What the St. Landry Parish 4-H and FFA Livestock Show Is
The St. Landry Parish 4-H and FFA Livestock Show is the parish-level show where local youth bring the animals they have raised for the year to be judged, placed and recognized. It is run by the LSU AgCenter's St. Landry 4-H program and is the first stop on the Louisiana show circuit: animals that do well locally go on to the Acadiana District Livestock Show and the LSU AgCenter State Livestock Show. The most recent show was held January 16-17, 2026, at the Ag Arena in Opelousas. The 2024 show was held on Sunday, January 21, at the Chauncey Pitre Arena in Ville Platte, so exhibitors should confirm the arena each year.
Divisions and Classes
The 2024 results show how wide the show is. Every division also has showmanship, split into Junior (13 and under) and Senior (14 and over).
| Division | Classes shown in 2024 |
|---|---|
| Beef | Brangus, Gray Brahman, Red Brahman, Hereford, Miniature Hereford, Brahman Influence, Commercial Beef, St. Landry Parish Bred |
| Dairy | Holstein, Commercial Dairy Heifer and Cow |
| Sheep | Katahdin Ewe, Commercial Ewe, Market Lamb |
| Goat | Nigerian Dwarf, Nubian, AOB Dairy (Saanen), Commercial Dairy, AOB Meat (Savanna), Commercial Meat |
| Swine | Commercial Gilt, Market Hog |
| Poultry | Standard and Bantam Exhibition, Broilers |
| Rabbit | Senior Buck |
Who Can Enter and Rules
- The show is open to Louisiana 4-H and FFA members, clubs and chapters whose animals meet the class quality standards.
- You must be a bona fide 4-H or FFA member by November 1 to meet the validation and possession rules.
- 4-H members must be 9 before January 1 of the current club year and must not have turned 20 by that date.
- FFA members must be enrolled in a high school agricultural education program and must not have reached age 21 before the possession deadline.
- Clubs and chapters may show only in registered breeding classes, and those entries must be made in the club or chapter name.
- Exhibitors at LSU AgCenter shows must hold Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA) certification, an age-specific online course of about one hour that has cost $12 per exhibitor per year.
- To join the St. Landry Livestock Club, add it during 4-H Online enrollment or ask the 4-H office.
Key Dates and Deadlines (2025-2026 Season)
| Deadline | What is due |
|---|---|
| August 15, 2025 | Steer possession and validation |
| November 10, 2025 | Exhibition poultry possession; beef, sheep, goat and dairy breeding possession |
| November 17, 2025 | Miniature cattle possession |
| December 1, 2025 | Rabbit possession; swine breeding possession |
| December 10, 2025 | Breeding beef, dairy, sheep and goat registration papers due in 4-H Online |
| December 17, 2025 | Miniature beef registration papers due in 4-H Online |
| January 1, 2026 | Breeding swine registration papers due in 4-H Online |
| January 16-17, 2026 | Parish show, Ag Arena, Opelousas |
Commercial heifers, market lambs, commercial ewes, market goats, commercial does, market hogs and commercial gilts also have possession and validation deadlines set each season. Check the season information from the 4-H office for those dates.
Entering and Paying
In earlier seasons, parish show registration ran through the Fair Entry system, with a deadline in late November. Payment was by check made out to St. Landry 4-H and mailed to 1065 Hwy 749, Ste A, Opelousas, LA 70570. Exhibition poultry entries have stayed on paper. Ask the 4-H office for this season's deadline and fees.
Awards and What You Get
Champions and reserve champions are named in each class, and showmanship winners are named by age group. The show also crowns a Junior Premier Exhibitor and a Senior Premier Exhibitor. The Premier Exhibitor contest has been open to all St. Landry livestock exhibitors with no pre-registration. Graduating seniors are recognized, a livestock award honors a long-time supporter of the parish program, and the Kenneth "Gumbo" Taylor Memorial Scholarship has been presented to exhibitors at the show.
What Comes Next
The Acadiana District Livestock Show ran January 27-31, 2026, at the UL Blackham Coliseum Complex in Lafayette. The LSU AgCenter State Livestock Show followed February 14-21, 2026, at the Lamar Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales. Premier Exhibitor contests at the district and state levels require pre-registration and are for older grades.
Questions
Can a 9-year-old show?
Yes, if the child turns 9 before January 1 of the club year and is enrolled in 4-H by November 1.
Can a club or chapter enter?
Yes, but only in registered breeding classes and in the club or chapter name.
Who do I call?
The St. Landry 4-H Office: 337-948-0561.
Official Links
- 2025-2026 Livestock Show Season: show dates, deadlines, eligibility
- 2024 St. Landry Parish 4-H / FFA Livestock Show Results: classes and champions
- Livestock Show Entry Forms: registration, payment, YQCA and Premier Exhibitor information
- St. Landry 4-H Livestock Program
LSU AgCenter Cooperative Extension in Louisiana: The Essentials
The Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service is part of the LSU AgCenter, with faculty at five regional centers and in all 64 parishes, per the AgCenter overview.
What it offers
Programs cover 4-H and youth development, agriculture and pest management, horticulture, health and wellness, and natural resources, delivered through demonstrations, workshops, field days and newsletters.
4-H and livestock
Parish 4-H offices enroll youth and support the parish, district and state livestock show circuit. The 2026 state show ran February 14 to 21 in Gonzales, per the AgCenter report.
For producers
The Louisiana Master Farmer Program, created in 2001, has certified or recertified 381 producers since 2006, per the AgCenter.
Next steps
Find your parish office in the AgCenter directory and call before you buy an animal, plant a crop or start a project.
Read the full guide: LSU AgCenter Cooperative Extension in Louisiana
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Port Barre Cracklin Festival
Four-day festival in Port Barre built around Louisiana cracklin, the fried pork rind. Held each year; the most recent dates were November 12-15, 2026 at Veterans Memorial Park.
- St. Landry Parish 4-H/FFA Livestock Show
Youth exhibit beef, dairy, sheep, goats, swine, poultry and rabbits at the parish show, the qualifier for the Acadiana District show; the most recent dates were January 16-17, 2026 at the Ag Arena in Opelousas.
Opelousas, LA | 337-948-0561 | Organizer: LSU AgCenter St. Landry Parish 4-H Official event details - Here's the Beef Cook-Off
Beef cook-off hosted by the parish cattlemen at the Yambilee Building in Opelousas; the most recent edition took place March 7, 2026.
1939 West Landry Street, Opelousas, LA 70570 | Organizer: St. Landry Parish Cattlemen's Association Official event details - State Fair of Louisiana
The 120th State Fair of Louisiana fills the Louisiana State Fairgrounds in Shreveport for eighteen days, with livestock shows, midway rides and food. The fair has run since 1906.
3701 Hudson Ave., Shreveport, LA 71109 | Organizer: State Fair of Louisiana Official event details - Allen Parish Fair
Four-day parish fair at the Allen Parish Fairgrounds on Tiger Lane in Oberlin, with general and agricultural exhibits. Held each year; the 2025 fair ran Nov. 12-15 and the 2026 fair is set for Nov. 11-14.
Tiger Lane, Oberlin, LA 70655 Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.