• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
Department of Animal Science
  • Degrees and Programs
    • Undergraduate Programs
      • B.S. Animal Science
        • Production/Industry Option
        • Science Option
      • Undergraduate Certificate Programs
      • Undergraduate Honors Program
    • Graduate Programs
      • M.S. in Animal Science
      • M.S. in Physiology of Reproduction
      • M.S. in Animal Breeding
      • Master of Equine Industry Management
      • Master of Agriculture in Animal Science
      • Ph.D. in Animal Science
      • Ph.D. in Animal Breeding
      • Ph.D. in Physiology of Reproduction
      • Graduate Certificate Programs
    • Specialized Programs
      • Meat Science Program
    • High-Impact Learning Opportunities
      • Competitive Teams
    • Academic Advising
      • Contact an Advisor
    • Academic Resources
  • Admissions and Aid
    • Student Life
    • Scholarships and Financial Aid
    • Graduate Degrees Application Information
  • Research and Extension
    • Research
    • Extension and Programs
    • Animal Science Facilities
  • Get Connected
    • Department of Animal Science Calendar
    • Giving to Animal Science
  • About
    • Department Directory
    • Department Leadership
    • Department History
      • Historical Brands of Texas
      • Dr. Howard Hesby
    • Areas of Excellence
    • Department of Animal Science Awards
    • Strategic Plan
    • Animal Science on AgriLife Today
    • Animal Science Job Board
    • Employment Opportunities
    • Contact Us
Search

Competitive Teams

A Tradition of Excellence

The competitive team program at Texas A&M University is rich in tradition, attracting students from across the nation. The program can be traced to the early 1900s with the first Texas A&M University Livestock Judging Team.   

Texas A&M University competitive teams have a tradition of excellence and have garnered championship titles for many years.  The Livestock Judging Team has won 12 national championships and the Meat Judging Team has earned 18 national championships. The Horse Judging Team has 28 national titles, more than any other university.  The Wool Judging Team has been national or reserve national champions 8 times in the last five years.  The Animal Welfare Judging, Academic Quadrathlon, Dairy Challenge, and Ranch Horse Teams have also won at least 1 national championship.  

By competing on these teams, students receive an unmatched high-impact learning experience, acquiring work ethic, public speaking capabilities, leadership development, and critical thinking skills.

Supporting our Competitive Teams

External support is necessary to ensure the future of the competitive teams’ program and to remain the recognized leader in this field.  We invite donations of all sizes to this effort and express humbly and genuinely that your generosity is appreciated in any amount. 

Give Now

Explore all Competitive Teams

Academic Quadrathlon Team

The Academic Quadrathlon competition is an annual competition sponsored by the American Society of Animal Science. Each winter, the Department of Animal Science conducts a local contest to determine the team that will represent Texas A&M at the Southern Section American Society of Animal Science Academic Quadrathlon competition. 

Contact: Dr. Sushil Paudyal

Learn more about the Academic Quadrathlon Team

Animal Welfare Judging Team

The Animal Welfare Assessment Contest (AWJAC) aims to provide a unique educational experience while strengthening student vocabulary and reasoning skills. The competition teaches students to assess the welfare of animals in a variety of settings using science-based methods and reasoning.

Contact: Dr. Courtney Daigle

Learn more about the Animal Welfare Judging Team

Dairy Challenge Team

The Dairy Challenge is an annual intercollegiate competition in which students comprehensively assess a dairy operation, collaborate on recommendations, and then present their findings to a team of judges and dairy managers. The Texas A&M Dairy Challenge team participates each year in Western Regional contest and at the North American Intercollegiate Competition. Eligible students have the opportunity to participate in the Dairy Challenge Academy which provides training in comprehensive evaluation of dairy operations.  

Contact: Dr. Sushil Paudyal

Learn more about the Dairy Challenge Team

Horse Judging Team

The Horse Judging Team is a group of highly motivated, dedicated, and ambitious students who strive to maintain the upstanding reputation of Texas A&M University students involved in the equine industry. The goal for every member of the team is to continually self-improve, support their teammates in and out of practice, and represent their team and university by upholding the highest academic and professional standards possible.

Contact: Sarah Schobert

Learn more about the Horse Judging Team

Livestock Judging Team

The livestock judging team is a group of passionate and dedicated students who train for success to reach their personal bests. The goal of the team is to represent Texas A&M University by succeeding on a national level, it is also equally important to the team to equip themselves with skills and experiences to benefit their futures. 

Contact: Caleb Boardman

Learn more about the Livestock Judging Team

Meat Animal Evaluation Team

The Meat Animal Evaluation Contest rotates between host universities across the country. The competition includes live market animal carcass predictions and pricing, breeding animal evaluation, meat judging, and communications and truly serves as a capstone judging experience for students with its incorporation of so many industry-applicable concepts.

Contact: Jennifer Wyle

Learn more about the Meat Animal Evaluation Team

Meat Judging Team

The goal of the Meat Judging Team at Texas A&M University is to develop the next generation of meat industry leaders through high-impact learning opportunities, competitive events, and engagement with industry professionals. It is no coincidence that the many hours of dedication to the team causes bonds of lifelong friendship to develop. 

Contact: Jennifer Wyle

Learn more about the Meat Judging Team

Ranch Horse Team

The Ranch Horse Team at Texas A&M University is a group of hardworking individuals, competing for team success in a supportive and fun environment. Our goal is to improve with each ride, perform to the best of our ability and represent our team and University through the core values.  

Contact: Paige Linne

Learn more about the Ranch Horse Team

Rodeo Team

Texas Aggie Rodeo is now designated a competitive team within the Department of Animal Science and we’re launching a $1 million capital campaign through the new Dr. Al Wagner ’69 Rodeo Coach Endowment Fund in an effort to hire our first ever full-time rodeo coach.

Contact: Dr. Al Wagner

Learn more about the Rodeo Team

Wool Judging Team

The goal of the Wool Judging Team at Texas A&M University is to develop and enhance student communication skills, critical thought and decision making as well as team interaction through judging and evaluating wool. The team also proudly represents the Department of Animal Science at contests across the state and nation. 

Contact: Dr. Shawn Ramsey

Learn more about the Wool Judging Team

Competitive Teams News

August Competitive Teams Update

September 6, 2023 No Comments

Livestock Judging Team The Saddle and Sirloin Club in conjunction with the Livestock Judging Team…

July Competitive Teams Update

August 16, 2023 No Comments

Academic Quadrathlon Team Congratulations to our Academic Quadrathlon Team on finishing second place overall at…

Competitive Teams Claim Recent Titles

October 20, 2022 No Comments

Four Department of Animal Science competitive teams have claimed championships and other accolades at various…

A member of
Texas A&M AgriLife

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service | Texas A&M AgriLife Research | Texas A&M Forest Service | Texas A&M AgriLife Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Lab | College of Agriculture & Life Sciences

  • About
  • Contact Us
  • Degrees and Programs
  • Department Directory
Department of Animal Science

© 2023 Texas A&M University. All rights reserved.

  • Compact with Texans
  • Privacy and Security
  • Accessibility Policy
  • State Link Policy
  • Statewide Search
  • Veterans Benefits
  • Military Families
  • Risk, Fraud & Misconduct Hotline
  • Texas Homeland Security
  • Texas Veterans Portal
  • Equal Opportunity
  • Open Records/Public Information