Validation & Orders

The Texas 4-H and FFA Livestock Validation Program confirms ownership and ensures that youth exhibitors are actively engaged with their livestock projects. Validation components may include ear tags, tattoo, hair sample, nose prints, and/or a Unique Identification Number.

We do NOT validate for the Fort Bend County Fair or Needville Youth Fair.
(See “Other” page for links to those shows for info)

Lamb/Goat/Heifer/Steer Validation

Swine Validation

Fall Validation Tag Fees and FAQs

Broiler Order Fees and FAQs

Turkey Order Fees and FAQs

Validation Dates

Fall Validation Tag Order Form- CLICK HERE

Fall Validation for Spring Majors Tag Order Fees
Early	Late
Lamb/Goat: $30.00 per head Aug. 11th-Sept. 10th, 2025	Lamb/Goat: $35.00 per head Sept. 11th-Oct. 13th, 2025
Heifer: $30.00 per head Aug. 1st-Aug. 29th, 2025	Heifer: $35.00 per head Aug. 30th-Oct. 13th, 2025
Steer are ONLY validated in the Summer	Steer are ONLY validated in the Summer
Swine: $30 per Head, Sept. 1st-Sept. 26th, 2025	Swine: $35 per head Sept. 27th-Nov. 1st, 2025

Validation FAQs

Will my Validation tag be shipped to me or can I pick it up?

“No, all tags will be ordered through the Texas Validation site by the Fort Bend County Extension Office and will be shipped to our office. Tags are received at Validation; you must bring your animal to our set species Validation date(s) to receive your Validation tag.”

Is this Validation good for the Fort Bend County Fair?

“No, we encourage you to visit the Fort Bend County Fair website to learn about their entry and tag in deadlines.”

How many times of year do y’all do Validations?

“We do Validations twice a year! Once in the Summertime (June) and again in the Fall (October). Please note that Market Steers are only Validated in the Summertime.”

I am in the process of purchasing my animal, but don’t have it hand yet. Can I still order a Validation tag?

“Yes! We encourage you to order early if you know you are going to show a livestock animal at a Texas major show.”

Why do I have to Validate my livestock animal, and what major shows is this good for?

“You must Validate your livestock project to be eligible to show at a Texas major show. Once your animal is properly Validated you will be able to exhibit them at: State Fair, Heart of Texas, Fort Worth, San Angelo, San Antonio, Houston, and Austin.”

Swine Validation FAQs

Do I have to purchase Swine Validation tags? What shows do these tags cover?

“If you plan to show at San Antonio, San Angelo, Fort Worth, Houston, or Austin, all pigs (barrow, registered gilts, and crossbred gilts) must be validated. Swine Validation Tag orders open September 10th, 2025.“

How do I purchase Swine Validation Tags?

“You must come in-person to the Fort Bend County Extension Office (if you are FBC 4-H) and purchase your tags at the FBC 4-H desk by September 26th (Early tag price) or by November 1st (Late tag price) (tags will not be ordered if payment is not received by November 1st, 2025). If you are FFA, please contact your AST.”

Do I have to upload my gilt registration paperwork? Where do I upload it to?

“Yes. All registered/purebred gilt information and paperwork must be uploaded to the gilt paper upload system before . All paperwork uploads must be completed by the deadline. NO EXCEPTIONS.”

Gilt Registration Paperwork Upload System: http://validate.texasffa.org/gilt

Is there a deadline for Ownership and Litter Registration?

“Yes. Ownership and litter registration dates of all registered gilts must be on or before ”

How do I place an order for a Swine tag? Do I use the same form used for Steer/Heifer/Lamb/Goat?

“No. Swine Validation tags must be placed by your supervising AST, 4-H Leader, or County Extension Agent. You must reach out to your relevant supervisor to be added to their tag order form and provide payment via check or cash before September 26th, 2025 (early tag price) or November 1st, 2025 (late price).”

To whom do I make my check out to?

“Make Swine Validation tag order checks payable to Cinco Ranch FFA Booster Club.”

Validation and Order Info By Species

Species:	Order Info For Spring & Fall Shows:	Availability:	Validation Date, Time, & Location:
Broiler (State Fair)	Due: May 23rd, 2025 In-Person at FBC Extension Office More Info	4-H FFA: See AST	(Pick Up Time & Location TBD)
Broiler (Houston/San Antonio/Austin)	Due: September 19th, 2025 In-Person at the FBC Extension Office *The price of chicks will remain the same as in previous years at $1.50 per bird. Birds must be ordered in increments of 25 with a limit of 75 birds per individual exhibitor or family unit sharing an order (same rules as previous years)	4-H FFA: See AST	January 2026
Dog (State Dog Show)	December	4-H ONLY	Validate in 4-H Online
Heifer (Fall Major Shows)	Spring- Early: March 1st- April 1st, 2025 Late: April 2nd – May 31st, 2025 *See Validation Online Order Form to Order	4-H & FFA	Date & Time: June 9th, 2025, 4-7pm Location: Fort Bend Fairgrounds, Barn H
Heifer (Spring Major Shows)	Fall -Early: August 1st-August 29th, 2025 Late: August 30th-October 13th, 2025 Order Here	4-H & FFA	Date & Time: TBD Location: TBD
Horse (District 9 & Texas 4-H Horse Shows)	Early: March 1st- April 15th, 2025 Late: April 16th- May 1st, 2025 Information	4-H ONLY	March – May 2025 (4-H Online)
Lamb/Goat (Fall Major Shows)	Spring- Early: March 1st-April 1st, 2025 Late: April 2nd-May 31st, 2025 *See Validation Online Order Form to Order	4-H & FFA	Date & Time: June 10th, 2025, 4-7pm Location: Fort Bend Fairgrounds, Barn H
Lamb/Goat (Spring Major Shows)	Fall – Early: August 11th-September 10th, 2025 Late: September 11th-October 13th, 2025 Order Here	4-H & FFA	Date & Time: TBD Location: TBD
Steer (All Major Shows)	Spring- Early: March 1st- April 1st, 2025 Late: April 2nd – May 31st, 2025	4-H & FFA	Date & Time: June 9th, 2025, 4-7pm Location: Fort Bend Fairgrounds, Barn H
Swine (Fall Major Shows)	Spring – Early: April 1st-April 29th, 2025 Late: April 30th- June 3rd, 2025 More Info (AST/CEA/4H Leaders)	4-H FFA: See AST	Date & Time: TBA Location: TBD
Swine (Spring Major Shows)	Fall – Early: Sept. 26th, 2205; Late: Nov. 1st More Info (AST/CEA/4H Leaders)	4-H FFA: See AST	TENATIVE Date & Time: Nov. 20th, 2025, 4-7pm Location: Fort Bend County Fairgrounds
Turkey (Houston/San Antonio/Austin)	Due: August 8th, 2025 Orders Now Open, Must be Ordered through FBC 4-H Office More Info The price of turkey poults is $4.75 per bird ($118.75 per 25 poults)	4-H FFA: See AST	Houston/Austin January 26th, 2025 & Location TBD San Antonio January 2026 & Location TBD