4-H Beef Project

The 4-H Beef Program provides 4-H members with lots of different ways to be involved with beef cattle. Check out these different activities by clicking below to get involved today. 4-Her’s can participate in all levels of competition from multiple local county fairs, to larger regional and state events. Contact our office at 865-458-5612 for information about registration requirements and deadlines.

By entering a 4-H Beef Show or Exhibition, 4-H members master the art of selecting, caring for, training, grooming and showing their beef animals. 4-H’ers can participate at the county, regional, state, and national levels. Be sure to check out the Beef Expo Handbook and the Knoxville Spring Junior Cattle Show (KSJCE) Handbook for rules, deadlines, and registration forms.

Jeopardy-style competition where teams of three to four youth answer questions related to the beef cattle, swine, sheep, and goat industries. The state competition is held in January with the winning team representing Tennessee at the National 4-H Livestock Quiz Bowl in November in Louisville, Kentucky.

Link to Quiz Bowl Rules

Teams of three to four youth evaluate eight classes of beef cattle, swine, sheep, and meat goats based on structure, muscle, volume, and other production traits. They also present four sets of oral reasons and answer questions on two classes. Regional qualifying contests are held in April and May. The state competition is held the first Tuesday of June with the winning team representing Tennessee at the National 4-H Livestock Judging Contest in November in Louisville, Kentucky.

Link to Sign up for Loudon County Livestock Judging

Teams of three to four youth evaluate and identify cuts of beef, pork, and lamb. They also present oral reasons and answer questions. Regional qualifying contests are held in April and May. The state competition is held the first Tuesday of June with the winning team representing Tennessee at the National 4-H Meat Judging Contest in October in Kansas City, Missouri.

Link to sign up for Meat Judging

Beef Skillathon Contests test 4-H’ers knowledge and skills regarding all things beef. Members complete a written test combined with skills checks to demonstrate their knowledge and ability.

Link to Beef Skillathon Study Series

Tennessee 4-H Beef Project Educational Materials

Additional Resources

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