Purdue Animal Sciences Competitive Teams

Purdue Animal Sciences offers a variety of competitive teams that give students hands-on experience in evaluation, communication, and critical thinking. From livestock, meat, and dairy judging to equestrian and animal welfare assessment teams, these opportunities help students build leadership skills, deepen industry knowledge, and represent Purdue at regional and national contests.

Contact Us

The image shows a person standing outdoors, wearing a bright pink blazer over a black top. There are trees and buildings in the background.

Hattie (Duncan) McGrady - Purdue Animal Sciences Judging Teams Coordinator
dunca102@purdue.edu
270 S Russell Street
West Lafayette, IN 47907
765-494-4834

More information coming soon.

Animal Welfare Assessment Team

The Purdue Dairy Challenge Team poses outdoors in business attire with faculty coaches. The group stands in front of a hedge with trees and a building in the background, smiling for the photo.

The Purdue Dairy Challenge Team gives students hands-on experience in dairy farm evaluation, data analysis, and industry communication. Each spring, team members compete in the Midwest Dairy Challenge, joining mixed teams from across the region, and in the North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge (NAIDC), where they represent Purdue. Through these events, students sharpen their problem-solving skills, collaborate with peers and professionals, and prepare for future careers in the dairy industry.

Dairy Challenge Team

The Purdue Dairy Judging Team stands behind a table filled with trophies, plaques, ribbons, and awards from the 2024 judging season. The team is dressed in formal attire and poses in front of a black curtain backdrop.

The Purdue Dairy Judging Team competes in intercollegiate contests by evaluating dairy cows and heifers and presenting oral reasons to justify their placings. Team members gain hands-on experience by visiting dairy farms across the state and country for practice.

Dairy Judging Team

Four members of the Purdue Equestrian Team sit mounted on their horses in an outdoor riding arena, wearing matching Purdue Equestrian shirts and helmets. Trees and fencing are visible in the background.

The Purdue Equestrian Team competes in the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA), offering opportunities for riders of all experience levels through a draw-based format. Founded in 1980 by Jerry Steinmetz, the team is now led by Head Coach Kathryn Kraft. Team members train in hunt seat equitation, care for horses, and compete in IHSA shows. Purdue has a strong legacy in equestrian competition, including 21 IHSA Nationals appearances, 11 top-10 finishes, and a historic 2025 IHSA National Championship win.

English Equestrian Team

Three members of the Purdue Western Equestrian Team pose in front of a mural reading "Horse Show Capital of the World," which features a large illustrated horse and lasso design. Two team members are seated on stone blocks while one stands behind them, all smiling at the camera.

The Purdue Horse Judging Team is open to all skill levels and gives students hands-on experience evaluating horses in conformation, movement, and performance. Through ANSC 495 courses, team members develop public speaking and decision-making skills while competing in events like the AQHA World Championship and building valuable industry connections.

Horse Judging Team

The Purdue Livestock Judging Team stands in a line outside on campus in business attire, with university buildings, trees, and fall landscaping visible in the background.

The Purdue Livestock Judging Team gives students the opportunity to sharpen their evaluation, decision-making, and communication skills while gaining in-depth knowledge of beef, swine, and sheep production. Team members judge both breeding and market animals, incorporating production data and real-world scenarios. Students compete in contests across the country, where they place classes and present oral reasons to justify their decisions. Through these experiences, students build industry knowledge, professional connections, and résumé-ready skills.

Livestock Judging Team

The 2025 Purdue Meat Animal Evaluation Team poses in front of a gold curtain. The group is dressed in formal attire, smiling and standing side by side.

The Purdue Meat Animal Evaluation Team competes in the National Meat Animal Evaluation Contest, a comprehensive, three-day event that challenges students to assess livestock from production to consumption. Team members evaluate market and breeding animals, carcasses, and participate in meats and communications divisions. The contest helps students understand the full scope of meat animal production, processing, and merchandising, while sharpening their critical thinking and industry knowledge.

Meat Animal Evaluation Team

The Purdue Meat Judging Team poses in a classroom holding certificates from the 2025 Southeastern Meat Judging Contest. The team is smiling and dressed casually, standing in front of a whiteboard.

The Purdue Meat Judging Team trains students to evaluate and identify differences in meat cuts while developing skills in value assessment, decision-making, and communication. Beyond technical training, team members gain industry experience and build lasting friendships through their time on the team.

Meat Judging Team

The Purdue Western Equestrian Team stands in a row outdoors in front of a fence line, wearing matching jeans, black shirts, and cowboy hats. Trees and open pasture fill the background under a partly cloudy sky.

The Purdue Western Equestrian Team (PWET) is a student-run organization that competes in Western Horsemanship across the region. Open to all experience levels, the team welcomes members with or without prior riding experience or a personal horse. With a supportive environment, eight team horses, and coach Margaret Morgan, PWET offers members the chance to build riding skills, compete, and form lasting friendships through lessons, shows, and team events.

Western Equestrian Team