NSS Judge Spotlights

Bryce McKenzie to Judge the Junior Show

Justin Benz lives in Wamego, Kansas. He grew up in west central North Dakota showing Rambouillet sheep and market lambs as well as pigs and steers. Justin graduated from North Dakota State University with a BS degree in Animal Science and Kansas State University with an MS in Swine Nutrition. Justin currently works for the Kansas Department of Agriculture Meat and Poultry Inspection Program where he serves as the Northeast Region Supervisor. Justin is also partner in his family’s Rambouillet operation. Benz Rambouillets currently runs approximately 100 registered ewes and markets stud rams, range rams, and replacement and show ewes nationally. In his spare time, Justin enjoys going to livestock and sporting events and spending time with his nephew and nieces.

Bryce McKenzie is from Buffalo, Wyoming. Bryce and his wife, Sarah, operate BAM Sheep Co. Their small operation consists of club lamb sheep and a small flock of Columbias. Bryce grew up raising and showing Columbia and Hampshire sheep through 4-H, FFA, and National breed shows. Following high school, he attended Northwest College in Powell on a livestock judging scholarship. Bryce went on to the University of Wyoming (UW) where he earned a BA in Communication. While at UW, he was part of the Collegiate Wool Growers and coached the Collegiate Wool Judging team under Dr. Whit Stewart. This was the first team after 17 years to compete for UW and they were crowned the 2019 National Western Stock Show Champion Collegiate Wool Judging Team. Upon graduation, Bryce returned to Buffalo, Wyoming, and worked at Mountain Meadow Wool Mill, specializing in raw wool intake, custom processing, and the initial phases of the mill process. He now works as the 4-H/Youth Development Educator for the U of WY Extension in Johnson County. He enjoys working with youth and judging regional shows, such as Central States Fair and Western Junior Nationals. Bryce is very appreciative of the relationships that he has formed from his involvement in judging and exhibiting sheep and thoroughly enjoys advocating for the sheep industry.