Is your child interested in animals, agriculture, competition, or building confidence? Our local 4-H Livestock Judging Program is a great place to get involved!
Led by Coach Brad Bennett, our program welcomes youth who raise livestock, hope to raise livestock one day, or simply enjoy learning more about animals. Members learn to evaluate beef cattle, swine, sheep, and goats by studying important traits such as structure, muscle, balance, production potential, and performance. They also build the ability to think critically, make decisions, and confidently explain their choices through oral reasons.
Livestock judging offers much more than a contest. Youth gain practical animal-science knowledge, strengthen public-speaking skills, make new friends, and discover future opportunities in the livestock industry. Coach Brad brings valuable expertise in judging and helps young people develop their oral-reasons skills in a supportive, fun, and inclusive environment.
The program is open to 4-H members in grades 4–12. Participants can practice locally, compete as part of a team, and work toward regional and state-level contests. For youth who enjoy a challenge, the Tennessee 4-H program provides a path from regional competition to the State Livestock Judging Contest—and, for qualifying senior teams, the opportunity to represent Tennessee at the National 4-H Livestock Judging Contest.
Whether your child has years of livestock experience or is just beginning to explore agriculture, we would love to welcome them to the team.
Come join us to learn, grow, compete, and have fun with livestock! Our first practice is Tuesday, October 6, 2026 at 6:30 PM. Please RSVP to attend by joining our remind and messaging Coach Brad through the app: https://www.remind.com/join/4hoclivest
For meeting information or to get involved, contact UT Extension Overton County at (931) 823-2735 or nmarrero@utk.edu.
4-H Youth Development
Related Links
- Information on livestock judging: Overton County 4-H Livestock Club: https://overton.tennessee.edu/4-h-youth-development/oc4htnlive/
- Tennessee 4-H Livestock Judging: https://4h.tennessee.edu/judging-teams/livestock-judging/
- Tennessee 4-H Livestock Judging Contest Guidelines: https://4h.tennessee.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2025/10/TNState4HLivestockJudgingContest.pdf