What the Southwest Regional 4-H Livestock Judging Contest Is
The Southwest Regional 4-H Livestock Judging Contest is a one-day contest where youth rank classes of live animals, then defend their placings out loud to an official. It is hosted by Murray County 4-H and University of Minnesota Extension in Slayton, and it draws youth from several southwest Minnesota counties and beyond.
Divisions and What Gets Judged
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Species | Beef cattle, sheep, meat goats and swine |
| Divisions | Beginner, Junior and Senior |
| Who can enter | Youth in grades 3 to 13 from any county |
| Awards | Top individuals and top teams in each division |
How It Works: The Timeline
- Register through the Google Form linked from the Extension event page.
- Morning: placings. Contestants rank the animals in a set of classes. Recent contests have used eight to ten classes, and participants take notes as they go and answer questions on some classes.
- After lunch: oral reasons. Contestants meet with the judge and officials to explain why they ranked a class the way they did.
- Awards. Top individuals and teams are recognized.
Who Can Enter and Rules
The contest is open to youth in grades 3 to 13 from all counties, not just Murray County. Individuals compete in one of three divisions, and teams can also enter. Teams in recent contests have been made up of three or four members.
Key Dates
The next contest is set for Wednesday, June 16, 2027, at the Murray County Fairgrounds in Slayton. The contest is held in mid to late June each year; the 2025 edition was held on Wednesday, June 18, and the 2023 edition on June 28.
Fees and What You Get
- Murray County 4-H members: free
- Out-of-county youth or non-4-H members: $20 per individual
- Teams: $50
Entrants get a full day of practice judging real classes of livestock, feedback from the official judge during reasons, and a chance at individual and team recognition. In the 2023 contest, 64 youth from Murray, Jackson, Lincoln, Brown, Winona, Martin, Pope and Pipestone counties took part, and in 2025 there were 35 youth from six counties.
Where
Murray County Fairgrounds, Murray County 4-H Building, 3048 Broadway Ave., Slayton, MN 56172.
Questions
Do I have to be a Murray County 4-H member?
No. Youth from other counties and non-4-H members may enter for $20 each.
What is the difference between the morning and afternoon?
The morning is for ranking classes; the afternoon is for oral reasons with the judge.
How much does a team cost?
$50.
Who can I ask?
Murray County Extension youth development educators Kim Hause and Kerstin Thoms, and administrative assistant Mallory Vos, are the listed contacts. Disability accommodation requests should reach the contact two weeks before the event.
Official Links
- SW Regional Livestock Judging Contest: University of Minnesota Extension event page, fees and registration
- Extension local events: next contest date
- Wheel Herald: 2023 contest report
- Wheel Herald: 2025 contest report
University of Minnesota Extension: The Essentials
University of Minnesota Extension works in all 87 counties, with more than 35,000 trained volunteers, per its What We Do page. Its Minnesota 87 project gives each county a page of local programs and staff.
4-H
Extension reports about 58,000 youth in 4-H. Animals must be identified in 4-H Online by May 15 for most species, and market animals cannot be leased, per the animal ID page.
State Fair
Extension runs 4-H Project Talks, Master Gardener help and Tree Care Advisors at the Minnesota State Fair, per its 2026 preview.
For producers and gardeners
Topics include beef, dairy, swine, poultry, corn, soybean, forages and farm safety, plus Master Gardener help with home horticulture.
Contact
The general Extension line is 612-624-1222.
Next steps
Find your county page through the Minnesota 87 project, then ask your office about clubs, deadlines and local workshops.
Each county sets its own local deadlines, so confirm with your office.
Read the full guide: University of Minnesota Extension: County Offices, 4-H and Help for Producers
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Murray County 4-H LQA&E Training
Livestock Quality Assurance and Ethics training (Levels I and II) for county livestock exhibitors, 6-9 p.m. at the Murray County 4-H Building in Slayton.
3048 Broadway Ave, Slayton, MN 56172 Official event details - Murray County Fair
Murray County Fair in Slayton is held each August; the most recent dates were August 12-15, 2026. Local 4-H exhibitors enter through FairEntry, which closed July 15.
Slayton, MN Official event details - Olmsted County 4-H Officer Training
Training for 2026-2027 Olmsted County 4-H club officers, 6-8 p.m., with a volunteer training held the same evening. Held each year; the most recent date was November 12, 2026.
Rochester, MN Official event details - Olmsted County Pesticide Safety Recertification
Private pesticide applicator A/E recertification day, 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., for Olmsted County farmers who must recertify every three years. Held each year; the most recent date was November 13, 2026.
Rochester, MN Official event details - Pope County 4-H Dairy Clinic
Dairy skills clinic for Pope County 4-H members at the University of Minnesota Morris West Central Research and Outreach Center. Held each year; the most recent date was November 15, 2026.
Morris, MN Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.