About this event
The East Texas Yamboree Junior Livestock Show is part of the East Texas Yamboree in Gilmer, held in the Yamboree livestock grounds, North Barn and show pavilion. It includes Upshur County market and commercial shows and open junior beef and dairy shows.
Dates, deadlines and schedule
The latest verified dates are from 2023: shows October 18-21 and the sale on October 21. Next dates are not posted, and the details below come from the 2023 rules.
- Wednesday: broilers 7:00 a.m., rabbits 10:30 a.m., swine weigh-in 4:00 p.m.
- Thursday: swine show 8:30 a.m., goat show 1:00 p.m., steer weigh-in 5:00 p.m.
- Friday: shop projects 8:00 a.m., steer show 1:30 p.m., commercial dairy 3:00 p.m.
- Saturday: junior beef 8:00 a.m., sale 2:00 p.m.; animals out by 6:00 p.m.
The deadline for all Upshur County entries was October 1, with no late acceptance for market and commercial entries. Out-of-county junior beef and dairy entries were taken the day of the show.
Divisions and fees
Junior beef heifers (seven classes by birth date), open junior dairy, steers, commercial dairy, market swine, broilers, meat pen rabbits, market goats, shop projects, floral cup and horticulture. Fees ranged from $15 (broiler and rabbit pens, shop, floral, horticulture) to $30 per hog.
Sale rules
- Guaranteed sale lots: up to 15 steers, 30 swine, 25 broilers, 25 rabbits, 20 meat goats and 10 dairy heifers.
- One sale animal per exhibitor, and sale animals are terminal.
- Commission is 5% on premium sale animals and add-ons.
- A $500 award from Legacy Ag Credit goes to the top-placing sale steer conceived, born and raised in Upshur County.
Tips for exhibitors and families
- Market swine must weigh 230-290 pounds on opening day. Steers need a 1,050 pound weigh-in minimum. Market goats need 60 pounds minimum.
- Exhibitors must be present for the sale picture and sale order.
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 Upshur County
- Big Sandy-Hawkins Journal
Newspaper listed in the 2023 Texas Newspaper Directory, published in Big Sandy, Texas.
Big Sandy, TX - Gilmer Animal Clinic
Veterinary practice in Gilmer, Upshur County, Texas, listed by the Texas Animal Health Commission among clinics with a veterinarian certified to test cattle for trichomoniasis (Upshur County).
Gilmer, TX | 903-797-2744 - Gilmer FFA Chapter
Gilmer FFA chapter; about 40 members helped Gilmer Elementary teachers set up classrooms in 2019 and became a 2020 National FFA Premier Chapter finalist in building communities.
Gilmer, TX - Gilmer Mirror
Newspaper listed in the 2023 Texas Newspaper Directory, published in Gilmer, Texas.
Gilmer, TX - Hill Farms
U-Pick Farm in Big Sandy, Texas, listed on PickYourOwn.org. Offerings listed: strawberries, blackberries, blueberries and muscadines. Listing advises confirming hours before visiting.
10191 State Highway 155 South, Big Sandy, TX 75755 | (903) 402-0804 - Hill Farms
Hill Farms is a farm stand in Big Sandy, Upshur County County, Texas. Address given as 10191 State highway 155 South Big Sandy. Listed as a farm stand or farm market. Source: the Local Farm Markets Northeast Texas listings.
10191 State highway 155 South Big Sandy, Big Sandy, TX 75755 | (903) 402-0804 - J & G Feeds Ore City
Upshur County livestock owners can find J & G Feeds Ore City at 201 E Main St in Ore City, TX 75683. Mad Barn's feed-store index carries the listing; confirm hours and feed lines by phone.
201 E Main St, Ore City, TX 75683 - McDermott Veterinary
Veterinary practice in Gilmer, Upshur County, Texas, listed by the Texas Animal Health Commission among clinics with a veterinarian certified to test cattle for trichomoniasis (Upshur County). McDermott Veterinary.
Gilmer, TX | 903-725-8885
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