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Culp, KC Dissertation Final.pdf (1.49 MB)

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Factors Associated with Sustainability of Collegiate Livestock Judging Programs at Four Year Universities

Culp, Kyle Christian
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1429086449

Abstract Details

2015, Doctor of Philosophy, Ohio State University, Agricultural and Extension Education.
Collegiate animal sciences curricula have incorporated livestock judging since the late 19th century. Methods to assess the value of livestock have become more precise than visual appraisal over time, which contributed to a de-emphasis on training for visually evaluating livestock quality. However, data-based livestock appraisal methods can lead to single-trait selection at the expense of immeasurable traits such as structural correctness, udder quality, animal health and well-being, and physical abnormalities. As a result, visual appraisal has remained a highly utilized and valuable livestock evaluation technique in order to minimize the impact of unintended consequences from objective-only measurement criteria. Therefore, livestock producers may want to consider using both visual appraisal and data-based criteria in selection decisions. Even so, there is increased economic scrutiny within higher education, which has compounded the pressure to evaluate the utility and cost effectiveness of academic programs such as collegiate livestock judging. The purpose of this study was to describe current sources of support and expenditures, anticipated support trends, and characteristics of collegiate livestock judging programs at four-year colleges and universities in the United States. This descriptive study used correlation and regression analysis to determine the association between livestock judging program support, expenditures, structural and demographic characteristics, and contest performance. The target population was comprised of livestock judging programs at four-year colleges and universities whose livestock judging teams had competed at the NAILE in 2012, 2013, or both years. Data collection was completed using an online survey instrument. Findings focused on sources of funding support and categories of expenditures of four-year college and university livestock judging programs, espoused stakeholder group support for livestock judging programs and demographic and structural characteristics of livestock judging programs. Data from this study provided evidence that competitive success and funding resources reflect a collinear relationship. Therefore, this relationship suggests that programs need to secure sufficient resources in order to be competitive at the national level, or that ongoing competitive performance is requisite to continued funding support; although the relative mix of funding sources will likely evolve over time. A direct relationship exists between team member experience and team performance. Teams comprised of junior college transfer students generally out-performed teams with few or no junior college transfer students. Likewise, teams that compete in a greater number of contests each year tend to be more competitive in the national contest than teams that competed in fewer contests. Thus, the effect of team member experience is compounded when a junior college transfer student attends an institution that competes in a greatest number of contests; which was revealed to be commonplace. Despite a moderate emphasis on contest performance, most livestock judging coaches perceived academic performance and graduation rates to be of greater importance. Originally, livestock judging was introduced as a supplemental activity to demonstrate application of knowledge presented via classroom instruction. Evidence from this study suggests most livestock judging programs have retained an academic focus. Apparently, the intent of most coaches is to provide educational experiences that supplement the academic pursuits of students. Communicating this orientation and value system to stakeholder groups that espouse less than positive support for the livestock judging program may stimulate a more beneficial relationship and generate additional support for livestock judging, or at the very least reduce the negative tension that exists in some academic units.
Robert Birkenholz (Advisor)
Jeffrey King (Committee Member)
Gary Straquadine (Committee Member)
159 p.
Agricultural Education; Animal Sciences
livestock; judging; livestock judging; animal sciences; agricultural education; higher education funding; collegiate extracurricular funding; extracurricular activity

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Culp, K. C. (2015). Factors Associated with Sustainability of Collegiate Livestock Judging Programs at Four Year Universities [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1429086449

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Culp, Kyle. Factors Associated with Sustainability of Collegiate Livestock Judging Programs at Four Year Universities. 2015. Ohio State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1429086449.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Culp, Kyle. "Factors Associated with Sustainability of Collegiate Livestock Judging Programs at Four Year Universities." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University, 2015. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1429086449

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1429086449
706
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This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.