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 17 national championships. The horse judging team has 29 national titles, more than any other university horse judging team. The wool judging team has been national or reserve national champions 12 times in the last 10 years, and the animal welfare judging, academic quadrathlon, dairy challenge, and ranch horse teams have also won at least one 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.
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
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
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
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
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: Kyle Despain
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
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
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
Rodeo Team
Founded in 1919, the Texas Aggie Rodeo Team has won numerous national and regional titles over the years. It is part of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association and is a designated competitive team program in the Department of Animal Science.
Contact: Dr. Roger Hanagriff
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
Competitive Teams News
Competitive Teams: April Update
The Department of Animal Science competitive teams have been hard at work this April. This month’s update includes results for…
Competitive Teams: December Update
The Department of Animal Science competitive teams completed the 2024 fall semester with great accomplishments, including two national titles and…
Competitive Teams: November Update
The Department of Animal Science competitive teams are still going strong through a busy fall season. This month’s update includes…