Skyler Scotten, Ph.D.

Livestock Judging

As coach of the TTU Livestock Judging Team, Scotten leads students to competitions across the country, representing the university at approximately 15 contests each year while helping prepare the next generation of leaders in animal science. He also has directed summer livestock judging camps that have introduced more than 200 4-H and FFA members annually to the discipline, creating an important recruiting pipeline for the university and the livestock industry.

Background

A native of Nevada, Missouri, Scotten's own livestock judging career began at Butler Community College where they were named 'Team of the Year' in 2019 before continuing at Kansas State University where his team was named national champions in 2020.  He also served as assistant livestock judging team coach and graduate research assistant in 2021 and 2022 at KSU. His accomplishments have earned widespread recognition throughout the livestock judging community. In 2025, he was named National Collegiate Coaches Association Coach of the Year. Earlier honors include induction into The Showtimes magazine Hall of Fame in 2023, recognition as the Junior Collegiate Livestock Judging No. 1 Overall All-American, and receipt of Kansas State University's F.W. Bell Award, the highest annual honor presented to a senior member of the university's livestock judging team. 

Before assuming his current coaching position, Scotten built a career that combined teaching, research and industry experience. He earned both bachelor's and master's degrees in animal science from Kansas State before completing his doctorate in ruminant nutrition at Texas Tech. He served as a graduate teaching assistant and instructor in Texas Tech's Department of Animal & Food Sciences and in Kansas State University's Department of Animal Science, helping teach undergraduate courses while pursuing advanced research.

His professional experience includes serving as co-owner of Scotten Livestock, a diversified livestock operation specializing in the production, development, and marketing of competitive show cattle, goats and sheep. Through Scotten Livestock, he is actively involved in livestock management, genetic selection, herd development, marketing, and customer relations, with livestock sold and exhibited by customers across the United States.