About this event
This listing covers the closing day of the 72nd annual Cherokee County Junior Livestock Show, held March 2021 at the Cherokee County Stock Show and Exposition Center in Jacksonville. More than 400 local students from FFA chapters and 4-H clubs took part. The year is the latest verified, so confirm current dates.
Schedule
The show ran three days and ended Saturday, March 27, 2021. Friday held animal competitions, including beef. On Saturday came a Buyers Appreciation Lunch, then the Queen's Contest and awards, then the livestock sale.
Categories
Swine, meat pen rabbits, poultry, dairy, rabbits, horses, goats, lambs, pens of commercial heifers and beef, plus baked goods, photography and horticulture. Participating groups included Alto, Bullard, Jacksonville, New Summerfield, Rusk, Troup and Wells FFA and several 4-H clubs.
Sale and scholarships
In a typical year the organization raises over $350,000 for youth through the live auction and awards around $40,000 in scholarships.
Getting there
The show is at the Cherokee County Stock Show and Exposition Center in Jacksonville. The Exceptional Kids show lists the Exposition Center at 611 Loop 456.
Official links
Texas County Junior Livestock Shows: The Essentials
A county junior livestock show is where Texas 4-H and FFA members exhibit market animals they have raised, usually in winter, and the best projects sell at a premium auction to local buyers. Exhibitors must be members of a Texas 4-H club or FFA chapter in good standing and work under a County Extension Agent or ag teacher. Age and grade limits are set by each county.
Validation and ownership
Most county shows require Texas 4-H/FFA livestock validation, when animals are ear-tagged, DNA-sampled and tied to the exhibitor, who signs the ethics policy. Typical validation is June for steers, October for lambs and goats and November for swine, but local deadlines win. Offering an animal for sale during the feeding period can make it ineligible for the remaining shows that season.
Sales and ID
Premium sales are run by each county, and many take add-on and sponsor support from local businesses. Animals must carry official ID under USDA and Texas Animal Health Commission rules. Quality Counts, the AgriLife online course, is expected by some shows. Selling a project at a major show makes it ineligible for later majors.
Read the full guide: Texas County Junior Livestock Shows: How They Work
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165 East 6th Street, Suite 104, Rusk, TX 75785 | 903-683-5416 Website - Cherokee County SWCD
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1836 South Jackson, Jacksonville, TX
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Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.