Cofran's Texas . . .
Hill Country Portal

Purpose: These annual livestock events provide 4-H and FFA youth with opportunities to showcase their livestock and agricultural projects while competing for awards and scholarships.

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service: This government agency plays a significant role in Texas livestock shows by providing education, resources, and support for youth and agricultural communities. Their offices are established on a county basis (see AgriLife). Their involvement includes:
• Major Livestock Shows: AgriLife supports events like the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, San Antonio Stock Show, Fort Worth Stock Show, and State Fair of Texas. They help coordinate youth participation and ensure adherence to livestock care standards.
• Youth Development & 4-H Programs: AgriLife works closely with Texas 4-H to prepare young exhibitors for livestock competitions. They offer training in animal husbandry, showmanship, and ethical practices.
• Research & Education: AgriLife provides scientific research on livestock nutrition, breeding, and disease prevention, helping exhibitors raise healthier animals.
• Stock Show Entries & Guidance: They assist participants with entry forms, rule compliance, and judging criteria for various livestock shows.

Texas AgriLife is deeply embedded in Texas livestock culture, ensuring that youth and agricultural communities have the tools they need to succeed.

Education, Growth, Leadership: Livestock shows help educate and grow our leaders of tomorrow through competitive livestock skills, "homeskill" projects and "ag mech" projects that teach youth very important life skills including personal responsibility, time management, good sportsmanship and hard work. These shows have competition events, not just exhibits. They are not "sanctioned" events. However, awards and prizes are very common. Categories often include: Cattle, horses, swine, goats, sheep, poultry, and rabbits.

Livestock Sales: Each livestock show culminates in a livestock auction sale, where exhibitors auction their animals to support future agricultural projects. Often there is a buyers' appreciation lunch as part of the sale process. Most shows are managed and supported by their local County Stock Show Association (a non-profit, volunteer organization) that is dedicated to promoting agriculture, as well as, providing monetary support and scholarships to 4-H and FFA members.

4-H & FFA: They are both youth organizations that focus on agriculture, leadership, and skill development, but they have distinct structures and approaches.
• 4-H is a community-based program supported by Cooperative Extension and land-grant universities. It offers a wide range of projects, including livestock, STEM, health, and arts, and is open to youth starting at age 8. 4-H clubs operate outside of schools and rely on volunteers, extension agents, and university professionals for leadership.
• FFA is a school-based program integrated into agricultural education curricula. Students must be enrolled in an agriculture class to participate in FFA, and each chapter is led by an agriculture teacher. FFA emphasizes career development, leadership training, and hands-on agricultural experiences through competitions, conventions, and networking events.
• Both organizations share a common goal of preparing youth for careers in agriculture and related fields. Many students participate in both programs to maximize their learning and leadership opportunities. Their collaboration helps strengthen agricultural education and youth development across the country.

Geographic Scope: The Texas Hill Country includes all or some portion of these 21 Texas Counties.

Technical Note: In the context of livestock shows, "validation" refers to the process of officially verifying an animal's eligibility to compete. This ensures that exhibitors follow the rules regarding ownership, identification, and health requirements. Each species—steers, swine, lambs, goats, and heifers—has its own validation process and deadlines. Livestock validation typically includes:
• Tagging & Identification: Animals receive official validation tags to confirm ownership and prevent substitutions.
• DNA Testing: Some programs require hair or blood samples to verify the animal's identity.
• Ownership Deadlines: Exhibitors must own and care for their animals by a specific date to qualify.
• Health & Ethics Compliance: Animals must meet health regulations and exhibitors must sign ethics agreements.

Organization: Each event is typically organized and managed by a non-profit livestock association that participants must belong to in order to exhibit their livestock. Each association has a detailed "Rule Book" that specifies the requirements for all things related to the membership and auction/show. This rule book, along with forms, pamphlets and helpful information, is typically available on the association's website and at their local county AgriLife office website (in the 4-H section).

Volunteering: There are many volunteer opportunities during these livestock shows. If you are interested in volunteering during the show, simply contact the applicable association board.










Dec 31, 2024 - Jan 1-3 2025 - MASON COUNTY LIVESTOCK SHOW & EXPO: Mason, at Fort Mason Park Community Building/Show Barn on US-87. 325-347-6459. Chamber Web. Facebook, Event Web, AgriLife. 2026: Early Jan, TBD

Jan 1-4, 2025 - GILLESPIE COUNTY YOUTH LIVESTOCK SHOW: Fredericksburg, Exhibition Hall at Gillespie County Fairgrounds, 530 Fair Dr on TX-16, 2 mi S of town. Stock show for Gillespie County youth to exhibit and sell their 4H and FFA animal projects. All day. 830-997-2359. Venue, Facebook, Event & AgriLife. 2026: Early Jan, TBD

Jan 2-4, 2025 - SAN SABA COUNTY YOUNG FARMERS LIVESTOCK SHOW & SALE: San Saba, at County Show Barn, Church Street. Annual event, FFA hosted. Facebook, Event & AgriLife. 325-372-5416. 2026: Early Jan, TBD

Jan 2-4, 2025 - BURNET COUNTY LIVESTOCK SHOW: Burnet, at Burnet County Fair & Rodeo Grounds, 1301 Houston Clinton Dr, behind the airport. 979-324-9431, Assn & Event Web, AgriLife. 2026: Early Jan, TBD

Jan 4-7, 2025 - BLANCO COUNTY YOUTH STOCK SHOW: Johnson City, at Blanco County Fairgrounds & Show Barn, 619 US-281 N, just S of the Pedernales River bridge (Map). Assn & Event Web, Facebook, AgriLife. Keitha Johnson, 833-833-4138, bcyc78@gmail.com . 2026: Early Jan, TBD

Jan 5-11, 2025 - KENDALL COUNTY JUNIOR LIVESTOCK SHOW & SALE: Comfort, Kendall County Youth Agriculture & Equestrian Center, 649 FM-289. 10a-6p. Free annual event. 830-249-9343. Event Web, Facebook, AgriLife. 2026: Early Jan, TBD

Jan 6-11, 2025 - BANDERA COUNTY JR LIVESTOCK SHOW: Bandera, at Mansfield Park, Show Barn, 2886 TX-16 North. Animals shown on Thursday and Friday. Auction on Sat. 830-796-7755. Event Web, AgriLife. 2026: 1/7-10

Jan 7-11, 2025 - KERR COUNTY STOCK SHOW: Kerrville, at Hill Country Youth Event Center, 3785 TX-27 E, 1/2 mi E of VA Hospital. 830-896-9044, Venue Web, Event Web, Facebook, AgriLife. 2026: Early Jan, TBD

Jan 8-11, 2025 - LLANO COUNTY JUNIOR STOCK SHOW: Llano, at John L Kuykendall Arena & Event Center, 2249 RR-152 West. Annual event, FFA hosted. Showing & sales: 9-4p. 325-247-5354. Chamber Web, AgriLife. 2026: Early Jan, TBD

Jan 9-11, 2025 - LAMPASAS COUNTY YOUTH LIVESTOCK SHOW: Lampasas, at County Youth Livestock Center (Show Barn), 283 US-183/190 North. Event Web, Facebook, AgriLife. 2026: Early Jan, TBD

Jan 9-10, 2025 - REAL COUNTY JR LIVESTOCK SHOW: Leakey, at EE Bushong Showbarn, 429 US-83. 830-232-6755. Web, Facebook, AgriLife. 2026: Jan dates TBD

Jan 10-18, 2025 - HILL DISTRICT GRANDSTAND YOUTH LIVESTOCK SHOW: at 4 locations in the Hill Country: Gillespie County: Fredericksburg, at Gillespie Fair Grounds; Kendall County: Comfort, at Youth Agricultural and Equestrian Center; Kerr County: Kerrville, at Hill Country Youth Event Center; Llano County: Llano, at JLK Arena. FFA & 4-H youth from 40+ Texas counties will participate in the Market Shows, Gilt Show, Breeding Shows, Agricultural Mechanics Show, and Livestock Judging Contest that will be open to statewide entries. Event information: 830-377-8795, Web, Facebook, AgriLife. 2026: 1/11-17

Jan 16-18, 2025 - TRAVIS COUNTY YOUTH SHOW: Austin, at Travis County Expo Center, 7311 Decker Lane. Venue Web, Assn & Event Web, Facebook, AgriLife. 2026: Jan, dates TBD

Jan 11, 18-26, 2025 - HAYS COUNTY YOUTH LIVESTOCK SHOW/EXPO: Dripping Springs, at Ranch Park, 1042 Event Center Drive. Web, Facebook, AgriLife. 2026: mid-Jan, date TBD

Jan 23-25, 2025 - UVALDE COUNTY JR LIVESTOCK SHOW: Uvalde, at Uvalde County Fairplex, 215 Veterans Lane. Annual event. 830-591-9040. Host Web, AgriLife. 2026: 1/10-11

Feb 24-28, 2025 - COMAL COUNTY JUNIOR LIVESTOCK SHOW: New Braunfels, at Comal County Fairgrounds, Hampe Street. 830-620-8394. Assn & Event Web, Facebook, AgriLife. 2026: Feb, dates TBD

Jul-Aug, 2025 - GILLESPIE COUNTY FAIR LIVESTOCK EVENTS: Fredericksburg, at Gillespie County Fairgrounds, 530 Fair Dr just off TX-16, 2 mi S of town. 830-997-2359. Venue, Event Web, AgriLife. This event series is part of the Gillespie County Fair & Festivals Association and features competitive steer exhibitions alongside other livestock events. These events sre 4-H and AgriLife related. Includes events listed below:
July 25-27, 2025 - GILLESPIE COUNTY RACE DAY CLASSIC STEER SHOW: Sat-Sun
Aug 9, 2025 -- MEAT GOAT FUTURITY SHOWMANSHIP SHOW & MEAT GOAT FUTURITY: Sat
Aug 9, 2025 -- LAMB FUTURITY: Sat
Aug 22, 2025 - POULTRY, CHICKENS, DUCKS, GEESE, RABBITS
Aug 22, 2025 - MINI HEREFORD SHOW
Aug 22, 2025 - JR. MINI HEREFORD SHOWMANSHIP
Aug 22, 2025 - OTHER MINI CATTLE BREEDS
Aug 22, 2025 - DORPER BREEDING SHEEP & ROYAL WHITE BREEDING SHEEP
Aug 23, 2025 - YOUTH RABBIT SHOWMANSHIP
Aug 23, 2025 - BREEDING SHEEP (ALL BUT DORPERS & ROYAL WHITE); OPEN CATTLE; ANGORA GOATS:
Aug 24, 2025 - SWINE SHOWMANSHIP SHOW; SWINE FUTURITY: Sun
2026: July-Aug, TBD

Aug 29-31, 2025 - KENDALL COUNTY FAIR, STOCK SHOW & RODEO: Boerne, at Kendall County Fair Grounds, 1307 River Road. Venue Web, Event Web, AgriLife. Annual event with Queen's Pageant on Thurs night; Rodeo on Fri & Sat; & Bull Riding Extreme on Sun; Livestock show on Sat & Sun; and great exhibits in the Homestead Heritage Exhibit Hall. Live entertainment on the main stage all weekend long along with lots of retail vendors for shopping and a variety of food vendors to meet everyone's taste. Don't forget the Parade on Main St on Sat morning. 210-834-1282

Oct 14-15, 2025 - HILL COUNTRY YOUTH COMMERCIAL HEIFER SHOW & SALE: San Saba, at Jordan Cattle Auction facility, 1310 US-190 West. Web, Facebook, AgriLife, Event Flyer-pdf. Open to 4-H & FFA members from multiple counties, including Edwards, Kimble, Lampasas, McCulloch, Medina, Menard, Uvalde, Travis, and Williamson. Held in conjunction with Jordan Cattle Auction. 2026: Oct, date TBD

Dec TBD, 2025 - MUCULLOCH COUNTY JUNIOR LIVESTOCK SHOW: Brady, at G. Rollie White Complex, 820 W 14th St, Brady, TX 76825. Web, Facebook: 4-H. Covers Brady, Rochelle, Lohn. 325-597-7179

Dec TBD, 2025 - MENARD COUNTY JUNIOR LIVESTOCK SHOW: Menard, at A.H. Murchison Memorial Barn, 18450 Fairgrounds Street. Event & AgriLife, Facebook: 4-H. 325-396-4787

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