What the State 4-H Livestock Judging Contest Is
The Alabama 4-H State Livestock Judging Contest asks young people to rank classes of livestock, defend their placings with oral reasons and answer questions about what they saw. The 2026 contest was held Tuesday, June 16, at the Stanley Wilson Beef Teaching Unit in Auburn. Youth can enter as individuals or as county teams, and the top Senior team earns a trip to the national contest.
Who Can Enter
- Enrolled Alabama 4-H members ages 9 to 18. Age is calculated on December 31 of the current 4-H year.
- Junior division: ages 9 to 13 before January 1, 2026. Senior division: ages 14 to 18 before January 1, 2026.
- Members had to be enrolled in Alabama 4-H by March 26, 2026.
- Contestants cannot have taken a postsecondary livestock evaluation course.
- Members may join a primary club in their home county or an adjoining county. Exception requests go in writing to Casey Mull, assistant director for 4-H, before May 15.
Teams and Individuals
A team needs at least three members. A county team is three or four members in one age division, and the top three scores make up the team total. Coaches name team members and alternates at check-in; alternates compete as individuals and can still win individual awards. Each county may enter one team per age group, and counties with several distinct clubs may enter one team per club. There is no limit on individual entries.
How the Contest Works: The Day
- Registration opens at 7:00 a.m. and the contest starts at 8:00 a.m. Nobody can join after it starts.
- Each contestant gets a number and is placed in a group. Contestants stay with their group leader until every class is judged, and only group leaders and ring stewards may enter the contest area.
- Each class has 12 minutes, with signals for start and time remaining. Juniors give one to two sets of oral reasons and answer two sets of questions. Seniors give four sets of oral reasons plus sets of questions. The exact class list is given before the contest.
- Lunch is provided during a break.
- Results are announced at the event, and coaches meet their contestants afterward.
Rules to Know
- Answers go on Universal Form A Scantrons in #2 pencil. A placing or answer that is unbubbled or double-bubbled earns zero for that class or question.
- Bring a pencil or pen and your own notebook or paper.
- No talking or conferring with anyone but your group leader; it can lead to disqualification.
- No clothing, markings or jewelry that show your identity or county.
- Tobacco and personal communication devices are prohibited.
Awards and What You Get
The first-place county Senior team represents Alabama at the National 4-H Livestock Judging Contest at the North American International Livestock Exposition in Louisville, Kentucky. If a winning team member declines, an alternate from the same county or club who competed at the state contest may take the spot. Results, including electronic copies of each scantron, are posted on judgingcard.com after the awards, and raw scoring data goes to official coaches to share with members and families.
Key Dates and Deadlines
| Item | 2026 date |
|---|---|
| Enrolled in Alabama 4-H | March 26 |
| Registration opens in 4HOnline | May 1 |
| Club exception requests | May 15 |
| Registration closes | June 9, 11:59 p.m. |
| Special needs or translation requests (in writing) | June 12 |
| Contest day | June 16 |
Where
Stanley Wilson Beef Teaching Unit, Auburn, Alabama. The registration page lists no entry fee.
Questions
Can I enter without a team?
Yes. Individuals are welcome and there is no limit per county.
What if I show up after 8:00 a.m.?
No contestants may join once the contest has started.
Do I need to bring lunch?
Lunch is provided during a break.
Who do I contact?
Reid McGuire, Youth Livestock Program Manager, Auburn University, 242 Upchurch Hall, Auburn, AL 36849, or your county Extension office.
Official Links
- Alabama 4-H State Livestock Judging Contest
- 2026 livestock judging packet
- Alabama 4-H state events calendar
Alabama Cooperative Extension System: The Essentials
The Alabama Cooperative Extension System carries out the land-grant mission of Alabama A&M University and Auburn University, in cooperation with Tuskegee University, and lists 67 county offices, per its A Ready Partner flyer.
What it covers
Program areas include agriculture, forestry, wildlife and natural resources, family and consumer sciences, community development, 4-H and urban affairs. The state office is at Duncan Hall, Auburn University, phone (334) 844-4444.
Soil tests and 4-H
Soil sample boxes come from your county office or a garden center, per Auburn's sampling guide. Alabama 4-H is open to ages 9 to 18, with Cloverbuds at 5 to 8, per the eligibility page.
Next steps
Call your county office before you visit, and ask which agent covers your question. The Master Gardener Helpline is 1-877-252-4769.
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- State 4-H Livestock Quiz Bowl and Skillathon
Held each year in Auburn for 4-H livestock exhibitors; the most recent dates were January 23 and 24, 2026.
- State 4-H Avian Bowl Contest
Held each year in Auburn for Alabama 4-H poultry project members; the most recent date was July 24, 2026.
- National Peanut Festival
Held each year in Dothan and tracked on the Alabama Farmers Federation calendar; the most recent dates were November 6 to 15, 2026.
- Alabama Farmers Federation Annual Meeting
Annual meeting of the Alabama Farmers Federation, held in Montgomery on the organization's events calendar for December 6-7, 2026.
- Gulf States Horticulture Expo
Horticulture trade expo in Mobile for Gulf Coast growers, shown on the Alabama Farmers Federation events calendar for January 6-8, 2027.
Mobile, AL | Organizer: Alabama Farmers Federation Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.