More information to come.
Deadlines for the 4-H Region and State Shows
Please contact the 4-H Office at least two weeks before the deadline to receive the correct tags for the show and to complete registration.
Swine Ownership/ Tagging Deadline- November 1, 2026
Market Steers Ownership/Tagging Deadline- Must attend regional tagging day and must own animal by February 7, 2027
Commercial Heifers Ownership/Tagging Deadline – May 1, 2027
Registered Heifers Ownership/Tagging Deadline- May 1, 2027
Registered Sheep Ownership – June 1, 2027
Market Lambs or Commercial Ewes Ownership and Tagging Deadline- June 1, 2027
Market Goats Ownership and Tagging Deadline- June 1, 2027
Registered Does Ownership Deadline – June 1, 2027
If you would like to learn more about livestock showing, please contact Lane Brooks at jaclbroo@utk.edu for more information.
The State Livestock Show handbooks and general information can be found at https://animalscience.tennessee.edu/animal-exhibitions/
The Tennessee 4-H Poultry Judging Contest teaches youth how to evaluate poultry products for quality and market readiness. Participants identify poultry parts, grade eggs, and evaluate both live birds and ready-to-cook carcasses. They also present one set of oral reasons to explain their decisions and demonstrate their understanding of poultry science and food quality standards.
The Tennessee 4-H Livestock Judging Contest helps youth develop knowledge and skills in evaluating livestock for production and performance. Participants judge classes of beef cattle, swine, sheep, and meat goats based on structure, muscle, balance, and other key traits. They also present oral reasons and answer questions to explain their decisions.
Hippology is a comprehensive contest that challenges participants to demonstrate their knowledge of horse care, management, and the equine industry. The event includes a written exam, slide identification, horse judging, stations, and a team problem phase. The word “hippology” comes from the Greek terms hippo (horse) and ology (study of).
4-H Horse Bowl is a fast-paced, quiz-style competition that tests participants’ knowledge of horse care, behavior, nutrition, anatomy, and the equine industry. Teams compete head-to-head to answer questions quickly and accurately, promoting learning, teamwork, and confidence among youth who share an interest in horses.
The Tennessee 4-H Horse Judging Contest helps youth develop skills in evaluating horses for conformation, soundness, and performance. Participants learn to recognize the relationship between form and function, identify unsoundnesses and blemishes, and distinguish desirable traits in both horses and riders. Contestants also present oral reasons to explain their placings and demonstrate their understanding of equine evaluation and communication.
