Validation

What is the Texas 4-H/FFA Livestock Validation Program?

According to the Texas 4-H and Youth Development office:

In order for any 4-H/FFA member to make entry into any major livestock show in Texas, their livestock projects must have been validated within the Texas 4-H/FFA Livestock Validation Program. The validation of 4-H/FFA livestock projects occurs annually to establish a permanent identity of the animal and verify ownership by the exhibitor. The validation program helps to ensure all animals are placed on feed and under the direct care of the owner on a designated date. The validation process occurs on a predetermined date established by the State Validation Committee. Most county shows also require state validation. Steers must be validated during the month of June for all
Texas major shows. Market lambs and goats must be validated during the month of June for the State Fair of Texas and during the month of October for all other Texas major shows (Odessa, Fort Worth, San Antonio, San Angelo, Houston and Austin). Market barrows must be validated during the month of June for the State Fair of Texas and during the month of November for all other Texas major shows.

At the time of validation, the animal is ear tagged; individual hair sample is collected on each animal to be used for DNA testing to verify identity at a later date; record of exhibitor(s) animal project(s) and code of ethics policy form completed by each 4-H member.

We will make announcements in the monthly newsletters, weekly e-mail blasts, and on this website regarding ordering validation tags and scheduling validation. You will be asked to sign an ethics policy for each species that you will be showing in upcoming stock shows.

2015 – 2016 Texas 4H & FFA Livestock Program Ethics Policy (pdf)

Steers

order validation tags in early May
validation is scheduled in June (dates will be posted in monthly newsletter and weekly e-mail blasts)

Goats

order validation tags in August
validation is scheduled in October along with sheep validation and dates will be posted in the newsletter, on the calendar and weekly e-mail blasts
order validation tags for the State Fair in April and validate in June

Sheep

order validation tags in August
validation is scheduled in October along with goat validation and dates will be posted in the newsletter, on the calendar and weekly e-mail blasts
order validation tags for the State Fair in April and validate in June

Swine

order validation tags in September
validation is scheduled in November and dates will be posted in the newsletter, on the calendar and weekly e-mail blasts

Horse