Validation Dates:
August 15, 2026: Market Steer
November 9, 2026: Beef, Sheep, Goat, Dairy Breeding, and Exhibition Poultry.
November 16, 2026: Miniature Cattle
December 1, 2026: Swine Breeding
Validation Procedures:
Exhibitor Responsibility:
1. Animals must be in continuous possession of exhibitors from time of validation until the LSU AgCenter State Livestock Show.See the rules in 2026-27 LSU AgCenter State Livestock Show catalog or consult the livestock show manager for specific possession rules.
2. Exhibitors should request validation kits from agents and FFA advisors as No later than August 24, 2026. Once kits are received in the office exhibitors will be notified.
3. Validation will consist of:
- Ear tagging animal.
- Collecting hair sample and/or DNA sample; hair sample should be placed in a properly identified validation envelope for each animal validated. Validation envelopes must be returned to the local LSU AgCenter office with a validation fee by the specified deadline.
- Exhibitors enter animal information into the 4-H Online system on or before possession deadlines.
The responsibility of entering animal info into 4-H online, ear tagging animals, and collecting DNA and/or hair samples will be that of the exhibitor and/or parent. Agents/FFA advisor MUST be present and can assist.
4. Animals previously tagged for the 2024 Louisiana State Fair may utilize the State Fair TAG to complete LSU AgCenter State Show validations. New DNA samples must be submitted to LSU AgCenter for all animals previously validated for the State Fair
5. Animals must be validated in either the exhibitor’s name or in the family name (Family consists of parents, legal guardians, brothers, and sisters). When official entries are completed, animals validated in family name must be entered in the name of the exhibitor that will show the animal at the District and State Livestock Shows.
Validation Hardship:
If you must file a validation hardship District and/or State Show manager must be notified within seven days after the validation deadline to be considered for a validation hardship. After contacting District and/or State Show Manager hardship forms must be immediately filed with supporting material and stating hardship. These hardships will be evaluated on a case by case basis by parish agent, district show manager, and state show manager. Only cases where it is determined to have been unavoidable will the exhibitor be allowed to validate. This decision will be final and not subject to appeal.
