About this event
The Kaufman County Junior Livestock Show (KCJLS) is held at the Kaufman County Fairgrounds, 4001 S. Washington St., Kaufman. The 2026 show was the 100th, themed "100 Years of Country Roots and Cowboy Boots," and was expected to be the largest in the organization's history.
Dates, deadlines and schedule
The latest verified dates are February 22-28, 2026. Annual recurrence is assumed; next dates are not yet posted.
- Tuesday, February 24: Community Night after the Market Rabbit show, with bounce houses, a mechanical bull and a concert at 8:00 PM
- Wednesday, February 25: ag mechanics projects such as custom trailers, smokers and farm equipment
- Thursday and Friday, February 26-27: swine, lamb and steer shows, with the Market Steer Show Friday night
- Saturday, February 28: Buyer Appreciation BBQ Lunch at noon, KCJLS Auction at 2:00 PM
Divisions or species
Market steers, swine, lambs, goats, rabbits and ag mechanics. The news report names Forney FFA and North Forney FFA students among the exhibitors.
Getting there
Kaufman County Fairgrounds, 4001 S. Washington St., Kaufman, Texas.
Tips for buyers and families
- Local business owners and Forney buyers' groups bid on student projects at the auction.
- Proceeds often go to college savings accounts or the following year's animal project.
- Community Night is the family-friendly evening of the week.
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
More in Kaufman County
- Ag-Power Inc (Terrell)
Equipment Dealer in Terrell, Texas, listed in the Farms.com directory of Texas farm equipment dealers. Contact the business directly for brands carried and current inventory.
2402 W Moore Ave., Terrell, TX 75160 | 972-563-1298 - Deen Implement Co
Equipment Dealer in Forney, Texas, listed in the Farms.com directory of Texas farm equipment dealers. Contact the business directly for brands carried and current inventory.
703 W Broad Street, Forney, TX 75126 | 972-552-3151 - Floating O Farms
Floating O Farms is a farm stand in Terrell, Kaufman County County, Texas. Address given as 12193 Fm 2728. Open: by appointment only call ahead for reservations. Source: the Local Farm Markets Dallas-Fort Worth listings.
12193 Fm 2728, Terrell, TX 75161 | (903) 366-3790 - Forney FFA Chapter
Forney High School FFA chapter whose members exhibit at the Kaufman County Junior Livestock Show and county fair events, reported in local coverage of the 100th show in 2026.
Forney, TX - Forney Messenger
Newspaper listed in the 2023 Texas Newspaper Directory, published in Forney, Texas.
Forney, TX - Ham's Orchards
U-Pick Farm in Terrell, Texas, listed on PickYourOwn.org. Offerings listed: blackberries and peaches. Listing advises confirming hours before visiting.
11939 CR 309, Terrell, TX | 972-524-2028 - Kaufman County 4-H Council
Youth-run county 4-H council that meets the third Tuesday of each month at 6:30 PM at the Extension Office and posts show, contest and hay-judging news for Kaufman County 4-H members on its blog.
2471 N State Highway 34, Kaufman, TX 75142 | (469) 376-4520 Website - Kaufman County AgriLife Extension Office
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service county office serving Kaufman County. Located at 2471 N State Highway 34, Kaufman, TX 75142. Listed in the AgriLife People directory of Extension county offices.
2471 N State Highway 34, Kaufman, TX 75142 | 469-376-4520 Website
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Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.