Better Oral Reasons Getting Started

Keys to Improving Understand Why We Give Reasons Verbal Skill Improvement Justification Skills (Decision Making) Prove Competency Reasons are a Sales Communication Practice, Compete, Improve, Practice, Compete, Improve etc…… Additional Livestock Experience

Understand Scoring Accuracy Delivery Terminology Emphasis Format Appearance Confidence, Poise, Presentation Flow, etc. Terminology Species Specific Contemporary Emphasis

Accuracy Tell the Truth Improve Your Evaluation Skills Experience Emphasize the Big Things Take More Effective Notes Be More Prepared

Improved Notes Placed 1 over 2 Grant 2 over 1 Criticism of 2 Leaner Muscle Loin / Ham Performance WDA Carcass HM Carcass Largest LEA Grant 2 over 1 Leaner Top Lower 1/3 --------------------------- Criticism of 2 Smallest Skeleton 2nd L Muscled

Improving Delivery Format – Simple Structure Appearance System Benefits Both Contestant and Judge Build onto Format with Experience Appearance Look Nice (appropriate for occasion) No Hat, Gum, Chew etc. Physical Delivery (Spacing, Stance, etc.) Look Like You are Having Fun (Enthusiasm!) Practice for Flow and Confidence (Fear!!)

Improved Terminology Up to Date Terms Need not Be “Fancy” Livestock Experience Helps Situation Appropriate (Breeding - Market) Species Appropriate No Hams in the Steer Class Convince the Reasons Taker You Raise that Species (commonality)

Emphasis The Difference Between Good Set and Great Set Most Important Reasons for the Decision Instead of Just the Differences Telling the Judge What He or She Expects/Wants to Hear Experience is Key

Getting Started Work Through a Simple Format With Format for Notes First and Last Statements are Crucial Only the Big Differences Including ID Keep Track of Placing Learn a Few General Species Terms Smile, Look Appropriate, Be Friendly Practice for Improvement

Beginners Make it as Enjoyable as Possible Especially for Younger Children Evaluate Skills, Motivation and Experience to Decide Where to Start This is a Long Distance Race and Not a Sprint Students Will Progress at Different Speeds You Need More than One Student to Make a Successful Team

Basic Format I placed this class of _________ 1-2-3-4 In my top pair I placed 1 over 2 because _ I grant 2 was ______ than 1, But I placed 2 second because ____.(Opt) In my middle pair I placed 2 over 3 because………… I placed 4 last because he was the ______ in this class.

Format Tips “Always” Be Comparative or Superlative in pairs (er or est) or Grants For Criticisms, Use Superlatives or Direct Criticism Compared to Average Animals In Criticism, Be Appropriate but not Cruel Try to Vary Your Grant Lead In (ie Grant, Realize, Admit, Recognize, etc.)

Format Upgrades Introduction of Class – I started with the highest performing bull and placed the Simmental bulls 1-2-3-4 “Criticism” of the class winner Using the scenario of a Performance class to create an opening statement Vary and Add to the Transitions Between Pairs and Sections Carcass Phrase in Every Market Pair

Use Outline Form in Pairs Opening Phrase States Big, General Terms that Will be Elaborated On Following Sentences Describe Differences Eluded to in Opening Phrase Finish With Extra Important Differences

Example I placed the red steer over 4 in my bottom pair because he was a heavier muscled, more correctly finished steer. 3 was a thicker topped, heavier quartered steer that showed more evidence of finish over his ribs, in his lower body and flank. Thus he should produce a carcass with a larger ribeye and a greater probability of grading Choice.

Other Tips Some General Terms Need Little or No Elaboration This is Especially True in Grants and Criticisms Do Not “Repeat” Yourself in the Grant or Criticism Without Referring to the Class or All Animals It is OK to Take an Pair Off (Too Easy) Use IDs to Replace Numbers for Points

Know Your Reasons Taker The Good Ones Want to Give You a Good Score, Help Them! Try to Score Points on Your Strongest Species Be More Brief During Later Sets Judge Will Most Vividly Remember Your First and Last Statements Be Shorter for Sheep Reasons

In Summary Start With a Simple Format Appropriate for Age and Experience Stick to the Big Differences and Don’t Lie Your Appearance, Attitude and Mechanics are Easy Ways to Pick Up or Lose Points Work on Taking Useful Notes There is Absolutely No Substitute for Practice and Experience

Swine Judging Changing Again Still Focused on the Production and Carcass Value Width, Muscle, Structural Soundness and Performance are All Areas of Emphasis Leanness is Somewhat Less Important, but Fat Hogs Still are Discriminated Against Hogs are Not Sheep and Vice Versa Find Some Decent Pigs to Work With

Resources Montana State University?? Feed and Supply Companies (Showmaster et al) Breed Associations National Swine Registry American Angus College Web-sites Colorado State, Kansas State, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Iowa State