Tech, developing multiple national champion teams. His career included a rare distinction—becoming the first individual to win national championships in livestock judging at the 4-H, junior college, and senior college levels, and later coaching a national champion senior college team. But winning was never the primary focus; developing people was. He coached students who achieved nearly every accolade in collegiate judging, yet what stands out most is who they became after. His programs were built with a simple goal: develop better people. Today, many of those former students are
Dr. Jon DeClerck’s path to industry leadership didn’t begin with elite cattle or a famous prefix. It began with a passion for cattle, a strong work ethic, and a commitment to continuous improvement. Growing up on a diversified farm in western Illinois, DeClerck showed primarily at the local and state level. By his own admission, the cattle weren’t always competitive. Rather than discouraging him, those early experiences sparked a deeper curiosity centered on improvement. Like many young people in the industry, DeClerck was given opportunities through the show ring, livestock judging, and the people he met along the way. What separated him wasn’t where he started, but how he responded. Showing cattle taught him how to compete. Not just against others, but against himself. The goal wasn’t to win every time; it was to be better than the last time. What started as a desire to improve show cattle became a passion for understanding the science behind cattle production. It led DeClerck to a Ph.D. in ruminant nutrition, and eventually to a career focused on helping producers build better cattle. Today, as Executive Vice President of the American Simmental Association (ASA), DeClerck leads one of the most progressive breed organizations in
the country and oversees the world’s largest multi- breed genetic evaluation through International Genetic Solutions (IGS), representing more than 24 million head of cattle across numerous breed associations worldwide. But the blueprint hasn’t changed. It’s still the same one learned early on in the show ring: compete, improve, and capitalize on the opportunities in front of you. Competitive Origins DeClerck’s involvement in judging quickly became a defining influence. As a junior, he earned All- American honors in both livestock and meats judging and was a member of a national champion livestock judging team. His collegiate journey began at Black Hawk Community College, where his livestock judging team dominated the national circuit, winning 13 competitions and finishing second only once. He then earned his bachelor’s degree at Texas A&M University, where his team secured its place in history as the only undefeated National Champion Livestock Judging Team. But beyond the accolades, judging taught something far more valuable. Decision- making. Judging doesn't just teach you how to rank livestock; it teaches you how to think under pressure. Successful
evaluation requires individuals to make
informed decisions without having perfect information. In meat animal evaluation, for example, students are asked to judge live animals and predict carcass outcomes and forecast profitability. Those decisions are rarely perfect, yet they must be made with confidence—a dynamic that mirrors the livestock industry itself. Producers and industry leaders are constantly required to make decisions with incomplete data, balancing risk, opportunity, and long-term outcomes. Through coaching, DeClerck developed a deep appreciation for this process. More importantly, he learned how to teach it, helping students build confidence and discipline to make sound decisions in uncertain environments. It’s a skill set that extends far beyond collegiate evaluation and into every level of leadership within the industry. It’s one of the reasons so many industry leaders share a background in livestock judging. It doesn’t just teach evaluation; it teaches how to think. Building Leaders Along the Way Before transitioning into industry leadership, DeClerck spent nearly a decade in academia coaching livestock judging
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prominent breeders and leaders in the livestock industry. Watching their growth beyond the classroom and judging arena remains the most fulfilling part of his career. As an educator, DeClerck became known for his ability to connect scientific principles with real-world application, helping
teams at Iowa State University and Texas
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