Volusia County 4-H Livestock Judging

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Volusia County 4-H Livestock Judging 4-H members that practice and compete in contests from Volusia County. Eight of our teams have competed on the national level representing Florida.

We are a group of 4-Hers from around Volusia County that practice in compete in livestock judging contests around the state. Livestock judging is a program that teaches youth to evaluate beef cattle, swine, sheep and goats based on desirable breeding and market characteristics in competition along with understanding the livestock industry and public speaking through questions and oral reasons. Youth not only learn about judging livestock, but other life skills such as responsibility, study skills, public speaking, commitment and organization through these programs. All 4-H youth members ages 8-18 are welcome, please contact Lori Smith or a current member to see how you can become involved. For team inquiries about national teams, please message this page. For information on how to join 4-H if you are not a member, please contact the Volusia County 4-H office.

Our October practice was another fantastic one on Tuesday, with nearly 20 youth of all ages and experience gathering to ...
10/22/2026

Our October practice was another fantastic one on Tuesday, with nearly 20 youth of all ages and experience gathering to learn more about judging before the season officially begins!

This month's practice focused on EPD data and scenarios, with a shout-out to Isabella and Tinley for being fantastic youth presenters!

T-minus just over two weeks to go until the first contest of the regular season, stay tuned for more.

We would like to wish the best of luck to our members Mia, Emma, Ty and Mya, who will be representing Florida in the 202...
10/20/2026

We would like to wish the best of luck to our members Mia, Emma, Ty and Mya, who will be representing Florida in the 2026 National FFA Livestock Evaluation CDE on behalf of DeLand FFA tomorrow!

(Mya is judging in lieu of Zach, who is competing in the 2026 National FFA Employment Skills LDE!)

— National Livestock CDE 🐂

Join us in wishing GOOD LUCK to the team from DeLand SR FFA, representing Florida in the 2026 National FFA Livestock Evaluation CDE!

Team members include, from state roster, Mia Portillo, Emma Lightsey, Zach Mosley and Justin "Ty" Davis from DeLand High School of Volusia County.

The competition takes place on October 21, with judging classes, oral reasons and a team activity, in person at the 99th National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis.

Best of luck, team!
Interested in competing in this event this season? Competition begins with a written exam in November, with the top 25 middle school teams advancing to the state finals in February, and the top 50 high school teams advancing to the in-person preliminary in February, with the top 20 teams there advancing to the state finals in April.

Talk to your advisor for more information!

The judging excitement continues this week, join us tomorrow (Tuesday 10/20) to learn more about the basics and how you/...
10/20/2026

The judging excitement continues this week, join us tomorrow (Tuesday 10/20) to learn more about the basics and how you/your youth can judge with 4-H at VCF next month!

Judge with 4-H at VCF and beyond this fall/winter!

If you are interested in practicing your skills or learning more about livestock judging, join us on Tuesday, October 20 at 6:00pm at the 4-H Office!

All Volusia County 4-H members are welcome, please bring a notebook/steno and pencils. If you have questions, comment below or reach out to Lori via text or DM.

THE RESULTS ARE INCongratulations to Ty, Mya, Hannah and Landon on competing at the 2026 American Royal Livestock Judgin...
10/19/2026

THE RESULTS ARE IN

Congratulations to Ty, Mya, Hannah and Landon on competing at the 2026 American Royal Livestock Judging Contest in Kansas City today!
Fourteenth Place Team

Justin "Ty" Davis – Top 30 Overall, Cattle and Reasons
Mya Coates – Top 30 in Sheep/Goats
Hannah Luznar
Landon Kumpf

Coach: Lori Chattin Smith
A high-quality contest that brings together top state teams from across the country, the 2026 American Royal Livestock Judging Contest included 10 classes and six sets of reasons, hosted by the American Royal Association in Kansas City, Missouri.

Congratulations to the team from Virginia 4-H and Oklahoma FFA for taking home the champion team titles this year.

After taking home third place in the state back in the spring and now having judged in Kansas City, join us in congratulating all four of these youth on an amazing year, and the best of luck in their future judging and career endeavors!

Volusia County Florida 4-H
UF IFAS Extension Volusia County
Florida 4-H

Today is the day, it's a cool and crisp 40° in Kansas City, and a great day for some judging, join us in wishing Landon,...
10/18/2026

Today is the day, it's a cool and crisp 40° in Kansas City, and a great day for some judging, join us in wishing Landon, Mya, Hannah and Ty the best of luck on the floor and in the reasons room at the American Royal Livestock Judging Contest today!

The contest includes 10 classes and six sets of reasons, with awards to follow this evening, we will share the livestream link later today.

Finishing off the day at the famous Golden Ox Steakhouse inside the Livestock Exchange Building in Downtown KCMO before ...
10/18/2026

Finishing off the day at the famous Golden Ox Steakhouse inside the Livestock Exchange Building in Downtown KCMO before the big day tomorrow!

Our thanks to Jerry Mullins and Gulf Coast Cattle for helping make it possible!

(But first, last sets of reasons tonight!)

The team – with final member collected – has arrived in time for some top-quality classes and discussion in preparation ...
10/17/2026

The team – with final member collected – has arrived in time for some top-quality classes and discussion in preparation for the big day tomorrow!

Thank you to Ward Brothers Livestock for your hospitality to us — and teams from across the country!

Today is the day, our Kansas City team is making their way to Missouri, three team members and chaperone by plane, and o...
10/17/2026

Today is the day, our Kansas City team is making their way to Missouri, three team members and chaperone by plane, and one meeting at the destination!

Workouts, coaches meeting, dinner and reasons practice coming soon, stay tuned for more adventures!

T-minus less than two days to go until their adventure begins, with one more supporter to thank!Thank you to Jerry Mulli...
10/16/2026

T-minus less than two days to go until their adventure begins, with one more supporter to thank!

Thank you to Jerry Mullins of Gulf Coast Cattle for your support of our Kansas City-bound team.

Finally, you might remember that we had a team that went to last year, and you would be correct, and it's time for their...
10/15/2026

Finally, you might remember that we had a team that went to last year, and you would be correct, and it's time for their first throwback of our Kansas City team from 2025, who represented Florida at the American Royal last season!

Where are they now?

One currently serves as the state FFA president and was a member of the state champion FFA team this past year. The other three are still in high school, still showing and judging livestock, and we can't wait to see what's to come for them as they continue.

Third Place at State 4-H Contest (2025)
Represented Florida at the American Royal (2025)

Zach Mosley
Liberty Conaway
Madelyn Wright
Brooke Arce

Address

Deland, FL

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