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Cheramie Viator will be judging: Showmanship Ring 2, Youth Heifer Ring 2 and Jackpot Steer Ring 1.

Cheramie grew up in South Louisiana. As a student she was very active in 4-H and junior livestock activities. Eventually she served on the National Jr. Angus and Brangus Board of Directors and won national showmanship contests in both breeds. She attended Clarendon Jr. College and graduated from Texas A&M University. While at A&M she was a member of the livestock judging team.

In the past Cheramie worked for Camp Cooley Ranch, where they sold 1,000 bulls annually. She also worked for Silver Spur Ranch. While there she was responsible for genetics, bull development, registered cattle marketing and all natural/age and source audits for the 15,000-head cowherd at ranch locations in Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico and Nebraska. Annually, she coordinated their A.I. program for 2,000-3,000 heifers and bull development for 250+ bulls.

Today, Cheramie works for Westway Feed Products as their national marketing manager. Based in Tomball, Texas, she works with their sales team to implement marketing strategies across the country.

Cheramie's passion for helping beef industry enthusiasts ranges from designing genetic programs for large commercial ranches, to exporting genetics to Australia to one of the leading Brangus operations, to conducting fitting/showmanship clinics in the U.S. and other countries. She is an avid ranch photographer with covers on Drover's, BEEF, Farm Journal, Bovine Veterinarian and several breed journals.

She owns cattle of multiple breeds across the country, and prides herself in breeding and marketing cattle that work in both the show ring and pasture. Cheramie and her mother operate a small cow/calf operation together at College Station, Texas.

Cheramie has judged at the National Western, The NILE, Houston Livestock Show, Fort Worth, Arizona National, Ohio’s Scarlet & Grey, The Big E, National Jr. Red Angus Show, Angus Eastern Regional, California, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Nebraska, Texas, Oregon, Tulsa and Eastern New Mexico State Fairs. She has judged showmanship at the National Jr. Hereford Show, National Jr. Charolais Show, Texas Jr. Brahman Show and many others.On the international level she has judged in Canada and Mexico. Cheramie has also been a guest speaker at the National Brahman, Beefmaster and Angus Conventions, Angus LEAD Conference and Women in Ranching events.

Dylan Davis will be judging: Showmanship Ring 1, Youth Heifers Ring 1 and Youth Steers and Market Heifers Ring 1.

Dylan grew up in North Georgia on his family’s cow-calf operation and poultry farm. From the start, Dylan enjoyed showing cattle with his family and was very active in FFA.

After graduation, he attended Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College where he earned his associate degree in Animal Science. During his time at NEO, Dylan competed on a successful livestock judging team, while also working for Magness Land and Cattle at their southern division.

He then went on to pursue his bachelor’s degree in animal science from Texas A&M University, where he was also on the 2016 livestock judging team. In the spring of 2018 Dylan interned at Gardiner Angus Ranch in Ashland, Kansas.

A highlight from his time in the showring was earning top showmanship honors at the North American Junior Red Angus Event. He has judged many shows across the southeast. Most notably, Dylan has sorted the Kentucky State Fair, Alabama National Fair, and the North American International Livestock Exposition in Louisville, Kentucky.

Currently Dylan is working to complete his Master’s degree in Ruminant Nutrition at the University of Georgia, where he serves as the assistant livestock judging coach. After graduation he will begin working on his PhD in Ruminant Nutrition/Reproductive Physiology at the University of Georgia.

Thank you to Kent Feeds for bringing Dylan to The Big East.

Jeff Thayne will be judging: Youth Steers and Market Heifers Ring 2, and Jackpot Heifers Ring 1.

Jeff is a San Antonio area native, and now resides in La Vernia, Texas, with his wife, Aron and daughters; Ali (9) and Reese (7).

Jeff currently serves as the Operations Officer for the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo.In his role, he oversees the Livestock Show, Horse Show, IT, Auctions, Scholarships and Operations departments. He has been on staff since 2009, originally serving as the Livestock Director.

Jeff attended Connors State College in Warner, Oklahoma, before transferring to Texas A&M University in College Station, in where he earned a bachelor of science in animal science in 2004.Jeff was a member of the 2003 National Champion Livestock Judging Team.During graduate school at Texas A&M, he coached the Wool and Livestock Judging Teams from 2005-2006.He graduated with a Master of Science degree in Animal Science in 2007.

Jeff moved to Iowa State University in Ames, IA in January of 2007 to serve as a lecturer/livestock judging coach in the animal science department.In this role, he taught several courses and labs, coached the judging team, and was an academic and club advisor.

Jeff and his family are active in their church and community.He also serves on the board of the Texas Association of Fairs & Events and the Texas FFA, is a past chairman of the International Association of Fairs & Expositions Agriculture Committee, is a Committee Chair for the North American Livestock Show & Rodeo Managers Association, and serves on the Texas Youth Livestock and Agriculture Vision Committee.

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