Meet the Judge!

Madison Banbury is your judge for this month.

She is co-owner of Banbury and Hayhurst, and has grown up in the show stock industry!

She has worked in feed sales and spent time in production agriculture.  Madison went to the University of Kentucky for livestock judging. 

Madison has focused on structure from the ground up when raising and judging livestock!   

Madison has been a leader in the livestock industry as she has raised livestock.  She continues to help young showman in and out of the ring.

“I’ve had a pretty diverse upbringing that’s given me a wide lens on the livestock world. I’ve worked in feed sales, spent time in production agriculture, and now I work for a swine company, which I love!  Alongside that, I co-own Banbury Hayhurst Livestock with Dave, where we focus on giving our customers a full-service experience—whether it’s showmanship, feeding, fitting, or just honest advice. I’ve been lucky to work with several incredible showmen who’ve gone on to win at the national level, and nothing makes me prouder than being a small part of their success.”

“I was born into it—plain and simple. My parents were legends in this business. My dad was one of the biggest sheep and goat buyers on this side of the Mississippi. We ran a feedlot and lambed out thousands of Western ewes every year. He had an unmatched eye for livestock and an even better work ethic. And my mom? Barb ran the show at home. She could take a green one that most people would overlook and turn it into something special. She was the show barn boss and could outwork two men. Watching them work—each in their own lane but always pulling in the same direction—gave me a deep appreciation for both the commercial side and the show ring. They taught me to value the kind of stock that feeds families and wins banners—and more importantly, how to treat people right along the way”

“I went to the University of Kentucky. When I started, I had no intention of being on the judging team—but great coaches have a way of changing your mind. I ended up using my senior college eligibility as a sophomore, and I don’t have a single regret.”

I asked Madison what she looked for in the ring.

“I want livestock that are built right from the ground up. In jackpot settings, I tend to favor greener ones with potential. For females, I value maternal qualities and femininity—they need to look like females. I’ve always leaned toward sheep that paint a cool, balanced picture from the side. That said, at the end of the day, these are market animals—true muscle and functionality have to be part of the equation.”

What does the industry need more of? According to Madison, the functionality in our livestock has decreased.

“Functional livestock. Animals that have longevity and can hold up structurally over time. I want to see livestock that can move, that have shape, and that can feed well. With a background in both the show ring and commercial sectors, I believe there’s value in blending the two—creating animals that perform and look the part.”

Showmanship is a big deal but every judge has their own opinion on it.  Here’s Madison’s 

“Head and neck placement,I’m a stickler for it. I don’t want to see noses pointed to the rafters. It’s something I coach constantly: proper head and hand placement makes a big difference.”

“First impressions matter. The second you walk into the ring, catch my attention. But beyond that, I always encourage kids to stick to their style—don’t switch it up just for me. Do what you do best and be the best at it!”

As Madison has judged she has had some incredible experiences I asked her what her highlight was.

“Judging Showmanship at the Indiana State Fair—it was a bucket list moment. I had the best hype squad behind me, from helping me pick my fit to cheering me on. That day will always stand out.”

The advice Madison leaves for young judges is this.

“Sort ‘em honest. I had a good friend tell me: there’s only one person that you can guarantee will make you happy at the end of the day – yourself. So sort them the way you see them and don’t worry about who’s in front of them and who’s standing behind them. Integrity matters more than anything.”