Major Shows
Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo
Texas has the largest number of 4-H and FFA livestock projects in the nation. Young people participate at the county, district, regional and state level. The tremendous support and dedication of livestock show officials help make this possible.
With this opportunity comes a responsibility for each exhibitor to learn and demonstrate the highest standards, both in personal character and in the feeding and care of their animals. “Quality Counts” is designed to teach young people the importance of displaying good character in carrying out livestock projects, and in every aspect of their lives. “Quality Counts” helps them learn the importance of using proper livestock management practices so that food quality and safety are preserved.
Your participation in “Quality Counts” helps ensure that Texas 4-H and FFA members can continue to be a part of the greatest youth livestock program in the nation.
Quality Counts certification will be required for San Antonio, Fort Worth, Star of Texas, San Angelo and Houston this year. *New!* Quality Counts will now also be required for the Montgomery County Fair! There is an online test you must pass to get this certification. There are also online training resources available and we will be scheduling some face-to-face trainings in the fall. Exhibitors must be certified once as an 8-13 year old and again once they are 14 or older.
Directions for Quality Counts Certification
If you will be showing at a major show or MONTGOMERY COUNTY FAIR this year, you will have to be certified in Quality Counts. KEEP these notes.
1. Go to http://qualitycounts.tamu.edu
2. Texas Trail tab is a teaching module that will provide training on Quality Counts. It takes about two hours, but there is a registration/log-in system so you can work any length of time and come back at another time to continue. You do not have to complete this before you attempt the test.
3. Verification tab is where you take the test. There are some instructions as you scroll down the page you will see the blue words to Take the Test.
4. There are three choices for Organization. 4-H, FFA and Both. This selection will determine which supervisor can view all the verifications for their group. If you think you might at any point in your career show in both organizations, please select both.
5. First and last name and birth date are required. For those that go by their middle name, make certain that you use the same name here that you will be using on your entries. Across the county, we have some name duplications. We are able to differentiate with addresses, but this is not possible in Quality Counts System. We suggest your full name, so that we can credit the correct person.
6. Complete the test. For Juniors 13 or under as of August 31st there will be 10 questions and your certificate number will be good until you are 14 as of August 31st at which point you will need to take the Senior version. For Seniors 14 or older as of August 31st there will be 20 questions and your certificate number will be good until you graduate.
7. Once you complete the test and hit submit you will receive a score. You must score 80% to receive a certificate. You can take the test as many times as you choose. You will get a new number each time you pass. The test will be different each time.
8. Once you have achieved 80% on the test you will be able to print a certificate with a number. KEEP THIS NUMBER. You will need this number to complete your Major Show and your Montgomery County Fair Entries.
BEEF
If you would like to show a STEER at any of the major shows, you must first order tags and have the steer validated. Tags cost $10 if they are purchased by April 10, 2012. After this date, they cost $20 each and are due on June 14, 2012. Validation will be held on Monday, June 25th from 4:00pm – 7:00pm at the Livestock Barn of the Montgomery County Fairgrounds. Members must be present.
HORSE
Horse Project Teaching Outlines
County 4-H Horse Practice Show Criteria
County 4-H Practice Horse Shows and Clinics – To qualify for the County 4-H Horse Show, you must attend at least 2 practice shows and one additional event, either another practice show or clinic from the list below:
Practice Shows:
- October 23rd, Willis Arena at 1:30 (Performance first)
- December 4th, Willis Arena at 1:30pm (Speed first)
- January 8th , Lone Star Arena, Montgomery Co. Fairgrounds at 12:30 (Performance first)
- March 25th, Willis Arena (Speed first)
Clinics:
- October 23rd, Willis Arena at 12:30 (Etiquette and rules)
- December 4th, Willis Arena at 12:30 (Showmanship)
- January 7th, Lone Star Arena, Montgomery Co. Fairgrounds at 3:00pm (Speed Clinic)
- January 8th, Lone Star Arena, Montgomery Co. Fairgrounds at 12:30pm (Trail)
- March 25th, Willis Arena at 12:30 (Grooming)
Horse Judging
In Horse Judging, members gain skills in decision making, observation, team work and critical thinking, while they learn the principles of horse judging and selection. Sharon Wellmann is a national horse judge and coaches the Montgomery County 4-H’ers. Practices begin at 6:30pm at the County Extension Office.
POULTRY
Submitted by: John Staton
Show turkey orders are placed in June with the poults (chicks) arriving in mid-October. Turkeys are ordered in multiples of ten. Families with several children will want to order twenty to fifty chicks. This one order of turkeys can be shown at the following major shows, along with the Montgomery County Fair: San Antonio Livestock Show, Star of Texas Livestock Show (Austin) and Houston Livestock Show. Each eligible child in the family can show from this one order of turkeys.
When the turkey order is placed, you must designate the Major Shows that you intend to take your turkeys to. The extension office will later host a Major Show Entry Night, where the entries will be completed and paid for. Contact the Extension Office and watch future newsletters for more information and the turkey order deadline.
Major Show Broiler Orders - Watch for information on broiler orders for Major Shows for the 2012-2013 year beginning in August.
Montgomery County Fair Broiler Orders - Watch for information on the broiler orders for the 2013 Montgomery County Fair beginning in August.
How to produce broilers for show
Producing Turkeys for Show
RABBIT
Rabbit Project Reference Manual
Russ Upton has scheduled Rabbit Project meetings for those who would like to learn more about the project. These meetings take place at the County Extension Office at 7:00pm on the dates listed.
- September 27 – Facilities, housing and equipment
- October 25 – Stock selection, feeding and nutrition
- November 15 – Breeding and kindling
- January 24 – Health and sanitation
- February 28 – Marketing and record keeping
- March 27 – Breeds, varieties and showing
- April 13 – Market pen picking for Montgomery County Fair
Rabbit Intent to Show Forms for the Montgomery County Fair will be due to the Fair Office by TBD 2012.
Montgomery County Fair Rabbit Tag In will be held on Thursday, March 22nd, 2012 from 5:00pm to 8:00pm at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds Horseshoe Club.
SHEEP & GOAT
If you would like to show a lamb or goat at the State Fair of Texas, you must first order tags and have it validated. Tags cost $10 and orders are due by April 10th, 2012. Late tags cost $20 and orders are due to the 4-H Office by June 14th. Validation will take place on Monday, June 25th from 4:00pm – 7:00pm at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds Livestock Barn. MEMBERS MUST BE PRESENT.
Texas 4-H/FFA Market Lamb Classification Slide Show
Selection of Prospect Market Lambs
SWINE
If you would like to show a barrow at the State Fair of Texas, you must first order tags and have it validated. Tags cost $10 if they are ordered by April 10th, 2012. Late tags cost $20 and orders are due to the Extension Office by June 14th. Validation will be held on Monday, June 25th from 4:00pm – 7:00pm at the Livestock Barn of the Montgomery County Fairgrounds. MEMBERS MUST BE PRESENT.
Major Show Swine Validation will be held on TBD 2012.
Montgomery County Fair Market Barrow Tag In will be held on TBD 2013 from 2pm to 7pm at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds Livestock Barn. Remember to bring pictures, ear notch card and tag in card.
