Episode 2.5 Summary – Judging Mindset with Dr. Scott Greiner & History of Platinum/Shelton with Matt Asmus

Podcast Information:

• Title: The Championdrive Podcast
• Host/Author: Championdrive.com
• Episode: 2.5 - Judging Mindset with Scott Greiner & History of Platinum/Shelton with Matt Asmus
• Release Date: October 24, 2024

Interview Segment 1: Judging Mindset with Dr. Scott Greiner

Introduction to Dr. Scott Greiner (04:42): Matt Asmus welcomes Dr. Scott Greiner to the podcast, delving into his professional background and daily responsibilities.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities (04:52): Dr. Greiner explains his multifaceted role as a faculty member, professor, and extension specialist at Virginia Tech. His work involves:

• Extension Services: Collaborating with the beef cattle and sheep industries to design and deliver educational programs.
• Teaching: Conducting classes such as Advanced Livestock Management and Small Ruminant courses.
• Research: Focusing primarily on parasite control in sheep genetics.
• Mentorship: Guiding graduate students in their research endeavors.

Notable Quote:

"No two days are alike, but each day brings new opportunities to engage with the industry and support educational initiatives." — Dr. Scott Greiner [04:52]

Research Focus: Parasite Control and Genetics (06:02): Dr. Greiner discusses his research on genetic resistance to parasites in sheep, emphasizing its critical role in addressing ongoing challenges within the small ruminant industry.

Family and Influence on Daughters (07:10): He shares insights into his family life, highlighting how his involvement in youth livestock programs like 4H and FFA has influenced his daughters' careers in agriculture.

Balancing Roles as Dad and Judge (10:26): Dr. Greiner reflects on the challenges of separating his professional judgment from his role as a supportive father during livestock shows.

Notable Quote:

"It took me time to shift gears from my judge hat to my dad hat, ensuring I support my daughters regardless of show outcomes." — Dr. Scott Greiner [10:26]

International Judging Experience in Costa Rica (14:12): He recounts his unique experience judging steer shows in Costa Rica, highlighting the differences in cattle breeds, showmanship, and agricultural practices compared to the United States.

Industry Evolution Over the Past Decade (17:41): Dr. Greiner observes significant advancements in the quality and competitiveness of livestock shows, attributing these changes to improved breeding practices and technological advancements in parasite control.

Handling Repeat Exhibitors and Relationships (24:18): He emphasizes his impartiality as a judge, maintaining objectivity regardless of previous interactions with exhibitors.

Notable Quote:

"When I step into the ring, my focus is solely on the livestock, not on who’s in front of them." — Dr. Scott Greiner [24:18]

Grand Drive Speeches Focus (29:07): Dr. Greiner shares his approach to grand drive speeches, underscoring the importance of developing young people over merely discussing livestock performance.

Conclusion of Interview with Dr. Greiner (30:40): Matt Asmus thanks Dr. Greiner for his valuable insights, concluding the first segment of the episode.

Interview Segment 2: History of Platinum/Shelton with Kaitlyn Sister Urban

Introduction to Platinum Shelton Livestock with Matt Asmus (35:05): Kaitlyn Sister Urban takes over to discuss her journey in the sheep industry, her partnership with Nick Shelton, and the evolution of Platinum Shelton Livestock.

Background and Early Days (35:12): Kaitlyn shares her upbringing on a small cattle and pig operation in Michigan and her transition into the sheep industry during graduate school at Kansas State, where she met Nick Shelton.

Building the Partnership (36:16): She elaborates on how her partnership with Nick Shelton began, initially focusing on ram partnerships before expanding to joint ownership and management as their operations grew.

Buying Out Duane Hurliman’s Flock (39:55): Kaitlyn discusses the strategic decision to purchase Duane Hurliman's ewe flock in 2019, highlighting the significance of inheriting elite genetics and the challenges associated with integrating the new flock.

Notable Quote:

"Purchasing Duane's flock was a pivotal moment that allowed us to focus on acquiring top-tier donor females, setting a solid foundation for Platinum Shelton." — Kaitlyn Sister Urban [39:55]

Genetic Focus and Management Challenges (43:00): She delves into the complexities of managing and understanding the genetics of the newly acquired flock, emphasizing the importance of maintaining consistency and quality.

Overcoming Marketing Challenges (38:17): Kaitlyn admits that marketing has been a hurdle, relying on the strength of their genetics and word-of-mouth rather than aggressive promotional strategies.

Merging Operations with Nick Shelton (49:37): She reflects on the challenges of merging her operations with Nick Shelton’s, particularly in harmonizing different management styles and decision-making processes.

Favorite Time of the Year: Lambing Season (53:56): Kaitlyn expresses her passion for lambing season, describing it as the most exciting time when she can witness the results of their genetic planning.

Emphasis on Female Genetics (55:34): She explains the critical focus on breeding elite females to ensure consistency and high performance in their offspring, debating the merits of multiple division wins versus single champion holdings.

Notable Quote:

"Consistency in our female genetics is paramount; it ensures that we produce reliable and high-performing lambs year after year." — Kaitlyn Sister Urban [55:34]

Influential Figures and Mentorship (63:03): Kaitlyn credits Duane Hurliman as the most influential person in their operation, acknowledging his mentorship and generosity in supporting their growth within the industry.

Fun and Light-Hearted Questions (65:47): The conversation concludes with Kaitlyn humorously addressing questions about her role in being the "boss" and her unsuccessful attempts at matchmaking, showcasing the personable side of her professional relationship with Nick Shelton.

Conclusion of Interview with Kaitlyn Sister Urban (67:19): Matt Asmus wraps up the segment, encouraging listeners to explore Platinum Shelton Club Lambs and commending Kaitlyn for her contributions.

Closing Remarks and Additional Segments

Sales Announcements and Promotions: The hosts briefly mention upcoming sales events and promotional offers from Novel Designs, including web redesign specials and video capabilities for sales and marketing.

Notable Quote:

"If you're not familiar, Dwayne really didn't post a lot of pictures; he let the genetics speak for themselves." — Kaitlyn Sister Urban [43:10]

Final Thoughts: The episode concludes with a recap of the insightful discussions with Dr. Scott Greiner and Kaitlyn Sister Urban, highlighting the importance of genetics, mentorship, and maintaining integrity within the sheep show industry.

Overall Insights:

• The significance of genetic selection and parasite control in improving sheep quality.
• The impact of mentorship and strategic partnerships in achieving operational success.
• The evolving competitiveness of livestock shows and the importance of adaptability and continuous improvement.
• Balancing professional roles and personal relationships to foster a supportive and productive environment.

Key Takeaways:

• Genetic Excellence: Both segments emphasize the critical role of genetics in livestock performance, underlining that meticulous breeding and selection can lead to significant improvements in show outcomes.
• Mentorship and Partnerships: Building strong relationships and seeking mentorship, as demonstrated by Kaitlyn’s partnership with Nick Shelton and mentorship from Duane Hurliman, are pivotal for success.
• Adaptability: Navigating industry changes, such as the shift towards artificial insemination and the increasing competitiveness of shows, requires flexibility and forward-thinking strategies.
• Supporting Youth Development: Dr. Greiner’s focus on developing young people highlights the importance of education and mentorship in sustaining the industry’s future.

Final Notable Quote:

"At the end of the day, it’s about developing young people and fostering a strong agricultural community." — Dr. Scott Greiner [29:07]

This episode of The Championdrive Podcast provides valuable insights into the intricacies of judging mindsets and the evolution of a successful livestock operation. Listeners gain an in-depth understanding of the challenges and triumphs faced by industry leaders, making it an essential listen for anyone involved in the sheep and broader livestock industries.