Welcome

Welcome to the Avoyelles Parish 4-H / FFA Livestock Show page. Here you will find information regarding our Parish Livestock Program and livestock shows. If you need assistance with your livestock project or are interested in starting a livestock project please contact the Avoyelles Parish 4-H Office at 318-964-2245 or email jdufour@agcenter.lsu.edu.

Avoyelles Parish Livestock Exhibitors

If you are a new livestock exhibitor or previous exhibitor, but your contact information has changed, please complete the Livestock Exhibitor Form.

Purpose of 4-H and FFA Livestock Projects

The LSU AgCenter and Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service strongly support the many 4-H and FFA livestock exhibitors and their livestock projects. The livestock projects (1) are tools for the development of life skills by 4-H and FFA members, (2) provide an opportunity to expand their knowledge of livestock production and management, (3) improve and enhance livestock production in Louisiana. Therefore, the purpose of the 4-H livestock program is to provide opportunities for young people to develop character and life skills. Character traits identified are: leadership, respect, trustworthiness, responsibility, fairness, caring, honesty, integrity, self-esteem and citizenship. Youth develop life skills and character traits when they are involved in each phase of the livestock project from selection through the show ring. The 4-H or FFA member is deprived of valuable experience and development of these life skills when she/he is not the primary daily caretaker of animals as well as the primary person involved in fitting, grooming and showing of the project animal. Any assistance provided by others in the care, grooming, fitting or showing of project animals should be to instruct or teach. Adults are given the responsibility and duty to ensure that all livestock project activities and practices involving the 4-H or FFA member will result in building positive character traits and life skills.

Exhibitor Eligibility

Rule 8 under General Rules in the LSU State Livestock Show Catalog states:

A. Open to all Louisiana 4-H club and FFA members and clubs and chapters, regardless of gender, race, creed, color or national origin, whose animals meet the minimum standards of quality established for the class and other rules of entry.

B. All general eligibility rules that apply to 4-H and FFA project participants shall apply to the Livestock Show. Eligibility is specified in the current Handbook of Louisiana 4-H Awards and State FFA Constitution.

C. 4-H and FFA Eligibility Rules

1. In order for youth to participate in parish, district, state, regional, or national events they must be a bona fide 4-H member 30 days prior to the event. Youth must be a bona fide 4-H or FFA member by November 1st of the year validations and possession dates are enforced.
2. 4-H Club members must be 9 years of age before January 1 of the current club year and must not have passed their 20th birthday on January 1. Those who graduate from high school after being enrolled at the beginning of the club year and are active members during the club year will be eligible to compete in contests as permitted through the remainder of the club year ending August 31. High school graduates with live animal projects will be permitted to conclude their projects at the first fall show.
3. All FFA members must be regularly enrolled in a Secondary Agricultural Education Program (High School) and must not have reached their 21st birthday prior to the close of the date on which they must have assumed possession of the animal(s).
4. Clubs, chapters, orphans’ homes, training schools, etc. having organized bona fide 4-H clubs or FFA chapters will be allowed to show only in registered breeding classes. Entry must be made in the name of the 4-H club or FFA chapter. Premium money will be issued in the name of the club or chapter. All rules applying to individual exhibitors will apply.

Important Dates and Deadlines

August 15, 2022: Steer possession and validation deadline

November 7, 2022: Exhibition Poultry possession deadline

November 7, 2022: Beef, Sheep, Goat, and Dairy Breeding possession deadline

Beef & dairy commercial heifers, market lambs, commercial ewes, market goats, and commercial does possession deadline

November 14, 2022: Miniature Cattle possession deadline

November 30, 2022: Rabbit possession deadline

December 2, 2022: Swine Breeding possession deadline

January 19 - 21, 2023: Avoyelles Parish 4-H / FFA Livestock Show, APSB Barn - Marksville, La

February 1 - 4, 2023: Central District Livestock Show, Vernon Parish Fair Grounds - Leesville, La/EVAC Shelter (Poultry 2/5/22) - Alexandria, La

February 11 - 18, 2023: LSU State Livestock Show, Lamar Dixon Expo Center, Gonzales, La

Livestock Project Disclaimer

Given the health concerns with COVID-19 there is no guarantee that any LSU AgCenter sponsored Parish, District, or State Shows will occur as advertised. With that in mind all livestock show participants and families should note that purchase and/or validation of animals is at their own risk and financial investment.