Sophomore Animal Science major, Maddy Ainsley is putting Texas Tech on the map and she knows a quality cut of beef when she sees one. Ainsley was ranked as the “highest individual” at the Southwestern Intercollegiate Meat judging Contest last weekend.
The Texas Tech team won the contest with 4,159 points, Colorado State University came in second with (3,997), while Texas A&M University finished third (3,963 points).
This is Ainsley’s first year meat judging, but it turns out she has quite the knack for it, as she won five of the eight categories, which led her to winning the top individual championship.
“To be a good meat judge I would say it takes hard work, dedication and coachability, ” Ainsley said. “Coming into meat judging I had never done it before and I’m starting from the ground up, everything that I know right now is credited to my coaches, they have done a fine job.”
She said she would like to be a large animal veterinarian someday, and being able to learn about the intricate body parts of each animal is preparing her. Although she’s never judged meat before this year, she has been a judge in different live stock shows over the years.
“I grew up on a small family farm, growing up I raised sheep, and I rodeod when I was young so I have been around a judging agricultural atmosphere my entire life,” Ainsley said. ” I accredit it fully to who I am today and I love being able to be involved in the agriculture industry.”
