Livestock judge question

[nebraskadave]

With todays internet/video sales more and more show cattle move about the country across several states, North to South, East to West, coast to coast.  Many of the better known producers who sell cattle all over the nation also are well known judges at livestock shows.  What is the proper protocol when someone buys a calf from a well known breeder several hundred miles from home and then 6 months to a year later at a large show they find out the producer will be the judge at the show?  It has to happen quite a bit of the time, but it puts the judge/producer in somewhat of an awkward position.  Anyone have much experience with this? 

 

[ohiodale]

interested in replies - good question

 

[cowboy_nyk]

It happens often.  Generally it's not an issue.  They'll judge the calves as they are.  Like you said, with the prominent and influential breeders becoming judges at many of the shows it pretty hard to avoid. 

 

[Ms Ray]

At some shows it can not be avoided and the breeder may not even know a calf will be there with how much they get resold, I feel though if they know they are judging at a fair they should try to avoid selling a calf for that show, or if they know have a calf at a show they should turn down judging there.  It's just a conflict of interest in my opinion.

 

[looking4champions]

I wouldn't be concerned about a judge potentially judging one of his own and showing favor. To me that's as much of a concern as showing a $2500 steer against a $15K steer.  The judge can't tell how much either costs, but he sure better be able to tell which one is the better at that very moment in the ring.