Senator Hyde-Smithās support āinstrumentalā as Ļć½¶Ö±²„cuts ribbon on new Livestock Evaluation Laboratory
![Mississippi State dignitaries and guests cut the ribbon for the new Livestock Evaluation Laboratory Monday [May 4] in Starkville. Pictured from left are Darrell Sparks, Scott Willard, U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde Smith, President Mark E. Keenum, Brian Atkins, Keith Coble and Christy Bratcher.](/sites/www.msstate.edu/files/styles/msstatedrupal_large/public/2026-05/20260504_LivestockEvalLab-RibbonCutting_01_FULL.jpg?itok=YPzVZDGL)
Contact: Vanessa Beeson
STARKVILLE, Miss.āMississippi Stateās College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its Livestock Evaluation Laboratory today [May 4].
As part of a fifth-generation farming family and beef cattle producer, U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, who was in attendance, said she understands the importance of livestock evaluation. Her support was instrumental in bringing the new facility to fruition.
āIām thrilled with this new facility that adds to Ļć½¶Ö±²„ās status as a leading agricultural institution,ā Hyde-Smith said. āLivestock judging is critical to the success of the industry in Mississippi and nationally.Ā I trust that the lessons learned at the Ļć½¶Ö±²„Livestock Evaluation Lab will lead to opportunities for students and a stronger livestock sector here and nationally.ā
(Video by Sarah Kirk)
Founded in the 1920s, the Ļć½¶Ö±²„Livestock Judging Team, housed in the Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, has shaped generations of students through a rigorous program emphasizing discipline, time management and critical thinking. Team members train several times each week and spend an average of 36 weekends traveling to competitions each year.
The new facility provides a dedicated, state-of-the-art space for training and events, including a workroom, lounge, office and conference room, along with a multipurpose open-air arena designed for live practice rounds and competitions.
āWe are grateful for everything Sen. Hyde-Smith does to help our university carry out our mission to serve the entire state of Mississippi, especially our farmers, ranchers and rural communities,ā Ļć½¶Ö±²„President Mark E. Keenum said. āThe new Livestock Evaluation Lab will benefit current and future generations of students and help ensure their success as they earn their degrees and begin their careers. Iām also thankful for the generous support of our donors whose investments helped make this wonderful facility possible.ā
Scott Willard, CALS dean, MAFES director and interim vice president for research and economic development, said the facility will greatly support the Ļć½¶Ö±²„Livestock Judging Team.
āLivestock evaluation builds confidence and strengthens our studentsā problem-solving skills as they present their analyses and defend their reasoning to judges,ā Willard said. āIt also demands a high level of dedication, with teams competing most weekends throughout the semester. This facility provides an essential space for practice and competition, allowing us to showcase our studentsā talents in the livestock judging arena. We are deeply grateful to our donors and Sen. Hyde-Smith for recognizing the value of this program and supporting the construction of this facility.ā
In addition to Hyde-Smithās support, the project was funded through the Rodney Moore and Family Livestock Judging Facility Support Fund, established by Rodney and Yvonne Moore and Brian and Misti Atkins. Rodney Moore is a CALS alumnus who earned bachelorās and masterās degrees in the Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences in 1972 and 1974. Brian Atkins is also a CALS alumnus who earned an agricultural engineering technology business bachelorās degree in 1995 and a masterās in agricultural information science in 1997.
Learn more about the Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences at , CALS atĀ Ā and MAFES atĀ .
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