1. Better Oral Reasons
Getting Started

2. 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

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

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

5. 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

6. 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!!)

7. 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)

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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.

12. 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.)

13. Format Upgrades
Introduction of Class – I started with the highest performing bull and placed the Simmental bulls
“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

14. 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

15. 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.

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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