Illinois State Fair announced their 2019 beef show judges:
Junior Beef; Breeding Heifer Judges 2019 Illinois State Fair Dr. Ryan Rathmann and Joe Rathmann
Dr. Ryan Rathmann is an Associate Professor and holder of the John W. and Doris Jones Endowed Professorship in the Department of Animal and Food Sciences at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX. Ryan is the all-time winningest coach in collegiate history having coached nine National Champion Collegiate Livestock Judging Teams (3 @ Texas A&M and 6 @ TTU) and five National Champion Meat Animal Evaluation Teams. He conducts research in beef cattle nutrition and teaches courses in cow/calf management, animal breeding and genetics, and artificial insemination. Ryan is married to Kayla Kohls Rathmann. They have two daughters; Kinlee (10) and Karlee (7). They raise and show Red Angus cattle. Joe Rathmann has been professor and livestock judging coach at Blinn College in Brenham, TX for the past 7 years. This summer Joe and his wife, Joelynn, are moving to Bastrop, TX to focus on the growth and improvement of the show cattle operation that Joe and Ryan’s father started over 40 years ago. Joe and Joelynn are also expecting their first child in June. Ryan and Joe have judged state and national junior and open cattle shows in over 31 states and internationally.
Dr. Scott Greiner Steer Judge 2019 Illinois State Fair Junior Show
Dr. Scott Greiner is a Professor and Extension Animal Scientist in the Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences at Virginia Tech. Dr. Greiner was raised on a diversified livestock farm in Eastern Iowa, and attended Iowa State University where he earned a B.S. in Animal Science in 1989. His graduate studies included an M.S. from Michigan State University and a Ph.D. from Iowa State. His graduate work at ISU was fundamental to the incorporation of ultrasound as a genetic improvement tool in beef cattle.
In 1998, Greiner joined the faculty at Virginia Tech and now serves at Extension Project Leader for the department. As an Extension Animal Scientist, he designs and delivers educational programs in beef cattle and sheep to adults and youth, and conducts applied research. This objective is accomplished by providing research-based education to livestock producers, Extension agents, and allied industry professionals. Specific responsibilities include design and delivery of educational programs and materials related to beef and sheep genetics and associated production and marketing issues, providing leadership for statewide programs in beef cattle and sheep; and maintaining strong working relationships with the beef and sheep industries and allied organizations.
He resides outside Christiansburg, VA along with his wife Lori and daughters Kaylee and Leah. The family operates a club lamb operation, and is very involved in 4-H youth livestock activities. Greiner has judged numerous state fairs and major livestock shows in over 30 states and foreign countries, and since 2006 has been Superintendent of the National Collegiate Livestock Judging Contest.
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