4-H Livestock Show, Contest & Validation Tag Information

SUMMER TAG ORDER DEADLINES & VALIDATION DATES:

Has ended for 2025

 

FALL TAG ORDER DEADLINES & VALIDATION DATES:

ALL tag order forms are due at the Travis County Extension Office by 5:00PM on the deadline date.

 

TURKEY

2026 Turkey – 2026 Turkey Order form 2026 Major Broiler Order Form
Order Deadline: Friday, August 1, 2025

HEIFER

2025-2026 Fall Heifer – 2025-2026 Heifer Validation Tag Order Form
Order Deadline: Friday, August 15, 2025

LAMB & GOAT 

2025-2026 Fall Lamb & Goat – 2025-2026 Major Shows Lamb & Goat Tag Order Form
Order Deadline: Friday, August 15, 2025

Validation Date #1

  • Date: October 15th
  • Time: 5:00pm – 7:00pm
  • Location: Lake Travis FFA

Validation Date #2

  • Date: October 27th
  • Time: 5:00pm – 7:00pm
  • Location: Hendrickson FFA
  • Important Note: If you have large trailers, it is suggested to drive up to the Middle School and park on the side of the road. Please be cautious of blocking gates; they have students and families that need to do their daily responsibilities, and volunteers need a place to enter and exit.

Breeding Animals

  • If your exhibitor has breeding, commercial doe, or dam animals, make sure they advocate and tell the paperwork person once their animal is on the stand.
  • If your exhibitor has a breeding animal, I must have a copy of their breeding papers emailed to me, and bring a copy for our records on the day of validation.

Forms

  • Each exhibitor needs their own ethics form. There will be extra copies on the day of validation.
  • There is also the parent-waiver form for any parent/guardian who cannot be present for the day of the validation. The parent will still need to sign the validation paperwork. You will still need to schedule a date to sign the validation and DNA form before the lamb/goat chairman submits the forms to the state. This is a state rule.
  • On the day of validation, you will receive the validation form. Just remember the top is for market animals and the bottom is for commercial/breeding animals. Please know what shows your exhibitors are planning to show so we can ensure validation paperwork is filled out correctly.
  • If your exhibitor has a breeding animal, we must have a copy of their breeding papers emailed to me, and bring a copy for our records on the day of validation.
  • We also got rid of carbon copies, so it is a safe practice for families to take their own pictures to ensure you have proper records, especially if anything is incorrect. There will have reminders on the day of validation.

Reminders:

  • TLBA/TGBA tags MUST be in the animal’s ear before validation to be recorded on the forms.
  • Initials are NOT acceptable signatures by any participant on any validation paperwork.
  • Lambs/Goats validated during the Summer for the State Fair are eligible for Major Shows, and do not need to be re-validated. But, please check the animal’s tattoo.

BROILER – 2026 Major Broiler Order Form
Order Deadline: Friday, September 12, 2025

SWINE

2026 Fall Swine – 2025-2026 Major Shows Swine Tag Order Form
Order Deadline: Friday, September 12, 2025 

Validation Date: Saturday, November 15, 2025
Location: Pending
Time: Pending

AM – South
PM – North

 

IMPORTANT FORMS:

Team Designation Forms for Team Contests – Fillable PDF

 

MAJOR SHOWS:

Heart O’ Texas Fair and Rodeo – SEPTEMBER 24 – OCTOBER 12, 2025
ENTRIES DUE: AUGUST 15, 2025

State Fair of Texas – SEPTEMBER 26 – OCTOBER 19, 2025
ENTRIES DUE: AUGUST 15, 2025

Travis County Youth Show (TCYS) – JANUARY 15 – 17, 2026
ENTRIES DUE: OCTOBER 30, 2025

IMPORTANT NOTE: All TCYS entries MUST be turned in to your Club Manager prior to October 30th and then Club Manager must turn in all entries together to the extension office by 5:00PM, no later than October 30th.

Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo – DATES PENDING

San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo – DATES PENDING

Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo – DATES PENDING

Rodeo Austin – DATES PENDING

 

Competitive Events (Trap Shooters Extravaganza, Livestock Judging, Ag Product ID, Food Challenge & Public Speaking) are to be entered through Judging Card BY COUNTY AGENT.

Please contact Morgan Newton with questions.

All contest entries are due to Extension Office.

 

 

QUALITY COUNTS UPDATES & REMINDERS:

Information: Quality Counts is open and ready for youth who need to take the course for the first time or renew their verification. IMPORTANT REMINDER: Exhibitors only have to take the course once per grade level division: junior 3-5, intermediate 6-8, senior 9-12. For a copy of PDF INSTRUCTIONS: CLICK HERE. Quality Counts verification is required for all major livestock show exhibitors. The number must be used on major livestock show entries (therefore, it is important that exhibitors complete this before entry). Your county or local shows may also require Quality Counts. FOR QUESTIONS RELATED TO TECHNICAL ISSUES OR LOGIN INFORMATION CONTACT: LEARNONLINE@AG.TAMU.EDU Here is also a link to FAQ for both exhibitor families and for County Extension Agents and Agricultural Science Teachers.

 

4-H CONTACTS:

 

MORGAN NEWTON
Travis County Extension Agent – 4-H & Youth Development
Office: (512) 854-9608
morgan.newton@ag.tamu.edu

 

Photo of Kayli Crauthers

KAYLI HIGERD
Agriculture and Natural Resources County Extension Agent
Office: (512) 854-9614
Kayli.crauthers@ag.tamu.edu

 

ZANDYA (ZANDY) ACOSTA RISCO
Administrative Assistant – 4-H & Youth Development
Office: (512) 854-9607
Mobile: (737) 931-7936
Zandya.AcostaRisco@traviscountytx.gov

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