Livestock Shows & Validations

Tag Orders Important Dates Major Shows County Shows

Poultry Orders Other Opportunities, Resources, & Contests

Howdy!

Here in Bastrop County, 4-H & FFA are family – we’re happy to share information and help exhibitors out as much as possible with planning for and learning about their projects, as well as at any of the livestock shows.  We do ask, however, that you include your Ag Teacher in your communications and decisions so that we can all work together to support you as best as possible.

Thank you and happy showing!

State Validation Tag Orders

Notes for State Validation Tag Orders:

  • The State Validation Tags ARE required for all large animals (Cattle, Lamb, Goat, & Swine) to participate in the Fall Major Shows (State Fair & Heart O’ Texas) and the Spring Major Shows (Fort Worth, San Angelo, San Antonio, Houston, STAR/Rodeo Austin, etc.).
  • The State Validation Tags are NOT required for large animals (Cattle, Lamb, Goat, & Swine) to participate in the Local Shows (BALSFA, ELSA/BCJLS, or Smithville); however, they are accepted as a form of validation at these shows.
  • There is NO State Validation for rabbit projects – you must look up the rules for the show you wish to participate in to determine the validation and tattoo requirements for these projects.
  • Dog Validation is required for 4-H members with dogs being shown at the Texas 4-H Dog Show.
  • Horse Validation is required for 4-H members with horses being shown at the District 10 4-H Horse Show and Texas 4-H Horse Show.

Please click on the species name below to expand the menu and view purchasing options.

Steers

Steer Tags (ALL Major Shows)

Important Notes for Steer Validation:

  • State Validation for steers intended to exhibit in the Major Livestock Shows only happens once each year in June
    • You must purchase validation tags and attend validation in order to show at the Major Shows.
    • Only one (1) validation date is scheduled by the committee, therefore if you have a conflict, make arrangements with someone to haul your animal to validation and contact the Extension Office ahead of time regarding paperwork.
    • You need to make sure that you get your animal worked early enough that you are comfortable handling them during validation
  • New Information for Market Steer Validation: Steers will no longer be nose printed during validation.
  • Options for Ordering Tags:
    • Online via Eventbrite website (linked below) – accepts credit card payments with a small processing fee
    •  Download and complete Fillable PDF Order Form (linked below) – may be mailed or physically turned in with check/cash payment to the County Extension Office

Major Show Validation Tag Deadline for 2024-2025 Major Shows: April 02, 2025
Cost: $30.00 per tag/head

Late Major Show Validation Tag Deadline for 2024-2025 Major Shows: April 30, 2025
Cost: $35.00 per tag/head

Order Online Here    Download PDF Order Form

Heifers

Heifer Tags (Separate Orders for Fall Majors & Spring Majors)

Important Notes for Heifer Validation:

  • There are two (2) opportunities to validate heifers for the major shows each year, typically one (1) in June and one (1) in October
    • Only one (1) validation date is scheduled for each month by the committee during the month of June and the month of October, therefore if you have a conflict, make arrangements with someone to haul your animal to validation and contact the Extension Office ahead of time regarding paperwork.
    • These 2 validations will have separate ordering processes – if you miss your validation, we can no longer hold payment and new tags must be purchased
    • You need to make sure that you get your animal worked early enough that you are comfortable handling them during validation
    • Heifers that were previously validated AND have NOT changed ownership do NOT need to be revalidated
    • Youth are required to provide a color copy of their heifer’s registration papers before or at validation, no registration papers means no validation
    • Tattoos, brands, etc. physically present on the heifers MUST match what is listed on the registration papers.  MAKE SURE YOU CHECK THIS BEFORE VALIDATION.
  • New Information for Heifer Validation: Heifers are now going to be physically tagged with an ear tag moving forward (all previously validated heifers will remain validated)
  • Options for Ordering Tags:
    • Online via Eventbrite website (linked below) – accepts credit card payments with a small processing fee
    •  Download and complete Fillable PDF Order Form (linked below) – may be mailed or physically turned in with check/cash payment to the County Extension Office

Fall Tag Order Deadline (for October 2025 validation): August 29, 2025
Cost: $30.00 per tag/head

Late Fall Tag Order Deadline (for June 2025 validation): September 17, 2025
Cost $35.00 per tag/head

Order Online Here    Download PDF Order Form

Sheep & Goat

Lamb & Goat Tags (Separate Orders for Fall Majors & Spring Majors)

Important Notes for Lamb/Goat Validation:

  • There are two (2) validation tag ordering periods that exhibitors need to pay attention to:
    • The June validation period validates animals participating in the State Fair and Heart O’ Texas shows taking place in the Fall (Fall Majors) AND in the Spring Major Shows (Fort Worth, San Angelo, San Antonio, Houston, Rodeo Austin, etc.)
    • The October validation period validates animals participating in the Spring Major Shows (Fort Worth, San Angelo, San Antonio, Houston, Rodeo Austin, etc.)
    • Only one (1) validation date is scheduled for each month by the committee during the month of June (State Fair) and the month of October (Major), therefore if you have a conflict, make arrangements with someone to haul your animal to validation and contact the Extension Office ahead of time regarding paperwork.
  • You need to make sure that you get your animal worked early enough that you are comfortable handling them during validation
  • New Information for 2022-Present Lamb/Goat Validation – applies to breeding animals ONLY: Beginning June 1, 2021, registered breeding sheep, registered breeding goats, wether/commercial dams, and wether/commercial does will have 3 total years of eligibility UNLESS A CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP TAKES PLACE. This will be offered during major show validation as well. Put plainly- if you validate for State Fair during the June 2021 validation period, your validation will be eligible until June 2024, unless a change of ownership occurs during that time- then you must re-validate.
  • New Information for 2023-Present State Fair Lamb/Goat Validation – applies to market animals: Beginning with the 2023-2024 State Fair Lamb & Goat Validation, market animals that are validated for State Fair DO NOT need to be re-validated for the Spring Major Shows IF they do NOT change ownership and remain under the exhibitor’s care
  • Options for Ordering Tags:
    • Online via Eventbrite website (linked below) – accepts credit card payments with a small processing fee
    •  Download and complete Fillable PDF Order Form (linked below) – may be mailed or physically turned in with check/cash payment to the County Extension Office

Major Validation Tag Order Deadline: August 29, 2025

These tag orders are for:

  • Market Lambs & Goats
  • Breeding Sheep & Breeding Goats (females validated as breeding animals – registration papers required before or at validation)
  • Wether Dams & Wether Does (females validated as market or commercial animals – no registration papers required)

Cost: $30.00 per tag/head

LATE Major Validation Tag Order Deadline: September 17, 2025

Cost: $35.00 per tag/head

Order Online Here    Download PDF Order Form

Swine

Swine Tags (Separate Orders for Fall Majors & Spring Majors)

Important Notes for Swine Validation:

  • There are two (2) validation tag ordering periods that exhibitors need to pay attention to:
    • The June validation period validates animals participating in the State Fair and Heart O’ Texas shows taking place in the Fall (Fall Majors)
    • The November validation period validates animals participating in the Spring Major Shows (Fort Worth, San Angelo, San Antonio, Houston, Rodeo Austin, etc.)
    • Only one (1) validation date is scheduled for each month by the committee during the month of June and the month of November, therefore if you have a conflict, make arrangements with someone to haul your animal to validation and contact the Extension Office ahead of time regarding paperwork.
  • You need to make sure that you get your animal early enough that you are comfortable handling them during validation
  • Notes for breeding gilts:
    • Youth are required to provide a color copy of their registered breeding gilt’s registration papers before or at validation, no registration papers means no validation
    • Ear notches physically present on the gilts MUST match what is listed on the registration papers.  MAKE SURE YOU CHECK THIS BEFORE VALIDATION.
  • New Information for Swine Validation:
    • Crossbred gilts showing at the State Fair of Texas and Heart of Texas MUST be validated.
    • State Validation tags must be in the pigs ear when it enters the holding pens. This means tags cannot be in the hand or pocket. Any pig entering the holding pen without a tag will not be allowed to show. 
    • Ownership and litter registration dates of all registered gilts must be on or before July 1st of current year

Major Swine Tag Order Deadline: September 17, 2025

These tag orders are for:

  • Market Swine
  • Breeding Swine (check show rules for validation requirements)

Cost: $28.00 per tag/head

LATE Major Swine Tag Order Deadline: October 15, 2025

Cost: $33.00 per tag/head

Order Online Here    Download PDF Order Form

Horse
  • 2024-2025 Validation Deadline: Due in 4-H CONNECT by May 1, 2025
  • Cost:
      • $10 per horse through April 15, 2025
      • $20 per horse from April 16 – May 1, 2025
      • $250 per horse after May 1, 2025
  • Validation will open in March 2025
  • Instructions & Helpful Links: 
  • A few reminders:
      • Each validation must include front view, right side view, and left side view images.  The entire horse should be included in the photo and marking should be clearly visible.
      • If the horse is registered, a copy of the registration papers must be uploaded.  These papers must list the 4-Her, parent, sibling, grandparent or legal guardian as the current owner.  If the ownership is in the process of being transferred, please list “pending” in the registration number area.  Once the updated registration papers have been received please send a copy to me and I can add it to the validation.
      • Uploads must be images, pdfs are not an accepted file type.
      • Families should validate each horse once.  Once the horse is validated any sibling within that family is eligible to show the horse at district and/or state 4-H horse show.
      • Youth validating a futurity horse must be at least 4-H age 12 (as of Sept. 1, 2022) and in at least the 6th grade.
      • NEW IN 2023: Lease horses are now eligible to be validated and shown at District and State 4-H Horse Shows. An official Texas 4-H Horse Lease Agreement must be signed by the exhibitor, horse owner, and the supervising County Extension Agent. The lease period must include, at minimum, May 1st to August 31st of the current 4-H year.  The FILLABLE lease agreement form can be found HERE and must be uploaded to 4H Online at the time of validation.
      • All youth wishing to participate in ANY horse show must validate their projects
Dog

Details & Instructions:

  • 2025-2026 Validation Deadline: Due in 4-H Online by January 10, 2026
  • Validation is open annually from December to January 10th 
  • Cost: $0 (FREE) per dog
  • All youth wishing to participate in the state dog show must validate each of their dog projects
  • Instructions are available online HERE (PDF) or HERE (Video – YouTube)

Reminders:

  • For purebred dogs (they do not have to be registered, just look purebred) you will select the correct Group and list the breed.
  • For mixed breed dogs you will select the Weight Group of the dog and list the dominant breed along with the word “Mix” or list the two breeds if known.  (Example: Border Collie Mix or Mastiff/Great Dane.)
  • Photos of the left and right side of the dog should be a side view of the whole dog. Get on the dog’s level so they do not turn into top views.  They should also be clear and light enough we can see all markings and color of the dog.
  • None of the previously validated dogs carried over to 4-H Online.  Everyone will need to complete the full online validation form and upload photos this year.
  • We do encourage you to validate any dogs that you are eligible to show.  Situations may change through the year.

 

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Important Dates

Upcoming Show Entry Deadlines:

 

Upcoming Dog Project Events:

Upcoming Horse Project Events:

Upcoming Livestock Opportunities:

Upcoming Poultry Project Opportunities:

Upcoming Rabbit Project Opportunities:

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Major Shows

Click on the name of each show below to expand the menu and download entry forms or to access show website for rules, schedules, and more.

Please note that LATE entries submitted after the deadlines will only be accepted for a limited time and will also incur a $25 late fee per exhibitor per entry.

State Fair of Texas

Heart of Texas Fair & Rodeo

Southwestern Exposition & Livestock Show

San Angelo Stock Show & Rodeo

 

Texas Elite Showcase

San Antonio Livestock Show & Rodeo

 

Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo

Star of Texas Fair & Rodeo (Rodeo Austin)

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Bastrop County Shows

Click on the name of each show below to expand the menu and download entry forms or to access show website for rules, schedules, and more.

Bastrop County Junior Livestock Show (Elgin Show)

 

Bastrop Area Livestock Show (BALSFA)

 

Smithville Livestock Show
  • April 25 – 26, 2025 
  • Entries Due: Multiple, please see dates in rule book
  • Website: N/A
  • Download 2025 Rule Book Here (updated 09/09/24)
  • Download Important Dates & Schedule (updated 09/09/24)
  • Download Project Expense Sheet (Fillable PDF – Due 04/13/25)
  • Download Entry & Acknowledgement Form (TBA – being updated; Front and back sheet – due at the entry/validation periods)
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Poultry Orders

Please click on the species name below to expand the menu and view purchasing options.

Turkeys

Please note that ordering birds does NOT enter you in any of the shows

2022-2023 Turkey Orders are due Wednesday, June 5, 2023, by 12:00 Noon – order forms will be posted around the first week of May

  • This order is for birds to be entered in the Texas Spring Major Show (Spring 2023)

Order Online Here    Download PDF Order Form

Broilers

Please note that ordering birds does NOT enter you in any of the shows

State Fair Broiler Order are due Wednesday, June 4, 2025 by 12:00 Noon – order forms will be posted around the first week of May

  • This order is for birds to be entered in the State Fair of Texas or Heart O’ Texas Livestock Shows taking place this Fall
  • This deadline has already passed for the 2025-2026 year

Order Online Here    Download PDF Order Form

Major Show Broiler Orders are due Thursday, September 25, 2025, by 12:00 Noon – order forms will be posted around mid- to late-August

  • This order is for birds to be entered in the Texas Spring Major Shows and the Bastrop Area Livestock Show (Spring 2025)
  • This order is due by Thursday, September 25, 2025

Order Online Here    Download PDF Order Form

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Other Opportunities, Resources, & Contests
Livestock Project Planning Information

To help with planning a livestock project, we have a few resources – be sure to check out the Livestock Project One-Pager and the Livestock Shows & Validation Page.  All youth wishing to show animal projects must also pass the Quality Counts Test as a Junior (3rd-5th grader), Intermediate (6th-8th grader), and  Senior (9th-12th grader).  If you have any questions at any time, or you are feeling overwhelmed and are having trouble finding a starting point, please contact the Bastrop County Extension Office at 512-581-7186.

Download the Livestock Project One-Pager

Go to the Livestock Shows & Validation Page

Go to the Quality Counts Page

Please Note: Some special deadlines need to be kept in mind for new families wishing to exhibit livestock projects:
Texas has a State Validation program that assists with establishing and verifying the ownership period for livestock animals that will be shown at Major Shows.  This process requires exhibitors to order validation materials (RFID ear tag and DNA hair collection envelopes, in addition to nose-printing materials for lambs & steers) in order to prepare for the physical validation where the ear tag is administered, a hair sample is collected, and nose prints are taken for the species that require it.  The timeline for these steps are listed below:

MONTH: ACTIVITY:
April: Ordering time for Steer & Heifer Validation materials
Ordering time for State Fair Lamb & Goat Validation materials
Ordering time for State Fair Swine Validation materials
June: Physical validation of Steers & Heifers; starting ownership period
Physical validation of State Fair Lambs & Goats; starting ownership period
Physical validation of State Fair Swine; starting ownership period
August: Ordering time for Major Show Lamb & Goat Validation materials
September: Ordering time for Major Show Swine Validation materials
Ordering time for Fall Heifer Validation materials
October: Physical validation of Heifers; starting ownership period
Physical validation of Lambs & Goats; starting ownership period
November: Physical validation of Pigs; starting ownership period
February: Physical validation of Rabbits participating in the Bastrop Area Livestock Show
March: Physical Validation of Rabbits participating in the Smithville Livestock Show
Livestock Project Resources

Bastrop & Lee County 4-H Virtual Livestock Education Series (2020-2021)

Rockne Livestock Booster Club Buyer’s Letter Resources:

Texas 4-H Livestock Project Pages:

Texas Youth Livestock & Agriculture – Livestock Project Support

Each project page listed below has handouts and resources for each specie listed, including project leader descriptions and handouts on the project from start to finish.

Livestock Workshops & Judging Opportunities

Judging Card Events:

The Judging Card website has a calendar of most of the judging contests available (livestock, meats, skillathon, etc) – if you would like to participate in any of the opportunities through Judging Card, please complete the following steps:

    1. Visit the Judging Card Calendar and locate the event you would like to participate in.
    2. Contact the County Extension Office at MLMickelson@ag.tamu.edu or 512-581-7186 to get registered for the desired event – you will need to provide the date and the name of the event for registration.

Other Upcoming Events and Workshops:

[ecs-list-events cat=”4-H Livestock” limit=”50″]

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