Blake Bloomberg

Blake Bloomberg, Ph.D., is a professor and lead livestock judging coach at Black Hawk College East Campus. Blake and his wife, Wravenna, have four children: Breckyn; twin boys, Brenhem and Berwick; and Bexton. Blake was raised in Berwick, Ill., on his family’s diversified livestock operation consisting of cattle, hogs and row crops. As the livestock judging coach at Black Hawk College East, he recently coached the 2022 junior college team of the year.

During his career at Oklahoma State University and Texas A&M University (TAMU), Blake coached three national champion livestock judging teams. Blake is a seven- time National Collegiate Coaches Association Coach of the Year. He also served as co-coach of the national champion meat animal evaluation team three times.

Blake attended Black Hawk College East and was a member of the 2004-2005 judging team. He was the high point individual at the 2006 National Intercollegiate Livestock Judging Contest and was also a member of the undefeated 2006 TAMU national champion livestock judging team. Blake has judged livestock shows in 42 states and three foreign countries, including prestigious national shows, and regional and state events.

Jennifer Carrico

Jennifer Carrico is from Redfield, Iowa where she lives on her family’s Heritage Farm. She and her children, Kassidy and Klayton Bremer have a small cow herd focusing on raising seedstock and show cattle of several breeds. Jennifer is an Iowa State graduate and has been an agricultural journalist for 25+ years. She is the Senior Livestock Editor for DTN/Progressive Farmer. She has judged showmanship contests at the local, state and national level, including the Iowa State Fair, Iowa Beef Expo and National Junior Angus Show.

Tyler Bush

Tyler Bush, from Britton SD is the 6th generation on his family's operation where they raise purebred angus cattle while hosting an annual bull sale every February. Tyler was a 4-H All-American. He judged at Hutchinson Community College highlighting many top ten finishes, he then competed at South Dakota State University where he ended his collegiate career being named High Individual in Reasons and High Individual Overall at Louisville in 2020. Tyler graduated from South Dakota State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Science. Tyler has judged many jackpots, state fairs, regional shows,Simmental, Hereford Junior Nationals, along with breeds at the American Royal, Cattleman’s Congress, and the National Western. Tyler is home full time at his family’s operation and looks forward to the future.

Austin Brandt

Austin Brandt, along with his wife Glenna and their two-month-old daughter Becklynn, resides on an acreage just outside of Corning, Iowa. He is a dedicated professional in the livestock industry, currently serving as the Lead Livestock Sales & Field Representative for Lee Agri Media’s Midwest Marketer and Iowa Farmer Today.

With a deep-rooted passion for the cattle business, Austin attends approximately 150 livestock sales, expos, and shows annually, working closely with purebred seedstock producers across the Midwest to help market their cattle effectively. In addition to his professional role, he plays an integral part in his family’s operation, Brandt Farms, where they specialize in breeding high-performing Angus and Simmental cattle suited for all aspects of the industry.

Drawing from years of hands-on experience and a strong work ethic forged through the "School of Hard Knocks," Austin Brandt brings a keen eye for quality and industry knowledge to every event he participates in. His commitment to excellence in livestock marketing and breeding makes him a respected figure in the field