their placings with oral reasons.

4-H Meats Judging

• Grand Champion 4-H Team: Texas
• Reserve Champion 4-H Team: Kansas
• Top 4-H Individual: Mack Kimball of Texas

Collegiate Meats Judging: American Division

• Grand Champion American Division Team: Texas A&M University
• Reserve Champion American Division Team: Kansas State University
• Top American Division Individual: Kelli Garrett of Kansas State University

Collegiate Meats Judging: National Division

• Grand Champion National Division Team: Clarendon College
• Reserve Champion National Division Team: Eastern Oklahoma State College
• Top National Division Individual: Zane Clark of Clarendon College

“These livestock and meats judging contests highlight the remarkable dedication, skill and passion of students interested in the animal agriculture industry,” said Regan Gleason, competitive educational activities coordinator, American Royal. “At the American Royal, we believe in investing in the next generation of leaders, and we are proud to honor these champions as they carry forward a legacy of excellence.”