Spring Break is almost here!!! And this new year seems to be flying by! After talking to several families the need to increase the communication for programs and projects.

Kaufman County 4-H'ers are wearing out the roads from Fort Worth to San Angelo, San Antonio, our own County Fairgrounds, Houston and then Austin. Next month we will start selecting steer/heifer projects for the 2023-2024 year and also barrows/lambs/goats for the State Fair of Texas. If you are thinking of starting a livestock project, please let me or Jackie know so we can get you added to the Livestock email list.

Other 4-H news pertains to the spring contest season. We have the livestock judging contest, duds to dazzle contest, District Roundup (public speaking, educational presentations, Share the Fun: poetry, vocal, band, musical, theater, dance and more), shooting sports and more!

District Contest letters can be found at https://d44-h.tamu.edu/event-and-contest-links/. Let us know if you need more information regarding any of the contest above.

We are hosting the county Roundup on February 25th with the deadline to enter February 21st. Location will be determined by how many entries we get.

Guidelines for the Talent Showcase (aka - Share the Fun) roundup_talent_showcase_2023.pdf (tamu.edu)

Guidelines for Educational Presentations 2023 Texas 4-H Roundup Guide.pdf - Google Drive

To sign up goto - https://forms.gle/q5abNxu23uZKCu3a9

Kaufman County Jr. Livestock Show

DAILY SCHEDULE

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2023

County Fair Talent Division ………………………………………………………………………. 1:00 – 5:00PM

All Non-Food Items & Horticulture Items Due

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2023

County Fair Talent Division ………………………………………………………………………. 1:00 – 5:00PM

All Non-Food Items & Horticulture Items Due

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2023

Judging All Art/Crafts & Horticulture ………………………………………………………. 1:30 – 4:00PM

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2023

Gates Open for Arrival ........................................................................................... 4:00PM

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2023

County Fair Talent Division …………………………………………….....………..…………… 8:00AM – 5:00PM

Food Entries Due Rabbits Move In ………………………………………………….………. 8:00AM

Rabbit Weigh In / Classification ...............................................................9:00AM

Market Rabbit Show ................................................................................10:00AM

Followed by Breeding Rabbit Show Sheep and Goats in Place ........... 10:00AM

Market Sheep / Market Goat Weigh In .................................................. 10:30AM

Market Swine in Place .............................................................................. 3:00PM

Market Swine Weigh In ............................................................................. 3:30PM

Food Entries Judges ………………………………………………………………………………….. 6:00PM

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2023

Talent Division Open for Viewing ........................................................... 8:00AM – 8:00PM Breeding Sheep Check In ....................................................................... 8:00AM

Breeding Sheep Show .............................................................................9:00AM

Market Lamb Show to Follow Dairy Goat Show ................................... 1:00PM

Heifers and Steers in Place ....................................................................3:00PM

Steer Weigh-in ........................................................................................ 4:00PM

Heifer Check-In ....................................................................................... 4:00PM

Ag Mechanic Projects in Place .............................................................. 5:00PM

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1, 2023

Talent Division Open for Viewing ........................................................... 8:00AM – 8:00PM Broilers in Place .......................................................................................8:00AM

Broiler Show .............................................................................................9:00AM

Ag Mechanic Show ................................................................................10:00AM

Boer Does and Wether Does Check-In ..................................................10:30AM

Boer Doe Show .......................................................................................11:00AM

Wether Doe Show to Follow Market Goat Show to Follow Wether Doe Show

Swine Show .............................................................................................. 2:00PM

THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2023

Talent Division Open for Viewing ........................................................... 8:00AM – 8:00PM

Texas Longhorn Heifer Show followed by Miniature Zebu Steer Show . 9:00AM

Beef Heifer Show .................................................................................. 10:00AM

Commercial Heifer Show Following Beef Heifer Show Texas Longhorn Steer Show followed by Miniature Zebu Steer Show ............................................................... 3:00PM

Market Steer Show ..................................................................................4:00PM

FRIDAY, MARCH 3, 2023

Pick Up Talent Division Projects .............................................................8:00AM

Auction Set-Up/Check In ...................................................................... 10:00AM

Buyer Appreciation BBQ Dinner ............................................................. 1:00PM

KCJLS Award Ceremony .........................................................................2:30PM

Auction begins immediately following Awards Ceremony

***For Release Times of Animals and Projects – See Division Superintendents***

Rules:

1. PeeWees may only show Lambs, Goats, Steers, Rabbits, Heifers, and Market Hog

2. A parent / legal guardian must be ring side the entire time during PeeWee Showmanship.

3. Only animals previously entered and exhibited in the KCJLS will be used for PeeWee Showmanship.

4. Ages - 2nd grade and below / younger will be allowed to show in PeeWee Showmanship.

5. Only a KCJLS exhibitor is to assist PeeWee exhibitors in the ring.

6. The PeeWee showmanship classes are held during the same time period of the specie showmanship classes. Check with the show superintendent on the order of classes.

State 4-H Horse Show Rule Changes!

The State 4-H Horse Show Committee has voted on several rule changes for the 2023 year. Please make sure to read through them here. Updates are noted in red.

Kaufman County validations require all 4-H and FFA members to order and pay for their tags prior to validation to ensure the correct number of tags are ordered. All orders must be handled through the Kaufman County Extension Office or placed online through the Kaufman Livestock 4-H Square Site ( the link will become available March 1st ). Tags will be available to order starting March 1st, 2023 and the deadline to order will be April 5th, 2023.

Summer Livestock Validations will be conducted at the end of June for the following species:

2023 State Fair of Texas:

• Market Lambs, Market Goats, Registered Breeding Sheep, Registered Breeding Goats, Wether/Commercial Dams, and Wether/Commercial Does

• Market Barrows and Registered/Crossbred Gilts 2023 Heart O’ Texas Fair:

• Registered/Crossbred Gilts

All 2023-2024 Shows:

• State/BCYF Market Steers

• State/BCYF Breeding Heifers

**New for 2023** Changes for Lamb & Goat Exhibitors

Lambs and goats validated during the 2023 State Fair Validation Period (June) WILL BE ELIGIBLE for 2024 Spring Major Shows. Market animals validated for the 2023 State Fair will carryover for 2024 Spring Major Shows. Once validated, the project MUST stay in the care of the exhibitor that project is validated to; if the exhibitor chooses to sell the project to a new exhibitor, the new exhibitor MUST REVALIDATE the project within the next validation period. Please see the Validation Guidelines for more details.

Reminder: The 3 year Roll-Over program for breeding sheep and goats will still be in effect. For example, any BREEDING animal validated during the State Fair 2021 validation period is eligible to be exhibited by that exhibitor through the State Fair 2024 show season. IF OWNERSHIP CHANGES, THEN THE ANIMAL MUST BE REVALIDATED. Please see the Validation Guidelines for more details.

**New for 2023** Changes for Heifer Exhibitors

All state validated heifers will be tagged similar to steers. This will bring our heifer validation program in line with breeding sheep, breeding goats, and breeding gilts. Please order tags accordingly. Both steers and heifers will be charged a $25 per validation fee. This increase in cost is due to two factors. 1) In an effort to be in compliance with Texas Animal Health Commission, we are switching our previous EID frequency tags to 840 frequency EID tags. This will allow our state validated livestock to move in compliance with TAHC across state lines and be in compliance when issues a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (health papers). This is a move in a positive direction, but does come at an increased cost. 2) Costs and fees have increased across the board, as well as expanding the services of the validation program to additional shows. That said, we must compensate accordingly to continue to provide educators, exhibitors, and their families the continued support, education, and consistency we have established. Please keep in mind the validation fee is not ONLY for the cost of the tag, but the entire validation SYSTEM that includes personnel, travel to livestock shows, a robust online database/maintenance, and our validation compliance team that helps ensure our rules and guidelines are enforced to ensure a fair and level playing field for Texas livestock exhibitors.

There are less than 130 days until Texas 4-H Roundup in College Station! If you are already planning to participate in some of the sessions/invitational contests, be sure to book a room in advance! The hotel block information can be found here. Want to learn more about State Roundup and the different contests? Visit this link.

Attending one of the Texas Brigades Camps is truly the experience of a lifetime. Be sure to get your application in on time! Visit their website for more information.

Don’t miss this opportunity! Core Academy Application 2023 is open for grades 9-12! Deadline is April 15th! You can now pay online, Click here.

Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CORE4H

I am pleased to announce that the District Council Officers have planned an excellent District IV 4-H Community Service Project! We will be collecting items for the Ronald McDonald House in Dallas. They have a very specific list of ongoing needs to support the families that stay with them. Once the items are gathered, the District Council Officers will deliver them directly to the Ronald McDonald House.

The District IV 4-H members can deliver them to their local County Extension Office or bring them to District Roundup on March 24th or 25th in Farmersville. Please help support this worthy cause!

Contact the Extension Office for more information.

Texas Extension Education Association—February 12

Texas 4-H Foundation FINAL Application due ONLINE— February 15

Houston Livestock Show Area Go Texan—February 15

Houston Livestock Show Exhibitor—February 15

Texas Farm Bureau—March 15

San Angelo Livestock Show Scholarship— March 10

Lone Star Ag Credit—March 17

Kaufman County Farm Bureau Scholarship - March 23

Heart O’ Texas Fair & Rodeo Scholarship—March 24

Capital Farm Credit Scholarship—TBD

Don’t hesitate to ask for help if you have any questions regarding scholarships.

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension is an equal opportunity employer and program provider. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension provides equal opportunities in its programs and employment to all persons, regardless of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating.