Cooke County Jr. Livestock Show

Today's Youth, Tomorrow's Leaders

Board Members imageBoard Members imageBoard Members image
The Cooke County Junior Livestock Show was established to support the 4-H, FFA & FCCLA youth of Cooke County. A 501C3 organization, the show is held each year in January for youth to showcase their project work, receive recognition for their efforts and develop leadership and teamwork skills. All of this provides important opportunities for positive youth development. School FCCLA & FFA program participants include Callisburg, Era, Gainesville, Lindsay, Muenster & Valley View. Cooke County 4-H program participants include students attending public Cooke County schools, St. Mary's Catholic School, Sacred Heart Catholic School and home schooled students.

The show is governed by a board of directors who annually elect a General Superintendent, Assistant General Superintendent, Secretary/Treasurer. Directors include Ag Science Teachers, FCCLA Advisors, County Extension Agents and one representative from each school/agency/community. One additional director representing each division of the show are: Beef, Goats, Poultry, Sheep, Equine, Dairy Cattle, Rabbits, Swine, Shop & FCS.


2024-25 Officers

General Superintendent - K.D. Weaver
Assistant General Superintendents - Justin Little & Alan Bauwin
Secretary/Treasurer - Kelly Huston

2025  Division Superintendents

Equine - Hannah Gilmore
Dairy Cattle - Wayne Becker
Beef Cattle - Matt Bryson
Rabbits - Zachary Downe/Elizabeth Huchton
Poultry - Yvonne Sandmann
Sheep & Goats - Calvin Welper
Shop/Ag Mechanics - Corbin Evans
Swine - Mike Howe
Family & Consumer Science (FCS) - Katy Smith
Horticulture -Rhonda Smithson

Monday, January 6, 2025

08:00 AM
Equine Show
Location: Cooke County Cowboy Church, 8207 US 82, Gainesville, TX

Equine Show begins at 8:00 am

Tuesday, January 7, 2025

08:00 AM
Steer Weigh-in/Classification
Location: Cooke County Fairgrounds, 1901 Justice Center Blvd., Gainesville, TX 76240
08:00 AM
Dairy, Beef & Longhorn Heifer Check-in
Location: Cooke County Fairgrounds, 1901 Justice Center Blvd., Gainesville, TX 76240
10:00 AM
Cattle Show
Location: Cooke County Fairgrounds, 1901 Justice Center Blvd., Gainesville, TX 76240

Show Order: Dairy Heifers, Steers, Beef Heifers, Longhorn Heifers

Wednesday, January 8, 2025

08:00 AM
Lamb & Goat Weigh in/Classification
Location: Cooke County Fairgrounds, 1901 Justice Center Blvd., Gainesville, TX 76240
08:00 AM
Poultry Check-in
Location: Cooke County Fairgrounds, 1901 Justice Center Blvd., Gainesville, TX 76240

All broilers and breeding poultry must check-in with show superintendent.

09:00 AM
Poultry Show
Location: Cooke County Fairgrounds, 1901 Justice Center Blvd., Gainesville, TX 76240

Broilers followed by Breeding

10:00 AM
Lamp & Goat Shows
Location: Cooke County Fairgrounds, 1901 Justice Center Blvd., Gainesville, TX 76240

Show order: Breeding Lambs, Market Lambs, Breeding Goats, Market Goats

12:00 PM - 05:00 PM
FCS & Horticulture Show Check-In
Location: NCTC Lions Field House, 1525 W California St., Gainesville, TX 76240

All FCS and Horticulture show entries must be checked in for judging on Thursday.

04:00 PM
Swine Move-in
Location: Cooke County Fairgrounds, 1901 Justice Center Blvd., Gainesville, TX 76240

Swine will not be permitted to enter the barn until the conclusion of the goat show or 4:00 pm, which ever occurs first.

06:00 PM - 08:00 PM
Swine Weigh in/Classification
Location: Cooke County Fairgrounds, 1901 Justice Center Blvd., Gainesville, TX 76240

Thursday, January 9, 2025

09:00 AM
FCS & Horticulture Show Judging
Location: NCTC Lions Field House, 1525 W California St., Gainesville, TX 76240

No exhibitors, parents, teachers or extension agents will be allowed in the building during judging.

09:00 AM
Swine Show
Location: Cooke County Fairgrounds, 1901 Justice Center Blvd., Gainesville, TX 76240

Show order: Breeding Swine followed by Market Swine

04:00 PM - 06:00 PM
FCS & Horticulture Show Viewing
Location: NCTC Lions Field House, 1525 W California St., Gainesville, TX 76240

Building will be open for viewing of judging results.

04:00 PM - 06:00 PM
Ag Mechanics Move-in
Location: Cooke County Fairgrounds, 1901 Justice Center Blvd., Gainesville, TX 76240

All Large Ag Mechanics Entries must be in checked in by 6:00 pm. Small projects may also move in at this time.

06:00 PM - 07:00 PM
FCS & Horticulture Project Pick-up
Location: NCTC Lions Field House, 1525 W California St., Gainesville, TX 76240

All projects and awards must be picked up by 7:00 pm
NOTE: All Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion FCS and Horticulture projects will be moved to the Cooke County Fairgrounds to be on display Friday and Saturday morning, prior to the sale.

Friday, January 10, 2025

07:00 AM - 08:00 AM
Ag Mechanics check in
Location: Cooke County Fairgrounds, 1901 Justice Center Blvd., Gainesville, TX 76240

All small Ag Mechanics projects (wood, metal and leather) must be checked in by this time. Exhibitors have the option of also checking in on Thursday, January 9 from 4-6 pm.

07:30 AM
Rabbit Check-in
Location: Cooke County Fairgrounds, 1901 Justice Center Blvd., Gainesville, TX 76240

All Rabbit Meat pens and breeding rabbits must check in with the show superintendent.

08:00 AM
Rabbit Show
Location: Cooke County Fairgrounds, 1901 Justice Center Blvd., Gainesville, TX 76240

Show Order: Market (Meat Pens) followed by Breeding
***NEW FOR 2025: Rabbit showmanship presentations will occur throughout the Market and Breeding show judging.

09:00 AM
Ag Mechanics Show
Location: Cooke County Fairgrounds, 1901 Justice Center Blvd., Gainesville, TX 76240
06:00 PM
Abilities United Show
Location: Cooke County Fairgrounds, 1901 Justice Center Blvd., Gainesville, TX 76240

Saturday, January 11, 2024

11:00 AM
Buyers & Supporters Luncheon
Location: Cooke County Fairgrounds, 1901 Justice Center Blvd., Gainesville, TX 76240
11:30 AM
United Way Group Photo & Announcement of Scholarship Winners
Location: Cooke County Fairgrounds, 1901 Justice Center Blvd., Gainesville, TX 76240
12:00 PM
Premium Sale

2025 Rule Book

The 2024 show rules, regulations and guidelines can be accessed here for reference. Select "Read More" to access.

Read More

ORDER DEADLINE

Orders must be submitted by October 2, 2024. Check with your 4-H Extension Agent or Ag Teacher as they may require you to submit your order to them at an earlier date to allow them time to process payment.

Order Form

An order form with your payment in the form of cash or check must be turned in to your Ag Teacher or County 4-H Extension Agent. Click on the "Learn More" link below to access the fillable Order Form.

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Catherine Johnson

Equine

Lindsay Mitchel

Dairy Cattle

Colton Douglas

Steers & Heifers

Brian Lowe

Poultry

Donald Mersiovsky

Rabbits

Preston Lawrence

Sheep & Goats

Jacob Edmond

Swine

Don Mock, Heath Dollar, Kenneth Williamson

Shop/Ag Mechanics

Ashley Hartman

Horticulture

ABOUT

The Abilities United Show was established to give special needs students and adults in Cooke County the opportunity to exhibit livestock at the annual Cooke County Jr. Livestock Show. Volunteer Exhibitors and adults will assist participants by walking with them into the showring with an animal from show exhibitors. Minimum age to participate is 5 years old and in Kindergarten. There is no charge to enter. Applications can be accessed through the link to your right.

PARTICIPANT APPLICATION FORM

Application Deadline is: NOVEMBER 30, 2024 Applications can be turned in at Cooke County AgriLife Extension Office 206 S. Chestnut St. in Gainesville or mailed to: Alisha Bellar 1500 Broadway St. Gainesville, TX 76240 Applications can be accessed by selecting the "Learn More" link below

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Award recipients are recognized annually prior to the start of the Premium Sale.
$500 Scholarships are presented in the Memory of the following individuals:

Amy Bryant Kirkpatrick
Missy Dangelmayr
Doug Anderle
Herky Biffle
Pete Shauf

2025 Scholarship Applications are due to be submitted by Friday, November 15, 2024. High School Seniors, graduating in 2025, should complete the application from the link provided below and submit.


2025 Scholarship Application





Sale will begin at NOON on Saturday, January 11, 2025. Buyers must register for a bidder number prior to the sale. Complementary lunch will be served at 11:00 am for all registered buyers. Buyer Registration will open at 10:00 am at the Southeast end of the show barn. Look for registration tables near the show office. Volunteers will be available to help buyers with registration and any questions. Payments are due 30 days from date of sale unless other arrangements have been made.

2025 Sale Order

Our 2025 Sale Order and add-on list will be posted on Friday, January 10, 2025, once the sale order has been confirmed.

OUR AUCTIONEER

Chisam Cain

ADD ON INFORMATION

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  • Mailing Address: PO Box 83 Era, TX 76238