We caught up with Mr. Ben Cooley after he judged the Duroc, Hamp, Landrace, and York Gilts at the 2025 Winter National. Check out his thoughts below…

What breed stood out as the toughest and deepest?
First of all, every breed was stacked with exceptional stock that had tremendous value from a genetic standpoint. I’m going to cop out and answer with two breeds. The Durocs were the deepest from a variety of type and kind. They were extremely high quality and presented a challenge of what priorities you wanted to emphasize with every class. I didn’t think another breed would surpass them until the Yorkshires came in. Especially with Div II, the top end of those females were as good as I’ve seen in recent memory.

What’s one thing you wish this generation of showmen needs to be more aware of?
I believe this generation needs to be aware that peers and other families observe them in and out of the ring. When exhibitors have success or failure, their actions are judged immediately by those around them. Carry yourself through life with confidence and humility.

When judging do you ever wonder what the pedigrees are on some of the animals or think I bet that one is a ……. ?
Honestly, I don’t probably think about it until after the show is over and I’m at the backdrop. I tend to focus on the stock in the ring and think of the priorities. Or if I just got done evaluating a very good animal, wondering if there is another one coming that could surpass it.

Any funny encounters throughout the day?
Nothing wild but I did have a good have a good chuckle with the “young man with the mullet”. He owned it and had a class winning Yorkshire I believe.

What has been the biggest change in the ring since you were an exhibitor?
Well since that was last century….LOL
These kids flat know how to stick and present these pigs at another level.