WEBVTT 00:00:11.720 --> 00:00:15.060 Breaking free from the chains of the past Where 00:00:15.060 --> 00:00:18.820 truth moves faster than a Holstein calf No law 00:00:18.820 --> 00:00:21.660 waiting on some printed page We're charting new 00:00:21.660 --> 00:00:25.300 ground in the digital age From genomic codes 00:00:25.300 --> 00:00:29.120 to robot facts We cut through the noise, no hold 00:00:29.280 --> 00:00:32.460 them back not your daddy's dairy news tonight 00:00:32.460 --> 00:01:00.600 we're sparking Hey there, dairy enthusiasts. 00:01:01.060 --> 00:01:03.719 Welcome back to the Bullvine Podcast. I'm your 00:01:03.719 --> 00:01:06.079 host, and today I've got something really special 00:01:06.079 --> 00:01:09.000 for you, especially if you're just getting started 00:01:09.000 --> 00:01:11.579 in dairy showing, or if you've ever wondered 00:01:11.579 --> 00:01:14.079 what separates the champions from the also -rans 00:01:14.079 --> 00:01:16.780 in the judging ring. You know, I was at World 00:01:16.780 --> 00:01:19.260 Dairy Expo last year, watching this incredible 00:01:19.260 --> 00:01:21.900 class of senior two -year -olds, and I noticed 00:01:21.900 --> 00:01:24.760 something fascinating. There was this one judge 00:01:24.760 --> 00:01:27.180 who seemed to know exactly what they were looking 00:01:27.180 --> 00:01:30.000 for from the moment those animals walked into 00:01:30.000 --> 00:01:32.620 the ring. While other people were still trying 00:01:32.620 --> 00:01:35.439 to figure out which cow was which, this judge 00:01:35.439 --> 00:01:38.280 was already taking notes, already analyzing, 00:01:38.620 --> 00:01:40.959 already building their placing in their mind. 00:01:41.120 --> 00:01:44.000 That got me thinking, what separates a great 00:01:44.000 --> 00:01:46.980 judge from someone who's just guessing? And more 00:01:46.980 --> 00:01:50.489 importantly, how can you develop that same? Judges 00:01:50.489 --> 00:01:53.829 I. Whether you're competing in 4 -H, FFA, or 00:01:53.829 --> 00:01:55.709 just trying to make better breeding decisions 00:01:55.709 --> 00:01:58.750 on your family's farm. Today, I'm going to pull 00:01:58.750 --> 00:02:01.310 back the curtain and show you exactly how the 00:02:01.310 --> 00:02:04.310 best judges think, how they approach each class 00:02:04.310 --> 00:02:06.769 systematically, and how you can develop these 00:02:06.769 --> 00:02:10.030 same skills. Trust me, by the end of this episode, 00:02:10.270 --> 00:02:12.889 you're going to look at cattle completely differently. 00:02:13.210 --> 00:02:16.490 The big picture. It's not magic. It's method. 00:02:16.789 --> 00:02:19.169 Let me start with something that might surprise 00:02:19.169 --> 00:02:22.240 you. The best judges I know, they're not born 00:02:22.240 --> 00:02:24.560 with some magical ability to spot the perfect 00:02:24.560 --> 00:02:27.639 cow. What they have is something much more powerful. 00:02:27.840 --> 00:02:31.439 A system. A repeatable, consistent process that 00:02:31.439 --> 00:02:34.419 they follow every single time. Think about it 00:02:34.419 --> 00:02:37.139 like this. You know how your family has a specific 00:02:37.139 --> 00:02:40.400 routine for milking. Same order, same steps, 00:02:40.560 --> 00:02:43.900 same attention to detail every time. That's because 00:02:43.900 --> 00:02:47.340 consistency produces results. Well, judging cattle 00:02:47.340 --> 00:02:50.229 works exactly the same way. I remember talking 00:02:50.229 --> 00:02:53.110 to this veteran judge, let's call him Jim, and 00:02:53.110 --> 00:02:55.090 he told me something that completely changed 00:02:55.090 --> 00:02:58.669 how I think about evaluation. He said, most people 00:02:58.669 --> 00:03:01.569 think judging is about finding the perfect cow, 00:03:01.750 --> 00:03:04.930 but really, it's about having a perfect process. 00:03:05.289 --> 00:03:08.110 That blew my mind because it meant that anyone, 00:03:08.330 --> 00:03:11.270 and I mean anyone, could learn to judge well 00:03:11.270 --> 00:03:13.550 if they were willing to commit to a systematic 00:03:13.550 --> 00:03:17.030 approach. The PDCA scorecard your foundation 00:03:17.030 --> 00:03:19.409 now. Before we dive into the actual process, 00:03:19.669 --> 00:03:22.810 let's talk about your foundation, the PDCA scorecard. 00:03:23.030 --> 00:03:25.770 This isn't just some boring document, this is 00:03:25.770 --> 00:03:27.930 literally your roadmap to understanding what 00:03:27.930 --> 00:03:31.090 matters most in a dairy cow. Here's how it breaks 00:03:31.090 --> 00:03:33.629 down, and I want you to really think about these 00:03:33.629 --> 00:03:38.289 percentages. Utter, 40%. Dairy strength, 25%. 00:03:38.289 --> 00:03:43.530 Feet and legs, 20%. Frame, 15%. Now, here's where 00:03:43.530 --> 00:03:45.819 it gets interesting. Most beginning judges get 00:03:45.819 --> 00:03:48.060 completely hung up on things like a slightly 00:03:48.060 --> 00:03:51.099 imperfect top line or whether a cow's tail setting 00:03:51.099 --> 00:03:53.599 is perfect. But look at those numbers again. 00:03:54.159 --> 00:03:56.659 Frame, which includes a lot of those cosmetic 00:03:56.659 --> 00:04:00.879 details, is only 15 % of the total score. I used 00:04:00.879 --> 00:04:03.479 to make this mistake too. I'd see a cow with 00:04:03.479 --> 00:04:05.860 a beautiful head and neck and get all excited, 00:04:06.099 --> 00:04:08.780 completely missing the fact that her udder was 00:04:08.780 --> 00:04:11.669 hanging halfway to the ground. The industry has 00:04:11.669 --> 00:04:14.650 actually distilled all of this into one powerful 00:04:14.650 --> 00:04:18.050 phrase that every great judge lives by. Good 00:04:18.050 --> 00:04:21.290 uttered dairy cows with functional feet and legs. 00:04:21.430 --> 00:04:24.129 Let me say that again, because it's that important. 00:04:24.410 --> 00:04:27.310 Good uttered dairy cows with functional feet 00:04:27.310 --> 00:04:30.310 and legs. If you remember nothing else from today's 00:04:30.310 --> 00:04:33.110 episode, remember that phrase. It's going to 00:04:33.110 --> 00:04:35.750 save you from making costly mistakes, whether 00:04:35.750 --> 00:04:38.410 you're judging a class or picking your next heifer 00:04:38.410 --> 00:04:42.839 to keep. The process. How Champions Think Alright, 00:04:43.060 --> 00:04:45.699 now let's get into the real meat of this. I'm 00:04:45.699 --> 00:04:48.240 going to walk you through exactly how elite judges 00:04:48.240 --> 00:04:51.639 approach a class, step by step. And here's the 00:04:51.639 --> 00:04:54.300 cool part. You can start using this system tomorrow. 00:04:54.879 --> 00:04:59.079 Step 1. The Distant View Picture this. A prosody 00:04:59.079 --> 00:05:02.420 rate 7, the class walks into the ring and everyone 00:05:02.420 --> 00:05:05.019 around you immediately starts moving in close 00:05:05.019 --> 00:05:08.120 to get a better look. But you? You stay back 00:05:08.120 --> 00:05:11.930 about 20 to 25 feet. and just watch. This is 00:05:11.930 --> 00:05:14.810 where the magic starts happening. From this distance, 00:05:15.009 --> 00:05:17.509 you can see things that become invisible when 00:05:17.509 --> 00:05:20.370 you're up close. You can see the overall balance 00:05:20.370 --> 00:05:23.209 of each animal, how they move, their general 00:05:23.209 --> 00:05:25.829 style and presence. I like to think of it like 00:05:25.829 --> 00:05:28.149 stepping back to look at a painting. When you're 00:05:28.149 --> 00:05:31.050 too close, all you see are brushstrokes. But 00:05:31.050 --> 00:05:33.430 when you step back, you see the whole picture. 00:05:33.850 --> 00:05:36.670 During this phase, I'm already starting to mentally 00:05:36.670 --> 00:05:40.089 sort the animals. I'm thinking, okay, that red 00:05:40.089 --> 00:05:42.550 and white cow has really impressive stature and 00:05:42.550 --> 00:05:45.889 balance. That black one over there moves beautifully. 00:05:46.149 --> 00:05:49.350 And that one on the end, hmm, something's not 00:05:49.350 --> 00:05:51.810 quite right with her udder. This initial scan 00:05:51.810 --> 00:05:54.050 is crucial because it prevents you from getting 00:05:54.050 --> 00:05:57.709 lost in minor details later on. Step two, the 00:05:57.709 --> 00:06:00.790 three -point priority system. Now comes the systematic 00:06:00.790 --> 00:06:04.189 part. As I move in for a closer look, I evaluate 00:06:04.189 --> 00:06:06.930 every single animal using the same sequence. 00:06:07.269 --> 00:06:10.410 And here's the key. I do this in order of the 00:06:10.410 --> 00:06:13.990 scorecard priorities. Priority 1. Utter evaluation. 00:06:14.569 --> 00:06:17.350 For mature cows, I start with the utter every 00:06:17.350 --> 00:06:20.069 single time. And I use this simple framework. 00:06:20.430 --> 00:06:24.170 Rear utter, ligament, teats. Any drama? Let me 00:06:24.170 --> 00:06:26.569 break that down. How's her rear utter attachment? 00:06:26.970 --> 00:06:30.050 Is it high and wide? What about her suspensory 00:06:30.050 --> 00:06:33.000 ligament? Can I see a clear definition down the 00:06:33.000 --> 00:06:35.740 middle? Are her teats well -placed and the right 00:06:35.740 --> 00:06:39.839 size? Any drama? Meaning, any major faults or 00:06:39.839 --> 00:06:42.480 exceptional qualities that jump out? At this 00:06:42.480 --> 00:06:45.300 stage, I'm making simple yes or no decisions. 00:06:45.699 --> 00:06:48.879 Is this a good udder? Would I like to find better? 00:06:49.060 --> 00:06:51.839 Can I live with this udder? It's just like when 00:06:51.839 --> 00:06:54.300 you're checking fresh cows after calving. You 00:06:54.300 --> 00:06:57.319 quickly sort them into watch closely, monitor, 00:06:57.480 --> 00:07:01.060 or no concerns based on what you see. Priority 00:07:01.060 --> 00:07:04.459 two, dairy strength. Next, I assess dairy strength 00:07:04.459 --> 00:07:07.259 with another framework. Does she have a big rib? 00:07:07.379 --> 00:07:10.620 Has she got a wide chest? Is she clean? This 00:07:10.620 --> 00:07:12.740 is where I'm looking for evidence that this cow 00:07:12.740 --> 00:07:15.319 is built to convert feed into milk efficiently, 00:07:15.540 --> 00:07:19.079 not into excess body fat. I want to see wide 00:07:19.079 --> 00:07:21.879 spaced ribs that are flat and deep, good width 00:07:21.879 --> 00:07:25.339 through the chest, overall cleanliness, and angularity. 00:07:25.519 --> 00:07:27.939 Think about the most productive cows in your 00:07:27.939 --> 00:07:31.110 herd. They probably have that lean, angular look 00:07:31.110 --> 00:07:34.810 that just screams milk cow. Priority three, feet 00:07:34.810 --> 00:07:38.149 and legs. Finally, I evaluate mobility with this 00:07:38.149 --> 00:07:41.829 question. Hawks, feet, can she walk? Here's something 00:07:41.829 --> 00:07:44.610 really important that a lot of people miss. Perfect 00:07:44.610 --> 00:07:47.430 conformation in the legs isn't as critical as 00:07:47.430 --> 00:07:50.269 functional soundness. A cow can have one fault 00:07:50.269 --> 00:07:52.970 in her legs and still be considered good -legged 00:07:52.970 --> 00:07:55.329 if she can move comfortably and confidently. 00:07:55.629 --> 00:07:58.329 It's like your milking system. It doesn't have 00:07:58.329 --> 00:08:01.389 to be perfect in every detail, but it absolutely 00:08:01.389 --> 00:08:04.629 has to deliver on the basics of hygiene and vacuum 00:08:04.629 --> 00:08:08.829 stability. Step 3. Making Comparisons After I've 00:08:08.829 --> 00:08:12.009 evaluated each animal individually, I start making 00:08:12.009 --> 00:08:15.170 direct comparisons. Here's a strategy that really 00:08:15.170 --> 00:08:18.910 works. First, identify the animals at the extremes, 00:08:19.209 --> 00:08:21.610 the clear winner and the obvious last place. 00:08:21.870 --> 00:08:24.769 This simplifies your job because now you only 00:08:24.769 --> 00:08:27.439 have to figure out the middle placings. When 00:08:27.439 --> 00:08:30.379 I'm comparing animals head to head, I'm constantly 00:08:30.379 --> 00:08:32.820 weighing their strengths and weaknesses against 00:08:32.820 --> 00:08:36.120 those scorecard priorities. For example, if one 00:08:36.120 --> 00:08:38.940 cow has a superior udder, but the other has better 00:08:38.940 --> 00:08:41.960 feet and legs, I have to decide which difference 00:08:41.960 --> 00:08:44.799 is more significant based on the point allocations. 00:08:44.940 --> 00:08:47.620 The art of note -taking. Now, here's something 00:08:47.620 --> 00:08:50.059 that might surprise you. The best judges are 00:08:50.059 --> 00:08:52.559 incredible note -takers, and I'm not talking 00:08:52.559 --> 00:08:55.519 about just jotting down a few words. I'm talking 00:08:55.519 --> 00:08:58.539 about systematic, detailed documentation that 00:08:58.539 --> 00:09:01.279 happens while they're still in the ring. I use 00:09:01.279 --> 00:09:06.519 a two -column system, H -A -G -C -O -L -A -L 00:09:06.519 --> 00:09:10.039 -M -H -O -N. On the left side of my notebook, 00:09:10.299 --> 00:09:12.799 I write descriptive notes about each individual 00:09:12.799 --> 00:09:15.960 animal. On the right side, I write comparative 00:09:15.960 --> 00:09:19.200 notes explaining why one animal places over another. 00:09:19.500 --> 00:09:22.399 This isn't just about memory. Though that's important 00:09:22.399 --> 00:09:25.200 when you have to give oral reasons, it's actually 00:09:25.200 --> 00:09:28.179 part of the analytical process. When you force 00:09:28.179 --> 00:09:30.799 yourself to write down what you're seeing, you're 00:09:30.799 --> 00:09:33.820 also forcing yourself to think more clearly about 00:09:33.820 --> 00:09:36.559 your decisions. And here's a pro tip. Develop 00:09:36.559 --> 00:09:39.659 your own shorthand system. In judging contests, 00:09:39.779 --> 00:09:42.480 time is limited, so you need to capture information 00:09:42.480 --> 00:09:46.000 quickly and efficiently. Judging heifers, a different 00:09:46.000 --> 00:09:48.940 game. Now let's talk about heifers, because this 00:09:48.940 --> 00:09:51.779 is where a lot of people get confused. Since 00:09:51.779 --> 00:09:54.320 heifers haven't developed their udders yet, you 00:09:54.320 --> 00:09:56.799 can't use the same approach as with mature cows. 00:09:57.279 --> 00:10:00.980 Instead, I use this framework. Correct, clean 00:10:00.980 --> 00:10:03.840 and open heifers, who are big enough. Let me 00:10:03.840 --> 00:10:06.980 explain each part. Correct. This means structurally 00:10:06.980 --> 00:10:09.779 sound, especially in the frame and feet and legs. 00:10:10.039 --> 00:10:12.799 Without correct structure, nothing else matters 00:10:12.799 --> 00:10:16.000 because the animal won't hold up over time. Clean. 00:10:16.399 --> 00:10:19.460 This refers to dairy character, that lean, angular 00:10:19.460 --> 00:10:22.080 look that suggests the heifer will channel nutrients 00:10:22.080 --> 00:10:25.539 into milk production rather than body fat. Open. 00:10:25.679 --> 00:10:28.919 This means openness of rib and overall capacity. 00:10:29.220 --> 00:10:31.320 You want to see evidence that she'll be able 00:10:31.320 --> 00:10:34.120 to consume and process large amounts of feed. 00:10:34.440 --> 00:10:37.480 Big enough. This is about appropriate size for 00:10:37.480 --> 00:10:39.620 her age. But here's where it gets interesting. 00:10:39.879 --> 00:10:42.559 The industry has what's called the peanut rule. 00:10:42.990 --> 00:10:45.789 If a heifer is just slightly smaller than her 00:10:45.789 --> 00:10:49.149 competition but superior in quality, that small 00:10:49.149 --> 00:10:51.909 size difference shouldn't hurt her much. But 00:10:51.909 --> 00:10:54.070 if she looks like she belongs in a whole different 00:10:54.070 --> 00:10:56.870 age class, then size becomes a real limiting 00:10:56.870 --> 00:10:59.470 factor. This makes sense when you think about 00:10:59.470 --> 00:11:02.009 it practically. A small heifer might milk well, 00:11:02.149 --> 00:11:04.110 but she's going to struggle to compete at the 00:11:04.110 --> 00:11:07.389 feed bunk with much larger herdmates. The 2025 00:11:07.389 --> 00:11:10.879 updates, what's changed? Before I move on, let 00:11:10.879 --> 00:11:13.240 me quickly update you on some important changes 00:11:13.240 --> 00:11:16.919 that took effect in March 2025. The PDCA made 00:11:16.919 --> 00:11:19.320 several significant updates to their scorecard 00:11:19.320 --> 00:11:22.600 and guidelines. Most importantly, they equalized 00:11:22.600 --> 00:11:24.879 the points for fore -utter and rear -utter at 00:11:24.879 --> 00:11:28.399 7 points each. This is huge because it means 00:11:28.399 --> 00:11:31.159 both attachment systems are now considered equally 00:11:31.159 --> 00:11:34.399 important for long -term utter health. They also 00:11:34.399 --> 00:11:37.559 renamed the rear feet and legs category to just 00:11:37.559 --> 00:11:40.399 feet and legs. which suggests a more holistic 00:11:40.399 --> 00:11:43.740 view of mobility. For showmanship, they increased 00:11:43.740 --> 00:11:46.139 penalties for things like sidestepping while 00:11:46.139 --> 00:11:48.759 leading and failure to set up your animal promptly. 00:11:49.139 --> 00:11:52.100 The message is clear. Professionalism matters 00:11:52.100 --> 00:11:54.500 more than ever. Building Transferable Skills 00:11:54.500 --> 00:11:57.379 Here's something I find really exciting about 00:11:57.379 --> 00:12:00.100 learning to judge dairy cattle. The skills you 00:12:00.100 --> 00:12:03.159 develop extend way beyond the show ring. When 00:12:03.159 --> 00:12:05.740 you learn to observe systematically, prioritize 00:12:05.740 --> 00:12:08.750 based on impact, and make confident decisions 00:12:08.750 --> 00:12:11.350 with incomplete information, you're developing 00:12:11.350 --> 00:12:13.809 abilities that will serve you in every aspect 00:12:13.809 --> 00:12:16.909 of life. I know successful judging team alumni 00:12:16.909 --> 00:12:19.789 who are now leading genetic companies, managing 00:12:19.789 --> 00:12:22.649 banks, running veterinary practices, and yes, 00:12:22.830 --> 00:12:25.350 operating incredibly successful dairy farms. 00:12:25.610 --> 00:12:27.929 The systematic thinking they learned through 00:12:27.929 --> 00:12:30.470 judging became their template for approaching 00:12:30.470 --> 00:12:34.190 complex decisions throughout their careers. Integrating 00:12:34.190 --> 00:12:37.360 modern technology. Now, Let's address the elephant 00:12:37.360 --> 00:12:39.740 in the room. Some people think that with all 00:12:39.740 --> 00:12:42.659 our genomic tools and performance data, visual 00:12:42.659 --> 00:12:46.039 evaluation is becoming obsolete. That's completely 00:12:46.039 --> 00:12:50.059 wrong. The best operations I visit use both genomic 00:12:50.059 --> 00:12:53.620 data and systematic visual assessment. They recognize 00:12:53.620 --> 00:12:56.120 that genomics tell you about genetic potential, 00:12:56.259 --> 00:12:59.019 but visual evaluation tells you about structural 00:12:59.019 --> 00:13:02.320 soundness, utter support and mobility. Things 00:13:02.320 --> 00:13:04.940 that directly impact whether that genetic potential 00:13:04.940 --> 00:13:08.179 ever gets realized. I know one producer who puts 00:13:08.179 --> 00:13:10.659 it perfectly. You can have a genomic superstar 00:13:10.659 --> 00:13:13.820 on paper, but if her feet and legs can't carry 00:13:13.820 --> 00:13:16.320 her through multiple lactations, those genetic 00:13:16.320 --> 00:13:19.259 values never materialize into actual performance. 00:13:19.659 --> 00:13:22.460 The future isn't about choosing between genomics 00:13:22.460 --> 00:13:24.879 and visual evaluation. It's about integrating 00:13:24.879 --> 00:13:28.179 both tools for maximum impact. Getting started. 00:13:28.299 --> 00:13:31.610 Your action plan. All right. So how do you actually 00:13:31.610 --> 00:13:34.350 start developing these skills? Here's your roadmap. 00:13:34.669 --> 00:13:37.509 First, start practicing the systematic approach 00:13:37.509 --> 00:13:40.049 I've outlined. Every time you look at cattle, 00:13:40.129 --> 00:13:42.950 whether it's at a show, on your farm, or even 00:13:42.950 --> 00:13:45.529 in pictures, force yourself to follow the same 00:13:45.529 --> 00:13:48.669 sequence. Distant view, utter dairy strength. 00:13:49.149 --> 00:13:52.990 Feet and legs. Then comparisons. Second, get 00:13:52.990 --> 00:13:55.009 involved in organized judging opportunities. 00:13:55.429 --> 00:13:58.870 Join your local 4 -H or FFA dairy judging team. 00:13:59.070 --> 00:14:02.289 Attend judging contests. The more you practice 00:14:02.289 --> 00:14:05.230 under pressure, the better you'll become. Third, 00:14:05.450 --> 00:14:08.389 seek out feedback. Find experienced judges who 00:14:08.389 --> 00:14:11.350 are willing to mentor you. Ask questions. Learn 00:14:11.350 --> 00:14:14.210 from your mistakes. And finally, stay current 00:14:14.210 --> 00:14:17.210 with industry changes. The dairy industry is 00:14:17.210 --> 00:14:20.029 constantly evolving, and judging standards evolve 00:14:20.029 --> 00:14:23.210 with it. Taking action today. Let me leave you 00:14:23.210 --> 00:14:25.809 with a challenge. After this episode, I want 00:14:25.809 --> 00:14:27.909 you to audit your current approach to evaluating 00:14:27.909 --> 00:14:30.690 cattle. Whether you're selecting heifers to keep, 00:14:30.809 --> 00:14:33.389 making breeding decisions, or just trying to 00:14:33.389 --> 00:14:36.549 improve your judging skills, ask yourself, are 00:14:36.549 --> 00:14:39.009 you truly prioritizing the most economically 00:14:39.009 --> 00:14:41.929 valuable traits, or have you fallen into the 00:14:41.929 --> 00:14:44.990 trap of chasing cosmetic ideals that have minimal 00:14:44.990 --> 00:14:47.879 impact on profitability? Are your evaluation 00:14:47.879 --> 00:14:50.600 criteria building a herd designed for longevity 00:14:50.600 --> 00:14:54.039 and efficiency or just for looking good on paper? 00:14:54.519 --> 00:14:57.639 Identify one area where your evaluation process 00:14:57.639 --> 00:15:00.539 could be more systematic and deliberate. Maybe 00:15:00.539 --> 00:15:02.759 it's implementing better note -taking during 00:15:02.759 --> 00:15:05.919 herd walks or developing a more structured approach 00:15:05.919 --> 00:15:09.600 to heifer selection or establishing clearer priorities 00:15:09.600 --> 00:15:13.019 for mating decisions. The point is this. by committing 00:15:13.019 --> 00:15:15.600 to a systematic approach to evaluation. You're 00:15:15.600 --> 00:15:18.259 not just building skills for the show ring. You're 00:15:18.259 --> 00:15:20.460 developing a mindset that will drive success 00:15:20.460 --> 00:15:23.919 across your entire operation. Wrapping up. You 00:15:23.919 --> 00:15:26.360 know, at the beginning of this episode, I told 00:15:26.360 --> 00:15:29.220 you about that judge at World Dairy Expo who 00:15:29.220 --> 00:15:31.259 seemed to have everything figured out from the 00:15:31.259 --> 00:15:33.799 moment the class walked in. Now you know their 00:15:33.799 --> 00:15:37.440 secret. It wasn't magic. It was method. The judge's 00:15:37.440 --> 00:15:40.179 eye isn't some mystical gift. It's a learnable 00:15:40.179 --> 00:15:42.980 skill based on systematic observation, clear 00:15:42.980 --> 00:15:46.080 priorities, and consistent process. And the best 00:15:46.080 --> 00:15:49.139 part? You can start developing it today. Whether 00:15:49.139 --> 00:15:51.779 you're 14 years old showing your first heifer 00:15:51.779 --> 00:15:54.580 at the county fair, or you're 40 years old trying 00:15:54.580 --> 00:15:57.000 to make better breeding decisions for your herd, 00:15:57.159 --> 00:15:59.759 these principles will serve you well. Remember 00:15:59.759 --> 00:16:02.620 that phrase I taught you earlier, good uttered 00:16:02.620 --> 00:16:05.799 dairy cows with functional feet and legs. That's 00:16:05.799 --> 00:16:08.139 your North Star. That's what separates the winners 00:16:08.139 --> 00:16:10.899 from the rest. Thanks for tuning in to the Bullvine 00:16:10.899 --> 00:16:14.000 Podcast. If this episode helped you, I'd love 00:16:14.000 --> 00:16:16.539 to hear about it. Share your judging experiences, 00:16:16.860 --> 00:16:19.120 your questions, or your success stories with 00:16:19.120 --> 00:16:21.799 us. And remember, whether you're in the colored 00:16:21.799 --> 00:16:24.299 shavings of the show ring or walking through 00:16:24.299 --> 00:16:26.860 your barn making selection decisions, you're 00:16:26.860 --> 00:16:29.840 looking for the same thing. Cows built to produce, 00:16:30.000 --> 00:16:33.399 reproduce, and endure. Until next time, keep 00:16:33.399 --> 00:16:36.440 evaluating, keep learning, and keep pushing the 00:16:36.440 --> 00:16:39.009 industry forward. That's a wrap on today's episode. 00:16:39.289 --> 00:16:41.690 Don't forget to subscribe to The Bullvine Podcast 00:16:41.690 --> 00:16:44.889 wherever you get your podcasts and visit us at 00:16:44.889 --> 00:16:47.649 thebullvine .com for more industry insights and 00:16:47.649 --> 00:16:47.990 analysis.