Ryan Rathmann

Texas Tech University

Ryan grew up in 4-H and FFA on his family’s cow-calf oper-ation in Bastrop, TX. Ryan received his B.S. and M.S. from Texas A&M University in Animal Science and Beef Cattle Reproduction in 2002 and 2005, respectively. He pursued his Ph.D. in Ruminant Nutrition at Texas Tech University completing his degree in December of 2008.

Ryan is currently an Associate Professor in the Depart-ment of Animal and Food Sciences at Texas Tech University and teaches a variety of courses. He serves as the faculty coordinator of the Livestock Judging Team, Meat Animal Evaluation Team, and the Beef Center. Ryan has coached eight National Champion Collegiate Livestock Judging Teams, three at Texas A&M from 2002 to 2004, and five at Texas Tech from 2007 to 2009 and again in 2011 and 2015. Ryan is recognized as the all-time winningest livestock judging coach in the 100 year history of the prestigious International Livestock Judging Contest and his 2008 Tex-as Tech team holds the all-time record score. Under Ryan's guidance, 22 undergraduate students have been recognized as members of the All-American Livestock Judging Team. In addition, Ryan has coached five National Champion Meat Animal Evaluation Teams at Texas Tech from 2007 through 2010 and again in 2013. Ryan has judged local, state, or national junior and open cattle shows in 30 different states and Canada including every major show in Texas, the National Western, and the North American International Livestock Exposition.