Embedded Files
Livestock Project Guidance:
Livestock Project Guidance:
Dakota Kempken (CEA - ANR) and Mellanie Mickelson (CEA - 4-H & YD) handle most of the livestock projects in Bastrop County. They are available year-round to provide guidance and support for all aspects of your 4-H livestock projects - whether it’s animal selection, feeding, showing, or anything in between at both the county and state levels.
For county-level projects, please note that each of the 3 local livestock shows designate superintendents for each species. These individuals are valuable resources for project-specific questions. Their names and contact information can be found at the top of each species divisions in the rulebooks. They are located on the websites linked below.
On this page, you will find (in order):
Local Livestock Show Page Links
Major Livestock Show Information & Links
State Validation Tag Order Information
Poultry Order Information
Quality Counts Information
LOCAL LIVESTOCK SHOWS IN BASTROP COUNTY:
MAJOR LIVESTOCK SHOWS:
FALL MAJOR LIVESTOCK SHOWS:
FALL MAJOR LIVESTOCK SHOWS:
SHOWS INCLUDED (WEBSITES LINKED BELOW):
NOTES:
LIVESTOCK EXHIBITORS MUST HAVE PASSED CURRENT QUALITY COUNTS REQUIREMENTS
LIVESTOCK MUST BE STATE VALIDATED TO PARTICIPATE
Entry Deadline: 3rd Tuesday of August every year
Please see email blasts for individual show upates and links
SPRING MAJOR LIVESTOCK SHOWS:
SPRING MAJOR LIVESTOCK SHOWS:
SHOWS INCLUDED (WEBSITES LINKED BELOW):
NOTES:
LIVESTOCK EXHIBITORS MUST HAVE PASSED CURRENT QUALITY COUNTS REQUIREMENTS
LIVESTOCK MUST BE STATE VALIDATED TO PARTICIPATE
Entry Deadline: 1st Thursday of November every year
Please see email blasts for individual show upates and links
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.
STEER TAGS:
STEER TAGS:
Major Steer Tag Deadline: April 07, 2026
Cost: $30.00 per tag/head
____________________________________
Late Major Steer Tag Deadline: May 05, 2026
Cost: $35.00 per tag/head
(click an option below to order)
HEIFER TAGS:
HEIFER TAGS:
Major Heifer Tag Order Deadline: August 27, 2026
Cost: $30.00 per tag/head
____________________________________
Late Heifer Tag Order Deadline: September 17, 2026
Cost $35.00 per tag/head
(click an option below to order)
SHEEP/GOAT TAGS:
SHEEP/GOAT TAGS:
Major Sheep/Goat Tag Order Deadline: August 27, 2026
Cost: $30.00 per tag/head
____________________________________
LATE Sheep/Goat Tag Order Deadline: September 17, 2026
Cost: $35.00 per tag/head
(click an option below to order)
SWINE TAGS:
SWINE TAGS:
Major Swine Tag Order Deadline: September 16, 2026
Cost: $30.00 per tag/head
____________________________________
LATE Swine Tag Order Deadline: September 30, 2026
Cost: $35.00 per tag/head
(click an option below to order)
POULTRY ORDERS:
TURKEY ORDERS:
TURKEY ORDERS:
Order Deadline:
the first Wednesday of June of each year
(click an option below to order)
STATE FAIR BROILERS:
STATE FAIR BROILERS:
Order Deadline:
the first Wednesday of May of each year
(click an option below to order)
MAJOR/BALSFA BROILERS:
MAJOR/BALSFA BROILERS:
Order Deadline:
September 14, 2026, by 12:00 Noon
(click an option below to order)
QUALITY COUNTS INFORMATION:
Please see the information below from Texas Youth Livestock & Agriculture (TYLA):
Focused on quality assurance and character education, Quality Counts is designed to teach young people the importance of displaying good character in carrying out livestock projects, and in every aspect of their lives. Quality Counts helps youth exhibitors learn the importance of using proper livestock management practices so that food quality and safety are preserved.
AGE REQUIREMENTS & SHOWS:
Quality Counts must be completed AND passed with the minimum score requirement as soon as youth start showing, and each time they move into the next age category:
Once as a 3rd-5th grader
Once as a 6th-8th grader
Once as a 9th-12th grader
A current Quality Counts number is required to participate in the following shows at the time of entry (when paperwork is turned in to enter the show):
Bastrop County Junior Livestock Show (BCJLS / ELSA)
Bastrop Area Livestock Show (BALSFA)
All Major Livestock Shows (State Fair, HOT, Fort Worth, San Angelo, San Antonio, Houston, Rodeo Austin)
IMPORTANT NOTES:
Each student must register individually. Family registration/verification is not allowed.
Info entered into registration must match that provided in the course. Otherwise, the verified number will not populate.
Reminder, you will not receive your Quality Counts number until you complete and pass the course and exam.
LINKS
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse