The University of Florida Meats Judging Team, a proud part of the UF/IFAS Animal Sciences (ANS) Department, is no stranger to success. Throughout their 2025 season, the team represented our college well as they took the stage for competition.
Team members include Kayla Edwin, Rayna Heartquist, Lauren Higgins, Natalie Moore, Joyce Worley, and Asude Deryol. Dr. Chad Carr, State Meat Extension Specialist and ANS Professor, and Thachary Mayer, ANS Ph. D. student, have coached these individuals and provided them with guidance on livestock carcass evaluation and evaluating overall meat quality. These skills play a crucial role in team success during competitions, while also providing individuals with transferable knowledge that will improve their decision-making and overall experience as both consumers and employees.
“Participation in the University of Florida Meat Judging Team provides undergraduate students with an exceptional opportunity for both professional and personal development. While the program immerses students in the agricultural industry, it also cultivates essential life skills, including communication, discipline, and critical thinking”, says Mayer.
This group has traveled across the US to compete in several competitions, claiming multiple accolades. Most recently, they traveled to the 2025 International Meat Judging Contest in Dakota City, Nebraska, representing one of 15 collegiate teams. With a 4th High Team Overall finish and outstanding individual placings from team members, the team celebrated a successful journey of excellence and growth.
Team member Natalie Moore believes her experience both enhanced personal growth and expanded her outlook on the many components of agricultural production. “I made countless memories with my teammates and developed valuable skills such as making quick decisions and confidently defending my reasoning. From touring small custom butcher shops to some of the largest beef plants in the nation, I have grown tremendously in my understanding of the meat industry.”
More’s teammates agree that their experience has influenced their development as well, stating, “Meats judging was a great experience that exposed me to many different parts of the meat industry, helped shape my understanding of where my interests truly lie, and allowed me to meet incredible people who made the experience even more meaningful,” says Rayna Heartquist.
Teammate Lauren Higgins shares similar sentiments, “Through this team, I was introduced to the meat industry and inspired to pursue it as my future career. Traveling with the team allowed me to meet incredible people, gain hands-on knowledge of how meat is produced, processed, and graded, and travel across the country with some of my closest friends. I am deeply grateful for the mentors, teammates, and supporters who made this journey possible.”
In addition to their team bond, team members enjoyed traveling to competitions and visiting new sites. For Kayla Edwin, this included the Eastern National Meat Judging Contest in Wyalusing, Pennsylvania. “During this trip, we toured the JBS Beef Plant, Clemens Food Group, and the Smuckers Meat Processing Plant. We also visited the Independence National Park, Hershey’s Chocolate World, and the Washington D.C. monuments. We also explored Philadelphia, where I had a Philly cheesesteak for the first time!”
Edwin also feels as though her experiences have provided her with a unique skill set and knowledge base that she will fondly reference as she steps into future endeavors; “Beyond my travel experiences, I thoroughly enjoyed the contest and felt that the team really hit a stride and came together with our judging abilities. With the moments that we spent together, I have learned so much about the meat industry, myself, and my team. Meat judging has provided me with many valuable memories and transferable skills.
Just as team members reflected, Coach Thachary Mayer agrees that this experience not only serves as an opportunity for skill enhancement but also provides team members with a platform to gain connections that support personal growth. “Students form both friendships and professional relationships that last a lifetime while representing the university on a national stage. The 2025 team was one of the most successful in UF history, and the support we received played a crucial role in positioning the team for success,” he said.
Whether they choose to strengthen their talents to pursue a career in the meat industry or simply apply their enhanced public speaking and communication skills, Meat Judging provides marketable life skills to undergraduates at the University of Florida.
Giving
The Susan Brown Memorial Fund provides resources for the team’s activities and learning experiences, and we would greatly appreciate any contributions towards their endeavors. We hope you consider supporting the continued success of the UF Meats Judging Team!
Find more information about the UF/IFAS Department of Animal Sciences on our website. Stay in touch with us on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Read more on UF/IFAS ANS here: http://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/animalsciencesdept/.
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