We caught up with market lamb judge Josh Kouns before he steps “Inside the Ring” at the Iowa State Fair FFA Show. We invite you to read our candid interview with Josh below and please continue to check back often for our next edition of “Inside the Ring.”
WHAT IS YOUR BACKGROUND AND CURRENT INVOLVEMENT IN THE SHEEP INDUSTRY?
I grew up on a grain and livestock farm in central Indiana where my parents had a handful of Hereford and Limousin cows and operated a turkey breeder facility. I purchased a group of Corriedale ewes from Bob Millikan when I was 13 to use as a 4-H project and to establish my FFA SAE. Not too long after that I bought some Hampshire wether type ewes to start raising my own show lambs and to market a few. My family was not involved with livestock showing so not only was raising sheep new for the farm but raising and selling show lambs was a completely new adventure for us. Currently my wife, Kourtney and I operate a small flock of 30 blackface ewes in Seymour, Texas and have most recently started to raise a handful of show goats as well as registered white dorpers.
WHAT PERSON/PEOPLE INFLUENCED OR HELPED TO SHAPE YOUR VIEW ON WHAT THE IDEAL SHEEP SHOULD POSSESS?
My dad really helped shape me as far as livestock production and husbandry is concerned. In terms of evaluating, I really enjoy watching a select few judges sort and discuss livestock regardless of the species. I try to pick up on their evaluation process and discussion and implement what I see as progressive into my own judging. To narrow it down to a single person is difficult, I would say that my livestock judging coaches throughout college have really helped carve my thoughts down and to study certain pieces of the sheep that makes them unique.
WHERE DID YOU ATTEND COLLEGE & DID YOU JUDGE?
I attended Joliet Jr. College and was a bit more successful in the swine arena than in the sheep. From there I transferred to Texas Tech University and competed on the both the livestock and wool teams. I was lucky enough to get into the top five in reasons and overall several times.
WHAT ARE YOUR INITIAL SORTS WHEN EVALUATING MARKET LAMBS?
It all starts for me when they hit the ring, I start to narrow it down as the lambs walk in. The sheep must hit me with quality, balance and structural correctness out of the gate. Once those lambs are identified, muscle and body width play a critical role. I will never single trait a lamb to move it up or beat it, lambs that have power and look will go a long way, but the sheep that do that and move out with arrogance usually win.
WHAT’S THE BEST LAMB YOU HAVE EVER SEEN OR JUDGED?
The best lamb that I have seen recently was the Grand at Louisville last November. The best lamb that I have ever judged is the Champion at OYE in 2018 and the Tulsa grand in 2014 was by far the best one at that time I thought.
WHAT DO YOU THINK THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE FACING THE LAMB INDUSTRY TODAY?
The first thing that comes to mind is with anything in agriculture, and that is producers getting out and not any new generations to step in and take their place. I see this holding true in the sheep industry as well as row crop farming.
WHAT’S YOUR BIGGEST PET PEEVE IN THE SHOW RING?
Easy question….. bad attitudes! I get that it hurts to get beat. I have more green and brown ribbons than most people, so I understand. Just learn from it and get better.
WHAT DO YOU HOPE PEOPLE NOTICE MOST ABOUT YOU?
Getting asked to judge a show is an honor and something that I don’t take lightly. Most kids work their tails off for most of the year just to get a few minutes in front of a judge so when those kids come in the ring, they will all get my full attention. It is easy to dial in on the good ones, but every exhibitor has the right to get a good look.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FOOD?
Since I like to hunt, I would say that almost anything that I harvest and cook up would be towards the top of my list …. Except duck!
WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU ENJOY DOING THAT DOES NOT INVOLVE LIVESTOCK?
Something that I enjoy doing but never seem to find a lot of time anymore is hunting. I grew up mainly rabbit hunting behind beagles but as I got older, I caught the bow hunting bug and now really like to go after whitetails.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE VACATION SPOT?
While I was teaching Ag. in Indiana I had some good livestock kids come through the FFA program at McCutcheon High School. One of the teams won Denver and was invited to attend the Royal Highland Show in Edinburgh, Scotland. The trip included tours throughout Scotland, England and Ireland and ever since we left, I have wanted to go back and watch that show again and visit with some of the breeders.
